Identifying Common Computer Problems

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Computer Hardware

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We’ve all had that feeling of dread when you suspect that your computer is failing or broken. Your heart starts to beat faster and you get a bit nauseous. The first thing you worry about is losing information that is on your computer. All that information including access to email, passwords, logins, favorites, histories, pictures and so much more could be lost or damaged.

Most computer issues can be separated into two areas: hardware and software. It’s not hard to learn which area is causing the problem and you may even be able to repair the problem.

Hardware
Listen for problematic or strange noises. These types of noise can precede major failures. For instance if the start-up winding sound which is normal gets louder, this could indicate the first stages of hard drive failure.

If you computer unexpectedly shuts down, but you can turn it back on; this is a symptom of a possible overheating issue. Check to ensure that your vents and fans are not dirty or blocked. Clean them if necessary, and if the problem continues, it’s time to call a professional.

Software
If your computer is experience software problems, you may notice that its start-up time is getting slower, the computer is slower in general and odd things are happening. You may have an operating system problem or a virus. You should run your antivirus program immediately.

After running the antivirus program, make sure your operating system is up-to-date. Install any updates that you need to and then reboot your computer. If this does not fix the problem, perform the System Restore function.

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Viruses Can Lurk on Legitimate Websites, Too

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There’s a myth that viruses only hang out on porn sites, shopping surveys, and other spammy places on the Internet. What you may not realize is that a virus can attack your computer from what appears to be the safest site you could visit. Here are a few reasons to keep your anti-virus up-to-date.

A Virus Disguised In Email

Of course, this seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes we get emails with legitimate titles. They’re not always some Viagra discount pitch. They very often have titles that actually pertain to things we’re interested in. Naturally, we open them up and discover we’ve been duped. Look closely at anything that doesn’t come from a legitimate friend or associate, and don’t click a link if you’re the least bit uncertain. Make sure you’re running the latest version of your anti-virus, too. If it happened to you, chances are it happened to many people, and your anti-virus either already has or will very quickly create a solution.

But That’s My Favorite Online Newspaper!

Sometimes, it’s not our favorite, safe and legitimate websites that get us, but the advertisers who are there. It may be the ads or pop-ups that contain the virus. Be super careful with this. Again, make sure your anti-virus is current. Unfortunately, there is no safe place on the Internet. The viruses will find you if you’re online enough.

How Does This Happen?

Viruses are malicious scripts or code, so they’ll be slipped into the legitimate code to hopefully fool you and websites into passing them on. The bottom line is that you have to be careful and pro-active with you anti-virus.

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Signature Detection: Anti-Virus

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Protection is paramount — this is a truth you understand, have forever sought to maintain. A system must be guarded. A hard-drive must be secured. Your computer is to be offered all of the necessary precautions, allowing it to defend itself against any problem that may arise.

And such problems are most often revealed by signature detection.

Defined simply: signature detection is a form of anti-virus discovery that allows specific files to be scanned, with all of their codes revealed. Those codes are then compared to an existing directory of known malware, spyware and Trojan concerns. If the comparison yields possible matches, the files are then rejected by a computer — deemed unsafe and forced to be examined by the user. If they don’t share any commonalities, however, they can then be downloaded as requested.

And it is this method that spares most individuals the invasion of viruses.

Signature detection is formed of a comprehensive collection of sources and information — allowing each file to be appropriately dissected. This ensures that known worries can be avoided (and reported as needed). This makes it an invaluable part of all operating systems.

There are times, however, when those systems will still be exposed to malware. Signature detection has one unfortunate limitation: it requires prior knowledge of a virus to expose it. New complications (that haven’t yet been applied to the directory) can be overlooked. It’s important then to couple this precaution with other forms to ensure the defense is complete and not merely basic.

Signature detection is the foundation of most anti-virus programs — and all users will quickly understand why.

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The Malware Potential: Anti-Virus

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Time is elusive — there are too few seconds in the day; there are too few hours to claim; and wasting them on treks to the store, searching through shelves for anti-virus software, is not what you deem worthy. You want speed. You want convenience. Downloading therefore seems to be the easiest of solutions. All products can be found quickly. All efforts can be reduced. It’s a simple thing to click a link, let a product launch itself into your hard-drive (this spares you the horrors of shopping, of clerks interested only in sales and not offering information). There is nothing but comfort to gain…. and malware.

The need for anti-virus protection is paramount. Such protection is too often considered costly, however — and individuals search through the virtual world, try to find downloads that will save them time and money. While this is an understandable process, it can come with a far greater price than expected: malware can be hidden inside the codes and can be welcomed into a hard-drive.

