Twitter Virus Spreading

This message is important to your computer.

 A virus that has been around a while is back with a vengeance.   It’s called many things like XP Antivirus 2012, Vista Antivirus 2012 or Win 7 Antivirus 2012.

Even though I have a few hundred dollars worth of virus protection, it got through, mainly because it looks like it’s an update to Microsoft — asking me to provide extra protection.  It looks very authentic.   It has been around since 2009 BUT it changes (for the worse) as it ages.

It caused me 6 hours worth of work and gave me a horrible headache to get rid of it.  It has stopped my computer from being Wi-Fi (yes, my laptop cannot get online now)  and my CD isn’t working.  Since I don’t want any of you to go through what I did, I’m sending you this email.

How Did I Get It?

I’m sure I got it through a direct message (DM) from someone I’m following on Twitter.  The DM came to me in an email.  The message said something like “see what bad things they’re saying about you on the Internet”  or “they’re talking badly about you on the internet”.   The DM included a link, and the link sets you up for the virus.

But there are many ways to get this virus.  My niece got it last year and she’s on AOL.   Here is a page of pictures so that you know what it looks like:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Threat/Encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32/FakeRean

What Does it Do?

It takes over your browser — Internet Explorer or Firefox.  I MEAN it takes it over.  Any website you try to get to — even your virus protection website —  it won’t let you go to.  It takes you where it wants you to go — setting you up for more and more problems.

It goes into your system and changes file names on you.  (Did this enough so that my network and CD aren’t working)

What Happens If You See it Starting it on Your Computer?

Turn your machine off immediately  — pull the plug out if that’s the quickest way to shut it off.  (As a geek, and someone who taught computer and web design classes I don’t ever give my friends that suggestion lightly, but here I would)   Next pull the plug out of your Broadband and Wi-Fi so your machines can’t get onto the Internet again — until you say do.  Then start your computer.  Close the brower’s pages.  Run your computer’s virus scan in full mode (this may take a few hours)

to make sure you didn’t catch it or to catch it early.

How Do You Get Rid of It?

If your Broadband is still turned off, put it back on.  Go to a clean computer and then visit your virus protection website.   Put in it’s name, and see what they tell you to do.  There are a variety of fixes.  My virus protection program’s directions didn’t work for me and even a deep cleaning didn’t help.  What helped me get rid of it (finally) is the program on this page.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials 

If you don’t have another computer, follow these instructions:

1) Call your ISP (Comcast, MSN, etc.) to see what they recommend.  That’s what I did and then they gave me a free phone number to get it fixed by Norton.

2) The Microsoft Forum has many good answers on it — http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistadesktopui/thread/6f7da373-37eb-4645-99ee-95b6f0cb7b4a]

PREVENTION

Besides knowing what it looks like, consider going to your virus protection’s website now.  Do a search for it and download the file it says will help you remove it IF you ever get it. 

This is a toughie.  I’ve been using computers since 1973, have been online since 1994, and teach computer, webdesign and social networking classes.  This is the 2nd time in all those years that I’ve seen THIS MUCH destruction.  I don’t want you to deal with it too. 

Upwards and onwards,

Maria Marsala

Business Strategist