Blue Lightning IT Services Resource Center

Got a New Device? Here’s the Essential Tech Prep You Can’t Afford to Skip

March 7, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

It's tons of fun getting a new device. Whether it's a new desktop, laptop or phone: the thrill of getting it home and opening the box is great. We know, we love technology too. It even has its own version of new car smell! Once you get it home though, there are a number of things that need to be done before it's really usable - beyond snapping it up with a new case or mousepad.

The sellers like to say it's ready to use straight from the box - and it is - except not quite the way you need it to work. They'll all turn on, look for WiFi, and sure, you can type...but rather like when you buy a new fridge, simply turning it on isn't enough - it's still empty and you're still hungry. A few minutes now to prep your new device will save you time, stress, and quite possibly money.

Today, we're talking vital tech prep for new devices:

Security Updates and Fixes

From the factory to your hands, that device has been in the box for at least a month. In the world of security, that's an eternity. During that time on the shelf, new viruses have come out and new software weaknesses have been discovered. Fortunately, new updates to combat these problems were also created, they just haven't been downloaded to your device yet. We can make sure your essential software is up-to-date and set to stay that way. That way, you know your device is safe to go online.

Data Transfer from Old to New

Some people want to transfer everything from one device to another, others like to have a fresh start and keep the old device as a back. We can either transfer your data entirely or just the things you use. For computers, we can even turn your old hardware into an external drive that you can plug into your new computer and grab files as required.

Setting up Hardware

If your new device is a computer, you'll need to hook it up with other devices like a printer or webcam. These tasks that should be plug-and-play can sometimes send you loopy, especially when you've got a plug mismatch or incompatible drivers. We can help get you set up, with everything tested and working.

Setting up Email and Software

This is one people commonly forget and then struggle with. Email clients in particular, need special configuration to connect properly. Quite often, we find people are stuck only able to receive, with overflowing unsent mail that won't go anywhere! We'll get all your personal software and connections up and going.

Setting up the Network

While tapping in a WiFi password is easy enough, it doesn't mean your browsing is secure, or even as fast as it could possibly be. We can quickly determine which connectivity method will be best for your device and your needs, and hook you up with fast, robust security measures.

Lockdown Privacy & Permissions

Whether you have children and are looking to provide a safe online experience, files you'd prefer to keep private, or simply want to set up "profiles" for each user to have their own login, we can quickly get you new device configured to meet your needs.

We love to help

How to Stay Safe from Scams and Malware on Facebook

February 27, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

At last count, Facebook has clocked up over 2.7 billion users, which makes the platform more attractive than ever for scammers and hackers. While you may be logging in to share your latest family photos or catch up with friends, the chances of accidentally triggering a scam or malware are increasing daily. Here's how to stay safe on Facebook and stop the spread.

Look out for freebies and surveys

Everybody loves a freebie and for the most part the competition posts on Facebook are legitimate. On the flip side though, when you see a giveaway for vouchers from a mega-store, alarm bells should ring. "Do this quick survey and we'll send you a $50 Amazon Voucher!" - it's too good to be true. Even one click can take you on a messy journey through the underbelly of the web, picking up trackers and malware at every stop and at the end, you're asked to share the post so your friends can get a voucher too...except nobody ever gets the reward.

Check your permissions with games and quizzes

Whenever you access a new game or quiz, you'll need to give permissions for it to access your Facebook profile. Most people click the okay button without any thought, but if you review the permissions you're giving, you'll often find they're asking for a massive amount of personal data: public profile, friend list, email address, birthday and newsfeed. Do they really need ALL this information? Sometimes the shakedown is from necessity, but sometimes the apps are preparing to launch attacks against you both on and off Facebook. For example, when you call your bank they ask certain questions like your full name, birthday and maybe which high school you went to. All that information is in your Facebook profile and now shared with your permission.

Don't friend people you don't know

Having lots of friends is always nice, but that friend accept could end up costing you. It might be someone pretending to know you, or a picture of a pretty girl to entice men (and vice versa). Once you friend them, they get access to everything your friends can see. In this case, it's more than the risk of someone knowing your personal data, you've just given them intimate access to your life. It's exactly how romance scams start, and there are even cases where the victim finds photos of their children circulating the internet.

