More Scareware On Major News Sites
Monday, September 14, 2009
More reports are coming in of scareware coming from major news sites including The New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
As I mentioned in my previous alert about scareware via Newsweek, it's important to note that these scams can happen anywhere, anytime, even on the most reliable of sites. Please be careful, and bear in mind my recommendations on how to protect yourself from scareware.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 2:31 PM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, beginners, computer classes, Internet, mac, malware, pc, scareware, spyware, windows
Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online Seminar On September 24th
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Don't miss my upcoming seminar, Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online, sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce. It will be held Thursday, September 24th, 2009, from 11:30am-1pm (registration includes box lunch) at the Fox River Grove, Illinois, Village Hall, 305 Illinois St. Click here for downloadable flyer (PDF).
Have you been asked to get LinkedIn? Can you make business contacts through Facebook or MySpace? Should you Twitter your business? Join us for this computer series workshop on using social networking to market your business. To register, contact the Cary Grove Chamber at (847) 639-2800.
For a full list of my computer classes for PC and Mac, please see my events calendar. And be sure to sign up for FREE Tech Tips by email.
Hope to see you there!
Posted byTriona Guidry at 10:13 AM 0 comments
Labels: beginners, blogs, computer classes, Internet, small business, social networking, twitter, web
Newsweek And Other Legit Sites May Contain Scareware
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This article caught my attention recently, concerning a scareware scam that is being distributed via Newsweek's web site. I mention this one in particular because it's an example of how bad links sometimes come from good sites.
Scareware is when you receive a popup that insists there's something wrong with your computer. It's a scam to try to get you to click on a link, thus infecting your computer with viruses and possibly also ripping off your credit card. Don't expect your antivirus software to catch this stuff, it often sneaks through. I strongly encourage you to protect yourself through a combination of good computer security, free web site ratings software like McAfee SiteAdvisor or LinkExtend for Firefox, and plain old common sense.
Here are some of my previous articles which may help you out in this situation:
- How To Spot Bad Web Links
- Antivirus 2010: A New Low In Fake Antivirus
- Phony Web Pop-ups
- How To Protect From Cybercrime
Posted byTriona Guidry at 3:14 PM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, beginners, computer classes, Internet, mac, malware, pc, scareware, spyware, windows
What I'm Doing With Twitter And Tech Tips
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I thought I'd take a moment to explain to my regular readers how I'm using Twitter in relation to Tech Tips.
Most of you already know that I offer Tech Tips in two formats. There is the email version, where I publish my newsletter on the 15th of the month and also provide notification of new blog entries as they become available. My blog is where I add tidbits pertinent to the computer needs of small businesses and consumers.
Some of you may not know that I am a freelance writer as well as a computer consultant. To that end, my Twitter account contains a little of both. In addition to providing computer news and links to relevant articles, I will also be including updates about freelancing, writing, Web 2.0 and my primary genres, science fiction and fantasy.
If you're interested, come join me on Twitter. If you prefer your Tech Tips straight up, you may wish to stick with my blog and email list. Don't forget that email subscribers receive bonus product reviews and other information. As always it's completely FREE, and your email address will never be sold to third parties. You can also find my Twitter updates (tweets) in the upper right-hand corner of the Tech Tips blog.
And if you're curious about Twitter but not sure how to start, come to my Social Networking: Marketing Your Business Online class on September 24th. You're always welcome to follow me on Twitter to get your feet wet. I promise to give you a stress-free introduction to the world of social networking.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 2:58 PM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, beginners, computer classes, consumers, Internet, small business, twitter
2009 Parental Control Software Review
Friday, August 14, 2009
Parental control software allows you to keep tabs on what your children are doing online. Some kids view it as invasive, but I see it as no different than a usage policy at a corporation. As long as you are honest with your kids about the fact that they will be monitored, parental controls serve a useful purpose. They allow automatic blocking of known inappropriate sites as well as content and image filtering. They permit you to schedule when the Internet is available (to curb those late-night surfing sessions) and to log instant messages. Some now include monitoring of social networks like MySpace and FaceBook. Such programs typically have trial versions so you can try them before you buy.
- NetNanny has a new Macintosh version available. Both the Windows and Mac versions provide content filtering, instant message logging, usage reports, remote management and social network monitoring.
