What is Ransomware, what is does & how it can be avoided

What is it?

Ransomware is cyber threat that uses cryptographic measures designed to extort money from users. They have been around for a number of years now in many variations such CryptoLocker or Torrentlocker. One of the newest is called ‘Satana’ which not only encrypts your files, but also the master boot record on the hard drive so Windows won’t boot! Another recent variation ‘WannaCry‘ also includes a worm (type of virus) that allows it to spread to other connected computers without any user interaction.

One of the earlier variations was the ‘Police virus’ or ‘FBI virus’ which would display an image on the screen of infected computers requesting the user to pay a certain amount in order to unlock the computer. This was supposedly due to illegal activity the user had done. No user files were affected and the infection was relatively easy to remove. The new versions of Ransomware take it to a new level as they hold your personal files to ransom.

What it does?

We will be discussing Cryptolocker as an example, but the process may vary slightly between the Ramsomware variations. It starts by typically arriving as an attachment from any number of supposedly legitimate companies & appears to be genuine. Once the user double clicks the file, the process begins. First step is that the malware saves the file to the user’s Windows profile and also adds a key to the registry file so it auto starts the next time you log in. It then starts itself twice in case the user tries to kill the process. Next step is for it to contact the malware’s server to obtain the RSA encryption key & then asymmetric encryption begins. Predetermined files are encrypted, anything from Word documents to family photos, emails and a myriad in between. These files are generally encrypted in alphabetical order.

When finished, an image similar to this one is displayed.

Once this happens, there are a few options of how to proceed. First thing to do is remove the infection with reputable security software but that unfortunately still leaves your precious data encrypted. Without the decryption keys, your files are as good as gone so the next step is to recover the data from your most recent backup. You do have a recent backup, don’t you?

How to avoid it?

Ransomware is not that hard to avoid as long as you take a few precautionary measures. A little education for yourself and any team members you have goes a long way.

1. Don’t open attachments from unknown senders or anyone you suspect looks a little dodgy – use some vigilance.

2. Enable or show file extensions for known file types. By default, Windows hides the file extension for commonly used files (last three characters after the dot ie document.doc). This can be done quite easily in Windows. The malware is typically distributed as an .exe and masquerades to look like a pdf. With the extension hidden, you have no way of knowing the true file type.

3. Create & use a standard user account instead of an administrator account. This is an extra layer of protection to prevent software from installing as it’ll prompt you for the admin’s credentials in order to install anything.

4. Have current and up-to-date security software and updates for Windows. If you are running an unsupported operating system whilst connected to the internet (ie Windows XP) upgrading is essential as no future security patches will be released to fix found vulnerabilities. Doing this is a no brainer for anyone who wants to keep their system secure.

5. Have a consistent & reliable backup procedure in place, preferably offsite. Don’t just rely on an external HDD or cloud based storage (Dropbox, OneDrive, etc) as the malware has been known to encrypt files on those drives also. CKP Computers offers a cloud backup solution and are more than happy to discuss options.

6. Above all else, don’t pay the ransom! If you’ve taken the necessary precautions beforehand, it should never come to this point anyway.

I should point out too, if you suspect you’ve clicked something you shouldn’t have, immediately turn the computer off and leave it off and contact us for support. It takes time to encrypt the files on your system and chances are if you’ve acted quickly enough, only a small fraction of files (or hopefully none) have been affected.

For help with any of these steps, CKP Computers is here to help & keep you safe. Talk to us now for a no obligation discussion on your security needs. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

What is a UPS, what they protect against, the different types & how do I choose the right one?

What is a UPS?

A UPS or ‘Uninterruptible power supply’ is an electrical device that’s main purpose is to provide backup power to a computer or other electrical equipment in case mains power fails for whatever reason. Batteries contained within the UPS are used to provide protection from power interruptions by converting the DC (direct current) energy stored in the batteries to AC (alternating current) mains power instantaneously when the need arises.

UPS’s differ from auxiliary power systems or generators as these do not provide instant power fail safes.

