Rick, no longer have 7, but read your link.  Hope you have been able to do the update, but think, if possible, it is time to go to 10.

I had to find my bookmark, but over a year ago I had problems with loading windows 10, went to this link, found, or asked for a phone number and was able to give permission for them to access my machine, then sat and watched them do the necessary.  Would never have managed without help.   Start with this

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us

Quote from: jackwv on March 26, 2018, 10:22:51 PM
Rick, no longer have 7, but read your link.  Hope you have been able to do the update, but think, if possible, it is time to go to 10.

Jack,
The puter I'm posting this with is Win-10.  I finally did it.  Still learning and trying to convert some old stuff so I can use it.  My Win-xp came with a bunch of software but the new Win-10 was just Win-10 - no extra software.

The Win-7 problem is fixed now (I think).  It says it's downloading 13 updates. That should keep me up for a while.  I have no schedule so I'll just baby sit it till it's done.

Rick, much of the old software is now apps and many are on windows 10, or can be found in the store.   I did have an old disc that still works. You probably know, but the upper left of the screen has several lines and if you hover over it  "all apps" comes up and you will see a long list of what is on your machine.   

Rick, I don't recall getting an update for W-7 but I have little trouble with the W-10 updates.  The "little trouble" with W-10 is that it rearranges my bookmarks, but as long as it doesn't delete them, I can cope.  It doesn't happen each update.

Mary Ann

I think it's time for me to replace my desktop ...any suggestions on buying one...I guess I should make sure it has w-10?......thx CC

CC....My 2 cents:

I think I've had just about all brands of computers out there and I no longer use a desktop. [I prefer a light weight laptop that I keep on my desk.  I can then take it to the family room or wherever when I feel like it.] Desktops: I've had two built by a local guy, several Dells, and have had laptops that were Dell, HP, Gateway(they don't exist anymore, I guess), Asus, Toshiba, and this latest is a Lenovo Yoga.  They all, like most things, seem built to be obsolete in a few years.  Mine never seem to go beyond about 3 years.

If you have a local guy or woman who builds desktops, I'd ask around and see if people are happy with that. The advantage, if they've been in business a while, is that it's easy to get tech support and most will put you to the top of the list if you've had them build it.



jane

And my 2 cents ------

Likely you'll find mostly Win-10 computers out there for sale.
Brand probably doesn't matter that much. We've heard from many people with different brands and some were happy - some not so.
Look for one that has the things you want (software provided).

CC, I am sold on my little office space and desktop.   Seldom use my iPad and have looked at the laptops, but believe I will again choose a desktop when necessary to replace, and like a full size keyboard.   My Gateway has been excellent since 2011.   Think I would check out, Target, Walmart, or my favorites Best Buy and Staples.  Nice to get a hands on feel.  They now have the "all in ones" but you can buy a tower computer and continue to use your present keyboard and monitor (wow just noticed I purchased mine 2009)  I avoid the touch screen models.

Thanks everyone for your input....I will think about all your suggestions..and will probably shop and compare my options...CC

Wanted to show why, for me, it will probably always be a desktop.  I purchased a desk over 20 years ago when just starting in computers.   From here I can look out onto my patio and watch my Goldens.  My printer and iPad are handy.  I did not clean up for the photo, over the years, with my memory, I have a place for everything and avoid clutter.   

                 [attachimg=1]

Jack..looks exactly how I have mine setup..CC

My SIL in Texas who is in the Tech. Business has always made my Desktops. They last until the next system comes out. Started with the first Compac. got the first one off the line back in the 80s. there for awhile I had a W95, WP. 2 of them. they my favourite. Then had 2 W7. I gave a W7 to a young couple at the gas station awhile back. Made them so happy. SIL    He has had a W10 built for me for ages but just not that eager to have it. Will bring up for me in June he says. Even he does not like the W10 system. Doubt it gets changed for a while though.  I did read that the Apple new Ipad is coming soon. I would like a new one. Looks like it will sell for $850 at first. Like you Jack all mine are getting old now.  I have never had one that has given me problems.
Now my station is not tidy. All sit in a Armoire where I can close the doors. Would like to get rid of it as hard to get into the back of the stuff to unplug.

