News and Specials!
Sign up for our monthly email newsletter by entering your email address below, and clicking subscribe


We Have Moved!

We’re now conveniently located near the corner of Whitcomb and Westnedge behind the Burger King. We are the upper suite in the rear of the building. If you need driving directions, please don’t hesitate to call!

Geek Easy Computers
435 Whitcomb St. UL 201
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269)548-TECH (8324)

Posts Tagged ‘backup’

Holiday Safety For Your Computer!

‘Tis the season for online shopping and travel! With excitement and distractions aplenty, it’s easy to get caught unawares by an online scam or hacker. It is also a time for increased sharing on social media. That increased information sharing also makes us more vulnerable to online threats and expensive identity thefts. Below are steps you can take to ensure your personal information stays safe and secure. 

ONLINE

– Limit Your Personal Information Online: Review the security settings of your online profiles and limit access to people not on your friends list (or them too!). The more specific information you share publicly, the easier it is for you to be compromised. .

– Use Strong Passwords and Change Them: Many sites now force you to use strong passwords and that’s a good thing. Use different passwords for each of your online accounts and set up two-step verification, when possible. You should also CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS every three months. If you’re comfortable with it, password manager software like LastPass, Dashlane, RoboForm, etc. can help you set very complex secure passwords without having to remember or write them all down somewhere. 

– Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection. Make sure your browser is also updated for similar reasons.

– Be Careful What You Download: Opening attachments in email is one of the top 3 (if not #1) way computers get infected with malware or otherwise compromised. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know and be suspicious of unexpected forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly sent you an infection!!.

– Use Secure URLs: Check to be sure websites are security enabled when performing an online transaction. Look for web addresses that start with “https://” which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. Stick to well-known, thoroughly vetted sites. Don’t pick the holiday season as the time to “try out” that new online shopping site that popped up in a Facebook ad!

– Turn Off Your Computer: Probably the simplest solution. When you are not using the computer, turn it off.  It can’t get hacked if it’s not on.

– Trust Your Instinct: If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

TRAVEL

The Bag – you definitely want a cushioned protective bag. With the new thinner, sleeker laptops and tablets, it’s tempting to buy an equally sexy case. Unfortunately, those cases tend to be focused on fashion, not protection. Also, a flashy case or bag is like a bullseye for thieves. Don’t advertise that you have a laptop or device! Tamper resistant zippers or checkpoint friendly bags are a good idea if you are flying.

Insurance – Make sure your insurance policy covers theft and loss of personal items, and the amount of coverage will be enough to buy you a new laptop. A good travel rewards credit card may cover travel protection. Check the terms of your card issuer.

WiFi – When traveling, using public WiFi is very tempting and sometimes unavoidable. Using public WiFi networks can lead to security breaches. Especially when using hotel or airport WiFi. Make sure your computer or device is protected by antivirus software, and that the software is updated and current. Avoid shopping online or logging on to your online banking website on a public WiFi network. Consider investing in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service from a reputable security company. These services protect your connection by encrypting all the data you send and receive online through the security company’s servers.

Backup Your Data – You should be doing this regularly anyway, but definitely do it before you travel with your laptop or device. The data stored in your laptop can be more valuable than the computer to you. Protect yourself from losing your data by backing it up on an external hard drive or in the cloud.

The crew at Geek Easy Computers wants you to be able to enjoy the holidays with your friends and families, and not have to worry about your technology! We are here to make your technology easier! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns!  Happy Holidays!


Adonis Pointer is a photographer, a collector of vintage razors, and a certified technology geek!
Adonis has been involved in computer technology since well, a LONG time! He has been involved in nearly every aspect of the industry from sales to repair to training to consulting. As the Social Media Manager he writes the majority of the posts on the Geek Easy Computers blog.

Travel Tips For Your Devices

Our wireless devices have become such a part of our everyday lives that it’s almost unthinkable to not take them with us on our trips. With all the hustle and bustle of traveling, it’s easy to forget that our devices need to prepare for the trip just like you do.

These are some tips to help ensure that your devices come home safely with you, and your trip is not ruined by a theft or failure.

Laptops

You don’t want to be that person forgetting his computer at a coffee shop or a victim of theft. Use these tips to keep your laptop safe while on the road.

Don’t Be A Target

Don’t advertise what you are carrying. Many experts suggest removing any computer logos from the bag as it only shouts out its expensive contents. A bag that’s not identifiable as a computer bag but still is protective of your laptop is even better. Backpack style bags are good for this. 

Tag It

Make sure your bag has tags with your name and phone number (and possibly email address), but do not include your home or office addresses or the name of your employer. You want just enough information so that you can be contacted if you are separated from your bag. This is a great tip for any baggage.

Keep Your Eye On It

Don’t lose sight of your laptop. At the airport place your laptop between your other items through the airport X-ray machine (carry-on bag, laptop, then shoes, pockets, etc.) Go through the metal detector at the same time as your computer passes the scanning machine. Don’t leave your phone or tablet unattended at public charging stations. 

Don’t Leave It

Avoid leaving your devices in your hotel room as the room may not be completely secure. If you do, put the “do not disturb” sign on the door to limit access by staff.

