Category Archives: Uncategorized

Nerds Care: Second Harvest Food Bank

| November 10, 2014

The Nerds truly care about community outreach. In the past, we’ve collected toiletries for a homeless shelter, as well as sheets and towels for a local animal rescue organization. Right now we are collecting nonperishable food for Second Harvest Food Bank. The need is great, and any amount that you are able to give is absolutely appreciated. The Nerds are happy to pick up your donation during an upcoming service call, or you may drop off donations at our shop, located at 103 Focis Street, on the corner of Metairie Road.   Many of us know that Second Harvest distributes meals to those in need during the holiday season. What you may not know is that the organization provides those struggling with food insecurity year-round.Read Full Article

Meet the Nerds, Part VIII: Garren McKelvey

| August 21, 2014

It’s been a while since we’ve introduced a new Nerd, and so we’re extra excited to bring you this most recent edition of Meet the Nerds!  Garren McKelvey was recently hired in the role of Field Service Technician, so if you need onsite help, there’s a good change you’ll meet Garren (not to be confused with Darrin, our Chief Nerd).  With his love of travel, cats, and all things nerdy, he fits right in.  Here are his responses to our “fun facts” questionnaire: What’s your favorite local restaurant? Juans Flying Burrito (on Magazine)   Star Wars or Star Trek? Apples and Oranges.  But Star Trek.  It represents a human race that has put countries and bigotry aside to create one earth and one human race.Read Full Article

Avoiding Computer Hackers

| April 3, 2014

We all use email as a primary source of communication on a daily basis–for business and personal use. Every day our in-boxes are bombarded with SPAM and advertisements. Some of these emails are legitimate, but some are phishing emails. Phishing emails are designed to steal your password, bank information, credit card information and other personal data from your computer. How can you tell if a message is a scam or legitimate? Here are a few tips to follow in order to avoid having your computer hacked  through these types of emails. Bad spelling and grammar – Hackers are great at coming up with ways to steal, but they aren’t so great at proofreading. If the message contains a misspelled word or poor grammar, it mayRead Full Article

Help, my computer is infected! Or, Ways to Prevent Your Computer from Being Infected

| March 6, 2014

Wikipedia defines Malware (short for malicious software) as: “software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems.It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software.’Malware’ is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software.” As a Rent A Nerd field technician, hardly a day goes by where I am not called upon to remove all manner of pop-ups, toolbars, fake antivirus programs and ransomware (a class of malware that restricts access to the computer system which it infects, and demands a ransom paid to the creator of the malware in order for the restriction to be removed). The main thing most people want to knowRead Full Article