Computer Support Blog

Threats to Internet security continue appearing in the form of cybercriminals seeking profits from the ignorance of users.  Downloading files from the web, though we do it all the time, involves the risk of infecting your computer with a virus.  A clever hacker may exploit even excellent Internet security.  This necessitates virus removal to clean your system.  Average users suffer through Internet security problems regularly.  Over the past year, the Internet security systems of a number of high profile targets, including American defense contractors, Sony, Google, and many others, fell victim to cyber attacks.  A very recent example is that cybercriminals compromised the internet security of the file-sharing giant BitTorrent.

Widely known as one of the world’s largest illegal file-sharing sites, BitTorrent also hosts a large number of legal downloads.  This time BitTorrent was the victim of illegal activity.  Hackers broke through the site’s Internet security, injecting a type of malicious software known as “scareware” into the download software that powers file transfers.  Virus removal of scareware is potentially difficult, depending on the user’s level of expertise.  The internet security implications of such an intrusion are that they can render the files of a familiar website vulnerable to a hacker’s program access to information which unsuspecting users consider safe.  This requires immediate virus removal action.

The intrusion reportedly occurred at 4:20 am Pacific Standard Time on September 13, 2011 as BitTorrent and uTorrent.com services became compromised.  The company reported this intrusion itself later that day on the company’s blog.  The false download files were only in place for two hours before BitTorrent employees took servers offline and corrected their Internet security flaws.  Virus removal is necessary for anyone who accidently downloaded the fake files.  The scareware installed on users’ systems is a fake anti-virus program called Security Shield.  Infected systems see a notification pop up informing users that their computer is infected with a virus.  It offers virus removal if the program is paid for by credit card.

Users suffering from this malicious software should attempt to utilize their virus removal programs to restore Internet security.  If you are unable to remove the program, consider contacting your proven reliable computer support company.  Their knowledge and expertise could save a lot of time and headaches.  Downloading anything from the web tests your Internet security.  Always keep anti-virus and virus removal software up to date to protect your system from harmful software.  The thieves and bandits are out there, and we have to be careful.  However, we can handle a virus intrusion in a timely manner with experts trained  in quick restoration of internet security.

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

The results are in for RESCUECOM’s first Computer Reliability Report of 2011, Lenovo claims the top spot!

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jun. 6, 2011 — RESCUECOM’s Computer Reliability Report reveals the top five manufacturers with the best overall computer reliability.

“There have been some interesting changes over the last 3 months. We are in a time of rapid technical change and consumers more than ever need to have up-to-date unbiased guidance.” stated David Milman CEO of RESCUECOM.

The Computer Reliability Report gives an unbiased summary of the most reliable personal computer manufacturers. The top five brands with the best overall reliability in Q1 2011 are:

1. IBM/Lenovo (254)
2. Asus (242)
3. Toshiba (164)
4. Apple (149)
5. HP/Compaq (122)

Read more »

Personal technology goes far beyond just a home computer. So, Microsoft designed an operating system modified to perform on many different personal devices. Windows 8, due to release next year, adapts to each product that runs it.

Rescuecom has five things customers need to know about the upcoming operating system.

Read more »

The digital video making and viewing community came together a little more, recently.  Apple lifted the ban on Adobe Flash Player appearing in iPhone or iPad, ending online compatibility issues.

Last year, Apple refused to work with Flash, the most popular additional program for creating and viewing multi-media websites. The media creation and viewing program’s use restricted costumers to certain devices. Adobe blocked access to Flash from Apple devices. Apple’s continually expanding mobile devices struggled to view images and videos supported by the additional program.

Read more »

Cool Product: Wi-Fi Pocket Camera

Personal photography can be wireless without losing picture quality with the Samsung SH 100, a pocket camera that can act like social networking device. The product is designed to mix the best of digital camera features with smartphone abilities. Pictures can now look the best and be shared right away.

Wi-Fi features let users share pictures and videos with friends on Facebook and YouTube directly. Pictures can also be sent to Picasa and other websites, or pictures can be shared by e-mail from the camera. The camera can automatically find a compatible PC and download images, saving images easily. With the Wi-Fi features, users do not have to wait until a vacation is over to share the fun.

The camera has an LCD touch screen control that acts like a smartphone or touch screen computer. The different options on the home menu are arranged like a smartphone screen, making using it familiar, and the home button lets users return to the first screen anytime. Photographers can view, edit and share pictures with just a little tap.

