computer repair chandler az – Page 4 – Chandler Computer Repair Company Blog

Firefox Browser has Total Cookie Protection

On February 23rd, Mozilla announced a new privacy feature, called Total Cookie Protection. This process works by halting any websites from tracking outside their own site.

Computer cookies, according to Karls Technology, is stored data on internet browsers. When users surf the web, each site visited sends cookie files back to their browser. Browsing habits are collected and tracked throughout the web. While some cookie tracking is harmless, and allows information like logins to be stored, it can also be a potential risk to privacy.

However, with Firefox 86’s new Total Cookie Protection, “cookie jars” are available to separate the cookies and bound them to avoid other websites grabbing that information.

“Our new feature, Total Cookie Protection, works by maintaining a separate “cookie jar” for each website you visit. Any time a website, or third-party content embedded in a website, deposits a cookie in your browser, that cookie is confined to the cookie jar assigned to that website, such that it is not allowed to be shared with any other website.”
Source: Mozilla Blog

Last month, they announced the Supercookie Protections, which reduces the risk of the utilization of supercookies. Supercookies are not only a replacement of regular cookies, but also are difficult to delete. Mozilla is hoping these privacy updates improve user’s quality of internet browsing while maintaining the best privacy possible.

If you need any help with computer related issues, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. We would be happy to assist.

Windows 10 Spring Update is Different (Sort of)

Anyone who uses Windows 10 understands their two annual updates, the Spring and Fall. And normally, the Spring update would include major improvements and features to the operating system. The Fall update, however, was usually quite minor with anything new.

This time, however, the roles are reversed.

Nicknamed 21H1, the Spring update will feature just a few tweaks in the OS. According to Tom’s Guide, this update should be out around May and “primarily meant to improve the remote work life.”

John Cable, Vice President, Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery states, “New features include multicamera support for Windows Hello and security related performance improvements.

Windows Hello multicamera support to set the default as the external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements including optimizing document opening scenario times.
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating performance improvement to support remote work scenarios.“

21H2, or the Fall update, will involve a number of major features, such as a floating Start Menu, and a redesign of the user interface. Windows 10 users will be in for quite a treat in October, which is usually when fall updates are released.

If you need any help with Windows 10 updates, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. Our mission at Chandler Computer Repair Service is to fully resolve your computer problems quickly and affordably.

AutoFill Logins with Edge and Chrome Browsers

Microsoft is constantly on the move, working to keep your PC secure as possible. They take their users comments to improve the OS as a whole into account. Just last week, Microsoft welcomed new capabilities with autofilling login information across all user devices. And with the amount of customers working remotely this past year, they need all the help they can get.

This may seem a bit concerning, storing login information to computers. However, Microsoft has expressed its devotion to keeping personal information safe and secure. Remembering passwords can be a struggle, but with the Autofill extension and Microsoft Authenticator application, all information can be saved in one secure location.

“Passwords require a high level of security – so we’ve taken extra care to ensure your passwords and autofill information are protected. Signing into the Authenticator app requires strong multi-factor authentication, which provides an additional layer of security on top of your Microsoft account password to protect your data inside the Authenticator app. Furthermore, autofill on a site or app you visit on your phone requires biometric or PIN input, and the app is designed to request your permission before autofilling your passwords. In addition, your passwords are encrypted both on your device as well as on the cloud.”
Source: Microsoft Blog

Autofill can be found on iOS and Android under the Microsoft Authenticator app. And if you use Google Chrome, you can grab the Autofill extension.

If you need any help with Windows 10 issues, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. We would be happy to assist.

Apple Require ‘Request Permission’ for App Developers

A new requirement by Apple will soon be in place for app developers, per their new iOS 14 policy. Once an app is downloaded, a new “request permission” block will pop up on users devices, allowing or denying the app to track activity.

According to MacRumors:

“Apple will soon require iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app developers to request permission from users to collect their random advertising identifier (known as the “Identifier for Advertisers” or “IDFA”), which advertisers use to deliver personalized ads and track how effective their ad campaigns were. Specifically, users will be presented with a prompt to allow or deny tracking as necessary when opening apps on iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14, as part of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (“ATT”) policy.”

Companies, such as Google, are prepping their company for the upcoming change and are prepared to comply with the transparency. Others, like Facebook, have shared their disapproval of the new policy, saying this could hurt small business owners who rely on advertisements. However, they shared they have no other choice than to comply – otherwise face more issues from Apple.

This new policy is planning on rolling out in early spring, so keep an eye out for it.

If you need any help with pinning tabs to your taskbar, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. Chandler Computer Repair Company has provided mobile computer repair in Chandler, AZ. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Aurora Computer Repair Service. If you need any computer issues resolved, call or text the Aurora, CO local office at (720) 441-6460.

YouTube is a PWA

A PWA is a Progressive Web Application.

YouTube users can install it as a PWA on their devices. But, what is that anyways? Progressive Web Applications give the users quick, easy access to their favorite apps. Once YouTube is installed, they will find a red logo in their app launcher, task bar, or desktop.

As shown above, if a + sign shows up on the browser while you’re on YouTube and you click it, it will give you the option of installing it. AndroidPolice, a tech blog, shared a bit of information regarding it:

“The change rolled out over the last few days, and you can tell that the option has reached you once you see the signature plus button in your browser’s address bar that prompts you to install the app when you click it. Once added to your applications, you’ll find YouTube in its own window, but there aren’t any new capabilities enabled thanks to PWA support, like downloading for Premium users or such. The simple installation process is the only real benefit for now, though there’s nothing hindering other changes from coming later.”
Source: AndroidPolice

While there are no real benefits of installing YouTube at this time, this could potentially bring more support and improvement to the application. I suppose we’ll just have to see.

