Here at Glospey, it has become even more apparent over the last month or so how important customer service is to our business. Computer issues can cause a lot stress...they are not only necessary to run businesses but, very often, run our everyday lives. Losing the use of our computers affects every aspect of daily life and, because of this, we make it a point to be responsive to the needs of those who contact us for service. Here is a synopsis of the variety of problems we were able to help with just during the month of September!

A new client came to us because her previous IT company thought her project was too menial for them. We helped her build an interactive table of contents in her Word document. Then, we met with a prospective client who would like us to create a template in Excel so he doesn't have to type the same things over and over again. While some other companies feel these projects are not worth their time, to us, no project is too small, no question unworthy.

Another new client contacted us and originally wanted us to repair two old computers. Due to the age and condition of the computers, we would have recommended replacing both machines but due to budget constraints, this is not an option. We recovered the data from both of those computers and moved the data to a new external hard drive and repaired one of the computers. This will save her AT LEAST 50% of the cost of replacing both computers and that means she can buy the replacement machine that much sooner than expected. We helped her save money!

We recently got a call at 9:44 at night and the prospective client was surprised we answered! “You answered? Your site said you were open but I didn't believe it.” We were at the client's location 6 minutes after we hung up. Yes, we really are open late and we are responsive!
​
We can also help when you are buying a new machine or if you need a secure way to access your data remotely.
We can and want to be your one stop shop for all of your computer needs. Contact Glospey Computers and see how we can help you!

​

If you’ve watched the news lately, no doubt you have seen reports of computers being infected with ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Imagine having your photos, personal files, or documents held hostage unless you paid whatever amount the hackers demanded. So far this year, between 50-70% of attacks each month have been one form of ransomware or another. The most devastating of these require no action on the part of the user to infect the machine!

The most common distribution method remains via email attachment.  A common email phishing scam that has been seen lately is a phony Amazon tech support scam. The best way to protect yourself against this is self-control.  I know you're curious about what an email contains but, seriously, if you're not expecting the email, don't open it.  Don't open the attachments.  Don't click on the links.  "But wouldn't my antivirus software protect me?  Isn't that what it's for?"  Not likely and not exactly.  When you click on something, you're giving your antivirus software permission to allow it to run. Unless it's specifically in its database, it will allow it.  While the software is running, your antivirus software will analyze it and, if it sees something alarming, it will attempt to stop it.  Keep in mind, however, this is a reaction to something that's already been done!  Often, it is too late at that point.  Maybe it's best to think of it like this:  antivirus software is meant to limit the damage a virus can do OR prevent unsolicited programs from installing (things you didn't click on).  However, antivirus software is only as good as the foundation it's built on.  If your operating system isn't up to date (whether it be Windows or Mac or something else), there are exploits your antivirus software can't see.

Despite the common thought that Apple products are immune to viruses and other malware, Mac infections are continuing to become more common. A sobering statistic: more new malware families that affect Macs have appeared this year than in any other year and the year is not over.

Thinking about ransomware and how you may be affected can be scary, but the best way to defend against these attacks is to keep your software up to date.  That includes (but is not limited to):  Windows Updates, antivirus updates, and router or firewall firmware updates. And what do you do if you are infected with ransomware? We do not recommend paying the ransoms.  That only encourages making more viruses like this and there's no guarantee these nefarious people will honor that arrangement.

 How can Glospey help you protect yourself?  We offer remote maintenance contracts to keep your systems up to date and free advice on an email you might question (simply call or forward the email to us!)

​

Given the recent ransomware attacks and the widespread Google phishing hacks earlier this month, in this month's newsletter we decided to review some best-practices. 

Google Phishing: If you're like so many of us, you might have received a mysterious Google Doc in your Gmail earlier this month. The email was formatted in such a way that made it enticing to click on it to see what the document contained, and they often times showed up from people in your contacts list. Google announced afterwords that this was a widespread phishing attack, and warned users not to open these emails. 

My feedback is always the same here: Don't click on links or attachments in emails you are not explicitly expecting. This is true even if the email appears to come from someone you know and trust. There are ways to fake making an email look like it comes from someone you know. The account sending the email could have been hacked. Or, as in this case, the account wasn't hacked but the hackers were still granted access to the contact list and email-sending capability (which more or less achieves the same result). 

If an unexpected email looks reasonable, the best bet is contact the alleged sender. Send them another email or call them and ask if they sent it. I know this seems silly but one of my clients prevented an encryption virus because she asked the alleged sender!

As relatively harmless as this hack was, it can only be viewed as a test or proof-of-concept for far worse things to come. And they will come.

One of the big things about this that I'm trying to get people to realize: If you can imagine a way to be a jerk online or with YOUR computer or YOUR data, there's someone out there doing it or, if not already doing it, figuring out how to do it AND they're figuring out how to make it profitable. Since these are specialists and most people aren't, they're also likely thinking of things even more complex and devastating than even my most devious customer. These hackers do this AS THEIR JOBS. They have the time and the resources to accomplish their goals. People need to realize that the internet, as great and useful as it is, is not a friendly place. It can be mostly dangerous with a few safe havens.

