Updated Safety Procedures and Expanded Computer Services

May 25, 2020 by doctordave

Our goal is always to keep our clients and team safe while delivering the best possible computer service. This week, as more people are out and about, we’ve continued to expand and modify our procedures.

For those clients needing service at our office location, we’re now offering contactless computer repair. Here’s how it works:

After contacting us to make an appointment (all services are by appointment only), we’ll have you authorize the work in advance online. That keeps you from having to sign a form on arrival (no contact!)

When you arrive at your appointment, please stay in your car and wait for our tech to come to the Cider Gallery’s front door. The tech will hold up a dry-erase board with your name (very high tech!) Once the two of you make eye contact, please exit your car with your computer. Our tech will stay behind the glass door.

Next to the front door is a plastic tub marked with “DoctorDave.” Go ahead and place your computer and accessories in the plastic bin. Then proceed to the bottom of the stairs to the Cider Gallery (or the accessible ramp as applicable). Once you’ve achieved that 6-foot safety distance (we’ve marked it with a complimentary basket of bottled water), only then will our tech retrieve your computer.

We’ll be wearing masks and single-use gloves and would appreciate you wearing a mask as well. Once our tech is outside, you’re welcome to ask any questions. We’ll work on your computer and call you when it’s ready to be retrieved. It’s best to wait in your car or nearby.

Upon completion of the work, we’ll send an invoice you can pay with your phone. We’ll also give you a call. When you get to the Cider Gallery, give us a call. We’ll reverse the pickup process. Once you make eye contact and leave your car, please wait at the bottom of the stairs. Our tech will open the glass door and place your computer in the plastic bin. Once the door is closed, please retrieve your computer. If you’re paying by check (we can’t take cash), place it in the bin and proceed to the bottom of the steps.

Our tech will then leave the building, continuing to wear a mask and maintain that six-foot distance. Please feel free to ask any questions at that time. If you have none, we’ll wave goodbye, and thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Other Computer Repair Service Options

If you can get on the internet, we’ll focus on remote computer repair services. We’ve gotten quite good at it. We’re doing computer checkups, virus and other malware removals, hooking up printers and even setting up a new computer remotely.

For those clients that we must see in person; we’ll continue our strict screening questions as well as adhere to our handwashing, sanitation, and disposable/single-use glove policy.

Of course, if you have any questions or suggestions about our safety procedures, please let us know. We’re all in this together, and we take our essential responsibility of keeping people safe and connected exceptionally seriously.

Mac Viruses aka Malware is On The Rise

September 24, 2019 by doctordave

While we work on Macs and PCs at DoctorDave Computer Repair, we used to see way more viruses and malware on PCs rather than Macs. In the past six months, that’s changed. We see way fewer virus problems on Windows-based PCs and more issues on Macs.

In my experience, there are a few reasons for that. On the Windows side, few people use computers without some anti-virus and anti-malware protection. We recommend Malwarebytes (and sell it at a discount to our clients). As long as you keep your anti-malware program up to date and run regular security updates, you’re unlikely to get a PC virus today. That’s one thing we always check during our yearly checkups.

Photo by Michael Geiger on Unsplash

Macs Get Viruses?

On the Mac, there was a time when viruses were nearly unheard of. Some of the first viruses we saw were on the Apple Macintosh back in the 90s. Then Apple redesigned its operating system, and we started seeing those Mac versus PC commercials.

As Macs grew in popularity with the general public, they grew in popularity with hackers. Bad people realized money could be made by infecting computers. The infections we see on Macs don’t use security holes in the operating system to infect people. Apple made that very hard. Instead, they trick people into installing stuff. When we’re repairing computers, we can see what the client did. In the downloads folder is some fake update to Quicktime or Flash.

When I reviewed our Mac clients in Lawrence and Topeka, our early warning system indicated the most common type of malware Macs get were due to fake ads. That fake ad said the client needed to download something. That something then infected the computer.

This Mac malware does a few scary things:

Steal passwords: when you type in a password, the hackers get a copy and can steal your identity or other information.
Redirect search results: instead of taking you directly to a website, the malware sends you somewhere else and tried to sell you things you don’t want.
Trick you into calling a number: the most damaging situation is when a client calls a number that appears to be real. They willingly give information to a scammer.

Our results match national statistics as explained in this report. It’s clear that Macs are not only susceptible to malware, but Mac infections are also now on top ten lists of worldwide threats.

What can you do about it?

First, don’t download updates directly. With Apple’s App Store, Apple does most of the updating on stuff. When you go to a website, and it asks you to download something, don’t do it. When in doubt, use our DoctorDave App for the iPhone and send us a picture. We can tell you if it’s legit. If you’re a client of ours, our Mac early-warning system will say to us if you’ve accidentally downloaded a virus. Don’t worry; it doesn’t tell us what you were doing or how you got it: just your name and what’s wrong with your computer. Client privacy and security are our top concerns.

Second, since so much malware comes in through ads, it’s vital to install an ad blocker in your browser. We do that automatically for our wellness clients and often recommend it during service calls. Ads can infect any browser. Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari browser are both very susceptible as well as Firefox and even Opera.

Finally, we’re recommending Malwarebytes to our Mac clients. In particular to clients that have had infections in the past. The $40 a year (our clients get a $5 discount) is well worth the peace of mind knowing you’re protected against hackers and identity thieves.

Loyalty Cards, Frequent Flyer Programs : Hacker’s Treasure

May 19, 2019 by doctordave

Recently the New York Times ran a story about the risks of loyalty programs. Loyalty programs include everything from the virtual punch card at the coffee shop to larger programs like those offered by hotels and airlines. We tend to hear about the problems with travel-related loyalty programs like the Marriott/Starwood breach and Delta Airlines.

What’s the Risk?

Your first thought when you hear about these breaches is what about your credit card and personal information like phone number and address? While that stuff is important, you can always change your credit card numbers. Most of the time, you aren’t liable for unauthorized purchases from bank accounts or credit cards.

The risk of these loyalty program breaches isn’t just the points, after all, you worked hard to accumulate that free coffee or a free trip around the world. It’s also about the details these programs can reveal to create more sophisticated hacks.

As an example right here in Lawrence, KS, when we sign up clients for internet service through AT&T, some of the security questions they get asked are:

What is your favorite restaurant?
Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?
What is the name of your youngest sibling?

These are the same type of questions Apple and dozens of other companies ask. I was asked the same time of questions when signing up for phone service with T-Mobile. Even if these questions aren’t used directly by hackers, they can be used for targets attacks called spear phishing. For example, if hackers see that I have a reservation at a hotel, they might call me and say there’s a problem with the card and I need to provide a different credit card.

I’ll admit until I read this article I had “soft” passwords for some of these programs. I figure Starbucks doesn’t have my credit card, and who would steal a coffee from me? Cybercrime is cybercrime so they might steal that. Then I realized my credit card is on file with them and someone could order themselves a gift card. Ouch. I’m secure with my Apple iTunes account because it’s a big target for hackers and Apple protects it with things like two-factor authentication. My Starbucks account is wide open!

What can you do to protect yourself?

First, create unique passwords for absolutely everything. If it contains personal data, it needs to be protected. Use a password manager or ask us about the password books we sell (or give away if you ask us nicely and mention this post!)

Second, consider enabling two-factor authentication everywhere you can. That’s the system where they text you or call you to verify who you are. If you aren’t sure how to do that, please ask us!

Finally, read your statements and emails. Sure, you get tons of those, but the only way you can catch a breach is to be vigilant. Take for example those Starbucks emails. Those always go into my junk email because I don’t go there that often. I always shop local for coffee, but sometimes Starbucks is all they have, especially at airports. After reading this article, I’m now working to unsubscribe from promotional emails from loyalty programs, but make sure emails about account balance and activities don’t go into spam. Again, if you need help setting this up for yourself, we do email management all the time for clients.

Although it doesn’t make the nightly news, your free pizza, coffee, and airline trips are the latest thing hackers are attacking. They’re not just stealing your points, but stealing information they can use for more sophisticated attacks.

We Can Help With Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) Phone Systems

February 17, 2019 by doctordave

A few months ago, we switched many of our phone systems over to FreedomVoice. We’re now a partner of FreedomVoice and can get you set up.

What I like about FreedomVoice is it gives you advance call features like auto-attendants and phone trees for a small monthly fee. It can do faxing and even a “follow-me” function so when you aren’t at your desk, your mobile phone rings.

Our toll-free and emergency numbers are fully managed “in the cloud” for a low monthly fee. The feature I like best is when someone has an emergency the system can send out emails, text messages and push notifications so I’ll never miss that call. Seriously, when we get an emergency line call come in, red lights flash in my home.

If you’ve got a small office or a home office, let’s talk about your phone systems. I can get you set up with a rep from FreedomVoice to see if it would save you money. Heck, they even offer an Amazon gift card just to see if FreedomVoice is a fit.

You’ve got nothing to lose to check it out, unless of course, you like people having trouble reaching you! If you rely on your phone systems to interact with clients, lets talk!

Remote Workers Do Better (We Support Remote Workers)

October 25, 2018 by doctordave

More and more, businesses are supporting working from home. It used to be a luxury. Only cushy jobs let you work from home. So-called “real jobs” required you to go into the office. No more!

This article from Stanford Graduate School of Business shows that remote workers have a 13% improvement in performance. The reasons are obvious, but it’s nice to have some data behind it. You don’t have to worry about a commute. The main reason they mention resonates with me the most: control over the environment.

When you’re working from home, you have control of everything: the noise level, the temperature, the furniture, etc.. At the office you not only don’t have control of the environment, but others invade it. Coworkers stop by to chat. My problem was people’s lunches that would stink up the place!

With work-from-home, your internet connection is your expressway into work. No internet = no work. We get that. Too many companies feel that residential computer repair customers are a lower priority than businesses. They miss the fact that people work from home and get business done. According to this study, 31% of remote workers missed work due to technical problems. How frustrating!

That’s why we focus on small office, home office, and residential customers. They need computer support outside of the traditional office.

Photo by Matt From London

Police Using Fitbit Data Against You?

September 22, 2018 by doctordave

I’m not talking the fat police either. I’m talking about someone going to jail based on what a fitness tracker told police.

The details are explained here . It should give everyone pause for concern. The obvious thing is “don’t do anything wrong,” but the problems go deeper than that. For example, given that people know how these trackers are used, what could stop someone from switching yours out and framing you. I know I’ve accidentally picked up my spouse’s tracker before. The Supreme Court is already grappling with issues of cell phone towers and privacy. Their decision might impact cases like this as well.

Photo by Bekathwia

Security Thwarted Through Forgetfulness

August 15, 2018 by doctordave

I forget where my keys or wallet is all the time. I’ve got Tile to help me with that. I always know where my laptop is though. Forgetful people can ruin the best security measures.

For example, a lost USB flash drive in London caused a massive panic and Heathrow Airport. That drive had critical security information. Of course, the drive wasn’t password protected and encrypted (like my laptop is!)

Lost hardware is more common than you think. For example, Washington State University lost a hard drive and had to inform over 1 million people their identity was at risk.

It’s easy to set passwords on flash drives, hard drives, laptops and desktops. Just give us a call — we’ll show you how. Unless, of course, you want to be in the headlines like these people! I guess it’s fortunate they didn’t name the people who lost the drives.

Photo by slgckgc

An Easy Way to Get Computer Support

August 12, 2018 by doctordave

Too often when we’re at clients we have trouble reproducing a computer problem. The client remembers some error message, but of course we can’t make it do it when it’s out there.

That’s why we recommend the Windows Problem Step Recorder. It’s built into Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. This link from Microsoft explains how to use it, although I think this one is written more from a non-technical perspective.

If that doesn’t work, just use your smartphone to take video of the screen and then email it to us. That phone isn’t only for checking social media and making phone calls.

Photo by theglobalpanorama

Computer Security For Business Owners

July 29, 2018 by doctordave

If you own your own business, you’re responsible for your company’s computer security. When there’s a breach, it’s your name in the newspaper. We can help protect you, but ultimately it comes down to the business owner.

This blog post does an excellent job of giving bite-sized (or tweetable) tips from a non-technical perspective. That best tip is the last one:

“Keep asking ‘What Else Can We Do?’”

Just like everything in your business, protection is an ongoing struggle. New threats and new technologies call for new methods of protection. We’re here to help!

Photo by perspec_photo88

Could Your Business Suffer an Equifax-Type Hack?

July 8, 2018 by doctordave

It’s been close to a year since the most significant hack in cyber-history that we know of. The last thing you want for your business is to inform customer their information has been taken. You can avoid some common mistakes to reduce your chances.

This article on Inc.com goes over some common mistakes businesses make. The overall theme though is keeping up with technology is required in business. Just because something is working doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be looked at. Older software that isn’t getting security updates is the prime target (the Equifax hack as of this writing was determined to be a missed update).

Probably the most common problem we see is malware (viruses, trojan horses, rootkits, etc,). These are systems that take credit cards, and those internet nasties are stealing your customer information. You don’t even realize it as a business owner.

Although much less common, a disgruntled employee can cause you a world of hurt. They know your systems and where vulnerabilities are. Even if they aren’t technical, they might report your lack of security to others.

If you’re not familiar with updated security software and firmware on things like Point of Sale (POS) systems and routers, it’s time to contact us before you have to contact your customers about a preventable breach.

Photo by Got Credit