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Get a faster Windows 10 PC with these tipsIs your computer taking a lot of time to perform tasks it used to finish within seconds? Just because your unit is slowing down doesn’t mean you’ll need to spend hundreds of dollars on a replacement. We’ve compiled four ways to speed up your Windows 10 computer for free: Prevent programs from launching at startup […]

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22 Jul, 2020 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2020july22windows_b, application, disk cleaner, microsoft, operating system, speed, Tips, Windows, windows 10 category
Get a faster Windows 10 PC with these tips

Is your computer taking a lot of time to perform tasks it used to finish within seconds? Just because your unit is slowing down doesn’t mean you’ll need to spend hundreds of dollars on a replacement. We’ve compiled four ways to speed up your Windows 10 computer for free:

Prevent programs from launching at startup

Windows makes certain programs readily available by loading them at startup. While Microsoft likely has good intentions for doing this, this auto-launch feature slows down your computer. To fix this issue, you’ll need to adjust your settings.

Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc to see the programs that launch during startup. On the startup tab, you can easily disable any programs you don’t want launching at startup, such as media players and optional accessories that don’t have to be active all the time. But to be on the safe side, keep essential apps, such as antivirus software, enabled.

Get rid of useless applications

Having too many programs installed on your computer uses up valuable memory and hard disk space. This slows down your computer and makes the machine work harder than necessary. Quickly uninstall programs you don’t need by following these steps:

  • Tap the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Add or remove programs” (this will show you all the apps stored in your computer).
  • A link to the system settings will appear. Click on the link.
  • Select the program/s you no longer want, and click Uninstall.

Once you do this, you’ll then be guided through several steps to complete the uninstallation process.

Organize your disks

It’s important to regularly clean out your computer of data you don’t need. Thankfully, Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup tool makes it easy to do so.

To find the tool, tap on the Windows button on your keyboard and type “Disk Cleanup.” If you click on the link, the tool will automatically find files that take up too much memory space, such as temporary Internet and system memory dump files. Just click OK to send these files to your Recycle Bin.

Turn off apps running in the background

You may not know it, but there are a lot of programs running in the background as you use your computer. Microsoft enabled their native universal apps to do this so you can quickly access their features. However, this also slows down your CPU. Disabling them will reduce the burden on your computer and speed it up.

To find out what programs are running in the background, press the Windows button on your keyboard and type “Background apps.” Find the programs you don’t need running and toggle the On-Off button.

By following these four steps, you’ll see a noticeable difference in the speed of your PC. If you want to learn how to optimize your Windows system further or need assistance with your other Microsoft products, give us a call.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Fileless malware: Are you at risk?Over the past few years, the security industry has witnessed a rapid evolution in attack techniques, including fileless malware. Now, cybercriminals use legitimate tools and services such as existing software, applications, and authorized protocols to carry out malicious activities like unauthorized data retrieval or data damage. Left unchecked, these types of malware can adversely affect […]

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20 Jul, 2020 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2020july20security_b, cybersecurity, fileless malware, malware, Security category
Fileless malware: Are you at risk?

Over the past few years, the security industry has witnessed a rapid evolution in attack techniques, including fileless malware. Now, cybercriminals use legitimate tools and services such as existing software, applications, and authorized protocols to carry out malicious activities like unauthorized data retrieval or data damage. Left unchecked, these types of malware can adversely affect your business processes and the infrastructures that run them.

What is fileless malware?

Fileless malware is malicious software that doesn't rely on executable files to infect your infrastructure. Rather, it hides in your computer's random access memory (RAM) and uses trusted, legitimate processes such as Microsoft Office macros, PowerShell, and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).

Fileless malware isn’t as visible as traditional malware. They use a variety of techniques to stay persistent, and can adversely affect the integrity of a business’s processes and the infrastructures that run them. Because there are no files to trace, fileless malware escapes detection from most anti-malware programs, especially those that use the databases of precedent threats. Most automated sensors cannot recognize illicit scripts, and cybersecurity analysts who are trained to identify them usually have a hard time establishing where to look.

