Hackers Exploit OS Bugs

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When updates become available, bugs and vulnerabilities follow behind. These, while nuisances, are usually quickly handled and fixed by the development teams. The time in between, however, is an opportunity for hackers to steal information.

For example, back in August 2020 Cyberscoop shared a blog post, explaining that hackers can exploit bugs:

“The bugs are in a software product known as Citrix Endpoint Management or XenMobile, which allows clients to remotely connect to corporate networks with their mobile devices. Exploiting one of the bugs could let a hacker steal domain account credentials for a corporate network, according to Andrey Medov, a security researcher at Positive Technologies, which found the flaw during a security audit for a client. From there, an attacker could target other company resources like corporate mail and web applications.” 

These flaws in computer technology cost companies millions of dollars. According to Capita.com, the recovery cost last year of a data breach was $3.86 million. So software development teams have to work fast to shorten the vulnerability window for hackers.

If you are having issues with your PC, 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.

Is Microsoft Getting Rid of Cortana?

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Microsoft announced the release of their upcoming Windows operating system last month.

Millions of users streamed their live event, revealing a slew of intriguing new features. At the same time, Microsoft plans to cut out a few applications to allow more modernization.

Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, is receiving a bit of a downgrade. While they’re not getting rid of Cortana, it will no longer be included in the setup process. It will also not be pinned to the taskbar.

It’s unclear what Microsoft has planned for Cortana, but based on the features that have been added to it over the last year or so, it might get repositioned as a business tool.

Source: Gizmodo

For help updating to Windows 10 or dealing with any Windows 10 computer 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 Scottsdale Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.

Why Should You Back Up Your Computer?

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Unfortunately, files become lost or corrupted due to malware or hardware crashes. It’s times like these that you have to be extra careful.

Backing up your computer is the solution to these issues. Microsoft Support shares on their blog how to back up and restore your computer. They also state the importance of backing up on a separate hard drive.

“Do not back up files to the same hard disk that Windows is installed on. For example, do not back up files to a recovery partition. Always store media used for backups (external hard disks, DVDs, or CDs) in a secure place to prevent unauthorized people from having access to your files; a fireproof location separate from your computer is recommended. You might also consider encrypting the data on your backup.”

Windows Support

Don’t wait until the worst happens on your computer. Keep your privacy safe and secure.

If you have any computer-related 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.

View Your Windows 10 Update History

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Microsoft comes out with a handful of mandatory and optional updates throughout the year. These include cumulative, feature, and security updates. 

You can view the update history in two ways. The first, go to the Windows Logo Start Menu on the lower left hand corner of the desktop. Click on the gear icon(Settings). From there, you will scroll down to the last option: Update & Security.

After clicking on Update & Security, you will find the option of View update history.

The second way seems to have lesser steps in the process. On your computer keyboard, click the Windows Logo (the start menu) and type in “Update”. The best match that comes up will be Check for updates in System Settings. Once clicked, you can find the View update history option.

If you are needing help with computer 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 Tucson Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Tucson, AZ, please call the local office at (520) 526-9940.

Don’t Download This Windows 11 Update

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Last month, Microsoft announced the unveiling of their upgraded operating system (named Windows 11). Their live event, watched by millions of users, shared many exciting improvements.

With their exciting news, rumors have spread to allow users to download the unfinished, not-yet-announced Windows 11. The build leaked overseas, and Microsoft has expressed to users not to do so. On top of that, hackers have been busy taking advantage of this opportunity.

WindowsCentral states, “One attack utilizes a file by the name of “86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe.” This 1.75GB file launches a program that looks like a Windows installation wizard. That’s an immediate red flag, as Windows updates go through the Settings app of a PC and don’t look like app installers.”

Source: The Verge

The reasoning is the same as when we caution against installing beta builds of other operating systems and test apps like Chrome Canary: Windows 11 is unfinished and unstable. The leaked Windows 11 is also technically unofficial, so if you install it and something breaks, Microsoft won’t help you fix it—and something will probably break considering how notoriously buggy official Windows Updates are.

Source: lifehacker

It’s also obvious as to why it would be a bad idea: because of the plethora of malware. If you were to download some type of unprepared software, it will give malicious opportunities to hackers. They can steal any personal information available.

For help troubleshooting 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 Mesa Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

What is Google Drive for Desktop?

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Google made an announcement the first week of February about revamping their ways to sync Google Drive files to desktops. 

According to their Google Workspace blog, they state:

“Currently, we have two sync solutions available—Drive File Stream, which was built for business users, and Backup and Sync, which was built for consumer users. 
Some of our Google Workspace customers have deployed both sync solutions, which can be confusing for end users and challenging for IT departments to manage. To address this, we’re planning to unify these sync clients later in 2021, bringing the most used features from both Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync to all of our users.”

The name change for Drive File Stream is now Google Drive for desktop. Thankfully, there’s no actions required by the admins, and at this time is in beta preview mode. The name change isn’t the only thing coming out of this. You will be able to use your Google Drive to sync any of your available local folders. This change is for Windows 10 and macOS, version 45.

