PC Community Main Meeting
7:30 - 10 pm July 10, 2015
Calvary Baptist Church 28924 Ruus Road, Hayward California
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by President Chuck Horner. From Lola Hunter at the back table, get your raffle tickets, door prize tickets, and 3” x 5” cards to write questions for discussion/answers at the end of the Meeting. Get at least one $5 raffle ticket for this month’s raffle prize, an Olympus VN-7200 Voice Recorder.
Presentation: Bob Gostischa, Avast Evangelist, Skyped in to present “Security is Everybody's Business.”
The time to prepare for a disaster is before a disaster. The best way to protect yourself is with a system image, which saves everything since your last backup.
Directions at:
C:\Windows|System32\sdclt.exe
Or, easier, go to Bob's YouTube channel to see step-by-step guidance,
Right now, the worst disaster is CryptoLocker, an example of a growing class of malware called ransomware: Your data is still there, but you have to pay to get access to it.
Signs your identity may have been stolen
- Bank account withdrawals you haven't made
- You don't get your bills or other important mail, but the junk keeps coming
- Merchants refuse your checks
- You get calls from debt collectors
- Your credit report shows unfamiliar charges
- Your records indicate you have an illness you've never had
- You get bills from medical providers you've never heard of
- You can't get health coverage at all
Get help at:
http://www.identitytheftcouncil.org/
http://consumer.ftc.gov/topics/repairing-identityt-theft.org
Spread your requests for free credit reports from the three agencies throughout the year to improve tracking coverage.
Mobile devices are also vulnerable. Protect your phone and tablet
Snopes.com is a site where you can check facts before you pass along misinformation.
Avoid Ask.com and all varieties of it. Download.com has changed to become a source of junk.
Always use the Custom Install option so that you can choose each item you really want. You can then unselect extra toolbrs, and other unwanted stuff.
Avast has a tool called Browser Cleanup, which will remove unwanted toolbars.
There is a spoof going around in Outlook email that says your session has expired and asks you to re-enroll. This is a trick to get your login info.
Tools to get rid of bloatware on new computers:
- Malwarebytes
- CCleaner
- ADW Cleaner
- Junkware Removal Tool
Don't put your actual home address in your GPS: it can be used to locate your house, and then use the garage door opener to gain access and disable your alarm. Bob puts in the address of the nearest police station. That goes for the GPS in your phone. If you use a GPS in a rented car, be sure you clear all the data before you turn it in.
Some goodies to help you:
- Unchecky unchecks garbage, or warns you
- MCShield checks USB and memory cards
- SlimComputer – Free identify software that comes pre-installed on new computers.
- Mawarebytes does not interfere with antivirus programs
- Ccleaner was originally called Crap Cleaner. Use the default settings.
Leave the Registry alone unless you really, really know what you're doing
WinPatrol monitors your computer for changes.
LastPass and Dashlane help store and remember passwords, and build strong passwords.
Avast free includes Avast Home Network Security, which checks your home network and makes suggestions for repairs. Avast now uses streaming dates, no more announcements of updates. They just happen.
Avast does not conflict Windows Defender.
Avast now offers free support for small businesses as well as for individuals.
Android mobile devices also need protection. Premium services add security and recovery options for $1.95 a month or $14.95 per year.
When all else fails, reboot your computer. If that doesn't cure what ailed it, go to the Avast Support Forum and ask for specific help. Https://forum.avast.com and ask for specific help. The same holds true for routers.
Bob will send along slides of important points, which will be shared with the group through the PCC website and newsletter.
Let Gracie at Avast know what you think of Bob's presentation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
http://goo.gl/5v4sIQ to get a link to programs mentioned in the presentation.
Use a VPN, not an open WiFi connection in public if you're posting any personal information.
SuperAntiSpyWare is comparable to Malwarebytes. Since it does not stay resident, both can be used on the same computer.
After the break, Andrew Tews followed up last month's presentation, saying that GPEdit does not exist in Windows 7 Home Premium, only Pro.
Don't Defrag an SSD. That will add the number of read/write operations and wear and tear. Paul Cooper noted that drives over 128 GB use memory more efficiently than smaller drives, which maximizes drive speed.
Another thing, SD cards such as those that come in cameras, lose their memories if they sit unused. Transfer your pictures to a DVD. Paul suggests looking for archival quality DVD's.
Sally Holt distributed slips soliciting requests for raffle prizes.
Don Odle suggested FilePuma as a reliable, clean download site. He participates in refurbishing for non-techies, so he follows the KISS principle: Keep It Simple and Secure. NiNite, at NiNite.com gives a list of many programs and an easy way to download and install.
Door Prizes
| Pedometer from Southwest Technology and Computer Conference | Chuck Horner |
| StickyPassword subscription | Yorkman Lowe |
| Car USB adapter | Paul Cooper |
| Professor Teachers Office CD | Michael Wong |
| DVD ripper | George Kornbluth |
| AARP crab stress toy | MiMi Tse |
| TomTom bag | John Cordeniz |
| Car USB adapter | Andrew Tews |
| Webucator course certificate | Lola Hunter |
| Nida Corporation bag | Bayle Emlein |
Raffle Prize
| Olympus VN-7200 Voice Recorder | Lola Hunter |
Thank you to George Kornbluth for taking care of refreshments and to Michael Wong for helping with room logistics and with the signs. Special thanks to Yorkman Lowe for the cookies he has been bringing for breaks. Yummm. Mimi Tse has also been helping out with refreshments.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 pm.
The next meeting will be August 7, 2015, 7:30 - 10 pm,
Calvary Baptist Church 28924 Ruus Road, Hayward California.
Respectfully submitted,
