Since January 23^rd, Symantec has been working with law enforcement agencies to find out exactly what a group of hackers was attempting to do with source code from 2006. The good news for Norton/Symantec users is the code being used by the hackers is older code. Users of older versions of the Symatec software won’t be vulnerable to possible hijacking/malware attempts from hackers.

Currently, only code from Norton Utilities and pcAnywhere have been released, so we’re urging users of these products (pcAnywhere especially) to make sure their software is up to date. pcAnywhere version 12.5 is the most up-to-date version of that product available. Symantec has been working fervently to patch their products so that the old code being leaked doesn’t put any of its users at risk. Because of the constant updates they make to their Norton Antivirus and Internet Security packages, leaks of that 2006 source code won’t be very useful for hackers. So if you’re using Antivirus/Internet Security from Symantec, don’t worry – you’re at very little risk.

Want more information? For any users of Symantec products, please visit: http://www.symantec.com/theme.jsp?themeid=anonymous-code-claims&inid=us_ghp_banner1_anonymous

For users of pcAnywhere, please make sure you’re patches are up to date by visiting: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH180472

-Agent William G.

For creating a secure password, Agents typically recommend one of two strategies:

Route one: Take two completely random dictionary words (that mean nothing to you) and combine them. . It also helps to capitalize at least one of the letters. Then throw a few random numbers between those two words, or at the end, and you’ve created a pretty secure password. For example:

Teeth + server + 1890 = Teeth18server90 (far more secure than password123)

Route two: Use a password generator to create a VERY secure password that would take days/months/years for someone to hack. Unless you’re a corporation, government agency or other high-value target, hackers typically won’t try for that long. The downside to this route is that these passwords are much harder to memorize, but, if you keep the password under 10 characters, it CAN be done. PCTools has my personal favorite online password generator. It’s secure, free, and easy to use. Find it here: https://secure.pctools.com/guides/password/.

To help you remember your very secure password, you may want to use a password manager. These handy tools securely store all of your passwords on your PC or Mac  so you don’t have to manually enter them when they’re needed.  Tools like LastPass can store and change passwords for all of your favorite websites, and it is available on a variety of platforms – Mac, Windows, Linux, and most smartphones – and works well with  a variety of web browsers (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer). It is key to NOT use one of these programs on a shared or public computer because anyone using the machine would automatically have access to all your passwords.

Finally, we recommend you change your password(s) every month or two to avoid situations where your password is compromised, and you don’t find out until it’s too late (emails sent out on your behalf, Facebook data erased or copied, money stolen). The easiest way to remember this is to set a calendar reminder. If you use a calendar program like Outlook, iCal, or Google Calendar, just create a recurring event (once a month, or every two months) to alert you with a reminder to change your most important passwords. (Extra tip: Include the links above in the event, so you can have quick access to the sites to change and/or manage them.)

-Agent William G.

Agent William G. has been an Agent with Geek Squad since 2004. If he’s not working on computers remotely or contributing to the Geek Squad Intelligence Blog, he can be seen skateboarding in the city streets of Atlanta.

SPAM: Funny Name, Not-So-Funny Results
Almost everyone with an email account gets spam messages on a regular basis — especially if you sign up for company newsletters, or tick the “yes, please contact me” box when completing an online purchase. But don’t worry. We’re going to help you spot and deal with email spam like a full-fledged Geek Squad Agent.

How do I prevent spam?

• Use a spam filter.  Spam filters scan incoming emails for common spam keywords and phrases (like “money back guarantee”). Most free and business email accounts have spam filters built-in, including Gmail, Yahoo! And Hotmail. Make sure yours is turned on in your email application’s settings.
• Read “the fine print” on sign up forms.  Never sign up for anything on a website, application or social network before reading the form. Some companies sell databases full of client contact information to third parties, who will then send out spam or marketing emails on a regular basis. Look out for the box that says “yes, you can share my information” (often selected by default) and make sure it is de-selected.
• Get a good internet security suite.  While business email providers generally have antivirus suites to scan email attachments and prevent spam, some free email providers don’t. Getting a good internet security suite for your home PC or laptop is not only beneficial, it’s vital. Kaspersky, Webroot and Trend all offer great internet security packages that have anti-spam and email attachment scanners built-in.

