Linux: Ubuntu In The Workplace

Chances are if you work in a business enviornment, your computer is running a Microsoft Operating System, such as XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Ubuntu is looking to enter the business market with a new business class version of the Ubuntu Operating System. Ubuntu Desktop claims a number of features that Windows 7 lacks for the business enviornment [when installed], such as a personal productivity suite, Anti-Virus, a PDF reader, Instant Messaging, and other features that are improvements from the basic Windows 7 features [Firewall,  Archiving/Compression software, Backup software, and Multiple browser options].

One of the many benefits to running this business class operating system - It can run alongside Windows! If your company did decide to switch to it, you can dual boot, or set up another partition [without damaging windows] to install it on, using the utilities in the Ubuntu Desktop installation.

Another main benefit to be found, is the ability to exchange files with Windows users. The exchanged files work the same on either operating system, and will not have trouble transferring. Even if you pull a Microsoft Office file over to Ubuntu Desktop, it will work flawlessly.

Ubuntu is very big on compatability, so no matter what hardware is in your system, Ubuntu Desktop will work right away. No searching for drivers, or hoping things work when you plug them in. It works from the get-go.

Lastly, the latest noticeable thing about the release of Ubuntu Desktop is the price. Usually, Linux products are open source, and free [as a regular version of Ubuntu is]; however, seeing as you are getting a business class operating system with Ubuntu Desktop, it is like that of an Enterprise Edition Linux OS. Therefore it's going to cost you. For the standard version, it would cost $105 per year per machine. For the Advanced version, which includes some extra features, it would cost you $165 per year. To read up on some more of the features of Ubuntu Desktop, click here.

To get your hands on Ubuntu, click here.



Dealing With Viruses - Part 3: What To Do

Combating Viruses

There are certain steps you can take when dealing with viruses. Depending on what kind it is, certain methods would be far more effective than others. Granted, we won't be giving away all the secrets in this article. ^_~

If it seems you've tried everything, can can't get rid of the virus, you should call us at 863-838-2663, or if you're not in Central Florida, get a hold of your local tech support.

Firstly, if you suspect that a virus is on your computer, and someone might be controlling it, you need to disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

Secondly, you should always have an anti-virus client installed and up to date.

We reccommend the following.

AVAST! Anti-Virus: Free Edition

Avast! Antivirus: Free Edition is a free anti-virus client that monitors everything as it happens, while a real-time scanner continuously keeps a look for viruses in the background. It is one of the best free anti-virus clients out there. To download and install it, click here.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus client from Microsoft, which self updates, monitors your downloads for viruses, and scans real-time in the background. It is one of the best free scanners out there aside from Avast!.

To download it, click here.

Aside from preventative maintenance, if you cannot manage to get the virus off with these clients, you may want to call us or your local tech support. It is definitely a serious virus to be causing that kind of trouble.

To contact us, you can call us at 863-838-2663
OR

E-mail us at etech@compsultinc.com

If you're not local, but cannot get assistance, e-mail or call us anyways. We should be able to walk you through getting rid of the virus.



Dealing With Viruses - Part 2: Types of Viruses

Types Of Viruses

Viruses all have different strings, and different names as they come out. New viruses come out daily, and there are so many different ones out there. In this article, the second of three, we will be identifying a few of the basic types of viruses not by specific names, but by nicknames given to them by their functions.


Why are viruses created?

When you think of viruses, you may wonder where they come from, and what they are for. Viruses are written by hackers, crackers, and programmers; some for specific purposes, but most with the intent to drive you crazy and as a sort of prank.

Below are listed the different kinds of viruses you will run into, and what they were designed specifically to do.


Restricted Access; Lockout Virus

This virus typically locks you out of your system, restricting access to your personal folders, desktop, control panel, task manager, and a slew of other things. It won't allow you to do much of anything. While it has you locked out, in the background, it is doing even more damage, and possibly even pulling personal data back to the creator such as online banking information, usernames, passwords, etc.

Why would someone make something this aggravating? More often than not, this virus is designed as a prank, to frustrate the user. Other times, it is designed to keep the user from being able to find a way to disable the virus while it searches for information, or does more damage to the computer.


Imposter Trojan [Fake Software]

This virus installs a fake program, and adds it to the startup entries, so whenever your computer starts it loads. It usually comes in the form of a fake anti-virus client, which pretends to scan your computer and tells you that it is full of Trojans, then prompting you to buy the software to remove them. The program it's self is the virus.

