Category: Computer Repair

Is Your Computer Protected? | Corona, CA

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Several people spend a good amount of time on their computers by going online for certain tasks or entertainment. Some of the things society use their computers for are searching for information, work, shopping, school work, social media, even banking. Doing such things may leave your computer vulnerable to hackers. Hackers are typically after personal information stored in your computer. Thankfully, keeping your computer protected from viruses and Trojans can be quiet easy, however, you must be on top of your computer’s security. The following includes a few tips on how you can reduce your risk of your computer contracting a virus or Trojan:

Use Anti-Virus Software. Installing an anti-virus program is a great benefit for your computer’s protection. An ant-virus program scans for viruses that attempt to get into your emails, operating system or files. Be sure the anti-virus is set to update automatically.

Install a Firewall. Firewalls are able help alert any suspicious activity on your computer, while also blocking viruses, hackers or worms from attempting to download malicious programs onto your computer. Some computers have a built-in firewall, however, they’re typically shipped in “off” mode, so be sure to turn the firewall on. Also, be sure to update your firewall on a regular basis.

Use a Pop-up Blocker- Avoid clicking on any pop-up ads by using a pop-up blocker. Many pop-ups are created by advertisers, but some may contain a harmful or unsafe programs that can damage your computer.

Do Not Open Unknown Emails- Emails can contain computer viruses so before opening an email, make sure you’re receiving it from a known address or sender.

Use a Strong Password- Be sure that you choose a strong password to protect yourself from potential hackers. Don’t choose something simple for your password; many hackers have a program that can try every single word in the dictionary in attempts to get into your system.

If you think your computer many have a virus, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 today. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or to put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

4 Common Computer Repair Myths

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Woman on Computer

Unless you’re a computer repair technician, chances are you’ve probably been a victim to some computer repair myths at some point in your life. There are many silly myths and misconceptions when it comes to computer repair. If you’re searching to have some computer repairs myths busted, you have come to the right place. Read on to see if you’ve fallen for some of the common computer repair myths.

Myth #1) My computer technician can fix some problems I’m having with a website.

  • This is an all too common computer related myth. Computer technicians can’t usually fix problems with websites because the site itself is on a server, which is a computer built to run web pages and share content located in other places. Only the people who run the site can access the files and the computer which host the website. A technician may be able to tell you why you’re having problems with it or maybe be able to tweak some setting for some small issues, but aside from that, they won’t be able to do much more.

Myth #2) I would know if my computer was infected with a virus, spyware or other malware.

  • Sometimes you may know, but not all malware is obvious. Malicious software is typically designed to run quietly in the background so it can log the keys you press, website you visit, and attempt to steal data and passwords, sending them back to the culprit/hacker. There are also other viruses that can turn your computer into a spamming device without your knowledge.

Myth #3) I can purchase a computer for less than $500, so it’s cheaper to replace my computer than repair it.

  • Computers that you can buy for $500 or less are typically very low-end, cheaply made machines. They’re usually equipped with low-grade processors, little RAM, small and slow hard drive, and are cheaply built. An older computer, 5 years or less, can often be repaired and/or upgraded for a rather cheap price.

Myth #4) I need to be a computer technician to repair every problem I have with my computer.

  • There are many things that you can do before you have to take your computer to a computer repair technician. You just need to know what you’re doing, which is why there are many websites with tutorials and tips about computer repair. Many computer repairs are simple and require little to no technical knowledge.

There are times when you may need an expert to repair your computer, and others you may not. Some of the silly myths and misconceptions regarding computer repair may have you thinking the worst, when in all reality, there are some things you can do to repair your machine from home.

If you are having trouble with your computer, contact Up and Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA 951-737-8558 today. Or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding computer repair.

Up and Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Four Simple Computer Maintenance Tips

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Do you know the number one reason people replace their computers? It’s because their current computer is too slow or suffers from poor performance.

