Windows 7 Mainstream Support Ends — what this means

Ref: As Windows 10 approaches, Microsoft will no longer offer free help and support for the ageing but still popular Windows 7 Don’t panic. If you’re using a Windows 7 PC, here’s what the announcement means. On January 13, 2015, Microsoft changed the status of Windows 7 support from “mainstream” to “extended” phase. Security patches… Continue reading Windows 7 Mainstream Support Ends — what this means

Got Chromebook? — many did this holiday

I’ve been recommending Chromebooks since 2013 — for those who mostly live on the Web (Webmail, browsing) and are comfortable with Google’s ecosystem (Gmail, etc.). Well, PC World noted that the holiday season was big for Chromebook sales on Amazon — Amazon’s three top-selling computers for the holidays were… Chromebooks Amazon said Friday the top… Continue reading Got Chromebook? — many did this holiday

New computer? — things to do first

Whether you received a new computer as a holiday gift or not, there are some standard things to do after you’ve enjoyed the out-of-the-box experience and configured some initial settings. PC World / MacWorld has some useful summaries. More below. “7 critical things to do immediately with a new PC” discusses getting Windows Updates (yeah,… Continue reading New computer? — things to do first

Fake Shipping Notifications — an annual email scam

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Fake shipping notifications — email messages purporting to be from mainstream shippers (FedEx, UPS, etc.) saying that delivery of a parcel / package was attempted — directing you to open an attachment or click on a link. As pointed out in last year’s post “Holiday Cyber Risks” (December… Continue reading Fake Shipping Notifications — an annual email scam

Fake Gift Card Surveys — another email scam

Fake gift card surveys. I’ve seen more of these scams the last month or two. The email messages claimed to be from Amazon with “Amazon Coupons” as the subject. Examination of the messages revealed sender addresses having nothing to do with Amazon. Like from amazon@someothersite.com. Encoded (indecipherable) links in the bodies of the messages went… Continue reading Fake Gift Card Surveys — another email scam