Virus Removal Grand Junction

5 Common Computer Myths Debunked

August 1, 2019 by Erik Lilleland

Common urban myths would have us believe alligators live in sewers or people put razor blades in kids’s candy. Common misconceptions about computers are just as persistent. Here are several IT myths debunked for your benefit.

#1 A slow-running computer has a virus

A virus can be to blame. Spyware or other malware can also cause a computer to slow down. However, there are also many other reasons your computer might run slower:

You may have a lot of programs that start up when you boot up the computer. You could remove or disable programs that start every time.
The computer has gone into power save mode every night, but you haven’t rebooted the computer in a long time.
There are many programs running in the background. On a Windows PC, you can go into task manager and see what is running and the computer resources in use.
A security utility is running. If it’s an antivirus scanner, let the scan finish first, then see if your computer speed improves.
Temporary files or other junk are taking up too much hard drive space. Your computer needs at least 200–500MB of free space on the hard drive to be able to move and manage files.
Your computer doesn’t have enough RAM to run programs within memory. If your computer has to swap information on the hard drive to get enough memory to run programs, it’s going to work slower.
The computer is old. You may need to upgrade to a computer that can handle current software needs without slowing to a snail’s pace.

#2 Macs don’t get viruses

Many Apple owners believe their Macintosh computers are immune to viruses. If only. Macs do get viruses; they are simply targeted less than PCs. Why? There are many more computers running Windows, which means a bigger, easier target for cybercriminals.

As Apple’s market share rises, the threat to Macs is growing. Apple works to protect its users from malware, but you still need to use caution with downloads and when clicking on links from unknown sources.

#3 My Windows registry needs cleaning up

Registry cleaning companies will say that scanning your Windows registry can speed up the computer and avoid error messages. The cleaner finds unused registry keys and any malware remnants for removal.

But let’s consider the fact that Microsoft has not released its own registry cleaner. Why not? Because it’s really not necessary. Worse still, going in to clean your registry (when you don’t know what you’re doing) can actually do serious damage.

#4 My laptop battery needs to be dead before I recharge if I want it to last longer

This was once true. Nickel-cadmium batteries suffered from what was called a “memory effect.” If discharged and recharged to the same point several times, they would remember that point in the future and not go further.

Now, however, laptops typically come with lithium-ion (or Li-ion) batteries. They don’t suffer from this memory effect. In fact, they function better with partial discharge instead of letting the battery run down to zero.

#5 I don’t have anything hackers would want

Cybersecurity should be a priority for everyone, not only sprawling enterprises. Let’s put it this way:

Do you have any money?
Do you have an identity cybercriminals could use to access money or sell for money?
Do you work anywhere?

Hackers have all kinds of ways to profit from your data or from hijacking your computer’s processing power. They can turn your computer into part of a bot network or use your information as a bridge into a business target’s system.

Keep all your computers at top speed with the best security measures in place with the help of our experts. Contact us today at (970) 433-7454!

2018 in Review

December 31, 2018 by Erik Lilleland

As 2018 draws to a close, we look back on the past year and can’t help but to be extremely grateful.

This last year we’ve repaired hundreds of computers – desktops and laptops – Windows and Mac – for our clients.

We’ve removed viruses, stopped malware, and blocked pop-ups from computers of all makes and models, all shapes and sizes.

We’ve successfully recovered data from dead computers, old computers, flash drives, and SD cards for many panicked and stresses-out customers.

Our Maintenance Plans have protected our client’s computers, saving them hundreds of dollars, and countless hours of downtime and frustration.

We’ve helped clients who were scammed by unscrupulous emails, pop-up ads, and telephones calls – securing their computers, and walking them through the steps of recovering what was stolen from them.

We’ve advised many clients on what equipment was needed to fill their particular IT needs, recommended software, and helped with setting everything up.

We were even awarded for being the top rated Computer Repair/IT Services company in Grand Junction, and the third highest in the state of Colorado.

We’ve earned almost a thousand new clients, and made hundreds of new friends this year.

As you can see, 2018 has given us a lot to be grateful for, and know that 2019 will be even more awesome!

5 Signs Your Computer Might be Infected

November 20, 2018 by Erik Lilleland

You’ve probably heard quite a bit about computer viruses enough over the years – how threatening they are, and how dangerous they can be. Viruses or Malware are often explained in a slightly confusing manner – and though we’re all told to download an antivirus and stay away from sketchy email attachments, not many of us know what it’s genuinely like to be infected by a computer virus.

