Frequently Asked Questions
I don't want to pay a lot, can you simply do x hours worth of work on my system?
No. If you're worried about spiraling costs, we can agree on a flat rate charge before we begin working, but we cannot commit to any specific timeframe for fixing a problem. Think of it like car repair. You can't ask the mechanic to stop working while he has your engine in a hundred pieces. It's largely the same with computers — it isn't better until it's fixed. You can find more information on specific procedures, including general timeframes and flat rates, by selecting a service in the list above.
No. If you're worried about spiraling costs, we can agree on a flat rate charge before we begin working, but we cannot commit to any specific timeframe for fixing a problem. Think of it like car repair. You can't ask the mechanic to stop working while he has your engine in a hundred pieces. It's largely the same with computers — it isn't better until it's fixed. You can find more information on specific procedures, including general timeframes and flat rates, by selecting a service in the list above.
I'm really worried about viruses, can I install more than one anti-virus program?
You can, but you really, really shouldn't. Anti-virus programs do not work together. I, in fact, they largely work against each other. Each one expects exclusive access to the system to maintain active protection. Installing multiple anti-virus programs will actually reduce your level of protection, as well as drastically slowing your system and making it more crash-prone.
You can, but you really, really shouldn't. Anti-virus programs do not work together. I, in fact, they largely work against each other. Each one expects exclusive access to the system to maintain active protection. Installing multiple anti-virus programs will actually reduce your level of protection, as well as drastically slowing your system and making it more crash-prone.
My computer works well the way it is. Do I really have to update my software?
Yes. It is extremely important to install updates to your software when they become available. Computer security is a constant process of discovering security holes and patching them. If you are not installing the latest updates, you are at far greater risk of being the victim of a virus infection, or of having someone hack into your system to steal your personal information.
Please note that there is a difference between updates and upgrades. Any upgrade is a new version of a piece of software, usually with significant changes and new features. Upgrades generally cost more money. An update is a smaller change to an existing piece of software. It can add new features, but more commonly fixes bugs and patches security holes in the software. In most cases, an update will not make any visible changes to a program. Updates are virtually always free. It is not generally necessary to buy upgrades to your software if you are happy with the version you have.
However, it is very important to download all available updates for the software you have. Some programs will install or ask to install updates automatically. Other programs may require you to download updates yourself. Many programs have a "check for updates" option in the "Help" menu. Updates to Windows and Microsoft Office are handled through Microsoft's update service. These updates can be fully automated, downloading and installing entirely in the background without user intervention. This is the recommended setting for most people. Very old software may no longer have security updates available. In this case, we strongly recommend upgrading to a newer version as soon as possible.
Yes. It is extremely important to install updates to your software when they become available. Computer security is a constant process of discovering security holes and patching them. If you are not installing the latest updates, you are at far greater risk of being the victim of a virus infection, or of having someone hack into your system to steal your personal information.
Please note that there is a difference between updates and upgrades. Any upgrade is a new version of a piece of software, usually with significant changes and new features. Upgrades generally cost more money. An update is a smaller change to an existing piece of software. It can add new features, but more commonly fixes bugs and patches security holes in the software. In most cases, an update will not make any visible changes to a program. Updates are virtually always free. It is not generally necessary to buy upgrades to your software if you are happy with the version you have.
However, it is very important to download all available updates for the software you have. Some programs will install or ask to install updates automatically. Other programs may require you to download updates yourself. Many programs have a "check for updates" option in the "Help" menu. Updates to Windows and Microsoft Office are handled through Microsoft's update service. These updates can be fully automated, downloading and installing entirely in the background without user intervention. This is the recommended setting for most people. Very old software may no longer have security updates available. In this case, we strongly recommend upgrading to a newer version as soon as possible.
Do I need to pay for antivirus software?
While you will certainly find plenty of opinions on this, my answer is: No. There are a number of high-quality free antivirus applications available that offer excellent protection. In addition to the not-having-to-pay aspect, a big advantage of free antivirus is never having to do anything to renew your protection. With paid antivirus, if you forget to renew your subscription annually, the antivirus program will simply stop protecting you. We encounter many systems in this job where the user is not aware that their antivirus program has expired. With free antivirus, you are protected forever and do not need to worry about renewing any subscriptions.
Good Free Options:
Microsoft Security Essentials — Our personal favorite. Free, unobtrusive antivirus provided by Microsoft.
AVG Free Edition — WeI don't like the interface as much as Security Essentials, and it will try to upsell you to their paid version, but AVG free provides effective virus protection with minimal impact on the speed of your system.
While you will certainly find plenty of opinions on this, my answer is: No. There are a number of high-quality free antivirus applications available that offer excellent protection. In addition to the not-having-to-pay aspect, a big advantage of free antivirus is never having to do anything to renew your protection. With paid antivirus, if you forget to renew your subscription annually, the antivirus program will simply stop protecting you. We encounter many systems in this job where the user is not aware that their antivirus program has expired. With free antivirus, you are protected forever and do not need to worry about renewing any subscriptions.
Good Free Options:
Microsoft Security Essentials — Our personal favorite. Free, unobtrusive antivirus provided by Microsoft.
AVG Free Edition — WeI don't like the interface as much as Security Essentials, and it will try to upsell you to their paid version, but AVG free provides effective virus protection with minimal impact on the speed of your system.
A program or webpage wants to install a toolbar in my browser - Should I do this?
No. Few if any browser toolbars offer any compelling functionality. What they will do is waste space on your screen, slow down your browser, and make it more prone to crashes.
Browser toolbars often advertise the following features:
Pop-up blocking — This is already built into every modern web browser.
Quickly search with a particular search engine — Every modern web browser already lets you change what search engine is used when typing in the browser search field.
Autofill forms on websites — This is already built into every modern web browser.
No. Few if any browser toolbars offer any compelling functionality. What they will do is waste space on your screen, slow down your browser, and make it more prone to crashes.
Browser toolbars often advertise the following features:
Pop-up blocking — This is already built into every modern web browser.
Quickly search with a particular search engine — Every modern web browser already lets you change what search engine is used when typing in the browser search field.
Autofill forms on websites — This is already built into every modern web browser.
What is the best web browser?:
This is to a certain extent a matter of opinion. Many in the Information Technology field will says anything but Internet Explorer, and this is largely good advice. While Microsoft has made some recent advances in terms of security, features, and page rendering. their browser largely trails its competitors. My personal favorite is a browser by Google called Chrome. Chrome runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its advantages:
This is to a certain extent a matter of opinion. Many in the Information Technology field will says anything but Internet Explorer, and this is largely good advice. While Microsoft has made some recent advances in terms of security, features, and page rendering. their browser largely trails its competitors. My personal favorite is a browser by Google called Chrome. Chrome runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its advantages:
- Opens very quickly
- Loads web pages very fast and has excellent support for the latest web technologies
- Each window and tab in the browser is essentially a separate program. If one web page crashes, none of the other pages you have open will close.
- The search bar and address bar are combined. You only have to click one place whether you want to search or enter addresses.
- It uses a technology known as sandboxing to limit how the browser can interact with your computer, giving it some of the best security of any web browser. Firefox is another excellent browser, also offering Mac, Windows, and Linux support. It offers fast page loading, an easy-to-use interface, very good security, and excellent expandability. Firefox is extremely widely used, and you are unlikely to run across any web pages that do not load properly in it.
