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Warning of Ransomware attack

Just received this notice from the software manufacturer that I use to protect my WordPress websites.  Please read and take action!  “Ransomware” is a hack that takes control of your computer and demands a ransom to release it.  Do not fall for this trick!

A massive global ransomware attack on machines running the Windows operating system is underway and spreading quickly. We have published a public service announcement that gives you a high level overview of the attack along with advice on how to protect yourself.

You can find the full post on our blog….

Regards,
Mark Maunder
Wordfence Founder & CEO

 

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Should I Respond to Update Messages?

Maybe.  If the update notice is from a reputable company like Adobe Reader, Java, QuickBooks, etc.,  yes, do the update.  They are fixing bugs, updating security and improving the software.

If you don’t recognize the name of the software, do NOT respond or update. Call Your Computer Lady or your hardware tech to ask first.

Best option:  Take a screen shot of the message and email it to your adviser. That will give us all the details we need to give you a good answer.

How do I make a screen shot?

On your keyboard, there is a key titled “Print Screen.”  Press that key while the message is on your screen.  Now open a Word doc. Right click on your mouse to get a pop up menu and choose “Paste.”  This will paste the screen shot into Word. Save the document. Email it to YCL or your IT tech.

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3 Stubborn PC Problems You Can Fix

Ever notice how each PC has a personality of its own? Or maybe even multiple personalities? In the course of a week, your computer may act friendly, moody, and sometimes downright mean.

However, don’t take a hammer to your PC just yet. The following is a list of common symptoms and treatments to help even the most troublesome PCs. You don’t even have to be a psychologist (at least not yet) to deal with your PC’s neuroses.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista usually manage this automatically, but overall you’ll find that these tips work for all versions of Windows, from Windows 95 to Windows 7.

Click here to go to Microsoft at Work to read the full article. 

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Basics for Safer Downloading

Whenever you download a file—whether you open a spreadsheet attached to an email message, grab a cool little screensaver or mouse cursor from the web, or download music or video files from someone else’s computer—you could be putting your computer at risk.

Click here to continue to Microsoft at Home to read this article.

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Do a Clean Sweep: How to Delete Unwanted Files and Programs

Ever wonder how to clean out your computer? Many people do, because it’s not unusual to have your PC’s hard disk filled with games and other programs you no longer need. In fact, some technology analysts believe that we use less than 10 percent of the programs installed on our computers. The following instructions describe how to safely—and easily—uninstall old or unused programs and remove files from your Windows-based computer.

Click here to continue reading this article from Microsoft at Home.

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What’s ProtectYourVision.org

ProtectYourVision.org is a free online application aimed at protecting eyes from a Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

What’s CVS?
Around 70% people in developed countries experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for more than 2 hour daily. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.
The most common symptoms of CVS are:

•    Eyestrain
•    Headaches
•    Blurred vision
•    Dry, irritated eyes
•    Double vision
•    Difficulty refocusing the eyes
•    Neck and shoulder pain

If any of these sounds familiar to you it’s about time to take care of your eyes.

How to use?
Switch on your personal eyes assistant (EVO) every time when your’re going to use computer for more than 2 hour. Simply go to www.protectyourvision.org website and click “Start EVO”.

You can choose between 3 different modes:

  1. 20-20-20:  After every 20 min spent in front of a computer a 20 sec break is signalized, in this time focus the eyes on an object 20 feet (6 meters) away, or just close your eyes.
  2. 60-5:  After every hour spent in front of a computer a 5 min break is signalized with a sound alarm.
  3. Custom:  Define by yourself break’s frequency and length. By default: after every hour spent in front of a computer a 5 min break is signalized with a sound alarm.

Find out which mode suits you.  During the break avert your eyes from a computer screen, close them or do eyes gymnastics.

Click here to continue to their Facebook page.

Enjoy safe computer use.

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How to Clean your Computer

I have a dirty secret. I’ve never cleaned my computer. Sure, I’ve dusted my monitor, but I haven’t taken off the cover or tried to reach the crumbs lurking inside my keyboard. And I honestly don’t know the difference between pressurized air dusters and compressed air cleaners.

To continue reading this article on Microsoft at Home, click here.

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The Back-Up Plan

Clients often ask me this question. My somewhat cynical answer is “Often enough not to commit suicide when your hard drive crashes.” Because we know that someday that hard drive will crash!
Amount of Data Input
If I’m sitting at my desk entering client data for 8 hours a day, I want to back up hourly.
If I’m occasionally using my computer for a client proposal or letter, daily will be enough.
Difficulty in Re-creating the Data
If I lost my bank reconciliation for one month, it would be easy to re-do that work. Not pleasant, but easy.
If I lost a BIM file, CAD drawing or project management file, it would hard to re-create the work. Lots of time to duplicate the work. Double payroll. Deadline delays.
If I lost a design concept, it would be impossible to re-create the file.
Importance of the Data
If I’m audited, I need my accounting records have to be available for seven years.
If I need to re-construct events, emails documenting a project can be invaluable in case of legal action, etc.
So based on the above questions, you need to decide how often to back up.
Multiple Backup Copies
The more important the data, the more copies of the back up you want to have and the farther apart the copies should be. Don’t have one CD of your critical files! For example, my client data is my business. So I have a copy in my office in case I need to go back a couple of years to retrieve a brochure that a client wants updated.  I have a second copy in my car. If the office burns down, the car would probably survive since I have detached parking. Then I have a third copy online.
Online Backup Services
I love online backups. They automatically happen on a set schedule. Heaven knows we don’t want to rely on my memory!! I get an email if something goes wrong with the backup. I can access the files from any computer in case I need something when I’m at a client’s office. Some services even allow file sharing to eliminate the need for a separate storage account to share with collaborators.
Features between online companies vary greatly. Email me if you would like a copy of my comparison chart. 
Some services charge by user by file size. Others charge just by file size. So an architectural firm with huge BIM and CAD files would want to shop for the best file size provider. A one person resume firm would do better with a per user account.
Time and Stress Tips
Set up your files so that EVERYTHING goes into My Documents: your QuickBooks file, Microsoft Office files, photos, … EVERYTHING.  Then when you back up either to a DVD or to your online service, all you have to do is back up My Documents. You don’t have to wander all over the hard drive to spot different files. This will also save you a lot of time finding your files!
Don’t place files on your Desktop.  Put the file in My Documents. Then put a short cut on the desktop. Your files are safe in the back up set but you have quick access!
Outlook pst files can cause a problem with online backup if you use a service that backs up the entire file every time instead of doing an incremental backup.  In other words, if you add a 2 KB email to your Outlook file, an incremental service will back up just the new 2 KB email.  A total file replacement could be 4 GB or more depending on your version of Outlook and set up.
Online Backup Services
            iDrive.com
            Mozy.com
            Carbonite.com
            SOSonlinebackup.com
            Securusvault.com
Written by:  Pamela Bir, Your Computer Lady
As published in Sources+Design Magazine June/July 2011 Issue

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Protect and Purge your Personal Files

Eliminate private documents permanently from your hard drive.

When you stop and think about it, your home computer holds a lot of information about you— credit card numbers, bank account details, passwords, medical information, websites you’ve visited, and those deep, dark secrets you share with your best friend via email.

Click here to go finish reading this great article on Microsoft at Home. 

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