Trouble Accessing Websites: Do I have a virus?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

Help! I have been trying to access several web sites and cannot. It seems that I have accessed recently are working fine, but I'm doing some market research and job hunting and keep getting "Cannot Find Server".

I rebooted twice, rebooted my DSL and wireless hook up and am still having trouble. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[amerikat]

1. post a link that you can't get to......and i'll see if I can get there

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. Thanks! Here you go!

I also can't see my signature on DU...my kitties' pictures.

http://www.informatica.com/
http://www.oracle.com/
http://www.netscreen.com/
http://www.openpages.com

This is WEIRD!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

6. All sites work from here.

As does your .sig pictures.

Do you use Outlook Express? If so, why? It is the single biggest virus "door" ever conceived.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. No outlook express.

only hotmail. But I did try to access exchange remotely (my company's email) and couldn't get to the server. Wondering if they got a virus...

[amerikat]

7. I can get to all of them......maybe your service provider is having some

problems.....you got to DU ok.

[amerikat]

9. I see your kitties pics......

[styersc]

3. A virus?

Does it hurt when you pee???

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Many things can cause this...

Yes, Agobot/Gaobot viruses could conceivably cause this by rewriting your "hosts" file. Having said that, it could also be your ISP, having domain name server problems or a cable cut somewhere. Or the hosting company for the sites you are trying to get to is having problems.

I would suggest you do a full virus and spyware scan, after getting the latest "brain" file updates.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. What is a "brain" file update?

I am doing a complete virus scan right now-just downloaded updates. Spybot is next.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. Updates.

I would also suggest that you google "Gaobot". Learn about the changes it makes in your hosts file.

On edit: Read this link

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.gaobot.ajj.html

Note: Link changed

Also, if you have this, go into the "System Restore" utility, and delete all the system restore points you can, AFTER you clean the virus/bot out of your system.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

11. Yikes. Would this prevent me from accessing websites/email?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

12. Yes.

By doing redirections of website addresses to 127.0.0.1(your computer) in your hosts file.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. Can I get to my host files and see any damage?

:shrug:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

16. Yes...

I think it is in the windows>system32 folder.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

17. Thanks!

I appreciate your help...do you do techie stuff for a living?

[Dookus]

13. Who's your ISP?

I was having similar problems with Earthlink this weekend, but they seem fixed on my end.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. Verizon DSL

Rarely a problem with them....