What do I do if email spam gets into my inbox?
 If something that looks like spam gets through your email filter (for instance, an email entitled “I can haz your moneys and your house?”), don’t be afraid of it. Simply select the offending message and click your email application’s ‘Report Spam’ button. This will add the sender to your block list and send all emails coming from that address straight to your spam folder. Since most spam doesn’t come from the same sender, the filter also stores key phrases, words and other information to help it to increase its effectiveness.

Spam: Easily Treatable.
Email spam can be effectively dealt with and prevented. Be vigilant with every email you open, every attachment you download and every link you follow. It is also important to keep a good internet security suite installed on your PC.

Was that just the sound of your jaw dropping? Yes, even digital cameras aren’t safe online. This should serve as a handy wake-up call that — in our Web-connected world — it’s not just your computer and phone  that need security updates!

Almost every device that connects to your network, from your TV and DVD player to your security system, run on basic software called “Firmware”. This software controls all functionality of the device – kind of like an operating system, like Windows or MAC OS. In the case of networked devices, it controls how your devices communicate with the network and can allow you to access the device remotely.

As technology changes, this firmware sometimes needs to be updated. Occasionally a security threat is found that makes your device (and the network it is connected to) vulnerable to a hacker attack or manipulation. Manufacturers usually take care of this problem by releasing a free firmware update for your device, and making it available through their websites.  It is important to check for these updates on a regular basis to ensure you always have the latest firmware.

If you own a TRENDNet IP Camera, TRENDnet has released the following information on their website on how to update the camera’s firmware, where to obtain the update, and how to get in touch with them if needed:

TRENDnet’s security team understands that video from some TRENDnet IP SecurView cameras may be accessed online in real time. Upon awareness of the issue, TRENDnet initiated immediate actions to quantify the scope of the issue, initiate corrective actions, and publish updated firmware which resolves the issue.

Only select cameras purchased between April of 2010 and the present may be affected and require a firmware update. Eighteen camera models have been identified. A list of the identified products is available on TRENDnet’s homepage: http://www.trendnet.com

How can Consumers Upload new Firmware?
Updating firmware takes a few minutes. New firmware for all of the listed models is available at the following link:http://www.trendnet.com/downloads

How can Consumers Contact TRENDnet?
TRENDnet has created the following dedicated email for all inquires related to this reported issue. Customers with any questions related to this issue such as how to update your camera’s firmware are invited to contact TRENDnet at the following email: ipcam@trendnet.com

For more than 20 years, TRENDnet has built a reputation for offering trusted, security IP camera solutions to consumers worldwide. We have worked hard to create a brand delivering network solutions that people trust. TRENDnet extends its deepest apologies to consumers which may be impacted by this issue.

To find updated drivers for major brands, check out our driver Do-It-Yourself page. For a quick tutorial on how to update firmware, check out our 2 Minute Miracle at http://gslink.us/KcM0E1. For assistance in updating firmware, or additional questions, chat with an Agent at http://www.geeksquad.com, call 1-800-GEEK-SQUAD, or visit a Geek Squad Precinct at Best Buy store near you for a consultation.

-Agent Patrick B.

Agent Patrick B. has been an Agent with the Geek Squad since 2005.  When he isn’t overseeing the Geek Squad Intelligence Blog or the Geek Squad’s Social Media presence, he can be found wandering the streets of Minneapolis for a fresh new source of caffeine to fuel his all night gaming sessions.

Geek Squad Agents often hear: “It was so fast when I got it, but it’s really slow now!” Don’t start digging a hole in the backyard yet.

Computer sluggishness is often software related. You might have picked up malware, which can be removed by a professional. It could also be the result of resource mismanagement problem like too much software running at the same time. If you look at a list of software on your computer, you may find more has been installed over the years than you thought. Sometimes a simple optimization – the oil change of the computer world - could be enough to clean up the clutter and put some life back into the old box. You can often do this at home and can be as simple as uninstalling programs you no longer need and disabling things like browser toolbars and extraneous startup items.

