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Is the Windows 10 Upgrade Right for You?

June 15, 2015 by admin

As you might have seen down in your system tray, the area by your clock… a little Windows 8 looking icon. If you click on it, it’s a Windows 10 upgrade window asking you to register to be on the list for the upgrade on July 29th or after.

If you register, it will be downloaded to your computer when it’s released. If and when you chose to install it is up to you. If you chose to install it, please read my notes below as upgrading can change your computer completely and you need to know what can happen.

If you have Windows 7 and are completely happy with how your system runs right now, there is no need to do a windows 10 upgrade and you can ignore this message. Which is recommended for business computers.

Technicians are already preparing for what can happen to your computer, before and after the windows 10 upgrade.

Possible Windows 10 Upgrade Issues

Here is a list of issues to be ready for.

The upgrade, as with any software upgrade could not install correctly and leave your computer in a state of not functioning. Meaning, that you cannot log in, cannot boot to Windows, or view your monitor (graphic issues from drivers malfunctioning, etc.). As we do not know what can happen, we recommend you be prepared for the worse.
The upgrade might install just fine but leave you with no programs or any of your current settings.
The upgrade might install just fine and you might have all of your programs and settings, but your drivers for your printers, webcams, scanners, etc. might not work.
The upgrade might install correctly and everything seems to work, but some of your critical business software might not work correctly.
Before doing any upgrade, have all of your installation disks ready in case you need to reinstall programs.
Be sure to have all of your online software subscriptions and passwords ready in case you need to reinstall them.

Tips from Techs

Do not download and install the windows 10 upgrade on the very first day you have it available.
We recommend waiting it out until the bugs are figured out.

If you own a business, you should have the following done on your computer prior to any upgrades:

Full system image of your computer (this will allow a full restore to before the upgrade, including operating system, programs, setting,s and data). If the Windows 10 upgrade goes bad or you dislike it, you can go back in time.
If you don’t opt for full system image, at least have a good backup of your current data before any upgrade. There is no promise that an upgrade will keep your data!

If you are a home user, we still recommend the full system image, but due to cost… many home users just want their data backed up. But considering how many home users have custom software for their music, videos, and games, it’s worth a full system image.

If you feel you need help, please contact us at A1 Computer Repair at (530) 903-8838. We can help you remotely set up a software program to do a full system image. You will need an external hard drive for this installation.

This article was reprinted with permission from Call That Girl Tech Support & Office 365 Consulting.

How To Protect Your Files From Malware

April 11, 2015 by admin

Protect Your Files From Malware and Viruses

Backing up your files is the best way to protect your files and data. Once you have a great backup system installed, you’ve already taken the most important step in protecting your computer – but there are threats beyond data loss that you can prepare for.

Malware (short for malicious software) is software that is developed to disrupt or damage a computer system. It can appear in a number of ways and can be used to gather private information, delete data or even lock people out of their own files. According to Kaspersky Labs, there are more than 200,000 new malware threats per day!

One such malware, Cryptolocker, has been making the internet rounds over the past several weeks. The software is called “ransomware”, as it encrypts the files on infected computers so users can’t access them. When someone tries to open a file on a computer infected with this malware, they are alerted that they must pay $300 for their files to be unencrypted so they can access them. Deleting the malware or refusing to pay the ransom will leave their files encrypted.

As a trusted partner in data protection, Carbonite Backup wants to ensure that our customers are aware of these threats and know how to prevent them from infecting their computers and servers. Here are some tips that can help you avoid malware and other types of viruses to protect your files:

Be an email skeptic: Malware is often spread through email links or attachments. Don’t open attachments or click on links from people or companies you’re not familiar with.
Free software – too good to be true?: Downloading free software is tempting, but it may include spyware and other malicious content. Only download software from trusted vendors.
Down with the pop-ups: Block pop-up windows and don’t click on links or buttons within them.
Bump up your browser security: Go into your web browser settings and make sure your security settings are set to medium or higher.
Beware of illegal downloads: While it’s tempting to watch a movie that’s still in theatres on your computer, many files shared on illegal file-sharing sites have pieces of malware attached to them.

These are just a few tips that can help you avoid the headaches to protect your files and other negative effects of malware. Need more information on backup software? Contact Us or Open a Support Ticket, we are here to help.

Reprinted from an article

Avoid Ransomware Attacks Using These 5 Steps

September 5, 2014 by admin

Ransomware is malicious software used by cybercriminals all across the world to get hold of your computer and computer files for ransom, demanding payment from you to get them back in normal working condition. Although ransomware is not a common malware, over time it has proved to be a very effective one. Various new variants of ransomware are swarming in the digital market these days, all specifically designed to frighten the victim into paying a fee to get their computer back in a normal working state. Lately, many cybercrooks have started targeting it locally, making it even more dangerous than before.

However, you can save your system from giving in to the ransomware attack by employing these simple, yet effective steps-

Back up your valuable data

This one is an overall security tip on which you can fall back if your computer system is attacked by ransomware. Have a regularly updated backup of your valuable data so that even if you do become a victim of ransomware, you don’t have to lose all your vital data. In such a case, you can easily restore your system and refurbish all your important documents from backup. Having a regular backup regimen is really important for you, preferably on an external hard disk or any backup service.

