Target

Received today:

Dear Target Guest, As you may have heard or read, Target learned in mid-December that criminals forced their way into our systems and took guest information, including debit and credit card data. Late last week, as part of our ongoing investigation, we learned that additional information, including name, mailing address, phone number or email address, was also taken. I am writing to make you aware that your name, mailing address, phone number or email address may have been taken during the intrusion. I am truly sorry this incident occurred and sincerely regret any inconvenience it may cause you. Because we value you as a guest and your trust is important to us, Target is offering one year of free credit monitoring to all Target guests who shopped in U.S. stores, through Experian’s® ProtectMyID® product which includes identity theft insurance where available. To receive your unique activation code for this service, please go to creditmonitoring.target.com and register before April 23, 2014. Activation codes must be redeemed by April 30, 2014. In addition, to guard against possible scams, always be cautious about sharing personal information, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, user IDs and financial account information. Here are some tips that will help protect you: Never share information with anyone over the phone, email or text, even if they claim to be someone you know or do business with. Instead, ask for a call-back number. Delete texts immediately from numbers or names you don’t recognize. Be wary of emails that ask for money or send you to suspicious websites. Don’t click links within emails you don’t recognize. Target’s email communication regarding this incident will never ask you to provide personal or sensitive information. Thank you for your patience and loyalty to Target. You can find additional information and FAQs about this incident at our Target.com/databreach website. If you have further questions, you may call us at 866-852-8680. Gregg Steinhafel Chairman, President and CEO

MVPS HOSTS File for January available now

I try to update my HOSTS file every month, and I often wonder what viruses or malware I DIDN'T get because of it. No way to tell of course. If you want to know what web sites are blocked by this HOSTS file, click on the link below for the text version. You'll be amazed.

MVPS HOSTS File Update January-08-2014

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [January-08-2014]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (134 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm
HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm
Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (514 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

Securing XP PCs after Microsoft drops support

I stumbled upon this article on the Windows Secrets web site. I don't know why but I let my subscription to their weekly newsletter lapse. I should sign up again.

This is a long article, and I hope I can find time to read it all. If you are planning to use XP beyond April, especially if XP is running on your primary machine, you should definitely read this. I have 2 PCs running XP, but I have them only for supporting my customers and I do not keep anything of value on them. I rely instead on Windows 7 on my desktop and Windows 8 on my laptop. In spite of all the negative press Windows 8 has received,  I have no problems with it. It's a little different, and many of us don't like change like this. I get that. I have used workarounds for the changes that bug me most, but take great comfort in knowing that underneath the covers Windows 8 is very much the same, and therefore very reliable.


"By Susan Bradley on December 19, 2013 in Top Story
 

All good things must come to an end; in less than four months, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows XP.

Here are the steps I’ll take to ensure that my remaining XP machines are as secure as they can be.

(Note: Many of the following tips can be applied to newer versions of Windows, too.)

What does “end of support” mean? After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will — among other things — no longer release security updates for its 12-year-old operating system. Third-party hardware and software vendors might also take a cue from Redmond and drop development of XP-compatible drivers, add-ons, and utilities on their new products.

With that in mind, all XP users should start by asking themselves: “Do I really need to stick with an OS that will become increasingly unsecure?” It’s akin to driving an older car that’s not equipped with airbags. Sure, it’ll get the job done, but at what potential risk?"

Windows Secrets article can be found here...

Sluggish PC? - You can fix it!

For those of you who may have taken others of my classes, this one brings it all together in one offering. I will be able to demonstrate (live) in class Windows XP, W7, and W8.

So sign up and bring all of your questions. Between class and e-mail during the class timeframe, you should be able to get them all answered!

Cleaning, Tuning, and Maintaining your Personal Computer 

Tom McGonegal

This 5 session course will identify the tools a PC user can utilize to keep his or her PC running the way it should. Over time, given updates to operating system software, other programs, and frequent use, a PC can begin to slow down. This is a normal phenomenon, but there are tricks and tools one can use to minimize the slowdown, and in some cases completely eliminate it. Instruction will include downloading of free programs from the internet, installing them, and using them. Students will learn of several of these free tools that can be used to streamline, clean, and tune their PC systems at home.

Additionally, tips will be taught that will enable users to take advantage of built-in features of their PCs that will add to the gains realized by using the aforementioned free tools. Instruction materials will cover Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. This is a detailed course that will involve (voluntary) homework. Students will emulate the material taught in class on their home PCs and are welcome to contact the instructor via e-mail for support during the length of the class at no charge.

Tom McGonegal earned a B.S. in mathematics and a M.A. in Math Education and taught high school math for 5 years before beginning a 30 year career with IBM. He has had extensive experience with computers, large and small, and for the last 10 years has been President and Owner of his own PC Doctor business. Tom has experience with all of the PC operating systems, and has focused his business on helping home and small business PC users with challenges they meet as they use their own PCs at home or at work. His most popular offering is tuning, cleaning, and maintaining your PC.

#PCCAREW14

Wednesday, 1/29-3/5 (no class 2/19)

5 weeks, 7:00-9:00 pm

HS Room 126E

$85, Senior Rate $70

To enroll, I suggest you visit the Acton Boxborough Community Education home page at http://comed.ab.mec.edu/

All 5 class meetings will be held in Room 126E of the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, MA.

