SoHo Computer Doctors Ltd.

Top Ten Tips For Keeping Your Computer Virus Free

2011-07-12T17:06:00.002+01:00

Install reliable antivirus software
There are many free ones like Free AVG, Comodo Antivirus or avast!. AVG is one of the best in terms of usability, if you use POP email with Outlook, Thunderbird or Windows Mail then it will scan all emails and attachments. Comodo does not scan POP email, but if you do open an attachment it will scan the file and block it, if it contains/is a virus or Trojan.

Update your antivirus software
Antivirus software can only detect viruses it knows about. If the AV software has not been updated then any new virus or Trojan that has been written since the last update will not be detected and can infect your computer.

Start your AV software automatically when you turn your computer on
Configure your antivirus software to start when you boot into Windows and do not close it...EVER! That way it will always scan files and attachments when you open them

Scan files that have not come from your computer
If you are given a USB key drive or external hard drive or CD/DVD scan the whole thing before you open any file. If the USB drive is yours and you lent it to someone, scan it when you get it back. The person who you lent it to may have a virus. If you have put a USB drive into another computer scan it when you return to your computer.

Scan your email
If your AV software can scan POP email then configure it to do so. Any viruses will be removed so you won't be able to open them. If you use web based email (Hotmail, Yahoo, etc) make sure it scans your email for viruses and Trojans.

Schedule a weekly computer scan
Scan your entire computer weekly. This is easy to setup in Free AVG or Comodo. When the scan starts, don't stop it because it is slowing your computer and you can't work. Go and do something else whilst it scans, you can change the scan day/time to a time when you don't use the computer but it is on.

Don't open attachments automatically
Don't have attachments automatically opened by your email software, this will ensure they are scanned by the AV software first.

Don't download files from unknown places
Be very wary of what you download and from where! If you have been directed to a site you have never heard of to download something, back away and go somewhere else. This includes games, screensavers and freeware software. These are common places virus writers put their viruses. Another place were viruses are often put is in cracked software. Not only is it illegal to use, but you could end up with a computer that is littered with viruses and Trojans.

Keep Windows up to date
Make sure you run Window update once a month to pick up the latest update from Microsoft. This will ensure that you get fixes for Windows security problems. Very often viruses and Trojans spread by exploiting security problems with Windows, if you plug the security holes by doing regular Windows Updates, then there are fewer ways viruses can infect your computer.

Use common sense
If you receive an attachment or a link in your email, don't open it if it is from someone you have never heard of. If it has come from someone you know, still be wary...viruses spread by sending themselves to every email address it can find on the infected computer. If in any doubt email the person who sent you the attachment or link and confirm they did send it to you and it is safe to open.

If you do get infected with a virus, give us a call and we'll remove it. We don't need to be sitting in front of the computer to do this, we can do it remotely!

Top Tip - Keyboard Shortcuts 1

2011-06-20T17:52:00.002+01:00

The Windows key is the key on your keyboard with the Windows "flag". It looks similar to this:

In Windows Explorer if you have a file selected Ctrl + c will copy that file to the Clipboard. Ctrl + v will paste it to whatever folder you go to. Ctrl + x followed by Ctrl + v will move the file.

Ctrl + c for copy, Ctrl + v for paste and Ctrl + x for cut
In Word, Excel and most other programs Ctrl + c will copy the selected text to the clipboard. Ctrl + v will paste whatever is in the Clipboard where the cursor is. Ctrl + x will remove the selected text and place it into the Clipboard. Use Ctrl + v to paste it where the cursor is. Cut is akin to move.
Alt + Tab: Switch between applications/windows quickly
Keeping ALT pressed press and release TAB to rotate through the list of programs. The application you stop on will then come into focus.
Windows keyboard shortcut: Windows key + f
This key combination will bring up Windows Search.
Windows keyboard shortcut: Windows key + e
This will open a new Windows Explorer Window, so you can browse your files.
Windows keyboard shortcut: Windows key + d
If you have lots of things open this will minimise all windows, showing your desktop with its icons.

Review from Freeindex.com

2011-04-02T11:14:00.003+01:00

Great IT Support. I was recommended to use SoHo Computer Doctors by a friend and was impressed with their level of IT support. They always come quickly and sort out the problems I have with my laptops. They also give them a good clean out making them run as fast as possible every quarter or so & the speed difference is amazing!! I have recommended them to my friends too.

