Microsoft Security Update Could Be Infecting Your Computer

From BL Ochman: “It’s not bad enough that we are forced to download constant security patches to Microsoft’s Windows software. Now Internet News reports that Symantec says — and Microsoft admits — that the latest round of Windows security patch downloads could be used by hackers to infect PCs running Windows OS. Yup, the very patches that are supposed to keep the bad guys out are helping them get in.”

She goes on to quote:

“Microsoft recommends that any users who believe they are affected by TrojanDownloader:Win32/Jowspry visit Windows Live OneCare safety scanner to scan their systems, determine if they are infected, and clean all currently known variants of this Trojan.”

Lets start by deleting numerous expletives I would like to use here!

Well, normally, I don’t panic … but it just so happens that the other day, I started getting crashes where my internet connection (broadband) would start crawling to a standstill, then cut itself off suddenly. Eventually, it would only connect, but not move.

Couldn’t load any pages, nothing.

Don’t get me started on Telefonica’s “help”. It doesn’t exist. As soon as got through, I was spoken to like I was or dirt on their shoe. If I hadn’t disconnected everything and given it the complete shock treatment, they were not going to help. Period. They couldn’t, of course, have explained that NICELY, like I was a paying customer or anything.

Well, after doing that three times - after the first and second, I couldn’t connect at all - finally, I get connected and something works.

What do you think there should be in the taskbar? The little yellow shield thingy that, when I hover over it, says “Downloading updates 28% …” So, it hadn’t only just started, it had got over a quarter way through. And, I think, truly mussed up my connection while it was about it.

Could this be the virus / spyware download? I dunno, but under the circumstances, I thought it best to use the scanner recommended.

Of course, I already run my own virus and spyware checks daily, plus every other spyware squisher known to man, woman and geek.

You make your own choice, but it may be wise. However, be warned, you’ll need to use their crappy Internet Explorer to access it (it won’t work in relatively safe Firefox), it makes you install and run ActiveX controls - that I normally have disabled - then you have to allow friggin popups too and it seriously affects computer performance!

And, top that, it had been running for 2 hours when it got to about 20% done and had already found 2 items. They could be nothing, but I won’t find out exactly what they are until the end of the scan, which based on the current progress, could take 10 hours to complete.

UPDATE: 32% done, 341 items detected, 25 issues found. I’m going to assume these are mostly “harmless” cookies, but heaven knows. Is it making them up, or have my “bug detectors” been on strike?

How much are Macs? How do I install Linux?

Oh Joy: Symantec Says Microsoft Security Update Could Be Infecting Your Computer