National Computer Repair

Experienced in computer repair, data recovery, and a love for all things geek.

Tag: computer tips

4 Tips to Keep Your Devices Safe from Internet Viruses

Viruses on the internet are super dangerous. It can easily infect your devices with malware. These viruses are harmful and can steal your personal information, delete your files, and slow down your computer. Not only that, but it can also cause your device to stop working altogether. Do you fear internet viruses? Do you wish to secure your device from internet viruses but are not sure what to do? No need to stress! We have gathered some of the best tips that can help you protect your device. Scroll down to start reading!

1. Antivirus software installation.

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When you use the internet, there’s always a possibility of a harmful virus or malware infecting your device. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to protect your device. Your top priority is to install and run a trustworthy antivirus software. This will help you stay safe from online threats, whether you do online shopping, banking, or browsing.

Related: “Tips to Prevent a Computer Virus”

2. Avoid opening suspicious email attachments.

One of the easiest ways to transfer a virus to another computer is through email attachments. Often, people open spam email attachments without thinking, which can lead to massive damage to the device. Therefore, sites like Gmail and Outlook ask for your permission to download the attachment. So next time you receive an email attachment from an unknown email address, think twice before you hit the download button. 

3. Avoid clicking on spam website links.

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If you find websites with suspicious names on the internet, avoid clicking on these links as these fake websites may contain viruses. If you click the link, the virus will enter your computer without you even realizing it and will gain access to all your confidential documents. Moreover, if you find buttons on spam websites or ads with the given below wording, just avoid clicking.

  • Click here 
  • Check me
  • Buy now 
  • Free 

Related: “How to Avoid a Computer Virus”

4. Create a backup for your device.

You cannot fully secure your computer. Even if you install anti-virus software on your computer, there will still be a chance of getting a virus on your device from the internet. Therefore, instead of neglecting all the red flags and regretting later, it’s better to make use of cloud backup. This way, you can store all your essential documents in a secure location that won’t be affected by the virus. Even if your device crashes because of the virus, you won’t have to deal with any unnecessary problems or loss of files. You can easily download and restore essential files from the cloud.

The Bottom Line 

We hope that the above guidelines will help you secure your device from internet viruses. If you want professionals to help you connect your device to a cloud storage or to get rid of viruses, consider National Computer Repair. We are one of the leading and most trusted companies delivering bespoke services at reasonable prices. Visit our website or give us a call at (615) 826-7550, and we’ll fix anything and everything that is wrong with your system.

The Best Data Transferring Options

A few decades back, transferring files and documents meant you had to print, copy, and mail your items to your recipient. Everything was maintained on paper and stored in file cabinets. While we still do follow these practices, data has also become digitalized with time and advancements in technology.

Today, when it comes to transferring important and confidential data, you cannot take any chances as it might increase the risk of losing or corrupting it. Because data is the most important asset for individuals and businesses, you may be wondering: “how can a person transfer data safely?” To clear your doubts, we have listed some of the easy ways that can help you transfer data easily.

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1. Using a USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive

One of the most convenient and reliable methods today is via USB flash drive or external hard drive. You can easily use this method to transfer large-sized files faster. Both these data-transferring devices are available at reasonable prices in the market. However, let us also warn you beforehand that while this might seem a simple and easy method, the whole process depends on the USB and hard drive. Because if you purchase a cheap device, you can easily run the risk of losing and damaging the data. Plus, you can also end up with viruses in your flash drives if you’ve accidently connected to a device infected with malware and viruses.

2. Google Drive

Google Drive is another safe and secure platform that is used by many people for transferring files from one location to another. To use the Google Drive platform, you just need to have a Google account. The most eye-catching part of Google Drive is that you get to store up to 15 GB of data for free. In addition, there are other payment plans if you want to increase your storage. Plus, you can easily share data with others by using their email address.

3. Peer-To-Peer (P2P) File Transfer

When it comes to sharing data with a small group of people, nothing can be better than the peer-to-peer file transfer method. P2P is a file transfer software that is completely safe to use. To share data, individuals just have to connect to a network of peers and transfer data on their own network. 

4. Dropbox

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The most widely used application among mobile phone users is Dropbox. You can easily access and share your important documents from any computer, mobile phone, or web browser. Moreover, Dropbox Business not only provides you with secure file storage, but it’s also a smart workspace where teams, tools, and content come together. It only provides 2 GB of free storage space, but there are also payment plans available to increase it. If you haven’t tried this method of transferring files, we highly recommend it.

