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    Virus... Yikes...

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006.

  1. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    I downloaded a spyware program by accident...

    Opened up internet explorer like an idiot and it sent all my personal info and things to the creator. I don't know what to do... :( it's the first time something like this has happened to me.

    What do I need to do? Can the person grab my credit card info from things like this? Or anything else? Bank information?

    Thanks,
    Sean
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  2. nickster87

    nickster87 Notebook Consultant

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    If you have a spyware programs like ad-aware or spybot then I would run them immediately.
     
    nickster87, Jul 5, 2006
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  3. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    will an antivirus program remove this? such as AVG? or is spyware and virus different?
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  4. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    What can I do if the person gets a hold of my personal information? because i have used my credit card over the internet and looked up bank info and a whole lot of other stuff... =(
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  5. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    how do you know that's what happened?
     
    drumfu, Jul 5, 2006
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  6. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    when I opened up internet explorer it said all personal info and stuff were sent. I have a trial version of this weird spyware thing that said it was a critical level 5 virus... and that i should remove it as soon as possible. but i would have to buy the program to actually remove it.

    I don't know what to do... should i call the credit card company to let them know of this or osmething?
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  7. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    i also unplugged that computer's internet cord shortly after i got that message in internet explorer... I'm running many anti virus/spyware programs on it right now... I'm using my new laptop at the moment.

    I really hope the guy doesn't use my credit card info or anything else... I really hope so.. I don't know what to do
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  8. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    what said that personal info was sent; internet explorer?

    what personal info did you have on your computer?
     
    drumfu, Jul 5, 2006
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  9. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    well i used my credit card on websites a couple of times...

    and some bank information...

    probably some social security info too...

    internet explorer said they were sent.

    what should i do?!
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  10. DrewN

    DrewN Notebook Evangelist

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    ummm...cancel your credit card? Hopefully it isn't too late!
     
    DrewN, Jul 5, 2006
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  11. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    i have to cancel my credit card? can he just take money out of it like that? he can get a hold of my credit card by a virus like this?
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  12. seanguynj

    seanguynj Notebook Guru

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    like will he be able to use it freely?
     
    seanguynj, Jul 5, 2006
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  13. tears_for_fears

    tears_for_fears Notebook Consultant

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    I highly doubt he actually got your info. It was probably just a joke. No real identity thief would want their targets to be aware of the theft.
     
    tears_for_fears, Jul 6, 2006
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  14. ru1thirst

    ru1thirst Notebook Consultant

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    Before you get really upset and cancel cards and such remember this, there are spyware virues that you can pick up that will cause this behavior that you are experiencing. You may not actually have a virus that has sent your personal info to anybody but you have picked up a trojan horse virus that is giving you these prompts to get you to go to a website and download a "special spyware removal program" that will take care of all your problems. What I would do is run a good virus program. Avg is "alright" but go to trend micro and run their free online scan of your computer. See what that comes up with. I'd then to techspot http://www.techspot.com/vb/menu28.html and read up. You need to download Highjack this program and run it. You then post it to the site above and most likely Howard will read it and tell you what to do to remove all your problems. They are very helpfull and you will learn a lot from the experience I'm sure. Now again, I'm just on this side guessing but for your own sanity, do these steps before getting totally worked up over this. Now if in fact you have had your personal info sent somewhere. . . . time to get worked up! Good luck and breath deep. . . .relax . . . now get to work.
     
    ru1thirst, Jul 6, 2006
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  15. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    What I would do is call up your bank/credit card companies, and have them watch for fraudulent purchases. You can always refute purchases these days, but it's better to just tell your banks. They are fully aware of the dangers of identity theft, and if they want to keep their customers they will help.

    Also, you should probably pick up a good Virus/spyware program (preferably both). This would be of the "not free" variety. You can get many great programs for under $50.
     
    ttupa, Jul 6, 2006
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  16. 31337

    31337 Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    use a decent av and anti-spyware etc
     
    31337, Jul 7, 2006
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  17. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Call your cradit company and bank and alert them of the security breach
     
    Bog, Jul 11, 2006
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  18. uncleG

    uncleG Notebook Consultant

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    uncleG, Jul 11, 2006
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