Find a Nerd

06/10/2024

Currently doing a project where older machines are given as donations.

As folks graduate from older machines, FindANerd.com replaces the hard drive (the original drive stays with the original owner), cleans and configures the machine to be given away to various charities.

Right now we need working monitors as part of the donation package (PC, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, etc).

If you have a working monitor that you are not using or an old TV with either a VGA or HDMI input, please consider donating.

Give us a call at 610-322-2344 for arrangements.

(Or call us if you are in straights where you may need a hand with tech.)

Thanks,

Joe Ferraro
www.FindANerd.com

11/26/2023

I run Find A Nerd (www.findanerd.com).

A tip in dealing with identity theft and fraud:

Freeze the credit reports for everyone in your house. If you know someone with a Social Securrity Number tell them to freeze their profile. (also, if you have already frozen your profile check your status as you may be surprised your report is unfrozen.)

This is a FREE process. Do not allow anyone to pay for this service.

Go to these 3 web sites and request a freeze.
Equifax.com
Experian.com
TransUnion.com

You may not stop all identity theft, but you make it more challenging for the bad guys.

12/03/2021

Please check out this guy's channel.
He is doing the Lord's work.

I am tired of seeing people get hacked.

This Scam call center is running several different scams and spoofing ads as customer support.We listen in to try and stop these scammers from stealing money...

11/30/2021

There are 3 items recommended for smooth operations of your PC's.

1 - UPS (or a battery backup)
2 - Cloud Storage of some sort (Carbonite)
3 - Local security (Norton)

Amazon is running a special on the 3 user version of Norton 360 for 17.99.

Just a heads up - you might want to grab this download code version now and keep it in your software library and redeem it when your current security software expires.

For more tips - call 610-322-2344

Norton 360 Deluxe gives you comprehensive malware protection for up to 3 PCs, Macs, Android or iOS devices, including 25GB of secure PC cloud backup and Secure VPN for your devices. Enrolling in our auto-renewing subscription and storing a payment method is required for activation and use.* We wo...

11/22/2021

Quick Tips on when to call for help:

(Had a REALLY smart client inform me today they got taken for some big bucks. Thieves strike at the holidays.)

If you get into a phone call with someone claiming to be support and they ask you to buy a gift card then put the very nice support person on hold because you need to use the restroom.

Please call the cops. You need to hear from someone with authority them how you are being taken advantage of at that very moment. Likely they will tell you to hang up.

If you get involved with a scam that takes over your computer. Call for some Tech help (if not Find A Nerd @ 610.322.2344 - then SOMEONE).

If you let someone in to your machine you need to assume they have access to ALL your data that was on that machine.

You will need to change your accounts - go to the bank and withdraw enough cash to tide you over for a week. Get new account numbers and cards.

Put a freeze on your accounts with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Do not start to change your passwords until your machine is clean and clear of any virus or downloaded software from the thieves. (Your machine is compromised so there is no sense in changing your password if the person who logged in can still see it.)

Add 2 factor authentication.

Remember - the design of these attacks (whether by phone or a page that pops up in your browser) is to scare the living tar out of you. When you start to not feel right - stop and get help. But not from the number on the screen.

These people tell you not to call anyone because the moment you do get help - the help will give you the confidence you need to stop the process in it's tracks.

You are not allowed to feel dumb, or stupid or anything else. You are a victim or a potential victim - none of this is your fault.

We just need to cooly calmly get you right.

I hope you never have to use this advice...

Joe Ferraro - Owner - Find a Nerd

08/19/2021

seeing a lot of posts about power loss today.

whether you use my company or not, please, please consider getting a UPS or Uninterruptible Power Supply (also known as a battery backup) to protect your electronics.

anytime you spend more than $300 in gear use a UPS to protect your stuff from power hits and surges.

isolate your computers, communication equipment and A/V items from laser printers, shredders and other motors.

even if you have a gas powered generator - consider getting one of these as it takes a couple of seconds to fire the generator up - that is an eternity in computer time.

if you have questions on this - get to me or whoever you use for your electrical work or IT services.

Need a Nerd?  You found one at FindANerd.com

03/20/2020

Because Find A Nerd is a Professional Technical Services Company we are allowed to remain open as per Governor Wolf's guidelines.

If you need a hand (that is sanitized) give a call.

610-322-2344.

03/19/2020

20 years ago today Find A Nerd was established.

Would like to thank ALL of the great people who have availed themselves of the Nerd Services!

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU..

20 years later.
..
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU

12/05/2019

Idea to stop robo calls...

Most phone conversations are routed through networks. Voice is converted to data and back again sent as any internet message.

Why not change the voice protocols to allow all conversations to be secured with certificates? Certificates are what make financial transactions secure. when you see https: it means you are using certificates.

Force both sender and receiver to have a certificate linked to the real location of each phone conversation. As a call is placed part of the call will be to back track verify the caller as to actually who they say they are.

The real caller id would appear on the phone and the receiver would then be able to make a more informed choice to pick up the phone.

05/21/2019

New Phone Scam:

You get a call from someone claiming to be Apple, it even comes up on your caller id, claiming something is wrong with your iCloud account.

It is a scam.

One way to yak with these guys is to say "Everyone in the house, all 6 of us, have iCloud accounts. Can you tell me the exact name on the account and the error message you are getting."

At that point they do a reverse look up on your number and try to feed your name back to you. Tell them, "That is nice, but as a security precaution I make sure my actual name does not appear in the iCloud email address."

They usually disconnect at this point.

The good thing is you kept these guys off the phone for a couple of minutes so they can't pull this on someone else.

02/14/2019

Sounds like NASA'S Opportunity needs someone to go in the field to reboot the robot.

We are $75 an hour plus expenses.

www.FindANerd.com

02/14/2019

Sounds like NASA'S Opportunity needs someone to go in the field to reboot the robot.

We are $75 an hour plus expenses.