Ransomeware? I don't want to experience that.

[Gray]

A virus that gets into your computer and locks you out from opening files?!

Thats insane.

Time to back up your files. lol.

Read about it here (http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33392)

[Reyawn]

this is pretty friggin scary...we all need packetloggers on our systems!

[borschtBomber[SS]]

I remember hearing about this sort of virus a ways back. Honestly, I don't have any files on my pc that are that important. Whatever is here, I can get again.

[Bio-Hazard]

Same here, plus everything is backed up on a external HD and DVD.............;)

[XJnine]

plus everything is backed up on a external HD and DVD

Even the virus? ;-)

[Bio-Hazard]

Never the virus.........;) I know a bit better than that I think.............:) I hope anyway.

[XJnine]

I only said that because I had a friend that got a virus and backed everything up before he reformatted his PC only to find he backed up the virus too. When he copied his stuff back over his system was infected again and he was convinced that it somehow survived the reformat. :lol: He didn't even consider the fact that he saved the virus file to his backup cd when he made it.

Needless to say he runs antivirus software now...

[Bio-Hazard]

Before I run a backup, I scan for spyware and run at least 2 differant virus scans, just to be safe..........

[werty316]

Does anyone think if you know what you are doing you could avoid getting a virus/spyware as apposed to someone who doesn't know what they are doing? I think so. Getting hacked I guess is a different issue. I can't remember the last time I got a virus or spyware that messed my computer up.

[vfrex]

I think that being aware of the potential issues and vectors, and using that awareness to conduct yourself on the internet safely, will go a long way towards preventing any viruses from hitting you. That said, nobody is perfect, so there are certainly steps that could be taken to prevent damage in the case of a virus.

and btw, there are viruses that can hide in your CMOS and reinfect your computer after a reinstall. You have to take out the battery and leave the computer off for 24-48 hours to get it out (from what I remember).

[Reyawn]

I don't think that is as big of a problem with Windows XP, because it tends to not like direct hardware access (that and the permissions system should discourage it), but you never know...

[GIBSON]

Those viruses have been along for some time now, most av-firms crack them and give out the code to their users. As the article says though, they are getting harder to crack.

[Assassin]

Before I backup I just check taskmanager for any unusual processes. Sometimes antivirus wont pick up on a virus.

@ the viruses that infect your cmos. You can speed that up and do that in just a few minutes by simply removing the battery and taking a capacitor (ignore bad spelling) and connectin the end to where the battery terminals are in the mobo. That drains all the power from cmos and such.