Fans will continue to get their fill of the Kardashians. E! Network announced that it has inked a $40 million deal for three more seasons of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

TMZ reports that the multimillion-dollar contract makes the deal the richest in reality TV history, and that family members Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe, as well as parents Kris and Bruce Jenner, will earn equal pay, and they'll receive most of the money.

Lesser stars Kendall, Kylie, and Rob will be paid equally but less than the others. Scott Disick and son Mason, as well as Khloe's husband, Lamar Odom, will pocket separate fees.

The contract applies only to shows that currently exist, but the deal also secures first-look rights to all the family's nonscripted show ideas. No word on whether Kanye West will join Kimmy on her show next season or if they will cut their own deal for a spin-off.

The Kardashian family has turned into a franchise of spin-offs: Five of the most watched shows in the history of the network are Kardashian programs.

The Season 6 finale was a hit, attracting 3.3 million viewers. It boasted similar audience numbers throughout the season, making it the cable network’s most popular series, with the Kardashians themselves the source of fascination and fury from fans and detractors alike.

The family has banked on its brand, most obviously with Kim Kardashian's wedding, which number crunchers have estimated to have given the family a windfall of some $18 million, including People magazine’s $2.5 million for exclusive rights to photos, a reported $15 million from E! for a four-hour televised special, and $100,000 from OK Magazine for exclusive rights to coverage of the bridal shower.

Given that the marriage lasted just 72 days, critics charged that the wedding wasn't reality but a ruse. That, however, didn't seem to hurt negotiations to keep the show on the small screen.

Twitter was abuzz with the news. IownJD called it "absolutely ridiculous." MishaaaDoll noted "can't knock their hustle though." Kirstie Alley (yes, that Kirstie Alley) tweeted, "The Kardashians just inked the richest deal in reality tv history $40,000,000 ... Kirstie Kardashian...lost sister?"

The Kardashian fam has certainly cashed in on its notoriety. From a range of product endorsements to Kim's mayoral ambitions to, according to the Daily Mail, perhaps the launch of a show in London (watch out, Kate Middleton). There's sure to be lots of Kardashian news in our future -- let's just hope it's worth $40 million.

Ughhhh! If your PC has ever been infected - or worse, if it's infected right now - you're probably groaning. Yes it's a pain, but the good news is: you can remove viruses yourself, for free.

STEP 1:  Back Up Documents, Photos and Videos.
Save your important data to an external drive. Be sure to scan this drive and its contents after you remove the virus; you don't want to re-infect your computer after the clean-up.

[Related: Five ways to help your PC help you]

STEP 2: Reboot in Safe Mode
You have to prevent the virus from running when you try to remove it. To do this, reboot in safe mode.  Safe mode runs only the Windows operating system and a few key programs. It's a way to limit any malware from launching. Restart your computer and hit the F8 key on the keyboard repeatedly until you get to a black screen with the option of restarting in Safe Mode.  Choose "Safe Mode with Networking" so that you can still get on the Internet.

STEP 3: Download Virus Scanner/Removal Tools
I recommend downloading two to three different programs to find and remove the malware. One may do the job, but three will almost certainly do the job. These three have worked for me and come highly recommended by PC Magazine and CNET:
Malwarebytes
SuperAntispyware
PC Tools

STEP 4: Run Virus Scanners
Download, double-click to install, accept all the defaults they recommend, and then run each. This will take a while. When the programs locate a virus or any suspicious items, allow the programs to delete the files.

STEP 5: Reboot Normally
Reboot your computer normally; no need for safe mode. You should be back to normal now.


If you have files backed up on an external drive, plug it in and use the security programs you downloaded to scan that drive before you open or transfer any files.  If the virus is gone, go to step 6.

**IF YOU STILL HAVE THE VIRUS**
Many people will recommend you reinstall Windows or try system restore or download a registry cleaner. I say that at this point, most people should take the computer to a local PC repair shop. Where I live, it costs about $120 to get the virus removed and a clean version of Windows installed. It is a personal decision how you proceed from here, but take into account the value of your time.