A common worry with downloading is that it provides no assurance. Users are forced to rely on anonymous creators, must place their trust in sources they can’t see. And this can lead to danger — with some programs corrupted, allowing hackers to gain access to any system they choose. All information can be stolen. All files can be erased. An entire computer can be rendered useless within mere minutes.

And it is because of this that downloading anti-virus software is not recommended — unless extreme precautions have been taken. Always research the program, looking for any reported failures or concerns. Discover the reputation of the creator (seek out testimonials about his work and what others have experienced from it). Make sure any host site can guarantee a lack of malware. And never download items that demand personal information (such as name, credit card numbers and more).

Choosing to upload applications into your computer can be done. It simply demands vigilance — and an understanding that the anti-virus name is not always true.

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The Attachment Attacks: Viruses

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An email waits within your inbox. The sender is unrecognized; the subject is vague. You can’t recall the address or even the reason for such a letter. It seems utterly anonymous — and so, naturally, you open it. Curiosity was never a trait you could deny. And the words that are revealed are nonsensical. You don’t understand them. You can’t decipher them. They’re strange and disjointed, promise instead to be explained with an attachment.

And, once again, you open this — certain that truth will be gained.

What you receive instead, however, is a virus.

Email is a convenience. Information can be sent across continents, transferred from computer to computer within mere seconds. It can’t always be considered safe, however. Instead it can contain attachments: which are outside files meant to be placed within a system, require downloads. And these can prove to be dangerous.

Viruses are often placed within email attachments (it’s estimated that over 50 percent of all concerns derive from them). Users open these, release the codes and find their platforms suddenly under attack. It’s vital therefore to recognize potential problems to better avoid them:

One: Unknown Sender. If a name isn’t recognized, it’s wise not to open the email. Your address should be shared only with friends, family and necessary contacts. If an individual doesn’t fall within those realms, he should be ignored.

Two: Obscure Message. Any email that’s defined by sparse words and a lack of information should be viewed with concern. Messages that demand you read an attachment, rather than detailing their points in the body, should be avoided.

Three: Unusual Extensions. An all too easy sign of treachery is the lack of universal extensions for files. Attachments should be understood (doc, RT, jpeg). A unique extension is often a sign of malware.

Four: Anti-Virus Alert. The intention of anti-virus software is to scan all information, trying to seek out corrupted codes. If an email is tagged as worrisome you should take note. Rely on your programs to find complications.

Attachments must be examined carefully. Never assume they’re worthy. They may instead be crippling.

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Safety of data on public clouds

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Many organizations have awoken to the great advantages that cloud computing provides and the direct business gains there from. However, there is one ghost that keeps haunting the progress of cloud computing is the concerns of clients regarding the safety of data. While some organizations doubt the level of data security in a cloud environment, other organizations believe that a data center managed in-house will have better security levels than one professionally managed by an external vendor. Here are some reasons why you should go for a managed IDC:

1. Acquiring Security Equipment, Software and Applications: MSPs are able to purchase the latest security equipment, software and applications regardless of their cost as this cost is eventually distributed to their various clients using a public cloud. This also, means clients are assured of state of the art equipment at a fraction of the cost other wise incurred for an in-house acquisition.

2. Dedicated Staff and their training: An in-house data center would require dedicated staff to man its security operations in order to attain the level of security monitoring and control enabled by the specialized security personnel of MSPs. Also, as new security threats develop and grow each day, security staff needs to be constantly trained and updated about the latest technology and methodology. MSPs make sure they have top notch professionals as data security is their business. Expert and dedicated staff assures that malicious threats are detected and prevented well before they affect your data.

3. Physical Safety of Data: Data is threatened not only by online entities but also by the physical environment. Servers in data centers are protected against disasters like fires as well as human influences like sabotage or theft.

4. Compliance and Governance: MSPs adhere to the strictest international standards of compliance and governance which organizations having in-house data centers struggle to achieve. This level of compliance applies to both, private as well as public clouds.

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Anti-Spam Filters’ How Do They Work?

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Most people have Bulk Folders or Spam Folders in their email accounts. These are automatically built in to the system so that you don’t have to go in yourself and sort through all of your emails to find which are worthy of reading and which are just trying to sell you something.

Most email accounts have what is called a User Defined Filter. These are filters that you can label yourself. For example, you can create a mailbox or folder within your account to hold all of your “family” emails or one for your “purchases”. Once the emails come in, they will then recognize which ones have the characteristics of the mailboxes you created and it will sort them there. But, you need to help it out. So, if you are receiving emails that are spam, try to note the common words and content that is consistent with all of them. Your email host should have a place that says, “report this as spam”, where you can click on it and it will note that emails from that address is considered spam.

