Quantcast

You Are Here: Home » Blog » Computer News

Viewing ‘Computer News’ Category

15
Aug 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

Koobface Facebook Virus

Koobface Facebook Virus

Koobface ultimately attempts, upon successful infection, to gather sensitive information from the victims such as credit card numbers. It was first detected in December 2008 and a more potent version appeared in March 2009.

Koobface spreads by delivering Facebook messages to people who are ‘friends’ of a Facebook user whose computer has already been infected. Upon receipt, the message directs the recipients to a third-party website, where they are prompted to download what is purported to be an update of the Adobe Flash player. If they download and execute the file, Koobface is able to infect their system. It can then commandeer the computer’s search engine use and direct it to contaminated websites.

Among the components downloaded by Koobface are a DNS filter program that blocks access to well known security websites and a proxy tool that enables the attackers to abuse the infected PC.

Several variants of the worm have been identified:

* Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface.a, which attacks MySpace

* Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface.b, which attacks Facebook.

* WORM_KOOBFACE.DC, which attacks Twitter.

* W32/Koobfa-Gen, which attacks Facebook, MySpace, hi5, Bebo, Friendster, myYearbook, Tagged, Netlog, Badoo and fubar.

If you feel that your system is infected there are two ways to go about removing the virus.

  1. Remove the virus yourself by using a spyware removal tool like, SuperAntiSpyware.
  2. Contact Tampa Empire Computer Consulting. We provide on-site virus removal or remote virus removal.

Also, you may call us at (727) 470-1034 to speak to a tech right away or you may use the form provided at the top right of this page to send a form message.

Thank you for reading and we look forward to your thoughts.

Posted in: Computer News

15
Aug 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

Why Did My Computer Get A Virus?

Virus Removal

Short of a complete system breakdown, there is nothing computer users dread more than a virus infection. Viruses latch onto your machine, spread to other people’s computers, and if you happen to catch a virulent strain, you may get that system breakdown.

People who already have a reliable antivirus program installed may be tempted to feel complacent, thinking they’ve safeguarded their system from any would-be intruders. And yet, when a virus pops in and wreaks havoc on their computer, they find themselves at a loss—how did it even get in there?

To understand how viruses can penetrate our systems, we have to first understand how they work. The word virus is actually an umbrella term for several kinds of threats. A more complete word to use would be malware—that is, malicious software that secretly perform unauthorized and even criminal actions on your computer.

A virus hitches onto a host and spreads copies of itself to other computers. It is somewhat different from worm, which does not need a host program and spreads itself through a network by exploiting loopholes in security systems. A trojan, like its name implies, is a program that pretends to be useful but actually contains harmful code. Spyware, while unable to copy themselves, can capture information about yourself or your habits and exploit that data however way their creator wants. Finally, adware, while not necessarily harmful, can still annoy you by continually flashing advertisements on your screen.

Based on the different kinds of malware described, you can already get clues on how a virus can sneak inside your system. For clarity, here’s a rundown of the different means malware can infect computers, and also how to keep that from happening.

Email attachments – Downloading an infected file attachment is one of the most common ways to get a virus. This can be pretty insidious as well, as the email usually pretends to be something funny, important or useful, and may even come from someone you know. Just keep in mind that viruses have been known to hijack email accounts and send themselves to all the entries in the user’s contact list. Bottom line: Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders. Even if you do get an unexpected email from someone you know, first confirm that they did in fact send you that message before opening the attachment.

Security Vulnerabilities – Programmers do make mistakes and oversights with their work. Viruses may also exploit the large number of security loopholes found in operating systems and their bundled programs. Vulnerabilities in such programs as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office may allow malware to perform unwanted actions, like control your system or steal private information. Have your computer download regular updates and patches to fix these security holes.

USB drives, DVDs, memory cards and other removable media – Modern viruses know how to detect an inserted media device and silently copy themselves onto it. They may even hide their files on the device, allowing them to infect and re-infect each computer they’ve been attached to. If you tend to share your flash drives and memory cards with others, you are at high risk. Regularly scan your media devices for any unwanted hitchhikers.

Peer-to-Peer programs – File-sharing programs are not spared the attention of malware programmers. Downloading files from P2P applications opens you up to the risk of spyware, adware, trojans and viruses. This especially true for pirated software that require a “crack” or a modified executable program to work. Avoid downloading software, music and other files through P2P. You may even avoid a hefty fine in the process.