The size of a UPS within any given type is usually depicted by its volt-ampere (VA) and sometimes Watt (W) rating. A volt-ampere (VA) is the unit used for measuring apparent power in an AC circuit, in DC circuits, true power is measured in watts (W). The higher the rating, the more power it can provide and the longer the run-time will be (depending on load levels).

The battery run-time for most UPS’s is relatively short (approx 10 mins depending on load) but should be sufficient to either power down the computer safely or give you time to start up an auxiliary power system such as a generator.

Typical UPS in varying sizes

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UPS’s can also provide protection against the following power abnormalities in varying degrees, depending on type. Knowing the different power conditions will give you a better understanding of how the correct UPS is vital for your electrical equipment.

Blackout: Term also known as a power outage is when there is no power. This is either due to a fault, natural disaster (storm) or by the electricity provider turning off supply to do maintenance.

Brownout: Is a term used to describe a voltage drop when the mains supply is not able to provide the rated power typically for a very short period (under a second). Anything longer than that is known as ‘Undervoltage’. Brownouts tend to occur during periods of high power usage such as summer or winter. Many people may be using air conditioners or heaters and this puts a strain on the mains supply. Drops in voltage can cause burnout for many electrical devices, reasons being to compensate for the drop in voltage, the device needs to draws more current and high current leads to failure in devices not designed for it.

Surge: Term used to describe an increase in voltage that naturally causes an increase in current or vice versa. External power surges are typically caused by lightning strikes but can also occur internally caused when motors startup or shut down. Surges can also occur after the mains power comes back on after a blackout. Surges can also travel over phone or TV cable services. An ADSL modem not properly protected can also cause damage to a computer if physically connected with an Ethernet cable.

Other power issues UPS’s can correct include line noise (sometimes caused from other devices on same circuit), harmonic distortion (change in expected AC waveform) or any other frequency instabilities.

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Different UPS types:

There are many different types of UPS and the way they operate but for this article I will focus on the three major types, standby, line interactive & online.

Standby: This is the most common type and has the most basic features typically used for personal computers or where low cost is required. During normal operation, the protected devices are connected to the main power supply and switches over to the battery if the primary power source fails or alters outside the acceptable range. The inverter, which is required to convert the DC battery power to AC only starts up when the power fails, ie “standby”.
The switch over time from mains to battery can be up 25 milliseconds depending on the UPS and its circuitry. The UPS then continues to provide power until the mains is rectified or the battery goes flat.

Pros

• Low cost
• Small size
• Simple design

Cons

• Next to no power conditioning
• Slow change over time from mains to battery
• Battery charger may shorten battery life
• Limited functionality

Block diagram of a standby UPS

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Line interactive: This type is completely different and is more advanced in comparison to the standby UPS. It does away with the battery charger, inverter and change over switch and replaces them with an inverter/converter hybrid device which can both charge the battery & provide output power. The main advantage of always being connected to the output is that it can provide extra protection against power issues and allows for faster response in the event of a power failure. During times when power is normal, the inverter is operating in reverse which charges the battery. If the mains power fails, the inverter switches direction.

Line Interactive UPS’s also contain what’s called an autotransformer. This allows the UPS to handle undervoltage brownouts and overvoltage surges without consuming battery power. It instead automatically selects different power taps on the autotransformer compensating for the increase or decrease in the input voltage to provide stable output power. This leads to greater reliability and less premature battery failure.

Pros

• Low cost
• Proper Sine wave output
• Better output power regulation
• Efficient
• Surge, Brownout & other power conditioning

Cons

• Load protection is minimal
• Change over time still slow for sensitive equipment
• Over time protection components can degrade

Block diagram of a line interactive UPS

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Online: With this type of UPS, power change over switches aren’t necessary and the batteries are always connected to the inverter. If the mains power is interrupted, the batteries keep the output power steady and the rectifier is removed from the circuit. When mains power comes back up, the rectifier cuts back in and resumes as normal providing most of the power and charging of the batteries. Online UPS’s main advantage over standby or line interactive UPS’s is that it’s able to effectively provide electrical isolation or firewall from the mains power.

