TRI Newsletter – October 2021

TRI Newsletter – October 2021

Windows 11 is here

Windows 11 is out and starting to show up on new computer purchases.  This is the first OS upgrade since Windows 10 was released in 2015.

Companies will continue to put Windows 10 on the majority of new computers for now, and it continue to be supported until October 2025.

Microsoft has said that all devices that meet the system requirements will receive a free upgrade offer by the middle of 2022.  The most common question we get asked is, “Should I do this upgrade?”  While it is up to you, we recommend waiting until they work the kinks out before doing the upgrade.  I personally will get a new computer with the new OS already on it and leave my current system as is.

Windows 11 system requirements are:

• CPU: 1Ghz or faster with 2 or more cores and on the approved CPU list.

• RAM: 4GB or more

• Storage: 64GB or larger

• Firmware: UEFI and secure boot capable

• TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0

• Graphics: DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver

• Display: 720p that is greater than 9” and 8bits per color channel.

• Internet connection and a Microsoft account to do the initial setup

• Windows 10 Version 2004 or later

• There is a PC Health Check you can run to find out if you meet the system requirements.

7 new features included in Windows 11 (CNET.com)

Here are a few of the standout new features in Windows 11:

• A new, more Mac-like interface. Windows 11 features a clean design with rounded corners, pastel shades and a centered Start menu and Taskbar.

• Integrated Android apps. Android apps will be coming to Windows 11 via the Amazon Appstore, which will be accessible from within the updated Microsoft Store. There were a couple of ways to access Android apps on Windows 10, especially if you had a Samsung Galaxy phone, but this will make it native. (Note that Android apps will not be available upon the initial release of Windows 11.)

• Widgets. While they’ve been around for a while (remember desktop gadgets on Windows Vista?), including in a recent Windows 10 update, you can now access widgets directly from the Taskbar and personalize them to see whatever you’d like.

• Microsoft Teams integration. Teams is getting a face-lift and is pinned on the Windows 11 Taskbar, making it easier to access (and a bit more like Apple’s FaceTime). You’ll be able to access Teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS.

• Xbox tech for better gaming. Windows 11 will get certain features found in Xbox consoles, like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, to improve gaming on your Windows PC.

• Better virtual desktop support. Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way that’s more similar to MacOS, toggling between multiple desktops for personal, work, school or gaming use. You can also change your wallpaper on each virtual desktop.

• Easier transition from monitor to laptop, and better multitasking. The new OS includes features called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts — collections of the apps you’re using at once that sit in the Taskbar, and can come up or be minimized at the same time for easier task switching. They also let you plug and unplug from a monitor more easily without losing where your open windows are located.

October is Cybersecurity awareness month

Cybercriminals will try to trick you into giving them personal information through an email (phishing), a phone call or voicemail (vishing), a text message (smishing) and scareware.

How can you spot a scammer?

• An email or call from a business or sender you don’t recognize

• Unfamiliar links or attachments asking you to click on something

• Misspelled words and poor grammar

• Scare tactics and urgent language

• Extreme or strange subject lines that don’t make sense

• Generic greetings. Scams are rarely addressed to you by name. Instead, they may start with a generic “Hello” or “Dear Sir/Madam”

• Scareware masquerades as real security protection and then frightens you into paying to clean up the infections it pretends to detect.

• Check the email address for the actual email, not just the name. (Says it came from Jane@Doe.com but the address is wer345@sdlfkj.com)

• Reaching out to the sender of a suspicious attachment via a method other than email. Call or text them.

• Familiarize yourself with your antivirus’s look to avoid being fooled.

• When does your antivirus expire?

• If you get a popup that tells you “You Are Infected” Don’t click on it. Click the home button of your browser if you can.

• Never allow access to your computer unless you started it. (By calling TRI)

• No one will call you out of the blue to tell you there is a problem. Only the scammers. Not Microsoft, Dell, HP, Antivirus Programs or anyone else…

 

What to do if you think you have been scammed.

• Restart your computer.

• If restarting didn’t solve the problem, call us. We can schedule a remote to fix it.

• We can clean spyware off your computer in about an hour or less @ $125\hr.

• If you clicked on the link/attachment, or called the number, there may be some additional steps to take.

• Call your bank/CC company if you gave out that info and have the charges reversed and account info changed.

• Change any passwords that may have been compromised.

 

How to stop scareware

Don’t buy it, the fake antivirus or security suite will look very real and ask you to “Buy Now”.  If you did not intend to upgrade your security, don’t believe it is real.

Call us if you have any questions on if it is real or fake.

It will tell you not to shut down your computer. Shut down your computer! The scareware exists in your RAM and when you shut down your computer it clears it out.

Make sure that your browser startup is not set to “restore previous session.” IF it is the scareware page will come back.

 

Contact TRI

The best way to reach us is by calling the mainline at 612-720-0233 or email at info@reinforceme.com.  Please do not text or contact the techs directly.  If they are on an appointment they will not answer your call, email or text until free.

Calling 612-720-0233 is always the fastest way to get an appointment or a question answered.

 

Thank you,

 

James, Chris, Brett, Adam, Clint & Suzi