The end of the year is approaching, and as we reflect on the content we’ve shared over the past year, we’d love your feedback on how we can improve to better serve your needs.

• What topics would you like to see us explore in future posts?
• Do you enjoy the quick tips reels on our social media pages?
• Are the security tips useful?
• Do our throwback tech posts bring back some nostalgic memories?
• Send us a DM on Facebook or Instagram and let us know how we can do things differently!

With my favorite holiday just around the corner, you know what that means…it’s shopping time! However, I’m not thrilled about being packed into stores with hundreds of other shoppers. That’s why I do most of my shopping online. But when it comes to online shopping, it’s important to stay safe. Here are a few tips to help:

• Always shop from reputable retailers.
• Only enter payment information on secure sites. Check for a padlock icon in the address bar and make sure the URL starts with “https://”.
• Double-check the URL to ensure you’re on the website you intended to visit.
• Avoid clicking on pop-ups with messages like “Click here to claim your free gift card.”
• Only connect to secure Wi-Fi. Shopping on public networks can put your information at risk.
• Install a browser guard to alert you if you visit a potentially harmful website.
• Read reviews about the website before making a purchase.

Happy shopping!

 

Regular computer maintenance can prevent costly repairs and extend the life of your device. Here are some essential maintenance tasks that can help avoid expensive issues down the road:

• Keep Software and OS Updated
• Install and Update Antivirus Software
• Backup data regularly
• Clean Dust and Debris from Hardware
• Remove unneeded files from the hard drive
• Update Device Drivers
• Uninstall Unused Programs
• Use a power surge
• Use a Cooling Pad (for Laptops)
• Perform regular PC Tune-Ups

By incorporating these regular maintenance tasks, you can prevent costly repairs and ensure that your computer stays in great condition longer. The best part is, we can help you with all of these tasks. Book with us today!

Dropping in to remind you to book your Crowned Service today!

Why stress over tech issues when we can handle them for you? Our team is skilled, efficient, and patient. We offer a range of services, including:

• Computer training
• Data backup and transfer
• Hardware and software installations
• Virus and malware removal
• PC tune-ups
• New computer setup

With years of hands-on experience and a solid educational background, we’ve got you covered. Let us take the hassle off your plate!

Has your data been caught in yet another breach? Don’t ignore that email urging you to change your password. Compromised passwords are often bought and sold on the dark web by cybercriminals. It is imperative that you change your password immediately after being informed that it has been breached. Not changing your password immediately sets you up for another cyberattack: credential stuffing.

Credential stuffing uses previously compromised usernames and passwords against multiple accounts until it finds one that works. This could be anything from your bank accounts, social media accounts, or work account. Chances of an attacker accessing these accounts increases if multifactor authentication is not used. If you’re using the same password for every account, the situation just went from bad to worse.

Check out our previous blog posts about password security and stay safe friends!

It’s always exciting to get a new computer, laptop, phone or tv. Unboxing your new device makes it feel like Christmas year-round. What do you do with your old device though? The first thought for many would be to just throw it in the garbage, but our electronic devices should be disposed of differently.

Recycling electronic devices is called e-waste recycling. Recycling protects the environment. Electronic devices contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and flame retardants. Improper disposal of e-waste can lead to these toxic substances getting into soil and water, causing environmental pollution and harming wildlife.

E-waste also takes up space in landfills because it does not decompose easily. Recycling reduces the amount of waste going to landfills.

Proper disposal of e-waste prevents theft of data. Recycling through certified e-waste recyclers ensures that data is securely wiped or destroyed, protecting personal and business information from unauthorized access. Your city may even offer free pickup and disposal of e-waste.

Protect the environment and get rid of e-waste the right way.

Springtime is here! Is there anyone else out there that loves giving their home a top to bottom cleaning? No? Okay. Now would also be a good time for a good old digital cleanup of social media accounts, computer files and phones/tablets.

Here are a few tips that will help promote organization, security and performance

• Computer: Delete or archive old files, uninstall unused programs, clear caches, and update software regularly.
• Social Media: Review and delete outdated or unnecessary posts, update privacy settings, and deactivate unused accounts.
• Phone/Tablet: Remove unused apps, clear browsing history, delete old messages and media, and regularly update the operating system and apps.

 

That’s not so bad right? I’d better get started. Happy cleaning!

Scammers are still at it—that’s the simplest way to put it. Every day, I get emails claiming I’ve won a gift card and just need to click the link to verify some details [cue eye roll].

I also receive emails notifying me that my subscription has been renewed for a certain amount, with instructions to call if I want to cancel. Additionally, there’s the common phishing text claiming they couldn’t deliver my package, asking me to click a link to reschedule. And then, there’s the alarming phone call claiming a warrant has been issued for my arrest.

Always be on alert. Never trust, always verify. Never click links in text messages or emails if they come from people you do not know. Closely examine all messages and look for clues of legitimacy.

Stay safe!

Do you know what I got tired of seeing last year? News about data breaches! There were way too many breaking news stories about top companies experiencing a breach. In turn there were many emails and notifications about my data possibly being exposed. While there isn’t anything you can do to stop these breaches from happening, here’s what you can do if your data is exposed.

• Change your passwords and enable multifactor authentication
• Monitor your credit report for new unauthorized accounts and freeze credit if necessary
• Monitor bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized transactions

Let’s hope for a better year. One where there are significantly less breaches.

Happy New Year!

We are so grateful to see another year! As always, we are excited to work with you and are here for all your computer support needs.

Follow and interact with us on social media to stay up to date with everything we are doing this year.

Wishing you a very prosperous year!