Backing Up Your Computer Files Shouldn't Be a Hassle

Have you ever permanently deleted an email or file just to realize that you really needed it? Most of us have and if you haven't, eventually you will. The question is; what do you do? You can use a few words to communicate your frustration and anger, cry uncontrollably, or you can make sure you can get your file or email back. How? Simple, it's called backing up your files and emails regularly.
Creating backups should become second nature, but not only because of mistakenly deleting a file or email. Creating backups for your file will insure that they are accessible in cases of hard drive corruption, computer theft, and natural disasters. Creating a backup is not simply having a second copy on the same PC. It is not even about having an external hard drive or flash drive with the data. These options can still fall victim to the same issues mentioned.
Having a secure computer backup service is the best route. With a computer backup service, you can rest assured that your files are stored on another PC at a separate location. A great computer backup service will offer automated backup options and fast and encrypted data transfer. These options will allow your files and emails to be systematically backed up to the secure server while you continue working, surfing the web, or answering emails.
There are many computer backup services available. It's hard to know which one to choose. There are a few questions that you need to ask to insure you're choosing the right service for your needs.
1. Does the service offer features like automated backups and open file backup? If not, keep looking. These are essential for anyone who uses their computer daily (which is most common today).
2. Does the company encrypt your data? If not, you shouldn't use their service. Hackers are smarter, faster, and more dedicated to stealing your information now than ever. A good backup service will always encrypt their and their clients' files.
3. Does the company use multi-threading to insure speed of uploads/downloads? No one wants to wait around to upload new or download existing backup files. Choose a company that offers the speed of multi-threading to keep your backup process smooth and fast.
4. Is the service customizable to your needs? A company that is dedicated to their customers will offer a product as unique as you are. Choose a company that offers a backup service and software that you can tailor to your needs. Don't settle for one size fits all.
5. Does the company have a great reputation? Never use a service that only has bad reviews. Let's be honest, even the best company will get at least one bad review. There will always be one customer they cannot make 100% satisfied. You need to watch for a pattern. Does everyone say how bad their customer service is? Are there multiple complaints about speed? Do your homework and insure that the company is dedicated to its customers.
With all of the options out there, it's easy to just look for the lowest price. However, if you do your homework, you will not only get a price within your budget, but also the right level of backup service to meet your needs. So, whether you choose a local dedicated server partnered with backup software or a fully supported backup service in the Cloud, make sure you are choosing the product and company that's right for you.

Return Backup is a great backup service that's customizable to client's needs. The company's Return Backup Professional and Return Backup Personal both offer cloud, local server, and hybrid options. Visit them at http://www.ReturnBackup.com for more information on their services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8990732

How to Find the Best Registry Cleaning Software Online

Sometimes the registry becomes corrupt or compromised. When this happens programs don't function as intended. The whole system slows down, pop-ups occur, your emails are hard to bring up and the computer is running extremely slow or unresponsive. Productivity comes to a screeching halt and you're frustrated because of being subjected to this annoying problem. You have several options to choose from. Either have a technical person fix it, reformat the hard-drive yourself, or it may be time to check out fix registry review software registry cleaner before the whole system crashes.
Lost Productivity vs. Fix Registry Review Software
When your computer registry fails, your productivity takes a sharp down word turn. Life takes on a whole new dimension. Your registry problems are a nightmare, and you are beginning to have a very bad day. You wanted to accomplish so much today and all you seem to have is problems. Even trying to fix the registry on your own - presuming you have the training - can be a daunting task. Trying to determine what and where the problem is can be a real headache to the untrained.
Economic Cost vs. Fix Registry Review Software
Now let's consider the economic cost to fix the registry. This could be time lost in productivity. Bringing your computer to a "techie" and waiting hours or days to get it back may not be the best solution to the problem. The cost to bring your computer to a "techie" will be expensive.
Fix Registry Review Software Is Digital
Digital software can be downloaded in seconds. You don't have to use your precious time to go purchase it from the store. It takes up very little space on the hard drive. It uses very little CPU/RAM. Most computers should be able to run it. Outside of replacing any hardware - which would be a different problem - this software should solve your computer problems immediately. No need to format the hard drive, re-install your Windows Operating System, all your computer programs, or waste a whole day working on this. You can download the software immediately for a free scan.
Now Lets Analyze Our Choices
First, to have a technical person fix the registry, I will either have to bring my PC to their business or they would need to come to my business. This is going to be time consuming and costly. Second, if I reformat the hard-drive, it will probably take 4-6 hours or more to accomplish this. I will save a lot of money but it will also be very time consuming. This will affect my downtime on the work I'm trying to accomplish. Third, I can check out the fix registry review software registry cleaner to find the best registry cleaning software online. All I have to do is download the software and run it. It will automatically backup the computer programs, fix the registry in a matter of minutes, and I can get back to work. Fix registry review software will scan my computer, remove the registry problems, fix, optimize, and bring the system back to life - in minutes! Thanks to computer programmers and developers who build software programs, fix registry review software registry cleaner will make a huge difference. Also, with this software, I can continue to keep my registry running at peak performance so I won't have to go through this problem again. Protecting your computer is just plain smart business. The cost is minimal. The time factor is huge!
a Word to the Wise
Always have a full current backup of your computers programs! It only takes a minute to back up the hard drive which is time well invested!

