I went to take a survey for Lindens. Part of the survey was to go to a web site for IP verification. I thought at first what is the harm and clicked on the link. The survey abruptly stopped.
So my question is, am I going to have problems? I deleted my financial information from the Second Life web site almost immediately. What else should I do? Should I AR this person? Have they even done anything AR-able? Is my computer compromised? I don't use a firewall. Is it safe to use it for banking? I really don't know what I may have done.
OK people, please try to be kind. I feel so stupid. At the risk of being call a drama queen, I am going to say it anyway... I feel like crying. I am just so worried.
Thanks for your help.
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Help please, I did something stupid. |
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Hope Zinner
Walks like a noob
Join date: 9 Sep 2007
Posts: 65
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08-10-2008 07:48
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Steely Carver
The dreamer or the dream?
Join date: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 515
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08-10-2008 07:56
I went to take a survey for Lindens. Part of the survey was to go to a web site for IP verification. I thought at first what is the harm and clicked on the link. The survey abruptly stopped. So my question is, am I going to have problems? I deleted my financial information from the Second Life web site almost immediately. What else should I do? Should I AR this person? Have they even done anything AR-able? Is my computer compromised? I don't use a firewall. Is it safe to use it for banking? I really don't know what I may have done. OK people, please try to be kind. I feel so stupid. At the risk of being call a drama queen, I am going to say it anyway... I feel like crying. I am just so worried. Thanks for your help. It is possible that your system has been infected with a trojan. An active-x control or Internet Explorer exploit could have been used for this. If you are really worried, you might consider backing up your data and doing a complete wipe an reload of the system. Changing your credit card info online could also be a good idea. For online transaction, I use a pre-paid Visa card. If it gets compromized, I can just throw it out and get another. This way thieves will never have access to my puny bank account. Everyone makes mistakes. Don't be too upset with yourself.  _____________________
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
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Skell Dagger
Smitten
Join date: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 1,885
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08-10-2008 07:58
If you don't use a firewall, Hope, then you should be using one anyway. At least enable the Windows Firewall (if you're using Windows) if nothing else. A firewall is a line of defence between your computer and the internet. You should also be using up-to-date antivirus software, too.
I would suggest that you change your Second Life password as soon as possible, at the very least. Can you give us any more information as to what happened? Naming names isn't allowed in this forum, but you ask if you should AR 'this person' - did someone give you a link to the survey, or were they wearing something that had text over it to say, "Click here to earn Lindens"? Usually these things are just an attempt to gather email addresses for spamming, and possibly to put spyware onto your computer. Run some scans using spyware detectors (both Ad-Aware and Spybot are good, and also free) and if you don't have antivirus software, you can download free ones from either Avast or AVG. Other people will probably be along in a minute (and have probably beaten me to it while I type this long reply *g*) but here are some useful links: Anti-spyware links: http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html Antivirus links: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html http://free.avg.com/ How to enable Windows Firewall (XP) http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_firewall.htm (Vista) http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2006/10/17/enable-windows-firewall-in-vista/ _____________________
It always ends in chickens...
Store blog - http://primflints.wordpress.com/ Inworld - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Jindalrae/21/25/442 XStreet - http://tinyurl.com/primflints Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/skelldagger/ |
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Bartlebus Baxton
Registered User
Join date: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 72
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08-10-2008 08:21
If you don't use a firewall, Hope, then you should be using one anyway. At least enable the Windows Firewall (if you're using Windows) if nothing else. A firewall is a line of defence between your computer and the internet. You should also be using up-to-date antivirus software, too. I would suggest that you change your Second Life password as soon as possible, at the very least. Can you give us any more information as to what happened? Naming names isn't allowed in this forum, but you ask if you should AR 'this person' - did someone give you a link to the survey, or were they wearing something that had text over it to say, "Click here to earn Lindens"? Usually these things are just an attempt to gather email addresses for spamming, and possibly to put spyware onto your computer. Run some scans using spyware detectors (both Ad-Aware and Spybot are good, and also free) and if you don't have antivirus software, you can download free ones from either Avast or AVG. Other people will probably be along in a minute (and have probably beaten me to it while I type this long reply *g*) but here are some useful links: Anti-spyware links: http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html Antivirus links: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html http://free.avg.com/ How to enable Windows Firewall (XP) http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_firewall.htm (Vista) http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2006/10/17/enable-windows-firewall-in-vista/ Hi Skell, I honestly don't want to have your babies or anything, but just wanted to say that your response was excellent and really showed the positive side of these Forums. The only thing I'd probably add would be to make sure your Operating System is up to date with patches etc. If you're using Windows, you can head to http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us or click on the shortcut in the start menu (at least that's where it usually is!). Sorry, I don't know about Mac or linux. I think the key thing is take all reasonable actions to mitigate any risks, but don't worry too much unless your spyware and anti virus scans show up anything nasty. B PS.. the pay as you go visa card is an excellent idea too. it's what I use whenever I'm online and does save a lot of worry. |
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Zaphod Kotobide
zOMGWTFPME!
