Monthly Archives: February 2020

Microsoft Edge Browser Blocks PUAs

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Microsoft announced a handy feature yesterday for the new Microsoft Edge browser, allowing the users the option to block certain applications. This feature came after raising concerns from users who stated certain free applications come with baggage that could slow down their PC’s.

Potentially unwanted applications can make the user less productive, make the user’s machine less performant, and lead to a degraded Windows experience. Examples of PUA include software that creates extra advertisements, applications that mine cryptocurrency, applications that show offers for other software and applications that the AV industry considers having a poor reputation.

Microsoft Blog
PUA’s aren’t cancerous

Microsoft did state that PUA’s (or potentially unwanted applications) are not regarded as malware. Advertising, Trojan, and Marketing software are just a few categories considered as PUA’s. This browser feature is defaulted to be off, however you can turn it on easily in the browser settings. Here’s how:

  1. On the top right corner of the browser, click on the “ . . . “
  2. Click on Settings
  3. Once there, go to Privacy and Services
  4. Scroll to the bottom to the Services header and click on Block potentially unwanted apps. This will turn on the feature

For help troubleshooting PC issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Tech Support Scam Victims Receive Refunds from FTC

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Yesterday, the FTC announced on their website that they will be sending out refunds to those who were victimized by tech support scammers.

In a statement, they wrote, “The FTC, along with State of Connecticut and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, alleged that the perpetrators of the scheme, which operated under Click4Support and other names, used ads on search engines like Google and popups on websites. The ads and popups claimed to be from major tech companies such as Microsoft and Apple and tricked consumers into calling the defendants and buying tech support services that consumers did not need.”

This operation led to many users’ computers getting infected with viruses and malware. Many of the viruses look legit, as hackers tend to use the brand logos.

The refund total comes to over $1.7 Billion, and will be dispersed through checks or PayPal over the year. The FTC warns consumers that they will never ask you to pay any fee to cash your check. And if you are asked to do so to call Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-877-389-4472.

Be sure you are handling computer viruses properly by downloading anti-virus software, which can detect and remove harmful trojans or malware. It is beneficial to have even if you’re not concerned about a potential threat. Norton and McAfee are well known anti-virus software subscriptions, available for you to purchase online.

Keeping your OS updated to the latest version is helpful as well, as it contains the protection and security needed.

If you are having security problems or any other issue with your computer and would like some assistance, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Arvada Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Arvada, CO please call the local office at (720) 441-6460 or schedule an appointment at www.arvadacomputerrepairservice.com.

Live Tiles Getting the Boot on Windows 10

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Windows 10 users have claimed that the Live Tiles feature was one of the more useless ones to include in the current operating system.

However, there are rumors running around, saying that the Start Menu may be getting revamped. This also means that Live Tiles will quite possibly get the boot.

Live Tiles launched on the Windows 7 phone, and updated apps in real time. However, since Windows phones are now a thing of the past, Microsoft hasn’t updated Live Tiles on PCs. And doesn’t seem like there’s any plan to in the future.

If you have any Windows 10 questions, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960 or schedule an appointment at www.scottsdalecomputerrepairservice.net.

Windows 10 Update is Deleting Your Files

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Windows 10 seems to have had a tough beginning of 2020. Updates left and right are causing a plethora of issues for users, and this most recent problem isn’t any better.

February 11, 2020 KB4532693 update has been apparently removing files off of their PC’s, according to the Microsoft Community. This in turn has caused it to revert back to its default settings. Many have shared that after uninstalling the update and resetting, their PC continued to develop problems.

One user wrote, “This update KB4532693 caused all the data on my laptop to be erased. Even after uninstalling the update, the laptop would not successfully boot. Then “Resetting” the laptop to factory settings while choosing to keep all personal data erased everything. EVERYTHING.” 

To uninstall KB4532693, Windows Latest says to follow these steps:
  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app. Update & Security and then on Windows Update.
  2. Click on the ‘View update history’ button and then on ‘Uninstall updates’.
  3. You can now select the update you want to uninstall and click the ‘Uninstall’ button.

If you’re unable to uninstall the patch from the Settings app, you can also remove it from the command line using the WUSA tool. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Command prompt (cmd.exe).
  2. Run Command prompt as administrator
  3. Use the command wusa /uninstall /kb:4532693 /quiet

Not all PC’s were affected by this update. In fact, if you installed it and didn’t experience issues, there’s no need to do anything further. But if you have, make sure to use the steps above to correct it.

For inquiries with Microsoft updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

End of Service for Version 1809

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If you have Windows 10 version 1809 on your PC, be sure to mark your calendars.

According to the Windows Support blog, version 1809 service will be expiring on May 12, 2020. “Every Windows product has a lifecycle,” Microsoft states. “The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it’s no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade or make other changes to your software.”

The editions who are affected by this are below:

For those utilizing the Enterprise and Education editions, service will end on May 11, 2021. Once the date has expired, Microsoft Support will encourage users to update their operating systems to the latest version of Windows 10. This is to assure your PC is getting the best security and performance.

If you are needing help with Microsoft issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Someone Hijacked Phorpiex botnet and Uninstalling Their Malware

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Late last month, security analysts recognized a hijack of the Phorpiex botnet.

Phorpiex Botnet is a 10 year old network that has spread malware and has affected computers all across the world. And if you have this particular malware on your computer, you may have found a pop-up message saying “Please install AntiVirus Software and update your computer!”

At first, security analysts thought it was a prank by the Phorpiex network. However, they soon realized that the malware was slowly dissipating from those affected.

Though there’s no definite explanation for this, some say that it’s possible another malware network hacked into the Phorpiex system so they would lose funds. Competition seems to heighten in the cyber-criminal world.

To avoid these, and other malware problems on your PC, make sure to keep your operating system up to date and have the latest anti-virus software installed.

If you are needing assistance with any malware issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Arlington Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Arlington, TX please call the local office at (817) 756-6008.

Anti-Virus Software Shut Down After Selling Data

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The Anti-Virus Software company, Avast announced they are immediately terminating their Jumpshot operations. The reasoning behind it is due to the reveal of the company’s subsidary collecting and selling their browsing data to advertisers.

According to Vice, it explains that the, “Avast antivirus program installed on a person’s computer collects data, and that Jumpshot repackages it into various different products that are then sold to many of the largest companies in the world. Some past, present, and potential clients include Google, Yelp, Microsoft, McKinsey, Pepsi, Home Depot, Condé Nast, Intuit, and many others. Some clients paid millions of dollars for products that include a so-called “All Clicks Feed,” which can track user behavior, clicks, and movement across websites in highly precise detail.”

Protecting people is Avast’s top priority and must be embedded in everything we do in our business and in our products. Anything to the contrary is unacceptable.

For these reasons, I – together with our board of directors – have decided to terminate the Jumpshot data collection and wind down Jumpshot’s operations, with immediate effect.

Ondrej Vlcek, Avast CEO

Unfortunately, due to the nature and quick decision by the CEO, it was stated that hundreds of people who worked under Jumpshot will be out of the job, along with dozens of customers no longer receiving the service.

For security inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.