Tag: antivirus

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Should I Use a Firewall to Protect My PC?

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Should I Use a Firewall

It’s amazing how little people know about firewalls – only 4% of Americans say they understand firewalls completely. Most people don’t understand them at all. Hopefully, this article can help to shed some light!

When asking yourself the question, “Should I Use a Firewall?” Our answer is pretty simple. It’s “Yes.” But to truly understand why a firewall is a necessary defensive measure on your laptop or desktop computer, here are some considerations.

Should I Use a Firewall to Protect My PC?

To understand why you should be using a firewall, it’s necessary to understand what your computer is without one. Think of it like this – your computer has an “open door” policy without any form of protection.

Essentially, it’s wide open for hackers to access any sensitive information on your computer. If you keep any records of credit cards, bank account information or passwords on your computer, it may be accessible.

This connection happens when your computer accesses the Internet. You may be slightly safer on your home network – but is that the only place you use your computer? Most people use laptops on unsecured networks in a coffee shop, airport, or on other public wifi sources.

A good firewall will not only protect you from these possibilities, but will also scan your computer for any vulnerabilities, and instruct you for files or programs that make it easier for hackers to gain access to your precious personal information.

A good firewall will perform a couple of very specific actions:

  • Outsmarts sophisticated hackers
  • Catches hackers even if they manage to get past the firewall
  • Makes you essentially invisible to hacker tools

Firewalls work as a shield between your computer and the Internet. Essentially, they monitor the constant exchange of information between your computer and the web.

Firewalls filter content to see if it fits certain standards deemed to be safe or not, then allow or disallow information to be sent, often with a warning if a security threat is found. A good firewall program will keep an up-to-date list of security threats, as they’re constantly evolving.

Basic firewalls come standard on Windows operating systems, but firewalls with additional security featured can be purchased and used instead of these basic programs. It’s recommended that you opt for this extra security.

In addition to a firewall, you should be using an antivirus program. Although a firewall can detect malicious threats, it cannot remove them. That’s where antivirus programs come in.

Together, these two tools form the perfect pair for a safe computer, and protects your information from outsiders. If your desktop computer or laptop already has viruses, Target PC has virus removal services that can turn this problem around.

Are you still wondering, “Should I use a firewall to protect my PC?” Do you need more guidance as to how to implement a firewall for protection on your PC? Get in touch with us online or call us at (440) 725-0642 for more information!

Does your computer have a firewall? What are your best practices? Share in the comments!

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The Reasons for Frequent Windows Defender Updates

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frequent windows defender updates

Windows Defender is a antivirus software product that strives to detect and remove malware.

At first, it was released as an antispyware program as a free download for Windows XP. It shipped with Windows Vista and now comes standard with Windows 10 with antivirus capabilities.

Windows Defender is an application that once installed, runs in the background and lets you know when you need to take specific actions.

One of the best features of Windows Defender, however, is the ability to use it anytime to scan for malware. Most people use this feature if their computer isn’t working correctly, of if they suspect a link online or on an email.

Windows Defender replaced Windows Security Essentials and is truly a great antivirus tool for a PC to have, but it’s only as good as you make it. The main reasons for frequent Windows Defender updates is that the program is essentially useless without them!

Reasons for Frequent Windows Defender Updates

Whenever you update Windows Defender, definitions of known spyware and other potentially harmful software get updated on your computer.

As you should well known, spyware is continuously changing shape and being updated. Your computer must also be constantly updated so that it can recognize security threats.

A failure to update any type of antivirus software on a regular basis is unnecessarily exposing your computer to virus problems.

As alluded to previously, reasons for frequent windows defender updates include supporting two of Window’s Defenders best features:

  • Real-time protection to threats as a user comes upon them
  • Browser integration: Windows Defender works seamlessly with Internet Explorer.

    Microsoft Edge makes it so files can be scanned as they’re being downloaded to prevent malicious software being installed on your computer.

    Unfortunately at this time, it doesn’t integrate with other web browsers, but can still scan downloaded fills for malware.

As with most antivirus protection programs, you can make it easy to install updates. Update your settings to download updates in the background or to remind you at a certain time each day to focus on downloading updates.

