Frequently Asked Questions (Part 8)

Q) How do I convert a PDF file to something I can edit?

A) While most people do not have PDF editors (there’s rarely a need to edit PDF files, and they cost money), Microsoft Word (part of the Microsoft Office Suite) is on pretty much everyone’s computer (or something compatible like Open Office or even Google Docs.) There are programs that can convert PDF files to something Word can open (called a DOC or DOCX file), but you run the risk of installing malware along with them. Instead, we would suggest using an online file converter. In other words, there are websites where you can upload your PDF file and then they either allow you to download a DOCX version, or they email it to you. This way you aren’t installing unknown software on your machine. You could do a Google search for “online PDF to Word converter” but we would recommend using http://pdf2doc.com/ instead. It allows you to upload multiple files at the same time and doesn’t require your email or surveys to download the converted files.

Q) How can I tell if an email is a scam?

A) With how much malware is spreading through email, this is a very good question. First, look at the return address. Not the friendly name, because anyone can put anything in there. The actual return email address. If it’s an email claiming to be from Amazon, but the return address is anything other than “someone@amazon.com” there’s a good chance it’s a phishing scam. Next, see if the greeting is something generic like “Deal Client” instead of your name. If it is, that’s another red flag. Another helpful tip is to hover your mouse over any links in the email (without clicking on them!) While the link may say something like “http://amazon.com” when you hover over it, you’ll be able to see where the link goes down in the bottom left corner of your screen. If the two don’t match up, you can bet it’s a scam of some sort:

Q) What kind of Internet service should I use?

A) This might vary by region, but in our area we basically have a few categories of Internet service to choose from: Fiber (best but most expensive), Cable (great for businesses that use VOIP phones), DSL (great for home users who need unlimited bandwidth each month), and Satellite (last resort for areas that you can’t get any of the others.) Generally, most people get the most bang for buck with Cable in our area, so we generally advise our customers to go with Cable if possible, and DSL is Cable isn’t available in their area. We only recommend fiber for larger organizations like schools. Satellite and consumer wireless are pretty terrible, so only go with that if you have no alternative