FAQ / RESOURCES
Here you will find frequently asked questions, informational graphics, and resources to help you solve the most common issues.
The insurgence of SCAMMERS
Now more than ever, we are all under attack!
Attempts to steal your identity, login credentials, and your money have increased over 25% since last year. The attempts have gone to greater lengths to fool you into thinking they are who they claim to be (but aren't!). AI, deepfakes, and other video / audable deceptions targeting the most vulnerable are becoming their next victim.
There is a greater shift toward email and text scams. By using databases that list potential victims by demographics, service members, age, gender, and even medical diagnosis' they can hone in and more precisely reach their intended targets.
When someone falls for one of these scams people are embarassed to report them.
Look out for these types of scams:
- Imposter Scam: Pretend to be someone they aren't. A friend, government official, celebrity, or family.
- Fake Delivery Text: Asking for additional funds to receive package. Or just to steal your identity.
- Social Media Marketplace: Selling items / services that don't exist.
- AI Voice Cloning: Sounds like your loved one or friend and asks for money.
- Investment Scam: Promises high returns on non-existent investments.
- Romance Scam: Fake profiles used to gain trust and asking for money.
PROTECT YOURSELF!
* Verify information
* Be cautious
* Be skeptical
* Report scams
* Educate yourself and your friends / family
DMP offers spam, scam, seminars to groups. ASK TODAY!
Why can't I plug a space heater into a surge protector?
Surge protectors are designed to protect against massive spikes in power they aren't designed to handle the high current flow consistently. While the surge strip may handle the amperage it can still overheat the internal circuitry of a strip. As the heat is turned on and off a spike may follow and you may wind up with something like there is pictured to the side of this answer. A higher risk of fire could occur. This also goes for air conditioners, hair dryers, curling irons, and other items with high amperage needs.
Is it ok to buy bulk flash drives from sites such as Amazon or Temu?
Buying bulk can save you a lot of money but it can also set you up for wasting money. You typically find unknown brands on Amazon (and similar online retailers). Purchasing one of these brands can be great but also could be bad.
I purchased a set of 25 units. I immediately tested all of them to find that 6 were DOA (dead on arrival). I contacted the seller but got no response so in the end Amazon refunded my money.
It is also important to note that reviews can be fabricated to inflate the ratings. The purchase I made had a high rating. One last thing to point out is that USB drives should never be used for long term storage.
What happens to a battery consistently exposed to moisture?
Like the image shows batteries that are placed in a moist, humid, or cold environment can eventually show signs of damage. They could swell, stop working, or in some cases rupture. A battery showing any of these signs can also be a cause of fire. Battery backups should be replaced every 3-5 years. Check them periodically to make sure they aren't showing signs of swelling or leaking.
The defrag vs optimize debate.
When referring to older SATA / IDE drives the choice is to defragment a hard drive. This will reorganize data on your drive to improve data transfer and I/O performance.
When discussing SSD drives though defragmenting is not recommended. Doing so on a SSD will use up write cycles. Instead you should optimize for better access and store data. Optimization on both types of drives can also speed up the boot process.