2014 - Page 9 of 18

Why You Need Windows Updates

UncategorizedFixes, security, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Do you feel nagged for updates by Windows? As annoying as they may be, here are 3 reasons it’s necessary to keep your systems up to date.

Your reservations to install updates are understandable, especially when these updates can sometimes introduce glitches and even hijack your system for repeated restarts. However, no matter how annoying they can sometimes be, updates are essential for your Windows system to function optimally.

1. Most Windows updates address security issues

Neglecting updates is a surefire way to compromise your operating system with infections that can slow down your system and even allow remote users to steal your private information. Moreover, the main reason Windows PCs succumb to malware and other viruses is that users neglect installing updates. One particularly pernicious infection is the CryptoLocker virus that allows remote attackers to ransom your personal folders.

2. Updates can fix bugs that prevent Windows from functioning properly

These bugs can sometimes slow down your computer or cause your system to freeze. Windows updates often have hotfixes that address these bugs. Bypassing the installation of these hotfixes puts the stability and performance of your system in jeopardy.

3. Updates let you upgrade your existing Microsoft software or get new features

These features include Net Framework and Silverlight, which allow other programs, including non- Windows ones, to work properly. Software upgrades often add additional features to Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office, making them more user- friendly.

Note, that updates are no longer available for Windows XP. We therefore recommend upgrading to a newer version of Windows if you are running XP. Now that you know the importance of updates, do you have the latest ones installed?

For more about updates or other issues affecting your PC, please consult your local IT professional.

How to Detect Bitcoin Malware on your PC

Security, Software, Uncategorizedbitcoin, Detect, mining, virusOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Does your computer seem to running much slower than usual? If so, someone may be using your computer’s processing power to mine bitcoins.

This is precisely what bitcoin mining viruses do, yet many of them can be detected with antivirus programs. Malwarebytes is highly recommended for this purpose. Whether your antivirus program is Malwarebytes which we recommend or something else, running a scan every so often will allay infection concerns.

Another way to detect bitcoin malware is by looking at the processes running on your PC. In Windows, hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys while pressing Delete. This will give you the following menu:

Select Start Task Manager from the list of options.

In the Task Manager, select the Processes tab as shown above. Check for any that have unfamiliar names, use a lot of memory or a high percentage of the CPU. You can sort the list by memory and CPU usage by clicking the CPU and Mem Usage column bars at the top. Look up any process with an unfamiliar name on Google.

If the Google search reveals the name to belong to a rogue process, here’s how to remove it from your system.

In addition to being detected by antivirus scanners and causing your PC to use too much of its resources, bitcoin mining viruses can possibly make your computers use more electricity.

All managed services clients are automatically protected against processes that use too much CPU, including bitcoin malware. Although bitcoin mining software on your PC isn’t likely to damage your files, you should always be running a backup to keep your files protected from catastrophic data loss.

For more information, consult your local IT professional.

Make Windows 8 Look Like Windows 7

General, Office IT, SoftwareClassic, Convert, windows 7, windows 8Ophtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Are you disappointed with the new unfamiliar Windows 8 or 8.1 interface? Here’s how you can make Windows 8 look like Windows 7.

Fortunately, there are ways to get Windows 8 to act like the Windows interface you know and love.

Probably the most off- putting aspect of Windows 8 is the lack of a Start Menu. With that in mind, the first order of business is installing a third- party Start Menu program. We recommend Classic Shell. Aside from being free, it offers one of the closest approximations to the Windows 7 Start Menu obtainable from any third- party app. It can be downloaded here.

When setting up Classic Shell, go to the Start Menu Style tab and select Windows 7 Style.

Under the Basic Settings tab, check the Skip Metro Screen box.

This will ensure that you will go straight to the desktop without having to view the media saturated greeting screen that looks like this:

As annoying as that greeting screen is the charms bar shown below.

To disable this, download the free Winaero Charms Bar Killer. Launch the application. It will go to the notification area. Right click the program’s icon in the notification area and select Kill Charms Bar.

This will disable all those annoying charms and allow your computer to behave like a desktop rather than a tablet.

For more information on this or other things affecting your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

Transfer Malwarebytes Pro License to a New Computer

Office IT, SecurityLicense, Malwarebytes, Professional, TransferOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Malwarebytes, widely acclaimed for its thorough ability to detect and purge malware from PCs, has two versions. The premium version affords you with live protection, but it requires you to purchase a license. What do you do if you purchase a new computer and Malwarebytes is registered on your old one? Here’s a step by step guide to transfer your malwarebytes license.

Fortunately, there is a way to transfer your Malwarebytes Premium license to your new machine.

First, you must completely remove Malwarebytes from your old machine by downloading the mbam-clean.exe utility from here and by double- clicking it. Allow it to run, and reboot the computer when it prompts you to do so.

On your new machine, go to the following link to download the free version of Malwarebytes. Run the program. After installation, click the activate tab at the top of right of the Malwarebytes console.

If you do not have your ID or key, go to this url. Once there, enter the email address you used when you purchased Malwarebytes on your old machine, and click Next.

You should receive a reply email containing information for all orders processed with that email address. This should include your original Malwarebytes ID and key. Click Activate after you have typed in the ID and the key to activate the Malwarebytes Premium license on your new machine.

For more information on this or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

Why Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the Best Choice

Internet, Security, SoftwareAnti- malware, Best, Malwarebytes, ReasonsOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Since its first release in 2008, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has been one of the go-to tools for malware detection and removal.

It’s no wonder that its critical reception among computer journals has been stellar. Let’s take a look at what makes Malwarebytes synonymous with anti-malware for end users.

1. Installs easily and quickly with no reboot required

If you have to equip multiple computers with anti- malware software, installation ease and time is an important consideration.

2. The free version of the software is great at detecting malware than most paid versions of other programs

When you download Malwarebytes, you have the option of choosing between the free and the premium versions.

While the free version is a manually activated scanner, the premium version gives you real time protection, allowing for a relatively worry- free web browsing experience.

As an added bonus, Malwarebytes allows you to try the premium version for 30 days before committing to purchase it. Simply check the Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti- Malware PRO option during installation.

3. Minimal system resource usage

It uses little CPU and memory compared to other applications such as Webroot and Spybot and especially less than programs like Norton and McAffee. You will likely want to perform other tasks on your PC when your anti-malware application scans for threats. This also means it doesn’t grind your PC’s progress to a snail’s pace.

Bonus: Detected the most malicious virus of 2013, CryptoLocker.

Malwarebytes was one of the few programs that could successfully detect early variations of CryptoLocker. This infection allowed criminals to ransom the personal files of hundreds of thousands of PC users worldwide.

If these reasons aren’t enough to opt for Malwarebytes as your personal defense against malware threats, consider the case offered by Techrepublic.

For more information on malware or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

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Yearly Archives: 2014

1. Most Windows updates address security issues

2. Updates can fix bugs that prevent Windows from functioning properly

3. Updates let you upgrade your existing Microsoft software or get new features

1. Installs easily and quickly with no reboot required

2. The free version of the software is great at detecting malware than most paid versions of other programs

3. Minimal system resource usage

Bonus: Detected the most malicious virus of 2013, CryptoLocker.