Maybe a good analogy would be imagining if your home were a castle. The outer wall has several guarded doors in it for couriers to pass through with data (websites, pictures, emails, etc.). This wall and doors represent your firewall. The guards are your antivirus software (they subjectively assess the couriers and their packages and they will make mistakes). Now, imagine, if you will, this castle is in the center of a sleazy city where every single of those doors opens onto a dark back alley. Some of your couriers never return, some of them are replaced with spies or assassins, but most of them go about their business just fine. When you click on a link, you just told the doors the link requests to open and your guards to let the related courier and packages through. Unless they explicitly know it's a threat or it blatantly acts threatening, they're going to obey your orders and let it through.  his is why you have to be extremely cautious of any link you click on (not just in emails).

Ransomware Attacks: If you'll recall, earlier in the month the world endured some global ransomware attacks that were pretty devastating to hospitals and other public services. The thought of attacks like these can be scary. Our advice? The best way to prepare for ransomware attacks is by prevention, not reaction. This is a great article that explains what ransomware can look like. Our advice on ransomware is the same as the FBI's: don't pay the ransom. There are two reasons for this: 1) It allows them to make a profit, which only encourages them to keep doing it. 2) There is no guarantee they'll honor their side, returning your data. 

The Internet can be a scary place, but we're on your side at Glospey Computers. If you ever have any questions at all about phishing or ransomware attacks, we're here for you. Don't hesitate to reach out. Contact us at 401-787-5297 if you ever have any questions.

- Tim at Glospey Computers

Together We Are Stronger

Here at Glospey Computers, we believe in the power of referrals. We know that communities are stronger together than they are apart. In our small state, many of us "know a guy" for lots of services - but what if you don't? Ask a professional you trust to refer you to their network. 

Part of what we happily provide to our clients is an expert referral network of qualified businesspeople in the community. Below is a list of areas in which I know outstanding, credible professionals. If you're looking for a professional in a specific area, please feel free to reach out. I would be happy to get you in contact with any number of these qualified individuals! 

• Realtors
• Real Estate Attorneys
• Electricians
• Home Insurance
• Financial Planning
• Estate Planning
• Family Law
• Divorce Attorney
• CPAs
• Contractors
• Handyman
• Computer Services
• Carpet installation
• Hardwood floor installer
• Payroll Company
• Painter
• Screen Printer
• Hardscapes
• Senior Benefits
• Signage
• Bookkeeper
• Publisher
• Photographer
• Web designer
• Supplemental Insurance

Please don't hesitate to reach out! 
- Tim at Glospey Computers 

​New RI Data Law Effecting Small Businesses: A Rhode Island law went into place about 9 months ago requiring small businesses to have what we would consider "basic data protections" in place, securing sensitive employee or client information. This effects any business that keeps sensitive information locally - like social security numbers, date of birth, etc. Unfortunately, this does increase the cost of being a small business in RI. The long and short of it:

• Businesses must have all relevant data encrypted.
• Businesses must have the means to detect a data breach. Usually, this is achieved through a managed firewall, incurring a monthly fee.
• If businesses are emailing sensitive data, emails must be encrypted. Depending on the size of the business, this may incur an additional monthly fee (the last time we looked it was $5/email address/month).
• Hopefully, all businesses already have and maintain backups and a disaster recovery plan.
• Businesses must also have a written data protection plan, including a plan to notify victims in the event of a breach.

For more information: https://www.radarfirst.com/blog/now-in-effect-rhode-islands-new-data-breach-notification-law

Happy almost Spring! We hope you all have been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather! 

Please take a moment to review the remote contracts that we have available: 

Out of contract: $120/hr, minimum $70

Basic on-call remote support: $45/yr/computer + $96/hour, minimum $48
Basic monthly remote maintenance: $25/month/computer. All other labor is 10% off. (Remote: $86.40/hr, no charge for calls of 10 minute or less, Onsite: $108/hr, minimum $70, In-Shop: flat $117)

Basic maintenance includes:

• Windows/Mac updates
• Antivirus updates and scans
• Updates to other installed software such as browser, Java, Adobe flash, Adobe Reader
• Check system logs for errors that need to be addressed
• When applicable, verify that backups are current
• Optional upgrades include real-time* monitoring, managed anti-virus, and cloud backup.

*Error reports can be delayed up to 15 minutes.

​As a reminder, NEVER trust an email you did not initiate. Please exercise paranoia when it comes to "fishy" looking emails. 

Below is an image we found online, but it's the same one that a customer received while we were at her home securing her accounts after they'd been hacked.

If you receive an email like this and think it might be valid, manually type in the site in question in a web browser. NEVER click links in an email like this unless you are specifically expecting an email. Once logged into the account, you can check your history, tracking information, etc.
​
If you ever have a question, please don't hesitate to contact us! We're here to serve you. It's cheaper to pay us nothing for a few minutes of advice than it is to pay $100 or more to clean up a virus or hacking mess after the fact.

Remember: To keep your devices up and running smoothly for the New Year, remember our devices need rest too! Shut your laptop, desktop, and cellphone down every once in a while to ensure they run smoothly for the year to come. 

Call Glospey Computers  with any questions at (401) 787-5297!