Recognition sensors take pictures when someone smiles or block the picture when someone blinks. The sensors also adjust the light on nine faces at once, creating clearer and cleaner pictures. Blurriness from low light, zooming, or an unsteady hold disappears when the camera sensors change the image path before the picture is saved. The sensors provide bright pictures with everyone clear and looking happy every time.

Some fun features are included on the SH 100. For example, Smart Auto 2.0 which picks central aspects of the picture’s composition and selects the best view from 17 different modes like Portrait, Fireworks or Night. The Magic Frame feature provides a selection of templates to give photo a personal touch. Photographers can personalize pictures without waiting for a computer’s photo editing program.

Samsung’s SH 100 produces quality pictures or videos, and removes extra equipment from the editing, sharing and saving process. The blend of camera and networking device means that the fun can be shared with everyone, and no one has to go home early.

Microsoft has chosen to re-renter the smartphone marketplace with a new OS – Windows Phone 7.  A highly anticipated and much debated entry into the mobile OS arena, WP7 is one of Microsoft’s most important releases in years.  To help you understand WP7 and decide whether it’s right for you, Rescuecom’s computer support and computer repair specialists share the five things you need to know about Windows Phone 7. Read more »

A recent survey has revealed some troubling data for corporate technology users when it comes to Internet security.

According to the Sixth Annual Enterprise IT Security Survey, conducted by Amplitude Research, 67% of large companies (minimum of 5,000 employees) reported at least one significant security intrusion.

That was over 25% higher than the year before.

Companies cited various potential reasons for the increase, ranging from significant Internet security weaknesses to employee Internet usage.  No matter the reason, one thing is clear:  large corporations are coming under increased attack. Read more »

As Apple continues to aggressively market the iPad, one of its expected competitors has dropped from the race.

This past summer, LG announced plans to build and release a tablet device running Google’s Android OS.  LG’s Android tablet was expected to be released this year, as a competitor for the iPad.

LG announced today that will not happen. Read more »

In news that’s sure to stoke the Apple vs. Android fan battles on messages boards across the Internet, Android has cut into iOS’s market share and is threatening to become the number two ranked mobile operating system.

According to comScore, Apple’s market share 1.3% this summer, as opposed to the significant 5% increase for Android.  While Google’s mobile OS still trails both Apple and RIM, Android has made massive gains and has the top spot in its sights.

Obviously, this is a significant moment for Google and Android.  As the only mobile platform to grow this summer, the popularity of Android cannot be questioned.  In terms of bragging rights in the ongoing battle with Apple, Google has struck a major blow.

However, while the numbers appear, on the surface, to be a major win for Android, Apple has no reason to concede anything yet.  As the company’s supporters would be quick to point out, Google has several key advantages in generating market share:

• Unlike Apple, Android phones can be found on all major carriers. The iPhone is, for the moment still tied to AT&T.
• iOS runs on only the iPhone. Android can be found on a hefty number of devices, ranging across all price points.
• The iPhone 4 was only available for one of the months covered by the comScore report. Additionally, it was the only iOS release, while Android was released on multiple new phones.

Regardless of the caveats, Android’s growth is still worth noting.  Apple’s supporters have long pointed to the company’s significant head start in both mobile operating systems and tablet computers as reasons why the competition will never catch up.

If the latest figures are any indication of what the competition can do when they’ve got the right product, Apple is going to have far more of a fight on its hands than it, or its fans, may have expected.

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

Apple has announced a media event for September 1, at which the company is expected to announce a new iPod Touch and a refresh of Apple TV, which launched three years ago but never truly caught on.

While most expect Apple CEO Steve Jobs to downplay the Apple TV angle and instead focus on video playback on the iPod, iPad, and iPhone, there is reason to think that Apple TV could be a more long term play for the company.

Jobs has said that until such time as end users could stream television, movies, and other video content from their computer to their TV, with little or no need for tech support or elaborate hook-ups, he didn’t expect Apple TV to be mainstream hit.  That, apparently, still holds true.

What’s interesting to note is that most pre-event reports have indicated that Apple TV is expected to run the same iOS as the iPad and would have access to the iTunes App Store.

Such access could allow Apple TV to be used for games and apps, turning into Apple’s entry into the home gaming market as well.  With television rentals set to be available from Disney, ABC, FOX, FX, and others, Apple could be positioning itself nicely for the long term as an all-in-one home entertainment delivery system.

For now, Apple is expected to put its emphasis on the iPod Touch and watching video content on the other i-devices, ideas general users could grasp without needing tech support.  But, as with everything Apple, a newly refreshed – and more useful – Apple TV is sure to attract attention and could appeal to a more mainstream audience.

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