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Be Cyber-Safe!
Fact: A cyber attack happens every 39 seconds, according to the University of Maryland. The vast majority of these attacks happen to small businesses and individuals.
Fact: If you use the internet with your phone, laptop, or any other device, you are at risk!
Fact: Most cyber-attacks happen EVEN THOUGH anti-virus software is installed!
Cyber attacks come in many different variations:
- Social media account hacks or blocking attempts
- Computer viruses
- Computer ransomware
- Phishing – you receive an email or a message to “click here”
- Social media account hacks or blocking attempts
- Computer viruses
- Computer ransomware
- Phishing – you receive an email or a message to “click here”
- Vishing – you receive a voice mail or call asking for personal information or telling you to visit a website
- Denial of service attacks on websites or networks
- Identity theft
- And more…
So, what can you do to protect yourself from cyber threats? While no one is completely safe, there are some preventative measures that reduce your risk substantially. Here are some quick tips to use:
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- Change your passwords regularly! Come up with your own unique password formula and frequency. Use it regularly – at the very least once a year but the more frequent, the better.
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- Watch for Phishing and Vishing – cyber criminals are getting even more clever in their approaches and can “mimic” actual people you know. So ALWAYS check the link carefully before you click the link.
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- Use RELIABLE anti-virus software – The most common products that come with most systems today do a very poor job at blocking cyber-attacks – that’s why the software is so cheap. Instead, look for MANAGED anti-virus & security solutions, like what Click IT offers!
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- Keep a good backup – just putting files on your computer or cell phone are not good enough. OneDrive or Google Drive are not safe and are easily hacked. Use a reliable managed backup solution, like what Click IT offers!
Be sure to teach your children to be cyber-safe also and go over these tips with them regularly!
For more tips and help, please contact us at Click IT – we are here to help you! Be Cyber-Safe!
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Spring Cleaning Your Computers
Spring is in the air, and everyone is doing home improvement projects, gardening, and cleaning up the inside and outside of their homes and offices.
Did you know you should do cleaning of your computers and cell phones, too?
- Clean the outside of the device – use a safe alcohol wipe to clean the screen, keyboard, and fan area. DO NOT spray directly onto the device, because the moisture could get into circuitry and cause damage. Instead, use a chamois cloth or lint-free wipe. Using pure alcohol wipes is the safest approach, but if you use glass cleaner make sure it evaporates quickly.
- Clean the inside of the device – for this we recommend having a professional handle this to make sure your system is kept as safe as possible while the dirt and dust is removed. The cleaning includes gently cleaning the ports, plugs and drives. Depending on how much dirt or dust is present, the professional may need to remove the cover and “blow out” the debris safely, plus inspect the fan and circuit connections.
- Printers need love, too – schedule a “deep cleaning” of your printer at your local IT store. This makes sure the print heads are cleaned, cartridges are fresh, and nothing is blocking the print or paper feed mechanisms.
- Digi-clean also – you may want to put some of those old files and photos on other storage devices (or the cloud) to free up space on your hard drive. You might look at the apps loaded on your laptop or cell phone and remove the ones that are no longer useful. Plus – having a professional run a diagnostic can determine if you need to defrag your disks or do any tuning to speed up your system so it runs smoothly.
- Back it up – if you haven’t checked your backup to confirm it is working properly, spring is the perfect time to do that! Need help to check your backup? Check with your local IT professionals!
- Patch it up – make sure all your software patches are up to date. You can work with a professional to check everything for you.
Click IT of Marietta is here for all your spring IT cleaning needs! We provide computer sales, services, repairs for desktops, laptops, and tablets. We also help with wearable tech, wi-fi, printers, and AI device setup or repair. PLUS we do networks, cyber security, data recovery, website development, and SO MUCH MORE.
Think of Click IT of Marietta as YOUR LOCAL IT DEPARTMENT. We are here to help you! Give us a try! Reach out via email to [email protected] or phone at 678-202-4600 or social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Yelp!
Mention this blog post and get a FREE diagnostic and check up!
Stay clean!
It’s impossible not to be tracked online. Still, you can take steps that make a difference.
If you don’t like the idea of advertisers knowing everything about you, shut them out. Tap or click here for simple, actionable steps you can take now.
Unlike your browser history, you probably don’t give much thought to handing out your phone number. It’s time to change that. Tap or click for methods to protect your number and stop inviting spam.
When it comes to your email, you may not realize there’s an easy way advertisers, marketers, companies, and even scammers track you – with just one tiny pixel.
What is pixel tracking?
You can’t see them, but pixel trackers are hidden in many of the emails you receive. Technically, this microscopic pixel is computer code embedded within the body of an email, generally hidden within an image.
Typically, pixel-tracking allows marketers, advertisers, and companies to collect data about you, such as:
- The number of times you open an email
- The operating system you use
- The time you opened the email
- Your IP address can give an idea of your location
- What type of device you use to open the email
Detailed data is sent back to the sender automatically, without you having to click on any links or even respond. That may feel like an invasion of privacy, but it is legal and different from when hackers and scammers employ this tactic.
In that case, it becomes all about monitoring your activity.
A man uses his iPhone and laptop computer at his desk.
