Tech Blog

January 28

Microsoft Security Essentials – Good Virus/Malware Protection at a Great Price (free!)

Virus, malware and spyware are still all-too common on many users’ home computers today. I receive calls every week from people who have somehow acquired a virus on their computers. At times the viruses are circumventing the antivirus and security software that they currently have on their systems. Also, many folks are still under the impression that they must purchase an annual subscription to one of the big name antivirus companies like McAfee or Norton in order to keep their systems adequately protected. However, there is a new free security alternative on the market which home users should strongly consider: Microsoft Security Essentials.

While Microsoft has been dabbling in the security software realm for a few years now with Windows Defender (installed by default on Vista and Windows 7 systems), MSE is their first attempt at an integrated antivirus and anti-spyware solution. Here is why home users should consider using MSE as the primary security software on their computers:

It provides good, basic antivirus and antispyware protection for PC-based systems, including Windows XP, Vista and 7.
It’s FREE for home use, and Microsoft will not annoy you with periodic pop-up advertisements goading you to upgrade to a full, paid version security suite (something AVG, Avast & Avira have started doing lately).
It uses up very few system resources. Some of the commercial antivirus products like Norton 360 can slow computer systems down immensely, especially on older systems.

Microsoft Security Essentials is getting fairly good ratings from organizations like AV-Comparatives and TechRadar.com. While it is a fairly new product compared to others on the market, these reviews look very promising.

MSE is fairly easy to install on a home computer system. If you would like to give it a try, follow the steps below which walk you through the install process:

First, download and save the installation file for Microsoft Security Essentials. You can find the files on Microsoft’s site: (Click here to download the file). Choose the option to Save the installation file, and place the file in an easy-to-find location (like your Desktop or your My Documents/Documents folder). The name of the file is mssefullinstall-x86fre-en-us-xp.exe

By the way, Microsoft has short tutorial videos which walk you step-by-step through the installation process as well as through the scanning and removal processes.

if you currently have an antivirus product installed on your computer, you will need to uninstall it before installing Microsoft Security Essentials. Multiple antivirus products installed on the same system will not play well together. They will only cause you headaches and will not offer your system any additional protection. If you uninstall another antivirus product, you will be prompted to restart your computer. After your system comes back up, navigate to the place where you saved the MSE installation file, and double-click on it. The installation is usually very quick:

This screen shows that Security Essentials is ready to install and what it is designed to do.

You will need to accept the licensing agreement, and Security Essentials will run a quick check to make sure that your copy of Windows is legitimate.

The next window indicates that the software is ready to install and reminds you to uninstall any other antivirus products on your computer. (You did remember to uninstall, right?)

Before you know it, the software will complete the installation process. Click the Finish button.

The program will show your computer “At Risk” until it updates the software with the most recent virus and spyware definitions.

Once the software has been updated, it will prompt you to allow it to run an initial quick scan of your system. This is not technically required, but it is a good idea. Once the software is installed, you will notice a small, castle-shaped icon in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. Usually, this icon will be green, indicating that your computer is protected.

From this point on, you will have to interact very little with the software, unless you choose to set up a specific scheduled scan of your system or would like to tweak some of the other settings. The user interface is fairly simple and easy-to-understand.

Like all security software, Microsoft Security Essentials is not iron-clad protection which will guarantee that your computer will never get a virus. I liken security software on a computer to a security system in a house. Though you may have the most high-tech, advanced security system in your home, it will not prevent you from opening the front door and letting an intruder into your home. You could still do that, if you chose. Likewise, if you click on a poisoned link on Facebook, download spyware-injected software, pictures or music files from file-sharing or adult websites, the security software may not always stop you from introducing malware onto your system. (However, a good firewall like Comodo will definitely help with this.) You still need to keep Windows updated and be careful where you surf on the Internet. Nevertheless, Microsoft Security Essentials is a good piece of baseline software for keeping your computer secure.

If you have any questions, need further advice or even need some assistance with your computer, please feel free to drop me a note at services@mtshomesolutions.com or give me a call at 484-341-0053.

7:39 AM GMT | Read comments(0)

September 24

Beware of SCAREWARE!!!

