Computing by Inches - 0771 721 7773

Windows 10 October update - has wiped all my data!

The latest update from Microsft which was due to be released in October 2018 many people have said that all their data has been lost/deleted (documents, Pictures, Music). This was confirmed and Microsoft stopped sending the update out, while they attempted to fix the problem.

Microsoft have now confirmed that this problem is related to those computers which do not save the customer data in the normal location - usually the c: drive. This problem is likely to affect users with SSD (Solid State Hard Drives) becasue these are often smaller drives (much faster than normal drives). But can also affect those who save file to one drive, or who have onedrive connected but do not store the files there - which is confusing (more to follow).

You should note that in this case your data is still present - but in a second location (usually your D: drive). You can get free help from Microsoft for this problem.

NOTE: BACK UP YOUR FILES NOW!

IF YOU NEED HELP...... CALL ME ON 0771 721 7773

I can help you to find it and setup the new version of windows to access the data.

Net Neutrality (in USA) is dead - June 2018

Net Neutrality is the principal that Internet Service Providers treat all data on the internet equally. No Discrimination, or charging different rates for users, content, websites, etc.

This will all change now as this principle has just become undone in the USA.... The act is now final.

AT&T one of the big ISP (internet Service Providers) in USA has also just been given the go-ahead to buy Time Warner, a streaming service containing HBO in particular, which will have far reaching consequences and may mean prices will escalate. Netflix and Youtube may become losers in this because AT&T will now have the power to charge them more to access this content.... Comcast is now bidding to buy 20th Century Fox for the same reason.

AT&T have already started to create prioritised fast lanes for their sponsored content despite their "promises" that this would not happen, how soon will it be before any content that is not owned by AT&T gets it's speeds cut (would you complain to AT&T if Netflix runs slow or will you just stop watching Netflix).

Check out this video from BBC which gives a very good explanation.

There are other rules which should protect net neutrality in the USA but the FCC (who should be upholding this right) just voted to repeal Net Neutrality, and the FTC will only become involved for anti-competitive, deceptive and unfair practices and did they did not stop the repeal which is by definition all of the above (this is why Net Neutrality became law in USA in 2014).

In the UK - Net Neutrality is in European Law still in force, but so much of what we do on the internet is based in USA. Many services could be affected unless they also become ISPs which would no doubt have financial implications. In addition apparently Big Business in the UK are thinking this would be good for the UK too.... and Net Neutrality is one European law which may not be brought in as part of BREXIT - so watch out!

GDPR - highlighting your privacy

Have you actually checked all those privacy notices that prevent you from going to a website until you agree to the Privacy policy?

These "agreements are supposed to be off by default - you are expected to check them then allow anything you feel is OK... But some of them are so difficult to understand that you may still have no idea what you are agreeing to. Also just so you are aware some of the websites have put up the policy with check marks ticked - which is against GDPR and could result in a fine. And... Some of the advertising sites have no opt-out clause - which is also against GDPR.

However in the past we all just said OK any way so you may not be worse off than before! The good websites will be worse off becasue they previously gained revenue from sharing data, but he bad ones still do not comply correctly with GDPR, so nothing has changed other than annoying difficulties getting to websites.

Avast Secure Browser is back

The latest update for Avast brought back the Safe Zone Browser - now called Avast Secure Browser.

The original version of this was an excellent product for online banking - or if you are particularly worried about security.

Now that it is back - I recommend using this for banking instead of Trusteer Rapport, which seems to be giving a number of problems at the moment.

Once the browser is running - you can click on the avast icon in the top left and then click "open" in the bank mode panel - this will prevent any malware on your computer being able to access your browsing choices - keeping your online banking transactions secure.

For other online security it has built in Ad Blocker, Anti-Phishing, Anti-Tracking, Stealthmode, extension blocking, and flash blocking, all on by default. However if you need to use the VPN facility you would need to upgrade your Avast.

Windows 10 Update April 18 - 1803

Windows 10 has just been upgraded to version 1803 - this had been due to be released in April but was delayed following problems with a number of features.

