How to get rid of viruses

How to get rid of viruses -

Anti-Virus programs are designed to keep viruses from getting into your computer and to ‘kill’ the ones they can.  They do not repair the damage that has been done by them and no anti-virus program kills all viruses.  The good guys are always a step behind the bad guys. 

Think of it this way, pest control keeps the termites out of a structure, once they get in – they do damage.  Now you have to kill the bugs and repair the damage.   Unless you are a professional, it is unlikely you can repair the damage done to your computer by viruses without doing a ‘re-load or ‘restore’ of your computer. 

Either a reload or a factory restore will completely wipe away your data, programs, pictures, music and other files.  A reload, or factory restore puts your computer back to it’s original functional and virus free condition, minus all the data and programs you put on it.  No movies, pictures, printer, camera program, settings etc. will remain.  If you have nothing on your computer worth saving – go for it.  It’s quick and dirty.

If however you want to save your data – a professional virus removal is necessary.  Virus removal is about saving the data or programs that are on your computer.  If you don’t have your $300.00 MS Office software, you want to do virus removal, not a reload.   Cleaning around your data and programs  involves running 8 – 12 programs.  After each program is run the technician repairs damage done at that level.  At the end we make sure all your settings are working correctly.  Internet hijacked, music/voices, black screen, no icons, popups of nudes, pop-ups for ‘buy this rip-off solution that fixes what you got on your screen.’ – we’ve seen it all!  (If your computer is talking to you, DON’T listen!  If your computer is suggesting you buy things, don’t listen!)   

Cleaning up after viruses requires a certain amount of skill with operating systems and the programs that run on your computer.  We don’t recommend hours and hours of trial and error which just create frustration and have the potential for more damage and data loss.  

When considering a repair shop, remember bad technicians suggest a reload for every situation they are not skilled at fixing.  Most viruses can be removed safely by a professional who is experienced with every type of virus infection.   

No matter what Anti-Virus program you have, you can still get the darn viruses.  (see post previous post)  But a good ‘paid for’ program makes a HUGE difference and is ultimately required for virus removal.

Filed under: Viruses, computer viruses, How to remove viruses, pc repair, pc viruses, remove viruses, virus removal

Viruses and Trojans and hacked mail accounts – Oh My!

We’ve seen an unually high amount of infections this month.  Here are some tips for keeping your computer free of virsues:

Keeping your system clean of viruses

 

.  Keep your antivirus (AV) software up to date and renew it at the end of its term.  AV Software renews every 1, 2 or 3 years.  Your AV product will tell you if it’s expiring – be sure to renew as this gives you the best possible protection.  Scan your system weekly for viruses or any time you feel at risk.  NO ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAM IS 100% EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRUSES.  The only way to guarantee you don’t get viruses, is to stay off the internet.  Therefore, along with a good (paid for program – not a free one) AV Program you should follow the following safe internet practices.

.  Make sure your machine is up to date with all recommended Microsoft Updates.  Microsoft regularly puts out enhancements that help keep hackers off your system.  Check for updates at www.microsoft.com.  Click Security and Updates, then updates.  Allow Microsoft to check your machine for updates and install them at least once a month.  

.  Searching for anything free will bring up virus sites.  Examples Free Ring Tones, Free Music, Free Videos, Free Games, Free Gambling, Free Game codes (cracks) etc. 

.  Be extra cautious on High Risk Sites – Adult material, prescription drug sales, gambling sites and peer to peer sharing portals (music and video downloads from other computers – ‘free’ downloads) are all high risk sites. 

.  Do not click links in e-mails you are not expecting; even if they are from people you know.   Viruses can send e-mails from other infected machines or sites.

.  Change your passwords frequently and do not use the same password for all applications.  If your email is hacked, you don’t want the password to be the same as your bank account!

.  Call us quickly if you think you have a virus.  More damage is done by delayed removal or by downloading more viruses.  One Virus will allow others, including viruses that look like AV removal tools, or repair tools into your computer.  Before you pay money for a Trojan Virus – please call us!

