Is it indeed a virus, or is it adware/spyware? Those are two completely different problems that require two completely different courses of action.

The name of the critter, whatever it is, would be helpful. Without that, this warning is useless to anyone already infected.

Get something like Sophos to remove viruses.

One final thing: web*SITE*!

I'm sure Jonathan has it under control.

Pest Patrol offers a free spy/adware scan on their website that I've found invaluable in keeping my computer clean: http://www.pestscan.com/Scan.asp When the page loads, enter "Yes" at the prompt for download (don't worry; it's harmless, and neccessary for scanning), then press the "Scan Now" button when it appears. You'll soon see a list of all "pest" components installed on your computer. Though the site encourages you to buy its commercial pest-ridding software, it also offers information on alternative (free) methods of cleaning your computer by clicking on the listed item. Be aware, however, that this site only reveals ad/spyware, not viruses. For the latter, you'll need a reputable anti-virus program like Norton's.

A word of warning: be very suspicious of "free" pest-cleaning software found on the internet. Many such programs will install their own ad/spyware while ostensibly ridding your computer of others'. These are particularly malicious and hard to get rid of.

The other one I use (now I'm at home I can remember what it is!) is Ad-Aware 6.0. Both Spybot and Ad-aware find things that the other program doesn't. While some are harmless site tracking cookies, others aren't so nice. Trouble is, once you let just one certain piece of software install itself, you're now wide open to everything else. It's like a rogue security/doorman holding the door open to anybody.

There is no such thing as "websight", whether through Websters or any other English dictionary. Website is a valid word. If you have seen it spelt "websight" elsewhere, then that is wrong.

One final thing I recommend to everybody: uninstall Outlook [Express] and don't use Internet "Swiss cheese" Exporer. I personally use Mozilla (free) but there are other reputable browsers out there, like Opera, Netscape, etc. These also include an email client. Allegedly the XP SP2 pack coming from Microsoft to a PC near you will fix many of the security issues in Explorer and Outlook, but then MS have said that before and yet look where we are today.

Yeah what is Jonathon like Mr. Toy!

You drove all the way out to Salinas to see Jonathon?

WE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!

check the IP Addresses

I would Like to Ask all to not take the risk of visiting my site, I have recieved threats from a RailForum member (who will remain nameless for Obveiss resons) that one or more virisses may be on my site, the Hotel Computer has no FTP program, and The Site: Amtrak Pages (http://trainweb.org/amtrakfan) will be taken care of when I return, Tell then, I ask that you not visit, -Thank You-

---------------------------------------

as for the Trip, Its been good so far, never met JKchubbes though, waited in the Lounge from SAC till 4 am, and met no one, The Starlight for the trip here was lead by 2 F59PHI LocoMotives in the California Paint Sheme, yet also had 2 P42s, and a Private Car at the end,, I did meet some one in Salinsa though... Mr.Toy! whe we pulled in, It took them for ever to get the door open, tell a Pasenger opened it them selfves, the Conductor didnt like that, after we Got out, I was able to Meat Mr.Toy, though we didnt get to speak for long because we were running late,(by the way, Thanks for waiting for us!) after that things didnt get better, We got into Seattle's King Street Station 4 Hours Late! at 1 am, (see in the Trip Report, will be written when I get back)-----

I got 2 UP CLOSE(!) photos of the burned Mono Rail, and even beter news in the Paper today, The Seattle MonoRail will NOT be scraped!!!, the dicision was made the it is to valueble to get rid of, so it will be Repaired then returned to servive!

The damage wasnt as bad as I thought the window on the right side facing Seattle Center is melted, 2 hallowed out seat frame are all that remains of a midle sections of seats, only burned wiring is left of some lights directly above that, the (metal -or- fiberglass???) covering that covers the section where the 2 car-end meet is ether burned off completly, or has been removed, I could see right through from one side of the Train and out the other, the section of floor that was burned was compleatly eaten through by flames and I could see from the Train's left side into and through the floor to its track and maintnance area, the rest of the Fire Abused Train looked unharmed, I am glad the city has desided to save it, the hotel clerk said one of Seattle's old Trains ( I dont know if its a MonoRail he was talking about or not) called the "Bubleatore" ended up being save from the junk yard and is in someones backyard, he said that evan when he rode it he notice that there was Duct Tape everywhere and that its been on it's last leg for a while,,---

Sorry to cut this short, but it looks like other poeple want to use this PC so, I better go,-

Perhaps you heard, but one of your fellow passengers almost got left behind in Salinas. Some lady lingered in the station too long. I saw her run out frantically as the train started moving. Lucky for her a conductor was still by an open window of the nearest coach, and he was able to stop the train so she could re-board.

I'm sorry your website was "hacked" and I hope you can repair it soon.

I just wanted to say how *impressed* I was by your vivid reporting of the sad condition of the Seattle Monorail. I learned more from your detailed and lively description then I have been able to uncover in the media.

Congratulations on such excellent reportage.

For those who say talking about one of America's great monorail systems is not pertinent on an Amtrak forum, I would remind them that Jonathan reported on the Seattle monorail during an Amtrak adventure.

I visited a Model RailRoad Store in Tacoma today (remember, this is happening During an Amtrak Trip, so technicaly, I'm not off-topic hehe ) where I picked up a Soldering Iron, an AirBrushing Kit, and the 2004 edition of a book that list ALL of the Trains for 04, so I just pick out what I want, call around untell I find the store that has it, and go to that store directly, no visiting several to find one item .

This is the last time I use the hotel PC, since I leave to marrow.

The one thing I would like to know about the MonoRail, is, How did they get it Back into it's Station after The Incident?

When I get back, once the virus is taken care of, There will be a contest, well, more like a free give away for those with Train Sim, I will make a post on it lator