How to Clean a Virus Off of a Cell Phone

Prevention
1. Prevent the spread of viruses on your phone by checking files that you download before you download them. Unless you have downloaded the files from your wireless provider's website, run all programs through a virus scanner on your PC before transferring them to your cell phone. If you are downloading the program directly from your cell phone, make sure that it is coming from a secure website.
2. Avoid accepting messages through your Bluetooth from unidentified users. If you are not familiar with the Bluetooth device that's sending the message or file, do not accept it. When you are not using your Bluetooth connection actively, turn it on hidden mode. This will keep other Bluetooth users from picking up your signal or your handset.
3. Do not install software that is not specifically designed for your handset's make and model. Installing incompatible software on your handset may cause your phone to malfunction.
Clearing the Virus
4. Contact your wireless provider. Oftentimes, your wireless provider will be able to perform a scan on your phone to check for errors or viruses from within the call center. You will need to have your account details ready (name, address, phone number and security passcode). You will also need to have your SIM card and IMEI number. The provider will perform a diagnostic test over the phone and determine whether the problem can be fixed over the phone or if your phone will need to be fixed by a technician. If they determine the phone cannot be fixed (the virus cannot be erased), you will be given a replacement handset.
5. Use a virus scanner. To determine what type of virus is infecting your cell phone, you will have to run a full scan on your phone by downloading software to your cell phone and following the prompts in using it. This software has to be downloaded from the Internet, so you may have to download it to your PC and then transfer it to your phone. After running the virus scanner, download and run an antivirus program to remove the virus from your phone.
6. Reformat your cell phone. Reformatting or flashing your cell phone will enable you to restore your cell phone to factory settings. Restoring your cell phone to factory settings will delete all new programs or added files on your phone as well as all of your saved data.

How to Get Your Own Short Code, Sms Text Number

1. Register and obtain your short code with the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA). This organization handles the registration on your short code number and makes sure your code works for all cell phone carriers that are associated with CSCA.
2. Your short code can be randomly assigned or you can choose your own, as long as it is available. Once your short code is set up you will be able to set up mobile marketing and your SMS platform.
3. Establishing your own short code is a great way to market your business. Try to find a code that spells out part of your business name so it's easier to remember. The fees for your short code are paid monthly. You can get more information on what it cost to get your SMS number by calling 1-888-808-6274.

How Do I Get Weather Text on My Cell?

Weather.com Text Alerts
1. Turn on your cell phone and open a new text message.
2. Enter 'SUB + FCST + your 5 digit US zipcode.' For example, if you live in Charlotte, NC, the text would read 'SUB FCST 28201.'
3. Send the text to 42278 or 78676. You will receive a confirmation text and will thereafter receive forecast updates every 36 hours.
WeatherUSA Text Alerts
4. Register for a free account at WeatherUSA.com.
5. Enter your desired username, password, name, and email address.
6. Enter your cell phone number and select your service provider in the 'Optional' section to receive text alerts.
7. WeatherUSA will send you a confirmation text message that contains an approval code. Enter the code on the website.
8. Click 'Manage My Weather Alerts' after entering the approval code. Enter your zip code and the weather alerts you wish to receive. Click 'Create Alert.' You will now receive SMS weather alerts from WeatherUSA.

How to Send SMS Picture Texts Through a PC

1. Open a browser window such as Internet Explorer or Firefox and access your web-based email's website. Log in using your username and password. If you are using an email application such as Thunderbird or Outlook, open the program.
2. Click 'Create New Message' or 'Compose' to create a new SMS picture text.
3. Enter the recipient's cell phone email address in the 'To' field. The email address will be a combination of their 10-digit cell phone number followed by their cell phone provider's mobile gateway. The mobile gateway is similar to the domain name in an email address. The gateway varies by mobile carrier. An example cell phone email address would be 7181234567@vtext.com.
4. Click 'Attach File' and select the picture you want to send. The file will be attached to the text message.
5. Type a brief message in the body of the email. Try to limit the message to at most 140 characters to avoid the message being cut off.
6. Click 'Send' to deliver the SMS picture text to the recipient's cell phone from your PC.

How to Get a Free Virgin Mobile Phone

1. Navigate to the Assurance Wireless website. (See Resources.) Click the tab that reads, 'How to Qualify.'
2. Select your state from the drop-down list. If your state is not on the list, it does not qualify. If so, the Web page will load.
3. Note the requirements for the Virgin Mobile Assurance Wireless program. Call the program at 888-898-4888 if you have any questions.
4. Provide your household income. You may also have to provide information on any government programs you are enrolled in. Apply to the program by providing your full name, street address and home telephone number.
5. Wait for your free Virgin Mobile phone to arrive in the mail. This may take between seven and 10 business days. Once you have it, navigate to the Assurance Wireless website and click 'Activate.' Enter the required information and follow the instructions.

How to Locate a GPS Cell Phone by the Number

1. Download reverse phone search software. Examples include Phone Detective, Reverse Mobile and Cell Phone Registry. Save the file to your desktop.
2. Double click the file. Follow the setup wizard instruction for installing the software. Save the software to a newly created folder on your computer's hard drive.
3. Restart your computer. This allows your computer to recognize and properly run the newly installed software.
4. Double click the software's icon. Click the 'Tracking' icon. Enter the cell phone number you want to track.
5. Wait for the results to load. The software should give the town or city and state that the mobile number is currently in.

How to Check Vehicle History Using Text

1. Obtain the vehicle's VIN. The VIN is a unique identifier of your car that, when decoded, reveals manufactured traits, such as model year and/or color. The VIN you see throughout the car should be consistent. It is typically located at the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side, but many cars also have a small area in the driver's side corner that makes it easier for people to find the VIN for inspection purposes.
2. Identify a mobile vehicle history report provider to use. An online search should yield several possibilities.
3. Send an SMS text message to your chosen provider with the vehicle's VIN as the message's contents and any other parameters the vehicle history report provider requests.
4. Obtain the mobile report from your provider, and review its information.