by Norwood
Consider yourself lucky if you dodged the msblaster virus that struck recently. If you think you might be infected, see the sidebar for a good set of instructions.
Even if msblaster missed you, you shouldn't feel too smug, 'cause what's just around the corner
is gonna be lots worse. Msblaster was just the first variant of a worm designed to attack a
recently uncovered flaw in Windows computers. Msblaster is actually rather buggy: it doesn't
work very well. That's why many computers crash and reboot when infected. Msblaster is also a
relatively benign worm. It is designed to attack a Microsoft web site, but will do little lasting
damage to an infected computer.
It is extremely likely that someone will redesign msblaster to make it very stealthy and possibly
destructive. This new worm, which will have a new name, will not be noticed by users as it
spreads. It will find its way into a million or so computers and then unleash its destructive
payload, possibly damaging data and the computers themselves!
Don't fret, though, because you can easily protect yourself against threats like this. Buy good
anti-virus software. I like Norton, but there are lots of decent products on the market. Whatever
you end up getting, it is essential theat you keep it up to date. This is usually handled
automatically by the anti-virus program, but read the directions and make sure your protection is
current.
So, viruses are taken care of. An equally important step in protecting yourself is keeping your computer up to date with the latest critical updates from Microsoft. Here's the deal: when
Microsoft sells you Windows, it's full of bugs. Because only Microsoft is allowed to inspect and
fix the Windows code, it can sometimes take years for major flaws to be discovered and fixed.
(Open source software, on the other hand, is designed and improved upon by anyone who has an interest. This model results in greater stability and security, lower costs, and other benefits.)
But since most of us are stuck with Windows, we need our updates. Start Internet Explorer.
Click Tools... Windows Update. You will have to click through a couple of screens and prompts. Answer "Yes" to any security questions, and go ahead and review and install all critical updates. Other updates are optional, and often should not be installed unless there is a good
reason.
Msblaster spread so quickly that many Anti-Virus programs lagged behind with their protection.
Users who ran Windows Update and installed critical updates were not at risk of being infected,
however, since the particular security flaw that msblaster exploited has been known about and
has been fixable for over a month.
So, run WINDOWS Update and install critical updates regularly. Keep your anti-virus program
up to date, and scan often for viruses. If you have broadband (cable or DSL) Internet, you need a
router, which acts as a lockable front door for an otherwise wide open connection. If any of this
sounds confusing or overwhelming, call me: 813-226-2550. Learn and practice safe computing!
Consider yourself lucky if you dodged the msblaster virus that struck recently. If you think you might be infected, see the sidebar for a good set of instructions.
Even if msblaster missed you, you shouldn't feel too smug, 'cause what's just around the corner
is gonna be lots worse. Msblaster was just the first variant of a worm designed to attack a
recently uncovered flaw in Windows computers. Msblaster is actually rather buggy: it doesn't
work very well. That's why many computers crash and reboot when infected. Msblaster is also a
relatively benign worm. It is designed to attack a Microsoft web site, but will do little lasting
damage to an infected computer.
It is extremely likely that someone will redesign msblaster to make it very stealthy and possibly
destructive. This new worm, which will have a new name, will not be noticed by users as it
spreads. It will find its way into a million or so computers and then unleash its destructive
payload, possibly damaging data and the computers themselves!
Don't fret, though, because you can easily protect yourself against threats like this. Buy good
anti-virus software. I like Norton, but there are lots of decent products on the market. Whatever
you end up getting, it is essential theat you keep it up to date. This is usually handled
automatically by the anti-virus program, but read the directions and make sure your protection is
current.
So, viruses are taken care of. An equally important step in protecting yourself is keeping your computer up to date with the latest critical updates from Microsoft. Here's the deal: when
Microsoft sells you Windows, it's full of bugs. Because only Microsoft is allowed to inspect and
fix the Windows code, it can sometimes take years for major flaws to be discovered and fixed.