Larry Hoezee
http://www.antivirusremovaltool.com Easily download, scan, and fix registry problems, viruses, driver devices, malware, secure online protection, spyware, and secure backup within minutes. Removing adware, spyware, and malware is simple. Anybody can do it with the right tools. Antivirus Removal Tool has all the right tools. Read a new post on (how do I get rid of adware), go to http://www.antivirusremovaltool.com/how-do-I-get-rid-of-adware/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8331626

Protection From Cyber Attacks

Catastrophic data breaches and hacking cases are some of the most common in companies today. Self-inflicted data leaks can put the security of any company at risk exposing it to different kinds of attacks. Businesses make huge losses through such leaks and protecting your company information is crucial in keeping unidentified attacks at bay. Investigators offer services to ensure that your companies are all well protected from the attacks. They can help you with protection through different ways.
Sealing data leaks - This is important in keeping intellectual property theft at bay. Losses from this kind of theft can be hefty and can actually even run you out of business. The investigators will help you in keeping your date safe, protecting you even from insider attacks and financial fraud. These professionals know exactly what is best for the protection of your business's top confidential information keeping data leaks at bay.
Identifying risks - When you know the potential risks your business faces, you will be in a better position to find strategies that will work to help you avoid the risks in general. The investigators can conduct comprehensive threat assessments in your line of business to identify the vulnerabilities as well as outright data leaks that can put you in risks leading to the attacks. Counter intelligent activities can be put in place to prevent enemies and even competitors from getting your business secrets. The mission is to protect critical information for the benefit of your business.
Discover unintentional or malicious employee misconduct - Fact is that most attacks rely on an inside job and this is what puts your employees on the radar for the investigators. Even though they remain to be the greatest asset for your company or business, they can also turn to be your greatest risks without you knowing. Data leaks are especially done through emails even though they can be unintentional. On the other hand, turnovers and downsizing as well as corporate restructuring can leave your business at risk with your employees. Investigators can help you out on this by assessing the risks as well as the vulnerabilities being exploited leaving you to future problems. They can help you evaluate and manage employee misconduct before damage is done to your company.
Identify your adversaries - Knowing adversaries is crucial in being a success in business today. This is because you will also get to know the direct threats they pose to you as well as the possible attacks they can unleash on your company and what they have to say about you. They are the people who can cause serious financial damage to any business, hence the need to take a proactive stance in competing and staying ahead of the game. Investigators can help you know exactly who your adversaries are, what they are doing and what they are saying through the information they broadcast. They can then offer you competitive intelligence solutions to keep you on the winning track every time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8967800

RIP-OFFS: Online Computer Repair and Remote Virus Removal

I have been doing remote computer repair for people across the United States and around the world for nearly a decade, giving PC help to people with malware removal, virus removal, pop ups, or a slow computer. Online computer repair or online virus removal is definitely a time saver and a money saver. Remote virus removal can certainly save a person hundreds of dollars over the cost of taking the PC to a local computer repair shop.

Although using a remote online computer technician is definitely the way to go for PC help, nevertheless there are some pitfalls. I constantly hear horror stories from customers that had previously used an online computer repair service for their computer problems with less than desirable results. Consequently I have put together this list of computer scams to watch out for when contracting with someone to provide remote computer help.

1. USA Based - Really? Most people don't want to talk to someone in India with an accent so heavy that you can't understand them. That's why many websites will say, "USA Based." But are they really? I have found that many websites advertise they are in the U.S. but the person on the phone, who claims they are in the U.S. still sounds like someone from India. It is not wise to deal with someone who has just lied to you. Hint: Read the text of a website carefully. You will probably find one or two grammatical errors on sites that they are not really U.S. based, and of course, you will know instantly when they answer the phone. Just say, "Sorry, wrong number."

