Read below for some important Computering TIPS on keeping your data safe with backup tips!

KEEP  YOUR COMPUTER  UPDATED

What do I need to keep updated on my personal computer?

There are four main areas to keep updated on all business or personal pcs running windows and any computer running the Mac Operating Systems.  These areas are the operating system, antivirus software, virus definitions, and your Internet Browser. Hackers and other unscrupulous individuals can try and gain access to your computer and important files unless you have these four areas covered.

Is my operating system up to date?

Having your Operating System up-to-date is the most important. Make sure that your operating system is set to automatically update itself as soon as updates are available.  Holes in operating system code are constantly being found. They allow hackers access to your operating system on your computer. When these holes are found, the hackers can exploit these holes to gain access to your computer and or your personal files.  These bits of program are called “computer exploits” and can be sold on the internet to the highest bidder.  When the manufacturer of your operating system learns of these exploits, they quickly attempt to produce a patch in the form of an update.  As soon as your operating system updates, it will be patched for that specific exploit as well as those that where patched up before it. It is much like a whack-a-mole situation. Just like the arcade game that we all enjoyed as kids,  as one exploit pops up, you must hit it down and wait for another to pop up again.  If your operating system does not update itself, you will be left vulnerable, so make sure your operating system is still supported by the manufacturer and is set to automatically update itself.

What about my AntiVirus Software?

 AntiVirus Software such as AVG AntiVirus  or Avast AntiVirus is extremely important when running a computer with an internet connection in this day and age.  You shouldn’t overlook the importance of having a good system protection program to thwart off any infections you might encounter while surfing the internet.  The Antivirus utility that you choose should be set to automatically update its own program as those same hackers who try to compromise your computer’s operating system and file system will also try and attack your antivirus software as well.  When the manufacturer of your utility finds out that situation occurred, they will also patch their software and offer your computer an update so that it will be protected from similar attacks. Make sure that your antivirus software is always set to update automatically as soon as updates are available to protect itself and protect you in the process.

What are virus definitions and how will they help me?

Virus Definitions are part of your antivirus utility and need to be kept up to date as well as the antivirus software itself.  Virus definitions are how your antivirus software knows what to look for. They are basically a dictionary of file names and program actions that the software is looking for.  As soon as it spots files or activity that is understood as suspicious behavior, it will point them out to your antivirus program to take the necessary action. Usually that action is to immediately send the file to a quarantined folder where it cannot run, and/or to send you a pop up message to alert you that something was found.  If your antivirus program ever puts up a dialogue box and asks you what to do, even if you are unsure what to do, most of the time it is a good idea to select protect me.

Do I need an antivirus software if I’m running Windows?

You need antivirus software in addition to what comes with your operating system.  To rely solely on the Windows security notification program that comes with every one of its operating systems, you are terribly unprotected.  Windows will not protect itself, solely by itself. Everyone running a Windows operating system today needs a good antivirus utility. Especially if you spend any time on the internet. People are always trying to get to your computer, your files, and your money.  They succeed in a lot of cases. If there was no money to be made attacking computers, the attacks would cease but unfortunately for many, this is not the case. You need to protect yourself and your computer proactively to avoid becoming a victim.

I’m running the most up to date Mac OS, do I need an antivirus utility?

It is a common misconception that viruses or bugs cannot affect users on a Mac, but that is actually false.  In fact, many of the attacks that we see most commonly today come from internet browser use which can also affect Apple users.  Most antivirus utilities can be found for free for Apple and Windows operating systems alike. A good antivirus utility for mac is AVG for Mac Operating Systems.   You should take advantage of that to avoid being the next victim.  If you own a Mac computer, do not be lulled into a false sense of security. Do not listen to others that think that they cannot be attacked on a mac.

Which antivirus software should I be running?

 See what people have to say about the product they are using.  Keep in mind that, with a large amount of users of any product, at least a few of them are likely to have had a bad experience. You must rely on what the majority of users are saying as well as the opinion of a well-informed technician.  A good antivirus utility should have a large enough user base so they can catch more bugs in the “wild,” and thus incorporate a larger amount of infections into their constant virus definition update. The utility should also be expected to not run with such a large computer resource footprint as to slow down a computer with a lower amount of ram. Lastly, the utility needs to be able to remove a large amount of these infections into a quarantined section of your hard drive by itself with little involvement from the user. .