3816 Oleander Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403 

 (910) 799-8585                                  

  www.YourComputerFriends.com

Filed under: Computer Software, DIY - Do It Yourself, computer viruses, virus, virus removal, viruses

PC & CRT Recycle Event scheduled

Due to the success of our premier Electronics Recycling Event, Your Computer Friends, in conjunction with CATTS Recycling, is proud to announce our second Electronics Recycling Event!  We were able to fill up the entire PackRAT container with electronics that were dropped off by our store last September.   Our next week-long program will be held from Jan. 17-22.  Feel free to stop by the store any day during that week and we will accept almost every type of electronic device that you would like to dispose of.  Unfortunately we will not be able to take in Television sets now or in the near future due to a lack of recycling capabilities in our area.

Only monitors will be charged for disposal ($9).  This is due for the need to send them off to a center where they properly break the unit down, remove the hazardous gases and chemicals, and recycle the remaining material.  If you would like your hard drive destroyed to protect any personal information we will be more than happy to have that taken care of for $20. 

If you are still thinking about just throwing your old electronics in the dumpster consider the following.  In 2007, 372.7 million electronic units were disposed of and only 68.5 million of those were recycled.  That is less than 20%!  Recycling captures reusable resources within the machine, reduces the amount of trash being placed in landfills and in turn eliminates the chance that dangerous chemicals will contaminate your community.  From an economical perspective, recycling creates more jobs than just throwing the units away!

Help yourself, your community, and your planet by bringing your old electronics by during the week of January 17^th – 22^nd.  We are also accepting Cell Phones for Soldiers everyday!

http://www.computertakeback.com/Tools/Facts_and_Figures.pdf

www.yourcomputerfriends.com

Filed under: Computer Hardware, DIY - Do It Yourself, recycel crts, recycle computers, recycle electronics, recycle pcs, reuse computers

What WikiLeaks can teach us about our own security.

Your Computer Friends found an intersting article about PC security you might enjoy.

As the most recent WikiLeaks data dump continues to dominate headlines, one of the most striking aspects of the whole affair is how a low-level government operative was able to get their hands on so much sensitive data.

Apparently, the federal government isn’t alone in being lax with data security. While the potential consequences are far less serious, small and medium-sized businesses are often guilty some questionable computing practices.

Many SMBs are using thumb drives and DVD-Rs to back-up critical business data and piggybacking off insecure WiFi networks, according to a study conducted by Lenovo and Harris Interactive.

In total, 25% of respondents said they or somebody they know have used insecure WiFi networks to conduct important business, including 17% of executives.

As work increasingly becomes mobile and distributed, more and more employees of SMBs are downloading critical data to USB thumb drives and DVD-Rs. According to the study, 50% of small business workers admitted to using such methods to back up data, rather than utilizing external hard drives or cloud-based solutions.

In a less troubling, but still interesting finding, the survey concluded that 70% of small businesses have not yet adopted VoIP for making day-to-day business phone calls. Apparently the lower cost of using VoIP hasn’t yet made it a mainstream option for cash-strapped small businesses.

The study was based on a sample of 722 adults who either owned or worked for a small business.

Source: http://www.readwriteweb.com/biz/2010/12/smbs-engage-in-insecure-comput.php 

Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, General PC information, data backup, secure equipment, wikileaks

New Technology – Tablets

This holiday season, there’s a plethora of exciting tech gifts.  One of the most popular is the Tablet Computer, similar to a laptop except that it utilizes a touch screen display rather than the standard monitor and keyboard. Thus, a Tablet is much smaller and lighter in weight than the traditional laptop. 

            As with most computer purchases, there are two main categories: Mac and PC/Windows. The choices include the Apple Ipad on the one hand, and several PC/Windows models and brands on the other, with the Samsung Galaxy being described here.

            There are several factors to consider when deciding which Tablet to buy, including personal preference, size, weight, Internet carrier, cameras, keyboards, and battery life.

            A primary consideration is which category, Mac or PC, you are more comfortable using.  Many people are still comfortable operating a PC, but some have already made the switch to Macs. Macs are different from PC’s, but they are very user-friendly, so we suggest you “test-drive” each before deciding.

            As for size and weight:  the Ipad is bigger (9.56” X 7.47”) and heavier (about one and a half pounds), but it has a larger screen. The Galaxy is smaller (7.48” X 4.74”) and lighter (just under 1 lb.), which makes it a little easier to carry around.

            Tablets are able to surf the Internet on any available Wi-Fi network or on the 3G/4G network of your phone company. Check with your cell phone provider for any specials offered with the purchase of a Tablet, but remember you will be locked into a multi-year contract. If you just want to use the Tablet at home, though, your cell phone is not involved as long as you have wireless Internet.

