 Suggested Safe Practices |
Welcome Guest ( Log In | Click here to Register a free account now! )
Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com
Welcome to Bleeping Computer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.  |
 Dec 17 2006, 09:36 AM
Post
#1
|
|
 Still visually handicapped, new avatar (a camel) :0)  Group: BC Advisor Posts: 16,689 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824  |
1 - Never click on anything that pops up on your screen unexpectedly. Just right click on the application (usually it's Internet Explorer) in the Task Bar and select "Close" from there. Alternatively, press Alt and F4 simultaneously in order to close the active window. Still another alternative is to use Task Manager (Ctrl - Alt - Del) to close the offending program. The reason for this is that the "bad guys" can make the window say anything that they want. For example, they can make the little X in the upper right corner of the window (normally used to close a window) actually install the bad stuff on your system. 2 - Don't ever, ever open any email! Yeah, that's a bit extreme - but the bad guys can fake an email from your best friend and you'd never know it until you checked with your friend. So, always suspect emails with attachments - they're where most of the damage is done. It doesn't matter if it 's just a picture, or if it's a strange file that you have no idea about - they can all be infected with viruses. If you open one, make sure that your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are running and scanning. The best way is to "preview" your emails before opening them. Using web-based email, read the text before deciding if the attachment is from someone safe. For email on your computer, use a "screener" like the free program MailWasher (I like this one so much that I bought the Pro version). It'll allow you to read the first 20 lines of an email without downloading it - and you can delete the bad one's by using it's interface. This post has been edited by usasma: Dec 17 2006, 09:36 AM -------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** |
 |
 
|
|
Jun 25 2007, 02:34 PM
Post
#2
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 25-June 07 Member No.: 139,316 |
good point usasma, i know as of late i have been seeing alot of the popus that have an embedded X to close the popup and once you click it will either open a new browser or send junk to your cookies from trackign to even spyware.
Alt F4 is the way to go. -------------------- |
|
|
|
 Nov 20 2007, 09:23 AM
Post
#3
|
|
|
a forum member Group: Members Posts: 2,374 Joined: 27-August 07 Member No.: 153,171 |
QUOTE(littlephoenix @ Jun 25 2007, 07:34 PM)  good point usasma, i know as of late i have been seeing alot of the popus that have an embedded X to close the popup and once you click it will either open a new browser or send junk to your cookies from trackign to even spyware.Alt F4 is the way to go. this is a very valid point ; I recently 'worked' on a very badly infected computer ; the owner and the child felt something was wrong when strange web pages appeared on their computer ( needless to say the child had been using P2P stuff); to close the popups' windows they too clicked on the X in the corner; by so doing matters went from bad to worse and worse and worse.......... their delay in seeking help and continued use OF the P2P stuff until I met it , and saw for myself what WAS happening meant that ,despite input and guidance from experts ON getting rid of this rubbish to try to clean it , eventually proved to be impossible and a complete reformat and reinstall was required  so, X marks the spot where preferably NOT to go on pop-ups  |
|
|
|
|
Dec 16 2007, 10:50 AM
Post
#4
|
|
 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 354 Joined: 1-January 06 From: USA Member No.: 47,864 |
I'll definitely keep this post of yours printed up for future reference. Had to take my CPU in as it kept shutting itself off.
Seems I was infected with virus,spyware+a rootkit(whatever that is). Thank's for all your helpful input here at B.C. honu1 -------------------- Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 1 2008, 05:25 AM
Post
#5
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 46 Joined: 16-November 07 Member No.: 170,235 |
is it safe to right-click the..er..program on the taskbar to close it?
(just tell me if you don't get what I mean..I dunno how to explain my point). |
|
|
|
|
Jan 1 2008, 12:42 PM
Post
#6
|
|
 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 642 Joined: 4-November 07 From: The Great State of Disarray Member No.: 167,506 |
Hi Turnips,
According to item #1 in usasma's post, that's a safe method. I definitely trust him. 
