Use System Restore to Fix Your Windows Computer

Use System Restore to Fix Your Windows Computer

There are plenty of glitches that can plague our Windows computers, malware being just one. Programs break, drivers break, we users make unhelpful changes, etc. 

System Restore - the magic undo

The good news? There is a magic “undo” feature in Microsoft Windows – it’s called System Restore. It’s bailed me and my clients out of difficulties many times. And when you've been hit by malware you can use this to repair your computer before removing the infections with a security scanner. 

If you’ve used System Restore, you may recall your delight when it did its magic. If it’s new to you, let me explain.

A simple approach

Of course there are more detailed ways of diagnosing and remedying hardware and software problems, including malware infections. But if things were fine one day, and the next they’re not - and you don’t recall changing anything - System Restore is a handy tool.

To use it, locate the Run box after clicking your Start button (Windows 7), or type Run in the Windows search box (Windows 8 or 10). Then in the Run box type rstrui.exe, then click OK.

No change to data - but back up anyway

System Restore will launch. Click Next, then locate a recent restore point prior to the day you started having issues. Note: any programs or updates you installed after that date will be removed, but none of your data will be changed. (Nonetheless, it’s best to back up important data before running System Restore.)

Before running System Restore, close all open programs and save all work. Allow anywhere from 5-15 minutes for the Restore process.  

The computer will reboot and present your Windows login screen, and report whether System Restore succeeded or failed.

Creating a Restore Point

A proactive approach to take with System Restore is to set a Restore Point when things are working well. Open the Control Panel, then type Restore in the Search box. Then select Create a restore point. Choose your Windows drive (usually C). Then click Create and name the Restore Point.

Once this Point is created, you can roll back to this in the future should your computer be throwing a fit. (If it’s throwing a big fit, you may have to run System Restore from the command prompt in Safe Mode, but that’s another story.)

Deeper malware removal

If you're running System Restore to aid in malware removal, after Restore is done, go to your Programs in the Control Panel and remove any suspicious characters, sorting by date - a clue being programs you didn't intend to install. 

Then run malware removal scans by using programs like Malwarebytes. 

Restore doesn’t fix all problems, but it’s an easy “go-to” when you want a quick return to smoothing sailing after rough waters.   

Thanks for reading.
Sam

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Microsoft Windows Updates - December 9, 2015

Installing Microsoft Windows Updates

As part of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" program Microsoft yesterday released 12 updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. 

Per Microsoft, exploitation of some of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

I recommend you close all open programs and check for Windows Updates, then install them. 

You should be notified to reboot your computer so the updates can be installed. 

I recommend checking for updates a second time just after the first batch is installed to ensure you have acquired all the updates. 

Here's how to install updates in Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-windows-updates

Here's how in Windows 8:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-update-faq

Here are update settings for Windows 10:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-choose-how-updates-are-installed

And while you're in update mode, I suggest updating your security software as well (AVG, Norton, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes... whichever you use. And remember to run a full security scan weekly.)

Don't forget to update your browsers too: Firefox, Chrome, Opera etc. 

If you haven't already, you can subscribe to our email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send. 

Thanks for reading, 

Sam

Microsoft Windows Updates - June 9, 2015

Microsoft has released eight updates to address vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. 

Exploitation of some of these vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution or elevation of privileges.

I recommend you close all your open programs and check for Microsoft Windows Updates asap, then install them. 

Here's how to install updates in Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-windows-updates

Here's how in Windows 8:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-update-faq

You should be notified to reboot your computer so the updates can be installed. I recommend checking for updates a second time just after the first batch is installed to ensure you have acquired all the updates. 

And while you're in update mode, I suggest updating your security software as well. 

Refence: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms15-jun.aspx

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Reduce Hacker Risk - Use Mobile Devices for Online Work, PC for Offline Work

Reduce Hacker Risk - Use Mobile Devices Online, PC Offline 

What's the issue?
Many of my clients are multi-device users. That is, they have a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop or desktop, at least. They use them all for email, web surfing, and social networking. Often the laptop or desktop is primarily used for offline activities and larger programs such as bookkeeping, gaming, word processing, photo editing, and music library management. 

I'm beginning to recommend to my clients that they can reduce the risk of computer hacks by not using Windows-based systems for the web or email. In other words limit email, social networking, and most web surfing to phones and tablets. 

Why?
Because most hacking occurs via web browsers and emails, targeting Windows-based computers. These hacks occur when user land on certain websites, click weblinks in emails or on social networking sites, and open infected emails. If you don't do these activities on your Windows computer, you likely won't get hacked. (Macs are inherently more secure and so far not widely targeted.)

You still have to be careful about phishing exploits, which can trick you to reveal confidential information on any device. If you'd like to educate yourself on phishing, here's one site to check. 

As a bonus, you should notice improved computer performance. Why? Because having browsers open (especially more than one, with several tabs in each) can slow down the system.  

How to limit web and email use on your PC?
Start by limiting web use to recognized secure sites like your bank, amazon.com, and reading news at legitimate sites like cnn.com. While on your computer you can download updates to your photo-editing software, your bookkeeping program, etc. because the updates come directly from the software vendor. The same goes for updating banking data in your bookkeeping program, which links securely to your bank. 

Here's a recommendation for company managers: If your organization depends on staff using the web and email for work, you can at least prohibit access of non-work-related websites. Here's a template your organization can adapt concerning acceptable use of its computers.

When should you do it?
Try this approach for a few days: Don't do any email or social networking on your computer. Ask yourself how it's working for you. Perhaps you can tweak my recommendation for your purposes. 

I know what I'm proposing seems extreme, but trying it will at least bring more awareness to how you use the Internet and what risks you're taking.

Where can you find more info on this topic?
If you'd like to get more educated about the most common online threats, check out this article by Symantec.

Who can help?
You may want to hire an IT consultant--especially if you run a business--to learn how you can reduce your exposure to online hacking threats. It can be money well spent, as business data connected via your network to the Internet (most always the case) is at risk. 

In Sum
Knowledge is power. Keep educating yourself on computer security, take appropriate action, and you will reduce threats to your confidential data. 

Thanks for reading. You're feedback is appreciated!

Aloha, Sam

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