            If you want a camera on your Tablet, then the Ipad is not an option because it does not come with one. Galaxy actually has two cameras, one on the backside and one on the front, which could be used for video conferencing.

            Since the keyboard is digital, located on the touch screen, it would be best to try several Tablets to determine which has the feel and response you prefer. Galaxy offers the new Swype keyboard which the user just slides finger across and which has actually had great reviews. The Ipad offers a standard digital keyboard, with the advantage of familiarity to most people.

            Yet another consideration is battery life. The Ipad boasts an impressive 10 hours, while the Galaxy offers seven hours of heavy use.

            Each Tablet on the market today has its benefits and drawbacks. The best way to decide is to go and try several prior to purchasing.  If you have any further questions, feel free to call a Computer Friend at 799-8585.  Happy Holidays!!

 By Justin of Your Computer Friends

Filed under: Computer Hardware, DIY - Do It Yourself, News, ipad, tablets, Your Computer Friends

Is online shopping safe?

We get this question a lot, is it safe to shop online?

It is much safer to shop online than most people realize.  Under federal law, and your credit card agreement, your liability for an unauthorized charge is limited to $50. When using a credit card online, look for an unbroken key or padlock (a graphical icon usually located in the bottom corner of the web page), which is an indication the website has very strong security technology such as SSL.  Banks and credit card companies already have safeguards in place to protect your money and limit your exposure.    In fact, if your own online shopping habits change, do not be surprised if your credit card company calls to identify you and your recent purchases. 

Online Shoppers tend to have more issues with unknown fees, delivery, quality, and service of a product.  Be sure to look carefully at any vendor you purchase from and know what their policies are if your item doesn’t meet your expectations.  A good way for beginners to start is to shop online with a company you know and one that has a store in your town.  Often returns can be made at the store, but do check.

Even though it is very safe to shop online; I hope you will consider SHOPPING LOCALLY!

Spend It Here - Keep It Here

www.yourcomputerfriends.com

Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, buy local, Shopping Wilmington, Your Computer Friends

Change the Sales Tax Rate 10/1/2010

It’s time to change your sales tax rate in QuickBooks.  Go to lists, Item list and look for your rate.  Change it to 8% so you charge the correct amount on your sales from today forward.

Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, change sales tax quickbooks, new hanover tax rate change, sales tax rate change

Change your email account to gmail

How to change your (hotmail, AOL, RR) email account to a gmail.

First some caution.  Once you cancel any service or email account with a vendor like AT&T, Bell South, Time Warner, or Charter, you lose your past email and all your contacts.  So don’t cancel yet!

First establish a new email account with Google.  Go to: www.mail.google.com

Create a new email account

Open the OLD email account

Look for something like Vacation Responder under settings.  Not all mail services have this but many do.

Set vacation responder to a year and response to say something like:

My email address has changed, please resend your email to: yournewemail@gmail.com

This will help people move to your new address over time.    Getting people to update their email settings can be difficult.  Continue to check email in both places until you feel you have everyone you want moved over to the new address.  THEN you can cancel your old email account with your old provider. 

If you want to keep some emails from you old account the easiest way to do that is to email them to your new account.  Not all email accounts will ‘talk’ to one another so this is the short fast answer to whatever platform you are using.

As for contacts – many times contacts can be exported into a .csv file and imported into new mail.   Check on your individual email provider to see if they offer this.  For MSN/Hotmail, go to options, more options, contacts, export.

Once you have all your email going to the new account and you have all the email you want from the old account and you  have also captured all your contact information – then you can delete that old account.  If you are staying with your provider, you can still call them and ask them to delete the account.  It doesn’t cost you anything to keep it, it is just one less thing you have to be concerned about.

Gmail can easily be configured into Outlook or another Microsoft mail program.  This allows for the mail to reside on your computer (not the providers server) and enables you to create mailing lists for your various groups of family, friends and clubs.  This is a little more complicated so call us if you need help.

This information is provided for individuals who want to move to a ‘global’ email account like Gmail and not be tied to their internet service provider’s server.

Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, computer repair, email, gmail, Your Computer Friends

“here you have”

Here you have … one heck of a mess.

An insidious e-mail virus remained in the top five Google searches Friday, a day after it snarled traffic and took down servers at ABC, NASA, Comcast, and Google — and possibly even swamped the Department of Homeland Security’s computers.

