Yet another one of those evil scam calls. This time, it was a fake BT Service Call. Thankfully my client didn’t hand over any quids or details, but the scammer locked the computer with a hidden password & encrypted all of his files, when he ended the call. Very malicious!
It took a while to extract & de-crypt all those gigabytes, but thankfully everything important was recovered…Phew! Full re-install of windows & scan of the recovered files, and we’re done.
Malicious is right! 😡 It’s a reminder that these scammers don’t just want your money; they want to cause chaos. I’m just glad we could recover the important stuff this time.
If you’re ever unsure about a ‘service call,’ just hang up. If you need a hand securing your tech or want a quick check-up, give me a shout or swing by the counter. 🏢🛡️
Well it’s been one of my busiest weeks ever for “Brain Picking” calls & visits. Here’s a few highlights!
“My Hard Drive is making strange ticking noises, and my computer is going really slow”
Firstly, backup all your files & data ASAP, as it sounds like your hard drive is on it’s last legs & may be failing. Once you have your stuff safely backed up, you can download a very useful tool called CrystalDiskInfo. https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/
It will give you a very quick diagnosis of the health of any hard drive/SSD or USB drive connected to your system.
“My Printer has stopped working since changing broadband suppliers”
As you have changed suppliers, you have probably got a new Router/Modem ?….. Yes! In that case you will have to re-install/connect the printer to your WiFi, like when you first got it. There should be a WiFi/Wireless configuration Icon or Button on the Printer. If you need a guide, the Printer manufacturers website should have one available. Look for “Quick Start Guide” or similar.
“My Laptop has frozen and I can’t shut it down”
Just pulling the plug, like you can do on a desktop pc, is out of the question as a laptop has an internal battery! And as most (maybe all nowadays) have the battery secreted away under the bottom cover, it can be a bit fiddly to take it out safely & quickly.
The easiest way to shut any type of computer down if it’s being grumpy, is to hold the power button down for 5-10 seconds, and it should shut down completely. If it just comes back to the frozen screen, you didn’t hold it down long enough, Try Again!
“Where’s Disk Clean-up Gone??”
Ah, Windows 11 hiding useful stuff again. Click on the “Start” button, in the little search box at the top start typing Disk Clean and it should appear in the menu, where you can pin it to your start menu for easy access.
“Why is my internet so slow ?”
There’s so many reasons for your internet speed slowing down. It could be your supplier having issues, Dodgy phone lines, Router/Modem problems, and that’s before the list of computer problems that can cause this.
First thing to check is your computer/device. Does it take forever to start & shutdown, open programs etc? If yes, your computer could be the reason, and probably needs a little TLC.
If the computer/device starts & runs well, test the internet speed by going to www.fast.com & see if you are getting what you pay for. Bear in mind though, that if you are using WiFi, a low signal between you and your router/modem will slow things down quite significantly. Connecting your device via Ethernet (Cat5/6) cable directly to your router/modem will get a more accurate speed test.
If the speed is below what you are supposed to get, contact your broadband supplier to get things checked out.
“Do I have to get rid of my Windows 10 Computer now it’s coming to an end, and won’t upgrade to Windows 11 ?”
I get this question on a daily basis. In most cases no. As long as you are using a decent anti-virus, you’ll have a few years left in the old beast yet! As time goes by, things like Google Chrome & MS Edge may refuse to update, but that’s at least 2-5 years away.
“Where have all the options gone when I right click on stuff ?”
At the bottom of the list is the “Show More Options” button, Sneaky Win 11…
There’s a few ways to disable the truncated context menus, but make sure it’s someone who knows what they are doing!
Had an urgent message from one of my e-commerce website clients just after 7am this morning. There had been well over 100 orders placed (for the same item) that had failed. On went the “Deerstalker” and into Sherlock mode….
After a little investigation, I noticed that every order had the same I.P Address, meaning they all came from the same location. Another thing was that every email address, although different, were constructed in the same way. Customers Name 4x numbers @ whatever.com.
This means the email addresses were probably set up via a poorly written bot’ or naughty AI program. That way, the dodgy git would then change the delivery address via the fake email. So they can get they’re hands on your goods.
You may have heard about lists of stolen card details circulating on the “Dark Web”, which poses a serious risk to website security. This is an example of how they are used.