Often the symptoms of a virus or malware infection are easy to miss, or commonly associated with other computer issues that can be solved by simply rebooting the system or clearing the cache. That makes viruses especially scary, because we don’t often take these symptoms seriously until they’ve done a significant amount of damage.

Here are five things to look for that could mean that your computer is infected:

Start-up, opening program or internet speeds become drastically slow.

Viruses or malware working in the background can use a lot of memory, making it harder to open and close the apps you normally work with.

Pop-ups appearing not just when your web browser is open, but also when it is closed.

Some viruses will try to imitate your anti-virus or an anti-virus you don’t remember installing. These programs will pop-up telling you you have a virus and to call a phone number to get it cleared up. We strongly advise you don’t.

There is an icon for a software program or app you don’t remember installing on you desktop or in your apps menu.

You may have meant to download and install a program, but some programs can be sneaky, bringing unwanted friends.

When you open your web browser it opens to a page you have never heard of rather then the homepage you asked it to.

When you installed that app that you downloaded right before bed, you probably hurried through, not noticing that a toolbar wanted to install right along with your download. A lot of toolbars, or other junkware like this will also change your homepage.

In the middle of a project you computer freezes, or reboots itself.

Malware uses up a lot of a system’s resources, straining the hardware, causing your computer to stop working or force a restart in an attempt to sort things out.

Viruses don’t always announce themselves, and can be quite crafty. If you are experiencing any of the issues listed above, give No Ware Computer Repair at (970) 433-7454, or come by our office in Grand Junction today!

5 Most Common Computer Problems

June 25, 2018 by Erik Lilleland

Here at No Ware Computer Repair, we have to solve a lot of computer problems. While some complications are more puzzling than others, here’s a short list of the most common issues that are brought into our shop.

One of the most common problems we come across is the “hardware mishap.” Typically this includes spills or drops, laptop screens being broken, motherboards fried, and others of the like. Hardware mishaps are pretty common and can be expensive at times.

Another problem we see a lot of is the “slow computer.” Older devices have a tendency to fall victim to this particular annoyance because as they age they can build up dust and grime on the hardware, and the software itself can become clogged with useless files that do nothing but take up vital storage and leave a device in a miserably sluggish state. In a fast paced world, the last thing people want is a computer that runs at a snail’s pace.

Viruses are the bane of a computer user’s existence. Not only do they knock a computer from NASCAR level speeds down to leisurely strolls in the park, they can also do some serious damage. From the mostly harmless popups that occasionally assault the user, to the dangerously malicious ransomware that could cost you thousands, viruses are unfortunately still a frequent occurrence.

Data loss is an extremely overlooked issue that people don’t usually think about until it happens to them personally. It could be due to a myriad of causes; theft, hardware mishap, software failure, and so much more. It’s the reason we highly recommend using a cloud to backup all of that highly important data you might have on your devices. It saves you a lot of time and money in the long run. Fortunately, even if you forget to back-up your data, there are experts who specialize in data recovery.

This final failure has been making a lot of us in the tech industry scratch our heads. It seems to be a little counter-intuitive, but many computer users have recently been having windows update problems. Whether it be the percentage simply stopping, graphics drivers failing, or operating system glitches, if you’re having a problem with any of the above, just know you are most certainly not alone.

Regardless of what problem your computer is having, No Ware Computer Repair in Grand Junction can have your device up and running in no time!

Did you know? Anonymous

March 26, 2018 by Erik Lilleland

When people think about hacker groups, there is no group more notorious than “Anonymous.”

Believe it or not, “Anonymous” is not some “secret organization”, as the media would have us think. With all the information, and sometimes misinformation out there about this group of “cyberterrorists” there are only a few facts.

1. Anonymous is not really an organized group.

It’s easy enough to join Anonymous, as it is really more of a movement than an actual organization. All you have to do is proclaim yourself a “member”. This is the main reason the icon is a suited man with a question mark for a head, or a man in a mask. There is no designated leader, no structured ranks, no systematic order, and no secretly scheduled assignments. People within Anonymous come to the forefront when they demonstrate their hacking abilities or spearhead internet causes or rally people together online; doing it in the name of Anonymous.

