Madmanmcp

JD, are you running short with 850MB? Are your tutorials taking up that much space cause I don't see how your web pages would take up all that much.

Hey JD, yes you should have the 850MB. Here is the link which will give an approximate date for when all the servers were upgraded. They didn't all get the space at the same time. http://www.totalchoicehosting.com/forums/i...indpost&p=78073

Ever want to see what the MAC OS looks like...without having to buy all the hardware? Now you can. This software emulator allows you to run MAC OS X on your Windows PC. Looks like Mike has a use for one of those cheap hard drives h_tp://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,65323,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1

Get them while their hot h_tp://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1675078,00.asp

I would suggest that you delete the file and leave well enough alone. These are not the type of things you should fool around with unless you are trained and know what you are doing. I'd hate to see you back here asking how to get rid of this nasty virus

Sounds like the NetSky virus based on the subjects you listed. Read here for information about this virus. h_tp://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/netsky_s.shtml Not sure I completely understand the question...but. You can be "infected" by those files, yes. Each can contain a virus or worm or a executable program and there are lots of them currently out there. Can a "hacker" "attack" your PC, maybe...but this is a complicated process. A hacker could send you a specially built that could attack you...my question would be why would someone want to do this. Do you have an enemy with a reason to want to cause you problems? If not you are safe. A .pif is a windows executable file, it normall is a "shortcut" pointing to another executable file and contains instructions on how to "run" or "execute" the file. And a .doc or a .zip is not harmless, there were lots of virus's written for the bugs and holes in the MS Word file format and for its ability to execute program code. A zip file is still used to compress and hide worms and trojans and other types of virus.

What this is sounding more like is one of the virus's that have infected someone else's computer and is sending emails out and is placing YOUR address in the "from:" field. YOU are not the one infected, someone else is, possibly a friend of yours or just someone who has YOU in THEIR address book. If this is the case, you are perfectly safe, no 0one has "hacked" your computer or you Yahoo account. And sorry to say there is not much you can do about it, you will not be able to track down who is actually infected. You have to just weather the storm and hope they soon discover the infection and clean it themselves.

Ahhh yes, the joys of signing up for "free email". Ever hear the saying you get what you pay for? No system is 100% secure, if there were there would be no hackers. And no I am not a gmail fan either.

I also believe this is sounding like a virus. Now you asked for others views and I gave several. Did you know that typing in all caps is consider YELLING? If you really want help, please don't "yell" at those that are trying to help. The current batch of worms and virus out there use your address book and mail attachments (itself) to others to attempt to replicate and spread. The actual adresses used are random. Is your virus scanner current, have you updated with the most recent virus signatures? When was the last time you did a full scan of your system. Try scanning after booting in "safe mode". This will help find the virus's that can hide from scanners.

You have two questions here and I am confused by what you meant to ask. What do you meen by "hacked". Isn't stealing a password "hacking"?

What exactly is being sent to your contacts? If its spam you probably have a virus or worm infection. To be "hacked" could be accomplished in several ways and for us to tell you with the few facts you supplied is impossible. As Thomas suggested there could be a key logger or password stealing program running on your computer, or a Back Oriface type program. The "hackers" could have guessed your password or used a password cracking program to discover it. Maybe its a friend or neighbor or family that has access to your computer and you have it set to remember your password. They just sit at your computer and do as they please. Maybe its a co-worker who has access to your work computer where you also log into yahoo mail and have it set to "remember me" next time you log in. So it could be any number of things, you need to investigate more to figure out what exactly it is. Good luck.

Nothing, as I said the logs are off and there is no reason to look at them at the moment. Not sure what to tell you here since this is conjecture at this point. Yes this could slow things down but there is not much you can do about it. It would be up to your ISP to filter out the IP's at their routers...if this was an actual ddos attack. So I would start with them, call them and see what they can find out for you. If you are under attack or if its the normal port probes that all of us are seeing.

Same old tactic from M$, they get rid of the compitition by giving software away for free.

Nothing is perfect, and MS makes no guarantee. You won't know until you try. Sorry but there is no way anyone can say it will be good or bad for you. Now I have personally installed it lots of times now and its gone perfectly or with one or two little problems. The problems I had were easily solved. Alls I can suggest to you is to read about it at the MS site and prepare the best you can, and then go for it. Waiting is not going to make it get better or worse.

I agree with Mike. At first I used to log and play with those logs and investigate everyline, but that was long ago with very few probes. Lately these attacks and probes have gone off the charts and its imposible to look at them all and there is actually no reason to look at them. Bottom line, your firewall is blocking them so you don't have to worry. Counterattack? You do understand that this is illegal?

also, Do you have an updated virus scanner, run a scan (after you download the latest signatures). What firewall are you using, does it block outgoing traffic as well as inbound? You could have a trojan which starts broadcasting when you log on that is attracting these scans. Is your computer secure and are your ports all secured. Try GRC.com to check your system and help explain how to close them. start here: h_tps://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

oompahloompah, sorry I didn't answer when this was first posted, I meant to but had to get to work and then forgot. I assume you are reading the firewall logs to get your information and if so would suggest that you just turn logging off. Your firewall is doing its job and is blocking the traffic and as you say the slowdown is caused by the logging feature. Logs are just a tool you can use to identify and track the activity of the firewall, if it causes a problem like it is now, just turn it off. Once the attacks stop you can turn it back on, or just leave it off until you actually need to use it.

The help desk is manned 24/7 so hang tight and you should get an answer sooner than you expect

The problem is caused by SP2 and you need to download the updates from Nero. As soon as I downloaded and installed them the CD burning problem was fixed.

Best bet is to submit a ticket. These issues are best handled in private and the ones with your account info do not read here.

To check your settings go into Control Panel again and start the Security Center, on the left side click on "Change the way Security Center alerts me". In here you can check or change the settings.

I would have to assume this was your Windows Firewall asking if it was ok for AIM to connect to the Internet or if you want it blocked. The new Windows Firewall now allows you to add or change these settings. Click On My Computer and then start Control Panel, click on Windows Firewall. Now select the Exceptions tab and find the program you wish to check from the list and add or remove the checkmark.

Good find Thomas.

Free online scan: h_tp://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php h_tp://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm h_tp://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Alan, I've checked the virus sites, Datafellows, McCafee, and Nortons and cannot find anything on "pl.exe". Try this. Disconnect your computer from the internet, remove cable or hangup if dialup. Boot your computer into "safe mode" rerun both the Ad-aware and Spybot programs. Do you have a Virus scanner? If not get one and run it. AVG is free h_tp://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/