Downloads: Virus, Malicious Code or What?

[Harry]

I had a strange event occur this morning. I was looking at the latest posts and in one, I saw a link above and below the posted text.

I usually click on links within the posts to make sure that everything is on the up and up and in this case, the link immediately forced my computer into a download of an update to Outlook.

Well, I don't use Outlook (hate it) and so I use Outlook Express. Anyway, I stopped the download and decided that I should investigate this link further. Stopping the download FROZE my computer, so I went to <Ctrl><Alt><Delete> and stopped the Explorer process, which cleared the issue.

When I went back to the above post, the links were gone! The person posting, realizing that strange links showed up, knew that something was wrong and he edited them out.

I had previously noticed that some web sites try to download into my Microsoft Office, usually before dumping a pop-under onto my screen, but I always cancel those. I am running McAfee anti-virus and firewall, but they missed this one or they give a free pass to anything Microsoft.

Ideas? Virus, Malicious Code or What?

[Elden DuRand]

Hi Harry:

It's probably something the Devil made your 'puter do!

I don't think I want to click on that link until someone else tries it!

Take care - Elden

[Harry]

Problem resolved! It was a virus in the computer of the person who made the initial post.

Be careful out there! There are funguses amoungus.