This holiday season is the first year that more people are expected to shop more online than in actual brick-and-mortar stores. It’s expected that over $63 billion dollars will be spent on holiday shopping in the United States. That’s an increase of over 16% from last year. With so much money being spent online, it begs the question, “How can you protect yourself from identity theft and other cybercrimes?”

1. Use a credit card instead of a debit card. While both offer the same amount of liability protection, you have much longer with a credit card to realize that you have an issue. Both types of cards limit your liability to $50. This is the law. However, you have 60 days to notify your credit card company that something is wrong. Debit card companies limit you to 2 days.

• If you’re a victim of credit card fraud, you’re not out any money. But if someone uses your debit card without your knowledge, your entire bank account could be cleaned out before you know it. It can take weeks to get your money back. What would you do in the mean time?

2. Consider not shopping online in public places. It’s possible for hackers to access your computer if you’re utilizing wireless Internet in public places. Feel free to do your browsing in public places, but save your shopping for a network that requires a password. It’s also important to prevent your wireless devices from automatically connecting to any Wi-Fi signal you happen to stumble upon.

3. Stick to stores you know. If you’ve used an online store successfully in the past, it’s reasonable to assume that you’ll be safe in the future. If you’re unsure about a new store, do an online search. It’s difficult to hide bad news today. The word spreads quickly. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, trust your gut.

4. Look for the symbols of security. A web address that starts with ‘https’ includes an encrypted protocol. You’re probably also familiar with the little padlock that shows up in the address bar, immediately before the ‘https’. This is also a sign that the website has some degree of security and encryption. Depending on the browser, the color of the padlock can mean different things. A green padlock typically means that the web address has been verified using a security certificate. A gray padlock can mean that you’re on the right site (it’s not being spoofed); however, the owner of the website hasn’t been verified. Avoid purchasing on sites that don’t have some sign of security.

5. Leave the pop-ups alone. Control+F4 or ALT F4 will eliminate most pop-ups without having to click on them. Control+W works for Macs. You are NOT going to get a free iPad or $500 gift card. Pop-ups are a common source of computer malware and computer viruses (read more about how to prevent computer viruses here.)

Shopping safely online should be on everyone’s mind. Take care of yourself and your finances by taking the necessary precautions. Few things can spoil the holidays quicker than realizing that someone has used your identity to purchase expensive items. Save yourself the grief and shop intelligently this holiday season.

It’s possible to find nearly anything online, from guidance on how to properly raise a pet snake to the most popular chocolate cookie recipe to how to make a million dollars. While the search engines are getting more powerful and intuitive every day, it can still be challenging to find what you’re looking for. If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know how frustrating it can be. With a few simple tips, you can greatly improve your search results and find exactly what you need.
 
Be specific. If you’re searching for the history of the American automobile, you’re probably going to get more relevant results if you include Henry Ford’s name in your search. The vocabulary that you use should be as targeted as possible. Every field has its own vocabulary. Learn it and use it.
 
Utilize the best search engine. Google seems to be the default, but there are better choices for certain topics. For example, http://www.scirus.com specializes in science related searches. If you’re searching for pictures, http://www.picsearch.com has indexed over 3 billion pictures! Take the time to look for the best search engine for your needs; you’ll save time and improve your results. You might want to try the search, list of search engines and see what you find. You might be surprised.
 
Investigate the advanced features. Many search engines have advanced features that rarely get used. For example, Google search has the ability to exclude certain search terms and to limit a search to a particular domain name. You can even limit the search the search to certain countries or certain types of files. This is merely scratching the surface.
 
Use quotes to find an exact match. Putting your search term(s) within double quotes “abcxyz”, will return search results with that exact term. This can be incredibly handy if you’re searching for something specific.
 
Use search operators. Google has a plethora of ways you can improve your searching. For example, the search computer $500…$900 will return results with the word ‘computer’ and a dollar figure between $500 and $900 dollars. The use of ‘…’ returns a range between two numbers. There are other operators. Check them out.
 
Take a class! Google has a free, self-paced search engine course that can be found right here. After taking the introductory class, there is an advanced course on the same web page. Who better to teach the ins-and-outs of search than Google themselves? With a little searching, you’re sure to find other instructional opportunities.
 
Keep your search terms short, but not too short. Search terms should be long enough to be specific, but not so long that the results are diluted with too many unrelated results. A good tactic can be to start simple and then evaluate the results. If you’re not getting what you need, include additional terms and re-evaluate the results.
 
Improving your search engine skills can be accomplished quickly and easily, with a little bit of work. Becoming a better online searcher will save valuable time and improve your effectiveness. Put these tips to use and watch your search skills (and knowledge) soar.
 

