How can a computer not connected to the Internet or with new software get a virus?

[siligut]

My old computer with the big butt monitor is not connected to the Internet and I have not added any new software for over a year.

However, Trend Micro Antivirus says it just found TROJ ELITEWRAP.A on it.

I do not keep Trend Micro Antivirus updated.

[bluedigger]

1. USB drive.

[siligut]

2. Haven't connected anything to my old guy

Could something remain dormant for years? I scanned again and it isn't finding anything.

[bluedigger]

5. We've probably reached the end of my use to you.

I just know that thumb drives often ship with viruses.

But to answer your question, I don't see why not. Software doesn't spoil, after all.

[siligut]

6. I didn't know thumb drives shipped with viruses

That is useful to me, and yes, maybe it is old and just sprang up now. Wondering if it is happening to anyone else. Thanks

[bluedigger]

10. I learned about it as a gov't contractor.

Part of our security training was to not hook up personal thumbdrives to gov't systems because of that. If you had a legitimate need for one, you had to requisition a special ($$$) one from supply.

[tk2kewl]

3. did you wash your hands before you used it?

[siligut]

12. That's it, I gave it my cold last month

Coughed all over the old guy

[Mnpaul]

4. It is considered malware

It is a backdoor that allows infections to install. It may have already been there. As for how it got there:

I do not keep Trend Micro Antivirus updated.

[siligut]

8. Hey, give me a break

I only use this computer for storage and Word documents.

Why pay for a rain coat if you never go out in the rain?

My other computers have good protection.

[Mnpaul]

15. THere are many free antivirus programs out there

I use Avast. Microsoft has Security Essentials. You may want to try a free malware scanner as well - Super Antispyware. Cost is no excuse.

Why pay for a rain coat if you never go out in the rain?

I think you already answered that question.

[lpbk2713]

7. Possibly a false positive

Do a Google search on what the alleged offending file is to confirm.
If you have deleted said file by now ... good luck.

[siligut]

9. This is what I am thinking

Trend Micro wants me to update

[lastlib]

11. I once bought a computer (sans hard drive) and an OEM copy of Win2000......

Installed a new (blank) hard drive, partitioned it, and installed Win2K fresh, then loaded my antivirus software. Before I ever connected it to the Internet, or loaded any other software, it alerted me to a virus! Turned out my OEM Windows disk was loading the virus!

[siligut]

16. Seriously?

That is just irritating

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

13. I remember (dimly)...

...there were cases of some computers (don't quote me but could be Gateway) being received new with viruses present.

Is this PC connected in anyway to your network? (Ethernet, WiFi...)

[siligut]

14. This is my dinosaur

I use it for typing Word documents. It has no wifi connection and is not connected by wire. It stands alone. That is why it is confusing. Beginning to think it is an error.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

17. The latest MS data on this malware...

...is from 2006. Which OS is running on your dino?

[siligut]

18. XP 2002

And a new scan didn't show it, probably an error or Trend trying to get me to update.

[siligut]

19. Even if it is trying to install malware

It has no access to them.

Poor virus or Trojan horse would have to take old programs and rewrite them and then attack other neighboring programs.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. The malware/virus has been present since the last contact with the outside.

It is the obvious answer. There is no magic going on.

[siligut]

21. Yes, it is telling me about an old quarantined Trojan horse

You are correct. Not magic at all.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

22. Very likely.

Now and then I have notices appear that hide in tray. I shut down or reboot without noticing them. I think only server versions of windows alert on these during shut downs.

[guardian]

23. Did you update/upgrade your antivirus sw?

Maybe the problem was there all along? But now the new version of the antivirus sw now recognizes the threat.

[siligut]

24. Yes, it has been there for years

And it was quarantined back then because it couldn't be removed. This is my old computer and it isn't connected to the Internet. I didn't remember the quarantined Trojan horse when I posted asking for help.

I am not sure why it was alerted on again, but it can't do any harm as it has no access to the outside world.

I sure appreciate all of the helpful people in this forum though