Wüpper PC

Spyware and other unwanted software can

• Invade your privacy
• Bombard you with pop-up windows
• Slow down your computer
• Make your computer crash

Here are several ways you can help protect your computer against spyware and other unwanted software.

Step 1: Use a firewall

While most spyware and other unwanted software come bundled with other programs or originate from unscrupulous websites, a small amount of spyware can actually be placed on your computer remotely by hackers. Installing a firewall or using the firewall that’s built into Windows Vista and Windows XP provides a helpful defense against these hackers.

To learn more about firewalls, read What is a firewall and get answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about firewalls.

Step 2: Update your software

Visit Microsoft Update to confirm that you have automatic updating turned on and that you’ve downloaded and installed all the latest critical and security updates.

Step 3: Adjust Internet Explorer security settings

You can adjust your Internet Explorer web browser’s security settings to determine how much-or how little-information you want to accept from a website.

Microsoft recommends that you set the security settings for the Internet zone to Medium or higher. (If you use Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and you use Internet Explorer to browse the web, your browser security settings for the Internet zone are set to Medium by default.)

To view your current Internet Explorer security settings:

1.             In Internet Explorer, click Tools (in Internet Explorer 9, click the gear icon) and then click Internet Options.
2.             Select the Security tab

For more information about security in Internet Explorer, see Change Internet Explorer Security Settings.

Internet Explorer also includes a number of features to help protect against spyware and many other kinds of deceptive or unwanted software.

Step 4: Download and install antispyware protection

Microsoft Security Essentials helps protects your computer from spyware and other unwanted software. It’s available as a no-cost download for Windows XP SP2 and higher, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. For more information, see Help protect your PC with Microsoft Security Essentials.

Step 5: Surf and download more safely

The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don’t want:

• Only download programs from websites you trust. If you’re not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, enter the name of the program into your favorite search engine to see if anyone else has reported that it contains spyware.
• Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any software you download.
• Never click “Agree” or “OK” to close a window. Instead, click the red “x” in the corner of the window or press Alt + F4 on your keyboard to close a window.
• Be wary of popular “free” music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you understand all of the software packaged with those programs.
• Use a standard user account instead of an administrator account. For more information, see Why use a standard account instead of an administrator account.

Happy New Years all!! I hope you all are having a great 2012 so far. Some people seem to adapt to the new year with no challenges, for me I’m still using 11 when I write out my dates, I find it takes a few times of writing 2012 before it’s programmed.  But so far 2012 is off to a great start, heck even the weather has been nice for us Minnesotain’s here who are more used to -15 degrees and at least a foot of snow, than the current 40 degrees and no snow. This could all change in a couple weeks but so far it’s been calm! No complaints.

So its been a couple of months since I’ve had a chance to update my site, but I’ve finally caught up and have revamped my services and prices for the new year. I’ve upgraded the ticketing system since the old one stopped working. The Zingiri group has created a nice ticketing system, which so far works perfectly! You do not need to be a registered user now to create a ticket, which is nice for all new comers! I’ve also updated the theme and some of my other information on the site. I’m looking forward to dedicating some more of my free time to Wüpper PC and getting our name out there in an effort to help as many people as possible with their computer concerns. If you’re reading this and know of someone who needs help with their computer, let them know about Wüpper PC. Our new motto for 2012 is ‘We go F.A.R above the rest!’ (Fast.Affordable.Reliable) Let’s hope others catch on and call Wüpper PC for help.

New posts are coming soon! I will be gathering some new technical tips/information to share with you all to keep you in the know. Having shortcuts and good tips are handy because they help us use computers more efficiently. Also technology is constantly changing and there are so many things to read about so I’ll post more informative and helpful things here soon.

Contact me with any questions/suggestions you may have, hope you all are having a great New Years!

- Jason

Wüpper PC

Below, we’ve broken down the categories above and explained why we chose the winners as we did.

For anyone who uses the PlayStation PSN network. Here are some helpful tips to keep your personal information safe. After the recent information attack on Sony which resulted in thousands of accounts (passwords, credit card information, personal contact information) being stolen, I recommend people who use this service or any services like it to rethink the information you submit to these companies. I personally would never trust my credit card information with PSN or others because most companies just don’t care about you or your information. It pays to be somewhat paranoid.

Sony has lost a lot of respect with regards to security and in today’s world keeping people’s personal information secure is a must. Shame on Sony for their lack of security practices.  Read below for more tips, I liked the tip about using a prepaid card, this would definitely be a better option if I really wanted to purchase games online that would be the route I take. Please be smart about where you submit your personal information. This is a whole new world we live in folks, personal information is today’s gold for thieves who are tech savvy. Be safe – Jason W. Continue reading →

Most people don’t realize that there are better choices for computer repair than their local big box electronics retailers.  There are many reasons why this is so.

Big box retailers are more interested in selling you a new PC than repairing your old one.  That’s why they charge exorbitant prices for any of the services they provide.

The technicians that work in these corporate chains are at best A+ certified but most often have no IT certifications. They don’t pay enough to get technicians with any of the advanced Microsoft certifications.  Nor do these technicians have a lot of experience, and when they have earned enough experience they get a higher paying job somewhere else.

I’m not saying there aren’t unqualified and unskilled computer technicians in the locally owned computer repair businesses, but if you do a little research first you have a much better chance of getting a good result at these shops than you do at a corporate chain store.

If possible, get a referral from friends or family.  If someone you know is happy with a particular computer repair shop then you probably will be too.  If you can’t get a referral, do an Internet search for computer repair in your town and state.  Try to determine the following by visiting some of the websites:

• What IT certifications does the technician have?  Some examples include: Comptia A+ Certification, Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Comptia Network+ Certification, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist etc… Choose a shop that has at least two of the major certifications.
• How much experience does the technician have?
• Is the repair work done in shop or is it sub-contracted out?
• Is there a diagnostic fee?
• Does the shop have liability insurance?
• Do they charge flat rates or hourly rates?
• Will they save your data in case the operating system has to be reinstalled?
• Do they guarantee their work?
• Call the shop and ask questions.  You can get a good idea about how a person will be to do business with by how they treat you on the phone.

Computers contain sensitive financial and personal data. I would not let just anyone have access to your computer without doing some research first.

If you’re looking for a computer shop in the Minnesota area call Wupper PC for a free diagnostic. We also offer national remote computer repair payable via paypal. (PC must at least be able to connect to the internet and open a web browser for this option)

Article written by: By computerfixx

This scenario is played out everyday across the world: you’re working, surfing the internet or writing an email and your computer locks up, frozen.

This happens when the computer does not respond to the inputs, for instance when you are trying to move the mouse around to restart the system and nothing happens when you click on it. It is different from a crash, when the whole system shuts down. With hangs you have the ability to recover the by ending the task and restarting the program. Continue reading →

I think if you have a business then you need to have a Facebook page for your buisness. There are many reason for this and the first one is millions of people use Facebook. The second reason is it’s free advertising.

So let’s say you decide you are going to create that Facebook page for you business. You have it created and you find yourself making wall post every few day in order to keep people coming back to read more about your business or what specials you might be having. All that is great…… Continue reading →

These are the days when everyone has a computer; in fact, some of us have more than one. It’s no longer the possession of techies and professionals alone – we’re all sending and receiving emails, and we’re all using the Internet for social networking, researching, downloading songs and movies, and doing a hundred and one other things online. It’s easier to buy notebook computers and netbooks today, and with the plethora of cost-efficient options available, it’s easy to see why a laptop is a necessity more than a luxury these days.

Probably the best thing about computers today is that you don’t need to be super tech savvy to know how to use one; but on the downside, you’re in a bind if something goes wrong and you’re not the self-troubleshooting kind. And so you send out your notebook for repairs or maintenance when necessary, but do you remember to remove sensitive information from it? Continue reading →