Critical Computer

Is this in your computer?

One of the most neglected parts of any business computer system are the desktops.  While things on the outside look clean and neat, the “insides” can tell a much different story.   Computers count on air to move through the system case to keep all the parts cool – especially the power supply and processor.  When dirt and debris from the air block the movement of air, the computer overheats and electronic components fail.

Keeping the computer clean and running is far cheaper than replacing it – and in times when budgets are tighter than ever, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Computers in an office environment should be cleaned yearly.  Computers in a production/manufacturing environment (where the density of airborne debris is much higher) quarterly.

Cleaning is more than running a vaccum across the back of the computer until it looks good; a complete cleaning includes opening up the case of the computer, removing cards and components, thoroughly cleaning the fans and solid state parts carefully.   But dangers like static electricity (especially here in Minnesota in the winter) or putting something back wrong will cause more problems that you solved by cleaning it.

There are websites out there that can help you – and if you are tech-savvy, I encourage you to search them out.   However, if you’d prefer a professional, here I am

admin Uncategorized computer cleaning, cooling, maintenance, static dangers

The web is abuzz (filthy? sated?) with new malware, spam and keyloggers… all out to find out what you do, where you go, and nab your logins and passwords.  I know of one person who has already had their login and password captured and sure enough, someone logged into her secure account and changed her password so she could not get in.  Luckily she caught it before any damage was done.

You never think it will happen to you, and yet it does happen.

Windows XP/Vista is the most common system attacked (purely because that’s the bulk of what’s out there.  That said, there are more and more attacks on the Apple/Mac platform every week, so don’t feel too safe you Apple users!)  For our Windows users, here are three programs that I recommend that are FREE for personal use. Let me restate: PERSONAL use; they are available for purchase to use commercially, but you should buy them to use them at your place of business.

ANTIVIRUS: AntiVir Personal. This program catches viruses and trojans that Norton/Symantec, McAfee, AVG and others miss. The only annoying thing is the daily full-screen banner which encourages you to buy it if you want to add additional protection. I use it on all my home computers. It doesn’t slow down your computer as badly as the big AV programs do… and it does a better job. http://www.free-av.com

MALWARE: MalwareBytes. Another great program to dig out deep infestations of malware. Basically update it and run it once or twice a week. It’s amazing (and sometimes scary) what it finds, ESPECIALLY that extra-nasty Antivirus 2008 trap. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SPYWARE: Spybot Search and Destroy. It isn’t pretty graphically, but it is probably the most comprehensive spyware/trojan/you-name-it out there. I’m all for function before form. In addition to just the program which you can run daily, it also has an ‘immunization’ process which will block your browser from even going to sites that are known to contain the stuff to begin with. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (use your own folksy saying here). http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

In almost every case (I have to allow for some exceptions) I always say ‘yes, delete/erase/quarantine’ when these programs find something.  As always, if you need help or get stuck, I got your back: call me at 612-710-2617.

admin Uncategorized antivirus, cleaning, keyloggers, malware, prevention, spam, spyware

I have over 26 years of experience with personal and professional computer use. In that time, I’ve learned that year-end can be a busy time for computer administrators and users, to the point that very time-sensitive tasks are often ignored or delayed – often to devastating results months later.

Here’s some of my best reminders that you should not ‘low prioritize’:

1. If your main system(s) summarize 2008 detail transactions (such a financial) into starting values for 2009, make sure you back up your full system BEFORE you run the posting programs. This will enable you the option to ‘go back’ in the event of posting failure… or later enable research into ‘how did that number get there’ efforts.

2. If you run incremental backups, now is the best time to renew/refresh your master backups. If you don’t have a master backup (everything! not just database), you should make one for each system/server/workstation. The time you spend now will pay off when a system crashes or needs emergency rebuilding.

3. If your organization has had employee/user turnover, check your system and application logins and make sure they are current. Disable them whenever possible to keep security high.

4. Speaking of security, now is a good time to change admin passwords as well as force staff/user password resets (especially if they are not forced to change). Don’t forget vpn, remote access, router, and off-site (such as ftp and web server) passwords.

5. Finally, visit your disaster management plan. Is it still current? Valid? Effective? Update it for new assets, equipment and software you’ve added or removed.

See you in 2009!  Happy New Year!

admin Uncategorized change password, master backup, update disaster plan, year end backup

Like a lots of companies, we’ve endured some technical challenges on our website/email servers.  Unlike a lot of companies, we aren’t putting up with it because we want our internet presence and email to be reliable.

So we’ve moved off our old system and put all our customers to a new system at no additional cost.  This new platform will be more reliable and remove a lot of the little pains that we were getting.

Emails have been sent with new access and email information, but if you didn’t get yours, contact Brian at bhayes@criticalcomputer.com or call 612-710-2617.

admin Uncategorized