Last week, hackers launched a SamSam ransomware attack against the city of Atlanta, disabling a number of city services. To regain access, hackers demanded six bitcoins in payment (about $51,000). And Atlanta isn't alone in facing these threats. At the same time, Baltimore experienced an attack on its 911 system and the Colorado Department of Transportation was hit last month.

Ransomware encrypts files on the infected computers, making these files inaccessible, and only releases the code to unencrypt the files when the user pays a bitcoin ransom.

What is, perhaps, most disappointing with this most recent attack is that it was 100% preventable. The machines became infected because of the organizations' failure to update their software.

The good news here, to the extent there is good news, is that protecting ourselves against ransomware like SamSam is not difficult.

"ATLANTA â€" The City of Atlanta’s 8,000 employees got the word on Tuesday that they had been waiting for: It was O.K. to turn their computers on.

But as the city government’s desktops, hard drives and printers flickered back to life for the first time in five days, residents still could not pay their traffic tickets or water bills online, or report potholes or graffiti on a city website. Travelers at the world’s busiest airport still could not use the free Wi-Fi.

Atlanta’s municipal government has been brought to its knees since Thursday morning by a ransomware attack â€" one of the most sustained and consequential cyberattacks ever mounted against a major American city."

A Cyberattack Hobbles Atlanta, and Security Experts Shudder

   
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/us/cyberattack-atlanta-ransomware.html?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits

This is becoming as commonplace as school shootings....

MyFitnessPal breach exposes data of an estimated 150 million users
MyFitness Pal, a fitness and nutrition app owned by Under Armour, announced on March 29th that a recent data breach impacts 150 million of their users.
What happened? According to a press release from Under Armour , they became aware of a potential security issue on March 25th when they discovered an unauthorized party had accessed user data from MyFitnessPal in February.
What data was compromised? The current investigation is ongoing but so far, indicates that the compromised data included hashed passwords, usernames and email addresses.

I want to download the free version of malwarebytes...what site is best to download from...I tried from cnet...but looks like the trial version...thx CC

CC, I think you can download Malwarebytes directly from them.  Try it.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann..I went to free Cnet downloads and downloaded it...I checked free version...when finished...said 11 days remaining on trial version.....CC

CC - I have downloaded free things from Cnet, but I downloaded Malwarebyte Free from Malwarebyte.  I happen to have a purchased version, but I have had the free version and it did a good job.  I think if you type Malwarebyte, a link will come up and the free version may be for a year, but it is not a trial version.

Mary Ann

I went to the mayawarebytes site.....checked free version...still gives me the trial one..CC

I have used McAfee, AVG, Malware Bytes, Norton for several years.   Since I went onto window 10 I have used only Windows Defender and to this day it has removed any virus.  It updates daily and do not intend to install another app.

Nobody is going to be giving things out for free anymore like in years past. The Internet is not going to be perfectly safe. I quit worrying about it. I don't do anything anymore that has to be kept secret. Only my Mobile phone and my newspaper get paid direct . I don't do a thing to do with banking on line.
Amazon is the only one that has my credit card number for purchasing on line. Had it for years. I have the Microsoft security one on and thats it.
This must be my 6ths computer over25 years and not yet been hit with anything. If it happens they will not find out much. Its just a hobby with me now.  Nobody does E-M now and that is the thing I enjoyed having. Hundreds of people use to be on Forums. Not anymore.

FWIW -
There's a credit card thing out there called "Virtual Account Numbers" (You can Google it) which assigns a conditional replacement number for your credit card. Citibank, Bank Of America, Capital One, and some other smaller banks offer this.  I use this feature for most on-line dealings.  The Virtual Number can have a $ and/or time limit. It can be cancelled if you choose to do so. They claim you can add $ to it but I have never tried that.

