News about ProFix Computer Repair:
For
immediate release May 15, 2017
Contact:
Frank McClatchey, Owner, ProFix
(815) 385-1813; help@profixcomputers.net
Viruses,
Ransomware: always backup
McHENRY
— ProFix developed a reputation among clients and
business for knowing just what to do when their
computers slowed to a crawl — or worse, RANSOMWARE
May 12th
2017 saw the biggest ever cyber attack in Internet
history (yes, bigger than the Dyn DDoS). A ransomware
named WannaCry stormed through the web, with the damage
epicenter being in Europe.
Among
the many ways ransomware is unique is in the moral
quandary it presents its users. Thus far the malware's
encryption has proven largely bulletproof, meaning that,
once infected, the end-user has one of two options:
either pay the ransom — thereby funding the activities
of the criminals who hacked into their system — or lose
the files forever.
“Always
backup your data, with an external device like an
external hard drive. Also, turn off or unplug your back
when done. We received a PC from a client last week that
had 2 external drives hooked up for back up, and all
drives got hacked too… so ALWAYS unplug your back up”
said Frank McClatchey owner of ProFix Computer Repair in
McHenry.
Like
much of the malware out there, ransomware finds its way
onto systems through untrusted sites and attachments. So
the major tenants of avoiding an infection are similar
to those for avoiding malware in general: install
security software, keep your operating system and
applications up to date, and don't visit any suspicious
sites or open email attachments from unknown sources.
Be
careful to click on harmful links in your emails.
Be wary of visiting unsafe or unreliable sites.
Never click on a link that you do not trust on a web
page or access to Facebook or messaging applications
such as WatSab and other applications.
If you receive a message from your friend with a link,
ask him before opening the link to confirm, (infected
machines send random messages with links).
Keep your files backed up regularly and periodically.
Be aware of fraudulent e-mail messages that use names
similar to popular services such as PayePal instead of
PayPal or use popular service names without commas or
excessive characters.
Use anti virus and Always make have the last update.
Make sure your windows have the last update close the
gap.
For more
information, visit profixcomputers.net,
call (815) 385-1813 or send email to
help@profixcomputers.net.
For immediate release 8/28/14
Contact: Frank McClatchey, Owner, ProFix
(815) 385-1813; help@profixcomputers.net
ProFix owner launches Computers for the Community
McHENRY — The owner of a McHenry-based computer and laptop
repair service has started Computers for the Community, a
project intended to enhance both the environment and area
residents’ futures.
“Refurbishing a computer is five to 20 times more
energy-efficient than recycling,” said Frank McClatchey,
owner of ProFix at 1623 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. “Each
drop-off is a step toward a brighter future for our
community and the environment.”
Computers and other electronic devices have been banned
from Illinois landfills since 2012, and trying to
determine how to dispose of an old, unused PC or laptop
can be daunting. But old computers can have new life
helping a school student to gain valuable skills, helping
a struggling adult to develop job skills and résumés, or
helping the elderly to stay connected with distant friends
and family.
“Children who come from homes without a computer are at a
disadvantage,” McClatchey said. “They lack the basic
computer skills that others have acquired at home. They
can’t practice their skills or complete assignments
without going to the library, which isn’t always feasible
due to transportation or scheduling issues.
“By redistributing computers that would otherwise be
thrown away, more students will gain the basic tools to
keep them up to speed with our technological world.”
McClatchey said he will wipe hard drives clean and
refurbish donated computers for distribution to those in
need. He already is working with officials at Home of the
Sparrow and plans to contact Senior Services Associates
and others who could connect the working computers with
those who could use them. He also is working with a major
Internet service provider to try to develop a local plan
for reduced-cost Internet connections for those in need.
The Home of the Sparrow operations manager said that the
project, if successful, could greatly benefit the homeless
women and children that the agency serves.
“For our women to be able to search for jobs online, for
the children to do homework, for all of those sorts of
things, it’s almost a necessity to have computers,” said
Leslie Coen. “It will help them in their journey to
self-sufficiency.”
McClatchey said he already has begun to accept computers,
and hopes that many more people will consider the option.
To learn more or to schedule a drop-off, call 815-385-1813
or send an email to help@profixcomputers.net.
For
immediate
release
Contact: Frank McClatchey, Owner, ProFix
(815) 385-1813; help@profixcomputers.net
Viruses,
malware no match for tech-savvy entrepreneur
McHENRY — Frank McClatchey developed a reputation among friends
for knowing just what to do when their computers slowed to
a crawl — or worse.
Today, the 58-year-old McHenry resident’s former hobby is his
vocation. McClatchey has started ProFix, which offers
computer and laptop repair, data recovery and backup,
virus and spyware detection and removal, software
installation, driver updates and optimization, website
development assistance and more.
“For more than 18 years, I’ve been repairing computers and
helping people out with their technological questions,”
said McClatchey, who in February departed the computer and
tech repair division of a large corporate entity to devote
himself full-time to ProFix.
“New technology comes out every six months,” he said. “I stay
on top of it.”
Wonder Lake resident Randy McCafferty said that when his
relatively new, high-performance Asus recently began to
show signs of stalling, he knew just who to call.
“I backed up my files on an external hard drive, shut it down,
and I called Frank,” said McCafferty, who added that he
relies on his home desktop model between 12 and 14 hours a
day for his livelihood. “The next day, my wife dropped off
the computer, and four hours later, it was ready to be
picked up.”
McClatchey
replaced
the hard drive, ran a diagnostics check and thoroughly
cleaned the computer inside and out.
“Frank
not
only repaired it, he had it back to me in four hours, and
it works better than new,” McCafferty said.
McClatchey said he is excited to be doing what he loves while
helping people to overcome some frustrating technology
scenarios. He said he realizes that, these days
especially, people rely on their home computers. ProFix
offers a flat rate of $55 for most repairs.
For more information, visit profixcomputers.net, call (815)
385-1813 or send email to help@profixcomputers.net.
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