If it's weird, forget it

It doesn't happen very often, but hackers find ways to take advantage of flaws in Facebook. A common hack that keeps popping up in various forms is to embed malware in a link. The virus then infects your machine and contacts all your friends with an enticing message, like asking whether a picture is of them. When the click to view the picture, the virus catches them and their friend list, and so on. Facebook is pretty good at staying on top of these flaws, but they need time to fix it. Just like if you got a weird email with an attachment from a friend, use that same level of scrutiny in your Facebook and don't open messages or links that seem out of place.

Need help securing your privacy?

3 New Year’s Tech Resolutions You Should Actually Keep

February 25, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

If your typical New Year's resolutions lasted about 30 seconds, you're not alone. Pledges to eat better, start running and learn how to juggle can be rebooted again next year easy enough. This year, we challenge you to think about your tech health with some resolutions you'll want to keep.

No More Junk Mail - Whether you checked a box agreeing to get newsletters, or you have no idea how you got on that list, it's time to say goodbye. Start by emptying your mailbox to zero unread messages - no you don't have to read all that spam - you have permission to delete it unread. Let's face it, if you were going to read it, you would have done so already. Away it goes.
Go Password Pro - With all these password leaks from LinkedIn, Facebook, and goodness knows who hasn't come forward, now's the time to get smart with your passwords. Because most people use the same passwords on every site, a single breach can be the hack that keeps on giving. You know how important it is to use different passwords for each site, but let's be real, that's a LOT of passwords to remember! Instead of writing them down, we recommend using a password manager like LastPass. It remembers all your various passwords for you, so all you need to know is the super-protected master password. Master passwords are kept encrypted on your system, not theirs, and two-factor authentication checks with you via text for all big changes.
Backup. No Really, Backup - "I've been meaning to backup" is the cry of someone who just lost all of their photos. Good intentions don't count AT ALL in data security, because once the data is gone, it's gone. With new cloud backup options, there's no reason to put this off, because backup apps are now easier and more accessible than ever before. You can also backup to local drives, but this will take a little extra remembering on your part, as you'll want to have at least one drive that stays disconnected in case of viruses.

There you have it. Three New Year's resolutions you can easily keep, and that will make a real difference to your year. Opening your email will be a pleasure, you'll be a spectator only in any future password leaks, and your precious files will be safe against all manner of disaster. Feels better than any diet, doesn't it?

Stuck with any of this?

Let us help by contacting us today!

Should I Upgrade or Buy a New Computer?

February 20, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

Well, it depends - mostly on who you're asking! A department store salesman will always recommend a new one, but when you get down to the nitty gritty with a trained technician, you'll often discover you have more (and cheaper) options than you thought.

Start by taking stock of what you've got. Sometimes an upgrade simply isn't worth the trouble and it's painfully obvious. For example, if your car is 30 years old, demands a constant supply of special fuel and you can see the road whizzing by thanks to the "custom" holes in the floor...it's time to replace the rust-bucket! However, if your car is decently modern and in reasonably good condition but happens to stall at stop signs, a few quick fixes can be just what the mechanic ordered.

If your computer does need to be replaced, chances are you already know this. But if you're not sure and some days it could go either way, this will help. We've but together a walkthrough of the most common upgrades and the impact they'll have:

Video card upgrade: It might not be your computer that's getting old. Instead, games are getting more and more demanding. The days of stick-figure animations are gone and lifelike 3D is the new normal. With that improved experience comes a huge strain on your computer's resources. If you have a gamer in the house, you can often super-power your computer with a single component - a new video card. For hardcore gamers, it's actually a necessity, as some new games refuse to install if the video requirements aren't met. Love smooth animations and responsive gameplay? We know all the best games out now (and in the works) and can match you with the right video card.

Hard drive upgrade: New hard drives are a popular option, both in size and speed. Running out of space is less of a problem now, but speed is a major concern. You've no doubt sat there twiddling your thumbs and urging a file to hurry up and copy. Many upgrades are to an SSD (Solid State Drive) that has zero moving parts and can find/transfer data in a flash. They even make booting up lightning fast! And you'll have the choice of keeping your old drive for general storage, complete with all your existing data.

Memory/RAM upgrade: Some cheaper computers are underpowered from day 1. In truth, most of the ones in the department store could use at least an extra 4GB of oomph! Sometimes though, even a great computer falls behind as new applications come out and need more resources. Adding extra memory can revive your existing computer and set it up for a couple of more years of happiness.

Where to draw the line: There are other upgrades such as the CPU, which is basically the brains of the computer; and the motherboard that all the parts plug into...but once you're in that territory, it really is time to go for a full replacement. You'll save money by getting a computer that meets your needs and can grow with you.

Is your computer letting you down?

