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Computer Security Part 2-Tips to Keep Your Computer Safe

July 17, 2019 by Local Circuit

Welcome back to part two of our computer security post!

On the last blog post we talked about tips 1-5. Just to recap quickly those are

1) Install and update antivirus and firewall protection

2) Secure your router

3) Use a non-administrator account

4) Keep software and operating system up to date

5) Practice good password use

To read more about those tips click here!

Without further delay, here are the remaining 5 tips.

6) Create and maintain backups

Most of us use our computers to store many of our memories. These can be pictures, videos, data files, music, etc. Creating a backup is fairly easy and will allow you to be able to keep those memories without fear of them being lost in the event that your computer crashes or a virus takes hold. In the event that you would have to factory reset your computer quickly, having a backup will allow you to gain access to all of the items that you have put on it without fear of them being lost.

7) Beware of scams

Where there are people there will always be scams. It is just the reality of our world. Before household computers were commonplace people would call and pretend to be a bank and ask for your information over the phone. It is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of scams floating about cyberspace. When in doubt do not give out information over the phone or computer and do not let anyone have remote access to your computer to ‘fix’ a problem unless you have specifically paid for this service and know you have it.

8) Protect your phones and tablets

I think one thing we often forget is that our phones/tablets are like computers as well and therefore they are susceptible to attacks and viruses. We need to treat our devices like we would our computers. Smartphones rule the roost when it comes to mobile devices and we use them for a variety of tasks which can include sensitive information like paying bills, online banking, and other types of accounts that we need to keep secure. Take time to create backups and be aware of what you are accessing view your mobile device.

9) Prevent spying through your microphone and camera

Many of our laptops and desktops come with a webcam which is a great tool to have, but these can be hacked without your knowledge. A microphone can also be hacked to listen in on conversations. These types of hacks are rare, but it is important to know that they are a potential risk. Some people choose to tape over the webcam when it is not in use or you could simply put a small sticky note over it. For the microphone, you can turn this off in your settings section.

10) Clean up after yourself

This is a very important step. Many times we sell our devices whether they are computers, laptops, or old phones or tablets, when we want an upgrade or are looking for something new. It is extremely important to make sure that everything is deleted off of the old device, but even that doesn’t fully secure your information in the event that someone with knowledge would want to recover it. It is important to use methods for a secure erase. There are a variety of programs available for doing this.

Well, there you have our 10 tips for computer security. All of this information can be overwhelming and we shouldn’t live our lives in a state of constant paranoia about being hacked, but it is important to know how to protect yourself and your information. Taking the time to make sure these steps are in place can let you go about your business with peace of mind.

Filed Under: Blog, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: tips and tricks

Guide To Buying A New Device

July 3, 2019 by Local Circuit

With so many electronic items on the market today it can be really overwhelming when trying to purchase a new device. There are a plethora of options. Laptop, desktop, small, medium, large, disk space, color, operating system, memory options, etc (I think you get the idea). It can also be overwhelming when trying to understand what exactly all the technology jargon means. We have compiled a list for you of things to look for, what they mean, and how to prepare for searching for your new device.

First let’s decode some of the technological terms. Some things you need to pay attention to while shopping for a new device will be things processor speed, RAM, operating system, and the like.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: technology, tips and tricks

Computer Security Part 1-Tips to Keep Your Computer Safe

June 19, 2019 by Local Circuit

We use our computers and electronic devices for a variety of reasons. Most of us use it for personal reasons that include sensitive activities such as online banking, shopping, personal and professional emails, paying bills, etc. These types of activities require us to input personal information that, at the hands of hackers, can leave us hurting if they gain access to it.

So, in this two part blog post we are going to share 10 ways to ensure that your computer security is kept at top notch!

1) Install and update antivirus and firewall protection

Antivirus/malware software is an important part of computer security. This software is designed to detect and destroy computer viruses and infections. A computer virus is a piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. A computer virus can make a copy of itself over and over again and can quickly use up all available memory causing your system to stop working.

Firewall is a software or hardware that acts as a barrier between trusted networks and untrusted networks.

2) Secure your router

A router is a small box that allows multiple computers to join the same network. It is important to secure this because leaving a router unsecured could lead to someone gaining access to it and potentially every device connected to it. This can be a fairly daunting process so if you don’t feel confident in doing it yourself, it is best to reach out to a friend who can or to a trusted IT professional for help.

