Infected file on GenesReunited

[downside]

Some viruses aren't that benign

My understanding is that it was a trojan, which isn't a virus is it?

Shall we just stick to calling it malware? 

[smudwhisk]

Er ... viruses are a type of malware surely?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

Hhm, yes I agree should have picked my words a bit better.  

However, I just feel its misleading to label everything as a virus since the chances are the problem with the ad on GR's site won't be a virus in the true sense of the word but some form of adware to get you to purchase their software.  It tends to be spyware and other types of malware that are used to steal data rather than viruses ...

Shall we just stick to calling it malware?  

I agree with downside, malware would be a better term to use .. particularly for those of us who remember the good old days when virus outbrakes had a tendency to absolutely kill PCs .. which is the reason why I mentioned earlier than viruses are perhaps less of a threat these days than other forms of malware.  The aforementioned problem does not seem to be in that league.

[Nick29]

Some viruses aren't that benign

My understanding is that it was a trojan, which isn't a virus is it?

Shall we just stick to calling it malware? 

My comments were being made at that stage about PC protection in general, and if you want to split hairs, then I'm not going to play, because the bottom line is that whatever you call them, these are only files at the end of the day, and if your computer protection will allow one file to be dropped on your computer, then there is every chance that it will allow something more serious in too (assuming, of course, that you have some sort of protection in the first place).

[Nick29]

Some viruses aren't that benign

My understanding is that it was a trojan, which isn't a virus is it?

Shall we just stick to calling it malware? 

A virus is a trojan, and it is malware - they are all only computer files.  The main difference that sets a virus apart is that it can re-infect other machines.

Saying that a virus isn't malware is like saying that an articulated lorry isn't a vehicle.

Malware = a file which is on your computer which could have some detrimental effect.  However, some pretty innocuous files like tracking cookies can be classed as malware, so many are rather benign.

Trojan = a file on your computer which arrived there by stealth, and which may or may not be detrimental.

Virus = a file written to do a task in the background (usually a trojan) which replicates itself and can re-infect other PC's.

[Silas]

About an hour ago I went to GR to view my tree and check on something.  I got a virus alert message from my AVG-free.  I came off the site immediately and am now too scared to go back on there.

[Nick29]

If there's a virus, it will be on your PC, not theirs.   Boot your PC into safe mode, run Malware Bytes and your virus checker, as described earlier in this thread.

[Silas]

Thanks Nick, will do that.  Cheers.

[Silas]

Scan, etc completed and no problems found! Phew!!

[Lady Paula]

Scan, etc completed and no problems found! Phew!!

If there's a virus, it will be on your PC, not theirs. Boot your PC into safe mode, run Malware Bytes and your virus checker, as described earlier in this thread. "

But surely if a scan found nothing it can't be on Silas' PC.

I've just been on Genes and yet again my Norton 360 has blocked this " Fake Antivirus Install Request 4 "