1st techs https://1sttechs.com Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:27:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://1sttechs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-1st-techs-computer-repair-san-francisco-bay-area-icon-1-32x32.jpg 1st techs https://1sttechs.com 32 32 2025 Top Tech Trends for Home Users and Small Businesses https://1sttechs.com/2025-top-tech-trends-for-home-users-and-small-businesses/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 01:51:22 +0000 https://1sttechs.com/?p=2861

Top 2025 Tech Trends:

  1. Remote Work Solutions:
    • High-Quality Webcams
    • Noise-Cancelling Headphones
    • Google Chrome Remote Desktop, LogMeIn, GoToMyPC
  2. Cybersecurity:
    • Comprehensive Antivirus and Antimalware Software
    • Secure VPN Services
    • Local or Cloud Backup
  3. Cloud Storage:
    • Google Drive
    • Microsoft OneDrive
    • Dropbox
  4. Smart Home Automation:
    • Smart Thermostats (e.g., Nest)
    • Smart Security Cameras (e.g., Ring)
    • Smart Lights (e.g., Phillips Hue)

Thinking of upgrading your system? Here are the minimum specs you should consider:

      • CPU: Intel i5/i7 or M2/M3/M4
      • RAM: 16GB
      • Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD)

Need assistance? I can help you shop for these items or set them up once you’ve made your purchase. Whether it’s finding the best deals or getting everything running smoothly, I’m here for you

]]> Valuable Tips and Tricks to get the most out of your Android Phone or iPhone https://1sttechs.com/valuable-tips-and-tricks-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-android-phone-or-iphone/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:20:48 +0000 https://1sttechs.com/?p=2854 If you only use your cell phone for text messages and phone calls and as your digital or video camera, these tips may be for someone else. However, keep reading if you want to do more with your devices.

Here are some practical and easy-to-implement tips that can help you get more out of your phone, making your daily tasks easier and more efficient.

Android

Transferring Pictures, music, Ringtones, Documents, Videos, and more to your computer is easy with Android phones. You can do this by simply plugging in the cable you use to charge your phone directly to your computer and dragging and dropping files like you would normally with your computer. You can also use apps like My Files to transfer the files Wirelessly. There are also cloud apps like Dropbox and Google Drive you may use.

iPhone

iPhones make it more challenging, but transferring files and pictures from your iPhone to your computer can be done. You can install the iCloud app on your computer and have your photos and documents synced from your phone to your computer. Suppose you are looking for even more control. In that case, you can purchase a program like iMobie AnyTrans and transfer much more.

Both Phones

Turn your phone into a Hotspot quickly and efficiently to allow your other wireless internet-dependent devices to connect to the internet when you are away from your home or office. You can customize the Wireless Name and Password for your Hotspot to give it flair.

iPhone

Take a Screenshot or Screen recording on your iPhone with these easy steps. For a screenshot, simply press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously, and it will take a picture of your phone’s screen. To record your screen, pull down from the top of your screen and press the screen record button to start recording your screen and the actions you take. When you are finished, simply press the stop button.

Android

On most Android phones, you can take a screenshot by pressing the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. To screen record, pull down from the top of your screen two times, find and press the screen record button in your Quick Settings, and then press the record button again.

Both Phones

– Video Calls with Google Duo: Google Duo is available on Android and iPhone, providing high-quality video calls. It’s a great alternative to FaceTime for cross-platform communication.

If you have found the above tips helpful and would like help with these or any more, please feel free to contact us, and we will set up a time to help you.

BONUS TIP:

Call for a consultation from 1st Techs, and we will help educate you further.

Leave IT to Your IT PRO
Contact 1st Techs Today at 650-722-1086 or 925-484-6472 or use our Contact Form.

]]> Don’t let scammers take advantage of you! https://1sttechs.com/dont-let-scammers-take-advantage-of-you/ https://1sttechs.com/dont-let-scammers-take-advantage-of-you/#respond Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:46:50 +0000 https://1sttechs.com/?p=2840 What can you do to protect yourself?

There are too many scammers on the internet, and they will do everything in their power to gain access into your computer or to convince you that you need to pay them.

There is no software or magical trick to prevent these scammers from trying to take advantage of you. So, to protect yourself, you need to know what to look for and how to identify them so that you are not a victim of their scams!!!

Scams like the one in the image above can be very frightening. Many of these types of scams pop up on you unexpectedly and without warning. They will lock your computer and leave you stuck, not knowing what to do and how to get rid of it. Here are some tips you need to know to help protect yourself.

  • Internet – Many of these scams are embedded into the website that you are attempting to view. They will have annoying sounds or scary words indicating you need to call the number on the screen. These are fake. See below for how to get out of this screen.
  • Email – Another method that scammers like to use is email. You may receive an email suggesting that they can see what you do on your computer, an email about a bill or charge to your account, or possibly even a message with a link, or they will leave a phone number that they require you to call. These are also fake. See below for tips.
  • Phone – You may receive a phone call or text messages that again will attempt to scare you into believing that something is wrong with your computer, phone, or online account. See below for tips to help avoid these.

