Remote Support
If your computer can connect to the Internet, I can often provide remote support from my computer and mobile devices.
Step 1: Click on the Remote Support Button
It should be in the top right corner of your browser. This will take you to the Jump Desktop Connect web page (https://jumpdesktop.com/connect/).
Step 2: Download and install Jump Desktop Connect.
Under Step 1 of the web page, click on the blue button that says "Download Jump Desktop Connect". Once downloaded, you'll probably find the installer in your Downloads folder. Double-Click to launch the installer and I'll help you through the installation process.
Step 3: Add me as a Remote Access User
After the program launches, you'll click on the link to add a remote user. It will bring up a box asking you to log in through your browser, just click on the link. It'll then give you the option to add a remote user. When you click on that link, it will ask for my unique code. I'll give you that code and then you'll grant me access to your computer.
On a Macintosh Computer, we may need to go into System Preferences and add Remote Desktop Connect to Security and Privacy under the Privacy Tab's Accessibilty and Screen Recording sections.
Services
I provide the following servcies to my clients in the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex and surrounding communities in the North Central Texas region:
- Pre-Sales Consulting (Thinking about upgrading or buying a new computer, I can help you decide on what you need. I can also help you identify additional expenses you might incure as a result of upgrading to a new computer.)
- Post-Purchase Setup and Support (I can help you get set up, transfer your files, install programs, connect to printers and the Internet, set up your e-mail account, etc.)
- Training (Not sure how to use your computer or your programs? Let's talk about some custom training options.)
- Backup Strategies (Let me help you keep your files safe.)
- Clean-up and Optimize (I can remove unwanted malware and viruses and optimize your computer for better perforamnce.)
- Some Hardware Repairs/Upgrades (I can add RAM and replace hard drives in many computers, but not all, and perform other types of repairs.)
- Data Recovery (I may be able to help you recover files from a drive that's failed or put you in touch with a forensic data recovery service.)
- Network cabling and repair (I can install new cabling, test existing cabling, and make repairs to your network.)
- Custom programming (I provide a limited amount of custom programming depending on your needs.)
- Website Design and Hosting (I can build and host your website and e-mail.)
Helpful FREE! Anti-Malware for Windows PC's - Not for Macintosh Users
The Free! Anti-Malware downloads are not displayed on your phone, just your computer.
Click on the icons to download
ADWCleaner.exe
ADWCleaner or Ad-ware Cleaner is a free program you can download to your Windows PC and run to look for and remove Probably Unwanted Programs (PUPs). It doesnt install and run in the background like an anti-virus program. You run it whenever you want and it only takes a few minutes to find out if you've had things installed on your computer that should probably be removed.
The link takes you to the download page from BleepingComputer.com.
JRT.exe
JRT.exe or Junkware Removal Tool is a free program you can download to your Windows PC and run to look for and remove Unwanted Junkware programs. It doesnt install and run in the background like an anti-virus program. You run it whenever you want and it only takes a few minutes to find out if you've had things installed on your computer that should probably be removed.
When you run this program, a black DOS-like window opens filled with disclaimer information. It basically says you can run this at your own risk. If you don't want to run the program, just click on the X in the upper right corner and the program will quit. If you do want to run the program, just hit any key to continue. Don't look for a key that says "Any" on it, just hit the Enter or Return key :). It will attempt to set a restore point and then do its thing. When done, it puts up a text report that you can read if you want and then close. The report will be on your desktop and you can just delete it.
The link takes you to the download page from BleepingComputer.com.
RKILL.exe
RKILL.exe or Rogue Killer is a free program you can download to your Windows PC and run to look for and remove dangerous virus processes that may be infecting your computer. It doesnt install and run in the background like an anti-virus program. You run it whenever you want and it only takes a few minutes to find out if you have viruses running on your computer.
When some viruses infect your computer, they run processes in the background to try to protect themselves. These processes can hijack your internet connection to prevent you from updating and running your antivirus program to remove them. Rogue Killer looks for those processes and shuts them down, giving you access to the Internet so you can update your antivirus definitions and run your antivirus program to remove the malicious software.
The link takes you to the download page from BleepingComputer.com.
Cyber Crime
Cyber Crime is pervasive and it's easy to become a victim. Cyber criminals use a number of Human Engineering schemes to scare you into calling them, or convince you they've refunded you too much money so you have to pay them back, and a host of other schemes.
The bottom line is that any scary message on your computer screen with a phone number to call is FAKE and a SCAM!!! No legitimate company is going to put up a message saying your computer is infected with a virus and you need to call some 800 number for technical support to clean your computer. If a message comes up on your screen saying you're infected, or your e-mail account is about to be blocked, or you're help is needed to transfer millions of dollars, it's a SCAM. If the message says you've been selected for one thing or another and all you have to do is verify your contact information, it's a SCAM.
Don't click on links in your e-mails or respond to text messages unless you absolutely know they are legitimate. How do you know that? Let's talk, I can help you and your employees learn about cyber-crime and how to avoid being a victim.
Fortunately for us all, there are a group of individuals out there who scam the scammers and they make videos you can watch on YouTube. I've included some of those videos below from Scammer Payback and Scammer Revolts. You can learn a lot about how scammers work and have fun watching them get hacked. If you're so inclined, subscribe to their channels and support them.
E-mail Fraud
If you have an e-mail address, you are receiving fraudulent e-mails all the time. Below are a few fraudulent e-mails I have received within the last month. I have obscurred any embedded e-mail addresses that might have been provided so nobody responds to them from the information given here. The bottom line is you don't ever click on links in an e-mail unless it's one you are expecting. For example, maybe you sign up for a new service and they tell you they are sending you an e-mail to verify your e-mail address, or you forgot your password and you have requested a link be e-mailed to you so you can make that change. If it's unsolicited, like these examples below, don't respond and don't provide them with any information.
About Me...
I started Bourdage Consulting on September 1, 1995 to provide support to individuals and small businesses running Macintosh and Windows-based computers. Since I know both platforms, I am a one-stop shop for both. I had been working, the previous four years, for a local computer store providing sales and support to the local education market before deciding to go it on my own.
Prior to moving to the computer industry, I was an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), now part of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Trained as a Reproductive Biologist, I had earned my Doctorate in the Department of Biological Structure at the University of Washington's School of Medicine in 1982. From 1982 through 1984, I did my Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Colorado State University where I was attached to the Embryo Transfer Lab under Dr, George Seidel.
I got involved with computers because of my basic science research needs to analyze large data sets obtained during my research. Back then, we only had main-frame and mid-range computers. If you needed to do anything special, you had to write the program yourself.
It was during my post-doctoral studies that desktop computers were introduced and I began working with CPM and DOS-based computers. Later, when the Macintosh Computers were introduced, I began using them.
While on the faculty of TCOM, I developed a lot of Computer-based Instruction and Testing programs for both Macintosh and Microsoft PC's and created the first computer lab for medical students.
As a scientist, I was trained to solve problems and to fully document my research and findings. I bring those skills and over 45 years of experience with computers to serving my customer's needs. What you get from me is my best effort to solve your problems, full documentation on everything I do for you, and a very reasonable price.
Just remember, "If your computer is sick, call Dr. Bob."