Should I use the free version of my antivirus utility?

 While they might be good to use in a pinch or in conjunction with another utility, most of the time, the free version of an antivirus utility will provide less security than the paid version.  Sometimes, the free version will not be as much use removing whatever infections that it may find lurking on your computer. They might not even scan as much of your computer as the paid version. If you are using a free version, update to the paid version so that you are adequately protected.  This also funds the makers of good products, which allows their product to get better. It also allows their user base to grow which will ultimately benefit you. Most of the time, the cost is between $20- $40 per year depending on the utility and how many computers you need covered. The coverage will usually work as a subscription which will charge your account every year automatically, so that you don’t have a lapse in security.

Should I be updating my internet browser?

You should run a good internet browser or one that is to your liking.  These days, most users use Google Chrome as their internet browser of choice.  Others may prefer Firefox browser by Mozilla, but either is a good choice.  Just make sure your browser of choice is set to always update itself.  As with the other aspects of your computer that need updating, your browser can also be attacked.  When the software author finds out about attacks on his/her browser, they will offer updates to your computer.  If your browser is not set to automatically update, it can be compromised by a hacker. That’s why you should always make sure your browser is always up to date.  It stands to be repeated that if your browser will not update itself you may be vulnerable to infections and attacks by hackers.

What if my operating system and browser won’t update?

If your operating system and browser won’t update, you may need to change the settings. Always check that first.  If changing the settings doesn’t help, you could check the system time on the computer. Sometimes, you will not have access to the internet because the computer time is not set properly. Check to make sure that updates are occurring as normally.  Sometimes your operating system or your browser will not update because your operating system is no longer supported. Check with your operating system manufacturer to see if your operating system is still supported.

Can I ever be 100% protected from infections or hacking?

If you desire to be 100% covered, there is an option.  You can install a fresh version of your operating system on a new or wiped hard drive, and never have that computer connected to the internet.  You can download operating system updates on another internet capable machine and install them on that machine. That is what is referred to as an “air-gapped” computer.   This is one that has never been on the internet so that it has not been given the chance to be hacked or infected.  However, many of us live on the internet and social media, so this is rarely an option for the average user.

Is there anything else that I need to be concerned with?

Phishing scams and instantaneous attacks fool us into believing our computers were compromised even if they weren’t.  These scams can trick us into calling a phone number and giving them our personal, and/or credit card information.  Often, they persuade their victims to allow access to their systems remotely. In many instances they charge their victims to gain access to their own computers.  These people can find problems with your operating system because there are always problems lurking on an operating system to be fixed. They will indeed fix these problems which will insure that you think you spent your money wisely.  But be aware that they may also do something underhanded on your computer. They may have inserted a back door to this machine on the internet so that they can gain access later. Or they may have can set up a key-logger that will tell them remotely which keystrokes you have typed.  This can give them access to your passwords, account information, and even your browsing history.  At any rate, you must above all else be careful of the sites you visit. Only visit sites that have a lock icon to the left of the url, indicating a secure designated site.  This icon assures that the site only links to other, secure sites. You should also be aware that buttons on any web page may not do exactly what they say they will do.  An unscrupulous web designer can make a button that says something benign such as “close”. That button can release a virus onto your computer. Beware of what you click on. Young people and older people seem to be more susceptible to scams, so watch out for them.

What do I do if I already gave access to my computer or my credit card?

If you have already given access to your computer, files, credit card, or any account information to an unscrupulous third party, the first thing to do is shut the power down to the computer.  Then, consult a reputable computer repair facility on the internet.  They can start up your computer to determine if the infection was just instantaneous or if it goes deeper than that.  Either way, they should be able to help you with your infection, or let you know if it was not an issue. If you gave your credit card or bank account number, and it was used to fraudulently charge your account, immediately call your account representative.  In most cases, you are protected from fraudulent charges and you can get your money returned to you, but you must act right away.

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Last edited 10-13-19 rl

SAFEGUARDING  YOUR PERSONAL  FILES

Why do I need to backup my personal files?