The CPU Flaw: Spectre and Meltdown Exposed and How You’ll Be Affected

February 19, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

Summary

Severe design flaws in modern CPUs were recently discovered and made public. These flaws put users and businesses alike at risk of attacks known as Spectre and Meltdown, where private data can be called up and stolen. Chip manufacturers including Intel and ARM have responded by working with software developers to correct the flaws, however these fixes are affecting computer performance. Discover exactly how this vulnerability works, how you’ll be impacted, and what you can do to protect your systems.

Spectre Meltdown In a Snapshot

What are Spectre and Meltdown?

In a bombshell report as we entered 2018, researchers revealed that nearly every computer chip is affected by a set of vulnerabilities called Spectre and Meltdown. The impact is so widespread because it’s not a software issue from one developer, it’s a flaw in the way computer chips were designed. All devices, including those made by Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon and others, share a similar chip structure. What’s more, the flaws extend to servers, including Amazon Web Servers and Google Cloud.

How They Work

Your computer’s CPU (its brain) does something called “speculative execution”. It’s part of the way processors were first designed, over 20 years ago. When your computer notices you do a task often, it tries to complete that task in the background, so it’s ready before you need it. This speeds up your experience and makes your work easier.

Imagine strolling into your local coffee shop where they know your order is the same every day. Eventually, they anticipate that you’ll be arriving at 8am sharp and have your coffee ready on the counter. However, if you change your mind and decide to order something else, they’ll need to throw that coffee away.

Your CPU is doing the same thing. It’s loading information like your credit card number or passwords, ready for you to do your usual tasks. If you change your routine and that information isn’t needed, your CPU throws it away. Just like at the coffee shop though, the trash doesn’t disappear immediately, so your credit card number and password are simply sitting there in a section of memory called the ‘cache’, waiting to be cleared away.

The Spectre vulnerability allows attackers to trick the processor into performing these speculative operations (loading up your private data), so that Meltdown can scoop it up from the trash.

How you'll be impacted

Developers are releasing emergency updates

Fortunately, this vulnerability isn’t easy to exploit, and there have been no known attacks as yet. However, when the researchers went public with their discovery, it also alerted hackers to an opportunity. For them to get access to your system at this level though, they would first need to infect your computer with malware.

Most major companies such as Google, Apple and Microsoft were able to issue security updates before the flaw was announced. They’re working closely with Intel, ARM and AMD, the main chip manufacturers, to mitigate the problem via software.

Intel - According to Intel, they have “developed and [are] rapidly issuing updates for all types of Intel-based computer systems — including personal computers and servers — that render those systems immune from both exploits.”
Apple - An update for Safari is available and updates to iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2 and tvOS 11.2 have been released to defend against Meltdown. According to Apple statements, Apple Watch is not affected by either Meltdown or Spectre. Updates for older devices are not being released.
AMD - AMD initially advised their CPUs were not vulnerable at all, but have since acknowledged that Spectre is a potential threat to their systems and are working on a patch.
Microsoft - Microsoft was quick to release updates for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and various Windows Server versions. Updates for older versions are not being released and are working on a patch.

Patches for unaffected chips from Nvidia, IBM and AMD are also being rolled out to ensure these systems don’t place others at risk.

Developers are releasing emergency updates

Windows 7 and 8 machines will be the most impacted. Windows 10 is safer from Spectre and Meltdown.

Recall how the flaw exists due to speculative execution, a process designed to speed up your computing experience? The patches and updates have been changing the way your CPU uses memory, essentially putting the brakes on this shortcut. Developers were aware that slowdowns would occur but aimed to keep the impact to a minimum.

According to Terry Myerson, Microsoft VP, you can expect the following impact:

Windows 10 with newer CPU: Negligible
Windows 10 with older CPU performance: Noticeable decrease in performance
Windows 7, 8 with older CPU performance: Most noticeable decrease in performance
Windows Server (Any CPU): Significant impact

It’s likely that further updates will be released to address these issues, however those with older CPUs or Operating Systems might find now is the time to upgrade.

How you can stay protected

Antivirus

As any attack will first need to come through malware such as viruses, be extra vigilant with your virus protection. Update your antivirus software regularly, and set your system to run full scans each week. Likewise, keep an eye out for phishing links that don’t look quite right.

Run all updates

While nobody likes the idea of their computer slowing down, not even a fraction, it’s better than having your credit card details or passwords stolen by a hacker. Be sure to run updates as soon as they are released.

