The Computer Shrinks

08/14/2018

DuckDuckGo is my search engine of choice. - we have privacy.

The Internet privacy company that empowers you to seamlessly take control of your personal information online, without any tradeoffs.

07/09/2018

No More Illegal Immigration – INTRUDER ALERT! https://t.co/8NXLsW8ICG via

“Illegal aliens” was fine in describing foreigners who came into America illegally, but liberals are so stoopid they thought it sounded too much like saying we were being invaded by criminals from another planet.

08/07/2017

MALWARE

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/ransomware/malware/

Malware is short for “malicious software.” It includes viruses and spyware that get installed on your computer, phone, or mobile device without your consent. These programs can cause your device to crash and can be used to monitor and control your online activity. Criminals use malware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud.

Avoid Malware

Scam artists try to trick people into clicking on links that will download malware and spyware to their computers, especially computers that don’t use adequate security software. To reduce your risk of downloading unwanted malware and spyware:

Keep your security software updated. At a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Set your security software, internet browser, and operating system (like Windows or Mac OS) to update automatically.
Don’t click on any links or open any attachments in emails unless you know who sent it and what it is. Clicking on links and opening attachments – even in emails that seem to be from friends or family – can install malware on your computer.

READ MORE: http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/ransomware/malware/

07/26/2017

Hackers and scammers never sleep…

Hackers and scammers never sleep. They’re always looking for new ways to trick you and take your information and money.

Facebook is becoming one of their favorite targets.

Well, there’s a new Facebook scam making the rounds. So far it’s tricked an estimated 800,000 users, and it’s still spreading like crazy.

Here’s how it works: A post might show up in your news feed. Or maybe you’ll get an email or Facebook message. It will tell you that a Facebook friend has tagged you in a video and give you a link to watch the video. That sounds fairly normal so far. If you click on the link, however, you’ll see a message that you need a browser plug-in or extension to watch the video. This is where things get bad. Once installed, the extension sends your email and social media account usernames and passwords back to the hackers. They can go through your accounts looking for sensitive information. They also use your accounts to send the same fake message to your friends. That’s how the virus keeps spreading.

As always, you need to be on your guard and follow the rules for spotting phishing scams.

READ MORE:
http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/uncategorized/hackers-and-scammers-never-sleep/

05/19/2017

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/ransomware/wannacry-ransomware-wreaks-havoc-across-globe-how-to-protect-yourself/

WannaCry ransomware wreaks havoc across globe: How to protect yourself A devastating ransomware attack is racing around the globe, locking down data and infecting systems at hospitals, businesses and residences in more than 150 countries in the last 72 hours. The WannaCry ransomware virus first made...

05/09/2017

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/cloud-computing/5-benefits-of-collaborative-cloud-computing/

Cloud computing has come a long way and it has brought a lot of benefits for the users. As a means of working remotely, it offers convenience but opting for collaborative cloud computing in your work place can have many other benefits, apart from just simple convenience. The following are a few ways through which collaborative cloud computing benefits you and your business.

Cloud computing has come a long way and it has brought a lot of benefits for the users. As a means of working remotely, it offers convenience but opting for collaborative cloud computing in your work place can have many other benefits, apart from just simple convenience.

04/25/2017

How to fight security fatigue

Posted: April 25, 2017 by Wendy Zamora

We live in the age of the 24-hour news cycle. Each day, whether it’s from TV news, phone notifications, online browsing, social media, or even the good old fashioned paper, we hear stories of the increasing dangers of cybercrime.

Cyberthreats are growing more serious!

Russian hacker starts his own ransomware service!

Experts say tech support scams are picking up!

Feeling overwhelmed yet? You’re not alone. A recent study published by the National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) says that “security fatigue” is a real phenomenon affecting 63 percent of its participants. So what, exactly, is security fatigue? And why is it a dangerous, though understandable, phenomenon?

What is security fatigue?

