The latest version of Java (v6u31) has been released including many security fixes. All Windows users should update Java as soon as possible – many recent virus infections we've seen have gotten in via old versions of Java. You will eventually get a notice to update, but it can sometimes take weeks, which can increase your risk of virus infection. To force an update check, click Start->Control Panel->Java. Click the update tab and then the 'Update Now' button. Vista/Win7, you may have to search for the Java Control Panel icon (often under Programs or 32 Bit Apps). If you don't have an Update tab, then watch for an square orange icon near your system clock indicating the update is ready to install.

Share with your friends to help them keep your PC secure and like if you've updated Java today!

Tired of having to constantly click 'Update'? Get our new My ITXpert service (http://goo.gl/WM7H9) and we'll do it for you!

Java 6 Update 31 has been released! (Java SE News)
blogs.oracle.com
Update Java NOW to help keep your Windows PC Secure!

Think about the laptops! Have a laptop that's driving you crazy? Don't resort to gunfire! We can help! (Has anyone NOT seen that video?) Have a great weekend everyone!

This is a question we get asked often – should I upgrade my PC vs buy a new one? The answer is usually yes. Memory is usually the easiest. WinXP – you should have 1-2GB (many WinXP systems have 512MB, which is not enough anymore). Vista/Win7 you should have 3-4GB (2GB is bare minimum). Right click on 'My Computer' and select Properties to see what you have. 32 Bit systems cannot use more than 3.5GB, going to 4GB is rarely worth it (3GB is a nice target for 32 Bit Vista/Win7) Processor upgrades are possible, but aren't always a huge boost unless you have a really cheap one like a Celeron. Upgrading to a Solid State Hard Drive is expensive, but makes a huge impact. They're also only recommended for Win 7. Gamers utilize the video card the most, so that's a good upgrade if your games are lagging. But what we find most often is many systems are loaded down with unused programs that start on boot and toolbars (and sometimes viruses) that are slowing systems down a lot. A $79 TuneUp can often breathe new life into an older system without any HW upgrade! Like/Share if you wish your computer was faster! We give free upgrade estimates!

What Hardware Upgrade Will Best Speed Up My PC (If I Can Only Afford One)?
lifehacker.com
Dear Lifehacker, I only have $X to spend, so I can only make one upgrade to my PC. Should I upgrade my RAM/hard drive/processor/video card or my RAM/hard drive/processor/video card?

A warning to our business customers – a virus is making the rounds as a notification from the Better Business Bureau. What amazes me is how bad the grammar is in these emails. If they had half a clue and wrote these emails professionally, they'd infect a LOT of systems. Glad they don't think it matters. This one is pretty obvious that it is not legit.

Better Business Bureau malware attack spammed out
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
Have you received an email claiming to come from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) today? If you did, be careful.

If you still use Internet Explorer to surf the web, you really should give Google Chrome a try. You can install Chrome and it won't bother IE. Switching back and forth is easy. But once you get used to Chrome's faster rendering of web pages, it's hard to go back. We've been using Chrome here at IT Xpress for years and install it on all systems we tune up. Once you install it, visit the App Store for fun add-ons like Angry Birds, TweetDeck for Twitter, and much much more.

Chrome Updates for Faster Browsing and Increased Security
lifehacker.com
Google is releasing a major update to Chrome today that will make browsing the web seem faster and also add security protections. Chrome 17 pre-renders pages in the background when you type in the URL in the omnibox address bar so the site will appear to come up almost instantaneously.

You never know what you might find in Downtown Mebane! Lots of exciting shops and new ones under renovation! Even hear a new restaurant or two are getting ready to open!

Destination Downtown Mebane
www.downtownmebane.com
Visit charming Downtown Mebane, NC for a unique shopping and dining experience. Conveniently located between the Triangle and the Triad of NC.

