Monthly Archives: January 2022

What does Out-of-Band Update mean?

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Earlier this week, the software giant delivered a rare out-of-band update for Windows 11, Windows 10, and select versions of Windows Server. The update tackles difficulties with utilizing particular VPN connections, and on Windows Server, it repairs the mistakes that might have impaired the performance of the servers.

What does an out-of-band update mean, though?

Simply put, an out-of-band patch is an update issued at a time other than the normal release schedule. A patch, commonly dubbed a “fix,” is a quick-repair operation for a piece of software.

Microsoft is releasing Out-of-band (OOB) updates today, January 17, 2022, for some versions of Windows. This update addresses issues related to VPN connectivity, Windows Server Domain Controllers restarting, Virtual Machines start failures, and ReFS-formatted removable media failing to mount. All updates are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog, and some are also available on Windows Update as an optional update. Check the release notes for your version of Windows for more information.

Source: Microsoft Docs

Updates for the following Windows versions are available via Windows Update as an optional update. Go to Settings to see if your operating system includes it.

If you need computer repair, computer service, or have any technology problem, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285. Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Littleton Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Littleton, CO, please call our Littleton office at (720) 441-6460.

Microsoft Defender Preview

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Microsoft has been working diligently to keep their operating systems up to date on the latest cyber attack defenses.

“Security, simplified. Microsoft Defender is your personal defense against digital threats. Secure your devices across operating systems including Windows, Apple, and Android.”

Source: Microsoft

With fresh aesthetics and a streamlined design, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 are supported with the minimal requirements.

You can check it out in the Microsoft Store here and download it.

If you have any questions regarding security, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Mansfield Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Mansfield, TX, please call our local office at (817) 756-6008.

What Are Computer Cookies?

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Computer cookies, simply put, is stored data on internet browsers. When users surf the web, each site visited sends cookie files back to their browser.

This could end up being a good thing, or a nuisance.

For example, cookies store information, such as login credentials to user accounts. This can be quite the perk, considering another login won’t have to be remembered. However, if the user delete the cookies, it will erase any files or data connecting to all websites visited.

What’s the Reasoning Behind Cookies?

Companies use cookies on their website to gather a variety of information. Norton, a cyber-security company, includes a Privacy and Cookie Policy on their site, which says:

“We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve the efficiency of the navigation, perform analytics, serve more relevant advertising content to you and measure advertising performance, provide social media features, remember website preferences, and generally improve the user experience. By clicking on “Yes I agree”, you consent to these cookies. For more information on cookies, including how to manage your consent, please click on “Settings” to access our Cookie tool.”

Source: Norton Website

While for the most part, cookie files are innocent, users may not want their privacy compromised on their computer. Browsing patterns can be detected due to the cookies. Thankfully, websites usually request permission to use cookies, and you can deny it.

If you have any computer-related questions, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Scottsdale Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960 or schedule an appointment at www.scottsdalecomputerrepairservice.net.

Updates for Intel Drivers

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Intel has released updated drivers for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The drivers were released at the beginning of this month and have just now begun to be distributed to customers who are using Intel’s helper utility in the background. The latest version emphasizes on wireless network quality.

Updates for Intel drivers are first available through the company’s update tool. The updated drivers aren’t accessible to everyone yet, but once they’ve been tested on newer hardware, the chipmaker will start rolling them out to additional devices and combinations in the coming weeks.

If supported, the following adapters are getting a driver update from Intel:
  • AX201, AX200, 9560, 9260, 9462, 9461
  • 8265 and 8260.
  • 7265, 3165 and 3168

For inquiries with computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Fort Lauderdale Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Fort Lauderdale, please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Hackers in VPN’s

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When it comes to security, VPN’s are of extreme importance. Virtual Private Networks, or VPN, keep data strictly secure between the internet and devices. It’s set up to lock down to keep any communication safe and protected.

However, cybercriminals are finding ways to weed their way into VPN’s to release malicious malware or viruses. They’re tricking users to install certain VPN’s with a package that allows hackers to sneak in and receive all of the information they need.

