Should You Leave Your Computer On At Night Or Turn It Off?
I’ve been asked by clients whether or not they should leave their computer on all the time or turn it off when they are not using it.
Several years ago I would have told my clients to turn their machines off to save power. But with the proliferation of viruses and threats over the last few years, I have changed my mind.
Today, anti-virus programs and anti-spyware applications need regular updating. These updates are often scheduled to run in the wee hours of the morning when you are not using your computer.
Windows also needs to be updated whenever a new security patch is released. This is usually not daily, but it may happen several times a month. It’s important to update your operating system as soon as a patch becomes available because hackers move very quickly to reverse engineer Windows updates. As soon as an update is released, they create a virus specific to that vulnerability and start looking for unprotected machines to infect and invade.
In addition to the above, you should be backing up your data every day, and the best time to do this is at night when you are not using it.
So bottom line, leave your computer on all night and restart it two or three times a week to clear the memory.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
What’s the most common password? You guessed it…”password.” Obviously this is not the best way to protect yourself against hackers and online thieves. But even if you don’t use the word “password,” you might be using an equally easy password to decipher.
We suggest you DON’T use the following passwords for really important web sites, such as your online banking web site or other financially related sites.
• Your name or your spouse’s name.
• Your children’s names.
• Your pet’s name.
• Your birth date.
• The last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Your phone number.
• Your address.
• A series of consecutive numbers, such as “1, 2, 3, 4.”
• A single word that would appear in a dictionary.
Your best bet for creating a strong password: Use combinations of letters, numbers and special characters.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
Ads for fake antivirus and antispyware programs are multiplying!
How to avoid getting tricked?
Many “reputable” sites are compromised and the owners don’t know it. So it’s not always where you surf. Here are four tips that may help you avoid getting infected.
Keep your computer updated with the latest antivirus and antispyware software, and be sure to use a good firewall.
Never open an email attachment unless you are POSITIVE about the source.
Do NOT click on any pop-up that advertises antivirus or antispyware software. If a virus alert appears on your screen. DON’T click on it, even to “close” it. Instead click the browser “X” button in the far upper right corner of the browser screen. Then call your computer guy.
Do not download freeware or shareware unless you know it’s from a reputable source. Many freeware and shareware programs come bundled with spyware, adware, or fake antivirus programs.
The best prevention is your own skepticism. The rule is: IF IN DOUBT, DON’T!
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
Both cars and computers are indispensible, complex and will eventually break.
Do you change the oil in your car? You probably do. But WHY? You do this to prevent problems that you MIGHT have in the future.
When was the last time you changed the oil in your computer? I know computers don’t have oil. But they do have parts and software that break … usually at the worst possible time.
What if… (please use your imagination) the next time that you saw your car mechanic he said to you, “We have a new technology that many of our customers are using and I think it would really work for you. Let me tell you about it.
We install a part in your car that tells us everything about your car all the time. If your tire pressure is low, we know about it. If your brake pads are wearing out, we know about it. We know all your fluid levels, the amount of dirt in the motor, your gas mileage, the condition of your spark plugs and everything else about the condition and workings of your car.
Here is the great part. When we see that something needs routine maintenance or repair, we fix it for you. If it is a maintenance issue, we come to your garage at night while you are sleeping (so that we don’t disrupt your use of the car) and take care of it. Other things we can fix remotely from our shop while you are actually driving your car. You will never even know that we are working. Sometimes, though, we might need you to be with us while we resolve the problem.
Our customers have found that they love this service. This is because they don’t need to worry about the condition of their car. We take care of it. They get better gas mileage. Their car lasts longer. Their car performs better. They are not inconvenienced.
You might be thinking this must cost a small fortune. At the beginning, as we got our systems and processes in place, we did have some challenges making this affordable and effective. However, since we have many cars using this service, we have systems and processes that help us make this financially affordable for our customers.
What would you say to your mechanic?
Well, to my knowledge the car repair industry does not provide this service.
But the computer industry does.
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Your technology consultant can install software on every PC, server and router in your network. Then he can watch and monitor your systems 24/7. The system will alert your technology consultant about both minor issues (like your hard drive space is 80% full) and major issues (like your server is down). In fact, if it is a major issue, the system will call his phone after hours to let him know there is a problem.
The software also allows him to do preventative maintenance. He can access your computer and fix issues while you are working. He can shadow you so that he sees exactly what you are doing when you have an issue.
Aside from the fact that your Technology Consultant just loves technology, why would he make this major investment in his business?
