Taking the steps to keep your computer in good condition can go a long way toward preventing significant problems from arising. In this current time, it is extremely common to rely on your computer on a daily basis for work or to perform a broad array of other tasks. When problems crop up with your computer, it can completely disrupt your regular life. Our team at Crossaction Business IT Specialists can help to provide you with the broad array of services that you need to maintain your computer and prevent breakdowns from occurring. Here are some basic computer care tips to help keep your computer functioning.

Regular Updates

Your computer needs to be updated on a regular basis. Computer operating systems and the software of your computer should be regularly updated when updates become available. This often includes improvements to your computer’s security components, so this is an incredibly important part of keeping your computer in good condition.

Monitor Disk Space

It is important to ensure that you regularly check in on the amount of disc space that you have available. When your memory gets too full, certain components of the computer may cease to function. By ensuring that you regularly check the disk space that you have available, you can prevent this from occurring. Ensure that you regularly clean up your files, so that you don’t have unnecessary files taking up a great deal of your memory space.

Have Systems Backed Up

Back ups can go a long way toward preventing problems from arising. It is extremely beneficial to ensure that you have your files backed up in safe locations to prevent substantial problems from arising. You may even want to consider having your systems backed up in multiple locations for more thorough protection.

Appropriate Ventilation

Ensure that the space around your computer is appropriately ventilated. When you fail to provide this to your computer, it is easy for the computer to get overheated. This can lead to substantial levels of damage to the computer. Ensure that the computer fan is continuing to function and that there is ample space to allow proper ventilation for your computer.

Anti-Virus

Computer viruses can easily lead to issues with your computer. It is important to provide anti-virus software for your computer in order to regularly protect it from these harmful sources. You also need to ensure that your anti-virus software is upgraded and capable of providing effective protection for your computer.

Safe Browsing

Never go to untrustworthy websites. These websites can easily allow viruses to impact your computer. Be careful about the sites that you visit when you are searching the internet, because these can have a substantial impact on the condition of your computer.

Be Careful About Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks can target your computer and lead to substantial problems. Familiarize yourself with common forms of phishing attacks and never click on suspicious links. This is an extremely important step in basic computer care. When you click on a malicious link, your computer may see some substantial damage.

Clean Regularly

Take some time to regularly clean your computer. Clear crumbs, dust, and other debris from the keyboard, mouse, and openings of the computer. You will also want to ensure that you carefully clean the monitors of your computer, as well. This can prevent various particles from causing deterioration to your computer.

Keep Beverages and Food Away

You shouldn’t eat or drink while you are using your computer. This can easily lead to damage to your computer. If you spill on your computer, it can be difficult to clean and can even lead to lasting damage to the computer. Ensure that you keep these potentially harmful components away from your computer.

Organize Cords

Keeping your cords organized is an important part of basic computer care. When you don’t organize your cords, it can be easy to trip over one. In addition to this, this can cause various components of your computer to fall over, which can lead to a significant amount of damage. When you ensure that you keep your cords organized, you can help to prevent problems from arising with the physical components of your computer.

Use a Surge Protector

A surge protector can help to prevent significant problems with the computer. This is generally because a power surge can fry certain components of your computer. By implementing a relatively inexpensive surge protector, you can help to prevent these surges from causing damage to your computer.  

Basic computer care can substantially help to reduce problems with your computer and ensure that it stays in good condition. If you are concerned regarding the condition of your computer, you may want to bring it in to our experienced team at Crossaction Computers. We can help to ensure that your computer stays in good condition over time so it can meet all of your regular demands. To learn more about our top tips for basic computer care, contact us at Crossaction Computers today!

You may rely on your computer for your daily operations. Whether you use it for work, social media, school, or another process, it can be incredibly inconvenient when your computer breaks down. Learning the signs that your computer needs repairs can go a long way toward allowing you to have these repairs made before your computer stops working altogether. At Crossaction Business IT Specialists, we offer superior computer-related services to keep your computers functioning and in good condition.

Loud Noises

Despite all of the various components of your computer, it should generally run silently. When you start hearing particularly loud noises coming from your computer, it is certainly an indication that something is wrong. If you notice these sounds coming from your computer, you likely want to bring the computer in to us to ensure that the appropriate repairs can be made and that your computer can be restored to its prior condition.

Runs Slowly

Many people assume that a computer begins to run slowly simply because it has grown older. However, running more slowly than usual could have several possible issues. A virus may cause a computer to run slowly. Excessive overheating can also result in a computer running far more slowly. This also tends to lead to other issues. Slow running may indicate a problem with the hard drive or several other potential problems. If your computer runs slowly, it is possible that your computer needs repairs.

Overheats

Not only is a computer overheating a sign of a problem, but it can also cause further commons to occur. In many situations, a computer overheats because its fans aren’t operating properly. The fans are an important component of the computer for a reason; it is essential to ensure that you keep your computer from overheating. Overheating is particularly common with laptops but it can occur to desktop computers, as well. It is critical to pay attention to overheating and obtain the appropriate repairs when your computer overheats.