What you can do to protect yourself:

  1. Suppose your computer is locked with the a screen similar to the one above. Hold down the power button on your computer for 5 seconds and force a hard shutdown of your computer. (This is not the ideal way to turn off your computer and should not be used regularly to turn off your computer, but in this situation, it is necessary to get rid of the message and unlock your computer.) Turn your computer back on, and the threatening message will be gone.
  2. If you receive an email with a link to a website inside the message, even if it looks like it is from someone you know, only open it if you know with absolutely that it is a legitimate email. These links can bring you to websites with malicious software that may infect your computer.
  3. Microsoft and many other companies will NEVER call you to tell you you are infected or your computer has an issue. These calls are scammers; you need to hang up on them.
  4. NEVER let anyone remotely control your computer unless you know the person or are 100% certain they are a legitimate company.
  5. Install Malware & virus protection programs on your computer to help protect you.

BONUS TIP:

Call for a consultation from 1st Techs, and we will help educate you further.

Leave IT to Your IT PRO
Contact 1st Techs Today at 650-722-1086 or 925-484-6472 or use our Contact Form.

]]> https://1sttechs.com/dont-let-scammers-take-advantage-of-you/feed/ 0 Knowing the Health of Your Computer Can Save You Time and Money. https://1sttechs.com/knowing-the-health-of-your-computer-can-save-you-time-and-money/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:21:52 +0000 https://1sttechs.com/?p=2795

Most people use their computer daily, not knowing why it behaves the way it does, if something lurks inside, or if a hardware component failure is imminent.

Below are some tools and steps that you can use to better understand what is going on with your computer.

Step 1 – Check the health of your hard drive.

Download and run this free application on your Windows-based OS Computer and it will tell you the health of your hard drive.  CrystalMark Application

Step 2 – Check your computer for Malware.

Malware is one of the greatest threats to your computer. This type of threat has grown in popularity with people who wish to take advantage of you or harm you. You can run a free scan with this application for Windows or MacOS computers and even purchase it if you want solid protection. Malwarebytes Premium

Step 3 – Check your computer for remote software.

Remote Desktop software is a great utility to access a computer from anywhere else. However, the problem with it is that people who wish to do you harm will also use it to control your computer when you are unaware and steal your information or, worse yet, your money. There are no easy tools or downloads to look for or remove this software, but we would be happy to check your computer to let help remove it if it is there without your knowledge.

Step 4 – Two Factor Protect all your online accounts.

2FA, as it is often referred to, is a way to protect your online banking, accounting, social media, and shopping accounts from those who would do you harm or try to steal your accounts, information, or money. This task is typically straightforward; you need to log in to any online accounts that you may have, go into the account settings and then security settings, and follow the prompts to enable it.

Step 5 – Feeling Overwhelmed?

If you feel overwhelmed by the steps above or would prefer instead to get a security checkup done by a professional, then give 1st techs a call, and we will check for all the above issues for you and leave you with some peace of mind.

Leave IT to Your IT PRO
Contact 1st Techs Today at 650-722-1086 or 925-484-6472

]]> It is the Season for Tricks & Treats! https://1sttechs.com/it-is-the-season-for-tricks-treats/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 22:46:38 +0000 https://1sttechs.com/?p=2815

While most of us love treats, few of us enjoy being tricked. The way most people will try to trick you can be tricky to identify. They may pretend to be with Microsoft, Apple, the IRS, UPS, FedEx, Norton, McAfee, or a relative.

To help protect you, we want to prepare you for some things to look out for so that you are not tricked this Holiday season or anytime.

Tricks may come at you in several ways. Below, we have compiled a list of a few ways someone may try to trick you. We hope that even this tiny bit of knowledge will protect you now and in the future from those who would take advantage of you otherwise.

Email – These are emails meant to trick you, be aware.

  • Messages that look like they are from someone you may know asking for money to be sent via Western Union, Crypto, Bitcoin, or Gift Cards are usually always a trick. Be careful; call this person or someone who knows them and verify they need this help to ensure you are not being tricked.
  • Messages that attach an invoice or claim that you were charged for a product or services you do not remember purchasing can often be a trick. Call your bank or Credit Card issuer and verify with them that this is a charge that you were billed.
  • Messages that claim they know what you are doing on your computer and that they will leak this information if you do not pay them. These are always a trick and should be deleted and ignored.
  • Messages that threaten you or try to scare you into thinking your computer is infected and that you need to call the number on your screen. These are a trick to get you to call so that they can convince you to allow them into your computer remotely so that they can steal your money or information.
  • Messages with any attachment can be a way to infect you or hurt your computer. If you do not know the sender, or if it has misspelled words or bad grammar, do not open these attachments.

Phone & Text – Phone & Text messages out to get you.

  • Phone calls from someone claiming to be with the IRS or a collections agency are often a method that someone will use to try to trick you. These callers can be very convincing; hang up if you are unsure of their validity.
  • Phone calls from individuals claiming to be from Microsoft that tell you your computer has a virus. This method is another trickster trying to gain access to your computer.
  • Text Messages that say you have won a contest you do not remember signing up for are another trick.
  • Text messages with links from unknown numbers are typically a trick.

BONUS TIP:

The above tricks are tactics professionals use to take advantage of you. Call 1st Techs if you are concerned about any of the items we are trying to help protect you from, and we will help you in any way we can.

Leave IT to Your IT PRO
Contact 1st Techs Today at 650-722-1086 or 925-484-6472 or use our Contact Form.

]]>