Even though Halloween is quickly approaching, scareware can infect your computer at any time of the year. Scareware is a specific type of malware which is designed to scare a user into thinking that his or her computer contains severe errors or virus infections which must be fixed immediately. Scareware often mimics a legitimate antivirus, antispyware or registry repair program in an attempt to trick the user into thinking that its results are trustworthy. Users are told that they must, for a price, download specific software which will remedy the supposed problems on the user's machine. However, often the software itself is another form of malware which can open the door to further virus and spyware infection.

Scareware ads may appear in the form of pop-up messages while a user is surfing the web. Also, if certain programs are inadvertetly downloaded to a user's computer, some scareware programs can virtually take over a user's system & shut down all internet access except for the scareware's own website. Scareware typically displays dire security warnings that insist that a user's system is infected. These warnings are difficult to ignore, as the writers of the software design them to keep popping up until the user agrees to pay a sum of money to download the "full version" and complete the scanning and removal process. Many times, these programs will often lock up a user's computer so that he or she is unable to do anything else. These programs can also often lock down a user's internet connection and prevent a user from navigating to any website on the internet except for the software's website. One scareware's most onerous tactics is to shut down any security software that is installed on a user's system which might tag the software as malicious or might remove it.

Below are some screen shots of typical scareware programs. Like viruses, the creators of this software are constantly coming up with new versions and iterations of these programs. The names of the software may change, but they all work essentially the same way. Double click on a picture to see a larger version of the screenshot.

Green Antivirus 2009                                IE Antivirus 3.3


Omega Antivir                                                     Proof Defender 2009


RegistryCleanerPro                                     Windows Antivirus Pro

Windows Police Pro

How Did My Computer Become Infected?

This is a pretty common question that users ask when they discover that their computer has been hijacked by one of these monsters. While in the past viruses and malware often spread through things like e-mail attachments, today malware is propagated more so by hyperlinks to legitimate or seemingly innocuous websites or through poisoned source code on a legitimate website that has been hacked. In other words, by clicking on a link, you could be giving permission to download, install and run one of these programs, perhaps without even knowing it.

How Can I Protect Myself?

1) Popup Blocker Users can protect themselves by using a pop-up blocker with their internet browser. This will prevent many of the scareware popup ads from appearing on your screen. What often happens is that when a user sees one of these popups, he assumes that the message indicating a virus infection is real and he clicks on the link to run the scan or get rid of the infection. With that one click, he has just opened the door for the scareware to download and install to his computer. legitimate antivirus and antispyware software installed, by using a good firewall product and by regularly downloading and installing Microsoft Windows updates.

2) Strong Firewall A good firewall will prevent connections to or from the internet without your permission. Therefore, if you click on a link to a scareware program, it will be unable to uninstall, "Phone Home" or open up other communication ports on your computer without you explicitly allowing it to do so. The firewall included in Windows XP, service pack 2 is inadequate to prevent these kinds of intrusions. The firewall in Windows Vista and Windows 7 is more likely to block this activity.

3) Good Legitimate Antivirus (Only 1) and Antispyware (at least 2) programs. Programs that run real-time scanning will often be able to detect these programs before they make any significant changes to your system. It is critical, though, that these programs are kept up-to-date. Most legitimate antivirus and antispyware programs will check for updates automatically.

If your computer becomes infected with scareware - DON'T PANIC, and don't pay for the software that is being offered. Scareware can often be removed with a brief malware scan such as Malwarebytes. Sometimes, however, certain registry settings and/or processes must be modified or shut down in order to disable the scareware and run the proper removal tools. MTS can assess the situation on your computer and assist you in the process of disinfecting your system. Click here for more information about MTS's virus and spyware removal services or to schedule an appointment.

3:39 AM GMT | Read comments(0)

September 17

When is it Time to Upgrade to a New Computer?

One question that users commonly ask is,” When is the right time to upgrade to a new computer?” While many factors will be involved
in making this kind of decision, such as finances, computing needs of the person or family and status of the user’s current system, the
following factors are important to consider when considering a new computer purchase.

1. Age and status of the current computer. Computers, like any other mechanical device, are prone to failure, especially as
they get older. While some computers may continue to function just fine after 5 years, others may be on the verge of major
component (hard drive, system board) failure. How long a system lasts may largely depend upon how it was used. For
example, a home computer that was only used for a few hours per day for basic computing tasks (word processing, e-mail and
browsing the internet) would likely be in much better shape after 5 years of service than a system which was highly utilized (8-
10 hours per day) over the same time period. As a computer gets older, it may become more difficult to find replacement parts
for components which fail, or the computer may become more expensive to fix than buying a new computer.

