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Computer/ Internet News & Tips
January 2023

  • Social engineering scams becoming more common than computer viruses - What you need to know to avoid them
  • Why we don't recommend upgrading to Windows 11 yet
  • What to do if you've let a scammer access your device
  • We've been helping people with more than just fixing computers...
  • ICYMI: Previous articles you may have missed or want to read again are available on our website and newsletter archives
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
Support for Windows - macOS - iOS - Android
Social engineering scams becoming more common than computer viruses - What you need to know to avoid them
When I started Computer Techs in 2003, the most common danger on the computer was the virus. The computer virus was often spread through email attachments. Fast forward 20 years, now the most common danger is social engineering scams. And what was once just random guesses of people’s email addresses, now scammers also use phone numbers to call or send messages to contact their potential victims.

These days scammers and hackers have a lot more information about you due to website data breaches and the treasure trove of information that has been exposed about you – such as your name, email/physical address, phone number – and sometimes passwords. They often use that information to send emails, text messages or phone calls to persuade you to that there’s a problem that needs immediate attention. Examples of what they want you to do include:

  • Click a link or open an email attachment. Links often lead to look-alike websites in which you are asked to provide personal information – such as username and password – or even financial information
  • Call a number provided in the email or message so that you can dispute a (false) charge or purchase that was made
  • Request remote access to your computer or smartphone to fix or help with an account problem

When you receive such messages or calls – do not act immediately, it’s likely a scam. Instead read the following information to help you determine the authenticity of what you just received.

Why we don't recommend upgrading to Windows 11 yet
In early 2022 Microsoft began recommending that people upgrade to Windows 11 on computers that qualify. You may be wondering what our advice is about getting Windows 11. At this time we don’t feel that there’s a compelling reason to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 11 due to the following reasons:


However if you’re shopping for a new computer it will likely come with Windows 11 – and that’s okay. To read more about Windows 11, read more...
What to do if you've let a scammer access your device
Below is a scenario that we hear about many times each month – and it could happen to you.

You’ve just spoken on the phone with someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Amazon, your Internet provider or other well-known company. You’ve given the stranger remote access to your computer and they’ve shown you a bunch of things that’s wrong with it – errors, security or firewall problems, exposed social security numbers, or even offered to help transfer funds to or from your bank account. But they have a “fix” – they can remedy the “problems” for a few hundred dollars. You may or may not have gone so far as given out your credit card number or purchased gift cards for payment, but the damage has already been done. Sometimes it happens so quickly and convincingly that you may not realize that you’ve been conned until long after you’ve hung up the phone.

You’ve let a stranger get into your personal business. What should you do now? You should immediately turn off your computer or device that was remotely accessed – then call Computer Techs or another honest, reliable and local computer professional. Don’t be embarrassed – the con artists are good at what they do and are very persuasive and convincing. Millions of people get scammed by these telemarketers each year. Computer Techs will check your computer for stuff they may have left behind - such as stolen or changed passwords, deleted files, changed settings, malicious software or key loggers.

Have more than 3 minutes?
Check out these informational videos on our YouTube channel.
Click the video above to view our Computer Techs YouTube playlist featuring helpful tips and information about your devices and the internet.
You can also view the playlist by typing youtube.CTreno.com in your browser address bar.
We've been helping people with more than just fixing computers...
Did you know that Computer Techs can help with more than just computers? Check out some of our services that you may have not known about:

  • New computer or mobile device (smartphone/tablet) buying advice
  • New computer or mobile device set-up & transfer settings and apps from an old device
  • Help with recovery of forgotten passwords or hacked accounts
  • Printer troubleshooting or setup
  • TV streaming media device setup
  • Smart speaker / voice assistant device setup
  • Wireless camera and security device setup
  • Software installation
  • Microsoft Office help
  • Email setup/customization
  • Wireless router & Internet set-up
  • Wi-Fi optimization and troubleshooting
  • Computer data back-up solutions
  • Diagnose misc. software or hardware problems
  • Telecom bill audit/review to help you save money on your phone/internet/TV services
  • Computer security analysis following access by a tech support scammer
  • & much more

ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
You can easily access tips and news from previous newsletters on our newsletter archives webpage. Articles you may have missed or wish to read again include:

  • Why you should probably wait to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 11
  • What to do is your computer is "blocked" by a scare screen
  • When NOT to unsubscribe to an email
  • Should you drop your cable/satellite service? 
  • Why you probably don’t need a VPN
  • Search Gmail like a pro
  • Understanding 3G vs 5G vs 5 GHz
  • Change these Facebook settings now
  • How to save money on your internet service
  • How to recognize fraudulent emails
  • Google isn’t evil, why we like Google
  • Protect your mobile number from hackers
  • Two new iPhone features you should turn on now
  • Google requiring 2-Step Verification to sign-in
  • Chip shortage likely to cause lower supply, higher prices
  • Top 5 password tips that you need to know
  • Reveal the passwords stored in your browser - and check for the logins exposed in a data breach
  • Verizon sells off Yahoo and AOL
  • How to make it easier to read articles in your web browser - use Reader Mode
  • FTC Identity Theft website guides victims through the recovery process
  • How to spot emails, texts and pop-ups that "phish" for your private information
  • Your old cellphone may stop working soon
  • We can help with more than just computers and smartphones
  • How to fix most printer problems
  • Watch the world from home
  • How to send a message or email from your phone correctly
  • Ad blockers becoming less effective
  • Why you don't need to buy AntiVirus for your device
  • Is it time to replace or optimize your Wi-Fi?
  • Be proactive about computer maintenance
  • Why you should keep your computer ON when you're not using it
  • How ads follow you around the internet
  • Are you prepared if you lost your data?
  • Check to see if your email address was exposed in a data breach
  • Are you fed up with your internet provider's email "service"?
  • The one spec your next computer must have

Please consider recommending us on Nextdoor
If you use the neighborhood social network Nextdoor, please consider recommending Mark Cobb @ Computer Techs Reno to your neighbors. We get lots of referrals from neighbors looking for a good "computer tech".


For more information about benefiting from our referral program click more...
Get regular computing device maintenance and priority support
It's time to be proactive about maintaining your computing devices - rather than calling after problems get out-of-control. With reports of websites and databases getting hacked occurring on a daily basis, and the increasing chance of your personal information being compromised, it’s more important than ever to keep your computing devices secure, up-to-date and maintained.

Thanks to the peace-of-mind that our Computer Maintenance Plan provides, clients that sign-up for the plan don't have to worry about the seemingly constant barrage of updates, security patches and computer hackers. They also get priority callbacks and messaging replies.

With our Computer Maintenance Plan we will maintain, update and check the security on your computer - and other devices (when performed on-site) - on a convenient regularly scheduled basis.

For more information read more...


Thank you!

Mark Cobb
Owner/Technician/IT Consultant