How did your PC get infected??

[donetao]

Hi! I'm always interested in malware. It seems to me that the majority of our members come to MT because their PC's. were infected. I think they then see there are a lot of other things here on the forum and stay here, even though they may not post here again. I'm sure that most don't know how they got infected, but maybe some do. That's way I started this thread. It would be interesting to know if you remember how you got infected. This might be a big help to keep members from getting infected like you did. Do you remember clicking on a pop-up or down loading a program?? Did you visit some site?
Here are some things MT mentions. Do you remember doing any of these things?
Thanks for your replies!
Here are the main sources of PC infections , and some tips on how to avoid malware on them:

From a website: The internet is a dangerous place so try to stay away from sites offering commercial software serial numbers, keygens or other hacked material.
Download programs only from reputable websites that have confirmed the software is malware free.If you are unsure, leave the site and research the software you are being asked to install. If it is OK, you can always come back to site and install it. If it is not OK, you will avoid a malware headache.

From e-mail: If you’re not familiar with the sender, do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Some viruses replicate themselves and spread via email. Stay on the safe side and confirm that the attachment was sent from a trusted source before you open it.

From physical media: Your friends, family, and associates may unknowingly give you a disc or flash drive with an infected file on it. Don’t blindly accept these files; scan them with security software. If you are still unsure, do not accept the files.

From a pop-up window: Some pop-up windows or boxes will attempt to corner you into downloading software or accepting a free “system scan” of some type. Often these pop-ups will employ scare tactics to make you believe you need what they are offering in order to be safe. Close the pop-up without clicking anything inside it (including the X in the corner). Close the window via Windows Task Manager (press Ctrl-Alt-Delete).

From another piece of software: Often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as a toolbar or other programs. Be very careful what you agree to install. Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

From illegal file-sharing services: You’re on your own if you enter this realm. There is little quality control in the world of illegal software, and it is easy for an attacker to name a piece of malware after a popular movie, album, or program to tempt you into downloading it

 

[donetao]

Hi! I found this a very interesting read and adds a little more to How you may have got your PC infected.
If this link is against MT policies, please delete the link! Sense this forum is about security and how to prevent threats, I thought this thread might help our old and new members and our visitors. Have you seen any of these things on your PC??
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2998/how-does-spyware-malware-or-crapware-get-on-my-computer/

 

[frogboy]

I do not think you will get to many replies because i think most of the people come here get the pc fixed and leave until the next infection. I bet most but not all browse the forums.

 

[donetao]

I do not think you will get to many replies because i think most of the people come here get the pc fixed and leave until the next infection. I bet most but not all browse the forums.

Oh well! I gave it my best shot. Thanks for your reply @frogboy You are probably right on! There has to be a reason 600 visitors are hanging around the forum.
Even If I don't get any replies, I'm hoping visitors will read this thread and learn from it.
The internet is becoming a cesspool and you have to use your common sense if you want to survive these days. You have to have good security and then you have to use common sense.
Don't click it unless you want that ticket!!

 

[2!<15]

 

[donetao]

Thanks @2!<15 Torrents will do it for sure!
Thanks for your reply!

 

[Exterminator]

I have not had an infection since I was using a dial up connection (AOL). It has been so long I cant really remember how exactly.

 

[jamescv7]

The old PC before got infected due to ways of autorun USB attacks and lack of updated virus database as poor connection long time before.

Back on the years where Limewire was one of the hotspot of P2P malware followed by FrostWire and others

 

[Ink]

I downloaded a Flash Player update in Chrome and was infected with a dozen malware, and nothing was detected by Windows Defender.

Last malware related incident was over 10 years ago, a Windows XP computer with no Antivirus software, using IE6.