Just recently, Tech Radar shared an addressed issue from Trend Micro, stating, “the bundled application drops three components on a user’s system: the legitimate VPN installer, the malicious file (named Iscm.exe) that contains the backdoor and the application that serves as the runner of the malicious file (win.vbs).”

Backdoors are specifically designed to assist hackers to infiltrate the VPN without being noticed. This helps them take screenshots, install malicious data, and steal information.

It’s important to remember not to install any VPN’s without knowing for sure if the installer is completely legitimate. Always ask questions, when in doubt. If you don’t, it’s possible that the secured network will be compromised. This is a huge red flag for business VPN’s.

If you have any questions regarding VPN’s, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Phoenix Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Phoenix, AZ please call our local office at (602) 445-9862.

Can Your Smartphone Get Hacked?

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In short, yes. Many people assume it’s only your computer. However, through fraudulent messaging clients, hackers can access data, location, photos and more from your personal or business mobile phones, invading your privacy. And there are a handful of ways they can get sneaky.

According to EFF.org, “The trojanized apps, including Signal and WhatsApp, function like the legitimate apps and send and receive messages normally. However, the fake apps also allow the attackers to take photos, retrieve location information, capture audio, and more.” (source: https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-and-lookout-uncover-new-malware-espionage-campaign-infecting-thousands-around)

Along with fake apps, you can also receive text messages, e-mails, and instant messages with web links from an unknown source. This technique is called phishing messages and can allow hackers to acquire any login information you may have saved on your phone.  

If you notice an open WIFI when choosing a network, you might also be at risk of your phone being hacked. Unsecured WIFI networks can sometimes have snoopers behind the scenes, waiting for users to join and surf the web or log in to highly sensitive (or personal) accounts. This gives them ample opportunity to steal anything they want. Keep an eye out for URLs with unsecured vs secured connections (http: VS https:).

You can protect yourself from these, and other possible risks, by creating strong passwords, using two-factor authentication and setting up security questions for your passwords. Be sure to play it safe with any and all personal information you add to your phone.

Handle Computer Viruses Properly

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Computer viruses affect millions of computers each year, with 2018 ranking at over 800 million. In turn, this costed individuals and businesses billions of dollars in the process. This malicious software is created to access sensitive information, causing disastrous issues to your computer and allowing hackers to either collect or destroy data. In turn, this slows the computers functionality and operation or might even crash it all together, making it unusable.

The viruses can be spread through e-mail attachments, scam links, and pop-ups and often times seems legitimate. And while it’s extremely frustrating, you can take the necessary precautions of reducing your computers risk for a virus by avoiding clicking on any advertisements shown on web pages you might visit.

You can also download anti-virus software, which can detect and remove harmful trojans or malware, and is beneficial to have even if you’re not concerned about a potential threat. Norton and McAfee are well known anti-virus software subscriptions, available for you to purchase online. Keeping your OS updated to the latest version is helpful as well, as it contains the protection and security needed.

Trust your gut – if it seems fishy, it probably is!

For inquiries with computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Hialeah Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Hialeah, FL please call or text the local office at (786) 780-1540.

The Blue Screen of Death

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The Blue Screen of Death, or BSOD for short, is a detrimental error due to flawed hardware or crashing software on a Microsoft Windows computer. And it shows up on your monitor as a – yep, you guessed it – blue screen. Too often, users have no knowledge of why or how this happens or what to do next. But there are ways to troubleshoot this specific problem.

Restarting

Depending on which version of Windows you have currently installed on your computer will determine what form of error information will show up. Windows 8 and 10’s is less complicated than 7 and under, which include a handful of steps to handle the situation. Windows OS has a default restart automatically setting in the case of a system failure.

