Kaleidoscope Komputer Services is 6 years old!  On August 1, 2005 I obtained my DBA from Erie County and hung out my shingle.  Over the years it has been my privilege to serve close to 1500 clients.  I have served clients all across Western New York, from Niagara Falls to Hornell, and Westfield To Rochester, as well as helping people across the US and Canada and around the world.  Many clients have become friends, and some friends have become clients.

I began Kaleidoscope with the idea that it was easier for people to have me come to their location to deal with their computer problems, than it was for them to unplug and cart their equipment to a shop somewhere.  It would also be quicker and cheaper, and in most cases would allow me to interact with them and establish a relationship.  This is still the basic business model that I employ, and it has proven to be very successful.

Business models aside, it is my clients that have made Kaleidoscope a success.  You have trusted me not only to fix your equipment, or advise you, but you have also trusted me enough to let me come to your homes and businesses, and I do not take that lightly.  My commitment 6 years ago to provide outstanding customer service, and to not be happy until you are happy, remains true today, and if anything, is even stronger.

I have worked on some pretty challenging problems over the years, and have learned a great deal.  I have met some truly amazing people, and gone to some pretty amazing places.  Technology has changed and even the way we interact with each other has changed.  Facebook and Twitter were unknown in August of 2005.  One of the coolest things I did was to start a Facebook page called “Bring Mighty Taco to Springville”  Almost 600 people “liked” it.  I was getting stopped on the street by people asking about it, and it even brought some business for Kaleidoscope.

Simply put, I am a trouble shooter and problem solver.  I love helping people solve their technology problems.  To all of my past clients, I thank you for trusting me to help you.  I do count it a privilege to have served you.  Kaleidoscope is all about you!  I couldn’t have done it without you.


Here’s to another 6 years, and many more.

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Malware Part 2

Part 2 is a little longer coming than I originally planned, but…better late than never right?  Thanks for following us and being patient. 

In Part 1 we talked about what Malware is and how it gets on your machine.  In Part 2 we will talk about ways of keeping your machine infection free.

1).  Common sense - You are your best protection.  While all of these steps are important, you are the “gate keeper”.  Be very careful about opening email attachments, clicking on offers that are to good to be true, and downloading “add ons”!  Some of these may be legitimate, but others carry many different types of infections.  Ask yourself if you really need that extra toolbar, for example.

2).  Keep your machine updated.  Windows updates, updates for your security suite, and your other programs are very important.  They fix bugs, add new features, and most important, plug security holes.  Apps like CNET’s Tech Tracker let you know when your programs are out of date.  You can also automate updates in Windows and many other programs.

3).  Your virus protection program is not enough.  The question of which anti-virus program to use is a topic for another day.  It is important to have AV protection, but the bad guys will do whatever they can to circumvent it.  A layered approach is best.  Malwarebytes or IObit Malware Fighter target malware specifically and both do a very good job.

4).  Use a link scanner. McAfee SiteAdvisor tells you if the website you are on has a history of spreading malware, or directing you to suspicious sites.  It is also very user friendly and not intrusive.  AVG also includes a link scanner as part of its security suite.  Both are available in free version.

These are some basic steps you can take to keep your machine infection free.  As always, feel free to ask questions.

Our next edition will be a bit of a departure from our normal format.  Stay tuned!

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We are often asked by clients with infected machines, how did it get there?  Machines can get infected in a number of different ways.  In part 1 we will discuss how this happens, and in part 2, we will look at ways of preventing it.  Infections are designed to get control of your computer.  The goal is to get you to give them your credit card information, steal other information, and/or to use your computer as part of a “botnet” to send out more malicious content.

What is it?

Malware is short for Malicious Software.  Viruses are malware but not all Malware is a virus.  Malware typically will have the appearance of a rogue anti-virus or anti-spyware program, trying to scare you into spending money to buy a program that says your computer is infected.  That “thing” telling you that you have infections IS the infection.  However, malware can take many different forms, some you can see, some you can’t.

How did I get infected?

