computer virus question

[Hatrik]

So today i used a memory stick from a professor of mine to get some data for a presentation. My computer immediately picked up and deleted a trojan. But here's the strange thing, I wasn't even online and yahoo messenger lit up. The wireless was turned off and no cord plugged in. Then when after i got the data and took the memory stick out the lit up yahoo icon disappeared. I was in a huge hurry so i didn't actually click on messenger, to see if anything would happen. Any chance i have a virus my computer didn't pick up and delete? I did a full scan when i got home and My virus scan and windows updates are done automatically every night.

Edit- are there any programs she could have possibly had on a memory stick to automatically log in?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: computer virus question

Is the stick one of those U3 types that has the launch pad that can run applications, etc? If so Yahoo may be one of the applications that the professor has launched with that stick.

 

[Hatrik]

Re: computer virus question

I honestly have no idea. I said something to her this afternoon about my laptop removing the virus from the memory stick and mentioned how messenger turned on, and she seemed incredibly confused by the whole situation.

Does that sound like a virus to you? Like i said previously my virus scan (McAfee) and windows updates are done daily.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: computer virus question

I honestly have no idea. I said something to her this afternoon about my laptop removing the virus from the memory stick and mentioned how messenger turned on, and she seemed incredibly confused by the whole situation.

Does that sound like a virus to you? Like i said previously my virus scan (McAfee) and windows updates are done daily.

It's not necessarily a virus. Like I stated the stick may be designed to launch something. Or, it could have been some spyware that you have on your machine that reacts when you plug in a USB drive of some sort.

 

[Tundra]

Re: computer virus question

I honestly have no idea. I said something to her this afternoon about my laptop removing the virus from the memory stick and mentioned how messenger turned on, and she seemed incredibly confused by the whole situation.

Does that sound like a virus to you? Like i said previously my virus scan (McAfee) and windows updates are done daily.

Scooby is probally right that it's running from the memory stick at start-up and not a virus... it's acting more like a mal-ware or spyware. One reason I got rid of yahoo messenger is that it loads/runs automatically at start-up and If I remember tries to connect/update without my permission... And I don't remember having an option to turn it off from loading/running.

Plus Mcafee virus scan isn't very reliable, it used to say that I got a "possible" virus from running a java script and it clearly wasn't a virus. I would worry more about spyware, malware and key-loggers.