Do I secure my computer with a security suite?   There are several protection packages that include a firewall, spyware protection, antivirus protection and web browsing protection.  Do they really help?

My answer to this is they do not help give your computer extra protection.  Instead, they slow down your computer from booting up and from opening applications. 

I recommend an antivirus program called Avast AntiVirus (free edition) which is found on the Computer Care Associates website LINK page.  Avast AntiVirus constantly scans your computer, giving the user protection from Viruses and Spyware. 

For the (at risk) individual who “surfs the internet” I often put on a free firewall.  However, there are risks associated with web sites.

People often ask me “how did I get that virus?”   The answer usually involves common sense; however occasionally spyware can be transmitted from a web site. 

Certain web sites that you trust and visit daily can be hacked to distribute spyware.  Most of the time, the spyware is in the form of “ransomeware” which can show up as a warning on your computer.  It may say you have viruses and tell you the only way to get rid of the spyware is to purchase a phony antivirus software over the internet. [so, be aware that there is this type of marketing ploy]  You can also fall victim of “drive by downloads” which happens automatically without any user action, other than visiting the site.

 All browsers (IE or Foxfire] are equally at risk for attacks.  There are ways to secure your computer so these risks are minimized. 

When I optimize a computer I look for certain software that is used to exploit the browsers.  One thing I make sure I do is to uninstall old “java” software and install the newest java software.  The newest java software has fixed many older problems.  So when I see old java” applications, that’s one red flag that I see.

 Although nothing is fool proof and nothing is fully protected from harm or from having your privacy invaded, there are things to look for.  Do you use software to share music such as LimeWire?  Do you download those cute smiley icons? Do you download “free” software without reading the license agreement?  (there is good SW and bad SW that will bring in a problem.  Personally, I have tested “free” software on the internet and know what is good and what is bad.)

A good rule of thumb is – if it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Computer  Care Associates in Framingham, MA will do everything to keep your computer in good working order.  However there comes a time when a computer is over 5 years old, and due to constant technological advances and software requirements – your 5+ year old computer should be upgraded. 

For this type of machine, the best advice is to buy a new computer and transfer the data.  Transferring the data is not as easy as it sounds.  You don’t want to transfer viruses, spyware or any corruption from the old computer to the new computer.  We scan the data with several different antivirus scanners, and malware scanners to make sure the data is clean before moving it to a newer machine.  Then the data can be transferred safely.

TRANSFERRING DATA options:

1) the hard drive needs to be removed from the old computer, backed up and scanned. 

OR

2) the data can be backed up to an external hard drive and scanned.

We do not sell new computers, however we consult on buying new computers.  We find out what you use the computer for and advise on how much memory you need, and the type of processing speed you need. 

We also will setup the new computer once your purchase has arrived.  However you must provide the software applications such as Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, Quicken, etc.  A cloning process to move these applications from the old computer to the new one is possible but not recommended.  The best policy is to put the applications freshly installed into the new computer without bringing in old problems from the old computer.

When you are considering “optimizing” a computer, the goal is usually to have that computer run faster and more efficiently. 

More visable improvement in performance can be seen in defragmenting a hard drive, cleaning the computer from temporary files, and performing a spyware or virus scan using tested software.  DO NOT USE SOFTWARE THAT HAS NOT BEEN TESTED.  We provide a list of links that have been tested and verified that are not spyware.  Even if you have anti-virus, you can still run an online antivirus check.

BASICS IN OPTIMIZING A COMPUTER: 

1.      The first thing I do is make sure those important data files are backed up!

2.      Defragment the hard drive

3.      Clean out temporary files

4.      Uninstall old versions of Java, download the latest version

5.      Scan with Malwarebyte, Spybot, and Superantispyware

6.      My next step is to scan with “hijackthis” which shows me everything that is running….including the software installed and various other components (“hijackthis” should only to be used by an expert)

7.      Scan for viruses using an on-line scanner

8.      Add additional memory if required

9.      Remove those resource hungry software applications such as AOL, McAfee, Norton, Security Suites, etc.

10.   There is more to Optimizing a computer than people realize, and it can take hours.  Various precautions are taken to ensure that data is not lost or compromised.

Basically, my advice is – don’t use a Registry Cleaner.  They don’t “optimize” a computer (more on that in a future blog), and in fact they are more harmful to your Registry than you even know. It is not worth the risk.  The majority of internet ads out in cyberspace that tout Registry Cleaners will, in fact, cause your computer to have further problems and  your computer will likely crash.    

Another problem is that unless the program creates a restore of the registry or a backup of the registry, a mistake can turn a computer into a big old paper weight!

Quoting from another experienced Computer technician and blogger….“Don’t run registry cleaner programs, period…….If anyone has done any serious performance testing on this class of software, I’d be interested in seeing it. In the absence of really rigorous testing and fail-safe design, I say: Stay far away from this sort of utility.” click here for link to Ed’s blog

In addition, this website has more information about Registry Cleaners and why you should not trust them:

http://asknerd.net/bestregistrycleaner.html

” . . . The problem with most registry repair titles is that they are based on the same open source software script . . . they are being sold by companies that didn’t develop them – and therefore have no real understanding of their function or even how they work. The result is that you risk installing an inferior piece of software that can permanently damage your computer”

Another excerpt:

“The issue lies in the explosion of spam-review sites which are nothing more then websites promoting affiliate links under the guise of an official ” review ” site. There main goal is to accomplish one thing – to send you to the site they are promoting and hoping you buy the product they are selling – if you do, they get up to a 75% cut of the sale. In other words, their reviews are up for sale – and are not anything but thinly veiled sales pitches. For example, if you do a search for the term ” Paid Survey ” or ” Registry Repair ” you’ll notice that the paid listings all include sites that say ” read our review ” or ” warning, don’t download anything until you read this…”

Q:  What types of software do you recommend when it comes to anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware (or anti-malware) protections?

A:  On my link  page, I offer recommendations for these types of software.  Of course, your anti-virus protection also depends on if you have youngsters who will be accessing the internet, or adults only. 

Kids have a tendency to be too trusting when it comes to scams, while Adults may be more skeptical – Adults might be more able to distinguish between the scams and honest advertising.  This is not always black and white.  I know it is often quite difficult to know who to trust, what is a scam or a fake offer, or bad website that you might be directed to.

If you find you’re receiving “pop-ups” concerning your security, or a warning that you have viruses, you most likely have some spyware or viruses.  It is important to scan you computer. 

Call us (508-370-8080) if you have any questions.  We can remotely log into your computer and diagnose the issues going on.

Q:  How much memory should I purchase?  What would you recommend?

A:  The answer varies from customer to customer depending on what they use the computer for. 

To order memory, I always go to this website  CLICK HERE

I usually do that when I am on the computer that needs the memory because the Crucial website will scan the computer and tell you what kind of memory it needs.

Q:  Should I buy an Internet Security Suite?

A:  Do not use an Internet security suite unless you have at least 2 GB of memory.  Security suites often have a firewall, spyware scanner, antivirus, and email spam filter all built into the software.