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A nasty virus that attacks outdated Windows Devices.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: Stay Secure, Stay Up to Date

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Now on with the tip... the Tech Tip!  No matter what device you own or have, PC, laptop, phone, tablet, gaming console, Smart T.V. and or watch, the key to keeping it working properly and to keep it secure is to keep it updated.

Now, I am speaking of security updates and patches and not necessarily operating system update.  Sometimes for those it is fine to be patient and wait till all of the bugs are worked out.  Most devices will ask you before jumping to the next operating system, but having an out of date operating system can be dangerous too (If an operating system is out of date it is no longer providing security updates i.e Windows XP) Always be sure when it comes to security updates and patches automatic updates should be turned on.

Side Note, Yes, Windows 10 has taken a new approach to this and will touch on it in a future Tech Tip.

Reason being there has been many hacker attacks as of late and one way to be save is to stay updated; so that you are protected against viruses and hacks.

I will in the future break down updating certain devices.  More to come in future Tech Tips!