He should start providing this service to you for two reasons:
1. He can provide a better service to you than ever imagined.
2. He will now have the opportunity to really help you grow your business and use technology effectively.
So now you are probably asking…why didn’t he have the opportunity to service you in this manner before? Well, to be frank, it is because of the billing process. Charging by the hour creates two problems.
The first problem is that he is financially rewarded the longer it takes to fix your problems. I’m not saying that your current provider intentionally wastes time or pads your bill. But what I will tell you is that his focus and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) were on billable hours per technician.
With this new technology his focus will be on how efficient your systems run. In other words, he will be focusing on how to reduce your downtime and increase your productivity.
Secondly, because he billed by the hour, you may have had a tendency to push him out the door. Understandably, you wanted to keep your costs low. You would probably tell your employees not to talk with him or his technicians. However, had you been talking to them more, they would have known about small annoying issues that could have been easily resolved and they could have improved your productivity. He could have been providing monthly server checkups and backup restores to ensure that if a disaster occurred you could recover your data. But in many cases you probably just wanted to save money … and took your chances.
As you can imagine, this change can dramatically impact your business and your relationship with Technology Consultant.
This can truly ADD even MORE value to your business.
If this sounds interesting, I welcome the opportunity to talk with you about how we can help your business.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
With the new year upon us, many of you may have upgraded your old PCs for shiny new ones. So what should you do about that old PC left over?
Whatever you do, don’t just throw it into a dumpster! Not only is it an environmental hazard you could be fined for, but you also don’t want complete strangers getting access to your old files, passwords, financial information, and e-mails.
First, keep your old PC around for a few months until you are absolutely certain that you transferred all of the files and programs you needed to your new PC.
Next, you need to make sure the hard drive is wiped clean of any data you had stored on it — and simply deleting the files is not enough. We recommend you seek professional help in clearing the hard drive from any old PCs you are disposing of.
Finally, you may consider donating your old PCs to a charity such as Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (www.cacrc.com). Many of these organizations will clean your hard drive to prevent identity theft, and you can write off the donation on your taxes!
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
If you’ve been an iTunes and iPod customer for any length of time, you’ll quickly rack up the number of songs, videos, and audio books in your library. And, in no time flat, you can end up spending a small fortune.
But be warned! Most iTunes customers don’t realize that Apple will NOT allow you to re-download the music you’ve paid for, even if you lose every file because your computer dies, gets fried, infected, or destroyed.
If you don’t want to risk losing the purchases you’ve made, then make sure you back them up. Here’s how:
First make sure you have some blank CDs or DVDs ready to go, and then do the following:
From the iTunes File menu, choose Backup to Disc. A dialog box will open up giving you an option to do one of the following:
• Back up entire iTunes library and playlists (to back up everything)
• Back up only iTunes Store purchases (to back up only your purchases)
If you have previously backed up your library and only want to back up the changes, then check only backup items added or changed since last backup.
Click “Back Up” and wait for the CD drawer to open. Add a disc each time iTunes asks for one. If your library won’t fit on a single disc, iTunes will ask for as many discs as needed and write your library to them.
Make sure you store your backups in an off-site location. If your office catches on fire, gets burglarized, or destroyed by a flood, faulty sprinkler system, or violent storm, they’ll go down with your PC.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
Now that we’re at the height of cold and flu season, you might want to take a closer look at what’s living on your keyboard. A series of studies called “Germs in the Workplace,” found that the following four office surfaces had the most bacteria (in this order):
1. Your Phone
2. Your Desk
3. Your Computer Keyboard
4. Your Computer Mouse
Obviously these are items you touch all day, every day. Germs and dirt from your hands and mouth get transferred easily on to these items, and vice-versa, making them breeding grounds for harmful bacteria.
To lessen your chances of picking up colds and flu, we recommend cleaning your mouse and keyboard daily with disinfecting wipes. It’s also smart to practice common-sense hand washing techniques.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
E-mail is quickly becoming the #1 way we communicate with friends, family, co-workers, employees, and clients. But be careful! E-mail messages cannot accurately deliver the tone of your message and what you thought was funny sarcasm may be interpreted as an insult to your reader.
More than 80 years have passed since Emily Post wrote her first book on etiquette. Back then, the rules had more to do with how to properly introduce someone and which fork to use at a dinner party. But with the introduction of new communication tools comes new rules. Below are 19 quick tips and rules for what is—and isn’t—acceptable behavior when using e-mail.
1. Be concise and to the point. Read your e-mail to make sure it makes sense before sending it to avoid e-mail “ping-pong.”
