GeoTech Computer Services
429 S. Tyndall Parkway, Suite C
Panama City, FL 32404
(850) 215-4125
INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS
I have created this information sheet in hopes to better inform my customers so they can keep their computer healthy and free of so many problems I encounter with other customers. While I appreciate your business, I would rather educate the customer so they can enjoy the benefits of computing and reserve only the more serious problems for repair work.
The most frequent problems I encounter these days are viruses and spyware. If you use your computer to connect to the internet in order to retrieve e-mail or just to “surf the net” there are some issues you must be aware of in the technology age. While there are great opportunities to explore on the internet be aware that there exists a host of unscrupulous people on the internet as well. The most serious problems that exist on the internet today are in the forms of viruses and spyware.
Update as of 18 January 2010: As of late, there has been a tremendous increase in the appearance of "fake anti-virus" programs/malware. These programs make attempts to appear as if they are legitimate antivirus programs attempting to protect you from malware when in reality, they are the malware. Under no circumstances should you attempt to activate this software or provide credit card information. Buying these fake antivirus programs will neither protect your system from malware nor remove what it has already installed. Instead, you will have provided thieves your credit card information and could be endangered financially. If you are to encounter this type software, you are encouraged to shut your system down immediately and have a certified and reputable local repair shop remove the malware for you. Some of the sources that have been identified for this software from my customers are Facebook, Myspace, Limewire, Frostwire, many on-line gaming sites, and (of course) pornographic sites and sites that encourage illegal activities. In addition, remember that few things in life are "free" and many sites offering free access really come with a price that you may be unaware of!
Many computer savvy people exist only to create computer “viruses” whose sole purpose is to invade your computer and either damage or destroy it. Today, many viruses can damage files, your operating system, and even the hardware of your computer. Viruses have even been known to dial overseas long distance calls without the knowledge of its owner at unexpected times, ultimately costing the owner large amounts of money. The initial method of attack comes through various tools your computer uses to access the internet’s benefits. They can come through your internet browser (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.), e-mail and their attachments, and instant messaging (AOL messenger, Microsoft Instant Messenger, etc.) among other avenues. Once embedded in your computer, they can virtually capture your computer settings, destroy equipment, replicate and retransmit using your e-mail programs, thus infecting other persons’ computers you know. Whether you connect to the internet by means of a dial-up, DSL, or cable modem you are vulnerable without the proper protection. Viruses can also be transferred by exchanging floppy disks, USB memory sticks, and other temporary storage devices from computer to computer.
To help protect your computer, I personally recommend Symantec Norton Internet Security or Panda Internet Security that includes personal firewalls, an anti-virus program, e-mail anti-spam protection, and various other features. Additionally, with a paid subscription, Norton and Panda will automatically update and install new virus definitions on your computer as new viruses are identified on the internet allowing you to run regularly scheduled scans of your entire computer. You can find this software on the following website: http://www.symantec.com or http://www.pandasoftware.com. In addition to Norton, there exist several other aggressive anti-virus programs such as McAfee and PC-Cillin. If a Comcast subscriber, McAfee is offered free at http://www.comcast.net. These anti-virus programs tend to slow your computer down a bit, especially at boot-up and during scans; however, the slowness will not increase as will the computer if it becomes infested with viruses. Regardless of which program you choose, it is prudent to own and use some form of protection rather than being exposed to harmful viruses.
Additionally, once you have anti-virus protection installed on your computer, it is as equally important to keep the virus definitions up-to-date and scans regularly scheduled. It does little good to have old virus definitions checking for more current viruses. On another note, if you have anti-virus protection but either fail to run the scans or have your computer off when scheduled scans are to occur, your computer may be at risk as well. Check your anti-virus status on a regular basis to insure both are current. Be sure that you obtain a more recent version of anti-virus protection rather than renewing the old version more than once (e.g. Don’t renew your Norton AV 2002 three times. Upgrade to 2009 or 2010 version when they are available). Newer version upgrades protect against new methods of attack as computer technology evolves and older versions may not, thus making your computer more vulnerable.
If your computer is infected with viruses and spyware prior to installing protection, you may still experience attacks from outside sources on the internet and isolated incidents of reinfection may occur. The reason for these attacks are due to the sources of the infections having your IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and them having prior success at infecting your computer. These attacks will subside as the protection combats their attempts and learns their sources.
It is important to mention that putting anti-virus programs on your computer will not absolutely protect you from obtaining viruses. Anti-virus programs are only one of several preventative measures to protect your computer from virus attacks. Visiting websites, downloading files, installing website plug-ins, viewing streaming video, and answering e-mails from questionable sources, and overriding warnings from the anti-virus software can lead to virus infections.
Important Note to Laptop Owners: Laptop computers are often not used for days or weeks at a time and because they are generally not used as often as desktop computers, it requires more diligence in order to keep virus and spyware definitions up-to-date and scans run on regular cycles. Laptop owners should run updates and scans each time they boot up the system to prevent lapses in security.
In addition to viruses, spyware is another danger lurking on the internet and, in some cases, can be as if not more costly than viruses can be. Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:
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You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web. |
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The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge. |
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You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of. |
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Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks. |
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You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes. |
Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. That does not mean all software which provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads. If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair tradeoff. You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.
