Garrett Computer Services http://garrettcs.net Serving Pottsboro Texas and Surrounding Areas Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:26:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Internet Security Suite Rankings for 2012… http://garrettcs.net/2012/02/internet-security-suite-rankings-for-2012/ http://garrettcs.net/2012/02/internet-security-suite-rankings-for-2012/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:26:10 +0000 SGarrett http://garrettcs.net/?p=139 Here is a link to PC Worlds ranking of top Security suites. Again 3 of the top 4 are, Norton, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender. A new number 1 for PC World this year: G-Data.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/3247/2010_suites.html

]]> http://garrettcs.net/2012/02/internet-security-suite-rankings-for-2012/feed/ 0 VIRUS/ MALWARE WARNING!!!! http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/virus-malware-warning/ http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/virus-malware-warning/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:18:22 +0000 SGarrett http://garrettcs.net/?p=128 I read 2 articles this morning on a relatively new malware/scareware/virus attack called LizaMoon. (SEE LINKS TO ARTICLES BELOW & PLEASE READ)

I have already had a customer get hit by this virus. Be sure your Antivirus software is up to date and be aware that any warning you get about viruses/malware/spyware should CLEARLY come from your Antivirus software ie: Norton, McAfee, AVG, Avast, Kaspersky…

If you have your web browser open and suddenly get some type of warning/pop-up like, “Your security is at risk. You have malware and other security issues,” and it’s not clear what program is giving you this warning, DO NOT CLICK OK!!

First shutdown your web browser. If you can’t shutdown your web browser without responding to the bogus warning/pop-up, use windows task manager to shut it down. The best way to open windows task manager is to hold down the keys <CTL>-<ALT>-<DEL>; depending on which version of windows you have it will either open up immediately or you may have to choose, “use windows task manager.” On the application tab choose your web browser and push the ‘End Task’ button at the bottom of the window.

Next, do a full scan of your system to make sure you weren’t infected. Unfortunately, according to these two articles, less than 40% of today’s antivirus programs will detect it, but as long as you don’t fall for the false pop-up, you should be OK.

If you do get infected, you may require professional assistance to get you up and going again. The best advice I can give is if it seems suspicious, it probably is!! DON’T CLICK!

TechNewsWorld article by Richard Adhikar : http://www.technewsworld.com/story/72191.html?wlc=1301758315

NewsFactor.Com article by Mark Long : http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20110401/tc_nf/77980

Thanks for Reading!

-Shawn Garrett

]]> http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/virus-malware-warning/feed/ 0 You don’t have an antivirus program? WHY? http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/you-don%e2%80%99t-have-an-antivirus-program-why/ http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/you-don%e2%80%99t-have-an-antivirus-program-why/#comments Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:40:59 +0000 SGarrett http://garrettcs.net/?p=122 Are you protected from the evils of the internet? I can’t stress enough how important it is to have, at minimum, a reliable antivirus program installed on all of your computers. The potential cost in lost or stolen information should be motivation enough, but don’t forget the cost of time lost and the money you will pay to get your computer back into working order.

Personally I think it’s a good idea to spend the money for a year’s subscriptions with one of the better known programs. It will give you the peace of mind that you’re covered and someone to contact if you have any questions. Some good software to consider would be Norton Internet Security 2011, Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, and BitDefender Internet Security 2011.

If you just can’t seem to bring yourself to spend the $50-$70 for any of these programs there are also some free programs available. The well-known ones do a good to great job of scanning your system for viruses but you will not get all the features available to the paying crowd and may have to deal with the occasional commercial asking you to purchase their full featured product. Three of the popular free programs are Microsoft Security Essential 2.0, Avast Free Antivirus 6, and AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011.

Paul Lilly of MaximumPC has a very good article this month reviewing 10 programs currently available: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultimate_antivirus_guide_10_top_programs_reviewed

You also may want to take a look at PC Worlds section on Antivirus software reviews: http://www.pcworld.com/browse.html?cat=2131&dsp=2

Thanks for reading.

-Shawn Garrett

]]> http://garrettcs.net/2011/04/you-don%e2%80%99t-have-an-antivirus-program-why/feed/ 0 Monthly Themes… http://garrettcs.net/2011/01/monthly-themes/ http://garrettcs.net/2011/01/monthly-themes/#comments Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:43:20 +0000 SGarrett http://garrettcs.net/?p=104 Each month here on the Computer Tips page we will have a theme focused on different aspects of computer use and maintenance.  This will be updated weekly so please check back often and let us know what you might like to see discussed.

The first subject, starting in February, will be Data Backup & Recovery options.

]]> http://garrettcs.net/2011/01/monthly-themes/feed/ 0