Al Lustie's Tips and Tricks

At least as far as the ordinary computer user goes, Adobe started it.  They quit selling updates to Photoshop and other of their software programs, and began openly leasing or renting it.  If you want to use Photoshop today, you have to sign up for the Adobe plan to rent it by the month, quarter, or year.  You never own it.  You don't get a DVD, or USB stick, or anything like that.

Now Microsoft is doing the same.  I'm  sure you don't really "Own" Windows 10.  They just keep pushing their updates on you whether you want them or not.  Their Office 365 product if primarily a "rental" or "lease" commodity.  Others are following suit.

Do you like it?  Resent it?  Love it?  Hate it?

Tough.  Until you can write a better piece of software for yourself, you are pretty stuck.

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.

I have been helping people upgrade to Windows 10 since mid January.  The product is somewhat close to being a good working product, and it seems as safe (from itself) as any Windows version.  So, I recommend you let Microsoft go ahead and schedule your upgrade.  It will mostly be done without your, although there are a few clicks you may need to make.

What do you need to know when you have installed it?  Number one, essential, is the lower left corner of the screen.  Click it, and go up two or three to Power.  Click it to power down, restart or sleep.  You really do need to know this.

Just above it is Settings.  Use this to install a printer if it didn't install without your help, or to get to the Control Panel, Wi-Fi and so forth.  Most users seldom need this, but it's there.

Finally, to find your programs the menu choice including the words "all programs" brings up a menu somewhat like the old Start menu.  They are there is you had them before and if they are compatible with Windows 10.

You'll like it better than Windows 8 or 8.1.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

It is not much fun.

A lot of my clients have experienced it this past fall and early winter.  They do not enjoy it.

It costs money they either don't have, or would prefer to use in other ways.

How can YOU get scammed, conned or ripped off?

1.  You get a phone call.  The called tells you that your computer is in trouble and she or he can fix it.  The fee well might be $399.00 or thereabouts.  Just download the program they tell you to and they will take control of your computer and "fix it".  All you have to do is agree.  But if you don't want to get conned, scammed or ripped off, hang up and unplug your computer for awhile.  If things don't work right, call your tech, or take it to a shop like Best Buy or MicroCenter and get it "cleaned up" by real, honest and competent techs.  And the end of this article I'l give you a massive tip.

2.  You get a message on your screen informing you that something (Windows, Word, some other program) is corrupt.  Call this phone number and pay a fee and they will uncorrupt your computer or unencrypt your files and all will be well.
  For this one turn your computer OFF, even unplug it or take the battery out of it if it is a laptop, and get help as mentioned in 1. above from a competent, honest tech.

3.  You get a phone call from someone who is either from Microsoft or from a firm who contracts with Microsoft.  Microsoft has detected a problem with your computer.  Their fee is _______.  They will clean the problem off your computer.
     (We are Mac users and we get these phone calls, sometimes two or three a week.)

Remember:  Microsoft doesn't know what is going on with your computer and they don't hire firms to do their work for them.  

     Again, press the Power button on your Windows computer/laptop and turn it off.

Do NOT every let anyone have access to your computer via the Internet and phone.  I would say, "especially strangers" but one of my clients got these phone calls so many times he began to think he knew the person.  Yes, he gave access and we had to wipe everything out and reinstall Windows.

If you get such a call or message on your computer, report it to your local police or sheriff''s office.  Maybe if law enforcement begins to realize how much scamming is going on they will try to nab these folks and put them on a chain gang, maybe cleaning the bottom of filled pools.

They target the elderly especially.

A MASSIVE TIP in Three Parts:
1.  make sure you have a good antivirus and that it is up to date.
2.  Install the professional version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and let it run in the background.
3.  Have an external hard drive and back up your data at least once a week.  And be sure you made or make DVDs of your Windows program so it is easy to install.  Be sure you have the Activation Code.

A Financial Tip:  Windows computers are cheap.  Don't pay too much to have it fixed.  It may be cheaper to buy a new one and restore your data from your backup disk.

Who should upgrade to Windows 10, released on July 29th, 2015?

No one.

Windows 10 has many neat features, most of which don't work yet.