If you have noticed a decline in your computer’s performance, and have been using it for the same amount of time and for the same tasks that you did when it was purchased, there are some simple and free things you can try before going out and buying a new one. The following four steps will help keep your computer in tip-top shape:

  • Uninstall programs that you don’t use. Over time, we tend to accumulate several programs, and chances are you haven’t used some in a while. If there is a program that you haven’t used in the last six months, consider uninstalling it to free up some space. This may allow your computer to run the more important programs more sufficiently.
  • Delete temporary and unnecessary files. Every time you visit a website online, your computer stores information, so the next time you visit the site it will load faster. Of course this a great principle, however, temporary files can add up over time and may eventually slow the load time of your applications.
  • Delete all but most recent system restore. You can free up more space on your computer by removing all but the most recent restore point. As a standard function for Windows takes snapshots of your computer’s contents at regular intervals. The process can take up to a half an hour or so if it’s been some time since your last cleanup.
  • Scan for viruses, spyware, etc. After your computer is all cleaned out, use your security software to do a sweep for viruses, worms, and spyware that can potentially damage your computer and compromise your privacy. This step shouldn’t take too long if you’ve already deleted unnecessary files and programs.

If the steps listed above don’t improve your computers overall performance, there may be an underlying problem that is causing the poor performance. If the latter is the case, consider consulting a company that offers computer repair.

If your computer is suffering from poor performance, contact Up and Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA 951-737-8558 today. Or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding the services we offer.

Up and Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

5 Reasons Your Computer May Be Running Slowly

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I’m sure you’ve experienced how frustrating it can be to use a slow computer. I know I have. Of course, the first thing I want to do when my computer is acting “sluggish” is to yank my hair out or toss my computer in the garbage. However, before you take any of those drastic actions I mentioned, you may want to try take a step back and see if it’s something simple that’s causing your computer to run slowly. I’ve compiled a list of possible reasons your computer may be running slowly, which include the following:

  • You have too many programs running at the same time. It’s very common for people to download apps, utilities and other programs that run in the background. If too many programs are running, your computer becomes “less focused” to other things you are having it do. Avoid downloading web browser help, more than one anti-malware program, or apps that claim to speed your computer up, as each one of them will slow your computer down.
  • You don’t have enough free RAM. One of the key factors to fast running computer is free space. Random access memory, commonly referred to as RAM, is what your computer uses for thinking space and temporary working. The more free space your computer has, the faster it will run. Make sure to clean up any old or unwanted files to help improve your computers speed.
  • Your computer has a virus/malware. Both internet slowness and slow computer operation can be signs that your computer may be infected. You can use an anti-virus and anti-spyware application to see if your computer is infected.
  • You haven’t shut your computer down in a while. It’s a good idea to shut your computer down once in a while. Computers cannot complete some of its updates until you restart it. You can also free up memory resources that are linked up with buggy programs by restating your computer.
  • You share a wireless network. For instance, if your internet speed is lagging but your computer is running fast, you may have a good amount of activity on your wireless network. Be sure to check if anyone else on your network is using a lot of bandwidth, such as playing an online game or streaming videos, as this can make your computer run slow. Be sure that your wireless network is secure by creating a password. If it’s not, anyone can use it.

Computers can be difficult to work on, especially if you don’t know what in the world you’re dealing with in the first place. If you have a slow computer that needs some working on, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for additional information.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

5 Most Notorious Computer Viruses in History

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Many people all over the globe have gotten computer viruses in some fashion or form. For most, the computer is virus is simply a mild inconvenience, which typically just requires a cleanup and the installation of an antivirus software, that you may have been meaning to get around to but never did. However, in other cases, a computer viruses can be a complete and utter disaster, resulting you a various amounts of damage.

While many computer viruses can be easily taken care of, others have gotten out of control, causing millions, even billions of dollars in damage.  Not only are government’s and big companies at risk for these sort of attacks, you can be as well. Your computer could possibly get hacked by a computer virus too, giving hackers access to all of your personal information, wiping your hard drive, corrupting your data, and may even use your computer to spread the virus to the contacts you have stored in there.

The following is list of the five most notorious computer viruses in history, the effects they had on their victims

MyDoom

MyDoom is a worm that was launched in 2004, where it originally spread through KaZaA, a file sharing app, but then eventually spread to emails. In both cases, the user had be open the actual file in order to become infected. When the unsuspecting victim open the file or email, the malicious code downloaded itself and would steal their Outlook address book. From there, the worm spread by sending itself to the contact in the address book and coped of itself to any P2P programs to grow itself though that network.

