My Maui PC Solutions

04/02/2020

COVID-19 Update

Remote Services will be available as normal. Many tasks can be performed remotely some with a little assistance from you that I will walk you through. Windows 7 to 10 upgrades, transferring data from old computer to new, setting up new PC, virus removal, performance overhaul, printer installation, Windows & software troubleshooting and even some hardware troubleshooting and diagnosis can be done remotely.

Repair Services - as computer repair is an even more essential services with so many now working from home, kids depending on distance learning programs, essential services & businesses allowed to remain in operation needing computer repair, networking and other services to conduct business smoothly and help transition some employees to work-at-home when available, these services will remain available.
I will be using precautions to help prevent spread of virus; any computers delivered for services at my home office will be picked up and delivered in parking area, no one will be entering my residence. I will be sanitizing keyboards and other surfaces before and after servicing PC. If an essential business or residential call is necessary, I will be taking necessary precautions during visit.

SANITIZING YOUR EQUIPMENT
I recommend using a spray bottle with high content rubbing alcohol (at least 70%, do not dilute) for keyboards, mice, wrist pads, computer and cellphone screens, do not clean screen with bleach or window cleaner! Use a soft cotton or microfiber cloth when cleaning, do not use tissue or paper towels, they create tiny scratches.

BEWARE OF SCAMS
There will no doubt be a rise in various schemes to relieve you of your finances, the IRS is anticipating a rise in scams, get informed here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts.
The IRS, Social Security Administration, Microsoft and other such institutions WILL NOT CALL YOU. Any claiming to be such and wanting to get your personal information, banking information or gain access to your computer is a fraud, hang up the phone! If a fake warning pops up on your computer filling the screen and sounding a scary message, turn of your PC and turn it back on and don’t go back to the website you were just on.

Don't fall victim to tax scams. Learn how to spot a scam and what to do.

12/12/2019

Upgrading Window 7 to Windows 10
As most of you still using Windows 7 know, Microsoft will end support next month, and many have received notifications indicating they are best off buying a new computer. This is necessarily not so, for those who have Windows 7 computer that is working well, upgrading to Windows 10 should be no problem and the Update Assistant will quickly tell you if your system is compatible.
The other thing many don't know is the upgrade
is still available for no charge from Microsoft.
I have done many upgrades remotely and they have all gone well and quickly. I do a few tweaks after the Windows 10 upgrade is finished to help the transition easier for the user as some of the defaults are quite a change from the user interface we are accustomed to.
The upgrade is easy to perform for the average user, but if you would like my help, I look forward to making the transition easy for you.

03/08/2019

Outbreak of Email Spoof Spam Scams!

I and many of my clients have been increasingly receiving emails claiming that our email has been hacked and key-logger installed on computer making it useless to change passwords. The "sender" then goes on to demand a BitCoin or similar cyber currency payment. THIS IS ALL A SCAM. None of what is stated in email is true, ignore and delete it! The latest round makes it look as thought it is sent from your email address. These email are coming from overseas criminal orginizations, not individual people and have but one purpose: to scare you into giving them your money!

The good thing with this type of attempted robbery is unlike being held up at gunpoint, ignoring them will bring no harm to you.

Here is a sample of typical email:

03/23/2018

FAKE GODADDY EMAIL ALERT!
There is an email going around saying a suspicious sign-in attempt from South Korea was made on your Godaddy account and asks you to verify your account information - ignore and delete.

03/22/2018

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/advanced-tech-support-refunds

My neighbor just got a check from the FTC for $625 for fees paid when her husband fell for this scam. I know many clients over time who fell for it as well. Good to hear these ones did not get away with it in the long run.

FTC SENDS REFUNDS TO VICTIMS OF TECH SUPPORT SCAM

12/26/2017

Here's a nice freebie for Christmas! From David Carpenter, Everything is a great little search utility indexes everything on pc and provides lightening fast search results. Great for when you have misplaced a file/folder or want to look for Windows programs, etc. Allows bookmarking which can be very handy as well.
Click here and download 64-bit version: http://www.voidtools.com/

12/07/2017

Happy Holidays! Unfortunately, 'tis also the season to be scammed if you are caught unawares. There is a new round of fake Microsoft messages making their rounds this month, so let's go over the "Golden Rule" one more time:
Microsoft will never call you, email you or post a message on your computer about anything. If you get a message saying your PC has been comprised and you need to take immediate action by calling a phone number, let out a jolly old laugh and move on, it is only a scam. It will probably fill your screen and seemingly block access to your computer. No worries, just type Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys at same time, click task manager and click on your web browser (usually Microsoft Edge on this scam) and end task. Do not open the same webpage or scam will reappear. You may need to right-click Edge then click New Window from menu.

09/12/2017

So just a week later, someone blows the new record right out of the water! 💥

08/29/2017

New record set for malware...this is the most I've seen on one pc yet! Amazing it runs at all :-o

05/19/2017

Aloha Friday!