Thankfully Bluesdigital, PayPal & the cardholders companies are wise to this type of low I.Q attack.
E-commerce website all sorted before my first coffee!
🔍 Need a watchful eye on your own website?
Automated attacks and “dodgy gits” are part of life online, but you shouldn’t have to lose sleep over them. If you’re looking for web design in Newtown that comes with a bit of common sense and quick support, I’m here to help.
Whether it’s building a secure e-commerce shop or fixing a “fiddly” tech issue, I make sure your site stays up and running. This allows you to focus on your day.
📱 01686 610 106 | 💬 0783 222 7823 📍 Newtown’s local tech expert since 2006.
I’m not one to usually rush into the latest updates, as I like to see if the world still works before jumping in. Understanding how a Microsoft Patch / Update can affect your system is important before deciding to install it right away.
However, there’s an urgent update from Microsoft that addresses some VERY important security issues, and has had my inbox inundated this morning by some large tech companies urging the importance of applying this fix.
From what I’ve read, I’m updating my systems now (after a full backup, of course) and would advise you to do the same.
Just go to “Windows Update” via “Settings” and check/install like the pic below:
Apple is now warning users in 98 countries of potential mercenary spyware attacks.
The message sent to the affected users says:
“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID.”
In the same message, Apple says that it is very likely that the person in question is being specifically targeted because of what they do or who they are. And, although there is a certain margin of error, the user should take this warning seriously.
Mercenary spyware is used by governments to target people like journalists, political activists, and similar targets, and involves the use of sophisticated tools like Pegasus. Pegasus is one of the world’s most advanced and invasive spyware tools, known to utilize zero-day vulnerabilities against mobile devices.
On the website that explains Apple threat notifications and protection against mercenary spyware, it specifically mentions Pegasus:
“According to public reporting and research by civil society organizations, technology firms, and journalists, individually targeted attacks of such exceptional cost and complexity have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies developing mercenary spyware on their behalf, such as Pegasus from the NSO Group.”
Apple has sent out similar notifications multiple times a year since 2021 but doesn’t disclose how it determines who to send them to, since that might aid attackers in evading future detection.
Amnesty International urges those that have received such a notification to take it seriously.
Amnesty’s Security Lab offers digital forensic support to potential victims like human rights defenders, activists, journalists and members of civil society.
If you are a member of civil society, and you have received an Apple notification, you can contact Amnesty International and request forensic support using the Get Help form.
Whether you’ve received that notification or not, every iPhone user should make sure they have the latest updates, protect the device with a passcode, use multi-factor authentication and a strong password for Apple ID, only install apps from the Apple Play store, use a mobile security product, and be careful what they open or tap on.
People that have reason to believe they might be individually targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, can enable Lockdown Mode on their Apple devices for additional protection.
“Lockdown Mode” does the following:
Blocks most message attachments
Blocks incoming FaceTime calls from people you have not called previously
Blocks some web technologies and browsing features
Excludes location from shared photo’s and removes Shared Albums
Blocks wired connections when the device is locked
Blocks auto-joining non-secure WiFi networks
Blocks incoming invitations from people you have not previously invited
Blocks installation of configuration profiles you may require for work or school
How to turn on Lockdown Mode on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app.
Tap Privacy & Security.
Scroll down, tap Lockdown Mode.
Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
Read what it does and tap Turn On Lockdown Mode if that is what you want.
Tap Turn On & Restart, then enter your device passcode.
🛡️ Is Your Digital Life Under Lock and Key?
While most of us won’t be targeted by state-level mercenary spyware, the basic principles of digital defense apply to everyone. If your iPhone or computer contains irreplaceable data—from family photos to business accounts—now is the time to ensure it’s safe.
At Bluesdigital, we don’t just fix hardware; we protect your digital world. If you’re worried about security, need help setting up Lockdown Mode, or want to secure your data with a “fail-safe” backup system, we are your local experts for Newtown computer services.
Don’t wait for a warning notification to act.
Data Recovery: If the worst has already happened, we can help retrieve your vital files.
Secure Backups: We’ll set up a robust system so your data survives even if your device is compromised.