If you are looking to get a new laptop, there are some very good system available for less than $500. Here is a list of a few. We've been recommending the Acer Aspire AS5560G laptop to many of our clients, using the newest A6 series processor from AMD. This laptop has many advanced features like dedicated video processor and memory, advanced power saving features, and much more. For $479. Whatever you purchase, be sure to let us setup your new laptop so it's running at peak performance!

The Best Laptops Under $500
gizmodo.com
Looking for the best bang for your PC buck? Our friends at Laptop Magazine and Laptop Mag—who oversee 140+ notebook and netbook reviews every year—have rounded up the top performers under $500.

A large number of infected systems we've cleaned recently were originally compromised by Blackhole. Be VERY careful what links you click in email (always try to check the link before clicking by hovering over it) and make sure Java and Flash are updated. This one exploits old versions of Java. 'Like' if you've updated Java recently!

IRS/Quicken spam leads to exploit kits and malware
nakedsecurity.sophos.com
A large volume of spam messages pretending to be from Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks, are flooding inboxes. Don't click the links, they lead to pages infected by the infamous Blackhole exploit kit.

Working on a new business card design… 'Like' if you think it's an improvement over the last version!

If you've had your PC serviced by our technicians, here is some very useful information on what was done and some excellent new features that may have been added. If you've never had your system tuned up, now is a great time to do so and this handout explains many of the reasons why! Click Like if you've had a system tuned up, cleaned, or if you plan to!

IT Xpress TuneUp Information Sheet
itxpress.biz
In order to help customers understand some of the many things we do to systems brought in for a virus cleaning or tuneup, we've created this informational handout.

Babies with cancer, who is looking at your profile, spider under the skin, girls being attacked, dad's walking in on their daughters… 99% are scams/hoaxes and at least want your personal information and at worst are the 1st step towards a virus infection of your PC… If you click something and it wants you to fill something out or approve/install an application before it'll show you what you clicked on – HUGE red flag.

Active Facebook Scams & Hoaxes – February 2, 2012
facecrooks.com
There are several scams making their way around Facebook at the moment. Many of the ones now active are recycled versions of scams we have seen before. Most of them are using rogue Facebook applications or browser extensions to spread from user to user and a good many of the scams present a survey s

Just got done setting up two more users with My ITXpert! Both had outdated versions of Java/Flash (huge virus risk) and we were able to cut the number of startup programs by 25%, vastly improving boot times! We also were able to remove a number of browser toolbars they didn't use for more screen to view websites. Like if you want a more secure PC and consider getting My ITXpert today!

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 My ITXpert!

Hackers and Viruses thrive on weak account passwords. Don't make their job easy. Many sites let you use a 'space' – if so, 2-3 word passwords are better than one string of random characters! Regardless, consider updating your passwords today!

Today is Change Your Password Day: Celebrate by Upgrading Your Password System
lifehacker.com
When's the last time you changed your passwords, or at least took a good look at how many systems or services you're using old, busted, insecure passwords with?

Ever wonder about the parts of Windows that hide behind IE, the Start Menu, and File Explorer? Here is a great article that goes over the many things in Windows that make it work (and how you can tweak some of them…)

De-Mystifying the Dark Corners of Windows: The Registry, DLLs, and More Explained
lifehacker.com
If your Windows chops extend in any capacity beyond novice, you've no doubt encountered the ever-cryptic Windows Registry, DLL files, User Account Control, and other tools with seemingly dark and mysterious powers—but you may not know exactly what they do.

Many downtown merchants will be open late on Thursdays, often with exciting specials… Check the Destination Downtown website for more details (http://downtownmebane.com/) IT Xpress won't be able to stay open this late on Thursdays currently, but be sure to come down anyway and give our many retail shops a look!

1st Thursdays in Downtown Mebane
curiouspeddler.com
In case you haven’t already heard, every 1st Thursday ALL of the Downtown Shops will start staying open until 8:00pm. We are very excited to offer this nighttime shopping experience to our customers. If nighttime shopping hours are important to you, please spread the word and help us make this effo…