This Windows Tool Could Put Us Out of a Job?

September 2, 2018 by doctordave

With a recent Windows 10 Update, Microsoft included a pretty cool tool to fix (or at least warn you) of problems with your PC. I jest about putting us out of a job. We’ll still be fixing PCs and Macs, but this tool makes our job easier.

It’s the Microsoft “Device Performance and Health Report”. This video explains how it works. It lets you know of any potential problems and even suggests some fixes. Of course, if the problems still persists, or you just need help fixing some of the problems, give us a call, send us a text, or write us an email. We’re here to help with your PC problems.

Save Money on Every Technology Purchase

July 22, 2018 by doctordave

You already know how quickly technology changes. As soon as you buy something, it seems like a newer version comes out and your system is already obsolete. If you pay with a credit card though, you have some protections.

We always recommend paying with a credit card for technology. Almost all credit card companies double the manufacturer’s warranty. That means you don’t need to buy that extended warranty. They also include 90 days of accidental damage protection.

One often-forgotten feature on some credit cards is price protection. This article from SmartAsset explains the logistics. I have this on some of my cards. It took me about 30 seconds online to file a claim. Sadly my work card doesn’t offer it, so I can only use it for personal purchases.

Photo by 401(K) 2013

Should You Get Rid of Old Accounts?

June 10, 2018 by doctordave

Online accounts seem to pile up like mismatched socks in a drawer. Should you delete those extra accounts?

If you’re concerned about security, I say yes. Even if you use unique passwords everywhere as we recommend, you’re still at risk. Hackers can use, let’s say, an old Yahoo email address to reset a password on another online account, which is then used for an account you care about. The less information that’s out there about you, the better.

Some experts though suggest closing an account is a risk. For example, ghacks reminds us that some providers like Microsoft and Twitter reuse old accounts. I think those are isolated situations. The risks of hackers getting into old accounts is greater than any danger of reuse.

Photo by 2bmolar

Locked Out of Your Google Account?

May 20, 2018 by doctordave

That question should strike fear into your heart. I know it does mine. That’s why I freaked when I read this article about one tech writer unable to access his account.

The worst part of his story? He had no idea how he got locked out or how he got back in. It all started with a forgotten password. Once he tried to reset it, he was locked out for over a week.

Of course, a password manager would have helped him. We recommend 1Password. If your Google account is critical, there are some safety measure that can be added so you can get back in once you’re locked out.

We do this all the time for clients, so if you rely on Google and Gmail, give us a call, send us a text, or write us an email. Most appointments are less than an hour. The safety and security is worth its weight in gold according to our clients.

Photo by Dudley Carr

Cheap Batteries Cause Fires

May 13, 2018 by doctordave

Batteries are one of the most common parts we see failing in laptops. They’re a part that wears out, just like your car battery. The problem is name-brand ones are expensive. You can save 90% or more by buying generic. Don’t.

Although the news is full of examples of minor fires or personal injuries, few top this story. A cheap battery from Amazon destroys a house. We’ve seen permanent damage to laptops from counterfeit batteries, but nothing like this.

It’s just not worth skimping on a battery. That’s one reason why we usually recommend replacing a laptop after a few years. With new laptops costing around $400 and replacement batteries around $100, it’s often better to get a new laptop with a new battery and a new warranty.

Emotional People Most Likely to Get Hacked

May 6, 2018 by doctordave

Sadly we deal with a ton of tech support scam victims at DoctorDave Computer Repair in Lawrence, KS. Too many! I’m always interested in how these scammers work to train clients to avoid them.

The secret, according to Stanford research is emotions. That’s good news. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to avoid it, just level-headed. These scammers seem to have more success with older clients. The study explains that older people when emotional, are often more likely to get taken in by tech support scams.

The take-away from this story is not to panic. Just give us a call. Calling us will interrupt the emotional cycle. You know you trust us to tell you if it’s a scam or not. Spoiler: it’s almost always a scam.

Photo by hang_in_there

When A Local Business Gets Hacked, It Hurts More

April 15, 2018 by doctordave

The past few years we keep hearing about the big companies like Equifax and Yahoo getting hacked. That hurts us all. The local businesses though get hacked much more often. The pain is a little different from them.

This article explains some of those risks. While I can’t tell you whom in Lawrence has suffered security breaches, we’ve had several clients face them. Some are due to lack of electronic security while others are through physical security problems like stolen laptops.

In particular, small businesses are being targeted instead of large corporations. One unfortunate example I read about recently was a funeral home of all places being used to attack vulnerable customers.

Over the years I’ve learned the most important thing is to get a professional involved. We’re experts on cyber-security and can help remediate the problem. Too often we get involved later in the process – after a client tried to fix things themselves. The security problems continue at that point and we’re in the difficult position of telling the client they made it worse.

At the first sign of trouble, or even if you’re not sure, give us a call. We never charge for phone consultations.

Photo by Ben Chun

Yes, Macs Get Viruses (and We Can Help)

April 8, 2018 by doctordave

Clients are commonly under the misconception that Macs don’t get viruses, or at least not PC viruses. That was true back in the days of the “I’m a Mac” ad. In 2018, that simply isn’t true.

In 2016, Mac malware (the general category for things like viruses, trojans etc.) grew by almost 75% according to this article. I suspect 2017 report will show even more growth in that area. One unique way Macs can get infected is through an iOS app. This article explains one unique attack vector: a free app. It’s getting so dangerous, that companies will write custom Mac malware for you.

We recommend Malwarebytes for the Mac to prevent these problems. As a reseller, we get a special discount on the first year. Give us a call, send us a text, or drop us an email. Mention this ad and we can sell you the software at our discount rate and install it for free.

Photo by mikecogh

Have You Set Up Facebook Trusted Contacts?

April 1, 2018 by doctordave

With all the hacks out there, including stolen passwords, getting locked out of Facebook is almost inevitable. Fortunately Facebook has a way to get back in through trusted contacts.

Some people think it’s needlessly complex, but this guide as well as this one are excellent walk-through. Even if it isn’t 100% effective, every Facebook user should set it up.

To prevent getting locked out in the first place, always set up a unique password for Facebook. It’s hard to create and track all these passwords, that’s why we recommend password managers. One password to track them all. We also suggest setting up two-factor authentication. That means if someone has your password, they can’t get into your account without your mobile phone. Give us a call, send us a text, or drop us an email. We can help you with all of that!

Photo by Lars Plougmann

Smart Locks and Safety

March 25, 2018 by doctordave

One hot gift for the 2017 holiday season was internet-enabled locks, often referred to as Smart Locks. I have these both in my home or office. When I tell clients I have one, they often express security concerns. They’re legitimate but easily minimized.

This blog post does a good job of explaining the security while this post is in my mind a bit alarmist. Security on a smart lock is just like security on any device. Sure, there are risks, but the rewards usually outweigh them. What do I like best about our smart lock? I never worry if I locked the door before I left the house. I can check my locks remotely anytime I want. That includes in the middle of the night when I’m in bed.

While you’ll need a locksmith to install one of these, we can help you secure it. That includes not just the lock, but making sure when your phone is stolen, someone can’t use your phone to get into your home.

Photo by pestoverde