The Internet Storm Center, a free analysis and warning service that tracks malicious Internet activity, reported that the initial application that generated the vast cloud of spam clogging servers had been taken down, which should limit the spread of the virus Friday. And there were no new reports of infected servers Friday morning — but the Web may not be out of the woods just yet. 

“New variants may well follow,” the Storm Center warned.  

The virus, called “here you have” (or VBMania, though different security companies have different names for the same virus), is a simple Trojan Horse: An e-mail arrives in your inbox with the odd-but-suggestive subject line “here you have.” The body reads “This is The Document I told you about, you can find it Here” or “This is The Free Download Sex Movies, you can find it Here.”

Click the link in the message and you download and launch a program that spams the same Trojan Horse out to everyone in your address book, flooding and crippling e-mail servers.

Leading virus monitors such as McAfee Labs and Symantec are currently investigating the threat, and have already updated their website to push security products that could protect users. 

“Stop or remove the virus with Norton Internet Security 2011,” advises Symantec on the front page of its site Friday morning. The security companies describe “here you have” as especially challenging to monitor, since the virus may already have replicated into several new forms.

“It looks like multiple variants may be spreading and it may take some time to work through them all to paint a clearer picture,” warned Craig Schmugar on McAfee’s Threat Response page.

Difficult indeed.

In addition to a variety of major corporations, the virus appeared to take down internal servers at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday. Numerous sources told FoxNews.com that some DHS agencies that run on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement server crashed and were mostly disabled throughout Thursday.

But U.S. officials denied that issues with its servers were related to the virus, telling FoxNews.com that “neither DHS nor ICE were agencies that were affected.”

“It’s a phishing attack — when you click on the link in an e-mail it goes into the address book. It was clogging a bunch of e-mail and that’s it,” officials told FoxNews.com. “It’s too early to say how sophisticated it was, but a number of companies and agencies were affected.”

DHS spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said that Homeland Security’s experts were investigating the situation. She explained the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team — US-CERT, the agency tasked with preventing cyber attacks against the government — was actively sharing its expertise with departments and agencies that had been affected, as well as private companies.

“US-CERT has received multiple reports from a number of federal agencies and private sector entities experiencing an email worm. A full assessment is being conducted – US-CERT is in the process of collecting and analyzing samples of the malware and has developed and disseminated mitigation strategies.”

“Basic cyber security practices and hygiene are essential to maintaining the security of networks and individual computers,” Kudwa advised. She suggested that concerned Internet surfers should not trust unsolicited e-mail, treat all attachments with caution and (of course) never click links in unsolicited e-mails.

Hopefully , that advice makes its way back to NASA, where employees were hampered throughout the day — and took to Twitter to complain about the problem.

NASA’s Lunar Science Institute tweeted, “Houston, we have a problem… it’s called spam.”

SOURCE: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/09/beware-link-e-mail-virus-plays-havoc-internet/

Filed under: Computer Software, DIY - Do It Yourself, computer viruses, here you have it, virus, virus removal, viruses

Clean up your PC files

1. Free up disk space

The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.

Use Disk Cleanup to:

• Remove temporary Internet files.
• Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).
• Empty the Recycle Bin.
• Remove Windows temporary files such as error reports.
• Remove optional Windows components that you don’t use.
• Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
• Remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.

Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.

To use Disk Cleanup

Window 7 users

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.
2. When Disk Cleanup has calculated how much space you can free, in the Disk Cleanup for dialog box, scroll through the content of the Files to delete list.
    
3. Clear the check boxes for files that you don’t want to delete, and then click OK.
   • For more options, such as cleaning up System Restore and Shadow copy files, under Description, click Clean up system files, then click the More Options tab.
4. When prompted to confirm that you want to delete the specified files, click Yes.

After a few minutes, the process completes and the Disk Cleanup dialog box closes, leaving your computer cleaner and performing better.

For Windows XP users

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.
2. In the Disk Cleanup for dialog box, scroll through the content of the Files to delete list.
   Choose the files that you want to delete.
3. Clear the check boxes for files that you don’t want to delete, and then click OK.
4. When prompted to confirm that you want to delete the specified files, click Yes.

After a few minutes, the process completes and the Disk Cleanup dialog box closes, leaving your computer cleaner and performing better.

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/maintenance/speed.aspx

Filed under: DIY - Do It Yourself, clean pc files, pc running slow