To lose one's data is probably the worst computer-related catastrophe that can happen to you. Documents that are almost impossible to recreate such as financial records, password lists, as well as priceless family photos, can be lost forever. Now that most of our lives are documented on computers and other modern devices, you are more at risk than ever to lose everything if you don't take the steps to secure your information. You may have noticed that internet pages rarely go down. This is because all servers on the internet are backed up to another, unrelated computer and/or hard drive. Should one computer go down, or one set of data becomes corrupted, another mirrored volume containing the same data will be switched to immediately and seamlessly. This idea could be summed up in the phrase, “there is safety in redundancy.” The following is a guide to help you keep your data as safe as most pages on the internet. 

What should I backup my personal files to?

The simplest way to protect yourself from the loss of your pictures, videos, and other valuable data is to purchase a usb device and copy all your user data files to it. You can choose any device such as a USB thumb drive or a USB external drive to secure your data for safekeeping. Just figure out how much data that you have to store, and make sure that you purchase a device with enough capacity to do so. A good rule of thumb is to get an external device with at least double the capacity that you need. That way, you have room to store additional data as you create it. 

 How do I know what size drive to get for the backup volume?

In order to find out what size drive you’ll need, first, open windows explorer to view your files by holding down the windows key and pressing the "R" key (Windows+R). Then type in the box "explorer" then press the enter key (enter). You will notice that on the left pane is your whole computer directory. Select the “C drive.”  In the right hand pane, double click on the "Users" folder and select your user folder. It should have your user name as the folder name. Right click on that folder and select “Properties.” In that property sheet, you should see the “size” entry. Keep in mind that the drive can’t hold as much data as it is labeled; that is the absolute lowest capacity that you will need in an external volume.

How much data can a thumb drive really hold?

A note to mention is that a 64 gigabyte thumb drive cannot hold 64 gigs of data. The drive needs room to keep its filing system, meaning the 64 gigabyte drive can only hold around 57.7 gig of data. This is true for all drives, and is something to keep in mind when making a purchase of an external volume. The percentage of actual usable space is proportional to the actual size of the drive.

How can I back up my data?

Once you secure the correct capacity drive for your needs, open windows explorer again. As instructed above, double click on the "users" folder. In the right hand pane, select your user folder and plug in your external device. Your computer should recognize it and give you a dialogue box. Select, “view your files on the device” and in the right hand pane of your device, right click on a blank part of the pane and select “new” then select “folder.”  You should name your folder something like, "_DataRecovery_10-19". The first underscore "_" will help bring this folder up to the top of the explorer pane, and the 10-19 stands for the month and the year. Please keep in mind not to name the month and year with a forward slash "/" or a backward slash "\" because this denotes something special in file and folder nomenclature. Dates should be represented with hyphens in a format such as 10-19. 

How do I copy files and folders?

In order to copy files or folders, have two explorer windows opened side by side, right click drag your user folder over to the new folder that you made on your new drive. When you pick up the mouse key you should choose "copy here.” Copying over large amounts of data or numerous files may take a long time, but you can still work at the computer. The files will simply copy in the background.

How do make sure all my files were copied?

Copying over your data may take quite a while, especially if you have many files and/or a large amount of data. When finished, you should right click the original user folder on your C drive, and select “properties.” Do the same for the folder that you just copied all your data into. Here, you can visually compare how much data is on both volumes. Compare the number of files in the "contains" entry. If the two are identical, you just made a successful backup copy. Pay particular attention to the amount of files in each;  they should read roughly the same amount. You should disregard the measurement of the size of the files in each, as that may vary from drive to drive, especially if they have different capacities.

How do make sure my data is valid?

This next step should not be ignored. Always verify that the data you just copied over is valid by spot checking. Open up a few documents within a few folders at random or view a few randomly selected photos just to make sure that the data written to the new volume is valid and that there are no issues with the new drive.

Can I add more files as I create them?

You can add additional folders by naming them (as discussed earlier) with the new month and year. This can help you go to a certain backup if you know you want to retrieve a file in a specific month or year. 

Where should I store my files?