But maybe you’ve optimized your computer and it’s still as sluggish as a frozen snail. There’s probably more going on than a software issue. Maybe a piece of hardware is starting to malfunction and needs to be replaced. Or maybe your computer hasn’t quite caught up to the present day and needs a loving hardware upgrade. It’s important to consider the age of your pc, upgrade potential and cost, and your computer’s relative value, before investing hundreds of dollars in upgrades. New hardware can be a either good investment or a waste of money. Some careful analysis will often help you determine the best course of action.

RAM (random-access memory) is the least expensive hardware to upgrade and may be a good starting point if your machine has 2 gb (gigabytes) or less. You can spend less than a hundred dollars on new RAM and gain a significant performance increase because the amount of RAM in your computer dictates how many applications can run comfortably at the same time. Visit bestbuy.upgradebase.com to see if your computer could benefit from a memory upgrade.

The next thing you might consider replacing is a failing hard drive. Your drive may be on its last legs if your machine has extremely slow performance, experiences random shut downs, and occasionally refusals to boot. A hard drive is the device that holds all of your personal information and operating system, which is why it is important to save your stuff. If you backup your machine regularly, replacing a hard drive can be a good thing. Newer hard drives often offer significantly more space and may give you a performance boost.  A new hard drive will cost between 100 and 200 dollars and if you’re handy with a screwdriver, can be easy to install. You will also need a copy of your operating system to install on the blank drive. If you don’t have these discs, contact the manufacturer of your computer to order them.

If you’ve replaced the RAM and the hard drive, or replacing them won’t help, things will start to get expensive. Though every situation and household budget is different, I use the ‘rule of three’ when deciding the fate of my computers. If the computer in question is over 3 years old and repairing or upgrading it will cost more than 300 dollars, it may be time to send your old friend to the great recycling plant in the sky. Your local Best Buy is happy to recycle your used electronics for free and our friendly PC sales team can talk you through the transition. Geek Squad can also assist you by transferring your data from your old machine to your new one. For the remainder of the month of February, when you purchase a Microsoft Premium laptop, the data transfer is free!

As always, for a more complete optimization, hardware consultation, or virus removal your local Agents can give you a hand. Like mad scientists, we bring dead things back to life using the power of electricity. (Insert maniacal laugh here.) Call 1-800-GEEKSQUAD, chat with an Agent on www.geeksquad.com, or stop by your local Precinct at Best Buy to learn more with a free consultation.

-Agent Laura M.

Every day, Counter Intelligence Agent Laura M, of Precinct 329, heroically removes malware and saves the personal lives of computer users in Maple Grove, MN.  She has a vitamin D deficiency from playing too many video games.  She likes animals and books.

Gather Your Roster: There’s no better way to watch the big game than with a big crowd, so make sure all of your friends are on time for kickoff by sending them an email invitation to your party. Create an email-able football-themed invite on a website like Evite.com, Smilebox.com or Pingg.com. Choose from dozens of football templates, customize it with your text and send it out to your network – for free! These sites are quick and simple for the time-constrained party planners and will rally spirits before game day.

Bring in Reinforcements: Buffalo wings. Nachos. Chips and dip. You know your guests will be expecting these tasty treats, but what’s your game plan for cooking them? Geek Squad Agents suggest using your apps to make your apps! Smartphone apps, such as Cook’s Illustrated (iPhone, free), Healthy Recipes – 200k Recipes From SparkRecipes (BlackBerry, free), Party Food Recipes (Android, free) and Weber’s On The Grill (iPhone, $4.99) have thousands of simple recipes that are sure to score you the extra point with your party guests.

Go the Distance: Make sure your television is the right distance and height from your couch so you and your guests feel like you’re front row center on the 50 yard line. Geek Squad Agents recommend you should be able to comfortably see the screen without moving your eyes from right to left or up and down. If you prefer a more precise measure, they recommend a distance that’s about two times the size of the screen. For example, 4 feet away from a 24-inch TV or 8 feet away from a 48-inch TV. The height of the TV is also very important for optimal viewing. Geek Squad suggests putting the TV at a height of about 48 inches and no more than 15 degrees above eye level. However, higher mounting is an option and should be used if you have an extremely large viewing area.