It seems that nearly everyone has had the misfortune of dealing with a computer virus by now. If your computer has ever been infected with a computer virus, you know firsthand just how inconvenient and potentially damaging it can be. And then there is the expense of having to have and pay for professional virus removal. There are thousands of computer viruses floating around the Internet with cyber-criminals developing more every day. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect yourself. As with many other aspects of life, having the proper habits in place is the best way to ensure success.
 
Avoid these five mistakes and you’ll be on the right track:
 
1. Failing to install and use an up-to-date anti-virus program.
 
It’s true that these programs consume a considerable amount of system resources. However, the consequences of a computer virus are well worth the slight hassle of losing a few CPU cycles. Being ‘smart’ isn’t an acceptable substitute for having a high quality anti-virus program in place. Not for most people at least.
 
• Ensure that any anti-virus program you’re using is updated on a regular basis. Ensure that it has “real time” protection. Malware and Viruses are constantly being developed and updated. It’s important that your defense is constantly being improved and updated, too.
 
2. Assuming that an anti-virus program is foolproof.
 
Most computer users simply have too much faith in the programs that provide protection from malware. Consider the fact that in many cases, computers have to been infected with new viruses before anti-virus program manufacturers can develop solutions to prevent them. Therefore, you might not have the protection you “think” you do. A high quality anti-virus program isn’t an acceptable substitute for researching ways to avoid viruses and constantly developing new web browsing skills and habits.
 
3. Downloading free software, movies, music, etc.
 
There are financial advantages to obtaining software, movies, music and games for free, but there are also significant risks. Those that are interested in spreading a computer virus use pirated software as a tool to deliver these malicious programs. You’re not just getting a free movie; you’re also providing the perfect opportunity for a virus to infect your computer. Proceed with caution when anything is free on the internet.
 
4. Blindly opening email attachments. While most email programs effectively screen email attachments for viruses, it’s generally a good idea to ignore email attachments from unknown senders. This is especially true when dealing with executable files. Consider the source and control your curiosity.
 
5.Clicking on any popup that states your computer has a virus.

Those annoying popups are a common source of computer viruses. The best solution is to close your browser without clicking on that pesky popup. You can press ALT F4 to close a window without clicking on a pop-up. This common type of infection claims to be the solution to the very problem it’s creating. In most cases, the offered solution will cost you a considerable amount of your hard-earned money.
 
Few things can disrupt your peace of mind as effectively, or as quickly, as having to stop your busy schedule and call a computer repair professional and schedule a virus removal. Staying safe online requires more than the use of an anti-virus program. The user is always the one variable that can never be completely secured. It’s difficult to protect you from yourself. Diligence and research are important. Spend some time noodling around on the internet for articles on how improve your web browsing skills and habits and reading about how to avoid computer viruses. And, I hope avoiding the five habits above is an good start.

Windows XP is the second most successful operating system produced by Microsoft thus far (only Windows 7 has been better received). First released on October 24th, 2001, Window XP has approximately 500 million users globally who still use this operating system. For over a decade now, the XP support provided by Windows has been a major reason for its success and user satisfaction. Three service packs were released by Microsoft for XP. Nevertheless, all good things much come to an end. And Microsoft will be ending support effective from April 8th, 2014. What does this mean for those millions of users who are still using XP on their computers?

No more XP Patches

With XP support gone no more patches for XP will be released. Patches are normally designed to fix problems or update software related to the operating system. They also provide security updates and improve OS performance. Without these patches an outdated OS is more vulnerable to malware and other virus infections. No security fixes means anyone running XP stands a greater chance of being becoming infected and also having data stolen.

No more Driver Updates

Drivers are pieces of software that run various parts of your computer such as your keyboard, monitor and USB Ports, for example. Manufacturers of machine components create software to run the components, then release these software and updates to the computer manufacture to put on their website. When an OS stops support and updates the component manufactures also stop releasing driver updates. Therefore, in time XP users may start finding it difficult to use a XP computers at all as the individual components on the machine may start to become “glitchy” (start to malfunction).

What are the options?

If you are an individual who uses XP on your home computer for basic use, you may try and move to Windows Vista or Windows 7. It might also be time to consider replacing your computer. In general, the decision to withdraw XP support is beening looked upon by some users as Window’s last effort to force users and enterprises to move from XP to Windows 7 or 8. Whatever the reason, if you’re a “tried-and-true” Windows XP fan and hold-out — you should accept the inevitable — your time with XP is limited….

