Dallas Computer Repair

Dallas Computer Repair is dedicated to serving customers across the metroplex in various cities. PC Virus Doctors are accomplishing complete repairs on laptops and desktops to ensure customers are set back up into their usual routines.

PC Virus Doctors give guarantees on work and ensure customer satisfaction. PCVD is always available for troubleshooting, consulting and available for quotes 24/7. We can troubleshoot your situation from anywhere in the world that you are available.

PC Virus Doctors can research any problems and resolve them with 3rd party vendors, regardless of hardware vendors or software vendors or manufacturers of laptops or desktops.

PC Virus Doctors stand committed toward our customers regardless of time or complexity of resolving issues.

Call> 214-723-4335 anytime day or evening.

Gregory R. Roberts, CEO

Vulnerabilities Addressed in Firefox and Microsoft

Reports abound on the internet about vulnerabilities in Firefox and Microsoft. U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) reports that there is a vulnerability in Firefox 3.5 that addresses the particular way that Java is processed allowing hackers the ability to execute arbitrary code; this vulnerability is deemed "Highly Critical". CERT also reports that the 'exploit code is publicly available online'. Furthermore, CERT 'encourages users and administrators to disable javascript to help mitigate the vulnerability as described in their "Securing Your Web Browser" article'.

Microsoft is about to address vulnerabilities in their July patch, addressing nine (9) vulnerabilities; three (3) are reported as "Critical" while another three (3) are reported as "Important" on Microsoft's website. The affected Microsoft products include: Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Security and Acceleration(ISA) Server, Virtual PC and Virtual Server.

Two of the vulnerabilities address ActiveX Control and DirectShow component; Microsoft warned about this "browse-and-get-owned" vulnerability in May and June.

*** Another interesting fact is that after a fresh Vista 64-bit install with all the updates completed about 24 hours ago went well with a Dell XPS M1330, Microsoft informed me that no updates had ocurred and after downloading the updates, the Laptop would not boot in Normal mode nor Safe mode.

Obviously there is a flaw in the 64-bit Vista version and updates in regards to Dell Laptop M1330 series; PC Virus Doctors are not "happy campers".

July 15th update: Miraculously the above laptop problem was resolved. Now PC Virus Doctors are happy campers...we have never experienced such a "hiccup". The laptop booted well and behaved well with testing. Yeah!!!

Dallas Data Recovery

A report on data recovery in an InformationWeek article this week reviews open source data recovery tools that may be helpful to individuals who have experienced data loss.

Those data recovery tools include:

1. PhotoRec
2. TestDisk
3. PartitionSupport.com

Microsoft Updates Are Imperative

Many casual computer users take for granted that their systems are not vulnerable to attacks but do not have the understanding that updating their Windows Operating System(OS) is imperative to safe computing, along with maintaining updated malware/virus/trojan protection and firewall safety. The updates include security patches and other protection to keep the Windows operating system as stealthy as possible whether updating a laptop or desktop.

Updating Windows is fairly simple by opening Windows Internet Explorer, all users should have IE 8 installed, then going to "Tools" in the Upper Task Bar and going to "Windows Update". Then it is simple to check the box for "Express" install and simply letting Microsoft explore your updates after installing the "active X" which is a small software installation.

Fresh operating system installs can expect several hours to update Windows, regardless of the latest/fastest hardware, the latest Windows OS and download speeds to download and install the latest updates which are cumulative from the time the operating system on the CD was created.

PCVD's Dallas computer and laptop repair always updates Windows components to ensure the most entrusted computer with Microsoft systems.

BotNet Worm Could Wipe Data on Infected Computers

A report on Cnet indicates that the botnet that attacked the United States and South Korea last weekend harnesses a worm that was scheduled to be activated this Friday, July 11th, to wipe data from infected computers that are estimated to number 50,000 worldwide with the w32.dozer malware infection. Currently, there appears to be no data deletion on infected PCs but experts say that it is too early and that the malware has the potential to be turned on/activated remotely by the malware authors, one botnet expert predicted, unless there is a bug in the program.

Symantec expertise reports that the malware can also be set to destroy the master boot record leaving a computer inoperable and unable to boot to the operating system. The botnets are spreading several different malware, including MyDoom, through emails, according to several experts. A dropper program called W32.Dozer with other malware compenents is sent by W32.Mytob!gen to e-mail addresses on effected PCs and if a user executes the attachment, W32.Dozer drops Trojan.Dozer and W32.Mydoom.A@mm on the operating system.

The installed malware has the ability to update itself and execute as it wishes according to commands that are controlled by the malware authors.

PC Virus Doctors' urge computer users to make sure all anti-viruses, spyware and adware programs are updated and scanned at minimum twice per week as these lethal software programs are lurking in the wild. If anyone needs assistant then please contact PC Virus Doctors for virus removal.