Call an Instant Replay:  Corporations throw down the big bucks for airtime during the big game because they know commercials have become as much a part of the tradition as the game itself. Use your DVR to create your own instant replay on your favorite spots. You’ll be sure to catch every ad so you can take part in the “best and worst” chatter with your colleagues on Monday. If you’re going to be away from your TV and forgot to set your DVR to record the big game, don’t worry. Wireless TiVo is available – just set your box via any high-speed Internet connection. And with the TiVo Desktop service, you can transfer the program to a portable device or computer and catch up on the action in between meetings or travels. You can even program your DVR from your phone using apps, such as those from TiVo (iPhone, free), DirecTV (iPhone, Android, free) and Verizon Fios (iPhone, Android, free).

Go Mobile: If you can’t watch the big game, never fear, your smartphone could be the answer. There has been an explosion of sports applications for smartphones and tablets. The apps can give you the latest updates, scores, news, standings and live game details. iPhone and Android devices offer a variety of free apps including ESPN ScoreCenter, NFL Mobile and WatchESPN.

De-clutter Your Coffee Table: You want space for all your snacks and drinks, not all those remotes! A Geek Squad Agent can show you how to de-clutter your coffee table by consolidating your remotes with a universal remote. Operating the many complex components of your entertainment system is as easy as the touch of a button. Universal remotes can also control your lights and electronic blinds in your new home theater. Geek Squad offers Remote Control Setup both online and in-home.

To learn about programming a universal remote, check out Geek Squad’s how-to videos on GeekSquad.com:

• Universal Remotes
• Expand the Range of Your Universal Remote

For help with all your sports technology needs, call 1.800 GEEK SQUAD to set up an onsite consultation, find an Agent or location near you at www.geeksquad.com, or visit the Geek Squad Precinct at Best Buy and other locations to speak with an Agent directly. We provide our services wherever and whenever you need them – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Have you ever had that sick feeling in your gut when you think you deleted a really important file and aren’t sure if you can get it back? Trust me – I’ve been there, and it is the worst. Since that fateful day, I learned to back up duplicates of all my data on external drives.

My backup drives run the gamut from small flash drives to full-sized external hard drives. My data didn’t seem to care where it was stored as long as it had a home.  However, as I started to accumulate more than just a few flash and hard drives, maintaining my backup library started to bug me.  I hate clutter!

Enter “THE CLOUD”

Cloud-based backups allow users to securely save important files to an online data backup server. These systems allow users to store their data on professionally maintained servers while providing secure access to it anytime from any computer – and many mobile devices – with an Internet connection. Clearly just the thing for a data security maniac and neat freak like me.

Sound too good to be true? Well, depending upon how things play out in the next few months, it may just be.

Though cloud-based storage solutions like Norton, Sugar Sync and Carbonite are great options to backup your important data off-site, what happens if the company managing the storage system is shut down or closes for some reason? What happens to your data?

What happens to my data?

Users of the MegaUpload service are finding out the hard way at this moment.  The target of legal action by the U.S. Justice Department, MegaUpload recently had their assets frozen. While some users of MegaUpload may have used it to illegally share movies and TV shows, over 50 million users who used it for legitimate purposes have had their data swept up in this legal dispute. Attorneys for MegaUpload and the companies it used to host client data say the U. S. Attorney in charge of the case sent them a letter giving them permission to start deleting data from its servers as early as Feb. 2^nd.

What does this mean for users? Pictures, spreadsheets and documents for private citizens and small businesses could be deleted without advance warning. For small business owners who don’t have a local backup, the loss of client data could be devastating to their livelihood. While users have had limited-to-no access to their data since January 19, MegaUpload is continuing its fight to keep user data from being deleted.

This situation reinforces the advice of data security and privacy professionals when it comes to choosing a cloud storage provider. They emphasize users should focus on well-known, established companies as service providers. Publicly-traded companies are very good options because they will be more risk averse than start-ups. Using a company you already have a relationship with –your ISP for instance – and one based in the United States is also a good idea.

For more on the risks of cloud storage see this article from National Public Radio’s business show, Marketplace. For more on choosing a cloud storage company, see this article from PC World Magazine. Can you imagine if this had happened to you?

