On 9/15/2012 10:55 AM, Char Jackson wrote:
On Sat, 15 Sep 2012 10:32:16 -0500, wrote:

On 9/15/2012 10:19 AM, Char Jackson wrote:

I don't get the whole "scared to download" thing.

I understand the fear. Even though I have been using Windows since '93
and I never had a virus or trojan yet. But I still understand the fear
of others. As all it takes is been bitten once or twice even with the
correct tools installed to be very leery.

You understand something that I don't.

Perhaps because I felt that fear before. I decided to reinstall Windows
2000 from scratch on a Toshiba 2595XDVD. It was 2001 or maybe the latest
was 2002. I was still using dialup (shortly later I was using DSL). I
was also very cocky about malware back then. As I was always one step
ahead of the hackers. And whatever they could come up with, I was
already ready for them.

Still believing this, I reinstalled Windows 2000 from scratch. Logged on
dialup and got the updates from Microsoft. When asked to reboot, I
selected later. I didn't have an AV yet on this computer, so I
downloaded and installed AVG. I don't recall if AVG wanted me to reboot
too or not. I guess it doesn't matter. But at this point I logged off
and I could get AVG to scan before a reboot.

Why I did it this way, I dunno, I guess it was that little voice in your
head telling you to do it this way. I couldn't see the harm, so ok. And
I was totally shocked at the end result! One virus was downloaded in the
background and was ready to install on the next reboot. Luckily AVG
found it and removed it and removed the launch from the Windows registry
before it could even run.

I was now totally blown away! All of my cockiness was gone. They almost
got me! I didn't access any malware site or anything. Just Microsoft and
AVG websites and that is it. No I didn't have a firewall installed. And
the only thing that makes sense is that a hacker's computer (BOT) pinged
my computer and my computer answered back in the background. My computer
not running in stealth mode was talking to a stranger. So the BOT found
an easy way through an open port to slip the malware in and to modify
the Windows registry. Ready to do its dirty deed when I rebooted.

That was my scariest day when it comes to malware. I couldn't believe
they almost got me. All I had to do was to reboot and they would have.
So I had to rethink everything and how I almost got nabbed. I lost sleep
that night worrying about this.

But that was the closest I came. I am not as cocky about malware
anymore. And I look more over my shoulder a lot more than I did before. ;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v12.0.1
Centrino Core2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz - 4GB - Windows XP SP2