If you’d rather it not restart, follow these steps to do so:

  1. Control Panel —–System and Security
  2. Click on System
  3. Go to Advanced System Settings
  4. Advanced Tab —–Startup and Recovery
  5. Click on Settings

From there, you’ll see the System Failure block. The “Automatically Restart” box is checked. Disable it by simply un-checking the box. You’ll also notice the Dump File, which contains information about the crash to identify, and possibly fix the issue. When your computer restarts, Windows 8 and 10 will perform a troubleshooting step automatically after a BSOD. This step will inspect your computer’s unresolved problems for results. You can also observe this option in the Action Center of your Control Panel and run a test to look out for available fixes.

Search Online

When you get a BSOD, there may also be a code shown for you to search on the web to get information for that specific error. This can be a quick and easy way to troubleshoot your computer and get it fixed right away.

If you ever have an issue with the Blue Screen of Death and would like to have a it repaired by a professional, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Garland Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Garland, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Get the Most out of your Shortcuts

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Computers have evolved so much in the past several decades, and it still continues to improve to this day. You have the world at your fingertips. With the ability to search the internet for any and all questions, converse with anyone in the world, acquire all forms of jobs, the possibilities are endless with this wonderful piece of technology. And when you own one, you want to get the most out of it. Here are just a few Windows shortcuts that make life just a little bit easier:

If you are surfing the web and by a mere fluke, your mouse exits out of a tab you were needing. It can be frustrating, indeed, but CTRL + SHIFT + T will bring back the tab you accidentally closed. All is well again.

Extensions on your browsers are one of the best forms of utilization. Use 1Password to save all of the passwords in one place. You’ll even have to have a password for this Chrome extension. AdBlockPro is also a great one to avoid pesky ads. Check out more available entrepreneur-related extensions here:
https://www.fundera.com/blog/chrome-extensions

Snip And Sketch is a keyboard shortcut, allowing you to highlight what you want to save in the Print Screenshot Mode. START MENU ICON + SHIFT + S will start it. Then open the Paint application, right click, and paste. Voilà!

And speaking of “voilà”, you too can find the proper letters for foreign words (shown above). Look up the Character Map in the START MENU for foreign letters or symbols. It will also give you the keystroke: ALT+Numberpad on the bottom right corner of its window for quicker access. For example, the à is “ALT+0228“.

Open the Task Manager by clicking CTRL + ALT + DELETE. There, it can provide you with information on your memory, performance, open applications, etc.

Would you like to view information about your computer? To get right to it, go your System Settings by using the START MENU + PAUSE-BREAK shortcut.

Done with work for the day? Quickly lock your computer down with START MENU + L. This will automatically revert back to the “sign-in” screen.

If you have any questions about getting the most out of your computer or if your computer is having problems, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Thornton Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Thornton, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Troubleshooting Your Printer

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Printers are a necessity in the workplace, whether you’re in a large company or a one-man business. And sometimes, printers work while other times, they don’t want to cooperate. It’s a hassle and stressful situation when you have to troubleshoot the issue because you’re unsure as to what happened. But it doesn’t have to be complicated so don’t throw that printer in the trash just yet.

Windows Troubleshooting

If your computer has Windows 10 version, Check that your printer is plugged into the power supply and turned on. Look at the wireless connection by going to the Start Menu and typing in “Printer”. A tab should open from your Settings and you will be able to see your printer information. Find and manage devices has a link below named Get help with your printer that can help you search the internet for device drivers. You can also download the printing troubleshooter and run through the steps to assist in determining and fixing the problem. If you have a wired printer, check your USB cable.

Printing Issues on Apple Devices

Some printers can be AirPrint-enabled so you can use your Apple Device to print things off. In this case, be sure your Mac or iOS device and printer are connected to the same WIFI network.

If you still can’t print (and sometimes this is the case), try restarting your router. Then turn your printer off and turn it back on again. It may also be the case that your printer is too far from the router, in which you find a closer spot.

Apple supports suggest after that, “if you’re using a Mac and you still can’t print, it might help to reset the printing system. Otherwise, contact the printer manufacturer for support.”

For help with any troubleshooting, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.