2. Super Low Price: There are companies out there claiming they can remove viruses, plus fix any and all problems, and do a PC tune-up, all for the low price of $39.99. As someone who has been doing computer service full time for 24 years, I can tell you that it takes several hours for a PC tech to do all that and do it right. How can they do this for such a cut-rate price? There are three ways: 1. Hire a bunch of young geeks that are still learning and let them practice on your computer. 2. Be based in India or the Philippines or some foreign country where labor is cheap. 3. Do the very minimum to just get by without concern for conscientious quality work. Some places do all three. The old adage - "You get what you pay for." Applicable to online computer repair. If you want good quality remote computer repair you need to pay for it. Try to save a buck and you can end up with a destroyed computer and/or many hours of frustration as you call back over and over to try to get the online computer help you were promised. Good Advice: If you want a good PC tech, don't pick the cheapest bidder.

3. Certified - Really? Does the website tell you who is going to be fixing your PC? Are the name, credentials and experience of the computer technician posted on the website? I have called some of these supposedly Microsoft certified websites and when I asked exactly which credential was held with Microsoft and the computer service company could not give me an answer.

4. Free Antivirus Software: The online computer service company offers a free antivirus software after the repair. Be aware that they are only giving you something you can get for free yourself. Again, you get what you pay for. Free antivirus software might be better than nothing, but not by much. I remove malware every day from computers that are protected by free antivirus products and they are very infected. Only the antivirus products that you purchase are adequate. When a remote computer repair company gives free inferior products to customers it gives them a false sense of security that will lead to their PC eventually getting hit by a virus. A PC technician that is really looking out for your best interests will offer to sell you a quality product that works.

5. Free Scan Scam: Here's how it works. You call a remote computer repair service because your printer doesn't work. The online computer service says they will connect to your machine and tell you what is wrong for free, no obligation. Then you can decide what to do next. Free diagnosis! Sounds good, right? Lots of people fall for this. So the PC technician connects to your machine and runs a program (that they have created) that pretends to do a scan of your computer. In just 3 minutes this software reports hundreds of registry errors, dozens of problems in the event log, dozens of viruses, trojans and spyware. They tell you that you have got to get this fixed right away before all your files disappear and your computer won't work at all. After the scare tactics, they give you an outrageous price of $300.00. After paying that and they supposedly fix all these errors, chances are your printer still will not work. But the real fact is - there is not a piece of software in the world that can tell you what's wrong with a computer in a few minutes. I have over two decades of experience and I can tell you that it takes a couple hours of careful work to properly evaluate a computer. I have helped many customers who told me they had just experienced this scam. Fortunately they called me and in many cases their computer was not in nearly as bad a shape as they had been led to believe.

6. One Year Service Contract Scam: Pay $300 per year and call for remote PC repair as often as you want. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I've talked to lots of people that have been burned by this. There is only one way an online computer repair company can offer that and stay in business, and that is to not fulfill their promise. The service contract is long and in fine print and is not read by most customers. I have read them. The fine print says that if you bother them too much they can just cut you loose, provide no further computer help, and not give you any refund. Their interest is going to be in getting new customers to pay the $300, not in providing computer help for you over and over. You also have to wonder if such a computer service company will even still be in business six months down the road.

7. Cold Call Scam: "Microsoft called me and said my PC is infected." I have heard this countless times from people that call me for advice. I tell them right off the bat: "I'll be happy to do a virus check and perform malware removal on your PC for $59.99, but know this first, what you were told is not true and it was not Microsoft that called you. Microsoft doesn't call anyone and they would have no way of knowing if your PC is infected." This scam is very common. If you get this call do not be alarmed and don't be suckered into paying them to "fix" it.

8. The Big Company Scam: Many of my customers have told me that they went to a company website for their computer problems and got a number and then called and talked with HP, or Dell, or the list goes on: Microsoft, IBM, Norton, Toshiba, etc. and this company told them they had multitudes of problems, they needed malware removal and other repairs to take care of pop ups, a slow computer, or other issues and they could fix all this for a certain price. What these people didn't realize is that they were not actually speaking with the actual company they thought they were. Many online computer service companies unscrupulously advertise that they are Dell, or Microsoft or whoever. They put up websites and Google ads designed to trick you into thinking they are support for HP or whoever. Once they have you thinking they are the company that made your computer, or your software or your printer, then they have a better chance at selling you their next scam. Anytime you go to a website look at the URL and see where you are. If it says for example, FixMyHP.com or something like that and not, HP.com, then you are possibly on a scam website.

