Malicious Code Mystery
Hi PC Help Forum,
I am stumped by the following situation. Firstly, I do not think I have a Virus. I am running up-to-date McAfee, Zone Alarm Pro, latest Window updates and just updated my Java as well.
BUT, I have been readdressing my Security settings and after checking that all Scans were clean, all up-to-date, I set my Zone Alarm settings to allow Mobile Code (java, etc) and I went to Secunia's site to do a "Vulnerability Check" to see just how vulnerable I was with up to date javascript and browser-friendly security settings.
Upon landing on the page (from a Google Search) a PowerPoint Installation/Download immediately began downloading to my PC -- as if I was installing Software. I couldn't cancel it or stop it or close Internet Explorer. Thankfully Mcafee jumped in to call it a "PUP" and block it. I think I recall seeing "IE Window Popper" referenced by McAfee. Then another McAfee Virus Warning "Exploit.iepagespoof Virus" - and blocked it as well.
(I realize the page I was going to was about running a simulation/test... but THIS wasn't it, NOR did I initiate anything).
I closed everything and scanned my PC with no viruses detected.
BUT, This PowerPoint download/install upon landing on a Web Page has happened to me before - I think twice over the past 2 years or so. I have Googled and searched for what this could be about and I am not seeing any descriptions of this scenario, except descriptions of malicious code upon opening a PowerPoint file. But I didn't open anything, but land on a URL that doesn't have a PowerPoint file to open.
I also find it hard to believe that Secunia's site has been hacked. To complicate matters, I do have PowerPoint 2000 that requires a Security Patch. But this I discovered via a Search, it is not a patch listed through the standard Windows Updates.
Concerning the patch for PowerPoint 2000 SR-1, I am intimidated by the installation instructions. It gets messy with talk of Administrator 'points' and the Office Installation. My PowerPoint is a standalone program I bought separately, and installed on my PC is Office 2003 (without PowerPoint). AND I don't think this is even the issue here? as I wasn't using PowerPoint.
Do you folks have any advice for me?
Thank you,
Kathy
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