Computer help, please

[daveklepper]

My phone is in a lab for repairs.

On Wednesday evening, Windows would not load in my computer.  The symptoms were similar to a bad hard-drive, but there had been no advance warning of such a problem.  Thursday I was too busy to address the problem.  Friday morning. I used a friend's computer to reach my email-box at [e-mail].  On signing in, my friend's computer went blank, with a red signal indicating a virus.  My friend's computer and mine are at a lab for repairs.

 

I am asking readers to contact Yahoo and describe the problem in the words above.  Ask Yahoo to contact you when it is safe for me to reach my mailbox, and then report back to me on this thread.  Thank you.

My alternative mailbox may have been attacked, and I dare not try it until the Yahoo problem is solved.   Thanks.

 

[caldreamer]

The SAFEST way to ensure that your box is clean, if you suspect a virus is to reload the operating system.   This will wipe out all daaon your box and put a clean operating system on your box.   I know thatit is a pain, but it is the best way to clean out any suspected, or nown viruses from your box. 

     Caldreamer

[daveklepper]

You have the best intentions, but that advice I do not need.   My friend's computer was also wiped-out.  I am writing from the repair shop, and the expert told me:

Do Not Visit Your Mailbox.

If you want to help, do what I ask you to do.     Thanks!

 

[Convicted One]

daveklepper

but that advice I do not need

There are versions of linux that can be booted from a cd-rom disc, one that comes to mind is  called knoppix. The beauty of this is that the cd is not corruptable by a virus. You boot through your machine's bios direct to the CD, so there is no chance for the virus to write it's hijinks.

You could use that along with the resident browser that is on the CD to access Yahoo yourself with zero risk to your (or our) machine(s)

Go through your in box at Yahoo and see what has changed since the last time you used it with no probem, there will be your problem

hope this helps!

[rdamon]

Sounds like a good use for a computer at your local library.

 

[Convicted One]

rdamon

good use

I was mildly surprised to read that yahoo is still in business.

[rdamon]

They are now part of Verizon

[daveklepper]

Convicted one, your advice makes sense.  But, the Linex CD does not seem to be available in any Jerusalem store, and a trip to Tel Aviv, enjoyable by train now, has to fit in with my Jerusalem reponsibilities.  Even if Yahoo has or will solve the problem, the Linex CD will be a good security investment.   Has anyone contacted Yahoo on my behalf?

[Overmod]

There are also Linux (note sp., it's important) builds that can be copied onto a 'flash drive' (which plugs into a USB port on the computer and then acts as a secure boot drive) instead of a CD; it should not be difficult to have one of the computer service stores make one of these for you, or find a trustable source on eBay if you're not comfortable with anyone local. 

You will probably need to make some small (they can be temporary) changes in your computer's BIOS setup to make these work properly, but again this is easily done and explained depending on your brand of machine.

The versions I used years ago contained a fairly large number of "useful" utilities in addition to the operating system and browser, and you may find, as I have, that a flavor of Linux is a reasonable substitute for MS Windows for the sort of thing you're wanting a computer to do. 

[daveklepper]

I found a different route to access Yahoo.  And hopefully the computer will to continue to function OK.

[Convicted One]

daveklepper

Convicted one, your advice makes sense.  But, the Linex CD does not seem to be available in any Jerusalem store,

It is available free for download from many sources on the web. Try running a search for "knoppix bootable CD" and you'll have a variety of sources.

Regarding other verions of Linux, they are all good,  some require considerably more computer expertise than others....I think some are created to be intentionally difficult to use, just for the Geek factor.

I've installed most of the major distributions at one time or another, all are rock solid onc you get everything tweaked.

Knoppix, due to it's superb automatic hardware detection, is probably the most user friendly of the bunch. First time I put in a bootable Knoppix CD, and the sound card worked  right off the bat......network card ditto......video card at full resolution and color depth....I was in awe....made me think "So why do all these other versions of Linux make these things painful to get just right?"

It's well worth having a copy ready and in your bag just for when you need it most.

[Convicted One]

And, while you're familiarizing yourself with it's use, be sure to check out the included graphics program called "Gimp"......probably the most full-featured software program you'll ever get for free. It's amazing what you can do with that once you've become accustomed to working with transparency and layers.

[Convicted One]

One last thing that I will mention concerning the desirability of using Linux to probe into uncertain waters (such as your potentially infected e-mail account), the vast lions share of malware that you are likely to come into contact with on the web, is created to target the MS-windows platform.  Much of that stuff will just be stillborn in a non-windows environment.

[daveklepper]

Thanks for your terrififc advice!