I believe that if this is available to you, it is a good thing to use.  If the Virtual Number is stolen it is limited to the amount you authorized, and is valid only for the time you designated.

CC - I typed in Malwarebytesfree.com and several choices came up.  The one below says you get 14 days of full real-time protection (Premium), then it reverts to the very limited but free version.  I read it that the trial period is the 14 day full protection, then the regular free version kicks in.  I would think before the change, you would get a notice about whether you want to buy the program or stay with the free version.

Mary Ann

Malwarebytes for Windows | Malwarebytes
https://www.malwarebytes.com/premium/

Download Malwarebytes for Windows for free and you get 14 days of full real-time protection. After the 14 days are up, Malwarebytes for Windows reverts to a very limited but still free version that will only disinfect your computer after an attack. We recommend the full real-time protection of Malwarebytes for Windows ...[/color]

Mary Ann, I used to have MalwareBytes on my computer, but removed it after the last 14 day trial. I didn't realize it could revert to the free limited edition after that. I do have it on my tablet. It is a very good program and has found a very few malware problems that Avast missed over the years. Avast, I think, is better at catching Malware than it used to be, but then I now get the paid version.

Rammel, my best friend is using or has used in the past the virtual credit card account numbers. I don't know if he still does. I've never tried it.

The "Virtual Account Numbers" are especially good if you want to buy something on-line from someone you don't know or don't have full trust in.  I started using it at new computer sources (software, hardware) and found it so handy I expanded it's use.

MarsGal, I had never known that about Malwarebyte myself, but in trying to find out something for Cotton Candy (CC), I read that.  I may have misinterpreted it, but it did sound as if it would revert to free after 14 days.

Mary Ann

Thanks for ur help..going to just leave the trial on there and let it revert back to free...or will uninstall it CC

Microsoft Security Programs Compromised Due to Security Gap

New reports confirmed Microsoft’s security programs, including Windows Defender, are suffering from a major security vulnerability.  The security gap found is within the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine (MMPE), and if it goes unpatched, will allow hackers to do significant damage.  In order for the vulnerability to be exploited, hackers must do the following:

Identify a computer that has the vulnerability.
Get the user to download a special file on this device.  This may be done through instant messaging portals, email, injecting a JavaScript into a website, etc.
Once the user downloads the file, the hacker install malware, delete files, steal data within the system, etc.
So, this isn’t exactly a one trick pony.  There are a few hoops the hackers would need to jump through to get to their end goal.  However, it’s not impossible.

Hoops or not, the severity of the problem escalated significantly due to the role the MMPE plays within each Microsoft security program.  This particular malware engine is responsible for the scanning, detection, and cleaning component within several Microsoft anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, including:

Windows Defender
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Endpoint Protection
Windows Intune Endpoint Protection
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection
Getting the Update
Microsoft has claimed the users of these programs do not need to do anything.  They have issued a patch for the security gap, which should automatically be applied.  Windows systems with the engine version 1.1.14700.5 or later are protected from the vulnerability.  If you would like, you may consumer versions may be verified by following the instructions below:

Windows 10: Type “Settings” into the search bar at the bottom of your screen.  Go to Update & Security, then select Windows Defender.
Windows 8: Tap on the Windows key to open the Start Menu. Type Windows Defender and select the result. Select “Help”, then click the “About” in the program window.
Windows 7: Open the Start Menu with a click. Type Windows Defender and load the result. Select “Help”, then click “About”.

If you are running a later version, you are encouraged to update.  All Windows Defender updates take place through your Windows Update feature.  Therefore, if you have those disabled, the updates have likely not taken place.  In order to manually update, you will want to tap the Windows key on your keyboard, then type “Windows Update” and click the “Enter” key.  From there you click on the “Check for Updates” button.  If updates are needed, follow the prompts.

**All users who are running a third-party security solution and have Windows Defender disabled are NOT impacted by this vulnerability.
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