ID It

Write down the serial and model numbers of your devices. These are usually found on the bottom of most PCs or the backs of other devices. For Macbook/Macbook Pro users check out these tips.

Coffee Shops/Internet Cafes/Etc.

VPN

If you are going to be using public Wi-Fi networks for business or purchases, you should consider investing in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service from a reputable security company (like an antivirus manufacturer for example). These services protect your information by establishing a single, encrypted connection to the provider that all your web browsing passes through. Just be warned that all of your web use can still be tracked by the VPN provider which is why we recommend sticking to reputable security companies.

Lock It Down

A security cable lock is a fairly cheap security device that works like a bicycle lock. You loop it around a fixed object (such as the coffee shop table), connect it to the laptop and lock it with a combination or a key. There are more advanced models with a motion sensor system and alarm. When someone moves the laptop, it will trigger the alarm, alerting you.

General Tips

These tips apply to any other devices like your smartphone, camera, tablet, etc.

Get Travel Insurance

A good travel insurance policy could be a lifesaver. Get a policy that covers theft and loss of personal items. Make sure the amount of coverage will be enough to replace your devices.

Use Theft Recovery Software

Nothing on the market is 100% fool-proof, but your chances of getting a stolen laptop or smartphone back are a lot higher if you have this type of software installed on your device. Typically, this will allow you to locate the device so you can alert the local authorities to its approximate location. Some theft recovery software works even if the thief has erased all data and installed a new operating system.

Backup Your Data

The information stored on a laptop or smartphone can be more valuable to you than the device itself. Protect that data by backing it up on an external hard drive or online cloud storage REGULARLY.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Be watchful of people watching you, following you, or acting suspicious. When in doubt, get to a public area or walk into a store. You don’t have to be paranoid, just be aware of what’s going on around you!

Memory

Keep external hard drives, SD cards, thumb drives, etc. separate from the devices. That way if something does happen to the device, you still have your pictures or documents safe.

The Wrap Up

In the end, nothing will ever beat common sense for helping to deter theft or loss of your electronic devices & computers. But a combination of good behaviors and security technology will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your travels more thoroughly. Geek Easy Computers is always here to answer questions or assist with making your technology easier!

Cloud Storage…Why Should I Use It?

At Geek Easy Computers, we see too many clients with failed or failing hard drives with no backup system in place! It’s a tragedy because data recovery is not guaranteed and can be expensive when it does work. Today there is really no excuse for not having some type of regular backup in place. Especially with the availability and ease of use of cloud storage. With this post, we hope to show you why you should be using the cloud.

Read the rest of this entry »

Back Up Your Mac! (Time Machine)

Backing up your data regularly is the easiest way to protect your data from loss. Backing up your data on a MacBook, iMac, or MacBook Pro is even easier as it is built into the operating system. In this post, we will tell you how to do that!

Read the rest of this entry »

Jan/Feb/March Newsletter

Well it has been an eventful first quarter of 2018, has it not? The latest newsletter edition has travel tips, resolutions, and helpful tidbits!

Have you signed up for our monthly newsletter?  It’s got great information, packed with helpful tech tips, relevant news, and money saving promotions!

Here’s the PDF version of this month’s issue:
ge_newsletter042018

If you like what you see, you can sign up for it here:
I Want The GE Newsletter!

Q & A: User Questions, Tech Answers! Year End 2017

Welcome to the 2017 edition of our “User Questions, Tech Answers”. In our ongoing mission to help make your technology easier, we like to provide you with tools and knowledge to make your computer interaction more “user friendly.” This edition will showcase some of the most popular questions asked throughout 2017, and also include some new things that we haven’t covered yet.

Read the rest of this entry »

Q & A: User Questions, Tech Answers! Year End 2016

In our ongoing mission to help make your technology easier, we like to provide you with tools and knowledge to make your computer interaction more “user friendly.” This edition will showcase some of the most popular questions asked throughout 2016, and also include some that we haven’t covered yet. So without further adieu…

 

Read the rest of this entry »

First Newsletter of 2017

Have you signed up for our monthly newsletter?  It’s got great information, packed with helpful tech tips, relevant news, and money saving promotions!

Here’s the PDF version of this month’s issue:
ge_newsletter012017

If you like what you see, you can sign up for it here:
I Want The GE Newsletter!

Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2017! In this issue we review some highlights of 2016 and cover some tips that will make your year get off to a great start!  Thanks for reading!

We promise to never SPAM your inbox, and we will strive to make sure each issue has information that is useful and interesting to you!

My Hard Drive Died… Now What?

The worst has happened; the computer guy says your hard drive is dead. Immediately you might ask: “What does that mean? Is my data safe? Do I need a computer? What happened?” In this post we answer those questions and more so that when it happens to you, you are prepared.

Read the rest of this entry »

iTunes & Your Music Files

Many people have been using iTunes as their music medium of choice throughout its many iterations and changes. With the latest addition of the Apple Music subscription, many of those same iTunes users are up in arms regarding a new behavior of the application.

itunes-match-hero

Read the rest of this entry »

Categories
Archives