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Computer/ Internet News & Tips
March 2023

  • Scam activity is up this year: Read and print these 5 tips now as a reminder so that you don't become scam victim
  • 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
Scam Activity is up This Year:
Read and Print these 5 Tips Now as a Reminder
So You Don't Become a Scam Victim
  • NEVER respond or react hastily to unexpected messages: If you get a pop-up message, email, phone call, text message, or any other urgent message about a virus/security problem, account problem or ask you to call about an unexpected charge - DO NOT click on any links or call a phone number provided in the message. Always initially assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise.
  • Refer to links in the article below about how to close out of fake warning messages that appear to lock your computer or device.
  • Scammers often PRETEND to be from a business, organization, or financial institution or even a person that you know.
  • Scammers advertise on search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing) so that people looking for help with a product or service will call them instead of a real support number listed on an official company website.
  • Legitimate companies will never ask for remote access/control of your computer or smartphone, unless you initiate the call to a number listed on the official company website. If the person with a legitimate company accessing your computer asks you to log into your account to “fix” or “help” with a problem, asks for money, money transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards, immediately turn off your computer and end the call. Then call your trusted computer tech, relative or close friend to help validate the communication you just had.

Scammers are becoming increasingly clever. Every month we hear from clients who have been scammed by letting someone take control of their computer and coerce them into paying for support for non-existent computer or account-related problems. With a little bit of knowledge of how these scams work, you won’t become a victim yourself.
News Video About the Top Scam of 2022
Please watch this <2 minute video about an email invoice scam
that you need to be aware of.
What To Do if You've Let a Scammer Access Your Device
If you (mistakenly) let someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Amazon, your Internet provider or other well-known company have remote access to view your computer screen - turn off your computer right away! Scammers typically show you a bunch of things that’s supposedly wrong – errors, security or firewall problems, hacking, or even offer to help transfer funds to your bank account. You may not have given out your financial information or made a payment or money transfer, 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? After turning off your computer or device that was remotely accessed – call Computer Techs or another honest, reliable and local computer professional for a thorough computer security check. Don’t be embarrassed – the con artists are good at what they do and are very persuasive and convincing. Millions of people get scammed each year. Computer Techs will check your computer for trojan software they may have left behind - and advise what passwords, files, emails, and online accounts that may have been accessed.

Have more than 3 minutes?
Check out these informational videos on our YouTube channel (updated).
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