2. Do not reply just to say “got it” unless the recipient has asked you to respond.
3. Use proper spelling, gram-mar and punctuation. This is still a communication and a representation of YOU. Sloppy spelling and punctuation look unprofessional.
4. Do not use e-mail to deliver bad or personal news. If you need to discuss a serious matter with someone, only use e-mail to request a face to face meeting or phone call, not to deliver the news.
5. Do not attach unnecessary files, especially large ones. Sending big files can cause someone’s e-mail system to clog, shut down or crash. Instead, use www.yousendit.com for large documents.
6. Do not overuse the high priority option. Use it only when something is truly critical and time sensitive.
7. Do not write in CAPI-TALS—it’s the equivalent of shouting.
8. Do not leave out the message history.
9. Do not overuse “Reply to All.” If you have a message for the sender that is not relevant to everyone else, make sure you only send it to that person.
10. Do not cc everyone when sending a broadcast to multiple people. Instead, use the bcc (blind carbon copy) to keep everyone’s e-mail private.
11. Do not overuse abbreviations and emoticons.
12. Do not use neon colors, hard to read fancy fonts and background images. They make it difficult—if not impossible—to read your message.
13. Do not forward chain letters, ever.
14. Do not request delivery and read receipts.
15. Do not use email to discuss confidential information. A good rule of thumb is this: if you don’t want the entire world to see it, then don’t put it in an e-mail.
16. Use a meaningful subject line to help the recipient sort through their inbox.
17. Do not send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks. They aren’t funny and if sent using company e-mail, they could get you sued or fired.
18. Keep your anti-virus up-to-date to make sure you don’t spread viruses to your friends.
19. Do not reply to spam; it only signifies that your address is active to the spammer and will invite more of the same
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
“5 Easy Ways to Avoid Getting an Avalanche of Spam”
Spam e-mails are not only annoying and time consuming, but they’re also becoming more dangerous to your personal privacy and the security of your computer. Millions of computers users are getting infected, spoofed, and tricked by spam e-mails every year, forcing the user to pay hefty fees to clean and restore their PCs back to working order.
So what can we do about this?
First and foremost, it’s absolutely critical that you get a quality spam blocking software installed as a first line of defense.
As you probably already know from firsthand experience, once you’re on a spammer’s list, it’s impossible to get off; and changing your e-mail address can be a major inconvenience especially if you rely on it to stay in touch with important business and personal contacts.
To reduce the chances of your e-mail address getting on a spammers list, here are 5 simple preventative measures you can take that will go a long way in keeping not-so-delicious spam out of your in-box.
1. Use a disposable e-mail address.
2. Pay attention to check boxes that automatically opt you in.
3. Don’t post your main e-mail address on your website, web forums, or newsgroups.
4. Create throwaway e-mail accounts.
5. Don’t open, reply to or try to opt-out of obvious spam e-mails.
So How Can You Permanently Stop Spam From Taking Over Your Inbox
If you are absolutely fed up with the number of spam e-mails invading your inbox every second of the day, then download our “5 Easy Ways to Avoid Getting an Avalanche of Spam” Report below.
We’re Waging War Against Spam, Spyware, and Pop-Ups!
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
“The UPS Your Business Can’t Be Without (And, No, I’m Not Talking About The Post Office)”
A UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, is a battery backup power source for computers, servers and network equipment. When the power goes out, a UPS will keep your equipment going long enough to save any documents and shut down the machine properly. Why should you care?
Because, if you are actively working on a document when the power goes out, 1 of 3 things could happen.
#1. – Your document could be gone forever. The auto-save feature in Windows often stops working when the computer is unexpectedly shut off. Unless you manually saved the document multiple times while working on it, it’s not likely to be there after a power outage.
#2. – The file is there, but it’s useless. A power outage can corrupt any open files, even if you’ve saved them. The document opens back up on start-up, but its garbled characters make it look like a really long ransom note. To get it back, you have to re-create it all over again.
#3. – You get really, really, lucky. The average business will experience 15 power outages a year. If you are fortunate enough to recover your document after a power outage, count your lucky stars; you probably won’t be so lucky next time.
While many home PCs or non-critical workstations can live without a UPS, a server cannot. Servers run 24-7 providing files and services to a number of other machines. A sudden shutdown can corrupt files on the server causing more widespread damage.
We recommend all our clients get a UPS device for the servers in their office at a minimum and, for additional protection, for all the workstations.
I hope you will find this post informative and useful. I am looking forward to hearing your comments. That’s all I have for today, until next time make it a great day!
I never have to think or worry about IT anymore. Ener Systems has it all under control. My experience so far with Ener Systems has been nothing but amazing!