Secure your tech today: ☎️ Call: 01686 610 106 📱 Text: 0783 222 7823 📍 Visit us: Frolic House, Newtown (Right between the Medical Practice & Driving Test Centre)
Oh dear…Major IT outages are hitting industries across the world, and in NewtownToo! (Morrisons, Nidec) With airlines, broadcasters and supermarkets amongst the many who are affected.
This is happening after the Banking issues on the 28th of last month, messing with transactions & the last Microsoft Azure/Bing explosion we reported on here, back in May this year.
If you are off shopping, it might be worth taking a little cash today
All Bluesdigital systems are currently working:
Payment Systems & Banking ✔️
Web & Email Hosting Services ✔️
Mobile & Fibre Internet Services ✔️
Print Services ✔️
UPDATE: 22-07-2024
Looks like things are slowly returning to normal. I’m still hearing of a few problems from customers using the English NHS and access to patient records, along with some Airport/Travel delays, but overall, pretty good considering the initial impact of one AntiVirus program update.
We’ve got some great deals on our fav’ Anti-Virus, Malwarebytes Premium.
Keep your tech safe! 🛡️✨
Standard security isn’t always enough for today’s threats. We’ve got some fantastic deals on our favourite protection: Malwarebytes Premium. It’s lightweight, powerful, and catches what others miss! 🚫🦠
For the best Newtown computer services and advice on keeping your devices secure, give us a shout. We can get you set up in no time!
Get in touch:
☎️ Call: 01686 610 106
📱 Text: 0783 222 7823
📍 Visit us: Frolic House, Newtown (Between the Medical Practice & Driving Test Centre)
I just caught this “Netflix” scam email hitting my inbox. At a quick glance, it looks pretty authentic, but once you look closer, the cracks start to show. 🕵️♂️
How to spot the fake:
The Grammar: Keep an eye out for awkward phrasing and spelling errors—legitimate companies usually get these right.
The Link: If you hover over the button (don’t click!), the link goes to a dodgy-looking scam site, not Netflix.com.
The Sender: The email address it came from was a random string of characters—definitely not an official Netflix domain.
Scammers are getting better, but they still make mistakes. If an email feels “off,” it probably is!
Is your tech protected? 🛡️
If you’ve accidentally clicked a suspicious link or you’re worried that your computer might have picked up something nasty, bring it into our Newtown computer shop.
We offer full security health checks, virus removal, and expert advice to keep your personal data safe. Don’t let the scammers win—pop into Frolic House and we’ll make sure your security is watertight.
Get in touch: ☎️ Call: 01686 610 106 📱 Text: 0783 222 7823 📍 Visit us: Frolic House, Newtown (Right between the Medical Practice & Driving Test Centre)
It’s a bit of a Grumpy Old Man topic, but the “Subscription” based revenue stream explosion over the last few years, kinda grinds my gears. The best deals are pretty much always for new subscribers, leaving current customers of anti-virus subscriptions to pay full whack or more!
My latest grump is with AVG and their Anti-Virus Subscription
A good customer of mine has been with them for many years, and she is currently paying £160 for a two-year subscription. It’s bad enough that they prey on the nervous by bombarding them with pop-ups, employing scare tactics about “Hackers” and the like attacking them, so that they can upsell even more doubtful security “add-ons”. Shame on you, AVG. You used to be so good.
What I would advise is buying a non-subscription version from a friendly computer shop or Amazon. That way, you get the best price, and they don’t have your card details to “Auto-Renew”
My personal fav’s are:
1: Malwarebytes
2: Kaspersky
3: BitDefender
🛡️ Take Control of Your Security (and Your Wallet)
Don’t let “big tech” scare you into paying over the odds. If your anti-virus is constantly pestering you with pop-ups or your subscription feels like a ransom, it’s time for a change.
As your local computer shop in Newtown, we believe in honest security that protects your PC without draining your bank account. We can help you ditch the expensive “auto-renewals” and get you set up with a reliable, straightforward security solution that puts you back in the driving seat.
Pop in for a Security Health Check:
Fair Pricing: We’ll help you find the best protection without the hidden “loyalty tax.”
No Pressure: We give you the facts, not the scare tactics.
Local Support: If you have a question, you can talk to a real person, not a bot.
Visit us at Frolic House: ☎️ Call: 01686 610 106 📱 Text: 0783 222 7823 📍 Find us: Frolic House, Newtown (Between the Medical Practice & Driving Test Centre)
