How to Record and Share Steps in Windows

Software, , , ,
13
Apr 2014

Ever needed to share computer instructions or steps with another person? Maybe you’re the only person in the office that knows the special Excel formula trick. The Problem Steps Recorder allows you to record the steps you took to complete a Windows task for future reference or to share it with others.

To open the PSR (Problem Steps Recorder), click the Start button and type ‘psr’ in the search box. On the list of results, click ‘psr’.

psr_start_menu

When performing a Windows task whose steps you want to save, click ‘Start Record’ on the ‘Problem Steps Recorder’ console. The PSR has a pause button you can click to pause recording.

psr_console

Click ‘Stop Record’ to finish recording. In the ‘Save As’ dialog box, save the recording as a zip file to a desired location.

open_file

To view the recording, open the zip file by double clicking it. Next, double click the recording, which will open in the default web browser.

play_in_browser

The saved zip file containing the recording can be sent by email by clicking the help down arrow and by selecting ‘Send to E- mail recipient’.

send_to_email_recipient

The default email client will open with the last recorded file attached to it.

Please note that the file must be saved first. The steps of a problem can be annotated by clicking the ‘Add Comment’ button.

add_comment

Use the mouse to highlight the part of the screen you want to comment on.

annotate

Type in the ‘Highlight Problem and Comment’ box, and click ‘OK’.

highlight_problem_and_comment

 

For more tips and tricks on your PC, contact your local IT professionals.

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How To Fix: Browser stuck on a New Tab

Software, , , ,
11
Apr 2014

Typical Chrome New Tab page

Typical Chrome New Tab page

If your browser cannot leave a new tab page such as the Chrome one shown above and cannot navigate to another web page, here are a few possible remedies.

First, check if the keyboard or mouse is the issue.

Check if the backspace or other key is stuck. If that is the case, try to raise the key. Failing that, unplug the mouse and keyboard and see if the problem persists. Perhaps a key or short cut is being repeatedly triggered without the user’s knowledge. This can be confirmed by using a different keyboard or mouse.

Second, if it’s an issue with the browser

Other than Internet Explorer, you should save bookmarks into an html file then uninstall the browser thoroughly with an uninstaller tool such as Revo or from the Windows Control Panel. Reinstall the browser and see if the browser still freezes on the new tab page.

Internet Explorer is integrated with the Windows installation and cannot be simply uninstalled. For IE, after backing up desired new settings, configurations, and files, perform a system restore. Restore Windows to the last remembered time that the browser did not experience the new tab persistence problem.

For more tips or advice on troubleshooting common software issues, contact your local IT professionals.

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Post Windows XP: Exploit Attack is Imminent

Security, Software, Uncategorized, , ,
08
Apr 2014

 

The original Windows XP Background location taken in Sonoma Valley, California

The original Windows XP Background location taken in Sonoma Valley, California

Windows XP has officially been retired by Microsoft but does that mean you can safely continue running it at home or at the office?  A report put out by security firm F-Secure has recently highlighted some ways to stay somewhat safe while continuing to run the expired Operating System, while emphasizing that an exploit could be ready any day now:

1. Install the final updates for Windows XP from Microsoft

2. Make sure Microsoft Office is fully patched

3. Update all third party software

4. Run a firewall and antimalware protection

5. Run Micrososft’s EMET (Enhanced Migration Experience Toolkit)

Although these steps can help delay a system compromise, once Windows XP has been infected it is considerably more difficult to clean than other operating systems.  Virus and malware writers will now be able to look at the updates released for Windows 7 or 8 and know exactly where to attack Windows XP since the operating systems share some similar code.  The report also goes on to mention that an exploit on Windows XP will occur soon.

 

The latest F-Secure report highlights risks of continuing to run Windows XP

The latest F-Secure report highlights risks of continuing to run Windows XP

According to the report, web based attacks and infections doubled in the second half of 2013.  It is important to note that modern virus writers and criminals often do not want to damage a computer system.  It is much more lucrative to hold the system ransom for money or to steal sensitive information such as bank logins, email accounts and credit card information.

For more guidance on moving away from Windows XP or securing your home or office, contact your local IT professionals.

