Does this sound like a computer virus?

Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
so I get weird emails from a relative and a family friend..the friend says he got some from me too like say what are you doing for new years and I got the same from him..ther are several windows open and they appear to be the family friend's email adress showing all his sent messages but I highly doubt he's sending random junk mails to a bunch of random emails he hardly uses his email....the relative said their computer is fine and has no viruses...I don't have an anti virus anymore I used to have mcafee but I will probly have to wait a month to even get an antivirus..I know its dumb not to have one..but does this sound serious or just like an inconvenience?
12/31/2010
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Contributor: Illusional Illusional
I'd need to know more, like what the emails said and such.
I mean, he could just be sending stuff.
But... yeah
12/31/2010
Contributor: Illusional Illusional
At least invest in a virus program

Or use ComboFix or something
12/31/2010
Contributor: firekitten firekitten
So your relative, your friend, and yourself have noticed that there are random emails being exchanged between your accounts, which none of you have actually sent?

Sounds more like someone has phished your accounts, but if you want an antivirus go download the free version of Avast and Malwarebytes. They're both very good, free, and easy to set up. In the meantime, change your passwords.
12/31/2010
Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
Quote:
Originally posted by Illusional
I'd need to know more, like what the emails said and such.
I mean, he could just be sending stuff.
But... yeah
well he doesn't use my computer ever and the new year's one said stuffa bout weight loss and had a link in it we both got the same one and it said we sent it to each other but I never sent it...I even saw a personal sent email I shouldn't have seen becaue it wasn't my business he was mad at someone and I k now that wasn't junnk because he is related to the person..some screens show the inbox he got more of the "what are you doing for new years" from others..one more thing sometimes the email says its from him but when you look at who its too sometimes my email adress isn't even in the list its to a bunch of random email adresses...
12/31/2010
Contributor: hive83 hive83
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
so I get weird emails from a relative and a family friend..the friend says he got some from me too like say what are you doing for new years and I got the same from him..ther are several windows open and they appear to be the family friend's ... more
They are not the best but there a couple of free ones out there. some offer one month free try. Antivirus is a must have. Best of luck.
12/31/2010
Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
Quote:
Originally posted by firekitten
So your relative, your friend, and yourself have noticed that there are random emails being exchanged between your accounts, which none of you have actually sent?

Sounds more like someone has phished your accounts, but if you want an antivirus ... more
I heard you should never download free programs because they are the cause of virusus too? or they add malware or somethin like that?
12/31/2010
Contributor: Jimbo Jones Jimbo Jones
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
so I get weird emails from a relative and a family friend..the friend says he got some from me too like say what are you doing for new years and I got the same from him..ther are several windows open and they appear to be the family friend's ... more
There is no reason not to have an anti-virus. AVG has a free version that is pretty decent so at least you would have some level of protection.
link
What you are describing could be an anti-virus or a trojan horse or malware, so you should get something and then make sure it scans your system. It might be that your friend had the infection and now you do to or vice versa.
12/31/2010
Contributor: firekitten firekitten
Quote:
Originally posted by kinky girlfriend
I heard you should never download free programs because they are the cause of virusus too? or they add malware or somethin like that?
Free programs CAN have viruses. But Avast and Malwarebytes are not one of those. I've had Avast on my computers for the past 5+ years. They have a version you can purchase as well, but I'm cheap so I use the free version. Avast has 5 stars on CNET.com, and Malwarebytes has 4 stars also on CNET.com

Avast
Malwarebytes

Also, never ever ever click a link in an email that you are suspicious of. An email message with random key words ("weightloss" "penis enlargement") and links is a classic spam message which will probably infect your computer.
12/31/2010
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Check your Flash version (several exploits there) and change your e-mail passwords. If you need a free AV for Windows the MS Security Essentials is not bad at all.
12/31/2010
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
Check your Flash version (several exploits there) and change your e-mail passwords. If you need a free AV for Windows the MS Security Essentials is not bad at all.
I used that program for a while, when Avast would not correctly install on my computer.

I'd definitely change passwords for accounts like email and online banking. It doesn't sound like a virus itself, but it could be the result of getting a virus. Keylogging programs, too. What I do if I feel something is up with my computer is check the running processes (ctrl + alt + delete) for any running programs that I did not install. Some viruses or malware can show up in that list. The only bad thing with that, though, is that you need someone who can look at the list and determine what's good and what's not.
01/02/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
Quote:
Originally posted by firekitten
So your relative, your friend, and yourself have noticed that there are random emails being exchanged between your accounts, which none of you have actually sent?

Sounds more like someone has phished your accounts, but if you want an antivirus ... more
I agree - sounds like someone may have hacked in and is using ya email account to send crap to you and other peoples emails you have.

Definately change your passwords and tell family and friends to do the same. Better to be safe than sorry. And an anti-virus is a MUST as soon as you can get one.

I have AVG.
01/02/2011
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by darthkitt3n
I used that program for a while, when Avast would not correctly install on my computer.

I'd definitely change passwords for accounts like email and online banking. It doesn't sound like a virus itself, but it could be the result of ... more
Don't rely on it. It's not too hard to hide programs from the process list. Best would be a clean reinstall (copy off data, reformat hard drive, reinstall OS and programs).
01/02/2011
Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
Don't rely on it. It's not too hard to hide programs from the process list. Best would be a clean reinstall (copy off data, reformat hard drive, reinstall OS and programs).
like I even know what your talking about lol...but maybe I could have someone do it for me there is a program that lets someone into your computer from their home?
01/02/2011
Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
Don't rely on it. It's not too hard to hide programs from the process list. Best would be a clean reinstall (copy off data, reformat hard drive, reinstall OS and programs).
I agree with Scott A on this point! So many times we thought we had gotten rid of a virus only to find out several months down the road it had been hiding all along. Best to wipe it clean and start again.
01/02/2011
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
This could also be someone who broke into your computer, and if that happened it's likely that they left "backdoors" to get back in. Reinstall your computer and change all your passwords.
01/03/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Yeah, sounds like phishing. You're gonna wanna change your passwords and clear your cookies/cache.

I use TrendMicro of my antivirus stuff. Either I've never had a virus or it doesn't work...so, I'm still out on that one.
01/03/2011
Contributor: joja joja
Phishing is a possibility, but it's more likely you are part of a botnet. Botnets often manifest themselves when your friends complain of getting random spam emails from you. Get some good antivirus software (which you shouldn't have to pay for) and run a scan on your computer. Scans aren't perfect, but they'll usually pick up major problems.

I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (as long as your copy of Windows isn't pirated). It's free, unobtrusive, and very up-to-date.
01/03/2011
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by firekitten
Free programs CAN have viruses. But Avast and Malwarebytes are not one of those. I've had Avast on my computers for the past 5+ years. They have a version you can purchase as well, but I'm cheap so I use the free version. Avast has 5 stars on ... more
We use Avast too, and LOVE it. Seriously, the best we've used.
01/03/2011