3) Use a non-administrator account

An administrator account is an account that is set up during operating system setup. An administrator account has the ability to change settings, install programs, has full control of the operating system, etc. If your computer were to be hacked this could be very harmful in the hands of someone that wants to access your personal data and computer. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t have an administrator account, that is necessary, but for everyday use a standard account is the better option.

4) Keep your software and operating system up to date

Manufacturers are frequently updating and fixing their software in order to keep everything running well. It is important to accept and run those updates on your computer to keep everything current and up to date as many of these updates patch security holes. It can be frustrating having to think about yet another thing to do with your computer, however this task can be done simply by turning on auto updates and it is something that you won’t have to think about.

5) Practice good password use

For pretty much all of our uses on daily internet usage, we have to have a password. Coming up with good and secure passwords is a process and one that often leaves us creating passwords that aren’t secure. The best way to create a password is with a variety of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. There are a variety of options out there as well to keep track of your passwords in case you think you may forget them. The bottom line is, the more difficult the password, the more secure the account.

These are just five of the ten tips for computer security. Stay tuned later this week for more tips!

Filed Under: Blog, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: tips and tricks

5 Tips To Extend Your PC Life

June 5, 2019 by Local Circuit

Computers have become a necessary part of our day to day at work, school, or just in the home. We talked previously about electronic waste and how important it is to reduce our carbon footprint of e-waste. One way to reduce our waste is by extending the life of the electronics we already have. While computers have gotten cheaper over the years this doesn’t mean that we need to throw out our old models as soon as a new one hits the market.

The life of your computer can be extended greatly by taking proper care of it. Here are a few tips to ensure that you are taking steps to keep your computer in good running order.

1) A dirty computer is no good. Keep it clean.

Pretty much every PC collects with dust, dirt, hair, and other outside particles. While this may not seem like such a big deal because all of these things are pretty small, they can actually wreak havoc on your PC when left uncleaned. When left uncleaned and given time to build up, the dust and grime can actually suffocate the hardware inside the PC causing it to generate more heat and therefore putting stress on the components. The total result of not keeping a PC clean is reducing its performance and can even be a contributing factor to a premature death of components.

A computer system should be thoroughly cleaned every 6-12 months depending on the environment in which the PC is in. Cleaning a PC is something that can be done without specialist knowledge.

2) Keep the air flow constant. Ventilate.

The fans inside of your computer help with issues of overheating and keeping your PC clean, but they will struggle to do their duty if the computers surroundings are stuffy. Ensure that your PC has plenty of space around it and access to cool air. It is best to keep the computer tower free of anything sitting on top of it or from being enclosed inside of a cabinet. Also, be sure to keep your computer away from any type of space heater or heating vent.

3) Power surge protection.

A power surge is a spike in your home’s electrical current. It is usually brief, but can cause damage to your appliances and home. This can especially be hard on your PC. The circuits of a PC are made up of components that are sensitive to electricity. Unplugging your PC and electronic devices during a lighting storm is essential to protecting it against potential surges as well as investing in a power surge to use daily. There are many options out there so find the one that best suits your needs.

4) Take care of the hard drive.

The hard drive of a computer is essential as everything is stored on it. However, they can become corrupt with file system errors and bad sectors. This can happen due to improper shutdowns and crashes. It is imperative that your computer be shutdown properly and that it is switched to off when not in use.

Corruption can be found by running the Check Disk tool that is built into Windows. This scan can take a few hours, but it is a great way to keep track of what is happening in your hard drive.

5) Protect against malware and use anti-virus.

Software protection is just as important as hardware protection. Viruses and malware can destroy your PC slowing it down drastically and in some cases you have to pay a large amount of money to have it cleared. There are people everywhere that want to take advantage of systems that are not protected. Antivirus software is imperative and there are plenty of free options as well.

We depend heavily on our laptops, PC’s, tablets, et cetera and in order to reduce our waste of electronics it is essential to take good care of what we have. The above tips are just a few ways to extend the life of your computer.

Filed Under: Blog, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: technology, tips and tricks

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About The Local Circuit

Local Circuit has been providing computer repair, I.T. support and consulting services since 1998. We specialize in providing technology services and support to small businesses in north Texas and beyond. We support clients in a wide range of industries from manufacturing and private aviation to local municipalities and law enforcement agencies. Our mission is to leverage technology to increase our client's business outcomes.

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