Got a bug? Microsoft has just release a new free product called “Microsoft Security Essentials.” This software provides real-time, updated protection against viruses, spyware, and malware. Click here to visit the site and download the new software!
Listen on Friday, September 25 at 8:10 on 100.3 WNOX in Knoxville to the Hallerin Hilton Hill Radio Show! I will be a guest on the show talking about my experience with the University of Tennessee’s Business Plan Competition that I placed in 2 years ago.
I’m soliciting donations on behalf of the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure here in Knoxville. The event is happening on October 24, 2009.
You can donate by clicking here. Would you consider donating $5 or $10? Every bit helps!
Check out the Maintain page to see a few tips on maintaining your computer. I’ll update this with screenshots later, and add to it as I come across ideas that will help your computer keep running smoothly.
I received this question from a client, and I decided to tackle the topic of e-mail security. How secure is e-mail? What are simple steps you can do to mitiagate the risks associated with non-secure e-mail? What’s the best way to have secure online communication?
E-mail is NOT and SHOULD NOT be considered a secure medium for communcation. There are far too many variables to consider to give a blanket “yes or no” answer on whether or not a particular system is secure. There are steps which you can take to mitigate the risks associated with non-secure e-mail, but if there’s someone out there who has the right motivation and the right tools… watch out. If you’re in need of serious e-mail security (DoD grade), it’s probably a good idea to consult a network security expert. However, if you’re not dealing with matters of national security, keep reading.
There are a few simple steps to insure that you’re dealing with e-mail as securely as possible. 9 times out of 10, e-mail accounts are hacked by people guessing your password. Or, the cleaning lady looked under “P” in the rolodex on your desk and found all your passwords. Password guidelines are pretty simple: make it something only you would know, use non-standard characters such as !!@#$%^&*() and don’t write anything down. Now I know that sounds crazy…
… but seriously. It’s not that difficult.
The next thing you can do to make your e-mail a tad more secure is to make sure you’re using SSL (if your provider supports it). SSL establishes a secure “tunnel” from your computer to the e-mail server. If you’re provider supports this, it’s definitely the way to go.
If you’re looking for the cheapest, quickest, most secure option, you can send e-mails using LockBin (https://lockbin.com). You can send secure e-mails this way, but it has its limitations (no support for attachments, for example).
It’s safe to assume that the e-mail system, as a whole, is not secure. You can do everything in the world to secure your e-mail, but if the person you’re sending e-mail to has a password of “123″ there’s not much you can do.
You can e-mail specific questions to me, Stefan, at stefan@sjwtechservices.com, or call me at 865-803-5092.
There definitely is a new trend popping up and it’s called “scareware.” The tactic basically involves some kind of Internet Explorer advertisement that looks really similar to Windows, and tries to “scare” you into thinking you’re infected:
Once you’re convinced that you’ve been infected, you click “OK” and illegitimate anti-virus software is downloaded and installed on your machine.
One such scam that I’ve seen several times already is called “Personal Antivirus” (pictured above). Don’t fall for this scam – the only alerts you should trust will explicitly say the name of your anti-virus software. e.g. “avast! has detected a threat…” If you have been “infected” with this software, it can be a nasty bugger to remove – it plants itself inside IE, sometimes in your startup items, your registry, and may or may not even show up in the Add/Remove Programs control panel. If you do become infected, it’s a good idea NOT to login to banking/eBay/credit card websites until you’re sure the computer is clean. Remember, you can call me for all you’re virus/malware/spyware removing needs at 865.803.5092.
I know a few of my clients have used Windows Live OneCare in the past – just wanted to let those of you who use this software know that Microsoft is killing the project. It will be replaced with a free version (currently codenamed “Morro”), and current users of OneCare will have the option to move to the new free service.
It’s imperative that you have some sort of anti-virus on your computer (you only need 1 – if you have 2, your computer will slow to a crawl). If you don’t have any anti-virus software, I would recommend you either go purchase one now (purchase ESET here) or disconnect your computer from the internet right now and call me (Stefan) at 865-803-5092!
Well, it finally happened. This past Monday (June 15, 2009) I closed on a house in Alcoa! It’s a foreclosure and it needs a lot of work, but my dad and I will (hopefully) be able to do most of it. Why do I share this with you on my business website? Because I’ve started blogging about it, of course! Check out www.stefansnewhome.com to see the progress and some pictures!
I’m testing CellSpin – an app/online service that allows you to remotely add posts to Twitter, WordPress sites (this very site), YouTube, and more. It also supports vlogs (video blogs). How amazing is that? Take a video on your phone and instantly upload it to a website for friends, family, etc. to see! Consider this the first of many “mobile” posts from my trusty BlackBerry!
About 15 months ago, I entered the business plan for SJW Tech Services in a competition at UT sponsored by the College of Business Administration. With lots of work, prayer, and thought, I placed 3rd in the competition out of roughly 60 competitors. The competition was excellent practice for articulating exactly what business I’m in (technology support - not just repair!)
This month’s Knoxville Business Journal includes an article about SJW Tech Services, and some of my fellow competitiors and their experiences with their business ventures.
If you’re visiting this site from reading the article, welcome! I want to provide you (as an individual or as a business) with the friendliest, most efficient and enjoyable technology support you’ve ever experienced. If you’ve just got a virus on your computer, I can help. If you need 10 new computers networked with a file/print server and a backup solution, I can help with that, too! Call (865.803.5092) or e-mail me and let’s talk about how SJW Tech Services can help!