 Windows 7 support will be phased out January 2020, and soon older Macs that can't run High Sierra will no longer receive critical security updates from Apple. Is it time to spring forward with a new computer? Find out soon, so you don’t fall back! Here’s what you need to know to make a plan. For Windows: Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 in January 2020. For Windows 7 owners, be sure to have a plan to purchase a new computer by the end of this year. Click here for more. For Mac owners, Apple has phased out support repairing many 2012 and 2013 computers, which means if your machine breaks, you will likely need to purchase a new one. If you are using an older Mac, it must be updated to MacOS Sierra (10.12) or higher to receive important security updates from Apple. Learn more. Time for a new computer? Which computer, software apps, and peripherals will best suit your productivity? Asheville Digital Lifestyle can help you find the best system for your needs. Click the button below to make an appointment with Jensen.  ADL Tech Tip Did you know that you can use your smartphone’s screen as a digital trackpad to easily move the cursor? It's built into all iPhones on iOS 12, and many Android phones.
Click here to learn about this feature on your iPhone. Android users click here.  Jensen scours the wilds of the CES show to learn about the latest tech gadgets. Jensen visited the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month with fellow Asheville techies to absorb as much knowledge about cutting edge tech as possible, and bring that knowledge back to Asheville to help clients! The show had everything from Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence to the latest in Televisions and Smart Homes. Among Jensen’s greatest interests are Digital Health and Wearables. This is technology that can help us achieve healthy goals, or warn us when something is wrong. Apple spearheaded new health technology last year by introducing an Apple Watch with integrated ECG which can inform you if your heart develops a dangerous condition. At CES there was a flood of new health technology, such as: - Muse, a meditation aiding headband that can sense brain activity (via EEG) and give you audio feedback help your mind slip into a more relaxed state. - Aura Band, a wristband that tells you whether you are sufficiently hydrated by measuring the electricity flowing through your body (Bioimpedance) - EZ Oxygen Breath Checker - Breathe into this device to check your respiratory functions. Useful to help guide workouts, or if you live in a high-pollution area Honorable mention: MedSense massagers, because It’s hard to reach your own back, and there’s a robotic solution for that! Also: Please stay tuned for a review of the Muse 2! Breathe New Life Into Your Tech Gear Has your computer stopped talking to your Smart Phone? Do things seem to be moving more slowly than molasses going uphill? Time for a tech tune-up with Asheville Digital Lifestyle. Click the button below to make an appointment.   Time really does fly when you’re having fun! Asheville Digital Lifestyle is celebrating its sixth birthday. Here are just few of the highlights of Jensen’s six years of customer support:
 ADL Tech tip: update your router Is your router a "hidden zombie warrior" for hackers? Wi-Fi Routers have been in the news quite a bit lately. Hackers have learned to exploit a weakness in many router brands. In fact, 116 router models are affected, and as many as 100,00 home and small office systems are infected by a "bot" which silently hijacks popular email services to spread itself even wider. Click here to learn more.
You may not need to manually update your router if it is provided by your Internet Service Provider (Charter or ATT). If you have a modern Wi-Fi System like ADL’s preferred router, Eero, it will automatically keep you safe. Read more about Eero in our blog. Otherwise, you may need to log into your router and update it yourself, which can be a difficult process. We can handle this for you! Don't let your router be a zombie warrior for hackers! Call "tech ninja" Jensen Gelfond at Asheville Digital Lifestyle today for the protection you need.  Don't wait for a breakdown. Get a computer tune-up from Asheville Digital Lifestyle. You can tell when your car needs a tune-up. It runs rougher, slower, and starts to burn more fuel. By the time it gets to such a noticeable stage, you’ve put it off way too long. What about your computer? Is it running rougher and slower? Do routine tasks, such as saving a file or loading a website, seem to be taking forever? If so, then your computer needs a tune-up. Your computer has no spark plugs and doesn’t need its oil changed. So what’s involved in a computer tune-up? Everyone’s needs are different, but here are some typical steps in a computer tune-up:
So if your PC or Mac is running so slowly that you feel you are growing old waiting for it to open or download files, it’s time to schedule a tune-up session with Asheville Digital Lifestyle. Click the button below to make an appointment.   A password manager keeps all your passwords in one safe place. Of the many challenges in the tech world, one of the most daunting is password management. There are two major issues:
A password manager solves your password security problems in two stages:.
