Public Service Announcement - Scam Alert

Scam Warning:

Today I'd like to point the "finger of shame" at a specific scam site.    I'm going to provide a little technical information about them, as well as the specifics of how they are operating.  

There are a few very important things to keep in mind:

• Microsoft does not call users about viruses, computers being hacked, or errors on a computer.
• "Your bank" or "Your credit card company" will not phone you from a forged number, for any contact they make.
• Legitimate businesses will properly identify themselves through Caller ID (CID) information.
• Any caller that refuses to properly identify should be viewed as deceptive, and this is a violation of some federal laws.
• "Your bank" or "Your credit card" or PayPal, or any other financial institution will not contact you using a generic salutation (Dear ____ user, for instance).   
• Any offer to "launder money for profit" - or contact about a lottery or prize you do not remember entering - is a scam intended to separate you from your money.

There's a particular scam that I've pointed out before.   In this one an individual (often from India) will phone you to inform you that they are either from Microsoft, or that Microsoft has notified them to contact you.   Your computer is either communicating errors, or is not communicating properly, and they are there to help you fix this.

You are instructed to turn on your computer, RUN "eventvwr".  This is the Windows Event Viewer.   They will have you look for warnings and errors, and attempt to tell you that these are signs of viruses, or being hacked.   Their schtick will change periodically, as it's meaningless.   If they think you have no clue, than any lie will do.   They may even have you open the Services tab on MSCONFIG and try to scare you through showing you the stopped services there.

Not about what really goes on here.    Event Viewer shows events within the computer.   "warnings" and "errors" are normal.   They do not imply any malicious activity.  They do not indicate that your computer is being attacked (although if you're not careful, it soon will be).   

They may have you check a few other things to convince you that you're in trouble.   At this point, they may transfer your call to a "tech", "senior tech" or something else of that nature.  Essentially, you're being handed to another call center scammer to continue the script.   The goal here is to get you to grant them remote access to your computer.   This will be accomplished through a software package like Ammyy Admin or TeamViewer.   These are both credible businesses, that each have a statement on their site regarding this abuse of their service.   

If you give them access to your computer, one of several things may happen.   They may install a logging software to your computer, which will transmit information (including banking and passwords) to them.   They may intentionally damage or delete files and attempt to charge you to get them back.   They may charge you to p0ut on an "antivirus" program, which does nothing but enrich them.   They may go rifling through your files.   If you grant them administrative control they can even damage your computer's operating system by deleting specific files.   

My latest interactions have come from an outfit that is actually using "their own" website to initiate the scam.   Their site instructs you to download the Ammyy Admin application, and provide them with the information from it.  

The site they are presently using is "geekscare.com".   I'm not sure if that's supposed to be Geeks Care, or Geek Scare.   Regardless, here is some information about that site:

host geekscare.com
geekscare.com has address 118.139.175.1
geekscare.com mail is handled by 0 smtp.secureserver.net.
geekscare.com mail is handled by 10 mailstore1.secureserver.net.

 whois geekscare.com
.

   Domain Name: GEEKSCARE.COM
   Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
   Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
   Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
   Name Server: NS09.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
   Name Server: NS10.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
   Status: clientDeleteProhibited
   Status: clientRenewProhibited
   Status: clientTransferProhibited
   Status: clientUpdateProhibited
   Updated Date: 22-dec-2013
   Creation Date: 22-dec-2013
   Expiration Date: 22-dec-2014

 Registrars.
Domain Name: GEEKSCARE.COM
Registry Domain ID: 1840009049_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.godaddy.com
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Update Date: 2013-12-22 00:49:40
Creation Date: 2013-12-22 00:49:40
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2014-12-22 00:49:40
Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
Registrar IANA ID: 146
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@godaddy.com
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.480-624-2505
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Domain Status: clientRenewProhibited
Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Ravi Mahato
Registrant Organization:
Registrant Street: Kanke Road
Registrant City: Ranchi
Registrant State/Province: Jharkhand
Registrant Postal Code: 834008
Registrant Country: India
Registrant Phone: 9031143738
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: ravishankarmahto@gmail.com
Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: Ravi Mahato
Admin Organization:
Admin Street: Kanke Road
Admin City: Ranchi
Admin State/Province: Jharkhand
Admin Postal Code: 834008
Admin Country: India
Admin Phone: 9031143738
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax:
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: ravishankarmahto@gmail.com
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: Ravi Mahato
Tech Organization:
Tech Street: Kanke Road
Tech City: Ranchi
Tech State/Province: Jharkhand
Tech Postal Code: 834008
Tech Country: India
Tech Phone: 9031143738
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax:
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: ravishankarmahto@gmail.com
Name Server: NS09.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
Name Server: NS10.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned

From their website, we can see a phone number (800) 903-1361.   This phone number is provisioned by Voce Communications (480-344-1340).   If contacted, these criminals will act like a legitimate business, however, they will quickly fall back into running the above scam.  

The above information is provided as a service message to the public in general.   The phone number will change, as soon as their provider decides they are abusing the service.   Their IP will likely change as their host finds out they're violating terms of service.   Their domain will also change as it gets cancelled.   Another of each will sprout up.    Ammyy Admin, Go Daddy, and Voce Communications are not responsible for the actions of the scammers.  The latter two have merely provided service to a paying customer - until that customer violates TOS.  The former is a free utility that is being exploited by criminals.   

Please don't fall for this scam.   If you' would like to have some fun at their expense, be advised that they are criminals, and they will harm your machine if you grant them access.    However, nothing stops people from having a bit of fun at their expense now and again until they get cut off.   


 

Skylance Computer Services: Spring Cleaning Specials

Spring Cleaning Specials

Spring is here, though there are still rumors of snow and cold in our future. Spring cleaning time is upon us, and it may be a good time to do the same for your computer. Read on to find our current offerings, as well as some information for XP users, and a few good tips.

Spring Cleaning: That time of year is upon us. Folks start going through attics, basements, garages, offices, etc and find things we were missing – or that we no longer want or need. Your computer is no different. Over time, as we use our computers, we add some clutter to them. This may come in the form of cached image files, downloaded files, programs running during startup – or even some unwanted programs. It's good to go through and clean these things up to keep your machine(s) running their best.

