Virus trouble

[KayDee]

I'm not a computer expert, have only had this PC since last summer, so please pardon me if this sounds like a dumb question. I seem to have picked up a virus on my email program and it only seems to have affected the email program on my computer. Can I un-install just the email program and re-install it using my system restoration CD? Will this get rid of the virus and restore the program to it's original working order?
Unfortunately, the anti-virus program that came with the pc was deleted, not sure when. My sons use this pc and love to download things, perhaps it was deleted when they should have un-installed it temporarily. Hopefully I'll be able to purchase anti-virus software soon.

Thanks for any advice offered!!

[Tim]

I don't think so...the virus probably isn't in the email program itself. Go to download.com and download a good anti virus program. I personally use Norton. Make sure you get the latest updates then scan for the virus.

That's the safest way to get rid of a virus.

[KayDee]

Thanks!!

[Tim]

So how did everything turn out? Did you get the virus out?

[KayDee]

Hi,Tim..sorry for the delay in responding..it will be awhile before I can purchase a new antivirus program. My income is limited for now. I've been very cautious in opening emails since finding the virus. Actually, my sister found the virus. I had sent her an email and her PC wouldn't let her print it because of the virus attached to it. It was something with the word worm and kak.

[Tim]

Usually anti-virus programs give you a 30 day free trial or something like that. You can just scan for the virus, remove it, and then delete the software.

[jamesglewisf]

I'd buy a copy. Some poor slob works in a cubicle somewhere writing that software and finding viruses. Help him keep his job.

[Tim]

Yeah, I would too (I just like the security...), but if someone doesn't have the money and needs a quick, easy, and safe way to get rid of the virus, that's the best route (that or reformat your hard drive which I doubt anyone would want to do :)).

[TTP]

The Kak virus was one of the biggest viri last year, if I'm not mistaken the biggest.
Symantec has a fix for you on their website, it should be free and it is pretty easy to use:

http://service1.symantec.com/sarc/sarc.nsf/html/Wscript.Kakworm.Fix.html

http://service1.symantec.com/sarc/sarc.nsf/info/html/Kak.Worm.B.Fix.html

The trick is figuring out which one you have.

Good luck!

If I can help in any way just let me know. I'll try to respond quicker then I have been.

[KayDee]

Thanks a bunch,TTP!!! I went to the first address you gave since there wasn't a B in the virus name. I downloaded the fix onto my desktop and ran the fix. It told me that it had successfully removed the virus!! :)

Thanks again!!

[TTP]

Excellent news! Glad it worked out for you! :)

[dreuby]

InoculateIT! is a free virus program that I'm trying out - it seems OK. I like the way when you download a file a big box pops up to tell you it's scanning. (I know that doesn't always mean it's really working, but it's a psychological comfort!) It scans e-mail too. I'm on a budget of £0 (I think that's about $0, ha-ha!) so it's better than not using anything. It's from http://www.cai.com/

You can do manual scans as well - it's supported by ads, so theres a little banner ad when you do that.

[KayDee]

Many thanks,dreuby!! :D
After seeing your post I went directly to the website you recommended.
I now have an anti-virus program installed. It found three places where the virus had attached.
Since I had run the fix that TTP suggested I'm not sure if it simply scanned and reported that there had been a virus or if it actually deleted it.
Whatever it was, I'm grateful for the tip!! It would have been several months before I could reasonably expect to buy a new anti-virus program.

GHBC Pram Club..that's interesting ! I would love to hear about it! Perhaps in the Anything Goes forum.

Thanks again, dreuby and everyone who responded!!

[TTP]

That fix should have deleted it, but we all know how that goes. ;)
Really though, it has worked on all the others I've seen.