Websites and Online ads – Another common means of infection, downloading programs or files from websites can leave you vulnerable to viruses. Mostly these sites or ads pretend to be useful, like an online scanner warning you that you may already be infected by a virus. If you have to download or install anything from a website, make sure that your virus scanner is active, that the site is a trusted source and that you have read their terms and conditions. If they don’t have such a document, you have no business downloading anything from them.

Outdated antivirus programs – Antivirus programs are powerful tools against malware, but they’re only as good as their last successful update. If for some reason you can’t update them (say you don’t have internet access or you can’t obtain a license), you’ll be leaving a gaping hole in your system’s defenses. Have your antivirus programs updated regularly, and avoid attaching removable media or downloading files until you’ve done so.

These are the many means you can get infected by a virus. While having a good antivirus program helps, your first and best line of defense is awareness. Learn to recognize and avoid these pitfalls and you can keep your system, as well as your whole network, safe and sound.

If you feel that your system is infected there are two ways to go about removing the virus.

  1. Remove the virus yourself by using a spyware removal tool like, SuperAntiSpyware.
  2. Contact Tampa Empire Computer Consulting. We provide on-site virus removal or remote virus removal.

Thank you for reading and we look forward to your thoughts.

Posted in: Computer News

12
Aug 2010
Posted by admin
6 comments

Windows 7 List of Services

Windows 7 Services

Here is a partial list of services in Windows 7, along with their descriptions:

ActiveX Installer (AxInstSV)
Provides User Account Control validation for the installation of ActiveX controls from the Internet and enables management of ActiveX control installation based on Group Policy settings. This service is started on demand and if disabled the installation of ActiveX controls will behave according to default browser settings.

Application Experience
Processes application compatibility cache requests for applications as they are launched

Application Identity
Determines and verifies the identity of an application. Disabling this service will prevent AppLocker from being enforced.

Application Layer Gateway Service
Provides support for 3rd party protocol plug-ins for Internet Connection Sharing

Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Transfers files in the background using idle network bandwidth. If the service is disabled, then any applications that depend on BITS, such as Windows Update or MSN Explorer, will be unable to automatically download programs and other information.

BitLocker Drive Encryption Service
BDESVC hosts the BitLocker Drive Encryption service. BitLocker Drive Encryption provides secure startup for the operating system, as well as full volume encryption for OS, fixed or removable volumes. This service allows BitLocker to prompt users for various actions related to their volumes when mounted, and unlocks volumes automatically without user interaction. Additionally, it stores recovery information to Active Directory, if available, and, if necessary, ensures the most recent recovery certificates are used. Stopping or disabling the service would prevent users from leveraging this functionality.

Bluetooth Support Service
The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices. Stopping or disabling this service may cause already installed Bluetooth devices to fail to operate properly and prevent new devices from being discovered or associated.

Certificate Propagation
Copies user certificates and root certificates from smart cards into the current user’s certificate store, detects when a smart card is inserted into a smart card reader, and, if needed, installs the smart card Plug and Play minidriver.

COM+ Event System
Supports System Event Notification Service (SENS), which provides automatic distribution of events to subscribing Component Object Model (COM) components. If the service is stopped, SENS will close and will not be able to provide logon and logoff notifications. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Computer Browser
Maintains an updated list of computers on the network and supplies this list to computers designated as browsers. If this service is stopped, this list will not be updated or maintained. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Cryptographic Services
Provides four management services: Catalog Database Service, which confirms the signatures of Windows files and allows new programs to be installed; Protected Root Service, which adds and removes Trusted Root Certification Authority certificates from this computer; Automatic Root Certificate Update Service, which retrieves root certificates from Windows Update and enable scenarios such as SSL; and Key Service, which helps enroll this computer for certificates. If this service is stopped, these management services will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
Provides Desktop Window Manager startup and maintenance services

Diagnostic Policy Service
The Diagnostic Policy Service enables problem detection, troubleshooting and resolution for Windows components. If this service is stopped, diagnostics will no longer function.

Diagnostic System Host
The Diagnostic System Host is used by the Diagnostic Policy Service to host diagnostics that need to run in a Local System context. If this service is stopped, any diagnostics that depend on it will no longer function.

Distributed Link Tracking Client
Maintains links between NTFS files within a computer or across computers in a network.

