Don’t Pay Up to Ransomware | Computer Repair Corona, CA

If you’ve visited the webpages of The Huffington Post or LA Weekly, you may have contracted a virus. This virus seems to have only affected people running Windows PCs using outdated browsers such as Internet Explorer 8. The culprit is a ransomware called Kover malware, with ransomware the threat operator takes control of your computer and locks it. The malware ran on AOL ads between Dec.31 till Jan.5th, says researchers, and there have been around 15,000 infections.

Once Kover locks your computer it figures out your location and tailors a message saying that you have broken the law. This message that appears on your screen states that you have to pay a fine before a certain deadline or you will face severe fines and jail time. This “fine” is a ransom and typically they want you to pay around $300 to regain the use of your computer. Kover targets people who have visited adult websites, but anyone is fair game with this malware. Kover will manufacture their own “evidence” and lock your screen.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you do contract this malware, paying the ransom will not restore or remove the malware from your system. Don’t be a victim, use trusted browsers and sources to keep you and your computer protected.

If you think you may have contracted a virus or are in need computer repairs, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. 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.

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

Are You Protected? | Computer Repair Corona, CA

Virus Alert

Most of society spends a good amount of time on the computer by going online for things such as, searching for information, work, shopping, school work and even banking, which can sometimes leave your computer vulnerable to hackers due to the amount of personal information held in there. Keeping your computer protected from viruses and Trojans can be quiet simple, but you must be on top of it. Here are a few tips to lower your risk of contracting a virus or Trojan:

Use Anti-Virus Software- Having an anti-virus program installed is a great benefit for your computer. The ant-virus programs scan for viruses that try to get into your emails, operating system or files. Make sure your anti-virus is set to update automatically for the most protection.

Install a Firewall- Firewalls can help alert you of any suspicious activity, while also blocking viruses, hackers or worms from attempting to download malicious programs onto your computer. Some systems have a built in firewall but are usually shipped in “off” mode, so be sure to turn your firewall on. Make sure to keep your firewall updated regularly.

Use a Pop-up Blocker- Avoid clicking on a pop-up ads by using a pop-up blocker. Most pop-ups are created by advertisers but they may contain a harmful or unsafe code.

Don’t 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- Make sure to choose a strong password to protect yourself for potential hackers. Don’t choose something simple as your password; some hackers have a program that can try every single word in the dictionary.

If you think you may have contracted a virus are in need computer repairs, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. 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.

Irvine, CA | Why does my business need Managed Computer Services?

Whether you are a large business or small business your computers and network should be monitored. Managed Computer Services which is remote monitoring and maintenance offers 24/7 security against issues that could impact your network and computers. A managed services contract also offers daily support for any problems that arise.

Why does my business need Managed Computer Services?

  • Quick Discovery – the Managed Services team will be notified of any problems and will be able to fix them before they become big problems, such as major software issues, viruses, and hacks. These problems if not taken care of quickly can mean large costs for your business.
  • Cost Effective – Managed Services keeps on top of updates and daily maintenance that help your computers and network increase their life expectancy. It also reduces the chance of needing emergency repairs or replacement products.
  • Maximize Productivity – All repairs and updates on the network and computers can be done after business hours. Your employees can keep working with no lost hours due to operating system maintenance and backups.
  • Invest in your Business – Having a Managed Services team making sure your network runs smoothly, with no issues and no fires to put out, means more time for you as the owner to spend more time expanding your business.

Take the first step on the road to having a more productive, cost efficient business, call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. and ask for a FREE consultation of our Managed Services. Call 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Computer Repair Corona, CA | Top 5 Computer Problems

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Every PC will have problems. These problems could be big and complicated or small and simple to fix. It’s especially a problem if you don’t know as much about computers as you would like. If you have little knowledge of computers or don’t have the time, a computer repair company can help. Here are five common computer problems and what they mean.

  • Malicious software: viruses, spyware, adware, etc. All can harm your computer and your private information.
  • Computer won’t turn on: this could be a loose cord or a power supply that has gone bad.
  • Slow computer: all deleted files and applications are still on your computer taking up space and need to be cleaned up. Low hard drive space and not enough RAM can also cause your computer to be slow.
  • Blue Screen of Death: your computer freezes in a blue screen with an error message. This could be many things, overheating, hard drive failing, or buggy software.
  • Noisy computer: a fan could be going out or your hard drive could be going out.  Back up your files immediately and have a computer repair company service your computer.

If your computer is having any of these issues or other issues that you know are a problem, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. We can repair your computer and get you back up and running! To learn more about our company or put in a service request visit our website at www.urcs.net.

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

 

Computer IT Services Riverside | Signs of a Hard Drive Failure

Your hard drive is where all of the information on your computer is stored. Over time hard drives will start fail. A hard drive failure could happen at any time without warning, so making sure your hard drive is backed up is very important.

There are times when you hard drive can give you a warning.

  • If Windows is always telling you that it needs to check the consistency of your hard drive, it could be trying to tell you your hard drive is about ready to fail.
  • Computer making strange sounds.
  • Files suddenly have errors.
  • Computer is slow or freezes.

If you think your hard drive might be going bad, call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA and we can run a diagnostic test and let you know if you need a new hard drive. Call today at 951-737-8558.

Slow Computer? | IT Computer Services | Serving Anaheim, CA

Have you noticed your computer running a little slow lately? Does it take a while to boot up or open documents or applications? A slow computer could be caused by several different problems. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons.