The last step is to insure that you don’t lose data on your new backup volume. The thumb drive should be immediately removed from the host computer. In case of an electrical issue, flood, or theft, the backup volume should always be stored separately from the computer. Keeping the two at different sites may additionally help secure your data. If you go to work, keep the thumb drive at work. That way, you always have an off-site backup. You can also keep the drive in a ziplock bag and keep it in a place you won’t forget. A thumb drive is small and can be lost easily; keeping it in a labeled ziplock baggie may help you locate it in the future when the time comes for you to need it. A lost backup volume can be as bad as not backing up your data in the first place.

Is there any other way to backup my files?

There are a number of computer programs such as Carbonite that will backup your files for you. But first, you should always do research on the internet to see what other people are saying about these programs. Keep in mind that the larger the group of users that any program has, the more likely that there will be some bad reviews. Note that most backup utilities will back up your data to a single proprietary file of their own format. This means that each one of your files is not stored as a regular file. Rather, it will be all stored within one, or a few proprietary files. If the one file happens to go corrupt, all your precious data could be lost. Whereas, in the steps outlined above, you will put your data in all their original files on a disk; resulting in a lower likelihood of losing individual files in case of file system failure or file corruption. 

What about the cloud?

 Services that have cloud based protection such as Apple’s iCloud or Microsoft’s OneDrive work well for many users. These files are kept on server farms and accessed through the internet. These servers are called ftp servers, short for file transfer protocol computers. These servers are constantly being mirrored, so your data is being backed up all the time on multiple computers and drives that feature raid systems. Raid stands for random array of inexpensive drives. The internet and business computers have used these systems for years to insure their data is never lost or corrupted. They feature many different dives that are mirrored or constantly backed up by one another. This type of file storage is very safe. There are many different cloud based systems available for different devices from various companies. They all feature different capacity storage for different price ranges, and they may be a good idea for your data storage needs.

What if my backup data is corrupted?

 If your data set becomes corrupt or unreadable, you should probably consider getting some professional help from a  reputable computer repair facility on the internet. They can help you lay out your options for recovery. Many times, they can even do that in-shop. Other times, they can help you by hooking you up with a reputable service that will restore your data. In the case of a hard drive that goes bad, there are clean room teams that will disassemble your drive and put the disks onto another drive to attempt to read them from there. In many cases, they can be successful in getting your data back for you. Keep in mind that this option can be very expensive as the teams need to maintain a clean room with suits and alternative air supplies. If there is even a hair or piece of dust that gets into an open hard, the data will not be able to be read and the data will be ruined. The read write heads read and write data to the platters of a hard drive. They float just microns above the platters that store the data. 

It is said that those of us who regularly backup our data will never need it, and those who don’t backup their data will regret it. It is always better to have backed up your precious pictures and data and not need it than to have not backed up and need it. At any rate, it will be less costly and time consuming to back up your data before a catastrophic event.

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Last edited 10-28-19  rl

WHAT  TYPE OF  COMPUTER DO  I NEED

Do I need a fast computer these days?

If your basic computer needs are to get on the internet, social media, email, and playing games over the internet, then these days, you don’t require a blazing fast computer. However, if you are a gamer or a video editor, then you may require a more top-of-the-line computer with ultra-fast video response. Although, it is important to keep in mind that most of us only require a fraction of that speed that they require. 

Should I get Windows 10 or Windows 7 on my computer?

These days, windows 10 is one of the only operating systems to consider. Since support for the Windows 7 operating system is unfortunately coming to an end, the manufacturer, Microsoft, will no longer protect you from the bugs after January 20th 2020. And since the attacks on Windows 7 OS’s will never stop because people unwisely use expired operating systems. So, if you are using Windows 7 after the end of support date please beware. Microsoft will no longer provide patches to seal upWindows 7. They have announced that there will be no successor to Windows 10. Microsoft has also stated that Windows 10 will be the last version of windows. So whether we like it or not, it will be what we are using for some time to come.

Is there a minimum requirement to running Windows?

Microsoft has historically been poor at judging what hardware can run adequately on their operating systems. They allow even the slowest of computers to now run their latest operating system in order to make money for their licenses. When you have a slow computer running windows10, running it can be an exercise in futility. When hardware is underpowered to run its own operating system, the result can be latency. This means that the computer and the operator must wait to run a command which can end up being quite frustrating.

What is a bottleneck?

