XP more vulnerable than Windows 98SE?

I use XP for my laptoop and 98SE for my desktop. Recently, I encountered two viruses (trojan and i-worm) despite my updated AVG 6.0 protection.

My laptop was infected in two critical files (windows system 32) in which the viruses cannot be removed after cleaning. My desktop did not catch any of the said viruses.

Is it possible that the 98SE is less vulnerable to such viruses?


Toast

 

Do you run a firewall, or at least have the XP default (incoming only) enabled? Generally speaking, a virus comes in email, and a worm comes through an unprotected internet connection. Some sophisticated virus and worm writers use code to specify the kind of computers they want to infect, for example, fast internet connections or XP (because it has the necessary power!) to launch Denial of Service attacks. If not coincidence, it just may be that your older computer wasn't deemed "worthy" of infecting. Also, is it possible you plugged your laptop to an insecure situation? Using public connections (while traveling, for example) requires more stringent security measures.

Another thought:

Could these be locked in your System Restore points? Because SR are protected files, some removal tools cannot get to them to clean them up. Delete all your Restore Points, reboot, and then run another scan.

If you want to test security, Symantec has a safe scan. Another quick test is eicar.

Please post back and let us know if you are able to get rid of the two "problems that can't be removed ". If you can, we want to know how you did it, and if you can't, there's a bunch of here who love to sink out teeth into problems like these, and chew on the bone. If collectively we can't figure it out, it can't be done, or we just blame it on MS.

Johanna

 

Hello, Pete!

I fully agree with your analyses. Somehow I had a feeling that the the differences in platform between the two operating systems saved my 98SE-loaded desktop.

Thanks again. I will try to see a techie next week to determine if the total malfundtion of my keyboard (in laptop) is a software or hardware problem.


Toast

 

Johanna,

My XP firewall is always enabled. Is this enough protection then?

I really learned a lot from you regarding the nature of worms and viruses. I really appreciate the info you pitched in.

I agree with you that my old OS (not my desktop) is not worth infecting, especially I'm still using Explorer 5.01. But I log on the Net only at home and in the office.


You wrote: "Could these be locked in your System Restore points? Because SR are protected files, some removal tools cannot get to them to clean them up. Delete all your Restore Points, reboot, and then run another scan. "

My answer: Before I read this reply of yours, what I did was to download a set of security patches and updates from the Microsoft website, restarted my PC (which was required thereafter), and when I scanned again, the 2 were detected once more. However this time around, when I healed, the viruses from the files were successfully removed!

I will lok into Symantec and eicar -- thanks for the advice.

You wrote: "Please post back and let us know if you are able to get rid of the two "problems that can't be removed ". If you can, we want to know how you did it, and if you can't, there's a bunch of here who love to sink out teeth into problems like these, and chew on the bone. If collectively we can't figure it out, it can't be done, or we just blame it on MS. "


My reply: "Wow! That really makes my heart bigger..thanks for the morale support! Actually, you all can figure out whether the security patches and upgrades from the microsoft site saved the day for my laptop. "

One more problem remanis, though: my laptop's keyboard is totally out-of-order. Now you all can sink your teeth into this. lol


Toast

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