Once upon a time, large corporations began moving away from mainframe-based systems and started using servers and PCs instead. As technology improved and became more affordable, small and mid-sized businesses invested in servers. Today, even the smallest business has one computer that’s considered ‘mission critical,’ and would negatively impact the business if it failed.

One of the complications of computing software is its reliance on the specific computer hardware on which it is installed. For example, in the past, software files could not be copied from one computer to another with the expectation that they would automatically work. However, this changed with the introduction of “virtualization” in 1999.

Virtualization lets a computer operating system and software run independently of the hardware it uses. The actual physical computer is called the Host, and the computer instances that run on top of it are called Guests. With virtualization, we can now move entire computing systems from one physical box to another with ease. If the hardware is powerful enough, more than one computer can be run on the same physical box.

Apart from being a pretty cool technical trick, virtualization delivers real business benefits, such as:

Less downtime/Faster recovery time: In the event of a hardware failure, you can copy your virtual computer across to another physical box, start it up and away you go again. This can keep your business running while your original hardware is getting replaced or repaired. The only caveat is that a spare physical computer to copy is necessary, but that box can also perform another function (like serve as the bookkeeper’s PC) if it is powerful enough.

Software testing with no business impact: If your business software is being upgraded, take a copy of your virtual computer and run the upgrade on this test copy first. It will include all of your live business information, but enables the upgrade to happen during business hours with no impact to your staff and can prove that everything will go smoothly. When the test is successful, you will have more confidence about upgrading your real system.

Do more with less: If you run multiple pieces of software in your business, a second server may be necessary. Virtualization lets you run two servers on one powerful Host, which will allow you to save physical space and electricity consumption.

Under the covers of many cloud computing services, you will find virtualization. This helps Cloud providers isolate information and software programs from one client to another, using the same common piece of hardware. They can even spread the demand load from their clients across more than one Host during peak times, using hardware virtualization.

Talk to your Computer Troubleshooters rep about whether virtualization could benefit your business, or for any of your technology needs.  864-225-1888

Twice in the last month we’ve had disturbing reports from people who were contacted by phone regarding their computer problems.  Although the details were different, the theme is the same: The caller pretends to be from a legitimate organization, says something scary about the user’s computer system, and then requests a large amount of money to fix it.  These are NOT legitimate calls, so just in case this happens to you or someone you know, please pay attention to the details below.

The first call allegedly came from “Microsoft”.  The caller said they had remotely detected “security problems” in the user’s Windows operating system, and that the user’s system was now infected and had to be cleaned.  The user, believing the call really was from Microsoft, gave them her credit card number and they charged $200 for this “service”.

To the best of our knowledge Microsoft will never call you with this sort of issue.  Microsoft does not have the capability to monitor activity on your computer, except whether your Windows serial number is legitimate or not (what’s known as the Windows Genuine Advantage program).  So if a caller tells you they’re from Microsoft, or Dell, or Norton, or McAfee…. be suspicious.

The second call was more interesting because it claimed to come from iYogi, a legitimate remote computer support company based in India.  This call was more obviously a scam because the caller demanded $300 “via Western Union” to fix alleged virus problems on the customer’s PC.

What’s The Worst That Can Happen?

Other Computer Troubleshooters locations have reported the following:

• A customer’s credit card was repeatedly charged by a fraudulent company after they provided their card to a supposed caller from “Norton Anti Virus”.
• After taking remote control of a customer’s computer for the ostensible purpose of removing a security threat, a caller from “Dell” actually planted spyware intended to capture the user’s passwords and banking information.
• After allowing a remote technician from a supposedly legitimate company to access their computer, the customer’s entire hard drive was encrypted so that none of their files, documents, photos, or other data could be accessed without a special password.  The overseas caller, no longer pretending to be legitimate, demanded $1000 for the password.  Unfortunately in order to get their data back the customer had to pay the ransom!

How Do You Know If Its Legitimate?

First, most of the well-known brands in the IT industry will NOT be calling you directly to allege there is some sort of infection or security issue or hard drive error on your computer.   So if you do get one of those calls, be suspicious and ask them to prove their identity.

Second, remember that when you give someone your credit card by phone, you can’t control what they will really charge on it.  Almost all credit card companies will refund illegitimate charges though, but these scammers can be sneaky.  Would you notice a fee called “Administrative Charge” for $3 each month?  Don’t think that just because you don’t see huge charges right away that the scammers are through with your credit card.  If you’ve had one of these incidents, call your credit card company and ask for a new number – they’ll be happy to oblige.

Third, when in doubt feel free to contact us.  Tell the caller that your computer is managed by “Jim” or “Scott” or “Kevin” or “Chip”, and that he or she will need to talk to us before proceeding.  Most fake callers will find a reason NOT to stay on the line at that point, but ALL legitimate callers will be happy to talk with us.  Remember that if your computer has been in our shop in the last 90 days or if you are one of our BEST or HOST service plan customers, you can get unlimited additional service from us anytime at no additional charge.  But even if you aren’t that’s OK – we’re happy to help identify scammers anytime and we’ll never charge you for those services.

Essential Tips for Internet Access when Traveling Overseas

When you need to find something on the web, do you search or do you Google?  Most of us Google – a whopping 80% of us in fact use the world’s most popular search engine when we need to find something.  And even though recent reports suggest that Google isn’t the best search engine anymore, most of us are too lazy or too set in our ways to change.

So imagine you were in charge of the second-largest search engine, and you had plenty of advertising money (thanks to parent company Microsoft) and better recent reviews than the industry leader, but still people won’t change. What can you do to motivate more folks to change?

Well, money always works.  It’s not the first time it’s been tried, even by Microsoft, but for the last 18 months Bing Rewards has been rewarding folks who choose to use the second-largest search site.  Sign up at www.bingrewards.com, then every time you search on Bing you earn a point.  Redeem points for gift cards, online credits, or charitable donations.

Don’t go shopping for a new Ferrari though – 500 points will get you a $5 Starbucks gift card, so it takes a while to earn anything interesting.  But if you’re searching the internet anyway – and who isn’t?- here’s a great way to earn a little extra perk for work you’re already doing.

While you’re searching, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/comptroubanderson.  If you do you might just see another way to save some money this month!

We’ve had so many requests to bring back our free and low-cost computer classes!  We hear you, and we’re going to relaunch the classes in April.  But we need your help: What classes would you like to see?

Suggestions so far include:

• “The Basics” – How to use a computer, email, and internet.
• “Getting The Most From My iPad”
• Online Marketing 101
• Microsoft Excel – Basics and Advanced Tips
• Microsoft Word
• Sharing & Collaborating Online

What else would you like to see?  You can respond on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/comptroubanderson, or email Chip at chip@ct-anderson.com.

Thanks!