Our Spring Cleaning package starts with a free initial consultation. Is the computer having issues? If so, what are they, and what courses of action are available? Some warning signs to watch out for include, but are not limited to:

• Computer running slow
• Programs taking a long time to launch
• Browser homepage changed
• Extra toolbars on your browser
• Strange popups or notifications

Each case is different, and we'll give you the straight answer on what the problem is, how it can be fixed, and what you can expect upon completion.

The basic Spring Cleaning package starts at $40, and includes an internal dusting.

Spring Cleaning Add-ons:

Want more than just the basic cleanup?   We can make that happen too! Below are some some bonuses, along with two prices.  The first is the combination price, the second is the stand-alone price.

Spyware Scan & Removal: $15 ($20)*

There are many names used, sometimes depending on your perspective. Producers may consider it “helpful ad-ware”, while others may call it “spyware” due to the way it monitors your habits. Sometimes this software comes bundled with a “free”program you download, which may be installed unless you choose a “custom” installation, rather than “standard”. Sometimes this is added to your computer through a malicious exploit in a browser or add-on.

Some of these programs may actually be desired, but often times they are found to be a nuisance, and will use up your system resources. They are also known to track your browsing and shopping habits, and report this information to their parent company – which may also transmit this information to third parties for advertising purposes.

Want 'em gone? That can happen. We'll scan your PC, see if anything unwanted is there, and get rid of it.

* Cost of software may apply, in addition, based on customer preference 

Virus Scan & Removal: $15 ($20)*#

For our purposes here, "virus" will be defined as "any malicious code unintentionally installed, with undesirable results". Yes, there's a lot of types, a lot of distinctions, and they can do a lot of really bad stuff to your computer. We can make them go away. If you're running without security or anti-virus, we can help change that, as well. At the end, you'll have a virus-free PC, and know how to keep it that way.

* Cost of software may apply, in addition, based on customer preference

# Virus Removal may be required during Spring Cleaning if infections are detected

Data Sorting: $15/hr ($20/hr)

Sometimes you have important files in a bunch of locations throughout your PC. Want to get them all in one place? This may be the solution for you. The default is the appropriate folder within "My Documents", unless you have a different preference.

Data Backup: $40 ($50) **

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is a good moral. In the PC world, that can be applied. It's good to always have a backup. You never know when something may damage or destroy your had drive, and you don't want your important files to be lost. With the data backup service here, your "My Documents" (and any other specified files or folders) will be backed up to the medium of your choice.

** Media used for backup varies by customer, and may be Optical Disc (DVD), Flash Drive, Media Card, or external hard drive. Backup media may be provided by customer, or provided at an additional cost.

Fresh Start: 

At times it may be desired to “start new” with your computer. This may be a decision to start clean, it may be a “last resort” to get rid of a number of issues. It may also be a chance to start with a new operating system. With this package, your documents (and other selected files & folders) will be backed up. Your system will be reformatted with your operating system of choice installed. Your documents will be returned to the newly installed locations, and any programs of your choice will be installed.

The base price for this service is $100, which includes backup of files, installation of operating system, transfer of backed up data, and configuration of settings. There may be additional charges for installation and configuration of other software, copy(ies) of backed up data, and cost of software.

Improvements: 

Unfortunately, computers have a fairly short life expectancy. While they my still work fine for years, there is always something “better” coming out. It doesn't always make sense to buy a new machine every couple of months, or even every couple of years. Depending on the age of your machine, and your use thereof, a component upgrade may be just what you need to get a happier computing experience from your machine. Sometimes, even with a cleanup, an older machine will still have some performance issues. An increase in memory (RAM) may help it run more efficiently. You may also be able to add a new CPU (processor) to gain some speed. Perhaps a new graphics card could help your gamin. A new wireless card may give you some faster connection speeds. Each situation is unique, and we will work with you to find the specific solution for your situation – as well as realistic expectations upon completion.

The initial consultation for this is free, along with a clear estimate for parts, labor, and time

Digital Archiving:

Do you have old VHS tapes, still photos or records? Would you like to transfer any of these to digital format? We can convert your old home movies to DVD, or a digital format for you. We can also convert your old LP's to mp3 – or other format. We can also scan your photo albums into digital format.

The base price for this service is:

$10 for transfer of one two-hour movie, converted to DVD or digital format

$10 for one LP converted to mp3 or other digital format

$20 for one small photo album scanned in high resolution to media of customer's choice.

Bulk rates may be available depending on size of customer order.

At present we cannot do Betamax, 8mm, reel-to-reel, cassette or mini-cassette or other media, but we're working to change that!

Windows XP: End of Life:

In just a few days (April 8, 2014) Microsoft will officially end support for Windows XP. I know there are many who would wish that Windows Vista would have been shelved, and XP support continued, but such is not the case. Windows XP had a good life, addressing some of the problems with Millennium, offering several variations (Home, Professional, Media Center) and was available for both 32 and 64 bit systems. It also continued in popularity after the release of its successor Vista. Microsoft has this page regarding the upcoming end of support:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/default.aspx

In short, on the 8^th, Microsoft will cease adding updates for Windows XP. This means there will be no further Service Packs, software updates, and security patches. While some may say that this is merely a way to sell more software, To a degree it is. Microsoft offers, through their site, options for upgrading your copy of XP to a newer, supported version. However, marketing and sales aside, newer software is better able to handle evolving technology.

For a more detailed explanation of what's going to happen, what it may mean to you, and what you can do, check out this article.

Helpful Tip:

Dust can be one of your computer's worst enemies. Dust can build up in desktops and notebooks. It can clog fans and vents, preventing airflow, and causing overheating. It can also help provide an environment great for static electricity to damage delicate internal components. One simple thing that you can do, is to periodically spray inside your case with a can of compressed air. These can be picked up for a fairly low cost at office supply stores, electronics stores, and retail superstores. On a PC (with the power off) you'll want to unscrew your side panel, and spray around the inside of the case to blow any dust out. The CPU fan and power supply fan (and any other fan) should be blown out to ensure good air flow. It may be a good idea to do this outdoors if possible. For a notebook, you'll want to blow out vents, but not disassemble your machine.