Online UPS’s are necessary for equipment sensitive to power fluctuations and provide outstanding power protection.

Pros

• Zero Change over time, ie nonexistent
• Constant voltage output
• Excellent power conditioning and surge protection
• Provides electrical isolation

Cons

• More expensive
• Larger & heavier
• Efficiency is low
• Higher heat output
• Batteries have to be replaced more often

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Which type is right for me?

Now I’m sure you have a better understanding of what a UPS is and how the types are different from one another. Choosing the correct UPS is dependent on the situation and what equipment it’s protecting. For a simple home use computer, a standby UPS is fine, for business use whether it be a workstation or server, a line interactive UPS would be a better choice. Then for critical equipment, sensitive to power fluctuations, an online UPS would be the one to go for.

Once you have determined which type of UPS you need, next is to determine is the size or VA rating. It’s a good idea to work out what is critical to keep operating & what’s not then make a rough calculation of the power requirements so a UPS big enough to supply power to those devices is purchased.

As an example, devices that can or should be connected are:

• Computer
• Monitor
• Network switch
• Modem/Router
• Other critical devices

Devices that should not be connected include:

• Laser printers or scanners
• Any other non critical device to save power

Unless the UPS is large enough to handle it, laser printers and scanners should only be connected to surge protection only outlets (if applicable) due to the high power draw when they start up. This can overload smaller UPS’s and cause damage.

If you need help deciding on the right UPS for your system, CKP Computers is here to help you. Talk to us now for advice and how you can better protect your equipment. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

Keyboard shortcuts everyone should know

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With the advent of the computer mouse, people have become reliant on the technology to be able to do a lot of the navigating of their PCs. However by using some simple keyboard shortcuts, you can greatly increase your productivity and reduce unnecessary strain on your hands. You don’t have to take your hands off the keyboard, reach for the mouse to perform the desired operation and then return to the keyboard to continue typing.

What we’ve done is highlight ten of my most used shortcuts which we consider everyone should know. At the bottom, a link is included to a more comprehensive list which some people may find to be a valuable resource to keep handy (courtesy of Microsoft).

Ctrl + C – Copies any highlighted text or item
Ctrl + X – Cuts any highlighted text or item
Ctrl + V – Pastes text or item
Ctrl + Z – Undo last change
Ctrl + Y – Redo the undo
Ctrl + F – Opens the find or search box in a program
Alt + Tab – Switch between open programs
Windows Key + D – Minimises all windows and returns to the desktop
Ctrl + S – Saves the file currently being worked on
Ctrl + P – Prints page or document

Another ten notable short-cuts worth mentioning are:

Ctrl + A – Selects all text
Ctrl + B – Changes highlighted text to be bold
Ctrl + I – Changes highlighted text to be in italics
Ctrl + U – Changes highlighted text to be underlined
F1 – Displays Help
F2 – Rename selected item or file
Alt + F4 – Closes open program or page
F5 – Refreshes the currently open window
F9 – Initiates a Send/Receive in Outlook
Shift + Del – Permanently deletes selected item or file without sending to Recycle Bin

Keyboard shortcut list

As you can see, learning some of these simple keyboard  shortcuts allows you to do many tasks while saving you a lot of time.

Besides out great service, we also sell keyboards here at CKP Computers. If you need anything we are here to help you. Talk to us now for advice or any other keyboard info. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

All in a day’s work – printer & backup issues sorted

I went and saw a new client in Wantirna the other day to sort a few IT issues out that their existing support weren’t able to fix. The first issue was to do with their printer; it would constantly come up with an error message to install a new toner cartridge even though there was a new cartridge installed, or so I thought.

We tried a few things like cleaning the cartridge and other methods to make the printer recognize it but nothing worked. At this point I figured it must be a faulty cartridge or a fault with the printer. After further discussion with my client, it was discovered that although the cartridge was new, it was used briefly in another printer they used to own and now when we tried to use it again, it would not work. Whether the cartridge had simply died, had expired or was empty was unknown. A new cartridge was supplied and all was good again.

Other issues to do with scanning were also rectified by updating the drivers and making a few other system changes.