Athena Zographos
London

Review from Freeindex.com

2011-03-30T11:11:00.003+01:00

Soho Computer Doctors has helped me so much with my email setup and management. They also check over my computers regularly and provide me with computer support. Great value for money. Thank you

Robin Chapman
London

Review from Freeindex.com

2011-03-18T11:06:00.003Z

Soho Computer Doctors provide my company with monthly contracted IT support. They are always very prompt in answering queries and resolving any problems we have with the servers, email and desktop computers.

Harley - Owner of Coach House Rentals Ltd
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Testimonial from Rapid Dissolve Technologies Ltd

2011-03-16T10:43:00.009Z

SoHo Computer Doctors have been providing our business IT support for us since the end of 2003. Up until mid ‘05 we had no centralised fileserver, email system or backup policy. SoHoCD advised us what hardware and software to get and put it all together. Since then we have had a monthly IT support contract covering the server, which is still going strong, and the 6 desktops. All of the IT support has been by remote access. Whenever we have had any issues with the server or desktops, SoHoCD have been quick to respond and have been able to resolve the problem. They have also been doing all the edits we need on our websites.

Nick Jacob
Director, Rapid Dissolve Technologies Ltd
Director, Koru Energy Ltd
On going services provided from December 2003

Testimonial from Melville and Tamara Haggard

2011-02-04T10:52:00.003Z

SoHo Computer Doctors have continued to be available at short notice and provide timely and cost computer support. Specifically, the migration of all our data and files from one, old computer to a new one, a cheap backup solution and the successful installation of wireless broadband. SoHoCD provides a courteous and highly efficient IT support service.

Melville and Tamara Haggard
Services provided from September 2002

Refer a friend and you both get a £10 gift voucher

2011-02-03T12:11:00.000Z

We have now introduced a "Refer a friend" scheme. If you know someone who needs IT support and they're not a previous customer of ours, you can refer them to us and so long as they spend £60 (2 hours work) with us on our first visit, you both get a £10 gift voucher from Argos, Zavvi, HMV, Amazon or Apple's iTunes store. You don't have to have a voucher from the same place.

More information on our "refer a friend" scheme.

Testimonial from Lisa Beslity

2010-08-07T10:55:00.005+01:00

We discovered SoHo Computer Doctors through a friend of ours 4 years ago. Since then, they have continued to provide an invaluable IT support service for our family. They setup our secure wireless broadband, to which my 2 laptops and my daughter's Apple Mac connect to. Just recently I wanted to have a wireless printer in the house and they advised what to get and configured it to connect to the wireless network. I get them in on a monthly basis to do a clean up, make sure the laptops are running smoothly and that there are no viruses or spyware.

A great IT support service by smart and friendly professionals!! Thank you.

Lisa Beslity
On going services provided from February 2003

Special Offer exclusive to GWE Business West members

2010-06-26T12:15:00.002+01:00

Since being a member of the GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce, we are discounting our IT support services offering a 25% discount on all first visits to other members. That's £22.50⁄hour instead of £30⁄hour for any of our IT support services.

More information on our GWE Business West offer

Testimonial from Charles Short

2009-04-15T10:58:00.002+01:00

When we had a problem with our computer last year a friend recommended that we get SoHo Computer Doctors to have a look at it. The problem was resolved quickly and we have always used them for our IT support.

When we moved home they were the natural choice to install and setup the wireless broadband. All I had to was order the broadband from BT and when the equipment arrived, SoHoCD did the rest.

Charles Short
On going services provided from August 2005

Testimonial from Rosie Hessey

2008-10-27T11:02:00.001Z

Very little tends to go wrong with our computer, but when we need IT support, I always give SoHo Computer Doctors a call. They have always been prompt, and are able to work out what's wrong and fix the problem quickly. Thanks.

Rosie Hessey

Testimonial from Roger Lawson

2007-09-03T11:04:00.003+01:00

SoHo Computer Doctors continue to be an enormous help following my decision to set up a "home office" a couple of years ago. They were able to discuss my likely needs and interpret the sales literature, help specify the appropriate equipment and talk me though the benefits of broadband vs regular telephone connection. They then helped with the installation of the equipment and familiarisation of the software packages.
They now visit every three months or so to ensure windows updates, spam filters, remote access and other add ons are operational.
A cheerful, reliable, personal IT support service and peace of mind too.

Roger Lawson FCA
Services provided from March 2004

Testimonial from DISTRACTION FORMATS

2007-06-29T10:49:00.010+01:00

We were recommended SoHo Computer Doctors as our IT support company by a friend of mine. They come in once a week to make sure that our office network, computers and printers work smoothly. We also have a server that needs to get backed up everyday and they ensure that that happens.
A very prompt and dedicated service.

Alice de Maré
Vice President, Programming
DISTRACTION FORMATS
On going services provided from August 2005