1. Software exploit!  There are several programs that almost every PC has.  They include Adobe Reader, Flash, Internet Explorer, and Flash.  The “bad guys” know this and exploit those programs, knowing the odds are in their favor.  They often exploit these programs through fake updates, or telling you that you need one of them to watch a video or play a game.
2. Website exploit! Even legitimate sites, like CNN and Yahoo have been exploited.  Usually it’s through active content on the site.  A small instruction in that content tells your computer to do something you don’t want it to do.
3. Add-ons!  Almost every program that you install these days wants to add toolbars, change your default browser, change your default search engine, or some other change to your computer.  Not all of these add-ons are bad, but most are not necessary.  If you don’t pay attention to those check boxes, you will at the very least have unwanted content and changes, and at worst, you will get infected.
4. File sharing! File sharing sites are notorious for  having infected content.  Be very careful if you are using file sharing sites for music or software.  Not only is it probably illegal, but you will most likely get infected.

These are some of the common ways that computers get infected.  Next we will give you some tips on how to keep your computer Malware free.

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I’ll admit it, I’m a PC fan!  Apple products are excellent machines for high end graphics and audio applications.  I’m often asked what to look for when considering buying a new computer, and for the sake of this blog, I will be talking about PC’s.

The first question to answer is whether to buy a laptop or a desktop.  Laptops offer portability and an “all-in-one” package.  Desktops offer a more traditional experience, and generally larger screen screen.  A few years ago, laptops were more expensive and didn’t have the power of a desktop, but that has changed and the differences in those areas are insignificant.  Whether buying a desktop or laptop however, there are a number of similarities in what to look for.  Unless you build it yourself, your PC should come pre-installed with Windows 7.  In most cases this will be Windows 7 64-bit, but some lower priced machines will have the 32-bit version.  I would recommend purchasing the 64-bit edition (see below).

1. RAM - As my old friend Rick Hawkins told me over 10 years ago, “buy as much RAM as you can afford”.  In my opinion the amount of RAM, or memory, is the most important number.  Most mid-range PC’s with Win 7 64 come with 4 GB of RAM.  That is more than adequate for most applications, but if you can afford it, 6 GB or even 8 is better.  Be aware that if you are purchasing a computer with a 32-bit operating system, anything more than 3.5 GB of RAM is a waste of money.
2. Processor - I’m an Intel brand fan, so I would recommend the Intel i3 processor at the very least.  There are still some new Core 2 Duo and Pentium Dual Core machines on the market but these are old technology, meaning that the ability of your machine to run new applications in coming years will be hindered.  Intel offers a more powerful i5 and i7 series as well, but an i3 should be adequate for most everyday functions.
3. Hard Drive - With HUGE hard drives being available, this is an area where some people get confused.  If you store a lot of pictures and music, you may want to consider up to a 1000 GB (1 TB) HD.  However, you can also save a bit of money by opting for a smaller internal HD and purchasing external storage at a later date.  This offers the added benefit of being able to store your “stuff” on removable media and having access to it in case of a crash.  A 320 GB or 500 GB HD is more than adequate in my opinion.
4. Monitor -  Laptop monitors range anywhere from 7” to 17”.  Most however are in the 15” range.  The big consideration here is weight.  The bigger the screen, the heavier it is, and if portability is an issue, this is a major consideration.  Desktop monitors are generally larger, and since most flat screen TV’s allow for a computer input, you can really go as large as you like.  Most consumer packages however are coming with 20” - 24” screens.  I would recommend opting for a high definition, LED back light, monitor.

There are lots of bells and whistles available on any computer you may consider, depending on what your needs and wants are.  Someone may throw a lot of numbers and features at you, but focusing on these main areas will help you compare “apples to apples” and sort through the sales pitch. One feature I love on my laptop is the backlit keyboard.  It’s not widely available, but it has turned out to be a very handy feature.

Of course we are always available for your questions.  Feel free to click the “Ask me anything” button or contact us using the links below.

