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· We offer an effective remote
support option, at a cost lower than an
on-site visit. The only requirement is that your PC is functioning
enough to be able to browse to the service provider's support site on
the Internet.
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· We
have partnered with a local Data Recovery Lab, for that dead Hard
Drive full of your important data. Their pricing is reasonable,
starting as low as C$299, and offering free pickup and delivery.
____________
· Notebook PCs have never
been more popular, or affordable. They are mobile (obviously), come
with good sized screens, and wireless Networking and Internet
capability.
There are lots of 'hot spots' around, or you can subscribe to Rogers
'Rocket Stick' service, starting at $30 per month.
You can also connect any regular Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse to your Notebook.
____________
We are proud to be
supporting The Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting Princess Margaret
Hospital again this year. Please consider sponsoring the ride here:
Ride to Conquer Cancer
_____________
FOR SALE
Gently used Toshiba
Satellite Pro M70 Notebook, 15.4" wide-screen display; Intel
Centrino 1.7GHz CPU; 2GB RAM; 100GB Hard Drive; CDRW/DVDROM; 56K
Modem; both cabled and Wireless Network Adapters; and the
original battery has been replaced.
Currently running Windows 7 Home Premium Edition and the trial Microsoft Office 2010. Original Windows XP Pro recovery CD
and Windows 7 DVD with licenses included.
Price: $299 with 90 days warranty (except battery -
as is).
Call or Email if interested.
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Hi
there!
Welcome to the May 2010 issue of According To Alan.
Spring is here, and we all know what that means... time for some
Spring Cleaning! For your PCs, call in your PC Spring Cleaner... A D
Computer Sales & Service, of course!
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Rogue
Software
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We have reported on 'Rogue
Software' before, but it is rapidly becoming one of the most common
malicious software types (or 'Malware') affecting PCs today. More and
more clients keep running into it. It doesn't matter what security
software you are running, clicking on one of the fake alerts
that may pop up apparently out of nowhere, is rather like parking your
car, leaving the key in the ignition, and taping a sign on the
outside saying "Key inside"! These fake alerts look
realistic, and often make use of genuine Microsoft icons to better
fool you into thinking it is a legitimate alert.
How does Rogue Software get in? That's a tough one! It could be from
clicking on a link on a perfectly innocent looking website that has
been hacked, or the old-fashioned virus distribution method,
receiving a link or program via email, possibly from someone you know
and trust, possibly suggesting a link to some pictures or a video
that you should see. Or visiting porn sites, or downloading music,
movies or software from file sharing sites. The old adage "You
get what you pay for" holds true here! Even links posted
on social networking sites can deliver Rogue Software or viruses into
your system.
Once in your PC, the Rogue Software may disable or otherwise cripple
your real security software, then it will start displaying multiple
fake virus and other malware warnings, but won't allow you to 'clean'
them without buying some 'no-name' security product. It is a scam,
pure and simple. Once your real security product is no longer
functioning properly (although it may appear to be) real viruses can
get into your PC, and there is nothing worse than having 2 or 3
different viruses all working together!
Removing Rogue Software and its after-effects can entail a simple
non-destructive 'Windows Restore', to several hours of labour,
possibly involving completely reformatting your Hard Drive, and
installing everything fresh. It all depends on the particular strain
that you have invited into your system, and the degree of subsequent
infection.
Your best protection? Be vigilant at all times when on the Internet,
and do not blindly click on all invitations or warnings that may pop
up. To borrow from the LCBO's phrase, "Compute
responsibly".
Of course, you can elect to stay off of the Internet entirely, that
also works, but clients usually don't like that suggestion!
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What
Price Peace of Mind?
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What do you do with your old PCs? We have talked before about
recycling rather than sending to land-fill, but what about all your
personal or company information stored on those PCs? There is
software available to wipe the Hard Drives, of course, but is it
really effective? Ask the BC students who were able to retrieve
information on US defense contracts on retired US Government PCs in
use in Ghana last year!
We have recently partnered with a local company, Compu-Shred who
specialize in permanent and certified destruction, by shredding, of
data storage devices like Hard Drives, Flash Drives, CDs and DVDs.
They also accept complete systems for environmentally safe
recycling/destruction, including Notebooks, complete with batteries.
As you might expect, there is a cost associated with these services,
but it is reasonable, and what price peace of mind?
Larger clients with a large number of retired devices are welcome to
deal direct with Compu-Shred. All we ask is that you allow us to make
the initial contact on your behalf.
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Thank you for
taking the time to read this newsletter, perhaps a little longer than
usual, but some important issues covered. Your comments and
suggestions for future issues are always welcome. Links to recent
back-issues can be found on our home page here.
Alan Davis
Technology
Specialist
A D Computer Sales
& Service
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