Author Archive

Un-secure Wifi’s Threats
Thursday, February 17th, 2011 | Author:

Imagine you’re sitting in a coffee shop surfing your Facebook page, or Twitter account and all of the sudden the stranger sitting at the next table is updating your status and sending messages to your friends from your account.

It could happen and anyone can do it.

Firesheep is a free Firefox browser plugin which allows attackers to monitor un-secure wireless hot-spots for people logging in to websites that do not require secure connections (ex: Facebook, Twitter, Many Consumer Websites). Once a person logs in to their account, the attacker is able to steal their browser cookie (a process called “session hijacking”) and access the victim’s account with just a few mouse clicks, virtually undetected. Firesheep is almost idiot-proof, and gives even the most inexperienced computer user a access to your accounts.

For testing purposes I download Firesheep and within minutes I had access (I didn’t log on, just testing) to random users personal accounts from the coffee shop beneath my home.

This is an area of security which some of the most popular sites in the world (facebook, twitter) need to update to use HTTPS technology and not be storing credentials in Cookies, which as you can see can be easily intercepted.

Be careful what you do on an un-secure Wifi connection and we will see which major site will implement changes in response to Firesheep and the publicity it is receiving.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: General Security, Internet  | Comments off
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 | Author:

durango computer

More and more clients in Durango, Colorado have been coming to my company and asking how come our site doesn’t show up on the search engines (esp. Google) for the search terms that are relevant to our company?  Although your website may be ascetically pleasing and contain content about your business, there are many attributes behind the actual design which users will not see, but the search engines will use to determine your sites relevance.

the Computer Solution LLC offers SEO services to help users find your website for the search terms that are relevant to your products/services.  Contact us today.

General Information About Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

  • What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the “natural” or un-paid search results.

  • What are meta-tags?

Meta elements provide information about a given Web page, most often to help search engines categorize them correctly. They are inserted into the HTML document, but are often not directly visible to a user visiting the site.

  • What does the SEO process entail?

Optimizing a website may involve editing its content and HTML and associated coding to both increase its relevance to specific keywords and to remove barriers to the indexing activities of search engines.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: General, Internet, New Products  | Comments off
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Conflict With AVG Antivirus
Wednesday, February 09th, 2011 | Author:

Recently I have been recommending my clients purchase MalwareBytes Anti-Malware due to the amount of Malware infections going around currently.  I have had several clients have issues with their computer freezing up after purchase of MalwareBytes with the following system configurations:

Operating System: Windows XP

Anti-Virus Protection: AVG Free 2011

I have been doing some research as these both (AVG / MalwareBytes) are popular software which shouldn’t have any problems running together.  What I found is that there are steps you need to take within AVG prior to the install of MalwareBytes.

Exclude Files and Folders:

To exclude Malwarebytes’ from AVG (2011) Free:
Note: If not AVG, whatever your resident antivirus software is

  • Open AVG and click on Tools and select Advanced Settings
  • Click on Resident Shield
  • Click on Exceptions then click Add Path
  • Exclude the following directories:
  • C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
    Note: For 64 bit systems it would be C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware

  • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes
    Note: For Vista and 7 users it would be C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes

    Click on Add List then copy and paste the text inside the CODE box exactly as written into the AVG window. Select the entries appropriate to your version of Windows:

  • Windows XP:

C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\zlib.dll
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbam.dll
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamext.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\rules.ref
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbam.sys
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys

  • Windows Vista and Windows 7

C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\zlib.dll
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbam.dll
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\mbamext.dll
C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\rules.ref
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbam.sys
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys

Try that and let me know via email if that helps your situation, computersolutionco@gmail.com.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: General, Maintenance, Malware  | Comments off
Google TV, bringing the internet to your television
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 | Author:

So, although it hasn’t started off with a bang, Google TV is available and as I tester I must say that I love it!

  • What is Google TV?

It is a box that intercepts your tv signal, internet, and combines the two before going to your television.  (Unless you purchase the Sony Tv with Google TV already integrated).

  • What do I need to have?

1. You will need an HD Ready TV (has HDMI inputs on back). — Unless you are purchasing the Sony TV with Google TV.

2. Purchase either the Logitech Revue OR the Sony BlueRay Player with Google TV.

  • Is it easy to set up?

Yes, with minimal cables, and easy step-by-step setup you can have it all set up in 15 minutes.

  • How are the internet capabilities?

Google TV comes with the Google Chrome browser pre-installed.  Unlike plugging a computer into your tv, where the resolutions don’t match up and everything is really small and hard to maneuver, this makes your television a perfect computer monitor.  You can be checking email and watching the news at the same time!

  • Are their other Apps installed?

The Google TV comes with Netflix, Pandora, and many other useful applications.  Coming in early 2011 the entire Android marketplace will be available and you will be able to download any of the Android applications you can currently download to any Android phone.

  • Can you search easily?

This is the best feature of Google TV, it integrates Google’s search technologies into your TV Guide and Internet.  So for example, if I search (by pressing the magnifying glass on keyboard) “lost”, it will show any upcoming tv shows as well as internet resources (webpages, YouTube videos, blogs, etc.) *see below.  And from the search you can press record and DVR your show, no more searching days in advance for that game/movie you want to record.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: Hardware, Internet, New Products  | Comments off
Skype Fake Malware Alert
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 | Author:

Some users of Skype, regardless of operating system, have been receiving a chat message through Skype claiming you have a malware infection (see below).

