Virus and Spyware

[Mark Buckles/Harlan Labs]

My boss's computer was infected with the w32.beagle.aq@mm!zip
virus, and various bits of spyware and adware such as powerscan,
conscorr.exe, bxxs5.dll (and much more).

This seemingly happened while he was browsing a message board
called IDCC on the www.investorshub.com website.

He says that he did not download anything - how could this infection
have happened? How can it be prevented in future?

Note: he was running Norton antivirus software.

Thanks!

Best Regards,
Mark Buckles
Harlan Labs, San Diego
http://www.harlanlabs.com

 

[kurt wismer]

My boss's computer was infected with the w32.beagle.aq@mm!zip
virus, and various bits of spyware and adware such as powerscan,
conscorr.exe, bxxs5.dll (and much more).

This seemingly happened while he was browsing a message board
called IDCC on the www.investorshub.com website.

He says that he did not download anything - how could this infection
have happened? How can it be prevented in future?

is it possible he was using internet explorer?

that's a rhetorical question, by the way, of course he was... the
simplest way to avoid the problem is to not use IE or anything based on
IE to browse the internet...

 

[snailmail222(valid)000]

My boss's computer was infected with the w32.beagle.aq@mm!zip
virus, and various bits of spyware and adware such as powerscan,
conscorr.exe, bxxs5.dll (and much more).

This seemingly happened while he was browsing a message board
called IDCC on the www.investorshub.com website.

He says that he did not download anything - how could this infection
have happened? How can it be prevented in future?

Note: he was running Norton antivirus software.

Thanks!

There are many ways to secure your computer but most dont care or want
to know until the FBI comes a knocking in their door.

Tracker

 

[John Bowen]

Mark, running an anti-virus does not prevent spyware from infecting your
computer. He may have been using a message board but it's more likely he
just checked the weather, looked a spam site or did some other innocent
thing. You need to run an anti-spyware program periodically to remove the
spyware. I would also recommend Windows XP/SP2 and a firewall to help keep
the system clean. Adaware 6 and Zone Alarm both have free products that work
pretty well. I will assume you have the very latest fixes to Norton on the
system and you are receiving automatic updates for Windows and Norton. You
need to build a fortress in 2004 to keep your system clean. JB

 

[Eric]

Anti-Spyware Tools and Parasite Detection
http://www.xstudio.ca/pcsupport/security/spyware.html

 

[NonDisputandum.com]

My boss's computer was infected with the w32.beagle.aq@mm!zip
virus, and various bits of spyware and adware such as powerscan,
conscorr.exe, bxxs5.dll (and much more).

This seemingly happened while he was browsing a message board
called IDCC on the www.investorshub.com website.

He says that he did not download anything - how could this infection
have happened? How can it be prevented in future?

Note: he was running Norton antivirus software.

Thanks!

Best Regards,
Mark Buckles
Harlan Labs, San Diego
http://www.harlanlabs.com

Norton and other protectors will protect like a condom after having
blow it up for a baloon during a wild party... meaning that an
antivirus - even as good as Norton - will only protect you partially.

Some other tips:
... suppose you have a firewall. Yes? Sure!

Install Browser Helper Deamon to keep an eyes on your beloved browser
helpers ;-) Install Ad Aware & Spybot & SquaredA2 AND use them in
stead of forgetting that you once downloaded em (update 'em befor
use)... all freeware... Spybot also includes Teatimer that will keep
an eye on registry changes and inform you,.. with possibility to
accept or refuse changes... Ad Aware also has a (payware) resident
version that check on the fly... but you can use & update it manually
like most do. Squared A2 is another malware invastigator & eliminator
that is good for a third check. It's not fast but does a fair
supplementary job. Ad Aware & Spybot are must haves.
To avoid some spyware from infesting your beloved windows based
cripple browser aka Internet Exploiter, install & update regularly
Javacool's Spyware Blaster. This does not clean but tries to
prefent... Swat It is (another) cleaner that specializes in Trojans,
Hackers & other malwares. Ugly lay-out but stable ;-)
Bugnosis can check out who is tracking your boss while he is surfing
to a porn site or even while he surfs the Financial Websites.. ;-)
Not yet at ease?
To clean up your registry & eliminate your temp files & other
dumpsters get Be Clean and a TRUSTWORTHY (free) regcleaner.. but be
aware.. some are trustworthy but many softs say they want to help,..
but **** up your machine.. or do worse... so I prefer you go check out
my website:
www.nondisputandum.com where you will find reviews and links to
trustworthy tools (mostly free soft - otherwise mentioned)

I only gave you a few tips.. there are many more.. but also remind
that windows is not a stable system. The more you install,.. the more
risk to destabilize your sistem though all above and more run on my XP
Pro... yes.. stable..

http://www.nondisputandum.com/html/antivirus___firewall.html
http://www.nondisputandum.com/html/anti_spyware.html
http://www.nondisputandum.com/html/registry___system.html
http://www.nondisputandum.com/html/____more_free_tools.html

and.. yes.. i agree with the other poster who proposes to change
browser.. get Mozilla Firefox as a FIRST browser (i do on my XP)... or
do as I did... get a second computer that runs the Safari Browser...
yes Apple ;-)
http://www.nondisputandum.com/html/apple___mac.html

 

[Frans Meijer]

My boss's computer was infected with the w32.beagle.aq@mm!zip
virus, and various bits of spyware and adware such as powerscan,
conscorr.exe, bxxs5.dll (and much more).

This seemingly happened while he was browsing a message board
called IDCC on the www.investorshub.com website.

He says that he did not download anything - how could this infection
have happened? How can it be prevented in future?

By browsing the wrong sites, check his browser's cache and history to find
out

IE allows installation of software from remote sites, with and without the
users consent (some people will just click 'yes' to see whatever they hope
to see).

Disable downloading and installation for all types of ActiveX, for all
security zones.

Set his Outlook (Express) to display html in the 'Restricted Zone' and
limit this zone (IE). Most of all, make sure ActiveX is disabled in this
zone, completely. Disable scripting for this zone.