Greetings from the Big Non-Infected Computer
Right now I am typing this from my desktop computer, my “Big Computer.” I also have a laptop computer which goes by the name of “Little Computer.” Usually, I type blog posts from the little computer, but last night, she came down with a virus.
It used to be that you had to be tricked into downloading something or opening an email attachment to get a virus, but now all you have to do is visit the wrong website. I’m assuming that’s how I got it. I’m not sure which web site infected her, but I’ve never download anything to my small computer and I’ve never even opened an email reader on it.
I hate computer viruses — especially mischievous viruses designed to do nothing but create havoc. I can understand viruses created to infiltrate your system, steal your passwords and email them back to the thief so he can rob your bank account — I get that. But, the type of virus designed for the sole purpose of clogging the pipes of your computer causing it to run like crap and randomly erase files makes me wish I could find the creator and let loose a pack of radioactive monkeys into his dingy little urine-soaked apartment.
Seriously, why design a virus to do nothing but ruin someone’s day and cause them to lose 6-months of work? It’s meaningless! If I was smart enough, I’d design some sort of retaliating heat-seeking virus that traced itself back to the original virus creator so that when he launches his browser, his pancreas explodes.
But, since creating a piece of software like that would require at least some sort of mathematical aptitude, enough knowledge of anatomy to locate and actually identify a pancreas and possibly even a deep understanding of witchcraft, I don’t think these virus guys have much to worry about.
One precaution I did take — and, if you’re a blogger I highly recommend you do this — was to obtain an 8-gigabyte flash drive. This little gadget stores all my blog’s back-up files as well as any important data or photos from both of my computers. The flash drive I bought is made of sturdy titanium with a retractable interface so it can be carried around on my key ring without risk of damage. This particular model costs a bit more than the cheaply made aluminum stationary-interface types, but I like not having to worry about crushing or damaging it.
In case you’re interested, here is a link to the one I bought:
Sandisk 8GB Cruzer Titanium USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Now if I could just find a way to keep my cats from obsessing over torturing me every morning…
Did you know you can get Dead Rooster delivered straight into your email box or RSS feed reader? Visit the top of the sidebar to subscribe. It’s FREE!
Dead Rooster is the online home of 
Sorry you had a bad problem. Our laptop computer got ruined a few weeks ago from some kind of malware called “Sinowal.” We had to reformat the computer and it took many hours. I heard some bad words, too. For Christmas, I got a really cool little external hard drive that works from a USB port, so we don’t even have to plug it in. Now we do a backup weekly instead of every few months when I think about it.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 3rd, 2009 8:54 am:
You are one smart kitty! I didn’t lose anything important because I do the back-up on my flash drive. It saved my butt twice now!
Reply to this comment
I lost the operating system on my laptop for the same reason. It is not running Unix which was easier to install than Windows since Microsoft or HP don’t bother to include a disc anymore. I hate them all. And I am not convinced that the people who create these annoying viruses aren’t the people who make the new computers we all have to buy to replace the infected one. I have started backing up daily now after loosing everything last year.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:45 am:
The thing I hate about viruses is that I have to run all this antivirus software that boggs down my computer. I am sick of it!
There should be some kind of cruel and unusual punishment for virus creators.
Reply to this comment
I feel your pain. My sons killed three different computers in a matter of months before I switched the whole house to Macs. Now we surf serenely. But an 8 GB flash drive is less expensive than a Mac.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:47 am:
I have been thinking very hard about buying a Mac to use as my writing computer. My laptop is basically a word processor for me — I don’t really do much else on it. A Mac would be sweet.
Reply to this comment
DR, are you running antivirus software? I assume you are…I used Avira’s AntiVir (free version) for the past three years on my Windows XP laptop and never got hit by anything. (I’m now on a Mac.)
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:50 am:
I use AVG and it catches everything before any damage occurs — usually. Last summer I had a terrible virus that killed my CD drive so that I couldn’t back up any files before reformatting. That was why I bought the flash drive — now I can backup my files without burning CDs.
Reply to this comment
carl butler
reply on June 12th, 2009 7:29 pm:
If you’re into free antivirus, I recommend Avast. I’ve used it for years with no problems. Also a good anti-spyware and malware program, there’s tons of them out there. If you want to be 100% safe, install linux. I use it, I’ve tried to get viruses, no luck, completely secure.
