Is my computer infected?

[jurist98]

Hi. (Question 1)Please tell me whether it is possible for my computer is infected. I received an email purporting to be from linkedin.com and because I have recently been receiving quite a bit of email from them I did not think it was odd to receive a email telling me there was a message in my inbox. So, unfortunately, I clicked on the link and mid browse I noticed that I was being redirected to another website and ultimately redirected to mikalpate.com. Although I immediately stopped the browser before the page could load, I am now wondering whether I might be infected with malware. I have copied the threat report below from Norton.com. My second question (Question 2) may be more a musing/discussion rather than a question. Is it possible that my email was targeted because there is so much activity taking place in my linkedin account; and, some linkedin information is available to the public. I am raising that question because if others think that's a true possibility then I will change the way I behave on public networking sites (although I do try to keep my information fairly private I will work harder at doing so.)

Threat Report

Total threats found: 1

Drive-By Downloads (what's this?)

Threats found: 1

Here is a complete list: (for more information about a specific threat, click on the Threat Name below) Threat Name: Malicious Site: Malicious Domain Request 2 Location: http://mikalpate.com

[Firefox]

Hello and Welcome to Malwarebytes

Hard to say for sure if your infected without looking at some logs. If you want to make sure your not infected it would be best to have one of the experts take a look at some of your logs and make certain, and you can do this be following the instructions below....

Being that you are probably infected, feel free to follow the instructions below to receive free, one-on-one expert assistance in checking your system and clearing out any infections and correcting any damage done by the malware.

Please see the following pinned topic which has information on how to get help with this: Available Assistance for Possibly Infected Computers

As for the second part of your question, its a phishing email and its sent to thousands of folks like yourself and it has nothing to do with your recent communication with linked in....

Thank you

[jurist98]

Hi Firefox, thanks for your help. I will submit the logs. However, I have an additional question. I was using my phone as a hotspot when I connected. Should I be concerned about it and any other computer using that connection as well?

[Firefox]

I see no issue with you using your phone as a hotspot and the other systems should be OK. If you want to have the other systems checked as well, just mention that to the helper so he knows he will be working on multiple computers...

[David H. Lipman]

I was using my phone as a hotspot when I connected. Should I be concerned about it and any other computer using that connection as well?

That's not considered a HotSpot. a HotSpot is a free WiFi accessible place such, as a coffee shop, where you can access the Internet through a publicly available service.

If you used your phone then it was "tethered" to the computer via USB and through the Cellular network you were able to access the Internet and the PC used that as a type of Cellular Network Modem. Thus it really isn't a HotSpot and the security risks associated with HotSpots are not evident when using a Cell Phone in Dial Up Networking (DUN) as it is a "private" Internet accessible connection.

Therefore you should not be concerned.

BTW: You can purchase a USB device that eliminates the Phone part (conversational speak and listen) of a Cellular Modem and through a subscription you'll get access to the Internet through the Cellular 3G or 4G network. This is called Cellular Broadband.

An extension of this is a "personal HotSpot" also known as a MiFi device. Basically it is a Cellular Modem combined with a WiFi Router and through a subscription you'd access the Internet through the Cellular 3G or 4G network but the device allows 4 ~ 8 devices to share that Internet access through WiFi. Thus one can have a MiFi device in a pocket book, briefcase or pocket and you and multiple devices or multiple friends can access the Internet through that one device. When sharing it with multiple friends that's where such a device gets the name of a Personal HotSpot. Note the security via this is slightly less if you give out the SSID and and Password to friends but it doesn't rise to the problems associated with a public HotSpot where you and dozens of strangers may be using the same HotSpot.

[jurist98]

Hi Firefox & David. Firefox thanks I will. David, I am not sure if its tethering or a hotspot. I just had this conversation a few weeks ago with the folks at the store. In any case, I am not using USB. I use FoxFi which accesses my cell phone company's 3/4G network and utilizes my phone's wifi capabilities to broadcast my signal. So, I connect to it via my computer's wifi capabilities. As for the device you are speaking about, does it work differently than my phone? If so, tell me more about it. The program I use also has USB and Bluetooth (if I am not mistaken) capabilities. I have not tried these. In any case, if based on the above you think I should be concerned about the phone being infected please let me know. Thanks again to you both.

[David H. Lipman]

Ok, FoxFi is a MiFi implemented type device and may be deemed a "personal HotSpot" device but is not really a HotSpot. A "HotSpot" is a public location, you are providing your own private network. It is being on a Public WiFi HotSpot with strangers that is a concern.

I see no concerns as long as the WiFi is secured.

[jurist98]

Ok, thanks David.