Email/Netsky/Security Patch Issues

Forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find it if it has. I'll try to keep calm while I panic...I don't appear to be able to receive my emails from Incredimail. The reason I've posted here is that I think that problem is related to a security issue/s.

I'm a relatively inexperienced user so I'll try to describe what's going on to the best of my ability.

I run I.E6 on Windows 98, I have and adsl connection, and McAfee Virus Scan. Yesterday while McAfee was downloading an automatic update some kind of error occurrred and stopped the download, then disabled VirusScan (the red M box went black) I went to the program and manually enabled it. The update download disappeared and no regular "An update has been downloaded" message appeared.

This same problem was repeated about half an hour later, again I manually enabled the program.(black box turns to red). I reckon the VirusScan was off for all of three or four minutes while I worked out what to do.There was a prompt suggesting I run a scan, did that, no virus, but two dialers were detected.

This morning when I booted up McAfee message C:WINDOW/TEMP/MCV1213.TMP was infected by the Netsky.d.emL!exe virus and has been deleted to complete the Clean process.
Again a prompt to run a scan, did that , no virus, same two dialers, that I worked out how to remove. Now the Netsky alert McAfee message won't go.

Somewhat belatedly (yeah I know) I downloaded the Critical Updates/Security Patches from MS. Rebooted.

For a split second Incredimail told me there were 33 messages, they are not being delivered to my inbox though, then a message comes up saying there's a problem retrieving the data.

My questions after that long spiel (sorry) is one what do I do now? Could the security updates be stopping my emails? Is the problem with the virus that somehow snuck in through my Virus Scan. I hope this makes sense?

Any help on this would save me from insanity and be hugely appreciated. Please talk slowly though, I'm a novice. Thanks very much.





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Whew - sounds like you've had a bad time of it.

I think the first priority is to make sure you have a clean PC and worry about email a little later.

• You can't really afford to trust McAfee at this point. It may have been damaged by a virus. Do an online scan from RAV. It will find most viri and will allow you to clean any it finds. Then as a safety precaution, do another online scan with Housecall.
• Download, install, immediately update, and then run Ad-aware. Delete all things it finds.
• Download, install, immediately update, and the run Spybot. With this one, only delete the items at the top that are pre-checked and any others whose listing color is red. After that click on the Immunize button and immunize your PC against many of the known spyware/malware critters so they never get to you.
• Go to the Microsoft update site and get any security-related updates you don't already have.
• Go to the McAfee site and see if you can find the virus file update that will allow you to save the update on your PC without installing. If so, get it.
• Disconnect your PC from the internet. Unplug the network cable. Then uninstall Mcafee, reboot, and reinstall it. If you were able to get an update file, apply the update. Otherwise, reconnect to the internet and update your virus def files.

If you still have email problems after the above, post back with specifics.

 

Newt, Thank you so much for your wonderful, easy to follow advice. I sincerely appreciate it and am glad to report after following the steps you outlined I think I've got this machine back under control...(I know I can feel a jinx buzzing even saying that.)

After reinstalling VirusScan it detected 3 infected files with W32Netsky which it removed. My email program at the moment seems to be functioning okay. To add to the frustration this afternoon in the middle of downloading security updates my ISP drops out, 45 minutes on the phone, nationwide issue, 3 hours offline!!! Oh it's been a very long day.

Thanks again.

 

Just a thought.

Loraine,

I haven't seen a firewall mentioned; check out:

How to protect your PC