The Nerd Cave Remote Technical Support

 I wanted to let you know that as of August 10th, Microsoft has released a security update for Windows 10. It's important to install these updates when they become available as these updates (or "patches") fix security issues in Windows 10. For details on the many issues fixed with this latest patch, click the following link: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/.../microsoft-august.../ One notable security flaw is called "PrintNightmare" which allows a malicious user on a local network to gain access to a Windows system using the "print spooler" service. More information on what the print spooler is can be found here: https://www3.rocketsoftware.com/.../understanding_the... Also, keep The Nerd Cave in mind if you have issues with your computer. Some basic maintenance checks include: Checking for slow start-up programs. Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer. Virus and malware scanning. Making sure e...

Understanding and using Windows file and folder properties. Accessing file and folder properties in Windows will give you access to a variety of specific options for each item. There are a number of options available to you when you access the "properties" of a file or folder, like viewing specific details about a file or folder, setting a default application when you double-click a file in Windows Explorer or setting specific security and permissions for a file or folder. [ Click this link to watch a short video tutorial about Windows file and folder properties ] Also, keep The Nerd Cave in mind if you have issues with your computer.  The Nerd Cave offers REMOTE Technical Support.  Just pick up your phone and receive technical support right over the phone. Some basic maintenance checks include: Checking for slow start-up programs. Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer. Virus and malware scanning. Making sur...

Easily create PDF files in Windows 10. PDF files have been around for a long time. They are used commonly in businesses to transfer important documents via ema il or downloading. [ Click this link to watch a short tutorial on how to create PDF files in Windows 10 ] Also, keep The Nerd Cave in mind if you have issues with your computer.   The Nerd Cave offers REMOTE Technical Support.  Just pick up your phone and receive technical support right over the phone. Some basic maintenance checks include: Checking for slow start-up programs. Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer. Virus and malware scanning. Making sure effective Anti-Virus software is installed and working. Scanning for a corrupt file system that could lead to damaged or missing files in the future. Checking for possible hardware upgrades that could improve PC performance. I also offer a number of personalized computer services such as reso...

Customize the Windows 10 Start Menu. Add and remove icons and features, change the layout for the Windows 10 Start Menu.  It's easy and this video will show you how. [ Click this link to watch a short tutorial on customizing your Windows 10 Start Menu ] Also, keep The Nerd Cave in mind if you have issues with your computer. Some basic maintenance checks include: Checking for slow start-up programs. Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer. Virus and malware scanning. Making sure effective Anti-Virus software is installed and working. Scanning for a corrupt file system that could lead to damaged or missing files in the future. Checking for possible hardware upgrades that could improve PC performance. I also offer a number of personalized computer services such as resolving specific software or configuration issues with your computer or other hardware. Take Care, Jeffrey Cobb (Owner/Operator) (747) 248-779...

Microsoft's last "Patch Tuesday" update fixed some 117 vulnerabilities in Windows 10,  25 of which are rated critical. Microsoft has not seen any of these vulnerabilities exploited in the wild. Regardless, I wanted to remind you to make certain you have updates enabled in Windows 10 and proper anti-virus installed. Also, keep The Nerd Cave in mind if you have issues with your computer. Some basic maintenance checks include: Checking for slow start-up programs. Removing unwanted background programs that could be slowing down your computer. Virus and malware scanning. Making sure effective Anti-Virus software is installed and working. Scanning for a corrupt file system that could lead to damaged or missing files in the future. Checking for possible hardware upgrades that could improve PC performance. I also offer a number of personalized computer services such as resolving specific software or configuration issues with your computer or other h...

Nerd Cave Security News for January 29th, 2020 Wix website users need to be on the alert for a "Phishing" email being passed around. I just received an email in my inbox indicating I needed to reset my Wix password.  I have a Wix account so I figured this would be important.  The thing that gave it away was the fact that the entire email was written in Ukrainian.  I went ahead and did a click-thru just to see what was on the other end.  The site didn't come up so I assume it's being blocked.  Never-the-less, I thought I should give you all a heads-up about this.  If you're going to reset your password for any website or service, I HIGHLY recommend you go directly to the website first via your web browser and reset the password.  NEVER use a click-thru link on an email you receive unless you're absolutely certain this email came from the website.  Such a case would be when you reset your password and the website actually informs you that ...

