You may think that nobody would be interested in reading your email, therefore your email password doesn't need to be secure. However if a hacker accesses your email, consider the following common occurrences: A hacker can change your password and lock you out of your account. A hacker can go to financial and shopping websites and have password reset requests sent to your email address. With access to your financially related websites in the hands of a miscreant, you could potentially lose thousands of dollars. A hacker can copy your contact list and/or send emails on your behalf asking for money or send spam and malware that appears to come from you. If your email password is … [Read more...]
December 8, 2014 By Computer Techs
May 27, 2014 By Computer Techs
Does your computer have adware?
Adware is advertisement-supported software that is usually is bundled with other programs that are downloaded from the internet. For example you may download a free program from the internet, but in order for the website to make money they typically bundle the program with adware, browser toolbars and/or browser hijackers. These Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) will display advertisements, re-direct your internet search results and even change your browser home/start page. Adware should be removed as soon as possible because the ads often contain popups that report false computer error and update messages that lead to the installation of malware and other more severe computer … [Read more...]
April 30, 2014 By Computer Techs
How to change your email password
Updated May 2024: Below are links to instructions for changing your password at most major email providers. Please review how to safely manage your passwords when creating a new password. AOL Mail AT&T/Yahoo email - att.net, sbcglobal.net, prodigy.net, nvbell.net Charter email Gmail Hotmail/Outlook.com Yahoo Mail If you access email on your smart phone, tablet or email program on your computer, don't forget to update the password on those device(s) with the new password you created in the steps above. … [Read more...]
April 15, 2014 By Computer Techs
Microsoft offers cheaper Office 365 subscription and free online version
Microsoft now offers a cheaper subscription option to their Office 365 suite. For $69 per year (or $6.99 per month), you can use the full suite of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and others on 1 computer plus 1 tablet computing device. Their original subscription option which is still available allows the use of the full suite of Office products on 5 computers plus 5 tablets in a household for $99 per year (or $9.99 per month). Last month Microsoft released a version of Office designed for the iPad. Though the app is free to install, a Microsoft Office subscription is required in order to create or edit files. Oddly the initial release of the app … [Read more...]
April 9, 2014 By Computer Techs
Heartbleed flaw impacts half a million websites – change your passwords
The "Heartbleed bug" is a flaw in the OpenSSL encryption standard that is used by half a million websites which was uncovered on April 7. Most websites that require a password to access use OpenSSL encryption to "scramble" the data transferred between your computer and the website's server. OpenSSL has since been patched and millions of websites - many that you likely use - are being updated and new encryption certificates and keys are being issued. So what does this all mean for the average computer user? … [Read more...]
April 8, 2014 By Computer Techs
How to tell what version of Windows is on your computer
Updated November 2024: Every time Microsoft ends support for a version of their Windows operating system, we are frequently asked how to easily tell what version of Windows is on their computer. Here's two methods for determining the version of Windows on your computer: … [Read more...]
January 18, 2014 By Computer Techs
New twists in tech support phone scams
For years we’ve been warning people about tech support scams where someone claiming to be from Microsoft, your internet service provider or computer manufacturer calls to inform you that your computer is in danger and filled with trojan viruses or critical errors. In a later twist, shady companies began advertising on Google, Yahoo, Bing and other websites targeting search terms such as “HP tech support number” in hopes that vulnerable computer users would call them. After calling the number the representative would say that in order to help with the problem they would need to remotely access your computer. Then just like the unsolicited calls from “Microsoft” above, you are lead to … [Read more...]
January 8, 2014 By Computer Techs
Internet search results for tech support often show misleading ads from companies that attempt to swindle your money
Sometimes when you have a problem with your computer, printer or other technology device you may be tempted to search the internet to find a resolve for the problem. When you search the internet using Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. you will get search results from multiple advertisers that if contacted they will attempt to scare you into paying lots of money for a computer problem that you likely don’t have. This is similar to the fake calls from Microsoft scam, but since you are initiating the call you are lead to believe that you have contacted the official tech support for the company that you searched for. Click the screen shot below to see an example of search results I found when … [Read more...]
April 30, 2013 By Computer Techs
What to do with old computer equipment
We often are asked what should be done with old computers, monitors or other electronic equipment. Due to the hazardous materials and metals in electronic equipment, they can't be just thrown in the garbage. If you are getting rid of an old computer, it is recommended that your personal data be wiped from the drive. If you're giving an old computer to a friend or family member a new user account can be created, then your old user account(s) should be deleted. If the computer is being donated or recycled, the hard drive (which stores all of your personal data) should be removed and stored in a secure location - or wiped with an irrecoverable data destruction program. We have access to such … [Read more...]
March 1, 2013 By Computer Techs
What to do if your email account has been hacked
Recently we’ve had a lot of clients report that their Yahoo, AOL or Hotmail email has been hacked. They first notice the problem when they are alerted by their email contacts claiming that they are receiving spam emails with links to prescription drug or work-at-home websites, or a plea for money after being robbed while traveling overseas. When attempting to login to their email some will discover that their password has been changed and they are unable to access their account. Others have reported some or all of the following changes: All contacts have been deleted “Reply-to” address changed All email being forwarded to a different address Email signature added or … [Read more...]