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 … [Read more...]
December 8, 2014 By Computer Techs
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
January 1, 2012 By Computer Techs
“As Seen on TV” Repair Scams
You’ve probably seen the TV ads or computer pop-ups for websites such as CyberDefender, PCMatic.com, MyCleanPC, FinallyFast.com and others. They promise to speed up your computer by fixing registry errors, reducing clutter, tweak settings, etc. Their websites promote a 100% guarantee, 5-star ratings from well-known web sites and user reviews that make their claims seem believable. But doing a little research shows the truth about many of these quick-fix programs and websites: many can be … [Read more...]
January 1, 2010 By Computer Techs
PC Repair Shop Dangers
Why take your computer to a shop? Watch the videos below about the dangers of taking your PC to a shop... … [Read more...]
January 1, 2010 By Computer Techs
How to spot email “phishing”
Phishing emails attempt to gather personal information such as passwords, account information or credit card numbers. The emails appear to be from a legitimate source – your bank, internet or email provider for example. They are often designed to mimic the appearance of a legitimate business including company email addresses and logos. But with a closer look, you can often spot phishing emails from some of the characteristics which I list below. … [Read more...]
January 1, 2010 By Computer Techs
Junk e-mail (spam) prevention tips
One of the most common questions we hear from customers is how to reduce the amount of junk e-mail or “spam”. In this article I answer why you get spam, how to avoid getting it in the first place, and how to manage the spam you already get. Why do get spam? Do you recall when you first got your e-mail address – you probably got little or no spam. The longer you have an address the more likely you are to get spam – and the amount increases over time as your address gets stored on in an … [Read more...]