Charleston Computer Repair & Support

More than 600,000 Macs infected with Flashback botnet

Admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:48:38 +0000

I don’t count anything that needs my input (e.g. my username and password) as a virus but more than half a million Macs are infected with the Flashback Trojan, a malware package designed to steal personal information, according to a Russian antivirus company. These folks unwittingly gave their permission to the virus by providing their username and password when the Trojan asked for it.

We regularly advise clients NOT to provide permission to anything asking for it unless it’s an exceptional case – for example, if they are installing software and the software installation is asking for permission.

For more details on the infection visit this website. Instructions to manually remove the infection are here. If you need help removing this infection, contact us at 843.276.6551.

Coupon Code for Malwarebytes – exclusive to my FB fans.

Admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:36:11 +0000

My Charleston computer clients know I recommend Malwarebytes for malware removal/prevention on computers.

This coupon code will save you 20% off: BM6-3S7-665
Use in good health. This code won’t last long so try to use it soon!

Slydial – for those times when you have to call but don’t want to speak directly with a person.

Admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:12:15 +0000

Slydial is a service that connects you directly with someone’s voicemail, perfect if your short on time, you want to avoid an awkward conversation, etc.

Instructions:
Dial 267-SLYDIAL (267-759-3425) from any landline or mobile phone. At the voice prompt, enter the U.S. mobile phone number of the person you want to slydial. You will be directly connected to their voicemail. Leave them a voicemail, sit back and relax.

The slydial service includes a commercial you will have to listen to first but slydial offers a pay-for service sans commercials. Visit slydial.com for more information.

Delson Computer is your go-to company for computer repair, consulting and computer services. We offer competitive rates, high quality work and excellent service. Visit our website at http://www.delsoncomputer.com for more information or call us at 843.276.6551

Your Android Phone Is Secretly Logging Everything You Do

Admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:40:19 +0000

In the name of “making your user experience better”, spyware called Carrier IQ is installed on most modern Android phones and everything you do is being logged. The spyware even circumvents web encryption and grabs everything—including your passwords and Google queries.

This spyware doesn’t just log anonymous generic data.
It grabs everything.

Technical details on how Carrier-IQ work are available here but an easier to understand explanation from Information Week is here.

What can you do to avoid it? Unfortunately, not much. The hidden spyware is always running, and there’s no option in any of the menus to deactivate it. Unless you’re a grade-A black-belt hacker, you’re out of luck.

As of December 3rd, 2011, Carrier IQ, Apple, AT&T, and Sprint are all defendants in lawsuits.

You may or may not be safe if you’re using a Verizon or T-Mobile Android phone, you don’t live in the US or you’re a hacker genius and have rooted and removed the Carier-IQ spyware. My advice is to install and run the VooDoo Carrier IQ Detector software on your Android to determine if it can detect this spyware. Instructions on how to perform this detection are here.

Keep your Justin Bieber obsession private – stop broadcasting music tastes to FaceBook

Admin — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:19:33 +0000

If you’re tired of seeing postings on Facebook like this:

Mark _____ listened to ______ on Spotify

Forward them to this link. In less than one minute they can stop broadcasting their music tastes and what they’re listening to in Spotify

http://lifehacker.com/5843847/how-to-keep-spotify-from-broadcasting-your-music-taste-to-all-of-facebook

Delson Computer has close to three decades of computer experience, offers labor rates up to 50% off their competitors, are open on weekends and most holidays, and pride themselves on over 99% retention of all customers they’ve had since being open in 2006. Why go anywhere else when you can get quality, affordable, responsive computer repair and computer help in the Charleston SC area. Call us now at 843.276.6551!

Play Angry Birds with your mind ….

Admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:52:21 +0000

The Emotiv Epoc headset, retail 299, is a revolutionary new personal interface for human computer interaction. It uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals produced by the brain to detect thoughts, feelings and expressions. NO, you don’t need a mohawk nor short hair-line to use it.

