Need A Nerd - Wellington

20/01/2026

Is Your Computer Still Running on Windows 10?
If so, what happens now?

Windows 10 has been the operating system for most of the world’s computers for 10 years that many of us are still running it without any issues. However, now that Microsoft has ended support and moved to Windows 11, things are about to change quickly.

🔒 Security Risks Will Increase Over Time
Now that Windows 10 no longer receives security updates, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to new threats. Cyber attacks evolve constantly, and Windows 10 becomes a prime target for malware, ransomware and security breaches. And for businesses and organisations handling customer information, this growing exposure comes with obvious risks.

🧩 Software and Browser Support Will Decline
Over the coming months, more software vendors will phase out Windows 10 support and you’ll begin to see:
• Applications refusing to install on your computer
• Browsers, like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge no longer updating
• Accounting, security, and business critical tools becoming incompatible

We saw the same pattern when Windows 7 and Windows 8 were retired— gradual changes at first but becoming more disruptive over time.

🖨️ Hardware Compatibility Will Fade
New printers, scanners, graphics cards, and peripherals are being designed with Windows 11 in mind. Driver updates for Windows 10 will taper off, making future hardware upgrades more difficult and less reliable.

🛡️ Compliance and Insurance Considerations
For small and home-office businesses, cyber insurance policies require supported operating systems. Running Windows 10 may affect compliance in the event of a breach. For businesses that store customer data, this is key.

🖥️ How to Check if Your PC Can Upgrade to Windows 11
Most modern computers can be upgraded — but not all. To find out:
✔️ Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check Tool
This free tool tells you instantly whether your computer meets Windows 11 requirements or ask Microsoft Co-pilot and it’ll tell you.
✔️ Check your hardware age
As a rule of thumb:
• PCs from 2018 onward often support Windows 11
• PCs older than 2017 often do not

✔️ Ask us to assess it for you
Need a Nerd Wellington can check your system remotely or onsite and give you a clear answer — to upgrade or to replace — no guesswork.

🚀 Need a New Windows 11 PC? We Can Help
If your current computer can’t be upgraded, we can supply and install a full range of Windows 11 desktops and laptops, configured and ready to go. We handle:
• Data & file transfer
• Software setup
• Eset anti-virus security
• Online data backups
• Ongoing support

💼 Ready to Plan Your Upgrade?
Whether you’re running one or more computer at home or you’re in an office, Need a Nerd Wellington can help you transition smoothly to Windows 11.
To get in touch you can reply to this email – [email protected] or call us on 04 212 6413 or
021 260 6363

Call now to connect with business.

17/09/2024

This from Automobile Association today - Scam Alert - Beware

Hi Carl,
Phishing Scam Alert: Car Emergency Kit
We are aware of a global phishing email that is currently circulating, which fraudulently uses AA branding.
The email, which references “You have won a Car Emergency Kit”, contains phishing links and takes people to a website where credit card details are asked for.
We’re disappointed to have our trusted brand used in a scam, and are proactively educating Members and customers through our channels to not engage with the email. If you have received an email like this, please follow these instructions:
1. Delete the email without clicking the link.
2. If you have provided your Credit Card details, contact your bank immediately to arrange for your credit card to be replaced
3. If Credit Card details were provided, contact CERT (cert.govt.nz) and fill in an individual report for a data breach.
How to recognise a phishing email:
Look for red flags: Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency. If the email insists you act quickly, double-check the sender's address and contact the AA directly if you're unsure.
Check the sender's email address: Always verify the domain in the sender’s email address. You can do this by checking a company’s official website (such as the contact us page) to ensure the address format is consistent with verified email addresses.
Don't click on suspicious links: Hover over links before clicking to see the actual URL. If it looks suspicious or unfamiliar, don’t click it.
Keep personal information safe: The AA will never ask for sensitive personal information like passwords or credit card details via email.
Phishing scams like this are becoming more prevalent across a wide range of businesses, so please remain vigilant to protect your personal information. Only use official channels when purchasing AA products or services, like the AA website (aa.co.nz), contact centre or our AA Centres throughout NZ.
Many thanks,
AA Membership team

08/05/2024

Sea lions are an endangered species and need protection. But the Minister of Oceans & Fisheries Shane Jones has decided to listen only to the voices of the commercial fishing industry! Sign our petition to reinstate the mortality limit, and support the call for more protection!

