September 06, 2020
The Aviary Attacked by the Eighth Circle
Timothy Birdnow
As readers know, I'm the editor in chief and chief cook and bottle washer at The Aviary. While Dana Mathewson and Jack Kemp are co-editors here, I do much of the work (especially lately as Jack has been on a sabbatical and Dana has been awfully busy.) So when I have problems the site suffers.
I had a nasty computer virus and spent the whole morning trying to fix it. I don't know if I did, but the problem has stopped, at least for now, so maybe my efforts worked. I don't know. But at any rate, it means there won't be much here today and maybe not tomorrow either (if it starts back up.)
People who create computer viruses have a special place waiting for them in Hell. In Dante's Inferno the Eighth Circle of Hell, called Malebolge, is reserved for those who commit fraud on general principle. Fraud is a kind of malice, one unique to humanity as only we cannot see the truth of what is in someone's mind. That pretty much defines the little old virus makers. They trick people into accepting updates with malicious software. It's done not even for profit necessarily (sometimes it is) but out of the pleasure of screwing somebody.
At any rate, blogging may be a bit light until I get this fixed.
As readers know, I'm the editor in chief and chief cook and bottle washer at The Aviary. While Dana Mathewson and Jack Kemp are co-editors here, I do much of the work (especially lately as Jack has been on a sabbatical and Dana has been awfully busy.) So when I have problems the site suffers.
I had a nasty computer virus and spent the whole morning trying to fix it. I don't know if I did, but the problem has stopped, at least for now, so maybe my efforts worked. I don't know. But at any rate, it means there won't be much here today and maybe not tomorrow either (if it starts back up.)
People who create computer viruses have a special place waiting for them in Hell. In Dante's Inferno the Eighth Circle of Hell, called Malebolge, is reserved for those who commit fraud on general principle. Fraud is a kind of malice, one unique to humanity as only we cannot see the truth of what is in someone's mind. That pretty much defines the little old virus makers. They trick people into accepting updates with malicious software. It's done not even for profit necessarily (sometimes it is) but out of the pleasure of screwing somebody.
At any rate, blogging may be a bit light until I get this fixed.
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at
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1
Try going here https://www.broadcom.com/support/security-center to find definitions to fix your virus> Be very careful about trying to do it yourself! Most people who do that end up deleting an important Windows system file!
This site is formerly Symantec's help site -- Norton's Anti-Virus. Even though I didn't use their products, if I got a virus, help was to be found here!
This site is formerly Symantec's help site -- Norton's Anti-Virus. Even though I didn't use their products, if I got a virus, help was to be found here!
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at September 06, 2020 02:12 PM (oiwMO)
2
Thanks Dana; I'll see if I can get into it and download anything. Remember, I am using ancient hardware and software and a lot of stuff doesn't work anymore. I have two newer computers but this old laptop with Windows is the only one worth a hoot.
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at September 07, 2020 07:50 AM (QbVSy)
3
Oops meant with Windows Vista.
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at September 07, 2020 07:51 AM (QbVSy)
4
That's right, I forgot you've got a Vista machine. Well, my current opinion is that the best OS Microsquash ever made, at least in recent years, was Seven. All our active machines run Ten now and it is the creation of Mephistopheles, for sure. We have a laptop that runs Seven and it's downstairs by the TV, hooked up for streaming. Works just fine, even though "they" told us we all had to migrate to Ten, and stupid me believed them. Caused me nothing but heartache and money.
My best advice is: NEVER try to fix a virus by yourself (outside of running your anti-virus software or going to that website if you know what the virus is), and NEVER ask an amateur how to fix one! They'll see that it's somehow attached itself to a system file and they'll delete that file -- and then e-mail everyone on their contact list to do the same. And THEN they'll wonder why their computer doesn't do things properly anymore. Trying to troubleshoot your own virus is like amputating your own leg. Just run your anti-virus program; and if you don't have one installed, you deserved to get the virus. Yeah, tough love, I know.