If you need any help with keeping your security up to date, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Goodyear Computer Repair Service. If you have any computer issues, please call or text at the local Goodyear, AZ office at (623) 295-2645.

How to Download Windows 10

Many Windows users still use version 7, 8, and 8.1. Because of security risks, Microsoft encourages its users to upgrade to Windows 10.

First released in 2015, Windows 10 has included its ups and downs. It seems to push updates to its OS due to bug fixes or security vulnerabilities. However, Windows 7 no longer includes support. This means that those using this version will not have technical support or updates and will leave your computer at risk for possible malware.

Windows 10 can give users peace of mind knowing that their PC is getting great processing performance and security that is needed for a pleasant user experience.

To get Windows 10 for free for your PC, follow the steps below:

Go to the Windows 10 website
Click on the Download tool now button, under the Create Windows 10 installation media
Click Run
Go to Upgrade this PC now
Follow the directions, and it will begin upgrading
Once finished, the digital license will be shown under Activation in the Update & Security tab in the Settings app

If you are wanting to update a different PC, be sure to choose the Create installation media for another PC.

If you need any help with upgrading your PC to Windows 10, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. We would be happy to assist.

Windows 10 Access to Phone Contacts

Microsoft continues 2020 with a plethora of great features for Windows 10. Since February of this year, they have been working on a way for users to access their phone contacts on their computers. And so far, there has been positive feedback.

Why is this a needed feature?

This feature coincides with Window 10’s Your Phone app, which allows your phone and PC work together.

When you link your Android to your PC, you’ll be able to reply to texts, receive phone notifications, and more. The phone contact access will allow a smoother, easier way to make phone calls and send texts.

Windows Latest shares that this feature, “currently works with Android phones only, but it might come to Apple devices as well.” So, iPhone users, keep an eye out.

If you need any help with Windows 10 features, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com.

Cyberbullies are Everywhere

Cyberbullies have the ability to breach any kind of system if it’s not properly secure. Emails and software are just a couple of ways they can invade your computer without your knowledge.

The reasonings behind these attacks are anywhere between stealing personal information, making money, or crashing business PCs to shut them down. For instance, Amazon, being one of the leading online retail stores in the world, is often mimicked by hackers to steal customers personal information. Not only that, but they’re mimicking delivery emails, which is quite disturbing and dangerous.

Did you know that you can take steps to improve your cyber-defenses, such as making sure your important files and data are backed up to a secure cloud storage. We recommend Carbonite online backup solutions which will protect your data regardless of any type of attack or problem.

Don’t let your computer become susceptible to any form of malware. Back up any important files and keep it secure.

If you have any computer-related questions, call us at (480) 240-2946 . This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Tucson Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Tucson, AZ, please call our local office at (520) 526-9940 .

Since 1999 Chandler Computer Repair Company has provided mobile computer repair in Chandler, AZ. We specialize in same day virus removal, hard drive data recovery, computer consulting for small business, and mobile computer repair in Chandler, AZ.

Scan your TV for Viruses

Every device that has a connection to the internet is at risk for malware. Not even our TVs are safe from virus infections these days.

Samsung recently tweeted a reminder to regularly scan your TV for virus infections:

Scanning your computer for malware viruses is important to keep it running smoothly. This also is true for your QLED TV if it’s connected to Wi-Fi!

Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks.
Samsung Support USA (@SamsungSupport)

HDTVs and Smart TVs have been a recent target of a number of attacks and exploits. Several CIA and Russian government hacking tools have also been shown to use exploits in TVs as monitoring agents. Any way you slice it, you should be scanning your TVs for viruses.

How do you scan a TV for a virus?

Every brand has a different methodology for scanning for viruses. Most are available within Settings or Diagnostics / Diagnosis within the Security section. There are also several third party TV virus scanning applications you can download within your TV’s app store.

The method Samsung outlines for all their Smart TVs is to go to Settings and then General. Once you are in the General Settings, scroll until you find System Manager and then click on the tab labeled Smart Security and find the Scan button. This will start the built-in anti-virus scanner to run a full system scan of all the software running on your smart television.

Most Smart TVs run local software that can be exploited and infect and monitor your wireless network. If your TV is connected to the internet or your wireless network you should look into the best ways to run a regular scan on your TV. We recommend running a scan at least once per week on any internet connected device as part of a sound security plan for your home or business.

If you need any help securing your home or business from malware, virus or network attacks contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com.

SSD prices have never been lower!

The NAND flash industry (the companies that make the storage part of SSDs) have been in massive competition in 2019. There is a massive oversupply of flash memory to built SSDs out of. Because of that, the price per GB of a SSD (Solid State Device) has fallen below $0.1 per GB.

We have purchased many SSDs under $50 for a 512GB drive. Prices for SSDs have fallen by over half since last year. Prices on SSDs have been falling dramatically over the last one and half years.

If you have been waiting to purchase a large SSDs until prices fall further you should probably purchase them today. There are market signals showing that the NAND flash industry is trying to correct the oversupply. Additionally there has been a lot of consolidation of manufacturers and end suppliers of SSDs to try to stabilize the price reductions.

SSD prices can’t get much lower, so if you want a large drive, get it today.

If you need help upgrading to an SSD or cloning your existing small SSD onto something larger give a call to Chandler Computer Repair Company at (480) 240-2946.