To get the most out of Windows Defender, don’t use it in addition to another antivirus program. In fact, Microsoft warns that if you want to use a different antivirus software from another provider, you should uninstall this program.

If it’s already too late and your computer has viruses, we can help. We offer both laptop and desktop virus removal solutions.

If you’re looking to prevent additional problems that could be caused by security threats, check out our previous article about the top 5 most common ways to get viruses on your PC.

At the end of the day, antivirus software will help extend the life of your computer much longer than without! Get in touch by calling (440)725-0642 or fill out our online contact form and we can help make sense of what’s going on with your computer right now, and how to protect it from further harm.

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The Top 5 Most Common Ways to Get Viruses on Your PC

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most common ways to get viruses

It’s unfortunate that wherever you turn, there’s a possibility that your computer will be overrun by viruses. The best ways to protect yourself include being cautious and installing virus protection, but even those methods are not without fault. Arm yourself with knowledge so that you can do your best to prevent viruses from ruining your PC.

The Top 5 Most Common Ways to Get Viruses on Your PC

You opened an infected email.

Most modern email clients have built-in virus scanning, but some don’t, and none are 100% effective at protecting your computer from virus-infested attachments. So, exercise caution.

Some best practices:

  • Don’t open emails from people you don’t know.
  • Even if you do know the sender, beware of strange subject lines and other warning signs
  • Use a built-in scanner to scan an email before opening it or downloading attachments
  • Get a total protection antivirus software solution to reinforce the aforementioned best practices

You’re surfing an unsafe website.

This is perhaps one of the most common ways to get viruses on your PC. It’s hard to put a finger exactly on what makes a website safe or unsafe. Some are more obvious than others, but some have threats hidden in plain sight. A good rule of thumb is that if your gut is telling you that something’s wrong, it probably is.

Furthermore, if you’re served a popup that claims your computer is infected… don’t click it! The only notifications you should trust are the ones that clearly come from your antivirus software. Beware of any and all popups, especially those that make crazy claims.

You assume that antivirus software fully protects you.

Antivirus software will protect you from many threats, but it’s not infallible. Just as people are constantly changing, so are viruses. Even if you just downloaded updates for your antivirus software, there may already be a new threat that wasn’t accounted for.

A best practice is to update antivirus software on a daily basis, and be careful when surfing the internet and opening emails.

…Or you don’t use antivirus software at all.

A lot of people mistakenly think they can just be “smart,” and avoid viruses by being extra-careful while surfing online and going through emails. The plain fact of the matter is that some things just slip through the cracks.

It’s impossible to be constantly vigilant, especially when some virus problems are hidden from plain sight, or disguised in something that doesn’t look like a threat. So instead of taking a chance, install anti-virus software. It’s more than worth the investment.

You’re not using a firewall.

A firewall is an important piece of the puzzle for protecting your PC from outside threats. Most PCs have a built-in firewall that you can activate, but there are other solutions online depending on how much protection you think your PC needs.

If you have one of the most common ways to get viruses on your PC, it’s not too late! Target PC has both laptop virus removal and desktop virus removal. For more information, use the form on our website to get in touch, or call (440)725-0642.

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6 Ways to Make Your PC Run Faster

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Make your PC run faster

If you’ve had your PC for more than a year or two, inevitably it will have gotten slower with use. It happens to the best of us, no matter what precautions we take. The good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way.

You CAN make your PC run faster.

Here’s how:

Use Anti-Virus software and update it often.

The Mac clan will tell you that their computers never get viruses, but that is rapidly changing. It used to be that everyone had a PC and few had a Mac computer of any type. Thus, most viruses were designed for the masses.

The times are changing, and Mac and PC are almost equal opportunity for viruses. As such, it’s important to protect your computer with Anti-Virus software, and to download updates as fast as they come up.

As in real life, viruses mutate and change all the time. An old version of Anti-Virus software is not going to protect your computer as well as a new version. Our Desktop Virus Removal service may be of interest if your computer has a lot of viruses to fight.

Upgrade your RAM.

