Is it a virus or not

[Hally]

Great having a forum on this subject, my experience with getting viruses comes down to about 8 times in last 6 monthes I got this same thing (HTML.VMExploit virus) I'm not sure if its a real virus because I heard it a warning to let you know that HTML could be taken advantage of by a HTML virus or something like that. Did that make any sense its a tad confusing. Since Ive got a few critical updates Win98SE I havent got the (HTML.VMExploit virus) anymore. I run VET AV
So is it a virus thanks for any advice
---Hally---

[Simon Clausen]

Well it's not a virus but a JavaScript trojan that took advantage of a recent flaw in Internet Explorer's Java system. The flaw has now been patched (which you would have received through live update). So in theory you shouldn't be infected again.

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=JS_EXCEPTION.GEN>Here's some more details on it</a>.

Regards,

Simon Clausen
---
WinGuides.com - Windows Guide Network
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.winguides.com/>http://www.winguides.com/</a>

[Hally]

Thanks Simon for the link & now anyone who gets updates from M$ shouldnt get the java script trojan anymore3

[Simon Clausen]

Yes, the Microsoft update should stop that strain of trojan re-infecting. But it will not remove any exisiting trojans, or block other types.

Regards,

Simon Clausen
---
WinGuides.com - Windows Guide Network
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.winguides.com/>http://www.winguides.com/</a>

[BertImmenschuh]

From an E-Mail I got:

Is Windows a virus?

No, Windows is not a virus. Here's what viruses (viri?) do:

1. They replicate quickly -- okay, Windows does that.

2. Viruses use up valuable system resources, slowing down the system as they do so -- okay, Windows does that.

3. Viruses will, from time to time, trash your hard disk -- okay, Windows does that, too.

4. Viruses are usually carried, unknown to the user, along with valuable programs and systems. Sigh... Windows does that, too.

5. Viruses will occasionally make the user suspect their system is too slow (see 2) and the user will buy new hardware. Yup, that's with Windows, too.

Until now it seems Windows is a virus but there are fundamental differences: Viruses are well supported by their authors, are running on most systems, their program code is fast, compact and efficient and they tend to become more sophisticated as they mature.

So, Windows is not a virus.