Too late for some users but finally something is being done about the fake Tech Support scammers online.  Microsoft is on the attack!

Maybe you've encountered these warnings before.  You are in the middle of searching for content online, allegedly legit links off Google News and a pop-up warning that your computer is infected.  You need to call a 1-800 number for help.  I've seen these warning and often I have to use Task Manager to kill the process.  I also know of some users who fell victim to these underhanded tactics.  Microsoft will never contact you directly about internet or email issues, however, Microsoft is proactively working against these malicious operators.  In fact, Microsoft brought down the Russian "Fancy Bear" plot to attack the midterm elections.  You go Microsoft!

After Microsoft complaints, Indian police arrest tech support scammers at 26 call centers

Indian police raid 26 call centers, make 63 arrests

https://www.zdnet.com/article/after-microsoft-complaints-indian-police-arrest-tech-support-scammers-at-26-call-centers/

Get ready Microsoft Office users, Office 2019 is just around the corner and Microsoft is redesigning the icons.

If you don't have a subscription to Office 365, why not?  I don't understand the resistance of some users to buy the subscription model of the software.  Now I have clients who harbor an extreme disdain for Bill Gates and all things Microsoft but they still use Microsoft Office over the myriad of imitators and alternative office suites.

When you purchase the "I own forever version", you are limited to 1 machine and never receive any new versions.  However, if you have the Office 365 subscription, you are allowed to install it on up to 5 devices (business) or share with 6 users (home version) and as long as your subscription is current you will always receive the latest version of Microsoft Office!

The monthly subscription is cheaper than hosted email in some cases.  Home users can purchase all the premium applications for $99.99/year for 6 users.  If you are really miserly and live alone with 1 computer, $69.99/year.  There is always the Office Home and Student 2019 edition for $149.99, one-time purchase, 1 device, no updates.

Backup:  if you are paying for a backup service or do not have a backup, the OneDrive application provides 1 TB of cloud space.  Once installed OneDrive synchronizes everything in the OneDrive folder on your computer with the cloud.  OneDrive can store multiple versions of the same document in the event of a crypto attack or if a user overwrites critical information accidentally.  In addition, when traveling you can access your data via the Office portal from any computer in the world.

If all the above doesn't convince you then you will want to hear this.  It used to be that when a new version of Office came out it was way superior to the previous version.  That is no longer true for the one time buyer.

"Office 2019 is considerably less powerful than Office 365. There’s nothing new in Office 2019 that hasn’t already been available for quite some time to millions of Office 365 subscribers (the company says it has more than 31 million subscribers to consumer editions), and in fact, Microsoft left several features out of Office 2019 that it had introduced in Office 365 over the past few years."

Only Office 365 subscription users get all the enhancements.

Oh, and by the way, they're changing the icons too!

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3261024/microsoft-office/review-office-2019-is-the-best-advertisement-yet-for-office-365.html

Office 365 for business.

The subscriptions available for business come in 3 flavors on a per-user basis start at $5.00/user/month for business email, $8.25/month for Office applications only to $12.50/month for businesses that need email, Office apps, and other business services.

Driving Force is a CSP, Cloud Solution Provider.  We can provide help and guidance in making your decision and afterward assist in the implementation of your Office 365 experience.  Call us at 404-728-0353 or contact us at DForce.

https://products.office.com/en-us/compare-all-microsoft-office-products?tab=2

AD-(shameless plug.)

Intel introduces Generation 9 CPUs including the most powerful desktop processor yet, Core i9 9900K.

I have clients who contact tech support at a name brand computer maker and after hashing out their latest technical glitch are told, "find yourself a good system builder".  Don't buy a computer that is no longer performing as expected after 6 months.  Buy a custom system with quality, high-performance components.

https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-9700K-vs-Intel-Core-i7-8700K/4030vs3937

Security Update: New malware and threats to PC security

Destroying your hard drive is the only way to stop this super-advanced malware

"Kaspersky published a detailed report Monday about Equation, which it considers the most advanced group of attackers to date and whose activity spans back to 2001 and possibly even to 1996. Even though the company stopped short of directly linking the group to the U.S. National Security Agency, there are significant details that point to such links."  PCWorld

A couple of years ago I published a blog post about the Stuxnet worm which infected and wreaked havoc to the Iranian centrifuges that were attempting to develop nuclear fissionable material for Iran's nuclear program.  Groups studying the code for the worm attributed the code writers to clandestine players, the CIA or NSA.  The problem was the code escaped and was utilized by crime groups to infiltrate the general PC population. Today there is a new threat that delivers it's threat by modifying the firmware of your hard drive.  Firmware is the low level code that acts as the interface between the software and hardware.  It is contained in the chips solder into the hard drive's interface board.  Once installed it is impossible to remove.  Formatting and re-installing the operating system has no affect and the malware remains in the chip ready to deliver it's payload.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2884952/equation-cyberspies-use-unrivaled-nsastyle-techniques-to-hit-iran-russia.html?null

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2885192/fanny-superworm-likely-the-precursor-to-stuxnet.html

Help for the Cryptolocker (FBI) virus

The Cryptolocker virus made the news last year.  It is a particularly destructive malware program that encrypts, Word, Excel, PDFs and JPEG files to name a few and tries to force you to pay a ransom for the key to unlock your files.  Without the encryption key there is no way to recover your files without a good backup.

A client of mine was attacked last year, it occurred over a weekend so by Monday all of her documents, spreadsheets and pictures were locked and unusable.  I was able to remove the malware but it was too late for her files.  At that time I noticed that she had Carbonite and it was in the process of backing up the encrypted (changed) files.  I stopped Carbonite and she was able to contact Carbonite tech support and recover her files by restoring a back up that occurred prior to the date of infection.

The good news about Cryptolocker is that a group has somehow acquired the ransom keys used to unlock the files.  If you are attacked, submit to them a file that is encrypted and they will provide you with the key needed to unlock your files.  Be alert and please have a good backup.

http://www.wehatemalware.com/attacked-by-cryptolocker-help-is-here/

Google Chrome browser targeted

Recently I have seen an uptick in malware targeting Google's Chrome browser.  In each case the malware was delivered while the user was attempting to download a program they had Googled searched for. The delivery method for a lot of the new malware is distribution via junk email attachments, malicious torrents and particularly free applications. When searching for software using a search engine, the first listings in the search will be ads or sites that purport to be a download site for the desired software.  In most cases the listings are either scam sites which attempt to direct trick you to download alternative software/malware, or they deliver malware in addition to the desired program. Always carefully check the link provided if you click the link to ensure that the address is the website of the developer or manufacturer of the download you desire.

2 new Intel K CPUs, Gamer Desktops, high end components, DF Core i5-4690K, 3.5 GHz and Core i7, 4790K 4.0 GHZ