The Massively Selfish "Help Mitch Out With His Computer Problems" Thread

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For the 78% and higher Geeks out there: It seems my PC is infected some form of the 'loveletter' virus (the same thing as that "ILOVEYOU" thing that was going around a while ago). I've updated my virus protection software (Norton Anti-virus) and it's detected this virus, but is unable to repair the files and has quarantined the infected files. It seems to effect my .jpeg and .mp3 files.
so..
any helpful advice? Are my .jpeg files (not ALL porn btw) lost forever? My mp3s seems to have been preserved, thankfully.. any and all help'll be kindly 'preciated..

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Ad far as I know those files are corrupted forever now and you have to trash them. But I'm not 100% sure.

― Mike Hanle y, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

have you tried throwing the computer off a cliff?

― duane, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I tried that, Duane- all it did was nullify the insurance policy and inspire a grandaddy album (bleurgh)

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Now how the hell did you get the loveletter virus? Kazaa? Morpheus?

― Melissa W, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

The best advice I can give, and I give it through experience, is to get your MP3s burned to disk ASAP. I think as soon as you hit 300 MP3s your computer should warn you and automatically burn, baby, burn. If you don't have a CD burner beg, borrow, steal, rape and pillage to let a friend let you use theirs. That's if you can actually get to the files to do it. If you can put everything on a disk now, then do it - including pictures, documents etc. Then strip it and start again.

Computers suck. Good luck.

― Mascara, Monday, 5 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Mel: I know not how I contracted this terrible thing. I know I'll be wary about using any file-sharers in the future. My internet service provider allegedly scans all e-mails before they reach my inbox, so..

Mascara: Thanks, I do have a writer and I think I'll burn my mp3s right now.

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld, Monday, 5 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

make sure your mp3s are virus free before you burn to cd or you'll just have a permanent copy of the virus in CD form. Don't trust your ISP to filter viruses make sure your own virus checker is up to date (it should have some kind of auto update, turn it on and set it to check for updates whenever you connect to the internet.).

minimise your risk; never open .exe files (I presume you use a PC) that arrive by email. don't use entourage, outlook or any microsoft mail packages (get eudora or another), despite what they say they are still susceptible to a clever macro virus.

this all brings to mind horses and stable doors. backup and archive is always good practice more important than mp3 are any files (tax, letters, invoices) that would be a living nightmare to loose

― Ed, Monday, 5 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

everyone should bookmark this page or something similar

― m jemmeson, Monday, 5 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

After this has been done, the the virus locates files with ".jpg" and ".jpeg" extensions, adds a new file next to it and deletes the original file. Then the virus locates ".mp3" and ".mp2" files, creates a new file and hides the original file. In both cases the new files created will have the original name with the additional extension ".vbs". For example, a picture named "pic.jpg" will cause a new file called "pic.jpg.vbs" to be created.

[ from the above site ]

Windows users should do the following immediately, if they have not already done them:

go to Control Panel/Add Remove Programs/Windows Setup/Accessories, and remove Windows Scripting Host
if you must use Outlook or Outlook Express for mail, go to Tools/Options/Security and select 'Restricted zone'
THEN go to Control Panel/Internet Options/Security, select the Restricted sites icon, and click 'custom level' - Disable anything related to ActiveX, Java and Scripting

― m jemmeson, Monday, 5 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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