Blue Screen Errors

Blue screen errors may appear on computers that require repairs. In most situations, these errors are an indication that the system didn’t load properly. If this occurs a single time, you may be able to fix the issue by simply rebooting your computer. However, if the blue screen error occurs multiple times in a single day, it is highly likely that your computer requires repairs in order to remain in good condition.

Crashes or Freezes

It isn’t simply inconvenient when your computer crashes or freezes randomly or periodically. This can be especially detrimental when you are in the middle of working or another operation. If you notice that your computer is frequently crashing or freezing with no particular explanation, it is possible that your computer needs repairs.

Won’t Turn On

Though this one may certainly seem obvious, a computer that won’t turn on is a sure sign that the computer needs repairs. However, ensure that you check the power source of the computer prior to determining that it just isn’t turning on. It is possible that the power source has loosened and isn’t effectively connected. If you are using a laptop, it is possible that the battery is dead. Ensure that you try to charge it before you determine that there is a problem with your computer.

Difficulty Opening Programs

If your computer is working as it is supposed to, you should be able to use the programs on the computer. When your programs suddenly stop working, have difficulty opening, or are otherwise not functioning as they are supposed to, it is possible that your computer requires repairs. Implementing these repairs can help to limit problems and ensure that your computer is restored to its previous functioning capacity.

When you understand the signs that your computer needs repairs, you will be able to ensure that these repairs are made before they cause substantial disruption to your life. Catching these signs early on can also prevent substantial issues over time, as well, because some problems can lead to other problems with your computer. Our experts at Crossaction are able to provide superior computer repair services to keep your computer in great condition. To learn more about the signs that your computer needs repairs, contact us at Crossaction today!

A DDOS attack is a common method for distributing the online services of a business. DDOS stands for distributed denial of service. Understanding what a DDOS attack is helps to provide the first step in protecting your business from these attacks or recognizing them when they occur. Here are a few important things that you need to know about DDOS attacks and how they can impact your business.

DDOS Attack or DOS Attack?

There are both DDOS attacks and DOS attacks. The main difference is that a DDOS attack is a type of DOS attack, but not all DOS attacks are DDOS attacks. A DDOS attack is different from other DOS attacks in that it uses multiple bots that form a group called a botnet. This botnet is then used to attack the target in an attempt to disrupt the website’s regular operations. Essentially, these DDOS attacks are intended to be a malicious attempt at making a website’s online services unavailable to its regular users. This is often done by suspending or interrupting the services of the website’s hosting server. This type of attack is launched from multiple compromised devices.

Three General Categories

There are three general categories that make up DDOS and DOS attacks alike. Each of these categories takes a different approach to the attack. However, they generally have the same goal of disrupting the operations of the website. There are volume based attacks, protocol attacks, and application layer attacks.

Volume Based Attacks

Volume based attacks include many common DDOS attacks, like UDP floods or ICMP floods. The goal of volume based attacks is essentially to saturate the bandwidth of the targeted site. The magnitude of volume based attacks is measured in a different way than the other two types of attacks. These attacks are measured in bits per second, commonly notated as Bps.

Protocol Attacks

Protocol attacks take a different approach than volume based attacks. These attacks include things like Smurf DDOS, Ping of Death, SYN floods, and fragmented packet attacks. Protocol attacks function by consuming the actual server resources of the website. This includes various things like the load balances or firewalls of the website. Protocol attacks are generally measured as packets per second, which is notated as Pps.

Application Layer Attacks

Application layer attacks take a more subtle, disguised approach to the attack. It includes types of attacks like GET/POST floods or low-and-slow attacks. The way application layer attacks work by attacking with a series of seemingly legitimate or otherwise innocent requests. The goal of this attack is to crash the web server by overloading it. These attacks are measured in requests per second, which is notated as Rps.

The Motivation Behind a DDOS Attack

Understanding the motivation behind DDOS attacks can help you to avoid them occurring. Sometimes, DDOS attacks are performed due to ideology. During these attacks, a “hacktivist” targets the website of a business that they disagree with the ideals of, such as when there is an ethical conflict with the company. Business feuds are another common reason for DDOS attacks. These attacks are particularly common on days that are important for internet sales for the company, such as Cyber Monday. Boredom can also be a reason that someone might attempt a DDOS attack. Extortion is another motivation. When extortion is the reason, it is likely that the company or individual will be threatened with a DDOS attack if they don’t comply with demands. Cyber warfare is another possible reason behind a DDOS attack.

Protecting your Company

Malicious sources are everywhere on the internet. When your company is impacted by these sources, such as phishing attacks, data breaches, or other issues, it can be devastating to your business. Taking a proactive approach to preventing these sources from accessing your data can go a long way toward protecting your company. There are many steps you can take, such as recognizing phishing attacks or securing your data.

Taking the steps to protect your company’s website and data will go a long way toward preventing substantial issues from arising to your company. Outsourcing your IT management can help to keep your information secure from potentially malicious sources. At Crossaction Computers, we strive to provide the services that are necessary to protect your business. To learn more about the various services that we offer and how they can protect your company, contact our experienced team at Crossaction Computers today!