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.

Apple Expanding Repair Options for iPhones

September 17, 2019 by doctordave

I recently wrote about Best Buy doing warranty repairs on Apple products. Apple continues to expand repair options to allow any approved company to do out-of-warranty repairs on iPhones. While I applaud Apple’s efforts to empower people to fix their own devices, I have significant concerns.

Apple Won’t Sell Directly to Individuals.

To get approved to buy official Apple parts, the applicant must be part of a company. Individuals cannot apply, and everyone has to pass a test.

It’s your computer though, you and others should have the rights to buy parts for it. Apple has been fighting Right to Repair in various states. Their argument is that tools, in the wrong hands, can be dangerous. You could pierce the battery and cause the iPhone to explode. Of course, the risk is reduced if you can buy genuine parts and read service manuals.

Apple Sets the Price

In a free market, you’re able to buy goods at various price points. With Apple’s controlled system, everyone buys items at the same price. Unless the program changes, no matter how much you buy, you’re paying the same price. Moreover, you’re not allowed to sell it to individuals to do their own repairs.

The price Apple will charge for those parts is roughly the same prices it charges individuals to do in-shop repairs. In other words, Apple is competing with independent repair shops to do the same type of repairs. They are setting pricing high enough on the parts so they can guarantee they are the cheapest in town. That’s just unfair.

Apple Restricts Independence of Independent Shops

When I first started full time with DoctorDave Computer Repair in 2003, I looked into becoming an official Apple Authorized Service Provider. The reason I didn’t was simple: I’d be working for Apple. Instead of doing what was in my client’s best interest, I’d have to do what my client wanted to keep my certification. That’s not right. Apple would restrict what products and services I could offer customers. That’s a big no-no in my book.

We’re Applying Anyway

In spite of all this, I’m still going to apply to have DoctorDave do iPhone repairs. It’s free, after all. I want to support this small step by Apple to empower people to repair their own devices.

I think of it as the first iPhone. You have to start somewhere!

New Place to Get iMacs and MacBooks Repaired

August 8, 2019 by doctordave

Recently Apple has authorized Best Buy nationwide to do warranty work for Apple computers. Overall I think it is great to have more warranty options to do repairs, but as someone who does computer repair on Apple computers, I have some opinions about it!

Apple Retail Stores Want You to Buy New Rather Than Fix

Apple has been accused more than once of pushing new purchases over repairs and our client stories are consistent. The retail stores are a disaster lately and suffer from substantial turnover, even at the top. You’ll rarely get the same person and get a consistent answer. It takes days to get an appointment, and Apple employees are accidentally deleting customer data too often.

Sometimes at the store, you’ll get pushed to purchase a new product even if yours is less than a year old. As soon as they introduce a new product, they’re pushing you away from the old one.

This upselling isn’t just an Apple thing, but tends to be everywhere inretail. Places want to sell you stuff, that’s the definition of retail, right? Office Depot was caught using deceptive sales tactics to sell people things they don’t need. They were fined $25 million for that violation. Office Depot is a well-known brand, and they violated consumer trust by doing this.

They Can Outright Refuse to Help

Apple Geniuses are bound by Apple rules and will follow the “company line” regarding support. On distressing example is someone who accidentally lost pictures from their iPhone. Apple refused to help! That’s wrong. However, they’re Apple; they don’t have to earn your business. They’re more focused on selling rather than support.

They Don’t Know How You Use the Product

One unique quality of using a small, independent computer repair company is we’ll take the time to understand how you use the computer. Individualized services yield individualized results. Apple frankly gets repairs wrong sometimes. Recently they replaced a customer’s MacBook Pro three times because they misdiagnosed a problem of a screensaver! The replacement didn’t cost Apple anything since they make the computer. The customer didn’t pay because it was under warranty, but what about his time and lost productivity? As a small business owner, I understand downtime is money lost. Retail employees don’t always think that way.