- SafeEyes has also been revamped since last year. It's available for Windows and Mac and also has a version for mobile devices like iPhones. Its features are similar to NetNanny's.
- CyberPatrol hasn't changed much over the last year. It's only available for Windows and unlike NetNanny and SafeEyes, doesn't provide monitoring of social networking sites.
- Intego ContentBarrier is a Mac-only program that, like CyberPatrol, is fairly basic and doesn't monitor social networking sites.
Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news, plus bonus tips and product reviews. In September we'll talk about Computer Housekeeping.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 12:35 PM 0 comments
Labels: Internet, kids, mac, pc, windows
Internet Safety For Kids
Each year I give you pointers on how to protect your kids from cyberbullies and other Internet dangers. We talked about "acceptable use" policies in 2007 and reviewed basic do's and don'ts in 2008. This year I'd like to introduce you to the Internet Safety Pledge, which I use in my Internet classes for kids.
You can find the Internet Safety Pledge on NetSmartz.org. What I like about the Safety Pledge is that it gives you age-appropriate bullet points you can use as a basis for discussion. No documentation can substitute for sitting down and talking with your kids about online safety, or anything else for that matter. I recommend you review the Safety Pledge with your children and reinforce that they should come to you with concerns or questions.
Of course, maintaining a secure computer is a must with kids in the house. You'll find my four steps to computer security and my security software recommendations here on my blog.
I'll be teaching more classes on Internet Safety For Kids this fall, so if you missed my summer sessions be sure to check my web site for registration details. I'm also happy to sit down with you and your kids during any regular tech support visit.
Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news, plus bonus tips and product reviews. In September I'll show you how to use the Internet to find employment in Web 2.0 For Job Searches.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 12:30 PM 0 comments
Labels: Internet, kids, mac, pc, security, windows
Internet Safety For Kids Class This Monday, August 17th, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
With the school year about to start, now is a great time to educate your kids and yourself about Internet safety. I'm teaching two sessions this Monday, August 17th, one from 9:30am-10:30am and the other from 11am-1pm. For more information on this and my other computer classes please visit my web site or contact the Cary Park District at (847) 639-6100.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 4:38 PM 0 comments
Labels: computer classes, Internet, kids
Emergency Microsoft Patches Issued Tomorrow
Monday, July 27, 2009
Microsoft is releasing a pair of out-of-sequence security patches tomorrow, to fix vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Visual Studio. It's unusual for Microsoft to stray from their regular Patch Tuesday cycle (the second Tuesday of the month). While the Visual Studio patch will affect a small percentage of computers, the Internet Explorer patch applies to any computer running Windows.
To make sure you get these updates, either turn Automatic Updates on (bearing in mind the pros and cons of doing so) or visit update.microsoft.com to check for these latest patches.
Software patches (also called updates) are fixes for bugs that could allow malicious software to enter your computer. By staying current on these patches, you improve your computer's defense.
Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips (free!) for the latest computer news plus bonus tips, tricks and product reviews.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 8:28 AM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, consumers, emergency, Internet, internet explorer, malware, pc, security, small business, spyware, viruses, web, windows
Cloud Computing For Consumers Makes Me Cringe
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The latest buzz in the IT world is all about "cloud computing" and "software as a service" (SaaS). These two related terms refer to doing all your computing via the Internet rather than software locally installed on your computer. But the idea of consumers relying solely on cloud computing makes me cringe. Why?
- It's not secure
Microsoft's upcoming incarnation of Office is an example. Office Web will offer versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint than run directly from the Web. But consumers don't know or care where their applications come from as long as they work. So let's say Jane Consumer wants to open financial data stored in an Excel file. She may not know she's trusting her entire fortune to the cloud (e.g. the Internet). What about a consumer who is working from a home computer, opening confidential documents that ought to be kept within the confines of the corporate network? When you use the Internet, you never know who might be intercepting your information. I wouldn't want my data trusted exclusively to the cloud. I wouldn't even be satisfied with regular local backups. I want my data where I can see it, smell it, touch it, and above all control it. - Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Many web mail users complain to me that they don't like it when their provider changes the look and feel of their email service without notice. Imagine if your word processor and spreadsheet did the same thing. There is something to be said for locally installed software that you can manage as you prefer. Apparently consumers feel the same way, given how many people are still using Windows XP so they don't have to deal with Vista's changed interface. You could also consider the huge number of complaints Microsoft received when they removed the tried-and-true Office menus in favor of Office 2007's (gack) ribbon toolbar. - What if your Internet connection goes down?
