General Chat

Go to the Microsoft website and download fix for Blasterbug before you do anything else. The patch is needed for most versions of Windows but not 95 & 98. Too late when you've got the bug - it stops you using Explorer. Jill

I know of two people already been affected by this - good idea to warn others. Helen, Berkshire

Helen What can you do if you have got it. My friend has and she cant go on line to download the patch Jane

Go to the Symantec website and download the repair patch onto CD. Then run the CD on your friends computer.

Thanks Gill

It's true. Try punching Blaster Bug into Google! Can't believe there haven't been more replies to this! All good fun.

Hey! Thanks for the warning! If I hadn't of checked here, I would have lost my computer! (the poor thing)! the virus has to be relatively new as I took my computer for a health check on monday and they said it was fine, however she has been 'breaking' down ever since! I have hopefully removed the worm!

I have just had the virus, it kept telling me that I had so many seconds then I would loose my data, if you want to know how to get rid of it then email me and I will get the info from my nephew he soon sorted it out, I just could not get on the computer. From Sue...........

I've already had it - well my PC has. It hit mine at 10 to midnight on Tuesday. I wish i'd known about Firewall sooner, i'm a computor dinosaur, I had to take my p.c back to the store where I bought it. I have to say they were very efficient but it cost me £20.00. The biggest problem with the virus is that you can't stay on line long enough to do anything about it and everyone I knew with a p.c had the virus too!!! Colin - should I now install Firewall or will the store have done it and will it protect the p.c from future invasions?? Do I have to unplug the net even tho everything is working O.K before I install?? Sue.

You can get a free firewall called Zone Alarm..If you search on google it will give you the website. You can download it for free and it is very easy to use. I think the PC shop would have told you if they had installed a firewall. You might already know this but AVG is a good free antivirus programme and gives frequent updates.Hope this helps, Susan

Hi Gang this is Sue C. If this VIRUS hits there is absolutly nothing we can do it is going to knock off all the big companies which in turn will knock us out. you need do Nothing, no fire wall or nortons is going to make any difference. Sue C.

I've just had virus and had it removed but my computer is still not right. It's taken a while to start up and keeps turning itself off. Once it stays on it OK then.

Susan C, There is something we can all do and that is make sure we are responsible users. The worm uses a widespread Windows flaw that Microsoft warned about and patched a month ago. People who have not applied the patch - by downloading it from Microsoft's Windows Update service or the company's web site - are the only ones vulnerable. Using anti-virus software and firewalls helps too. Every machine that is cleaned of this virus is one less that will clog up the internet tonight. Crista

www(.)pacs-portal(.)co(.)uk/startup_pages/startup_full. This site has a list of what is safe to disable on your computer on startup but also lists file names for virus' so if you find something that your not sure of look at this. Sometimes virus' will have a similar name to a genuine filename so it pays to be careful when deleting unknown files. Will also tell you if you have spyware as well. does not list everything but is added to over time. be safe everyone lorraine

Like many others, I suppose (hope) I have got Norton Internet Security installed at home. The cost is about £35 a year but I recon that's reasonable to have an integrated firewall and anti-virus with updates at least weekly and more often in times of crisis. I lost my address book and stored e-mails 18 months ago (before installing NIS) due to a virus and had to have the hard disk reformatted and re-install all my programmes, so don't take chances. I was under a mis-apprehension that I was protected because the computer came with anti-virus but I didn't realise I wasn't getting updates..... Big mistake.

Just another word or warning: Don't risk not having anti-virus or a firewall, I know from experience. I spent 2 years researching my family history, had it all on computer, but was lucky I had kept all my paperwork, because in a second I had lost everything, all my hard work gone, due to "snow white & the seven dwafs". Took me weeks to re-enter, after the cost of a new motherboard & hard drive. So don't risk not having protection, our research is hard enough without having to redo it. Kim