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Happy fall, all! I hope you had a lovely summer. I certainly did, including taking a break from writing my newsletter. With the cooler weather upon us, it's back to business.
You couldn't miss the problems caused by ransomware this summer, the topic of my first article. Next, Microsoft announced Windows 11, which will be released on October 5th. And finally, an article about USB-C, which has become a very capable standard for tech connectivity.
Due to a social engagement, I will not be at Medfield Day this year. I will miss seeing your smiling faces, but hope to be back next year.
Stay well!
Regards,
Julie Marto
508-359-8176
508-333-8176 (cell)
P.S. With the Delta variant looming large, don't forget I can fix many issues with a remote appointment!
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It's been a while since I last wrote about Ransomware, but this summer it became a major news topic. Many high profile organizations fell victim to malicious software that encrypted all their files, making it impossible to transact business until they could either restore their systems through backups, or pay the ransom. |
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Thankfully, in its current incarnation ransomware is more a problem for businesses than for individuals, and I have only seen a few of my clients affected by it. However, it is still a major and evolving problem, and it's important to understand how systems become infected, and how to protect yourself.
What is ransomware - Ransomware is malicious software that infiltrates your computer and silently encrypts all your files. When it is done, it pops up with a message saying your files are encrypted, with instructions to pay a ransom for the encryption key necessary to access your files again. For businesses, this can shut down their operations. For individuals, this destroys the ability to view and use the personal pictures, documents, and financial records stored on the infected computer.
Who is vulnerable - Ransomware attacks can happen on Windows machines and on Macs. Windows attacks are more common, but Mac Ransomware is out there as well.
How does ransomware get on your system - The most common infection method is through an email with a malicious attachment - an email that includes a fake and infected invoice, document, PDF, or video file, that you are tempted to click on to open and view. When you open the attachment, it triggers the malware to run in the background.
This is why businesses are so vulnerable, as employees regularly open emails with attachments from unknown sources. However, understanding how this works is your first line of defense. Be VERY SUSPICIOUS of any email with an attachment that you aren't expecting, from someone you don't know, or from someone you DO know that is out of character for them.
How to protect yourself from ransomware - The first thing to do is to make sure your system is fully updated. Most ransomware infects through known exploits, and Microsoft and Apple are continually patching those exploits to keep you safe. Secondly, be very suspicious of email attachments, as noted above. Thirdly, be very careful about giving programs permission to run, especially if you are not expecting a program to run at that time.
Keep your data backed up safely - The most important protection you can have is a safe backup. There are a number of ways you can accomplish this. Since ransomware can only encrypt files it can access, a backup that is not physically attached to your computer is safe. Off-line backups can be as simple as a thumb drive that you plug in to back up your most important files, or an external drive you use to backup your entire system on a regular basis, but keep detached the rest of the time.
On-line backups are safe as well, as they generally provide versioning, which means they can restore your files to a previous date, even if your current files are encrypted. So, Carbonite, OneDrive, Apple iCloud, and DropBox are all good places to keep your data safely.
Some backup programs allow for continual backup, system state restoration, and also provide protection against malicious encryption. Acronis True Image for PC's, and Apple's Time Machine both have built in ransomware protection and can fully restore your programs and your data to the state it was prior to the attack.
The bottom line is that, if you keep your system up-to-date and patched, are cautious about opening any attachments, and keep your most important data backed up, you should be safe from ransomware. If you need any help making sure you are in good shape, please feel free to give me a call.
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There will be plenty of articles about the advantages of Windows 11, and I will get into that more when I have had a chance to install and use it. There is a snazzy new user interface, and many new features to play with. |
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However, the most important thing to understand is that, even if your current PC is only a few years old, there is a good chance you will need a new computer in order to properly run Windows 11. And if you are one of the many people who upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10, you will definitely need to buy a new system.
One of Microsoft's main goals for this new version of Windows is to offer greater security, very important in this day and age. And one way that Microsoft is making sure you are secure is by requiring all Windows 11 PCs run something called Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM).
TPM is pretty technical to describe, but fundamentally it's a hardware based encryption process that is meant to stop unauthorized access to your system at boot time, along with other security features. It's been a standard feature in business computers for many years, but it's not as common in consumer grade PC's, which many of you have. If you would like to find out if your current system is capable of running Windows 11, Microsoft has released a compatibility tool, which will analyze your system and let you know where you stand. However, you currently have to join the Windows Insider program to run it.
If you are currently using a computer that is more than a few years old, you might want to hold off upgrading until the dust settles a bit. Microsoft has stated they will continue to support Windows 10 until October 2025, so you will be fine as far as security updates are concerned. Expect much more on Windows 11 in the future - for now, sit tight, but if you purchase a new system make sure it's got TPM 2.0 enabled.
If your current system is in good physical condition, but running slowly or causing you problems, consider having me do a tune-up/clean up/SSD upgrade. With so much change coming, it's not a bad idea to spend a little money now to keep your system going for a little while longer. |
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Several years ago, Apple eliminated all of the various connectors, including the beloved MagSafe charging port, on its MacBook computers. Instead, MacBooks currently come with only a few USB-C ports, small, oval, multifunctional connectors. Apple was way ahead of its time - maybe a bit too far ahead - but in the last few years USB-C has come into its own. |
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Now familiar as the standard power port for Android phones, newer iPhones, MacBooks, and many laptops, USB-C is a true multifunctional port, capable of simultaneously powering a device, connecting peripherals, running an external monitor, or even supporting an entire docking station.
In order to make the best use of USB-C, you often need to buy adapters and connectors. Here are some of my favorite USB-C accessories:
USB to USB-C adapter - You don't need a new cable or a new peripheral device - just purchase a few of these inexpensive adapters from Amazon.
USB-C hub - available in many configurations, these allow a single USB-C port to run multiple devices. Make sure you purchase one with pass-through power like this one from Anker
USB-C charger - one power supply can be used to charge any USB-C device, including your MacBook, your USB powered laptop, or your USB powered phone or tablet.
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ComputerMom | 508-333-8176 | www.thecomputermom.com |
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