Anti-Virus Software

The one thing our entire tech support team agreed on was that the best way to deal with viruses is to stop them before they get a chance to infect your computer. To do this, you need quality anti-virus software – and that software has to use the most up to date virus definitions. If you’re still using the McAfee trial install from three years ago when you first got the computer, or worse, not using anything at all, you are leaving yourself open to all sorts of nasty viruses.

You can get a lot of really good anti-virus software packages online for free. AVG, Avast, and Avira are the most commonly used free anti-virus software packages. All three have made a name for themselves in the anti-virus arena and all three have loyal followings (even here in the office). That said, the anti-virus software we use here at The Aldridge Company is the corporate version of AVG. AVG proactively protects computers against viruses, spyware, and identity theft. We like it for three reasons: 1) the corporate version is cheaper than Norton or McAfee (and the personal version is completely free), 2) it uses less system resources than other virus scanning programs – meaning that your computer will be faster when you use it instead of other virus software —and 3) because it just works.

Click here to download the AVG personal version for free. If you are looking for low-cost, high quality virus protection for a business, call us at 832-209-2940. The Aldridge Company is a proud reseller of AVG.

Virus Removal

Unfortunately, even the best anti-virus software isn’t 100% effective. Whether you accidently open something (oops!) or the virus is just attacking from an angle so new none of the programs have created an update for it yet, viruses will sometimes get through your first line of defense. When your anti-virus software fails, what you need is a virus removal tool.

We won’t lie to you and say it is a magic bullet, but MalwareBytes is easily our hands-down favorite application when it comes to virus removal. There are some situations where manual fixes have to be applied, but 95% of the time, if you have a virus, MalwareBytes can quash it. Using MalwareBytes to execute a virus removal is pretty straight forward. Once you have installed and updated it, it is just a matter of running a full scan, rebooting, and repeating until the virus is gone.

Click here to download MalwareBytes for free.

Spyware Removal

As awesome as MalwareBytes is though, it focuses entirely on viruses and malware that affect the way your computer operates. When your problem is with spyware instead of viruses, the tool we like to use is SUPER Anti-Spyware. If you are worried about people snooping on you while you are online or installing a bunch of toolbars you don’t want or people changing your home page or anything of that sort, this program will find and eliminate those types of threats.

That said, while SUPER AntiSpyware is completely free to download and run when you suspect your computer has a problem, it is not active protection against spyware. If you are willing to spend a few bucks on it though, the professional version includes useful things like automatic updates, automatic scanning, and active browser and registry protection.

Click here to download SUPER Anti-Spyware for free.

Browser Hijacks

One of the most common symptoms of viruses is the browser hijack. The victim of a browser hijack has addresses and search terms they enter into the browser redirected to other sites like porn, paid advertisers, or sites that try to con the user out of money. One of the worst parts about browser hijacking is that the damage tends to linger even after the virus itself is removed. To fix this problem, you need to get a copy of HijackThis.

HijackThis goes through the parts of your system that are vulnerable to change and lists every single entry in them that is not a default setting. This means that any changes made by viruses to your registry or to certain key files will be listed and you will be given the option to delete them. That said, this program is not for novice users. It will list EVERY change to your system – even legitimate changes your computer needs to function – and deleting the wrong thing can get you into trouble. Fortunately, HijackThis has a great community. If you take the log file of your scan results and post it to their forums, more advanced users can tell you what is and is not supposed to be there and will help you get back on track.

Click here to download HijackThis for free.

Data Backup & Data Recovery

The last thing to remember about computers is that, virus or no virus, they eventually fail. The absolute best thing you can do to ensure that your files are safe is to back them up (and backup often). One of the worst case scenarios when dealing with viruses is that the computer will have to be wiped completely clean and the user will have to start over from scratch. To prevent that from happening, we like to use NTBackup.

NTBackup has a couple of really good things going for it: It is free, if you use Windows it’s already installed on your computer, it is easy to use, and it’s an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to create a backup (or schedule a backup) for an entire computer with a few clicks. NTBackup is the sort of tool everyone should make use of so that, if the worst should ever occur, you can lose as little work as possible.

NTBackup comes pre-installed on many versions of Windows. If you don’t have it, you can get it free from Microsoft if you have a genuine copy of Windows installed on your PC by clicking here.

Shared Hosting

The most basic hosting packages offered by hosting companies are the shared hosting options. With a shared web host, a client is given space on a server along with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other users. The server is managed by the hosting company, but the client is given a control panel, FTP access, options on what type of operating system to run, and their host usually sets up things like a limited number of email accounts, support for common scripting languages such as PHP and Java, a limited number of MySQL databases, and free traffic monitoring tools.