This virus infected between 600,000 and 700,000 PCs, and cost $38 billion in damage. MyDoom also slowed the internet access worldwide by 10%, and reduced access to some websites by as much as 50%.

ILOVEYOU

The ILOVEYOU virus was launched from the Philippines in 2000, and was allegedly written by Onel de Guzman. Aside from the virus’s innocent name, ILOVEYOU is consider one of the most destructive computer viruses. The virus was an innocent looking email attachment labeled “I Love You”, and when opened it released a malicious program. This program would overwrite the users’ flies with copies of itself to allow it to spread even when the original program was removed, and would erase a number of different files.

Roughly one tenth of computers in 2000 were infected with ILOVEYOU, reaching 45 million people in just one day.  McAfee even reported that a majority of their fortune 100 clients were infected with the virus. ILOVEYOU caused $5.5 billion in damaged the first week, and cause $15 billion worth of damages all together.

Code Red

Code Red was launched in July 2001, and a second virus, Code Red II, was launched later in the year. This worm infected Windows NT and Windows 2000 by exploiting a buffer overload vulnerability.  This allowed the virus to deface and even take down some websites, one being the whitehouse.gov website and forced other government agencies to take done their public websites temporarily too. The worm spread by randomly selecting 100 IP addresses at a time and then would launch a denial service on them, which allows backdoor access to the server, allowing for a hacker to have remote access to the machine.

Code Red infected more than 359,000 computer systems in less than one day, and infected 1 and 2 million computers were infected overall.  This virus caused over $2 million in losses.

Melissa

This particular virus, Melissa, was created in 1999 by David L. Smith, and he claimed to have named the virus after an erotic dancer in Florida. This virus started as an infected Word Document that was posted on the alt.sex.unset group, claiming to be a list of passwords that several “adult” content websites. This for whatever reason, got people curious and when downloaded and opened, the macro was triggered inside and unleased its fury. Melissa would mail itself to the top 50 people in the users email address book, causing email traffic, while also disrupting the services of governments and large corporations. Also, if the day of the month matched the minute the virus would insert a Bart Simpson quote into the document that it sent.

Hundreds of websites were affected by this virus, and the Microsoft Corporation even had to disable all incoming and outgoing email. This virus infected an estimate of at least 100,000 computers, and cause $1.2 billion in damages and losses worldwide.

Slammer

The Slammer virus, also referred to as Sapphire, was launched in 2003. This internet worm caused a denial of service on some internet hosts and severely slowed down general internet traffic. As Slammer began to spread throughout the Internet, it doubled in size every 8.5 seconds! Like other viruses, it selected IP address at random to try to infect, eventually finding all susceptible hosts.

A number of banks were affected by the virus, one being Bank of American, crashing their ATMs. Additional victims that were affected were, a 911 emergency line in Washington State, Continental Airlines and multiple government websites. This internet worm caused 1.2 billion in damages and affected 200,000 PCs.

Be sure you’re protecting yourself and your machine from these notorious computer viruses and internet worms by installing an antivirus software and firewall. If you you’re experiencing problems with your computer suspect it may be a virus, contact Up and Running Commuter Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-7378558 or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding our services.

Up and Running Computer Solutions Inc. proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

5 Common Myths About Computer Viruses and Antivirus Software

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Nearly every office job requires the use of a computer, and while most people know how to operate one, they become lost when it comes to viruses and antivirus software.

However, this may be because there are several myths, misconceptions, and downright lies about virus and antivirus software that have thrown people off for years.

We here at Up and Running Computer Solutions have compiled a list of the most common myths and misconceptions about virus and antivirus software:

Myth #1: Error messages mean you have a virus.

People typically assume their computer has a virus when error messages begin to pop-up on their computer screen. That’s not always the case though, error messages can be caused by other computer problems such as a faulty hard drive, bugs in the software or even problems with your antivirus software. The same applies when your computer crashes, it’s likely caused by something other than a virus.

