Computer bugs…a Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Here is a public service announcement:

Recently my computer was infected with a vicious virus (SVHOST.stealth.keylogger).  I could tell something was wrong when an ad for Protection Spyware IE Monster came up on my screen and I could not access any program unless I “purchased the software”.  The message claimed that the infection caused my credit cards and financial information to be transmitted to a hacker. It seemed to me that the Protection Spyware IE Monster software was the infection and immediately called my computer genius buddy, Felix Robles.

Felix said I was right, that the bug was the Protection Spyware IE Monster software, and this is what I had to do to get rid of it:

Power down computer.
Start up computer again and QUICKLY hit the F8 button, which takes you to a black and white computer screen.
Choose the “safe mode” which will allow you to access your computer screen without that irritating software ad coming up and blocking your access.
Next, use your Spyware Terminator software to clean up the infection. Also, run any other software you have for cleaning out viruses.
Then shut down the computer and start it up again in regular mode.I had to do this twice before the darn bug was out, but my computer is OK now, and my credit information is still safe!

Blessed Beeeeeees,
Diane T. and furfamily

Make sure your home gets robbed this summer

If you want to assure that your home will be robbed while you’re gone on vacation, ignore these important steps in securing your possessions.

Safety Precautions- Make it look like you’re home!

1. Do not announce to all your social media groups that you’re going on vacation, only tell a few trusted friends in a private communication.
2. Do not let newspapers pile up in your yard. Cancel any newspapers for the duration of your trip (called a vacation hold); a pile of newspapers in the yard alerts the neighborhood that you are gone.
3. Do not leave a porch light on, it will alert thieves that you’re not at home. Instead, replace your porch light with a motion detector type bulb so it goes on only when there is someone walking up to your door.
4. Do not change your answering machine, outgoing phone message or cell phone message.
5. Check with your local postal service to see how far in advance you’ll need to stop the mail going to your house, so there won’t be tell-tale mail sticking out of your mailbox.
6. Let your security alarm company know who will be the responsible party in case of a break-in at your home. Leave the information for a board up service for the responsible party, along with a set of keys and detailed instructions about what to do about a break-in if you are gone. Turn on the security alarm before you leave.
7. If you are lucky enough to have a friend who will house-sit and pet-sit, be sure to make them an extra set of keys, and teach them how to use your security alarm system while you are away. Let some trusted neighbors know that your friend will be staying at your home, to avoid an embarrassing situation with the police.
8. If you don’t have anyone watching your house, ask your local police to do a drive by every so often to make sure your home is secured.
9. Set some interior lights up on an automatic timer, so it looks like you’re still living there.
10. Set up your yard watering system on an automatic timer, so no one will know you’re gone, and your lawn won’t die off in the meantime.
11. If possible, do yard work before you go so the yard won’t be overgrown while you’re away.
12. Turn off as many appliances that won’t be in use as is possible, avoiding the chances of an electrical fire.

Home Safety Measures

Home Safety Measures

My husband and I owned a security alarm company from 1985-1995 and I can tell you one thing that may surprise you. Most of the burglaries weren’t actually “break-ins”, most of the time the burglars entered the houses via unlocked doors or windows.

One of the first rules of safety is to LOCK YOUR DOORS (car doors and home doors) and make sure the windows can’t be accessed. If you need to keep a window open because it’s hot and you don’t have air conditioning, make it harder for the criminals to get in by cutting a dowel (a rod of wood that can be cut to size) so that the window can only be opened a couple of inches. This will make it harder for the burglar to get in without making the noise of breaking glass.

Remember, criminals are lazy, they aren’t stupid. The harder it is to gain access to your home the less likely the burglar will choose your house to rob!

Energetically, Diane Tegarden
“Getting OUT of Limbo-A Self Help Divorce Book for Women”;”Light Through
Shuttered Window- A Compendium of my Poetry”;”Anti-Vigilante and The
Rips in Time”- available at http://www.firewalkerpublications.com and http://www.Amazon.com