 

[illumination]

This happened a long time back, and was my only infection that rendered my computer useless at the time, as i was in all sense of the word, a noob.. It was my first desktop, and we had just got the internet up through the local ISP.. I had read in the paper work they offered internet security free through the ISP.. I went to google, and typed in the search for the ISP free internet security to read up on it, and the first link i clicked, infected my system.. The irony, of looking for free security and getting infected in the process of doing so.. It also happened to be what drove me into learning everything i know now, as a quick call to the local computer shop that wanted to charge me what i paid for the tower to remove the infection was a little too much for me, and i felt taken advantage of, this is also the reason i help others now..

 

[MalwareT]

To be honest i never had infection,but once when i gone to goggle.com 5 years ago, my pc was totally destroyed by malware. I had Avast Free but i didn't used Sandboxie then because i didn't knew about it or program didn't existed then. That domain is now dead i think.

 

[Soulbound]

Like exterminator, my last one was many moons ago, when 52k dial up was the fastest in my country at the time.
It was the same time where audiogalaxy was the go to program for mp3s and napster/metallica issue was all over the place.
Back then I remember I disabled Norton to test Litestep shell and forgot to enable it after.... pc wasnt useless tho but cleaning the infected files with norton was a nono. Luckly I had Kaspersky at hand too. Same year, I dived into SUSE Linux version 7, which my friend lended me the installation disks and a manual... Good old days.

 

[donetao]

Hi! I have been busy. Here's my story. Yesterday I was helping a senior who had W8.1 on a lap top. We have Wi-FI in our main building. She had a brand new Asus lap top. I went on the internet looking for games. I'm sure you all aware that Mr. Gates no longer installs the games old people like any more. While looking for solitaire ,that dang Ask tool bar attached it's self to the PC. No problem. I'll just install JRT and get rid of that rascal. McAfee started raising Hell. I then noticed McAfee was expired. When I finally got Adwcleaner going, there were over 96 threats on the laptop. The senior promised me that the PC had never been on the internet. It happened just that fast, I guess. I uninstalled McAfee and activated Windows Defender. Installed WOT on IE, and after resetting the PC and running MBAM, Adwcleaner,JRT, and ESET on line scanner, back in business. I'm a little skeptical about that computer being brand new. She said she bought it at Staples. Seems McAfee ran out really soon. I'm thinking that she had the PC for awhile. Any way that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I now have a happy senior in my village. I'm sure I'll be seeing her again. Going on the internet with a out up to date security program is a very bad idea.Also spent most of the day installing Windows Up Dates. I'm now thinking she bought a floor model really cheap. Well I sure know more about W8.1 than I really wanted to know, but it was a great learning experience
What do you think!! Can it happen that quick?? I'll sure be careful before I jump on the internet again before checking the security program.
Sorry but I'm not a big fan of McAfee at this moment even though it was probably my fault!

 

[JakeXPMan]

96 threats can happen in one time of net using... she's probably not lieing, So, what it could be is she meant it was a new PC to her, but is a used model from Staples and collected malwares from previous installations? The 96 threats could be False Positive or was it malicious kind?

It's not really anyones fault there's threats on the computer, McAfee catches more then Windows AV can,... but being expired is never good, I used an expired Norton and picked up 8 viruses before changing it out.

Windows Defender is great for a safe surfer, but if there's a lot of game downloads or browsing all over the web, I'd install Avast or the like before going with WD.

Although any AV protector with windows updates is fine I guess.

 

[donetao]

The 96 threats could be False Positive or was it malicious kind?

Hi @JakeXPMan I'm afraid I didn't check to see what the treats were. Sense the PC was new and nothing on it, I just reset. Uninstalled McAfee.
Then activated Defender,added WOT and MBAM free. Told the senior to run MBAM once in awhile and call me if they needed me.
I think she will be just fine. I suspect a lot were PUP's. I really don't know?? I see my seniors frequently and ask about their PC's. They have my phone number on the community TV channel, and they aren't bashful when they need my help.
Thanks for your reply.
PS I have removed as many as 1205 threats before. 12 were malicious and the rest were PUP's.