(Open source software, on the other hand, is designed and improved upon by anyone who has an interest. This model results in greater stability and security, lower costs, and other benefits.)
But since most of us are stuck with Windows, we need our updates. Start Internet Explorer.
Click Tools... Windows Update. You will have to click through a couple of screens and prompts. Answer "Yes" to any security questions, and go ahead and review and install all critical updates. Other updates are optional, and often should not be installed unless there is a good
reason.
Msblaster spread so quickly that many Anti-Virus programs lagged behind with their protection.
Users who ran Windows Update and installed critical updates were not at risk of being infected,
however, since the particular security flaw that msblaster exploited has been known about and
has been fixable for over a month.
So, run WINDOWS Update and install critical updates regularly. Keep your anti-virus program
up to date, and scan often for viruses. If you have broadband (cable or DSL) Internet, you need a
router, which acts as a lockable front door for an otherwise wide open connection. If any of this
sounds confusing or overwhelming, call me: 813-226-2550. Learn and practice safe computing!
(lifted from The Washington Post)
Computers running Microsoft XP that are infected with the Blaster worm probably will experience immediate problems, with one of two likely results:
Your Internet connection and computer may slow significantly as the worm uses them to search the Internet for other vulnerable systems.
Your computer will give you a pop-up warning that it will restart in 60 seconds. The computer then restarts after the time expires. The restart warning and reboot are likely to repeat.
Here is a way to fix the problem, according to Atlanta-based Internet Security Systems Inc.:
Stop the reboot loop by pressing the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" keys simultaneously. Then search for a file in the pop-up "applications" list that will appear called "msblast.exe." Click the "msblast.exe" filename, then click the "end task" button to stop the worm from running.
Next, use the computer's search program to find the culprit file -- msblast.exe -- on the hard drive. To do this, click the "Start" button on the lower lefthand corner of your screen, then "Search." If your keyboard has a "Winkey" -- a key that displays the trademark Windows Icon -- you could alternately press the Winkey and the "F" key at the same time. This will bring up a search box.
Once you have the search prompt open, enter the search term "msblast.exe." Delete any matching files, then empty your recycle bin.
Download the Microsoft software fix to protect your computer against the Blaster worm.
Unplug your Internet connection. Restart your computer. Once the computer is fully rebooted, reconnect it to the Internet.
If you have not been keeping up to date with the latest patches from Microsoft, go back to Windows Update and let Microsoft scan your computer for other critical updates. Download and install all of those listed.
Update your virus definitions, and/or install anti-virus software.
Computers running Microsoft XP that are infected with the Blaster worm probably will experience immediate problems, with one of two likely results:
Your Internet connection and computer may slow significantly as the worm uses them to search the Internet for other vulnerable systems.
Your computer will give you a pop-up warning that it will restart in 60 seconds. The computer then restarts after the time expires. The restart warning and reboot are likely to repeat.
Here is a way to fix the problem, according to Atlanta-based Internet Security Systems Inc.:
Stop the reboot loop by pressing the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" keys simultaneously. Then search for a file in the pop-up "applications" list that will appear called "msblast.exe." Click the "msblast.exe" filename, then click the "end task" button to stop the worm from running.
Next, use the computer's search program to find the culprit file -- msblast.exe -- on the hard drive. To do this, click the "Start" button on the lower lefthand corner of your screen, then "Search." If your keyboard has a "Winkey" -- a key that displays the trademark Windows Icon -- you could alternately press the Winkey and the "F" key at the same time. This will bring up a search box.
Once you have the search prompt open, enter the search term "msblast.exe." Delete any matching files, then empty your recycle bin.
Download the Microsoft software fix to protect your computer against the Blaster worm.
Unplug your Internet connection. Restart your computer. Once the computer is fully rebooted, reconnect it to the Internet.
If you have not been keeping up to date with the latest patches from Microsoft, go back to Windows Update and let Microsoft scan your computer for other critical updates. Download and install all of those listed.
Update your virus definitions, and/or install anti-virus software.