2. Current Operating System Being Used. The computer’s operating system is the environment or platform from which all
other programs run. Most of the home computers in service at this point are running Microsoft Windows XP, which has been a
comparatively stable and reliable operating system over the last several years. While security updates for this OS will be
available until 2014, consumers will need to consider either Windows Vista or Windows 7 (to be released in October, 2009)
when purchasing a new computer. While Windows XP is not yet obsolete (e.g. most computer programs will still work with
Windows XP), this OS will eventually be outmoded within the next few years. Some consumers were not particularly
impressed by the performance of Windows Vista. However, Windows 7 promises to fix many of the perceived problems of
Vista, and consumers are likely to be more impressed with it.

3. Finances. Prices for home computer systems have drastically decreased over the last 7-10 years. This is good news for
budget-conscious consumers. It is now possible to get a quality desktop computer system in the $400-$500 range. In
addition, it has become easier and cheaper to upgrade the computer’s components (e.g. install a larger hard drive, upgrade
memory, add a Blue-Ray player, etc.) after the initial purchase. When considering a new computer purchase, consumers
should buy a system which is both in their budget range as well as one which is appropriate to the computing tasks. For
example, if a family wants a computer which will be used for a lot of high-end gaming or video editing, they should focus on a
system with a fast 64-bit processor, a lot of memory (at least 4 gigabytes) and a high-end video card. By contrast, if a family
wants a computer which will be used to help the children with school work (mainly word processing, Internet browsing, instant
messaging, listening to music, etc.), then most entry-level desktop systems will fit the bill nicely.

How to Make the Switch
One of the daunting tasks that folks face when they purchase a new computer is the job of getting the important data, including
programs, documents, pictures, music files, videos, etc. from the old computer to the new computer. Here are a few of the options that
users can consider:

· Windows Files & Settings Transfer Wizard
Within Windows XP, Vista and 7 there is a tool which will help users to transfer most or all of their data files (documents,
pictures, music files, etc.) from the old computer to the new system. Users can either place these files on removable media
(e.g. flash drive or external hard drive) or they can connect the computers together using a data transfer cable or a network
cable. The length of time that it takes to move the data from one computer to the other will depend upon the amount of data
that needs to be transferred. MTS Home Solutions can assist with this process, and we will only charge for the amount of time
that it takes to set up and transfer the data. The advantage of using the Files and Settings transfer wizard is that it is already
included within the Windows software. One drawback, however, to using this method is that only files and settings are
transferred. Programs are not. Therefore, it is necessary to re-install the programs onto the new computer before transferring
the data. Also, for users who are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7, a special version of Files & Settings Transfer Wizard
will likely be necessary.

· Utilizing a Specialized Transfer Program
There are several software products on the market, Such as PC Mover or Intellimover, which will transfer both data and programs from one computer to the other.
These programs often include both a program to move the data as well as a cable with which both computers can be
connected. This option may be preferable for home computer users who may not have the original media available to re-install
the programs on the new computer. The cost of one of these data transfer programs ranges from $40 - $60.

· Online Backup & Restore
A third option that home computer users may want to consider is the use of an online backup service, such as Carbonite Online Backup,
An online backup service uses a small piece of software on your computer to back up particular files and
folders on your computer. The software copies the data over an encrypted internet connection to a secured server in an offsite
data center. The server itself is also backed up regularly. Once the files and folders on the old computer are backed up to
the server, the user can then switch his or her backup subscription to the new computer. Over the period of a few hours or a
few days (depending on the amount of data), the files will be transferred to the new computer. Like the Files and Settings transfer wizard, this method only transfers files and folders; programs must be installed on the new computer. However, this method is definitely the easiest to use, especially for non-technical computer owners. For about the same price as a data transfer program which will likely be used only one time, users can move their data with an online backup
service and have the added protection of having their files backed up in a secure, off-site location. An additional feature of
Carbonite is that users can securely access their files from any internet-connected computer. This makes it very convenient to
access important documents when users are away from home. MTS Home Solutions can set up and configure Carbonite Online Backup on a home user’s computer and can walk you through all of the pertinent steps of getting your data transferred to your new home computer.

While each person must make his or her own decision regarding when is the best time to purchase a new home computer, we would be
happy to assist you in the evaluation of your current system as well as in the process of setting up and configuring your new system as
well as transferring data from a previous computer. If we can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to e-mail us or
call us using the contact information listed above.