The advantages of shared hosting are many. For starters, it’s always the least expensive hosting option a web hosting company will offer. From a cost benefit perspective, shared hosting plans are quite attractive. For most people and small businesses, a basic shared hosting plan is more than enough for hosting a web site, a blog, email, and basic offsite file backups. The last thing to keep in mind about shared hosting is that these plans are also almost always the easiest and least technical solution. Because they’re cheap, effective, and easy, shared hosting plans are by far the most popular hosting solution available.

There are two major downsides though. Firstly, because a user shares a server with other users, there is a limit on the space and resources you’re allowed to use. These limits vary from host to host, but always include a cap on bandwidth (how fast and how much data that can be exchanged with the server), and hard drive space (which will limit the amount of data you can have hosted). There are usually ways to purchase upgrades to shared hosting plans, but there will always be some kind of limit to how much activity you can perform with the account. For most users, the limits are high enough that they never become a problem, but if you host a major web site or have to back up a lot of data, a shared host may not be practical.

The second problem with shared hosting is a lack of control. If all you need hosted is a web site or email or files, they’re a perfect solution. If, however, you are using more obscure programs, have issues with specific versions of software, have to have certain operating system updates but not others, or require non-standard software to be directly installed on the server for your applications to work, shared hosting probably isn’t for you.

For most people though, shared hosting is definitely the way to go.

Virtual Hosting

If you really need more control over your host, but you aren’t pushing the limits on server or bandwidth resources, you need a virtual hosting solution. Having a virtual host is like having a computer within a computer. Like a shared host, a virtual host has many users physically located on the same server, but each user is given control of a virtual machine – effectively giving the user control of the operating environment in which their site is run. Virtual hosting is a great option for those who need control of a server without the sheer power of a completely dedicated server.

Cloud Hosting

The term “cloud computing” is something of a buzzword, but it generally describes a type of virtual hosting solution that emphasizes scalability and flexibility. A cloud server is actually a cluster of servers running a specially designed operating system capable of creating and shifting virtual servers to different physical locations to ensure that a maximum amount of usage is attainable from the smallest amount of physical resources. In many ways, cloud hosting options are quite similar to virtual hosting plans, but they are far better situated for dealing with sudden shifts in traffic, have greater redundancy, and are actually more eco-friendly than traditional servers thanks to their ability to consolidate functions into fewer, less energy intensive servers during low traffic periods.

The best part about cloud servers is that you pay as you go. If you need only the most basic of plans one month, and then your traffic goes through the roof, you only have to pay for the resources you’ve used. You get the cost effectiveness of a virtual server when you don’t need a big expensive plan, but when you need more power, you can get it by simply pressing a few buttons. You don’t have to spend the money on a dedicated server and then only use a fraction of its potential for most of the time. You can pay for what you need when you need it and save money when you don’t.

Cloud hosting is the ideal solution for companies that have seasonal shifts in their traffic, startup companies that don’t need a lot of room now but will probably see an explosion in growth, or anyone who wants to make sure they have plenty of flexibility built in to their hosting plan.

Click here to continue reading.

The Aldridge Company will never request information about user name and password by soliciting via email.   Reputable companies will not either.  This is a practice is known as ”phishing” or “social engineering.”    The scammers and spammers that operate these sites may use a reputable company’s names to seek information (like usernames, passwords, account numbers, etc.), and then, if you comply, they have YOUR personal information with which they can potentially damage your credit, your accounts, your services, or perpetuate spam emails.

When you receive an email requesting personal information including any of the following:  user name, password, account number, social security number, or other personal information NEVER reply or comply.  DELETE THE EMAIL.

If you have questions, CALL the alleged company that is requesting the information (do not reply to any address in the email) to verify.

Specifically, you’ll find new information about Complete IT, E-Mail Services, Cloud Hosting, and more.  Our site also features a blog for all things IT and Company news.

Additionally, our new site is designed to provide support and information to our valued current clients.  You’ll notice a “Client Portal” icon on the top right area of the page.  Inside this area, you’ll find access to submit a support ticket, connect to a remote support session, check your mail via the web, pay online, and more. 

During the course of the final quarter of 2009, we’ll be continuing to add features to our client portal and information about our services to make the site more useful as a resource to you.  We’re proud to be a one-stop-shop for all IT services, so we’re making our website a one-stop-surf for all IT information. 

Same ownership, same management, same excellent service, NEW look!

• February 2000 – Windows 2000
• September 2000 – Windows ME (we all remember this flop)
• October 2001 – Windows XP
• January 2007 – Windows Vista (windows ME again?)
• October 2009 – Windows 7

(Dates from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows)

 Each release is supposed to be better, faster, more stable, and offer more features than its predecessor.  As many IT Admins, CIOs, Managers, and even most home users have come to realize…they do not always live up to the hype.   Our most recent painful memory is Windows Vista.  It looked cool and sounded great; the hype was high, then the install took place, and its fall far from grace was swift.  Boot times were bad, resources usage was enormous, and networking was the pits.