Over and over again, people are bombarded with articles about criminals lurking on the Internet, security breaches in businesses and government, and the need to be constantly vigilant online. Our Malwarebytes researchers are asked by the press to comment on their discoveries of new forms of malware or the latest security breach on a nearly daily basis. And while the media are reporting on legitimate dangers, their fever pitch can leave readers and viewers frozen in a combined state of panic and helplessness.
READ MORE: http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/computer-security/how-to-fight-security-fatigue/

How to fight security fatigue Posted: April 25, 2017 by Wendy Zamora We live in the age of the 24-hour news cycle. Each day, whether it’s from TV news, phone notifications, online browsing, social media, or even the good old fashioned paper, we hear stories of the increasing

04/17/2017

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/uncategorized/these-hackers-want-to-do-your-taxes-and-take-your-refund-too/

Tax season is also hacks season. While more than half of Americans hate having to do their taxes every year, hackers online will gladly file taxes on your behalf -- as long as they can steal your tax refund, too. On the dark web, thieves can buy and sell personal financial

03/04/2017

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/uncategorized/your-companys-hidden-computer-security-weakness/

As a business owner who also spends time working from home, are you making assumptions about your home’s wireless network security? Chances are the computer security on your home wireless network is lacking, and this can be a serious liability. Data-sharing is convenient when you need it, but a

01/18/2017

http://www.thecomputershrinks.com/tcs-news-2017a/

How Much Does a Data Breach Cost Your Organization? A data breach may cost you more than you think. By: David Ellis Director of Forensic Investigations CISSP, QSA, PFI Health organization costs Did you know that today, we’ve seen businesses pay up to $4 million after a data breach? And those costs s...

08/09/2015

08/09/2015

On July 29th Microsoft released their latest Operating System - Windows 10. Whether you like it not, this affects you. Here are a few points to consider regarding deployment of this operating system.

Executive Summary:
1) After July 29th, Windows 10 will be the only version of Windows available.

2) Machines with Windows 7 or 8 can upgrade for free to Windows 10 for the next year.

3) We recommend that you work with you IT Consultant to schedule an upgrade to Windows 10 on any Win 8 machine. It’s a much more usable interface and will give you an idea of what the upgrade process will be like for other machines.

4) We recommend that you keep Windows 7 machines as is until you decide on a good time to switch over. You do not ever “have to” make the switch. But there's no cost for the new software for the next year.

Some Details:
Unlike most Windows updates from the past, this one is quite significant. It means that very shortly Windows 10 will be the only version of Windows available.

Here’s why: Microsoft has always allowed people to legally use the current version of Windows purchased, or the previous version. That’s why Windows XP was allowed to stay around so long. Some folks didn’t like Windows Vista, so they bought machines with XP.

Well, the current version is Windows 8.x, even though no one likes it.

When Windows 10 is released, the “previous” version will be Windows 8. Manufacturers will be allowed to ship machines with Windows 10 or Windows 8. Since they are all currently shipping Windows 8 “downgraded” to Windows 7, you know they’re not going to ship Windows 8.

Therefore, the only real option is Windows 10.

ALL versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be eligible for FREE updates to Windows 10 for one year. After that there will be a charge for the operating system.

Note: If you have Home versions of Windows 7 or 8, they will be upgraded as part of the regular Windows Updates. When this happens, you will lose Windows Media Center, all desktop gadgets, and certain Microsoft games.

Work with your IT Consultant or Managed Service Provider
It's always best to work with your Managed Service Provider (MSP) to coordinate these upgrades. In this case, it's particularly important.

With an "unmanaged" computer, the Windows Updates are probably set to automatic. If that's true, then all Windows 7.1 and Windows 8.x machines will soon see a new icon in the lower right-hand corner.

If you click it, you'll install Windows 10. You can't undo this.

Managed computers go through an upgrade vetting process. That means that only approved patches and fixes are installed. So, your Managed Service Provider can stop the installation of the Windows 10 Upgrade App.

That gives you time to decide when and whether you want the upgrade.

Mixed Environments
If you have a few machines with Windows 8, that's probably good for you. You'll definitely want to upgrade those to Windows 10. Once that happens, you'll see how much better it is than W8. And you can decide whether you want to run a "mixed" environment of W7 and W10 of just upgrade all the W7 machines.

Our general advice is that you should plan to keep business class computers for three years and then get newer machines AND you should always get machines with the latest operating system. So, for most people, we advise that you leave the Windows 7 machines alone unless you have a need for some feature of Windows 10 that you don't get with Windows 7.

Once again, the good news is that your Managed Service Provider will help you figure out a reasonable schedule for upgrade to make sure that all of your hardware and software works properly with Windows 10.

It's fine for Microsoft to release a new operating system and assume everyone should just get it. But you need to make good decisions about your business.

This is a great time to rely a professional IT consultant to make sure you have a smooth transition.
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Microsoft has a nice FAQ on this upgrade process from their perspective: