computer virus?

[chicknmania]

OK, I have read about viruses in the past where the virus hides behind (or in) a friend's or contact's email that is in your address book, and poses as an email from that friend. So is it possible for that to also happen on Windows Messenger? I received a weird message with a link, from a friend. I'm pretty positive he's not the one who sent it, but I'm just curious if someone's messing with his computer at it's physical location, or if this is something else. A quick answer would be great, if anyone knows; it's creeping me out. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I am.

 

[canada-goose]

When in doubt, don't click the link.

 

[chicknmania]

I know. But I can't even FIND the link, if I copy and paste it, or google it, or search on you tube, it just doesn't seem to exist. I'm running a virus scan on my pc now anyway. I just wanna know what anyone thinks; is this possible to do on Windows Messenger and which is it, a case of someone messing with his PC, or someone messing with ME?

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
It's quite possible to hide something from search engines.

And anything's possible when you're a hacker.

 

[Illia]

Yes, it is very possible. I've had friends accounts hacked, and when I log in - They send me messages trying to show me some "cool new website they built" and so on. . . It's convincing actually, because my friends ARE programmers and web designers, but. . . It's someone trying to get a virus in my computer. There are even viruses and Trojans that will make your computer warn you that you have a virus, open a fake "My Computer" to show you, and tell you that you NEED to get rid of them.

Even something like clicking on a spam mail to read it can get you worms, Trojans, and viruses.

 

[Boyd]

first off, make sure your windows are up to date on updates. Next make sure you have good virus protection. malewarebytes.org or free.avg.com are two good ones. Yes, it was probably a drive by download site, and it would have inserted a trojan on your computer.

Then again if folks quit clicking on those, I'd be out of work... hm..........

 

[Dar]

I think i know the links you are talking about..do they come with stuff like

"OMG you have to see theses pics"
or
"HOLY cow I never thought you would take pics like that"

The person who has "sent" that has clicked on that link and has an infected computer. I keep my MSN status to ALWAYS appear off line but my friends know I am here. I got tired of people sending crap like that and putting me at risk. I have deleted a few of my friends because they were so badly infected.

and I also get a lot of strange people adding me as friends to which I just decline because i only accept the ppl I know.

I cant afford the couple of hundred to get my computer cleaned after a virus.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
holy cats!!!! I don't know what the currency exchange is between our countries ATM but in the failing american dollar, most of my virus cleanups run about $45

 

[Dar]

I have 5 computers running on a home network...LOL and it can be about $150.00 per computer depending on what needs to be done here. My DS was just quoted $95.00 for his and he does not even have a "real" computer he has one of those E-machine thingies.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
now I'm thinking there's another reason to move to canada

150 is 3 hours worth of work... and I charge 45/hr so as many computers as you have that I work on ... well with that many it may take me 2 hours or so.