iPhone Versus Android

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iPhone Versus Android- Choosing The Right Smart Phone

These days, there is so much choice in the market for just about any product that it can sometimes seem bewildering. Especially when you are considering the purchase of a product that will cost a great deal of money and can play such a central role in your life – like your smartphone – you want to consider the choice carefully. Many people are intrigued by the choices offered both by Apple and by all of its many competitors offering systems running the Android system. This article offers a very brief, topline discussion of a few factors to think about.

 

Freedom, Man!

Probably the biggest advantage of the Android system is that it can free you up from the strictures of the “Apple ecosystem.” It really does seem that in recent years, the Apple corporate culture has become increasingly “command-oriented.” For their own corporate purposes, Apple does recently seem all too willing to force users of the iPhone to do things their way – like placing applications on the device that simply cannot be deleted. Freedom junkies get riled up by this sort of thing and want to “declare their independence.” Those types are often attracted to the Android devices.

 

While the software issues just mentioned might be an issue of Apple corporate policy, there are other freedom issues that aren’t really Apple’s fault – and those are issues around hardware choice. Apple’s iOS and the iPhone are proprietary software and hardware. If you go that route, you must use the hardware offerings from Apple.

 

Android, on the other hand, is based on an open source operating system that is not proprietary. This means anybody can offer a smartphone based on the Android OS. So in the very wide range of selections available in the Android world, you might be attracted to the bottom end of the price range – a cheap Chinese “throwaway” or you might be attracted to a top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy S7. The open source nature of the Android world also gives you a huge range of choice in apps. In the Android world, there is no “mom” stopping the kids from buying and downloading “bad” apps onto their smartphones – you can decide which apps are “bad” or “good” for you.

 

 

Safety, Man!

On the other hand, the diffuse nature of the software development and the general openness of the Android world means that Android devices are significantly less secure than iPhones. This can be a bigger deal than you might think. Behind the scenes, various apps are querying data from each other and perhaps even sharing that data across the Internet in ways and with people you may not even know about.

 

Which of your apps has access to your Contacts list and which can share all of that data online?  Do you know and can you control it? What about your passwords? What about the history of your physical location? These are serious issues to think about. Now, this does not mean that all Android phones are negligent about security. In fact, Silent Circle’s Black Phone, which is based on the Android OS, markets itself as an extremely secure phone offering ultimate protection of your data and encryption of your messages.

 

Like most of the big choices in your life, there isn’t a clear “right” answer in the choice between the iPhone and the Android. If you want to hash out more of the issues, please come see us. Please don’t forget that if you are having a problem with any of your existing devices, we are local specialists in computer repair for the Raleigh and Wake Forest communities.

 

Computer Hacking: Signs to Watch Out For and Tips to Protect Your System.

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Computer Hacking: Signs to Watch Out For and Tips to Protect Your System

When it comes to the security and performance of one’s computer there is at least one item that everyone wants protected from malicious outside influences. Their personal information. In today’s society, hackers are more clever in their computer hacking techniques. What should you watch out for? What can you do to keep your personal information protected? Today, we have detailed a few of the common signs your system may be compromised as well as solutions, fixes and some ways to prevent your system from being hacked while protecting your personal vital information.

There are several signs that can signify your computer’s security system is compromised along with several techniques, tips and tricks you can use to fix your system if it has been compromised and to protect and prevent your system from getting hacked.

  1. False/Fake Anti Virus Warnings and Scans: A common technique used by hackers to get into a computer system is using that system’s own antivirus program against it by flashing a false message to trick you into initiating a system scan that is truly a false scan which in turn “discovers” a ridiculous amount of viruses on your system. They provide a link “offering” help, tricking you into a scam while accumulating your personal information. When it comes to this technique there are two points to hit on here. The first is “know” your antivirus software. If you know it, you’ll notice the difference in the software’s usual warnings versus the false warning and that should send the alarm bells ringing. The second is that it is always best to hit the power button and turn your computer completely off. Give it a reboot via Safe Mode that way you can then make good use of your true up-to-date antivirus software to destroy the malware.
  2.  Random and Fake Toolbars: Another common technique that hackers use to steal your personal information is an unwanted and bogus toolbar on your internet browser with a tidy little message telling you why you need another extra toolbar. This toolbar only makes it easier for the hacker or hackers to redirect your web browsing as well as cause those seemingly random pop-ups to appear. With this technique, simply run your antivirus software to scan and destroy the malware while removing the toolbar. Also, take the time to change all of your passwords.
  3. Strange Email Activity: The next common sign that your system may be compromised is your email contacts quite suddenly start receiving fake junk emails from your address. Once again, your antivirus program will be your best friend here, run it then take the time to check for any fake unwanted toolbars as this technique and the two listed above are sometimes implemented in tandem.
  4. Passwords Become Unsecured: The final sign we will address in this post has to do with your passwords. There are several different scams that can trick you via emails or email links and the next thing you know, your passwords are all different but you didn’t change them. Be highly vigilant in this regard. Unless you are specifically “resetting” your password for a site, you will likely not be receiving an email requesting you to change your password. If by some set of strange circumstances your password and the corresponding account does become compromised, change the passwords, alert your contacts. There are services that will allow one of your email contacts to help you get your account back under your control.

