CompuClever Blog

Firewalls – First Line Filtration

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If our PC could be considered a well-protected fortress, we would think of the firewall as an essential part of the moat and drawbridge system – it monitors and controls entry. Most of us associate firewalls with large network corporations and sophisticated security systems. You might, however, be surprised to find your PC and personal devices have security issues similar to large corporate networks. This is why firewall technology is built into your PC and offers the first line of protection from offensive web sites and potential hackers.

We’ll begin with a definition of what a firewall is and then move into some basic questions and answers.  After that we’re going to provide information for those that might want to beef up their firewall protection.

The Firewall Basics

Effectively a firewall is a filter.  It is designed to prevent dubious programs and Internet services from establishing a connection or gaining access to your computer.

Firewall Defined: A firewall is hardware or software technology designed to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic to your PC.  It is a network security function that effectively acts as a barrier.  The data that passes through depends on the pre-determined set of rules which are configured in the firewall settings.

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4 Useful Tips for Improving Windows 10

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Microsoft is no longer offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade as of July 29th, 2016. If you have already upgraded to Windows 10 or have recently bought a computer device with the latest operating system from Microsoft, you need to know that the new operating system is missing some pretty important features. Here are four tips for improving the default Windows 10 installation.

Keep in mind that you can still upgrade to Windows 10 but you will have to pay the full cost.

Why upgrade?

Windows 10 is a dramatic improvement over Windows 8. The new OS not only looks nice, the desktop software is intended to seamlessly integrate with tablet apps.  CNN’s review of Windows 10 provides a quick snapshot of what’s new in Windows 10. As well, with the upcoming consumer release of the first service pack for the operating system it may be a good time to reconsider upgrading. On top of that, Microsoft will eventually stop issuing security patches for Windows 7 and 8, so you’re going to want to upgrade someday anyway.

If your PC is not powerful enough for Windows 10, don’t upgrade. However for everyone else now is the time to upgrade to Windows 10.

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Antivirus Software – 7 Myths Debunked

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Making use of an Antivirus application is commonly understood to be a prerequisite of operating your computer in a connected, online world. Generally speaking, it is unthinkable that one would run a PC without being actively protected by legitimate AV software with a valid subscription, whether paid or free. Nevertheless, there are some common myths about antivirus applications. Some of these myths prevent users from providing themselves with adequate protection while other myths perpetuate untruths and misinformation.

Here are 7 myths about antivirus software that we get from interacting with users when dealing with security related support cases.  Let’s debunk the myths related to AV applications.

The Top 7:

Here are the myths that we cover in this article along with the real truths about each.

1. Authentication and encryption offers me all the protection I need.

It’s true that authentication and encryption can make it challenging for a criminal to get to your confidential information but not impossible.  Some authentication systems use a One Time Passcode (OTP) and send a Simple Messaging System (SMS) or computer generated call back system.

Unfortunately, cyber criminals have already found ways to circumvent multi-factor authentication which was supposed to radically reduce online criminal activity.   Continue reading...

How to Turn Your Old Computer Into a Media Server

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Many of us have one old — but still usuable — computer sitting in a closet somewhere around the house. Here’s a quick and easy way to convert it into a home media server.

Everyone loves getting a new computer. Switching on a brand-new and more powerful PC is a bit like playing in freshly-fallen snow. For a little while at least, a lightning-fast new computer offers endless possibilities.

However, there is one nagging question that everyone has when purchasing a new computer: what do you do with the old one?

Today we’re going to explain how to extend the life of your old computer by turning it into a media server.

How to Access Movies, Music and Photos Stored on Your Old Computer

Most people have at least one old computer gathering dust in a cupboard or the bedroom closet. Old PC’s can be recycled, but it’s a bit of a pain to lug them out to the car and drop them off at the dump. As well, many people are fearful about throwing out a hard drive with its accumulated passwords and sensitive banking information that can be retrieved by crooks.

The hard drive also provides another clue about why so many people avoid recycling their computers: old computers are often filled with priceless photos as well as priceless music and video collections.

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Office 365 Versus Office 2016: What’s the Difference?

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It can be confusing when trying tell the difference between Office 365 and Office 2016. In this informative blog post, we explain how they’re different so you can determine which one is best for you.

If you have purchased a new Windows computer over the past year or so, you have likely been puzzled when trying to decide which version of Microsoft Office is right for you.

A quick search online for Microsoft Office shows at least three choices: Office 2016, Office 365 and Office Online (sometimes called OneDrive).

What’s the difference, and which version should you get?

Office 365 Versus Office 2016: What's the Difference?

First, let’s untangle the differences between these three choices by taking a look at Office Online, the free, basic version of Microsoft’s Office suite.

Office Online is a great place to start since it offers so many of the features that make the current version of Microsoft Office so powerful, including mobile apps, online storage and online editing from any device.

What is Office Online?

Office Online is the completely free, and completely web-based version of Microsoft Office (and, just to confuse things, Microsoft sometimes calls this free service OneDrive—also the name of its cloud storage service).

Just by signing in with your free Microsoft account you can access basic, stripped-down versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and several other productivity apps from any Internet browser on any computer.

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