It would be pretty great if antivirus protected us from all the online security threats out there. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t the case. Often, customers come to us asking if they should purchase a third-party antivirus software rather than use the basic one that comes with their operating system. Our answer to this question always tends to be: stick to the antivirus that comes with your computer. Let’s take a look at why below. What antivirus can and can’t … [Read more...]
March 30, 2022 By Computer Techs
March 28, 2022 By Computer Techs
What Is the Cloud?
Once upon a time, the cloud referred to something you’d look up and see in the sky. In the age of technology, though, the cloud is something wholly different altogether. Essentially, the cloud offers a secure way to store and back up your data – things like your documents, files, photos and contact details. Before the cloud, you’d store this data on your computer hard drive. While you can still do this, it’s also wise to use the cloud too. This is because if your hard drive fails, … [Read more...]
March 1, 2022 By Computer Techs
Why you should never unsubscribe from certain emails
If you think the way to get less spam email is to click the "unsubscribe" link - not so fast. While legitimate email senders often will remove your email address from their list, spammers use unsubscribe links in emails to track people that take the time to open email and click the link. They then target you for even more junk email. Some methods that you can use to help identify legitimately sent emails include: Have you knowingly given your email address to the sender? Look to … [Read more...]
February 1, 2022 By Computer Techs
6 reasons why you probably don’t need a VPN
One of the applications that you may hear about to keep your online connection more secure is a virtual private network (VPN). This is a service that basically takes your internet connection and reroutes it through its own servers before connecting you online. Many VPNs are advertised using FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) tactics. These companies make promises of encrypting your online connection and keeping your data safe. However, some of them have been found to be not very private after … [Read more...]
January 17, 2022 By Computer Techs
Search Gmail like a pro
Email has become one of the main ways we communicate both for work and personal conversations. It’s estimated that a person sends and receives an average of 126 emails per day, and that’s just for work. We all know that it doesn’t take long for an inbox to get unwieldy and fill up with older messages that are no longer needed or spam that can be deleted. But in between those unnecessary messages are emails that you need to keep. Trying to balance the two can be a challenge. Some users even … [Read more...]
January 14, 2022 By Computer Techs
How Did My Password End Up in a Data Breach?
Updated August 2024: Most of us will have experienced a data breach at one point or another. Maybe you’ve received an email from a identity monitoring service telling you that one of your passwords has been compromised. Or perhaps your password manager has notified you that one of more of your passwords has been detected in a data breach of a website that you've registered with. It can be worrying to receive these notifications. You’ll likely wonder how your password ended up in a breach … [Read more...]
December 31, 2021 By Computer Techs
Why You May Still Need a Computer Even If You Have a Tablet
Updated August 2024: Tablets have become a popular mobile device that fits a gap between the personal computer and the smartphone. It’s not always convenient to go to your computer to look up a website, and smartphone screens are so small that the experience just isn’t the same. When lounging on the sofa or traveling, tablets can provide a good experience for shopping online, browsing certain sites, or accessing social media. But, they do have limitations and aren’t a full replacement for … [Read more...]
December 27, 2021 By Computer Techs
Keep your mobile phone number safe from hackers
Updated 7/3/25 with new information: Your mobile phone number has become increasingly valuable because it’s the way that hackers can gain access to your online financial, email and social media accounts. We now are encouraged to use our smartphone and attached phone number to prove who we are – often via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), a method that requires not only entering your username/email address and password into a website, but also entering a code or responding to a prompt sent to … [Read more...]
November 22, 2021 By Computer Techs
Google isn’t evil – Why we like Google
It’s easy to vilify large tech companies. They hold a lot of power over our online lives. One organization that people like to point to as a monopoly is Google. The company owns over 91% of the worlwide search market share, but it got there for a reason. Google’s business model is to give people searching online what they want. So it’s in the company’s best interest to make your online life easier. Keeping people searching on its site allows Google to continue running a successful ad business … [Read more...]
November 16, 2021 By Computer Techs
Watch Computer Techs recommended videos on YouTube
Computer Techs recommended videos is a YouTube playlist consisting of our favorite videos that will educate the viewer about computer and technology related scams, usage tips, and sometimes a funny video that gives us a good laugh. Be sure to press the "Subscribe" button to get notified about new videos that we add from time-to-time. Whenever you need help with your computer or anything related to technology, please contact Computer Techs. … [Read more...]