My best advice is: NEVER try to fix a virus by yourself (outside of running your anti-virus software or going to that website if you know what the virus is), and NEVER ask an amateur how to fix one! They'll see that it's somehow attached itself to a system file and they'll delete that file -- and then e-mail everyone on their contact list to do the same. And THEN they'll wonder why their computer doesn't do things properly anymore. Trying to troubleshoot your own virus is like amputating your own leg. Just run your anti-virus program; and if you don't have one installed, you deserved to get the virus. Yeah, tough love, I know.
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at September 07, 2020 10:59 AM (oiwMO)
5
While my efforts seemed to fix the problem it's just starting up again this morning a bit. I guess it's growing in another file. Rats!
I am probably going to have to retire this machine. I hate to; the newer ones I bought (two of them, actually) have been huge disappointments.
Thanks for the advice Dana!
I am probably going to have to retire this machine. I hate to; the newer ones I bought (two of them, actually) have been huge disappointments.
Thanks for the advice Dana!
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at September 07, 2020 01:03 PM (QbVSy)
6
Questions:
1. Do you have a viable anti-virus program on the Vista machine, and if so, have you had any luck running it? Any of the commercial anti-virus suites are good, except that I'd stay away from Norton (hey, maybe they're OK these days now that they are no longer Symantec) and McAfee. I can help you search if you like, because my search is faster than yours.
2. Do you have a credible computer shop within easy traveling distance to take either of your newer computers to? I think we've discussed this before but I don't remember your answers. It's easy enough for a pro to undo that Esperanto setting, for example. I'd just say to Stay Away from Best Buy and their Geek Squad, because they cost way too much dough.
2. Do you have a credible computer shop within easy traveling distance to take either of your newer computers to? I think we've discussed this before but I don't remember your answers. It's easy enough for a pro to undo that Esperanto setting, for example. I'd just say to Stay Away from Best Buy and their Geek Squad, because they cost way too much dough.
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at September 07, 2020 01:52 PM (oiwMO)
7
(Here I am acting like Jack, getting ahead of things.)
Tim, I looked for "antivirus for Vista" and actually got these hits, but I'm not sure any of them are still active. However, if you don't currently have an antivirus you might try the AVG tag... https://download.cnet.com/s/antivirus-for-vista/windows-free/
Tim, I looked for "antivirus for Vista" and actually got these hits, but I'm not sure any of them are still active. However, if you don't currently have an antivirus you might try the AVG tag... https://download.cnet.com/s/antivirus-for-vista/windows-free/
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at September 07, 2020 02:00 PM (oiwMO)
8
Thanks Dana.
I have Norton on this machine, which probably has helped as I haven't had many virus problems over the years. I also have AVG and Adaware but cannot update them. It's not for lack of trying.
The memory is full on this machine, I might add, so it's hard to add anything without deleting something else.
It's too bad; I like this better than those two new laptops.
I took the one machine to a shop that is not too far from home. I had never used it. They had it for two weeks and then returned it and hadn't fixed it. The guy told me "we had no way to test it" even though I gave them my passwords and even a phone cord (as you know I'm still on dialup) but they didn't want to bother with ABC gum.
So I don't have a good tech support outfit. I did look at the Geek Squad and was horrified at their prices.
Oh well; maybe this will fix itself. I do need to get better service. I just don't feel like fooling with it while I have so much else on my plate. And reading a contract? With my eyes? Fuggetaboutit!
I have Norton on this machine, which probably has helped as I haven't had many virus problems over the years. I also have AVG and Adaware but cannot update them. It's not for lack of trying.
The memory is full on this machine, I might add, so it's hard to add anything without deleting something else.
It's too bad; I like this better than those two new laptops.
I took the one machine to a shop that is not too far from home. I had never used it. They had it for two weeks and then returned it and hadn't fixed it. The guy told me "we had no way to test it" even though I gave them my passwords and even a phone cord (as you know I'm still on dialup) but they didn't want to bother with ABC gum.
So I don't have a good tech support outfit. I did look at the Geek Squad and was horrified at their prices.
Oh well; maybe this will fix itself. I do need to get better service. I just don't feel like fooling with it while I have so much else on my plate. And reading a contract? With my eyes? Fuggetaboutit!
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at September 08, 2020 07:17 AM (gQ5Gb)
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