New Years Resolutions are everywhere this time of year. Everyone else makes them, but when it comes down to actually doing it, people rarely follow through. Those of us that frequent our local gym, will have it inundated with people for the first month, maybe two,? and then like magic, everyone is gone. So why don’t people just make New Years Resolutions that they can stick to? Things that are easy, and that don’t take a ton of your valuable time. Well, here at Computer Geeks we have compiled a list of New Years Resolutions for all of you to help your PC thrive in 2015! And if your computer and everything on it is fast and safe, then it will save you time, and potentially a lot of money. Without further ado, here is the list
7. Viruses, spyware, malware, adware protection
Listen, most people have anti-virus software because it comes with virtually every computer out there. But do you have Anti-Malware on your PC? How about Anti-spyware? Probably not. Computer Geeks has several solutions to this problem that we can put on your computer, and the best part is that the software is free!
6. Maintenance Checkups
I know, I know, nobody likes to schedule to fix their computer. But checkups are important. So many people who call me up with a dead computer that they haven’t had serviced in 5 years. What if you didn’t take your child to get a check up for 5 years? Sounds outrageous right? Same thing with your computer. That could be all of your family memories on that computer, or your entire business database, gone because you didn’t see a problem coming. A computer should get a thorough cleaning and tune up every 3 months to keep performance optimal. Simple checkups can increase the average computer life span by up to 4 years. Computer Geeks can set you up on scheduled maintenance calls for the entire year, all at once! And you can always reschedule at no cost if something comes up!
5. Use Better Passwords on your computer
I’m sure your dog is cute, and is a great companion, but he’s a BAD password. Most hackers who get into your computer can find personal information, like your pets name. And when they go to steal your email address, or your bank account info, you might as well have not even set a password. You want there to be 3 variables to your password, a capital letter, lowercase letter, and numbers, but please don’t just do R4m35eS, they’ll try that too. Combine two things to make your password unguessable, like your dog and your birth year backwards. My birth year is 1982 so my password could be this: S2e8se9ma1R, now that’s a password! (FYI that’s not my password)
4. Archive your old emails
For you outlook users, your inbox/outbox for your email can look like the warehouse from Indiana Jones. Filled with so many items that you’ll never find anything. Outlook has an auto-archive function that will archive anything that is older than a certain amount of time, that you can dictate. Set it once, and then forget about it! The best part is that if you need to view the archive emails, they will still show up when you use the Outlook Search feature.
3. Watch what you post on social media
Listen, we’ve all done it, had a bad day at work and then go home and blow up Facebook about how much your boss’ management style reflects that of Adolf Hitler. The problem is, when you go to leave Hitler’s company, your new potential employer is more than likely going to find you on Facebook before he hires you, so he can see what he may be getting himself into. Be careful what you post online, there is no escaping something once its on there…
2. Be careful where you surf on the web
Seriously, this should be self explanatory. Don’t go to a site that you don’ t know what it is. And if you do go to a bad site and pop-ups and people saying you have viruses comes up, CALL GEEK CHOICE FAST!? Once a virus is on a computer the longer it sits there the more damage it can do. Turn the PC off, and give us a call 800-433-5435.
1. BACKUP ALL YOUR FILES
This last one is so simple, so important, but almost always not done. People think backups take up a lot of their time, or that they are expensive. But Computer Geeks is here to tell you they are neither, they are just lifesavers. 10 times a week some poor soul wanders into my office telling me their hard drive is dead, and they’re whole life was on it. I ask if they have a backup, and they give me the frowney face. Backups are really cheap, and for the most part can be set up 1 time, to perform backup either daily, weekly, monthly or ever quarterly. And you can set the backup to occur at 3AM while you sleep, so you never have to deal with it! Computer Geeks can get you on a yearly backup plan for UNLIMITED DATA at only 59.95! Just give us a buzz and Computer Geeks can help
We hope you have enjoyed our New Years resolution blog, feel free to follow us on Twitter @geekchoice, and like us on Facebook Here to get all of our daily blogs to keep you updated with everything technology from cell phones, gaming systems, to computer tips and hints!
Europeans and Americans are different. We’re different in our language, our food, and how we deal with technology and privacy. Here’s another example about the relationship between Europeans and privacy.
There is a group called the Article 29 Working Party. The issue, among others, is device fingerprinting, like the ones offered in newer Apple phones. They declare that this app, and all other apps that can gather info about a user, should be scrutinized with the same level as cookies, which can track users across the Internet. For now, fingerprinting isn’t under the same strict constraint as cookies. In Europe, companies must ask for consent before applying bits of information on people’s computers for settings and identity purposes. The cookies legislation has only been in place since 2012. But Article 29 Working Party is already lobbying for legislation to protect privacy for fingerprint use, even if it means going from country to country and the European Union.
