Posted by Jon Deliz on Mon, Feb 08, 2010 @ 09:55 AM
How many times have you done something on your computer and wished that you could go back in time and do something different? Well I am going to introduce you to some free versions and some not so free versions that can save you time, effort and most importantly money!
Ok so let’s start with something free, easy, and probably already installed on your computer. System Restore is an easy fix for anybody who has installed something or has had a virus affect their computer. System Restore is found by clicking your start button; then either Programs or All Programs (depending on which version of
Windows you are running); Accessories; System Tools and there you should see System Restore. Now just follow the onscreen prompts and select a date (if it is a virus I would select the last known date the computer actually worked). There are some important things to consider: 1.) System Restore can only work if it is turned on, or hasn’t been disabled by a virus. The settings for System Restore can be found in the control panel under System and then click the System Restore tab. 2.) System Restore is only for the Window’s Operating System, so if your Excel spreadsheet doesn’t work then this won’t fix it! (I will be referring to a product that will below). 3.)
Also System Restore won’t affect files that aren’t part of the OS, so your documents, pictures, and emails are all safe.
Another free program to check out is if you have purchased an external hard drive, not a flash key or thumb drive. Most of the drives come preloaded with software that will do a backup of your documents. Although there are far too many preloaded software packages to mention in this article, feel free to contact DataCentric, as your Atlanta computer support specialist, so we can help you get setup and backing up correctly. Don't forget to ask about our online data backup solutions which will be covered in Part 2!
Posted by Jon Deliz on Tue, Jan 19, 2010 @ 11:27 AM
IT's flu season - and not just for you - your computers and servers are also under attack by a wide variety of viruses and malware. This is a look at the issues and how you to "vaccinate" your equipment and protect yourself from costly crashes or even identity theft.
Ok, so you just got an email from your cell phone company talking about a new deal or package (as shown by the example on the left). Is this really your cell phone company sending you a deal? The answer to that is no, this is an example of spam that is send out by the millions daily, is this a virus? No it could just be spam, but why take the risk. By clicking the link you could be asked for account number and password, where someone could then take that info and purchase a new phone and accessories.
The same goes for social networking sites, like Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook. You may receive an email from someone you know, stating "they found a funny picture or video of you", or that "they can't believe that someone said this about you!!" Do not click these links! Usually you will see a message stating that you need to download this player or you don't have the right codec to view the file. 
Odds are if you've clicked that link you will be introduced to my friend Mr. Koobface or one of his many relatives. Suddenly your computer may slowdown or you might get weird pop-ups. There are certain giveaways, like your friends start asking about messages you have been sending, or posting. When you try to go to certain websites you get bounced to others. There is always my personal favorite, and Antivirus program that you have never seen before tells you have a virus and you need to upgrade your software to get rid of it. No matter antivirus program you have it will never ask for your credit card.
Here are 6 vital things to do vaccinate your computer and keep it protected in the future:
- Verify that you actually have an antivirus software installed and running. So many people have outdated antivirus programs running on their machines, or even worse the original trial antivirus that ran out 6 months ago. Recommended Free solutions: Panda Free Cloud Antivirus, Avast, or Malware Bytes' Anti-Malware. Remember free programs will only do so much and is usually why there is a paid version of all of these. Recommended solutions for purchase: Panda Managed Office Protection, Symantec Endpoint Protection, and Kaspersky Internet Security. Remember as your IT solution we can install and configure your antivirus properly for you.
- Make sure your antivirus has the latest updates, and is set to update automatically. Many times as with the Windows Update the update notifications tend to be ignored or cancelled.
- Don't ignore the messages at the bottom of the screen, they are not for show. Programs like Spybot, Symantec or Panda will ask you what to do with something if it is not sure what it is. If you are not sure what it is stop what you are doing and read the message carefully, and if it still doesn't make sense please contact someone more qualified to analyze the situation, like DataCentric.
