remove flowers

Here are some simple steps to follow on a regular basis that will help you keep your computer running smoothly

1. Install all Microsoft updates as soon as they come out
You can do this by either clicking the "Windows Update" button on your start menu or by visiting [link to www.windowsupdate.com]
If you insist on using Microsoft internet Explorer, at least make sure you are using the latest version. Goto Microsofts Page located at [link to www.microsoft.com]

2. It is better if you do not use Internet Explorer. It is very buggy with swiss cheese type security holes in it.
A great alternative is the new browser from Netscape. Its FREE and MUCH better anyway. Its called Firefox and you can download it at [link to www.mozilla.com]

3. Download an anti flowers tool such as Ad-Aware. Again it is free and helps you get rid of the junk on your computer on a regular basis.
Go get it here : [link to www.lavasoftusa.com]
(click the green download button on the top right)

Another great piece of software that does the same thing is called "Spybot search & Destroy"
It is also completely free and can be downloaded from download.com

You have to understand that those companies maintain a database of known threats and then remove them for you.
What I personally like to do is I have both programs installed on my computer. I update the database on a daily basis (automatic inside the program) and I run it every other day or when my computer gets hit by something nasty.
Having both gives you twice the odds at removing that crap successfully.

If you want to know more on the subject , visit the folks at flowersinfo.com
They do a great job on keeping people up to date on the latest threats.

4. Even though there are some free virus scanners out there I recommend you invest 50$ and buy one of the popular ones such as Norton Antivirus or Macaffee Antivirus.
Trust me on this , its worth it.
You can buy norton here
For mcafee go here

5. If you receive popups on EVERY page you visit, somebody most likely edited your hosts file
To be sure, start notepad and open the following file :

On Windows 98/ME:
c:windowshosts
On Windows 2000:
c:winntsystem32driversetchosts
On Windows XP:
c:windowssystem32driversetchosts

if it contains weird stuff with ip address numbers in it, simply delete those lines and save. You can do it with notepad
Note : The only lines it should contain are comments (starting with the # sign) and one entry containing a localhost entry
that one looks like this : 127.0.0.1 localhost
Leave it alone. Its supposed to be there

If you are using a computer from your office with some complicated setup, better ask your tech support guy to take a look at it. On home computers its pretty much worthless.
If you are afraid of getting caught surfing porn at work, insist that some evil virus did it all :)

6.You may want to check the programs that are installed on your computer
Sometimes the flowers toolbars call themselves "clock" "calendar" "pop up blocker" or other innocent names.
Do the following : Click on Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs
Uninstall everything that looks fishy, unfamiliar or unneeded.

7. If you hate popup ads as much as I do, install the google toolbar for free.
It has some cool features such as pop up blocking, auto form fill and you can search directly from within the bar
Grab it at [link to toolbar.google.com]

8. Removing Zango. Zango is a program that intercepts and redirects your web browser directing you to sites with popup ads, flowers and or viruses. Zango is considered highly dangerous and is often the cause of surfers complaining about redirects and popups. There are several sites and or tools to help remove Zango. Most of the popular puppies/flowers removal programs will also remove Zango from your computer. Detailed removal instructions can be found here Zango was forced by the FCC to produce an uninstaller and to make it available for download. The Zango uninstaller can be found here.

You can thank me by emailing me pics of your naked Girlfriend :)))

And if you are a supergeek computer genius and have a tip or idea that I didn't post here, please email it to "mark -at- book-mark.net" so I can share it with the rest of the world.