This virus is made for two purposes. Firstly, it is created to annoy the user to no end. Secondly, it is set up to scam the user, hoping that they will be foolish enough to believe that the software is real, even though they did not put it on the system themselves. It then takes your credit card information after you have entered it in to pay for the "full version".


Web Browser Specific Viruses

This is a very generalized category, as there are many different types of viruses that could fall under that title, but we will elaborate on some of the more common ones in this section.

Sometimes toolbars can cause this, as there are fake toolbars that would fall under the previous category in this article. Those toolbars cause your browser to have problems, log where you go, change your settings, or just slow you down in general. If you install a toolbar, always make sure you know where it's from, and that you actually want it on your system before installing it.

Another kind of virus that can make it's way onto your computer causes pop-ups to continuously come out of nowhere. It is a Trojan that stores in the temporary internet files [usually], and triggers pop-ups, which can either be false ads, or more viruses making their way on to your computer. You may also notice your home page has changed randomly on it's own.

While these viruses can be mostly browser specific, they may also be part of a greater virus, that expands beyond Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc. to drive you crazy. It may also be changing your personal settings on your computer, or it may even be this virus with a combination of others.

RAT [Remote Access Trojan]

A remote access Trojan allows the creator of the Trojan to see everything you are doing, control your computer remotely, and make changes to your registry, settings, etc.
Everything that you do, they see. Your cursor might start moving on it's own, and programs, folders, etc. may begin to open on their own. Strange things will happen. The hacker is basically either going to toy around with you, or search for for personal information.

These kinds of viruses are created as pranks, to snoop around on people, and to steal personal information/data.


Worms

This is a term that has been around for many years. Most people know a worm as a virus that eats away at your hard drive, and that basically is the case. A worm will slowly pick away at your registry [or quickly], and damage it, or key files needed to run your operating system and/or programs.
The basic effect is a slower computer, with lots of crashing [unless you have a powerful worm, in which case your computer may stop working a bit more instantaneously, or quickly]. Slowness in your computer does not always mean a virus though, so be sure to run a virus scan if you suspect one.

Dealing With Viruses - Part 1: Identifying Viruses

Identifying Viruses

Most people are uncertain when it comes to viruses. What exactly is a virus, and what is not? How can you tell if you have a virus or not, and what type do you have? What do viruses do? Why were they even created in the first place? This three part article should help you to answer these questions, and learn how to better deal with viruses.

Signs Of A Virus

There are many different signs of a virus. Below are listed some of the most common.

1) Restricted Access

One surefire way to know there is a virus on your computer is if programs and normal operations start to go haywire. For example, if you try to go to a folder on your desktop, or "My Documents", and get an error message like these:

Another example is programs that usually work just fine will not start, and will show errors as to why they cannot start. If one of these programs is your virus protection not starting up and giving you an error when you start your computer, then chances are you have caught a virus.

2) Malicious/Impostor Programs

Another good way to tell you've got a virus is if an Anti-Virus program you have never seen before is showing up when you start your computer, saying you have a ton of viruses, and you need to purchase the full software to get them off. That program it's self is a virus, and a hoax used to scam people.

3) Excessive Pop-ups/ Web Browser Problems

If you get excessive pop-ups, and/or your browser is acting strange, or not working as it should, whether it is Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc., you likely have a virus. Especially if your homepage has been changed to something strange without your knowledge of having changed it. If opening your web browser causes your computer to freeze up, and/or crash, you definitely have a virus.

4) Strange Things Happening/Possessed Computer

You may notice your cursor moving on it's own, or your keyboard's lights flickering on and off on their own. Programs, folders, and other things may open on their own, and it might seem as if a ghost is using your computer, or it has been possessed. This is a sure sign that you have a nasty kind of virus. *Note: If you notice you have this problem, unplug your computer from the internet immediately.

5) Excessive Slowness

Sometimes excessive slowness is a result of a virus. This isn't always the case, however. If your computer is acting extremely slow, you should run a disk cleanup and defragmentation. If that doesn't fix the problem, it is possible you have a virus. [In which case, if you're in Central Florida, feel free to give us a call at 863-838-2663 !] If you're in any other area, you will want to contact a computer technician, and have them assess the system to find the cause of the slowness.

6) System Hang-Ups/Crashes, Fatal Errors, and Blue Screens

Often, system hang ups, fatal errors, blue screens, and crashing systems are caused either by viruses or the aftermath of one [you may have recently caught it with your antivirus, or had someone remove it for you]. If this is the case, run a virus scan, and if it comes up empty, you will want to give a computer technician a call, and have him look at it. [Again, if you're in the Central Florida area, nearby Lakeland, give us a call!]