Pick Someone Focused on Service, Not Sales

We’re not out to sell you stuff, only to fix the stuff you have. If we tell you it is time to replace it rather than repairing it, we’re talking ourselves out of work. Sure it’s a loss of a short-term profit, but we’re in this business for the long haul. If it’s under warranty, we’re going to refer you to someplace like Best Buy since Apple will cover the repair. If it’s out of warranty, we’re going to help you ourselves.

Small, Local, Independent Business

I’m a big believer in support of local business. Larger retailers don’t have to earn your business, we do. We live and work in your communities. If you’re in Lawrence, obviously I hope you’d pick us for computer repair, but if not, please support a local business. Thanks for all your support over the years and let us fix your Apple computers (as well as PCs)

Don’t Forget You Can Get iPhone or Android App Refunds

September 17, 2017 by doctordave

Sometimes you purchase something by mistake or just don’t like it. You’re not stuck! Getting refunds is pretty easy, but there’s a time limit. You can’t decide months later you don’t like an app

For Android apps, you can get an automatic refund if you ask for it within 2 hours. After that, you’ll need to fill out a particular form if it’s been more than 2 hours, but less than 48. After that you’ll need to contact the developer for a refund. Companies are pretty good about refunds. They’d prefer a refund over a bad review. Google’s full refund policies are listed here.

For Apple apps, including iPhone and iPad, you can’t get an automatic refund like on Google Play with Android apps. You’ll need to “report a problem” with the app. This guide explains it well, but basically you click the link on the receipt or from within the app store. You tell Apple you don’t like it or it doesn’t work and they get back to you. Apple’s window for refunds is longer than Google’s. You have up to 90 days to request that refund. Apple’s full refund polices are listed here.

Don’t be afraid to ask for your money back if something didn’t work right or you didn’t like it. You’d return a product to a physical store that you didn’t like or didn’t work for you.

One caveat: if you do this, don’t expect to keep the app. It may stay on your device but won’t get updates. You also won’t be able to reinstall it when you have a problem.

Photo by 401(K) 2013

Easy Fixes to Common Safari Problems

September 10, 2017 by doctordave

If you’re on an Apple Macintosh, you probably use Safari. One nice feature of Safari is the ability to use extensions. They’re kinda like apps, but specifically for your browser.

I don’t use many, but this article highlights some of the more popular ones. They’re almost always free and fully vetted by Apple so you won’t get viruses if you get them from Apple.

Check out the full list of extensions and find one to make your life a little easier on your Mac. My favorite is ad-blocking software.

Apple Store Techs May Have No Experience Fixing Macs?

May 21, 2017 by doctordave

You’d think the Apple store would hire the best and brightest computer repair technicians. Due to how busy they are, they’re cutting back on training.

It used to be Apple technicians would get some hands-on experience fixing Macs before touching your system. If this story is true, your Mac might be the first one they’ve touched. If you rely on your Mac, that’s not the type of person you want working on it.

I don’t really blame Apple for this. Training costs time and money. Since they make Macs, if a technician breaks a computer, it’s easy for Apple to remedy the situation.

Here at DoctorDave Computer Repair, we don’t have that luxury. We have to fix it right the first time. That’s why our team of techs have both hands-on and virtual training before they ever touch your Mac (or PC). In fact, the first computer I ever worked on back in the 1990s blew up. I plugged in something wrong and the next thing I knew, smoke and flames. There’s something to real-world experience as a teacher!

Photo by ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓

Customer Privacy Again in the News

May 7, 2017 by doctordave

Apple should be ashamed of itself; recently employees were caught stealing photos from client systems. I don’t think companies like Apple quite understand the intimate and personal nature of the information they’re entrusted with.

I’ve written about our strict privacy policy, but it’s worth mentioning again. We realize people’s entire lives are stored on their computers and mobile devices. It’s a job we take seriously. It starts with working with the right people. We don’t make jokes about what we see and never take information off the computer without consent. We use remote control software, but it’s turned off by default.

Simply put, it’s your information. It’s in your control. Even if the FBI offered us money to snoop on you without a warrant, we wouldn’t! The same can’t be said of other computer repair companies in Lawrence, KS, Kansas City, and Topeka.