Computer/ Internet Tips & News
October 2018
This Month: 

  • Be Skeptical
  • Don't buy a new computer until you read this
  • Are you protected against Spectre and Meltdown?
  • Don't buy a new computer until you read this
  • Computer service eGift Cards now available for holiday gift giving
  • Tell a friend, get $20 service credit
Computer Techs logo
Reno's PC & Technology Help Experts since 2003 

Affordable PC Repair - Experienced IT Consultants 
In-Home Service & Remote Support

No Geek Speak: Local techs that speak 
a language you can understand
Computer Techs Help Key
Support for Windows - macOS - iOS - Android
Be skeptical
If you see a screen similar to the one above pop-up on your computer and urgently telling you to call for help - be skeptical.

If you get an email from someone you know asking for help or money - be skeptical.

If you get a phone call telling you that there are problems with your computer or account - be skeptical.

If you get an email from a business telling you that you need to respond to an order that you didn't place, or fix your account - be skeptical.

The above examples are just a few that scammers are using to deceive you and take your money - and they're always coming up with new methods. Whenever something or someone on your computer or phone is asking you to do something - stop, take a breath, think about if it could be a scam, and be skeptical. When in doubt, call us or a trusted friend or relative before taking any action.

Are you protected against Spectre and Meltdown?
Early this year security researchers found fundamental flaws in nearly all of the processors that have powered computers for over 30 years - named Spectre and Meltdown. These hardware flaws expose vulnerabilities which can allow programs to steal data which is currently processed on the computer. This could include your passwords stored in a password manager or browser, your personal photos, emails, instant messages and even business-critical documents. While programs are typically not permitted to read data from other programs, a malicious program can exploit Meltdown and Spectre to get hold of secrets stored in the memory of other running programs.

Are you protected from Spectre and Meltdown?

Microsoft, Apple and other software companies have released patches to mitigate the vulnerabilities - often causing a slow-down of the device. Computer hardware manufacturers have also released hardware patches for devices up to about 5 years old.

If your computer is over 5 years old it may be necessary to purchase a new computer to be fully protected. Customers that subscribe to Computer Techs Maintenance Plan need not worry since their computers have received hardware patches or been advised to get a new computer. If you have not had your computer serviced by Computer Techs this year - we advise having your computer looked at so that any software and hardware patches can be applied if available.

To learn more about Spectre and Meltdown - read the FAQs .

To schedule an appointment for computer service, please contact us .
Don't buy a new computer until you read this
If your computer is over 5 years old you may need to purchase a new one to be fully protected against Spectre and Meltdown (see article above). With the end-of-support for Windows 7 occurring in January 2020, that may be another reason to consider the purchase of a new computer within the next year.

But don't buy just any computer on the shelf before reading our new computer buying information newsletter .

Some computers come with a Solid State Drive (SSD) instead of a spinning Hard Disk Drive HDD - the part that stores the operating system and programs. Computers with a SSD are much faster, reliable and energy efficient - which is particularly useful if you're using a laptop computer.

To read other new computer buying information, click here .
Computer service eGift Cards now available for
holiday gift giving
Gift the unique gift of computer service with a Computer Techs eGift Card. Gift amounts start $49 for 1/2 hour of computer service. Click here to learn more and order your eGift Card .
Tell a friend about us - get a $20 service credit
If you’re happy with our service, please let others know by recommending us to your friends and family, and/or by writing a review about our service. If you personally recommend us to a friend or relative and we help them, you get $20 off your next service call.

Why trust someone who “knows” computers and works on them in their spare time? Why trust someone who you called from a pop-up ad on your computer? You shouldn’t! Computer Techs is a local business that works with computers and related devices on a daily basis and has been doing so since 2003. When you need help with your computing devices, you can trust Computer Techs to be there when you need us, and stand behind our service.

When people search for Computer Support or Repair Services on the internet, they often search Google, YellowPages.com or Yahoo Local. Please consider letting others know about our service by posting a review at one or more of the following web sites: