Anti-Viruses

Again…as we learned…there is no 100% protection against viruses and malwares. So, what is a good virus protection to use?

We have Norton, McAfee, AVG, bitdefender, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, Panda…blahblahblah….

So, what do you use and why?

I sell Panda…but as the time wears on, I am switching to AVG Internet Security. It updates everyday, does not bog down the operating system, and does a great job in protecting my machines. So, I am switching my customers over…

I dislike Norton and McAfee – most of the machines that come into the shop loaded with viruses have these 2 programs installed. They both are resource hogs and do not seem to block much and they dont update the new virus protection until after the virus has been out for a while. Their firewall prevents the Internet from working as well.

I love Norton and McAfee because of the work I get out of these machines!

So again, Give me your ideas…I want to hear from you!

Tara Belzer, Friendly Computers Charlotte, www.friendlycomputers.com/charlotte

Vista, XP, MAC, Linux????? What to do?

So Microsoft is going to pull XP off the shelves very soon. I am just curious as to what everyone’s impression or experience with different operating systems. I personally find Vista to be annoying with all it’s security checks and the long wait between boot up and working….plus the freezing up between windows…

Let’s just say you have the computer of your dreams…you have plenty of resources to run what ever you want 10 fold….what would you pick and why?

Come on guys…post some thoughts…lets start a conversation!

-Tara aka the Friendly in Friendly Computers!

Email Hoaxes….some examples

Here are some examples of email hoaxes…Can you tell me why these are hoaxes?

Example #1:

Your Bank Draft
Greetings: !

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of $900.000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from  you since that time. Then I went and deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE,West Africa, I traveled out of the country for a 3 Months  Course and I will not come back till end of November.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because  of the expiring date. For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge,Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.

The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($245.00 US)Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again,don’t be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $245.00
USD.

I would have paid that but they said no because they don’t know when  you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this information below;

Contact Person: Mr.James Graham
Email Address: fedex_claims_dept@live.com
Telephone: +234-805-092-8096

Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address( ) and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $245.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Amaranth.Wilson

Example #2:

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Shopper position.

Our company conducts surveys and evaluates other companies in order to help them achieve their performance goals.

We offer an integrated suite of business solutions that enables corporations to achieve tangible results in the marketplace.

We get hired by other companies and act like customers to find out how they are handling their services in relation to their customers.

Mystery Shopping is the most accurate and reliable tool a business can use to gather information regarding their actual customer service performance at the moment of truth. This moment of truth is not when the staff is on their best behavior because the boss is around – it is when they interact with customers during their normal daily routines.

This is where you, the Mystery Shopper, come in. You pose as an ordinary customer and provide feedback of both factual observations (ex…the floor was free of debris) and your own opinions (ex…I felt that the temperature in the establishment was too cold).

Mystery Shoppers must remain anonymous. You must act as a regular customer and be careful not to do anything that would reveal you as a shopper. An inexperienced shopper could tip off the staff to his/her identity by asking for the manager’s name for no clear or appropriate reason. If you are going to be bringing someone with you on the shop, make sure you educate them about the process as well. Beware that even whispers can be overheard by employees. If anyone notices you are a shopper, you can bet that word will quickly spread around the establishment and you will get some of the best customer service in town.

No company can afford to have a gap between the promise of quality and its actual delivery, that’s why leading corporations look to us, the nation’s premiere mystery shopping and customer experience measurement company.

In order for a business to effectively compete in today’s economy, they must be prepared to meet the challenge of increasing sales by:

* Retaining existing customers

* Acquiring new customers

* Creating word-of-mouth advocacy

* Improving customer loyalty

Once we have a contract to do so, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job(either purchase merchandise or require services), after which you would write a detailed report of your experience.

Examples of details you would forward to us are:

1) How long does it take to get served.

2) Politeness of the attendant.

3) Customer service professionalism.

4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they deal with difficult clients.

Then we turn the information over to the company executives and they will carry out their own duties in improving their services.

Most companies employ our assistance when people complain about their services, or when they feel there is a need for them to improve upon their customer service.

Our company partners with you to implement proven mystery shop auditing and surveying strategies that provide critical information about customer experiences.

You will be paid a commission of $100 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.

Your task will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of restaurants, retail stores, casinos, shopping malls, banks and hotels in your area.

Qualities of a good Mystery Shopper:

* Is 21 years of age or older

* Loves to go shopping

* Is fair and objective

* Is ON TIME

* Is very observant and able to focus on details

* Is fairly intelligent

* Has patience

* Is detail oriented

* Is practical

* Types well

* Is trustworthy

* Explains well in writing

* Is discreet

* Loves to learn

* Handles deadlines

* Has full internet access (at home or at work) Mystery Shopping is fun and exciting but also must be approached very seriously and is definitely not for everyone.

If you are interested in applying for consideration as a Mystery Shopper do send in your information: michael.peterson164@gmail.com Full Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Age:

Occupation:

As soon as we receive your information we will add you to our database and we will look for locations in your area that needs to be evaluated.

