Dear Beloved Client:

    I want to share some current information with you in the hopes of protecting your valuable computers and even more valuable data and software.

    In recent months I have seen an alarming increase in the number of computer viruses infecting the computers of our friends. I used to deal with about one infection case per month, but now that has risen to a weekly event level. Common solutions such as Norton Antivirus and McAfee Antivirus detect less than 50% of current destructive Trojans and Web-bots. The problem has increased so dramatically that most businesses now employ a full-time computer security staff member. Also, an entire new industry has emerged with software and systems to protect business data and computer hardware. Now security systems known as "Enterprise Security" cost $20,000 and more.

Here are some trouble signs that you may watch out for:

  1. Your computer now operates much slower than before.

  2. You have too many popup boxes as you surf the internet.

  3. Some software programs do not operate properly any longer.

  4. Your computer "locks up" more than once a day.

  5. Simply opening Microsoft Word seems to take forever.

    If you experience any of these problems, you should consider a checkup for the computer in question. Please don't wait until your computer becomes permanently harmed. I recently repaired a machine that had over 200 viruses,  Trojans and Web-bots. After servicing their computer, the client told me that it was like "buying a new machine".

    I have a very effective and modest solution for you. In one 2 to 3 hour visit, I can eradicate all known destructive Trojans, Web-bots and viruses*. I install two new software programs that effectively deal with the current threat of Trojans and Web-bots that are largely ignored using Norton or McAfee. I will show you or your staff how to use this solution yourself, thereby providing future protection. This service most always provides a dramatic increase in performance. If you are located in the greater San Antonio area, call me to setup an appointment at 210-493-6193.

In recent weeks I've warned you about fraudulent emails trying to obtain your bank or credit card numbers.
I just read an accurate and comprehensive article on this subject.
The best defence is education, so if you are interested ...
you can read it here: http://pages.ebay.com/education/spooftutorial/index.html

Another reminder, keep your Windows updated with Free Microsoft updates. The only way to be fully protected against the current wave of Bagle.Worm virus is to keep your Windows updated.

If your updates are not automatic, here is the update sequence:
1. Click START
2. Click Windows Update
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
 

Blessings and love to you!

Greg Schipper

* Repair can be successful provided physical harm to the computer and/or software has not yet taken place. If operating system re-installation is needed, time estimate will increase.

More About Email Viruses:

YOU CAN NOT GET A VIRUS OR ANY SYSTEM DAMAGING SOFTWARE BY READING THE TEXT PORTION OF AN E-MAIL. E-mails (that is, the ACTUAL message) cannot contain viruses. (If your Windows operating system is kept updated) This is why:

A virus cannot exist in an e-mail text message. They also can NOT exist in USENET (newsgroup) postings or simply "float around" the internet. Viruses must be attached to and infect an executable program (.exe, .com). Viruses and other system-destroying bugs can ONLY exist in EXECUTABLE FILES, and since e-mail is not a system file in that sense, viruses cannot exist there. While reading e-mail, you are not executing any malicious code to activate! Thus, no virus can exist. HOWEVER, if you (or your computer) download a FILE attached to an e-mail or USENET posting (i.e.-binary) and RUN it, there IS a chance that file could contain a virus, since a runable file could contain a virus. It is also very important that you DO NOT, under any circumstances, allow your e-mail program to automatically execute an attached file. You risk infection by doing so!

Viruses are normally brought into your computer as an email attachment. Viruses are usually “launched” or “active” when you “run” or “open” the attachment. You can stop over 90% of all current viruses by simply not opening them. Here are some simple rules to follow:

a)    Never open an attachment with a filename ending in .exe or .com or .bat or .pif or .reg. Ask yourself this question: “Was I expecting this particular file?” If the answer is no, call the sender or delete the email.

b)    Microsoft Word documents can contain macros that launch viruses. Be sure you are expecting a document before opening it.

c)     When you forward an email, it is a common courtesy to cut-and-paste the contents into a new email. This way the recipient is not faced with attachments and the possibility of launching new viruses.