Tech Tip – January 2016

 

Viruses a Nasty Business

There is nothing worse than finding out that your computer has been compromised with a virus or malware.  Where do they come from? How does this happen?  What can I do about it?  The worst thing that you can do is nothing!

As soon as you see that your computer is acting poorly or doing things that it does not normally do, check your computer and get rid of the virus.  The longer you wait the more damage the virus or malware can do to your computer.

What is a virus?  It is simply a piece of software that installs itself on your computer.  You can pick up a virus from e-mail message as well as websites.  You might download some “free” harmless item from your favorite website and BLAM you have a virus.

Here are some popular attacks to stay clear of

• Never open a ZIP file without being sure you know whom it’s from and know it was coming
• Government Agencies, Municipalities do not send emails for claims, violations or notices
• Interfax Online – You have 1 new fax, document XXXXXXXX  DO NOT OPEN
• FedEx email with and attachment – beware

Here are some simple things that you can do when you think you have a virus on your computer.

The first most important thing that you should do is check to see if your Anti-Virus software is running and up to date.  If not, you can either go on-line and look for the latest updates or call your IT person and let them update your anti-virus software.

Here is one trick that has saved many people numerous times.  If you are using a Microsoft Windows operating system on your computer, you can “roll it back”.  This is a built-in feature that allows you to put your computer back the way it was yesterday (or any previous day that you select).  Depending on what version of windows you have, this will be called “System Restore” or “Recovery”.

Once you start the process of rolling back your machine you will be given a list of dates to choose from.  When selecting a date you must consider two things:

1). When did these problems start?

2). Have I installed any new software on my machine?

The trick is to find a date that is before your machine started having problems.  So you are rolling back to day that you know your computer was normal.  The second question was about installing new software.  If the date that you are selecting is prior to your new software install, then your software will be wiped out and you will have to re-install it.  So, the best case scenario would be if you can find a date that your machine was acting normal and your new software was already installed, then you will not lose anything.

Rolling back your computer only effects the operating system files.  This means that none of your documents, pictures, videos,… will be effected.  Any viruses/malware that was “installed” on your computer will be wiped out.

Please go to the LIASB website to for step-by-step instructions.

Below are the steps involved in rolling back (restoring) your computer to a previous System Restore point or date:

 

Windows 7:

• Click on the Start button
• Enter System Restore in the search box
  • Select System Restore from the list
• If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
• Click Recommended Restore
• Click Next
• Click on the desired Restore Point date
• Click Finish

 

Windows 8:

• Click on the Windows Symbol   at the bottom left of your screen
• Click on the Magnifier   at the top right of your screen
• Enter Recovery in the search bar
• Click on Recovery
• Click on Open System Restore
• The System Restore window will open
• Click on Next
• A list of recovery dates will come up
  • Click on Show More Restore Points if you need more dates
• Click on the date that you want
• Click on Next
• Do not shutdown or try to use your computer during the restore process.

 

Windows 10:

For some reason Windows 10 does not offer the same restore as previous versions of windows.  In previous versions, windows will make automatic restore points every time you make a major change to your system or software updates take place. In Windows 10 you have to make your own restore points.  So, this is something you want to do right now before you have any computer problems:

 

Creating a Restore Point

• Click on the Windows Symbol   at the bottom left of your screen
• Click on the Magnifier    at the top right of your screen
• Enter Create a Restore Point in the search bar
• The System Properties window will open
• Locate the Protection Settings are
  • Click on Windows (C) (System)
  • Protection should be set to ON
    • If this is not on then, click on Configure
    • Click on Turn on Protection
    • Click on OK
• Click on Create
• The Restore Point will be created

** The next time that you go into System Restore you will see today’s date as a Restore Point.

 

Restoring (Rolling Back):

• Click on the Windows Symbol   at the bottom left of your screen
• Click on the Magnifier    at the top right of your screen
• Enter Recovery in the search bar
• Click on Recovery
• Click on Open System Restore
• The System Restore window will open
• Click on Next
• A list of recovery dates will come up
  • Click on Show More Restore Points if you need more dates
• Click on the date that you want
• Click on Next
• Do not shutdown or try to use your computer during the restore process.

 

 

Braught to you by

LIASB Technology Co-Chairs,

Joy Graceffo –  Long Island Essential Software & Training     Joy_Graceffo@liesoftware.com

Fred Dunwoody – FJD & Associates     fdunwoody@fjdassociatesinc.com