8:47 AM GMT | Read comments(0)

September 07

What is Your Backup Strategy

Are you prepared to survive computer data loss? If your computer hard drive crashed, if you experienced a virus
infection, house fire, flood, a power surge or even accidental deletion, do you have a way of recovering data that
might be lost on your computer? Are the pictures, music files, financial documents and other important pieces of
information stored on your system protected?

Most folks don’t think about losing their data until it is already gone. Data recovery services are very expensive
and not always successful. A better strategy is to make a plan to back up your data regularly so that it will be safe
in the event of an unexpected hard drive failure or other data loss event.

What is a Backup and How Do You Accomplish It?

A data backup is simply a second copy of your computer data. If the primary data file becomes damaged, lost or
corrupted, the second copy can be accessed instead. There are several ways to back up your data. Each
method has its pros and cons.

1. Backup data to a second location on your hard drive. You can use the backup utility which is included in
Microsoft Windows to backup your critical documents and files (e.g. My Documents folder) to another location
on your hard drive. You can even automate the backup process so that this occurs on a regular basis without
your intervention. This will only protect your data from accidental deletion, though. All of your data could still
be lost in the event of a hard drive failure or other hardware-related event.

2. Backup your data to an external device. You could use the Windows backup utility or other 3rd party
software backup program to copy your data to another device, such as an external hard drive, flash drive or
CD/DVD. This will protect your data in the event of accidental file deletion or a hard drive failure. External
hard drives and flash drives have become increasingly inexpensive, and this is a common way that many
folks back up their data. Depending on the amount of data you need to back up, prices for external flash
drives and hard drives range from about $10-$100. Third-party backup software ranges from about $35-$65.

3. Create an image of your hard drive – Several disk-imaging tools are available, such as Symantec Ghost
and Acronis True Image which make an exact copy, or image, of everything on your hard drive. These
products include tools which will allow you to restore the image to another hard drive in the event of data loss
or a hard drive failure. This method would also require a second device, such as another hard drive (internal
or external) for storing the disk image. Also, the image would have to be updated regularly in order to
maintain a current copy of the user’s data. The price of an imaging product for home use is about $50.

4. Use an online backup service – One of the easiest, most reliable, cost-effective methods of backing up the
important data on your computer is using an online backup service. An online backup service uses a small
piece of software on your computer to back up particular files and folders on your computer. The software
copies the data over an encrypted internet connection to a secured server in an off-site data center. The
server itself is also backed up regularly.

There are several advantages to an online backup service over the other methods of backing up data:

* Data is backed up automatically, in real time. That is, as soon as a file is changed or created, the file
   is copied to the secured server.
* Data is secured in an off-site location. This enables you to have peace of mind, knowing that no
   matter what (hardware failure, accidental deletion, file corruption, fire or computer theft), the data can
   be restored to another hard drive or computer.
* Several versions of the data can be backed up and retrieved by the online backup service. This
   enables you to “go back” to a previous document before changes were made to it.
* Some online backup services allow users to retrieve their files from any internet-connected computer.
   This enables users to have access to the files stored on their home PC’s from virtually anywhere.
* Online backup services require no large software packages or complex backup programs to be
   installed & maintained on the computer. The backup agent is very small and easy to work with.
* Online backup services are very easy to use, even for novice computer users. Most of the work is
  done for you, behind the scenes.
* Online backup services are comparatively inexpensive – about $5.00 per month, which is very
   worthwhile, considering the value of the important data that is being protected.

MTS Home Solutions confidently recommends Carbonite Online Backup. For just $54.95 per year, Carbonite
can be configured to back up all of your important data automatically, no matter how much data you have. An
additional feature of Carbonite's online backup service is that, once your files are backed up, you can access
them securely from any computer with an internet connection.

MTS Home Solutions can install and configure Carbonite Online Backup during a regular service call and can
include the cost of your annual fee within the cost of the service call. This backup solution is like having ironclad
data insurance on your computer. The cost for unlimited data backup is $54.95 per year. This breaks
down to about 15¢ per day or $4.58 per month. You won't find a cheaper, more reliable method for
protecting your data. Don't live without it!

You can also download this blog in electronic form by clicking on this link.

5:39 AM GMT | Read comments(0)

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