Computer Support Blog

Over the weekend, Epsilon notified millions of customers that the company had experienced a break-in and email addresses were stolen.  One consequence is that now it’s open season for phishing!  Now, instead of using bait to “catch” personal information, a more direct line of attack against your private information exists. 

You can avoid having your sensitive material, including your email address, exposed in this or some similar way.  Josh Kaplan, President of RESCUECOM, strongly recommends that you take immediate action to set up a separate e-mail address for all online transactions – and ONLY use this address for online transactions.  You should be aware that it is not safe to give your personal e-mail address used by your friends and family to any company. 

Even “reputable” companies with whom you may have been doing business for years should not be given your personal email address.  Companies regularly outsource their e-mail communication.  For example, companies such as Marriott, JPMorgan Chase, Walgreens, Capital One, and others contracted with Epsilon to manage their email information and send out e-mail blasts to customers.  Rather than directly overseeing the security of this information base, a third party is involved, thereby increasing the chances of compromised data.

Unfortunately, for many people, such as those affected by the recent data breaches at Epsilon, this warning may come too late.  Be sure that you set up a separate email address for those online business transactions today.  Consider setting up a new personal address as well if your existing address has already been compromised.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Speculation and rumors are flying among techno enthusiasts about the much-anticipated, but highly speculative, release of an iPhone 5 from Apple.  A Chinese supplier of iPhone parts has reportedly leaked just enough information to spark the imagination of anyone following the developing news.

The speculation includes details about the design of Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone.  It has been said that the general look of the iPhone will be similar to the iPhone 4 except for two major differences – screen size and material.  Most sources seem to agree that the new iPhone will have a larger display screen, going with an edge-to-edge screen design.  A 4-inch display would compete well against Android device’s larger displays, yet no official source has pinpointed an exact screen size.

It has also been rumored that Apple will move away from the glass back, opting rather for something similar to the metal back of the first generation iPhone.  The glass back, reportedly, posed a problem for some iPhone 4 users due to scratching of the glass surface.  Reports from China sources have backed up the larger screen and metal back theories, so these design details seem to be likely.

Some less commonly held rumor speculations relate to the antenna for the new phone design.  The iPhone 4 reportedly had antenna problems, so whether the same wrap-around antenna design will be used or not is yet to be seen.

Certainly, the timing of the launch of the new iPhone product has been hotly debated.  Keeping in step with the rhythm Apple has established for its new iPhone releases, many have expected the new model to appear in late June or early July of this year.  Yet evidence is unclear whether or not this will happen.  Apple officially announced the annual Worldwide Developers’ Conference (WWDC) will be held June 6-10 in San Francisco.  While there is no official confirmation that the iPhone 5, if that indeed will be the title given by Apple to the new device, will surface at this conference, Apple is known for keeping product unveilings secretive.

We’re also keeping tabs on rumors that indicate Apple’s iPhone 5 will include a dual-core A5 processor as well as enhanced voice control and iOS5.  A multi-core design would improve both battery life and performance.

Other possible features to ponder: Will the new iPhone be offered in white?  Will the iPhone 5 feature Near Field Communication (NFC)?  Will users be able to “wave and pay”?  It looks like we all will just have to wait upon Apple and see.  What do you think?  Login with your thoughts by joining the discussion on our Facebook or Twitter site.  We’d love to talk to you about it! 

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

SYRACUSE, N.Y., October 8, 2010 – Stuxnet, the most sophisticated piece of malware ever, highlights the dangers of malware.  Stuxnet’s method of infection and the likelihood of imitation put everyone’s Internet security at risk. RESCUECOM’s computer support experts explain what you need to know about Stuxnet, Internet security, and protecting yourself.

Most malware targets an individual’s Internet security, but Stuxnet worked on a much larger scale.  Stuxnet targeted industrial computers, intent on compromising their Internet security and taking control of them.  “It’s larger and more sophisticated than most other pieces of malware,” says RESCUECOM CEO David Milman.  Read more »

What is reliability?

When it comes to manufacturing a reliable computer, it means more than just putting together something that works.  It’s about putting together a computer that holds up and functions well over the long haul.  It’s about providing computer service when that computer doesn’t hold up, and about ensuring that a customer gets the fixes they need to get up and running again. Read more »

SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 27, 2010 – Any time you seek out computer repair or computer support services, you are putting a great deal of trust in someone.  To help you choose only a quality and reputable computer repair service, Rescuecom offers these tips.  Read more »

SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 16, 2010 – McAfee, a top Internet security company, recently announced that malware attacks are at an all-time high.  According to McAfee, 10 million new pieces of malware were cataloged during the first half of this year.  With this Internet security threat reaching such significant heights, Rescuecom offers these tips to protect your computer from such an attack.  Read more »

Rescuecom Releases 5 Tips for Mobile Device Security

SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 9, 2010 – Mobile devices are extremely popular, but also extremely vulnerable.   Internet security is no longer just a concern at home or the office, and phone data recovery is more than a solution for users.  To help you understand the issues of Internet security and phone data recovery for your mobile devices, RESCUECOM offers these 5 tips.     Read more »

The results are in for RESCUECOM’s 2010 first quarter Computer Reliability Report, IBM/Lenovo claims the top spot, Apple drops to third!

RESCUECOM’s Computer Reliability Report starts out on a high note in 2010, with all five leading manufacturers putting up superior reliability scores to last year’s averages.  Apple, last year’s overall leader, improved its reliability score, but that still wasn’t good enough to maintain the top spot in the first quarter of 2010; instead Apple dropped to third place.  IBM/Lenovo decidedly took first place improving their score over 200 points from their average last year.  Not to be forgotten, Asus also posted significant gains and took second place.  Rounding out the top five were Toshiba and HP/Compaq, respectively.  As 2010 progresses it will be interesting to see which manufacturers can maintain their gains and which ones may fall due to increased need for computer repair. Read more »

Your business needs technology, and that technology doesn’t always work.  So how do you choose where to go for your computer repair and business support needs?

Business technology used to be simple: a computer or two, a phone, and maybe a fax machine.

Today’s technology is far more complicated.  Most businesses, even the small ones, rely on multiple pieces of technology, from networked computers, to printers, to servers, and that’s just the hardware.  When you add in software such as different operating systems, office productivity suites, email, scheduling, and payroll programs, many businesses find themselves dependant on technology that isn’t always reliable.

When technology isn’t reliable, you need business support and computer repair that is. Read more »

Recently, it was revealed that Dell Computers had misled and possibly outright lied to customers who had purchased one of their computers and were in need of computer repair.  This is not the first time Dell has come under scrutiny for their computer repair and customer service practices.  In light of these recent revelations, RESCUECOM offers some information and clarification for those Dell Computer customers who may be in need of computer repair.

The Dell computers that were affected were OptiPlex desktop PCs sold between 2003 and 2005.  These Dell computers were primarily sold to business customers, usually in large quantities.  The computer repair problems that then cropped up would, therefore, put the customer’s business at risk. Read more »