Free, Simple & Quick Computer Security Update for Windows

Updating your security is a proactive way to ensure that your computer is up and running when you need it. Even if you have anti-virus programs, it is important to keep your computer security up to date through Microsoft. Your setting may be configured to allow for automatic updating, if they are not, here is a free and simple way to make sure that your computer is up to date against the latest security threats.

What are Windows Security Updates?

Security updates are fixes to possible security threats in Windows programming and  help improve the performance and reliability of windows and other applications

Why do I need to update my security?

People who create viruses and other malware look for weak and vulnerable spots in programs, Windows’ engineers work to continually update their programs to patch those weak and vulnerable parts of your system.

How often are security updates available?

Along with all other Windows Updates, Windows Security Updates are available once a week. They typically are available Tuesday afternoons.

There are also security and critical updates that can be released daily.

How does it work?

The security updates are downloaded onto your computer and any security problems are patched up.

How to update your security:

You can either do this manually or automatically and either way, it is very simple:

2. Find “Windows Update”

3. Choose “Check for Updates”

4. Your computer will either be updated or you will be given the option to update your computer. If it is updated, you will see a message like this:

(If you see this message your setting are most likely set to be automatically updated)

If you do not receive this message, then Windows will prompt you to update your system, which includes your security updates.

If your updates are not already automatic, changing your setting to make updates occur automatically is simple:

From the Windows Update menu, go to “Change settings” and from here, you can configure automatic updates.

If you do not want your updates to occur automatically, then go to “Let me choose my settings” and configure your settings how you prefer.

From here, you are given a variety of options to update your settings:

If you have a system administrator, such as Networks Unlimited, then chances are these updates are handled for you. If your setting are pre-set, your screen will appear like this:

These screen shots are from a Windows 7 machine. If you have a different machine and need help, just ask . I can also provide Windows 8 screen shots- just ask!

Welcoming our latest Team member, Sean O’neill

We are excited to have Sean join our Grand Junction location. Sean worked for Cedar Creek Computers,  Networks Unlimiteds’ satellite office in Montrose, for 8 months before he moved to Grand Junction to work at our help desk as an IT technician. Through this shift, we were able to have two technicians in Montrose move to full-time employment. As our team continues to grow, we are better able to help you with your technology needs.
Sean may like to work with computers, but he gets outside whenever he can. When he is not working with technology, you could find him snowboarding or riding his bike. Sean first became interested in IT as a junior in high school and has worked in the field ever since
Give our help desk a call, and chances are, you will speak with Sean at some point. Please help us welcome him!

3 Current & Common Viruses: & How to Prevent Them.

THE FBI VIRUS:

What this virus does: This virus gives a message that your computer has been blocked because it has been involved with the distribution of pornographic material, SPAM and copyrighted content.

Your computer will continually play a message that says, ” FBI Warning. Your computer is blocked for violation of federal law.”

According to malwaretips.com, this virus can also access your computer’s installed webcam to show images of your room to make the virus seem more authentic.

This virus then prompts a message demanding $400.00 to unlock your computer from “MoneyPak.” Never give credit card or payment information.

Where it comes from: Most likely, this virus comes from clicking on images in an email.

How to Prevent this: Only open emails from trusted senders. Also, do not click on images in your email.

What it looks Like:

The Better Business Bureau Virus :

What this virus does:  The virus searches your computer for bank and account information. The email contains a link that brings you to a fake BBB website that is awkwardly written.

Where does it come from: After opening a fake email from the BBB, The BBB Virus enters a computer from opening the fake email and clicking the links within the email.

How to Prevent this: The email looks real, but you can tell this it not really from the BBB because the links will not provide contain the .bbb.org at the end of them.

What the BBB Email looks like:

The Windows Security Alert Viruses:

What these viruses do:  According to Microsoft, faux windows security warnings can: Lure you into a fraudulent transaction,  steal your personal information, install malware that can go undetected as it steals your data, launch pop-up windows with false or misleading alerts, slow your computer or corrupt files, disable Windows updates or disable updates to legitimate antivirus software and prevent you from visiting antivirus vendor websites.

Where do they come from?

This comes from pop-up advertisements when visiting websites.

How to prevent them: Do not click on pop-up advertisements while on the internet.

What the Window Security Alert Virus can look like:

It is difficut to determine exactly where viruses come from. Chris, one of our Hesk Desk Technicians says,”It can be hard to pinpoint how users pick up these viruses. I have seen my own home machine pop up a warning ‘you are infected’ just by visiting seemingly innocent web pages. In some of them the coding in the page itself is weak and has been compromised.”

 As Chris highlights, sometimes even highly trusted and common websites have viruses in their advertising. It is not the site itself that passes on the virus, but the advertisments on the web page.

Overall, avoid opening emails from unknown senders and avoid clicking on website advertsiments. This will significantly decrease your chances of contracting a computer virus.

Windows Compatibility: Making the Transition Easy for Your Business

Windows 8 has now been released for several months and the push for it will only continue. Many users, maybe including yourself, want to continue working with Windows 7. There are a variety of reasons that users would want to stay with Windows 7. Maybe this is what they having been working with for the past few years and want to continue. It could also be that the software used is not compatible with Windows 8 just yet. Regardless of the operating system you choose, here are a few things that you need to do:

1. Call your software providers.

Whether you choose to upgrade to Windows 8 or to stay with Windows 7, you need to make certain that the software you use to run your business will continue compatibility with the operating system you choose.

If your business uses industry specific software, call your software providers and ask if they will continue supporting Windows 7. If you plan to upgrade to Windows 8 at any point, you must also ask if the software is or will be able to work on the Windows 8 platform.

2. Check with Windows Compatibility Center.

With so many options with Microsoft products themselves, use Windows Compatibility Center to check for compatibility. This gives options to choose which software you are currently using and if it is and will continue to be compatible with your current operating system.

3. Update As Needed.

After calling your software providers and checking for compatibility, you may or may not need updates to software and your operating system. In the long run, this will save your business time and money if you proactively make these changes.