User Tools

Site Tools


hstarwiki:cust:gen:defenseguide

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Next revision
Previous revision
hstarwiki:cust:gen:defenseguide [2016-09-04 T 20:58]
127.0.0.1 external edit
hstarwiki:cust:gen:defenseguide [2017-08-25 T 16:45] (current)
admin [Find a local Repair Shop]
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== Hstar Defense Guide to Scams, Malware, Viruses and More ======+====== Defense Guide to Scams, Malware, Viruses and More ======
  
 Any person who uses modern computer technology should know about these issues. They can be easily avoided and save you the headache and money of a malfunctioning computer or malicious scam. These issues can easily be avoided by following this guide. Any person who uses modern computer technology should know about these issues. They can be easily avoided and save you the headache and money of a malfunctioning computer or malicious scam. These issues can easily be avoided by following this guide.
Line 5: Line 5:
 ==== General Advice ==== ==== General Advice ====
   * Do not let somebody unknown remote access your computers or devices   * Do not let somebody unknown remote access your computers or devices
-  * Do not give out any personal information+  * Do not give somebody unknown any personal information or billing information
   * Do not wire money through a company like Western Union   * Do not wire money through a company like Western Union
   * Do not click on links you do not know their origin, especially in email   * Do not click on links you do not know their origin, especially in email
   * Have good passwords   * Have good passwords
   * Have a backup plan   * Have a backup plan
- 
- 
 ==== Phone Scams ==== ==== Phone Scams ====
  
Line 21: Line 19:
   * An IRS rep saying that you are being sued   * An IRS rep saying that you are being sued
   * Person claiming to be a distant relative marooned in some town and needing you to wire them money.   * Person claiming to be a distant relative marooned in some town and needing you to wire them money.
 +  * A company trying to sell you home security
  
 For the computer scams they expect you to pay a $100-500 to repair your computer remotely. They often will have you perform a function on your computer and show you how many errors you have in your computer. Whatever readout or function they perform is likely a simple log file of things that that will not hurt your computer. They also can claim malicious scammers can see that you have money in your account will try to get personal information. It is usually best to ignore these scam organizations. You can also try to contact the actual company by calling the number on your bill, or one the actual website by typing in something like microsoft.com, comcast.com, etc For the computer scams they expect you to pay a $100-500 to repair your computer remotely. They often will have you perform a function on your computer and show you how many errors you have in your computer. Whatever readout or function they perform is likely a simple log file of things that that will not hurt your computer. They also can claim malicious scammers can see that you have money in your account will try to get personal information. It is usually best to ignore these scam organizations. You can also try to contact the actual company by calling the number on your bill, or one the actual website by typing in something like microsoft.com, comcast.com, etc
Line 32: Line 31:
  
 ==== Malware Applications - Fixers=== ==== Malware Applications - Fixers===
-Your computer or device has all the necessary programs for it to perform properly, even virus protection. Most modern systems including Windows 10, Apple, Android and iPhone mostly do not need third party virus protection. Infact, many 3rd party virus protection companies are malware. Some Common types of programs and examples that are malicious and will do your computer no good are:+Your computer or device has all the necessary programs for it to perform properly, even virus protection. Most modern systems including Windows 10, Apple, Android and iPhone mostly do not need third party virus protection. In fact, many 3rd party virus protection companies are malware. Some Common types of programs and examples that are malicious and will do your computer no good are:
   * Speed up programs: SpeedupmyPC, MyFasterPC,   * Speed up programs: SpeedupmyPC, MyFasterPC,
   * Cleaning programs: MyCleanPC, WiseCare365, Advanced System care   * Cleaning programs: MyCleanPC, WiseCare365, Advanced System care
Line 55: Line 54:
   * Is there a program in my system that can perform this function?    * Is there a program in my system that can perform this function? 
   * Did I download this program from a reputable source. Type in your address bar the company.com, such as adobe.com, steam.com, amazon.com. and follow that link, not an advertisement or something from an email.   * Did I download this program from a reputable source. Type in your address bar the company.com, such as adobe.com, steam.com, amazon.com. and follow that link, not an advertisement or something from an email.
-  * When doing the install, look for any check box that wants you to install ANYTHING extra like a toolbar, or search protector, etc. Sometimes they fool you and make you check the box to not install something. They may also make it look like you have to install the addon by graying things out, but if you actually click hte check box or hit cancel, your installation will coninue. If it does not, then you probably should not install the main program in the first place.+  * When doing the install, look for any check box that wants you to install ANYTHING extra like a toolbar, or search protector, etc. Sometimes they fool you and make you check the box to not install something. They may also make it look like you have to install the addon by graying things out, but if you actually click the check box or hit cancel, your installation will continue. If it does not, then you probably should not install the main program in the first place.
  