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Jan 5 2008, 02:51 AM
Post
#7
|
|
 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 819 Joined: 25-October 07 From: Western Sydney, Australia. Member No.: 165,216 |
Absolutely fantastic usasma
 You always provide terrific advice as well as the other members of BC 
--------------------  |
|
|
|
| Pivopija |
Jan 26 2008, 06:38 PM
Post
#8
|
|
Guests |
Nice post, I like it. Most of that thing we all know but always do the wrong thing, this is good note for future.
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 8 2009, 08:56 AM
Post
#9
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 127 Joined: 23-January 09 Member No.: 286,225 |
Thanks for the point number 1.
I was often in deliberation when i'd recieve a popup which would say "Yes" or "no" buttons, I would usually click the X as quickly as possible. However after your advice I will use Alt + F4. This would explain why sometimes a site would go popup crazy and i'd then find an infected computer afterwards I guess. I always thought the X was safe, guess i'm wrong! |
|
|
|
|
Mar 8 2009, 09:19 AM
Post
#10
|
|
 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 555 Joined: 24-February 09 From: Miami, Florida Member No.: 300,479 |
Thanks for pt1.. I never knew it made a difference Between X and Alt+F4. I'll keep that in mind when I get pop-ups.
-------------------- Proud Firefox User
"Simplicity does it better than anything else." |
|
|
|
| fuzzywuzzy6 |
Mar 8 2009, 02:19 PM
Post
#11
|
|
Guests |
Glad to have found this topic. It seems that some of the new malware targets task manager, too, and the pop-up never appears in the applications window, having bypassed that window entirely. Some of these pop-ups lock up the screen entirely and block all other applications. They also do not permit the application to be closed from the desk tray.
Is there a panic button option that would allow quick shut-down of certain applications without doing undue damage to the pc? One that is easy to remember and/or to set up? This post has been edited by fuzzywuzzy6: Mar 8 2009, 02:21 PM |
|
|
|
|
Mar 8 2009, 02:37 PM
Post
#12
|
|
 "Bleepin' Aussie Addict" Group: Members Posts: 2,359 Joined: 14-October 06 From: SYDNEY-AUSTRALIA Member No.: 90,018 |
QUOTE(fuzzywuzzy6 @ Mar 9 2009, 06:19 AM) Is there a panic button option that would allow quick shut-down of certain applications without doing undue damage to the pc? One that is easy to remember and/or to set up? I was told by a Techie, to press the restart button,on the front of the Tower,if this happens.(Not the ON/OFF Button) I have used this method, on a number of occassions,and worked a treat. I would like USASMA'S advice, on the safety aspect of this method.Thanks. --------------------  I once had a life.. now I have the Internet... |
|
|
|
| fuzzywuzzy6 |
Mar 8 2009, 09:30 PM
Post
#13
|
|
Guests |
That alt + F4 works like a charm, at least part of the time. It all depends on how many applications and pop-ups are attempting to start up at the same time. Wonder if some of the pop-up/task manager problem is applications compatibility issues, as well as malware. (And yes, I am receiving help in the appropriate forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 9 2009, 09:49 PM
Post
#14
|
|
 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 30-December 08 From: Utah Member No.: 275,768 |
QUOTE(fuzzywuzzy6 @ Mar 8 2009, 12:19 PM) Is there a panic button option that would allow quick shut-down of certain applications without doing undue damage to the pc? One that is easy to remember and/or to set up? I do not know of one in Windows but ZoneAlarm has a feature to immediately stop all internet activity that should take care of any damage coming from the internet. Other firewalls probably have a similar feature |
|
|
|
|
Mar 9 2009, 09:52 PM
Post
#15
|
|
|
Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 30-December 08 From: Utah Member No.: 275,768 |
QUOTE(DSTM @ Mar 8 2009, 12:37 PM) I was told by a Techie, to press the restart button,on the front of the Tower,if this happens.(Not the ON/OFF Button) I have used this method, on a number of occassions,and worked a treat. I would like USASMA'S advice, on the safety aspect of this method.Thanks. Since you made a distinction between the reset and on/off button, I have to ask, what if you do not have a reset button, only an on/off button? My system only has the on/off button. |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
| Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 4th July 2009 - 07:21 AM |
© 2003-2009 All Rights Reserved Bleeping Computer LLC.