Other kinds of unwanted software will make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer slow down or crash. These programs have the ability to change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them. These types of unwanted programs are also often called spyware. There have been instances where spyware has captured important credit card and banking information from computer users and transmitted that data to other parties for illegal use. The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.
There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program. Whenever you are installing something on your computer, make sure you carefully read all disclosures, including the license agreement and privacy statement. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.
As with viruses, spyware requires anti-spyware programs to protect your computer from invasion. Microsoft makes a good anti-spyware program for the Windows XP platforms named “Defender” and is available for free from their website at www.microsoft.com. Prior to downloading and using, you must validate your Windows XP as being Microsoft Genuine. As with the aforementioned anti-virus programs, this software automatically updates and runs regularly scheduled scans of your system to protect against spyware. Additionally, Spy Sweeper produces a highly recommended program and is available at many electronics outlets as well as on the web. These anti-spyware programs tend to slow your computer down a bit, especially at boot-up and during scans; however, the slowness will not increase as will the computer if it becomes infested with spyware.
Once installed, MS Anti-Spyware will periodically attempt to make a connection with its server to insure you have up-to-date spyware definitions. Norton Internet Security may ask you if the program (MSASCui.exe) if it is all right to do so. Click the “Always allow this connection on all ports” to insure you have downloaded the latest update. Do not give permission for questionable attempts of your computer to access the internet without your prompting it to do so. Doing so can result in unwanted software invading or installing on your machine.
If your computer is infected with viruses and spyware prior to installing protection, you may still experience attacks from outside sources on the internet and isolated incidents of reinfection may occur. The reason for these attacks are due to the sources of the infections having your IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and them having prior success at infecting your computer. These attacks will subside as the protection combats their attempts and learns their sources.
Like anti-virus programs previously mentioned, it is important to mention that putting anti-spyware programs, on your computer will not absolutely protect you from obtaining spyware. Anti-spyware programs are only one of several preventative measures to protect your computer from spyware. Visiting websites, downloading files, installing website plug-ins, viewing streaming video, and answering e-mails from questionable sources, and overriding warnings from the anti-virus software can lead to spyware infections.
Now that you know more about viruses and spyware, protect yourself from intrusion and costly repairs by insuring that you have adequate protection, keep the programs updated, and always insure the protection is activated while connected to the internet.
Important Note to Laptop Owners: Laptop computers are often not used for days or weeks at a time and because they are generally not used as often as desktop computers, it requires more diligence in order to keep virus and spyware definitions up-to-date and scans run on regular cycles. Laptop owners should run updates and scans each time they boot up the system to prevent lapses in security.
In addition to internet protection, there are several things the owner can do to help keep their computer in good operating condition. Some of them are as follows:
Sudden surges of electricity through power outlets, modem connections, and cable connections can instantly and irrevocably destroy computer components; therefore surge protection it is a very important, although overlooked, item your computer needs.
Battery backup systems such as those made by APC are extremely good devices that protect your computer from surges from power sources, phone connections and cable. Many devices will safely power down your system in the event of power outages, even if you are not present during the occurrence. They also protect against power surges and brownouts. At the least, owners should have their computer items plugged into power strips that offer a degree of surge protection.
Your hard drive is the device that stores your operating system, application software, and your files. These files, often numbering in the hundreds of thousands in today’s systems, are stored throughout the disk, often fragmented throughout as data is written and erased. This ever increasing fragmentation of the enormous number of files causes your CPU to occupy more and more precious time in an effort to combine data to execute operations. If the hard drive is seldom or never defragged, the system may eventually slow to the point that it will not perform the simplest task of even loading the operating software. The tool that Microsoft provides to correct this dispersion of files is called Disk Defragmenter. By occasionally (once a month or two) “defragging” your hard drive, this data access time is greatly reduced, thus increasing the speed of your computer.
Computers utilizing XP technology also come with a tool called “System Restore”. This tool allows you to record your system settings and registry at a point you know it is healthy in the event you have a serious problem. By using “System Restore” you can simply return your computer to that point prior to encountering the problem. Most computers now create restore points automatically for the owner in case they don’t remember to do so themselves.
It is extremely important that your computer be situated so that it has access to clean and unimpeded airflow. Enclosing computers in cabinets with restricted airflow or otherwise blocking off computer cooling fans can affect the performance of a computer or damage vital and costly internal components. Check the air quality of the area that you place your computer to insure it is maintained at room temperature and free from dust and dirt. Occasionally, when the computer is turned off, gently vacuum around the fan outlets of the case and remove as much dust build up as possible. Never, ever allow a computer to run in an enclosed cabinet or area that does not have proper air flow. Observing these precautionary steps will help prolong the life of the computer and reduce the risk of electrical overheating or possible fire.
There are some processes that the general consumer is not trained to perform, but the steps listed above give the owner basic tools that can help prevent the most prevalent threats to computers that currently exist. A good automobile mechanic will inform their customer that he needs to change his engine oil or a regular interval. The mechanic could opt to fail to educate his customer and earn a great deal of money to replace the customer’s engine when it fails; however, a good mechanic prefers not to operate this way. Conversely, while I appreciate your business and will be most eager to help you with a computer problem, I prefer to help educate the customer in preventing those problems they can avoid and reserving only the more serious problems for paid assistance. I hope this information will help you enjoy your computer and the benefits it can provide.