April Fools Virus Time Bomb - Be Careful

Millions of computer and internet users were infected with the Conficker April Fools Virus. This virus will remain benign until April 1st of 2009. At this date the virus will disable all browsers on infected computers to be able to reach any antivirus or antispyware websites. It will deactivate the automatic scan of all antivirus scanners except Norton Antivirus.

The virus will turn your machine into a spyware hotspot. It will let itself download and load many advertisements and software of unknown behaviour. It will open ports to hackers so they will be able to steal personal files and information from your laptop.

The only way to prevent this threat is to download Norton Antivirus or Norton 360 v3.0 from Symantec website. If you can't go to the website then be sure that you're infected. If you can't load websites as fast as before then you're also infected. If you see strange software popping up and constant advertisements loading or you're being redirected to other websites then also you're infected. Look for the signs. This virus is activated today.

Happy Valentine's Day

This is the day for every boy, man, girl and woman to express their feelings to the ones they love the most. All kinds of love with no exception. Life is too short and no one knows when it ends, this gives us all a reason to express and say whatever there is in the heart on this special day.
I wish you all the best of Valentine’s Day. Hoping all the love in the world will last as much as you want it to last.

Happy Valentine’s Day…
Nader al-Maleh

Single on Valentine's Day?

For a day that is supposed to be all about sharing love, it can be a disappointment to many. Flowers, cards, chocolates, and overflowing expressions of love are all the norm on Valentine's Day. But for many singles, instead of being a day for celebration it ends up bringing up feelings of self-doubt, loneliness or depression.

Being single shouldn't be a reason to feel blue however, and neither should Valentine's Day. Instead of letting this mostly commercially-fueled holiday drag you down, why not celebrate being single with these Valentine's Day tips?

Remember That A Relationship Doesn't Define Who You Are

Just like when someone asks you what you do for a living, the same goes for your relationship status: whatever your situation, it isn't the end-all explanation of who you are as a person. Being single isn't something to be ashamed of, and whether or not you are in a relationship doesn't say anything about who you are as a person.

Stay Busy on Valentine's Day

Plan out your Valentine's Day celebrations, even if they are as simple as staying at home and watching TV or meeting a friend for coffee. Just try to do something that will allow you to sidestep all of the Valentine's Day couple-focused events, which probably means steering clear of romantic restaurants or flower shops. This step is especially important for those who are recently single, and may require even more planning so that you don't spend the evening alone.

Do Something About Being Single

Valentine's Day - How It All Started

Valentine's Day is an annual holiday that honors lovers around the world. It is celebrated on February 14 by sending Valentine Greeting cards, gifts or even writing poems for expressing affection. Usually the cards, which are called Valentines, are designed with hearts to symbolize love.

This is probably derived from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalis, sometimes called Lupercalia. The feast celebration was held through February 13 till 15. In an annual rite of fertility, eligible young men and women would be paired as couples through a town lottery. Briefly clad or naked men would then run through the town carrying the skins of newly sacrificed goats dipped in blood. The women of the town would present themselves to be gently slapped by the strips and marked by the blood to improve their chances of conceiving in the coming year.

Later, when Christianity dominated Europe, pagan holidays such as Lupercalia were renamed after early Christian Martyrs. In 496, February 14 was officially declared to be feast day of two Roman martyrs, both called Saint Valentine, by Pope Gelsius. Surprisingly, neither Saint Valentine had any connection to courtship or lovers.