denise said:
I recently downloaded a risky attachment from an email. A bunch of TMP
files that have the titles of past documents that were saved in my word
documents file have suddenly appeared in that folder. Did I download a
virus? Every little bit of help would be great, even if you're not an
expert on the subject.
To me, it sounds like it could be a virus. Many virii will write a bunch of
*.tmp files (the "I love you" virus comes to mind). Try not to be too hard
on yourself. I've learned some lessons in life the hard way too (and they
were a lot worse than a computer virus <g>). As a computer training
consultant, something that I emphasize to my clients over and over and over
relative to attachments is this:
Try your best to never open a file attachment. However, if you feel there
is a compelling need to open an attachment you should (i) personally know
and trust the person from whom you receive it and (ii) know with 100%
certainty that it does not contain a virus. Becoming 100% certain it
doesn't contain a virus should involve a personal contact with the person
that sent it to you (via phone, fax, or email) and their confirmation to you
that they personally know it to be virus-free. Then, prior to opening the
file attacment, run it through your updated anti-virus software program.
This advice is particularly geared toward general emailing activity outside
of your home or worksite. In a work environment where work-related file
attachments are sent/shared intra-office, these steps may not need to be
that stringently enforced.
There are three pieces of software that I have installed (and use) on all my
systems. All three require updating/running on a regular basis. They are:
1. Anti-Virus software (I personally use McAfee, but there are other good
anti-virus programs)
2. Spybot Search and Destroy (a free spyware-detection/removal program -
Google for it)
3. Ad-Aware (also a free spyware-detection/removal program - also can be
located through Google)
There are other good spyware detection/removal software programs that others
here recommend. I'm assuming they will add to my suggestions.
I also recommend that you regularly do a Windows Update to obtain security
patches, etc.
I suggest that you obtain/install (if you haven't done so yet) an anti-virus
program, obtain/install the latest updates to it, then do a full system scan
to address your immediate concerns regarding a possible virus.
I guess I overestimated the Mcafee virus scanner on hotmail because I'm
dumb... I figured the file was safe because it said it was safe. I guess it
doesn't work all the time.
Worse things in life can and will happen. I don't mean to sound cold or
uncaring, but it is, after all, only a computer related issue. The main
thing is that it sounds like you've learned from your current experience.
Sorry for the length of this, but HIH.
Loren