Image Source: Google

Note: Some macOS users report when upgrading from version 44 to 45 of Drive for desktop a “Keychain Not Found” error stating “A keychain cannot be found to store <key number>.” DO NOT click Reset to Defaults. Instead, click Cancel, quit Google Drive for desktop, and restart the application to resolve this issue.

Update: Some macOS 10.11 users reported compatibility issues when upgrading to 45.0.12.0. This issue has been resolved in 45.0.13.0 which was released to users on February 9, 2021.

Source: Google Support

For inquiries with computer 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 Frisco Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Slow Computer Could Be Because of Browsers

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Browsing the internet has become one of the fastest way to gather information for personal and work use. It can, unfortunately cause problems to your computers performance.

That’s because browsing utilizes CPU and memory resources at multiple levels. Any kind of program being used can have an affect.

According to Mashable, “A single web page with video may use 20-30% of your CPU. A few of those, or any one more than 50%, will clearly affect performance. If the memory used by all of your browser processes combined exceeds one-half of your computer’s memory, your browser is likely affecting performance, too.”

Some browsers, such as Chrome, offer up handy tools in their Settings, sharing details about processes and possible culprits. Extensions added to your browser could also cause problems, and may have to be removed and added back on again.

For inquiries with slow computers, 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.

Have You Tried Windows Security?

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As the number of remote workers continue to climb, safety and security become even more of a priority to OS software. We as Microsoft users understand the basic necessity of keeping our PC safe. Windows 10 includes a built-in app, called Window Security to scan for viruses, along with firewall and network protection. 

In the US alone, data breaches fell to an estimated 1.1 billion in 2020. It is predicted, however, that the number of data breaches in the US will rise to over 1.4 billion in 2021. 

Source: Safety Detectives
Covered Options

To get the most out of Windows Security, click on the Start Menu and type in Windows Security in the search bar. Choose the first app option. You’ll find it covers all bases, providing:

  • Virus & threat protection
  • Account protection
  • Firewall & network protection
  • App & browser control
  • Device security
  • Device performance & health
  • Family options

From the Virus & threat protection tab, you can quickly scan your PC to find any possible threats.

Dynamic Lock

Windows 10 also provides a helpful little feature to assist those who are susceptible to forgetting to lock their home screen. When your Bluetooth, which must be linked to your computer, is out of range, the feature called Dynamic Lock automatically locks your device or PC. Find this feature by following the directions:

  1. Start Menu
  2. Settings
  3. Accounts
  4. Sign-in Options
  5. Dynamic Lock
  6. Check box “Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you’re away”

If you are needing assistance with any 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 Arlington Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Arlington, TX please call the local office at (817) 756-6008.

What are Phishing Scams?

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Phishing scams are online scams in which hackers attempt to trick users to give them personal credentials. This is usually done by means of e-mails.

These type of phishing scams look legit, as the e-mails contain similar information of the company they’re impersonating. The recipient may have an account with the business, like AOL or Google. 

Just recently, AOL fell victim with phishing scams. Some with AOL accounts received e-mails stating if they didn’t verify, their e-mails would be deleted within 3 days. If users ended up verifying, the scam would send the user to a login webpage and given the opportunity, could end up stealing their private information. 

“The email reportedly contains a link to an AOL phishing landing page that wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny by an alert user. The page displays a form asking users to enter their login details, before redirecting them to the standard AOL login page as the credentials make their way to the scammers.” 

source: techradar

Cybercriminals continue imitating businesses, becoming more knowledgeable and sneaky. According to the FTC, text message scammers are on the rise, attempting to convince people to click on links to receive statuses on package shipments from UPS and FedEx. They also state, “In 2020, the FTC got more than 2.2 million reports about fraud, with people telling us they lost nearly $3.3 billion.” 

FTC: How to report phishing scams
Protect yourself from phishing scams by doing the following:

-Try out Carbonite online backup solutions, which will protect your data regardless of any type of attack or problem. This can ensure your important files and data are backed up to a secure cloud storage. 

-Use 2-factor authentication, which gives an extra set of security.

-Do not click on any e-mail links that look suspicious. If you’re unsure as to who sent you the e-mail, double check their address to verify its authenticity.

If you’re experiencing any Windows 10 or computer 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 Lakewood Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Lakewood, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460. 

How to Screenshot by Tapping on iPhones

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If you have an iPhone, you will want to try this feature out!

I just recently found out about this simple, yet wonderful feature on the iPhone. Screenshots can usually be taken by holding down the power button and the volume button simultaneously. It can be frustrating, however, if you don’t, as if not done properly you will just turn off the screen.

Here’s how you can screenshot by just tapping on your iPhone’s back:
  • Go to Settings
  • Scroll down to Accessibility
  • Under Physical and Motor, click on Touch
  • Scroll to the bottom and click on Back Tap

From there, you will find Double Tap and Triple Tap are your options. If you click on one, you’ll find a list of uses, such as Home Screen, Mute, Siri, among others. 

Click on Screenshot.

And there you have it. When you double tap (or triple tap, whichever one you chose), a shot of your screen will appear. Super easy and quick! Be sure to check out the list and see if any of them are worth utilizing with the back taps.

Note: I do have a case on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the double tap STILL DOES work. I’m unsure if it will work with all cases.

If you are having computer related 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.