Lost and saved - by Google
When I switched off my security by Google, two days ago, a trojan took over my laptop and, controlling Windows, would not allow me to restore my operating system.
This was entirely my fault.
First, I had downloaded a video from Youtube (a Google service) and as it was my only download at the time, must have contained the trojan.
Then - oh silly me! - fed up with the Google security software and determined to use a new anti-virus app, I uninstalled it. That allowed the trojan to jump up and hit me.
The good news is that I have backups on DVD and better yet, all my documents and images are stored in the Google Cloud. I lost nothing.
In the last hour before I wiped my HD, I looked through my folders and uploaded to the Cloud the few files I had created that day, to make sure this work was also protected.
Yesterday, I reinstalled Vista and all the Google apps I use, such as Chrome. Why this browser? Google Chrome is the fastest, cleanest, most secure browser in existence.
The extensions that can be added to Chrome are very useful. I use a bunch: Google Translate, which turns a page in any language to English with one click; Session Manager stores a bunch of tabs, so I can save and return to whatever subject I have been studying online; an url shortener, always useful when posting to Twitter; and many more.
Here is a trick: you can use Chrome much like an operating system, by adding application shortcuts:
I add my application shortcuts to my Taskbar, just like any other app used regularly. That way, when I want to create or read a document, I don't open an editor, such as Word, but click on the Docs icon and open Google Docs. Same with images (Picasa) and other functions. This is a step towards the Chrome OS that should appear by year's end.
With luck and good management, this sorry episode is a one-off - I usually confine my silliness to my private life. A Google download brought the problem to me, switching off Google security then made the problem appear, and the day was saved by Google Cloud.
We live in a Google world.
This was entirely my fault.
First, I had downloaded a video from Youtube (a Google service) and as it was my only download at the time, must have contained the trojan.
Then - oh silly me! - fed up with the Google security software and determined to use a new anti-virus app, I uninstalled it. That allowed the trojan to jump up and hit me.
The good news is that I have backups on DVD and better yet, all my documents and images are stored in the Google Cloud. I lost nothing.
In the last hour before I wiped my HD, I looked through my folders and uploaded to the Cloud the few files I had created that day, to make sure this work was also protected.
Yesterday, I reinstalled Vista and all the Google apps I use, such as Chrome. Why this browser? Google Chrome is the fastest, cleanest, most secure browser in existence.
Click to viewThe extensions that can be added to Chrome are very useful. I use a bunch: Google Translate, which turns a page in any language to English with one click; Session Manager stores a bunch of tabs, so I can save and return to whatever subject I have been studying online; an url shortener, always useful when posting to Twitter; and many more.
Here is a trick: you can use Chrome much like an operating system, by adding application shortcuts:
I add my application shortcuts to my Taskbar, just like any other app used regularly. That way, when I want to create or read a document, I don't open an editor, such as Word, but click on the Docs icon and open Google Docs. Same with images (Picasa) and other functions. This is a step towards the Chrome OS that should appear by year's end.
With luck and good management, this sorry episode is a one-off - I usually confine my silliness to my private life. A Google download brought the problem to me, switching off Google security then made the problem appear, and the day was saved by Google Cloud.
We live in a Google world.