 Even tho Vista was further in the hole than California’s budget Microsoft started the push, threatening major vendors that Windows XP was to be cut off and they had to use Windows Vista, this caused a major uproar across the industry.  Companies were getting ready to stop purchasing new PCs unless Windows XP was available or they might even move to Open Source.  Dell even made mention of selling PCs with an Open Source Desktop software if they had to. The battle raged on, and after several months Microsoft quietly slipped away and started to ramp up production on Windows 7.

 Windows 7… could it be the OS we were all hoping for after XP?  It has the glossy veneer look; it’s quick, and very stable.  I have been using it since its beta and are currently running the RTM, set to be available in stores Oct 22^nd of 2009.  So, if you’re like me, you wonder what is better?

 Some Positives:

• The most obvious is the clear and transparent user interface: “Aero.”  While Aero did exist in Vista, Windows 7 seems to make it sharper, smoother, and operate with a “snap” to it…like real speed.  The ability to make all windows transparent except for the one you are focusing on, which allows you to find what you are looking for with ease, works beautifully.    
• Multi-Monitor Support, this was probably the single most aggravating change I stumbled across in Windows Vista.  Windows Vista only supported a single video card driver at any one time, meaning if you (like me) were using  multiple monitors but were using 2 different brand video cards to power them, it would not work in Vista.   This forced us to purchase a new video card…even when there was nothing wrong with the originals, to match one of the other two we already had installed!  All of this to make use of 3+ monitors.  Windows 7 brought back the support of multi-video cards within the same system with the use of WDDM 1.1 (WDDM 1.1 has many increased uses and features that are beyond the scope of this post).  This allows Windows 7 to run and manage multiple video drivers at the same time, bringing a sigh of relief to the multi-monitor addicts like me, that have been using them successfully on a Windows XP system.
•  The “Ribbon” is in full force.  Anyone who has used or even laid eyes on Office 2007 will notice the drastic change in the menu system / tool bar, now dubbed the Ribbon.  The Ribbon while it was a complete (some argue, unnecessary), change has found its way into just about every new Microsoft product.  Windows 7 has some old programs that got a little face lift thanks to the Ribbon: MS Paint and WordPad.
•  Speed!  Is it faster?  Isn’t that the the real question? The answer: YES!  Windows Vista pushed boot times to 30 seconds or more, making “I will get it done in a few mins” take more like 10 mins.  Microsoft vowed to get the boot time to below 15 seconds on most systems, and I must agree that they did it!  My system, a a Dell Lattitude D630 laptop with 4 gig of RAM, boots in 10 seconds.   One of the biggest reasons that Windows runs faster is the way is handles graphics.  In short, Microsoft was able to transfer more of the renderings to the graphics card to lessen the burden on the CPU.  Read more in-depth, here. 
• Pricing underwent a little revamp, if you compare Windows Vista Release Date Pricing to Windows 7 Release Date Pricing, you’ll notice that it is a little cheaper to upgrade to or purchase Windows 7 than it would have to been to move to Windows Vista.  Read a full comparison, here. 

Some Negatives:

• Layout.  There are a few areas where Microsoft still needs to spruce up the layout; the most noticeable is the control panel.  The control panel has a very simple layout and it is easy to find everything but it lacks in the “kinda cool” thought area that most of the rest of Windows 7 possesses.
•  Internet Explorer 8 is pre-installed / built in, this is a killer for a lot of businesses.  Several businesses, and even home users, have chosen not install IE 8 because of the compatibility problems with many sites and applications needed within their organization.  If your usage of the Internet relies heavy on Internet Explorer, I recommend considering the installation IE 8 on a Windows XP machine first to test for compatibility problems, BEFORE moving to Windows 7.
•  The System requirements are basically the same for Windows 7 as Windows Vista.  Initial boot (just to the desktop) still runs up to approximately 800MB or 900MB of memory, and the high CPU usage is about the same in Windows 7.  Your computer will still perform faster and more be stable running Windows 7 than Windows Vista, but if you are only meeting the minimum requirements, consider an upgrade before moving forward.

