Security

By ringageek on Mar 26, 2014 in Security | 0 comments

If you are using one of the big box antivirus programs, you are paying too much money and slowing down your computer way too much! There are so many programs out there that are light on your system and many of them are free. The truth is, in order to boost competition; virus venders are putting everything but the kitchen sink in these programs. They are running anti-virus, anti Malware, firewalls that block way too much, anti theft, parental software and much more. Half of this you do not need on your system. If you have a router, you do not need a third party firewall as long as the hardware firewall in enabled. Virus programs such as Kaspersky can slow your computer down so much; the computer is not even usable. The computers are so slow that we often have a very hard time even getting the program removed. In fact, a good portion of computer calls that we get is because of anti-virus programs. You need something to protect your system but if the program does not allow you to do your work it is essentially worthless.   We have seen many cases where big box anti-virus installs have literally made windows unbootable. I have personally had this happen with 2 computers running Total Defense. Personally, I like running a combination of Security Essentials and the paid version of Malwarebytes. This combination offers excellent protection and will not slow down your computer.   If you are buying Windows 8 or 8.1, Security Essentials is already installed on your machine when you buy it. If you get your computer at a big box company, you will most likely find a trial version of Norton or McCaffee pre loaded. If you uninstall the trial and activate Windows Defender and then add Malwarebytes, you have an excellent defense against getting infected.   I have seen many cases where computers have more then one antivirus program installed. This is not a good idea. You will now have two programs trying to compete with the same infection and all kinds of issues will unfold.   In short, do not throw away your hard earned money on anti-virus programs. Use either Security Essentials...

By admin on Mar 23, 2013 in Security | 0 comments

In the past few months, a new scam has emerged that is raking in millions to pesky hackers around the globe called the Microsoft Technician Scam. In fact, instead of being squashed, this particular problem is escalating at an alarming rate. The scam is simple; you get a call on your phone from a person who claims to be from Microsoft and they begin to rattle off a bunch of things that are wrong with your computer. Remember that Microsoft will never call anybody for any reason at random. The second red flag is that nobody can possibly know if anything is wrong with your computer unless you tell him or her.   The calls will generally originate from other countries and for the most part, to an average consumer, it will seem very real. Many folks without thinking get scared and really think they have a serious issue with their computer. The call will first explain what issues you are having and that it was reported through the Windows error-reporting program and sent to Microsoft. They will then walk you through various steps to get into your computer and once they are in, the hackers will deposit a virus on your system that may help them gain control of your PC. Once in your system, they will rattle off all the problems you are having and then tell you it will cost $150.00 (or some other price) to have it cleaned. The truth is, if your system is not running right, any of the solutions they offer will probably not help.   Anytime you are experiencing problems with your computer, call a computer repair company yourself. Do not accept the offer from anybody that calls you and tells you your system is compromised. When you call your favorite computer repair company, the tech will listen and decide what tools need to be run based on your description of the symptoms. If you ever even start the process with the scammers and then decide to abort, it is best to have your computer checked out to be sure no malicious software was deposited on your system. Remember that these guys not only want you to pay for their “service”,...

By admin on Oct 9, 2012 in Security | 0 comments

It wasn’t until a few years ago that we had to start really worrying about hackers. As the Internet age evolved, numerous individuals started working hard to break into home computers and install harmful viruses and controls. At first, there weren’t many ways consumers could protect themselves from these hackers, but over the years, tech-savvy individuals have learned efficient ways to combat these malicious hackers and their viruses. In order to stop by viruses and hackers dead in their tracks, it’s best to be aware of how to protect your computer from intrusions. Read on to learn four simple ways you can protect your computer from hackers. Update your software on a regular basis I know how annoying it is to have a pop-up message remind you that it’s time to update your computer, but keep in mind, updating your computer is one of the most effective ways to protect your computer from viruses. In fact, there are many new hacking tricks that are created every day, and your computer must be updated on a regular basis to know how to manage these up-and-coming threats. Update your computer whenever your computer reminds you to and make sure an anti-virus program is set to automatically update itself. If you regularly update your computer, the chances of it getting infected will go down significantly. Install anti-virus protections This goes without saying, but then again, it must be emphasized: If you don’t already have anti-virus software installed on your computer, you’re basically asking a virus or hacker to come along and infect your computer. There are a lot of anti-virus programs out there, so it’s best to do some research into the right ones for you and your computer. Don’t worry about the anti-virus programs being too expensive, either. There are a number of free anti-virus programs that are worth a consideration. As I’ve already said, make sure to do your research before you settle on one. Automatically delete strange-looking emails I get hundreds of emails a day and sometimes those emails come from weird email addresses or contain awkward subject lines. If you receive a strange email, don’t even bother to open the email; do yourself and your computer a favor...