A bottleneck is some part of your computer processing power that has slowed down so significantly that it has brought your computer to a near, or total halt. For instance, if you have a low amount of ram in your system, but a fairly fast processor, your machine may slow down or lock up. Your ram will create something called a swap file. This has been part of windows,\ since the Windows 95 inception. It will send information in your ram memory that it doesn’t need right at the moment to the swap file on the hard drive. It will then will move it back to ram memory when it’s needed. This is a complicated operation and will severely slow down system speed. Other bottlenecks can occur when one system or piece of hardware slows down the rest of the machine. To avoid these bottlenecks, ask a reputable computer store about your specific needs so that you can avoid purchasing a computer with obvious signs of a bottleneck waiting to occur.

What are the minimum cpu requirements that would fit my needs? 

If you are thinking of upgrading your laptop or desktop computer, there are some minimum requirements which you should observe to make your computer experience as good as possible. The CPU, or processor, is the main part of your computer; it is the heart of your computer. It does all the complicated math at extreme speeds to allow us to do things like watch cat videos. In terms of minimum processing power, you should get a computer with at least an intel i7 processor. Another option is getting an AMD processor of equal or comparable power. These processors all have multiple cores, which are essentially mini cpus within your processor. The more cores, the faster the processor and the faster the computer will be. Processor speed is no longer a selling point in cpu; it is really all about the number of cores these days.

What is the minimum ram that I should look for?

The minimum RAM, or random access memory, that you need to achieve a decent computer experience is around 8 gb. Most modern ram types would be sufficient. Keep in mind that 8 gigabytes is only a minimum ram capacity recommendation. In most cases, doubling that number would provide a better experience. If you like to have multiple programs and/or browser windows open, you may want to consider 10 or 12 gigabytes of RAM memory. It is important to note, however, that motherboards have a finite capacity of how much ram they can take as well as the architecture that ram can be. You can find that information from the motherboard or your computer manufacturer.

What about the video card speed?

Video cards that come on the computer are generally sufficient for most basic needs. Even if you later decide later that you require a faster video adapter, in most cases, you can simply upgrade your video card to a higher performance model if you have a desktop computer. In most desktop computer motherboards there is an upgrade slot for video cards so that you can upgrade to something that is better suited to your needs. Unfortunately, if you have a laptop computer or an all-in-one computer your choices are limited to what the computers came with from the manufacturers.

Should I buy new or factory refurbished?

Refurbished desktop or laptop computers can work out fine for many people. In most cases, these computer systems will work just as well as their newer counterparts. Most of them are assessed quite thoroughly. Most have a newly installed operating system ensuring they will work properly for a long time to come. Keep in mind that, in most cases, these refurb machines do not have much of a warrantee. As opposed to new machines which usually carry up to a year of protection covering many problems that may occur. However the cost of purchasing a new computer can be almost double the cost of a used one. It also must be noted that you never know how hard the computer was used in its former life. If you decide to purchase a machine that has been refurbished, please do your homework to assure that you are buying from a reputable dealer. That way, you will be covered if the machine arrives at your doorstep as DOA. 

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Last edited 10-28-19 rl

The data stored on your computer, documents, pictures, videos, music, financial data and other personal files are vulnerable to loss if not backed up frequently and accurately. Some people don't realize this until it's too late. In our line of work we see it all the time. If just a little time was taken to insure that your data is safe, you would not be at risk for loosing even a single file. The realization is that your personal data is the most invaluable asset on your computer. If your hardware breaks or stops functioning, while it will cost money, it is always replaceable. Should your software quit working, it too can be replaced. Your pictures and other personal files in most cases can never be replaced. Your user data should be backed up routinely to avoid loss. Data should be backed up on a reliable drive, off of your machine. You should have your data on two different devices. The idea is that there is safety in redundancy. Should one device go bad, you have the other to restore all your data just as it was before the device crashed. After backing up your personal user files on your computer, you should always verify that the data that you just backed up is valid. This can be done by making sure all the backed up folders contain the same amount of files as the original. The final step is to do a spot check to insure your files are valid and working properly. If you feel that you cannot or are not willing to back up your data, please call us today, we can help. Be sure to contact us before you experience a problem. …....or click here to ask your own question.

- Happy Computering from The Computer Doctor!