Back it up! You don’t want to be in the should-of, would-of, could-of position. You don’t want to talk to me on the phone, or look at me when you come to our office while we discuss “if you have those adorable pictures saved somewhere else besides just on your hard-drive”? Or how about those Quicken or Quickbooks files, the years it took you to get your data organized and to have a financial system at home and now what?

Yes, it is possible for us in most cases to retrieve data from your damaged or compromised hard drive, perhaps that is good news. However, the process and time involved for us to do so cost you money; and though you may be willing to shell out the dollars to retrieve what is so precious or important to you, it ’s easy to avoid this added expense to just replacing your hard drive.

I am directing this blog this week mostly to our consumer customers and not to our business customers, large and small who already in their networks have backup systems in place. Though there are a lot of small businesses and at home businesses that may need to take heed and ensure that they look at their home network set up and make sure a backup plan is part of it.

There are a lot of us out there who sell products or services,  be it on E-Bay, Etsy, Craigslist, Facebook. Those who may have a blog or website and dedicate a lot of time trying to make something they love work; to lose all that your time and heart were invested in would be a waste in so many ways.

Though I may really be targeting my message to my more technologically challenged customers out there; I have real conversations every day with those of us who should know better than to NOT back up their data and still don’t. Which is why I used the would-of, should-of and could-of reference in the beginning.

I didn’t have to describe us all to make my case for backing up, when you stop to think about it, backing up your data just seems like common sense right?

I am hoping that reading this really helps you to identify with some of these scenarios, or maybe identify a family member that may be in just this situation to which you can offer help and guidance.  A grandmother who gets all her pictures via email, the retired professor working on a book, the crafter or quilter who now is finally taking the time to document all the great creations they made. The files that contain pictures and all the details of your belongings or the vintage possessions of your family that you finally got together for insurance and estate planning, would you want to start all over again.

So you say, okay, okay I get it, I surrender, what do I do?

Amazingly it is very simple. Go out and purchase an external hard-drive (Or call us we stock them). Set up your windows application to automatically back-up at whatever interval you choose ( or you can manage it manually), best of all we have included the instructions below.

External hard drives are relatively inexpensive when you consider the cost of retrieving (or losing) the data on a damaged internal hard-drive. For an average cost of less than $200.00, you can purchase and set one up yourself.

Windows 7 typically allows you to backup either specific files and settings or your entire computer. In consideration of time and space, you just need to backup your files and settings. Operating systems and applications can always be re-installed.

1. Access the “Backup and Restore Center” in Windows by clicking Start>Control Panel.

2. Select “Backup and Restore”

3. Click “Set Up Backup”

Once the “Set up backup” tool loads, you will need to choose the destination for the backup.  If your external hard drive is already connected you should see it as a destination option.  If it is not plugged in, do so now and refresh the list so the device will appear, choose the device and click next.

Now you need to select the folders and libraries that you want to include in the backup.  Once you have chosen the data to backup you will need to choose the schedule or interval at which you would like Windows to conduct an automatic backup.  (Remember, you can also conduct a manual backup without setting up an automatic interval)

Confirm your settings and run your backup. If this is your first backup, select the option to “Create new, full backup”. after your first initial backup you can select to save only the changes to those files.

I have included several links that you can follow below,

A. Windows 7 – Back Up Instructions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/back-up-your-files

B. Microsoft Support Page  – How to back up your data on a Windows-based computer which includes instructions for Windows Vista and Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971759#method41

Last, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on cloud storage as backup, though in our opinion this does not eliminate the need to back up on an external hard drive.  The best back up system would  be to have two copies of your data at all times and using cloud as one of those options certainly makes a lot of sense if you follow that mantra.

In addition in this day of smart phones, tablets and e-readers cloud storage offers the capability to back up those devices as well.  In addition cloud storage will give you on-demand  access to your data at any time via an internet connection, perfect if you are traveling and do not have immediate access to your external hard drive.

There are free cloud storage sources available if you only need a limited amount of data storage, which allows you to test and try out their services without an investment.  Once you need data storage past the free data limit, costs vary depending on overall data size.

Last, once you have your data on an external drive do not leave it attached to your computer or laptop, or just sitting on your desk.  Put it somewhere safe, preferably safe from the elements and fire.  Investing in a lock box that is fire proof and stored out of the way would be a good consideration.  There are also fire proof lock boxes that you can securely attach directly onto a shelf or floor for additional security.

If you back up every day and know that for you locking up your external and remembering to re-attach it to your computer every night is more than you can or will do; remember what I said that two backups is the perfect system.  Have a second external that you back up once a month or every couple of weeks that you store in the fire proof lock box as extra security.

In closing, it happens to us all, we know we should do something and don’t, and if that happens to you with your data, we understand and will and can help!

Please share with us your comments, suggestions or experiences about using a backup system or not using a backup system;  we always learn the most from each other!

If you would like additional information on cloud storage sources or performing routine backups, please email us at service@advancedbsys.com or complete the contact page (click here) with your question for a response.

Next week learn about Uninterruptable Power Sources (UPS) which offers power backup for your devices, another important piece of a secure network at home or for your business.

DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS FROM STRANGERS!

