Virus Alert!!!

[The Chairman]

Every now and then a virus hits that brings me new clients since they were not protected very well.

Even more rarely we get a virus that actually hits one of my clients.

Yesterday and today, I have had four of my clients call me with apparent infections. I have also fielded 6 other phone calls from now potential clients. The beast is rampant here in Orlando, and is called Backdoor.Zincite.A If your virus definition is more than a week old you are quite vulnerable. This attacks the services function of the OS.

Please update or install and update an anti virus program NOW. If you feel you have been infected please go to http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.mydoom@mm.removal.tool.html for an easy to use tool. The tool will NOT harm your system by running it.

 

[BluOrchid2]

thanks for looking out for us, Pete!

 

[baitedstorm]

thanks so much, it seems we get hit everytime, currently one computer is down from the last hit still waiting to fix it.

 

[murphdivers286]

Thanks.

 

[r37691]

I'm using Linux. Thanks for the alert though.

 

[mweitz]

As a side note, spend a few minutes getting to know your AV (antivirus) software. The default update schedule is sometimes a week or longer. Set it to check for updates as often as it will let you. At the very least, daily. If you hear of a new virus on the news it is a big one. Update your antivirus manually as soon as you can.

Set your Windows to update automatically as well. Yes, it can create some problems, but it will reduce the incidence of virus / worms for everyone!

If you have a fast Internet connection (Broadband - DSL, Cable, etc), get an inexpensive firewall. Linksys, DLink, or the equivalent. They are easy to setup, and will help protect your data and your PC from worms. Usually tech support can help you configure it if you have questions.

I would say if everyone did the three things above we would cut out 80% of worm / virus attacks.

Mark