Join date: 19 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,087
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08-10-2008 08:22
There isn't nearly enough information given to conclude that your system has been compromised in any way. If it was one of the hippie pay surveys, you're probably safe.
What was the link that you think might have gotten you into trouble? _____________________
Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them. |
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Tristin Mikazuki
Sarah Palin ROCKS!
Join date: 9 Oct 2006
Posts: 1,012
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08-10-2008 09:48
Use AVG for antivirus its simply the best out there.. o ya its also free
 http://www.grisoft.com/ Dont go for nortin or mcafee not nearly as good and can cause system trouble in a big way _____________________
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Hope Zinner
Walks like a noob
Join date: 9 Sep 2007
Posts: 65
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Thank you all so much!
08-10-2008 17:07
I want to thank everyone for the help and encouragement. I feel like crying again, but with good tears this time. I really was thinking that I would never log back in to this horrible second life with all its problems, then I thought how I would miss my friends, then all of you answered. I really am so grateful. Even if I did mess things up with my computer, it is so nice to know that there are people who will take the time from their busy day to answer a post like this. And not a single person who chose to tease instead of help!!! I really couldn't deal with that this morning. Thank you so much for understanding this.
I've done a little research and a little tinkering. I don't think anything is wrong, but I will wait and see. I suppose you all may have guessed I have done this sort of thing before. I warned my husband not to do any online banking, or to do anything that could cause us any trouble. He wore his most pained long-suffering husband expression, and said, "I never use our computer to do anything like that because you are always doing shit like this." He is so right. I used to sign up for all kinds of contests, games and surveys. I was always getting little "prizes" in our mailbox. Little trinkets like pens and keyrings. Sometimes even a T shirt or a magazine subscription. But my computer kept getting slower and slower. My email was slammed with spam. I had over 100 spyware/adware applications. A few worms. A virus or two. Yeah that took a whole weekend and a clean wipe of my system, and it was a real education. And no matter how careful you are you always forget to back something up. Lost data - ouch. One day when I had over 500 spam messages, I just gave up and changed my email address. This was just the first of many weekends spent clearing spyware, adware, trojans or viruses in various ways, with the clean reinstall always the last resort. But these things are always such a stuggle for me. I am really not a computer technician type. Somehow I just muddle through. That's why I felt like crying....I was thinking, "oh no! Not again!" Live and learn. And god knows I wish I could hug you all, or at least shake your hand, maybe even have a virtual baby for you...well, on second thought, let's not go that far. If anyone wants to know the outcome, just post on this thread. I will answer. Bless you. Mean that. |
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Skell Dagger
Smitten
Join date: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 1,885
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08-10-2008 17:16
You're very welcome, Hope. I'm glad we could all help.
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It always ends in chickens...
Store blog - http://primflints.wordpress.com/ Inworld - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Jindalrae/21/25/442 XStreet - http://tinyurl.com/primflints Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/skelldagger/ |
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Brann Georgia
Spits infinitives
Join date: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 1,441
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08-10-2008 17:37
I'm glad you're feeling better, Hope
I don't know if this is possible for you, but if you enjoy entering online contests and surveys and what not, could you set up a separate computer (maybe get someone's old one or a back-to-school special) that you could use ONLY for this sort of thing? Install only a browser and set up a separate throw-away email account. That way, once compromised, you can just scrub the whole thing and reinstall and won't have to give up a favourite activity. B. _____________________
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Steely Carver
The dreamer or the dream?
