Some Advice, unusual problem.

[SoulTYPE]

Alright, I need some advice on this. Please read, even if you don't understan computers.

I used to talk to a friend on a messenger service. (MSN). Anyways, through talking to him, I obtained a virus through him. Twice. In one week. Don't worry, I know it was from him. (Various research).

Anyways, he isn't all that bright, and does NOT understand how to use the internet safely. He clicks on pornography popups, downloads those "fake" programs, such as so called "Download Accelerators" or "Bonzi Buddy", and "Click here for your free prize" ads. he also doesn't know that you have to pay for "Porn diallers".

I have tried talking to him about it, but he doesn't seem to listen.

Anyways, what is worse, one day at work, I gave everyone free time on the internet, and jumped on MSN messenger. He said "here is a fun link", and stupid as I was at the time, clicked on it. Thousands of uncloseable popups of porn flooded the screen and you know how long they take to close. Worst part was, it was RIGHT in the middle of my HEAD boss telling us that we are to not look at pornography on the net. Luckily, she didn't see, but it was close.

Now, the point I am getting to, is, after sending me two viruses, and loads of spyware, I don't know what to say to him. He doesn't know what harm they are having, but my pc does. I have even had to re-install windows twice.
Do I just stop talking to him? Do I contact his ISP and tell them? I mean, he is a friend, but after all the problems he has caused me, what do I do? I may even have to buy a new motherboard, FFS. THAT, I am not happy with.Any suggestions?

 

[Rex]

Don't click on any links he sends you. By just talking to someone thru messenger you can't get virus's but by clicking on hyperlinks you can.

 

[SoulTYPE]

. By just talking to someone thru messenger you can't get virus's but by clicking on hyperlinks you can.

I don't want disagree, with the possibility of sounding like a D**k, but yes you can. I know through experience and knowledge.

Have you heard of the Jitux.A (W32) messenger worm, then?

The Jitux.A (W32/Jitux.A.worm) was detected squirming through the text chat application and trying to get users to download malicious code. The worm comes in the form on a URL which downloads the "jituxramon.exe" file.

 

[Lightkeeper]

Alright, I need some advice on this. Please read, even if you don't understan computers.

I used to talk to a friend on a messenger service. (MSN). Anyways, through talking to him, I obtained a virus through him. Twice. In one week. Don't worry, I know it was from him. (Various research).

Anyways, he isn't all that bright, and does NOT understand how to use the internet safely. He clicks on pornography popups, downloads those "fake" programs, such as so called "Download Accelerators" or "Bonzi Buddy", and "Click here for your free prize" ads. he also doesn't know that you have to pay for "Porn diallers".

I have tried talking to him about it, but he doesn't seem to listen.

Anyways, what is worse, one day at work, I gave everyone free time on the internet, and jumped on MSN messenger. He said "here is a fun link", and stupid as I was at the time, clicked on it. Thousands of uncloseable popups of porn flooded the screen and you know how long they take to close. Worst part was, it was RIGHT in the middle of my HEAD boss telling us that we are to not look at pornography on the net. Luckily, she didn't see, but it was close.

Now, the point I am getting to, is, after sending me two viruses, and loads of spyware, I don't know what to say to him. He doesn't know what harm they are having, but my pc does. I have even had to re-install windows twice.
Do I just stop talking to him? Do I contact his ISP and tell them? I mean, he is a friend, but after all the problems he has caused me, what do I do? I may even have to buy a new motherboard, FFS. THAT, I am not happy with.Any suggestions?

Since he is a friend the best thing is to tell him exactly what is happening, then fix your email so you can't receive email from him. Send him your physical address or a P.O. Box number so you can write to each other or phone each other.

 

[meogi]

The worm comes in the form on a URL which downloads the "jituxramon.exe" file.

So you gotta click it? I went to symantec's site, they didn't say it auto-downloads itself. They did say the link is inactive... but I think you still have to click it. Anyway.

Do you know him in real life? Or is he just an internet buddy? If it's a friend down the street, why the hell don't you go to his place (kick him in the nuts) and make his computer safe? (Norton auto-protect was made with the sole purpose of internet illiterates like this). Bam, solves both problems. But if he's just an IM friend, I dunno... there is no hope for some people (I know this... gah).

You could always run a linux box as well... but at work, that might not work depending on what programs you're using. Running linux instantly gets rid of any W32 virus, which is the vast majority. (You can use a program like Trillian to use MSN on linux too) I'd assume you're pretty competent in how to set up a linux partition... anyway, hope this helps.

 

[SoulTYPE]

Yegods, Trillian..

He is in another state. I had no idea which ISP he was with, but I soon found that out, down to the manager's contact details. Anyways. I have a substantial amount of MSN friends that say YES, you can get a virus through MSN messenger. And yes you can. That was just a bd example on my behalf.

The thing is, I can't afford a new motherboard, as I am badly in need of one. I can still run Windows 98 (Don't even ask why I cannot run XP anymore), and this is a pretty bad board, especially now.

At work, I don't think I am allowed to do such things otherwise I would remove all the damn online casino games on all the computers except the one I use.