Cloud storage is a great part of a backup solution, but this underscores why it should not be the only option. Storing your data is too important to trust to a single method. I think cloud storage is pretty awesome, but I will not give up on the clutter and safety of the old fashion external hard drive – and neither should you.

Keep your data safe! Back up today – locally, and online. You’ll be glad that you did.

-Agent Timothy E.

To learn more about how to ensure your data is backed up safely and securely, visit your local Best Buy and talk to a Geek Squad Agent about all the different ways to back up data — or visit us at support.geeksquad.com (24/7) and we can help back your data up for you! 

One of the most common resolutions people make in the New Year is to get a handle on their finances. Here at Geek Squad, we want you to know that your technology is ready and willing to help you make that resolution a reality.

Goodbye Cable?

If you are feeling your wallet get tighter every time your cable bills arrive, it may be time to change your habits and begin using your high-speed internet connection to your advantage. Almost all major television networks now offer most of their shows online shortly after, or in some cases as, they air on live TV. Other websites  like Hulu, Joost and YouTube give you the ability to watch older episodes of many popular network and cable shows. You can also find classic TV shows on these channels, particularly YouTube. Cut yourself loose from cable by taking advantage of the wide variety of free streaming content available online.

Worried that you don’t want to watch a whole TV show on your little laptop screen?, Never fear. Almost all newer televisions allow you to connect your computer directly to the TV with an extra cable or two. Just remember you need to have minimum high speed internet connection of 1.5Mbps to be able to get a good video streaming experience. If you’re not sure what your current speed is, try out Geek Squad’s speed test: www.geeksquad.com/speedtest

Coming Soon To A Computer Near You

Sure, I suppose some people love walking through a movie theater in its sticky-floored glory. But more and more people prefer to stay at home and watch films. Staying home to watch movies in your pajamas and Snuggie is not only more comfortable than sitting in a drafty theater, it can be much less expensive

With your computer and high speed internet connection, you can use Netflix, Apple iTunes and CinemaNow to choose a movie, download it and start watching within minutes. Again, you don’t have to worry about watching these movies on a small computer screen because many services use small set-top boxes with easy set-up to stream movies from your computer to your TV. In fact, Netflix is available on all gaming consoles [Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360] and most Blu-ray players include applications for most of these services,  so you can easily turn your living room into your own comfortable movie theater. So, get your popcorn in the microwave and your family together, and make it a movie night tonight.

Phone Home, for a Lot Less

You are going to want to tell everyone about your plan to ring in the savings in 2012. Fortunately, there are new telephone options that allow you to lower your monthly bills without sacrificing talk time. These services allow you to turn your pre-existing Internet connection into a functioning phone line. Web-based providers such as Skype, magicJack and Jajah are affordable ways to turn your computer into a phone, especially for international calls. Skype and Jajah are also available as apps for on-the-go calling [free on Android and iPhone]. You can also text for free using your Gmail account or apps like textPlus and Kik [both free on Android and iPhone]. Using some additional hardware, you can use VoIP systems like Vonage and Ooma for low cost calling.

Mighty Music Master

No matter your music preference, there are ways to listen to your favorite tunes without destroying your budget. Free, high-quality radio and music streaming via sites like SHOUTcast, Pandora, Grooveshark and Spotify allow you to listen to the music you like through your internet connection. These sites are also great ways to discover new artists and songs, and you are able to listen to whole songs, not just clips. Be sure to  check out your favorite band’s website because many artists release songs as free downloads on their sites.

Smart Phone Spending

Smart phones are called smart for a reason.And now they can help you wise-up about spending. There are a plethora of applications that are available for download, offering quick and easy ways for you to save some money no matter where you are. So, download the apps and let the savings roll in!

