Start the New Year Right! Think Email Safe!
Recently, emails have been hitting mailboxes that are far from benign. Following are two such emails seemingly, coming from reputable companies…
… BUT ARE THEY????
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What is Coming This Holiday? A Computer Maybe?
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With the Holidays Coming… is a Computer in Your Future?
This is a charged question, leading to MANY other computer questions.
- How much memory do you need?
- What is it going to be used for?
- Do you also need a monitor?
- Do you need a printer?
- Do you want to bring it with you?
- Do you think you just want a tablet?
The list goes on and on. The main things that may be answered by “someone in the know” is how much memory is going to be needed and what applications are you planning on using in its daily use? There are lots of deals out there and lots of brands and LOTS of misinformation out there.
Sometimes going to that “big box” store is not the best option, and can be antiseptic, leaving you with a frustrated or misinformed state at the end of a large purchase.
One way to prevent this is to sit down with highlighter, notebook, cell phone, millennial and as much online research as you can find, prior to your purchase.
The OTHER and far more efficient way is to give us a call at Sandra Network for hardware services where we determine what the best tool is for your needs, without the techno-geek-speak. Not only will you not be wasting money, but you will have the tools you need at a reasonable price. Click here to discover an exciting deal from Sandra Network.
Make those holidays happy!
Give us a call at Sandra Network 978-535-0202 #3 or email us at [email protected]
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To be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0… That is the Question
What may be one of the most frustrating things when connecting new “Plug-n-Play” equipment with USB cables, is the difficulties faced upon connecting them… and they neither Plug… nor play (Insert primal scream here). Frustration tends to mount while moving a file from one drive to another and it is doing so, seemingly at a snail’s pace.
We at Sandra Network would like to help with this BEFORE you are forwarded from phone extension to phone extension, continent to continent, waiting on hold for the answer that may be right there in the clear blue! (You will see what I did there… in a moment, and laugh… just wait)
One common issue is the age of the equipment, be it a keyboard/mouse/ flash drive, external drive or printer, they all may cause the same frustrations. It is all about speed, and the simple way to tell (if you no longer have the box with the description, or the “Read me” file) is the color of the connector or the icon next to the connector on the computer.
USB 3.0 is the third major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard for connecting computers and electronic devices. USB 3.0 is usually distinguishable from USB 2.0 by blue color-coding of the ports and plugs, and by the initials “SS”.
USB 2.0 |
USB 3.0 |
| 480 Mbps (Megabits per second) | 4.8 Gbps (Giga bits per second) |
| Can either send or receive data, i.e. copy or paste | Can simultaneously send and receive data, i.e. copy and paste |
Overall:
- If you want seamless speed as an option in transferring data,
- If something you plugged in as a new device is not properly connecting or is giving USB errors
- If there is the option of USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 on the computer.
- check to see what color the port is, that choice can make all of the difference in speed or connectivity
If you are still unsure PLEASE give Sandra Network a call at 978-535-0202 or email [email protected] and we will help you out!
Yet another form of Ransom-ware!
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Your screen just went to this:
What do you do?
It could be a Ransomware – Just look at that color!!!
Ohh NOOOOO!!!!
Do you call the phone number?
Do you click on the page and find as many links as you can?
NO! STOP! SLOW DOWN! IT’S REALLY A DOOR TO RANSOMWARE
This is the doorway for ransomware that will only bring you sadness and destruction.
There are a couple of tell-tale signs that will only bring you sadness and destruction. There are a couple of tell-tale signs:
The URL. In most cases, it is something that should throw red flags. In THIS case, it is virus.com…
Windows Security Essentials does not send a phone number to their help desk and that hints towards a potential ransomware attack. Many times, ransomware attacks can also come through email viruses too.
You may not even have Windows Defender turned on, but it will never blank out your screen with an error, it might send a “notification”.
What should you do?
