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Infected PCs may lose Internet in July

lpast

lpast

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WASHINGTON – For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.

Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system is to be shut down.
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.


Infected PCs may lose Internet in July
 
Anyone who does deserves it. It's malware and not even particularly dangerous malware! Anyone who doesn't have an anti-virus running deserves what they get.
 
Cephus said:
Anyone who does deserves it. It's malware and not even particularly dangerous malware! Anyone who doesn't have an anti-virus running deserves what they get.
Click to expand...

Theres people that arent computer savvy...senior citizens comes to mind...I posted it so anyone interested could go to the link provided and check if they are infected and possibly avoid being knocked offline..
 
If they are, then they are. This affects very few people and the people it will affect should have been running an anti-virus all this time anyhow. The government really screwed up their handling of this, instead of telling the people how to solve the problem in the first place, they figured they'd "fix" it for everyone. Now they're going to stop "fixing" it and people will remain comfortably ignorant.

Sounds like a liberal government.
 
LOL this is something that has been going on for ages.. it is nothing new. The Feds are screaming fire in a theatre on this... pathetic.
 
PeteEU said:
LOL this is something that has been going on for ages.. it is nothing new. The Feds are screaming fire in a theatre on this... pathetic.
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It is, that kind of malware has been around for at least 4-5 years, it's nothing new. Instead of the government saying "be responsible, run an anti-virus", they tried to "fix" things by committee. Seriously, this is about as pointless a problem as I can imagine, people would have stopped going to one of the 13 DNS servers and started going to an ad site. If they couldn't figure out that they had a problem on their own and fixed it, they'd have called their ISP who would have fixed it. It was estimated to have affected 100,000 computers worldwide at most. That's a drop in the bucket.

But here we have the government running around, as usual, like a chicken with it's head cut off, trying to solve all the problems because it thinks the people can't survive without it's constant intervention.
 
Cephus said:
It is, that kind of malware has been around for at least 4-5 years, it's nothing new. Instead of the government saying "be responsible, run an anti-virus", they tried to "fix" things by committee. Seriously, this is about as pointless a problem as I can imagine, people would have stopped going to one of the 13 DNS servers and started going to an ad site. If they couldn't figure out that they had a problem on their own and fixed it, they'd have called their ISP who would have fixed it. It was estimated to have affected 100,000 computers worldwide at most. That's a drop in the bucket.

But here we have the government running around, as usual, like a chicken with it's head cut off, trying to solve all the problems because it thinks the people can't survive without it's constant intervention.
Click to expand...

I think the govt realizes more so than you...that there are still many people that just know how to hit the start button on a computer and type with two fingers...your assuming everyone knows how to protect their computers...do I, of course I do...thats why im forever fixing other seniors computers from the vfw and moose and elks club...who DONT KNOW how....the point remains you seem to assume that because this is simple and a non issue for you...its the same for everyone
 
lpast said:
I think the govt realizes more so than you...that there are still many people that just know how to hit the start button on a computer and type with two fingers...your assuming everyone knows how to protect their computers...do I, of course I do...thats why im forever fixing other seniors computers from the vfw and moose and elks club...who DONT KNOW how....the point remains you seem to assume that because this is simple and a non issue for you...its the same for everyone
Click to expand...

The government does not exist to protect stupid people from themselves.
 
lpast said:
WASHINGTON – For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.

Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system is to be shut down.
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.
Click to expand...

I don't use anti virus bs bloated software. I know how to surf, the intrawebz

After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.
Click to expand...

Thats bull****
 
lpast said:
Theres people that arent computer savvy...senior citizens comes to mind...I posted it so anyone interested could go to the link provided and check if they are infected and possibly avoid being knocked offline..
Click to expand...

Actually not just senior citizens....Anyone still dumb enough to be running Windows (which itself is bundled with malware and spyware created by microsft) could and should be considered unsavvy. If they use Windows and are infected, well, they get what they paid for. The government should of never used it's resources to protect a corporation that is historically been unable to produce a quality product that doesn't need massive amounts of time and money on extra software to keep it running.

My Operating system(OS)--Xubuntu 11.10 (Linux)
Cost of my OS-$0 but I did have to have a blank CD to install it.
Cost of Anti-virus/malware/spyware software for my system-$0 anti-virus is not needed for systems that are virus resistant.
Cost of powerful office suite that offers features and compatibility with MS Office-$0 one of many versions comes free with the OS.
Amount of system resources and time used to fight against virus infection-- 0
number of viruses infecting my system- 0
number of viruses that could infect my system and remain active for extented periods of time- 0 theoretically it is possible to create a virus that would infect my ability to get updates, but then, that is only theory.
Amount of time between the discovery of a potential security flaw and an update to close that flaw-- Less than 72 hours

