# skype virus?

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 11-Sep-2007 22:00:44

Hi all,
some one i talk to in kentucky told me it was on the news that there is a virus out on skype that when downloaded, it will destroy your sound. the electricity went off and he didn't get to hear all of it, but he did hear that much. my mom hasn't heard anything about it, but she hasn't listened to it today. Until I know whether or not you have to download something from someone, or or if it launches when you log on to skype, I think i will be staying away from skype for a while. just wondering if anyone knows more about it.
wonderwoman

## Post 2 by battle star queen (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 11-Sep-2007 22:19:56

I think you are doing the right thing by staying off of skipe. If you have used skipe in the last couple of days I would run a virus scan to be sure you don't have any virusess.

## Post 3 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Wednesday, 12-Sep-2007 10:55:27

Hi wonderwoman.
I don't think there is a virous on skype itself. If there is one it will be a virous that people can send to each other. So what you have to do is to refews to recieve a file if anyone that you don't know well tries to send you through skype. And as you said your friend didn't listen to the hole story so maybe he or she didn't understand it well. I run skype from the moment i swich on my computer to the moment i shut down and my sound is still there. I think you shouldn't believe easily what people say sometimes. If you hear that there is a virous on the zone are you going to stay away from it as well? People sometimes make a very small thing to sound bigg without any reason.
My oppinion is that as long as you are carefull who you add in skype and you have your settings to only people in your contact list to contact you that you are safe. If you want to make sure you do that you can check it at tools, options, privacy.

## Post 4 by Toonhead71 (move over school!) on Wednesday, 12-Sep-2007 14:11:57

Hi. I think your friend in Kentucky might've been a tad confused, or just doesn't really know what he's talking about. Like others are saying, you can not get a virus simply by signing into skype, the other person needs to be able to get access to your computer, and they won't be able to if you take the necessary precautions. Only add people to skype you really know or trust, and don't just accept a file unless you know what it is. it's like accepting an attachment via e-mail, don't just open it because the message tells you too. So don't worry, go on skype and have fun. If you take the necessary measures, you will be just fine.

## Post 5 by rat (star trek rules!) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2007 16:02:42

this is what anti-virus is for, to stop viruses. if you use a good anti-virus program you should be fine

## Post 6 by changedheart421 (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2007 16:04:41

have never heard of this.

## Post 7 by Toonhead71 (move over school!) on Saturday, 15-Sep-2007 16:50:40

Actually, there is a worm that's being spread through skype's text chat. So if you get a file request that you don't recognize, even if it's from someone you know, don't download the file. and of course, keep your virus checker up to date.

## Post 8 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 21:30:39

thanks all, I do have skype set so no one can contact me unless they're on my skypelist. My friend is very new to computers, only having been on one for a couple of months, and yes Nikos, if I thought there was a virus on the zone, that could get in to my computer, I would stay off the zone until or unless Iwas sure I couldn't get a virus just by logging in. it wouldn't matter if i stayed off th ezne for a few weeks or months. I can live with out the zone.
wonderwoman

## Post 9 by Voldemort (Account disabled) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 22:01:32

Nope, no virus. There are no viruses being spread by the skype program. And, no, antivirus programs are for blocking viruses that the companies have already created patches or fixes for. So, technically, you can still get a virus with virus protection. Try cyberhock. It is a program that doesn't rely on database updates. It will help. Also, keep antispyware programs up to date, because you're more likely to get spyware. And, of course, keep a firewall up as it's your first defense against anything trying to access your computers. No, people don't need access to your computer in order to geet a virus. Someone can break into the site and change the skype program with a virus, and no one would know until it was too late. You cn't bne too careful, but no virus is going just by using skype.

## Post 10 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 22:16:31

thanks, I use avg free. it updates automatically every day.
wonderwoman

## Post 11 by Voldemort (Account disabled) on Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 22:17:42

Yes, it does, but I've heard of viruses getting through it, just like any other virus checker. AVG is one of the better ones though.

## Post 12 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2007 11:46:47

Hi Wonderwoman.
By using the example for the zone i didn't mean to say that you can't stay away from the zone. What i wanted to say was that you shouldn't believe easily what people say without researching the matter. People may hear things wrong or something.

## Post 13 by wonderwoman (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 20-Sep-2007 23:23:01

that's ok nikos, I was just erring on the side of caution. at least in most cases we haven't arrived at the situation where all you have to do is log in to a program to get a virus.
wonderwoman

## Post 14 by audioadict (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 22-Feb-2008 2:10:57

I agree with what's been said. Don't except files from those you don't know. Keep that firewall and antivirus program going!
Shawna, you told me to uninstall skype do to a virus. Just do as the others said. It's Ok to reinstall skype.

## Post 15 by electrode (Newborn Zoner) on Saturday, 26-Apr-2008 18:39:01

hello, well I only know of one virus on skype. It's called w32/skyperize or something like that, well acording to mcafee anyway. I don't remember what it does other than trying to play with your skype acount but it can do a decent amount of dammage to your system so I would be cairfull of files on skype. Also, speaking of viruses, I seem to remember a pretty nasty myspace virus So I would try to be cairfull of there to. I hope you find this info helpfull. bye...

## Post 16 by flcomputergeek (Its my opinion, take it or leave it. ) on Sunday, 27-Apr-2008 8:39:58

Thank you for mentioning that one can set skype to only allow chats or calls from your contacts. I didnt know this. And when I read it I promptly went and fixed it. yesterday someone I didnt know sent me a chat posing as a software alert trying to inform me that I had malware in windows mt 4 and I should download a fix from the listed URL. I knew better than to fall for it. thanks for letting me know I can change the privacy settings, threats like that shouldnt be a problem again.