DS' got a computer virus Benjamin Worm, I was wondering

[Lynn CC]

if I could have fixed it myself for less than $180....which is what I had to pay our computer guy to reinstall XP into his computer.

He said his computer was all 'gummed up", he did manage to save all his important school files and resume etc.

He thinks he got this from some music file he downloaded.

 

[jfulcer]

You could have removed it yourself by doing a small bit of research. I always start at www.symantec.com and found this:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.benjamin.worm.html

It is spread by the music/file sharing program kazaa. I'd recommend spending a little more money on top of that $180 and getting a copy of a virus checker. In this day and age, you can't afford to NOT have one, a lesson you just learned. A virus program would have stopped this from infecting you, saving the $180.

One thing I WOULD do is inquire with the person who did the work and ask them if they re-installed the OS, or if they just followed the instruction above. My guess is they just removed the worm and did not re-install the OS. Did you give him your XP install disks? If he did re-install the OS without your discs, it is illegal for him to install another copy of XP on top of yours.

Good luck!

 

[Lynn CC]

I did buy Norton Antivirus 2002. I just had DS install it on his computer and mine, from the same disc (will it work on both?). Is that what you mean?

I did give him my XP disc.

What is OS? Am I missing something?

 

[jfulcer]

Norton is good software, and that should work to prevent you from future infections. Remember, periodically the software needs to update the virus definitions, so probably would have scheduled itself to do so on your system.

Sorry, OS is short for Operating System, in this case your Windows XP. If he had to re-install your XP, he would have needed to use your discs, as it is against licensing regulations to use another copy to install on top of yours. If he used your discs, you are OK.

With regards to installing Norton on both machines - technically you are only allowed to install it on a single machine (Of course, I would recommend reading the license - for home use you may be allowed to install it on mutiple home machines - you won't know until you read). For most software, you should own a copy for each machine it is installed in. Will Norton find out? There's such a slim chance of that happening, so I'm not sure I'd worry about it.

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks!

I'm learning a lot as time goes on with these computers.

 

[EROS]

LYNN, I've installed Norton Antivirus on two computers with the same disc.........no problem. After the free initial trial period, you'll have to pay for two renewals ($19.95 each).....

 

[Lynn CC]

Oh Great, I thought once I bought the NAV and installed it that would be it. Do they send you an e-mail or something when the trial period is over?