Within seconds my puter began to act as if a monster was in it. My stomach did a flip. My mouth dropped to the floor and anyone within my radius heard a blood curdling scream. My computer had received a malicious virus and “screens” were appearing EVERYWHERE.

Anyone who has ever experienced – a malicious virus – knows the agonizing trouble, time and effort it takes to clear things up.

For starters: DO NOT PANIC and most importantly, do NOT click on any buttons. If you have the ability to contact your virus software company do so immediately.

With my virus protection company (StopSign) on the phone walking me through a process, we managed to “clear things up”.  On the other side of the coin, it took a few hours to do and, I was (of course) late for the festivities. However, by attending the grand event it allowed me to have a couple of drinks to “calm” my nerves.

Friday during the day, afternoon and evening were fine. However, on Friday evening, I needed to do some research via the search engines and THAT’s when all hell broke loose. I noticed I was being redirected to an IP: 63.209.69.107 .  On top of that, the only way I could do my research was to literally “copy” the URL (presented to me via the engines), paste it in note-pad and then open a new window and drop the “url” into the address bar. Doing that “process” was quickly becoming a royal pain fast.

I managed to do some research on 63.209.69.107  IP – which – even after reading about the hundreds of thousands complaints – surprises me that 63.209.69.107 is not shut down or black listed.

Here’s what I did to resolve “my” issue. Hopefully, it will resolve YOUR issue too!

This “problem” you received could actually be 2 of 3 “issues”. The first issue is known as: Fake Alert . exe. The second issue is: Rogue:win32/FakeRear. The third issue is Rootkit.boot.sst.b, which attacks the kernels. I’m not gonna get into the details of  the kernels but, in a nut-shell, depending on the “level” the rootkit is at will determine if you’re going to need to clear your hard-drive – so, you may want to “mentally” prepare yourself for the worst case situation.

So lets begin with what I did to resolve my nasty “worm/virus”.

To begin, I immediately contacted my Virus Software company. The first “problem” was the “Fake Alert . exe” which, in turn they instructed me to go into “safemode” and THEN, run a “new scan”.

Note: This “virus/worm” will actually “hide” things on you. The “things” that I’m referring to as being “hidden” are your programs, your browsers, your files, etc. It even hid all the files in my “external” hard drive.

With technical assistance, we did manage to get everything back to what I thought was “normal” BUT, I do want to “spotlight” that I didn’t realize there was “more” to my problem until late friday evening and after StopSign was gone for the week-end.

After discovering ANOTHER issue (Friday evening) I downloaded the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool  located directly at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/malware-removal.aspx

Note: There are a couple of versions of the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (depending on your OS system). This program is updated either twice a month or once a month.

In my case, Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool DID discover the Rogue:win32/FakeRear and it DID remove it BUT, I wasn’t “finished” with the “cleaning” process.

Secondly I download combo-fix located at BleepingComputer.com (Note: To download the combo-fix - it’s the BLUE button, NOT the GREEN button.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/anti-virus/combofix

ComboFix WILL take a while to run. ALSO, take the time to “read the instructions” http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix . Depending on your computers situation – for example – for me to  actually get this program to “run” literally took several “tries” just to get it to “open”. I suspect it was “the virus/worm” making things difficult, BUT, once I got it open, it literally took a few hours to “do it’s thing” and after the process, it WILL generate a report. BE PATIENT! This report is very useful and you can give it to your anti-virus software company for further evaluation IF your system is still acting up.

After I did “ComboFix”, I also ran an in depth scan of my puter with my anti-virus program immediately AFTER. THIS second report (done by my anti-virus program) was then  immediately submitted automatically to my anti-virus company for evaluation. Doing BOTH scans literally took HOURS to do … like 7 hours total.

Thirdly, from my anti-virus company, I received instructions to download and run TDSSKILLER located at: http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684

This is a FREE program and, believe it or not, this program nabbed the “Rootkit.boot.sst.b”

Now, several weeks ago, I gave my best friend a computer that was in prime condition. It was FAST. Had more HD space than the other piece of crap-o-la that some ya-hoo sold her (ripped her off) and I didn’t have to worry about her not able to do her work in a timely manner. Long story short, all she needed to do was install the anti-virus software.

Each day I would call to see if she installed it. And each time I would get “some excuse” as to “why” she didn’t install it. Long story short – one day she shared the puter was “acting up” and I ended up literally spending HOURS running scans, etc. Finally, I just gave up and of course, couldn’t resist the “I told you so” comment.

Here’s my point. After experiencing my computer issues, I thought it would be worth a shot to have her run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool AND the TDSSKILLER. Both programs each detected a nasty worm/virus. Note: One program detected one worm/virus and the other program detected ANOTHER worm/virus. In other words, now the puter is running like it did when she first got it and it couldn’t have been resolved without doing this two-step process. Furthermore, she also installed the StopSign anti-virus program too!

