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

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A surge protector is a device that protects sensitive electronic equipment from harmful voltage spikes and power surges. It absorbs excess energy much like a sponge absorbs water. They are different from power strips which provide power extension and extra outlets but offer no protection against power spikes or surges.

What is a power surge?

A power surge is a short-term increase in voltage (or voltage spike) due to lightning strikes or unusual line conditions, like when power companies switch power distribution across grids. It’s important to periodically replace your surge protector (once every 3-4 years is recommended in most cases) since power surges wear down the protective components inside the surge protector over time.

Why is surge protection important?

• The average household gets 350 power surges per year.
• Overvoltage, brownouts, power surges, and voltage spikes occur five times a day on average.
• Small, frequent power surges cause cumulative damage to connected electronics, shortening the product lifespan.
• Power surges are the number one cause of data loss.
• Over 50% of equipment failures can be attributed to power surge/failure.
• The right surge protection will save your electronics and extend the life of your products.
• Choosing a surge protector will safeguard all your valuable electronics; many are backed by Connected Equipment Warranties.

What is a connected equipment warranty?

A connected equipment warranty covers equipment that is damaged by transient voltage while properly connected through a surge protector to a properly wired AC power line with a protective ground. Brands that offer CEWs will repair or replace any equipment damaged by a power surge, spike, or lightning strike while properly connected to their surge protector, up to the listed amount.

What are the basic features of a surge protector?

• Joules of Protection range from 300 to over 4,000 joules to protect all devices from lamps to 4K televisions
• Multiple Outlets: 1, 3, 4, 7 6, 8, and 12 outlet variations accommodate any setup throughout your home
• LED Indicators indicate whether the surge protector is properly grounded and whether your devices are protected
• USB Ports charge mobile devices rapidly and safely
• Cord Length: Choose the length that best fits the setup in any room of your house
• Protective Housing resists impact, corrosion, and scratches

How many joules of protection do I need?

Below 1,000 joules protect:

• Lamp
• Digital Alarm Clock
• Cell Phone Charger
• Phone/Answering Machine
• Small Kitchen Appliances

Between 1,000-2,000 joules protect:

• Laptop/Notebook
• Tablet
• Router
• Printer
• Power Tools

2,000 joules and above protect:

• HDTV
• Desktop Computer
• Stereo System
• Gaming Console
• DVR/Blu-ray Players

What is a spike? What causes them?

A spike is a significant increase in voltage that can enter electronic equipment through AC, network, serial, phone or coaxial lines, and can damage or completely destroy components.

Spikes are most often caused by:

• Lightning
• Unusual power line conditions
• Noisy electrical surroundings
• Disturbance generated by users

Have any questions about protecting your computer equipment? Contact A1 Computer Repair

Reprinted from Amazon’s “What Is a Surge Protector” Article

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The only program we use and the only one we recommend is Duplicate Cleaner from Volcano Software and it is great! it is very easy to use and easy to group and delete duplicates.

It Finds Duplicate Files by content, name, or date. It Finds similar images and compares music by tags. It will search your documents locally or on the network.

Duplicate Cleaner will deep scan for all types of files – photos, music, films, video, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, text files – you name it, if it appears twice on your computer then Duplicate Cleaner will find it. Once these files are found you are provided with helpful tools to enable you to select which copies to delete or move. These files can be deleted to the recycle bin or moved elsewhere.

You can Download Duplicate Cleaner Here, there is a free version and a Pro Version. The Pro Version is only $29.95 and if you have a lot of files to manage, I suggest grabbing the pro version.

The post Clean Up Your Computer By Removing Duplicates appeared first on A1 Computer Repair.

Computer errors are very common and every computer user may face different kinds of issues so they should learn about the solutions to common computer-related problems. The common factors that cause problems in computers are viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, adware, corrupted registry, faulty hardware, low memory, low capacity hard disk, low CPU speed, and stuffing computers with a large number of software applications. In this article, I have compiled a list of the most common computer problems and their solutions.

The computer is very slow

This is a very common issue and it arises due to several factors such as too many programs running at the start-up, low RAM, low processor speed, spyware running as a background application, errors in the Windows registry, and the buildup of the garbage files on the hard disk. Scanning your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the Windows registries, increasing memory, deleting temporary files, deselecting the programs at start-up, and uninstalling unwanted software applications can solve this problem to a very large extent.

The network server is not accessible

In a networked environment, every computer depends on the server for login authentication, files access, internet, and printing access, and sharing server resources. The downtime and the communication failure with the server are very problematic and frustrating for the users. Check both ends of the network cable and make sure that the attached RJ-45 connectors are properly plugged into the LAN card and hub/switch. Ping the server’s IP and make sure you get the reply from the server. Ensure that your server is on and working fine. A large number of the running applications on the server and simultaneous access to the server from a number of users can slow down the performance and speed of the server. Scan your PC with an up-to-date antivirus program because certain viruses and spyware are responsible for the communication failure. Replace your LAN card with a new one and assign a different IP address and try to connect with the server.

The computer locks up or freezes

Missing .dll files, viruses, faulty registry, defective RAM and spyware slows down the performance of the server and it locks up frequently. Scanning a PC with the anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the registry and increasing RAM can solve this issue.

The computer won’t boot

Faulty power cable, power extension, and power supply all contribute to this problem. Checking one by one each of the above components can pinpoint the problematic part. Simply replace that part with a new one and you’re computer is okay.

Computer reboots itself

Defective cooling fan, power supply, RAM, viruses, and spyware can cause this to happen.
Memory usage is maximum in computer

Whether the memory is less than the recommended memory to run certain applications, swap memory chips with each other, or scan your computer for viruses and spyware, increasing the page file and physical memory can overcome this problem.
Browser’s home page has changed itself

This is most likely a spyware problem and scanning computers with an up-to-date anti-spyware program can fix this issue.

The computer’s clock losing time

If you see that your computer’s clock is losing time frequently replace your CMOS battery.
My computer can’t get connected to the internet

Check IP address, and gateway address, scan your PC for viruses and spyware, check network cables and make sure that the server’s or gateway’s firewall application is not blocking HTTP requests from your PC.
Computer making noises

Faulty RAM, VGA, hard disk, Sound card, Processor, and other components produce noises. Make sure that each hardware device is connected correctly to the PC and if the problem is still not resolved then replace the faulty hardware component with a new one.

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