Purveyors of SaaS promise ways to work offline. But how well will it work in reality? Do you really want to count on having a reliable Internet connection just to open a document? What about people in areas who have no access to steady high-speed Internet? - What if your SaaS provider pulls the plug?
You could wake up one morning, turn on your computer and discover that the software you need to do your work is vanished, gone, kaput. You might even be at the mercy of vendors who change your license agreement, then demand a ransom to keep your software alive. We've already seen that happen with the way some antivirus software vendors gouge you for automatic payments. What if they offer a full-fledged product, then strip the features and start charging extra for them? Or what if your vendor goes under? With locally installed software, at least you still have the software. With SaaS, you might lose the software and your data, too. Worse, what if they decide they now own all your data and can do with it whatever they like? - Advertising and fakes
How would you like it if you were working on a document and an advertisement interrupted you? Or what if you received a phony popup pretending that your document is corrupt and you suddenly need to buy some nifty (fake) software that will solve the purported problem? This already happens with fake antivirus software. I don't need it in my word processor. - The potential for censorship
Look at China's attempts to firewall their entire country and crack down on social networking sites. Relying exclusively on cloud computing could, in theory, give a government the ability to silence what it doesn't like. This is the same reason I believe in net neutrality: freedom of expression.
- Ease of use
Imagine not waiting for your computer to start up or load an application. This would appeal to many consumers. With cloud computing you could access your software as easily as opening a browser window. - Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Yes, I said that above, but it can be a good thing too. You could get new features without having to install new software. It might even be cheaper since you wouldn't have to pay for the CD or DVD. Perhaps you could buy features for short-term use, as you need them. I'll bet people who make casual use of super-expensive software like Adobe Photoshop would enjoy that ability. - Less expensive hardware
Google's Chrome OS will run at first on netbooks, inexpensive PCs that require only minimal hardware to operate. With cloud computing the vendor takes on the burden of processing power; all you need is a Web browser. Again, this might be highly appealing to consumers and could help bring computing power to those who currently cannot afford it. - Convenience
Many consumers enjoy being able to work on their documents anywhere, anytime, without the need to log into a home machine or fiddle with a USB drive. That's why Google Docs is popular. People are often willing to trade privacy for convenience.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, cloud computing, consumers, Internet, saas, security, web
Yahoo Shuts Down GeoCities Sites
Friday, July 17, 2009
If you have a site that is on GeoCities, now is the time to find another Web host. On October 26, 2009, Yahoo will shut down all GeoCities sites. Once one of the most popular destinations on the Web, GeoCities has faded in recent years and now contains many defunct pages. However, some GeoCities sites still contain valid information and/or are referenced elsewhere, so it's a good idea to have the site owner move valid data elsewhere and update your links accordingly.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 8:53 AM 0 comments
Labels: Internet, Internet providers, web
Most Dangerous Web Search Terms
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A recent McAfee study (pdf) reveals that searching for certain keywords carries a greater risk of being infected with malware.
McAfee found maximum risks associated with the word, not surprisingly, "free". Studying the U.S. in particular, words associated with celebrities or song lyrics demonstrate how malware gloms onto recent headlines and trends. "Screensavers", "free music downloads" and "free ringtones" remain popular ways to lure you into clicking malicious links. And the keywords "search engine marketing" or "search engine optimization" have become increasingly linked to sites that deliver malware or scareware antivirus scams. In short, just because a link comes up when you search for a particular keyword doesn't mean that link is where you want to go.
I recommend free programs like McAfee SiteAdvisor or the even better LinkExtend for Firefox as plug-ins for your Web browser. These programs rank search results to give you a better idea of whether or not the links are malicious. But your safest bet is to type Web addresses manually, for example going directly to www.snopes.com instead of searching for it by keyword.
