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Networking, Virus Protection, Back Up, Training, Troubleshooting | Kevin McGuire

Windows 8.1U – update by May 17

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“If you have Windows 8.1, you have a little less than a month to install Windows 8.1 Update, or you will miss out on future security updates.

“Microsoft announced a fairly large update for the most recent version of its Windows operating system, with the unoriginal moniker “Windows 8.1 Update” (Win8.1U), as part of its April Patch Tuesday release last week. Users who download and install the update (or have updates installed automatically), don’t have anything to worry about. They will continue to receive security updates going forward. Users who don’t install Win8.1U will not be able to install future patches from Microsoft. If they attempt to install the patch anyway, they will receive a message stating the update is “not applicable.”

“Failure to install Win8.1U will prevent Windows Update from patching your system starting in May, Microsoft warned.”

The full release from PC Magazine can be found at http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/software-patches/322773-users-must-install-windows-8-1-update-now-biz-get-a-reprieve

Warning Signs

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Many times, I’m on the scene a day late and a dollar short.  Someone calls for my help only well after disaster has already occurred – the computer doesn’t turn on, or the browser doesn’t work, or the printer is up in flames.  What could have been done?

Pay attention to the warning signs.  Many of them can be subtle, so being observant is key.  Here are some particular examples and some possible culprits:

1) Overnight, the computer is taking much longer to become usable.  Was this accompanied by some strange sounds?  It could be a failing hard drive.  If your browser starts with a different homepage, your computer could be suffering from viruses or spyware.  Or possibly some automatic updates were performed, but they went awry.

2) Your printer has problems printing.  If it is a wireless printer, can you tell if it is still on the network?  Is it asking for a new cartridge, even though you just replaced it?  Did the paper jam, and now it’s not printing even though you turned it off and on?

3) “Something” on the computer doesn’t work right.  Maybe it’s Microsoft Word, asking you to click on the end user license agreement…again and again.  Or HP software says it’s looking for something, please locate it.  Or all your files are missing (!).   There could be a corrupt file causing these problems.

In my opinion, it’s preferable to deal with problems with immediately rather than hoping that time will solve it.  If you have restarted your equipment, and the problem’s still there, assume it’s permanent, and act accordingly.

Encrypted Data is not Secure

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According to documents leaked by John Snowden, the N.S.A. has been hard at work to compromise all encryption techniques.   Encryption is used constantly, especially on commercial websites, placing orders, sending email, etc.  If true, then this would allow the N.S.A. to read anything it’s able to capture – which we already know, from Snowden and confirmed by N.S.A., is just about everything… Click here for one of the many articles about this capability.

Controlling Brains over the Internet

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In case you missed it, a New York Times blog wrote how 2 researchers connected their brains over the Internet.  One researcher made the other lift his finger to press the “fire” button in a game.  Harvard researchers have connected a human’s brain to a rat’s brain, which allowed the human to move the rat’s tail “just by thinking about it.”

Windows 8, Steve Ballmer

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ballmerIs it any coincidence that the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer – Bill Gates’ good friend, and the 3rd (at least) of the 3 billionaires I know that the company has produced – is stepping down after a very disappointing release of Windows 8?  I have yet to find a single client who likes it or wants it, it’s very confusing for most users on desktop and laptop computers, and it’s hurt Microsoft’s image (as well as profits).  Whoever takes the job has a huge job ahead – can Microsoft remain one company?

Phone Costs Changing – Going Down?

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T-Mobile announced 2 major changes recently.  First, if you have a phone compatible with their service, the monthly price for unlimited voice, texts and data is only $70.  Or $60 if you use no more than 2.5 gigabyte of data.  Second, there are no roaming charges – maximum cost per minute when abroad is 20 cents per minute.  It will be very interesting to see how the other major carries respond.  (FYI, I pay $109 after taxes monthly for ATT.)