Bits and Pieces

One of the most common computer repair calls I get lately is for virus scans. Those who write viruses are getting pretty sneaky. But there are ways to protect your computer. Apart from having a good antivirus program installed with current updates (you do have one installed, don’t you?), you can protect yourself from the most common infections by telling yourself, and your family, “Don’t Click That!”

The common scenario goes something like this. You’re searching the Internet for a favorite recipe, pictures of a cat with bulging eyes and funny sayings, music to download to your portable player, that video of a boy jumping on a trampoline and landing on his house, or whatever piques your interest. Suddenly, your computer pops up a warning that you’re infected by a virus, and apparently starts a virus scan. It alerts you that you have (insert number here) infections and should take immediate action by either buying protection or by installing whatever they’re offering.

The catch is that, no matter what you click, the virus will install itself. I know, one of the buttons is labeled ‘Cancel’. Well, I have done some programming and can tell you that it doesn’t matter what the button says. If the programmer wants to install a virus, the button can be programmed to do it, even though it says ‘Cancel’.

Another catch is that I have yet to find an antivirus program that will prevent this type of infection from installing. Programmers are getting very creative, and antivirus companies are scrambling to keep up with them. I’ve had more customers than I can remember who were infected with one of these pieces of malware, even though they had an expensive antivirus program installed.

I’ve found that the safest action to take when this scenario presents itself is to reboot your computer BEFORE you click any button on the boxes that pop up. Save data from any application you’re running, but REBOOT THE COMPUTER.

I have personally seen the popups and have only been infected once. That was the day before I left for a two week trip to Africa. I was hurrying through a search online and a popup gave some warning about file corruption. Without thinking I quickly dismissed it by clicking ‘Cancel’, and immediately had an “I shouldn’t have done that” moment. I didn’t have time to run scans before my trip, so it was infected the entire time I was gone. It was the first computer related issue I addressed after I returned. It made me realize how easy it was for my customers to make the same mistake. I guess I can truly say I empathize with them now.

Tell your friends, tell your family, and tell yourself: “Don’t Click That!”

Today I set up “Google Cloud Print” so I could print from my tablet. This allows me to print to my home printers from anywhere I have an Internet connection. It was easy to set up.

Here’s how:

1. Install Google Chrome on your home PC that has the printer(s) attached (or has network connection to the printers)

2. In Chrome options, select ‘Under the Hood’

3. Click the ‘Enable Google Cloud Print’.

4. Sign in with your Google account (If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to create one.)

5. Click the ‘Finish printer registration’ button.

Once you’re done, you can use Google Chrome or a mobile device (I have PrinterShare on my Android tablet) to print from anywhere you have Internet access. Very cool.

And, just to be fair, you can even set this up on an iOS device, like an iPhone or iPad. I guess they’re good for something after all. ;-{)}

For more information about Google Cloud Print, see their website at http://www.google.com/cloudprint