Summary: Online Remote Computer Repair is the easiest and most economical way to get your computer repaired. By being aware of the above scams you can select a reputable computer service and save time and money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8770346

Antivirus Software - The Defense Mechanism Of Your Business

Viruses have become very sophisticated these days, how could Anti-Virus lag behind? The latest face off between virus writers and antivirus makers has led to the release of many new viruses on the net on a daily basis. To counter them, antivirus makers have to constantly come up with latest release that you need to update on your computer. The threat compounds if you own a business and do all your business transactions on the internet. It becomes extremely important to ensure that you have a safe and strong defense system to safeguard your computer from the external threat.
For your convenience and knowledge, we have listed some advantages of having Antivirus software just in case you are having second thoughts:
Protection from Virus.
Defense against Malwares, Spam's and spywares.
Your data will be secured.
Your computer's performance will be optimum.
Antivirus Support - The savior in desperate times
There are many other benefits, but we have only listed a few of the most important benefits of having antivirus software installed. All these software's have their own antivirus technical support team to ensure you do not face any hiccup during the entire experience. Some of the functions of the Antivirus tech support team are mentioned below:
Help in installation of the software.
Assist in up gradation of database.
Scan your entire computer system to check if there are viruses in the computer.
Quarantine the infected areas and delete the viruses.
The antivirus support team is available 24/7; all you need to do is give them a call as soon as you run into any difficulty. Companies today give too much importance to the tech support team because they are the ones who help in maintaining the right image of the product in the market. The various ways of seeking help from them are:
Phone - You can directly give them a call and they will guide you.
Email- you can drop them a mail and they mail you the solution back.
Live chat - there are forums wherein you can log in and chat with them live and get the solution to your problems.
So, in the end what we are saying is:
Your antivirus is your assurance towards data security. You can transfer all your worries to the antivirus tech support team and sleep peacefully. You can sit in the comforts of your house or office and get all your issues resolved with accuracy and precision. They will also guide you towards what you need to do in case you face the same issue in the future. The world of internet is a dynamic world and increasingly it is being used for getting much work done. More and more companies are using this platform as a medium to get all their financial transactions done. Under these circumstances, the threat of virus is even more prominent since you are constantly keeping your doors open for them to come inside and create havoc. The only protection you have is the Antivirus software.

The writer is an antivirus tech support team expert at WeTechies LLC,a company offering tech support for computers. Call 1-800-986-4205, connect with a live technician remotely, and get your issue resolved instantly while speaking on the antivirus technical support number.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8746406

How to Protect Your Passwords Properly

Looking back at last 20 years ( I am writing this in 2014), use of systems and passwords has become an unwanted but unavoidable requirement in our daily life. We always require to stay atop of many forms and layers of online protection of our sensitive data. Some examples where we need to use passwords, pass phrases, identifiable pictures etc. are banks, schools, credit cards, emails, work login, work search, kids account, entertainment, communications, and more and more. As far as the number goes, all these requirements are increasing and as far as complication goes, they are becoming increasingly complicated in nature to use and manage.

20 years back, I had only two account passwords that I had to manage. One email and one bank account. Today I manage over 200 online safety memory chips including for me and for my family! (Wow writing this makes me feel safe! Really..?)

Again, 20 years back I could put in 6 alphabets or numbers and it was considered a safe, secure password. Today, I have to use alphabets in lower and upper case, numbers and special characters with the strength indicators showing strength of the password as we are typing it to understand how strong and safe the password is (In case there is a cyber crime to crack down the passwords.) Many companies will not let me use the parts of my name in the password. Then I have to associate my account to an image and keep the image in mind. Further I have to answer some security questions (typically from 3 to 5). To add even more, every now and then I need to associate and confirm my account with a cell phone number! Then there is separate 4 digit pin for bank ATM's etc. Even my voice mail has a 6 digit pass-code!

Talk about complexity! Talk about memorizing!

Is the technology helpful to protect our sensitive data? Yes! Has the technology complicated the issue and pushed us way more to manage in terms of passwords, security etc.? Yes!

So how to manage these complications. Here are some do's and don'ts for it.

