What do I need to know about so-called "ransomware"?
    "Ransomware" is a fairly recent term for a specific type of computer infective that can render the targeted computer unusable unless the owner pays the ransom to have the infective removed. It's a real and scary threat. Fortunately for home users, the threat is quite small as its creators seem more interested in attacking businesses. Hospitals and banks seem to be their main concern. The technique they use is a sophisticated system that literally locks up the computer's files with an encryption scheme that can frequently only be reversed by the writers of the evil software.
    Please note that this is not the same as the schemes (described in earlier issues of this newsletter) that simply try to trick you into calling a toll-free telephone number to let someone fix some phantom problem by remotely connecting to your computer.
   Still, we don't want to let you think that ransomware is not a concern for home users. While none of One Click Wonders' clients have been victims of such attacks, it is important to know that there have been reports nationally that both Mac and PC users have been affected. Most cases have involved either a compromised software installer or a maliciously crafted e-mail attachment. So the best defense is to use an abundance of caution when downloading software from the Internet (try to know exactly what you are getting and from where you are obtaining it) and don't open unsolicited e-mail attachments (even from friends) unless you absolutely know what the item is.
   In the unlikely event that you get a message on your computer that your personal files have been "encrypted" and demanding payment to reverse the process, your best course of action is to shut down the computer immediately and call Terri or me for assistance before taking any other action!

What the heck are cookies on my computer and do I need to be concerned about them?
    Cookies are tiny snippets of computer code that are left behind by many websites that you might visit. While there is a potential privacy concern associated with cookies, we don't generally worry about them for us or our clients. Their main function is to attempt to personalize your experience on the web.
   For example, many online retail websites download cookies to browsers so that product suggestions to the user are based on the user's browsing pattern. Say you go looking for toys for grandchildren at the KidsRus. The next time you go to that website, you might find yourself back in the same spot on the website as the result of a cookie left behind indicating that interest. Or if you click on a banner ad on cnn.com, future visits to CNN may show more banner ads for your product or services interests based on cookie references.
    The important thing to know about cookies is that they rarely store or convey truly personal information like your name, address or e-mail. The most personal information involved is your computer's web browsing history, although nothing traceable back you individually is compromised.
    It is possible to turn off the cookie tracking mechanism and clear out all traces of your web activity. Doing so will free up a tiny amount of hard drive space and occasionally even seems to speed up web browsing activity. However, we've also seen that many websites simply will not work properly if cookies are blocked. We can show you how to manage cookies, delete them if you wish and other steps you can consider if web privacy is a significant concern for you.

I'm thinking about buying a new computer. What is your opinion on new computer warranties?
   Warranties, like any other form of insurance, come down to a bet between you and the manufacturer. You are betting that something expensive will break and the warranty will protect you from a major expense. The manufacturer is betting nothing will break during the warranty period, so the warranty becomes just another source of income to the manufacturer.
   From a practical standpoint, there are only a few really expensive components in a computer these days (laptop displays and logic boards come to mind) and our experience has generally been that if one of those items is going to fail, it usually happens during the first year or two of computer ownership. So the warranty decision comes down to what the computer user's comfort level with repair or replacement expense is during those first critical years. If you buy an expensive computer, the warranty expense may be worth considering. But if you buy a budget model computer, it may be smarter to take your chances.
   Another important factor to remember with computer warranties is that, unless they specifically include accidental damage (dropping, spilling coffee into a laptop keyboard or even a lightning strike), the warranty does not cover repairs. Some computer sellers do offer accidental damage coverage and, in some cases, even a homeowner insurance policy will cover accidental damage. Think about your own history of accidents and insurance claims in making a decision on that part of the warranty question.
    We can help you sort out the factors when making the decision whether or not to get a warranty package with a new computer. Some vendors use a "one size fits all" approach on warranties, while others offer several levels of warranty protection at varying prices. We have experience with a number of different computer manufacturers and can offer guidance based on that experience.