Tag: Computers

Is It Malware or a Virus? | Corona, CA

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headache over computer problems

In a world where it seems everything is getting hacked, it is easy to panic when something goes wrong with your computer equipment. The slightest glitch or stall and we are thinking the worst. And when we think of the worst thing that can happen to this equipment, we will generally think about computer viruses. Yes, the evil computer virus is the original enemy of the typical computer user, and in this day and age, it is impossible to not use some type of computer in our daily lives.

Then you hear about malware and a whole new set of questions and concerns come to mind. Let’s break it down – a virus is just one kind of malware, but the actual term is largely used by the public and the only way to protect yourself is to have some type of an anti-virus. The following are various types of malware designed to infect your computer or mobile device:

Adware. Adware is the least dangerous and most profitable malware. It displays ads on your computer.

Spyware. This software spies on you by tracking your internet activity in order to send adware back to your machine.

Worms. A worm replicates itself and destroys data and files on your computer until the drive is completely empty.

Trojan horse. One of the most dangerous malwares, Trojans are designed to discover your financial information and take over your computer’s system resources.

Ransomware. If you see a screen that warns you that you have been locked out of your computer until you pay for your “cybercrimes”, you have ransomware.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with malware protection at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Secure Your Cyber Fortress | Corona, CA

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Data BreachWithin the Department of Homeland Security lies the National Cyber Security Division. Every October they team up with the National Security Alliance to sponsor National Cyber Security Awareness Month, every October to focus on encouraging individuals to be cautious and to use protection while accessing the internet.

Seems every time we blink there is a new story about someone getting hacked or their identity stolen. And since we use the internet to connect with family and friends, to handle business and other services supported by online systems. Technology has prompted advancements in business, healthcare, music, government and many other industries. Unfortunately, as things become easier, they are also more prone to tampering. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep yourself, your assets and personal information safe online. So, in honor of National Cyber Security Month, take a look at your current online presence. If you find you could be too exposed, follow these helpful tips. They can not only help you to stay safe from identity theft and other account tampering, but it can also protect your family and friends:

  • Create strong passwords and keep them private by downloading apps and other resources available to protect your passwords from being stolen
  • Keep operating system, browser and other critical software up-to-date
  • Limit the amount of personal information you share online and use privacy setting to avoid sharing information widely
  • Be very cautious about what you receive or read online – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your backup equipment at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

When You Experience a Power Outage | Corona, CA

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computer repairWith all of the crazy weather, it is important to think about running your business without thinking about emergency precautionary measures. What will happen if you have a power surge? Do you have the proper backup equipment to keep your company moving if something interrupts the power?

Power outages can be devastating to your computer. Not only can you lose files and any vital information, but your computer itself could bear the brunt of some pretty devastating damages. If this happens to your computer, the first move is to seek immediate computer repair. They will be the best at trying to salvage anything that may become lost. But there is something you can do that can keep your computer stable through a power surge – a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply.

A UPS is a battery-containing device that supplies backup power to your computer in case of a power outage, as well as brown outs and electricity spikes. The battery will keep your computer running temporarily during a power surge, giving you the time to save your work and shut down your computer properly without losing data. Not only will this save important documents, but money from costly computer repair.

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.

It is important to think about emergency plans when you start a business. Not only for your assets, but for your office equipment.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your backup equipment at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Is Your Hard Drive Going Bad? Here’s How to Tell | Corona, CA

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Has your computer started making funny noises? If you know nothing about computers, you aren’t alone. We buy our technology to make our lives easier, but when they begin to act strange, we have no clue about what to do with them. What are the components that make up our machines? How do we make sure they are running at top form?

If you find that your computer has begun to make noises you don’t recognize, it is possible that your hard drive going bad. Your hard drive is the brain of your machine, where all of your information is stored. And while there are plenty of reasons it is acting funny, they usually crash because of a virus, mechanical failure or electrical surge.

