Tellico Village Computer Users Club
Non-Profit Community Computer Interest Group
By David Leaman
The vulnerability in Windows 10 was described as especially critical, and customers were advised to update their systems immediately to address it.
Microsoft released a patch to fix a software vulnerability in its Windows operating system that could allow hackers to breach or surveil targeted computer networks, after the National Security Agency detected the flaw.
CONTACT FLS (865) 408-8223
By David Leaman
Microsoft will no longer support or provide updates to Windows 7 after January 14, 2020.
So what does that mean?
Your Windows 7 computer will continue to work but will become less and less secure.
So what should you do?
The easiest and most direct solution is to go buy a new Windows 10 computer. A nice laptop can be purchased for $500-$700, a desktop computer without monitor for about the same. Transferring your data to the new machine is always a challenge, but FLS can help you with that. Transferring programs are a bigger challenge and it is likely that there will be software that will not transfer.
The second best solution is to upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10. This is a technically challenging solution and may require the purchase of a new Windows 10 license. If your Windows 7 computer is 6-7 years old, then it is probably not powerful enough to run Windows 10.
The least best solution is to continue to run Windows 7. If you do not store anything important (i.e. Financial Information) or buy stuff online and only read emails and browse the internet then maybe continuing to run Windows 7 will work for you.
For the FLS Team, Tom Verbeke TVCUC, First Level Support
Tom.Verbeke@tvcuc.org
By Jim Watson
One of our members in the Village recently received a Ransom scare in the form of an email.
See a copy of the email Here.
At least one other resident received the same scam. Perhaps the scammers are picking retirement communities to attack. The recipient has no idea how the scammer got the email address. The incident was reported to the Loudon Sheriff, and a deputy stopped by to record the information. The incident was also reported to the FBI at www.IC3.gov.
Ransomware encrypts your computer and then demands that you pay a fee to restore access to your applications and files.
Sometimes, as in this case, the threat was bogus, a fraudulent attempt to get money. Such threats are increasing and may take different forms. The best response is to ignore the appeal for money, shut down your system, and unplug your machine for a few hours. The incident should be reported to the fraud unit of the local sheriff office. You should also block the internet attack address, if you are able to do so.
By Jim Watson
Picture this: You start your computer and wait. And wait. And wait some more.
When your desktop finally shows its face, things don’t get any better.
Your Internet is sluggish, your programs are taking forever to load, and your cursor is dragging 20 seconds behind your mouse.
You might have tried to open too many programs at once. Or…
Read the entire article Here…
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By David Leaman
The vulnerability in Windows 10 was described as especially critical, and customers were advised to update their systems … [Read More...]
Membership in the Tellico Village Computer Users Club … READ MORE
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By Jim Watson
See the latest Windows 10 Update information: Microsoft Releases Patch to Severe Windows Flaw … [Read More...]