Reply to this comment
Let me tell you, running anti virus does not always work. I have McAffee which I think is one of the best and every once ina while some browser hijacking douche bag will try to eat my little computer. I also back mine up with a flash drive. Rooster, I like how calm you were when describing what you would do to a virus smuggling anti social maggot sucking individual. You are much more polite than I would be.You would aim for teh Pancreas while I would aim for something else that starts with P. HAHAHAHAH
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:52 am:
You would be a cruel dictator, ettarose. Always remember we are friends, ok? LOL
Reply to this comment
In my line of work as a computing consultant, I probably have to disinfect one virus a week. Sometimes more. But at least we use a utility that puts a fresh, new “image” back on people’s PCs, so it saves us from having to reformat and rebuilt the OS from scratch. Still, I want to put all the virus creators in a big room, and send in a pack of hungry, rabid animals and let them go to town. When I think of all the hours I’ve spent dealing with viruses, they’re lucky that’s all I want to do to them.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:57 am:
I hate all these viruses, but I also hate the fact that they’re so uncreative… at least come up with a Rickroll or something…
Reply to this comment
I feel your pain! I suspect one of my PCs is preparing to expire. I have one of those portable backup drives, but I only ever remember to back up the PC five minutes after it has died.
I have a flash drive with my current material on, but I’m sure I read about a flash virus… oh dear…
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 6:58 am:
Oh, great: a flash virus. That’s just dandy…
Reply to this comment
I’m wondering if you didn’t pick it up through Entrecard. I visited a site on Monday which gave me a dialog box that said “Viruses found, visit this web site for free correction” with a link and a dialog box that would NOT close out. I didn’t click the link and I Force Quit, but my computer logged me off the Network entirely. All because I visited some stupid site! Well, glad to have you back in the land of the clicking!
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 7:01 am:
My AVG antivirus software finds threats all the time when I’m dropping cards. I suspect the owners of these infected sites have no idea they are dealing out viruses. That’s the sad thing…
Reply to this comment
Thanks for reminding me. I’ve been meaning to get a similar flash drive since Christmas.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 5th, 2009 7:01 am:
I love this little flash drive.
Reply to this comment
Wait a mintute! NOW you tell me you have a virus. I just visited all over you and your blog. What do I have now?? You’re just like all the rest of them!
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 6th, 2009 12:52 am:
No, baby! It’s not like that… I’m safe!
Reply to this comment
‘If I was smart enough, I’d design some sort of retaliating heat-seeking virus that traced itself back to the original virus creator so that when he launches his browser, his pancreas explodes.’
Now, that’s something I’d like to see! Alternatively, we could bring back public executions just for these malicious program creators. I’ve had so much trouble with viruses lately and they keep deactivating my antivirus software so that I have to uninstall and reinstall it every time I want to use it.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 6th, 2009 8:06 am:
Public executions for virus creators… BRILLIANT!
Reply to this comment
hahaha. this is so well written. but why go for the pancreas? i’d go for a lower organ so he can live to suffer for his error. hehe
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 6th, 2009 5:50 pm:
Have his gadget go off like a joke shop cigar! I love it!
Reply to this comment
May I recommend getting yourself a mac. I never have virus problems.
Reply to this comment
William McCamment
reply on February 9th, 2009 11:36 am:
I know… Mac’s are great. I’m due for a new laptop, maybe I’ll get a Mac this time.
Reply to this comment
Kisa
reply on February 12th, 2009 6:39 am:
Do, do, do! Afer umpteen years Windowing, I finally returned to a Mac, and I’m loving it. Nirvana, baby. Oh – and get one of the new Macbooks with the multitouch trackpad. Better than sex.
Reply to this comment
I upgraded my laptop hard drive to I think 280GB. (my husband is the puter nerd)…lol..and I have an external hard drive..and…I have a junk drive. I guess I’m pretty set. Especially after my puter crashed 3 times…*ugh* I want to get a Mac soon.
Great Blog you have. Very informational, Great Layout/Design.
Reply to this comment
I had this same problem about a month back, but it was on my “Big Computer” instead of my “Little Computer.” I was visiting an art website with one of those advertisements that screams annoying sound effects. Maybe the ads are equipped with polluting mechanisms now if you don’t click them.
Reply to this comment
Me … I hate those virus creators too. Actually, I think it is the antivirus creators who are the real culprits … so that we’ll buy their antivirus software, then charge renewal annually. What the heck! We users are the ones having to suffer lost of our precious time to do recoveries or reformatting or total lost datas and on top of that, slower running computers. Worst is, why do we have to feel so helpless!
Reply to this comment
KILL! KILL! VIRUS BASTARDS!!!!
Reply to this comment
I innocently came to this site and interacted with you BEFORE you disclosed that you were infected. FORTUNATELY I had already place an XXL condom over my laptop.
The weird thing is I primarily do all my work on my laptop but when it started acting erratically I moved to my desktop and it was doing the same thing. Maybe I should stock up on PC TROJANS.
Reply to this comment
So let me guess you either:
a.) visited my site
b.) visited a porn site
c.) viewed a porn site while viewing my site
d.) all of the above
I am ready for you to let loose a pack of radioactive monkeys into my dingy little urine-soaked apartment and explode my pancreas now…
=D
Reply to this comment
When are they going to come out with computer immunizations? How many more innocent PCs have to suffer?
More importantly: When can we get back to surfing porn without fear of infection? Anymore it seems like you run less risk spending 30 minutes with a drug-addled street prostitute than Google searching “oops”.
Reply to this comment