- If you fear you may have already been infected, here are a few steps you can try. Immediately disconnect the computer from the internet, by either, if it is a desktop turning off the internet modem or if it is laptop turning off the wireless. This will prevent the virus from spreading. Next reboot into safe mode and try to do a system restore. Depending on the issue it may prevent you from running the system restore. If there is a USB flash key or thumbdrive near and another computer you can download Malware Byte's AntiMalware and install it on the infected computer. If it is able to run, then this should hopefully find and quarantine all the issues. When all else fails contact a professional, like DataCentric, where we will do a diagnostic and repair for $150.
- Installing more than 1 of the same type of program can really hamper the system. Having 2 antivirus programs fight over system resources will not only slow down your computer to a crawl but will also prevent either from doing its job correctly
- Treat the issues! Never just accept that the computer just acts up. Especially if work is involved, the ripple effect could be catastrophic. From blacklisting to file corruption and computer and network crashes
In today's world, information is the best weapon to combat viruses and malware. Subscribing to websites, newsgroups, tweets and blogs will always keep you in the loop of things. You antivirus provider should have some kind of twitter account or newsletter that they update with the latest info and state of affairs. We here at DataCentric are on the frontlines in the battle against viruses and malware, please free to contact us for your free virus scan.
Posted by Joe Sgroe on Tue, Nov 03, 2009 @ 09:13 AM
Are you backing up your data?
Really? Be honest. How often do you check to see if the backup really works? And what about your employees? Are you sure that all your company data is being protected, even of the employee leaves the company?
Protecting the information on your computer(s) - both at work and at home - should be routine but it's amazing how many companies - and people - give only passing thought to their data protection process until a crises occurs.
"30 percent of small businesses admit they have no formal data backup and storage procedures, or do not implement their procedures consistently." According to an Imation Small Business Backup survey.
And that's the issue - you need a data backup system that does the thinking for you (most of the time).
Have you heard about on-line data backup? It's a relatively new option for secure data backups, but by no means bleeding edge. Whether you are thinking of using online backup at work or at home, the advantages of online backup are clear:
Online data backup ensures that you never have to worry about physical loss of your data - to hard drive crashes, viruses, accidental or intentionally erasing data, theft or even natural disasters.
Online backup protects your data in a secure, offsite location. So no one has to remember (and therefore can possibly forget) and if your location burns or floods, your data is still safe. and therefore does not require anyone taking the data to another location at the end of each day as is common practice with traditional backup methods
So while the benefits may be clear, choosing the right data backup provider may not be. Balancing cost, ease of use and reliability is the goal, but the equation may be different for different people, and different businesses.
Here are my top 10 questions to consider when preparing for and selecting the right online data backup service:
Do you feel knowledgeable enough to set up and manage the data backup on your own? Does the company offer live, real-time customer service both before and after the sale? Or is support primarily offered is through Forums, Q&A, and email support?
Which files you should back up? Make a written list of all things you would not want to be without. Think beyond your documents and photos, what about your emails, data from your key programs like your online financial and tax services? What about your system files and settings?
Do you know how to locate and select the all the files on your computer? Microsoft Windows hides a lot of file to help protect Joe Schmo from messing up his computer. But because things are hidden, you may need help finding all the data you really should back up. For instance, if you use Outlook, do you know how to select and configure your .pst file(s)?
Can a snapshot of the data be sent to the service provider? If you have a large amount of data on your servers, it won't be practical to upload it - so if the service provider only offers on-line uploads, even for the initial set-up, you should keep looking.
Can you use your computer while backups are running? How much will it slow down or disable your system during backups?
Can you schedule your backup to run when you want it to run, not when the software thinks it's a good time to run?
Are you notified when backups fail to occur? If so, how? Email? Phone calls?
Can you restore files back to a prior version? This means that they system keep a certian number of back copies of your dtaa - so if you want to restore a file or a document from say, 3 weeks ago ( before you made that change to a document that you now don't want to use), - you cna. It's sort of like document verison control - though you'll want to find out how far back they go.
