2020 has been quite a challenge with the Covid-19 pandemic…

My first thoughts are from an old bud: “Stay Alert, Stay Alive!

At times, work requires an un-avoidable onsite visit to resolve issues…

All onsite visits are opportunities for us to be Safe. Considering many of our clients are elderly, we go out of our way to follow stringent safety protocols. We wear a mask, please do not be offended. We sanitize our hands before entering and after leaving an onsite visit.

Now that vaccinations are broadly available, and we can slowly move into the “New Normal”. We think taking precautions is Important.

It is our responsibility to do everything we can to “Be Safe!”

Ok guys, here it is, the new Microsoft Edge internet browser. Only this time you’ll Love it! 8) No really, the original edge was very bleeding edge, but had many ongoing issues. Microsoft decided to standardize internals of the app to the Chromium stack, so basically a slightly different flavor of FireFox/Chrome and should behave Much Better moving forward…

You’ll get it eventually through Windows Update automatically, but if you want to start driving it now: Download Here

Phone won’t stop ringing? When I need some peace: “Phone Settings”, down in the “Notifications” section, click on “Do not Disturb”.  You can schedule it, add exceptions like “Contacts Only” etc…  Now your phone only rings if it’s someone already on your contacts list (or favorites). Sweet Huh!? I also set my voicemail to the old AT&T 3tone, so pay attention & leave a message please!   <8^) 

Helpful Reminder & “Heads Up”:    Ongoing Waves of Fraudsters…

Watch out for calls from “Support” & “Microsoft”

Please, don’t be fooled by these messages or calls!  Nobody from Microsoft, Google or Yahoo will call you out of the blue to help you solve a problem.  In fact, It is quite a challenge to get anyone on the phone from these companies.  You just don’t answer the phone much when you offer Free services to a few Hundred Million people.

Beware Full Screen pop-up messages where you are stuck and have nothing but a phone number to call for “Help”! That phone number is Not Help! They explain how bad this issue is then need remote access to help “Clean-Up” your system. For a small fee of course.!

I have seen these fees inthe $Hundreds & many times also install back doors, so they can access your system anytime…

If you get a “support” call, just ask them to please take you off their list & hang up.  If you run into a stubborn pop-up & can’t close it, try hitting “Alt & F4” keys at the same time to close the window.  If that doesn’t do the trick, you can hit “Control + Alt + Delete” to launch the “Task Manager”.

Look for and “Right click” your browser (Chrome.exe, FireFox.exe  or MicrosoftEdge.exe) then choose “End process tree” for each entry that exists…

Depending on your system’s last view of the Task Manager,  you may have to click “More details” at the bottom or Click on the “Details” Tab  (This is all of the apps running)

Again, Look for and “Right click” your browser (Chrome.exe, FireFox.exe  or MicrosoftEdge.exe) then choose “End process tree” for each entry that exists…

In a worst case scenario, Press & Hold the power button for 15 seconds to power off the machine (Avoid if possible,  Very Hard on Hardware).

Don’t be Fooled by “Support”.  If you still need some assistance, feel free to call!