← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Bardamu
Thread ID: 20286 | Posts: 19 | Started: 2005-09-18
2005-09-18 19:43 | User Profile
I spent yesterday afternoon reformating my hard drive due to what I thought, and still think was a virus, but now the problem is back. My floppy doesn't work, my printer acts funny, and I'm getting weird stuff on my desktop, but I removed everything, except for one group Jpeg files, my treasured photographs, which I uploaded to the net until after I finished the format job. My question is, do hackers ever hide viruses in Jpeg files to reinfect a computer after they are redownloaded. :confused:
2005-09-18 21:45 | User Profile
the answer is yes--viruses can be in just about any files--update your anti-virus and scan them...
:starwars:
2005-09-18 23:01 | User Profile
[QUOTE=confederate_commando]update your anti-virus and scan them...
:starwars:[/QUOTE]
That was the first thing I did. I reformatted, again.
2005-09-19 00:03 | User Profile
Bardamu, You may find some helpfull info at this site:[url]http://www.cybertechhelp.com/[/url]
Forums: [url]http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/[/url]
More info: [url]http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/read.php?4,27725,backpage=,sv=[/url]
Also: [URL]http://pchell.com[/URL]
And: [URL]http://hardwarehell.com[/URL]
2005-09-19 00:28 | User Profile
Thanks, Blond Knight,
If this last reload doesn't work I'll try those links.
2005-09-19 00:35 | User Profile
you can also download [url="http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/"]Ad Aware[/url] or [url="http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html"]Spy Bot search and destroy.[/url] They do a fair job at squashing viruses. They both have free personal use versions. good luck.
2005-09-19 01:35 | User Profile
Thanks, BB. I can use those.
2005-09-19 01:39 | User Profile
No, viruses cannot hide in jpegs (a virus could attach to a jpeg, but it wouldn't be harmful). In any case, download, update, and use an anti-spyware program (e.g. [URL=http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html]Spy Bot[/URL]) and an anti-virus program (e.g. [URL=http://www.free-av.com/]AntiVir[/URL]). Something you're installing after reformating may be a problem.
After a clean format and restore, and if the above scans comes back clean, you could have hardware failure. Use a hardware diagnostic (e.g. [URL=http://www.diagnoseprogramm.de/indexe.htm]DIAG[/URL]). To be thorough, this has to be done in DOS (not a DOS window or shell).
2005-09-19 02:27 | User Profile
There WAS a buffer overflow Windows vulnerability related to image rendering, patched up several months ago. So, yes, a virus can potentially hide in an image. But if you are up to date with security updates, there's no problem.
2005-09-19 13:34 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Happy Hacker]No, viruses cannot hide in jpegs (a virus could attach to a jpeg, but it wouldn't be harmful). In any case, download, update, and use an anti-spyware program (e.g. [URL=http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html]Spy Bot[/URL]) and an anti-virus program (e.g. [URL=http://www.free-av.com/]AntiVir[/URL]). Something you're installing after reformating may be a problem.
After a clean format and restore, and if the above scans comes back clean, you could have hardware failure. Use a hardware diagnostic (e.g. [URL=http://www.diagnoseprogramm.de/indexe.htm]DIAG[/URL]). To be thorough, this has to be done in DOS (not a DOS window or shell).[/QUOTE]
Tonight I'm going to check the hardware. Thanks.
2005-09-19 13:35 | User Profile
[QUOTE=madrussian]There WAS a buffer overflow Windows vulnerability related to image rendering, patched up several months ago. So, yes, a virus can potentially hide in an image. But if you are up to date with security updates, there's no problem.[/QUOTE]
Everything was/is up to date. I'm beginning to think it is a hardware problem.
2005-09-19 17:59 | User Profile
[QUOTE=madrussian]There WAS a buffer overflow Windows vulnerability related to image rendering, patched up several months ago. So, yes, a virus can potentially hide in an image. But if you are up to date with security updates, there's no problem.[/QUOTE]
I believe that was a PNG-related exploit, not a virus, and not related to JPEGs. When software is buggy, no rules of security apply.
2005-09-20 13:29 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Happy Hacker] Use a hardware diagnostic (e.g. [URL=http://www.diagnoseprogramm.de/indexe.htm]DIAG[/URL]). To be thorough, this has to be done in DOS (not a DOS window or shell).[/QUOTE]
Could you tell me the proper DOS commands to run this program?
2005-09-20 13:34 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Bardamu]Could you tell me the proper DOS commands to run this program?[/QUOTE] I haven't used this program but my guess would be to type DIAG or DIAG ? for a help screen, maybe even DIAG help.
2005-09-20 20:09 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Bardamu]Could you tell me the proper DOS commands to run this program?[/QUOTE]
What operating system are you using?
Do you have access to a Windows 3.x/9x/ME computer?
2005-09-21 00:50 | User Profile
I'm running XP. I suppose I can't access DOS?
2005-09-21 02:49 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Bardamu]I'm running XP. I suppose I can't access DOS?[/QUOTE]You can get a DOS prompt like this:
Go to the "Start" button Click on "All Programs" Go to the folder called "Accessories" A program called "Command Prompt" should be in there. That's your DOS prompt.
2005-09-21 10:59 | User Profile
Angler,
What command do I use to run a program in DOS?
2005-09-21 15:41 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Bardamu]I'm running XP. I suppose I can't access DOS?[/QUOTE]
XP doesn't have DOS (so, you can't make a DOS boot disk to run DIAG from) and you can't run a thorough hardware diagnostic from within XP, even within a pseudo-DOS box. XP restricts access to the hardware.
You can go to someplace like WalMart and buy something like Fix-it Utilities or Norton Systemworks. They should be easy to use and they come with some degree of hardware diagnostics, as well as a boatload of other utilities, some of which you might find useful.
Or download [URL=http://www.memtest86.com/#download0]Memtest86[/URL] (pre-compiled... installable from Windows or DOS). Unzip, to a folder, and run "install.bat" with a floppy disk in the drive. This will make a bootdisk with the memtest86 program. Boot to this disk and follow instructions. A good, long memory test is a good way to catch flaky hardware.
Also, check your CPU temperature. If you system is getting old, a failing CPU fan might not be cooling it enough. Hot CPUs act flaky.