2. Anonymous began with a joke.

It began on the website “4chan” in 2008, an online community of people in different groups determined by their interests and such, a site not unlike today’s mainstream internet site Reddit. It was in this year that Anonymous became a political hacking group, when it began to flood The Church of Scientology with prank calls and faxes, even going as far as to take down their website.

3. There has been a lot of inner turmoil.

Anonymous faced a bit of a civil war in its earlier years that resulted in some of the most notable hackers within the group branching off into different groups like “Lulzsec.” After the Scientology debacle, many within were divided between whether or not they wanted the movement to continue as a politically charged hacktivist group or just a bunch of trolling pranksters.

4. The Irony

It’s a little difficult to operate a group of hacktivists all pursuing one common cause while maintaining complete anonymity without people labeling particular cyberattacks or data dumps as “Anonymous led.” This is the problem Anonymous has been facing for quite some time now, and it only really adds to the occasionally laughable public profile.

5. Anonymous beliefs

When people hear about Anonymous nowadays, many roll their eyes or scoff or simply pay no mind at all. Once upon a time, it did have a set belief system. It was for the betterment of society, not just toppling websites for the fun of it but also exposing people, holding protests against the “1%” and, threatening terrorists groups.

6. The Mask

Originally seen in Warner Brothers 2005 film “V for Vendetta,” the mask has become absolutely iconic within the hacktivist group and is used to designate specific members. Funnily enough, the movie itself is very pro-copyright in some respects, which would probably offend the entire Anonymous movement, but it has somehow remained over all of these years as the “face” of Anonymous.

7. Anonymous is broken.

Conflicting beliefs, motivations and skills have caused Anonymous to crumble beneath itself and fade from the public eye. With some of its most skilled hackers like “Sabu” from Lulzsec retiring or being arrested, it has become a mockery of what it used to be. Falsely identifying two possible officers who shot Michael Brown, wrongly shutting down twenty thousand Twitter accounts of people whom those involved claimed to be a part of ISIS (but were not,) and just generally mucking it up as of late certainly hasn’t helped its reputation.

This group of internet “hacktivists” has made a profound impact on what we know about hacking and internet causes today. It has opened our eyes to things in the world that are going sideways, the movement also wreaked havoc on governments and corporations.

It is interesting to note, that while the general public thinks of them as a “serious problem”, the “members” of Anonymous don’t take themselves seriously at all.

If you need help protecting your computer from some of the internet’s nefarious denizens, contact No Ware Computer Repair in Grand Junction today!

Everything you wanted to know about Hackers but were afraid to ask – Part 3

February 26, 2018 by Erik Lilleland

Over the last few weeks we have been talking about how hackers influence our lives for better or for worse. (Check out those posts here and here).

Of the three types of hackers the most dangerous are the Black Hat. These guys do it for profit; it is how many of them actually make a living, and they don’t care at whose “expense”.

A Grey Hat might hack into a corporation’s bank account to transfer money to a poor family that needs the funds for rent or food; a Black Hat will do it to transfer money to his own account so he can buy a new car.

While not all hackers are dangerous, the White Hat hackers work to make the world a safer place, but finding vulnerabilities and patching them before the bad guys can exploit them.

Some of the more nefarious hackers sit in coffee houses, parks, and even stores scanning for a chance to snag your passwords, account information, and other credentials. They can also sometimes sit in offices programming malware and viruses that will pop-up on your screen while you surf the net and hold your computer hostage until you pay the ransom.

However, there is hope! You can protect yourself by maintaining a few good security habits.

1.Uninstall Any Software You Don’t Use

Chances are that most of the software that comes with that fresh Windows install are just trials to get you to pay for the full version later. Basically you try it for 30 days and then it will pop-up ads every time you turn on your computer to get you to buy it. These bloatware programs can make your computer vulnerable.

2. Automatically Install Security Updates

Your Anti-malware and antivirus software is a great defense against hackers. Keeping it up-to-date plugs holes that a hacker can get through. If you don’t have time, or updates confuse you, think about getting a Maintenance Plan – It is like having your own personal nerd in the basement keeping you and your family safe.

3. Avoid Plugging in Devices You’re Not Sure About

If this amazing person you just met in the coffee shop hands you a USB with a file of a story they just wrote on it, use some skepticism. If you find a random drive lying on the ground, best to toss it in an Electronic Recycle bin. Remember what curiosity did to the cat.

