News – Finnegan Computers

5 days ago

After 30 years in the business, it is time to announce that I am retiring and FCS will close at the end of this month. There have been many, many changes in technology throughout the last 30 years, and it has been a joy to have helped so many people in the local community with their computer needs. I am here to help my clients through the holiday season, and then I look forward to what's ahead in the next chapter. Thank you very much to all who have supported Finnegan Computer Services over these last three decades!—Tom Finnegan, Owner ... See MoreSee Less

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Finnegan Computer Services

1 month ago

Most people aren't aware that Windows 11 comes with Drive Encryption turned on by default, which is very dangerous if you don't back up the encryption key from your Microsoft account.Without that 45-digit code, your data is permanently lost if there is any kind of drive error or system failure, and there is absolutely—and I do mean absolutely—NO hope of data recovery.The problem is even worse if your computer is set up with a local account as there is no recovery key generated. The very best and safest thing to do is turn off encryption right now.Here's how to turn off Bitlocker encryption, and see the corresponding screenshots:1. Click on the Start button then Settings (Gear Icon)2. Click on Privacy & Security on left column3. Click on Device encryption in right window4. Click on the blue button to turn it off5. Click on Turn Off6. It will take a few minutes!7. All Done! Button shows off. ... See MoreSee Less

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Finnegan Computer Services

9 months ago

Today marks our 30th year in business!✨ We have seen so many changes in technology through that time. Here are a few most common questions we get with some answers to guide you. Thank you all for your business!❓ My internet isn’t working – how can I get back online?This is a common problem with computers. More often than not, a simple reset of the modem and router will straighten things up and get you back online. Here are the easy steps to follow:• Turn off or pull the power cord from both modem and router.• Wait 30 seconds…..wait…..wait.• Plug in the modem first and wait till all the lights stabilize.(May take up to 2 minutes, again…..wait…..)• Turn on or plug in the router and wait till the lights stabilize.(Usually the lights turn green or blue when ready.)Bingo! You should be back online. Modems and routers are minicomputers and can lock up just like your regular computer.❓ How do I back up my files?• Plug in your external or thumb drive• Verify the drive letter (E:, F:, G:, etc.)• Open the Documents folder (or wherever your file/folder is saved)• Right-click on the file, select “Send to” on the menu, then select the drive you’re sending it to.The procedure is the same whether you want to back up individual files or an entire folder. Remember to back up your files at least once a week!❓ Does it hurt to leave my computer on all the time?Here are 3 of my top reasons why you should shut your computer off at night:• You’re wasting electricity. Even with power saving turned on, the computer is still running and using electricity.• Wear and tear: There are several cooling fans running as well as the hard disk drive. The more they run, the sooner they wear out, costing you money! You are also exposing your computer to lightning and voltage surges from storms.• Virus and spyware infection: The big one! And the main reason I believe turning it off is best. While you’re sleeping, European and Middle Eastern countries are 7, 8, or 9 hours ahead of the U.S., and hackers and organized crime rings, and even some governments, are actively trying to attack U.S. computers with viruses and spyware bots. They will try to infect or possibly take over your computer to snag personal info, or use yours to attack business or government computers. This is all while you’re sleeping.Many experts believe that 90% of all computers have some sort of infection on them. Shut it off at night and stop the attacks cold! ... See MoreSee Less

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Finnegan Computer Services updated their cover photo.

9 months ago

Finnegan Computer Services's cover photo ... See MoreSee Less

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Finnegan Computer Services

1 years ago

🖥 Security Tip: ❌ Don't Trust Pop-upsIf you’re known to dabble in a little online browsing, odds are you’ve encountered a pop-up once or twice. There are times when a user may think, “Wow, that’s a great deal!” and click on a pop-up. To those users: put down the mouse. Why? That pop-up could be malicious or dangerous.There used to be a time when malicious pop-ups were only on questionable sites, but those days are gone. Hackers are smart and develop ways to inject malicious malware into pop-ups and online advertisements—even on the most trusted sites.One of the most common attacks we see occurs when you visit a site and a pop-up appears that says, “Your computer is infected! Download our antivirus now!” If you click on this, a bogus virus scan will start. After the “scan” completes, you’ll be asked to pay for a full-version of the software or to call a helpline to connect with a support representative.Spoiler alert: The software is not real and the fake support representative will take control of your computer to try and “fix” the issue, but end up causing more damage.How to prevent pop-up attacks:Although hackers are smart, you can be smarter. Here are some tips to protect yourself from these types of attacks:• Avoid clicking on pop-ups.• Update your operating system regularly—don’t postpone or snooze updates!• Use web-filtering software to warn you before accessing potentially harmful sites.Remember, these attacks are only successful if we fall for them. Stay alert and be cautious!Source: KnowBe4 ... See MoreSee Less

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