If you are getting error messages don’t go from A to Z, try checking for any updates and cleaning your hard drive up to see if it helps. You can also scan your computer just to be sure that your computer isn’t infected with a virus.

Myth #2: Computers can infect themselves with a virus.

As silly as that sounds, many believe this myth. It’s not uncommon for clients to bring in their computers claiming that a virus magically appeared on their system all on its own. However, viruses don’t magically appear on computers, users must physically open an infected program, or visit a website that hosts an actual virus and download it.

The best way to decrease the chances of your computer becoming infected with a virus is to avoid websites that contain illegal or “adult’ content. Although other websites can be just as capable of hosting a viruses as well, so be cautious when sketchy sites offer free downloads.

Myth #3: Every antivirus software is the same.

While many people know how to operate computers, they are often confused when it comes to the antivirus software. They want to protect their computer, but only download free antivirus software or keep the one that comes preinstalled on their new computer. Most of the free antivirus software only protect against known threats though.

The free antivirus software doesn’t always protect against scan social media walls, phishing attacks or offer any mobile protection, and if your computer does get a virus, it may be very difficult to remove. There are even paid program that vary in their protection capabilities, so be sure to do your research and install an antivirus that best suits how you use your computer.

Myth #4: All computer viruses are the same.

This completely untrue. There are some viruses or malware that allow hackers to steal information. Some spread advertisements or spam, while others are much more atrocious, destroying your entire operating system, leaving it useless.

There are new virus that released all of the time, and they are all different. The best thing you can do is to be aware, follow the best security practices, and use an effective antivirus software to protect yourself and your computer.

Myth #5: Firewalls protect against computer viruses.

Wrong again, a fire wall is not an antivirus software. Firewalls manage traffic traveling over a network, but they do not protect again viruses, malware or Trojans. A firewall is a part of a smart security plan, and you should have one, especially if you use public networks. However, as mentioned, it will not protect your machine from getting infected.

Whether you need a virus removed or worried about your network security, Up and Running Computers Solutions is the place to call. Give us a call at 951-737-8558 and our experienced team will be happy to help get your machine back up and running. Or visit www.urce.net for information regarding our services.

Up and Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

How to Tell if Your Computer Has a Virus

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There are several ways that your computer can become infected with a virus. It can happen while you’re browsing the internet, downloading an email attachment, accessing a different computer through a network, or when you’re plugging in a flash drive that was previously plugged into an infected device.

And while it’s easy for a computer to become infected with a virus, it’s not as easy to identify the virus symptoms. Especially when you take into consideration that the best or worst viruses (depending on how you look at it), will infect your computer without being detected.

For your convenience we have put together a list of the most common most common virus symptoms:

  • Your computer is suddenly running slower than usual.
  • Your computers frequently freezing or stops responding.
  • Your computer is restarting and crashing constantly.
  • Your computer isn’t running normally and starts on its own.
  • Your applications aren’t working correctly, especially your web browser.
  • You aren’t able to access your hard drive or additional disk drives.
  • You are seeing unusual error messages.
  • Your antivirus software is turned off and not by you.
  • You are seeing pop-ups and dialog boxes everywhere.
  • Your hard drive and modem are working extra.
  • Your computer starts preforming actions on its own.
  • You aren’t able to print correctly.

If you believe that your computer has been infected with a virus, or if you’ve noticed one or more of the above symptoms on your computer, disconnect it from the internet or your local network right away. You can do so by unplugging your network cable or turning off the wireless connection. By preforming the actions above, you can stop your computer from spreading the virus to your family, friends and co-workers.

If you need a virus removed from your computer or would like to have an antivirus downloaded and installed into your computer, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 today. Or visit www.urcs.net for information regarding our technical services.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

5 Common Computer Problems | Computer Repair Corona, CA

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Over time every computer will have problems. These problems could range from being big and complicated to a simple fix. The biggest problem you may face though is not knowing much about computers in the first place. Fortunately, if you have little knowledge on computers or just don’t have the time, Up & Running Computer Solutions is here to help. The following includes a list of the most common computer problems, and their possible causes.