DNS Client
The DNS Client service (dnscache) caches Domain Name System (DNS) names and registers the full computer name for this computer. If the service is stopped, DNS names will continue to be resolved. However, the results of DNS name queries will not be cached and the computer’s name will not be registered. If the service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Extensible Authentication Protocol
The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, this computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.

Function Discovery Provider Host
The FDPHOST service hosts the Function Discovery (FD) network discovery providers. These FD providers supply network discovery services for the Simple Services Discovery Protocol (SSDP) and Web Services – Discovery (WS-D) protocol. Stopping or disabling the FDPHOST service will disable network discovery for these protocols when using FD. When this service is unavailable, network services using FD and relying on these discovery protocols will be unable to find network devices or resources.

Group Policy Client
The service is responsible for applying settings configured by administrators for the computer and users through the Group Policy component. If the service is stopped or disabled, the settings will not be applied and applications and components will not be manageable through Group Policy. Any components or applications that depend on the Group Policy component might not be functional if the service is stopped or disabled.

HomeGroup Listener
Makes local computer changes associated with configuration and maintenance of the homegroup-joined computer. If this service is stopped or disabled, your computer will not work properly in a homegroup and your homegroup might not work properly. It is recommended that you keep this service running.

Human Interface Device Access
Enables generic input access to Human Interface Devices (HID), which activates and maintains the use of predefined hot buttons on keyboards, remote controls, and other multimedia devices. If this service is stopped, hot buttons controlled by this service will no longer function. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
The IKEEXT service hosts the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and Authenticated Internet Protocol (AuthIP) keying modules. These keying modules are used for authentication and key exchange in Internet Protocol security (IPsec). Stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service will disable IKE and AuthIP key exchange with peer computers. IPsec is typically configured to use IKE or AuthIP; therefore, stopping or disabling the IKEEXT service might result in an IPsec failure and might compromise the security of the system. It is strongly recommended that you have the IKEEXT service running.

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Provides network address translation, addressing, name resolution and/or intrusion prevention services for a home or small office network.

IP Helper
Provides tunnel connectivity using IPv6 transition technologies (6to4, ISATAP, Port Proxy, and Teredo), and IP-HTTPS. If this service is stopped, the computer will not have the enhanced connectivity benefits that these technologies offer.

KtmRm for Distributed Transaction Coordinator
Coordinates transactions between the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) and the Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM). If it is not needed, it is recommended that this service remain stopped. If it is needed, both MSDTC and KTM will start this service automatically. If this service is disabled, any MSDTC transaction interacting with a Kernel Resource Manager will fail and any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Media Center Extender Service
Allows Media Center Extenders to locate and connect to the computer.

Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service
Manages Internet SCSI (iSCSI) sessions from this computer to remote iSCSI target devices. If this service is stopped, this computer will not be able to login or access iSCSI targets. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Multimedia Class Scheduler
Enables relative prioritization of work based on system-wide task priorities. This is intended mainly for multimedia applications. If this service is stopped, individual tasks resort to their default priority.

Netlogon
Maintains a secure channel between this computer and the domain controller for authenticating users and services. If this service is stopped, the computer may not authenticate users and services and the domain controller cannot register DNS records. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Network Connections
Manages objects in the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder, in which you can view both local area network and remote connections.

Network Location Awareness
Collects and stores configuration information for the network and notifies programs when this information is modified. If this service is stopped, configuration information might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Offline Files
The Offline Files service performs maintenance activities on the Offline Files cache, responds to user logon and logoff events, implements the internals of the public API, and dispatches interesting events to those interested in Offline Files activities and changes in cache state.

Peer Name Resolution Protocol
Enables serverless peer name resolution over the Internet using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP). If disabled, some peer-to-peer and collaborative applications, such as Remote Assistance, may not function.

Peer Networking Identity Manager
Provides identity services for the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) and Peer-to-Peer Grouping services. If disabled, the Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) and Peer-to-Peer Grouping services may not function, and some applications, such as HomeGroup and Remote Assistance, may not function correctly.

Plug and Play
Enables a computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input. Stopping or disabling this service will result in system instability.

PNRP Machine Name Publication Service
This service publishes a machine name using the Peer Name Resolution Protocol. Configuration is managed via the netsh context ‘p2p pnrp peer’

Power
Manages power policy and power policy notification delivery.

Problem Reports and Solutions Control Panel Support
This service provides support for viewing, sending and deletion of system-level problem reports for the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel.

Protected Storage
Provides protected storage for sensitive data, such as passwords, to prevent access by unauthorized services, processes, or users.

