Better clean your machine....

[Error401]

I found out today that you can be cut off from the internet if your machines are infected.

First off, this didn't affect me, but it did happen to one of our clients. Mad props to Cox HSI for taking a proactive step in curbing the propogation of internet viri, trojans and such. One of our tech went on an onsite call to determine why the client had lost their internet connection. Upon arriving he determined that the service had been suspended, and then called Cox and was informed that the two machines at that location had been sending out massive ammounts of infected emails and other attacks. Cox recently implimented a server side AV scanner that has thus far worked admirably (though there are a few quirks). The client's cable account had been suspended until a third party has cleaned and certifed that the machines are clean.

It must suck pretty bad to have the ISP cut your poop off until someone else cleans up your machines.

 

[HumboldtBlazer]

Kudos to Cox!!!!

 

[scottm]

Sweet, more isp's should get agressive about that. They should be prosecuted too.

 

[Buncrana]

They do that to protect their own network and to reduce bandwidth usage. It's nice but not for the same reasons they want people to think.

 

[FastEddy]

All is fine and dandy until someone figures out how to spoof it so your account gets shut down and you need to spend $$ to find out you've been duped.

It will happen, you know it will.
There seems to be no end to it all. The more drastic the counter measures get the more damage a hacker can do.

 

[mcvickj]

I think that is a bit drastic. Cox should at least contact the user before suspending the account.

 

[Error401]

Sweet, more isp's should get agressive about that. They should be prosecuted too.

Prosecution of an ignorant (computerwise) person (or other entity) is a bit harsh. I've found that alot of highly intelligent people (doctors, lawyers, etc.) know nearly nothing about computers (how to turn them on, get their email, surf some). Mind you I'm not saying all, but there are alot of them out there. A good example that's in the mass media is the new AOL commercial on TV, the one where the parents are discussing who should fix their computer, and the little kid with the squeeky hammer is beating the crap out of the mouse, and inadvertantly gets AOL to fix the computer. That's apretty much how it is, the parents that is (I wouldn't let AOL fix anything). I see it every day. I guess it's the nature of the business, but folks that keep their machines clean (or know how to fix them) do not bring their stuff to our shop, they fix it themselves. So I guess my view is a little one sided.

Still, I'm glad that the infrastructure companies are taking steps to help out. Most large corporations have their own prevention and response measures, and it's about damned time that the ISPs are starting to crack down on home users too.

I think that is a bit drastic. Cox should at least contact the user before suspending the account.

I think they did. My boss called Cox to verify the situation, and Cox said that the account holder had been notified (via email I think).

All is fine and dandy until someone figures out how to spoof it so your account gets shut down and you need to spend $$ to find out you've been duped.

It will happen, you know it will.
There seems to be no end to it all. The more drastic the counter measures get the more damage a hacker can do.

True, I remember the poop you went through on the spam thing. But on the Cox email, all the outbound emails must go though the Cox SMTP server, so I guess that there's a record of the point of origin of the emails that can be tied to a specific modem and thus IP and account.

 

[FastEddy]

True, I remember the poop you went through on the spam thing. But on the Cox email, all the outbound emails must go though the Cox SMTP server, so I guess that there's a record of the point of origin of the emails that can be tied to a specific modem and thus IP and account.

I guess your right.
My ignorance on the subject just poked its little head out and waved a red flag.
As someone (Un Named) Once said not to long ago, "Yo jus a ignorant WB...."

 

[Error401]

It's ok Ed. It just irks me that there are people out there that have nothing better to do than code poop to mess with people. The thing that really sucks is that if they are caught, they might get a slap on the wrist, then land a juicy job at Symantec or Network Solutions. Fuckers.

I don't know how many machines I've worked on that do have AV, but a virus has gotten in and disabled it. The users always gripe that they have AV and there's no way that their machine has viruses. These bugs are getting harder and harder tofind and destroy. I learn new stuff every day.

 

[Rolex]

When my next door neighbors got their first computer, it was used. They signed up for AOL and had their service suspended in 2 days. A call to aol confirmed that mass mailings were coming from their computer. He did several downloaded "cures" and was suspended twice more. AOL said, "Once more and you will be denied service." Aol did a check and said he didn't have a virus in there but a Trojan Horse. He bought a Trojan Horse detect and delete program, and it finally cured the problem.

 

[Candyman]

I've found that alot of highly intelligent people (doctors, lawyers, etc.) know nearly nothing about computers (how to turn them on, get their email, surf some).

HEY!!! I'm a doctor. What are you telling me?
And while we're at it, what is this black thing next to the big rectangular black thing with all the lettered buttons on it? You know, the oval thing with 2 clickey buttons and a long piece of wire coming out of it? I give up. They sent me all this crap with this computer and I have no clue what it's for.

Ok, now how do I make this little letter thingy go back on the main screen? Will what I'm typing show up? Can you guys hear me? Hellooooo?

Hmmmmm......I wonder what this button does......

 

[Error401]

I've found that alot of highly intelligent people (doctors, lawyers, etc.) know nearly nothing about computers (how to turn them on, get their email, surf some). Mind you I'm not saying all, but there are alot of them out there.

Uh, ya missed that last part.

 

[Rolex]

Candyman, are you okay? I felt a shock wave here about 15 minutes after you posted.
Never hit Delete and F5 at the same time. F5 is the extreme high end of a tornado or hurricane, and hitting Delete will do just that. Delete your entire neighborhood.
Didn't you read the small print in your Window's tutorial?

 

[Error401]

When all else fails try this:

ctrl-alt-fdisk