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[Powder Miner]

My laptop has had a repeatedly popping up virus problem. My dad is now convinced that it's coming from here. Despite my arguments about how hundreds of people visit it and noone has said anything about viruses, he thinks other people actually do. Possibly the most ridiculous thing he's said is "They're a bunch of computer geeks, do you think they're not planting viruses?" ANd as always he uses his trump card of having not ever got a virus.

[Sir Finkus]

damn, he's on to me

[Bdthemag]

Oh fuck he's onto us, everyone stop using planting viruses and drug deal information on his computer!

But really, parents plus computers equals the whole "I think I know more about computers than my child, even though I don't." Not much you can do.

And what exactly do you mean by a popping up virus problem?

[MetalSlimeHunt]

"Planting" viruses? That....that doesn't even make any sense.

Your computer is likely having these virus problems because you already have an existing and hidden virus that is acting as a backdoor for the other ones.

And your father probably has gotten viruses and is too ignorant of their function to realize it, since he seems to think random users can "plant" viruses on random websites. For both your sakes, I hope he doesn't do his banking online.

[Powder Miner]

I've had virus problems repeatedly in the last few months. I deal with them, and then after a period of time they come back. I do indeed suspect it's a site, but since the sites I regularly visit are all really popular, I'm not sure what. And I do know this site isn't the one. (I think it might be TVtropes).


Don't worry guys, I won't tell the FBI.

Ninja:
...He hasn't, that was just him getting desperate. I think he meant infecting the site with viruses.

And he does his banking with a program.

The other problem is that he does know a bit about computers but is a bit old-fashioned as far as viruses go.

[Fenrir]

What does the virus do exactly? How did you discover it? Are you using an updated browser? Running antivirus software? Have your firewall active and configured?

[Nilocy]

Stop downloading teh porns and youtube mp3s.

[lordcooper]

Just run malwarebytes.  Chances are that'll remove whatever virus you have.  Then tell your dad that he was right, but you've found this amazing virus protection software that prevents them from infecting your PC.

It'll make him feel smart and solve your problem, so two birds with one stone kinda thing.

[Criptfeind]

Don't tell him this site gave you virues. Terrible idea.

[zekiel321]

yea there is some kind of idea that, computer hackers, may plant any virus anyway they want.... not those harmful viruses but those keynotes.... so becareful.....

[Powder Miner]

...Are there like three serious answers?

In any case, he thinks malwarebytes is a virus (he's not particularly trusting of programs), but it appears the viruses are gone...

[lordcooper]

It may be wise to insist your dad takes some kind of introductory computer course in that case.

[GlyphGryph]

Viruses do not just go away.

And have you asked him if he knows how he doesn't have a virus if he doesn't use antivirus software?

(He might not, I know people who simply don't use their computers for anything online, and don't download anything, and have gotten lucky thanks to those facts. However, this is like arguing that in all the times you've slept on the train tracks, you've never gotten hit by a train so you obviously know what you are doing)

[Neonivek]

Here is the thing. We can't exactly plan viruses into your computer through Bay12games.

Since in order to put a virus on it through the internet you need to download something. Which this chat doesn't do beyond pictures that are in picture (and thus harmless) format.

We couldn't give you a virus on Bay12 even if we wanted to. At least not on the forums.

MIND you, we could link you to a site that can give you tons of viruses.

Anyhow... You could have got one virus that makes more of itself that won't go away. There are also web browsers that allow you to prevent the sort of input required for viruses (one way I got a virus once is through a PDF file that executed it).

Also all sites are full of computer geniuses and in terms of computer competency this forum doesn't rate that high (just check out any section on programming. This site has around 5 competent programmers).

This sort of reminds me of an arguement I had with a teacher about the myth that most bullies have low self-esteem and he countered that with "so your saying a bully who is put down at home and makes fun of others doesn't have low-self esteem" and I really couldn't argue against a cooked example.

Or the arguement with my father that the Toronto ban on Pittbulls was based more around irrational fear then on any well intentioned and well informed plan to cut down on dog related injuries and fatalities where he stated that only Pitt bulls are very dangerous dogs and that they are extremely vicious. I couldn't argue because other breeds I listed who were known for having a tendency for viciousness he didn't believe or didn't believe they could do damage.

[Cthulhu]

You probably got a virus a long time ago and it's been fucking with you ever since.

That or you're pirating/porning/both and just not telling us.

Download rkill.exe without your dad's permission and get rid of the viruses permanently (Look at rkill's log to find what programs were closed, in that list find the ones you don't recognize as legitimate programs, navigate to their folders, and delete them.

If your dad asks tell him the military uses rkill.