Yass Valley Tech

07/02/2026

Hotmail and Gmail? Increasing I get calls from people that have been compromised/hacked/spammed etc... they are using free accounts which they signed up to ages ago but have now been locked out or even lost access to.

Using Gmail or Hotmail is fine, but putting your main email address out in public isn’t.

When an email is visible online, it gets picked up by spam systems. That’s usually where the junk mail comes from — not something you clicked, just your address being seen.

Your email is also more important than most people realise. It’s where password resets and security messages go. If someone targets that address, things can unravel quickly.

And once an email is public, you can’t really take it back. Even if you delete the post later, it may already be copied somewhere else.

Easy fix:

Keep one email private for important stuff — only for important stuff like banking, bills, and logins. And enable two-factor authentication where ever possible.
Use a different one for anything public or “contact me” related. If that public one starts getting spam, you can ditch it without stress.

Small change. Much less spam. Fewer headaches.

26/11/2025

Yass it's now time to upgrade to NBN Fibre. Most internet providers are offering free upgrades and cheaper plans. Some plans are cheaper and more than 5x the speed of the max regular NBN. In most cases you can still use your old modem. One benefit most don't consider is you are now protected from line surges from lightning strikes, electricity cannot surge along fibre lines. No more dead modems and computers. Get onboard while the installation is FREE.

01/10/2025

Backup Files on Windows 11 (no cloud required)
Even though it’s labelled “Windows 7,” this tool is still built into Windows 11.
It’s a simple way to back up files.
PLUG IN YOUR USB BACKUP DRIVE NOW!
________________________________________
1. Open Backup and Restore
• Open the Start Menu, type Control Panel, and select it.
• Switch the view from Large icons to Small icons.
• Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
________________________________________
2. Start the Backup Setup
• Click Set up backup.
• Choose your external hard drive as the destination.
• Click Next.
________________________________________
3. Pick What to Back Up
• Let Windows choose → Automatically includes libraries, desktop, and default folders.
• Let me choose → Manually select folders and drives.
________________________________________
4. Schedule the Backup
• Decide how often it should run (Daily, Weekly, or Monthly).
• Confirm your settings.
• Click Save settings and run backup.

06/06/2025

Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 on 14th October, 2025.
That means Windows 10 will no longer receive updates and therefore will become less secure and open to vulnerabilities.
So it is now time to consider your options in regards to updating your operating system to Windows 11. Some options; as we move closer to the end of the financial year it maybe a good time to upgrade your laptop to a newer version with Windows 11. Some machines are compatible with Windows 11 and you can upgrade for free at this time. Based on your needs another option maybe to actually rebuild your present machine to an alternative operating system like Linux. Yass Valley Tech can help you decide, call us today.

30/09/2024

We've all got that one old CD that just won't play nice with a modern PC. It could be the software that once ran your "state-of-the-art" sewing machine, now unsupported, leaving you wondering if you need to toss the whole machine. Or maybe it's the countless hours someone in your family spent inputting your family history into a system that just doesn't support those old programs anymore. And don’t forget about those old photos, Word docs, or other office files stored on outdated operating systems.

But don’t worry—there are ways to get your old data and programs back!

Wayne at Yass Valley Tech can help you find a solution. Give us a chance to bring your hardware or software back to life! Call us to day on 0400 026 279.

13/03/2024

Increase in Facebook attacks

I have seen a quite a number of Facebook accounts stolen/locked out recently.
To prevent I suggest you;

1. Enable 2 -factor authentication (you receive an sms via your phone to logon.)

2. Hide your Friends (prevents others from browsing your connections so they cannot duplicate your account)

3. Do not put your real birthday up on Facebook. Once your birthday is know then your information can be used to steal financial data.

20/02/2024

Got an issue with your computer? Well stress less, we are an IT service based in the Yass Valley and happy to help!
You can drop us a DM or call us today 0400 026 279 👨🏻‍🔧

11/07/2023

PƦOTECTꞮNG CHꞮLDƦEN FƦOM MALWAƦE AND ADULT CONTENT.

Cloudflare offers a public DNS resolver service, which provides an alternative to your internet service provider's (ISP) default DNS resolver.
DNS is a system that translates human-friendly website names into computer-friendly IP addresses, enabling your device to locate and communicate with the correct websites on the internet.
All computers use DNS to navigate the internet.
By using Cloudflare's DNS resolver, you can potentially improve your internet speed, privacy, and security.
Cloudflare provide 3 public DNS addresses for free, which offer protection while surfing the internet.