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Anti-Virus Updates Ending for Windows XP

Security, Software, ,
04
Nov 2013

OnsitePCSolution_MSE_Protecting_Computer

In our previous article on Microsoft ending support and updates for Windows XP, we described what made Windows XP so commonly used and the dangers of continuing to run it after April of 2014.  Microsoft has put another nail in the coffin for users who want to continue running Windows XP: no more virus definition updates for Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows XP after April 2014.

This will be quite a problem as Microsoft Security Essentials (download here) is the most commonly used free anti-virus and anti-malware on Windows computers.

In this article from ZDNet, a Microsoft spokesperson states:

“Microsoft will not guarantee updates of our antimalware signature and engine after the XP end of support date of April 8, 2014…”

Windows8or7b

The message further pushes users to upgrade to more modern Windows operating systems such as Windows 7 (which we recommend) and Windows 8.  If you want to risk running Windows XP after the April 2014 end of life date, you can use free anti-virus solutions such as AVG or Avira.  As long as you are running regular backups or Windows XP isn’t running on a business computer, then the risk is minimized.

If you are not sure if you are running Windows XP or whether you need to upgrade, contact your office or home IT support.

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The Most Malicious Virus of 2013: CryptoLocker

Security, Software, ,
25
Oct 2013

CryptoLocker Ransomware demands $300 to decrypt your files

CryptoLocker is becoming the most malicious ransomware (a virus that holds your data ransom) of 2013 since your data is forever lost without a solid backup copy or shadow copy. Here is a summary of what it does and how you can protect yourself.

What does it do to my files?

CryptoLocker will scan your computer and shared network drive for common document files and encrypt them making the files completely innaccessible until you pay a ransom of approximately $300 within 4 days. There is no way to decrypt your files even if your anti-virus cleans the infected computer.

[spoiler title=”Here is a full list of files affected:” open=”0″ style=”1″]
*.odt, *.ods, *.odp, *.odm, *.odc, *.odb, *.doc, *.docx, *.docm, *.wps, *.xls, *.xlsx, *.xlsm, *.xlsb, *.xlk, *.ppt, *.pptx, *.pptm, *.mdb, *.accdb, *.pst, *.dwg, *.dxf, *.dxg, *.wpd, *.rtf, *.wb2, *.mdf, *.dbf, *.psd, *.pdd, *.pdf, *.eps, *.ai, *.indd, *.cdr, *.jpg, *.jpe, img_*.jpg, *.dng, *.3fr, *.arw, *.srf, *.sr2, *.bay, *.crw, *.cr2, *.dcr, *.kdc, *.erf, *.mef, *.mrw, *.nef, *.nrw, *.orf, *.raf, *.raw, *.rwl, *.rw2, *.r3d, *.ptx, *.pef, *.srw, *.x3f, *.der, *.cer, *.crt, *.pem, *.pfx, *.p12, *.p7b, *.p7c[/spoiler]

How would I get infected?

CryptoLocker spreads through attachments in e-mails. The email will look like a customer support issue with a zip file attachment. The virus is inside the zip file hidden as a PDF document.

There have also been reports of people being infected by visiting a website that has Java, a common web programming language.

cryptolocker_wallpaper

How can I protect myself?

There are some security policy changes that can be made to computers to prevent the virus from running, however you must be comfortable with Windows system administration to make the changes. CryptoPrevent will also make these changes for you.  Although rare, you must be careful since it could disable other programs.

The most straightforward way to protect yourself now and in the future is to install MalwareBytes Pro and Avast which both detect and prevent infections. Microsoft Security Essentials is simply not advanced enough to detect this virus.

Having an office or home policy of never opening emails or attachments unless they are from a trusted sender is the first line of defence.

What are my options if I am infected?

The best way to recover from an infection is to run the free version of MalwareBytes to delete the virus, then recover your encrypted files from a backup.

Alternatively, you can use ShadowExplorer or Shadow Volume Copies to recover an older un-encrypted version of the file only if System Restore is enabled in Windows.

If you have no backup, your only option is to pay the ransom and wait for your files to be decrypted by the virus.

cryptolocker_decrypting

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