Computer/ Internet News & Tips
September 2022

  • Stay out of trouble with our updated scam information
  • AT&T email users experiencing login issues
  • Windows 8/8.1 being retired January 2023
  • 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

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Support for Windows - macOS - iOS - Android
Stay out of trouble with our updated scam information

If you saw the screen pictured above you may think you've got serious problems with your computer. But the serious problems only begin if you call the number displayed in the pop-up message. If you were to call the number, clever scammers are waiting for people calling in a panic, and will take whatever steps necessary to trick you into giving up your money - for problems that don't exist.

Spend just a few moments now to read about how to get rid of pop-up messages like this so that you are prepared and don't fall victim to the scammer's tactics. We've recently had several clients lose tens of thousands of dollars to scammers. Their situation could've been avoided had they read and printed the articles and warnings from our newsletters and website.


AT&T Email users experiencing login issues
In the past few months many AT&T Email users have been experiencing login issues due to "too many attempts". Fixing the issue has often been temporary and involves resetting your password or contacting AT&T. If it hasn't happened to you we suggest that you update your AT&T Profile with account recovery information ASAP to make resetting your password easier.

Here's further advice from the AT&T Community Forums. If you still can't access your email, we may be able to help: Contact us.

Windows 8/8.1 being retired January 2023
If you purchased a PC between 2012-2015 it most likely came with Windows 8/8.1. The operating system was released about 10 years ago and has since been replaced with Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft has announced that support for all versions of Windows 8 will end January 2023, thereby stopping the release of important security and reliability patches. And if you're still using Windows 7, you're really overdue for an upgrade. It's now time to start thinking about replacing your computer and our advice will help you make your decision on what computer to get.


New informational videos posted on our YouTube playlist
In the past month we've added some videos to our YouTube video playlist. Go to youtube.CTreno.com to view them and be sure to subscribe to the playlist to be notified when new videos are added!

Have more than 3 minutes? Read on...
Learn to recognize fake emails and scams
If you've read our information about scams before, it's worth taking a few moments to review this important information and catch up on how to avoid falling victim to the latest scams. It could save you money and the risk of identity theft.
The email pictured above may look like you're about to get a hefty bill. But if you spend a few moments to read it carefully, there are several clues that it's a fake invoice - designed to get you to call the number. If you call, scammers on the other end of the line will eventually attempt to swindle you. Most emails such as this have grammatical errors. Read about this and other emails you should learn to recognize.
Every month we help people who have been scammed. But had they read our newsletters and printed our website articles, they wouldn't have been scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars. Scammers are becoming increasingly clever. By using technology - automated email and phone dialing - hackers and scammers take advantage of the anonymity of the internet to reach millions of potential victims in attempt to trick them into giving up their money. With a little bit of knowledge of scams and how they work, you won't become a victim yourself.
So far in 2022, the most common types of scams that we've been hearing about include:

  • A text message from your own phone number offering "a gift" for paying your mobile phone bill - DO NOT click the link
  • A call from your "Internet provider" offering a refund for services that they want to transfer into your bank account
  • An email invoice or phone call claiming there will be a charge for a product or service - such as computer security protection that you don't recall ordering - unless you contact the sender immediately
  • A scary computer pop-up window telling you to call to fix a problem with your computer
  • Email scams appearing to come from someone that you know asking for a favor by purchasing a gift card for a relative
  • Scammers responding to something you are trying to sell online and asking for a Google Voice Verification Code
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
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.
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