The challenges of a new computer

[Joe S.]

Last year before I was to give a talk on "A Day Trip to Mars", my trusty computer committed suicide at 3am by burning out its keyboard. Some data disappeared from my hard drive. Luckily I had backed it up first.

Any way, I purchased a Winbook to use as I did not have the funds for a full computer. I purchased a small keyboard for the Winbook to make typing easier that it was on the Samsung tablet. To read anything on the screen of the tablet or Winbook I had to be 6-8 inches from the screen. It was very hard on my eyes and I had to limit my screen time. I upgraded the Winbook to windows  10. The first Winbook died from a boot error. The insurance policy on the Winbook got me a new Winbook. I re installed Windows 10 on the new Winbook. I like how handy it is but is hard to use.

Jan got tired of my frustration so last Sunday we went looking for a used computer at a pawn shop. they were running $200-450. Of course the used computers did not have what I was looking for. We stopped at C0$tc0 and what I was looking for was on sale for $499. So I purchased it.

Since Sunday, I have been working on removing the installed viruses from the computer. I had a limited amount of time to work on this new machine before today. I got the malware, Adware, Pups, Gators, rootkits, and ransomware off the computer on Wednesday with two free programs. (PM for names)

Today I started loading new productivity software on the computer. (freeware from major names direct from their website). Tonight I have started loading the data that I backed up. I do like Win10 now that I have been using it for over three months. My wife is enjoying it also on her computer. Now if we can get faster internet.

I hope you do not run into these challenges. Screen on my knees, touch typing, computer life is good again.

[SunshineDaydream]

Well that was quite a journey! Computer problems are so frustrating. Good thing you are so knowledgable about and handy with them. Glad you hear you got it all settled and are up and running again.

My husband has really liked his tablets, but I prefer my laptop or a desktop. Bigger screens and easier to type.

[Joe S.]

and easier to read. It helps to take some of the strain off our eyes.

[Sooki]

New computers are a mixed blessing, for sure.  When you've installed all your stuff safely, I hope the new computer is faster, brighter, and more awesome than the older one!

[Joe S.]

It is a good investment for $500. I can spend more time on line or on task with it.

[eija]

Computers - duh!

I think mine is dying a slow death - what a nice birthday present for me

Desperately trying to save it, but I don't know... It's crashed about half a dozen times this evening

[quietdynamics]

Joe.. I periodically read review on Windows10.. to see if bugs are out.
Do you think it is at that point. I have not upgraded yet.
Just a regular IT Neanderthal here..lol.

Saw they have coding games for young children on net.. asked computer teacher @ elementary school and granddaughter grade 2 is being introduced this year to coding.

[Joe S.]

Windows 10 is a new model. It was designed with constant upgrades in mind. It is also designed to run on a Raspberry Pi, cell phones, as well as most desktops and laptops. Since it is the big fish in a small pond it has a target on it from hackers. No way for it to avoid the target.

Linux is open source so it is too easy for most to hack and OSX (apple) is often considered to small a user base. Main Frames are also considered to have a very small user base.

I decided to jump in before it was no longer free. They did change one of the big security holes, to a new browser. Browsers are the major security issue. Most of the security on your computer is focused on the browser.

Social Engineering attacks are the easiest to implement... you want something so you search for it. A cookie is placed in your computer (to make it easier for you to login or come back to that site) normally cookies are not bad but some do contain malware or trigger malware when you contact the site a second time.

Gators are an advance on cookies. They allow advertisers to monitor your computer usage and the sites you visit. They often also allow the advertiser to push things to you. Wild Tangent games are notorious for this. They are a common conduit for spyware, and ransom ware.

Windows 10 comes with Wild tangent games pre installed in most distros. The first thing that happens when windows powers up is to look for updates. Windows also comes with an Antivirus to prevent these issue from being a problem. McAfee did notify me that the computer contacted north Africa as I was trying initialize it. As I removed Wild Tangent It downloaded ransom ware.

With a properly protected machine I acquired CCleaner (cookies), Malware Bytes (ads), and Glary(registry and hive). Do not use a download provider like Cnet as the programs may be infected. go directly to the company for your download. If you are redirected you may get a virus.

As long as there are black hat hackers, the bugs will never be out of the software. Bug free software is a fantasy. Every Program has Bugs. Operating Systems are programs. Every upgrade, has bugs. It just depends on how well the program was tested before release.

Most of the problems that I find are military grade. They are an attack by a military to do damage to a foreign computer system or network. A large number of Black Hats are script kiddies. There are MOB attacks that like other scammers are just trying to steal from everyone.

I do not know what Operating system you are currently using, but it has bugs. Your antivirus is vulnerable to attack.

Windows 10 has moved into the 21st century by using constant updates like Linux distros. I am very pleased with it over all. I am providing longer responses on the laptop than with the winbook or tablet. The Winbook and Jans Laptop both have Win 10 and I am thinking of putting it on a Raspberry Pi or two that are laying around the house.

[Carolina]

I have a Macbook Air that I adore.

Hugs,  Elaine