For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 9:18 AM 0 comments
Labels: antivirus, consumers, Internet, malware, scareware, small business, social engineering, spyware, viruses, web
Protect Yourself From Zombie Computers
Thursday, July 9, 2009
There's a lot of talk in the news about the recent cyber attacks on U.S. and South Korean servers. Computers in both countries were disrupted through what are called "denial of service" attacks, when hackers use infected computers called zombies to slow or crash target servers. Zombie computers are often owned by small businesses or consumers who are completely unaware they are infected. I've mentioned zombie computers before (here and here) but it's important to reiterate how you can protect yourself and others.
Your best protection is prevention. Be sure to run a reliable antivirus program like those below (beware of the fakes!) as well as anti-spyware software. Security suites offer a way to combine those protections with a firewall to block unwanted network probes. Regular software updates are also key to keeping your computer protected. You can learn more about these techniques in my article on cybercrime. I am teaching a class on How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime on Monday July 20th from 9:30am-11:30am in Cary, Illinois (click here for more details and registration information).
Antivirus software for PCs:
- Trend Micro
- AVG (free)
- Avast (free)
- McAfee
- (But not Norton; here's why.)
- Malwarebytes (free)
- AdAware (free)
- Spybot (free)
For bonus tips, tricks, and other computer help, subscribe to the free email version of Tech Tips.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 11:01 AM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, consumers, cybercrime, firewalls, Internet, mac, malware, security, small business, spyware, viruses, windows
Summer Computer Classes
Monday, July 6, 2009
Guidry Consulting, Inc. is offering summer computer classes through the Cary Park District. Don't miss How To Protect Yourself From Cybercrime on July 20, and two classes on Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Tweens and Teens on August 17. For more information, please visit the Guidry Consulting web site at http://www.guidryconsulting.com/news.html.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 5:14 PM 0 comments
Labels: computer classes, Internet, kids, mac, pc, security
Search Engine Optimization
Monday, June 15, 2009
Search engine optimization is the fine art of getting your web site or blog ranked highly on Internet search engines and directories. Keywords are your key to improving your online marketing.
What is the purpose of your web site or blog? Is it to advertise your business? Attract customers? Provide an online presence for your company? Make a list of what you are trying to accomplish, then another of the words people might use to find you. It's important to think like your customers and avoid jargon. When I write about computers I do my best to keep the technobabble to a minimum. People won't be searching for "restarting a Windows XP workstation," they'll look for "computer help".
Keywords can be inserted into the code of your web site, where search engines will notice them. You should also include a brief description of your site's purpose, or what I like to describe as your mission statement. Think of it as the electronic version of your 30-second elevator speech. This is what's displayed when people see your site on Google or Yahoo. By using keywords common to your business, your rankings will improve.
The real secret to reaching number one on search engines is, of course, money. Google, Yahoo and other search engines have paid programs you can use to boost your ratings. As with any marketing, you have to watch your dollars wisely. You might want to experiment with paid rankings but be sure to compare effectiveness to cost.
Next month I'll teach you about Troubleshooting Wireless Networks. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 11:07 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, blogs, Internet, small business, web
Blogs For Business
How can blogs help you market your business? Every day I meet people who are finding innovative ways to get the most out of blogs, or regularly updated web sites that integrate articles and reader commentary.
Blogs can help you reach new customers while staying in touch with old ones. They say you have to contact someone seven times before he or she remembers you. Blogs make it easy to keep people informed about news and trends in your industry. My Tech Tips blog is an example of a small business blog. It helps me maintain a rapport with existing and potential customers by providing value-added information. You can also improve your customer service and cut down on staff time by using your blog to answer your company's Frequently Asked Questions.
Your business blog is part of your online brand. When you think of Coca-Cola or Nike, those names instantly bring to mind familiar products. You want your customers to associate your name with good feelings about the products and services you sell. Remember, to get you have to give. By providing free and pertinent information, you'll establish yourself as a leader in your field.
Marketing your blog isn't as hard as you think. Send an announcement to your customers, put links in your email signature, and be sure to mention it when networking. This month's Tech Tip will tell you how to optimize your web site or blog to be more findable on Internet search engines.
In July you'll get a special preview of the new operating systems, Windows 7 And Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 11:02 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, blogs, Internet, small business, web
Internet Safety For Kids, Teens And Tweens
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Internet Safety For Kids and Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens are the next classes in my computer series for the Cary Park District. As both a computer professional and a parent myself, I've designed these seminars to help families understand the risks and rewards of using the Internet. Parents are welcome to attend in order to share and learn alongside their children*.