Standard: Primary: 1.1.1.1 Secondary: 1.0.0.1
Malware: Primary: 1.1.1.2 Secondary: 1.0.0.2
Malware and Adult Content: Primary: 1.1.1.3 Secondary: 1.0.0.3

To change your DNS settings in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Open the "Network & Internet" settings. You can do this by clicking on the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner) and selecting "Network & Internet settings."

In the Network & Internet settings, click on "Change adapter options." This will open the Network Connections window.

Locate your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), right-click on it, and select "Properties."

In the connection properties window, scroll down and find the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" or "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" entry, depending on your network configuration.

Select the appropriate version (IPv4 or IPv6) and click on the "Properties" button. IPv4 is usually the default.

In the properties window, select the option "Use the following DNS server addresses."

For IPv4, enter the following DNS server addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.3
Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.3

For IPv6, enter the following DNS server addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1113
Alternate DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1003

Click "OK" to save the changes.

After making these changes, your Windows 10 system will start using Cloudflare's DNS resolver for domain name resolution. It's worth noting that the steps may vary slightly depending on your specific Windows 10 version, but the general process should remain similar.

25/05/2023

What is a VPN and why do I need one?

VPN or Virtual Private Network allows you to connect to the internet by keeping your information private, allowing you to connect to other websites in code that only and them can understand.
Using a client VPN connection at home can allow you to route your internet so it appears that you are actually in that country. For example, Netflex, BBC, Hulu block certain TV content in Australia, so by using a VPN at home you can watch TV that maybe be restricted to the home country.
A VPN Service is also very useful for your mobile and laptop, especially if you connect to free/random Wi-Fi hotspots. By using a VPN your traffic is protected, and the owner of the internet service cannot monitor your activities.
At the moment I'm using Mullvad here at https://mullvad.net/en at EU5 or around AUD$8.50 a month it's well worth the peace of mind.

It has a Windows application and even a internet browser to protect your connection.

Free the internet from mass surveillance and censorship. Fight for privacy with Mullvad VPN and Mullvad Browser.

14/05/2023

Enhance your PC or Laptop's performance effortlessly!

One surefire way to optimize the performance of your beloved PC or laptop is by upgrading its old spinning hard drive to a shiny new solid state hard drive. It's as simple as "cloning" your existing drive onto the new one, swapping them out, and voila! You'll immediately notice a remarkable speed boost when accessing programs and your precious files.

For desktop PCs, you can repurpose the old drive as a convenient secondary storage option, while for laptops, you can tuck it away in a caddy for some extra storage space. Some hard drive manufacturers like Samsung and Western Digital (WD) even include user-friendly "clone" software with their drives, making the transition a breeze.

With prices as low as $40 for these drives, it's truly a cost-effective way to extend the lifespan of your trusted PC and enjoy its capabilities for a few more wonderful years.

Alternatively, if you prefer a hassle-free experience, I'm more than happy to handle the entire process for you at a reasonable price.😀

19/10/2022

Quick Printer tips

* If you are only looking for black and white prints then look for a laser printer, while toners can be more expensive, they do last over time when not used so regularly, as opposed to ink-jet varieties which dry out. I have found the print heads can also fail even after you buy a replacement cartridge, so that’s more money down the drain. Unless you plan to do a lot of printing over a sustained time period look for a laser printer.
* Colour printers don’t always print sustainable prints, especially when you want those precious photos to last. There are many online services where you can upload a stack of photos and have them printed, on quality paper and ink, and then delivered for very reasonable prices. Big W Photos for online or OfficeWorks for same day spring to mind.
Most inkjet printers can look cheap at $35 in a sale but the replacement cartridges at $40 will soon sour the experience.
* Many companies/government agencies now accept scanned documents rather than having those prints. “Don’t own a scanner” then check out your Apple or Android store for scanning apps for your phone, most have come along way and as an android phone owner I use Mobile Doc Scanner , the full version costs about $5 but has been trouble free for over 10 years.
* Save on land-fill and print your documents out at the Yass Library at 50c per page, put your documents on a USB and pop down, a quick print, easy done.

Reply with your observations!