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Which Backup Software You Should Be Using

Office IT, Office Networkbackup, cloud backup, local backupOphtek, LLC

Sep 2014

Backups are critical for every home or office computer. Whether you have servers, PCs or just one laptop, here’s how to pick the right backup software.

If you’ve never experienced losing a picture, document or important client file up to now, consider yourself lucky. Data loss on computers happen for many reasons. The hard drive or operating system could crash, the laptop or computer may be stolen or it may just be an accidental deletion or move. The bottom line is these things are an inevitable part of technology and the better prepared you are with a backup the less down time you will experience.

Let’s review the types of backups and how you can determine which is right for your home or office IT environment.

1. Local file backups

Local backups capture only user files. Programs, software and the Operating System are not backed up.

Local file backups means copying files from your computer to either an external hard drive, or to a computer on your network. The backups are essentially local to your office or home.

When you should use local backups

Every scenario can benefit from local file backups. Since the backup is local and nearby, recovering files and information is quick and easy. Setting up local backups is also very inexpensive as most software that does local backup is free. It is recommended to have local backups when you don’t have cloud based backups. Prices range from $0 to $50.

Local backup options

2. Cloud backups

Cloud backups capture user files and store them on another company's computer over the internet

Cloud backups only backup files. Programs, software and the Operating System are not backed up.

Cloud based backups keep your data and files backed up on another company’s servers over the internet. Most major cloud backup providers provide encryption and 2-factor authentication for added security. With the increase in competition, prices for cloud backup have also dropped dramatically and in some cases can be free. Prices range from $4-$30/month

When you should use cloud backups

If you have a laptop and are constantly moving between different locations, a cloud based backup would be the best choice. As long as you have an internet connection, your data is being backed up.

Cloud backup options

3. Image backups

Image based backups capture everything on the system.

Image based backups capture files, data as well as programs, software and the Operating System.

Image based backup programs take a snapshot of your entire computer. The main benefit is if you have catastrophic data loss like theft or a fire in the building, the backup image can be loaded on to another computer and you can continue working without having to wait for a new computer with all of your programs. Prices range from $250-$4000.

When you should use image backups

It’s best to use image based backups on mission critical computers such as a server that holds all of your client data, or a laptop that has very important files on it. Image based backup software tends to be more expensive, however the price is worth the avoided business downtime.

Image backup options

So which is the right choice?

At a minimum every individual or business should be running a local or cloud based backup. The low cost and portability of cloud based backups makes it the obvious choice at a minimum. However if you have a server in your home or office, it’s important to consider image based backups as a safety net against business downtime.

For more backup solutions or advice on how to protect your business, contact your local IT professionals.

Downtown Streets Team Gets a New Computer Lab

hardware, Linux, Office IT, Office Networkcomputer lab, donation, edubuntu, linuxOphtek, LLC

Sep 2014

Downtown Streets Team is the first non-profit organization to receive a free donated computer lab from the Onsite PC Solution Computers for Classrooms program.

Downtown Streets Team strives to end homelessness by restoring the dignity and rebuilding the lives of unhoused men and women. This new computer lab will help team members build up and print resumes, learn computer skills, apply for jobs and help them re-integrate into the work force.

The computer lab was built from donations from the community, local businesses as well as a generous donation of monitors and networking equipment from Weird Stuff Warehouse of San Jose and Avant Optometry of Menlo Park.

The computers run an open source free software based on Ubuntu Linux with a vast array of uses.

If you have LCD monitors or computers you’d like to donate to the Computers for Classrooms program, fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly.

HP Power Adapter Overheating Recall

hardware, Office IT, Repairs and Upgradeshp, laptop, overheating, power adapter, recallOphtek, LLC

Aug 2014

HP has recalled an estimated 5.6 million power adapters for their laptop line. If you have an HP laptop, here’s how you can check if you are affected.

How to Check Your HP Laptop

The faulty power adapters could possibly overheat, causing damage to the adapter casing or causing a fire. Here’s how to check if your HP laptop power adapter is affected:

1. Did you purchase your laptop between September 2010 and June 2012?

2. Does the end of the cord going from the wall to your adapter have “LS-15” printed on it as shown here?:

What to do if You’re Affected

If the answer to bother questions is yes, you should register your adapter to be replaced on HP’s website. The recall will only replace the power cord section of your power adapter as shown here:

HP suggests using a temporary power cord in the meantime until your replacement arrives. These adapters can be purchased at most electronic stores and are often referred to as “mickey mouse” cables as shown here:

Since laptop components are built into such a small space, overheating can become an issue for the laptop itself as well. We suggest clearing out your laptop air vents at least once a year to reduce overheating.

For more information on how technology can affect your business, contact your local IT professionals.

3 Reasons to Block Advertising on your PC

Internet, Office IT, Security, Uncategorizedadvertising, browsing, internet, securityOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Does advertising improve your web browsing experience or make it worse? Even legitimate advertising can cause major headaches to major infections.

Advertising can be a great source of revenue for websites that offer content and information for free. Major websites that you use everyday have taken this to an extreme by serving up video ads that talk to you and track your online behavior. However the more websites rely on advertising for their revenue the more willing they will let any run an ad on their networks. Here are three reasons why advertising has reached a point where it can be a threat to the average user browsing the internet.

1. Malware spreads through legitimate advertising

There have been many cases in the last few years where hackers and criminals have used legitimate advertising and banners in websites and in videos to spread their malware. One example is a bitcoin mining virus being spread through Yahoo advertising. Even Youtube fell victim to advertising serving up remote code execution. These major website quickly patched up the problem but it will take more than a break-fix approach to end this cat and mouse game.

2. Are you really getting what you click on?

Accidentally clicking on the wrong link when you want to download a song, file or program from the internet can open the flood gates of junk on your computer. The above image shows a legitimate download website. Can you guess which link is the correct link to download your program?

3. Popups, search engine hijackers and junk programs

Once junk programs from advertising get their foot in the door, it can be very difficult to detect or even remove the software. The above search engine may look like Google, but it is a knock off website meant to steer you to their partners websites.

For now until major websites have better safeguards in place to prevent malware, junk programs and sneaky advertising methods from their ad networks it’s better to steer clear from advertising all together. We recommend running Firefox or Chrome with ad block plugins installed.

For more tips on staying safe online at your home or office, contact your local IT professionals.

How to Check For Updates in Windows

Office IT, Security, Softwaresecurity, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

To maintain a secure and functioning system, it’s important to keep your system up to date. Here’s how you can check for updates in Windows.

It’s easy to check

In Windows 7 or Vista, click the Start button and, in the search box, type Windows Update.

In Windows 8, drag the mouse to the right edge of the screen, click the search charm that appears, and type Windows Update.

Click Windows Update when it appears on the menu. You should then get a screen that looks like this:

To review the updates that are available, you can click on the blue text representing the optional and important updates respectively.

The next screen allows you to check the boxes of the updates you wish to install.

We recommend that you install all the important updates and almost all of the optional ones. The optional update we counsel against is the Bing bar, which introduces a toolbar that you definitely do not need.

Once you have checked all the updates you want, click Install to go back to the previous screen where you click Install updates to get the process started.

Set Windows to install important updates automatically

You can check this setting on the same screen on which you installed Windows updates. Look to the left margin, and you should see a link to Change settings.

For Important updates, use the drag- down menu to Install updates automatically (recommended).

Installing important updates automatically will keep the critical security fixes off the back burner and readily available to ward off viruses.

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

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