In recent weeks, some local businesses have been pressured to shell out thousands or risk losing important data as a result of ransomware attacks. Ransomware attacks involve installing malicious software or malware on a computer or device that usually encrypts files, making them unusable. Once ransomware has found its way onto your devices or systems, there is little that can be done to recover your data. You wont be able to unencrypt files and get your business back up and running. Taking preventative measures will help you minimise the impacts of a ransomware attack. These steps will ensure you mitigate the costs and disruption to your business are effectively. 

1.      Make regular backups of your important files.

This statement is true for your personal data and devices too. Make regular backups of all data, essential files needed for business operations. If you were to lose access to all of your recent client files today, would you be able to keep operating?

• Check that you or a member of your team know how to restore files from the backup, and regularly test that it is working as expected.
  
• Ensure you create offline backups that are kept separate, in a different location (ideally off-site), from your network and systems.
  
• Make sure that the devices containing your backup (such as external hard drives and USB sticks) are not permanently connected to your network or plugged into your device. Attackers can target connected backup devices and solutions to make recovery more difficult.
  
• You should ensure that your cloud service protects previous versions of the backup from being immediately deleted and allows you to restore to them.

Backup accounts and solutions should be protected using 2-factor or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and the MFA method should not be installed on the same device that is used for the administration of backups.

2.      Staff training to prevent malware infections

Make sure you and your team are familiar with identifying potential malware and are aware of the common ways ransomware infects systems. It’s also a good idea to set some guidelines for best practice to help keep everyone’s devices and data safe. Ransomware can find its way onto systems in different ways, some common ones include:

• Social Engineering: This could include phishing emails, persuasive phone calls or even social media messages. So, training staff on how to identify these is important.
  
• Outdated Systems: Outdated devices, or software containing unpatched publicly known exploitable vulnerabilities are easy targets. Ensure your team is using up-to-date devices and software.
  
• Malicious links/websites: Just like any malware, ransomware can often find its way onto systems from malicious sites. Ensure your team isn’t using their work devices for personal use and know how to identify and avoid malicious sites.
  
• Infected physical drives: This method is less common today, but something to be aware of. If an unsuspecting user plugs an infected drive into your computer, it may execute malware and begin the encryption process, bypassing network security. Make sure you have guidelines around plugging drives into devices.
  
• Device usage: Training around using work devices safely is important. Ensure business devices are kept for that purpose and not used for personal use.

3.      Review your current network security

Many businesses, especially smaller ones, treat cybersecurity as an annoying hassle. Something they will eventually get around to, but don’t always prioritise. Now is the perfect time to review your current security protocols and implement any changes needed.

• Install antivirus & browser protection: At a minimum, make sure you have antivirus and browser protection running on all devices connected to your network or those with access to your backups and important files. Even with the above training, users can still make errors and find themselves on malicious sites.
  
• Update devices and software: By updating your system, you can mitigate risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities. In simple terms, older software has security risks that newer versions have already fixed. If you don’t upgrade to the newer versions, these known risks are easy for scammers to exploit.
  
• Use MFA & strong password policies: Multifactor authentication is an important tool for keeping your backup files secure. It can also be used to authenticate users so that if malware steals credentials, they can’t easily be reused. It’s also important to ensure all users are using strong, unique passwords that have no personal information and are not used for other personal logins. Read our guidelines for creating strong passwords here.
  
• Review and remove invalid permissions: This is an easy step to forget, but it’s important to remove permissions after team members move on. Review this regularly. More valid user credentials are more (potentially vulnerable) entry points to your system.
  
• Segment networks & layered defence: Although not always possible for smaller businesses, it’s a good idea to limit the access a malicious actor has if they gain access to one part of your network.

4.      Have a plan

Failing to plan is planning to fail. That adage applies to cybersecurity as well. In the modern digital landscape, risks and threats are inevitable. It’s important you have a plan and procedure in place for what to do if the worst should happen. Response plans can start simple and become as complex as your business or organisation requires. The basics include things like:

• Establish critical data and assets: Understand the impact a malware attack may have on your most important devices.
  
• Decide who needs to know what: A quick response is vital to limiting the fallout of a ransomware attack, so it’s important to establish who needs to be contacted at the first sign of an attack.

• Discuss how you will respond: It’s important you’ve thought about how you will respond to the ransom demand and what your first steps will be to protect your systems.

Should I pay the ransom?

