Computers open the world of information and entertainment and we are dedicated to making that experience stable, enjoyable and interesting.
Here are some topics we will be covering in this edition :
- Windows 10 available at the end of July
- Protecting your Identity
- What does Kaspersky getting hacked mean to you?
- The Cryptographic Ransomeware Virus is growing
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Windows 10 is Coming...
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be available for download by the end of July. Are you going to be interested in a free upgrade from Microsoft to Windows 10?
You've probably seen the following white icon on the lower right side of your desktop taskbar:
If you click on the icon you have the opportunity to reserve a free copy of Windows 10. I highly recommend you at least reserve your copy. Even if you decide not to initially use it you will have it available for a full year.
If you have either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 the Windows 10 upgrade software will be free, but the upgrade process will probably take a little assistance with. When it installs it will create a folder to backup all your personal files, but it will not reinstall most of your favorite programs. For that you will either need to do this yourself or perhaps my assistance.
If you would like for me to perform the upgrade I think we would be looking at about an hour and half process, but from what I've seen so far I very much think you will want to take the upgrade.
Much of the development of the Web (Internet web pages) will be based on the changes taking place in Windows 10 and within a few years you will experience many web search failures if you remain with an older version of Windows.
Many have asked if it will require learning new features and if the learning process will be complicated? The answer is that there will definitely be new things to learn, but the learning curve from Windows 7 to Windows 10 will not be as great a curve as it was from Windows 7 to Windows 8. I don't think it will take you very long to get the hang of it.
If you currently have Windows 8, but have not upgraded to the free Windows 8.1 you will need to do this if you want the upgrade to Windows 10. All you need to do is visit the Windows 8 store and download the free 8.1 upgrade...however...you must be certain you aren't running any additional programs at the time of the 8.1 upgrade and also that you have installed all Windows updates first. I can help you remotely with the process if you like.
Sooo, all in all, I think you should give strong consideration to the new Windows 10. I'll do all I can to help you get familiar with it and to enjoy its many new features. Let me know what you think...
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Tips for Protecting your Identity:
I know we all wish our digital identity was more secure than it is, and it makes working with our computers less enjoyable because of knowing there are criminals out there who live to steal your identity information, whether that information is your Social Security number, your credit card info, your passwords, or other sensitive personal data, but the fact is...we live in a world where criminals live too and your identity is a high value commodity these days. For this reason being extremely careful on our computers and wherever our identity information is kept must become a high priorty for us because undoing a criminal's use of your identity can steal hours of your life trying to close accounts, clear your name, and regain your good credit rating.
The primary aim of stealing personal information, like the hack in the Office of Personnel Management, is to use it in so-called phishing attacks. These are generally emails or text messages that try to trick you into, for example, checking into your bank account or resetting your password for a particular account. Phishing attacks work when they are personalized - a message from a trusted friend or relative or one that uses a legitimate bank account number -- thanks to information gleaned in previous hacks, such as the information stolen about government employees.
So you should be skeptical, perhaps even cynical, about any email you receive concerning any account you may have at any bank or other company, including retailers, the IRS, and social media sites. Never ever open a link directly from an email, even if it's a seemingly innocent contact request from LinkedIn or Facebook. Instead, close your browser and reopen a new browser window and go directly to the site in question. If there's an important message from your bank or a friend request, you'll see it there.
Another safeguard - and admittedly a major inconvenience - is to keep your software up to date. That means checking the Web browser you use, as well as programs such as Adobe Acrobat, Flash, and Oracle's Java, for regular downloads and updates. Older versions often contain well-known security holes that are regularly exploited by even amateur hackers.
Finally, you should monitor your personal credit information and don't rely on someone else to do it for you. You can go to the three main agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - and get a free report. If you stagger your requests among the three throughout the year, you can get a better picture of your credit health.
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Kaspersky gets Hacked
You may have heard the world's number one Antivirus Software maker - Kaspersky - was recently hacked. They have assured the world that nothing customer related was gained and thus their customers are at no personal risk by having Kaspersky Antivirus software on their computers. What was hacked at Kaspersky were sensitive classified information on how Kaspersky software works and how it protects clients computer from viruses. The more hackers know about Antivirus software the better they can construct viruses to break the Antivirus software codes, so what was hacked is very important to Kaspersky and will creat for them a great challenge to create truly effective virus protection for its clients give the loss of some of their key secret methods of protection.
Does this mean you should consider not re-subscribing when your Kaspersky Antivirus software expires? Hard to say, but we'll likely hear more fromthe Tech world as to how things are going for clients who use Kaspersky. If clients experience mass failures of protection and their computers get viruses that Kaspesky Antivirus software would normally have stopped then we'll hear about it and will want to switch to something like Bitdefender Premium or another premium antivirus software.
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The Cryptographic Ransomeware Virus is growing...
I wish I could report to you that this Grandaddy of all viruses was removed from the worldwide web but just the exact opposite is the case. The following article describes the pervasiveness of this virus and just how serious it really is. I encourage you to follow the link and read the article:
Cryptographic article link
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Best of success to you in all your computing!
I’m here to assist you when you need it. As just a reminder... my onsite residential fee is $45 per hour and for the commercial setting it is $55 per hour and will continue through the month of March. For those times when working remotely with your computer over the Internet is a good option then the cost savings to you are substantial since I only need to charge on a "15 minute" increment instead of the full hour fee for an onsite visit. This means just $12 per 15 minutes. Once again...for any clients you send my way, who use my services for an hour or more, I'd be happy to credit you with $12 of free computer service at your next call. Do let me know if you send folks my way and I'll keep notes on that as a credit for my next visit to you, and don't feel embarrassed to remind me you would like that credit when I visit.
Thanks so much!
Your Computer Technician
Tom Sparks
503-577-4201
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