Ask Leo!: Viruses en-us 2008 Leo A. Notenboom and Puget Sound Software, LLC Thu, 22 May 2008 11:06:36 -08:00 Thu, 22 May 2008 11:06:36 -08:00 720 http://ask-leo.com/images/altile144.jpg Ask Leo! http://ask-leo.com 140 140 Tech Questions? Get Answers! Ask Leo! Why is mail being sent to all my contacts? http://ask-leo.com/why_is_mail_being_sent_to_all_my_contacts.html For the last two days and previously about a month ago, I have mails sent to all my contacts that are stored in my address book. These mails have an advert attached for a discount firm located in China. I've written to the firm and told them what is happening but I get no reply. I thought if I deleted the addresses I no longer want and keep those that I do want but not stored in my computer, I could solve the problem. But I just can't find how to delete these addresses. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

]]> The contents of your address book is not the problem.

In fact, you likely have a much larger problem that you need to address an entirely different way.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 22 May 2008 11:06:36 -08:00 Technology Why do people make viruses? http://ask-leo.com/why_do_people_make_viruses.html Why do people make these viruses and worms? How do they get distributed so widely? Are people forwarding them? Is there some database of emails that malicious people have? What do they gain by sending worms and viruses?

]]> "Why" has actually changed over the years. It turns out that viruses have become a big business. Yes, there are people making money writing and distributing viruses. How is that possible, you ask?

Spam.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:10:10 -08:00 Technology I've been told I have the (fill in the blank) virus, but my anti-virus program doesn't remove it. What do I do? http://ask-leo.com/ive_been_told_i_have_the_fill_in_the_blank_virus_but_my_antivirus_program_doesnt_remove_it_what_do_i_do.html I've been told I have the (fill in the blank) virus, but my anti-virus program doesn't remove it. What do I do?

]]> I get variations of this question a lot. Someone has somehow correctly determined that they have a virus; either by its symptoms or by some other means and yet the anti-virus program that they're running fails to detect the virus, or perhaps detects it but fails to repair it.

It's a race, folks, and sometimes the anti virus-packages aren't in the lead.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Thu, 10 Jun 2004 15:13:31 -08:00 Technology Is there a possibility that my excel and word files are infected by sasser? http://ask-leo.com/is_there_a_possibility_that_my_excel_and_word_files_are_infected_by_sasser.html Is there a possibility that my excel and word files are infected by sasser?

]]> Highly unlikely. Sasser and its ilk travel in executables and via direct network connections.

]]> leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) Wed, 09 Jun 2004 17:08:44 -08:00 Technology