 TIP: If you do install a reputable program or application, you may want to disable it from starting with your system and/or running in the background when not in use. Each program has different places to change this. Usually it is in the settings, tools, or configuration. TIP: If you do install a reputable program or application, you may want to disable it from starting with your system and/or running in the background when not in use. Each program has different places to change this. Usually it is in the settings, tools, or configuration.
Line 63: Line 62:
   * Microsoft Security Essentials - Windows 8,10 and above, has this built in as Windows Defender. But if you have windows 7 you will need to download and install. Here is the link: [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download]]   * Microsoft Security Essentials - Windows 8,10 and above, has this built in as Windows Defender. But if you have windows 7 you will need to download and install. Here is the link: [[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download]]
   * Avast for Windows XP - This suggestion is ONLY for Windows XP. Please note that it is highly recommended that you upgrade from windows XP due to Microsoft not supporting it anymore. However, if you still have it, Avast is a good antivirus   * Avast for Windows XP - This suggestion is ONLY for Windows XP. Please note that it is highly recommended that you upgrade from windows XP due to Microsoft not supporting it anymore. However, if you still have it, Avast is a good antivirus
-  * Eset - This is recomended for businesses and one of the best Anti Virus software on the market. Personal use is about $60 a year.+  * Eset - This is recommended for businesses and one of the best Anti Virus software on the market. Personal use is about $60 a year.
   * Malwarebytes - This program is good for running a full scan but not meant for live monitoring. If you feel you have a virus you can run this. Always make sure you are downloading from their website which is: [[www.malwarebytes.org]]   * Malwarebytes - This program is good for running a full scan but not meant for live monitoring. If you feel you have a virus you can run this. Always make sure you are downloading from their website which is: [[www.malwarebytes.org]]
   * CCleaner - This is a general tool for doing cleaning of registry and Temporary files.   * CCleaner - This is a general tool for doing cleaning of registry and Temporary files.
   * Ublock Origin - This is an addon for Google Chrome and Firefox. It is one of the best ad block extensions. Please make sure to install from your browsers extension webpage.   * Ublock Origin - This is an addon for Google Chrome and Firefox. It is one of the best ad block extensions. Please make sure to install from your browsers extension webpage.
-  * You! Knowing all these things is the best line of defense. By using your devices in a smart manner you can reduce the ammount of problems and save money on computer repair. +  * __//**You!**//__ Knowing all these things is the best line of defense. By using your devices in a smart manner you can reduce the amount of problems and save money on computer repair.
  
 ==== Password Protection ==== ==== Password Protection ====
Line 83: Line 81:
  
 ==== Find a local Repair Shop ==== ==== Find a local Repair Shop ====
-Hstar Technology group has helped many individuals and business with repairs, installations, services, education, and self sufficient systems that need little upkeepWe strive to make sure systems are running properly and do not want to have to spend your time and money constantly fixing problems that can be avoided. But there are other computer repair services out therePlease do you research and ask around before becoming client with any organization. Many people are easily taken advantage of, but many people genuinely want to assist in your computer needs. Here is our contact info: +Most online computer support are scamsIt is best to find a local computer repair person or shop that has reputable reviews such as on yelp or angies list[[hstarwiki:cust:gen:references|Click here for local references in Central Sierra Nevada and foothills.]] 
-\\ Hstar Technology Group +
-\\ 209-728-1691 +
-\\ [[info@hstar.net]] +
-\\ Website: hstar.net+
hstarwiki/cust/gen/defenseguide.1473022697.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017-03-03 T 17:15 (external edit)