Speaking of monitoring, spyware is dangerous software that tracks everything from the sites you visit to the passwords you type in. Tap or click here for six signs your phone has been infected with so-called stalkerware.
How to spot an email scam
Pesky marketing emails are one thing, and we will get into how to stop that. But first, let’s review the red flags you should send an email straight to the trash:
- There’s a request for personal information.
- The “From” address and the display name don’t match.
- The “From” address is very similar to a known business or contact, with one or two characters changed.
- It requires immediate attention.
- It is full of poor spelling or grammar. (Often, this feels like something is “off.”)
- There’s a request to click on a link or download a document or file you did not request.
Most of these clues are easy to spot, but you won’t see a microscopic pixel hidden in an email.
Spot the fake: How to tell if an image you saw on social media is fake
Good news if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Apple automatically stops senders from retrieving your IP address starting with iOS 15, macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15.
Additionally, email content is downloaded privately when you receive the email, not when you view it. That means only generic data is sent back to marketers, companies, and anyone else tracking you via email.
The Mail Privacy Protection features are not enabled by default. Here’s how to turn them on:
- On an iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Mail > Privacy Protection. Turn on Protect Mail Activity.
- On a Mac: In the Mail app, choose Mail > Preferences, then click Privacy. Select Protect Mail Activity.
Apple security 101: 7 important iPhone security settings to change right now
A woman expresses surprise while using a laptop computer. (iStock)
What about Gmail, Windows, and Android users?
The simplest way to prevent pixel-tracking is to block images from displaying in your emails. If the pixel isn’t displayed, the code probably won’t work.
- In Gmail on a computer: Click on the gear icon and select See All Settings. Under General, scroll down and click on Ask before displaying external images under the Images option. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
- In the Gmail app: Tap the three-line menu in the upper corner > Settings > Choose your account. Scroll down to Images under Data usage. Click it, then choose to Ask before displaying external images.
- In Yahoo Mail: Click Settings > More Settings > Viewing Email. Scroll to the bottom. Under Show images in messages, choose to Ask before showing external images. The page will refresh and automatically save.
- In Outlook, click on File > Options > Trusted Center. Choose Trust Center Settings > Automatic Download from the left-hand pane. Select Don’t download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail messages or RSS items. Click OK to save.
Want smart tech tips like this straight to your inbox? Try my free Tech Tips and How-tos newsletter. I’ll help you get the most out of all your gadgets, save money and protect your privacy.
Bonus Tip: How to boost your tax refund this year
The IRS has new changes, including the $600 rule, WFH deductions, child tax credits, and more. In this episode, tax accountant Rachel Cheek and I dive into the many ways deductions, forms, social media, and rules will impact your 2021 tax return.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.
Learn about all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
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Managed IT Services
This video gives you a brief overview of how Click IT can make your life easier by keeping your systems and technology updated and working properly. Contact us for more information!
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Tech in 2022
Lenovo is known as one of the premier laptop providers in the US. Their systems are highly dependable and durable, with a very low failure rate. Lenovo stays on top of technology and has keen insights into what is happening and the trends to watch.
Recently, Lenovo released an article on the TechRepublic website about their Top 7 Technology Predictions for 2022. There are some great points in this article for all of us!
Here are some thoughts on just a couple of Lenovo’s predictions:
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6 – these two technologies will usher in a flood of new devices from cell phones to tablets, laptops and more. The reason is the new 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technology allows more data to push thru at higher speed AND higher quality. Watch for all kinds of devices to be introduced with these buzzwords attached!
- Wearable screens – while the smart watch has been around for awhile now, watch for smart clothing! This can include newer watches, eyewear, gloves, even shoes and shirts!
- Monitors go main-stream – these aren’t your momma’s monitors! While the trend to see small screens continues, there is now a trend towards big screens and portable screens. Watch for more folding monitors, lightweight monitors, and super-sized monitors. Many will have smart tech built in with easy interfaces to phones, tablets, laptops, or AI devices like Alexa or Google.
This is a great article to read if you love learning about cutting edge tech and what the cool kids are up to! Lenovo definitely has their finger on top trends in tech!
Click IT of Marietta is here to help you with your current tech as well as any new tech! We provide computer sales, services, repairs for desktops, laptops, and tablets. We also help with wearable tech, wi-fi, printers, and AI device setup or repair. PLUS we do networks, antivirus, data recovery, website development, and SO MUCH MORE.
Think of Click IT of Marietta as YOUR LOCAL IT DEPARTMENT. We are here to help you! Give us a try! Reach out via email to [email protected] or phone at 404-458-7221 or social media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Yelp!
Mention this blog post and get 10% off your service request (some restrictions may apply)!
Here’s to a great 2022 for all of us!
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Windows 7 End of Life:
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Louis Rossmann has made a couple of videos about Google’s continued policy which discriminates against the computer repair industry. Check them out.
🔵 Facebook advertiser protest: https://theweek.com/speedreads/921439… 🔵 What’s happening with Google Adwords & repair: https://www.ifixit.com/News/31131/an-… 🔵 Google’s policy: https://support.google.com/adspolicy/… 🔵 Google’s explanation: https://www.blog.google/products/ads/… 🔵 Inconsistent enforcement of the policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1Too…