surplus Rifle forum. com "warning virus !!"

[BadgerDog]

It's not quite complete BS, as it's possible your computer's Internet browser has indeed been infected with Malware which is causing the pop-up warning, but you don't have any actual virus on your machine.

It frequently happens on untrusted sites, or sometimes if you download something off the Internet it will come bundled with "extras" - it's usually the third-party extras that will cause the problems, such as hijacking your web browser home page. In such a case, the hijacked home page will repeatedly display the scam site each and every time you start the browser.

CGN recently converted the site to SSL for most content..

SSL based sites, such as CGN which use https:// are generally a safe browsing experience, as long as you see the small padlock (sometimes green in colour) when you're viewing any page. It's usually at the top of your screen near the URL link for any given page. If it changes colour from green, or the padlock disappears altogether, then it means the page content for that specific web page may have become unsecured, as far as the SSL ptotocol goes.

Regards,
Doug

 

[05RAV]

CGN recently converted the site to SSL for most content..

SSL based sites, such as CGN which use https:// are generally a safe browsing experience, as long as you see the small padlock (sometimes green in colour) when you're viewing any page. It's usually at the top of your screen near the URL link for any given page. If it changes colour from green, or the padlock disappears altogether, then it means the page content for that specific web page may have become unsecured, as far as the SSL ptotocol goes.
Regards,
Doug

Yes, I see that green padlock on the CGN site! Thanks for a valuable info! I'm pretty amateurish with computers and didn't know that.

 

[LawrenceN]

Uninstall every other anti virus program, install Malwarebytes. I suggest paying for it, it is an excellent little programs. For an actual antivirus, if you feel the need, I suggest Nod32

X2!!!! I have both. I'm an old fart and frankly out of my element with a lot of the new technology BUT I have a very tech savvy cousin who has even more tech savvy friends. Between these two programs, I've always been warned when I'm looking at a potentially dangerous site and nothing has ever gotten through those firewalls into my system.

 

[BadgerDog]

Yes, I see that green padlock on the CGN site! Thanks for a valuable info! I'm pretty amateurish with computers and didn't know that.

That's excellent...

As you browse from page to page on CGN (or any SSL site) keep an eye on that green padlock, which is FireFox's method of showing web page encryption status. If it changes colour, then click on the padlock and it will advise you as to what might be a security issue with that particular web page you're looking at. Most often, it's images pasted into the page you're reading that are being imported for viewing from an external web site that are being flagged, although 99% of the time they're fine and not infected with an image virus.

If you're really interested in a semi technical explanation for the layman, here's an educational thread we have on our site about SSL and https:// used by CGN, which includes videos and other material as to how they work to protect you. It also covers most gun sites on the Internet and keeps a running list as to which ones are secure (encrypted), and which ones you should be cautious about, particularly when sharing personal information.

SSL and https explanationshttps://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=55824&p=385114&viewfull=1#post385114

Regards,
Doug

 

[H Wally]

First of all - try installing a free or payed antivirus copy to a flash drive and running it on your computer started up in safe mode. Often that's enough to get around a virus far enough to get rid of it.

BUT:

For anyone who ends up with a real fiend of a virus or malware of some kind, combofix has been a real life saver for me for years when I've had something nasty brought to me for repairs. It's free, and it's brute force, and you may lose some recent files, especially if you don't frequently back up your computer, but it has always worked for me.

If your computer has been completely hijacked, power off or pull the power plug if you have to in order to stop things from getting worse. Then use another computer and install combofix onto a flash drive, then disconnect your router and modem from power so there's no chance of more of your info getting stolen, people seeing what you're doing etc. Start your computer in safe mode and run combofix, then give combofix permission to do whatever it wants. You're probably going to lose a few recent files or installed programs unless you backed the computer up, or it did it itself recently. After what could be a couple hours, combofix will tell you "Kitty had a snack" and that's it... should be good. Run your antivirus, and CCleaner because you probably should anyways ( ) and proceed to buy better anti-virus and malware software to avoid this again before you forget how ####ty an experience this was.

For those guys that feel like they aren't tech savvy, here's the hint, young people aren't either, we just google "best antivirus" and read the forums. It's pretty rare I know anything about a problem until I google it.... I knew nothing about cell phones yesterday, and I've already fixed two since then - one screen replacement, one on-off power switch removed and soldered (I've never soldered electronics before in my life), and one software issue... and electricity is magic to me

 

[lone ranger]

My tech savy friend is coming over this weekend to "update" me & my computer. I'll supply the coffee & donuts , & he will supply the knowledge. win..win.

 

[derr12]

avast seems to detect the encryption type malwares better than others, but the sad truth is the best antivirus will protect you from about 30% of the landmines you can step on on the internet. she's a cruel world.

 

[derr12]

some of these malware varients have been cracked, if your lucky and can find out what it is, some googling might present you with the decrypt key for it. if not, your data is as good as lost and youl have to nuke and pave the system. But never, ever, pay the dane gold.

 

[H Wally]

some of these malware varients have been cracked, if your lucky and can find out what it is, some googling might present you with the decrypt key for it. if not, your data is as good as lost and youl have to nuke and pave the system. But never, ever, pay the dane gold.

True that - often you don't get any/all of it back, and it's corrupted. I wonder.... if your computer has truly valuable material on it, can one get insurance for its loss or theft? I suspect backing it up is cheaper/easier, but hey, worth a thought for those that would be severely impacted by the loss of their data.

 

[ShootSavage]

I run Norton 360 Premier and have no problems.

If a program freezes your computer, just shut it off, wait few minutes and turn it on again.

Turning it off works anytime things go sideways.

If your still running Norton 360 then you have a free upgrade to Norton security Premiere, or is this what you meant, if not then get that upgrade

 

[drill702]

Can you get viruses on Apple prouducts?

 

[BadgerDog]

Can you get viruses on Apple prouducts?

Absolutely ... things have changed from the old days when it was less common, but the brand has become more popular and the bad guys have caught up, making it worth their while to write nasty things to try and infect your Apple computer. However, it's still not as common as it is on Windows PC technologies....

My entire personal computing environment is all Apple based and I have virus protection programs running on all of them ...

Regards,
Doug