While written tongue in cheek – this article raises a number of ways your privacy can be invaded and suggests ways you can protect yourself. Like if you feel your accounts are secure and share with your friends!

The Best Ways to Invade Someone's Privacy
lifehacker.com
So you want to be a creeper but you don't know how? Not to worry, we can help you out. It's easy to invade someone's privacy and gain access to their personal accounts.

Even though Microsoft will tell you Windows 7 is the safest Windows yet, you are still at risk. We are seeing a LOT of Win 7 and Vista computers coming in this week that are not only infected, but are *severely damaged*, often requiring complete Windows reinstalls (you save your data but lose your programs). Our usual tools are *not* working well to remove these infections and it's making it harder (and more expensive) to backup user data before a reinstall because of the damage. PLEASE make sure your anti virus is up to date AND you keep Windows, Java, and all Adobe products up to date. And if you are browsing and a window unexpectedly pops up with buttons (even Cancel or No) *don't click them* Only click the Red X and if that doesn't work restart or power off your computer to reboot it. Like if you are updated and share with your friends to help them stay safe online!

Windows XP is still Microsoft’s biggest security headache, but infections are rising on Windows 7
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
The rate of infection ticked up for Windows 7 in the first half of 2012, but Windows XP, Microsoft’s legacy operating system, is still far and away the biggest security headache for Redmond.

Always be careful what you click in your email account. Most browsers will show where a link goes at the bottom when you hover over the link (what is displayed in the actual email can be anything). If it doesn't match the company you expect (in this case skype.com) don't click it and instead go directly to the site in question and contact support. Like if you always check your links and share with your friends!

Malware attack strikes, posing as Skype password change notification
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
If Skype users didn't have enough to worry about this week security-wise (with a worm spreading across the system), there's now another threat to warn about.

As you've seen in our recent posts, there have been dozens of security updates released for Windows, Adobe Flash, and Oracle Java in the past week. Many systems are still vulnerable and we're seeing a big spike in infected systems this week. So be sure you update when prompted. Or consider signing up for My ITXpert – we just made sure our users are up to date and secure by triggering updates for their systems. Like if you've already updated or use My ITXpert and be sure to share with your friends so they can get updated as well!

My ITXpert Service | IT Xpress
itxpress.biz
Frustrated with your PC? Now you can have your very own IT expert to help keep your PCs up to date, secure, and running smoothly all year long! With the My IT

Don't miss Autumn Fest in Downtown Mebane this Saturday!

Timeline Photos

Many recent viruses have been getting in via Java, but now Flash is dealing with a bunch of security holes. Get sure to update your version of Flash at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ but also make sure you UNCHECK the Free McAfee Scan Plus as it's mainly a marketing ploy to get you to buy McAfee anti-virus (use MS Security Essentials instead – it's free!)

Adobe fixes 25 critical security holes affecting Windows, Mac and Linux
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
Adobe released an update for its Flash Player software on Monday, fixing 25 security holes in the commonly used product. The updates affect Flash running on Windows, Apple Mac and Linux systems in …

Good advice about password protection and management

The Top Ten Commandments of Password Protection
facecrooks.com
Protecting your passwords is a vital component of keeping your online accounts safe and secure. Careless users often find themselves the victim of email or Facebook hacks. Armed with the right information, it only takes a few moments to properly secure your email accounts, social networking profiles…

Knock on wood I have NOT encountered this before, but I can say I've found some scary stuff inside computers we've upgraded and repaired. Desktops really need to be cleaned once a year by a technician (no vacuuming it yourself is not good – you can zap parts. We use a specially grounded setup) One of the top things that can slow a computer down? CPU heatsinks clogged with dust. If they aren't being cooled enough, they slow down to protect themselves. We can clean desktops while you wait! $35. Laptops too!

Timeline Photos
You're mid-upgrade and come across this scenario. What do you do?

Is your Facebook feed overwhelming? The Social Fixer app and plugin can give you tabbed news feed and much much more. Definitely worth a look.

Timeline Photos
Please 'Share'! I want to see if "promotional posters" like these can help more people discover some of the great features of Social Fixer. Pictures are worth 1,000 words, right? We'll see 😉

While the AntiScam apps are nice, you can use something like Web of Trust to highlight questionable links and such on more than just Facebook. But the monitoring apps are very useful and can help consolidate your children's online activities into one place… Definitely worth a look.

Lock down your social media with essential security add-ons | PCWorld
www.pcworld.com
Are you doing everything you can to protect your kids and yourself on social networks? These apps and services can keep an eye on their and your accounts and alert you to any dangerous activity.

Most people don't think about their routers, but they *can* be vulnerable. This article outlines how a number of routers in Brazil were compromised to redirect search queries, install malware, and earn the hackers millions. Do you know what your router password is? Have you changed it from the default? Have you disabled the 'Remote Admin' feature so it can't be controlled from outside your home? Methods to do this vary by router so Google your router model and 'change password' or 'disable remote admin'. Or bring your router in and we'll upgrade the firmware if necessary (fix bugs, etc) and ensure it's securely configured. While you wait.

How millions of DSL modems were hacked in Brazil, to pay for Rio prostitutes
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
Brazilian hackers remotely took over 4.5 million home routers, and compromised their DNS settings in their plot to make a fortune. And what did they spend the money on? Well, in some cases, Rio…

Don't miss the Chili Cook Off Oct 4th in Downtown Mebane!

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Destination Downtown Mebane
The Oct. 4th First Thursday downtown is a Chili Cook-Off. That night, from 5-8 pm, you can sample each entry and vote on a winner! We now have 5 businesses participating (Melville Trading Company, Quirks, Karma on Third, Hollyhocks & Solgarden) and expect more entries! Stop by www.downtownmebane.com and see who is competing and what they are offering!

All browsers have security holes that get fixed. IE lately has gotten a LOT more secure, but until this is fixed, you are vulnerable. If you haven't given Google Chrome a try, you should. It's not a magic bullet and you can encounter viruses with it like any browser. But Google spends a lot of time and money ensuring it is secure and it is updated constantly (Microsoft waits to update things on 'Patch Tuesdays' unless its a REALLY bad security hole) Like if you already use or plan to try Chrome and share with your friends to alert them!

Microsoft advisory: Internet Explorer zero day affects most Windows versions
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
A newly discovered and serious security hole in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser affects a wide swath of the company’s Windows and Internet Explorer installations, according to a Security …

Some great tips for any computer user. Like if you've done some of these and share with your friends!

Top 10 Simple Things Every Computer User Should Know How to Do
lifehac.kr
No matter how tech savvy you are, there are certain things every one of us has to deal with when using a computer—and we don't always deal with them in the most efficient ways.

I get asked this *all* the time. It is not bad to shutdown your system. But it sure in inconvenient. Best bet? Let it go to sleep (which shuts down almost all the system), or use hibernate which will bring you right back to where you were before.

Is it Bad to Shutdown My Computer Regularly or Leave It On All the Time?
lifehacker.com
Dear Lifehacker, I've heard it's bad to shut down your computer every night. Is it really better to leave it on all the time? I have a high-end machine and want to take care of it but I don't know the best way to do that.