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Creates a connection to a remote network whenever a program references a remote DNS or NetBIOS name or address.

Remote Desktop Configuration
Remote Desktop Configuration service (RDCS) is responsible for all Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop related configuration and session maintenance activities that require SYSTEM context. These include per-session temporary folders, RD themes, and RD certificates.

Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector
Allows the redirection of Printers/Drives/Ports for RDP connections

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator
In Windows 2003 and earlier versions of Windows, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator service manages the RPC name service database. In Windows Vista and later versions of Windows, this service does not provide any functionality and is present for application compatibility.

Routing and Remote Access
Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments.

Secondary Logon
Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. If this service is stopped, this type of logon access will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Security Accounts Manager
The startup of this service signals other services that the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is ready to accept requests. Disabling this service will prevent other services in the system from being notified when the SAM is ready, which may in turn cause those services to fail to start correctly. This service should not be disabled.

Server
Supports file, print, and named-pipe sharing over the network for this computer. If this service is stopped, these functions will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Simple TCP/IP Services
Supports the following TCP/IP services: Character Generator, Daytime, Discard, Echo, and Quote of the Day.

Smart Card Removal Policy
Allows the system to be configured to lock the user desktop upon smart card removal.

SNMP Trap
Receives trap messages generated by local or remote Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer. If this service is stopped, SNMP-based programs on this computer will not receive SNMP trap messages. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

SPP Notification Service
Provides Software Licensing activation and notification

Storage Service
Enforces group policy for storage devices

System Event Notification Service
Monitors system events and notifies subscribers to COM+ Event System of these events.

Task Scheduler
Enables a user to configure and schedule automated tasks on this computer. The service also hosts multiple Windows system-critical tasks. If this service is stopped or disabled, these tasks will not be run at their scheduled times. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Telephony
Provides Telephony API (TAPI) support for programs that control telephony devices on the local computer and, through the LAN, on servers that are also running the service.

Thread Ordering Server
Provides ordered execution for a group of threads within a specific period of time.

UPnP Device Host
Allows UPnP devices to be hosted on this computer. If this service is stopped, any hosted UPnP devices will stop functioning and no additional hosted devices can be added. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Virtual Disk
Provides management services for disks, volumes, file systems, and storage arrays.

Web Management Service
The Web Management Service enables remote and delegated management capabilities for administrators to manage for the Web server, sites and applications present on this machine.

Windows Audio
Manages audio for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start

Windows Backup
Provides Windows Backup and Restore capabilities.

Windows CardSpace
Securely enables the creation, management, and disclosure of digital identities.

Windows Connect Now – Config Registrar
WCNCSVC hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration which is Microsoft’s Implementation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. This is used to configure Wireless LAN settings for an Access Point (AP) or a Wi-Fi Device. The service is started programmatically as needed.

Windows Driver Foundation – User-mode Driver Framework
Manages user-mode driver host processes.

Windows Event Collector
This service manages persistent subscriptions to events from remote sources that support WS-Management protocol. This includes Windows Vista event logs, hardware and IPMI-enabled event sources. The service stores forwarded events in a local Event Log. If this service is stopped or disabled event subscriptions cannot be created and forwarded events cannot be accepted.

Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall helps protect your computer by preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras

Windows Management Instrumentation
Provides a common interface and object model to access management information about operating system, devices, applications and services. If this service is stopped, most Windows-based software will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Windows Media Center Scheduler Service
Starts and stops recording of TV programs within Windows Media Center

Windows Modules Installer
Enables installation, modification, and removal of Windows updates and optional components. If this service is disabled, install or uninstall of Windows updates might fail for this computer.

Windows Process Activation Service
The Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) provides process activation, resource management and health management services for message-activated applications.

Windows Time
Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service
WinHTTP implements the client HTTP stack and provides developers with a Win32 API and COM Automation component for sending HTTP requests and receiving responses. In addition, WinHTTP provides support for auto-discovering a proxy configuration via its implementation of the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol.

WLAN AutoConfig
The WLANSVC service provides the logic required to configure, discover, connect to, and disconnect from a wireless local area network (WLAN) as defined by IEEE 802.11 standards. It also contains the logic to turn your computer into a software access point so that other devices or computers can connect to your computer wirelessly using a WLAN adapter that can support this. Stopping or disabling the WLANSVC service will make all WLAN adapters on your computer inaccessible from the Windows networking UI. It is strongly recommended that you have the WLANSVC service running if your computer has a WLAN adapter.

