Microsoft Windows Users and iYogi Predict a Surge in Tech Support for Windows 7 Upgrades

Survey Shows That Nearly Half of Consumers Think Upgrading to a New Operating System Will Require Technical Assistance

iYogi, the on-demand tech services company with a unique global delivery model, announced today the results of a consumer poll regarding support concerns and predictions for the upcoming launch of the new Microsoft Windows 7operating system. Based on responses from more than 1,000 Windows XP and Windows Vista users, 52 percent think that moving to a new operating system and moving their data is a hassle, suggesting some real frustrations on the near horizon. Nearly half (47 percent) think upgrading to Microsoft Windows 7 may require a call to technical support- potentially causing a huge backlog of support needs, as up to 40 million copies of Windows 7 are expected to be sold in 2009, according to IDC.

"We predict that more than 40 percent of XP users will generate support calls and inquiries globally this year and even more in 2010 as mass adoption kicks in and people face the prospect of dealing with an entirely new interface," said Vishal Dhar, President Marketing & Co-founder of iYogi. "We estimate twice as many support calls for current Windows XP users than Windows Vista users, since Microsoft Windows XP users will require a 'clean' install including migrating applications, settings and drivers--a potentially arduous, time-intensive task."

Additional survey findings reveal:

58 percent of users think they will or may upgrade to Windows 7, an encouraging number considering some of the backlash surrounding Vista.

Only 39 percent of users are aware that Windows 7 is launching soon, suggesting an increased flurry of help questions in the coming months as more people become aware of the upgrade options

iYogi has more has more than 90,000 annual subscribers and provides thousands of single incident sessions every day on a 24/7 basis. Its Global Delivery Platform delivers on the highest customer satisfaction benchmarks in the industry and gets smarter with every customer interaction, building a powerful knowledge base that provides unique customer insights on predictive needs to tech support.

ABOUT IYOGI
iYogi is a global on-demand services company that provides personalized computer support for consumers and small businesses in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. iYogi's unique model, including proprietary technology iMantra and highly qualified technicians, is designed to eliminate computer-related stress and keep millions of digitally dependent consumers and small businesses always protected and productive. Only iYogi -- with its proven global expertise delivery model, intelligent customer insight systems, easy-to-use self-help tools and automated PC optimization and computer support services - offers users a simple yet comprehensive path to digital serenity. iYogi has perfected the remote technical support model to overcome the current limitations of in-store, on-site, or call center services to become the fastest growing provider of support in the industry. Major resellers and technology companies are increasingly turning to iYogi to improve customer satisfaction, reduce return rates, and deliver a compelling new-value added offering to customers.

For more information on iYogi and a detailed list of technologies supported, visit: http://www.iyogi.net.au

Virus Protection for Computers

Computer security... No one thinks twice when they have computers. There is no question that everyone needs to protect their computers from viruses, but the installation of antivirus and spyware blocker can be paid and free.

There are some things which you yourself can do to your computer to keep it safe and secure from viruses and hackers. But if you still mess up with things, you can reach me at 1800602586, anytime. You can always look out for the free antivirus software, but make sure that you are choosing the best. Simply keep the following steps in mind while choosing automated anti-virus protection.

 

• Stay Up-to-date: This not only applies to your anti-virus software, but also your operating system, browser and email client. Most viruses take advantage of known security problems in your computer’s software. There is almost always a patch available for the software before viruses appear on the scene that takes advantage of the vulnerabilities. If you use Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, Windows Update and Office Update respectively provide an easy way to keep up-to-date with security patches.

• Use Common Sense: This may sound little rude, but most virus infections wouldn’t happen if the computer user would think about what they are doing and use a little common sense. If you get a strange looking email message delete it instead of opening it to satisfy your curiosity. If a message, even a normal looking one, has an attachment you were not expecting to receive, don’t click on it to see what it is. Much of the secret to safe computing is smart computing.
• Don’t Follow the Crowd: Almost all viruses use flaws or features of Microsoft products. Using alternative software, especially Web browsers and email programs will thwart most viruses. Mozilla is good choice for both Web browser and email client. Using a non-Microsoft operating system such as Linux can also be a good choice for some. These measures won't prevent all viruses but they will greatly improve your chances of not becoming infected with the most prevalent viruses. 

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Windows Live OneCare – Computer Security

Password Security For your computer security

Computer security

Computer security for home users

Windows Live OneCare – Computer Security

Windows Live OneCare is a security suite by Microsoft. Most of us don’t use Windows Live OneCare but it has the basic computer security features and more, since the time was launched. Now it has improved PC security features which are really useful. Now it has Anti-Identity theft, easy to configure centralized Data backup, and the most important Virus and spyware blocker. The most notable feature of it all is being able to control 3 PC’s at once.

It’s easy to install Windows Live OneCare. I am installing it on my Windows Vista operating system. I am assuming that the process would be almost same in other versions of Microsoft windows xp and Microsoft windows vista.

  After launching the Live OneCare installation process it checks for updates. Then the rest of the setup starts. The first option is to select language and then it provides description of the software suite. Click Next.

