According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the country. Small firms also account for forty-three percent of the technical workforce, and employ engineers, computer programmers, and scientists. About fifty-two percent of the small businesses are home-based. As per the US Census Bureau data for 2009, more than 119 million households in the US have computers, and 68.7 percent of them use the Internet. For most of the small business owners, use of computers and the Internet is essential to increase their productivity. From flower shops to bowling alleys, all small establishments have increasingly adopted information technology to smoothen their operations, save money, and increase their profitability. Firms use computers to manage their business through effective communication and efficient data management.

However, many of those firms suffer regular losses in productivity due to various software and hardware related problems that hamper their daily activities.

The computer related issues that small businesses face are similar to what the big corporations have to also deal with.  According to a Forrester Research projection, growth in IT spending is expected to increase to 8.4% in 2010. For 2010, about forty percent of businesses reported an increased spending of five percent or more on IT security. But only a small percentage of the small businesses in the US employ in-house technical professionals for computer repair for resolving hardware and software issues. There has been an increase outsourcing  technical support requirements to companies such as iYogi, which provide remote support for computer repair.

For a small annual fee, iYogi offers unlimited remote technical support and computer repair services to their subscribers. iYogi technicians can be contacted at any hour of the day or night. By opting for remote tech support, small firms can save a lot of money. The cost advantage is indeed one of the major reasons why small firms in the US subscribe to remote technical support services.

A subscriber of iYogi, when faced with any software or hardware problem, can call them on their toll free number. To carry out computer repair, iYogi technicians request for remote access of the problematic machine. Once the permission is granted and depending on the gravity of the problem, technicians can repair the computer within a few minutes. Small firms can also get other peripheral devices like printer, mobile, and digital camera issues resolved with the help of remote technical support. The future prospects of remote tech support service firms look bright as more and more small business owners feel the need to secure their IT interests in a cost-effective manner.

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WHAT IS A COMPUTER VIRUS:

The term usually used to define a computer virus is:’ A computer virus is often malicious software which replicates itself’

- COMPUTER VIRUSES ARE BASICALLY PROGRAMS, LIKE A SPREADSHEET OR A WORD PROCESSOR.

- PROGRAMS WHICH CAN INSERT EXECUTABLE COPIES OF ITSELF INTO OTHER PROGRAMS.

- PROGRAMS THAT MANIPULATES PROGRAMS, MODIFIES OTHER PROGRAMS AND REPRODUCE ITSELF IN THE PROCESS.

Comparing Biological viruses & Computer viruses

*************************************************************

* Attack specific   * Attack specific

*  body cells           * programs (*.COM *.EXE)

*************************************************************

* Modify the genetic information * Manipulate the program:

* of a cell other than previous * It performs tasks

*************************************************************

* New viruses grow in the * The infected program produces

* infected cell itself  * virus programs

*************************************************************

* Infected cells aren’t infected * Program are infected only once

* more than once by the same cell* by most programs

*************************************************************

* An infected organism may not * The infected program can work

* exhibit symptoms for a while * without error for a long time

*************************************************************

* Not all cells with which the * Program can be made immune

* virus contact are infected   * against certain viruses

*************************************************************

* Viruses can mutate and thus * Virus program can modify

* cannot be clearly told apart * themselves & possibly escape

*   * detection this way

*************************************************************

However, ” computer virus ” is just another name for a class of programs.  They can do anything that another program can.

The only distinguishing characteristic is the program has ability to reproduce and infect other programs.

WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM ARE CHARACTERIZED AS A VIRUS PROGRAM:

- PROGRAM WHICH HAS CAPABILITY TO EXECUTE THE MODIFICATION ON A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS.

- CAPABILITY TO RECOGNIZE A MODIFICATION PERFORMED ON A PROGRAM.(THE ABILITY TO PREVENT FURTHER MODIFICATION OF THE SAME PROGRAM UPON SUCH RECONDITION.)

- MODIFIED SOFTWARE ASSUME ATTRIBUTES 1 TO 4.

