Stronger signal when you need it, where you need it.
Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2012
Wilson electronics cellular signal boosters work by overcoming signal loss caused by obstacles like brick, concrete or steel at your home or office, or the metal surrounding your car. Their signal boosters are compatible with all cell phone providers, and 4G solutions are available as well. And every product is backed by a 30-day, no questions asked, money back guarantee, and a 1 year manufacturers warranty. With a Wilson booster, you can say goodbye to dropped calls and slow data indoors or on the road!
ICS Computers is your local dealer for Wilson boosters and antennas. We can help you find the best solution.
Two Monitors, One Pic
Posted by admin on Jul 28, 2012
You want to spread a wallpaper across two monitors? The first thing you will need is a large enough photo… as wide as the two monitors put together, and as high as the taller of the two. Next, in Windows 7, right click the desktop and select Personalize. Near the bottom of that windows, click the Desktop Background link. In that window, you can select the folder containing your desired background and the photo (or photos) you want to use. Then, at the bottom of the window, click the Picture Position drop-down menu and select Tile – the only option that will display the image in its original size.
For Security, Install Laptop Tracking Software
Posted by admin on Jul 25, 2012
Taken from PCWorld Magazine, July 2012 Edition
One way to keep your laptops from being stolen (or from remaining stolen) is to install tracking software. Using selveral different elements, including IP address locations, Wi-Fi positioning, and even the ability to turn on the notebook’s webcam remotely, laptop-tracking software can help you get a lost or stolen system back. ActiveTrak’s Gadget Trak, Flipcode’s Hidden, and Absolute Software’s LoJack for Laptops are just a few examples of such software. Costs range from $15 to $30 per year, and are well worth every penny.
If you are unsure as to which software is right for you, then ask your IT guy for advice. If you need and IT guy, give us a call!
Free Programs for Every Business
Posted by admin on Jul 22, 2012
Taken from PCWorld Magazine, July 2012 Edition
To keep your business costs low and your efficiency high, start with software. Instead of buying commercial programs for your business, why not use a capable free or open-source alternative? Here are five incredible – and free – utilities designed specially for business operations.
Microsoft Security Essentials – Perfect f/or smaller shops, it can run on up to 10 PCs for free.
OpenProj – An alternative to Microsoft Project – which costs a thousand bucks – it offers Gantt charts, network diagrams, WBS and RBS charts, earned value costing, and project management features.
OrangeHRM – A complete human resource management program for small and medium businesses, includes modules for personnel information management, leave management, time and attendance, benefits and so on.
Soluto – This ingenious free utility makes PCs boot faster, and keeps installed software up-to-date.
Spiceworks – Regardless of how many PCs your company maintains, it needs a comprehensive approach to network monitoring. Spiceworks provides network management and monitoring, a user help desk, equipment inventory, and lots more.
DNS Changer Servers Being Shut Down
Posted by admin on Jul 4, 2012
Thousands of Canadians could be among the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who might lose Internet access on July 9. That’s the day the FBI will shut down all the “clean servers” it set up to combat a massive hacking operation. In November, the agency says it busted a group of cyber criminals in Estonia who had successfully downloaded malware onto an estimated four million computers in more than 100 countries. “DNS Changer” would turn off virus updates and send consumers to fraudulent websites.
In its indictment, the FBI estimated the gang made at least $14 million in “ill-gotten gains” through what it called click hijacking and advertisement replacement fraud. Instead of shutting down the rogue servers, the FBI replaced the servers with “clean” ones and redirected users, who were generally none the wiser. The replacement servers are being shut down Monday, and anyone still infected with the malware will lose their Internet access.
The FBI said there are still about 360,000 infected computers in a dozen countries, including Canada — but there is a fix. The DNS Changer Working Group (dcwg.org), established by American government agencies, can detect the malware and provide steps to eliminate it. Canadians can also visit the Canadian Internet Registration Authority’s anti-DNS website at dns-ok.ca
Help! Spammers Hijacked My Email Account
Posted by admin on Jul 1, 2012
Do you suspect that your email account has been hijacked? Are your friends receiving strange emails that seem to be coming from your email account? A few things could be happening, but here are some steps that you can take.