The New Zealand Government strongly discourages the payment of ransoms to cybercriminals according to their guidance on cyber ransom payments. The government guidelines go on to outline the implications of paying a ransom, which include.

• No guarantee of the end of an incident, or the removal of malicious software. It does not guarantee that you will get your data back.
  
• Creating a financial incentive for criminals to continue or expand their activities, including potentially targeting you again.

If you haven’t put a plan in place for how to manage ransomware risks and respond to attacks, then now’s the best time to get started! Reach out to the friendly Geeks on Wheels team for some friendly support and advice on 0800 424 335.

Restricting ad blockers also makes YouTube Premium, their paid ad-free subscription more appealing. After all, why would users want to pay monthly for ad-free playback when many free ad blockers achieve the same results? YouTube Premium does have other built-in features, but being ad-free is definitely one of the biggest selling points.

The YouTube effort to stop adblockers – What to do?

If you have an ad blocker extension running and YouTube has noticed,  chances are you may have received a notification saying the “Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service”. If this is the case for you, you’ll need to add YouTube to the allow list for the ad blocker you’re running.

We advise against completely disabling the ad blocker, as doing so may mean you’re exposed to more popups or fraudulent ads. The YouTube effort to stop ad blockers doesn’t affect other websites, so keeping. them active is still a great idea. Ad blockers like Malwarebytes Browser Guard are simple browser extensions that make your online experience ad-free. By doing so they also help keep you safer, without annoying online pop-up ads or scams interrupting your browsing you have less chance of accidentally clicking one and falling victim to a scam.

Ad blockers also help protect your online privacy by limiting the advertiser’s ability to track your movements online, keeping your browsing data more private.

How to add YouTube to your allow ads list

As we mentioned, in order to continue enjoying YouTube content you may need to add YouTube to your list of websites to allow ads on. You’ll only need to do this if you have an ad blocker running. We’ve included instructions for how to add YouTube to your allow list on a couple of our recommended ad blockers.

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

If you’re using Google Chrome as your web browser, click the jigsaw piece to view your plugins, select Browser Guard, tap the settings cog and select allow list. Click Add a website and type in Youtube.com.

Adblock

The steps are quite similar for another common for another ad blocker, AdBlock. If using Google Chrome, simply select click the jigsaw piece to access your plugins and click the AdBlock plugin. Then, If you are on the Youtube webpage simply select Always under the pause on this site heading. You can also tap the gear icon, to access settings and adjust your YouTube AdBlock settings.

If you need any help with blocking ads or stopping pop-ups and scams then give us a call on 0800 424 335. Geeks on Wheels has expert technicians who can help optimise and safeguard your online experiences.

We’ve put together the ultimate list of Christmas Dinner suppliers to help you choose the perfect Christmas meal kit. We’ll give an overview of the festive meal kit options and prices from the four main meal kit providers in New Zealand.

My Food Bag Christmas Bag

The first of the four meal kit providers we’ve chosen is My Food Bag. Their Christmas meal kits start at $269.99 for 4-6 people. This works out at $67.50 if you go for the conservative estimate of four people. They have 4 menu options to choose from, with the 8-10 people options being $379.99 ($47.50PP).

All include an appetiser, two protein options, three sides and of course, dessert. If you feel like going a little fancier, then their gourmet option comes in at $339.99 and serves 6+ people ($57PP). As the name suggests the menu for this meal kit is a little more on the gourmet side. Caramelised onion and brie bites for appetisers and beef eye fillet and crispy pork belly for mains. This is also the only meal kit to stray away from pavlova for dessert, coming with Tiramisu instead.

It is Christmas after all so why not treat yourself right!?

HelloFresh Christmas Meal Kit

HelloFresh has a slightly different way of doing things. There are two menu options, “The Christmas Box” and “The Premium Christmas”. Both of which come with appetisers, two protein options, three sides and dessert. Prices range from $229.99 for 4-6 people ($57.50PP) to $399.99 for the 12-14 people meal kit ($33PP).

The Christmas Box includes roast chicken and Christmas ham as the mains whilst the gourmet option includes slow-roasted lamb and Christmas ham. Both options go for the smashed meringues for the dessert option, not straying too far from the classic Kiwi pavlova. If you have a big crowd to please, there is a second dessert option included if you order for 8 or more people. This is sure to add a smile to your guest’s faces.

If you do opt for “The Premium Christmas” menu then there isn’t an option to increase the number of people. So, if you’re hosting more than 4-6 for Christmas dinner you might want to reconsider. “The Premium Christmas” menu comes at a price of $249.99 or $62.50 Per person.