Join date: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 515
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08-10-2008 18:06
I want to thank everyone for the help and encouragement. I feel like crying again, but with good tears this time. I really was thinking that I would never log back in to this horrible second life with all its problems, then I thought how I would miss my friends, then all of you answered. I really am so grateful. Even if I did mess things up with my computer, it is so nice to know that there are people who will take the time from their busy day to answer a post like this. And not a single person who chose to tease instead of help!!! I really couldn't deal with that this morning. Thank you so much for understanding this. I've done a little research and a little tinkering. I don't think anything is wrong, but I will wait and see. I suppose you all may have guessed I have done this sort of thing before. I warned my husband not to do any online banking, or to do anything that could cause us any trouble. He wore his most pained long-suffering husband expression, and said, "I never use our computer to do anything like that because you are always doing shit like this." He is so right. I used to sign up for all kinds of contests, games and surveys. I was always getting little "prizes" in our mailbox. Little trinkets like pens and keyrings. Sometimes even a T shirt or a magazine subscription. But my computer kept getting slower and slower. My email was slammed with spam. I had over 100 spyware/adware applications. A few worms. A virus or two. Yeah that took a whole weekend and a clean wipe of my system, and it was a real education. And no matter how careful you are you always forget to back something up. Lost data - ouch. One day when I had over 500 spam messages, I just gave up and changed my email address. This was just the first of many weekends spent clearing spyware, adware, trojans or viruses in various ways, with the clean reinstall always the last resort. But these things are always such a stuggle for me. I am really not a computer technician type. Somehow I just muddle through. That's why I felt like crying....I was thinking, "oh no! Not again!" Live and learn. And god knows I wish I could hug you all, or at least shake your hand, maybe even have a virtual baby for you...well, on second thought, let's not go that far. If anyone wants to know the outcome, just post on this thread. I will answer. Bless you. Mean that. You are quite welcome. Remember that anti-virus and anti-spyware solutions are not perfect. You still have to be careful on the web. Software can only protect you from known threats. If you run into a nasty threat no one knows about yet (called a Zero-Day exploit) your software cannot protect you. Here is a good website to help computer users understand online safety issues: http://www.staysafeonline.info/ _____________________
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
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Senga Tsarchon
Clinging to the future
Join date: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 185
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08-10-2008 19:26
It's possible the survey stopped because it was buggy. That doesn't mean the folks who wanted to verify your IP were on the side of the angels, but it could simply have been incompetence on their part, rather than a deliberate attempt to infect your computer or steal information.
The Lindens-for-surveys biz is mostly driven by people who have signed up as affiliates in various programs where they get paid for sending people to survey sites. The downside for the survey taker is that these surveys often require signing up for a product or service, or lead to more marketing activity in email or by phone. So, take the excellent advice given so far, and find another way to get spending money. Don't get too upset about what's happened so far. Likely no harm has been done, and at the very least you've learned a few ways to protect yourself. |
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Lindal Kidd
Dances With Noobs
Join date: 26 Jun 2007
Posts: 8,371
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08-11-2008 08:24
I also recommend the staysafeonline site.
The internet is a dangerous place. It's pretty easy to keep from getting burned, but ONLY if you are aware of the threats. Hope, once you are sure your computer is clean (whether you do that by running antivirus and anti spyware programs, or wiping the hard drive and reinstalling everything), here are a few tips to stay safe. 1. Use a firewall. Your DSL modem or network router may have a hardware firewall built in. If it does not, then use a software firewall like the one that comes standard with Windows. Many people use both, for added peace of mind. 2. Run antivirus and anti spyware software regularly, and keep them up to date. No one anti spyware program will catch everything, so use at least two. 3. Never, ever click on a link to a website that you receive in an email. Manually browse to the site instead. "Phishing" emails will direct you to a site that will infect your computer or try to coax you into providing sensitive information (SSAN, account numbers, etc.) 4. Never respond to pop ups that say things like "Your computer may be infected!" (exception: a popup notice from *your own* antivirus program) These are ads that will actually infect your computer with a nasty little piece of malware that pretends to be an anti spyware program. 5. Never, ever, ever use peer-to-peer file sharing. These are sites like the old Limewire music sharing site. Using P2P is basically saying, "Hey, anyone...wanna use my computer?" 6. Don't go to sites that promise something for nothing. "Free Lindens", "Earn $ for completing surveys", "Try great products for free", "Let your computer earn while you sleep"...all of this sort of thing is highly suspect. There is ALWAYS a catch. Always. _____________________
It's still My World and My Imagination! So there.
Lindal Kidd |