Windows XP: End of Life

Windows XP: End of Life:

In just a few days (April 8, 2014) Microsoft will officially end support for Windows XP. I know there are many who would wish that Windows Vista would have been shelved, and XP support continued, but such is not the case. Windows XP had a good life, addressing some of the problems with Millennium, offering several variations (Home, Professional, Media Center) and was available for both 32 and 64 bit systems. It also continued in popularity after the release of its successor Vista. Microsoft has this page regarding the upcoming end of support:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/default.aspx

In short, on the 8^th, Microsoft will cease adding updates for Windows XP. This means there will be no further Service Packs, software updates, and security patches. While some may say that this is merely a way to sell more software, To a degree it is. Microsoft offers, through their site, options for upgrading your copy of XP to a newer, supported version. However, marketing and sales aside, newer software is better able to handle evolving technology.

What's Going To Happen?

What does this mean to you if you're an XP user? Much like Y2K and 2012, the world won't end for you on April 9^th. Your PC will continue to run the same as it did the day before (short of any catastrophic device failure). The biggest concern for you will be exploitation. “Bad guys” are still out there writing malicious code, and knowing that weaknesses discovered will no longer be fixed will embolden them to seek every opportunity to take advantage of them.

Another consideration is that there will no longer be “bug fixes”. Windows is a complex piece of software, that is a collaboration of many programmers, and massive amounts of code. Even within the default XP environment there are multiple programs, device drivers, utilities and more, Every now and again there's a “bug”, or unexpected response to a situation. Sometimes it will freeze or crash a program. Sometimes it will cause a Blue Screen and force a restart of your computer, Some of the updates that Windows offers are fixes to these reported bugs. Any bugs left after April 8 will no longer be fixed.

Should I Worry?

There's no need to panic, though. It's OK to be concerned, but don't hit the “panic button” just yet. While Microsoft will no longer be supporting XP, some third parties will continue to do so. If you choose to continue to use XP, the most important things you should keep in mind are protection, awareness of your activities, and support from your other software vendors.

What can I do with my XP Machine?

When we look at security, we're talking about protecting your computer. The easiest way to protect it is to keep it offline. I have one machine that has never met the Internet. If the computer is never exposed to threats, then you have nothing to worry about, short of component failure. So, if you have an XP machine that works well, and you use it as an offline word processor, photo editing computer, for playing older games, etc – you should have little problem with it after the 8^th.

If, however, you have an older machine that you use online, then you definitely want to take all the necessary steps to protect yourself. Before looking at software, you should be mindful of how you use your computer. Especially with running a no-longer-supported system, you need to be careful. There are a few simple “tricks” you can use. First “pay attention”. I know it sounds simple, but it's good advice to pay attention to where you're going, what links you follow, what email messages you open – and attachments as well, etc. While it's not perfect, only opening messages from people you know, only going to sites you trust, and not opening strange attachments can help reduce your risk. Another tip is to use a separate user account (within Windows) for your “normal use” than your Administrator account. If your Administrator account is compromised, the results can be costly (time, money, lost files, etc).

When you look at software, you want to make sure that it is still supported under Windows XP. This is especially true when working with an anti-virus or security suite. Over time, these will be harder to find. However, for now there will still be some that offer protection for older machines. Third party programs will update virus and vulnerability definitions, and may protect your computer from malicious code, but will not address vulnerabilities in the software itself.

Should I replace or upgrade?

Do you want to continue with your XP machine, but want to make sure you're “doing it right”? We can help you with that. If, on the other hand, you would like to upgrade, we're here for you as well. The first thing we'll do is evaluate your current equipment, as well as your wants and needs What does your computer have to do, and what would you ideally want it to do? These may be two different things. The most simple upgrade would be from XP to Vista (if your current hardware supports that). Other options include reformatting your machine with a fresh operating system, like Vista, 7 or 8 (as long as your hardware supports such).

Another option may be to purchase a new system. You can buy a new system (desktop or portable). You can get these from various retail shops. They'll be current, will offer warranty options, and, barring a defect, should have no problems running straight out of the box. An economical option may be to purchase one used or refurbished. With these, you'll have less warranty options – might be “as is” or “buyer beware” from an individual, but many companies that sell refurbs will put some kind of guarantee on it – it looks bad if they're known for selling lemons. The other way to go on this is to build (or have someone build) you a new PC. The advantage to this is that you get exactly what you want. If you want something other than the stock options , this may be the way to go. We can help you pick out the parts you want, and even put it together for you, install your software, and make sure you are comfortable in using it

I may want to try something new....

Here, I would like to add that Microsoft is not the only fish in the sea. Apple has the Mac OS. Generally, this is found on their computers and notebooks. These tend to come with a price tag that's a bit steeper than a comparable Windows-PC, and there tend to be fewer customization options. I don't want to knock their products. They make a solid product that works well from the box, have several support options, and a lot of fans who speak highly of their product. With their higher price, and a learning curve in changing operating systems, this may or may not be a viable option.

Google has entered the computer operating system market in recent years, as well. The Chromebook has been out for a couple years now. It uses Google's Chrome operating system, and presently there are a limited number of retail computers sold with that. The Chrome OS can, more easily, be deployed on a non-standard device. Early criticism of the Chromebook was that it required an Internet connection to run. More recent devices have addressed this, and offline work is now possible. Chromebooks have a sleek look, somewhat similar to the Macbooks. They do tend to come at a significantly lower price, though, with some found for under $200. Chromebooks have their advantages and disadvantages. There are several manufacturers, though limited configurations. They include some basic programs, and a 100GB cloud storage, and have access to an app store for customization.