HOW DOES A VIRUS SPREAD:

A computer virus can only be put into your system either by yourself or someone else.  One way in which a virus can be put into your computer is via a Trojan Horse.

-TROJAN HORSE IS USUALLY CONTAMINATED IN DISKS WHICH ARE PARTICULARY PIRATED COPIES OF SOFTWARE.  IT IS SIMPLY A DAMAGING PROGRAM DISGUISED AS AN INNOCENT ONE.  MANY VIRUSES MAYBE HIDDEN IN IT, BUT T.H.

THEMSELVES DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPLICATE.

Viruses also can be spread through a Wide Area network (WAN) or a Local Area Network (LAN) by telephone line.

For example down loading a file from a local BBS.

BBS(bulletin board system)-AN Electronic mailbox that user can access to send or receive massages.

However, there seems to be countless numbers of ways to become infected.  Every-time you down loads a program from somewhere or borrowed a disk from a friend, you are taking a risk of getting infected.

DAMAGES AND SIGNS OF INFECTION:

a.> Fill Up your P.C. with Garbage:As a virus reproduces, it takes up space.  This space cannot be used by the operator.  As more copies of the virus are made, the memory space is lessened.

b.> Mess Up Files:Computer files have a fixed method of being stored.  With this being the case, it is very easy for a computer virus to affect the system so some parts of the accessed files cannot be located.

c.> Mess Up FAT:FAT(the File Allocation Table) is the method used to contain the information required about the location of files stored on a disk.  Any allocation to this information can cause endless trouble.

d.> Mess Up The Boot Sector:The boot sector is the special information found on a disk.Changing the boot sector could result in the inability of the computer to run.

e.> Format a Disk/ Diskette:A virus can simply format a disk as the operator would with the format or initialise command.

f.> Reset The Computer:To reset the computer, the operator or the user only has to press a few keys.  The virus can do this by sending the codes to the operating system.

g.> Slowing Things Down: As the name implies, the object of the virus is to slow down the running line of the program.

h.> Redefine Keys: The computer has been program to recognize that certain codes/ signals symbolize a certain keystroke.  The virus could change the definition of these keystrokes.

i.> Lock The Keyboard: redefining all keys into an empty key.

WHAT TO DO AFTER VIRUS ATTACKS:

When signs of a virus attack have been recognized,the virus has already reproduced itself several times.Thus, to get rid of the virus, the user has to hack down and destroy each one of these copies.  The easier way is to:

1. Have the original write protected back-up copy of your operating system on a diskette.

2. Power down the machine.

3. Boot up the system from the original system diskette.

4. Format the hard disk.

5. Restore all back-ups and all executable program.

*If it’s not effective, power down and seek for professional help*

TYPE OF VIRUSES:

a.> OVER-WRITING VIRUSES

b.> NON-OVERWRITNG VIRUSES

c.> MEMORY RESENDENT VIRUSES

PRACTICE SAFE HEX:

Viruses are a day to day reality.  Different activities leads to different exposure.  To protect oneself from a virus, several things can be done:

1. Avoid them in the first place.

2. Discovering and getting rid of them.

3. Repairing the damage.

The simple thing that can cut down on exposure rate are to:avoid pirate software, checking programs that have been down loaded form the BBS before running them.  Make sure that you have sufficient backups.

ANTIVIRUS PRODUCTS COMPANY:

The pace at which new antiviral products have been pouring onto the market has accelerated rapidly since the major infection of 1988.  Indeed, by early 1989, there were over 60 proprietary products making varied claims for effectiveness in preventing or detecting virus attacks.

We Provide a Complete range of service with computer products such as computer repair, laptop repair.[or other computer or parts goods. In general, Computer support services attempt to help the user solve specific problems with a product—rather than providing training, customization, or other support services.

Most computer offer technical support for the products .Computer support may be delivered over the Web site. Larger organizations frequently have internal technical support available to their staff for computer related problem. The internet is also a good source for freely available tech support, where experienced users may provide advice and assistance with problems. Data Recovery

Data recovery

Data recovery is the process of salvaging data from damaged, failed, corrupted, or inaccessible secondary storage media when it cannot be accessed normally.

