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Don’t Get Scammed!

I had another client get scammed last week by the “Microsoft noticed that your computer has a virus and we want to help” message that commandeers your computer.

MICROSOFT NEVER EVER CONTACTS YOU ABOUT A VIRUS OR PROBLEM
WITH YOUR COMPUTER! NEVER.

Do not call the number given in the message! Do not let unknown persons remotely access your computer. Do not give unknown persons your credit card info.

If you are ever in doubt, call me or text me at 480-433-9995 for help.

Or take these steps to get out of the lock.

Try to close your browser completely.

If that doesn’t work, hit Ctrl+Alt+Del to open your Task Manager and force the browser to close.
If that doesn’t work, power off the computer. Hold the power button down several seconds until it forces a shut down.

Unplug your modem. Then restart the computer. If the message shows up again, try to close it again. There is no Internet connection so it can’t do any harm at this point.

Shut down the computer again. Re-plug the modem. Turn on the computer. Open your browser.
If you see the message again, call one of my hardware referrals. Let them clean up the problem.
If you don’t see the message, say a gratitude prayer!

Building Bridges Business Solutions
602-604-5000
Les Ticey

Expert IT Support
480-217-3721
James Casteneda

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Shopify CEO Memo Regarding AI

Tobi Lutke, CEO of Shopify, makes an elegant case for AI and sets an example of how to implement within your own company.

Read the memo!  Click on the memo image to enlarge.

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The Importance of Media Literacy in 2025

“The ability to critically evaluate information is more essential than ever. Media literacy—the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create media content—is not just a skill but a necessity, particularly for young people navigating a digital landscape filled with misinformation, misleading narratives, and harmful content.”

Click here to continue reading. 

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Why Website Maintenance is Essential for Your Business

Your website is often the first impression customers have of your business. But you have 10 seconds or less to grab the visitor’s attention and trust. Without regular maintenance, your site can become slow, outdated and vulnerable to security threats. By keeping your WordPress site up to date with the latest plugins, themes, and security patches, you ensure it runs smoothly and securely.

Routine maintenance not only improves site performance but also boosts your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ranking, helping you attract more visitors. It also prevents costly issues, like crashes or broken links, that can drive potential customers away. Regular care keeps your website a powerful tool for growing your business.

Call Your Computer Lady to schedule your site maintenance!

Your Computer Lady can provide a complete audit of your site also which guides you on how to update the site, how to make it a profit center and how to tie it in with your complete marketing plan for 2025.

 

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Mobile Phone Safety

For detailed help or deep dives, talk to my friends at Building Bridges Business Solutions. 

But here are some basic steps you can take to be safer.

  • Turn your phone off at least once a week.
  • Update your apps. The majority of app updates are security related.
  • Don’t connect to public WI-FI networks where your data could be intercepted.
  • Use fingerprint or other biometric options to lock your device
  • Use a password to open your device. If it’s stolen, the bad guys can’t access all of the data you have on your phone.

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Don’t Buy a Mac

I’m trying to do a new website for a MAC user. She’s not super computer literate so everything she tries to share with me takes her twice as long. Her Pages and Numbers files don’t convert to Word or Excel cleanly. What she thinks is a graphic file, isn’t.

There are 4 times more Windows users than MAC users. So chances are REALLY good that MAC users are going to need to share files with a Windows person.

Why make your computer life harder? Unless you are working in a graphics related industry and the only people you share files with are other MAC users, stay away from MACs.

Sure you get free support from the Apple store. How much time do you have for standing in line during regular business hours? But don’t try googling a question for a quick answer because chances are slim you’ll find the answer. Have a Windows question? There are hundreds of answers in blog sites, YouTube videos and forums.

Want some training on the software? There are hundreds of YouTube videos and articles about Windows. Not so much on the iOS.

So unless your goal is to be a full time computer whiz who can rock all those graphics programs, don’t buy a MAC.

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Copyright Images

Yes, there are 100s of 1000s of images all over the Internet.  But just because you can see an image doesn’t mean you can use the image in your website, emails, social media or printed materials.

How to Check the Copyright Status of an Image

  1. Look at and around the image. Often the photographer’s name or copyright will be in a caption below the image. If you see the notification, you need to contact the photographer or owner for permission to use the image.
  2. Look for a watermark in the image. The photographer/owner will put the notification right in the image. DO NOT under any circumstances, remove or hide the watermark and use the image.
  3. Look for metadata. Right click on the image in Windows and look at the Properties info. On a MAC, open the image in preview then look at Tools. The ownership should be deliniated there. Contact the owner before using the image.
  4. Do a Google reverse search.
    1. Open Google images.
    2. Drag the image into the search bar.
    3. Google will offer you the ownership information or a choice of Exact matches. Click the exact matches to look further for ownership.

If in doubt, don’t use the image!

There are bots that are used by companies and law firms to find their images used illegally. When they find an image, you will get a letter telling you how much you owe them for the use of the image. It can be anywhere from $20 to thousands. It’s pretty hard to fight that kind of legal action when you have the means to look for owner information.  (NOTE!! There are some bad players in the world like Higbee & Associates who pretend to work on copyright issues. Beware!)

Creative Commons license

This is an image that is in the public domain and can be used by anyone.

Where To Look For Free Images

Google Images

  1. Search for the image you want (EX: puppies)
  2. On the 2nd navigation menu, look for Usage rights.
  3. Click the drop-down menu.
  4. Select Creative Commons licenses.
    This selection is not 100% dependable to keep your eyes open as you look at
    specific images.

Unsplash.com

Getty Search Gateway

Pexels free and paid

Pixabay free and paid

Free Public Domain

Pinterest  maybe, maybe not

Flickr  maybe, maybe not

Adobe, iStock, Shutterstock, Getty will occasionally have a free image but not often. Be careful if you use anything from them.

If you are a rep or distributor or reseller for a manufacturer, your contact with them most likely gives you permission to use their images. They want you to use their images as often as possible!  But, if in doubt, ask them!

 

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