Thanks to Rick and Kevin and Ruth, I was able to get my computer fixed. Yesterday I kept getting pop-ups scaring the heck out of me telling me I had a severe virus and trojans on my computer.
I use Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes but somehow it got through. Rick explained that what I had was not an actual virus, but a very persistent anti-virus program that wanted my business. It just wouldn't go away though.
Rick suggested I go to http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-antivir and follow the instructions to get rid of Antivir.
I found out that I did not have the latest version of Malwarebytes and that was what the problem was. My version showed no bad or infected files. I couldn't get my version to update to the newer version. I finally removed it and reinstalled the newer version. Then I ran a scan and it found and removed 3 problems.
So after running a scan through Malwarebytes and Security Essentials, everything appears to be okay and back to normal! Thank goodness.
I also took some time to explore Picasa a little more. Thanks to Rick's post about it, I learned a few things. It truly has a powerful photo editing program that I had failed to really experiment with. I just couldn't quite understand what was saved or not. Rick's post explained a lot. Now I need to go back to his post and re-read it after playing with Picasa.
I swore yesterday, if I got my computer back in one piece I would purchase Carbonite and backup my hard drive. Then Margie mentioned turning over my info to strangers in cyperland and then I started to question it again. I think I will go ahead and sign up for it though. My important information is out there anyway.
We use an external hard drive and I do a back up once a week to it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the computer back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI think you will like Picassa after using it awhile. I hated it at first, but now I use it all the time. It's a pretty powerful program and I've only learned a little bit about it. Do you read the Geeks on Tour blog? Chris teaches Picassa classes at rallies and she has a lot of "free" videos and tips on her website. You can also sign up for emails of free tips.
Good for you in getting your computer back to normal. That problem you had has really caused a lot of problems for many, many folks. The trick is, when you first see it, don't ever say "yes" or click on anything - just close your browser fast!!
ReplyDeleteI find it easiest and safest to use external hard drives and make multiple backups of all files.
ReplyDeleteI do my picture files most often and always back up files before we leave a campground (except real short stops). If you use an online backup you are relying on them not to crash and not to misuse your info.
The external drives have gotten very reasonable, so far are very reliable, but being a bit paranoid, I have back ups of my back ups. My kids use to laugh at me until they had crashes and lost everything.
Glad you are all good to go again! It's terrifying when your connection to the *outside world* is lost or having hiccups.
ReplyDeleteI think we will look for an external backup too. I have the automatic Dell backup contract for the rest of rest of the year yet, but they don't include my photos. So I back those up to 8GB SD cards for now....
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
Glad you are all good to go again! It's terrifying when your connection to the *outside world* is lost or having hiccups.
ReplyDeleteI think we will look for an external backup too. I have the automatic Dell backup contract for the rest of rest of the year yet, but they don't include my photos. So I back those up to 8GB SD cards for now....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/