  • Limited space on hard drive: You should have at least 200-500MB of hard drive space left.  If you have below that amount you will need to delete temporary files and used files or programs to free up some hard drive space.
  • Corrupted Hard Drive: Run a ScanDisk to ensure there is nothing physically wrong with the hard drive.
  • Viruses: Use a virus scanner to scan your computer for spyware or malware.
  • Programs that open in the background: Disable all programs that automatically start when you boot your computer.
  • Windows Updates: Make sure you have installed all the latest Windows updates and all browser plugins.
  • Overheating: Dust and dirt restricts air flow through the computer. Without proper air flow your computer can overheat. Make sure there are no obstructions around your computer and that all fans are working properly.
  • Limited Memory: If you have an older computer the memory might not meet the standard requirements needed today. Adding more memory will fix this problem.

Working on your computer can be difficult. Especially if you are not familiar with how computers work. That’s why we are here to help! The IT Services of Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. can repair your computer or server. Call today at 951-737-8558 or www.urcs.net.

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

 

Computer Repair | How did my computer get a Virus? | Anaheim, CA

Is your computer running slow or do you get frequent pop ups? Your computer could be infected with a virus and in need of computer repair. Now you’re probably wondering how you got a computer virus. There are several different ways a computer can be infected with a virus.

  • Agreeing to prompts: clicking “yes” or “ok” without reading what you are agreeing to and understanding what it’s asking. For example, you get a pop up saying your antivirus is out of date and you need to proceed with an update. This is a virus.
  • Email: opening email attachments from unknown sources or emails from friends and family that have also been infected.
  • Not running updates: a lot of updates are security updates that help keep your computer from getting infected.
  • No Antivirus: if you have a computer that funs Microsoft Windows is it highly recommended that you have antivirus and spyware protection.
  • Internet: internet browsing and downloading software from the internet that could be infected.

Computer viruses can happen to anyone. If you have a computer virus and need to get it removed. Or are in need of other computer repair call Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website to make a service request at www.urcs.net.

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

 

Computer Repair – Power Outages Can Devastate Your Computer – Corona, CA

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Power outages can be devastating to your computer. Not only can you lose files, but your computer itself could be at risk for severe damage. If this happens seek immediate computer repair. If you are lucky enough to have your computer make it through a power outage, you still won’t be able to use it, nor extract important files from it. A UPS or uninterruptible power supply can aid in power outages.

A UPS is a battery containing device that supplies back up power to your computer in case of a power outage. The battery allows for you to keep working during a power outage or at least give you an opportunity to shut down your computer properly without losing data, thus saving you money from costly computer repair. They also work well during brown outs and electricity spikes.

The UPS will come with power management software that can be configured to sense an outage and safely shut your computer down in the event you are not in front of your computer at the time. You can also set your computer to come back on when power is restored. This works well when you are accessing your computer from another location.

If you need help purchasing a UPS or your computer has been damaged by a power outage, call Up and Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA for help. Our experienced and trained technicians can help with any computer type purchases or computer repair problems you may need. Call today 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.

Also servicing Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and surrounding areas.

FAA to Relax Rules on Electronic Devices – Computer Repair – Corona, CA

computer repair

The FAA is set to relax their rules on portable electronic devices on commercial flights. These changes should take effect next year. When boarding an airplane you will no longer have to power off you electronic devices.

Currently before take and off and landing your electronic devices must be turned off. In a world where we are dependent on technology, these rules have consistently been up for debate. The FAA states that they are uncertain about radio signals the devices give off. If certain radio signals are given off from a device it could interfere with the airplanes communication, navigation and flight control.

The new rules will allow passengers to use e-readers, phones and tablets to watch videos, read and play games. There will still be a ban on phone calls and texts. Being able to pass the time watching a movie or playing games will definitely win the praise of passengers, especially on long flights.

Electronic devices rule our business and social world. If your laptop, smartphone or any type of computer goes down call Up and Running Computer Solutions, Inc. in Corona, CA for help. Our team of highly knowledgeable and experienced computer repair technicians can help with any problem you are having from network issues to setting up your smartphone. Call today 951-737-8558 or visit our website www.urcs.net.

Also servicing Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Why is My Internet So Slow? | Computer Consulting | Corona, CA

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Slow internet seems to be a common problem for everyone, whether it is at your office or home. Slow internet can be annoying and time consuming. So we will answer the question today…Why is my internet so slow?? Our computer consulting team at Up and Running Computer Solutions has the answer.

LAN is Overloaded:  Most people now a days do not connect their computers directly to the internet. They are connected to a local area network. A LAN can be wired or wireless and will have a connection to the internet router. When the LAN is overloaded with traffic, internet slows down.

DNS is Slow:  DNS stands for domain name system. Computer do not connect directly to hostnames such as www.urcs.net. The host name needs to be transformed to an IP address in order for a connection to be ascertained. If the DNS server is slow to respond this will cause your internet to seem slow.

Undetermined Downloading: Most applications on your computer are always looking for updates on the internet. These searches run in the background and you do not necessarily see them. Downloading a large update could slow your internet.

Malware:  Clicking on links to compromised websites or clicking on pop up ads leads to software hijacking. This malware gets installed on your computer without you even knowing causing your internet to be slower.

Poor Connection:  Sometimes there can be a problem with the physical internet connection. Your wires, router, or modem could be going bad.

If you internet is slow and you can’t figure out why, call Up and Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558. Our computer consulting team will diagnose your computer problem and help get your internet back up to speed.

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