The first thing you should do is change your email password. Try not to use a real word or phrase, and if you can, add some capital letters, numbers and even symbols.
Then, we need to figure out if your email account has been compromised or spoofed. Now that you have changed your email password, you should scan your computer for viruses and malware. If your system appears to be clear of malware and is otherwise running fine, then it is most likely that your email has been spoofed.
What is spoofing? That is where a spammer sends out emails from their computer, but changes the “from” address in the email header to your address. That way, it will look like the email came from you, and you will receive all the bounce-backed messages. Spammers use spoof email headers to fool spam filters into letting the message through. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent or fix a spoofed email account. You can change your email account, but eventually, the spammers will move along and spoof someone else.
The best solution, long term, is to have at least two email accounts. Your main address is the one that you tell your close friends and family, and give out to trusted companies such as your bank or insurance company. Then, create a second account (Gmail is a good choice) that you use on Facebook, YouTube, or any other place where you have to enter your email address to gain entry. Because this account is not as important, you can easily change it whenever you need to.
Update on Free Antivirus Programs
Posted by admin on Jun 28, 2012
If you are an average home user, there is no reason you should have to pay for your antivirus software. If you are a business, or do a lot of web surfing, then I urge you to purchase good protection. The following are some great options for FREE virus protection…
AVG Antivirus Free Edition 2012
Avast Free Antivirus 7
Avira Free Antivirus 2012
Microsoft Security Essentials 2.1
All four of these programs do a decent job of protecting your computer from nasties. Just make sure you keep your security software updated and run regular scans. Of course, nothing beats good old common sense – don’t open anything or click on any link that you are not sure of.
Block Websites for All Users
Posted by admin on Jun 25, 2012
There is an easy way to block all users of your Windows-based computer from opening certain websites. This fix is simple to do, and free… but is also simple to get around. You can use this solution if you want to block the use of YouTube or Facebook at work.
First, open Windows Explorer and go to c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Open the hosts file in Notepad
After the very last line in this file, enter 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com (or whatever website you want to block)
Save the file, and test it out.
This fix will work for any browser, and any link to the blocked website.
Watch Out for Malicious Web Apps
Posted by admin on Jun 22, 2012
Taken from PCWorld Magazine, May 2012 Edition
Web Apps are great. The’re available for use virtually anyway, anytime, from practically any device that has a Web browser. Web apps are also easy to update and maintain: The developer tweaks the app on the Web server, and everyone who uses it has access to the latest version. But Web apps can contain more than you bargained for, and in some instances they may actually be malicious. You need to be aware of the risks that Web apps can pose, and know how to protect yourself.
A Web app is essentially a full-fledged application that runs within your Web browser. Just as easily as a Web app can track your reminders or play a game, it can infect your PC. While they allow increased functionality within the browser, users should be aware of how deeply into your system they may be able to reach. Some malware attacks try to entice you to click a link in an email message, which them connects to a malicious Web app that infects your PC with malware.
The best protection from malicious Web apps is also one of the most difficult safeguards to implement. Rule number one is simple… If you have any doubt, don’t click. Given that an ill-advised click is almost inevitable, your next line of defense is to keep your security software up-to-date. Malicious Web apps can exploit vulnerabilities Windows and other software as well, so you should make sure your operating system and all your software are updated.
Manage Downloads Better the jDownloader
Posted by admin on Jun 19, 2012
Do you download a lot? Does your Internet connection randomly disconnect when you are downloading, making you start all over? You need jDownloader. It is a simple Java-based app that works with Windows, Mac and even Linux. It can be used in the same variety of ways as any other general-purpose download manager, and it supports dozens of file hosts such as RapidShare. It can monitor the clipboard and parse any URL that you copy into it to see whether it contains files that could be downloaded. Feed it a YouTube link, and you can download the video. It is one of the best download managers around today, ant a price that cannot be beat… FREE!