Remember when you were always told to not talk to strangers, only Trick or Treat at houses that you know, don’t accept rides from strangers………..well now it is DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS FROM STRANGERS.  I hope that my tongue in cheek opening does not express that this warning should be taken lightly, this about a very serious malware that is spreading throughout the US .  My references are in hopes that my message will stick with you as the days go on, and you will take extra care when receiving email messages with attachments.

Stranger Danger is very real when it comes to opening attachments, and especially with this new malware called CryptoLocker.  Actually, this virus is being called a Ransomware because it quite literally will attempt to hold your computer files hostage until you pay a $300 ransom demand.

Further just as in any hostage situation, paying the money does not guarantee that all will be returned unharmed.   Please do not be deduced into thinking so.  There are reports that users that have paid this ransom have been given the key to unlocking their files and the hackers behind CryptoLocker thus far have not re-infected their computers.  Regardless,  I am sure that like me you would not want to reward these hackers with money.

This virus will lock down your computer with a password known only by the hackers and encrypts your files so they are no longer accessible to you.  Once these files are encrypted they are lost and cannot be recovered.  Let me say that again, once these files are encrypted they are lost and cannot be recovered.

The main threat source of contamination (and not just from Crypto Locker, from any virus) to your computer are through infected email attachments, but there are random websites that also could be perilous.

There are many users out there that may not consider themselves to be tech-savvy, their computers are a means for them to keep in touch with friends and family through emails and Facebook, to pay bills online, visit Pinterest, etc.  Most of us receive many emails each day from companies whom we shop with telling us about the latest deal or coupon or their new weekly ad is available.

These types of users may be the most vulnerable since they are not as aware of the threats that are out there.

CryptoLocker will come disguised as a seemingly innocent email, it will look just like a legitimate email that you receive every day.   Extreme caution must be taken to observe the emails that we are opening and do not open any attachments unless you are completely sure of the source that sent it.

If you receive an email from a retail store that has an offer for you in the form of an attachment simply do not open it.  Typically most of these organizations put their offers or coupons in the body of the email or will have a link that will open the offer on their web page, not attachments.

If you receive an email from a business contact or friend with an attachment that you were not expecting, call and verify that it was indeed sent by them.  If you receive tracking notification emails from UPS or FedEx and haven’t ordered or shipped anything do not open it.

Even here at Advanced Business Systems, we have to perform due diligence.  I recently received an email from a financial institution alerting me to a wire transfer payment with an attachment.  Obviously, it was enticing to open to see who had sent us a wire transfer but then I knew which clients paid this way and was only expecting payment from one of them.  I called this client to ask them if the payment had been processed, what form it would come in, who would have been the sender of the email.  I was able to determine that it was not from them and deleted the email and the attachment without opening.

I mentioned that there were some reports of websites that could cause the virus infection, these are deceitfully designed domains that again you could innocently come into contact with.  Think about it, how many times do you start on one web page and before you know it you have clicked and visited 10 more sites.  When you receive Google search lists, take a second to read the descriptions and gauge the legitimacy of the site before you click.  Watch your mouse movements on pages, especially news pages that have a lot of ads and pop-ups.

Also be aware of any scams that tell you that this virus can be removed, they may be able to remove the Trojan.R ransom infected file, however, your data files will still remain encrypted.  And remain lost.  There was an earlier version of the virus that once removed, files could be recovered, not true with the current version.

If you research this virus on the internet you will find many resources, and most of them are referring to this virus as a killer, that the encrypted files that result from it so far are impracticable to break.

(Here’s a link to an article that came out just today in Ohio http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/science_tech/Cryptolocker-virus-not-regular-ransomware-concerned-PC-experts-say-it-destroys-files)

There is another scam going around that I would also like to mention.  We have had several clients recently that have been taken advantage of by groups calling and representing themselves as from “Dell” or “Symantec” or “Norton” or some other legitimate-sounding computer-related company. These callers in a very quick  amount of time convince you there is a problem with your computer (which you assume they would know because of who they referenced themselves as at the beginning of the call) and  with your permission you allow them remote access to your computer which is when they start hitting you up for money.  Fortunately, most of our clients got suspicious at that point and terminated the call.

Question, question, question these calls to determine their validity.  These organizations would not call you for the reasons they are using.  Ask for a phone number to call them back at, I am sure at this point they will say that they’ll call you.

If you practice due diligence when opening email messages and attachments, ask questions and never allow anyone access into your computer that you are not 100% sure who they are, make sure your virus protection is active and up to date, and last BACK UP your data in case of an issue you will have taken  most of the precautions possible to protect yourself.

I am going to close this blog with two messages.

One, don’t feel naive or simpleminded if you have fallen prey to any of these situations.  Most of us have been trained to watch out for a con, but when it comes to technology sometimes we are intimidated by what we don’t know and can be influenced more easily by someone who seems to know more.  Ask questions!

Two, just like we would spread the Stranger Danger message to keep our friends and family safe, spread the message about protecting one’s data, computer, and personal information.  Together we are always stronger.  If there was a stranger walking down the street in your neighborhood you would alert your neighbors to potential danger.  Alert your neighbors, friends, parents, aunts, and uncles how to help avoid a virus infection that could potentially harm them financially and destroy their treasured data.  These types of attackers are also strangers who could likely have access to your computer, your personal data, your financial data.  Education is always a good defense.

 

Till next time………..