A couple computer questions because I'm dumb...

[JewishHobbit]

So I have a few questions.

1. I have wireless internet and I live in a duplex. We got new neighbors who spliced our cable/internet to get it for free and apparently had it for a few days before we realized it and had the cable company come and stop it.

However, the night after it happened we suddenly get massive viruses on our computer out of the blue.

Is it possible that between the splicing and the wireless internet something THEY look at can spread a virus to my computer through the linking internet?

Also, can I set my wireless so they can't get it? How?


2. Next question... I ran Avast Anti-virus to clean up these messes and it asked me to reboot so it can run before windows opens up and it ran almost all day. When I got home from work it ended up being pretty clean but now when I try to open things like emule and Avast itself it keeps asking me what program to open it with... though I've never had to do that before. Why is it doing this and what do I tell it to open with?

 

[Alistair]

JewishHobbit,

1) Could have spread that way; where you sharing files across the LAN too? Or do you have it secured? That's first step I would have done, even if make the LAN name hidden! If not, and had it secured, then it's something you guys did! =D

Cause if they spliced it, and didn't use your LAN, very unlikely other wise.

2) Yes. Pre-Boot scan. Avast! asks that a lot, and it's good utility when it boils down to that. The odds are, just from what your tellin' me here you download a lot, and EMule is known to be infested so Avast! deleted the file to protect your computer!

I hope that helps out!

 

[runawayboulder]

I would definitely password protect your wireless router to prevent other users from tapping into your internet for free. It's a must have considering every phone/laptop/desktop has wifi nowadays.

And I personally recommend using Microsoft Security Essentials as a virus protection. I've heard negative things about Avast and other free virus programs like AVG but admit I've never used them. I can tell you that MSE is terrific, I've had 0 problems with it. You won't be able to use if you are running a bootleg version of Windows.

I also recommend going to Cnet.com and downloading Malwarebytes AntiMalware and Spybot Search and Destroy. They're both free, awesome and provide extra protection that an antivirus won't.

 

[ComicChick]

i highly recommend Malwarebytes as well.

 

[Kable24]

So do I and superantispyware too.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Wonderful... thanks guys. And actually, I don't download often typically, though I've been downloading some audiobooks to listen to while cleaning at work. I hadn't downloaded any in a week or two though prior to the virus showing up.

Anyhow... I think this is enough to help me out. Thanks for the input

 

[Troy_Parker]

As for the virus stuff, download Avast or AVG.

And set up a wireless password, right clicking your network icon should offer some security options.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I have Avast and it didn't catch it at all. I had to run it manually for it to catch anything.

 

[BigA]

If you are still having problems try below.

First, as mentioned download and install Malwarebytes Download page [cnet.com], and then update to the newest definitions. If you have problems installing download and use RKILL [bleepingcomputer.com] - It will terminate any rogue processes. Continue below.

Boot into Safe Mode

1) For Vista/Windows 7 type in MSCONFIG in the search bar (Windows XP - Start|Run) and click Enter.
2) Click on the Services tab. Select Hide all Microsoft Services. Click Disable all.
3) Now click on the Startup tab and then click Disable all. Click Apply and then Ok.
4) Reboot
5) Run a full system scan with Malwarebytes.
6) Remove anything found. Reboot
7) Open up the Control Panel and then Internet Options. Click the Connections tab and then LAN settings. Since I doubt you use a proxy uncheck everything there. Click Apply and then Ok.
8) Go back to step 1 and enable the Services and Startup items. If you see anything wacky in the Startup items leave it unchecked. Usually, it's a bunch of letters and numbers like xdfsfasdf.
9) Reboot and you should be good.

Worst case scenario is that one of the Windows services is hijacked. It's usually svchost and that may stop Malwarebytes from running. Try the above and let me know how it worked.

A

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

What's Emule? I don't think I have ever heard of that?

 

[thebatsam]

Yeah as someone suggested, Microsoft Security Essentials is very good and very free.....recommend it highly