John David Bradshaw’s latest article is titled “Are you using protection?”. [Article]


John David Bradshaw’s latest article:

Are you using protection?

Are you using “protection”?

Now before you get all upset about my prying into your personal life, I’m not talking about birth control or preventing STDs. I’m talking about protecting your computer, saving your sanity, and maybe even your business.

Let me explain…Sunday, a week ago, my oldest son and his family came by to visit during the holidays. During that visit he said, “Hey Dad. Let me show you some pictures of my latest car I just got.” (He had traded a ’54 Chevy for a ’48 Oldsmobile.)

The pictures were uploaded on Myspace.com. I guess I let my guard down because of the situation… anyway I went to Myspace, he typed in his email and password, and voila–nice pix of this cool looking ’48 Olds.

That’s how it started…

Since that day I have been pulling my hair out trying to get my computer back to some semblance of order. I think every virus and piece of adware junk must have jumped on my computer that day.

I thought I was protected. I am using Symantec AntiVirus which I thought would protect my laptop from everything. It didn’t. It has since located and either cleaned or quarantined most of these monsters that are trying to take over my world.

But some of these little devils must be impossible to find and destroy. Believe me I’ve tried. When I do find one, I do everything I can to remove it from my computer. But it seems some of these guys, simply propagate themselves to a different location on the way out. Because they show up again!

Some malware plant themselves in the msconfig file and launch the program every time you start up your computer. Others sit dormant inside other program files until you launch that particular program and then, thunderation, the popups start again.

OK, you say, just do a system restore. Yeah, that’s what I thought too. Didn’t work. I don’t know why.

Next, load up your backup files. Ooops! It’s been how long since you backed up your hard drive? Shame on me.

So I pick up the phone and call my personal geek guy. He walks me through several attempts at fixing the problem. Now mind you this guy is good. However, he can’t undo scrambled eggs.

After multiple attempts to remedy the situation, Dave says, “John, I know you don’t want to hear this, but it looks to me like you’re going to have to reformat the hard drive and reload the system software from scratch. You’ll never get rid of all those worms and viruses. You’ll be fighting them for weeks and probably never get all of them. They may lie dormant for months and then wake up out of nowhere and destroy your latest project.”

He continued,”That means anything that you don’t have backed up will be lost. And all programs that didn’t come with the computer will have to be reloaded. So grab your system restore CDs, and let’s get started…”

“Uh, Dave, I don’t have any system restore CDs. I bought this computer as a demo item for about half-price. If I remember correctly, it didn’t come with any recovery CDs.”

Dave suggested that I look on the hard drive for a recovery partition. I looked. Not there. I looked through the operations manual for any help. No luck. I did find a phone number for the manufacturer.

One ringy-dingy. Two ringy-dingys.

“Hello…(I tell the phone attendant my predicament…)

“Yes, Mr Bradshaw, since your laptop is out of warranty, we’d be glad to sell you a recovery disk for your machine. That will be $39.95. Which credit card will you be using today, sir?”

So I am waiting for the recovery CD to arrive later this week. In the meantime, I am still struggling with a crippled laptop.

However, here are some things I’ve done to improve the situation:

I am now using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. Currently, there is less malicious software out there that can violate Firefox. Most malware is written for Internet Explorer–much larger captive target.

You can get Firefox at no cost here:

http://www.i-65.com/go/firefox/imnwJa1

The next thing Dave recommended was to install a firewall. He suggested ZoneAlarm. It’s free and very good. There is a pro version if you want to pay for bells and whistles. You can download the free version of ZoneAlarm here:

http://www.i-65.com/go/zonealarm/imnwJa1

I am still using Symantec AntiVirus. It is a very good antivirus program. It is setup to update daily. I guess I was confused about what it did NOT do. For some reason I thought it acted like a firewall, too. My bad…

So with Firefox, ZoneAlarm, and Symantec going for me, I am facing the new year armed and ready. And after I get the recovery disk, and “clean” the hard drive of those pesky critters, I’ll have a “new” laptop.

Also for Christmas, I got a new 80 Gb one-touch backup external hard drive system. Just wish I had it a couple of days earlier!

So I ask you again, “Are you using protection?”

Happy New Year!

John David Bradshaw

P.S. If you didn’t get your free “Achieving Your Goals” workbook, it’s still available here:

http://www.i-65.com/go/goals/imnwJa1

Also I just got word that the “12 Days of Christmas” gifts and special bundle offer will only be available for a few more days. Grab your free gifts and check out that special bundle offer at these links:

Gifts– http://www.i-65.com/go/12days/imnwJa1

Special Offer– http://www.i-65.com/go/12daysbundle/imnwJa1

Are you using protection?

John David Bradshaw’s Blog

 

*This article was submitted by John David Bradshaw.

*IMNewswatch would like to thank John David Bradshaw for granting permission to reprint the latest article.

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