February 2017                         
  Digital Forensics           IT Support           Cybersecurity 
Computer keeps freezing  Human face expressions and emotions. Shocked African American businessman looking at his laptop with shock and indignation shaking his hand with surprise and disappointment
Articles of Interest



Magnifying Glass searching code for online activity.Eavesdropping on Smartphones
by Patrick Logan
President & Certified 
Computer Examiner

We are often asked to examine a smartphone that the user believes has software on it that allows activity, such as calls and texts, to be monitored remotely.  Our first question to the user is, "has anyone had physical access to the phone other than you?" There are very few apps that will actually remotely monitor smartphones, and there are none we know of that can be installed without having physical access and the password to the phone.  

Also, these apps cannot be installed on an iPhone unless it is "jailbroken" which is a process that removes all restrictions placed upon the phone by the wireless carrier. In most cases, we have found that when we look at these "compromised smartphones," there is no monitoring software installed on them.   

A sure way to ensure that any monitoring software will not be installed on your phone is to make sure your phone is password protected and that you do not let anyone you do not trust have physical access to the phone.


Tech for Troops

Tech for Troops, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has partnered with CauseNetwork to give you an opportunity to donate an automobile, RV, motorcycle, etc., to support Tech For Troops.  Donating is easy.  Just go to the webpage, fill out the form and BINGO!  After the vehicle pick-up, you will receive a receipt for tax purposes.  

Tech For Troops Project provides free, refurbished computers to veterans and the children of veterans, enabling them to connect with employers and develop essential computer skills.  We hire veterans and provide technical training, keep usable computers out of the landfills, and recycle electronics in an environmentally sustainable way.  Our vision is to raise the prospects for success in civilian life for all veterans, expand the work force domestically, and reduce pollution and carbon output from manufacturing new electronics.  

Seltek Community Support 

Seltek is based in Richmond and serves clients throughout Central Virginia. We are active in the community and pleased to support local non-profits and other agencies that benefit the Richmond area.  Seltek applauds the work of the following organizations and is proud to have supported them this past year.  
  
















Computer Buying Guide
by Liz Calder
IT Support Specialist 

If you are thinking about buying a new computer, chances are you have questions.   Computers can be complicated, and depending on how comfortable you are with technology, buying a new computer can be challenging.  Windows, Linux or Mac?  Asus or Dell?  Do I buy it online or from a store?  The answers differ from user to user but these general guidelines can help.
 
General Computer Advice
  • NO economy models.  If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.  "E" models, "economy" models, Celeron processors may work for you short term but they do not multitask well and Windows will outgrow them faster, leaving you wanting another new PC.
  • Pay attention to processor (the brains of the thing) and memory (how much "workspace" it has -- think of desk space or kitchen counter tops).  How much does it need to work efficiently?
  • Think about what you want to do with your computer.  If you are going to surf the web, play a few games and do word processing, you do not need to consider special options.  If you are into games with detailed graphics, photography, graphic design or other hobbies, you may need a computer with extra capability to handle specific programs better.
Processors

The current generation of Intel processors is i7.  i7 Processors range from i7-6xx to i7-77xx (subject to change).  The bigger the number the "newer."  Think of these as the "kids," the newest generation.  As the "youngest" processors, they will take the longest to become out of date.

i5 -- the "parents."  These are older generation (mid-grade now). They range from i5-6xx to i5-66xx.  Again, the bigger the number, the newer.

i3  -- the "grandparents."  These are selling cheap now and I would stay away at this point.  They may still perform okay for basic users but with Windows 10, they are not going to age well much longer and you will want a new computer again much sooner.

Note: for gamers or hobbyists with more specific computing needs, check out this article on processors.

The other processor manufacturer is AMD.  While AMD processors are not currently as popular as Intel, for most users an AMD processor can be just as satisfactory.  If you are considering a system with an AMD processor, this chart can help you determine what the Intel equivalent would be.

Memory

If I am approving a computer, I rarely sign off on less than 8G of memory and only under specific circumstances.  For simplicity, stick to 8G of memory or more.  4G of memory generally indicates an "economy" computer.  You will not be pleased with the performance.  6G will get you by for a short while but you will be wishing you stuck to 8.
 
Hard Drives

Space in hard drives does not really matter much these days.  Most computers on the market have plenty of storage and USB drives are easy to acquire.  The two main "types" of hard drive are SATA and SSD.  Either will work fine for average users.  SSDs (Solid State Drives) are a bit faster but for an everyday user, this only matters if the system comes with one.  Otherwise, I would not waste energy looking for it.
 
O perating System

Which operating system to select tends to be the million-dollar question these days.  With Microsoft Windows getting more dictatorial by the day, many users are opting to switch to Mac or Linux.  While there is nothing wrong with Mac or Linux, switching can be difficult for some users.  For me, I think of it as switching languages (think French or Spanish instead of English).  You can do it, but for many people the beginning is challenging.  Before opting to switch operating systems, be sure you are mentally prepared for some initial frustration.

If you are thinking of switching to Mac, I highly suggest you spend some time at the Apple Store getting to know the Macs there.  Talk to the iGeeks and let them show you around.  (Personally I find Macs far less frustrating after I attach a two-button mouse.)  Apple also offers classes on your new Mac and has quality support videos that can help you.

If you are thinking of switching to Linux, you'll have extra choices to make.  Linux comes in many different varieties (or flavors).  Luckily if you want to give Linux a try, you can do so without buying a new computer.  You can either install Linux on an older system or use a "live" version to temporarily run Linux on a Windows PC without overwriting your hard drive.  And since Linux is free, if you do not like the version you select, you can always try again.  The article here has some good general advice on which type of Linux to select.  For most users I agree with the article and find Linux Mint, Cinnamon is a good first choice.
 
Brands

Every tech you ask will have an opinion on brands and our reasoning is largely based on our personal experience.  For instance, I worked for Dell and while they are not precisely as good as they were when I was there, they still are consistent enough in performance and tech support that I often recommend Dells first (with the correct warranty).  However, there are other good brands out there.  If you want to know more about specific brands, I recommend you ask your favorite technology professional.   They will be the one helping you with it if you have problems. 
 
Happy buying!





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