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Malware, or Malicious software, is an epidemic.  We sometimes see 5 or 10 machines a week infected with malware.  In varying degrees it can take over your machine and make your computer useless.  It comes in many different forms, but the most common in our experience is the fake anti-virus form.  Once the malware is active, it will tell you that you have a number of infections on your computer and you have to pay to remove them.  Some have taken to call this ransomware, since you have to pay a “ransom” to get your machine back.  Although we call these viruses, in the strict sense of the word, they are not viruses.

How Does Malware Get On My Computer?

1. You installed something you really shouldn’t have, from an untrustworthy source. Often these include screensavers, toolbars, or torrents that you didn’t scan for viruses.
2. You didn’t pay attention when installing a “reputable” application that bundles “optional” crapware.
3. Clicking on links in email, instant messages, or posts on social media sites.
4. You visited a compromised website.  Even legitimate websites can be compromised.

How Do I Keep From Getting Infected?

1. Make sure all of your programs and OS are updated with current updates and patches.
2. Use a quality anti-virus program.  There are several quality AV programs that are free.
3. Consider using an anti-malware program along side your AV.
4. Pay attention!  When installing software, pay attention to any extras being added.  Don’t open email attachments unless you are expecting them.  Be careful when clicking on videos sent to you by friends on social media sites. It’s always best to make sure they really sent them.
5. Consider using a service such as McAfee Site Advisor that pre-scans websites and using a color-coded system to display a “safety” rating.

What To Do If I Get Infected?

1. As soon as you realize you are infected, shut down the machine.  The infection will only get worse if you try to use the computer.
2. DO NOT click on anything that asks you to pay to remove the infections.  You will lose your money, give your credit card info to the bad guys, and your computer will still be infected.
3. Call someone that has the tools and experience to clean your computer.  There’s no need for you to drag it to a shop.  It can be done in your home or business.  There is no need to re-install your operating system to get rid of the infection.  Depending on the severity of the infection, it can be dealt with in an hour or two.

One final note, if your computer won’t start, or shuts down repeatedly, it is probably not because of a malware infection.  The bad guys want to have access to your computer, not shut it down.  We hope you never have to deal with this, but if you do, we are ready to come to your rescue.

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Welcome to our blog.  Here at Kaleidoscope Komputer Services, we love free stuff.  Free t-shirts, free food, free coffee and especially free computer utilities.  There are multiple listings available online that rate free utilities, which is where we find most of the free stuff we use.  This is our list, tried and true on many many systems.  More importantly, we use them ourselves on our own machines.  So here is the list.

1. CCleaner - Formerly called Crap Cleaner, because that is essentially what it does. It cleans all the junk files, the things that collect that aren’t really important to the running of your computer, and gets rid of them.  It’s Windows Disk Cleanup on steroids.  The cleanup function will restore precious hard drive space and the registry repair tool can solve multiple issues.  It’s a minor tune-up for your computer.  Run it once a week to keep the junk to a minimum.
2. Smart Defrag 2 - Back in the day, it was thought that defragging a hard drive would fix every problem.  That wasn’t the case, and it still isn’t.  Newer operating systems will even perform this operation in the background while the computer is idle.  Defragging though, especially on a badly fragmented hard drive can restore some performance.  Smart Defrag 2 allows you to defrag individual files as well as the whole drive.  It also has a boot-time defrag feature that in limited testing, has decreased boot time noticeably.
3. Speedfan - Heat is your enemy when it comes to your computer.  It robs performance and can even cause catastrophic damage.  Speedfan accesses the built-in sensors on your computer and lets you know the internal temperature.  It also allows you to adjust the speed of the fan(s) inside.  It will indicate whether you simply need to blow the bust out of the ventilation slots and heat sink, or if you need to take more drastic measures.  It allows has a feature that will let you know how your hard drive is performing, but that feature only works with XP.
4. AVG Free 2011 - Virus protection is essential in today’s digital world.  AVG Free offers a full security suite that protects your computer as well as any.  It also uses less resources than some of the solutions on the market.  Especially if you have an older computer with limited resources, this can be critical to keeping your machine running smoothly.  Depending on the resources you have available, you can choose to include or omit several add-on features.

A simple search will take you to the sites of all these utilities.  The price is right and they are all simple to install and use.  Free and simple.

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