Linux is another option available. Once more in the realms of hobbyists and “geeks”, some variants of Linux have taken to the mainstream. In fact, Dell has been selling Linux-based systems for years. There are many flavors to choose from, and some are actually quite simple – and safe – to use. Some advantages to Linux are the costs – the operating system, and most programs are free, and open-source; many components work with it; it is far more difficult to be affected by a virus; and it can be customized to your preferences. Drawbacks include a lack of support for some programs and games, and a learning curve for something different. The nice thing is that this can be installed on most computers – including older ones, and maybe be lighter on using the resources, allowing you to get more life out of older equipment.

An0other possibility to consider is the tablet route. The big players in this field are Microsoft (Surface), Apple (iPad), and Google (Android). Of these, Android offers perhaps the largest variety, Android tablets may start around $50 for entry line models, and go up to several hundred, depending on manufacturer, sale, and features. Microsoft and Apple have more firm price points, and limited selection.  Choosing one is a personal decision, and is based on your needs, wants, preferences, and budget. The economy-priced tablet may be a deal, but it may have shortcomings on upgradability, features, camera quality, memory, etc.

If you have questions, or need help deciding, then give us a call. We'd love to help you find the right thing for you to work with, and help you get it running just the way you want it.

30+ Days of Christmas: #15 - Media Player Buying Guide

Welcome back to Buying Guide Week in the gift countdown.  Today, we're taking a look at "media players".  This is a bit of a broad category, so it will be broken in half.  Part one will feature portable media players, while part 2 will look at ones that don't move very often.

Part I: Portable Media Players:

In the "old days", this would have been a transistor radio, tape player, or maybe a little TV.   Nowadays, your options are much greater, though you can still get

 a portable TV or radio.  I wouldn't hold out much hope on the tape deck, though. [First person to respond back with the source of that line wins a prize.]

There are some digital portable televisions on the market, today, Their usefulness, though, will be variable, depending on your digital sources.   Much more popular, though are portable DVD players (and blu-ray players).  A portable DVD player can be found for under $50, when the sales are right.  larger screen sizes, and speciality units designed for cars  will have different prices.   Blu-ray portables exist but tend to be at a higher price.   One reason is likely the higher definition screen needed to enjoy the full resolution.   For those wondering about portable gaming systems, fear not, those will be covered in the gaming guide, soon.

The "big item" though, are the portable media players.   There are plenty of devices to choose from, and in some cases, personal preference is the only real factor in choosing "the best".   

One of the most popular lines on the market is the iPod.   There are numerous sizes and models of iPod available.   These can be found for about $49, or so for the Shuffle, with ones with more features, or larger storage space commanding a higher price tag.  Much like other Apple products, previously discussed, the iPod comes in a slim, attractive package.   They install easily enough to your Windows or Mac computer, with the iTunes software.   Sorry Linux  and other OS users, but they take a little (or a lot) more fidgeting about to set up.  You're able to acquire music, audio books, and in some devices movie files through the iTunes store - or from your own collection - and transfer them to your device.   You can use the sync feature, or drag & drop through iTunes or the file manager. 

Sony has extended their popular Walkman brand to the digital media player world.   I've never received any endorsement from Sony, but I have had several of their Walkman line mp3 players over the past six  or seven years.   My current one has been serving me well for over three years.  They do have "over the ear" models with 2 or 4GB storage.  However for the most part the players come in 4, 8 & 16 GB sizes, with a display for both menu display and video playback.   They will use either Sony's software, or drag & drop.  For Linux users, this makes them less complex than the iPod.   Walkman players come at a lower price point than the iPod, however the storage capacity is generally lower, as well.  For me, one of the strong points for the Sony player is the tactile interface.   I'm able to navigate my player, from my pocket, with my hands, without looking.   For me, very often, this is a very important thing to be able to do.    Other players have similar features,.

Samsung has ha a couple media players.   They were based on the Galaxy platform.  These resembled the Galaxy phone , and were compatible with Samsung (and comparable) accessories.   

Sandisk has been a presence in the portable digital media player market for years.   I've used a couple of their devices over the years.  In fact, my "backup" (when I find I've been too lazy to charge my player) is a Sandisk from 2005.  Since then, though, taking advantage of long-lasting internal batteries, and increasing amounts of flash memory.   Like the Sony models, there are tactile interfaces in most of the Sandisk players.    These players are often more economical than other brands, but this will come with a trade-off of features, storage capacity or battery life.

There are other brands available, often in the "economy" line.   Some of these may suit your needs very well, or some may have the type of quality that says "You get what you pay for".   I've seen both sides of this, with some good deals, and some ...junk.   Ultimately, the choice is up to you.   I advise reading product reviews for anything you're considering picking up.  Personally, while I'm partial to Sony's units, the iPod is well worth looking at (and buying if you so choose).  

If you need some guidance, ask, and I'll be glad to help you on specific models that I may be unable to for the scope of this piece.

Part II: "Fixed" Media Players:

We've looked at portable players.   Now let's take a look at some of the more "permanent'  players.   When looking at these, we'll look at optical disc players, and streaming devices.   By "fixed", in this case I'm referring to players that connect to your wall outlet, and are unlikely to move very often.

The DVD player sis the first thing we'll have a look at.   DVD players have sure dropped in price from their release.  Now, depending on brand and sale, I've seen them for $10-20 on the low-end.   The DVD uses a laser to read digital information off of a disc, and play it on a television.   DVD offered higher quality playback than analog media (VHS, reel, Super 8, etc).   It also allowed a greater amount of information to be stored.   As such, some movies included quite a lot of bonus material, along with the disc.   DVD players will often connect via RCA (2 audio, 1 video) cable, though some may use HDMI cables.  Quality and features may vary depending on brand and price.

Blu-ray players came out a few years ago, and after winning the format war with HDDVD, became the progression from DVD.   Blu-ray discs allowed for even greater storage capacity.  This allowed for even higher definition files to be stored on a disc - or far more "bonus material".   Blu-ray connected through HDMI, and was geared toward working with new(er) HDTVs, though on some RCA or Colorstream was still available as an output.   Blu-ray players can work as standalone units, but many are able to connect to the internet - or a local network, with wired or wireless connections.  This allows these players to take advantage of digital content on some discs.  Many players also though, have built in apps to take advantage of digital content services like Pandora, Hulu Plus, YouTube and Netflix (as examples).   Prices on players varies by features, brand and sales, though I have seen them for as low as $40 in the past.   An evolution to the Blu-ray player is the 3D Blu-ray player.  These allow for 3D playback with movies and televisions with the encoding and capability, respectively.

