Lesson Learned

Our laptop got infected with a serious virus and it was all my fault.

On Sunday night, I was searching some random sites for clipart. I was about to download a little package when a security warning popped up in my system tray that said an attack has been initiated on my computer. Then another pop-up said a virus had been released. So I opened our Norton Anti-Virus (which I renewed online in February but it has never worked properly...should I have taken care of it then? YES! But did I? NO!) and it froze up and said the file has been infected and I should open up my anti-virus software. Um, that's what I was trying to do. So then I was worried about opening up any other files for fear of infecting them (especially Gary's research files for his thesis). A Windows screen shot then appeared and showed that my Spyware was on but my Anti-virus was off (which was completely true...Spy Sweeper had been working the whole time). Another pop-up came up and said I could purchase Windows Police Pro anti-virus to get rid of the virus. Otherwise, it was recommended that I open my current anti-virus software, if I had any. Since Norton wasn't working, I decided to purchase the Windows Police Pro...a one-year licence for $49.95, just like all the other anti-virus software. Right after I purchased it, all the windows closed. I immediately received an email thanking me for purchasing Antivirus 2010. So I got online and searched that and found out the whole thing was a SCAM. Can you believe it? Instead of purchasing a new anti-virus software for $50, I just purchased myself a virus. To make a long story short (okay, this isn't exactly short anyway...) within minutes, everything froze up and I couldn't even access the Internet. Luckily here in Chicago there is an awesome company called Geeks 24/7. For a total of $120, they completely eliminated the virus, cleaned up our whole hard drive, got Norton working properly and fixed some problems we were having prior to the virus. As for our credit card, I called our bank and they said I could easily dispute the charge since this happens quite frequently. We still decided to cancel our credit card and get new ones. Those came in two days, so we're back to normal now.

Here's my question. WHY? Why do people do this? I completely understand the part where they are trying to make money. But once they get the $50, why do they have to infect me with the virus? It's not like me having the virus makes them any more money. When my laptop is frozen, I can't even get on the Internet to get into more trouble, right? So I don't get it.

I am just so grateful that this virus only froze up the laptop and didn't infect any files. We had backed up all our pictures and stuff but it has been a few months so that would have been really sad. So if this happens to you, don't fall for it! Get on the Internet and search Antivirus 2010 (or Windows Police Pro) and there are directions on how to get the pop-ups to go away. This virus makes everything look "Windows authentic" so you believe it. It also freezes up everything, even before you actually get the virus, just to make you purchase it so make sure to follow the steps online on how to stop it before it gets started.

Any time we say "stupid" at our house, we get reprimanded by our three-year-old. But I think it's appropriate this time to say STUPID INTERNET HACKERS!!

Random

Makenna is strengthening her neck muscles...



(A little help from big brother with tummy time)

I think she prefers her back

We went to Disney on Ice. Bryker was completely in awe the entire time. The only time he took his eyes off the show was to say, (or rather, YELL), "Look, Dad, it's Aladdin" (or whoever was on at the time.)

Bryker loves Aladdin and Mulan. However, there was no Peter Pan. WHAT? That's his all-time favorite. He was a little disappointed he didn't get to see Hook.

I had to drop a form off at my doctor's office, which happens to be right across the street from Millennium Park. I decided since I paid to park I might as well take a stroll over there. It was so fun and I realized that we haven't even been to the 'faces fountains' all summer.

(No, those are not tight shorts...he had pants on but REALLY wanted to get his feet wet!)

I don't think I have ever taken a picture of the bean!

Can you find us in the middle?

Makenna is getting so big. She is so sweet and laughs all the time. Even big brother is liking her these days!

(Why do some pictures rotate on Blogger and I can't get them turned back??)

Here is Bryker "going to school." (I'm not sure why the baseball hat is part of the school attire, but whenever he puts on the backpack, he has to have the hat on, too.) Unfortunately he missed the preschool deadline by 30 days. There are some private schools that take two-year-olds but unfortunately we have to use our student loans to pay for rent.

To my grandpas and grandmas

I'm getting so big and I miss you!

Friends

While I was in Utah a few weeks ago, I was able to get together with two of my closest friends from back in the day (Allie, we missed you! Allie lives in Minnesota and made it to Utah about 10 days after I left. Bummer.) So Lauren pulled out some wonderful pictures for reminiscing. Seriously, these are treasures. We took a trip to Cali when we were a lot younger than we are now (I think it was 1999).

(I personally love the Doc Martens with the white socks.)

(That is supposed to be Tarzan)

Four husbands and nine kids later, we are still close friends today.

Porter, Bella, Ella, Bryker, Lyla and Jane (Jensen is missing!)

A better view of the twinners

The babies...Hudson, Makenna, Lyla and Jane

So we decided since we all turn 30 in the next year that it's time for a girls trip again. (Allie, did Lauren and Melissa fill you in on this???) In June we're heading back to Cali. And yes, we're going to party like it's 1999.

Two Month Stats

Makenna had her checkup yesterday. She is 13 pounds. The doctor laughed and said, "Wow, she's off the charts for weight." I laughed and said, "it would be weird to come to a doctor's appointment and not hear that!" She is in the 75th percentile for height and 50th for head circumference. And of course, she got her shots. Soooooooo sad! I think this is how she felt about those...

(Actually it was a lot more dramatic than that.) And here is Bryker saying, "CHEESE!"