Tech Tip Tuesday: I want to Shutdown my PC, Microsoft!

Tech is back again after a rough world changing week.  Even with everything going on I must press on and bring you a Tech tip (and finish my Thor and Justice League review).

Anyway, if you have updated your Windows 10 to Windows 10 Creative 1709, you may have notice that if you Shutdown or Restart your PC that whatever Window(s) you had open will re-open.  Microsoft claims this is innovative in helping people get back to work where they left off.  There is even a feature with Cortana where this works across devices, but something like this should be a choice and Microsoft did not give it with this latest update.

The whole purpose of shutting down and restarting is to get a fresh start.  How can I tell a use have you tried rebooting or turn it off and on again if it will just come back to the same? Well, many have complained in the Microsoft Community Page and where you can vote up to voice your concern, but Microsoft has yet to address the problem.

If you want to do a full normal shut down you open up your command prompt and use good ol shutdown /r command.

• Just type cmd into your Cortana search bar and hit enter to open the command prompt
• Then type shutdown /r and hit enter

• You will see this and yep as it says your PC will shutdown and restart with a clean slate.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Nooooo not CCleaner! Update Now!

How Things are going...

via GIPHY
Despite it all Tech is back after a long hiatus.  With moving and work, life has been giving me quite the beat down.  So, yea its been mostly work eat sleep and repeat with some Madden 17 and 18 thrown in there.  I thought 18 would be better but it cheats worst than 17 especially in competitive mode.  Madden and its evil ways are for another blog or even podcast.  Maybe I can get the fellows of what Chill B has dubbed the Mut squad to talk about it. J Cizzly, T.O, Teflon Viper?

Anyway this ain't Tech Talk, this is Tech Tip Tuesday.  I once told you about a nifty bit of software called Ccleaner.  Well, seems good ol CCleaner was hacked and was installing malware on users PC's.  Don't panic, if you use the program you should have seen a pop up to update.  If not either uninstall or update the software.  Its that simple. 

Check your version:

Affected versions: CCleaner v5.33.6162 or CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 for 32-bit Windows PCs. The Android version for phones doesn't seem to be affected.  To be safe you can just hit check for updates at the bottom right of the program.


For more information check out: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ccleaner-hack-affects-227-million-computers-heres-what-to-do/ar-AAs8Ukp?OCID=ansmsnnews11

                                                                                                                                     

Tech Tip Tuesday: Free Microsoft Ebooks!

The best things in life are freeeee!
Want to expand your Microsoft knowledge or learn about some of the software it has to offer?  Well Eric Ligman Microsoft Director of Sales Excellence is giving away millions of FREE Microsoft  eBooks again!

Largest FREE Microsoft eBook Giveaway! I’m Giving Away MILLIONS of FREE Microsoft eBooks again, including: Windows 10, Office 365, Office 2016, Power BI, Azure, Windows 8.1, Office 2013, SharePoint 2016, SharePoint 2013, Dynamics CRM, PowerShell, Exchange Server, System Center, Cloud, SQL Server and more!

Check it out at Here!

Tech Tip Tuesday: Why so many Faces?

Facebook, one of the most popular Social Media sites.  Ah, I remember when all Facebook was just a place to keep college kids connected and not about crushing candy, telling your business, what you ate, selfies, spoiling T.V. shows, ambiguous messages, NSFW pictures, live videos, meaningless arguing over battles between heroes from different genres, ruining social interaction.... ok, ok, I digress this tip is not about all that.

Have you ever got a request from someone already on your friends list?  Your first reaction may be, Great another fake account which it could be, but sometimes it is in fact that person.  Why did they make another account?  Most of the time its because they forgot their password...

Instead of making page after page, let's take some precautions to keep your account safe and accessible.

• General Settings.

• Contact: Make sure your primary contact is an email that you use regularly and have access to (Stop rushing and using junk emails or emails that you don't plan on using on a regular basis)
• You can also add multiple email addresses, so that if you forget your password, you can have it reset and sent to one of your emails.
• Add your Phone Number as another way to reset our find your lost account.

• Security and Login Settings 
  
• Here you can choose 3 to 5 trusted friends to help if you get locked out of your account.
• Also, its a good idea to turn on Get Alerts about unrecognized logins

Take the time to go through your Facebook Settings.  Make sure that it is secure to your liking and that only the information you want is made public.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Tech Soup

Let's face it, when you are a non-profit organization or a church trying to help the world you face the challenge of having the necessary funds and equipment to serve.  Computers; hardware and software cost and you may not have the technology you need to accomplish your mission.

"However you do good in the world, there's something for you at TechSoup"

TechSoup is a non-profit product donation program that help charity, public library's, churches, and other non profits with tech products and services!  All you have to do is sign your organization up and you will have access to reduced price or even free latest technology solutions and tips, how-tos, and webinars!