To Sum It Up

Although there are many file transferring options, opting for the right one that provides you with complete security becomes quite crucial. Because if the data is lost, it becomes hard to recover. We hope that the above options help you pick the right method of transferring data. If you want professionals to help you, you can consider National Computer Repair. We are one of the leading and most trusted companies delivering bespoke services at reasonable prices. To learn more, you can get in touch with the team by calling or exploring our website.

How Often Should You Clean Your Computer

When it comes to cleaning your computer, it is more than just cleaning the keyboard. There are various parts that accumulate dirt over some time, which may cause some features to fail and even sometimes cause a fire. Other parts of a computer that are not so obvious when it comes to cleaning, but are still critical in the performance of your computer include the following

  • Heat sinks
  • Motherboard and drives
  • Video games /cards
  • Fans and filers

Depending on the type of computer you want to clean, either PC or laptop, the process may vary due to the different components of the system. One of the valuable tools you can incorporate when cleaning your computer is using a can of compressed air. When you use it correctly, the short bursts of air are able to get the dust and dirt out of the crevices that are hard to clean.

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  1. Keyboard Cleaning

The computer keyboard gets dirty, lots of things end up under the keys, ultimately causing damage. Some things that can sometimes settle under the keyboard include:

  • Germs
  • Spills
  • Dust
  • Body oils
  • Crumbs and snacks

Most keyboards are difficult to clean, and therefore they require regular attention to keep them sanitary and in excellent working condition.

2. Monitor or LCD Screen

LCDs or monitors require special attention, especially when cleaning; they are delicate, and therefore, you must tend them with extra caution. Ensure that you do not use abrasive clothing that can cause damage to the screen. In addition, never use alcohol or ammonia-based solutions to clean the computer.

It’s important to turn the computer off when cleaning and wipe gently from side to side and top to bottom while avoiding circuit swirl motions. Using a microfiber cloth is the best choice for wiping the screen and removing smudges and fingerprints.

3. Cleaning the Inside of a Computer

The inside of a computer is quite complex; therefore, it requires that you take extra care. When cleaning the inside of the computer, always remember to turn it off, unplug the system and then disconnect keyboards, monitors, and other peripherals.

Next, you can use compressed air, a squeeze bulb, or a small light brush to remove dust from the most contaminated surfaces. Remember to keep the blades stationary when blowing. Repeat using compressed air for RAM, CPU, heat sinks, and the entire case interior.

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Conclusion

A clean exterior and interior is fundamental for the overall performance and lifespan of your computer. To keep your PC and computer running smoothly, you must always give it a regular cleaning. It’s advisable to observe the correct procedure of opening the computer and following the proper cleaning process every three to six months. If you have questions about computer services, talk to our team of experts at National Computer Repair.

Quarantine and Chill (your laptop down)

Because of recent global events, everyone’s lives have shifted to adapt to social distancing practices for the time being. That means more and more Americans have switched to working remotely from home. This has greatly increased the use of everyone’s handy dandy laptop. Whether it be for video conference calls or completing projects for work, our laptops these days are getting a work out. Like people, laptops need to cool down during a hard work out. You want to prevent your laptop from overheating and keep it working at tip top shape. You’re wondering how is this possible? You need to show your laptop a little TLC by purchasing a laptop cooling pad.

What is a laptop cooling pad?

            A laptop cooling pad is the latest necessity for all those professionals that have switched to working at home. The amount of hours spent on our laptops has dramatically increased. The longer the time spent working on a laptop, the harder a laptop’s operating system has to work. A laptop cooling pad (also referred to as a notebook cooling pad) is a device that helps lower a laptop’s operating temperature. It is simply a device that rests beneath your laptop to help cool it down. If an operating system gets too hot, the laptop will not function at its full potential and there is a possibility to cause permanent damage to the laptop. Purchasing a laptop cooling pad is an inexpensive way to prevent a truly expensive problem.

            At National Computer Repair, we have your back. Our stock of laptop coolers can help with all your computer cooling needs. Our laptop cooling pads are light weight, portable, and easy to use. Our laptop cooling pads simply plug into your laptop’s USB port and are ready to go. That means you do not even have to hassle with bulky adapters! They are that easy to use. You will be able to work effortlessly without worrying about overheating your laptop. Still wondering if a cooling pad is what you need? Give us a call or visit our website, we are glad to help you with all your cooling and other laptop needs.