- You will want to start the Task Manager. There are two ways to get to it:
<Ctrl><Alt><Del> at the same time - Right click on your taskbar
- Select the browser you are in (Chrome, IE, Firefox)
- Select “End Task”. (this will close out the application
- Download an Anti-Malware app for example:
- Call Sandra Network: 978-535-0202 #3 or email: [email protected]
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Do you wanna cry? Call Sandra Network!
There is a new form of Ransomware out there, once again, Called WannaCry.
“WannaCry“
It encrypts the files on your machine, THEN demands an average of $300 in bitcoin. If payment is not received within three days, the demand doubles. Should, no action be taken after seven days, the affected files will be deleted.
What if I do not want to run my Windows updates, because some software will no longer run properly?
What can you do to prevent the WannaCry ransomware? There are steps that may be taken, should you not want to update Windows presently. The entry of the virus to your device, which is dependent on a gap in the Windows system and the gap is present in all types of Windows is that the feature is open. If you did not update your windows, turn off SMP . following are the steps.
- Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features.
- Select the Turn Windows features on or off option on the left
- Select the Turn Windows features on or off option on the left
- Remove check box SMB1.0/CIF File Sharing Support
- You must restart your computer to complete this change.
- Once this is completed, you are safe from this specific ransomware.
Keeping updates in order is usually the best option to prevent the introduction of WannaCry ransomware, but it is always good to STILL follow these guidelines:
- If you receive a message from your friend with a link, ask him before opening the link to confirm, (infected machines send random messages with links).
- Keep your files backed up regularly and periodically.
- Be aware of fraudulent e-mail messages that use names similar to popular services such as ‘PayePal’ instead of ‘PayPal’ or use popular service names without commas or excessive characters.
- Use anti virus and Always make have the last update.
If you still run into any issues, or it is too late, please contact our Support at Sandra Network
- [email protected]
- (978) 535 – 0202 #3
Verizon email Moving to AOL – Be Prepared!
So, you have probably heard through that pesky grapevine… Verizon is no longer going to be supporting or hosting email, the company will be having it hosted by AOL within the next couple of weeks. When logging into the webmail.verizon.net there will be an “Email service notice“. Click on “Keep verizon.net email address” or “Use any other email provider” to complete the setup. There will be no action to take until you receive an email service notice from them. Through all of the shuffling, it may have been missed, AOL is a Verizon company. Verizon is looking to put their focus on their FIOS and phone markets.
Does this mean my Email is going away?
No, once you have received this notice.. you will probably say… AOL? WHAT??!! Do I need to find one of those diskettes they sent me through the mail in 1990… so what do I do next?
There are a few options, hold on..
- Follow the directions and forward your email to AOL and continue from there. In this scenario, you will keep your Verizon.net email, while navigating the AOL Mail website.
- Do nothing and let that email account fade to digital dust
- Set up an Office 365 account and have all of your emails forward through one account, making it MUCH easier for you! (We can actually do this for you at Sandra Network!)
Not sure WHAT to do?
There are still a lot of options; these are but a few. If you are still unsure what your next steps should be you should give us a call at 978-535-0202 or email us at [email protected] and we will walk you through or set you up with the correct options just for you!
Special November Deal – Fine Tune Your Computer!
Thank You for Being a Loyal Customer
For that we would like to make you and any of your friends an offer for some fine-tuning for the computer.
If at this very moment, you or someone you know have clicked on a file to open it, and you have time to run a load of laundry AND catch up on your favorite television show … you are who we are looking for!
With daily use the computer stores many processes, temporary files and other non malicious files. The longer the computer is running the more piles up. At some point, you will select an application to open and it will either fail to open or it will take an inordinate amount of time to do so.
The solution to this is to contact someone to help you fine tune your computer, if you do not already know how to do this.
That being said, for the month of November, we at Sandra Network will give you a free hour of maintenance for your referral of a new customer who signs up.
If you are a new customer, there is probably more of a need for the cleanup, so we are offering two (2) hours for the price of one, then potentially set up on a schedule for monthly/quarterly or yearly maintenance to keep running smoothly.
