Complaint Review: INTERNET VIRUSES

Anyone who uses their computer online knows it's only a matter of time before something happens to it.

Let's look at some of the problems that can happen. First, there's the browser hijacker. A particular bad one is called coolwebsearch. This will replace your home page with the coolweb page. In addition, it will not allow you to go to anything except the coolweb sites. You try to check your mail, and the page is not found. You're basically locked out of the internet. The only sites you can go to are the ones listed in the coolweb categories. Everything else is redirected to one of the categories. Basically, your computer is useless, unless you plan to buy from the coolweb sites.

There's the porn dialer. This is a big problem. It disconnects your internet connection, and reconnects to a provider in some far-away location. This runs up your phone bill, big time.

There are the viruses that download automatically. There are so many possibilities here. Some affect your internet searches. Others install icons on your desktop that can't be removed. Some turn your computer into a spam engine. The possible outcomes are infinite.

Sooner or later, something happens to everybody who uses their computer online. Some people think it helps to stay out of the porn sites. Maybe it does. But, innocent looking sites will cause the same exact problems. Bottom line: if you're online, it's just a matter of time.

So, what can you do?

Most people use anti-virus software. Hopefully you have it before there is a problem. Once a virus is already on, it's very hard to remove.

I've tried all the anti-virus software. If you go to enough sites, eventually something will download that the software can't keep out. After all, the person who designed the virus made it to get around your roadblocks. No matter how hard the anti-virus software designers work, the virus programmers find a way around it. It's useless to fight the battle this way.

I've found a better way. It works well. The cost is little or nothing. And, it's effective against all known viruses.

Here's what I do.

First, I use a dedicated internet computer. Any old system will work. In my case, I use a Toshiba Tecra notebook. It runs at 266Mhz. That's plenty fast for the internet. I use Win XP pro. And, I installed Word. That's about all I ever need online. This old laptop is worth maybe $100 or so.

You must use a separate computer online. Never, ever use your main computer. My main computer has a brand new format and windows install. It works flawlessly, and it'll stay that way because it never goes online.

You can transfer information between the two computers by using a USB drive. Mine is small, 128 Meg. It holds any web pages I download. Then, I pull it out and move it to my main computer. It's quick and easy.

So, how do you protect the internet computer? Easy. First, I partition the hard drive using FDISK. It comes with windows. There's nothing extra to buy. I make a separate partition on my drive big enough to back all my files up to. In my case, I need slightly over 1 Gig of space. The disk is 4 Gig, so that leaves plenty of extra space. Use FDISK to create this partition. Search google for more instructions on using partitions if you need more help. When you are done, you should have 2 hard disk letters. In my case it's C and D.

Now, you install your windows onto the C drive. Don't put anything on the D drive. Set your computer up exactly as you like. Make sure you have everything you need for surfing the internet. Once you have it set up the way you like it, run it for a little while to get your settings all correct. Once it's running well, you will back it up.

Use the windows backup utility under programs, accessories, system tools. Back up your whole C drive and your system state to the D drive. For me, a gig of files backs up in 25 minutes.

When the backup is complete, you can begin surfing as you like. Go anywhere you want. Click on anything. After all, what is the sense of being on the internet if you are afraid to surf? You don't have to worry about anti-virus software or restrictive settings. Surf open and freely. Run any software that you find. Download any file you like.

Now, it's just a matter of time before something gets you. I'd guess about a week. The minute something happens, you open the restore utility. It's right beside the backup utility. Set your restore to overwrite the existing files. Once you hit begin, the computer takes over. In 25 minutes, I'm back to brand new again. All my original settings are restored. My registry is back exactly the way it was. Any virus files that are left are no longer part of the system, so they're useless. At the end of the restore, the computer restarts, and it's as good as new.

All the virus problems are gone. It's quick. It's easy. And, since it goes back in time to before the virus was ever there, it's 100% effective. In less than 30 minutes, you're back online and ready for action again. You can do this over and over again. Anytime you hear the disk grinding and something begins to download, you just restore the files to brand new. No hassles, no lingering virus troubles.

Your internet computer is virtually immune from viruses! And, your main computer IS immune, because it never goes online! It doesn't get any better than this.

For the advanced surfer that wants another layer of protection, you can even surf wirelessly. That's what I do. I got this WIFI card that is hooked into a giant amplifier and an antenna. It's pointed towards a microwave tower over a mile away. With the amp, I get almost T-1 speed. Yet, I'm so far away that I can barely see the tower. This way, I'm immune to dialers. What phone can they bill? The microwave tower? Good luck trying to send them a phony bill.

Why fight to stay ahead of the viruses? Why limit the sites you can go to? And, why risk your personal data and all your important files?

This method allows you to surf anywhere with complete immunity. Hell, you can even restore if the computer starts slowing down a little. The restore operation is so quick and easy that you can do it once a week, if necessary.

It took me three months of trying to figure this out. But, it works. I just had a hijacker virus that prevented me from going to google or my mail. Twenty minutes later, I'm back good as new.

Don't make your partition any bigger than it takes to hold your complete backup. And, use the backup utility. Don't try to use system restore. The virus designers are smart. They make the virus to prevent you from using system restore. The restore you need to use is the one associated with backup. You'll see it when you make your backup.

I hope this helps you! I have read all the problems that users were having with the d**n dialers here. This can't stop a dialer from downloading. But, it will halt the problem as soon as you restore your files. By using the partition, you never need anything extra. No extra disks to lose or get scratched. Everything is right there, on your hard drive.

This solution is quick, easy, and 100% effective. What more could anyone ask for?

Good luck!

Paul
Anaheim, California
U.S.A.