- – - – -

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation

Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0

Microsoft Windows 2000

Microsoft Windows XP

Microsoft Windows Win98

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns

Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.

www.alertscan.net/?q=update
- – - – -

If you receive something like this through a Skype chat message, do not be alarmed. Instead, ignore it and block the sender. This is chat spam aimed at scaring users into purchasing an alleged antivirus product.

The purported remote virus scan performed by the site behind the URL is also a fake: it is a harmless movie, not a real scan. The “results” of this fake scan are also false.

That said, if you receive a chat message from an unknown user and/or an internet link that you’re not sure of, please err on the side of caution and do not click on such links.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: Internet, Malware, Viruses  | Comments off
Google Chrome Internet Browser
Saturday, January 15th, 2011 | Author:

computer repair durango colorado

So as I have been using Google Chrome for the last two years and figured that more people would of tried it by now, but to my surprise I find that most clients are still using Internet Explorer (even 7.0).  Google Chrome is another internet browser (program to help you browse the web).

Google Chrome is a browser distributed by Google Inc. that is very lightweight and loads in seconds.  It is a very simple browser without many bells and whistles, which makes it quite speedy.  Also, you can search directly from the address bar (see below).

I would recommended everyone download it (PC or MAC version available), try it, and keep it if you like it.

Upon downloading and opening, you can import your bookmarks and favorites so that you still have all the links that you have gathered over the years.

It is secure, fast, and customizable and I am still surprised how many clients are still using Internet Explorer or Firefox.

To download Google Chrome, CLICK HERE

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: General  | Comments off
I removed a malware infection, but still can’t connect to the internet
Sunday, January 02nd, 2011 | Author:

So I have had several people follow my steps on how to remove Malware, click here for instructions, and email me that they removed all infections and the computer seemed to be working well again, but they were unable to connect to the Internet.

If this is the case, and you receive a “page not found” error (see below) it is likely due to the Malware making changes to your Internet connection settings.

These Malware infections will make changes to your “proxy settings” (proxy settings mean you use an intermediary computer before you connect to the internet) so that they can dictate what websites you can visit (usually they only allow pornography or the website to purchase their scam software).

So if you have removed some infections and now you cannot connect to the Internet, follow the steps below:

1.  Open Internet Explorer

2. Click “Tools” then “Internet Options”

3. On the top you will have seven tabs, select “Connections”

4. Select “LAN Settings”

5. This is where the proxy settings were before you removed the infections.  You will see an image like below, you will want to uncheck every box EXCEPT “Automatically detect settings”.

6. Once you have selected “Automatically detect settings”, press “OK” and then “OK” again.

Now you should have full connectivity back.  You should be able to browse the Internet now.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado

Category: Internet, Malware, Viruses  | Comments off
Hallmark Virus
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 | Author:

Ok… so I have been getting asked about the “Hallmark” Virus and there are always warning emails going around this time of year warning of this virus.

Yes, for the last few years there has been a virus spread by email, usually the subject is : Hallmark Postcard, or Postcard from Hallmark. There is a good chance this could be going around again with the Holidays upon us.

If you do get this email make sure to not open any attachments! If it is a legitimate electronic Christmas card it will have a link going to a website, not an attachment.

Many of these viruses come in an attachment with the file ending in “.exe”, which is an executable file. Never open an executable file that is attached to an email!

I hope that this message helps you all and prevents some infections this Christmas season!

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: Email, Viruses  | Comments off
Automatically delete browsing history in IE8 on Exit
Wednesday, December 08th, 2010 | Author:

If you are using Internet Explorer 8, which many of my clients do use, sometime you want to delete your browsing history on a daily basis.  Previous to Internet Explorer 8, you had to go into the settings and delete it manually.  Internet Explorer 8 makes life very easy browsing the web and managing copied cache history files. You can setup Internet Explorer 8 to automatically delete browsing history when you exit (or close) it.

How to Automatically delete browsing history in IE8

1. Open Internet Explorer browser.
2. Goto Tools > Internet Options.
3. Click to check option “Delete browsing history on exit”.
4. Then click Apply, OK.

Done!  Now each time you close Internet Explorer your cached history will be removed!

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: Maintenance, Shortcuts and Tricks  | Comments off
My Outlook email file is too large, how do I set up auto-archiving?
Friday, November 19th, 2010 | Author:

The way that Outlook stores your emails/contacts/calendar/etc. is all in one encapsulating file (.pst file), and as this file grows in size you will realize performance issues with Outlook.  If you notice underneath your “Personal Folders” you will see “Archive Folders”, this is where your emails are moved to limit the size of your mail file.  What I would recommend is setting up “auto-archiving” of your emails to limit the size of your email file and ultimately speed up Outlook.

To set up “Auto-archiving” follow the steps below (Outlook 2007):

1. Open Outlook and click on “Tools” then “Options”

1

2. Click on the “Other” tab

2

3. From here you select multiple options in regards to how often you want to auto-archive, the time length before emails should be archived, etc.

3

4. Click “Ok” and you are all set!  Your email file should limit it’s size now and hopefully improve some performance in Outlook.

_________________________________________________________________________________
the Computer Solution llc
Computer Help Durango Colorado - Computer Repair Durango Colorado - PC Repair Durango Colorado
Category: Email  | Comments off
« Previous Entries
Next Entries »