New Microsoft security warning

Parent Cafe
1

<p>We got an interesting phone call yesterday (Sunday… on a holiday weekend) from Comcasts, our internet provider, saying that our other computers were being attacked by our desktop computer due a virus we’d obviously picked up. They told us to update our virus software and run it. We did it, and it showed nothing, so I’ve got the Geek Squad coming out Thursday (soonest they could come). Then I saw this article today and realize we may be part of a much larger problem. Anyone else have this happen?</p>

<p>[Microsoft</a> warns of computer security hole - Security- msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31766751/ns/technology_and_science-security]Microsoft”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31766751/ns/technology_and_science-security)

</p>

2

<p>Thanks for the warning. Microsoft’s instructions about it are here: [Microsoft</a> Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Microsoft Video ActiveX control could allow remote code execution](<a href=“http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972890]Microsoft”>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972890)</p>

3

<p>Technically challenged here. Do you know if your computer has been hacked or has a problem before the call from Microsoft?</p>

4

<p>The call was actually from Comcast as they are the ones who are our IP, so they have our address. Somehow, based on some report they received from somewhere, they were able to trace back to our computer that we were now attacking other computers. I’m sure we were just one of many, many phone calls that are being made to.</p>

<p>From what I understand, it’s websites that are being hacked, so if you visit that website, your computer can get it.</p>

5

<p>Thanks. I won’t do anything unless my provider tells me my computer is causing problems.</p>

6

<p>Sounds like disabling Active X would get the job done. Also, avoid Internet Explorer. And for even better security, avoid Windows.</p>

7

<p>How do you know the caller was really from Comcast?</p>

8

<p>Thanks
This is on the news tonight. Everyone affected should do the disable unitl the patch is ready.</p>

9

<p>Get firefox:
[Mozilla</a> Firefox](<a href=“http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/upgrade.html]Mozilla”>Get Firefox for desktop — Mozilla (US))</p>

<p>Free, open source, and no activX.</p>

10

<p>

</p>

<p>I had no reason to believe he wasn’t. Didn’t ask for any personal information. Just said he was giving us a head’s up and that we should make sure our anti-viral software was running. I also believe him because our desktop has been acting up big time over the last 2-3 days… lots of error messages, freezing, etc. </p>

<p>Again, they asked for no personal information at all.</p>

11

<p>I still have web sites that I have to use that do not accept Firefox. So I am stuck with both still. I use Firefox most of the time and IE only for those sites that require it.</p>

12

<br>

<br>

<p>Firefox can spoof Internet Explorer with an extension.</p>

<p>If this doesn’t work then I guess that I would run Internet Explorer in a disposable virtual machine.</p>

13

<p>

I’m another one who uses Firefox almost exclusively but am stuck with some business-needed applications that only run on IE. Can you tell us more about this “spoof” extension? How do I use it?</p>

14

<p>If you install the IE Tab extension for firefox you can open websites that only work in IE</p>

<p><a href=“https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1419[/url]”>https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1419&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

15

<p>My laptop installed a Security update late last night…wonder if this is what it was? I never ask, I just run the thing. :)</p>

16

<p>Chipmoney, thanks so much. Now I can get to my work e-mail with Firefox - what a pleasure!</p>

17

<p>Thanks, Booklady for the link.</p>

18

<p>Ok, I’m one of those having to use sites that only work on IE, so I really appreciate this information. So, I downloaded the extension. It prompted me to restart Firefox, which I did.</p>

<p>But I don’t see any IE tab. What should I be seeing? How do I make this work? All the rest of you seem to be having no trouble. So, maybe I am <em>less</em> than semi-literate :rolleyes:.</p>

19

<p>

</p>

<p>Probably don’t need to worry if you’re reasonably prudent. However, both Firefox or the new version of Google Chrome are better browsers than IE, anyway.</p>

20

<p>BUMP…</p>

<p>seeking tech support :slight_smile: from the uber-techies here on cc about how to use this. What am I not doing or doing wrong, or not seeing?</p>