[daveklepper]

Having trouble downloading.  The several free sites appear as malwear, to the seerver, not just the anti-virus protection of the computer.

[charlie hebdo]

Switching to another email is also a simple solution, once your computer is clean.  I like gmail and there are others that are fine.

[Semper Vaporo]

The problem with changing e-mails is all the places that have the old e-mail have to be updateda and that can be a big chore... and you may miss a few that were important but unused recently and so forgotten.  Of course, forgetting and losing some of them is probably a good thing! 

And no more spam for a while!  woo hoo!

[tree68]

Semper Vaporo

And no more spam for a while!  woo hoo!

I've dumped a couple of email addresses for that very reason.  

As you note, though, it's a royal pain remembering everyone who has that email address.

[richg1998]

Probably no help now but I have used Linux Mint and Gimp for some years.

Rich

[BaltACD]

I have 2 e-mail addresses I actually conduct communications with, they are only shared with close friends and family as well as legitmate business concerns. 

I also have a Yahoo and Gmail addresses that I use for actions that require a e-mail address but you know going in they will be distributing it to the Spam purveyors!  When I access the Yahoo & Gmail accounts I delete 99.9% of everything I see.  Occasionally I will see something I actually want to read before deleting, but that is a rare happening.

[Convicted One]

daveklepper

The several free sites appear as malwear

I've got to be careful because I don't want to appear as though I'm using this forum to promote external interests. 

I will say that cnet is bad, so too likely is sourceforge. Look for a source that includes "knopper" in  the url, that one is safe

[Overmod]

I am tempted to add a general rule: if it is not immediately clear that there is one, and only one, download link for a given piece of software on a page, leave that page and find something different.  Those sites with advertising that is 'rife' with competing green download buttons and attractive-looking controls are a bit like a labyrintspel of despair -- especially to someone whose interest in the geek aspects of personal computing is likely to be as minimal as possible.

I don't see any conflict of interest in providing him a direct URL to the Knoppix recovery tools, either at kernel.org or knoppix.net.  Here is a useful guide for how to go about 'doing it yourself', whether or not you just want a CD mailed to you (for a couple of dollars) or you're willing to burn or copy something for yourself.

[daveklepper]

I'm going to try this, assuming I can copy to a USB or to the hard drive to transfer to a USB.  If thzt works, fine.

[daveklepper]

I tried various routs the url gives.  In each case, i came the "Accept" button, on the conditions of use.  After I entered the accept button, the screen displayed:

 

This site can’t be reached

ftp.kernel.org’s server IP address could not be found.

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

I obviously have a server problem   This iis at the Hebrew U. Main Library WiFi.   (I would jnot get even that far at the Yewhhiva.)

I'll have to wait until my next visit to Littel.

[Convicted One]

Um, you realize that with the ftp protocol that you listed.... that a standard web browser will not load that page. (standard browsers do the HTTP and HTTPS thing)   Ftp hosts require that you use an ftp browser to link up and download from  them.

Perhaps way beyond the scope of this discussion, I am afraid

instead take a look at knoppix(dot)net and see if things work better for you.

[Overmod]

daveklepper

I tried various routes the url gives. After I entered the accept button, the screen displayed: This site can’t be reached.  ftp.kernel.org’s server IP address could not be found.

Ah well, ancient protocols:  Go here instead.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html

Choose a mirror site reasonably close to you, or that you like, and then click on the http version of the file-transfer link for it, 4th column over.  Note that the ISO that you will download is different if you want to create a CD than a DVD.

Remember that you will still need to download, and run, the ImgBurn software from this location ... the straightforward download link is at the bottom, just below the 'video guide'.

As another choice, there is an alternative version of Knoppix, MicroKnoppix "ADRIANE", which has built-in support to set up a USB stick or memory card.  See here for a descriptive page and here is a third-party solution to accomplish the thing in a way that you may find more direct.

If you have any problems downloading either the ISO or the burning program, or if you have trouble actually burning a CD or DVD with the drives available to you, come back and we can further advise. 

One note: while I think the result should be natively bootable on a PC, you may have to make some changes in the computer BIOS settings (the low-level hardware control you can access via hitting keys F1 or F2 during boot) to make the computer look to start off its CD drive before it starts up from the hard drive normally.  It should do no harm to set CD as the 'permanent' boot priority even if you regularly leave CDs in the drive during startup.

[Convicted One]

Overmod

Ah well, ancient protocols:

I was just reading up on ftp and did not realize that modern firewalls have a basic antipathy for the way ftp clients and servers typically negotiate their transactions.