How to minimize the effects of a computer virus

It has happen to most of us, and if it hasn't "just keep living" as my mother would say. The dreaded virus on your PC. It was getting a virus on my laptop a few years ago they lead me down a path of becoming a little more tech savvy. I covered how to enter safe boot mode in an earlier post if you find yourself in this position, but today I'm focusing on something simple.

Most of the viruses I've seen in 2010 try to get you to buy their software to remove the program or attack any accounts you have not logged out of. Logging out your account when you finish with them is extremely important, or even when just surfing the web. These virus programs will spam your email address book, or post things to your Facebook wall or whatever social network you may be using. In either case your friends are not going to like receiving spam or links that open to porn on their Facebook wall.

To stay protected against these viruses I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. Its free, and has received high reviews since its release. Warning though, if your using a unlicensed copy of windows it want work because it has to validate your machine before installing the software. So remember, logging out of your accounts when your done will stop some of the damage a virus can cause.

Beam it up Scotty!

Beam me up Scotty is a free service that allows you to upload most file types (jpg, .gif, .mpg, .avi, .flv and more) to there site and converts them into a mobile format. Then you will get a link that you can send your mobile device. Files can't be larger up to 30MB and a limit of 6 uploads per day. Also video and audio files will be cut after 5 minutes of run time.  Beam me up Scotty says in three steps you can upload your file on their site, choose the compression settings, and you get a download link sent via email. This works for any mobile platform, but you must have internet access. Use BIUS to convert a picture for a new screen saver compress a song to create a ringtone without having to hook your phone up to the computer.

Blockbuster adds Video Games

I went to update my Blockbuster list last night and saw they are now offering video games. This move puts Blockbuster in direct competition with Gamefly and it is already battling Netflix. BB's new game offering want cost customers extra and it allows you to have any combination of movies and video's out at the same time (depending on the plan you have). I have tried Netflix and their movie database is not up to date enough for me. Blockbuster allows you to take movies you received in the mail and exchange them in store for a new movie for free. So if you love video games or have kids Blockbuster's new deal may be for you.

Help I can't find my phone!

Now days a lot of people use there cell phones as their home phones for various reasons, but what do you do when you can't find your phone and you have no way to call it. One simple way is FoneFindr. Simple and straight to the point. Put in your number and it will call your phone (provided that it's not on silent).

For you Android users you have two good choices that will work for you. Wavesecure and Where's my Droid will both find your phone for you. Wavesecure takes it a step further by backing up your sms,calls and contacts. Both will also give you a GPS location for your phone. Although with WMD you have to set a parameter for this feature to be activated. Wavesecure also works with Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Symbian OS and Java enable phones. For IPhone users IHound is a great option with similar features. IHound can also be used on your IPad.

Skype files for $100 million dollar IPO

A non-tech tip today, but I told you back in January "How I saved $1200 a year by moving to Skype" now the company wants to sell 100 million in American Depository Shares. According to the (NYTB) Skype has over 560 million users an increase of 164 million users in the past year. The company is looking for ways to get more of its users from free to paid accounts. (Skype by the number from WSJ) Opening price has not been established yet, but this could push Skype to the next level and make it a force to be reckoned with and something you may want to add to your profolio.