Developers are using Emotiv EPOC technology in a variety of new and exciting ways:

Artistic and creative expression – Use your thoughts, feeling, and emotion to dynamically create color, music, and art.
Life changing applications for disabled patients, such as controlling an electric wheelchair, mind-keyboard, or playing a hands-free game.
Games & Virtual Worlds – Experience controlling and influencing the virtual environment with your mind. Play games developed specifically for the EPOC, or use the EmoKey to connect to current PC games and experience them in a completely new way.

Newegg.com Pre-Black Friday Sale – Malwarebytes for $10!

Admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:17:33 +0000

NewEgg.com is one of my favorite places on the internet to purchase computer items.
Whether you need a new bigger monitor or better protection (e.g I’d strongly consider purchasing MalwareBytes for $10) check out the pre-black Friday special they’re running now!

Apple’s Black Friday Deals Nov 25, 2011. Meh …..

Admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:55 +0000

We’re not impressed with Apple’s Black Friday sales. Just like last year, Apple’s been tight-lipped with details; however, looking at the deals offered last year may give you a good idea of the kind of “deals” Apple may offer for Black Friday this year:

iMac: $101 off all models
MacBook Pro: $101 off all models
MacBook Air: $101 off all models
iPod Nano: $11 off 8GB, $21 off 16GB
iPad: ($41 off all models)
iPod touch: ($21-$41 depending on model)

If you want to save more money on Apple products, consider Apple’s refurb program which offer older products that have undergone rigorous processes to ensure these products are up to Apple’s tough quality standards. Apple backs it up with a standard one-year limited warranty including option to purchase an AppleCare Protection Plan which we recommend. For more details see this link:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals

What is iCloud?

Admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:44:02 +0000

Eric Oser of W&E Strategic Solutions in Charleston regularly uses Delson Computer for web advise and consulting. In a recent meeting, one of Eric’s questions was what is iCloud?
We explained to Eric to think of iCloud as an internet based filing cabinet, on steroids:

Carbonite Backup – New Exciting Changes !!!!

Admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:51:02 +0000

One of my Charleston computer clients David Rosenberg of Insphere Insurance Solutions received a letter from Carbonite notifying him that his Carbonite Pro account is being retired and replaced by Carbonite Business. I had to write up an explanation and recommendation to him on what to do. Here is my advice:

Carbonite Home is $59/pc per year and is meant for folks that are using PC’s at home or small 1 – 2 person business; Carbonite Pro which was their business offering for several years is being decomissioned to a more expensive Carbonite small business which starts at 229/yr – for that additional money you’re receiving better / faster help, US based helpdesk and all of the features of a new product explained below called Carbonite Home Plus.

Carbonite is releasing a new plan that’s in between Home and Business called Home Plus which allows you to backup stuff both on your PC and stuff you may have on an external drive; it also allows you to backup your entire PC including operating system, software, etc but you need a separate external hard-drive to use this feature. This feature called “Mirror Image Backup” allows you to restore your entire computer, operating system and all to the way it was prior to a computer crash. This is a very powerful feature and something I would recommend for folks that are running important functions on their PCs and downtime for more than 3 – 4 days is not something that can be tolerated.

Note: that if you already have an external drive, you can’t use it for Mirror Image Backup unless you intend to move the data off it to some place else and then completely format that drive so nothing’s left on it and it can be repurposed solely for Carbonite Mirror Image Backup. Instead, users that are using an external drive for data storage are recommended to purchase a second external hard-drive that’s exclusively meant for Mirror Image backup.

If you are already on a Pro Plan and you fit into the category of a 1 – 2 person business you may want to switch to Home or Home Plus; however, I would still recommend considering all the various options above and contacting Carbonite. The number to call is 877-334-0493

Delson Computer in Charleston SC provides computer support and services to both residential and commercial clients. With nearly three decades of computer support and computer repair experience, you can be confident you will receive fast, quality service at a fair price. Contact us today at 843.276.6551 or visit our website at http://delsoncomputer.com