Workstation
Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers using the SMB protocol. If this service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

WWAN AutoConfig
This service manages mobile broadband (GSM & CDMA) data card/embedded module adapters and connections by auto-configuring the networks. It is strongly recommended that this service be kept running for best user experience of mobile broadband devices.

Posted in: Computer News

18
Jun 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

Want to reach new customers in your local community?

local maps seo

We’ve developed a hassle-free and affordable way for you to list your business online. For only $139 per month you can ensure 100% accuracy of business info on more than 50 local channels. Simply click on the link below, fill in your business’s info and you’re on your way to greater visibility and increased sales!

What is a local map listing?
A local map listing is an online data management tool for your physical store. It includes your company’s general business information, telephone number, street address, URL, email address, directions, maps and anything else you would like customers to know about you.

You probably already have a listing and may not even know it—every registered business with a physical street address has one. Your current listing was generated by overseas data entry personnel. These individuals are given the master yellow pages list and charged with entering only the most basic information. That’s why local map listings are often inaccurate, outdated and rudimentary. And that’s why you should take charge by updating your info and ensuring that it is 100% accurate.

How does it work?
Fill in all of your business information in our email questionnaire after purchase. Take care to be thorough and double check your data. Remember, this information will be online for all of your customers to see; one wrong numeral in your phone number or small typo in your URL could result in lost sales.

After you hit “submit” your work is done! We immediately take over, enhancing and submitting your information to more than 50 local channels. You can then view your live listings 30 to 60 days after submission, depending on the distribution channel.

How can I view my live listing?
To view your live listing, click on the email we send you with link to listing after approximately 60 days. You will be taken to a search engine that displays your live listing.

What if my phone number changes?
If you have changes to any of your business information—phone number, email address, URL, hours of operation, etc.—please alert us immediately. You can do this by logging into your account…

How are you different than other listing providers?
Rather than using software to automatically submit information, we manually manage your listing on each local channel. First, we take great care to evaluate the information you submit and enhance where possible. We then manually enter your business data in each of the 50+ channels. In addition, we continually update your listing to ensure that it is deemed more credible and current by the engines. All of this is done by our team of dedicated account managers and processors.

Ready to get started? Click here to List Your Business.

Posted in: Computer News

10
Jun 2010
Posted by admin
1 comment

SUPERAntiSpyware Now Available

SUPERAntiSpywareProfessional_wm

Malware infections on today’s PC is probably one of the most frustrating experiences out there. Your PC, when attacked, is rendered useless and attempts to remove the infection is futile. The infection is usually in the form of FAKE security software that has one goal of extracting (stealing) money from you by using the FAKE security software as the bait (and as an illusion). Your attempts to install  legitimate security software to resolve the problem fail; your attempts to download malware fixes (from reputable security sites) fail; popup windows accumulate; your security software on your PC is crippled; control panel is crippled; safe mode is crippled; file data on your PC is compromised; and the list goes on and on. In essence, you have lost all control of your PC.

Many users end up resorting to a complete recovery of their PC that takes the PC back to factory specs; AND, as a result end up losing valuable file data (such a pictures, emails, important documents, etc…).  This experience is not only frustrating to the everyday computer user; but, is also frustrating experience for a computer tech, as well.  The attack vector and complexity of these infections changes daily and you have to be prepared.

This is where the SUPERAntiSpyware Professional can help.  The SUPERAntiSpyware Professional is a new product made by the makers of the FREE SUPERAntiSpyware software you install on your PC.

I currently use MBAM and have had a few problems lately. I have read and heard many great things regarding SuperAntiSpyware and am looking forward to trying it out.

Posted in: Computer News

08
Jun 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

The Smart Computer Desk

A few weeks ago, I did a bit of research on computer desks and decided on this flip IT Duo:

And it looks like it will be a fantastic computer desk. Plus the wife acceptance factor is off the charts!! Gotta love this.

Here are some of the specs:

Power users love the multi monitor setup. Dual 19″ monitors with case width 17.5″ each may be mounted together.

As with the regular flipIT®, you may adjust your screen angle for comfort and to avoid glare from overhead lighting.

The extra-wide keyboard & mouse tray gives you extra flexibility for arranging your space for comfort in use.

Internal wire management, cable ports on both sides, and open access to CPU make the DUO Desk an IT installer’s dream.