The motherboard is the heart of a computer. As long as your computer’s motherboard is intact – when things go wrong – your computer is often repairable at a reasonable cost. Motherboard repair or replacement, on the other hand, is usually very expensive. That said, there are several things to think about regarding prolonging the life of your motherboard. Here is a list of different reasons your computer’s motherboard might fail — along with suggestions on failure prevention.
 
Electrical Spikes and Surges
 
An electrical spike or surge is a short-lived burst of energy in an electric circuit. This can be the result of power hungry appliances, problems with wiring, problems with the power service outside the house, or the result of a lightning strike. Lightning is the #1 culprit of spike/surge motherboard failure I see — and it will often go in through the Ethernet port and bypass a surge protector! This sudden change of voltage can cause damage to the delicate circuits in a motherboard. Connecting your computer to a power outlet that has frequent fluctuations in electrical output may also cause damage to your motherboard. Though at times immediate damage may not be visible, it may harm the motherboard over time. To protect your motherboard from electrical spikes, use a high quality surge protector that can neutralize the effects. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to protect from lightning strikes.
 
Dust, Pet Hair and Debris
 
Dust pet hair and debris can be a sure motherboard killer. At my shop in Louisville, KY I can’t tell you how many times I see fans and fan basins clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. When these things collect in your machine, they start blocking the air circulation that keeps the machine cool. It is like harmful fat that blocks your arteries that cause a heart attack. A computer intake pulls all these things in when the fans rotate. This leads to blocking the airflow, which causes overheating.
 
Cigarette smoke
 
Tar from cigarette smoke (it’s not the nicotine, by the way) is not good for your health and also for the health of your computer. Cigarette smoke, when combined with dust produces a sticky gooey substance inside a computer. It smells bad and is also very difficult to remove. This tar can cause overheating — which may damage the motherboard. It is recommended that you have a periodic schedule of cleaning the interior of your computer (at a qualified shop) and try and keep it away from cigarette smoke.
 
Heating Issues
 
Overheating of the motherboard can occur if multiple operations are performed simultaneously and power supply is continuous (give your computer a periodic rest if gaming, watching videos, etc). Also, clogging of fans can cause a motherboard to overheat. In some cases, overheating may also occur due to fluctuations in power supply or in one of the parts of the motherboard circuit. Finally, using a laptop in your lap or on another soft surface can cover up intakes and exhaust fans causing your machine to heat up. Overheating can be prevented by keeping the fan basins clear, giving your computer a rest after heavy use, using your laptop in the cooler rooms in the house, and using it on a cold hard surface. Temperature monitoring software can be installed to monitor the temperature of your computer internally (Core Temp, Real Temp, SpeedFan).
 
Impact or Spill
 
An accidental impact to your motherboard can cause severe damage to the circuits which may cause motherboard failure. I have seen motherboards fail immediately due to impact from drops. Spill damage is also quite common. I have seen every type of liquid kill a motherboard instantly but thicker liquids (e.g., milk) seems to be the worst. Spills can cause your motherboard to short out instantly. Water can also cause damage to the different chips on your motherboard causing your motherboard to fail. If you do spill something into your laptop do NOT turn it on again and take it to a qualified computer repair shop, immediately.
 
Manufacturer Design Defects
 
Motherboards are mass produced and there are chances that manufacturing defects occur. Cheap motherboards also tend to fail more quickly. The capacitors installed may be faulty and may cause problems. The bus architecture of the board may have been engineered incorrectly and there might be cooling issues. Most motherboards come with a warranty so it should take care of expenses if problems arise during the warranty period, but that is often only a year and doesn’t cover user generated problems, of course. Sometimes the manufacturers admit to the faulty designs but usually not. Usually computer repair shops can tell if there is a “known issue” because we see the same problems occurring over and over with the same make and model of computer. I can see some trends related to certain generations of computers and it’s not with only one manufacturer. Sometimes these manufacturer defeats aren’t “known” for years (after enough of a make and model show up at the shops and enough complaints are filed that it becomes obvious there is a known issue with a particular make and model) and then it becomes more obvious based on discussions on the internet.
 
Normal Aging and Wear
 
Your motherboard will eventually fail (if something else doesn’t fail first.) This is a fact. It is an electric circuit board and has a finite life span. Some good motherboards will give you around fifty thousand hours of work time or even more if taken care of properly. Once they have reached their useful life span, they do fail and you may have to replace it or replace your computer. The good news is when you are aware of the reasons motherboards fail preventative and preparatory actions (see my article on backing up important files) can be taken to minimize the negative impact.
 
Please visit our website for more useful computer repair and topics.