i was chatting on yahoo messenger and a photo share file popped up all by itself on messenger requesting that my friend open it. it was called notworkingsmall[1]jpg. neither i nor my friend had sent each other a file to share so he did not click on it and neither did i. we did a search to make sure it wasn't on our computers anywhere. could this have been a random virus attempting to spread?
2007-10-23 15:09:56 · 3 answers · asked by sweetlady206 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Yes, this could have been a virus that could have ruined your computer. It also could have been some type of spyware. Its a good thing that you didn't click on it.
2007-10-23 15:19:07 · answer #1 · answered by angel120991 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its possible. If is was some piece of malware, it is more likely that it was spyware, adware or a Trojan Horse. In the past, viruses were the greatest threat on the Internet. However, now it is spyware. The motivate to not to cause destruction but to steal information for profit. You did the right thing in not opening the file. As an extra safety precaution, you should run a scan for viruses and spyware. If you don't have one, now is a good time to install one. I recommend you try the filehippo website (www.filehippo.com). The site has several good free security programs. Try the AVG antivirus and Spybot anti spyware programs. Both are free and effective.
2007-10-23 22:31:49 · answer #2 · answered by What the...?!? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good job on not opening that sounds like it could have been a virus or a trojan
2007-10-23 22:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by rannots123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