Changes to watch out for include.... Homegroups no longer exist but you will still be able to share files and folders. Edge has improvements and Cortana too. Timeline is a new feature (but it is not the same was MacOS timeline). Taskview icon in task bar and visual changes in settings and some menus. "Near Share" is set to on by default to allow file sharing with nearby devices.

Possible problems include.... WIFI problems, Chrome freezing, Cortana glitches, sound issues and problems in Skype.

Beware Fake Emails From Sage - 9 April 2018

Sage users please note another round of fake emails are being sent pretending to be from Sage with the subject - outdated invoice. These are phishing emails and should be deleted - Sage insist they do not send invoices out in this way.

Note the sender appears to be invoice@sagemail.co.uk, but in the routing information appears to be from computingbyinches.co.uk@sagemail.co.uk. As I have not registered for Sage this is obviously fake but users of Sage products could easily be misled.

The contents are also odd - on my phone it looks like text from Sage asking me to open the attached DOC file (which is likely to contain a virus) - do not open this. On my computer the picture did not show but the attachment was there with no further information.

Changing my website - 10 Feb 2018

Google has been telling me for some time that many people have been going to my website - But no-one has been calling me so....

It is time to make changes and hope this will persuade more people that I know my stuff!

Tesla goes to space - 6 Feb 2018

Elon Musk proved his newly updated Falcon Heavy Rocket is now capable of taking people and cargo up to space and returning to do it all again by launching his favourite Tesla Roadster complete with a spacesuit dubbed Starman playing Rocket Man by David Bowie.

The rocket performed well and the car was sent on it's way but unfortunately did not go quite on track for Mars as expected - the plan had been to swoop past Mars then come back to Earth and back again. But it appears too big a boost was given and now it may go out as far as the asteroid belt before returning - no-one is really quite sure yet where it will end up.

On a slightly negative note - I hope they get the maths right next time - so any astronauts heading to Mars do not go the same long way round! OMG one of my style of shortcuts...

iPhone update - phone keeps restarting - December 2017

An update from early December may cause your iPhone to keep restarting... Apple states this is due to the notifications app crashing, and seems to be recommending a restore to factory settings to resolve.

But remember if you are not backing up your iPhone to iCloud nor to iTunes - then restoring to factory settings will wipe all your photos too.

However the problem is sort of random - and it may be possible to fix it without restoring - call me for help.

Meltdown and Spectre - your processor may be vulnerable - December 2017

Another set of Updates are needed to fix this problem common to all processors (except ARM processors).

Unfortunately this could reduce the speed of your computer when doing some tasks Database work particularly - Apple computers are also affected because most now run on Intel processors

The updates can go wrong too, which might seem like a disaster particularly if you have not been backing up your Apple device to time machine or cloud - But I can get it backup and running and recover most of your data.

As always contact me if you need help!

KRACK MESSAGES - WIFI HACKING IN THE NEWS - 24 OCT 2017

You may have seen on the news or received a pop up from Norton or other Security Programs warning you about this latest danger - suggesting that you must do something now!

But it is never good to rush into clicking something from a popup... most of my customers have called me for advice which is great.

Don't Panic. Most people will not be affected by this, especially if security and OS updates are installing.

IF YOU NEED HELP...... CALL ME ON 0771 721 7773

New Version of the Tech Support phone Scam - July 2017

This week I came across a new variant of the Tech Support Scam that you should be aware of... this one was apparently from the broadband supplier saying that an error in processing may have resulted in a problem on the computer - which they offered to fix and then give a refund of a moderate amoount of money.

The catch was that they needed remote assistance to fix the computer - and said they would immediately send the money by a bank transfer. They then advised the customer to go online to make sure that the transfer had gone through OK. This sounds reasonable but remotely connection allowed then scammer to capture all the customer login details using a fake site.

Luckily the bank were on the ball and prevented a major loss, but it could have been so much worse. Apparently a US customer lost over 10,000 dollars