FixMeStick Virus Removal Gadget {Review & Giveaway}

Considering the amount of time I spend on the computer, I take the "health" of my PC pretty seriously. While I've generally made smart decisions and had good luck, there was an instance a few years ago that I still clearly remember.

It began when the current computer security software that we had downloaded on my laptop expired. My husband kept saying he would get around to renewing it or finding a better one... but, like with everything else in our lives, we procrastinated for a while. Even with the daily pop-ups reminding me that we needed to take action, I just kept on closing them and saying we would do it tomorrow.

One day I took closer notice of one of the pop-ups and, as it was telling me about the security that we needed, I clicked on it. Pause here to take that in: I clicked on it. Argh, what was I thinking? I'm smarter than that, aren't I? (Don't answer that.) It just looked so real that I didn't even take the time to consider that it might not be.

To make a long story short, after quite a bit of hyperventilating and calls to my computer-savvy brother asking if I could bring my laptop to him that very second to get rid of the virus that was quickly taking over, I managed to remove it. I couldn't open most of my programs but managed to get online in my computer's safe mode, search for the name of the virus and find and run the removal program. It took a whole lot of time and energy and sent my blood pressure through the roof, but fortunately it all ended well.

I resolved two things from that stressful morning. One, if I ever found the address of the jerk who created that virus, I would personally show up on his doorstep and punch him in the face. And two, I was going to be better prepared in the unfortunate case that I needed virus removal again in the future.

While I have yet to make a home visit to my virus creator (I'm just hoping that karma is taking care of things for me), I have found a way to rest a little easier knowing that if malware or a virus makes its way to my computer again I will be ready thanks to FixMeStick.

As technology becomes more and more advanced, we are continually contending with viruses trying to make their way onto our computing devices. More internet commerce means more internet thieves, while, at the same time, today's viruses are being designed to beat anti-virus products. Argh!

When you realize that your computer is infected, there are only so many options to choose from. You can take your computer in to an expensive Geek Squad type service (my wallet cringes just thinking about it), you can harass a friend for help (or, in my case, my brother), or... what else is left? Crying?

But now there is the FixMeStick. This small virus removal gadget is a foolproof, affordable, easy to use method that was developed in a partnership with three of the world's leading anti-virus companies, Kaspersky Lab, Sophos, and GFI.

The first ever consumer-ready, self-updating, self-contained USB device that removes malware from infected PCs, the FixMeStick has no software to install and is simply plugged right in and ready to go.

While the terminology used and complex instructions that come along with most tech devices make my head spin, the FixMeStick is easy enough for even the most novice computer user. The entire directions really only consist of three steps!

1. Insert the FixMeStick into your computer's USB slot
2. In Windows, open File Explorer and click on the "FixMeStick" drive
3. Double-click the file "Run FixMeStick" and that's it! The FixMeStick will take care of the rest!

When the FixMeStick has completed its magic (i.e. cleaning off the malware), just remove it from the USB port, reboot your computer, and voila! It will have returned to your regular Windows operating system and your crisis will have been averted. This cute video really sums it all up perfectly:


While I (fortunately) haven't had an infected computer to really put my FixMeStick to the test, it is definitely going to be the first thing that I reach for if the situation occurs again. As well as how easy this is to use, I love knowing that any removal operations are 100% reversible with the click of a button and that I can use a single stick an unlimited number of times on up to three different PCs.

Each FixMeStick retails for $59.99 and is valid for one year from the date of first use (there is also a FixMeStick PRO that retails for $299.99 and works an unlimited number of times on an unlimited number of PCs for one year). After the year is up, just return to FixMeStick.com and re-charge your stick for the same price.

While a FixMeStick is not a replacement for antivirus programs, which protect PCs from infections, this convenient, portable device just might be a lifesaver for removing any infections that get past the antivirus. It can be run by anyone (especially non-techies!), it is faster and cheaper than bringing your computer to the experts, and it can help you gain your sanity back in the event of a computer virus disaster.

And, thanks to the generosity of FixMeStick, one person will be prepared to fight off the virtual sickies floating around, because...

One lucky person will win a FixMeStick virus removal gadget (ARV $60)!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to FixMeStick for providing a FixMeStick for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.