Do Viruses travel across networks? (in Off-topic)

My family computer is known to have a virus. Despite my many efforts, I have not been able to do anything about it, nor has AVG.

Now, I just got a brand spanking new computer, known to be virus free. I also bought a Linksys Router and Wireless NIC for my comp.

If I set these two machine up to the same router, without sharing files, will the virus spread?

What if I take files off the old machine? Should I ::closes his 18th pop up:: scan them on the family comp, then transfer; scan them after recieving them on the new comp, or is there a way with AVG to scan them as they come in?

I've got a whole lot of music on here that AVG says is clean, 10 gigs, and I don't want to have to do it all with a half gig jump drive, but I like the idea of a squeky clean machine.

Try AdAware and Spybot S&D and even MS Anti-Spyware Beta. If you are getting pop-ups it's more likely a browser hijack scumware than a virus.

Though yes, if it is a virus, it can scan other IPs on a subnet and transfer itself.

Don't know AVG but most virus scanners can check on file creation (or copying) and opening on the new PC. It will most likely be in the settings somewhere.

I have adaware and Spybot S&D, neither have gotten rid of this piece of junk.

It's a stupid trojan I got from AIM. You know, you get one of those "Go to this website!" messages, and the next thing you know your d/ling something.

I know, I know, I'm an idiot, but I mean, if you get hit with enough, your bound to click it without thinking once... and d/l the program... and run it...

I don't know what I was thinking: "Yes, I would LOVE to give my computer AIDS. The death of my machine is just a peachy concept."

Tow, any reason you haven't reinstalled yet?

If you have the newer box updated fully it shouldn't be able to break in, however it you start swapping files across the network, by all means it might become infected.

Not just my comp, family comp.

Mom's got all sorts of important stuff on here, I've got 4 years worth of music D/l's (all perfectly legal of course) and my sister has (had?, I think she burned it all) 40 gigs of anime.

I'm working with my new machine to keep backups and stuff so that a reinstall is never really a problem, but it would be a nightmare on this side.

run panda antivirus free online scan, sometimes that'll catch a couple avg misses. just search google for panda antivirus

But you have seen the virus, right?

why not run anti virus software in windows safe mode?

You really shouldn't place any file from the other computer on your new one the virus could have infected those files as well. thus spreading the contamination to another computer. Most times if you can't quarrantine it or kill it you have to wipe your hardrive. That works for me when I had one. (I also accidently infected my dad's computer in the same such way but mine was an email so I feel your pain :(, I thought it was my friend emailing me but I was very wrong.........)

If you know the virus is present but cant get any proof, it may be using a rootkit.

A rootkit gives the perpetrator full access to your PC as administrator and by design is not meant to be found. They are integrated into the OS at such a low level they can intercept any command and fix the results so it is not discovered.

Tools to combat Rootkits are still under development. Microsoft, Blacklight and Sysinternals have a beta you may like to run.

Personally I would format the drive, clear the Master Boot Record area (fdisk /mbr) then re-install windows if a rootkit was found on my pc.
You can never know what state your PC will be in IF you manage to remove it.

avg sucks as anti-virus programs go IMHO...work uses avg for networks...we all still get infected...I removed avg and installed

avast anti-virus....they get infected I do not...imo avast is superior...

everyone prior to my post answered your question...just felt like dropping my opinion in here.

agreed, Avast is very good.
I use it and recommend it as a good alternative to any paid AV product

Avast never heard of em could you give me a heads up on it?

Its an Antivirus program.
Google is your friend :)

I recommend avast. Go to download.com and search avast. The home addition is free. The pro addition is free to try and 39.99 to buy. All version 4.6.

PirateKing would be ashamed of such a misuse of a pirating term!
Avast ye scurvy scum or ye'll be walking the plank!!!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately this spellchecker is not familiar with pirate so it is advisable not to use it extensively for health and safety precautions.

all this free crap off the web you all talk about, go spend some money and get Norton Works and do it right... thats how you got into trouble in the 1st place is d/l stuff off the web...a lot of that stuff you can go dig for it and remove it if you know how to look for it in the registry.. would not recommend that if you arent good at it ...I love digging for junk embedded in files...but do something right man