Question for a computer savvey person

[Mishetta]

I forwarded a hilarious video about a talking deer strapped to a car to all my friends yesterday. One of my dear friends e-mailed me to inform me that when he tried to download the video, he got a virus attachment message. I have 3 anti-virus software programs which Best Buy installed when I got my new computer (for Christmas) & it wasn't picked up. Is this possible? How can I not get a virus message & someone else does?

I did immediately contact the people I sent the video on too, to just delete it since I got this alert from my friend. What do you make of it?

 

[Tina]

I received that same video via email and I never received a virus warning. Perhaps your friend is misinterpreting the message. Is it saying a virus was found? Or was is saying something similar to "Open this type of files may give you a virus.... etc etc"?

 

[Mishetta]

I don't know....I'll have to ask him!

BTW ~ wasn't that video just hilarious??

 

[jfulcer]

I forwarded a hilarious video about a talking deer strapped to a car to all my friends yesterday. One of my dear friends e-mailed me to inform me that when he tried to download the video, he got a virus attachment message. I have 3 anti-virus software programs which Best Buy installed when I got my new computer (for Christmas) & it wasn't picked up. Is this possible? How can I not get a virus message & someone else does?

I did immediately contact the people I sent the video on too, to just delete it since I got this alert from my friend. What do you make of it?

Just to be sure - did you send them a link to a web page that had the video, or did you email the video? If it was a link, can you PM it?

It IS possible - based on your OS/Browser/Antivirus software - that you may not have seen this/caught it and someone else might have...

And OT, but 3 anti-virus software programs? What ones, and when do they run and update???

 

[Mishetta]

This was the message he received:


Subject: Fwd: Alert: Virus Detected but not Cleaned - Attachment Removed [Fw: Fw: FW: Deer on a Hood]

What do you make of it?

 

[Mishetta]

Just to be sure - did you send them a link to a web page that had the video, or did you email the video? If it was a link, can you PM it?

It IS possible - based on your OS/Browser/Antivirus software - that you may not have seen this/caught it and someone else might have...

And OT, but 3 anti-virus software programs? What ones, and when do they run and update???

I just clicked on "forward" so it went as an attachment. Also, I'm embarrassed to admit, I don't know which anti-virus programs I have. I'll have to ask my DH when he gets home from work. He purchased computer & had the programs installed before we even brought it home at Christmas time. (Nearly 2 months ago?) One is Norton though ~ that I do know.

 

[RadioNate]

This was the message he received:


Subject: Fwd: Alert: Virus Detected but not Cleaned - Attachment Removed [Fw: Fw: FW: Deer on a Hood]

What do you make of it?

It could be that his service provider treats all attachments with certain extensions (like .exe) as viruses and removes them. I know I had that problem for awhile. It was stripping everything including photos that I knew were clean. Once I adjusted my setting it stopped.

Also you virus programs may not be scanning your incoming mail. While not usually common it is possible.

 

[jfulcer]

This was the message he received:


Subject: Fwd: Alert: Virus Detected but not Cleaned - Attachment Removed [Fw: Fw: FW: Deer on a Hood]

What do you make of it?

I agree with one of the other posters. Depending on the extension, some vendors will block an email attachment as a virus - even though there may not be a virus in it. I know mine will...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Another thought (I'll see if geek Jeff agrees), it is generally not wise to run multiple anti-virus programs simultaneously, but rather only one. Same with software firewalls. However, on anti-spyware/spam, not only okay, but recommended to run several. I use Panda anti-virus, Zone Alarm software firewall (plus router) and 3 anti-spyware...Ad-aware, Spywseeper and Microsoft. All run proactive, all update as frequently as daily.

 

[jfulcer]

it is generally not wise to run multiple anti-virus programs simultaneously,

That was the point I was eventually going for. My guess is the OP has multiple anti-spyware programs.

The OP also emailed me the file, and my virus scanners, both email and on demand did not find anything in it. The extension was WMV, so some email processors may block it because it IS considered a file type that can be infected. (and infected WMV files ARE out there)

Of course, you shoud ALWAYS be running up to date antivirus software.

 

[Mishetta]

Another thought (I'll see if geek Jeff agrees), it is generally not wise to run multiple anti-virus programs simultaneously, but rather only one. Same with software firewalls. However, on anti-spyware/spam, not only okay, but recommended to run several. I use Panda anti-virus, Zone Alarm software firewall (plus router) and 3 anti-spyware...Ad-aware, Spywseeper and Microsoft. All run proactive, all update as frequently as daily.

Dan, maybe I do have 3 anti-spyware/spam programs instead of 3 anti-virus programs? (Small details I'm not good with!) I'm so confused now & I do feel like an idiot not knowing. All I know is my DH takes care of all this stuff, hooks the computer up & I go on the DIS! Like driving....I can drive a car/van/SUV, but don't ask me anything about what's under the hood! That's why I come running to my DIS computer tech friends!

I love you guys!

 

[Servants of Evan]

I've been very happy with my Panda Titanium as well. Couple that with Sunbelt's SpySweeper, I Hate Spam, and MS' AntiSpyware, I feel pretty good about my security levels, but it only takes one new virus slipping through to wreak havoc....

As an example, this past Christmas a co-worker purchased a new Acer laptop for her daughter who would be heading off to college. She also picked up a McAfee bundle of software and thought she'd be safe. Her bundle consisted of Quick Clean, AntiSpyware, and Firewall. I had to point out to her that this bundle did NOT include Anti-virus protection!

(edited for spelling).