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You Do NOT Have a Problem With Your Microsoft Account
The advantage of logging into your Windows computer with your Microsoft account is that if you want to purchase an app from the Microsoft Store you’re already logged in.
I know that MOST of you don’t purchase apps from the store. If you’re like me and log into your computer with a LOCAL account (meaning it doesn’t matter if your computer is online or not AND Microsoft doesn’t know each time you log onto your computer) then your Windows 10 computer will on occasion show you this little message in the corner…
The ONLY problem with your Microsoft account is that Microsoft can’t tell when you’re using your computer (for the most part.) So DON’T WORRY when you see this message, and don’t feel the need to create a Microsoft account to change how you log onto your computer. Just SMILE and say “no thank you Microsoft” the next time you see it.
Been to Chipotle Lately, Better Check your Credit Card
If you ate at Chipotle between March 24 and April 18, you might want to check your credit card statement. They were hacked and payment information from over 2,200 restaurants was taken.
Reuters has a full article on the hack: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chipotle-cyber-idUSKBN18M2BY
My Advice Hasn’t Changed with the Cyberattacks
With all the brouhaha over the cyberattacks going on all over the world, my advice in not getting infected with ransomware is the same advice I’ve been giving from the beginning. Don’t CLICK on a link in nor OPEN an attachment in an email unless you know who it’s from AND you’re expecting it. I can’t emphasize that last part enough. It is someone you know who was infected that the email will come from, and if you think it’s ok because it came from someone you know and you open the attachment, then it’s game over.
You need a backup of your data that can’t be compromised by ransomware, that’s why I recommend Carbonite. For $59 a year your data is securely stored where even a virus can’t damage it. I’ve had a client get infected with Ransomware and rather that pay the $1,500 ransom, we got all the data back from Carbonite. You can get Carbonite directly from them, or for the same price I will set up it for you and make sure the subtle settings are all correct for you so nothing gets missed.
Carbonite also protects you not just from hard drive crashes but also theft and fire – it’s cheap insurance, so contact me ([email protected]) and let me get you set up and fully protected from the day you accidentally make that click.
This is Why….
THIS is why I say again and again and again to NEVER open an attachment (or click on a link) in email unless you know who it’s from and you’re EXPECTING it. You don’t really have to worry about things like this (nor even read the entire article) if you follow that one simple rule…
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-cyber-idUSKBN17S32G
Windows 10 “Creators Update” is Coming
Windows 10 has been through a couple of major updates since in came out in July 2015. It was updated in November that year and again in July 2016, and it’s about to happen again. The update will be free to all current users of Windows 10 and you will get a notification before it downloads and installs. The changes to how you use it on a daily basis you will hardly notice, so no one needs to panic. Here is a video from Microsoft of some of the features:
and The Verge has an article about it as well…http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/28/13451846/microsoft-windows-10-creators-update-features
Apple Replacing Screen Coating on 12” MacBook Pro
If you have a 12 inch MacBook Pro going back as far as 2012 and the Anti-Reflective coating is coming off, then Apple has you covered. Apple isn’t necessarily making it public, but now you know and so if you’re having this problem you can get it repaired at no cost. MacRumors spilled the beans earlier today: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/02/24/apple-extended-anti-reflective-repair-program/
If You Think Computers are Expensive Now…
I ran across an old computer magazine from 1994 with this ad from Dell on the back cover. Compared to this, you could buy today a computer with a processor 300 times faster with 4 cores rather that one, 1,000 times more memory, a hard drive 2,000 times larger, a 27” monitor, 1,000 times more memory in the video card, a high-def blu-ray drive instead of a CD reader (not even a burner), an operating system 22 years newer and all for less that $1,000. $2,599 in 1994 would equal a $4,055 computer today!
It’s Microsoft Patch Tuesday!
Lot’s of updates today. If you’re running Windows 10 you can check by clicking on the start button and click on “Settings”…
Click on “Updates and security”
Then click on “Check for Updates”, or if the updates have been installed already, then go ahead and restart your system (save any open documents first.)
If you don’t reboot the computer, eventually it will reboot and install on its own, and maybe not at a convenient time for you.
Pay Attention if You Have a NETGEAR Router
A flaw has been discovered in some of Netgear’s most popular routers that makes it really easy for a bad guy to have access to your router. All you have to do is click on a link in a webpage or email and boom, he can walk right in. Fortunately, it’s really easy to see if you’re affected. Below you’ll see two links, chances are your Netgear router uses one of the two address in those links. CLICK on the first link and if you’re vulnerable, it will only reboot your router. So after clicking the link, wait 10 seconds or so and see if you can get to another web page. If you can’t then your router is rebooting and you need to get it updated. If it doesn’t kick you offline then try the second link. If you’re STILL online then you’re probably fine. The links below will NOT do anything bad to your router, just reboot it IF it has the flaw, but it’s a similar method a bad guy would use to take over your router – he just wouldn’t be using the “reboot” command, he’d use something much worse.
IF you’re router goes offline, then it will come back in a few minutes. When you’re back online go to Netgear’s support page at https://www.netgear.com/support/, enter the model number of your router and download and upgrade the firmware on your router. Now if that’s a little to technical for you to do then call me and I can do it for you, even remotely if you’re not in Austin.
My own router had this flaw and Netgear had an update that fixed it.
Next Time You Make a Call on AT&T, be Sure to Say Hello to the NSA!
This building, “owned” by AT&T just also happens to be the nerve center of overseas phone calls (and a great place to monitor domestic calls as well.) Read all about it: https://theintercept.com/2016/11/16/the-nsas-spy-hub-in-new-york-hidden-in-plain-sight/
If You Didn’t Order It – Don’t CLICK on IT!!!
The spam emails have started to arrive. You ORDERED this or you ORDERED that. They want you to confirm or deny that you order is on it’s way.
If you didn’t order it – DON’T click on it. Scammers are in full force this holiday season. Be smart! If you’re not sure, CALL ME before you click!