Fileless malware by the numbers

In November 2016, attacks using fileless malware saw a 13% uptick, according to a report by Trend Micro. Also, in the third quarter of 2016, attacks were 33% higher than in the first quarter. During the first quarter of 2017, more PowerShell-related attacks were reported on over 12,000 unique machines.

Kaspersky Lab uncovered over 140 infections across 40 different countries. Almost every instance of the fileless malware was found in financial institutions and worked toward obtaining login credentials. In the worst cases, infections had already gleaned enough information to allow cyberattackers to withdraw undisclosed sums of cash from ATMs.

In 2018, Trend Micro also detected a rising trend of fileless threats throughout the first half of the year.

Is your business at risk?

It is unlikely that your business has been targeted in the earliest stages of this strain of malware, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Businesses should practice defense in depth, where multilayered safeguards are implemented to reduce exposure and mitigate damage. But apart from cultivating a security-aware workforce, what actionable countermeasures can organizations carry out?

While your business might not be in immediate danger, you should employ solutions that analyze behavioral trends. It is also wise to invest in a managed services provider that offers 24/7 network monitoring, proper patches, and software updates. Call us today to get started.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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The benefits of syncing your Android phone with Google ChromeMost people nowadays swap between their computer and their smartphone for their productivity needs — from work to passion projects to simply running their daily lives. It’s simpler than ever to do so, thanks to Google Chrome’s sync-up features for Android phones. Send directions from your laptop to your Android phone While Google Maps works […]

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17 Jul, 2020 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2020july17android_a, android, chrome, combination, computer, duo, google, it, pair, phone, team, technology category
The benefits of syncing your Android phone with Google Chrome

Most people nowadays swap between their computer and their smartphone for their productivity needs — from work to passion projects to simply running their daily lives. It’s simpler than ever to do so, thanks to Google Chrome’s sync-up features for Android phones.

Send directions from your laptop to your Android phone

While Google Maps works great on smartphones, it’s often easier to use on larger screens. To send driving, walking, or commuting directions from your PC to your Android phone, do the following:

  1. Click on a specific location on Google Maps, or enter a location in the search field and click on the desired result.
  2. Click on the “Send to your phone” button in the pane on the left side of your screen.
  3. Choose to have the directions sent to your phone via text or email.

Sync your computer’s Chrome tabs with your phone

This is especially useful when you need to bring your work outside of the office. Here’s all you need to do:

  1. Open the Chrome App on your Android phone.
  2. Tap the three-dotted menu icon beside the search field.
  3. If you’re not using multiple Google accounts, go straight to Step 4. Otherwise, tap Settings > your user icon > Sync > Sync to > your desired Google account, then press the back button until you see the three-dotted menu icon. Press it once more.
  4. Tap Recent tabs. You’ll see all the tabs you’ve opened recently while logged into a particular Google account regardless of device.

Find your lost mobile device

Simply entering “find my phone” in the Google search bar will display the current or last known location of your phone. On top of that, you can also ring your device for five minutes — even if it’s set to silent — in the hopes that a kind soul answers it and tells you where you can get your phone back.

Use your phone to control your computer

For this trick, start by installing the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the Google Play Store on your Android phone and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension app for Chrome on your computer, regardless if it’s running on ChromeOS, Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Each device you want to connect must have Chrome installed, and each Chrome browser must be signed into the same account. With everything in place, you can remotely control a system that’s switched on, such as your desktop, via your phone or Chromebook, or allow one-time access to give or receive remote support.

Set reminders via Google Assistant or Google Keep

You can use voice commands on your Android phone to set reminders. Say “OK Google” or press the mic icon to activate Google Assistant, then say “Remind me to buy milk at the grocery store” or whatever it is you want to be reminded of. Once the “Add a reminder” screen appears, you can edit reminder details, such as when you want to be alerted. For instance, you may want your device to remind you of your grocery list when you enter a grocery store.