Unfortunately, a hard drive failure could happen at any time without warning, so you need to make sure you back up your hard drive on a regular basis, because valuable data that cannot be retrieved. 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. Your computer runs like we do and can develop symptoms of deterioration, so make sure you don’t ignore the signs.

If you think your hard drive might be going bad, we can run a diagnostic test and let you know if you need a new one. In addition to testing, we can order and install a new one for you.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your hard drive at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

This Summer Heat Isn’t Just Bad for You | Corona, CA

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During these hot summer months, we are all trying to stay as cool as possible. After all, the heat makes us feel sluggish and in no mood to do much as far as work is concerned. So, we try to stay hydrated and keep our pets as comfortable as possible. But did you ever think about your technology? We aren’t the only ones that can suffer from overheating. The causes can range from being a severe problem to something very minor that may not need repair. Here are a few of the main reasons your computer may be getting a bit too hot:

Dust buildup. Dust buildup on the vents and the internal components of your computer can begin to block the vents and prevents airflow, while dust on the internal elements traps heat. Keeping a can of compressed air can keep those dust bunnies off your equipment.

Poor location. Where do you keep your computer? Make sure your computer isn’t located in a room with poor ventilation or one that has little to no climate control, away from windows and in a temperature-controlled environment.

Poor ventilation. Most computers have vents in the casing that allows for proper air flow. However, when covered up, it will block airways, causing warm air to build up inside the case. Make sure that your vents are clear and are allowing for proper ventilation.

If none of the reasons list above are causing your computer to overheat, it may be time to take your computer in to a professional. Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

 

Your Computer Needs Tender Loving Care | Corona, CA

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The saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” hold true. And it isn’t just when it comes to your person. Just like anything else, your computer tower needs a good cleaning at least every three to six months to prevent dust build up and to keep it from overheating. Ridding your computer of dust and debris build up helps increase your computer’s performance and avoid future technical issues. Unsure of how to do it? Here is a quick rundown:

  • Gather up a soft brush, a can of compressed air, electronic safe wipes, a vacuum and a screwdriver to remove the computer panel.
  • Make sure to shut down your computer, unplug any cords and let it cool down before you start cleaning.
  • First, start by wiping down the outside of your computer tower with the electronic safe wipe, then carefully vacuuming out the tower’s vents.
  • Next, remove the computer panel and cautiously vacuuming the inside, careful not to touch any of the computer’s components.
  • Once loose dust and debris has been removed, take a soft brush and brush away the remaining dust. For extra dusty areas, use your compressed can of air to help loosen the debris.
  • Finally, replace the computer panel and plug back in your cables. Now it’s all cleaned up and ready to be used.

When it comes to electronic equipment, it is important to realize that in order to ensure your computer will last as long as possible, maintenance is required. There are many benefits that come from cleaning your computer regularly. Dust build up is one of the key factors that cause a computer to overheat, so make sure to keep up on your computer cleanings.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with managed IT services at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Don’t Let Your IT Needs Overwhelm You | Corona, CA

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When you start your own business, there are just so many things that you need to consider. Products, services, startup supplies – it can be enough to drive a business owner mad. But now that the world is run electronically, you now have to throw IT service in the mix. For most business owners, this is one of the more overwhelming tasks to do when opening their proverbial doors. Now would be a great time to research IT companies that can manage all of these services for you.

Budget-friendly. It may seem unnecessary but there are many benefits to using managed IT services. A managed services contract allows you to quit worrying about your network, while also allowing you to have this area locked into your budget with no costly surprises. You decide what your budget is and what services you need.

One less employee. Keeping a staffed IT employee on payroll can become very expensive. By outsourcing to a managed IT services company, you only pay for what you need.

Experience counts. You already know IT services is entirely too complicated for you. When it comes to your computers and network you want a trained, experienced and certified IT to repair any technical issues and grow along with your business’ success. Having managed IT services monitor your network, servers and computers will be like having a security guard watching your business 24/7/365. Instead of waiting for something to break, routine maintenance is done to keep your system up and running.