Often the data are being salvaged from storage media formats such as hard disk drives, storage tapes, CDs, DVDs, RAID, and other electronics. Recovery may be required due to physical damage to the storage device or logical damage to the file system that prevents it from being mounted by the host operating system. Although there is some confusion as to the term, data recovery can also be the process of retrieving and securing deleted information from a storage media for forensic purposes or spying.
Recovery techniques

Recovering data from physically damaged hardware can involve multiple techniques. Some damage can be repaired by replacing parts in the hard disk. This alone may make the disk usable, but there may still be logical damage. A specialized disk imaging procedure is used to recover every readable bit from the surface.

Once this image is acquired, the image can be analyzed for logical damage and will possibly allow for much of the original file system to be reconstructed.

Recovering data after logical damage

The physical damage is logical damage to a file system. Logical damage is primarily caused by power outages that prevent file system structures from being completely written to the storage medium, but problems with hardware (especially RAID controllers) and drivers, as well as system crashes, can have the same effect. The result is that the file system is left in an inconsistent state. This can cause a variety of problems, such as strange behavior (e.g., infinitely recursing directories, drives reporting negative amounts of free space), system crashes, or an actual loss of data. For instance, when a hard drive’s read/write head begins to click, most end-users will associate this with internal physical damage.

Source

www.hbtecusa.com

Reference : Wikipedia

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Technology has changed day by day, especially computers evolvement brings humans lots of convenience. With the introduction of laptop, people now no longer have to accomodate computers with a substantial space of office. Even better now with the Netbook computer, you still can working with it whilst travelling.

With the use of a built in wireless network adaptor the Netbook Computer now makes it feasible to sit in most places in the world and connect to the internet thus making it easier to keep on top of your emails and work whilst also travelling around, be it on the tube, in an airport or even in the garden of your home you can easily be connected to the rest of the world.

There are a wide range of models to choose from and it really does depend on what you actually want from your Netbook Computer as to which model would be appropriate for you with each new day bringing more advanced technology to our world.

Being small and compatible the Netbook Computers really are very good when travelling and you can easily slip them into your hand luggage for both convenience and comfort and though quite a few people will use them at home, some prefer a bigger screen if they are going to be using them quite a lot, therefore some people will use an ordinary laptop when at home and a netbook when on the move.

If this is the case and you are thinking of using a netbook as well as a computer then remember it is wise to have them both with the same software on them, for instance the same window versions and programmes that way you can easily transfer the data between the two.

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Really, what is computer addiction? Computer has added with it a slew of benefits, as it has additionally become a part and parcel of one’s life, however, excessive use of computer can generate a negative impact on individuals. When people get obsessed with computer and spend long hours before the computer, it can lead to computer addiction. Besides, addiction to computer can take place with other changes, where a person neglects his job, family and acquaintances, and makes use of his computer to get away from tension or to receive joy out of it.

It’s the reliance of a man or woman on his computer, where the person uses several hours in front of the computer for one reason or the other. There are computer addiction symptoms that help understand whether or not an individual is addicted to computer, and they differ from a person to another.

Individuals with such symptoms show mood swings as well as irritability as when they don’t get the opportunity to use a computer. With monumental time being used up on the computer, a person lacks interest in other offline activities, as he also gets littered with sleep loss, where he also loses focus on other commitments. With the addiction to computer, the person lacks motivation and concentration to execute other work, as his eating habits also get affected due to this addiction. In addition, the wellbeing of such folks deteriorates, as the personal hygiene of the individual also takes a beating thanks to the addiction to computer. How to prevent computer addiction?

One can come across computer addiction treatment of different forms that drive away the addiction from an individual, however a person who is getting obsessed with computer can take efforts to manage the addiction together with his own efforts.

The individual must seek out the underlying issues that drive him to search out a respite in the form of computer, as he ought to find helpful measures to get rid of the strains and the stresses that hit him hard. With the case relating to the treatment for computer addiction, therapy happens to be a perfect means to drive away the addiction, and the cognitive behavioral therapy, another of the effective means, aids a person to get faraway from the damaging effects of this addiction. When the one who is addicted to computer works with a therapist, he gets guided by this professional to change his behaviors and thoughts that surround the use of computer. The affected individual also learns concerning the effective coping skills to be sure to avert such nasty conditions.

