 | Bill Emmerling operates 'the Rescue Tech' out of the Homer Cole Community Center at 3003 N. Joplin, Pittsburg. A 'CompTIA A+' and 'Network+' certified technician, Bill has serviced computers since the 1980s in a variety of environments including homes, schools, offices and retail operations for over 20 years. Bill may be reached at info@the-Rescue-Tech.com or by phone at 620-308-6448. |
Tech Talk
2013-03-25 16:07:00
Avoiding dangerous pop-ups
A-With the variety of different pop-ups that show up on our computers from time to time, it can be very confusing, and at times even hazardous to our computer’s health to click on each and every pop-up that comes along. However, totally ignoring them can also leave our computer with a ‘compromised immune system.’
I have always been told the best way to identify counterfeit currency is to know the real thing very well. Identifying pop-ups is very much the same thing. First, in reading the information on the pop-up, does it look and sound familiar, is it a program you KNOW is on your machine. If so, it is likely safe and perhaps beneficial. Programs that should sound familiar might include:
Microsoft Windows Update Adobe Acrobat Adobe Flash, JAVA updates, Printer Updates and Anti-Virus Updates
Personally, I prefer doing the updates myself using a program called ‘PatchMyPC’ found at: http://patchmypc.net/
It is important to note the ‘bad guys’ will often disguise themselves as the ‘good guys’ above; therefore it is important to read carefully. Look for misspellings or phrases that just don’t sound right, these are almost certain signs that the pop-up is dangerous and should be closed and an immediate virus scan done.
Windows Vista and 7 have ‘pop-ups’ which occur when something is trying to make important changes to your system. Often the screen will go dark and only the ‘pop-up’ will appear light, to draw attention to it. It is important at this point to decide if you, in some way, told the computer to make such a change. If so, approve the change. If not, don’t approve the change and immediately run your anti-virus software.
One additional help, with the advent of cameras on phones, it is very easy to take a picture of the screen with the pop-up and share it with someone more knowledgeable and get their opinion.
