Northstar PC and Network Solutions, LLC

06/08/2025

Google Chrome FlexOS

Do you have older equipment that you would still like to get a few more years out of? We have great news for you. You can change your operating system and get more life out of your PC. Google now offers their ChromeOS for the public to use on many computers that have reached their life span while running other operating systems.

Upgrade Your PC: Faster and More Secure with ChromeOS Flex

If you are interested in learning more about this great option, reach out to Northstar PC and Network Solutions to see if this would be a good fit for you. Northstar PC can backup your data, convert your system to Chrome FlexOS and restore your data. We test the system to ensure everything works properly before handing it all back to you.

Contact Eric at 920-627-7301 or [email protected] now to get started today!

05/19/2024

Every now and then when upgrades take place for business or home customers, a PC is displaced that once was a good machine. Northstar PC and Network Solutions refurbishes these machines and sells them for $150. These are not gaming machines, but are great for Internet browsing and office like work at home. Something to think about when you are purchasing your next PC. They come with Windows 10 or 11, whichever is licensed to the machine. They are virus free and fully updated to the latest OS patch. They do not come with Microsoft Office. That you would need to purchase. Currently we have 4 machines ready to go. Send us message or give us a call at 920-627-7301 if you are interested.

03/23/2024

Recently I shared this on LinkedIn. Let me know what you think.

This is a presentation I recently gave at an area high school. It was well received both as an accurate assessment and recommendation on what to do about it. In my opinion, IT professionals are morally responsible to act as part of the solution against the harmful affects SM plays in our youth. Please do not misunderstand me. Not all use or platforms are bad. Just like in anything, there are pros and cons. Please reach out if you have any questions. Constructive criticism is welcome.

2024 Social Media Project Toolbox

10/19/2022

Microsoft is making good on a promise to make email more secure. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, Microsoft began disabling basic authentication for email. This is 3 years in the making and will be permanently disabled on January 1, 2023. You can read more here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-basic-authentication-exchange-online

One thing you might notice is that you may have to remove and re-add your email on your tablet or smartphone. If you run into issues, contact Northstar PC and Network Solutions for help. Talk to Eric at [email protected].

Learn about deprecation of Basic authentication in Exchange Online

08/22/2022

Have I been compromised?

The answer to this question is YES! You’re fooling yourself if you think you haven’t. If you really haven’t it is only a matter of time before you will be. A great website for looking up your email addresses or phone numbers to see if they have been involved in some sort of data breach is https://haveibeenpwned.com/. Check it out sometime, but make sure you are sitting when you do.

If you do, get started on changing passwords and enabling Two-Factor authentication on anything you possibly can. As always, if you have any questions, Northstar PC and Network Solutions is here to help.

Have I Been Pwned allows you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your email address or phone number has been compromised.

08/22/2022

Be Vigilant

A couple of things we all have in common is that we all have busy lives and we more than likely have an Amazon account. The two are somewhat linked. We are so busy, that the shopping convenience that Amazon provides us is a huge time saver, but that is for another time. So picture this, you’re having yet another day crammed full of 50,000 tasks and you get a “phone call from Amazon” stating that your account has been hacked and it has been fraudulently used. Suddenly you are thinking how could this have happened and what are you going to do? The “rep from Amazon” tells you they can help if you give them access to your computer for security purposes of course. They provide you a website to go to and you thankfully give them access to your system. Thank goodness, right?

NO!

This is a phishing scam and more than likely most of your passwords have been lifted from your computer. These criminals will focus first on what is saved in your browser and copy the storage file for them to their machine and begin brute force password cracking them if you haven’t given them the password to unlock them already. Websites with credit card information stored in them, banking sites you go to, investment sites, your financial world all at risk now.

What should you do if you receive a phishing call?

Reputable companies that you can buy online from that also store your information on, will never call you about your account. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G4YFYCCNUSENA23B
Hang-up the phone and check your Amazon account yourself and make sure nothing has been done that you didn’t authorize.

I let them on my machine, now what?

Without saying anything more, power off your machine by holding down the power button for 10 seconds.
Run virus scanning on all the computers, tablets, phones in your home.
Change all passwords for all sites that were saved in your browser.
When you change your passwords, let your password manager change it to a difficult password at least 12 characters long.
Don’t re-use passwords.
Enable Two-Factor authentication on any site you possibly can.

Remember, be vigilant! Be guarded online and if you have any questions, Northstar PC and Network Solutions is here to help.

Here are some tips to determine if an email, phone call, text message, or webpage is authentic.

08/07/2022

Support Notice
Did you know there are many versions of MS Windows 10? Based on which version of Windows 10 you have running on your computer determines if you qualify for security updates. These updates play a part in keeping you safe from randsomware attacks and other threats from malicious actors. All Windows 10 versions will expire from these updates in October of 2025, but many of these versions have already expired. Microsoft publishes this information regularly: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro.

Don’t worry just yet. Your computer might be able to be upgraded to a later version of Windows 10 or possibly Windows 11. Please contact Northstar PC at [email protected] to have your computer checked over to ensure you still have access to these important updates.

Northstar PC will check your system over and give you a plan for keeping the updates going and ensure all your software stays being compatible. Contact us now to keep your system up to date and safe. Northstar PC is your trusted partner for computer operations and networking.

Windows 10 Home and Pro follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy.

04/28/2011

Time to get a little more from your machine. Add Memory and watch it burn rubber!

03/31/2011

We sell 100% Intel Machines assembled in the United States!

03/28/2011

$10 dollars off service when someone mentions your name as a referral! Unlimited amount of referrals per person!!! Rack them up and get free service. Customer must mention your name before service begins.