At the end of the day, Windows 7 is a huge improvement from Windows ME..err..Vista, and it has MANY new features that we did not cover in this post.   With many businesses tightening budgets and with no compelling reason to move forward,  I am not sure how quickly the world will take to Windows 7; only time will tell…and…it might even live up to the hype.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/31/job-growth-cities-leadership-careers-employment_slide_3.html

1. Procrastinating.
Remember the first time you put off studying for a test then crammed at the last minute and still got a decent grade? Many of us have been procrastinating since grade school and have done just fine, but that’s a habit you have to break. “There’s no grade inflation in the workplace,” says Marty Nemko, a job coach in Oakland, Cal., and columnist for Kiplinger.com. If you pull together a report or presentation at the last minute, your shoddy preparation is going to show. And if something unexpected happens — say your computer crashes or a key contact fails to return a call — the old “dog-ate-my-homework” excuse isn’t going to cut it. “Procrastination is an ingrained habit,” Nemko says, “but if you don’t kick it pretty quick, you’re going to find yourself on the corporate slow track

2. Having a sense of entitlement.
Our generation was raised on instant gratification — we’re used to getting what we want, and getting it now. Yet when it comes to our careers, no matter how hard we work, we cannot get five years’ worth of experience in one year. Younger employees tend to feel entitled to quick promotions, says Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers and associate professor of marketing at Stetson University in Deland, Fla. Falling into that trap can hinder a climb up the career ladder. If you carry the attitude that you deserve to be promoted or else, you may find that “or else” is your only option, says Hansen.
If you’re lucky enough to even have a job in this economy, remember that fresh out of school, you’re on the bottom rung of the career ladder. That means you’re going to have to pay some dues, such as taking on jobs others don’t want or working days others want off. But that doesn’t mean you should accept your low status forever. Learn more about how to know when it’s time to move up — and how to pull it off.

3. Settling into your job description.
You may have your set responsibilities, but you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to shine. Going above and beyond your mundane entry-level tasks can demonstrate your untapped talents and show your boss you’re not afraid to take initiative. Settle into your job description for too long and your reputation may be cast as a low-level lackey.
You may have to do a little self-promotion, but try not to come off as a braggart. Nemko’s daughter, for example, got her first job working for Hillary Clinton — but her job description was to answer letters to Socks, the Clintons’ pet cat. Soon after starting, she approached her boss and said she was willing to pay her dues, but that she had good research and writing skills. She pointed out that she might be useful on some other task. A few days went by and her boss asked her to research a topic and write a one-page brief for Clinton. She ended up spending a year as a researcher — that certainly beats handling feline fan mail.

4. Avoiding office politics.
When it comes to playing office politics, there is naughty and nice. Naturally, you shouldn’t engage in backstabbing and gossiping. But avoiding politics altogether can be deadly for your career. Like it or not, every workplace has an intricate system of power, and you can — and should — work it ethically to your best advantage. To get a promotion, avoid downsizing or get a project approved, you need co-worker support. Get that backing by building relationships, asking others for advice, offering your help and showing sincere interest in others, advises Nemko. (Learn more about how to make yourself fire-resistant in the workplace.)
It’s also crucial to identify your workplace’s hidden pockets of power. On paper, a certain person may be in charge, but you need to know who else in the office has influence so you can be sure to impress the right people.

5. Not being a team player.
Getting stuck with this label is one of the fastest career killers, says Hansen. But young workers face a delicate balance. “You can’t be so much a member of the team that your individual efforts are not recognized and rewarded,” Hansen says. You still need to demonstrate your skills and abilities to successfully build your career without giving the appearance that you’re interested only in looking out for yourself.

6. Not dressing the part.
In an ideal world, you would be judged by your merits alone. However, we live in a visual society. How you present yourself can play a crucial role in the progress of your career. You want to look professional and in control, not sloppy and indifferent. Keep your hair and nails trimmed, your clothes ironed and your breath smelling nice.
As for your apparel, take your cues from what others are wearing — you don’t want to show up in a suit and tie if jeans are the norm. But it doesn’t hurt to dress for the job you want, advises Nemko. It can set you apart from the rest of the crowd and subtly help higher-ups visualize you in a position of more power and responsibility. If you want people to take you more seriously and build influence, you’ve got to dress the part. See Dress for Success for Less for tips on pulling this off on a budget.

7. Failing to network. You’ve heard that networking can be a good tool to help you find a job, but maintaining your contacts after you’re hired is critical to the continuing success of your career. Keeping in touch helps you stay atop the latest issues in your field and gives you people to call on when you need advice. And a contact just may help you land your next job.
When you’re starting out, you probably don’t know many people in your field, but there are plenty of ways you can plug into the grapevine:

• Check out the resources offered by your college alumni association.
• Join a professional organization or club.
• Subscribe to a trade magazine.
• Find online discussion groups for your industry through groups.google.com.
• Keep in touch with college acquaintances in your major, especially those who may have graduated before you.
• Don’t be a wallflower at conferences and other functions. And always keep a business card on hand when you’re outside the office. You never know when you might run into a potential contact.

Don’t forget to build rapport with higher-ups in your office. You can introduce yourself at informal company socials or even while riding in the elevator. Then send them an e-mail or stop by their office to ask an occasional question or to follow up on something you chatted about previously. You never know when that friendship could come in handy down the road.

Source:  Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.