The last thing we'll look at, today, is the streaming media players.   While the Blu-ray players may have access to some content providers, some devices are set independently.    Some examples are Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku's spread of players.   Some companies like Netgear and RCA have also introduced products into the market, as well.  Others, like Boxee have come and gone.   Your choice on streaming content players will vary based on your needs, budget, and equipment.   We've had a Roku HD here.   It spent a considerable time connected through RCA cables to a25" tube television.   It connectedthrough wi-fi to our network, and streamed content.   While the device was capable of 720p resolution the TV and cable limited the output.   The Netgear NeoTV, on the other hand, does not have RCA connections, and would require a converter to "step down" to an older television.   There really isn't much of a "wrong" streaming content player.  A lot of the decision making is on your needs, budget and preferences.   If you have a Netflix account, then you need to get one that has this feature.   If you subscribe to a particular paid network, then you need to make sure it's available on the device you choose.    

Conclusion:

It's hard to pick a "best" device in some of these.   It's also hard to give an "economical value" assessment.   For the most part, it's personal preference on both fixed and portable media players.   I can't stress enough the need to research and ask questions when you're unsure though.   Like with the other buying guides, I'm willing to give more specific answers to questions, but it's tough to be too specific in the space I have available here.  Come back tomorrow for our next Buying Guide!

BONUS Tip:  "Old" cell phones can be converted into media players/internet phones.   It may be a good idea to start by "factory restoring" the device.  However once done, if you set it to Airplane Mode, it will disable the cellular antenna.   You can then use it on wi-fi or without any access.   I've converted a couple of old phones into media players/Skype phones.  

Viruses, Malware, Scams & "Hacking" vs Your Privacy, Your Computer, & You

Today, I'd like to take a look at an important issue - your online safety and protection.   Whether you're new to computers, have been around for a while, or "really know your stuff", you're bound to come across people with less-than-honorable intentions.  

Today, I will, briefly,  point out what is out there, what "bad guys" are doing, the threats to you, and what you can do to prevent yourself from being a victim.  If you would like further information, please get in touch with me, and I will expand on any of these topics.


What is out there?
The internet is a big place.   It seems that almost everyone has a presence,   Much the same as there are criminals in the real world, there are bad guys on the internet, as well.   Their goals are not all the same.  Some like causing mischief.  Others want your money or identity.  Others still want to steal your property (account, machine or service) to further carry out their acts.   

One of the most common means used is the computer virus.   These are often transmitted through an infected file.  Once activated, they install themselves on the infected computer, and may spread themselves through the means for which they were designed.   This could mean being spread through email, or being shared as part of a file-sharing network.   In some cases, a virus may be transmitted through an exploit through an add-on like Javascript or Flash. For the sake of this article, I am not distinguishing between viruses, trojan horses, rootkits and other malicious code.  The end result of this malicious code is that your drive may be corrupted, your computer may be locked out, your personal information may be stolen, your computer may be used to send or host spam, or any number o other unfavorable outcomes.

"Adware" is another threat that lies out there.  Adware may or may not be caught by some security programs as malware.   By its written purpose, it is "intended to help you".  This may be in showing you similar goods to those you're viewing on a webpage, replacing banner ads with those from a client, or hijacking your browser.  Very often these programs sneak in with anotherprogram.   While they may not be "malicious" by definition, they often have unwanted or undesirable consequences.  

Scams are perhaps one of the biggest threats out there.   These may be carried out by email, instant messenger, or by phone.    I have seen one delivered by postal mail, as well, but that's a different story.  Common scams include the NIgerian Prince (or other dead rich person) who either left you as an heir to a fortune, or you've been sought out to help a banker launder the "money".  There is also the fake international lottery scam, and even the "Someone wants you dead, but if you pay me, I'll let you live" scam.    Other common seen scams include folks (especially from Africa) who want to buy an item from you on an auction site at an inflated price, long-distance "landlords" that want to offer you a ridiculously low price on housing, or even ones who want to play on the naivity of someone using a dating site.   Another common scam takes place over the telephone.   Usually with a pre-recorded message that your credit card interest rate can be lowered just by talking to some call center representative crook.   Another phone scam to watch out for is the foreign (generally Indian) "Microsoft" calls.  They attempt to trick you into believing that your computer is telling Microsoft it has error/viruses, and they were there to help rip you off.

Spam is another way to fall victim to theft.  Email messages purporting "great" deals on counterfeit goods or discount prescriptions (Viagra seems to be a very popular one) without a prescription, lead the pack on offers to separate you from your hard-earned money.   It's fairly easy to bulk-register a bunch of domains cheap, park them on a referrer, aiming them at a foreign site that is unlikely to help you when you've been taken to the cleaners.  That is a "when", not an "if".   Spam is very often perpetuated through the use of fake or stolen email accounts, and hijacked computers.  

The last thing we'll look at today in the "what is out there" category is "hacking".   In general, this is a very mis-used word.   Many times, after one has been tricked into sharing their login information, and their email/social media account begins to spam people, they say "I was hacked".   No, there was no hacking involved, they just were tricked into turning over their account.   On the other hand, I have had an account hacked.   I saw the email notifications that there were a series of unsuccessful attempts  on my account, followed by it being used for bad purposes.   [I got their domains and IP addresses removed for this act].  Whether real hacking, or trickery, your account information, contact lists, and private data may become compromised.  

What can I do about it?
Information, protection and prevention are the best ways of ensuring you keep a healthy computer, and do not fall victim to the crooks. 

