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Friday’s Tips and Tricks!
Things you need to know
July 25, 2008
Welcome to Friday’s Tips and Tricks! Every Friday I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder…if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.

In this issue

How long does a computer last?
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As long as you take care of your computer, it can last well over 10 years. Some computers do have major malfunctions though and they’re just not worth repairing. Can you prevent that? Not in every case. I have gone to a client’s house who has a Windows 98 machine, almost 10 years old, still running just fine. The user only needed a few slight problems fixed.

What I normally tell folks is this…once a computer starts to get over 5 years old, start saving to buy a new one. Replacing the hardware that fails can cost almost $300 with parts and labor. With a repair bill that big, it’s not worth replacing it when some new computers are $300!
What can you do to keep your computer around a bit longer?
Turn it off at night
Keep your Windows updates current
Install an Antivirus program
Move your music to an external hard drive
NOTE….Laptops seem to have a shorter life span than a desktop computer.

How much should you spend?
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Do you have an IT Budget? We discussed this a few Tips and Tricks ago….

Computers can range from $300-2500 for the same type of system, with just a few hardware changes. Do you need to spend $2500 on a new computer?

If you are a basic user, a $300-$500 desktop computer should work just fine for you. It will come with all the basic hardware and you should not need to upgrade much. If anything, you may want to upgrade the memory. For the laptop user, basic laptops are selling for under $500 at many big box shops.

NOTE: If you have special needs for your programs, then you may need to spend more money on a higher-end model computer.

What’s the deal with Vista?
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Many of my clients have been in need of an upgrade of their systems and I can’t tell you how many say, “I have heard to stay away from Vista”.

So what is the deal with Vista? Vista is the operating system that you will need to use if you’re buying a new computer. It has a different look and feel than other systems and it takes some learning to figure it out, but it’s not that different and it’s more stable than it was last year. The biggest issues people are having with Vista are that it doesn’t work well in a corporate environment. For the home user, it should work just fine. You may experience some problems with…

1.) Your printer isn’t compatible anymore (if you have a really old one)
2.) You don’t know how to use it (because of look and feel changes)
3.) Slowness (this can be changed by adding more memory)
4.) Old programs that worked on your XP computer won’t install on Vista (You will need to buy a new version or call the manufacturer and see if they have an update for Vista)

Does Call That Girl recommend using Vista? We sure do! I have been using it since January 2007 and really haven’t had any issues with it. We also offer “Vista Tweak” sessions on how to use it better to fit your needs. For what it’s worth, about half my client base has Vista and no one has downgraded back to XP yet!

Friday’s Tips and Tricks!
Today’s topic: *Spyware*
WARNING!!! This week’s newsletter is kinda lengthy!

July 18th, 2008

Welcome to Friday’s Tips and Tricks! Every Friday I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder…if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.

Spyware!

What is it?

How you get it?

What does it do?

How to avoid it!

What is spyware?
Simple explanation: Spyware is a “spy program” that is downloaded/installed and infects your computer. It’s usually a very small program that is hard to detect without running spyware cleaning programs.

How did you get it?
For the most part…
-You downloaded a program from the internet using Internet Explorer such as games, coupon specials, or you…
-clicked on a pop up window (like the one below) -didn’t close the window properly
-installed a smiley toolbar for your email program
-installed a “spyware program” that was meant to prevent spyware

The image below is an example of how spyware attempts to get you to download their “tools”

What does it do?
–Sometimes it tracks your websites
–Sometimes it collects personal information
–Sometimes it adds a toolbar to your Internet Explorer browser
–Sometimes it can infect your computer with spyware viruses
–Sometimes it can take over your entire computer settings so you can’t do anything or change any settings.
–Sometimes it installs a re-director on your Internet Explorer window so it will never go to your home page. It takes you to as foreign website or a web ad site.
–Sometimes it does something I’ve never seen before! Spyware is sneaky!

NOTE: I use the word “Sometimes” in these scenarios because spyware is now worse than just regular viruses that people used to worry about. Spyware comes from the internet so it’s even harder to figure how you got it exactly. Unlike the old days when you remember exactly what email caused you to start noticing a virus infection.

How to avoid getting it
-When you get a pop up window like the one above, do not click on any of the options, and try to close the window with the X in the right corner.

-If that fails you, try to close all your internet windows.

-If that fails you, right click on your task bar on the bottom of your screen and find “task manager” and then you will see this window…click on the Big E (Internet Explorer) and then click on the bottom of the screen “end task” and stop all the internet windows.

-You can also avoid getting spyware problems by not downloading anymore free games, coupons buddies programs, smiley programs, etc.

-You can also avoid spyware by using another internet browser other than Internet Explorer. You can use Firefox, Opera, etc. There are quite a few out there now to select from.

How to remove spyware
-There are many ways to remove Spyware. The big fixes are to run spyware cleaners, but there are also many things you need to check on the computer besides running a cleaner. I can’t tell you how many people have told me, “I ran the cleaner”. There are many “fake cleaners” out there that actually can infect your system worse.

NOTE: Some spyware companies are having you pay for a download to clean the virus. From what I have seen, these are HOAXES. They usually run $30 or so and do not clean/remove the spyware.

Call That Girl for a phone support/Home visit. Until July 31st, we will be offering a phone support special for $45 for an hour. During this support chat, we will install a well known spyware cleaning program and do a 15 point checklist for checking your computer and talk you through how to maintain your system.

Got a questionfor Call That Girl?
Call That Girl can give tips and tricks til the cows come home, but what are you interested in reading up on? Send Questions to info@callthatgirl.biz and have your question answered in the next newsletter.

Stay tuned for next week’s Tips and Tricks….Purchasing your next computer
Call That Girl!

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info@callthatgirl.biz
612-865-4475