STEP 6: Add Security
How did you get that virus in the first place? Even if you don't know, it's clear you need more protection.  PC Tools is a real-time virus scanner that you can use as your ongoing protection, or install something like Avast or AVG.  All three are very good, free, anti-virus programs. Also Microsoft's Security Essentials comes well recommended.

You should also go to the Control Panel of your computer, and in the security section click Windows Update. Make sure that it's set up to regularly update.  And if you think someone else accidentally installed malware on your computer, it's a good idea to give other members of the family their own sign-on accounts that don't have admin privileges. This way, if the kids try to download software that could harbor viruses, they won't be allowed to.


And yes, this means you should keep your admin password private.  (Also, if they've installed any file-sharing programs, now would be a good time to remove them. P-2-P music and movie sites do expose you to a lot of junk.

STEP 7- Damage Control
Viruses are a gateway to identity theft and spam. So after you disinfect your computer it's a good idea to check your credit (annualcreditreport.com is the credit report site that the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act forced the credit unions to create for consumers to access yearly free reports). You should also change all your passwords, especially your email password and any passwords for your financial institutions. Here's my method for creating

Too many of us—myself included—are guilty of making insensitive jokes about the demise of Whitney Houston, her frail frame, loss of one of pop's purest voices, and battle with drugs.

But none of us are laughing now.

On Saturday, Houston's publicist confirmed to the Associated Press that the award-winning "I Will Always Love You" singer died. She was 48. The timing of her death, the eve of the Grammys, the biggest music event of the year, makes the horrible news even more tragic. According to CNN, Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. PT at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Whitney Houston

The Beverly Hilton is the venue for the music industry's most prestigious pre-Grammy party hosted by veteran executive Clive Davis, who discovered Houston.

In an industry flooded with novelty artists, who disappear after scoring one hit, Houston's longevity was unquestioned when she released her debut single, the ballad "You Give Good Love" in February 1985. The song's soothing opening ad-libs displayed her soulful roots while also celebrating her pop sensibilities.

Houston's sound was distinct, and clearly separated her from the funk-laden stylings of the era's other female R&B singers. Plus, she was a model who appeared in "Glamour" and "Cosmopolitan" magazines.

Houston's sound made sense when considering her pedigree. She was the perfect melding of the styles of her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston; cousin, 1960s pop singer Dionne Warwick; and godmother, queen of soul Aretha Franklin.

Houston's self-titled debut album topped the charts and was certified diamond. Her career was impenetrable throughout the release of several follow up albums, 1987's "Whitney," 1990's "I'm Your Baby Tonight," and 1992's "The Bodyguard" soundtrack.

Houston's fans were concerned when she married R&B bad boy Bobby Brown in 1992, but they professed their happiness.

By the late 1990s, Houston's drug problems began to become tabloid fodder. In a 2002 interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Houston admitted to her struggles, but maintained that she was doing fine.

The public received its first real glimpse of Houston behind-the-scenes in 2004 when she appeared on Brown's reality series "Being Bobby Brown." The bad publicity move depicted Houston as profane, combative, and delusional, seemingly supporting the behavior of someone on drugs.

Among the saddest indications of Houston's fall was her 2009 comeback album, "I Look To You." While the album received positive reviews, her live performances signaled that the damage to her voice was beyond repair.

Concertgoers stormed out of her 2010 "Nothing But Love World Tour" angry, complaining that Houston was not fit to sing live, and they demanded that their ticket costs be refunded.

On stage, Houston made light of her vocal struggles, and even seemed to be confident when doing so.

But the public scrutiny intensified, and was followed by additional stints in rehab.

While the cause of death has not yet been revealed, one can only wonder whether it was drug-related.

Anyone who remembers Houston's early work and the impact it had on music can only be saddened by her death.

I extended condolences to her family and friends, especially her daughter, Bobbi Kristina.