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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 ‘online’

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.

Your Password – The First Line of Defense

It’s really not possible to overemphasize the importance of having secure, unique passwords for all of your online accounts. Your password is the one item regarding the security of your data and online persona that you have 100% control of.

password1-618x336

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Remote Monitoring

You’ve heard of remote monitoring but don’t know if it would be a good fit for your business? This article will show you the benefits and explain exactly what remote monitoring entails with Geek Easy Computers.
remote_monitoring Read the rest of this entry »

We have a new Partner!

In the spirit of providing superior customer service, and of course, making your technology easier; Geek Easy Computers has formalized an on-going strategic partnership with Sara Dunn, owner of 11Web.  11Web is a web design company specializing in small business websites.

Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, 11Web creates modern and affordable websites for small businesses in Michigan and beyond.  11Web believes in taking the stress out of online marketing and giving clients the tools they need to grow their business online.

11Web’s websites are current, easy to navigate, integrated with social media, and simple to update. All websites include instructions on making changes so your website can move as fast as your business.  11Web also helps clients with social media engagement and professional email marketing.

A few key features of every 11Web website:

  • Built on WordPress, a very popular and easy to use management tool

  • Ability to make your own changes to the website – including adding pages, writing a blog, updating information, and more

  • Clean, attractive, modern design

  • Step-by-step instruction manual

  • Straightforward package pricing, so you know exactly what you’ll get

  • Hourly consulting available for WordPress and select non-Wordpress related issues, changes, additions and guidance.

We are excited about the joint venture and happy to be able to offer our clients yet another value-added service!  If you, or if you know of someone looking to create a website for their business, or update an existing site, feel free to send them to Geek Easy.  We will put them in the very capable hands of Sara and get them taken care of!

Streaming Music 101

For today’s music consumer, mobile is where it’s at.  Whether it’s on an iPad, computer, or smartphone, people want to hear their music wherever they are with minimal fuss.  Capitalizing on this desire, there are many options available for the consumer to stream music to their device.  The best of these services are platform independent, meaning they are accessible from almost any computer OS, web browser or smartphone.


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Cloud Storage 101: What is it?

There’s a lot being discussed today about the “Cloud” on the internet. If you’re not sure what the “Cloud” is, check out our earlier article that defines it -> https://geek-easy.com/2012/02/are-you-in-the-cloud/.

 

Our purpose today is to discuss some of the uses for cloud storage and its advantages. The most popular (arguably) of the providers of these services is Dropbox [https://db.tt/a8BcOMv]. There are other popular services out there such as Google Drive, Box.net, Microsoft Skydrive, Sugarsync and more.

Five Essential Facebook Security Settings


Almost everyone is on Facebook today.  For many people, it’s the first stop in the morning and the last stop before they go to bed.  People sign on and off throughout the day.  Users access it from desktops, laptops, smart phones and tablets.  You can sign up for tons of other online services using Facebook.  Facebook is the center of the online “universe” for millions of people, but how much control do they really have over it?
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Protecting Your Online Identity

These days protecting yourself is essential.  The threat of identity theft is a real and present danger.  But it’s not all dark alleys and scam stories.  You can protect yourself by following some simple, and for the most part, common sense procedures while online.

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Online Shopping Tips for the Holidays!

Tips: Shopping Tip List

Here’s a list of tips you should consult when shopping online. Print this page and keep it in a handy place so it will be easy to review before you order.

  1. Trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable buying or bidding on an item over the web, or if you feel pressured to place your order immediately, maybe you shouldn’t.
  2. Be knowledgeable about web-based auctions. Take special care to familiarize yourself not only with the rules and policies of the auction site itself but with the legal terms (warranties, refund policy, etc.) of the seller’s items that you wish to bid on.
  3. Double check pricing. Be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you’re bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison shop, online or offline, before you buy. Make sure there are not extra shipping or handling costs.  Read the rest of this entry »

Online Safety – Keeping Kids Safe

With todays world becoming increasingly internet oriented, online safety is more of a concern than ever.  The internet is full of predators, from pedophiles, to scammers and identity thieves, to cyber bullies.

This dosent mean that your children should avoid the internet, it just means that you should be aware of the pitfalls and know how to protect them. Read the rest of this entry »

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