The people at StopSign are great and I am very grateful for what they did! Without “their” knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to share what I learned nor, have the ability to fix my best friends puter.

I hope this information will empower those who are experiencing the same nasty situation I went through with the end result being: To put your computer back in proper working order.

In order to do text message marketing properly you need to have in place a text message marketing/promotional plan. Let me explain briefly: If you’re a sandwich shop that typically has a great lunch crowd, more than likely you have in place a “daily” sandwich special. On the “low end” of your clientele, let’s suppose, you have 100 people. Let’s say out of those 100 people that 25 people signed up to receive your text message offers. You – as the sandwich shop marketeer – notify your subscribed clients. Unfortunately, you “thought” 100 text messages a month would suffice – and – after doing some calculations (just keeping your subscriber limit low) sending only 100 messages would actually translate into allowing you to send each of your subscribed clients 4-text messages a month.  If you exceed your “message” limit you will incur a per text message charge for each text message sent.

When it comes to marketing via text message marketing – and in order to do it properly – you need to be plugged into experts in this field. Text message marketing is not a “one size fits all” type of promotional tool. It is a tool that you should have the ability to actually speak with an expert in the industry to see IF the program could benefit you. Furthermore, your program should be customized specifically for your business prior to implementing. Lastly, you don’t want, nor need to worry about exceeding your text message marketing limit when doing this type of promotion.

What I found interesting (according to the NY Times business guide), they believe the choice comes down to how much you want to spend and what you need your text-messaging service to do. They also suggest that the simplest and cheapest option is to hire the text-messaging equivalent of the old *Valpak mailings. Which is the worst advice that I have ever seen on this topic EVER! What ever you do – do NOT go that route!!

If you’re looking for an all inclusive text message marketing system – with real people who will take you by the hand – look no further. It’s here and you’ll learn from the pioneering experts exactly how your business should put this powerful marketing system in place correctly. For more information (and no obligation) contact us by clicking here.

*Yes! ValuePak and your local cable company (and others) is getting into the “text message marketing arena”.  What ever you do DON’T go that route. I will soon have an article about the hazards of contracting [text message marketing] work out very soon.

Just the other day I noticed my computer was not “detecting” or picking up the DVD nor CD player when I would place a disc inside. Strange as this may sound, I recall about a week earlier everything was working just fine. What could the trouble be?

I didn’t do any “updates” recently but, my faithful virus software did detect a virus and zapped it out of the system. Could THIS be the cause? I have no idea but, this morning I was going to make an attempt to get things up-and-running properly before I go to my “last resort” mode which would be: Dish out some bucks to replace my external – true-blue – DVD/CD burner of 15 years that decided to take a dump! The timing couldn’t have been any better.

Searching Microsoft’s site – unless you read techno and can “fill in the missing blanks” – which, personally speaking, is something I think they intentionally do … is useless. Their “Mr. Fix-it” program – in this case – falls into the useless category as well. However, it “did” indicate that there was “something” wrong (duh) with the drivers and suggested that I “download” and reinstall them again.  No matter how many times I tried to “download” I always received the same answer which was: Your drivers are current.” However, I did manage to find and retain the error code 19, which I felt would guide me into the right direction.

While surfing the Internet, I managed to cross paths with many “help me” pleas from individuals that were experiencing the same issue. Unfortunately, it seemed they didn’t get too far and for all I know, their issue still isn’t resolved.

Code 19 happens to be “something” that isn’t right in the “registry”. It could be damaged or, even incomplete. From what I also gathered, this is an issue that happens with Windows Vista and, Windows 7.

Long story short – I was guided to this video – which literally walked me through the code 19 fix.  Below is the video. If you’re watching it (for the first time) it “may” look complicated but, it isn’t. Follow along with the video. Most importantly, “pause the video” when you’re going from step to step. You’ll be “Code 19″ free in literally seconds!

The Code 19 Fix for Windows Vista and Windows 7

or click here to watch the same vid

The question is: Will this work???

OMG … it works!

Success!

Depending on your “smart phone” OS, will determine if you will need to “clear” the “Cache” to view the updates.

2012 is going to be a new and exciting year not only for myself but many individuals interested in modernizing and utilizing today’s new marketing technology to promote their businesses, services, clubs or organizations. My goal: To share NetSense information that will show you how to do things smarter, faster, better and or, where to go to get it cheaper. In other words: I enjoy giving people “choices” when it comes to using today’s technology for their businesses OR, ideas on how to “start” their own consulting business if they so desire.

Let me put it to you this way:

Mostly everybody knows who Howard Clark is. I’m the Howard Clark of the Internet world and, if there’s something that I don’t know in this industry – believe me – I do know where to get the answers.

When it comes to marketing, web design tips and tricks, tools, video production or anything that involves the Internet by combining and utilizing powerful off-line marketing tools, I’m the person you want to speak to first before you invest.

I’m Paula Sylvester and always remember: With a little bit of NetSense … you’ll never get burned!