Vast, open knee spaces allow two users to coach or collaborate without crowding.

Power strips and cable connector boxes can be installed as options. Power strips are usually surface mounted to the modesty panel. Cable boxes are usually placed near back right corner, above the CPU and convenient to devices placed on desktop.

If the desk is what it says it will be then we will try to become a supplier for this company and actively promote here in the Tampa Bay. There is always room for a better computer desk.

Posted in: Computer News

08
Jun 2010
Posted by admin
2 comments

Malwarebytes anti-malware malware removal

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has proven itself to be the leader of current emerging threat removal.   Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware is an anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware. It includes a number of features, including a built in protection monitor that blocks malicious processes before they even start.

MBAM is capable of removing the following:
MS Antivirus, XP Antivirus, VirusResponse Lab 2009, XP Antispyware 2008, XP Antispyware 2009, Antivirus 2009, Smart Antivirus 2009, Advanced Antivirus, Micro Antivirus 2009, Total Secure 2009, AntiSpyware Expert, Antivirus 2010, Antivirus XP 2008, Power Antivirus, Virus Heat, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, WinSpyware Protect… and many more!

There are times when Malware or Viruses prove to be more than simple to handle. If that is the case, TECC is more than happy to help with our $89 flat rate malware/virus removal service.

Contact is today for more information at 727-470-1034

Posted in: Computer News

06
Jun 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

How could I possibly have a virus. I have anti-virus

Wondering if you have a virus? More important, how the heck did you get infected if you just purchased anti-virus or if you already have anti-virus and it is still running.

The answer, Malware. It is possible to get infected with a virus or trojan or malware even though your pc states that your anti-virus is currently up to date,
Why is that…? Well there are many reasons.
  1. The anti-virus program you have is not as good as it says it is.
  2. The free anti-virus program you have is not adequate protection.
  3. You are not keeping your anti-virus up to date.
  4. You did not listen to a warning your anti-virus program gave you and proceeded to the site or downloaded the file anyway.
  5. Visiting sites you should not be.
  6. It is a brand new virus and a protection against it has not been developed.
  7. You got your virus on facebook.
So then how do you protect yourself?
Make wise decisions when downloading files. Basic common sense goes a long way.
Also, make sure that your anti-virus is always on and up to date. No exceptions.
If you receive a message from someone you do not know and they are asking you to click on a link or open a file, don’t.
If you are on Facebook and someone that you know or do not know asks that you view their video or brand new bedroom pics, don’t
Like I said, good common sense is the best and first defense.
If you feel that your PC is running way to slow and you have done everything you can do, call Tampa Empire Computer Consulting at (727) 470-1034, email peter@tampaempire.com or visit us on the web at http://www.tampaempire.com and schedule a free diagnostic.
If you are outside of the Tampa Bay Area, don’t worry.. We can remotely fix your issue.
Thanks for reading.

Posted in: Computer News

21
May 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

Solar Power Business Opportunity

The Business Opportunity that you can BELIEVE in,
where you DON’T SELL ANYTHING,
that costs little or nothing to get involved with,
and whose TIMING couldn’t be better!

If you’re looking for a business opportunity — whether part-time or full-time — with something that’s easy to get excited about and EASY TO MAKE MONEY WITH, then take a look at this one.

With most opportunities, you’re trying to sell people something. Maybe it’s something you’re passionate about and you KNOW it’s going to improve their lives. But you’re still trying to sell something.

But in this case, it’s different. You’re not trying to sell something! You’re helping people to save money, save the environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil … without making any changes to their lifestyles!

You’re not ASKING for their money. You’re SAVING it!

Seriously, imagine going up to people and asking the question on the home page of this site:

“Hey listen, if you didn’t have to change ANYTHING about the way you’re living, but you could suddenly start saving money every month, helping the environment, and reducing our dependence on foreign energy, would you do it?”

Don’t you think that you could get a lot of people interested to hear you out? That’s the beauty of this business. There’s none of the sales pressure involved with most business opportunities.

And you don’t have to worry about disappointing them with a poor follow-up to that initial question. If they say, “Gosh, that sounds interesting. What’s the catch?” …

YOU get to tell them: “The great thing is, there IS no catch. This company wants to make money from the SUN rather than from YOU. You simply let them install a solar power system on your home at NO COST TO YOU. You only put down a reasonable deposit to protect the system, and you get this back at the end of your contract period WITH INTEREST. And then you pay this company a monthly rental fee that’s almost certainly less than you’re paying for electricity right now. So it’s similar to paying for your electricity every month — only you’re likely to save thousands of dollars over the course of your contract.”