Thank you,

Michael Neilsen

Quality Survey Solutions Inc.

6305 Green Circle Drive

Minnetonka, MN 55341

 

Example #3:

 

Antivirus 2009 for Windows
Protect your PC from Viruses

Download Antivirus 2009

Protect your computer from virus attacks, Trojans, and other forms of Malware.
Included: Registry Repair, Firewall Pro, Spyware Remover.

For more information visit our website

Thank you for choosing us, the worldwide leader in computer protection software.

Sincerely,

David Matthews
Antivirus Protection

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily-online–enews.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Example #4:

Download iTunes 2009
Join the millions of users who are enjoying iTunes today.

Download iTunes Now

iTunes is the absolute best software for all of your multimedia needs and the only program to use for your iPod.
With iTunes you will be able to shop for your favourite songs online, picking and choosing only the songs that you want.
iTunes combines all of the features and services you are looking for with an easy to use interface.

Review All of the Features

-iTunes Movie Rentals
-iPod video converter
-iPod movie codec pack
-Interactive video guides

Rip and copy your favourite audio CDs to your iTunes library.
Easily create audio CD’s from your iTunes library.
Convert your DVD collection and transfer the files to your iPod.

Download iTunes Today

24/7 Customer Support
Windows VISTA ready- 98Me2000XP Compatible

Thank you for your interest,

Greg Matthews
Customer Relations

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily–new–product.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Anything look familiar between #3 and #4?

Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

URBAN COMPUTER LEGENDS…for your pleasure

Viruses and Anti-Virus Issues

So, How many out there have been hit with a virus? How many out there have been hit with a virus even though you had the most up and coming anti-virus installed on your system? Every wonder why this happens even though you paid good money for protection?

First lets start with viruses themselves. Better yet, lets call them all MALWARE since spyware, adware and trojans all can infect and mess up your computer. Broke down simply, it is a computer program designed to destroy information, gather information, become a nuisance…or just to be malicious and destroy your hard drive. They (who are they) say that there are over 3500 new viruses or malware springing up every day. Their only intent is to cause some sort of harm.

The usual ways that these malware programs come into your machine is primarally by YOU!!! Not to scare you too much but here are some ways that this happens:

Email Attachments-DO NOT OPEN attachments unless you know the person or source. Be very sure you don’t get fooled by FAKES (SPOOF MAIL) either. Pay attention to how things are spelled and laid out. Close is not close enough

SPOOF WEBSITES- They almost look real but they are NOT. www.ebay.com is a well known website….www.1ebay.com is NOT.

DOWNLOADING- yes, i have been know to download items that even I should be wary of. Remember if you download it…you are permitting whatever it is to come into your system…weather music or movies or free whatever…if you don’t trust it, don’t do it! and if you do it….don’t trust it….lol.

There are a bunch more ways to get malware into your system but just wanted to get you to start thinking and ask me questions. Let me answer the question that I started to ask a bit ago.

WHY? I have anti-virus and I should be protected. I spent a fortune and I still get viruses…….WHY?

First, there is NOTHING out there that can guarantee you a 100% that you will be protected. Yes, some anti-viruses are better than others and yes free doesn’t always mean bad….but…imagine with me for a moment….

I am a smart, lonely, pre-teen/teenager and am tired of playing video games at home. I can put together a computer in my sleep and my bedroom is already networked with multiple servers and computers that I put together with my buddies. We all played every game, already know a ton about networking. What I need is mental stimulation and a little fun trouble…I know, I will manipulate some computer codes…lets see what this does. Wait, lets download a spammer and mail it to everyone we know (or maybe know and don’t like)…oh and let’s attach a worm so that it attaches to the computer’s address book and more people can be harmed.

How many smart kids you think are out there? Plus, that is just one scenario I am laying out.

Computer viruses are being made in droves EVERY DAY….and the makers of most anti-virus try to maintain that…but it is impossible. One may come out today and infect today and then may be recognized by the  anti-virus program tomorrow…but it still infected someone.

Remember, there are over 26 million recognized viruses out there….and a lot more to be made and a lot more to destroy.

Again, I write to ask you to write me and ask questions. We can all learn together!

Til next time,

Tara

Friendly Computers Welcomes all Questions!

Hi Everyone,

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Tara Belzer and I am the owner of Friendly Computers here in sunny Charlotte, NC. I have a great staff of technicians that work with me and we love to help and teach whenever possible.

Sometimes, I will post situations that may be occuring at the moment. Sometimes, it will be to answer specific problems you may be encountering. Needless to say…I am here for you. So let us begin with common issues you can be facing at this moment. Viruses is always on the mind of most of us. Operating system errors or Registry problems plague most of us. Finally, security issues and being sure you are safe while on your computer is something I will be touching on as well. Please look for my posts as they will be coming every few days.

Thanks for visiting and please stop by my website!

Tara

www.friendlycomputers.com/charlotte

704-248-6025 or 803-548-5588…call anytime

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