That’s the situation between Europeans and privacy. Americans aren’t there yet, but we’re getting there. But prior to the NSA scandal of 2013, not too many Americans cared? about online privacy. Immediately following Edward Snowden’s revelations, Americans took to the streets insisting their 4th Amendment rights and other privacy rights be protected. Now there’s the issue of net neutrality. So this is a start. I’d like to see an organized party like Article 29 going to Washington to ensure our privacy rights are being respected. I’m optimistic this will happen, and in some cases, it already is. How can we improve the relationship between Americans and privacy?
Back on September 8, Home Depot confirmed over 56 million credit/debit cards may have been compromised between April and September 2014. Home Depot franchises throughout the US and Canada are affected.? According to a Home Depot spokesperson, hackers used homemade software to cover their tracks. Home Depot has been cyber attacked before, and the culprits didn’t want to use the same malware again to evade accountability. But the thing that got me was Home Depot had warnings. After last year’s hacks, the company’s security agents warned the company to strengthen it’s cyber defense. All they had to do was use a certain security software feature that would have added protection to cashier aisles when customers’ cards were swiped. And this is in their own documents.? During the Sept. 8 confirmation, they revealed after the mass hacking, consumers’ information was put on the cyber black market for sale. While the malware that caused this was found and taken out, Home Depot is looking at a $62 million dollar bill to recover this mess.
Now, they’re talking about a security project that will enhance major encryption in US and Canadian stores. Too bad for Canadian stores that they won’t have this encryption until early 2015. I’m glad something is being done now, but for 56 million accounts, it’s too little too late. What makes this more frustrating is that Home Depot had a chance to make their cyber security systems stronger, but didn’t. Would it have totally prevented this crime? That’s debatable. But some security experts say it would have eliminated 95% of the threat. But the point is, I’d rather have them implement extra security measures and have nothing happen than fail to heed the warnings and have this happen. Shouldn’t the powers that be at Home Depot be ashamed of themselves?
So all the rage today is going to be about the iPhone 6. I know it, you know it, but fret not, ye who are not eligible for an upgrade on their iPhone 5S, it’s not all that bad. ?iOS 8 is here for all iPhone models. I am currently downloading it for my iPhone 5s, and I am boiling with excitement. Honestly the only difference that we are going to see between my old iPhone and the new iPhone 6 is the better camera, the fact that the screen is bigger, thinner and it has an optional 128 GB HDD. Other than that, my phone will still have the camera improvements, Quicktype keyboard, Health App, Spotlight and Mail improvements, a newly renovated Siri along with map improvements and of course the most important upgrade of all BUG FIXES. We here at Computer Geeks?have compiled a list of all of the iOS 8 upgrades for you to peruse and check out. Make sure you go on your phone and download the new iOS 8 and have a blast with it!
If you are thinking of buying the new iPhone 6 you can read our iPhone 6 launch blog?and check out all the cool features.
?iOS 8 Message improvements
o??? Smart editing tools to adjust light and color with a swipe
o??? Fine-tune controls?to adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows and more
o??? Search by date, location, or album name or use smart suggestions
o??? Smart albums for Slo-mo videos, Bursts, Panoramas, and Time-lapse
o??? Third-party photo filters and editing tools supported directly in Photos
o??? Your photos and metadata from iPhoto will be migrated to Photos. Books, Journals and Slideshows will be converted to albums containing only photos.?iPhoto for iOS is not supported on devices running iOS 8 or later.
Camera improvements
o??? Time-lapse mode
o??? Capture timer
o??? Adjust exposure with a simple nudge to lighten or darken a photo prior to capture
o??? Burst mode on front facing camera on iPhone 5s
o??? Panorama for iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display
QuickType keyboard
o??? Predictive typing personalized to your writing style, and customized based on the recipient and the app
o??? Predictive is available in English (Australia, Canada, UK, US), French (Canada, France, Switzerland), German (Germany, Switzerland), Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Thai
o??? Third-party keyboard support
iOS 8 Health app
o??? New Health app with easy-to-read dashboard of health and fitness data
o??? Ability to share health data with apps to provide a more comprehensive way to manage your health and fitness
o??? Add a Medical ID with information about allergies, medical conditions, and more with the option to make accessible from the lock screen
o??? Available on iPhone and iPod touch
Family Sharing
o??? Share iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases with up to six members of your family.
o??? Pay for family purchases with a single credit card and approve purchases by children with Ask to Buy
o??? Easily share family photos, a family calendar, locations and more
iCloud Drive
o??? Store all your documents in iCloud and access them from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC
o??? Share the same file across multiple compatible apps
o??? Edits you make on one device update on all your devices automatically
Continuity features so your iPhone, iPad, and Mac work together more seamlessly
o??? Handoff to continue what you?re doing as you move from one device to another
o??? Make and receive calls and send and receive SMS or MMS messages on your iPad or Mac
o??? Instant Hotspot to automatically use your cellular connection to get online with your other devices
o??? AirDrop compatibility with OS X Yosemite
o??? Available on iPhone 5 or later, iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPod touch (5th generation)
Spotlight improvements
o??? Displays suggestions from Wikipedia entries, places nearby, movies (US only), popular web sites, App Store, iTunes Store and iBooks Store
o??? Safari also supports Spotlight suggestions alongside Top Hit and search suggestions
o??? Supported for local languages in US, UK, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland
Mail improvements
o??? Easily jump between drafts and your inbox with a simple swipe down on the draft
o??? Intelligent suggestions for Calendar events and Contacts
o??? VIP threads
Siri improvements
o??? Improvements to responsiveness, reliability and accuracy
o??? ?Hey, Siri? option to initiate Siri using just your voice when your device is plugged in
o??? Streaming voice recognition
o??? Works with Shazam to answer ?What song is playing??
