O, I didn't really look at the rouge PC when I was sniffing the network, I was using ethereal from one of my machines and when I realised what was happening I disconnected the rouge PC and continued cleaning it. I am not sure what bit of malware caused the network storm but its not happening anymore ;-)

I am writing a quick note for the pc owner to add a safe mode virus scan to his weekly tasks !

I know some other have been recommending Firefox browser for some time now but I have stuck with IE because of a couple of other programs I use integrated with it. However now that I have ditched the other products I decided to give Firefox a try.

I installed it about 3 weeks ago and so far I have been very happy with it, I prefer tabbed browsers so that aspect alone is very appealing. However the browser seems very stable fairly quick and generally very nice to use. There are however a number of sites that do not work with it, in my case these are mainly bank sites, this problem is annoying as its caused by short sighted developers, It might be possible to configure Firefox to pretend to me IE but if it is I have not found the config option yet.

So a very good browser but you probably need to keep IE as well.

For anyone that's interested its available for download from here :- http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Warning - I've just opened a "christmas card" from an address I trusted - I now have the I.worm/Zafi.d viruswhich appears to have mailed all my address book.
AVG anti virus is picking it up as I write - although I don't understand how it didn't detect it on receipt? I run the test every day but note that AVG updated definitions before starting the scan so this might be a very new virus.

kernow, Trend sent out a warning about this virus yesterday, it is a new varient of an existing virus. More info here http://www.grisoft.com/virbase/virbase.php?lng=us&type=web&action=view&qvirus=086fdb265e840000

The files detected as infected can be deleted as they are created by the virus.

The problem with anti-virus programs is that they give a false sense of security. You are better off removing them and instead ensuring that the way you use your computer is safe. Opening attachments from anyone, known or not, is a no-no unless you are absolutely sure you are expecting them.

Yes there is a new virus that masquerades as Christmas greetings, see http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.erkez.d@mm.html. Symantec only updated their virus scanner the day before yesterday.

I don't like disagreeing with fellow posters here especially someone as knowledgeable as Kayak ! I know that Kayak knows what he is doing and his approach is fine for technically able users. However ....

For most users I think that a virus scanner is now advisable, this does not mean that sensible approaches like those mentioned by K should not be followed. It is just that there are far more viri around now and having some protection makes sense.

You will know from my earlier posts that I suggest free and pretty good products, AVG Free (now v7) is fine for most.

But Kayak is also right when he says that virus programs can 'give a false sense of security' , they wont protect you completely.

Thanks Spaceman, Kayak. AVG has picked up and sorted all except the Norton Update.exe which it refuses. I've found the file myself and tried to delete but it will not as it says file is in use. Any tips?

kernow, boot into safe mode and delete it from there.

Spaceman - all done. Very many thanks. Wish I could drop something medicinal by but tis a bit far I think.

I understand this new xmas card virus is not an attachment - how can you delete without opening? thanks

Maddoctor - mine was certainly an attachment. I just clicked it without my usual caution.

SEYMOUR CLEARLY.
My TIME experiences.
I bought a Time Computer in May 2002 at the Southport shop[now closed]
The computer came ok but what followed was a disaster.
In May 2003 the computer would not start.
I checked everything and tried to put a disk in the floppy drive, I notice the drive had fallen from its mountings.
Maybe that was the reason it would not start. I caught the bus took the computer brain box with me very heavy I am 68years old, could not do anything at the shop.
Come back on Friday was the reply 'We have an expert coming in on Friday who will solve the problem'
Not being a chap who gives up, I took it in 3 more times and having an almighty row from me to the the computer guyin the shop.Eventually he managed to get it started fixed the floppy drive.
I eventually returned home,next morning it would not start again- phoned up Time.
I have 3 year warranty waited some 20 minutes managing to get through.
Time took it away more trouble waiting all day not coming, more expense, phoning them ,waiting in another day .At last success.The computer returned they had put in a new mother board in.I then decided to buy another computer from Dell this time.The Dell works fine.
My grandson came often to play just a Football game on the Time Computer.
Then 5 week ago the computer just crashed .I put in the recovery disc .The message i got this was the wrong disc.
Eventually I managed to get it working with a windows 98 disc I had, but I did not know what my sound card was graphics card etc.
I managed to get through to them the guy give me details of drivers I needed to get to back to squareone.
The software disk they gave me was incorrect and did not recognise anything to my computer.I tried with the Dell computer to find the available software to no avail.
This week I phoned again to Time a chap from India, he told me I had the wrong disks.They agreed to take it away.
Ii must point out that they have a support web address to download drivers, but the models they have on display are none of mine.
I have sent them 5 or 6 emails to complain they have not replied to one or will phoned me up.

Is there some way that you can change the font size of a web page for general viewing? I've just hooked up a new screen and the text on the thread list, for example, looks a bit kind of clunky ?!? if you know what I mean. I've tried VIEW - TEXT SIZE - SMALLEST but that doesn't seem to make an appreciable difference.

I'm sure there was a way that involved using the scroll wheel on the mouse when Kayak answered this question for me last time I got a new screen!

Thanks chaps

Robb
Why not try firefox web browser

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Robb

Try Tools/Internet Options/General Tab, click Accesibility.. button and check Ignore Font sizes .......

You should then be able to change the font size using View-Text size or by Ctrl/Mousewheel.

The downside is that you will have to do this on many websites that are currently OK.

Problem with Firefox browser is that there is no mousewheel support for Java appletts.

Hold down the ctrl key and use the scroll wheel Robb, but that is the same as using View/Text Size. Unfortunately it only works where websites use standard HTML text sizes rather than specifying a particular point size. Only other thing you can do is to use Tools/Internet Options/General tab/Accessibility and Ignore Font Sizes but that will probably make a mess of other websites if not that one.

However has the new display been correctly named in Control Panel/System/Monirors and have you set the right resolution, one of the native ones if it's a flat panel?

Optimist

u da man :-)

cheers

Arly Barley - interesting & doesn't surprise me. I've never had a Time PC - heard too many stories to make me even consider it. But Joe Punter in the street does and sees a good deal. That's how they do it. 3 year warranty? Yes please! You'll never need to worry Sir!

It's not just the PC industry. There is poor service everywhere if you know where to look.

Kayak - thanks.