Well Frederick

Since I totally misunderstood your first post I propose to start there, your second post seem to suggest that you are worried about the security facilities on your router (I thought you were worried about malware getting passed your router and onto your PCs).

Although, theoretically, a router can be infected with a virus I have never (ever) heard of this being done, so though this is a possibility it is highly unlikely. It would be far easier for a hacker to plant something on your PC (through trickery) than on your hardware router.

You said: I would ask, do you share files between your PCs because if you do then an infected file on one PC will spread to your other PCs that share the infected file.

I currently have two PCs on my network and, in the recent past, up to four, three desktops and one laptop. To protect my PC I have switched off all sharing and network facilities within XP so that I cannot get “accidentally” infected by one of my son’s machine.

However, if you must share files then I suggest you run full and frequent anti-virus scans on each networked PC.



UK Bob

OK, thanks again... I sometimes do share files/printers... so as you've pointed out that's a risk.

I do run frequent scans because I've had a nasty experience with a virus named "äve.exe" - it's appears with a screen duplicate of M'Softs Security Centre, and potentially can scan the PC (and installs keyloggers in your browser), sending info back to the virus-maker... if there's anything useful (such as passwords, etc) for the virus-maker to wreak even more havoc on the victim.

I used PCTools SpywareDoctor to disinfect, but that wasn't entirely successful, so I had to go back to scratch and re-install the whole PC (ensuring a complete format of the hard disk).

Since then I'm using Kaspersky Internet Suite, which was recommended to me (instead of ZoneAlarm, which doesn't detect "ave.exe"... well, it didn't for me). And an occasional check with Malwarebytes - AntiMalware.

Best Regards,
Frederick.