[ARC5] OT - comment on computer security, viruses & co

[Leslie Smith]

  G'day all,
  Some months ago I found a root-kit virus on my PC.  The role of this
  virus was to make money (by collecting advertising "clicks").  The
  virus intercepted code to every web-page I visited and insert adverts
  into the HTML stream.  The result (this won't surprise you) was an
  over-all slowing of my PC (and poor pagination of web-pages).   I got
  rid of the virus - eventually.

Or so I thought.  A moment ago I booted Firefox.  In the process of
loading that program, Avast, the anti-virus software, informed me that
"another program" (un-named, maybe Firefox, maybe not) had request to
modify Chrome so that it (Chrome) could modify file-types.  Should I
allow that? 

 I clicked 'no'! - but there is a lot inferred in this transaction.

My purpose in posting this message is two-fold.  First, I suspect that I
removed the root-kit virus from my PC, but suspect a 'lurker' remained -
a program (I would call this a 'loader)  that can/will re-load another
virus in the future.  I think it's useful to pass on my suspicion to
'the group'.   

Second, the report that "another program" wanted to modify Chrome is
both fascinating and disturbing.  Personally, I use FireFox, not Chrome,
but for those that do, such a request, (if reported reliably) is
disturbing.  Finally, this business called "security" has become rather
like spy vs spy vs spy in Mad Magazine.  (Remember Alfred E. Newman -
"What, me worry?")   

How can I tell that the box I clicked was posted by Avast?  How can know
the box I clicked was actually "no" and not, "Go ahead and load a
virus".  There is a great deal of trust involved in this.

Now I return to building a power supply for my T-19.  A (very nice)
friend 'rescued' a useful power transformer for me:  300 - 0 - 300 volts
wound around several kilos of soft iron core.  Nice!  Richard Dawkins
says "There is no god", but what other explanation is available for such
good luck!  Of one thing I'm certain.  My transformer is virus free.

  73 de Les Smith
  Be alert for strange happenings on your PC!

  vk2bcu at operamail.com

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