It’s likely that you bought a PC for what you needed at the time, not considering other potential uses for your PC (like Netflix!). There’s often room to upgrade, and if you want to make your PC run faster, one of the main things you should look to do is upgrade your RAM.

RAM is what increases a PC’s processing power, which is what allows you to multitask with many programs open and running… fast… at a time. We do hardware repairs and upgrades if you’re interested in upgrading your RAM!

Upgrade your Hard drive.

This is probably the most expensive option short of upgrading your entire computer. Maybe your PC runs alright when you’re using it, but does it take forever to start up? You may want to consider upgrading from a hard drive to a solid state drive.

A solid state drive has no moving parts, making it a more efficient drive for your computer. Though it is a new technology, they are getting more affordable at a rapid pace. We do hardware repairs and upgrades if you’re interested in upgrading your hard drive!

Close any unused programs.

Do you have a lot of programs that open at startup? Or maybe you open a lot when you’re on your PC, but don’t remember to close them after you’re done using them. One of the easiest ways to make your computer faster is simply to close any programs you aren’t using. It will free up your computer’s hardware to focus on other tasks.

Clear your internet cache.

While surfing the web, we download a lot of files… some that we don’t even realize! Every once in awhile, it’s important to clear the internet cache of all the files we don’t really need or want, and make room for new ones.

Regularly restart and shut down your computer.

Here’s an obvious tip that often goes ignored. Give your PC a break! You need one, and your computer can definitely benefit from one as well. So if you’re done with work for the day, shut down your computer.

Contact Target PC Repair with any other questions or to make your PC run faster!

What other tips have worked to make your PC run faster? Please share in the comments!

 

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Peform Regular Computer Maintenance to Avoid Issues

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Peform Regular Computer Maintenance to Avoid Issues

When regular computer maintenance doesn’t occur, you may begin to notice a decline in system performance.

Regular computer maintenance is crucial to keeping your system running smoothly, quickly, and protecting it against unwanted security threats.

In this short guide, we will review a few regular computer maintenance basics you can easily perform on your PC.

Keeps Windows Updated

For nearly two decades, Microsoft has been keeping us notified of important system updates. In fact, you may see the Windows Update icon pop up in your system tray advising you of recommended updates.

To ensure reliable and secure system performance, it is best that you install all updates Microsoft recommends. In fact, you would be wise to enable automatic updates to prevent missing anything critical.

Keep Your Security Software Updated

First thing is first… you do have spyware and antivirus programs installed, right?

If not, be sure to invest in name brand security software. This is an important step in regular computer maintenance, as malicious security threats are easier to prevent than remove.

Make sure that your security software is running at all times, especially while you’re browsing the web or using any other internet-based applications.

Most security software will include automatic updates; however, to be on the safe side, it is a good idea to double check weekly that your software is up-to-date.

Keep Your Applications Updated

Many popular software applications, such as Skype and iTunes, will issue frequent updates. Although these updates are sometimes for functional reasons, they often contain security updates, as well.

If an application prompts you to update it, do so without delay.

You may otherwise find yourself at risk for various viruses or security threats.

Uninstall Unused Applications

If you have installed an application, and you no longer use it, be sure to uninstall it. This is also a good idea for any expired demos, trials, or preloaded software that came with your PC at the time of purchase.

Regular computer maintenance is as much about protecting your system against malicious threats as it is keeping clear of clutter. Each installed application adds entries to your system registry, which can lead to performance problems over time.

Also, your web browser stores temporary files, cookies, and other content that wastes precious disk space. Be sure to clear your history and cache from time to time for optimal system performance.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Although most of us know that regularly defragmenting a hard drive will lead to improved system speeds, most people do not do it regularly.

In some cases, your Windows operating system may automatically do this for you each week. Still, if you don’t remember manually initiating a defragmentation in recent history, you would be wise to ensure it has happened.

Defragmenting your hard drive is an important part of regular computer maintenance as it streamlines the files on your hard drive, making them quicker and easier to read and access.

If you are diligent about regularly performing updates and other computer maintenance, yet you still find your PC to be sluggish, it may be time to get a professional opinion.

Contact or call the team at Target PC Repair at (440) 725-0642 to discuss the system challenges you are experiencing.