Bargain Box Christmas Meal

Next up is another Kiwi favourite, Bargain Box.  This is the low-cost offshoot of My Food Bag.

Bargain Box only has one option for their Christmas Meal Kits. Which they market as “New Zealand’s most affordable Christmas box” the “Bargain Box Christmas” includes a Christmas ham, two butterflied chicken’s sides, dessert and is designed to feed 8-10 people. At $299.99 it is the cheapest 8-10 serving meal kit we’ve covered but the per person cost of $37.50 comes in just above Hello Fresh’s 10-12 person offering.

If you do need to feed a few more hungry Christmas guests, there are a few options for add-ons as well. These include salmon, a plant-based Christmas parcel, and another dessert option. So you can rest assured, knowing no one will go hungry!

Woop Christmas Meal Kit

Our final provider of Christmas Meal Kits is Woop. With the ability to choose your two protein options and select the number of people you’re feeding, the ordering process does feel a little more customisable.

The meat options include ham and turkey, ham and lamb or lamb and turkey. Each kit comes with two canapes, three sides and of course dessert. As with most other options, the dessert doesn’t stray too far from the classic Kiwi pav, with Woop opting for individual strawberry Eton mess portions.

The meal kit prices range from $314 ($78.5PP) for the 4-person meal kit, to $589.00 ($49PP) for their 12-person option. As with other suppliers, there is the choice to select an add-on. However, Woop only has one option which is a pomegranate glazed salmon.

So, if you’re considering saving yourself the hassle and stress of the frantic pre-Christmas grocery shop, it’s worthwhile investing in a Christmas Meal Kit for your Christmas feast. You can complete the whole process online from the comfort of your home and is super convenient. All you’ll need is a computer, an internet connection and the culinary skills to put it all together!

If you are having trouble getting online or need some help navigating the web, get in touch with one of our friendly Geeks! We know our way around tech so rest assured we can get your tech sorted in time for Christmas! Unfortunately, we’re not trained in preparing Christmas family feasts, so we’ll leave that to the above meal kit providers!

Taking screenshots on iPhone

Capturing screenshots on iPhone is relatively straightforward but the steps do vary a little between models. If you have an iPhone model with a home button, simply hold down the side button and home button to capture a screenshot.

If you have an iPhone without a home button, which is most models since the iPhone X, then the steps for taking a screenshot change slightly. Simply hold down the side button and the volume up button at the same time.

Now you’re all set to screenshot on your iPhone. Sometimes finding and holding down the correct buttons can be a little annoying, especially if you’re quickly trying to grab a screenshot. Read on for some handy shortcuts and alternative ways to screenshot.

Screenshot shortcuts on iPhone

iPhones have a handy set of functions under their Accessibility menu which allows you to set up shortcuts for custom actions. This means by going to Settings > Accessibility > Touch you can choose to setup Assistive Touch. This will put a small floating icon on your screen.

Alternatively, you can set up Back Tap, this feature allows you to quickly take a screenshot on your iPhone. When in the Touch Menu, simply scroll down to Back Tap and choose Double or Triple Tap. Then you can tap the back of your iPhone 2 or 3 times to take a screenshot without needing to push buttons or touch the screen. How simple is that!

To learn more about the Accessibility features on iPhone, check out the Apple website for a full list of awesome shortcuts and features!

How to Screenshot on Android

Now it’s time to look at screenshotting on Android devices. Most newer devices all follow the same steps to capture a screenshot. So next time you want to take a screenshot on an Android just hold down the Volume Down button and Power button simultaneously. These steps work for Google, Vivo, Oppo and other Android devices.

For Samsung devices follow the same steps but you may need to hold down for 1-2 seconds depending on the model of your device. For older devices, specifically, models released prior to 2018 with a home button, simply hold down the Home and Power (on/off) buttons simultaneously for 1-2 seconds.

Screenshot shortcuts on Android

For many newer Samsung models you can screenshot using gestures, similar to iPhone this cuts the need to find and press buttons. To set up Palm Swipe to capture, head to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and turn on Palm Swipe to capture. Once you’re all set up simply swipe across the screen with the side of your hand to capture a screenshot.

There is also often a shortcut to screenshot on the Quick Settings panel. To access this, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Take Screenshot option.