Update firmware

Microsoft has advised that patches and updates aren’t the complete fix to the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, suggesting you also update your BIOS and firmware. As this can be a tricky process, we recommend that only trained technicians do this.

Upgrade your system

If your system is too old and didn’t receive an emergency update, you’ll need to upgrade. This might mean switching to a newer smartphone, faster CPU or supported operating system.

Where to now?

As dire as it all seems right now, this flaw has been around for over 20 years. The sky isn’t falling and there’s no reason to panic. Remember, there have been no known instances of a Spectre/Meltdown attack yet, the tech world is simply closing ranks against hackers to ensure your risk is minimized. Developers and manufacturers are working together to help protect your system, and so are we. You’re in good hands.

We can help keep you safe from Spectre/Meltdown.

Contact us today to discuss. If you are not part of our protection plans, we can get you started today to keep your systems regularly protected.

Why Do People Create Viruses?

January 19, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

You'd be right in thinking it's hard to program a computer virus that can spread across the world in a flash - we're talking days of constant desk-jockey nerd-work. So why do they bother? Well, it generally comes down to 3 reasons: Money, showing off their skill, or simply being a jerk. While showing off or being a jerk is pretty self-explanatory, the money side is fascinating.

Here's how people are making money with computer viruses:

Bank account theft: Virus creators are more than happy to help themselves to your bank details, sneaking in to grab your login details or credit card info. They can either transfer your funds away or use your credit card details to go on a shopping spree. Sometimes they'll leave the fun to another person though, and simply sell your details to the highest bidder.

Ransomware: Rather than a financial snatch and grab, sometimes a virus will encrypt your files and demand money for the unlock code. Without a true backup plan in place beforehand, you're at their mercy. You'll be given very helpful information on how to pay, plus a firm deadline before your files are destroyed permanently.

Ad swappers: A cheeky technique, this is when they create a virus that either puts annoying ads on websites you visit, or places affiliate codes on pages so that when you buy something legitimately - for example, from Amazon - they get a percentage as a "referral fee". Their kickback doesn't make your purchase cost more and you may not even know you're supporting their activities.

Bitcoin mining: You might have heard of digital currencies being used for payment, but did you know you can also earn them with your computer processing power? Unfortunately, "renting" out your computer's processing power means paying more in running costs than you'd make - unless you were very clever and sneaky, and used a virus to rent out other people's computers.

Botnets: Certain infected computers can be remotely controlled to do whatever the virus creator wants. In this case, they'll usually set the infected bot computers to overwhelm a target web server, like an e-commerce store. Sometimes it's done as revenge, but more often it's blackmail. The "Botmaster" says "pay me thousands of dollars or I'll crash your site during the biggest shopping day of the year."

Account stealing: Subscription accounts like Netflix and Hulu are often hijacked, leaving you to pay the bill for someone else's entertainment. But sometimes, virus creators go one step further with online gaming accounts. All those digital items that you fought so hard for (special clothing, weapons, etc.) can carry real world value and be stolen from your account and sold on a black market. Yes, that's cheating!

Is your computer secure?

4 Simple Tips to Keep Your Internet Banking Safe

January 19, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

Online banking has boomed in the past few years to become the new norm. Branches are out and apps are in. Half the time when you visit a branch, you're steered towards a computer for a DIY transaction - with optional assistance. But is internet banking really safe? You're always told to keep your financial details private, but now also to jump on board the online banking train - talk about a push/pull scenario! The good news is you CAN bank safely online with a few simple precautions.

Always type in the website address

Many attackers will attempt to trick you into clicking a fake link to your bank website. Usually sent as a "phishing email", they'll claim there's a problem and ask you to click through to your bank and correct it ASAP. The link points to a fake website that looks almost exactly like your real bank site and is recording your private account info. You can avoid scams like this simply by accessing your bank by manually typing in the website or using a bookmark.

Avoid public computers and networks

Jumping onto a PC at the library or mall might seem like a quick and easy way to check your account, but public computers are often targeted by scammers. In just a few moments, they can install key loggers to record usernames, passwords and other private data, then site back as all future user details are emailed to them. The same problem applies with free, unsecured Wi-Fi. You're better off using an ATM or a data-enabled smartphone.

Use a strong password with two-factor authentication

Create a unique password for your online banking, something you've never used anywhere else. Mix up words, numbers and symbols to create a complex password that can't be guessed easily. Avoid giving attackers a head start with data they can find on Facebook, like kid's names, pet names, birthdates, etc. and really think outside the box. And of course, never write it down anywhere near your wallet, phone or computer. If remembering is likely to be an issue, you might like to consider a secure password manager app. Many banks will also help boost your security with two-factor authentication, sending random codes to your phone (or a special LCD device they provide) to verify any activity.