• No longer do you need to waste ink and paper to print your online coupons. With apps like The Coupon App] and Coupon Sherpa [both free on Android and iPhone], discounts are right at your fingertips. Based on your location, these apps find coupons for stores near you.
• There seems to be an inverse relationship between a gas tank and a wallet: when one is full often times the other is empty. Gas Buddy and AAA TripTik [again, both free on Android and iPhone] are apps that list area gas stations and, most importantly, their prices, so you can fill your tank and minimize the damage on your wallet.
• Taking a trip to the store to pick up a new toy? Check out PriceGrabber, Shop Savvy and ShopKick [all free on Android and iPhone] to easily compare pricing and availability to other local stores.
• Checking in can save you cash! Download the FourSquare app [free on Android and iPhone] and start checking in at your various destinations to unlock coupons, discounts and sometimes free things using the app.  Plus it’s always fun to check in more than your friends.

To learn more ways to technify your budget in the New Year, or for help with the rest of your technology needs, call 1 800 GEEK SQUAD to set up an onsite consultation. Find an Agent or location near you at www.geeksquad.com, or visit the Geek Squad Precinct at Best Buy and other locations to speak with an Agent directly. We provide our services wherever and whenever you need them – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

-Agent Laura G

Every day, Covert Remote Support Agent Laura G. is remotely saving the sanity of clients around the United States while thwarting the presence of malware on their computers. When not working on computers remotely you can find Agent Laura in her kitchen in sunny Vero Beach, FL baking creative and innovative cakes. 

If your favorite website looks different on Wednesday, January 18th, it’s likely not an issue with your computer, smartphone or tablet.  A number of well-known websites will be participating in partial “blackouts” throughout the day, or will be changing their access or features to include informational and awareness messages on the page itself.

Some of the sites that have stated they will participate include Wikipedia, Reddit, WordPress and the Google home page.  We will add to the list of sites that may have limited access throughout the day as needed.

If you find that you have access to most other sites without issue, there likely is not a problem with your Internet connection. Try those sites with which you are having trouble again tomorrow, as the partial or full blackouts are likely only temporary.

However, if you do not have access to any websites, start by contacting your Internet service provider to confirm there is not an issue with your connection.  If you continue to have issue with your Internet access, call 1-800 GEEK SQUAD (433-5778), or stop into your local Best Buy to have a Geek Squad Agent check your device out.

-Agent Derek M.

Why not take full advantage of your tablet to make planning and meeting those goals easy? Today we’ll take a few common New Year Resolutions that we all share, and look at how your tablet can help with each.

Keeping organized

Syncing your tablet with the cloud has never been easier. If you have an Android device you can let your Gmail account keep track of your contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, pictures, music, messages and more, keeping everything lined up, no matter how many devices you have. Whether you are on your tablet or on your computer, everything will stay in sync as long as you’re connected to the Internet. With an iPad, iCloud will do many of the same things for you. On Windows tablets you can use Google or SkyDrive. You can even export from one service and import it into another if migrating everything to one central account makes your digital life easier to manage.

Keeping fit

There are apps available to help you with pushups, sit-ups, yoga or walking. Nike, and coming soon from Jawbone, there’s pedometer-like gear that will work with apps to give you more accurate readings of your accomplishments. If making fitness more social and fun helps keep you motivated then you can go to Fitocracy from your tablet web browser to share your experience with others while keeping track of your progress.

Keeping in touch

Keeping in touch with friends and loved ones can be a challenge with our busy schedules. Fortunately, social sites like Facebook, twitter and foursquare make it easier to share in the lives of the people that you care about. If logging in to separate web pages to check in with your social network is a bit overwhelming to you, you may want to consider consolidating them into one app on your tablet. Both Tweetdeck and Hootsuite do a great job of streamlining this experience in a way that may just make you want to use those services even more.

So no matter what you resolve to change in your life this year, remember your tablet can help you out, and help you stick to it! Also, keep in mind that we are always here to help. If it all seems a bit overwhelming, Geek Squad offers a Tablet Setup, as well as a variety of other services to help you skip the “techie” part, and get straight to using your new tech-tools. As always, Geek Squad Agents are standing by 24/7/365 at 1-800-GeekSquad and GeekSquad.com to help keep your unruly tech in order.

-Agent Shane N.

Geek Squad Online Support Agent Shane N serves the public by policing technology at Support.GeekSquad.com

He is father to four boys who remind him that no matter how smart he thinks he is, they are smarter. He likes Sci-Fi and skateboarding.