If they’re worried that they might have to conserve energy on cloudy days, you tell them not to worry — they’re still hooked up to their electric company for any time they need traditional electricity. But the solar panels should generate most of their electricity needs, drastically lowering their monthly bills.

And as a bonus, if the conventional electric grid ever goes down, their system could still be generating electricity for them!

It’s really a winning scenario for anyone who doesn’t mind having some solar panels on their home. And, much like satellite dishes and electric wires are virtually invisible to us today, it’s likely that solar panels will be before long, because alternative energy is the next big wave. We’re going to see solar panels, and we’re going to see wind power generators. It’s just about a given in my mind.

And that’s really a key here:

Alternative Energy is the NEXT BIG WAVE.
Along with just a few key fields like health care, alternative energy is one of the biggest business waves headed our way right now, and it’s not going to be just a fad. We already know that the writing is on the wall for oil. And whether or not humans are the cause of global warming, we know that the warming is happening. And either way, dirty energy is creating a toxic living environment for us. So clean energy in all its forms is going to grow quickly in popularity, and may become increasingly mandated by lawmakers.

You probably know that a key to finding a SUCCESSFUL business opportunity means getting in on the ground floor of something that’s going to take off. So the trick is simply recognizing what WILL take off. I think this is one of the few areas that you can be sure of, yet at this time, the field of alternative energy is largely untapped. You only have a lot of smaller efforts going on.

Why THIS Company is the ONE
That’s also why this opportunity is going to take the market by storm. It is headed by a company that’s sinking close to a billion dollars into their factory and distribution system. Marketing will be handled by word of mouth, and that’s where you and I come in. We get to be the “marketing company” that can make a mint from providing an offer so beneficial to people that it just about sells itself.

Low Cost of Entry
And the nice thing for us is, there’s virtually no cost of entry. You don’t even HAVE to be a Customer of this company in order to recommend and profit from its product. (But if you own a home that’s well-suited for solar power, why wouldn’t you be???)

Yes, if you want to be successful with this, you’ll obviously want to invest your TIME. (That includes taking a test before you’re approved as an Associate. This will probably take you a couple hours of studying.) And you’ll possibly want to invest some money getting information into people’s hands. But what you spend, if anything, is up to you.

I can even help you to set up your own website and show you how to make the most of it! And of course the company itself has many free materials (including web sites to automate the sign-up process) that Associates can use any time they like as well.

Of course I’m available for any kind of support my team members need in growing their businesses, because our success is linked together in this kind of marketing structure. This is especially true of those who decide they’re really going to run with this opportunity; those few are going to become part of a core group that I intend to have rock this company in terms of sales.

Why? Because the market couldn’t be any hotter, and we couldn’t be starting at a better time. Of the TENS OF MILLIONS of homes in the U.S., only a few thousand households have signed up for this solar power opportunity so far. In fact, installations won’t even begin until probably early 2009. We are literally in the pre-launch era, waiting for this to explode. Do you understand what that means?

Right now, there are fewer than 2000 Associates signed up for this chance. (These are people like you and me who will actually market the product, and perhaps use it ourselves as Customers. Fewer than 15,000 Customers have signed papers to have solar panels installed.)

Of those 2000 Associates, I’ll bet a couple hundred DEDICATED PEOPLE will become multi-millionaires, enjoying a passive income that will continue for the next generation, or perhaps the rest of their lives. I intend to be one of those people — and yes, the financial incentives are wonderful, but I’m interested to collect on that incentive because I BELIEVE IN THE PRODUCT. If you do too, then I want you to be part of this core group and see just what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it.

Ready to take part in this Solar Power Business Opportunity (of a Lifetime)?

Goto: http://www.powur.com/tampaempire

(Then click on “Become an Ecopreneur”)

Solar Power with
NO SYSTEM COST
NO INSTALLATION COST
NO MAINTENANCE COSTS
NO PERMIT HASSLES
(727) 470-1034

THEN MAKE YOUR FIRST SALE IN 5 MINUTES!
Guess what — AFTER YOU BECOME AN ASSOCIATE (which takes a few hours of study and passing a test) you can make your first sale in just minutes when you become YOUR OWN CUSTOMER.

