Technology, Point of Sale and Inventory Specialists
Archive for January, 2011
Alert: Another Facebook Rogue app to look out for
Jan 30th
The rogue Facebook apps continue. This time the warning is about an app labeled as haha or hahatoyourself. It will appear on a page of someone you know, and may even include a direct message to you saying
Heyy (insert your name here), what are you doing in this video? LOL Embarrassing!
The scam may also list as
Look at you HaHa!
and look like a video post.
In both cases, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK, the links will attempt to install a rogue app on to your account. If you have clicked on the links already, you will want to do the following
- Remove the posts from your account
- Check the allowed 3rd party applications
You really need to check and see what 3rd party applications have access to your Facebook account. There are many apps in Facebook that people find useful, at the same time, many other Facebook apps are just there to steal your data, or use your account in ways that you don’t want.
To check your Privacy settings for 3rd party apps, click on account (on the top right of Facebook) and then click on Privacy settings.
(http://www NULL.techgeekandmore NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/image24 NULL.png)
- Now (in the lower left corner) select Apps and websites, where it says “Edit your settings”
(http://www NULL.techgeekandmore NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/image25 NULL.png)
- This will take you to the Apps and Websites page where you should remove any app that you either do NOT recognize or that you no longer use
- *Run a full scan on your pc with Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware to check your pc.
- If you need to download either you can download them from www.ninite.com (http://www NULL.ninite NULL.com)
- *Run a full scan on your pc with your Antivirus Software.
- If you don’t currently have an active Antivirus program, you can download a FREE Antivirus program from www.ninite.com (http://www NULL.ninite NULL.com). (Tech Geek and More recommends Microsoft Security Essentials) If you have an old Antivirus program that is expired, you should remove it prior to installing the new Antivirus software.
(*Make sure you update the program prior to running it)
Software: Windows – Optimize your computer for peak performance
Jan 24th
People think a pc is like a TV, just there, you click on the power button and it turns on, and that all you need to do. In fact that is wrong, a computer needs to be treated more like a car than a TV. You should be doing the pc equivalent of an oil change and tune up, so that you can get the most out of your pc.
The following tips can help improve your computer’s performance. These examples are for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. However, you’ll find that these tips work for all versions of the Windows operating system.
By the way, it is not possible for you to blow up your computer or your files with any of these procedures. These tasks use utilities provided within the Windows operating system to help you to achieve the best system performance. This article does not address tinkering with the registry files
Microsoft at home has a great article with tips on what you should be doing. “Optimize your computer for peak performance”. (LINK) http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/optimize.aspx?WT.rss_f=At%20Work%20RSS&WT.rss_a=Improve%20your%20computer’s%20performance&WT.rss_ev=a (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/athome/setup/optimize NULL.aspx?WT NULL.rss_f=At%20Work%20RSS&WT NULL.rss_a=Improve%20your%20computer)
Hardware: (From Microsoft at Home) How to clean your computer
Jan 24th
As a tech I’m still surprised at what I find when I open up customers pc’s for upgrades or repairs. I have seen everything from enough lint to make a sweater all the way to small furry creatures (Keep in mind, the creatures have not all been dead). Microsoft at Home has a post out this morning with 5 basic how to steps to keep your machine clean, and happy.
Remember, a pc needs to be treated like a car, that goes for both software and hardware. These 5 steps are just one more thing you really should do to your pc, just like taking your car in for an oil change or to rotate the tires.
The following is from “How to clean your pc”
I have a dirty secret. I’ve never cleaned my computer. Sure, I’ve dusted my monitor, but I haven’t taken off the cover or tried to reach the crumbs lurking inside my keyboard. And I honestly don’t know the difference between pressurized air dusters and compressed air cleaners.
“Your computer could fry if you don’t keep it clean,” says Jonathon Millman, chief technology officer for Hooplah Interactive.
Whether it’s a desktop or laptop/notebook computer, dust and lint can clog the cooling vents. This can cause your computer’s brain—the central processing unit (CPU)—to heat up. And heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Regular cleaning could save you costly maintenance fees down the road.
Follow the five simple steps (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/athome/setup/cleancomputer NULL.aspx#3) in the cleanup and maintenance routine below to keep your computer and accessories looking shiny and new. It’s an easy, do-it-yourself solution to help them run smoothly and last longer.
To read the complete post go to Microsoft at Home (LINK) http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/cleancomputer.aspx#3 (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/athome/setup/cleancomputer NULL.aspx#3)