Information: Know what's out there.  You don't need to be an expert on every threat that is out there, but keep some basics in mind

• If it seems "too good to be true" it's a scam
• If they claim you won a prize you didn't sign up for, it's a scam
• If someone asks you to sell an item outside of normal channels - and ship it internationally - they're out to steal from you
• Pictures do not have an .exe estention
• "Your bank" will not email you from a free email account to tell you there's a problem with your account.
• "Your credit card company" will not call you from a spoofed phone number offering to "reduce your interest rate" without identifying themselves properly.
• Microsoft does not call users.  Period.

Protection: This may be as simple as setting up your firewall or antivirus program.  This is especially important for Windows users, though otherusers should take note, as well.  

"But, I use a Mac, and they don't get viruses" one might say.  This is verifiably wrong.   While Microsoft has held the lion's share of the operating system use in the world, they have been a greater target for malicious code.   Assuming one wanted to distribute their software to the largest number of machines, it is only logical that they would write it for the most prevalent system.   The Windows and Mac operating systems are different, which means that most windows-designed viruses will be ineffective against Macs - but Mac-specific viruses have been in existence since 1982.   So, it's a good idea to have protection on your Mac to keep it virus free.   At the very least it's good to have to prevent forwarding harmful email attachments to your Windows-using friends.

"But I use Linux, that is virus-proof".   Again, this statement is wrong.   First, we have the aforementioned courtesy when forwarding potentially infected files.  While, Linux also uses a different system, some malicious code is possible.  This will often be distributed in packages outside of the distro-specific repository.   While not prevalent, and often preventable through basic knowledge, it's tood to use protection.

"But I'm on an android/iPad".  These devices are growing in popularity and market share.  As such, there are more exploits, and more people willing to spend time to write harmful code.   

Prevention: You can't easily stop any of these things from their source, but you can prevent yourself from falling victim to many of the threats that surround us.   Here are a few tips:

• Never respond to spam!   buying anything from them does a few things.  It enriches them at your expense.  It adds you to a "sucker list".  It takes money from you directly (often for nothing) or gives ac it gives them your credit/debit card info, allowing htem to steal far more from you.
• Responding to "unsubscribe" links in spam mail only validates your account.  Spammers do not care that you do not want their garbage, and will gladly sell the list collected from the "unsubscribe" link for more money.  Then you get more spam.
• Do not do business outside the official channels on sites like eBay.   If you get ripped off outside of eBay, you lose the protections available within the service.   It's advisable to report any attempts to conduct a transaction outside of the auction/sale, or to simply ignore the contact.
• Large sums of money from foreign (often African) countries are scams.   You're probably just as well deleting them.   For those with the time and inclination, there is a "sport" of scam-baiting, but in general, it's best to just ignore these email messages.
• Watch what you open, and who sent it to you.    I'm not saying not to trust what your friends and family sent to you, but sometimes it's good to  pay attention.   If you have a friend who generally has good spelling and grammar, and suddenly sends you a message for a website with "u" or "4" as words, then chances are good you're dealing with a compromised account.
• With email, learn that legitimate businesses you deal with will not send you a "Dear user" message telling you about an impropriety in your account.  This is especially true for banks, Paypal, and credit cards.   Do not follow links from these email messages, but rather go to the site directly, - or phone the establishment - and verify whether or not there is actually a problem
• Regarding the phone scams, unless you feel comfortable - and have the time - it's better just to hang up on the "card services", "auto warranty", and Microsoft Tech Support scam calls.   

I hope that this gave you a bit of info that could help protect you, your computer, and your private information.   If you'd like me to expand on any of these points, let me know, and I can provide more information.   

30+ Days of Christmas: #16 Tablet Buying Guide

Welcome back to the gift countdown.  For real, this time, it's tie to look at those popular portables - the tablets.


Like the previous couple days, there are a lot of choices, and no universal winners.   Today, though, we're going to look at  features to look for, screen size, processor/memory, and run over the options from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, & Google, take a look at convertible laptops, as well as take a bit of a look at "economy tablets". 


The tablet is not as new an idea as it may be seen.   They had them in Star Trek.... Oh wait, that was on TV.   Seriously, though, the tablet has predated the iPad or Android by over a decade.   There were early convertible laptops that would allow a stylus to be used on the screen.   Let's not forget  PDA's, like the Palm Pilot and Toshiba Pocket PC.  Devices like these would merge with cellular technology giving us things like the Palm Pre.  Also, during the later part of the 2000's, Amazon introduced the Kindle, which was primarily an e-reader, which could buy and store content from Amazon cellularly.

In 2010, Apple released their first generation iPad.  This came with a lot of fanfare, and had six fixed options - black or white, in three memory configurations.   It had a nice appearance (unlike some of the less-stylish earlier tablets), came loaded with software, as well as an app store - the iTunes Store, where a user could purchase movies, music, books, games and more.   The iPad has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past three years of its existence.   In 2012, while a newer version of the tablet was introduced, so was the iPad Mini, a smaller version.  This year, upgraded versions of both have become available.   There are a lot of pros to the iPad, but also some limitations.    Apple's manufactured a slick-packaged device that's fairly light and easily portable.  Battery life can be about 10 hours - depending on use - and there are a wide variety of apps to choose from from the iTunes store.  There are a couple of considerations to keep in mind with an iPad, though.   Apple is the exclusive manufacturer of the iPad.  As such, there is no variety, but for color and memory.  If you buy a 16GB iPad, you cannot upgrade it to 64GB - short of buying a new one, or being very handy with a soldering iron (which will void your warranty).Unlike some of the competitors, the iPad may lack expansion ports, and may not have the "best" camera, but they work very well out of the box, and Apple offers phone support and in-store support at their Apple Stores.