These are just a few of the common techniques hackers use to compromise computer systems but the best way to keep your systems safe is by remaining vigilant while on the world-wide web. If your computer or laptop ends up seriously compromised and the above list doesn’t help you much, then contact us or, if you’re in the North Carolina area then bring your device in to one of our three sites: Computer Repair Wake Forest, Computer Repair Durham or Computer Repair Raleigh.

How To Keep Your Child Safe On The Internet

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How To Keep Your Child Safe On The Internet

We can’t tell you how many times we get a phone call from a customer that start with ” My child was surfing the web on my laptop last night and now its ……”  You can easily complete the rest of this sentence. The internet is already filled with perils and threats for adults so when it comes to our children we have to be super careful as to what sites they access. At CJ Computer Services we care about you and the safety of your children and we are here to help and be a constant source of knowledge for you.

Threats on the Net-

We already know about spyware, malware and viruses that wreak havoc on our primarily windows based computer each and every day. It is a constant struggle to keep our computers free from these malicious programs. When our children surf the web they are attracted to the online gaming sites which are notorious for bloating our computers with extra software and most of the time malware. We recommend dedicating a specific computer for your child’s web surfing so it does not interfere with your daily computing activities. We tell our customers to educate their children and keep a watchful eye out for what they are downloading and the types of sites they are visiting.  There are many programs either free or pay versions that will restrict the types of sites your children will go to and will therefore reduce the risk of infection.

What Can I Do As Their Parent?

Plenty! Being observant and involved in their computing experience is #1. Do not put the computer in their rooms if possible. Put it in a public place and let them know they are being monitored. Now if you have access to your wireless router you can easily enable parental filtering that will block certain websites from each and every device they use in your home. The main thing to keep in mind, disable their cell connection in the home to force them to go through the wi-fi and the filtering. Kids are smart and very adaptable so we have to stay on our toes. There are a host of free and paid software titles that can be installed on your child’s computer to keep them surfing down the “safe Path” on the web. Some of the notables are Net-Nanny and a great free option is K-9 Web Protection. It will even bark nice and loud when your child goes somewhere they should not go to alert you. The key point here is it blocks your child from reaching a harmful site.

We are here for you to help you with any and all of your computer and technology related needs. If you have any questions on how to keep your child safe on the internet do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We are proudly serving Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, and Durham NC.

 

Upgrading to Windows 10- Beware of Your Office Installs!

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Thinking about upgrading to Windows 10 soon?

As Many of you are getting messages to download Windows 10 for “free” lately we want you to know the possible perils that may occur. Overall we feel Windows 10 is a great operating system with many new features but our customers deserve to be informed.

Considerations before upgrading to Windows 10

Hardware Compatibility-

The first major concern when  Upgrading your operating system would be your computer’s hardware and software compatibility. Your computer has an existing hardware and software signature that is compatible with its current OS and changing that can cause certain programs you use to not work or certain hardware you have to not function correctly or not at all. We recommend checking with your current hardware manufacturers for updated drivers that are compatible with Windows 10. The major hardware you would be concerned with would be scanners, printers, digital cameras, etc. If they are not compatible it may force you to have to upgrade your hardware and will add an associated cost with this “free” upgrade.

Software Compatibility-

The second concern with your Windows 10 upgrade would be your software compatibility. Many software titles you are currently running on your Windows 7/8 machines are not yet compatible with Windows 10. We suggest that you reach out to your software manufacturers to confirm the status of compatibility. Many times they will provide sofware updates free of charge when new operating systems are released. It really depends on the sofware manufacturer whether you will need to purchase a new version of the software.

Office 2013 Compatibility-

We have recently noticed a major software incompatibility with Office 2013 Pro and upgrading to Windows 10. Upon upgrading a machine that has a pre-existing install of Office 2013 can render that software deactivated. It may require the user to have to re-purchase a new license for Office to re-install. We are proud to be there for you in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary and Durham for all of your Computer Service needs. If you need help please feel free to contact us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computers for back to school: Repair or replace?

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Students all over the United States are heading back to school.  One question about their computer lingers in their minds and the minds of their parents.  Should we repair it or replace it?  In this article we’ll go through several criteria to decide whether or not the system may be worth repairing or if it is […]

The post Computers for back to school: Repair or replace? appeared first on The Arlington Virginia Computer Repair Blog.

Source: Arlington Computer Repair