Internet Safety For Kids
We will learn how kids can use the Internet safely by covering age-appropriate skills and talking about online stranger danger.
Internet Safety For Teens and Tweens
Teens and tweens will become Internet experts with this online safety class. We will review basic skills, talk about ways to use technology with less risk, and take a quiz to test your knowledge. Parents are welcome to attend.
* class fee is per participant; please see the Guidry Consulting web site or the Cary Park District for details.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 12:06 PM 0 comments
Labels: computer classes, Internet, kids
Does Conficker Infect Macs?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Another question about Conficker I've been asked a lot lately. Short answer: no.
More specifically, not unless you are running Windows on your Mac (through Apple Boot Camp or a virtual environment like Parallels). However, I do recommend antivirus software for Macs. Click here to see my suggestions for both Mac and PC antivirus solutions, and don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for computer help for both Macs and PCs.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 2:42 PM 1 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, Internet, mac, malware, spyware, viruses
Conficker Virus April 1 Deadline
Monday, March 30, 2009
Lots of people have asked me about the Conficker virus and its April 1, 2009 deadline. The short version is, make sure you have your latest antivirus updates and Microsoft patches.
Conficker aka Downadup has been around for months (you can find my other entries about it here, here and here). Like other viruses it works by installing a core piece of itself, then downloading so-called "payloads" that enable other abilities. Hackers test variants of the virus by unleashing them on an unwitting world, in this case Conficker A, Conficker B, and Conficker C, the latest and most aggressive. On April 1st, researchers predict Conficker C will download its payload, this one possibly with far-reaching consequences. But it's hard to tell if this is media hype or real danger.
Your best protection is prevention. Even if you think you're okay, a scan with a Conficker detection tool wouldn't be amiss. And be sure to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for the latest computer news.
ADDENDUM: Scammers are poisoning search results, so if you try to do a web search for instructions to remove Conficker you may wind up at malicious web sites. Be sure to obtain removal tools only from legitimate sites like Microsoft's. When in doubt, type the address manually into your address bar instead of clicking on a link.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 4:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: alerts, antivirus, Internet, malware, spyware, viruses, windows
Spring 2009 Computer Classes
Friday, March 27, 2009
This spring I'm offering several new computer classes as well as a reprise of my Blogs For Business seminar. For full information on class times and registration, please visit the Guidry Consulting web site.
To receive updates on these and future classes, click here.
- Blogs For Business
Sponsored by the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce
Thursday, May 21, 2009 - Protecting Yourself From Cybercrime
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009 - Computer Housekeeping
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009 - Internet Safety For Kids (ages 5-10 years)
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009 - Internet Safety For Teens And Tweens (ages 11 years-adult)
Sponsored by the Cary Park District
April-August 2009
Posted byTriona Guidry at 10:53 AM 0 comments
Labels: beginners, computer classes, Internet, kids, mac, security, windows
Streamlined Surfing
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Internet can be information overload. How can you keep up with news from hundreds of web sites and blogs? With bookmarks, tabbed browsing, and news aggregators.
Bookmarks, or favorites, are the most common and least understood method of following Web sites. Instead of keeping all your bookmarks in one long list, try organizing them into folders. In Internet Explorer, choose Favorites, Edit Favorites to edit your bookmarks. In Firefox, go to Bookmarks, Organize Bookmarks. I especially like Firefox's Bookmarks Toolbar, which lets you put your most important bookmarks right at the top of your browser window.
Tabbed browsing lets you open more than one web site in a single browser window. Use New Tab under the File menu or my favorite, right-click on a link and select Open Link In New Tab. Another nifty trick, if you close a tab that you want to re-open: right-click the tab bar and select Undo Close Tab.
News aggregators are programs that consolidate information from web sites and blogs. You can organize news feeds (anything with an RSS link) into folders and further sort by topic and thread. I like FeedDemon for Windows and NetNewsWire for Mac.
In April we're going to reveal the mysteries and dangers of The Admin Account. If you have any computer questions click Comments below this article, and don't forget to subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips for bonus tips and product reviews.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 10:12 AM 0 comments
Labels: Internet, mac, rss, web, windows