Do's

1. Use long complex passwords.

2. Generate and use random passwords yourself.

3. Keep your passwords in an isolated safe file. Write if you want. Even better is to spend a few bucks to have a dedicated drive, USB etc.

4. Use limited login attempts at all the allowed institutions. It basically means after 3 or 2 or 4 (whatever the set number is) unsuccessful log in attempts, your account will be automatically disabled and you will have to go either personally or call to prove your ID and then get your account reinstated. It seems annoying in the beginning but it is a great tool to protect your ID in the long run.

5. Answer security questions in a non traditional manner. Example; Name of the first dog. Traditional answer: whisky. Non traditional answer: Ihadnodog.

6. Always keep the current back up out of your computer such as in a USB drive.

7. Many experts suggest to use copy+paste rather than typing in the web forms, so follow it when you are logging in.

8. Have a real complex master password for any file that you might be using to store and protect your sensitive information such as passwords, security questions etc.

9. Often change your passwords. Update your record if you are managing it.

10. Always have a working anti-virus program installed. Run the program every few days in manual mode.

11. Delete the accounts you no longer need.

Don'ts

1. Don't use any online system to save and protect your data. It might be chrome or internet explorer provoking you to 'remember' your login information. It might be a service provider tool as Norton protection. I personally call it a third party dependency and it can restrict, corrupt or disintegrate any time. Your passwords and other information is lost without any back up in this case and worst case now all of it can be available to someone else as well..

2. Never use same password for more than one log-in portfolio..

3. Do not use easily guessable passwords such as: abc123, 123ABC, 0123456789, XYZ etc. Cyber crime computers attack through the internet and try thousands of password combinations in a minute. They can easily guess the easy passwords and log into your account. The damage can take a-lot to repair in this case!.

4. Do not use a computer to generate random passwords.

5. Do not give access to unknown apps through social media.

6. Avoid using public computers in libraries, schools, restaurants, hotels etc. If you do have to use it, un-check the "remember me" option before you log-in and clear up everything after use such as cookies, history etc. Make sure you are allowed to clear it and you are not violating any public institution policy.

7. Sharing a password is usually prohibited so do not share your passwords.

Creating and managing as per these guidelines will help you to protect your accounts and data safety for a long period.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8743232

Beginners Guide to Selecting the Right Antivirus for Business

Why, what and How of the Antivirus World
Millions of dollars are spent every year to keep your computer clean from viruses and protect it from external threats. However, it may not be enough since virus creators are always finding new ways to breach your defense system. So how do you ensure safety and security in times of crisis? Well, selecting the best antivirus software is your first bet and if you are wondering how you are supposed to do that then you may consider following these guidelines:
Cost - This is obviously one of the parameters on the basis of which you will decide whether to go for particular software or not. Please understand that costly software's doesn't always mean efficient software's.
User interface - software which is hard to navigate ask more questions than it answers. Always select software which is easy to operate and understand.
Reviews - What others, who have already used the product, say about the product is extremely important. Their opinions can shape your decision or sway it in favor of one particular brand.
Technical Support- you need to ensure your software manufacturer provides you the antivirus technical support number, which you can call in case you run into trouble.
The latest data suggest that virus creators are finding better ways to skip past the defense mechanism and attack networks. What do you do in case you are told that your computer already has a virus and you don't even know about it? Surprised, aren't you? But this is the harsh reality. So what do you do after you identify that your computer is infected? Well, first things first, call the antivirus tech support number and tell them about the issues you are facing. They will perform the following actions:
They will first guide you towards the first precautionary measures that need to be taken to safeguard your data against the external threat.
Then they can either take remote access of your computer or scan your computer for you or you can do it yourself under their guidance.
Once the virus is identified, they will quarantine it.
They can also help you in configuration of the software and updating your database.
Thinking and Rethinking
The antivirus support number is one of the most vital parts of the entire software package, since it is this number that will ensure that you enjoy seamless computer and network usage. Most antivirus software's, use up a lot of your computer's hardware resulting in slow computer. The technical support team can optimize your computer's performance by re configuring the software according to your computer's configuration. What we need to remember is that the bad guys are getting worse and the internet world is increasingly being filled with malicious content. A computer without an antivirus is like an open invitation to the world to come in and set up base. It is the antivirus software which filters the good content from the bad one and decides what should go in and what should be stopped.

The writer is an antivirus tech support expert at WeTechies LLC,a company offering tech support for computers. Call 1-800-986-4205, connect with a live technician remotely, and get your issue resolved instantly while speaking on the antivirus support number.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8746340