Your business is already a labor of love. Let a managed IT services company take care of the technical stuff.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with managed IT services at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

5 Common Computer Myths

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To most people, computers are relativity simple to purchase, operate and understand (for the most part). However, to the non-tech customer, computers can seem like a scary devices made even more frightening by silly myths and misconceptions. The following list includes five common myths and misconceptions about computers.

You need to defragment your drive regularly. Fact is, you don’t even need to defragment a modern computer. Windows computers have a built in defragmentation utility that runs in the background on a pre-defined scheduled. Macs also have a file system that automatically defragments files, referred to as HFC.

Viruses are making your computer slow. Anytime a computer starts to run slower than usual, the most common thing to blame is a malware. While it is always possible that your computer is infected, modern malware is designed to be so profit-driven that the creator’s best interest is to keep it running secretly in the background. Meaning you won’t typically notice a performance decrease due to an infection. Instead, your computer may be slower due to running too many programs simultaneously, unnecessary plugins, lack of free RAM or disk space, or a hardware problem.

Paid “cleaner” software improve performance. I’m sure you’ve seen ads that say something like “Download Junk Removing Software for Faster Computer Speeds”. These programs promise to clean up your computer and speed it up, however, this is just junk software that will only slow it down. These programs also are commonly known to deliver malware, like spyware or adware and rarely do anything beneficial whatsoever.

You don’t need antivirus software. Two of the most common reasons people think they don’t need antivirus software are usually “I have a Mac and Macs don’t get viruses” or “I don’t do anything risky online that would get me infected”. Both reasons are completely incorrect; you always need antivirus software.

You should always turn off your computer. There is no truth to this myth. In reality, leaving your computer on and allowing it to go into sleep mode when you’re not using it is safe and effective way from having to turn it on and off regularly.  The system resources used as well as the battery drain is very minimal when it’s in sleep mode. However, you should turn your computer off from time to time if there’s no reason to keep it on. Every computer has a life-span, so turning it off when it’s not being used can allow the computer to last a bit longer.

If you have any questions or concerns about your computer, contact Up and 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.

History of the Desktop Computer

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The first commercially available desktop computer was available in 1974, this was the Altair 800. This pioneer computer wasn’t much to behold, but at the time it was revolutionary. With toggle switches, LED lights and only 1K of memory, the Altair 8800 opened the doors to thousands of possibilities. In the mid- 70s RadioShack introduced the Tandy computer which had a more user friendly approach and was an instant success. RadioShack went on to be the first real player in the computer game and the Tandy’s keyboard and CRT monitor it was easy to see why.

At the time RadioShack and the Tandy were creating a buzz, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs were working on the next big thing. The Apple computer they created was followed by the Apple Two with similar features as the Tandy but one – a color monitor. Competition was stirring and by the late 70s the Arti 400, TI-99, and the VIC-20 were soon hitting the shelves. Commodore (maker of the VIC-20) went on to make one of the bestselling computers of all time with their Commodore 64.

The next big thing in computers would not come about until IBM entered the playing field with their IBM PC in 1981. This was the first computer to feature the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system which became the standard. By the late 1980s Apple Computers was the only company that was not running on the MS-DOS operating system. Apple was pioneering at this time the GUI (graphical user interface), a more interactive approach to handling a computer.

Since then, the rate at which personal computers have expanded into our offices, homes and laps has accelerated. To say we have come a long way from blinking LED lights and basic keyboards is an understatement. Today we have thinner, lighter, and sleeker desktops, laptops, and tablets due to decades of technological advances. Pioneers in the computer and operational systems industries are always attempting to discover and create the next big breakthrough in computer technology and user experience. There is now an entire generation of people who have had access to a computer their whole life and that, in the minds of many, only scratches the surface of what is possible.

For questions or information regarding IT Services, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net.  

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