Don’t be a turkey!
Every year around this time we remind you how not to be a turkey on thanksgiving. So here are your annual “Don’t be a turkey” tips.
Backup your important files – Computer failure can come at any time without warning. We always hate when we hear about people losing their data to hard drive failure, stolen machines or lost flash drives. Make sure all the files you don’t want to be without are backed up. Important work documents, family pictures and even software licences.
Don’t click next or OK without reading – In an age of instant gratification and faster computers we’re spending less time to read what we’re agreeing to when we install software and sign up for web services. Unfortunately there are people out there who take advantage of that. With free software in most cases you’re agreeing to install additional software you don’t want that could harm your computer. Make sure to read before clicking OK or next.
Update your browser or flash player – While updating your software is important watch out for websites that claim you need to “Click Here to update your Software” When browsing the web NEVER click on anything that claims your software is out of date as they will install software you don’t want and not even update the software they claimed was out of date. You can always call us if you feel your software needs to be updated, it’s better than installing harmful software on your computer.
Opening attachments – This last one is getting more popular as of late. Scammers sending out E-mails with malicious attachments. If you get unsolicited mail claiming that something important is attached think twice! They vary quite a bit in their claims but common ones are, you have a digital voicemail waiting for you, the information you requested is attached, your phantom package has been delivered, your free gift card is attached, fake facebook “friend” messages and fear mongering messages. If it’s unsolicited mail with an attachment DON’T RISK IT!
Call our 800 number – “We’ve detected a problem with your computer Call this 800 number to get it fixed.” “I’m with microsoft and I’ve we’ve detected that your PC is sending out viruses.” These are outright scams. Some even threaten that your files will be deleted if you don’t call. Your first call should ALWAYS be to us. Our advice is free and we’ll always let you know if it’s an obvious scam or something to worry about. But we haven’t seen one yet that wasn’t a scam. If you call them and let them on your computer they can break the machine for real and then will ask you to pay over $200 to fix what they broke. Or worse yet break it when you say you won’t pay. If you see these messages give us a ring and let us help you, don’t be a turkey. Happy Thanksgiving.