Online Self-Reporting Personal Info Leads to SSN Compromise

A report from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS) on identity theft resulting from personal online information posting has led to revelations on how easy Social Security Numbers(SSNs) may be revealed. Online social networkers need to take heed and protect their intimate data from online scammers and those that prey on innocent online, social networkers.

Individuals reporting to websites about birth dates and place of birth can lead exploiters of ID theft the ability to randomly test and verify one's Social Security Number that can further be exploited to reveal more intimate personal identity information. Many social websites ask subscribers to volunteer personal information such as, birthplace, birthdate, gender, names, etc. that are used by identity thieves to exploit through careful tabulation and/or analysis of given equations.

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer Repair urges online users to not reveal personal identity information on open/public websites such as Facebook, MySpace and other social networks. If one would like to reveal information then it is advised to be as vague as possible not revealing any specifics that could possibly identify any specific individual.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) Shortened for Spam Use

Uniform Resource Locator's (URL) are shortened and increasingly used for spam, according to an InformationWeek article. These shortened url's, website addresses, essentially end up as links to spam sites, deceptive in nature, showing up mostly in emails. The links may appear to be authoratative pointing to possible legitimate sites but directs the user to spam/advertising sites with the agenda to sell.

The potential of these deceptive links also have the potential to introduce not only unwanted advertising pages but webpages that have hidden scripts running in the background that can potentially download spyware, adware, trojans, viruses and other malware that can cripple consumers computers and/or leave consumers open to data vulnerabilities.

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer repair urges desktop and laptop users to keep their anti-virus and spyware/adware utilities updated to thwart any potential malware that may arise from these deceptive links often embedded in emails and webpages. These updates can stave off any loss of data leading to data recovery.

Cyber Attacks on U.S. Federal Websites Over 4th of July

Several Federal agency websites within the United States were attacked with a Denial Of Service (DOS) according to a report on Yahoo.com, over the July 4th holiday weekend. The agencies effected included the Treasury Department, Secret Service, Federal Trade Commission and Transportation Department Web sites at varying times, including some that are responsible for fighting cyber crimes.

According to the Yahoo report, Homeland Security refused to comment although they admitted to advising several Federal agencies on how to avoid such attacks. Amy Kudwa, spokeswoman for the Homeland Defense Department, said the U.S. has attacks on its networks daily and that measures have been taken to minimize the effects.

Others familiar with the attack, according to the Yahoo.com story, say the Denial of Service (DOS) was three days withstanding and was an unusual sustaining and sophisticated attack. Also, very interesting to note, is that the South Koreans were attacked in a similar fashion. South Korean government agencies, banks and other internet sites were brought down in a similar fashion to the U.S. agencies.

South Korean websites, Presidential Blue House, The Defense Ministry, The National Assembly Shinhan Bank, Korean Exchange Bank and top internet Portal Naver were having trouble accessing the internet.

According to the Yahoo report, two U.S. government officials demanding anonymity, reported that the U.S. Treasury Department and Secret Service websites were brought down and the internet service providers were working with them to bring the sites back up. Also to note, the Department of Transportation website along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website were brought to a halt, that according to one expert was a 'massive outage'.

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer and Laptop Repair is aware of the danger on the internet and tries best and responsibly to protect its customers with the latest security devices and malware removal tools to fend off the hackers and malicious individuals and groups trying destructive tactics to gain information or to harm websites that customers utilize for business purposes.

Seattle Data Center Affects Bing and Shuts Down Websites

InformationWeek reports that a data center in Seattle caught fire that shut down parts of Bing search engine and took down websites for as long as 36 hours.

This sends or should send a strong message to those users who store data in their homes regardless if backup external drives are utilized for data storage. Data should always be stored off-site in case of a disaster that happened in Seattle over the weekend.

PC Virus Doctors have several vendors that store data over the internet, outside of Dallas, in redundant servers to insure data is never lost. The storage is affordable, easy to use and gives users the peace of mind that their data will always be safe and 100% retrievable if a disaster should strike.

Piecing together data from multiple sources such as several PCs, CDs, DVDs, external drives and flash drives can be a daunting and time consuming task even if "data recovery" from bad media is not necessary.

Protect your data today and store it offline!

Virtual Server Security

Some talk on InformationWeek says that data on virtual servers may be at risk due to possible intrusions or user error in backing up malware, resulting in data recovery problems. Also, critics are saying 'doomsday', yet all virtual data storage firms remain calm in their belief that the software, "proprietary code", is impenetrable.

PC Virus Doctors insist that off-site storage is so important to today's data storage needs. avoiding data recovery services. Individuals and businesses need protect their data through external media, removable media and off-site data storage companies. If you need assistant in data transfer then find our services at Dallas Data Recovery.

PC Virus Doctors offer a hard drive evaluation for $45.00 that goes toward final labor if you decide to use the services for hard drive recovery.