Ask a TechLord

As an update to an earlier post about the nasty malware Antivirus 2009, a.k.a Antivirus 2008, a.k.a Antivirus XP, I've helped a few more people remove this garbage from their computers.

Today I encountered a laptop that was almost completely taken over by Antivirus 2009.

• Trying to access the control panel resulted in the desktop temporarily disappearing while the program closed the window. I could not access it at all.
• Attempting to access the Windows Live Onecare website resulted in internet explorer and firefox automatically shutting down.
• Task manager did not show the process tab or the file menu.
• The installed antivirus, McAffee, was blocked from running.
• The software tools I mentioned before were blocked from being downloaded.

I needed a quick solution and did not have time to try to dig the software out of the registry and manually remove the files, so I tried Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. You do not have to pay to use this software. The free version completely removed Antivirus from the laptop in the first scan. I highly recommend you try this if you get infected with Antivirus 2008/2009/XP.

I would like to create a website, but I am looking for a system similar to blogger. I want to be able to visually design a site by dragging page elements around..I know absolutely no HTML.

There are three sites I recommend you try out. Each of these sites has the same basic functionality...you use customizable templates and add page elements on the fly. Give each a try to see which one has the features you need

1. Weebly - Features both website and blog creation.
2. Wix - Create flash based websites that are also search engine friendly.
3. SynthaSite - Features integrated blogs, domain hosting, and shopping carts.

As with any other "drag and drop" type interface, you will have to get creative to make your site stand out. Try reading through the support forums to see how other people are creatively using the tools to get different results.

I read your post about alternatives to adsense, but I am looking for advertisements that focus on games you can buy online. Where can I find a good affiliate program that offers puzzle type games?

Casual games can be an excellent additional source of income on your blog or website. The standard model is you advertise games from a "casual game portal" on your site, and if one of your visitors decides to buy the game you get a percentage of the purchase. It works very similar to other affiliate programs; however the price of casual games are usually lower (in the $9.99 to $19.99 range) and are popular in several different demographic groups of both men and women.

The best program to generate income in affiliate sales is the Big Fish Game's Principle Network Parners program. Here's why this program is the best..

• Once you refer someone to Big Fish Games, you earn a percentage of every purchase of that individual for as long as you are a member of the program.
• If that person then refers people to Big Fish Games, you earn a percentage of every one of those transactions for as long as you are a member of the program.
• Big Fish Games handles all of the customer retention and promotion. You drive traffic to them and they handle the rest.
• 100% free to join, you never have to pay to be a part of this program.
• Customers can download and play the games for an hour before they have to purchase them, and this model leads to a higher conversion rate.

Here's a realistic example..

• You email a friend of yours about the latest hidden object game, Mystery Chronicles, and he downloads the game.
• At the end of his 1 hour free trial, he purchases the game. You earn a percentage of the sale.
• He now tells some of his friends at work about the game and emails them the link. Two of them play the game and decide to purchase it. You earn a percentage of the sales.
• Two months later your friend buys a few more hidden object games. You earn a percentage of the sales.
• The cycle continues...once you have a customer, you earn money for every purchase made as long as you are a member of the program.

Big Fish Games has also integrated social networking to their site via My Game Space. You pick the games you like (or leave the defaults in place) and write reviews if you choose to do so. Your individual My Game Space has a specific URL and also has your affiliate code embedded in the links. You can promote your games via your Game Space, or pick from banners, buttons, and links to specific games and genres...it's all up to you.

To get full details on the program, and view a full demonstration of the process, visit the Big Fish Principle Network Partners website.