Sometimes these are labelled differently depending on the phone’s make and model. It may be labelled Screen Capture, Screenshot or something similar. If the Screenshot option isn’t visible tap the + icon to customise your quick settings menu.

Now you’re all caught up with how to screenshot on iPhone and Android! Make sure to check out our handy blog for how to screenshot on Windows and Mac so you know how to capture your screen on your laptop or computer. Need help navigating other features of your smartphone? Geeks on Wheels offers Smartphone training and general tech assistance. Learn all the ins and outs of your devices today. Simply call 0800 424 335 today!

Partial charging

You might have heard from your parents or friends that you should be charging your smartphone’s battery to full capacity and waiting till your batteries fully drained before charging. However, this is a myth. Surprisingly, it is best practice to not let your phone drain below 20% and to not let it charge past 80% to extend the lifespan of your smartphone’s battery.

When you charge your smartphone to 100%, it will go through a process called ‘trickle charging’. This stresses your battery and generates heat, and lithium batteries do not cope well with heat at all!

Likewise, when you let your phone’s battery drop to 0% it can go into a state where it’s too discharged causing strain to your battery. Plainly said, when your battery is fully discharged, a certain chemical reaction occurs that is not ideal. Overtime this can reduce the battery’s capacity and overall performance.

If you’re an iPhone user and have IOS 13 or later, you’ll have access to optimised battery charging which can assist you with monitored charging!

Stop buying cheap off brand charging cables

Off-brand charging cables have inferior materials, incompatible specifications and poor quality control.

Basically, when you opt for the cheaper alternative, you run the risk of permanently damaging your smartphone’s battery. Cheap cables can cause overheating and result in under/overcharging which we well know can shorten your batteries lifespan and confuse its capacity.

Generally, the manufacturers of these cheap alternatives also might not have the best quality control standards. Something other well-known more expensive brands do. This means you’re more likely to encounter cables that are faulty which will damage your device and its battery in the long run.

Keep your phone’s operating system up to date

Your battery’s lifespan can deteriorate when you run an outdated version of your operating system on your smartphone. So it’s best practice to regularly update your phone’s software.

Software updates enhance your phone’s security, performance and usability. In particular, these updates also address software bugs and glitches. Put simply, bugs are errors in your software that hinder functionality. They can cause excessive CPU usage, synchronisation issues, battery calibration errors as well as a plethora of other issues which lead to faster battery drain and reduced efficiency.

But by ensuring that you keep up to date with updates, your smartphone will have the latest performance improvements, bug fixes and battery mode enhancements!

Avoid extreme temperatures

Your phone’s battery is made from lithium-ion. Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures because they rely on chemical reactions to store and release electrical energy. So, make sure to keep your smartphone out of direct sunlight, don’t leave it in a hot car and try to keep it in your pocket when in extreme low temperatures.

Why? High temperatures can accelerate the chemical reactions inside the battery. This can lead to a faster breakdown of a very critical part of your battery, aka the electrolyte. When this part of your battery breaks down, this causes a reduction to the capacity and overall performance.

In the opposite circumstance where your smartphone is subject to low temperatures, the chemical reactions will slow down significantly. This will reduce the battery’s ability to deliver power efficiently!

Avoid using while charging

Using and simultaneously charging your smartphone conducts a lot of extra heat! So when your smartphone is ready to be placed on charge, make sure you’re able to leave it unattended while it charges. This can be tricky for some of us who struggle to stop scrolling!

When you use your phone to do heavy tasks while it is charging, it will go into parasitic load, which adds higher voltage stress to the battery and generates heat. Try to avoid tasks such as streaming videos or gaming when your phone is plugged in. Or, best of all don’t use it at all!

So there you have it. Five very simple ways you can preserve your smartphone’s battery! If you do find you need assistance with your smartphone, beyond its battery health, Book a Geek today! Our tech experts are trained in all things tech! We’ve got you covered whether it be for smartphone training or computer repairs in New Zealand!

Christmas in New Zealand is truly magical. Long summer days, evenings at the beach, fresh berries, and all the Pavlova you can eat. The only hard part is figuring out what to get everyone for Christmas. So, we’ve put together a quick technology gift guide to help you check those names off your list. Here are our top Christmas gift ideas in NZ this year:

Gift Ideas for Dad

• A VR headset: Virtual Reality headsets are great fun for dads who love gaming. The Oculus Quest 2 is an excellent standalone option, but there are plenty to choose from.

