Update reminder

[avalen]

just a little reminder to make sure you update your virus scanners and make sure
you have your windows programs updated as well. The local news talked about some
big virus thats suppose to launch on April 1. Ok, so there it is, just a reminder.

[AlmostThere]

Saw it on the news, too. Here's a little blip on it.

April 1 brings on the age-old tradition of jokes and pranks. But this year, April 1 will be more than just April Fools' Day.
The first day of April 2009 is when security analysts around the world will watch to see what happens to thousands of computers because of the Conficker worm, a family of malware that is now widespread and affecting 10 million computers.

Conficker, also known as Downadup, is spread in three ways, including via exploit, weak passwords, and the use of autorun.inf files which are copied to USB drives.

[Sparkle]

I asked my computer geek about this when I picked up my laptop. He said it is aimed at big business and government more than the general public.

[AlmostThere]

Guess we'll just have to grab our butts and hang on!!

[Bethers]

It wouldn't hurt to do a virus scan - and back-up your computers today, do not wait for the first - if you have an external back-up device. I usually do mine weekly, but am behind on them, and will back up all my important files tonight to a usb device. (And Conflicker or not - you should do a regular backup anyway, computers have been known to crash without a virus.)

[AlmostThere]

Beth, I recently bought an external hard drive but I haven't a clue how to back up my computer? How is that done?

[avalen]

latest on todays news was that they think we will be just fine, windows recent updates
supposedly has it all taken care of and the virus scan folks too say they have it licked.
now, just incase, tonight before I go to bed I'll set my computer on yesterday and when
I get up tomorrow it will be today then tomorrow I can set it for the next tomorrow.
My computer will never read april 1, now, hows that for an april fools

[Bethers]

Lenora,
Copy all your important files and folders to your external hard drive. Just like you would to a cd, etc. Is that being too simplified? Don't mean to be - just not sure exactly what you know.

[Cedar518]

Well, I spent a lot of time yesterday afternoon doing a live update on my Norton and then running a full scan,.. created a new restore point and did a backup. First thing this a.m. I did a quick scan,.... all is well. Whew. Of course if I hadn't done anything i'd probably be sorry,... one just never knows what warnings are for real issues and what are just "scare tactics"... This one did sound sinister so i am glad i did what I did.

[AlmostThere]

Beth, I wasn't sure if there was actually some place on Windows that you could click that said, "back up your files" or if you were manually backing up each file, which I already do. I was looking for simplication, I guess.
I did an internet search and they did show that on the Windows CD (that most of us get with our computers/or we buy the program), there is an actual icon to click to do a back up.
Here is what they said for Windows XP home edition:
1 insert Windows Cd
2 On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen click on Perform Additional Tasks
3 Click Browse this CD
4 In Windows Explorer, double click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then Ntbackup
5 Double click Ntbackup.msi to install the backup utility.

[Bethers]

I believe that backup is on your computer still - tho am not sure.

And I do believe you can select multiple files at once, and there maybe a way to backup a whole directory- but haven't gone into that. If I see anything on that, will let you know.

[Acadianmom]

The warning got me to finally backup my photos to a jump drive. I had been wanting to do that for a while but kept putting it off. My computer needs to go to the doctor anyway but keep putting that off too.

Martha

[Sparkle]

I'm on first name base with my techie!

[Bethers]

He's gonna miss you Sparkle.

[Acadianmom]

I'm on a first name basis with my computer guy too except he calls me "Miss Martha". I don't feel that old but guess I am. I bought my laptop from him because I know where to find him. Dell lost a customer when I had to start talking to someone in India.

Martha