Google introduced the Android Tablet not long after the iPad debuted.   Unlike Apple, Google is merely the creator of the operating system.   This allows for a greater degree of variety.   There are, or have been, such choices as the Dell Streak, Samsung Galaxy, Acer Iconia, Asus Transformer, and Toshiba Thrive.   This allowed for a greater variety of choice in device.   As opposed to the iPad, most Android tablets had an expansion slot to increase storage space.  Another advantage was that the price of an Android tablet was often considerably less than that of an iPad.   Unlike Apple, there was no uniformity in devices.   Similarly priced models may have different features, or may not be officially supported under the next released OS upgrade.    Components vary by manufacturer and product line.   My Acer Iconia has microHDMI port, a full sized USB host port, as well as the microUSB transfer port.  My father's Motorola Xoom has the microUSB and microHDMI, but not the USB.  At the time, his cost b bit more than mine.   With the competition, companies like Samsung have been improving their displays and cameras to attract greater market share for a "better product".  Apple actually entered the "mini-tablet" market late.   There had been several Android based devices in this product class well before the announcement of the iPad Mini last September.   It's very important to make sure in choosing a tablet, that you get one with the memory and features that you will need.   Economy-line models are available, (see below) that may also be a consideration.

As noted earlier, Amazon had their Kindle reader as the sell-out item several years ago upon its initial launch.  Since them, the design has been improved upon, Kindle has added an app that will work on other tablets and smart phones.   The new Kindle Fire HDX is no exception.   Amazon has continued the evolution of their popular reader.   It now offers a better screen, higher resolution camera, and improved access to a constantly growing media library.   Instead of an e-ink mini-tab, these new(er) Kindles are feature-rich tablets, that allow for you to check your social media sites, email, surf the web, take pictures, or - as they were initially designed - read a good book.  

Last year, Microsoft introduced the Windows Surface.  Microsoft was entering the tablet market (as well as making drastic changes in the Windows operating system).   I've been interested in the Surface since its release, though I haven't had the opportunity to really get intimate with one.   The Surface had some problems in its first year, and did not live up to the hype that the company (likely) had on the release.  This year, Microsoft has released an upgraded OS, and a new version of the Surface.   Some may remember that I was intrigued, at the very least by the Surface.  I was not in the market for either a laptop or tablet at the time.  Also, I'm more of a Penguin guy, myself.  I liked what I saw though.   Microsoft had a tablet that could convert into a semi-notebook with an attachable keyboard, had twice the memory of the iPad at each level, and could use a full office suite.   One distinct disadvantage of both the iPad and Android were their lack of ability to use productivity software.  Microsoft Office was not available, and neither were open source suites like Open Office and LibreOffice.  .   In my opinion, this made the Surface a better choice for those who wanted one device, rather than needing multiple.  Microsoft has some similar disadvantages to Apple, though.   Being the sole manufacturer, limits the customizable options to color or accessory.  However, the Surface does allow for a bit more flexibility in expansion.   In addition, it's prone to similar exploits as the Windows operating system itself.   Some may bash Microsoft for this, but (as I'll detail in another post this afternoon) the greater one's presence in the market, the bigger a target they become. 

There are an assortment of "economy line" tablets that are available for purchase.   I've seen sizes ranging from 4.3" through 10".   Names have included, but are not limited to Apex, Proscan, Nextbook, eFun, and Envizen.   Sometimes, depending on sales, these tablets may be at $50 or less.   In general, these economy tablets will run on the Android operating system.   Very often, though, as opposed to their higher priced counterparts, they will be lacking in component quality, features, or storage space.   One local retailers advertises a particular economy tablet most weeks for $50-70.   While this will give you something usable for a low price, it may have some trade-offs.   As opposed to the 10 hour active battery life of higher end tablets, some of these may only get 4 hours of active battery use before needing a charge.   Also, they may ship with single core, or low-speed dual core processors, and 512MB system RAM (while the major brand may have a higher speed quad core, and greater system RAM).   Onboard storage may be small, but is (often) expandable with microSD media cards.   Some other considerations when buying a budget tablet are the access to app stores, and the support for new(er) versions of the operating system.   I received a Nextbook 8, free, as a bonus, along with a purchase this past summer.   Short of being rooted, though, it has limitations.  It will not accept certain Android upgrades, and does not use the Google Play Store.   I've also found it a bit lacking in power & features to my older Acer Iconia, but I've still been able to put it to some good, if infrequent, use.     For those who have the knowledge or the desire to tinker around, economy tablets may be a source of fun for experimentation.   By "rooting" a device, you may be able to reprogram it for some other purposes.   I'm not going to go into any detail on how to do that.  Keep in mind, also that by rooting your device, you will void any warranty that you had.  You may also "brick" your device.   Bricking, in this sense is a fairly simple term.   It means "turning your nice electronic gadget into a high-priced brick".    This should only be done if you know what you're doing, or are not worried about the results.

The last subject I'll cover here today are the "convertible" tablets.   Toshiba was one manufacturer years ago that made a notebook computer with a screen that could twist backward and work as a tablet.   These didn't perform so well on the market in the Windows 98/Me/NT and even XP days.  Lately, though, they've become much better.    There are rotating screens, detachable tablets, and even dual-display devices.   These can give you "the best of both worlds" so to speak.   You can have a fully functional notebook, with the functionality of a tablet, when needed.   Many of these now take advantage of the touchscreen potential on Windows 8, although they can be used under Linux, as well.   This technology  is improving, but the better convertibles still command a premium price tag.  For some, it may be more cost effective to stick with a notebook, and a tablet, unless convenience and "clutter" are bigger concerns than cost. 

All in all, there are a lot of choices available.   Ultimately, if you're in the market for a gift, or for yourself, then there's quite a bit to choose from.   There is not absolute "best" device, as that is very subjective to your needs, budget and preference.   I hope that this gave you a bit of insight on the options available.   This guide is not all-inclusive nor exhaustive, but was meant to give you a place to start.   If you have further questions to help in choosing a device, don't hesitate to contact me.

30+ Days of Christmas : #17 - Portable Computer Buying Guide

Welcome back to the gift idea countdown, and this week's "buying guide" series.   I need to acknowledge a bit of a typo from the previous entry.   #16, tomorrow, is the Tablet day.   I apologize for the misleading title. 

Today, we're going to look at the portable options for computers.   Specifically, we'll look at Notebook/laptops, Chromebooks, Macbooks, Netbooks and Ultrabooks.   "Convertibles" will be covered tomorrow under tablets. 

