Do you ever worry about clicking on blog links?

[Deloris]

I had a bit of a scare this morning. I was on a different forum and clicked on a blog link. All of a sudden my McAfee screen pops up and tells me the blog is infected with a Trojan virus and it blocked my access to the site. (It wasn't a link to download a file.) I was only looking at the main screen of the blog and the trojan virus tried to get onto my computer. I always thought that the servers that host the blogs were screening the entries so this wouldn't happen. Now I'm afraid to click on links from any forum.

[agrims]

I am new to this forum - joined a while back, but just started using again in the last two weeks...in that short time my McAFee has caught several Trojan viruses and blocked something trying to get at my cookies a few times. I also was redirected somehow to an x-rated sight!! I too thought it would be safe here, but it seems as somethings are slipping through. Had a few questions & was looking for svg's, but I think I'll just try to figure out on my own and not worry about svg's.

[Sweetness4713]

Well I've been coming here for a year and I've searched loads of blogs and have yet to go on a blog where it's telling me this..
Do you know offhand what blog it is.. Perhaps the person doesn't even know they have one there.. But if this is a member here I would definitely inform her...

[Deloris]

I just installed the latest McAfee software on my laptop a few weeks ago. I think it's much more sophisticated than last years version and that's why it's catching the malware and trojan viruses that it would have missed before on the blogs.

BTW, the blog I clicked on was not from this forum. It was a stamping forum I was on.

[TheresaTT]

if you install a newer version of a software for viruses, will it seek out and find old stuff? just wondering if i need one. my son usually takes care of my stuff so i was wondering.

[Deloris]

Found the info on the virus/malware that is getting onto the blogs:

http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/ ... prise.html

It's a VERY SERIOUS threat and that's what my Mcafee software was blocking me from accessing this morning.

So, make sure your virus software is updated for the latest virus definitions, the security setting is high, you only visit blogs you know are safe and you have done the full scan on your computer for all files and programs to make sure it hasn't infected your computer.

[Deloris]

if you install a newer version of a software for viruses, will it seek out and find old stuff? just wondering if i need one. my son usually takes care of my stuff so i was wondering.

Yes, when you install the new software it will completely scan your computer before it will finish the installation process. If your computer is infected, it will give you a report and tell you how to fix it.

I'm using McAfee Internet Security 2010 and I have it set to update the virus software every day and run a full scan of my computer every week.

[annienet]

There is some very nasty stuff out there. You need to make sure you have your updates in order. I have used McAfee and Norton and both have allowed things into my computer. I now use AVG and it has not ever let anything in. My son however was online last night and called something popped up on his screen saying he had been infected did he want to get rid of it. Yep you got it he clicked yes and it infected his computer. He called upset and said we would have to come and clean it and restore it. MY DH got him calmed down and had it unplug his internet and use a program we had installed and he had it back to normal in about 2 hours. But we made him do it.

[Deloris]

There is some very nasty stuff out there. You need to make sure you have your updates in order. I have used McAfee and Norton and both have allowed things into my computer. I now use AVG and it has not ever let anything in. My son however was online last night and called something popped up on his screen saying he had been infected did he want to get rid of it. Yep you got it he clicked yes and it infected his computer. He called upset and said we would have to come and clean it and restore it. MY DH got him calmed down and had it unplug his internet and use a program we had installed and he had it back to normal in about 2 hours. But we made him do it.

This new virus called Operation Aurora even got through Googles high tech security so if got past their defenses and 30 other big companies, I don't think anyone is safe until the new updates are installed and your system is scanned for the 46 definitions.

[lindamac]

My brother in law clicked on Fox News and it tried to download a virus so it is everywhere. I had to pay $75.00 to get one off of mine and I had a good virus program. I read where you can even get them off pdf files now. So it is good to have a firewall and antivirus. I use AVG (free) and Spybot (free). Malwarebytes (free) was recommended to me by the guy who fixed my computer. It seems to be getting worse and worse but it doesn't keep me from reading blogs and downloading goodies.