FBI WARNS: REBOOT YOUR ROUTER TO STOP RUSSIAN HACKERS

At http://wehocomputerrepair.com I want my customers to be on alert for a new security threat.

The FBI is advising users of consumer-grade routers and network-attached storage devices to reboot them as soon as possible to counter Russian-engineered malware that has infected hundreds of thousands devices.

Known as VPNFilter, the malware allowed attackers to collect communications, launch attacks on others, and permanently destroy the devices with a single command. The report said the malware was developed by hackers working for an advanced nation, possibly Russia, and advised users of affected router models to perform a factory reset, or at a minimum to reboot.

Unfortunately many people don't know what a router is or where it is in your home.  FIND IT. It is the box you got from your cable or phone company that brings the internet into your home.

1. Pull out the power cord.
2. Wait 20 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.

It may take up to five minutes to come back online.

If you do not do this the virus could:

1. Slow your net connection
2. Attack another computer on the internet
3. Read or manipulate EVERYTHING going in and out of it

That means it could watch everything you do and send false information to you, such as fooling you into thinking your banking website has a false amount of money in an account vs. the true amount.

Best of all is to reset your router completely to factory settings, but that would also reset all wireless networks and passwords, and most people don't know how to deal with this.

FOR MORE:  https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/05/fbi-tells-router-users-to-reboot-now-to-kill-malware-infecting-500k-devices/

For more tech tips go to my blog at http://wehocomputerrepair.com/blog_posts_main.htm

Laptop batteries CAN explode!

https://youtu.be/2Z9190ruyIM

LAPTOPS CAN EXPLODE! Leaving the battery in your laptop all the time while keeping it plugged into the wall all the time is bad! It won't overcharge but heat from the computer wears it out. And being 100% charged for years also wears it out. It is best, if you are actually using the battery, to keep it charged at 40%-80% at all times for longest life.

On rare occasions batteries have even exploded like the defective on in the video below. For more tech tips see my West Hollywood Computer Repair website http://wehocomputerrepair.com/blog_posts_main.htm/

Mac users infected with virus for THIRTEEN YEARS!

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/01/man-charged-in-malware-mystery-that-allegedly-spied-on-mac-users-for-13-years/

MAC USERS GET VIRUSES TOO!  Every mac user should use a virus checker even if they think they are safe.  A "new" THRTEEN YEAR OLD Mac virus called "Fruitfly" has been spying on people. The virus author sat in Ohio monitoring people's behavior using "creepware!"

Prosecutors said defendant Phillip R. Durachinsky used the malware to surreptitiously turn on cameras and microphones, take and download screenshots, log keystrokes, and steal tax and medical records, photographs, Internet searches, and bank transactions. In some cases, Fruitfly alerted Durachinsky when victims typed words associated with porn. The suspect, in addition to allegedly targeting individuals, also allegedly infected computers belonging to police departments, schools, companies, and the federal government, including the US Department of Energy.

For more tech help see my blog at: http://wehocomputerrepair.com/blog_posts_main.htm

Hewlett Packard laptop batteries keep exploding!

Hewlett Packard is not the computer company it once was. Years of layoffs and budget cuts have taken their toll.  Now these idiots are having to recall laptop batteries because they keep exploding!

The potentially affected batteries were shipped with specific HP ProBook (64x G2 and G3 series, 65x G2 and G3 series), HP x360 310 G2, HP ENVY m6, HP Pavilion x360, HP 11 Notebook Computers and HP ZBook (17 G3, 17 G4, and Studio G3) Mobile Workstations sold worldwide from December 2015 through December 2017.

If you own one of the affected computers you can find more info on the recall here:  RECALL INFORMATION

For more help like this go to my tech blog at TECH BLOG.

Expensive screen cleaners are a rip off - just use vinegar!

Expensive screen cleaners for your laptops and TVs are a total rip off. They cost up to $20 a bottle and contain the same soap as in shampoos just watered way down.  Instead, just mix a bit of white vinegar with water and it works just as well!

For more money saving tech tips go to http://www.wehocomputerrepair.com

Lawsuits against Apple piling up in wake of battery scandal with Iphones

CLICK HERE FOR STORY ON APPLE LAWSUIT

Apple is being sued left and right for deliberately slowing down older phones when the software is updated. Although there are good reasons for this they never told their customers why they did it. The bottom line: If you apple phone is running slow now just replace the battery. Unfortunately that is hard to do unless you work for the apple store. For more tech help go to my blog at MY BLOG POSTS

Well well the gift giving season has brought lots of tech toys. Which need set up! And don't forget rechargeable batteries. http://www.WehoComputerRepair.com is your January jolt of tech handling. The Weho tech solution since 1998.