Do you have servers running open files (i.e. Exchange)? If so, pay close attention to how the service handles this type of file backup. Many services say they do it - but many don't do it well.
Does the system support regulatory compliance requirements, i.e. FINRA, SEC, HIPPA etc...?
If you're really technically savvy, you may feel comfortable handling the download, install and configuration the service on your own. If not, you'll want to select a service that provides more help through the process. The same is true when you need to retrieve your data - if you're not a techie, you might not be comfortable restoring your system on your own. Look for a company that provides setup assistance, sometimes you have to pay for this, but it is well worth it. The technician will ask the questions that you might not think yourself and help ensure you're really protected.
If your business needs to protect both employee laptops and centralized servers, you'll also want to consider the system's ability to support all your file types and provide a console for management and reporting across all your assets.
Using online data
backup is a great way to protect your data - without the hassles and problems
associated with traditional backup methods of external hard drives, tapes and
jump drives.
When it comes to selecting the right service -
it comes down to one essential - chose a service provider you can trust.
Trust
to set it up correctly.
Trust
to monitor and ensure it's running consistently.
And
trust to restoring your data when and where you need it.
If they don't meet
these three criteria of trust, then don't do it.
If they offer a great
price but you can't talk to them, then don't do it.
If they are really
nice guys but you're not sure about their system, then don't do it.
If it's prepackaged
with other services and they aren't experts in data backup, then don't do it.
It's your data - and in many cases - your business
livelihood. A little bit of up front
investigation will help you select the best service for you and prevent major
problems later.
It’s your data – and in many cases – your business livelihood. A little bit of up front investigation will help you select the best service for you and prevent major problems later.
Posted by Anne Marsden on Mon, Oct 05, 2009 @ 03:05 PM
Last week Google introduced a new applet called Sidewiki that brings social networking to a whole new (and some say terrifying) new level.
In essence, this new widget allows anyone to post comments for all the world to see - right next to your website!
Yep, that means anyone - ANYONE - can heap praises or throw sticks and stones at you or your products.
If your company has been unwilling to engage in the exciting world of social media - either because you didn't think it really mattered much to you, your industry or your brand, or because out of site (pun intended) meant out of mind.....well social media has now come to you.
Almost every business today has a website. Whether your site is as simple as an electronic brochure or as sophisticated as a fully interactive site, it is one of the keys ways you communicate with your constituents (clients, prospects, investors, regulators, etc) and market your products.
And until now - when anyone visited your site - you were the only one talking to them. Not anymore.
Now when someone visits your site - they can quickly and easily see what others are saying about you as well.
So, just think - it's like having a "Review Me" sign next to every page on your website.
If you have great products and happy customers - this is a wonderful thing! It's like free advertising!!
But if you've had some bumps in the road - a mishap with poor customer service, or an employee fired for poor performance, or a competitor who decides to knock you down a notch - then this is a scary thing! It's like letting other people hijack your website to do you harm!!
Well, like it or not, two things are true:
1) those people were already talking about you - good and bad, though most likely the bad ones have been more vocal. It's just that if you haven't been participating in the social media conversations (be they on a blog, Facebook, Twitter or a dozen other social media platforms), you didn't know people were talking about you.
And you know what they say about Ignorance....
"Ignorance is innocence - stupidity comes with experience"
2) Your need to manage your brand image via social media has just elevated from "When I can get around to it" to "Right Now!"
Your IT support company can do a number of things to help you stay
abreast of IT technology that impacts your business - like writing
articles like this one, and providing tools and managed IT services to ensure your on-line presence is up and running efficiently. But quality tools and good support don't replace your need to actively manage your on-line image.
From entrepreneurial business owner to corporate brand manager - if you ignore social media - particularly Sidewiki - you do so at your own peril.
For a step by step on what it is and how to use it read Brian Maka's post.
Have you tried Sidewiki yet? Any stories to share? Let us know how it is or isn't (yet) impacting your business.