Some downsides to my OS
Requires a compatibility layer to allow use of Windows based software-- cost of WINE compatibility layer-- $0
Some bugs and glitches remain or derive from the use of WINE with Windows software
Media players are free and do not contain proprietary codes for some formats, if you don't charge for the Media Player, you do not have the money to pay for liscenses to use the code. MP3 and DVDs do play.
Some streaming media not available--Netflix is one, they activily fight porting to Linux, but go figure, Netflix's chairman is also a board member for Microsoft(MS).
Software needs have to be downloaded and are not available at your local software vender-- This is derived from the fact that MS doesn't allow it's software to be sold by venders that offer software for a competing OS, only after Apple lost a lawsuit to MS did Apple software also become available at local venders instead of specialised venders.
You actually have to choose what software to use, while the different Linux OSs come with defaults, things like Graphical User Ingerface, media players, office suites, and web browsers can be changed and customised and you have to choose which you like best vs accepting the choice of one, maybe two available to MS users.
Your system settings are not always hidden are blocked from you changing them like in Windows, you have to be careful and know what your doing or you can crash your OS.
 
lpast said:
WASHINGTON – For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.

Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system is to be shut down.
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.


Infected PCs may lose Internet in July
Click to expand...

Let the government scan my computer?No thanks.
 
Cephus said:
Anyone who does deserves it. It's malware and not even particularly dangerous malware! Anyone who doesn't have an anti-virus running deserves what they get.
Click to expand...

What a bizarre message. Are you an anti-virus software salesman or something?
 
I read that too. I have another question though: what about this virus that got into Apple systems? Is it now an open door, and would they be under the same summer threat?
 
lpast said:
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.
Click to expand...

Last thought in my head in the last few hours was, "What if the Secret Service is the new Praetorian Guard, serving the interests of some sort of globalist shadow government. Would explain why all the presidents since Reagan are open border/free traders," and you want me to go to an FBI's website and have them run a program on my computer?

Shirley you must be joking.
 
i'm hesitant to go to the link and get scanned.

i run AVG, malwarebytes, and superantispyware. i'd be surprised if none of those could correct it.
 
joko104 said:
What a bizarre message. Are you an anti-virus software salesman or something?
Click to expand...

It's called being responsible. I know you don't understand what that means.
 
Cephus said:
It's called being responsible. I know you don't understand what that means.
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Cephus you keep harping on this responsible thing...WHAT ABOUT people that just dont know...never learned....sheesh

I know...I run bitdefender, super antispyware, roguekiller and others...Im never infected for more than a hot minute...but this post isnt meant for ME and YOU...its meant for anyone that just might not know or be computer savvy.....
 
Passed the test.

I'm a cool kid :cool:
 
lpast said:
Cephus you keep harping on this responsible thing...WHAT ABOUT people that just dont know...never learned....sheesh

I know...I run bitdefender, super antispyware, roguekiller and others...Im never infected for more than a hot minute...but this post isnt meant for ME and YOU...its meant for anyone that just might not know or be computer savvy.....
Click to expand...

Everyone that runs Windows should of learned long ago about such protection schemes, it is not like Viruses are something new and have never been in the news before. True, Media has a tendency to side with Microsoft and just say Computers get infected instead of pointing out that these viruses only affect Windows and not Apple or Linux but any responsible computer owner is aware that a virus may exist and should take precautions if they run Windows.

If you own any product and don't learn about it, you are the one being irresponsible and it is not the governments job to protect you from the negative affects of that irresponsibility.
 
lpast said:
Cephus you keep harping on this responsible thing...WHAT ABOUT people that just dont know...never learned....sheesh

I know...I run bitdefender, super antispyware, roguekiller and others...Im never infected for more than a hot minute...but this post isnt meant for ME and YOU...its meant for anyone that just might not know or be computer savvy.....
Click to expand...

That's why it's called personal responsibility, it is the job of the individual to learn about it and take responsible steps to protect it properly. It's not anyone else's job to find them and force them to do it. What you're arguing is a separate standard for people who are too stupid or lazy to get a clue. We have a standard already and one is enough. Either people get educated or people really don't need access to the Internet.
 
Cephus said:
Either people get educated or people really don't need access to the Internet.
Click to expand...

I agree. Theres more to life than just intraweb porn

Well, not really :)
 
Cephus said:
The government does not exist to protect stupid people from themselves.
Click to expand...

To me their only stupid if they know about this and do nothing.... I see the point about informing those who may be ignorant but not stupid.
 
Ockham said:
To me their only stupid if they know about this and do nothing.... I see the point about informing those who may be ignorant but not stupid.
Click to expand...

Informing, yes. Holding their hands so they don't have to take any responsibility whatsoever, no. Besides, this is stuff that they should have been doing all along and it's virtually impossible, if you're online at all, that you don't know that running an anti-virus is necessary.
 
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