For the first time in my life, my AV program - Avast - has warned me of a potential infection.
I thought that an AV program was to protect the user against infections, not warn them.
My Avast version is Virus definitions : current 170701-0, Program version : current 17.5.2302 , Build 17.5.3559.0. I am using Windows XP, SP 3. Please don’t honk about upgrading, i have personal reasons to keep XP as long as possible.
I show a screen-shot of the warning panel below. My position is that I always use Sandboxie to open my browser and all I can say is that if this stated infection can get through the Sandboxxie killing zone, then it will need to be VERY clever indeed.
Firstly I thank you responders for replying so quickly to my post.
Asyn - so grateful. I followed the first link, which lead to a MS update out-of-bound patch for Windows XP, SP3 > KB4012598, which MS have kindly released for older versions of Windows. It installed without any problems.
I simply cannot get over the astounding good fortune that Avast shot at me completely by surprise of this threat. It was vividly displayed in front of me by the results of carrying out a routine Smart scan and concerned the Network section. The warning panel I showed in my OP.
But Asyn, without you giving me that link, I would never have known about the MS out-of-bounds Windows XP update security patch. Its a miracle !
Microsoft did issue an emergency XP patch for that Wannacry about 3 weeks ago. You should also be sure to turn off Remote Desktop …
To enable Remote Desktop, follow these steps:
Log on to your Windows XP Professional–based computer using an Administrator account.
Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
In the System Properties sheet, click the Remote tab.
Select the Do Not Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box.
Asyn, just to let you know that all is now perfect, I ran another Smart scan since installing patch KB4012598 and there were no Network threats this time - all clean, a big green tick.
Remote in this case referres to allowing someone else to access your computer remotely.
Following Bruce’s instructions will make that unavailable without your permission.
