Are Links To Russian Websites Safe?

[shayes]

I have just today changed my Security program from McAfee to Webroot and was astonished to find after making the change and eliminating the almost expired McAfee that a scan of my Computer revealed a critical Trojan Virus entitled Trojan_Phisher_ Sinowal.

Having quarantined this beast I am then advised to change all my passwords etc as this Trojan collects such data on bank and credit card info.

My immediate reaction was to be a bit sceptical as I Quite regularly scan my Computer either with the McAfee or Lavasoft free Adware programme and nothing untoward has been found. I never open attachments to junk mail and I am pretty alert to what may constitute a threat.

So, my thinking is, hey these boys want to show how good they are and maybe, just maybe this Trojan is a bit of a red herring. I have looked at other comment where Webroot has admitted a faulty Trojan recognition. However, I chose this security package as the basis of their program is on Sophos software which is one of the best out there.

I have written to them for an explanation, BUT JUST REMEMBERED that I clicked on a link earlier today to a Russian webpage via the Forum, as the Car is suffering from an inability to start probably becuase of a Petrol pump issue.

So, hence my question? Anyone found a corrupt link?

 

[whitenemesis]

Nope, no problems for me and I have visited many times from different links and direct access.

I run Symantec, no intrusions detected

 

[television]

I use it many times a day with no problems, I will never use my cards on line, I always ring

 

[anyweb]

i use my cards online, i use the russian site, i use firefox and i use linux, in addition when I use windows (xp or vista) I use common sense,

while these might help me they won't necessarily help you, to each their own.

cheers

anyweb

 

[Xtractorfan]

I ditched my security program for the Windows live Onecare which found a few bits n pieces that it got rid of .. any thots on the windows system..its the genuine article so it should offer good protection ..or is it our online MAF system

 

[stevesey]

I noticed you used the plural - perhaps it's one of those other russian sites you're been looking at

 

[Richard Moakes]

i use my cards online, i use the russian site, i use firefox and i use linux, in addition when I use windows (xp or vista) I use common sense,

while these might help me they won't necessarily help you, to each their own.

cheers

anyweb

I use linux as well, combine that with a dose of healthy skepticism of any web site I visit, it seems to keep me out of trouble.

 

[jibcl500]

I use the sites and my cards, mind you I did end up with some big fat russian bird in the post......................................


jib

 

[M6AJJ]

Ah! that will be the Russian equivalent of "Big Elsie" lovely girl, reduction for coach parties.

 

[shayes]

I noticed you used the plural - perhaps it's one of those other russian sites you're been looking at

I think I've ruled out the russian links as I did forget that I downloaded a CD Sony Connect Player for a s/h Walkman a couple of days back. I did read somewhere that the program has a glitch and requires a patch for some reason. Mind you, once again I could be wrong in making assumptions. It would have been easier if the new Security program had given the date the infection arrived and its full file location. Wondering why it did not, as on my Sons computer it found a Trojan and gave the C: documents location.

I re-ran the Security program as sugested and it took over four hours to scan the Computer and found no glitches. I then ran Spybot search and destroy and it came up with HITBOX.

The more you read about these things the more uncertain you become, well speaking for myself.

Anyway, enough of the trivia of Computers thanks for all replies.

 

[television]

Hi Stuart, I am sure that most virus come from the anti virus companies, as only certain viruses are found by certain programs

 

[verytalldave]

I also use Webroot antivirus, along with their firewall and anti spyware packages. I have found in over 3 years use, no problems or nasties getting through. Occasionally, it quarantines a bug or two depending. The only major problem was when a younger member of my family went on a website which asked him to download an exe file to enable access to another part of the website. Trouble was, this was a browser hijack program which disabled any websearch function and became a real pain to eradicate. Webroot helped me 100% and eventually came up with a solution to my problem.

As a safeguard, I would change ALL my passwords and probably get replacement cards for any that you have used online. Just to be safe.

 

[jibcl500]

Hi Stuart, I am sure that most virus come from the anti virus companies, as only certain viruses are found by certain programs

Being an ex IT git, they always used to say Norton had the guys upstairs developing the anti virus software and the guys downstairs writing the viruses!!!!

When we did a huge roll out for a big sugar company we where given dummy viruses from one company!!!

jib

 

[television]

Being an ex IT git, they always used to say Norton had the guys upstairs developing the anti virus software and the guys downstairs writing the viruses!!!!

When we did a huge roll out for a big sugar company we where given dummy viruses from one company!!!

jib

Thanks you and thats what I believe to be true

 

[verytalldave]

Being an ex IT git, they always used to say Norton had the guys upstairs developing the anti virus software and the guys downstairs writing the viruses!!!!

jib

While not totally impossible, I doubt very much indeed whether that is true. It sounds more like a typical "urban myth" to me. If it were found to be true, then any company and their personnel involved would be finished.
Most viruses are clones of earlier examples. Very few are totally new and as such, their fingerprints are easily identified and laid to rest. The vast percentage of viruses do seem to to originate from the old soviet block countries and can be identified as such.