18/03/2024

Scammers & QR Codes - "Quash the Quish"
Sometimes you just have to admire the scammers. Now it’s QR codes, curiosity, and while it may or may not kill the cat, it could quite possibly smash your wallet. Or, as those of us in the infosec industry are liable to say, worse. From one QR scan, scammers could quite feasibly make it all the way into the company’s crown jewels.
You know how those QR codes are all over everything these days? That’s because QR codes have, in fact, caught on. For example, plenty of restaurants these days sport a code on the table; scan to order.
Unless of course, the scammers have been and replaced the code with one taking you to a spoof website that looks like the real thing. Place your order, and boom! A stack of money leaves your bank account, and no filet mignon for you.
Scammers have figured out that all it takes to get someone onto a dodgy website is by putting a QR code in the right place, and the victim enthusiastically does the rest.
You can see the potential in this hack. Combine the QR code with a ‘too good to be true’ offer, place it somewhere folks will have their guard down (like the bathrooms of a pub or restaurant? At a concert or sports venue? Random flyers in Courtney Place?) and the target may well be caught with their pants down. Figuratively, of course. Scan the dodgy QR code, and who knows what sort of an exciting night awaits.
The industry has a whole new and discomforting term for these sorts of attacks. Quishing.
Online publication Infosecurity points to a study saying up to 22% of attacks in early 2023 started out with quishing, so it is happening in the real world.
We haven’t seen any direct incidences of the QR phishing attack in New Zealand yet, however, we are watching closely.
Necessity being the mother of invention, the best place to start explaining why Scammers' minds never rest is looking at necessity: nearly all of them are doing what they do for money. The easier the money, the better (though as recently noted, some of these geniuses go for the long con and the big payoff, using the viscerally named ‘pig butchering’ technique).
But what quishing really tells us is quite simple, and yet another timely reminder of what infosec is all about. You are being attacked all the time. It isn’t paranoia if someone really is out to get you. Taking care of the basics means taking care of most of the threats out there, and the basics must include constant, repeated, and updated education for your people.
Social engineering and taking advantage of human nature, which absolutely includes curiosity, is probably one of the hardest techniques to defend against, and quishing definitely leverages just that.
So, the advice on this one? Be aware. Quash the quish. Don’t let QRiosity get the better of you, or your people. Offers that are too good to be true, are too good to be true. Whether they come via door knock, phone call, email, or QR code.

28/02/2024

On 27 February my ex-wife, Vicki passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was the love of my life and I will miss her terribly

01/02/2024

What You Need for a Quality Home Office Setup
1. A reliable high-speed internet connection - either fibre or One NZ's High Speed Coaxial product. Ideally you want 200Mbps download speed. That’ll support video calls, file transfers, and seamless web browsing.
2. Backup all your files to One Drive (Microsoft) Google Docs, DropBox or manually backup to an external hard drive. Refer point 5 for more on this.
3. A desktop or laptop with sufficient processing power (intel i5 CPU) and at least 8Gb RAM memory to handle multitasking and demanding applications. Two 24” monitors make things much more efficient. Ergonomic accessories such as a comfortable keyboard, mouse, and adjustable monitor stands.
4. Quality we**am and microphone for clear and professional video conferencing. Good lighting to enhance visibility and minimize shadows during virtual meetings. It’s a good idea to ensure the backdrop to your Zoom meetings is clear of clutter and personal items.
5. Software tools like Xero, Tradify and on-line banking apps should be set up with 2 Factor Authentication security.
6. Communication tools such as Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom for real-time meetings. If you connect to a central business office you will likely use a virtual private network (VPN).
7. Cybersecurity measures to protect information from unintended loss and unauthorized access. Install reputable antivirus software (we recommend Eset), enable firewalls, and regularly update software and operating systems (eg. Windows 10 & 11) to patch security vulnerabilities. As above, 2 Factor Authentication is very important.
8. Use a password security tool (eg. Nordpass) to secure all your important passwords, passphrases, credit card details and so on.
9. Get a comfortable adjustable chair for good posture. Arrange your workspace to minimize glare and eye strain.
10. A multifunction printer/scanner/copier connected to your computer
If you’d like help with any of these elements, please call us on 021 260 6363 or email [email protected]

02/04/2023

More on Chat GPT to chew over

23/03/2023

You've probably heard of ChatGPT - read what Bill Gates has to say about it.

In my lifetime, I’ve seen two demonstrations of technology that struck me as revolutionary. The first time was in 1980, when I was introduced to a graphical user interface—the forerunner of every modern operating system, including Windows.

02/12/2021

😂

28/11/2021