weB LOG
7/13/10 - Extricating Spyware/Malware/Adware/Trojans
The most common issue or complaint I hear from people I run into is "my computer is running slow". Or even "windows are popping up and I can't get on the internet". Most often the problem is spyware, malware, adware, and/or trojans have infected their machine. In some cases, their machine has become a "botnet", which means they have been infected by software agents or robots that run hidden on the system and relay information to host PCs setup all over the world. These are often run by different criminal entities in foreign countries. Basically, when your computer becomes a botnet, it is infecting other computers and constantly reporting back to the host. Imagine the exponential impact this has...it is estimated that up to 1/4 of all personal computers (desktops, laptops, netbooks, etc.) connected to the internet (some say that is around 4 billion) may be part of a botnet network.
Now that you are thoroughly shocked at the reality and immediate threat of these nasties that can infect your machine or have already...what do you do about it and what can you do to protect yourself going forward? I subscribe to a great feed from a web site called HelpMeRick.com and it is geared towards the average computer user. An updated article on this topic is a MUST READ if you want to exterminate what plagues your system and is slowing it down or causing it to behave eratically.
Good luck and happy computing! Contact us if you have any questions or would just like us to come and take care of it for you!
3/22/10 - Beware of FAKE anti-virus software.
You're working on your computer when up pops a very realistic warning window stating you are infected with numerous trojans/spyware/malware/viruses. Welcome to the world of fake anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. These programs have windows and verbiage that can look very convincing. If a virus alert appears on your screen, do NOT touch it. Don't use your mouse and click on any of the action buttons and definitely don't use your mouse to close the window. Instead, hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and find the "rogue" program from the list of running programs or call us! Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date and be sure you are running some sort of spyware/malware/adware protection. I would highly recommend Spybot Search and Destroy and/or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
12/20/09 - A Quick Refresher of CAN-SPAM Rules for Email Marketing and Newsletters
Credit: smallbiztrends.com / June 2009.
12/16/09 - FBI Releases Warning about Scareware
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a warning to alert users about an ongoing threat involving pop-up security messages that appear on the Internet. These pop-up messages may contain seemingly legitimate anti-virus software. Users who click on these pop-up messages to purchase and install the bogus software may become infected with malicious code or to become victims of a phishing attack. This is a very real threat and we have seen and treated infected customers. Please click on the link above to read the complete warning.
At the very least, it is recommended you:
- Install legitimate anti-virus software, and keep the signature files up to date.
- Use caution when entering personal and financial information online.
- Install software applications from only trusted sources - like the ones we have listed here.
11/17/09 - Dell enters the cell phone market
Dell Computers took the wrapping off its Android-based
Dell Mini 3 smartphone last week. This looks like a slick device, and I do like Dell products. I will be interested to see the user reviews as they come in.
11/9/09 - Cyber Security Awareness Month
Where was I? October was Cyber Security Awareness Month and it's a topic that is near and dear to my heart. With over
1.1 billion computers in use on the internet, you can imagine how important it is to make sure your computer is protected. Some great tips and more information
here.
5/22/09 - The Phone at Home Gets Smart
For those of you looking for the same kind of flair and functionality your cell phone has for your home phone,
you're in luck. There's a new breed of home cordless phones emerging. They are starting to look, feel, and operate like your trusty cell phone. Bigger displays, icons, and easier access to call history are just some of the examples.
5/8/09 - Windows 7 and "XP Mode" a.k.a. XPM
The next Microsoft operating system for your personal computer, named Windows 7, will have a special feature. It's called "XP Mode" or
XPM. Now some AMD and Intel chips (CPUs) will not support this new mode. I've got a neat idea though, why not just buy an extra copy of
Windows XP Professional now (which is one of the most stable Microsoft operating systems written, not to mention compatible with all your hardware) and then if you choose to buy a new PC this year, and it comes pre-installed with Vista (let's hope not) or a "free" upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released, you opt out and format your new machine and insert your copy of Windows XP Professional and boom! What an idea. It will save you hours upon hours of headaches and learning a completely new operating system that might not even work with your old peripherals (that old printer for example). Let's put it this way...I'm a beta tester for Windows 7, and I'll say it's much better than Vista was, but nothing I've seen is better than XP Professional in terms of stability and compatibility -- two things you should be most concerned with when choosing an operating system.
5/6/09 - Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) - Free Download
If you really want to be on the bleeding, I mean cutting, edge then
here's your chance. I've been running the Windows 7 Beta (build 7000) since January, and just installed this RC and I must say, it is very nice. But does everyone running XP need to upgrade? No. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't recommend it. If you buy a new PC after mid-October, you won't have a choice. But for your existing home PC, especially if you are running XP, upgrading to Windows 7 will not speed up your system. I plan to continue running XP Professional on my laptop until such time as it does not function for me. As it is right now, it's the most stable and functional operating system since DOS 6.21 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 came along. If you happen to have a copy of Windows 2000 Professional, then I think that was where stability and functionality for Microsoft operating systems topped out. I still run that OS on a home file server and never have any problems with it -- runs flawlessly. So the bottom line is this...don't even think of upgrading an XP installation unless you have a 1 or 2 year old machine. Otherwise, just clean out all that clutter on your existing Windows XP installation and you'll thank yourself later. If you're one of the unfortunate ones running Windows Vista, then Windows 7 should have been a FREE upgrade for you. I would definitely recommend upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7. Then you'll see what Microsoft wanted Vista to be.
4/29/09 - Meet Vine, Microsoft's superhero software
And this my friends, is why I love technology...it's about using technology for a real community purpose.
Link to article. Very cool. It's in a
private beta now, but I'm sure they will open it to some of the public enthusiasts (like us) soon.
04/25/09 - Microsoft revenue plunges 6% on slow PC sales
This
interesting article made me think. Maybe people are realizing that they don't need a new PC after all? And thus, don't need another copy of XP or Vista pre-installed. What an amazing idea...clean house on your existing PC.
Revitalizing your old computer is our specialty. I guess we won't become a Microsoft partner any time soon. In the meantime, if your computer is under the weather, the doctor is in...let us be your computer's new doctor and make it run like new again.
This blog is written as a service to customers, existing and potential, of Waters Consulting. The opinions expressed herein are those of the company. The author is not responsible for any of the content on any of the links followed, they are simply provided for your convenience. © 1998-2009 Waters Consulting.