Next we got on to sorting out their backup needs. The method they were using was cumbersome, time consuming and not very effective. They were using external hard drives and alternated between them each day. Due to being busy business people, most of the time the backups weren’t being done, was inconsistent and ultimately didn’t really work. They paid a horrendous amount of money to their existing support to get this sorted and it never worked properly from the word go.

So I got to work and implemented our Cloud Backup service so now they can sleep easy knowing their data is safe & secure in an offsite storage facility. Completely automated, encrypted, monitored and tested, all for a small monthly fee of less than 50c per day. Just one other thing they don’t have to worry about.

All in all it was a great result and they are very happy.

If you need help with any IT issue, we are here to help you. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

Cloud-Based Backup: How it works?

Have you ever experience losing all of your important files on your system? Did you find it hard to retrieve all the files you needed? Have you ever had problems with your computer? How did you fix it?

Have you tried to ask the following questions to secure your system’s safety?

1. What would you do if your server crashed and you lost all the important files?
2. What might happen if your computer crashed or was stolen?
3. What would you do if your system got infected and all your data was gone or unusable?
4. Do you have your important files backed up?
5. If you have a backup, is it secure or encrypted with military grade encryption?
6. Is your backup monitored?
7. Is your backup routine consistent?
8. Are your backups reliable?

If you already ask these questions but you don’t know the answer you need to consult with someone that will help you.

If you are experiencing problems with your system you need to rely on Cloud-based backup.

What is Cloud-based backup?

Cloud-based backup is the automatic and safe way to secure your data. Using this, your important data will be automatically backed up and will always be available. It will also be encrypted and will be stored safely. Why to use Cloud-based backup? As businesses and companies try to cope with the growing amount of corporate information being produced daily, they face a mere fact: without their data, they have no business to manage. Because of this, it is critical to have a modern and advance system to safeguard their business information.

Over the years, cloud-based backup have already made its way in the corporate data centres. It became popular for its effectiveness and reliability. According to Storage magazine’s spring 2012 Storage Purchasing Intentions survey, almost a third of IT organizations are backing up at least some of their data using cloud. Moreover, cloud-based Backup was used by most companies for its flexibility and cost-effective option.

There are 2 Main Cloud Backup Options

1. Pure Cloud Backup - With pure cloud backup, agents are set up on the machine. Also, with this, backups are copied directly to the service provider’s cloud. The benefit of using pure cloud backup is that it is easy to implement, scalable and is well suited to use to organizations that don’t have in-house IT department skills.
2. Hybrid Cloud Backup - According to George Crump, a hybrid cloud backup solution consists of a principle appliance that has sufficient capacity to hold several backups. It helps to resolve the inactivity issues of a cloud-only backup and the scaling issues of an on-premise disk-based appliance strategy. Though it is really useful, there is still challenge to face while using Hybrid Cloud Backup and that is the number of potential solutions in the space.

If you have inquiries and questions about cloud-based backup, CKP Computers will help you answer these queries. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

Solutions for Common Laptop Issues

Whether your laptop is a high-end model or not, problems will surely come along at some point when you least expect it. You can encounter a sudden restart or the screen blacks out and you are clueless about the cause of those problems. Thus, consulting a computer professional or technician will be your best option to resolve all of this.

Laptops are highly intricate and there are many causes to different problems. Here are just 5 of the most common laptop issues and solutions:

Screen Dots or Lines

1. If a line or dots of pixels appear on your screen, chances are it’s stuck or lit pixels. Dead pixels however show up as black dots. Sometimes putting a little light pressure on the screen with your finger can help the pixel become unstuck. However be careful and don’t apply too much pressure as you can damage the screen or even crack it. With millions of pixels on an average LCD screen, there is always a chance one or two won’t work properly. If the stuck pixels stay, the only option is to either persevere with it or replace the LCD panel.

2. If you’re experiencing wavy lines or static graphical artifacts all over your screen, it could be something else causing the problem other than the LCD panel. Bad RAM or a graphics adapter can cause this. If possible, connect the laptop to a working external monitor & see if the problem still exists. If it does, then the problem lies somewhere other than the built in LCD panel.