There are a lot of options available for portable computers.   For the most part, they are going to come pre-configured and assembled.   There are do-it-yourself options, though they are geared toward a certain level of enthusiast, and are not as easily available.     Like desktops, the components and operating system are important considerations in deciding your machine.  CPU, Memory, drive space, graphics card, ports  and screen type/size are important to consider.   Hard drive and RAM are easy to change out, not so much the rest.  

We'll start off with an outgoing product, today.  We'll start with the Netbook.   Netbooks were initially a light version of the notebook.  They had a smaller screen size, lighter processor, no optical drive,  but were wi-fi included (upon their release, not all notebooks had on-board wi-fi).   Some netbooks, in fact, were partnered with cellular providers, allowing them to connect to the internet using your data plan.   With ultrabooks, tablets, convertibles and smartphones, the netbook market has been dwindling.   While they're decreasing in popularity, they are still available, and still are a good option for some people.    With 7-10" screens, they offer a small, portable option.   Netbooks often include Windows operating system, though some shipped with Linux.  They'll fit into many bags, and travel well.   While some may find a tablet or iPad a lighter option, the netbook still possesses a standard keyboard, and can utilize a full office suite.   They're worth at least a basic consideration, when size, portability, and price are important determining factors.  

Last year's entry into the portable category, the Chromebook, has had a couple of new additions.   When I first covered these, last year, there were only two options.   HP has joined Acer and Samsung, and there is a bit more of a variety.    Chromebooks utilize the Google Chrome operating system.   This is a competing operating system to Windows, Mac, or Linux.   Like the netbooks, Chromebooks come sans optical drive.   They come with a larger screen than yur typical netbook, and have a much more streamlined appearance.   Upgrading components is not the easiest thing to do, however.   Chromebooks come with access to online backup storage space on Google's cloud servers, and they have improved their operating system to allow for more features to work when not connected to the internet.   Chromebooks tend to start around $200.  Windows users may find the learning curve to the Chrome OS a bit of a challenge, at least at first.  I would recommend looking at these for a similar market as those looking at netbooks.   At the very least, it's worth it to play around with a demo unit if you see one at your local shop.

Another option for portable computing is the Macbook.  Apple's notebook ships with their operating system and software.    Apple has several models and sizes available, though there is a limited variety in components.   Macbooks have a very sleek appearance, much like many of Apple's products.   They include the Mac OS (version may depend on model).   Windows users will find some differences in keyboard layout and programs.   Macbooks tend to have a higher price than some comparable notebooks. but they enjoy a strong following from their owners.   As I mentioned above, there is a limited selection of compatible components.   Apple has made it rather difficult to work on your own Macbook.   They've created the Pentalobe Screw (and driver) which made accessing your device a bit more challenging.  There is a rumor that Mac's are "virus-proof".  This is far from true.   To be honest, no operating system is virus proof.   With a lower market share, Macs do not make as tempting a target.  It's important, though to be careful whatever operating system you use.    Apple has their own warranty service, and provides instruction either by phone, or through their Apple Stores.  While I may be a bit hesitant to recommend this for most people, it's more for the price than for the operating system.   These systems work well out of the box, and will serve their users well through their lifespan.  They do come with a steep price tag, which may put them out of some people's reach.

The Ultrabook are newer portables.   They aim to optimize battery life, weight, size and power.   These may not include optical drives, and often have smaller screen size, but make up for this with high-speed solid state processors, and low-power consumption CPU's which allow for a longer battery life.    Mostly, these machines are powered by Intel based Core processors.  They often come at a higher price, though not often that of a Macbook.  These are geared toward more "super user" than standard or light user.   Some gamers, or heavy users will find them far more effective.   With their lighter size they are great for travelling.  A fair amount of ultrabooks do not include an optical drive (CD/DVD?BD)While external drives are always available, if this is critical to your needs, it may be worth finding a model that includes this feature - or choosing a different style.    Likewise, heavy gamers may find these not suitable for their needs.     Memory and possibly hard drive are the two main replaceable components in these, though you need to check the maximum RAM capacity.     Like the Macbook, I am hesitant to give an "everyone" recommendation on these.   The price may not be agreeable with everyone, and the features need to be evaluated per user need.   They are very nice though.


The last group we will look at today will be the broad category "notebooks".   This is a catch-all for anything that doesn't fit into the previous category.   It's also a catch-all that includes the previous ones, if you want to be technical about it.   For the discussion here, though, we'll assume that we're dealing with other-than-previously-named.  Notebooks come in a variety of sizes, CPUs, RAM and RAM capacity, hard drive type/size, graphics, manufacturer screen size, and more.   It's important to consider your needs, budget, and expectations when purchasing your notebook (or one for a gift).   AMD E-series processors and Intel Celeron processors may be affordable deals, but they are also the lowe functioning processors from each laboratory.  In general, you'll find models from about 13" to 17", with larger ones often having a full-size keyboard (including number pad), while smaller size will have a more tightly packed keyboard.   DVD/RW drives are fairly common as optical drives on laptops these days, though Blu-ray and recordable are getting a greater toehold.    Very often a machine will include a certain amount of RAM.   Very often this amount is replaceable, or upgradable.  Hard drives vary.  It's still common load a SATA mechanical drive, but SSD boot drives are a popular replacement or substitution.   The greatest degree of variety in manufacture and component exist here.  Toshiba, Dell, Alienware, Acer, Gateway, Sony, HP, Compaq, Lenovo, Asus and more exist on the market.   They range from low-end economy units, to high-end gaming computers.  Your needs will vary, but it's importnt to watch out that you don't pick up an economy model when you want to game - or spend extra money on a gaming rig when you are only going to watch Youtube videos.     You have the greatest chance of finding "the right" machine in this categry statistically.   That's partially due to the variety out there.    I can't give an economic value, because that's a very personal decision.  

My final word on portables, is that there are a lot of options out there.   It's easy to get confused, but there are a few things you can look out for.   I hope that this gave you some food for thought on what to get for yourself/as a gift.   If you have any questions, or could use a hand in picking out your next portable, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Thanks for stopping by again, and stop back tomorrow for the Tablet Guide.