That’s right, Associates can refer THEMSELVES as Customers. They can then earn bonus cash in addition to on-going checks from their own rental bills. This is just one more great way of encouraging people to become Associates and to build an organization. Many people will find this a strong incentive for taking a short test, which helps you to build your own team more quickly.

Posted in: Computer News

15
May 2010
Posted by admin
Comments Off

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Many IT departments think disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (BC) are the same thing. As a result, they tend to take a largely technology focus on the subjects.

And that’s a problem, according to Michael Croy, director of business continuity at Forsythe Technology Inc., a Chicago-based IT consultancy and infrastructure firm specializing in BC and risk management.

”Many people are still confused by the terms DR and BC,” says Croy. ”It is critically important that the DR plan is based on a solid BC plan that has taken into account the reality of the business requirements for recovery. If the DR plan cannot meet the requirements of the business units, it is of no value.”

Croy says business continuity plans touch all functions of a business — from personnel to facilities to IT. In terms of a hierarchical view, business continuity is at the top. Below it is the disaster recovery plan. And under that come technologies, such as enterprise backup, recovery and restoration.

But true disaster recovery extends much more broadly than backup processes by using mirrored sites and replicated data to respond to an event. Similarly, business continuity goes well beyond disaster recovery by encompassing every aspect of company operations that could be impacted by a situation. Human resources, power supply maintenance or backup, transportation, food, health and safety issues all fall within business continuity.

The IT department with its disaster recovery plan is one element of a larger business continuity scenario.

John Glenn, a certified business continuity planner based in Clearwater, Florida, agrees that IT administrators need to take a wider view.

”Most people, especially MIS/IT folks, think BC is just a new name for DR,” says Glenn. ”The difference is that DR for IT focuses solely on IT, and what IT perceives as the business unit’s requirements. BC, on the other hand, should focus on the business units and, by extension, all the resources required by the business unit.”

Industry observers say it’s clear that disaster recovery is one element of business continuity. While IT is junior to BC as a whole, the IT organization plays a central role in business continuity.

”It’s a big mistake to think the IT department is the only department needed to develop, test and recover the business,” says Gartner analyst Roberta Witty. ”It is advisable to form a business continuity program with a dedicated team of people with a senior management sponsor.”

IT, though, would provide one representative to the core BC committee.

According to Witty, the committee would be comprised of anywhere from two to five members, depending on the size of the organization. This group would take a wide view of potential disasters.

For example, consider employee health and welfare during an event. In a regional outage, you can’t expect personnel to show up for business recovery if they are having serious problems at home related to the event. You must support them and help employees be better prepared at home for disasterous events. The American Red Cross, she says, can be brought in for this kind of training and awareness building.

Michael Gruth, head of system and network support at Deutsche Borse AG, the German exchange for stocks and derivates, says the IT staff tends to find it easier to relate to the hardware, software and networking components of DR. He has assembled an Alphaserver/OpenVMS cluster over two sites five kilometers apart. In the process, he discovered there is a lot more to DR than additional Alphas and switches.

”Do not forget things like having an office at your mirror site for remote management,” says Gruth. ”Also, don’t forget the human factor. While it may sound harsh to think about having additional employees to recommence business in the event of a tragedy, this is the reality we live in since 9/11.”

To help IT come to terms with a broader scope than disaster recovery, some IT organizations are dropping the term in favor of business continuity.

”We have gotten away from the term ‘DR’ as it assumes the facility is not available,” says Jeff Russell, CIO of The Members Group, an Iowa-based company that provides card processing and mortgage services to credit unions. ”BC, on the other hand, deals with how we continue despite business interruption.”

State-of-the-Art Pencils

Disaster recovery projects can easily run aground or fail to be funded if they are done in isolation. Glenn says it is essential to begin every initiative from the business continuity perspective in order to give technology its correct business context.

”Every organization I know about puts BC/DR under the IT umbrella,” says Glenn. ”My preference is to put BC — of which DR is a subset — under the CFO, CEO, COO… someone with some real clout.”

To make his point about business continuity not being a matter of technology, Glenn enters the debate about what is the best platform for disaster recovery, or what technological elements are most critical. Should you use OpenVMS or UNIX, mirroring or disk-to-disk backup, SAN or NAS, or all of them? Glenn cuts through the complexity and vendor hype with a simple answer.

”My number one DR or BC technology is pencil and paper,” he says. ”Seriously, it’s not about platforms or technologies.”

Posted in: Computer News