Black Screen  

Having a black screen may be due to a bad connection cable. If your laptop still seems to be functioning but the screen only displays a black screen, it could be a break in the cable joining the mainboard to the LCD panel. First connect a working external monitor & make sure the laptop is still functioning (besides the screen of course). If you get an image on the external monitor, it could be a fault with the panel or the cable. Both of these involve dismantling the laptop, so if you’re not experienced in doing this, please seek the professional help of a computer expert.

Incorrect Colours on the Screen

Incorrect or washed out colours could be a sign of a faulty LCD panel but could also be caused by bad RAM or graphics adapter. If after testing it turns out to be the graphics adapter at fault, most likely it’ll be part of the mainboard and can result in a costly repair. Replacing the board out of warranty is generally not economical as they’re an expensive part. Replacing a mainboard is a very intricate operation and not recommended to be done if not experienced. A computer technician or professional must be the one to handle such kind of problem.

Screen flickers on and off

The on and off flickering problem may be caused by a loose connection or a bad video cable. Breaks in the cable can happen due to opening and closing the screen and general wear and tear. A faulty LCD Inverter board (on older models) can also cause this problem. Hiring a computer technician or computer expert is highly recommended to determine the cause of this problem.

Laptop not turning on

Sometimes you can shut the computer down for the night and the next morning it just won’t turn on. This can happen on occasion and the first thing to try is to remove external power & also remove the battery. Next hold the power button down for around 30 seconds. Plug the power in & turn it on, if it turns on, then great! You can then connect the battery again.

If the laptop doesn’t turn on, it could have a fault somewhere, maybe try another power adapter if you have one or call a computer technician for help.

Laptops are very delicate and must be treated with care, however even with the utmost care, problem can still occur. Sometimes they ca be easily resolved but there are some which are more technical and assistance is required from a computer technician. If you aren’t sure or don’t feel confident to fix the problem yourself, seeking help from an expert will save you money in the long run.

CKP Computers can help you with all your laptop needs. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

Ways to Know your Computer is infected by Malware

Security software is a necessity these days but shouldn’t be relied upon wholly to keep your computer safe. The internet if full of unsavoury kinds of malwares and chances of getting infected are high, so being cautious while browsing the internet is a must. You should also know the signs if your computer or laptop has been infected by malware. Taking action early can prevent further damage to your computer system.

These are just some signs that your computer may have been infected with malware, depending on the infection:

Your computer begins to function slowly

When a computer’s function begins to slow down, a virus or malware may be the root cause of it. As the malware enters your system, the performance of your computer will decelerate. It is very noticeable since a malware may also abruptly freeze the functionality of your computer.

Your personal information has been jeopardised

Rampant cases of identity theft and other related cases can be caused from malware infections on your computer. If one of your social media accounts were hacked, other people may use it for cyber crimes and other malicious acts over the internet. If you suspect this, please seek help from a computer technician to resolve your problem.

Inexplicable consumption of the disk space

A malware could also consume the space on your hard disk drive. A ‘worm’ is an example of a malware that multiplies and replicates. Thus, it leads to the use of almost all of your space and also serves as a launch pad to spread to other PC’s.

Sudden changes to your browser preferences

One of the causes of this problem is due to malware which hijacks your browser and pops up advertisements that are illicit. It is also capable of gathering information about your browsing preferences and can even change your homepage. Redirection of sites is another symptom when you try to access a site you regularly go to, only to find you end up on a totally different site.

Appearance of blue screen

This is one of the usual problems made by a malware. In some cases, a malware can cause major system problems and results in blue screen errors. Also in regards to Cyptolocker or ransomware infections, the information inside the computer has been encrypted a page pops up requesting payment in order to unlock the files. Usually by then, without a backup, it’s next to impossible to retrieve the data.

These problems must be fixed as soon as possible. If you suspect you have an infection on your computer, don’t leave it hoping it will get better. Shut it down and consult a computer repair service company and ask for their assistance.

CKP Computers can help you clean up your system & apply measures to minimise getting infected again. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.