Q. - I have a Windows XP Computer. I've been told that Microsoft isn't supporting XP anymore, but that doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Can you explain?

A. - Basically, Microsoft frequently sends out updates to the operating systems (XP, Vista, 7, 8) that help to update or "patch" areas of the system that are weak, faulty, or vulnerable to hacking, and are areas a hacker or malware may target. XP has been around for 13 years and Microsoft is no longer sending out updates to patch any glitches or vulnerabilities. This means that now your computer may have more problems functioning and is more susceptible to attacks. Essentially, if you use the Internet with your computer, your computer is in jeopardy. Microsoft is also not providing technical support for people having issues with XP.


Q. - I have antivirus software. Won't that save me from any security problems?

A. - Anti-virus software is a good start, but in this case, the vulnerabilities are not something an anti-virus software will necessarily be able to protect you from.

Your antivirus software may even mess up your system if it is not XP-compatible. For example, Microsoft Security Essentials recently came out with an update that, once downloaded, has wreaked havoc on XP systems. The solution? Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials. Although not intentional, this problem illustrates the need to update to a newer version of Windows.


Q. - I’ve heard Windows 8 has lots of problems, is this true? Should I use Windows 7 instead?

A. - The short answer is no, read on to see why.
Every new operating system has issues when first released to the public. These problems are best revealed by lots of people pushing buttons and seeing what happens. In the case of Windows 8, a lot of the bad press it got was from people who were not familiar with how to use the new “Metro” or “tile” interface. Windows 8 was designed to function similarly on different devices, most of which use touch screens. The idea was that if you were using your Windows phone, switched to your Microsoft Surface Tablet, and then to your Windows 8 desktop, you could have the same experience on each one. The problem with that is that each of these devices are used differently; what works good on one doesn't always work as well on another. So if you’ve been using a keyboard and mouse for years, and you suddenly have a new operating system designed for touch, you might find yourself lost.

The other major change was the removal of the Start Menu. Microsoft recognized this mistake and will be releasing a new update later this year to replace it. In the meantime, we have software options that create a Start Menu in Windows 8, and you never have to see that new interface again! Unless you have a very particular piece of software that is completely incompatible with Windows 8, there’s no reason to avoid it.


Q. - Do I need to have a touch screen to use Windows 8?

A. - Nope! While Windows 8 is far more touch friendly than Windows 7, you don’t need to have a touch screen. A touch screen can be useful and fun to use, plus many laptops include them now.


Q. - So if I want to upgrade, can you help me?

A. - Absolutely! We can help you purchase a new computer with Windows 7 or 8. We also offer factory refurbished computers; these systems are usually off-lease computers that have been used in an office environment and are a great choice when faced with a limited budget. Another option is installing Windows 8 on your computer that currently has XP on it, but this is often not cost-effective, given the age of most systems still running XP. Contact us today to discuss your needs!

Yesterday a previously unknown security flaw was discovered in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser. This vulnerability exists in the more recent versions--from versions 6 to 11. These versions are used in Windows XP through Windows 8.1. Until Microsoft releases a patch for this vulnerability it is recommended that you stop using Internet Explorer. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Opera as alternatives until this flaw has been repaired.

You can download Google Chrome here, Mozilla Firefox here, or Opera here. If you have any questions or need any help just let us know!

To read more about this threat, check out these articles:

US & UK Governments say "Stop using IE!"

New Zero-Day Flaw in IE

Security Alert! There’s a sneaky type of Ransomware (infection) going around right now called CryptoLocker. Your virus software *won’t necessarily protect you from this one.* If you get infected, your files become encrypted and you cannot get your data back by getting your computer cleaned up.

There’s no guarantee you can avoid the virus, but this is what you can do:

• Back up your data! This backup cannot be via a network or anything that stays plugged into your computer, since the virus can travel over a network or to a connected device and encrypt/destroy that data too. We recommend an online, offsite backup that supports archiving (keeps multiple copies/versions of each file) such as Jungle Disk, Crash Protect, Carbonite or Mozy.
• Do not open email attachments when you are unsure of the sender or attachment. The CryptoLocker is said to look like shipping info from a legit company, such as Fed-Ex and often looks like a PDF. It may also be a link to a site where the file is located. If you are unsure about an email attachment, just email your sender about any attachments they have included in an email.
• Download and install the “CryptoPrevent” utility. CryptoPrevent is a tiny utility designed to lock down any Windows OS (XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1) to prevent infection by the CryptoLocker malware or “ransomware.” Scroll way down and click the download that says, “CryptoPrevent Installer.” It’s the second blue button.
  .

If you need help, just let us know!

For more information regarding CryptoLocker, read this link.

This time of year the storms come rolling through. As a result, we often run across a handful of computers that have sustained damages from the lightning. Here's some advice so you can avoid being one of our clients who needs a new computer. 

Unplug Your Electronics--and Anything Connected
Electricity follows the path of least resistance and any physical connection to your computer should be disconnected. That is, it's best to unplug both your computer as well as all cables and cords, including Internet cable, printers, external hard drives, monitors, etc. Don’t forget to unplug your modem or router as well. If your computer uses a wired Internet connection, and the modem is still plugged in, a surge can travel along that path.

An easy way to unplug things efficiently is to have everything plugged in to the same surge protector-power strip. Then simply unplug the power strip as storms approach. Although we do recommend having a surge protector, we've seen where the surge protectors do not offer enough protection from lightning, and during a storm it's best to unplug altogether.

If You Have a "Zapped" Computer
If your computer is struck, your home or rental insurance policy may cover the cost of replacement. We can provide an assessment, estimate and replacement, if you should need one. In the case of a lightning strike it is usually recommended to replace the computer, as there is no reliable way to determine the full extent of the damage and some problems appear in the days or weeks following the strike.

As always, if you have questions, give us a call or send us an email!

Welcome to the Yellowstone Computing Blog! We hope to keep our customers and friends informed about current trends, keeping their computer secure, services we offer, etc. 

We will regularly post links to our blog on our Facebook Page, you can subscribe to our blog, or you can just check back here periodically to stay updated on our latest posts.