o??? Purchase content from iTunes Store
Safari improvements
o??? DuckDuckGo search engine support
o??? Private browsing per tab
o??? Subscribe to RSS feeds in Shared Links
o??? Use Camera to scan and enter credit card info
Maps improvements
o??? Flyover city tours
o??? Maps place cards in Phone and Contacts
o??? Inline map view and travel time notifications for Calendar events
App Store improvements
o??? New Explore tab for easier category browsing
o??? Top trending searches displayed in Search tab
o??? Scrolling search results
o??? App video previews
o??? Expanded data protection to Calendar, Contacts, Messages, Reminders, and Notes in addition to Mail and 3rd-party apps
o??? Per message S/MIME email controls
o??? Improved UI to make it easier for users to understand the remote management of their device
o??? Automatic reply for Exchange
o??? Free/busy lookup for Calendar invitations
o??? MDM Managed books can be automatically pushed to users
Accessibility?features
o??? Redesigned Zoom with one-handed control and multiple zoom modes including picture-in-picture
o??? Built-in timer and Touch ID support for Guided Access
o??? Speak Screen to read out contents of the screen via gesture or Siri command
o??? VoiceOver improvements including Alex voice option and Braille input support
o??? Multi-device support for MFi hearing aids to seamlessly switch from one paired iOS device to another
Comcast, with it’s recent acquisitions, is now the biggest and most powerful cable company in the country. Now they’re implementing threats against a certain browser.
Users of an anonymous web browser called Tor say Comcast threatened to cut off their services it they continue to use Tor. Comcast’s reps are warning customers that Tor goes against Comcast’s policies. That’s pretty strong. I did some looking in on Tor. It turns out Tor is a browsing service that helps makes your Internet private. It makes it difficult for governments, private corporations and advertisers to track what you’re doing online. Now I will admit, at first, Tor was popular with some of the less pleasing members of society, like drug traffickers, ID hackers, human traffickers, sextortionists,? and cyber bullies. But since the Edward Snowden revelations came out in summer 2013, more and more law abiding citizens with privacy concerns have been using Tor. In fact, over 1.2 million use it. Comcast customers have been asked which sites are they using Tor for. Comcast defends it’s decisions by saying they need to monitor customer traffic in cast of court orders and other legal actions.
That response from Comcast alone makes me suspicious. Now I understand some people abuse a web browser like Tor just to fulfill a criminal lifestyle or other criminal or mean-spirited desires. And that part does deserves some regulation. But the cynic in me tells me something deeper is going on. Something tells me Comcast is threatening Tor because of the privacy issue. Not only that, I’m wondering if the NSA or other government agencies isn’t behind this as well. It almost strikes me as the reason Comcast hates this browser so much is because they can’t keep track of the consumers’ habits. But I could be wrong. What’s the real reason Comcast is coming down or Tor? Is it because of protection or surveillance?
Apple seems to be on the move lately. Not only are they expected to announce their iPhone 6 and/or iWatch (don’t hold me to that; that’s just what I’m hearing), but their coming up with a new mobile payment system. Two major shopping chains have linked up with them.
Pharmacy store kings CVS and Walgreens are expected to accept the iPhone payment system. Keep in mind there are over 15,000 of these stores. Keep in mind how often people go there not only for prescriptions, but for groceries, cosmetics, magazines, snacks, toiletries, household items. Many of it’s customers come by several times a week, especially if it’s in their neighborhoods. Walgreens and CVS aren’t talking (I think I know why). But soon, iPhone users can tap this app at checkout terminals using an NFC system. No, that’s not the National Football Conference. I’m talking about near field communication, technology allowing payment transfers form your phone to a store’s check out counter. This technology could even include fingerprint technology for added security.
So this is a great thing, right? Three major companies coming together to make life a little easier, right? Not so fast. So far, not too many Americans have embraced NFC technology. Look at what a flop Google Wallet is turning into. And there’s the celebrity hacking story that’s keeping people further on edge when it comes it this kind of technology. Like I said before, I don’t know what’s going to be said on September 9. This merger of sorts may or may not even be brought up. Maybe they’re talking about this technical opportunity to get people’s mind off the recent scandal. One must admit, this is an opportune time to do so.? So Apple, CVS and Walgreens better make a good, compelling story to the American consumers if they want this experiment to work. Will it?