Read this example of why it is not ready:
http://email.windowssecrets.com/wf/click?upn=9laEqdVlsa6jvir5NoeS0lzJONiVOOQwVhkqMGYIsygaRFYv-2FF6CLvB-2FQZPigDRtcBeY7thQixkWOfxRxreeVVNNcdQN7KOuQEQ3Hr7ri84lvSiMvyPgkEYW1xHhmqD6sTZ7I4mcJdpApZi0Y1Uk9z-2FU8JszOgQxkEA2MGPST2s-3D_i-2BxmqjoNZUPa0cDMhcuj8jV1kTGDy4KWDYdV76sXitzjy-2BzpWKLNN50exHKfR2bwrm11hSBNUmmO2mpJBAIYz2MonZuD-2B5XEqJGSxGn2PUMtGRjOE9MRDFjYGlP6tNRfeZU4aGanAX1isb60XIkKh-2BmfQvqKUj6JzF7jvDRNUvrx6pAm9mjqyyZxH1vJRiR1k4K-2B6nD8yuJtIby4e7zLVHMXNcFnY-2BJa8-2FQUvKiW0bY05X1xUtTLMDEJBTeUC0aW4LI-2BktIr8ldGzpeedRW-2F5mzOk-2BWJr5-2FUIS19527-2FyY2vKg3BRQIc4Sra32f3V1B4LFrtY6AuDWEQvZGANO41v974QhMn0t1qrim-2FAPRxYkPz7tMaafWHzgs8p-2BKXJQqQVwcXfLnQY7Ot3kSkbntOeA-3D-3D

Microsoft had never released a copy of Windows (any version) that was ready.  The first service pack comes out several months after a version is released.  While I suspect waiting for Service Pack 2 makes more sense, at least wait until Service Pack 1 has been released and the most glaring bugs and omissions have been fixed.

I thing Windows 10 will be a winner.  It is not ready yet.  Just sayin' . . .

Leave your comment and share your thoughts or experiences with us.

Yesterday I was visiting with a lady who uses Mac computers exclusively.  She told me that she found the "Microsoft scam" on her Mac screen the other day.  Somehow a scammer had gotten the message on her screen that something was wrong with her computer and she should call and for only $299 this tech support person would fix it.

On a Mac!

In the Denver, CO, area this "Microsoft scam" has had a resurgence in the past month or so.  She is the first person I have run into who had it on her Apple product.

So. . . Mac owners and PC owners:  BEWARE!

1.  Generally the first response should be to unplug your computer, or take the battery out and get completely disconnected.  I'd like to think they couldn't do much damage to a Mac, but I don't know that for sure.  Possible, if they can get a "hook" into your computer they could steal contact lists, passwords, and other identity information.  UNPLUG.

2.  Second, call me or your trusted computer technician if you don't feel up to managing this problem.

3a.  Third, if you want to handle it, unplug any network cables for the moment and turn the computer back on.  In Windows. start pressing the F8 key almost immediately and choose to boot into safe mode with networking.

3b.  When "in". run Malwarebytes Anti Malware.  If you don't have it, go to Malwarebytes.org and download it and run it.

If on an Apple product, like a Mac, call the Apple support line for coaching.  Go to www.apple.com and hunt for either a contact number or a nearby Genius Bar.

What has your experience been?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Once again I remind us all to be aware -- beware!

This morning, 3/26/2015, I got a call from a phony pretending to be from Microsoft or working with Microsoft to "fix the problems found on my computer".

THIS IS TOTALLY PHONEY!!!

Microsoft has no such program and does not know anything about your computer except the Product Keys os your Microsoft products and the CPU serial number of your computer if you run Windows.  And they don't much care, either.

When you get such a call, either hang up or tell them you will report them to your state attorney general and your law enforcement people (sheriff, police, etc.).  Then HANG UP!

I also got another alert that malware is injecting itself into your computer via a thing called router hijaaking. Here is a link that describes it.  Possible prevention:  ensure that your "firmware" on the router is up to date.  This is a nasty one and you really, really need to stay alert.

http://aralabs.com/blog/2015/03/25/ad-fraud-malware-hijacks-router-dns-injects-ads-via-google-analytics/?utm_source=howtogeek&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

As always, leave a comment if you have information we would be interested in knowing.

All of us who have occasion to download shareware have probably been directed to CNET.  At one time is was respectable.  Today is is loaded with legitimate programs which also download crawpare  to  your computer.  Even for the Mac OS/X.  Check out this link:

http://www.howtogeek.com/210589/mac-os-x-isn’t-safe-anymore-the-crapware-malware-epidemic-has-begun/

The crapware downloads stuff that hogs memory and worse:  it spies on your computer, on your browsing and makes pathways for malware (malicious software that can take over your computer, hold your data for ransom and even steal your identity!)

So:  what does the PC Guy advise?

If you are ever directed to CNET, hit the "back arrow" or delete the tab on your browser.  NEVER, never download anything from CNET.  Ever.

If you are a MAC user, download ONLY from the App Store.  Sorry, a lot of useful stuff is not sold via the app store, but -- unless you want hassles galore, don't take any chances.  When you get that message before you begin downloading that notifies you that you are downloading from the internet, CANCEL.  STOP!  DON'T DO IT!!!

OK?