If this is of interest to you, or you know someone who might benefit from this, PLEASE contact us at Sandra Network and we will get you productive again!
[email protected]
978-535-0202
It’s A Trap, A Scam!
Recently, a great many people have asked what to do if they receive calls where someone asks to connect to their computer to resolve some issue. the quick answer is: It is a Scam!
- Did you already sign a contract with this company?
- How do they know you signed onto your computer?
- Have you recently seen any suspicious activity on your computer?
If these questions create a long list of additional questions, please DO NOT allow them access to your computer, it is a scam. Please contact us first!
This is how it tends to happen:
You are sitting around, your computer is on, but not being used and the phone rings.
“Hello this is Peggy from Microsoft, I noticed that your computer has been sending error messages. There are problems with the internet connection or phone line and this has affected your computer’s recent performance. On top of that, the broadband connection has been hacked. May I have remote access to the computer to find out what the problem is?”
Your first thoughts should be… I don’t know anyone named Peggy. WHY are they monitoring my system, I didn’t hire them and if I didn’t, who did?
These are all valid and you are correct in being suspicious of this call. This is not a technical support service, already hired (such as Sandra Network) then the scamming call should be ended immediately.
What is the best way to protect yourself?
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer. This is ALWAYS a scam!
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source; otherwise, this is a scam!
- Receiving a phone call out of the blue about your computer and remote access is requested – hang up – even if they mention a well-known company such as Microsoft.
If you have questions or think you may have been hacked, or have given out pertinent and private information:
- Please call your financial institutions and have your accounts monitored or closed.
- Change your passwords for your email, login.
- Call us at Sandra Network and with your permission, clean out the machine of any suspicious activity.
FALL into Savings, with a New Printer!
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Although Fall is not quite here… Why not get ahead of the game with a new printer.
- Do you have a student who is always trying to print their homework and it is just never coming out right
- Do you have a document you need to scan (tree saving) and fax the scan to a friend, while also keeping a copy for yourself?
- Or, so you have a slow printing device that smokes a little more each time you hear it start?
We, at Sandra Network have a solution for you … A Dell Smart Multifunction Printer – S2815dn we would like to sell to you.
Specifications
- Mono Printing
- Print, Fax, Scan and copy
- Scan to PDF, TIFF and JPG up to 9600×9600 dpi
- Up to 200 speed dial entries for Fax
- Compatible with Windows, Windows Server and Apple
- Three (3) Month warrantee with Sandra Network
Originally Priced at $359.99
WE have it priced at $259.99
All YOU need to do is call us at Sandra Network 978.535.0202
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What do you think about working remotely? LogMeIn lets you!
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Close your eyes… Come on… Close ‘em. No wait.. you need to read this!
Imagine this scene: You are sitting in a cubicle, in an 8-way adjustable chair and pulled up to a dark wood desk with all of the papers imaginable, Hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor(s). Yes, you have your coffee on the desk, your lunch and pictures of your friends and/or family in the area maybe even your red stapler (purple, in my case). All piled into your cubicle. You can escape the scene with Logmein Tool and work remotely.
Let that soak in for a second.
Now, imagine THIS scene:
You outside at the campground sitting in a lounge chair, the sun is warm the breeze is cool and the smell of the water is wafting by. You have your laptop in your lap, and a Bloody Mary in the cup holder of your chair. Or, wouldn’t it be nice to bring that laptop to the beach? Up to your cabin in the woods? Anywhere but the office?
BOTH of these people are working. One person is using remote access and the other is not. Not only can we, at Sandra Network set you up for remote support but we can also set you up to be able to remotely log into your machine in your office and have all your programs, you can print, access your files and have the ability to perform and do everything as if you are in your office at your boring cubicle. In 3 short months you will be stuck back inside again. THREE SHORT MONTHS it will be time to shovel again!
Logmein direct from the Logmein website is $99/year per person. We can offer it to our customers for $50/year per person.
This month only – Logmein Tool Remote Access is $40 per year.
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