The first step in a long battle...

FTC cracks down on telephone tech support scam, read this first,

Regulators smash global phone tech support scam operation

So in the last 15 service calls that I have processed, 2 have been this scam. With the golbalization of customer support and the ease of remote access to your computer this scam is easy quick and profitable.  

I have seen a even worse situation where the initial target is contacted a second time to let them know that a second virus is on their computer and again the target pays money.  

Signs of the scam, 

- Unsolicited phone call

- Demand to access you computer remotely

- Will to negotiate on the repair price

- Will not provide a call back number

When in doubt, hang up, and as always if you have any security, virus, or malware questions, please feel free to contact me.

Great local internet providers

For most folks in Northwest Denver there seem to be only two choices for internet providers, Comcast and Century Link.  If you want just internet, beauce you do not need a home phone or cable tv channels, both providers offer this option, but neither is cost effective.

There are other options, 

- Your mobile telephone provider (T-mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T),   they can provide a data plan and service with reasonable speed, but the cost and caping of data are major considerations. (What is a data cap?)

- Clear is another provider that specializes in Wi-Max.  Clear has reasonable speed, no data caps, and reasonable cost.   One issue is coverage, as with all wireless data providers, you might not get good coverage based on location. 

- Livewirenet, provides Wi-Max and DSL service to Northwest Denver locations. Livewirenet  has different options Wi- Max or DSL depending on your needs and physical location.   I like them because as a local company they are very service oriented and local.

If you know of other options, let me know, I could always have missed one. 

More indispensable Android Apps?

I run into lists of apps, services, and products all the time.  More often than not the lists are simple and do not have a lot of depth.   I ran into another one the other day and I am looking for some feedback on it, specifically does the list have value.  Take a look and let me know what you think, 

10 indispensable Android Apps

Are consumers bad at math?

I found this interesting article about consumers and pricing.   It is an excellent time to take note of these errors and biases, especially with back to school purchasing coming up.   Read through the article,  I know that I have been guilt of at least three of these.  

The 11 Ways That Consumers Are Hopeless at Math

Our new Facebook Page

Check out our new Facebook Page, 

http://www.facebook.com/CollaborationLab

Like us today!