[AT] Off topic, computer related.

[charliehill]

Mike,  I don't think I'm getting this stuff through normal means (whatever 
that would be).  I run a full software firewall with virus and malware 
protection built into it (Zone Alarm Pro) and my internet service is DSL 
though the phone company  Embarq/Charter.  Any normal viruses should get 
stopped by the ISP first and by ZA if they get by the ISP.  I'm thinking 
that somehow I've got a program running that is allowing this stuff.  I'm 
starting to have problems again this morning.  The reason I don't want/need 
to change browsers is that I'm a real estate appraiser.  I have to access 
records from several Multiple Listing Services in the area and some of them 
have MLS software that will only run on Internet Explorer.  In fact I 
usually have to wait a month or so prior to a new update of IE for these 
small software companies to catch up with the changes.  However I'm starting 
to think that this problem is browser specific and I might have to change 
anyway.  This morning I ran a search for an .exe program that I was worried 
about.  Apparently it's just part of microsofts stuff and not a problem but 
while searching for it one of the links was to a microsoft.com web site. 
When I went there I got immediately re-directed to a spam site.  I was 
watching the address line and immediately shut it down.  Then a few minutes 
later I opened my browser to the home page (Fox News) and in a few seconds 
got redirected to "cheapassgames.com" and then within a second of so again 
to some long addressed site that said something about antivirus software.  I 
know that was taking me back to the source of the problem I had.

I shut the browser down as fast as possible and re-ran Trend Micro's 
housecall, Trend Micros RU Boted and Malware Bytes Anti-malware program. 
All of them came back clean.

At this point I don't even want to open my browser to download Firefox or 
another Browser.  This is getting rediculous.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Sloane" <mikesloane at verizon.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 9:02 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Off topic, computer related.


> Whatever else people might say about Verizon, they seem to do a pretty
> good job of keeping that kind of thing from happening to me. I also use
> Firefox for a browser, and it will ask me if I want to download anything
> before *every* download (this can be somewhat of a pain, but I know it
> is "bitter medicine" for my own good). I realize that you don't want to
> change browsers, but that is an alternative for anyone else using MS IE
> and having problems.
>
> Mike
>
> charliehill wrote:
>> This is not a question.  I just want to share my experience of the last 
>> 24
>> hours in case it helps someone or in case someone knows what might be 
>> going
>> on.
>>
>> Yesterday morning while doing an Internet search I hit one of those sites
>> that re-directs you somewhere else.  Then I got that pop up that says I 
>> have
>> a virus and must down load this program RIGHT NOW to stop it.
> <snip>
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