• Tile mate: Does your dad constantly lose his keys and wallet? Tile Mate is a tiny tracker you can add to each item, then track with your phone, so your dad doesn’t have to spend 15 minutes looking for them every morning!

Gift Ideas for Mum

• A smart garden: A smart garden such as an AeroGarden Harvest is a clever contraption that allows you to successfully grow herbs and plants indoors all year round. It comes with automatic LED lights and reminds you when the plants need water or food. No green thumb required!

• Bluetooth beanie: Does mum like going for walks, even when it’s chilly? A Bluetooth beanie won’t just keep her warm, it’ll play her music and podcasts from her phone as well.

• A camera lens kit: A camera lens kit is a handy gadget that attaches to your phone and amplifies its camera capabilities. It clips on and takes wider angle shots, close-up shots, and more.

Gift Ideas for Kids

• A Kymera Magic Wand Remote Control: For the muggle who never received their letter, there’s no better gift than a genuine magic wand. This one is a universal remote control with 13 gesture commands. The kids will love it, and their Harry Potter-loving folks will probably enjoy it just as much.

• Osmo Coding Jam: The hottest gift this year could well be Osmo Coding Jam. This coding starter kit works with a tablet to teach kids 5-10 the basics of coding, all in a fun, game-style environment.

Gift Ideas for Teens 

• Sunrise light and alarm clock: Does the teen in your life struggle to wake up in the morning? A sunrise light simulates the slow brightening of the morning sun for a more natural, less jarring wake up call.

• A GoCube: A GoCube is essentially a smart Rubik’s Cube, and the perfect gift for any teen that loves puzzles. It teaches you how to solve Rubik’s cubes, but also comes with its own gameplay modes.

• Instax mobile printer: Teens love sharing pics on social media, but they don’t often get a physical copy. The Instax mobile printer connects with social media and prints photos immediately!

Gift Ideas for Grandparents

• A pre-loaded digital photo frame: There are plenty of digital photo frames on the market, but to make it extra special, load it up with your best family photos so it’s ready to go on Christmas morning.

• Wireless charger: Wires are already enough of a pain – imagine dealing with them when your eyesight is no longer what it used to be. A wireless phone charger can make life easier for anyone, but especially anyone who might struggle with fiddly cables and charging points. 

Gift idea for everyone in the family…

And if you’re stuck, a Geek+ package could be one of the best Christmas gift ideas in NZ for the whole family. Having Geek+ is a bit like having AA for your tech devices instead of your car.

Whether your laptop is playing up, your printer won’t connect, your phone needs updating, you want a security check, or almost anything else, Geek+ is the answer. A Geek+ membership gets you a full year of IT support at your fingertips, making it a great gift for anyone who uses technology but often deals with issues.

There are options for individuals, couples, families, and businesses, so you could technically get all your Christmas shopping done at once.

Get in touch if you have any questions, or if you need a Geek!

In this post, we will be focusing on local Christchurch businesses and how you can help them during this difficult time.

Now more than ever we need to stick together and support local

Check out these local businesses and how you can support them…

GRE3N SUPERFOOD & JUICE BAR

Gre3n superfood & juice bar has 3 locations in Christchurch that serve awesome, health-based food and drinks. Their Barrington store is open for click & collect 10-3 daily, text orders on 0210828668 or walk-ups welcome too.

Head to their social media channels and like, follow and share. Instagram Facebook
Let your friends who haven’t been there, know about their awesome products. The team is very excited to get back to serving you as soon as they safely can.

SKULL & CROSSBONES CONSTRUCTION

With 60 years combined experience in NZ & the USA Skull & Crossbones deal with a wide variety of construction. This includes new builds; renovations; light commercials; no job is too small for them!

Unfortunately due to lockdown, they are limited to paperwork only. What can you do to support them? Call them to discuss a future project and make a booking.

027-306-7995

info@skullandcrossbones.co.nz

Like their Facebook page

CAMELOT MOTOR LODGE

Camelot is a 120-bed motor lodge right across from the famous Hagley Park in Christchurch. They have situated just a short walk to the bars and restaurants on Victoria street. They even have an outdoor swimming pool, spa, children’s play area, and small conference room.

With most of their customers coming from the rest of New Zealand, Auckland in particular they are seeing a huge decline in business. How can you support? Book a stay at the lodge for the future.

www.camelot.co.nz

0800 226 356

In this post, we will be focusing on local Auckland businesses and how you can help them during this difficult time.