4. Never open attachments or emails (unless you’re really sure)

You just got an email telling you, you won a trip to Ibiza! Yay for you! Maybe… If it isn’t a timeshare, then chances are that link or attachment on this amazing offer is malware or a virus waiting to infiltrate your computer and take over your life.

5. Don’t share personal data when surfing on public WiFi

Many stores, coffee houses and even restaurants have public Wi-Fi these days to allow you to use their apps and electronic coupons right in the store. This is a bad opportunity to transfer funds, pay bills, or message your Social Security Number to a friend. On a public Wi-Fi connection, a hacker can intercept this information and make it their own.

The same goes for Internet Cafés. If you have to use a public computer to do these things always remember to take the proper security measures.

Hackers can be some rather nasty hombres, but luckily there are ways to keep yourself from becoming a victim. If you would like to learn more about staying safe from hackers, or are interested in a Maintenance Plan to keep you and your family safe, reach out to No Ware Computer Repair in Grand Junction at (970) 433-7454.

Browser Pop-Up Scams

September 11, 2017 by Erik Lilleland

The internet is an amazing place! In many ways, it has made life easier, faster, and more productive. It has also made it easier for cyber-criminals to work their scamming arts and try to bilk us out of our money and identities. No matter how safe we think we are, they seem to find a way back in through what is known as “Scareware.”

They pop-up while surfing the internet warning there may be virus, malware, or even corrupted files on the computer. Some have even been known to tell you that illegal porn has been detected on your hard drive. The display can even look like a real-time scan of the computer. It might show an actual “scanned” image of your hard drive to seem more legitimate or hijack the logo of Microsoft Security Essentials.

Most of these pop-ups ask you to call a number to speak to a “technician” in order to clear up the “virus”. If you do call this number you would be asked to install a piece of software for the person on the other end of the line to access your computer to remove this “virus.” Of course, there will be a one-time fee you would have to pay for them to take care of the issue. This software is used to infiltrate the hard drive, steal passwords, credit information and other personal data. Oh, and to ensure that you get “infected” again.

Another fake pop-up will ask you to click a link or button below to speak to a “technician” through a chat window. This scenario actually employs bots – programs to mimic human interaction by responding to key words or phrases in a certain manner. Again, a credit card is required to purchase this one time service.

The only thing legit about this “offer” is the charge to your card.

When faced with one of these pop-ups or scareware scams, it is best to just shut down your browser. Don’t click “No” or “Cancel,” or even the “x” at the top right corner of the screen. Some scareware is designed so that any of those buttons can activate the program, or automatically contact the call center. Just closing the tab it’s in will only cause it to open again. If you use Windows just press the Ctrl + Alt + ESC keys to open your Task Manager, highlight the browser program, and click “End Task”. If you’re on a Mac, press Command + Option + Esc to “Force Quit” your browser.

Upon re-opening the browser; depending on your settings, it may ask you if you want to restore your pages. Unless you want to have to go through the process again it is best not do this.

If you’ve encountered one of these scams and have questions give No Ware Computer Repair in Grand Junction a call. We always have your back!

Everything you wanted to know about the computer virus, but were afraid to ask – Part 3

April 17, 2017 by Erik Lilleland

As the old cliche goes; “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure.” Learning how to avoid becoming infected and spreading virus infections, not only makes the internet safer for you, but for everyone else you connect and share with. [Read more…]

Everything you wanted to know about the computer virus, but were afraid to ask – Part 2

April 10, 2017 by Erik Lilleland

Last week we talked about what a computer virus is, where they come from, and why they exist. This week we’ll take a brief look at some of the different types of computer viruses.

As cold and flu season wraps up, most of us are pretty well acquainted with the fact that many different types of viruses can attack our bodies and interrupt our overall wellness. A different sort of “virus” can negatively impact the health of our computers. That said, we can easily see how it’s probably a good idea to understand and know a little about the ones that can invade our computers. [Read more…]

Everything you wanted to know about the computer virus, but were afraid to ask – Part 1

April 3, 2017 by Erik Lilleland

They’re all over the news these days, those sneaky little germs that invade our computers. Just like a real germ that makes its home in our bodies, a virus’s main purpose is to make more of itself. Which can wreak havoc to our software, data, and/or bank accounts. Unlike most bugs that invade our bodies, a computer virus can’t be worked out of the system with a fistful of pills, some soup, and lots of sleep. [Read more…]