  • Computer Won’t Turn On- I’m sure this is a lot of peoples worst nightmare, you hit the power button and nothing happens. This could be caused by number of things. It could be something as simple as a loose cord, or as serious as the power supply going bad.
  • Slow Computer- When you delete files and applications from your computer they’re still on your computer taking up space. Another reason your computer may be running slow could be due to low hard drive space or not enough RAM (Random Access Memory).
  • Odd Noises- Does your PC make strange noises? This may be caused by a dying fan or a failing hard drive. A fan is an easy fix and often times you can back up your information from your hard drive before it fails or with the use of a recovery software.
  • Overheating- Overheating can cause all sorts of computers problems. Overheating could be caused by poor ventilation, dying fans or even excessive use of the computer.
  • Freezes- The “blue screen of death” is when your PC freezes in a blue screen with an error message. This could be cause by overheating, hard drive failure or a buggy software.

If you are having any of these issues or any other issues that are affecting your computers performance, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. We are here to get your computer back up and running! For more information regarding our services visit our website at www.urcs.net.  

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

How did my Computer get infected with a Virus? | Computer Repair Corona, CA

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Virus Alert

Has your computer been running a bit slower? Have you been getting annoying pop –ups more frequently? If you’ve answered yes, your computer may have been infected with virus. I’m sure you’re now wondering where or how your computer would have gotten this virus. There are actually many ways a computer can get infected with a virus.

  • Agreeing to Prompts– One of the most common ways a computer can get infected with a virus is agreeing to a prompt without understanding or reading the “fine print”. For instance, you get a pop-up while browsing the internet that says your antivirus is out of date and without fully understanding what you’re downloading you accept the prompt.
  • Opening Email Attachments- Another way computers can become infected with a virus is by opening an unknown email attachment that contains a malicious code. Always be cautious when opening any emails, even if they are from friends, family or even co-workers.
  • No Antivirus- If your computer runs Microsoft Windows it’s highly recommended that you protect your computer by having spyware or antivirus.
  • Not Running Latest Updates- Many updates are meant for security purposes, especially ones associated with Microsoft Windows. It’s very important or you to keep your operating system and programs up to date.
  • Pirating Music, Software or Movies- If you are one of the individuals who participating in the illegal exchange of copyrighted movies, music or software, you may at risk. Sometimes theses sort of files contain spyware, malicious software or viruses.

There are many ways for your computer to get infected with a virus, and it can happen to anyone. If your computer is infected with a virus and need it removed, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for more information about out services.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

What to Do About a Slow Computer | Computer Repair Corona, CA

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Waiting what may seem like decades for your computer to complete a simple task can be quite the annoyance. A slow running PC can start occurring after years of having it, or in some cases it occurs after only having your PC for a few months. There are several things that can contribute to your computer slowing down. It could be caused by bugs in the operating system, failing hardware, or even static electricity from carpet. Before taking your computer in for repair or buying a new PC all together, try out these quick fixes to see it they can get your computer running a bit faster again.

  • Uninstall Unused Programs- When buying a new computer, it usually comes with programs pre-installed and over time your computer compiles more programs.  Most of them you’ll never use and some of them actually run in the back ground, ultimately slowing your computer down.
  • Delete Temporary Files- When you use the internet all of your browsing history remains deep in your computer, and the same goes for when you install something. Make sure to get rid of all the clutter to free up space on your system.
  • Get More Hard Drive Storage- It doesn’t matter how tidy you keep your computer, if you have too much on your hard drive, it will affect the speed of your computer. If you use your computer for things such as recording media or video it’s more likely that you’re hard drive will become full, thus slowing your computer down.
  • Stop Unnecessary Start-ups- Every time you start up your PC there are some programs that automatically start to run in the background. Skype are one of the programs known for this. Every application that is running will use your PCs memory and slow it down.
  • Clean it up- You won’t believe how much dust your computer can accumulate over time. The dust gets sucked in by the cooling fan and can clog the airflow of the computer causing it to overheat and slow down. Use a vacuum on a low setting to gently clean out the insides. Make sure your computer is disconnected from all mains.

If your computer is still running slowly after trying out these quick fixes, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for more information regarding our services

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.