Computer Support Blog

The cyber-criminals behind a threatening malware called CryptoLocker have infected computers around the world – from large company systems to home use computers.  The virus has been hitting hard for the past six weeks or so, and, due to state-of-the-art encryption used, the only ones who have the key to unlock the files are the criminals themselves. Read more »

The rise of fast and portable data storage devices happened in such a widespread manner that, like social networking, it seemed almost instantaneously people across every demographic and occupation had a USB flash drive or portable hard drive.  The portable data storage devices have become so ubiquitous that thrillers and science fiction films commonly utilize them as a plot device or an opportunity to build tension: Pepper Potts downloading Tony Stark’s database to a portable hard drive while their mutual adversary engages her in Iron Man comes instantly to mind as an example.  That type of scene never would have worked for a general audience had the technological framework it relied upon not been so well-received before the film screened.  Similarly, such speed and discretion would not be possible today without the right technology.  The U32 Shadow 1 TB External USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive is the fast-transferring, smallest, portable hard drive with enough storage space for all your needs! Read more »

The path of innovation in the tech sector is becoming a much broader one.  For most companies, gone are the days of scientists and engineers working in their laboratory doing pure research and development while corporate bean counters manage the finances of such projects in a distant office.  Many companies in the tech sector have begun to rely upon the engineers and scientists themselves to manage the funds for their projects and as a matter of corporate advancement, those companies tend to promote the best and brightest to leadership roles within their research and development department.  Of course, in many cases, that means that the scientist must return to school for additional education, focused more on business than engineering.  That is what happened with David Mosley. Read more »

Personal computers may no longer be incredibly expensive, but the truth is that – especially in a recession – people are looking for any reasonable way to save money.  Certainly, one good option can be to upgrade components of your computer as opposed to buying a new computer outright.  Now, it is possible to save money and time by upgrading your hard drive(s) in such a way that you do not have to stop using your old hard drive.  By swapping out your current hard drive with a new hard drive (or drives) you can continue to use a single computer with multiple configurations.  To make it work, though, you need an easy way to swap out your hard drives.  For that, there is the Genica 5.25” IDE Mobile Rack Removable Tray! Read more »

It is almost surprising how very much product diversity there can be in a simple piece of computer hardware.  Take, for example, external hard drives.  External hard drives all do the same thing; they store your data.  But, there are a multitude of different variations based upon your individual data storage needs.  If you need space, there are now 1 TB external hard drives.  For those who need speed, there are USB 3.0 external hard drives and for those who need long-term storage, there are solid-state drives that appear to last indefinitely.  One of the most intriguing combinations of security and speed comes in the Aegis Padlock DT. Read more »

Jargon, words specific to an industry, profession, or setting, tends to pop up with what a layperson might find to be an alarming frequency in articles that pertain to developments within the tech sector.  As a result, readers are bombarded with numbers and terms that many writers simply assume their readers are familiar with: USB, FireWire, Ivy Bridge, etc.  To help demystify the tech sector and make technical jargon more accessible to non-tech readers, we occasionally explore a common jargon term.  Today’s exploration is API. Read more »

Late last year, there was a news story that was anything but real news, despite how the technology and business press covered it: Verizon had outages.  Treated as huge news, because Verizon claims to have the “most reliable network,” Verizon was virtually tarred and feathered for having a few bad days last year, wherein the weather contributed to Verizon services going off-line.  What the sensationalists in the media and business sectors neglected to consider was that Verizon’s claim to be the “most reliable network” did not mean that the service would not fail; it is a claim that their network will fail less than its other major competitors!  Verizon, of course, got service back up and running, but there were weeks of analysis – i.e. how did this failure of service happen, who’s to blame for the failure, etc.  Now, it looks like tech sector enthusiasts are likely to endure a series of similar article. Read more »

Both businesses and individuals are finding increasing need for versatile data storage options.  Property owners, especially, are finding that having a security system is seldom sufficient; they must have increasingly thorough surveillance records in order for the system to be useful (i.e. in aiding in the identification of interlopers) and insulate owners from lawsuits (i.e. having visual records of events involving accidents and building repairs).  That is why, more than ever, a good security system must be paired with a data storage system that can accommodate large volumes of digital records.  That is where the V-Trak E-Class Fibre Channel Storage System excels. Read more »

Getting individuals and corporations to think differently about technology can be a difficult thing.  Many businesses consider the bottom line and Quarterly earnings above all other factors and most consumers are not keen on taking the time for someone to educate them on the full impact of their technological choices.  But education is a key factor in the success of many technology companies, especially when it comes to consumer products.  Attempting to get private consumers to invest in products that they have traditionally associated with business and industry can be a real uphill battle.  Few executives know that like Suresh Panikar. Read more »

It can be remarkably easy to become attached to a computer.  Many times, it is only a form of obsolescence – old software that does not run a new program, slow Internet connection speeds, inability to interface with other computers or programs because of outdated hardware – or absolute failure of a computer that compels a user to upgrade their system.  Especially when the economy is in a state of recession, it is hard for many people to justify spending a lot of money on upgrading a computer.  The good news is that many computer systems – especially laptop computers – are more durable than ever.  Even if you manage to keep your computer running longer through care and regular maintenance, the data storage demands on most people’s systems continue to rise.  If you want to keep your cherished, familiar, laptop computer longer, one affordable upgrade you may want to make is replacing your hard drive.  The PQI 256 GB Solid State Disk is a great option for that! Read more »