Format the computer

[Guest]

Hi,

Is it necesary to format the computer when you have had the sasser worm?

Thanks!

 

[Phil \(purplehaz\)]

No. Just go here:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

 

[Guest]

Thanks Phil, but I'd read that the big problem is not the worm, it is easy to deleted. The big problem is that your computer was been vulnerable to rootkits, troyans, etc...

 

[ra]

If you format the computer you will still be vulnerable to all those things
unless you do all the necessary things to protect it.

Thanks Phil, but I'd read that the big problem is not the worm, it is easy

to deleted. The big problem is that your computer was been vulnerable to
rootkits, troyans, etc...

 

[Phil \(purplehaz\)]

The worm doesn't open any other vulnerabilities. Make sure you have ALL ther
security patches from windows update, always run a firewall, have a pop-up
blocker, and updated anti-virus and you'll be fine.

 

[kurttrail]

Hi,

Is it necesary to format the computer when you have had the sasser
worm?

Thanks!

Nope, it is not necessary.

Do you know where to get all your drivers?

Do you have all the install disks and Product Keys for the programs you
have install on your computer?

Do you have all you data and settings backed-up prior to infection?

Do you know how to do a clean install?

Do you know how to format your drive outside of the XP install process?

Do you have all the Windows patches ready to be installed, before you
connect to the internet for the first time after the format and clean
install?

Do you have the time to spend hours starting from scratch?

If you can answer yes to all these questions, then go ahead and do it,
if that will ease your mind, but if you can't answer yes to all these
questions, then you may be asking for more problems than was caused by
Sasser.

Nothing in this world is absolutely certain, so we live in doubt
everyday, but whether you want to format or not after viral infection
depends more on how much doubt you are willing to live with, than
whether it is neccessary, because even if you do format, you still will
have to live in doubt about what may get through to your computer
tomorrow.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

No, of course not. Formatting the hard drive to solve a virus
problem is rather like using an axe to trim one's fingernails. Sure,
it'll probably get the job done, but it's rather messy...., and
almost always unnecessary.

To stay on-line long enough to get the necessary updates, patches,
and removal tools, click Start > Run, and enter "shutdown -a" when the
next Shutdown countdown begins. This will abort the shut down. Also,
make sure you've enabled a firewall before starting, to preclude any
more intrusions while getting the updates/patches/tools.

What You should Know about the Sasser Worm and its Variants
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-011.mspx

W32.Sasser.Worm
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.worm.html

A tool is available to remove the Sasser worm variants
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;841720

W32.Sasser.Worm Removal Tool
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.removal.tool.html

McAfee AVert Stinger Virus Removal Tool
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



Bruce Chambers

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