Check page security before entering data

Finally, take a micro-second to spot the small padlock icon before you enter any data. You're looking for a padlock appearing as part of the browser itself, not just an image on the webpage. It will be either in the bottom corner or next to the URL. The address will also start with httpS:// instead of http://. If you don't see these things, the page is NOT secure and you shouldn't log in.

Need some help securing your systems against scammers?

We can help. Contact us today!

Is Your Home WiFi Keeping Up?

January 17, 2018 by Matthew Schulz

WiFi has forever changed the way we live, work and play. We can surf the internet on the couch or by the pool, look up a recipe in an instant, and even connect our lights to voice control. It's no wonder it was accepted with open arms, but is your WiFi as good as it needs to be?

10 years after WiFi first made its way into homes with those mysterious rabbit-eared boxes, it's evolved into a juggernaut of speed and accessibility that we can't do without. Think about how many wireless devices your home has - the average home has at least 10 devices connected wirelessly to the internet, many have more.

While older devices are typically happy with a slice of slow internet, your newer devices like 4k TVs and media streaming simply can't function without fast internet. Add in a game console, tablet, a few smartphones and a laptop or two, and your WiFi is suddenly stretched beyond full capacity and struggling to keep up. Yet, most people don't know how fast their WiFi is, or if it's working right - they only know how many bars they've got. Unfortunately, counting bars can add up to one big headache.

Here's why relying on your WiFi bar count might be ruining your internet experience:

Bars measure the wrong thing: While it's great to know you've got a "strong" signal, it would be even better if you could have a "fast and available" signal. The internet could actually be down and you'd still have full bars because it's really not only measuring how close to the WiFi router you are. That proximity measure doesn't take into account how many devices are fighting for the same bandwidth or whether there's any left for you. We can ensure your WiFi isn't just available, it's up to the task.

WiFi goes sideways: While next-door's WiFi can reach the back of their property, it can also go a similar distance sideways into your house. This extra "noise" can disrupt and slow down your own WiFi. In dense areas, your WiFi is basically getting lost in a swirling field of signals, all using the same channel and frequency. It's a digital crowd which can seriously slow your speeds. We can fix this by changing your WiFi channel to one with less cross-talk.

Everyone uses the default settings: Most home WiFI uses a 2.4Ghz frequency by default. While it makes a plug & play router easy to set up, it does mean your not getting the speeds you could be. Switching to the 5Ghz frequency means your WiFi is separated from the neighborhood cross-talk. 5Ghz is also considered faster, which is a bonus. We can help you upgrade to a 5Ghz-capable router or switch your existing frequency.

Priority isn't set: While not WiFi specific, we can also set up "Quality of Service" if your router supports it or supply you with one that does. This allows things like Netflix and Skype calls to always take priority and remain uninterrupted over less important tasks like downloads. You'll be able to watch movies without those awful buffering jumps and video chat without freezing.

If your home network not keeping up?

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How To Keep Your Devices Squeaky Clean

December 30, 2017 by Matthew Schulz

Our devices are something we use every day, but did you know it's also the most disgusting? Your screen may look clean, but studies show that a mobile phone can be 18x dirtier than a public restroom - ew! It gets worse (sorry)...that keyboard you tap at while eating your morning toast? It's probably the biggest bacterial threat in your house, with about 20,000 times more germs than a toilet seat, more if you share it with children.

It's not just sickness we're up against, because as dust builds up inside gadgets, they also slow down, malfunction or overheat. Your device essentially chokes on ick, as vents and filters are clogged by sucking in pet hair and floating debris. Here's how to clean your essential tech items without damaging them:

Skip the household cleaners: Most cleaning products are too harsh for our technology devices and can end up causing permanent damage. You want something that can kill germs and remove everyday grime, without scratching or leaving behind a scented residue. You best best is Isopropyl Alcohol. You'll find it in the first aid section of supermarkets and pharmacies, or at the hardware store.
Power down completely: Turn your device off all the way, not just sleeping, and unplug from any power sources. Switch wireless keyboards, mice etc. off underneath or remove the batteries.
Remove any cases or covers: Undress your device as much as you can, but leave screen protectors on (unless there's grime underneath). If your screen protector needs replacing, have a new one ready to apply.
Grab a microfiber cloth: Dampen the cloth with Isopropyl Alcohol and wipe screens and external surfaces gently. Older build-up may require extra effort.
Go deep: You can use a toothbrush or cotton tip to clean between most crevices, but some areas will need a bit more "oomph" to clear. You've probably seen people use vacuum cleaners on their keyboard, but these often TOO powerful and may suck keys or internal parts loose. They also generate damaging static electricity. Another option is to use a tech-specific vacuum, but these are usually underpowered.