For example as of writing this you can get Microsoft office Professional Plus for only $40.00 vs paying $399.99 from the Microsoft score... Yea that's a big difference.  You can even get a reduced subscription price to Office 365.  It doesn't stop at Microsoft as they have Adobe products, Anti Virus software, Cisco, Quickbooks... just to name a few.  And its not just Software, you can also choose from refurbished and donated Hardware.

This is a great community that can help get your nonprofit started or,if you are well established and can do so, you can become a donor and/or volunteer.

It you're ready to get started or want to know more visit http://www.techsoup.org/

Tech Tip Tuesday: Wanna Cry

I wanna cry!!!!  That may be what you say if your device is affected by the WannaCry ransomeware virus.

A nasty virus that attacks outdated Windows Devices.  What does it do?  Well its another form of the crypto virus; it will encrypt (basically change your data into unreadable files) and then charge you like 300 - 600 dollars to get them decrypted.

I'm a little late to the party as this all started back in May 2017; that is why in last week tip I talked about keeping your devices updated.



Especially in this case, you need to make sure your Windows device is updated.  Make sure Automatic updates are on.

• For Windows 10. Go to Settings > Update & Security.  You will See your status there. 
  
• For Windows 8.1 go to Settings > Change PC Settings > Update and Recovery
• For Windows 7 go to Control Panel > Windows Update

Windows XP?  You still on that?  Why?  If you are, Microsoft went ahead and released a patch for it for the Wannacry, but keep in mind XP is no longer in service and does not receive updates regularly.  I highly recommend you update or get a new device.

I really hate ransomeware; they basically hold your data hostage.  Another thing to do is keep regular backups of your data.   Weather it be an external hard drive or using the cloud always have more than one copy of your data in a secure place.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Congratulations Graduates; What's Next?

Its me, its me your favorite CNT Nation member and self proclaimed leader of Tech Nation.  Today I am here to introduce two segments coming to your week from Tech Nation and CNT Nation.  Tech Tip Tuesday's and Tech Talk Thursdays.

What is that you say?  Well, Tech Tip Tuesday will be the return of Tech Tips.  Easy to understand Tech Tips for everyone no matter your tech level or experience.  Tech Talk Thursdays will be reviews, rants, and thoughts on everything from comics, movies, T.V shoes, video games, etc, in blog form, podcast, and YouTube....

Now with that said, today marks a milestone for many in our hometown, graduation.  A day 12 years in the making where we at CNT Nation and Tech Nation see our little cousins and nephews make it even after the beatings.... I mean advise and counseling that we gave them.

On to today's Tech Tip, Getting a Computer for college!  In general Tech recommends these MINIMAL specs for PC and/or Mac:

• I5, I7 processor
• At least 8gb of ram
• At least 250 gb ssd drive 
• Windows 10

But when it comes to buying a laptop for college first visit that schools web page.  There you can see what recommended models they have along with a spec sheet. For example you can look at the 2016 National Champions recommendations here: Clemson University CCIT Recommended Laptops for 2017-2018

Example from that page:

Windows Mainstream Laptops

	Lenovo ThinkPad 13	Dell Latitude 5480	Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga G2
Price	$872	$1459	$1422
Processor	Intel Core i5-7200U	Intel Core i5-7300U	Intel Core i5-7200U
RAM	8GB 2133MHz	8GB DDR4	8GB 1866MHz
Storage	256GB SATA3 SSD	256GB M.2 PCIe SSD	256GB PCIe SSD
Wireless	Intel Dual Band AC (2×2) 8265	Qualcomm QCA61x4A 802.11ac Dual Band (2×2) Wireless Adapter	Intel Dual Band Wireless AC (2×2) 8265, Bluetooth 4.1 VPro
Screen	13.3″ HD (1366×768) Anti-Glare	14.0″ FHD (1920×1080) Anti-Glare	14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
Video Card	Intel HD Graphics 620	Intel HD Graphics 620	Intel HD Graphics 620
Battery	3 cell 42Whr	3 cell 42Whr	4 cell 56Whr
Weight (starting)	3.2 lbs	3.52 lbs	3.2 lbs
OS	Windows 10 Enterprise	Windows 10 Enterprise	Windows 10 Enterprise
Other	Silver color		Stylus included, Touchscreen, Convertible
Purchasing Info	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Lenovo (available soon)	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Dell (available soon)	Purchase at campus Computer Store Order directly from Lenovo (available soon)

Ok, I suppose I can also list those chickens page as well, but they just give links to sites like Dell and have their requirements which is a little low for my taste, but to each his own; everyone can't be National Champions :).  I kid, kid as since I have one cousin going there to play football I may be in the stands for a game or too...
Anyway, University of South Carolina Technology Services.

Any questions, comments or concerns hit me up here, twitter, or email.

And as always Like, Follow, Subscribe CNT Nation!