Use a robust security suite

It’s always good to have a strong backing of a robust Internet security software program to help you pick out the identity thefts, suspicious activities, and unsolicited dangers. These days many new variants of viruses, malware, and ransomware have hit the digital world, escaping even from the strong detection systems. Hence, it becomes really essential to have an added layer of protection to help detect the ransomware or mitigate its effects after the attack. Install CryptoPrevent as well as a commercial-grade anti-virus like ESET Nod 32.

Patch/update your software

The ransomware authors and programmers heavily rely on the people who are running outdated software. This outdated software is vulnerable itself and it makes the whole computer system susceptible to any malicious attack, which can exploit other programs on your computer to silently get into your system. So, keeping all your software updated can decrease the potential threat of ransomware. For this purpose, you can turn the update notification system of your software program, which will timely alert you about the security updates and patches.

Disconnect from the Internet immediately

Getting a ransomware note from an unknown source can prove to be a real threat to your computer system. In such a case, don’t panic; rather disconnect your system from the Internet so that your personal information isn’t transmitted to cybercriminals and hijackers. The best action could be to simply shut down your computer system and re-install the software and data backup after turning it on. This way, you can not only start afresh but your computer system will be saved from literal damage by a malicious program.

In the end, all you have to do is to stay alert and use a robust security suite to prevent ransomware attacks. Though, following these steps will help you avoid your computer system from becoming a victim of ransomware.

Article Credit Tech Genie @ http://blog.techgenie.com/security-how-to/five-steps-to-avoid-ransomware-attack.html

The Benefits Of Using Cloud Services

January 5, 2014 by admin

Guarding and backing up your business’s computer data is a vital task that you never overlook. A cloud service is a way of storing data safely on the internet. Big companies like Amazon and IBM keep their data on an internet cloud, and other small businesses can also gain the same security of these services when it comes to matters concerning their computer data. Whilst most businesses are familiar with the sensitivity of these tasks, they may not understand the benefits of a secure computer backup system.

Cloud computing isn’t all a new technology, though for a number of people it will be a fully new concept and sometimes it can be a bit more confusing as they try to understand and attain the idea in general. Using cloud services to store your data doesn’t at all means that your data will float over the clouds, it puts forward that they will store your data safely inside a cloud server in a data center located in a safe location. This is accessible and you can modify them based on your needs anytime you want to do so with a high-speed connection to the internet.

The cloud database was made with the main purpose being online data management via various distributed services. Cloud dwells on a system of virtual servers that modify records and update any database content online. The internet acts as the principal medium via which such information and data are managed. Web servers are basically simply used in hosting the domain of any website. The real data is stored in another server that keeps a log of all the data entered and accessed online. The capability of working anywhere and at all times makes cloud backup a distinct entity when compared to other server systems.

There are specific advantages that come with hiring data managing services for your organization. A virtual database is more valuable than a centralized database server, which is common in most organizations nowadays. Similar to cloud content management systems, a virtual database system enables your employee to easily access and share information with no respect to their present accessibility or location. This will reduce the time and energy in maintain a real server. The data that the organization needs access to can be shifted easily or located at a more convenient and securer location where they can be accessed and may also be used as a backup.

There are 3 main benefits of using cloud services for securing your data; savings in both costs and time related to performing local regimes for backup and raised security of data.

1) Time Savings

Look at the time your staff members take to burn a backup file of all the data regularly. Expectantly, you will be storing your data once a week, mostly depending on your industry. Backing up your data through cloud services can be automatically integrated, almost abolishing the additional time needed to copy files to many size-restricted storage services. By a few mouse clicks, complete backup files can be uploaded to the cloud, and the procedure is finished.

2) Cost Savings

In case you lose some data critical to your organization it can be very expensive to reinstall critical application software and restore previous files. If you backed up this data you will be in a position to restore everything and go on with operations. Though, re-installing application software first, and then installing your most recent backup for every application consumes time and costs you cash – as you cannot operate your business till everything is functional.

The time you would take to perform these emergency tasks would’ve been more useful if spent in your business operations, making finances that make you stay in business. Cloud computing companies help in restoring data immediately, therefore saving you outlay in the long run by giving you time to concentrate on operating your business.

3) Increased Security

On-site backup systems have the possible risk of having unauthorized access, stolen during break-ins, or corrupt or broken down. Security protocols are laid into an organized way of backing up data in the cloud. Cloud storage companies embrace an encrypted network infrastructure in their storage engine, mostly redundant backups in multiple servers spread over different locations. Companies highly reputed in cloud services have policies for security and lockout to make sure that only authorized persons can gain access to your data.

Both business owners and home computer users will be at peace when they decide to hire cloud services to protect and store their digital data. They can direct their efforts when they’re required, in operating their business. Relying on cloud services saves your money, and time, and raises your security level, increasing overall organization development.

A1 Computer can assist you in setting up cloud computing for your home or business computers – Contact A1 Computer