After that you are prompted to read and accept the terms of use. And just after accepting those terms of use, the installation will start. It may take more than 10 minutes if you have slow internet connection.

Then it will reboot after loading everything.

Upon returning you will get a welcome screen of sorts.  Here you can choose to go with step 1 which will require you to purchase a license ($49.95) or go with the limited trial which is what I have selected.  Since this is my first experience with Windows Live OneCare I want to test everything out during the 90 day trial which I feel is the right decision before investing money.

Just after the confirmation, Windows Live OneCare is on a roll and working!

The next settings to pop up you may recall selecting when first installing Vista.  OneCare wants to choose the type of network connection the PC is connected to.The Windows Live OneCare control center is where to change settings, run scans, and associate other security tasks.

Windows Live OneCare Settings allow you to configure various aspects of how different protection components work.

One of the schedulable features is a PC tune-up.  This will perform typical maintenance tasks like defragmenting the Hard Drive, Scan for Viruses, and check for security updates from Microsoft.

There will be advisories that tell you about Security Updates from Microsoft which are still not installed on your Computer.  These provide a brief detailed description of the update and also allow you to connect to the Microsoft website to get even more information.

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Password Security For your computer security

Computer security

Create Exceptions in Vista Firewall

Computer security for home users

Password Security For your computer security

The biggest mistake which most of us make is that that we make our personal details use as a password, so that we won’t forget that and that would be easy for us to remember what our password was. But, forgetting the main issue that others as well are aware of our details. We tend to forget our passwords so we use simple things like our pets name, or a combination of our last name and birthday, which is really easy to crack. It’s really very easy for a hacker, who has gained the access to your computer, to get the details and crack your passwords.

Computer security is must for everyone no matter which operating system you use, whether its Microsoft windows xp or Microsoft windows vista. In any case computer should be protected by antivirus software’s.

 

Things to remember while you are creating a password for your operating system, your mail account or banking account.

 

• Never use your personal information in your password, as it is damn easy for anyone to crack your password. Never use your child’s name or your spouse name, your address.

 

• Do not use real words as your passwords, as it may also land you in trouble. There are tools available in the market which hackers use to crack your password.

 

• Always use different characters in your password. That will increase your password strength and more secure. You can use mixture of alphabets of lower case and upper case, combining them with numbers and special characters like $ , & or *.

 

• It’s is preferable to use a password management tool. Just another way to store and remember passwords securely by using password managing tools which are available in the market. These tools maintain a list of usernames and passwords in encrypted form. Some will even automatically fill in the username and password information on sites and applications.

 

• Change your password after every 30 to 60 days. And you should use different username and password for different applications. And it s advisable to use unique usernames and more secure passwords on sites such as your bank or credit card companies. You should not use the same password at least for a year.                                                                                          
• Enforce stronger passwords: Rather than relying on every user of the computer to understand and follow the instructions above, you can configure Microsoft Windows password policies so that Windows will not accept passwords that don't meet the minimum requirements. 

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Computer security

Shortcut for Locking Your Computer Screen in Windows

Create Exceptions in Vista Firewall

Computer security for home users

Shortcut for Locking Your Computer Screen in Windows

There are many different ways to lock your computer. Ctrl+alt+del is most commonly used to lock computers. And there is one more way which people often use… windows+L. And then there are those who prefer using their mouse rather than using keyboard.

And then there are people who use both ways. Here we are going to discuss a shortcut to lock your windows XP and Windows Vista. This method will work on both the versions of Microsoft.

Now...Right click on wherever you want to create the shortcut, choose new and then shortcut.

Then a new window will pop up on screen …Fill in the following text into the box. That window may look different in Windows Vista. But put the same text in the box whether you are using windows vista or windows xp.

rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation

Give it a name and click Finish.

We Get moer for you guys ...soon.

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Create Exceptions in Vista Firewall

Computer security for home users

Computer security for home users

Computer security is the main concern for every user. There are various methods to keep your computer secure from viruses, spywares, Trojan and many more. There are paid spyware blockers as well as virus removal, but I prefer the free one..., if you are getting the same service in free then why to pay? 

It’s normal thing if you surf net...like visiting different web sites, social networks and other websites then your computer security and privacy is at risk. Phishing emails, network worms, spywares, viruses can easily attack on your personal data.  

Just a few useful tips to protect your computer from viruses -

After the installation of any operating system, get your computer updated with spyware blockers or spyware or virus protection.

Always keep your spam filter updated. Do not open any suspicious emails.

Scan every file before downloading it.

And if you do not have any hardware firewalls then use inbuilt security in the windows xp or windows Vista.

Following is the list of some of the tools which I have used and are effective.

Anti-Virus	Clamwin
Spyware Protection	Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware
Hardware Firewall	Linksys Router
Software Firewall	Comodo Personal Firewall

I have used Clamwin, it will do auto database updates but it does not provide real time protection. I usually sit for an hour twice or thrice in a month just to scan my PC with the provided list of antispywares and spyware blockers.

For me...my data is really very important and a single virus can destroy it beyond repair, it is really very important to keep your computer updated and protected. If you need any help regarding your computer or laptop, you can contact me at 1 800 602 586. Will be  Happy to help.