Oh the humanity!

[nebe]

I have a computer virus!

I''ve never been less vigilant than the next guy with my computer information, but I guess it came back to bite me! I''ve been having a a problem with "skipping" where I would type something into google, but when I tried to click on a result I would get redirected to an ad site. I thought it was nothing and after doing a bit of research I found a site to I thought would help me remove it. Great admins, very friendly! I posted my problem and one of the mods set out to help me investigate the issue. I thought it would be fine and downloaded the program they told me, ran them and posted the "log" (report card). I woke up early this morning and went to check the answer from them.

Insert heart attack! I have a "backdoor Trojan rootkit virus" which has been logging my keystrokes and reporting them back to the hacker! Now I''ve spent the whole morning changing passwords, resetting secret questions and getting all my credit card information out so I can report identity theft to them and social security!

Worst part is... there''s no way for me to fix it! I have to wipe clean my entire PC, reformat the harddrive and reinstall all the components from Windows up!!!

I guess the virus splits up once it infects your C drive and creates a root system of "backdoors" they can use to gain access of your computer at any time. If a tech tries to patch each one of these holes, they could still miss just one and your computer will always remain at risk, even if your security program like McAfee or Norton says you''re fine.

I''ve never had this happen before and I am just beside myself about it. Besides the fact that I feel infected and unsafe, I''m POed that I have to basically start again with my entire computer!

Worst yet, I have no idea where I got it, and therefore no way to stay away from that compromised site!

 

[Porridge]

Aw Nebe I''m so sorry, that just plain sucks. It''s so invasive isn''t it. Those little b@st@rds just barging in and taking away your privacy like that.

Thank god you caught it so quickly and dealt with it. It''ll all be back to normal soon. {{{HUGS}}}