Internet Explorer Security Warning!

Microsoft announced yesterday a vulnerability to Internet Explorer that could expose customers to the threat of stolen passwords.

Initially Microsoft announced that this threat only affected Internet Explorer 7, but now says it affects all versions of internet explorer. This is significant because up to 80% of all computers use Internet Explorer to access the internet.

Experts are now recommending people move to another browser until Microsoft (really) fixes the problem. Until the issues are definitely resolved, we recommend installing a new browser. It’s simple and it’s free.

Click here to install Firefox3, alternative browser.  http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Please forward this information to you network of friends and family. If you have any problems downloading and/or using the new browser please give us a call and we can help via remote support or at the shop for laptop users.

Secret Santa

 

More and More Santas Every Year.

It’s always disappointing when children lose the magic of Santa, but we found a great way to keep the magic alive in our family.

 

When you are absolutely sure older children have figured it all out, it’s time to let them into the Santa Club. 

 

Now that they are mature, they get to actually BE Santa.  This is the perfect time of year to prepare a special package for them and have a serious talk.  In the package add things like a Santa hat, a bell, a flashlight and some cash.

 

Now they get to watch the members of the family closely for ideas of items that go in the stocking.  They can’t tell anyone what they have done, that is part of the fun.  And they get to sneak into the living room,  with their handy flashlight and special hat, on Christmas eve to put special secret gifts out for family members. 

 

A few secret winks and nods this time of year have older siblings considering the secret fun club of givers, additions to Santa’s elf force.  And isn’t it really all about giving anyway?

Holiday Check list

A new kind of Holiday Check List

 1.  Rechargeable batteries generally need 12 good hours of charge before using them.  This helps increase the lifespan of the battery.  So if you are giving a gift like a laptop, phone or an iPod this year, why not charge it up for the receipient before giving it?  That way they can get right to the fun of the gift without waiting or compromising the long term battery life.

2.  Know someone giving a computer gift to a young believer this year?  Why not put a special background on it to make it even more magical.  Check the previous section for some fun holiday screen savers and background shots to make that gadget really seem like it came from the North Pole.  (Same for cell phones, why not download and set a custom ring w/Jingle Bells?)

 3.  Triple check the accessories, batteries, cables, converters & such.  This is especially true if you are buying one device as an add on to another.  Cameras + PCs, Games + computers/TVs, Printers to computers.  

Visitors on your PC? Here are some helpful suggestions.

Visitors coming?    Handy rules for visitors using your computer.  After every holiday we see a lot of machines in the shop with viruses and other problems.   While your computer habits may be very safe, those of your nieces, nephews and grandchildren may not be!    If you are going to allow other people on your computer here are some rules you can give them.  We suggest taping them to the computer (go ahead and blame the computer repair guys for them):   Computer Rules of Use   1.  This is my computer and I like the settings just the way they are.   2.  You can download your chat clients (AOL, MSN, Yahoo), but you must remove them before you leave.  I don’t want to see your friends popping up after you have gone.     3.  Do not download anything else onto this computer including free music, ringtones, movies and such.   3.  McAfee site advisor is installed on this PC; stay off any site that is not green.   4.  I’m going to send you the service bill if you break it.   5.  Love ya, have fun!   *  Put a good Anti-Virus software on your computer & download McAfee Site advisor at:     site advisor

Call us if anything is running slow or incorrectly after the visit.  Good luck!

Fun Christmas PC stuff

Our Holiday Gifts for you.  Holiday Computer Fun!    The following are some fun holiday links the staff dug up for you this season.  We’ve tested the direct sites but it’s easy to wander off into danger land with free sites.  Please be careful and check with Site Advisor to help keep you safe on the internet.  (See our Visitor blog for a download link for Site Advisor.)   Here’s this year’s list from Your Computer Friends:   Select and add a Christmas tree like the one shown in this block to your desktop – click Christmas Tree.  Several to pick from.   Track Santa’s Journey – Norad Tracks Santa.  Great fun only available during this time of year.   Post-it notes for your computer.  Download Post-it Notes (may slow down your computer) to add reminders on your computer screen that look like those yellow Post-it-Notes.®   From Office Max – Elf Yourself in a silly online dancing elf video.  Upload a picture of yourself (or up to five people in your home or office) to add to the dancing elves.  To Elf Yourself, click here.   Web site fun for kids and kids at heart – Help the Grinch deliver presents in this online game.  Click here to play the Grinch game.   Here are some safe places to get free Holiday screen savers.   Holiday Screens - free selection of screen savers which turn on when you leave your computer untouched for a user-set period of time.  In the ‘old days’ you used screen savers to keep your computer screen from burning in an image; today the screen technology is much different and screen savers are just fun to look at.   Better Homes & Gardens - Get free wallpaper and check out home crafts for the holiday season.   Still haven’t put together your holiday photo cards yet?  There is still time and some great deals at Vista Print.  Upload your pictures and order your cards today at Vista Print.