Tech Help

Ok, I keep getting asked the same set of questions over and over. Here are the fixes to the most common:

I've got a virus - help

On a DIFFERENT computer/notebook/laptop follow the Clamwin Portable link and download it.
Copy it to a USB stick. It is a small file, any size USB memory stick should do.
On the infected computer, unplug/disconnect it from the internet.
Power on the infected computer - if there are issues booting up, press F8 during boot and enter Safe Mode.
Once logged on, insert the USB stick.
Run ClamWin Portable.
Reboot, reconnect the internet.
Verify the virus behaviour has stopped.
Install a better full time antivirus. Or turn on the OS built in antivirus if it has one.
- Mobile OSs often do not require an antivirus. Check with someone knowledgeable & with no financial interest in selling stuff to you as to if and what you may need.

This works more often than installed antivirus software because Clamwin Portable is a stand-alone program. It does not need installing and so any virus/nasty thing cannot alter it during download or installation.

What should I do when I get a new Windows PC/Notebook/Laptop?

A nice simple list (rebooting as prompted):

Create a Restore Point
Run windows update from the start menu.
Create a Restore Point
Go to http://ninite.com/
Select the application you want installed. I would recommend all the Runtime options, Chrome and/or Firefox, VLC & CCCP codecs (for Windows Media Player), Libre Office, 7-Zip and Essentials.
- MS Essentials and the Windows Firewall are a decent antivirus and firewall combination for most users.
'Optional': Dropbox/Google Drive - Cloud backup, Teamviewer - see below, ImgBurn - CD Burner program
Download and run the installer. Leave the new PC/Notebook/Laptop alone until it has finished.
Use Chrome/Firefox to download and install CCleaner
Create a Restore Point
If you look at pr0n (or other advertising-heavy stuff) - still be careful!
Regularly back up your important files - 321 method: 3 backups on 2 different storage device types, 1 of which is offsite.

How can I make it easier to get help from IT mates?

Firstly, do the basics yourself:

Power off, then power back on. Do not just do a soft reset. Make sure you see the entire boot-up sequence and not a cut down 'wake up' from sleep or hibernate.
- Do this for every electronic device connecting your device to the internet. This includes any routers, switches, modems, hubs.
- Power off and disconnect all other connected devices. Printers, USB devices, other PCs/laptops that are connected to the internet (not as relevant if troubleshooting for a smartphone).
Make sure your OS, anti-virus/firewall and whichever applications you may be having issues with are all fully up to date and running the final Release Version, not a beta or alpha version (smartphones generally do not require firewalls or antivirus apps, however do check your VPN settings/apps if you use one).
Power cycle again.
If an error message is coming up, take a photograph or screenshot (or both).
- Does the error message tell you how to fix it?
- Google the error message. If it is a common one then there will be a number of webpages telling you how to fix it
- Do not delete the photo/screenshot. Keep it saved so you can show/send it to your IT friend.
Do NOT download registry fixers. Do NOT download programs that claim to search and fix driver issues. IF you have downloaded a program that claims to fix drivers, and it asks to install other programs, do NOT do it, instead close the application and uninstall it.
If possible, back up any important files, documents, spreadsheets, photos etc to an external hard drive, USB memory stick or upload to a cloud storage account. This should be standard for anything important anyway.
Try and write down a list of what you did before the problem started. Did you install anything? Download anything (even if not opened/run)? Let someone else use the device? Gone to dodgy sites? When did you last know the device was running fine?

For one-off fixes or setups, download Teamviewer. This is a secure remote-desktop program that doesn't rely on you knowing your IP address, anything about port forwarding, or most firewalls. For those of you who like gadgetry, you can set Teamviewer up on most mobile phones to control your computer or laptop over the internet (as long as it is on first). Or see if they have created their own 'magic/multiboot USB stick'

Also, before anything is done, establish how you intend to pay back your IT friend, be it in beer, take-out, festival stuff, or money. If it takes more work than expected, add an extra beer or three.

What do I use as a password?

Check the requirements of the website or service, they may have certain requirements you'll have to meet (upper/lower case, numbers, symbols, no real words).

Outside of that, don't waste time with 'l337 speak' words. Dictionary attacks now check those as well and with modern computer processing speeds it doesn't take much longer to go through those new iterations of words.

Instead either:

Use a password manager. There are many to choose from. Bitwarden, Lastpass and Keepass are known platform agnostic solutions. Chrome and Firefox have built in password managers and generators.
Use four or five random words. Medium to long words. The length of that password will make it more secure than an 8-12 character multi-char-type password based on a leet speak wordset.

Anything else?

Do NOT buy iTunes gift cards and tell ANYONE the numbers on them. Same for any other gift card type.
That Nigerian Prince does not exist. Block him.
Do not give your bank or card details out to anyone over the phone or by email.
"Microsoft" does not call up to tell you if you have a virus. Hang up on anyone claiming otherwise.
- While you're there, hang up on PPI/car accident phone calls.
Do not give anyone remote access to your PC/laptop/Macbook/phone that you do not personally trust. As in have met them IN PERSON and TRUST them.
You have not won a lottery and just need to send a transfer fee.
Girls in your area may be single, but girls that hot are not using web-ads to find partners. Don't click them.
If you get an email that reads as spam, don't reply to it. Tell your mail provider (e.g. gMail) to mark it as spam and ignore it.
If you get an email saying you've made a new account, but you don't recall making an account, mark it as spam and do NOT reply to the email to 'try and straighten things out'.

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