10 Security Steps for a safer pc and online experience

Step 1. Have a 3-2-1 backup solution.
Step 2. Test your backup solution by restoring some test files.
Step 3. Use strong passwords with a password manager.
Step 4. Have a router firewall in addition to the Windows firewall.
Step 5. Run and keep updated anti-malware software.
Step 6. Have updated alternative browsers and search engines.
Step 7. Applications: Should be patched and updated.
Step 8. Don’t run in administrator mode, use a standard account.
Step 9. Consider using a tablet for nonessential websurfing.
Step 10. Use common sense when something unexpected pops up.

If you don’t know how to deal with some of these steps feel free to call Computer Guy Consulting for a consultation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to computer disasters. The time to implement these steps is while everything is still pure and not corrupted. Protect your business and home computers by using these 10 security steps.

How old is your router?

Circa 2004?
Is this what your router looks like? If it is this old you probably need a new one. Router technology has improved dramatically in the last few years. Now that most homes and offices are relying on internet services and wifi to get things done having a router that is up to the task is essential. Replacing an old inadequate router in an office will yield noticeable results when searching web pages and uploading and downloading content. As more pcs and wireless devices are added to a network having a more powerful router will improve everyone’s experience. Newer business routers also offer improved security, spam filtering, web filtering, firewall and other add on features. If you are paying for good internet service don’t skimp by choking your bandwidth through an old under powered router.

Computer Guy Consulting can advise you about your current network and router. A network assessment can be conducted to see if you would be better served with newer hardware and maybe wiring. Give a call and schedule your network analysis today. 325-4656

Why would my computer get hacked?

Here’s why. A hacked pc or server can be used for multiple nefarious activities. Would you even know if your server stuck back in the closet was serving spam before your internet service provider cut off your internet access? Most business owners would not. It happened to one of my clients who added an additional pc in a conference room cabinet and never told us or installed any security or windows updates. Guess what- one Monday morning the DSL internet provider cut us off and we got blacklisted by an international spam filter. It was a hard and expensive lesson!

Computer Guy consulting can monitor all of your office computers and servers to make sure that all is well. This is one of those ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure deals. If you need a security evaluation or an infection clean up call us and be confident that all is well again. Most downtime and infection issues can be eliminated with an ounce prevention. You are backing up your data right??? -that’s a topic for another post!

Here at Computer Guy we help people figure IT out. Back up systems, computer repairs, software issues, virus and spyware removal, data recovery, network and internet installation and support. If you are a small business and need help Computer Guy Consulting can help you with all your small business IT support.

Business Networks

Is your business network too slow? Are you having long waits to pull up files on the network? If so, you may be in need of a network make over. Most current networking gear should work at gigabit speeds. If your router, network cards, and network wiring are not up to the task it can really be a productivity drain. No one in an office environment wants to have to go get a coffee while the database file is opening. If this is your office, your network is too sloooow!!

Let us help you correct network issues. We can monitor all of your office pcs to proactively keep small issues from becoming big problems. Call us for a consultation if you have any issue with your office technology. Here at Computer Guy Consulting we are here to help. Reach us at 325-4656.

Windows 8 is here!!

Like it or not Microsoft has released another operating system known as Windows 8. Windows 8 is quite different from the last 2 versions of Windows. Windows 8 comes in three different PC versions. Windows 8 comes in a tablet version as well as a PC version. Not to worry, if you prefer you can still get Windows 7 on most pcs currently available. Windows 7 will be supported until 2020. If you are still using Windows XP your days are numbered. XP will only be supported until early 2014. After the XP support is ended, most users should switch to a newer and supported operating system. Confused yet? No worries, here at Computer Guy Consulting we can help you figure it all out. If your business is still using Windows XP it is time to work towards migrating to a newer version of Windows for both security improvements and continued support.

QuickBooks -more than you ever wanted to know!

QuickBooks is a popular financial / accounting software available from Intuit. It comes in various flavors: online, pro, premier, and enterprise. Computer Guy Consulting can help you set up and network your computers to share accounting data among various employees. We work with a QuickBooks Pro Advisor if you need help setting up a new account for your business. Computer Guy also provides troubleshooting for sick QuickBooks files or non-operable configurations.

Don’t spend your time trying to fix QuickBooks issues, concentrate on running your business and let us support your QuickBooks installation.

Computer Guy offers remote support for pcs and networked devices. We can help with hardware and software issues, network set up and support, and small business IT support. Call us to set up a free onsite consultation for your office network.