The individual who needs to get far from addiction can get treated at one of the numerous computer addiction treatment centers, where good care supplied by the specialists and the effective counseling sessions offered by the center plays a very important part in assisting such individuals to get to normal terms and lead a standard life.

Computer Rentals

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We are committed to providing the latest equipment available and ongoing support for computer rental services. Whatever size meeting you are taking into consideration, our capable experts will design & deliver proper audio visual and computer rental equipment for your meeting, conference, tradeshow, or corporate event.

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Rentfusion is a National Computer Rental Company.

Amongst our major offerings we have computer rentals, laptop rentals and plasma rentals. We also offer projectors, kiosks, notebooks, printers & more equipment on a rental basis. We are the leading provider of short term technology equipment rentals, technical service and support. We carry multi-million state-of-the-art computers and display technologies from major manufacturers like HP, Dell, NEC, Apple and a host of other brands. Companies choose us for computer rental services for business, meetings, events, seminars, computer training, trade shows and conventions. Reach us at Nationwide: 1-866-RENTFUSION (1-866-736-8387). Sales & Distribution center: Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York & New Jersey.



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Who can forget the way the world was frozen with the threat of the “Millennium Bug”? While people around the globe should have been counting down to a phenomenal celebration, we were too busy preparing for certain doom and gloom beset by a computer virus. Of course, the clock struck twelve on January 1, 2000 and a new millennium quietly began, bug-free.

Those unfortunate enough to have had to deal with a computer virus knows all too well the damage that can be done. From taking on annoying quirks, to erasing files, to completely obliterating computers or entire systems, the powerful effect of a computer virus is nothing to sneeze at. Computer viruses pose real threats that can be minimal, or can cause worldwide destruction.

In computer security technology circles, the definition of a computer virus is a “self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents”.

A computer virus behaves in a manner similar to a biological virus, which spreads by inserting itself into living cells.

Extending the analogy, the insertion of a computer virus into a program is termed as an “infection” and the infected file (or executable code that is not part of a file) is called a “host”. Viruses are one of several types of malicious software, also known as “malware”. The term “virus” is often extended to refer to worms, Trojan horses and other sorts of malware. These are less common than they used to be, however, so the inclusion of these types of malware can be confusing to computer users. This confusion can have serious implications, as it can lead to a focus on preventing one genre of malware over another, potentially leaving computers vulnerable to future damage. The basic rule holds that computer viruses can only damage software, not hardware.

Viruses have targeted in the following types of hosts:

* Boot sectors of floppy disks; hard disk partitions.

* Master boot record of a hard disk.

* Binary executable files (.COM-files and .EXE-files in MS-DOS; portable executable files in Microsoft Windows; ELF files in Linux).

* General-purpose script files (batch files in MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows; shell script files on Unix-like platforms).

* Application-specific script files (Telix scripts).

* Documents containing macros (Microsoft Word documents).

A computer virus by nature is destructive, but others are created solely for the annoyance factor. Some viruses pester computer users with a delayed payload, also known as a “bomb”. For example, a bomb virus might display a message on a specific day, or wait until it has infected a certain number of hosts. A time bomb occurs on a particular date or time, and a logic bomb occurs when the computer user takes an action that triggers the bomb. However, the predominant negative effect of viruses continues to be their uncontrolled self-reproduction, which wastes or overwhelms computer resources.

To hinder the continuous spread of computer viruses, programmers have created anti-virus software. However, a fast infector can infect every potential host file that it’s able to access. This presents a special problem to anti-virus software. A virus scanner will perform a system-wide scan, accessing every potential host file on the computer. If the virus scanner fails to notice that a virus exists in the computer’s memory, the virus can “piggy-back” on the virus scanner, and infect every file that is scanned. Fast infectors rely on their incredible spreading rate. To combat the problem, certain anti-virus software programs, like the well-known Spyware, are expanding to cover worms and other threats.

