How many times has this happened to you? You’re on your computer reading, catching up with friends on Facebook, or searching the internet when a pop-up window shows up claiming that your browser has been hacked or blocked. If it's your first time seeing such a message splash across your screen, you've been lucky until now. Every day millions of computer users all over the globe see such messages whenever they surf the internet. And no, it doesn't mean that your browser has been compromised. … [Read more...]
June 10, 2022 By Computer Techs
May 13, 2022 By Computer Techs
How Can I Tell If My PC Might Be Infected with Malware?
Data theft, file loss/corruption, system disruption, email/SMS spam, unauthorized popup ads and remote control. When your PC is infected by malware, these are some of the major risks you could be exposed to. Prevention is the best-case scenario. But no antivirus can guarantee 100 percent protection from malware. No antivirus can guarantee 100 percent protection from malware You must brace for instances when malware does seep through any defenses you may have. It’s vital that you know the … [Read more...]
April 11, 2022 By Computer Techs
What Is a QR Code Used For?
Updated 5/6/24: QR is an acronym for quick response – which makes sense as QR codes respond very quickly to requests to use them. Essentially, a QR code is a square-shaped barcode that you can scan with your smartphone to load a website, application or setting. It's quick and saves time vs. typing a long web address, searching for an app or setting, or typing a long password. QR codes can also be used to load phone numbers, passwordless login pages, and Wi-Fi details. In a restaurant your … [Read more...]
March 30, 2022 By Computer Techs
An Antivirus Will Not Protect You from User Error
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...]
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 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 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...]
October 7, 2021 By Computer Techs
May 25, 2021 By Computer Techs
Spend a few minutes to check out these scams so that you don’t become a victim
Updated June 2025: Scammers are becoming increasingly clever. Every month we hear from clients who have been scammed by letting someone take control of their computer and coerce them into paying for support for non-existent computer or account-related problems. With a little bit of knowledge of how these scams work, you won't become a victim yourself. Scams typically start with a website pop-up, email, phone call or text message from a well-known company such as Amazon, … [Read more...]
May 25, 2021 By Computer Techs
Listen to these recordings of scam calls so that you can recognize them and not fall victim
Please listen to our recordings of scam calls and messages that you’ll likely receive at some point in time, so that you can become familiar with the scams and not fall victim to them. Click the orange Play button below, or listen to all uploaded Scam calls on clyp.it. … [Read more...]