There are also Header Filters, which will look at the actual headers of the email to see if they are fake. The header in an email holds a lot of information that the filter can use to discern if this email is spam or not. The header contains server information, which determines whether the email can be tracked or not. Those that are not able to be tracked are an indication of spam.
Language and Content filters will weed out emails that are not of your common language or logic. If you don’t commonly receive emails about prescription drugs or something in another language, your filter will regard that as spam and place it in that mailbox.

The other filter used is a Permission Filter. If something gets sent to your spam folder, but you want to receive it in your main inbox, you can simply authorize the sender and it will no longer go to your spam mailbox.
With such filters, anti-spam is becoming very useful.

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Is It Really Important to Keep My Computer Clean?

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It really is a good idea to keep your computer clean and we’re not just talking about dusting off the screen. Keeping your computer clean will allow it to maintain good working condition. There are many components to a computer and lots of places where it can harbor dust and germs. So, not only is it a good idea for the computer functionality, but also for yourself.

Computers can get pretty dirty inside. If you notice a frequent build up of dust and stickiness then you should clean your computer more often than if you rarely use it. If you eat near your computer or it sits near a door or window that is always open then you’ll want to clean it more often than if it sat in an office that is barely used.

There are some things to keep in mind when cleaning your computer. Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto it anywhere. It is best to first spray a cleaning cloth and then wipe the parts of the computer.

There are great blowers that can get right into the keyboard area for those little crevices that you can’t get to with a cloth. You can also use vacuum attachments and vacuum out the dust particles, crumbs or anything that may be stuck in the cracks.

If you are going to clean the inside of a drive or dvd carrier, make sure that the computer is turned off before doing it.

Also, remember that you don’t want anything on the inside of the computer to be moist. Always be cautious of the parts that you clean, like dials, switches, plugs etc. you don’t want to get shocked yourself and you also don’t want to mess up any settings that you have.

The fan of a computer is tricky to clean, just be sure that there is something in between the blades so that it does not spin while you are cleaning.

The best way to keep you computer clean is to avoid drinks and food near the computer as well as smoking and outdoor dust.

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Identity Theft Warning Signs

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Identity theft is becoming more prevalent than ever, so you can never be too protective of your own. There are many services available that can protect you. Identity theft insurance is one way to protect yourself in the event identity theft does happen. There are also services available that will help you to sort things out if you fall prey to an identity thief. There are things to look out for as a warning sign that it is happening now and more importantly are the things you can do before someone hacks your computer or gets into your personal information. Here are some things to consider so that you can be prepared.

Always check your bank statements and keep in mind transaction that you made. If you see transactions that do not look familiar or you know you didn’t make, then check with your bank right away.

If you get a new credit card in the mail and you know you didn’t apply for it, this is a sign that someone used your identity.

If you apply for financing of some sort where your credit report is checked and you are denied, there may be fraudulent activity happening in your name. Get in touch with the companies reporting negative items on your report and dispute debts that are not yours.

If you receive financial information in the mail, but you have no idea what it is in relation to, then someone may have used your name to get credit.

Make sure you get your bills each month. If you notice that you are no longer receiving your regular bills, it is quite possible that someone who has used your name, also switched your mailing address so that you would have no way of knowing.

Sometimes, you will receive an actual mail redirect notice that you did not request from the post office. This is another warning sign of identity theft.

These are just some of the warning signs. If you notice any of these, you should contact all of your financial companies as well as the police and the FTC.

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Nasty Computer Infections

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In this day, we are consumed by our computers. It’s a matter of necessity. So, if our computers get infected by a virus, we feel doomed. It can be very frustrating and it can impair our lives.

What is a virus and how does it happen? Most viruses are spread though hosts. This means that receiving an email from another host and opening it will infect your host. It can also happen through a website. That’s why you should never click on a link unless you trust the person who sent you the email.

It gets more frightening than that. Suppose you received files that are rightful files that you need to open. Well, if a certain program is required to open that file, a virus can be attached to that.

Viruses are considered to be very evil because once infected, your computer can be greatly destroyed. In some cases, you can’t recover from it.

Most viruses are categorized as file infectors. This is the type that gets attached to a certain file in your operating system. These file infectors are either resident viruses or direct action viruses. Resident viruses are installed automatically and they are then stored in your computer’s memory. Direct action viruses are those that infect your computer every time the code within it is activated. These infections are activated by opening the files they are attached to.

With direct action viruses the danger is sever as the viruses duplicates itself over and over again, causing the virus to constantly spread.

To heal your computer of the virus, you will want to have a virus scanner. With scanners available today, you can detect the viruses as well as eliminate and destroy them.

While viruses are very annoying and cause a lot of havoc, most of them will not totally delete your files or completely ruin your operating system. But, if you are having difficulties opening applications or accessing certain files, then you may have a virus and its worth looking into to.

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