HalNor Computers

Archive for the ‘Info’ Category

I have a few clients that have gotten emails that come from people they know and it provides a link that asks for a signature to sign a documents. It will ask for your email address and password. May be a fake login to MS portal. NEVER ENTER your email password to any email link.

Once they get your password they can hack your email and spread the same email from you while they collect more email passwords.

If you did please change your email password immediately! Also setup 2FA if you did not already have it setup.

I 2FA everything!

I suggest you don’t use MS Phone Link if you are concerned with security. It’s very handy but if your text has sensitive stuff then it could be hacked. Got this from Brave AI Search:

Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) on Windows presents several security and privacy risks that users should be aware of:

• Data relayed through Microsoft servers: Personal data such as text messages, notifications, photos, and clipboard content is sent through Microsoft’s cloud servers when using Phone Link, even if the devices are on the same local network.  While Microsoft states this data is not stored permanently, it is processed in transit and may include sensitive information like 2FA codes or private messages. 

• Automatic reconnection issue: Users have reported that even after disconnecting Phone Link, the app automatically reconnects when the PC is turned on or the screen is unlocked.  This behavior creates a persistent security vulnerability, especially if the PC is compromised. 

• Physical access risk: A cyberstalker or malicious actor with brief physical access to your phone can pair it with their Windows PC by scanning a QR code.  Once paired, they can monitor iMessages, call logs, notifications, and even SMS messages without your knowledge—posing a serious risk in cases of abuse or stalking. 

• Security concerns with compromised devices: If your Windows PC is hacked, a malicious actor can access your phone’s data via Phone Link, including 2FA codes visible on the PC. This effectively nullifies two-factor authentication for accounts tied to SMS or authenticator apps. 

• App detection as malicious: Some users have reported that Phone Link is flagged as malicious by security software (e.g., Device Care on Samsung devices), indicating potential security concerns. 

Recommendations:

• Disable Phone Link when not in use and remove the pairing from your phone’s app settings if you’re not actively using it. 

• Check Bluetooth pairings on your iPhone regularly and forget unknown devices. 

• Use iOS Safety Check (Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check) to review and manage connected devices and shared data. 

• Keep your PC and phone updated, use strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all sensitive accounts. 

• Consider disabling background app activity for Phone Link and removing Wi-Fi/data access to the app on your phone to prevent syncing. 

Bottom line: While Phone Link offers convenience, its security flaws and data handling practices make it risky, especially if your PC or phone is compromised.  Use it only if you trust your devices and network, and be prepared to manually manage connections. 

The price and availability of DDR5 memory have increased again and very limited in stock. SSD drives also have increased in price. I will unfortunately have to increase my prices on my Desktop systems. What is currently listed will change soon. Laptops seem to be OK for what my suppliers have in stock but I am sure will increase when they change over inventory.

I just got in standard i5 CPUs. DDR5 memory has gone up in price hence PC prices have gone up a bit. CPUs and Memory are still limited in stock from my suppliers but I do have them in stock

I use to be a Firefox user. I felt it’s more secure then Edge of Chrome and less spying that Chrome (Google) is doing. It started to have issues with certain websites so I switched to Brave

Things that I feel make Brave a better browser then any other I have used:

1. Blocks ads and trackers be default.
2. More secure then the other browsers.
3. Brave search does not spy on you like Google. Google’s search engine is a money making machine for Google selling your search history. Brave search does not sell and their AI search is really good along with the search results. Good as Google and better than Bing. Microsoft makes money on Bing just like Google’s search
4. Bookmark sync between PCs/Laptops is secure with changing key and is not tide in with a Google or MS account.
5. Extensions are compatible with Chrome Extensions
6. Chromium engine is compatible with anything Chrome is

I really suggest anyone who wants to browse securely and is not tracked to switch to Brave

Here is a comparison between Brave and Chrome

Currently there is a Intel i5 CPU shortage as well memory. Both DDR4 and DDR5. DDR4 they are not producing any more and DDR5 are in shortage and likely will increase in price.

Intel is starting to push the new Ultra CPU (15th gen). Issue is they are more expensive along with the new motherboards that change to the LGA1851 socket.

Since DDR5 memory is becoming the normal DDR4 is more expensive since they are not producing as much. DDR5 memory supply seems low as well.

MICROSOFT 365

Replacing Skype

By Peter Deegan • Comment about this article

In late February, Microsoft announced that Skype would be retired on May 5, 2025. What can you use instead? It’s a lot more complicated than Microsoft makes out.

Originally developed by Skype Technologies and released in 2003, Skype went through several owners before being acquired in 2011 by Microsoft. Among other things, Redmond replaced Windows Live Messenger (aka MSN Messenger) with Skype and created a new tier, Skype for Business.

The seemingly firm date is only partially true. If you’re using Skype as a stand-alone, you’ve got just over a month left. Microsoft 365 users have a bit more time for making phone calls — until March 2026.

Let’s talk about replacements for this two-decades-old product.

There’s no direct replacement for all Skype’s features for computer-to-computer connections and calls to regular phones (POTS, or Plain Old Telephone Service). There are several alternatives to the main computer-to-computer call feature of Skype, plus other options that can replace the computer-to-POTS service for cheaper overseas calls.

First, let’s look at some of the options for device-to-device communications, audio or video calls, text messaging, photo/file transfer, and possibly screen sharing.

Teams (free)

Microsoft’s recommendation to replace Skype is — wait for it — Microsoft Teams (please try to contain your surprise). But Teams free can’t call phone numbers, so it’s not a complete replacement. This is a fact that Microsoft skips over.

Teams (free) comes with Windows and is also available for Mac, Apple devices, and Android. There’s also a Web browser version, which is enough for occasional use. A Microsoft account is required for login.

Free Teams allows unlimited chat with individuals (Microsoft says “friends and family”) and group calls for up to 100 people — with a one-hour limit. Those with Microsoft 365 plans (Personal and Family) can handle groups of up to 300 participants and 30 hours.

To get started, launch Teams and look under the Chat button. Contacts are displayed, and at the bottom is the Invite to Teams option (see Figure 1) that creates a unique Web link to send to the people with whom you want to communicate.

Have 14th gen i5’s now in stock. i7’s 14th gen on BO till April