Insider tip: Use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out. You can get these from many stores and they come with a long nozzle so you can really get in and direct the pressure. You'll be surprised what flies out, so it's best to do this outside! We don't recommend using compressed air on your computer's internal fans though, as this can make them spin too fast and damage them.

How often you clean your devices is up to you and your lifestyle but it's a good idea to blow out the dust from inside of a computer at least twice a year and wiping your devices down 1-2 times per week will definitely reduce germs and grime.

Do you computers need cleaning?

Get Back to Brand New with a Refreshed Computer

December 23, 2017 by Matthew Schulz

Remember how well your computer ran when you first brought it home? It was booting so fast, files were whizzing around at light speed, and no matter how many browser tabs you had open, nothing was slowing that baby down. It was spotless, inside and out. Then one day you turned it on and everything was so slooooow, taking forever to do anything - and that was only if you could even find your files in all the clutter. All that zip and speed you loved some much was gone.

The good news if you probably DON'T need a new computer, you simply need what we call a "format and reload" to:

Clear the clutter: Over time as you install applications you collect icons, files and options everywhere. They're not necessary, they're not used, but they were installed automatically "just in case". It's a bit like when your overnight guest shows up with a massive suitcase and then claims a shelf in your bathroom. Those applications are making themselves at home in a big way! All that uninvited clutter is slowing your system down and making it hard for you to find the things you need. Simply put, it's a mess. We can clean your system back to pristine in no time.

Beat viral overload: Is the virus really gone? Sometimes a virus has multiple layers and can bury itself so deep even your antivirus doesn't see it. Despite getting the all-clear from your antivirus, you might also be seeing the damage from the infection. Perhaps the virus made a mess of your internal file structure, left pieces of code all over the place, or deleted files essential for smooth running. When an infection has been cleared but the system is still running slow, we recommend booking an appointment on our website ASAP for a check-up.

Assess incompatible software: Installing a new piece of software can sometimes produce unexpected results. While your system met the hardware and operating system requirements, maybe it's simply not playing nice with your other applications. Maybe they're fighting over the same resources, system files, or clashing with one of your hardware components. Clearly, something isn't quite right, but you're not sure what. We love to play detective and get your system back to normal.

Archive older files: Some of your files are definite keepers, long term. Your photos, recipes, accounts, etc. they're all important to keep - but are they important to keep sitting on your desktop? They're not just slowing your computer down, you're at risk of losing them in a crash. It's much safer to archive them to an external drive or cloud storage, simply let us know what you'd like to keep.

What exactly is a computer format-and-reload? It's like a car tune-up, but more flexible. Rather than tick the boxes saying we've changed the oil, cleaned the filters, etc. we treat each computer as a unique case. Sometimes we can tune it up in a few minutes, and that's all it needed. Sometimes it's worth starting over like day 1.

We can reinstall Windows and migrate your data (photos, docs, emails, bookmarks, etc), putting back only what you WANT to keep. The rest of the clutter that built up over time or piggy-backed on a virus gets flushed away. We can also set up your email and install any devices you need, like printers. It's doing whatever is necessary to give you a fresh start with your computer, but keeping the essentials.

Security Updates and Fixes

Data Transfer from Old to New

Setting up Hardware

Setting up Email and Software

Setting up the Network

Lockdown Privacy & Permissions

We love to help

Look out for freebies and surveys

Check your permissions with games and quizzes

Don't friend people you don't know

If it's weird, forget it

Need help securing your privacy?

Stuck with any of this?

Is your computer letting you down?

Summary

Spectre Meltdown In a Snapshot

What are Spectre and Meltdown?

How They Work

How you'll be impacted

Developers are releasing emergency updates

Developers are releasing emergency updates

How you can stay protected

Antivirus

Run all updates

Update firmware

Upgrade your system

Where to now?

We can help keep you safe from Spectre/Meltdown.

Is your computer secure?

Need some help securing your systems against scammers?

If your home network not keeping up?

Do you computers need cleaning?

Ready to get back up to speed?

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