Alternatively, you can install the Google Keep extension app in Chrome or the Google Keep app on your Android. Simply open the app, click the Take a note field, type in your reminder, click the Remind me icon, then click on either Pick date & time to set when you want to be reminded, or Pick place to set where you want to be notified.

As long as you have syncing turned on for your Google account, you can use Google Calendar, Google Assistant, or Google Keep on one device to unleash reminders across all your devices. Syncing lets you make the most of your devices giving you the illusion that you’re using one machine. For any questions regarding Android/Chrome pairing, feel free to give us a call anytime!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Myth busted: Macs are NOT immune to virusesIt is common knowledge that Windows computers tend to deal with an assortment of viruses and malware, but many people fail to realize that even Macs face similar threats. As virus creators have become more adept at finding back doors and other vulnerabilities, more and more Macs have also fallen prey to malware. Here are […]

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15 Jul, 2020 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2020july15apple_b, adware, apple, apple computers, cybercrime, imac, mac, macbook, macos, malware, ransomware, viruses category
Myth busted: Macs are NOT immune to viruses

It is common knowledge that Windows computers tend to deal with an assortment of viruses and malware, but many people fail to realize that even Macs face similar threats. As virus creators have become more adept at finding back doors and other vulnerabilities, more and more Macs have also fallen prey to malware. Here are some threats to your Mac that you should be aware of.

What are the threats that can affect your Mac?

There are several general virus types that hit Apple products, and their effects can range from merely annoying to downright destructive.

  1. Adware – Adware are unwanted programs that bombard users with pop-up advertisements. Some malicious adware piggyback spyware onto their deployment protocols, which can record your typing habits with keyloggers and keyboard sniffers, as well as monitor your browsing behavior.

  2. Sniffers – Sniffers are usually designed to detect certain words on a webpage and in a person’s typing pattern in order to trigger the keylogger. For instance, when you type your password, sniffers can activate the keylogger to copy the information you type and steal your login details.

  3. Trojan horses – Trojan horses can infect both Macs and PCs, and they are often deployed through fake software installers or unsecured updates. They parade as legitimate software that actually contains a nasty surprise once installed. A notorious Trojan horse for Macs is the MacDownloader, which attempts to steal personal data stored in Apple Keychain.

  4. Macro viruses – Macro viruses attack computers by running an executory code that could take screenshots, format hard drives, corrupt files, deliver more malware, and access webcams and mics. They are triggered when a user opens an infected macros-enabled file, hence the name.

  5. Ransomware – Macs held off ransomware for a while, but nowadays, even they can be vulnerable to it. KeRanger was one of the first big ransomware outbreaks for Macs. After remotely encrypting the computer and hibernating for three days, KeRanger would issue a .txt file containing instructions for decryption in return for one bitcoin.

    Does your Mac have a virus?

    Now that you know what kinds of viruses and malware your macOS could be affected with, here are some ways to tell if your Mac is infected with one:

  6. Pop-up ads – If you're seeing more pop-ups on your computer than usual, your computer probably infected. An unusual amount of banner ads and pop-ups may mean that your computer is due for an update and/or a virus scan.

  7. Slowness – Mac users fear one thing above all: the spinning wheel of death. This little rainbow-colored spinning cursor wheel indicates that the computer is having trouble processing at usual speeds. This slowness can often be caused by overwhelming requests from simultaneous processes — likely of dubious origin — running in the background.

  8. Browser issues – Viruses sometimes do weird things to Safari or Firefox such as change its homepage or redirect a preset landing page to a site you’ve never seen before. If your browser starts behaving oddly, crashes regularly, or is often unresponsive, your Mac might have a virus.

Computer security is a matter of importance no matter what operating system you use. Reach out to our experts for an assessment of your network today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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