Easily access your computer remotely using a secure Virtual Private Network over the Internet If you need access to another computer either from home or work (or anywhere), we have a service available to give you secure access to a remote computer over the internet.  You can access shared files and even your computer desktop if you like. Sharing files over the Internet: A Virtual Private Network (or VPN) is an encrypted connection between two computers or computer networks over the internet.  The computers are usually some distance apart which is why a VPN is used.  A VPN allows two computers to "pretend" they are connected together on the same local network.  Thus they can share files and other resources with each over the internet without the worry of having their traffic analyzed by prying eyes. Recently I set up and tested a cross-country VPN between California and Florida.  The service set up in very little time and worked flawlessly.  I...

Nerd Cave Security News for January 16th, 2020 A Microsoft "crypto-spoofing" vulnerability allows attackers to make a malicious application look like it is from a trusted source. An "exploit" is a method of taking advantage of a vulnerability in a program, website or other system in order to make it do something it was not intended to do.  For example, a hacker could send a special command to a vulnerable website which gives them access to parts of the website they normally would not have access to. "Spoofing" is the process of making a malicious process look like a valid and trusted one.  For example, a malicious log-in web page can be made to look like a valid log-in page, thus fooling a user to enter their log-in credentials and exposing their password to hackers. Microsoft's latest "Patch Tuesday" security bulletin noted a vulnerability that would allow an attacker to submit false credentials for a malicious application ...

And let's start the New Year off with... Ending Windows 7 support, infected phone apps, ransomeware, hacked encryption and tons of other things I can help you with... Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 7 TODAY. Microsoft has been announcing for some time it would be ending it's support for Windows 7.  Well, TODAY IS THE DAY! (and the final one).  On the upside, Google announced that it will be extending support for it's Chrome browser in Windows 7 for another 18 months.  There are also ways to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free.  For more information about Chrome support, click [here] .  For information about Windows 7 support and how to upgrade to Windows 10, click [here] . Google removes some 1,700 apps from the Play store. In an article on Threatpost.com it was noted that Google has remove some 1,700 Android apps from the Play store due to a malware infection called "Joker" (also called "Bread").  Actually, the post ...

"Undervoltages" in Intel Processors can lead to possible security flaws. A security bulletin released recently by Sophos disclosed a flaw in Intel Processors whereby an attacker could take advantage of the voltage control mechanism of a computer.  By slightly lowering the voltage the computer processor would start to generate small, undetectable errors in mathematical computations.  This would allow the attacker to bypass certain security features built into Intel processors.  The new exploit has been dubbed "Plundervolt" (an exploit is defined as getting a program to do something the author did NOT intend). Considerable details about the flaw (including technical jargon) are provided [ here ] at sophos.com.  Videos regarding the exploit are also available [ here ] at the official "Plundervolt" website. Intel has released a security advisory regarding the exploit [ here ].  Their recommendation is to update the BIOS of your computer.  The BIOS...

Nerd Cave Security News for December 9th, 2019 A newly discovered Mac malware uses a "fileless" technique to avoid anti-virus detection. Although not entirely "fileless", this malware is disguised as a crypto-currency app called "UnionCryptoTrader.dmg".  Once executed, it creates an executable file in memory, without ever touching the hard disk, thus avoiding detection by anti-virus programs. For more information about this virus and a means to detect it, go to  arstechnica.com . The iPhone 11 still makes location requests even when the user has disabled this feature. In an article on krebsonsecurity.com it was pointed out that the location icon occasionally appears on the iPhone 11 even when the location feature has been disabled.  Apple explained the behavior was tied to short-range technology that allows users to share files locally (i.e. AirDrop).  Apple stated it plans to include an option to disable this behavior, it just hasn...

Nerd Cave Security News for December 5th, 2019 Sophos.com  posted a new security warning regarding a new Steam "phishing" scam. Steam  is a video game digital distribution service (not to be confused with  STEAM Education ) which allows users to purchase their favorite game titles online.  Once a title is purchased, it remains in their library for the life of the their account. "Phishing" is an attempt by hackers to recreate a web service login, such as an online bank or other service that requires login credentials.  When the user enters their information and submits the form, the hackers then have their login credentials (more information  [here] ). Apparently hackers went to considerable trouble to perfectly re-create the Steam login page, right down to the two-factor-authentication (2FA) used by Steam.com.  2FA is a means of extra-verification when you log into certain web services.  It usually consists of answering a special ...