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Regular Maintenance  Keeps You Running Smoothly

10/15/2016

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​For many of us, our business, our jobs, even our daily lives depend upon technology – computers, tablets, and mobile phones – in order to function smoothly.
 
Asheville Digital Lifestyle specializes in keeping your technology performing at peak efficiency. That’s why we recommend a regular maintenance schedule for the tech tools in your life.
 
The ideal schedule would be quarterly or prior to any major new purchase or upgrade. Here’s what needs to be checked:

Security
 
Antivirus maintenance: We need to be sure your antivirus programs are updating properly. New viruses and malware are created daily. Your antivirus software is designed to keep up, but you need to update the virus and malware definitions regularly.
 
Review password management: Are you changing your passwords? Are you using the same passwords across multiple sites? We recommend strongly against doing this. If one site gets hacked or breached, your password is no longer secure. If you’ve used it across multiple sites, then none of those accounts are secure.
 
Safe and effective data backup: Is your data backed up properly to hard drive, the cloud, or both? We can’t emphasize strongly enough the importance of having multiple backups of important or sensitive data. Good operating practice is tow have at least two separate backups. However, if these are both onsite backups, you run the risk of losing all your data in the event of fire, water damage, or theft.
 
At least one backup needs to be kept at a separate site. Then if disaster strikes, all your valuable date can be restored. If your business depends upon this data, you can’t be too careful.
 
Cloud-based backup is a good choice for offsite storage. Three good choices are Barracuda, Carbonite, and Azure. Please click on the names for more information.
 
Maintenance
 
Are your important software programs up-to-date and working properly? Sometimes software needs to be updated in order to continue running properly.
 
Is your operating system up to date? It’s important to run the latest operating system your computer can handle. Not all computers can run the latest systems. We can determine which system is best for your computer.
 
Is your browser up to date? Having the latest browser keeps your system compatible with most sites. This is especially important if you do online banking and bill paying. Each time your bank updates their system, you want to be sure your browser’s security features can keep up. However, just as with operating systems, not all computers can run the latest browsers. We’ll check your system and make sure you have the most up-to-date browser.
 
Replacement
 
Some computers are too old and outdated to continue functioning efficiently. If yours has reached “the point of no return,” we can help you set up a new system. We will analyze your needs and recommend the best hardware and software for your unique situation.
 
With a new computer, you might need to update peripherals, such as printers and network routers. We’ll make sure your system is up to speed.
 
Along with your new computer comes the need to transfer all your data from your old drive to your new one. We’ll get everything ported over, then troubleshoot everything for any potential problems. Finally, we’ll sync up your new computer to your cell phone and tablet to keep it all at tip-top efficiency.
 
Give us a call today: Asheville Digital Lifestyle, 828-354-037. Or click here to book an appointment online.
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Take Steps To Guard Your Online Privacy

9/1/2016

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Recently clients have been asking about online privacy and security. Although they are related, they are not the same issue. We’ll address these two concerns one at a time. This article is part one of a series. First we’ll look at online privacy. Our next newsletter will address online security.
 
We’ll begin by saying that online privacy is not an absolute guarantee. Even if you take steps to guard against online tracking of your browsing and online shopping habits, you still may be traced by the location of your computer on the internet (your IP address). That being said, let's look at how private browsing windows can camouflage your online trail.

Use a Private Browsing Window

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Today’s browsers give you the option of private browsing. Chrome calls it an “Incognito Window,” while Safari and Firefox refer to it as a “Private Window.”  Microsoft Edge calls it InPrivate Browsing.

Private browsing mode generates a fresh, temporary set of “cookies” which makes you appear like a new user to web sites, and deletes the cookies and history of the session when you close the private window. In other words, companies can't connect the dots between where you browsed in private mode, and where you browse normally. A private browser window does not protect the transmission of your data.

Here's how to open a private browsing window. If you're on a PC, using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, simply scroll up to the three line icon at the top right of your screen, and choose the private browsing option. (See the photo above.) If you're on a Mac using Safari, Firefox, or Chrome, go to the File Menu at the upper left of the menu, and choose Private Window or Incognito Window.
 
Private browsing also hides all evidence of sites you’ve visited from other users of the computer. Before you start chuckling over what sites, a common use of private browsing is when you’re browsing for a gift for a loved one, and you want it to remain a surprise.

Facebook and Privacy

Private browsing is tricky business when using Facebook. The New York Times lists 98 personal data points that Facebook uses to target ads to you. To read the article, click here.

Regarding private browsing and Facebook: When you are logging into Facebook, even from a private browsing session, Facebook will combine the action you take in a private browse session with the action you’ve taken in other browsing sessions. If you don’t want Facebook to show you ads based on your web browsing, you’re better off changing your settings here. https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads&view.  

Logging into Facebook in a private browser session doesn’t really safeguard your privacy. However, your privacy is better protected from Facebook when you use a private session for browsing websites you don’t want Facebook to know about.
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Try Private Searching

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Another option for increased privacy is Netherlands-based StartPage, billed as the world’s most private search engine. Use it as you would use Google, and feel secure that it does not record IP addresses or track your searches. Check it out by clicking here.

For many users, private browsing is all you’ll need for privacy. Unless you're one of those folks who doesn't like the notion that when you shop online other sites know where you’ve been and send you a raft of annoying ads. You can opt out of seeing this ads if they creep you out. Google gives you step-by-step instructions to hide their ads. Click here for more information.

One more step you might take is Ad Block. This is a plugin for Chrome or Safari that blocks annoying ads, malware, and tracking. Click here to learn more about Ad Block.

Next issue we’ll take a look at online security. Until then, safe browsing to you!

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    Author

    Jensen Gelfond is the Founder of Asheville Digital Lifestyle. He helps people use their technology more effectively and joyfully.

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