Like the potential devastation of the Millennium Bug in 2000, computer viruses continue to present a real threat to single users and corporate networks alike.

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as a computer user, you must be well aware of technical intricacies involved with computers. Those who are already spending a majority of their time in combating with PC problems know how it feels when everything gets out of control. But now it can bring back to life with a little effort. And the help is just a call away.

With a plethora of online computer repair shops available to help you out with your PC errors, you can get your system troubleshoot by certified computer experts at the lowest price. No amount of fun, money or time is enough, though, to compromise your safety. The tech support workers strive to bring you the best in convenience of your own premises. Their success can easily be rated by their day by day growing popularity.

So gone are the days when you needed to haul you PCs to expensive repair shop. Calling computer help resources does not mean ending in frustration now.

The technicians taking up your queries are experienced enough to handle all perfectly and proficiently. You are not guided to any pesky number system asking you to press numbers after every other given instruction. Thanks to online computer help which is completely a new idea in computer maintenance.

In addition to being an afternoon of great fun, online computer help not only helps you save money but also time. There is no minimum charge and you can get those nasty tech errors in the minimum time. This helps you to improve your productivity at cost effective prices, instead of forcing you to suffer for weeks or months.

With online computer help resources working to serve your computer support needs, you can easily say goodbye to expensive technicians who charge per incident or per hour.

Services such as online PC repair, onsite computer services and other online technical support services are also equally beneficial for small businesses that can’t afford to make large investments to get their PC blues solved.

Another advantage to avail online PC help from tech support shops is 24×7 availability. Customers get assistance by highly trained staff that offers professional, high-quality service at affordable rates in the comfort and convenience of your business or residential location.

Computers and the Internet have changed and continue to change the world. The computer is the vehicle that is introducing the world to technological advancements and medical and social achievements. Computer monitors are the windows of this new world and they continue to improve in quality and performance. The computer monitor of ten years ago is not the same visual display unit it is now, but it’s still a piece of electrical equipment which can display a wide range of images from the video output of different computers, without creating a permanent record. The display device used to display images today is a thin film transistor liquid crystal display also known as TFT-LCD. The older monitors used a CRT or cathode ray tube.

Measuring computer monitors is a bit confusing. The measurement is based on the CRT television method, which was used when round picture tubes were popular.

They were circular, so they only needed a diameter measurement to describe the tube size. When CRT tubes were manufactured as rectangles this method was still used, so the distance between two opposite corners is given as the screen size, even though it does not take into account the aspect ratios differences of monitors with the same diagonal size. The shape of a diagonal area decreases as it becomes less square, so the measurement system is a not accurate, in terms of square inches for monitors with the same diagonal size. Another issue with screen size is the size of the imaging element, which is distorted by media advertising campaigns. Viewable size is more important than measuring the image element size, which can be hidden behind the case’s shroud.

Image technology continues to improve. TFT-LCDs are the most popular monitors, the old passive LCDs had a slow response time and the contrast was poor. They started to be replaced in the mid 1990s. Other types of visual displays include the Penetron and the Plasma Display along with the old CRT.

The LCD is light, compact and rugged and there is no geometric distortion, but it has a low contrast ratio, uneven back lighting and slow response times, which can cause ghosting. The Penetron Military Aircraft Display has high contrast ratios and is extremely sharp, although there are only four color displays. The Plasma also has high contrast ratios and a high speed response, excellent color and a low black level, but it has lower resolution on a large screen and there is a noticeable flicker when the display is viewed close range.

Today’s computer monitors can display an infinite number of colors by continuously changing the intensities in the RBG color space, which is the red, green and blue analog video signals. New connectors are replacing both analog and digital signals with digital only video signals, which have integrated data and video connections. Other new features include multiple monitor capabilities, which can show the identical image called mirroring and extension monitoring, which shows different images but it does require extra hardware and software support. There’s no doubt than computer monitors will continue to improve in quality as well as functionality. The touchscreen technology is opening the doors for another giant leap in the virtual display industry.

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