  Online or in person, Asheville Digital Lifestyle keeps your mobile devices humming. It’s now possible to get help with your mobile devices without leaving the comfort of your home or getting out of your pajamas. Remote sessions allow you to temporarily share your screen so that we can solve your problems easily and with clear communication. If you’re wondering whether you should schedule a phone call or in-person session, here are some quick tips:
Mac or PC: https://www.teamviewer.us/teamviewer-automatic-download/ (choose the “Personal use” option when installing). iPhone and iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teamviewer-quicksupport/id661649585 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamviewer.quicksupport.market Either way you choose – remote or in person – Asheville Digital Lifestyle has your back for all your tech issues. Click the button below to make an appointment.   Where did you get your WiFi router? Most people get theirs from their Internet Service Provider (ISP). But did you know that having a router from you ISP means they are taking responsibility for the router’s security? Should that scare you? Maybe just a little. Take, for example, the recent vulnerability from Comcast that made stealing your Wi-Fi password all too easy. The truth is, ISPs have a checkered past when it comes to the router equipment provided to clients. So, do you trust your ISP to keep you safe? If not, It may be time to consider replacing your router. One great option is the Eero router, which is security-minded from the get-go. Eero is also an expandable system, which comes with a router and add-on “Beacons.” The Beacons are plugged into wall outlets in any room, and they extend fast, reliable service to all areas of your home or office. Need additional security? Eero offers an optional Eero Plus subscription that can protect your entire network from hackers, malicious websites, and malware. It bundles three top-quality security programs into one package, all for $99 a year:
Throw in automatic updates, and Eero is a great “set and forget” system, which gives you blindingly fast, reliable Wi-Fi and peace of mind against attacks. Find out more about Eero by clicking here. Don’t want to change your router yourself? Call Jensen at Asheville Digital Lifestyle for a security check of your Wi-Fi system. Here’s what we can do in just one visit:
  Even with a credit freeze, crooks are finding ways to open mobile accounts in your name. We’ve dealt with the subject of identity theft and credit freezes in previous newsletters. Some of you have taken the steps to freeze your credit so identity thieves can’t open new credit cards in your name. What about your mobile phone account? That’s protected by a credit freeze with the three big credit bureaus, right? Wrong! Crooks are finding new ways to open new mobile phone accounts using names of people who already froze their credit. That’s because mobile phone merchants don’t rely on the major credit bureaus. Instead, the mobile providers make their credit inquiries with the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE). NCTUE is a “shadow” 4th credit bureau – a separate credit check system used by mobile phone companies, utilities, and cable providers. Unless you freeze with NCTUE, fraudsters may be able to sign up for service in your name even if you’ve frozen your credit with the Big 3. You must freeze your telecom credit with NCTUE if you want protection. So far, so good, right? Well, there’s good news and bad news. First, the good news. NCTUE can freeze your mobile credit accounts. The bad news is that if you try to do it online, it’s a time-suck of gargantuan proportions! That’s because the program is handled by Equifax, one of the big three credit bureaus. Remember the now-infamous Equifax data breach? Between convoluted instructions and pages that show serious warnings on Google Chrome, the process can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, you can do this easily with a phone call to NCTUE. Here's what you need to know in a nutshell:
To learn more, visit the NCTUE home page. But do yourself a favor: take our advice and get your telecom credit freeze by phone! Need help with the technology in your life? Make an appointment with Asheville Digital Lifestyle today.   Calls from "Apple" or "Mictosoft" are coming in daily. Hang up! They are scammers. The calls are coming in fast and furious. They say your computer has a virus, or they want to sell you a "protection" plan. Ironically, it's THEM you need protection against. Just hang up! Don't give them any personal information, and NEVER give them remote access to your computer. Block their phone number so you don't get any more calls from them – but beware! They have multiple numbers. Calls like these are why you need to enroll in Jensen's Cybersecurity Class for Small Business, May 5. 2018, from 9 am - noon. Click below to register.   Fake error message! Never call a number and give out any information. Don't click. Force quit! Ever had your computer go “wonky” on you? A system error pops up, and you want to share a picture of your screen with someone who can help you figure out what to do next (such as Asheville Digital Lifestyle). What’s the easiest way to take a picture of your screen? On a PC All you have to do is press two keys, CTRL and Print Scrn (in the upper right corner of your keyboard). You can then paste the screenshot into an email or Word document (Press CTRL and the letter V to paste).  On a Mac You need to press three keys if you’re on a Mac: hold down COMMAND and SHIFT, then tap 3. A screenshot will appear on the Desktop with today's date in the file name, which you can then attach to an email (in the Mac Mail app, use the paperclip button, highlighted in purple at the upper right of the screen shown below).  Now if one of those troublesome messages pops up on your computer screen, you know how to take a picture and send it to Jensen for advice.
Need a tech tune-up? Call Jensen at Asheville Digital Lifestyle today. 828-354-0371 |
AuthorJensen Gelfond is the Owner Asheville Digital Lifestyle, helps people use their technology more effectively and joyfully. Archives
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