Blaster virus?? Can someone explain?

[Miss Dixie]

I have SBC DSL and logged on my laptop via wireless last night and the home page went to gateway which is the manufacturer of my DSL. The message read:
Excessive Sessions Warning
WARNING
To use this page to customize the features of your OfficePortal 1800HG, you must have JavaScript enabled. JavaScript is currently disabled in your browser or by the security software on your PC. To enable JavaScript in your browser, please read the documentation associated with your browser. To enable JavaScript disabled by the security software on your PC, please read the documentation for that software.
Error Your OfficePortal 1800HG has intercepted your web page request to provide you with this important message. The following devices on your network are using a large number of simultaneous Internet sessions:PC722020878904The most likely cause of this issue is a “blaster” type virus which has infected the device. It is strongly recommended that the devices above be scanned for potential viruses.Note that a large number of sessions may occasionally be the result of application software or gaming software installed on the device. If you believe this is the case, click the “Do not show me excessive session warnings in the future” to disable this feature.To access the requested Web page that was intercepted, please close all browser windows and then restart your Web browser software.If you continue to see this page after closing all open Web browser windows, restart your computer.

I am using Mozilla for browser and had about 3 tabs open at the same time. I was trying to go to 2cool. Any suggestions? I rebooted and re-entered the numbers on the back of the DSL thing and clicked on the "Do not show me this warning" again button and all seems to be working fine.

[Miss Dixie]

Okay...I just went to Microsoft.com and downloaded a scanner to scan for malicious software and none was detected. What anti-virus software do you recommend to protect my laptop? I have Norton on the desktop, but it is out of date...and it seemed to have conflicts with programs I ran on the desktop.

[scwine]

antivirus........http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
firewall..........http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html
anti spyware......http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.htmlhttp://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

[scwine]

Also I daily update these as well. Here are some download sites:

http://www.download.com/2001-20_4-0.html?tag=hdrgif

http://www.majorgeeks.com/

http://www.castlecops.com/

http://www.filehippo.com/

[bill]

If you have blaster (and I'm not sure you do at this time), go here and download the removal tool. http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2003-081119-5051-99
If your computer is updated, you should not have to worry about blaster.
If your using winxp (or winme) be sure to turn off auto restore before running any removal scans, or it will be replaced after reboot.

[bill]

BTW, swine has all the good free programs listed.
I would add avg for anti-virus http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

A great program for spyware (not free but well worth every penny) is spysweeper. You can download it or pick it up at a local store.

I also like spywareblaster. http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
It will not remove any problems...it will help stop them before they get on your system.

[Miss Dixie]

Okay...thanks for the sites. I'm downloading them now.