 

How to Set Up Your New PC

This is a very good article, but it is rather lengthy. It needs more that one quick read. Keep the link handy and refer to the article often. I don't necessarily agree with everything in it, but that will always be the case when dealing with such a long and detailed article. If you have questions, please contact me. See http://www.brpcdoc.com/brpcdoc2.htm for contact information.

"Did you receive a pristine, mint Windows 8/8.1 computer this holiday season? Congratulations! I wish I could say you're ready to go.


However, right out of the box, no computer is perfect. Unlike most electronic devices, which you can plug in and use instantly, Windows PCs need some adjustment before they're ready for everyday use. You need to make your new system safe, and personalize it with your own preferences. There are programs on the hard drive you should get rid of, and other things you should add immediately. If you haven't yet been introduced to Windows 8/8.1, or it's been a while since you've set up a new machine, we'll walk you through it all in these 12 simple steps. If your new baby is a Mac, you've got a much shorter to-do list."

See the whole article here

Merry Christmas

Backing up your data

Two blog posts ago, the one about Cryptolocker, I mentioned that we all need to be sure we make backups of our data. I am talking mostly about your Documents, Photos, Music, and Videos.

A customer called me and asked how they should do that.

There are as many answers to that question as there are customers, but let me lay out what I do and then what you might consider doing. It is very important to get your backed up data off site, i.e., out of the house.

Before you start, however, you should know how much data you have, and here I am talking about how many gigabytes your data uses on your hard drive. You can use Windows Explorer (N.B. NOT Internet Explorer) to help. Once in Windows Explorer right click on each of the 4 folders mentioned above and select PROPERTIES from the drop down menu.

I just did that for the Pictures library on my W8 laptop and got this:

You can see above that I have 24.5 GB worth of photos in my W8 Pictures Library. You can get a similar window in W7, Vista, or XP.

Find the size of each of your 4 libraries and add them up. Round up to the nearest 10 GB. This is the amount of data you need to back up, IMMEDIATELY if not sooner, unless you don't care if you lose it all.

In my case the answer is 100 GB. Most of you will probably come up with a smaller answer.

Now all you have to do is copy these 4 libraries (folders) to some external device and then get it (your data) out of the house.

Here are two approaches you might consider.

1) I use SOS (http://www.sosonlinebackup.com/) Online Backup. There are many online backup service companies out there. Just search for online backup services and you will find many. The price you have to pay will depend on how much data you need to backup and it can get expensive. Two big advantages of this kind of service: your data is backed up off site, i.e., out of your house, and 2, these companies are in the business of doing incremental backups and are very good at it. Set up a schedule for your backups, check the remote site occasionally, and sit back and relax. Peace of mind is yours!

2) A very inexpensive and portable device called a flash drive can be purchased, easily used for backup, and can be stored off site (out of your house). I just did a quick search for "flash drives" at http://www.microcenter.com and found 162 different product offerings!  All you have to do is buy one big enough to hold all of your data. Better yet, if you can afford it, buy two. Copy your 4 libraries to your flash drive using Windows Explorer and check it out to make sure you have everything, and get the flash drive out of the house. Store it in a desk drawer in your office or in a friend or relative's home. Why buy 2? Because with this very simplistic approach to backup you will need to backup a week later to back up all of the additions you have made since the first backup. And so on. This is the easiest and probably least expensive way to get your data backed up.

As I said a while ago, there are probably as many ways to do your backup as there are PC Doc customers out there, but this should give you two ideas to think about. If you want to write with questions, please go here: http://www.brpcdoc.com/brpcdoc2.htm  and use the contact form.

LCD vs. LED PC Monitors

I have a rather old 22" flat screen PC Monitor used on my desktop PC. I love it. However, this past week it seemed to have died. I have been looking to replace it and to get a24" model while I am at it. In looking at monitors online I find there are two types: LCD and LED. I wanted to know the difference and which would be better. I found lots of answers online, but this one was best I thought. I am not sure this guy really knows, but it sounds to me like he has some knowledge about them.

"Q. I spend a lot of time at my computer, so I need a monitor that's easy on my eyes, but monitor shopping is confusing. What is the difference between an LED and an LCD monitor?

A. LED (light emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors are based on the same basic technology, but differ in the kind of backlighting used. Technically, LEDs are a type of LCD monitor.

Unlike older CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors that generated their own light, LCD displays rely on an external source to manipulate light passing through polarized liquid crystals. Backlighting significantly affects picture quality, the result being that LEDs offer superior picture quality to LCDs.

LEDs also provide truer color quality, meaning blacker blacks and whiter whites, with just a hint of lemony freshness. Due to the configuration of the backlighting, LEDs are typically much slimmer than conventional LCDs.

LED monitors require less power -- up to 40 percent less than conventional LCD monitors. They are also more environmentally friendly because mercury is not used in their production.

LED monitors are definitely easier on the eyes than LCD monitors which make them popular choices for people who work long hours at the computer. Not surprising, I spend a lot of time at the computer and though I have a number of monitors, both LCDs and LEDs, for my primary system I use a Samsung LED. It is noticeably easier on my aging eyes."

I found one man's opinion at http://www.azfamily.com/news/technology/Monitor-shopping-LED-vs-LCD-monitors-170744276.html