Online Support Desk
Here at Caledonian IT we have now added an online support desk to help our customers log and track their support calls online. The service allows you to create support tickets whether it is for faults & failures or just general queries.
The help desk enables us keep track of open support issues and allows the client to see what is currently going on with the logged issue.
You can visit the support desk by clicking on the Support Desk link on the site menu. If it is your first time on the site, click the sign up link in the top right corner. This will allow you to create a support account that you can then use to track the calls logged. You will receive an email from the support desk to inform you when there has been an update to your support call.
Virus scammers
Residents are being warned about the latest ‘spam scam’ which claims your computer is infected by viruses.
The move comes after some consumers contacted the council’s Trading standards Team after receiving an unsolicited phone call from an alleged representative of a technology company, in some instances claiming to be from Microsoft.
The caller explains that the resident’s computer is infected with potentially harmful viruses which could compromise online security and offers to remove them, usually for a fee which can vary from £90 to as much as £185.
David Templeton, the council’s Divisional Trading Standards Officer, said: “At this stage, the caller will talk you through a procedure which will ultimately give them full access to, and control over, your PC.
“If and when this happens, they will be able to install potentially malicious software or spam and may also be able to retrieve personal details such as your name, address and financial information.
“As well as losing money to a bogus service, any software the scammer has installed will also need to be removed, which could leave you even further out of pocket.
“Our advice here is simple – do not give anyone access to your computer as you may be handing them your life on a plate.
“A significant amount of personal information can be gleaned this way, which could cost you way more than the initial fee. Just hang up, and report it to us.
“If you think your computer has a virus, only you will know. No-one in a remote call centre somewhere can claim to know different. No matter what, always take technical advice before making any decision.”
For more information or advice, or to report a suspected scam, please contact the trading standards team on 01355 806865.
Free Anti-Virus
At Caledonian IT we strongly recommend everyone runs an Anti-Virus package on their computers, but you do not need to pay for this software or for the updates. There are loads of great FREE solutions available to home users but now there is also a free solution for the small business (10 computers or less). It is from software giant Microsoft and is called Microsoft Security Essentials.
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
You can download the software from the Microsoft site by clicking here.
Tips to avoid viruses
1 – Update Windows.
Make sure you run widows update on a regular basis, Microsoft updates are released to patch holes in the system to block malicious attacks from hackers and Spyware.
2 – Do not click the links in unsolicited email.
These links can take you to a webpage that may look legitimate, but could actually contain hidden content that will install spyware or adware on your computer. Please note that Microsoft will never send you an email asking you to click the link to update you software or details.
3 – Install Anti-virus software.
Make sure you have an anti-virus package on your PC, we recommend NOD32 from Eset but you should at least use one of the free packages that are out there.
4 – Install Anti-spyware software.
Again if you use NOD32 from Eset it has powerful built in spyware protection. There are also some great standalone applications like Spy-Bot Search & Destroy or Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware.
5 – Rogue software.
If a Spyware or Anti-virus program appears on your PC that you have not installed or have not seen before, do not use it. Chances are that the app itself is the Virus / Spyware, contact us straight away and we can arrange for a technician to visit you and remove the rogue software.
6 – Scan your PC regularly.
You should scan your pc with your Anti-virus / Anti-Spyware program at least once a month but preferably once a week.
7 – Upgrade Internet Explorer.
If you are still using Internet Explorer 6 then please upgrade it to Internet Explorer 8 as soon as possible, IE6 does not meet today’s security requirements.
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