Now more than ever we need to stick together and support local

Check out these local businesses and how you can support them…

HEDGEROW

Hedgerow is a gift and homeware store in Remuera that has been in existence for over 25 years. This year they moved into a new shop in the heart of the Remuera.

Hedgerow is not able to open Level 4. Unfortunately, they can’t send any online orders until it is safe to do so in Level 3.

How can you support them? Visit their online store and follow them on Instagram and Facebook

MediWell is New Zealand’s first made-for-mobile Wellness magazine. This publication has been launched by MediBoard as part of its goal to keep Kiwis informed about their health and wellbeing.

Subscribe to their Magazine for free and you can look forward to features on the important health issues that impact your life, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, medication and mental health. And it’s all for free. For a chance to win the bestselling author of How to Escape from Prison, prisoner-turned-psychologist Paul Wood’s new book “Mental Fitness” Subscribe to MediWell

REARDON ELECTRICAL 

Reardon Electrical is a local Auckland business who deal with expert commercial & domestic electrical maintenance.

They are working as an emergency service in the following cases; no power, no hot water, no cooking, and any dangerous situations with power. They will be working at Alert Level 3, within strict safety guidelines. Check out their website, email or call

THE FOUR SAUCEMEN

The Four Saucemen is an award-winning family-owned and run business. They make BBQ rubs and sauces using their family recipes so that you can make award-winning food at home.

Their primary customers are butchers and BBQ stores. Both are closed in Level4 Lockdown. Please support their business by either purchasing directly from their website and follow their Instagram and Facebook handles.

 

CARSON RISK

Carson Risk, a boutique insurance brokerage, offers comprehensive insurance services to the commercial and domestic marketplace.

They provide a personalized service, tailored insurance solutions, and risk management strategies that absolutely reflect your risk buying appetite and most importantly your actual needs.

Level 4 has allowed them to have more time so they are offering to help businesses review their insurance needs. Check out their website here. 

Read our latest covid update

In this post, we will be focusing on local Wellington businesses and how you can help them during this difficult time.

Now more than ever we need to stick together and support local

Check out these local businesses and how you can support them…

DENIKA MEAD

17-Year-old Denika Mead is an Author from Wellington who writes children’s fantasy novels. Denika published her first book when she was just 15 years old and has a brand new book coming out in October.

Unfortunately due to Level 3 + 4, Denika can’t attend local markets where she normally sells many of her books. Luckily you can order them online here.

You can also support her by following her on Instagram & Facebook and subscribing to her newsletter on her website where you will receive a free e-book.

CAPITAL GYMNASTICS 

Capital gymnastics are unable to run any classes at their club in Wellington during level 3+4. What you can do to support their local business?

• Join their online zoom gymnastics classes.
• Send them a photo of you or your kids doing gymnastics at home.
• Follow their Instagram & Like their Facebook page.

MARINAIR TECHNOLOGY LTD

Marinair Technology Ltd is a locally owned small business in Lyall Bay, Wellington. They sell Weather Stations, Marine Safety, Pilot Supplies, and Marine Window Wiper Systems throughout NZ.

During level 3 + 4 they can offer contactless delivery. Their full range of products and services is available through their online shop.

THE PEST MAN 

The Pest Man is a small local business owned by Terry. Terry is a PMANZ master technician and provides pest control services in the greater Wellington region. How you can support Terry:

The Pest Man is still operating as an essential service during Level 3 + 4. Unfortunately, most people do not realize this and so his appointments are down 90% compared to normal.

You do not have to put up with rodents chewing your wires or pests in your food, spreading disease, or just causing you stress. The Pest Man can come to your rescue! Follow their Facebook page or book online via their website.

CHRYSALIS PLAY THERAPY

Marie Baker is a registered child play therapist and owner of Chrysalis Play Therapy in Wellington. This type of therapy is for children aged between 3 and 12 years who are experiencing emotional, social, and behavioral struggles. Play provides a way for children to work through their struggles that feels safe. Play Therapy facilitates children’s emotional and social development and leads to improved mental health and wellbeing.

Chrysalis cannot operate in person during Level 3 + 4, however, Marie is offering email and over-the-phone support to parents during the lockdown. What you can do to support Marie is share her website, Facebook and Instagram. Spread the word about her awesome services.

BOHEMEIN

Dunedin. It’s the coolest little city at the bottom of the world and if you live in New Zealand, there’s a high chance you probably haven’t ventured that far South yet. The South Island cops a bit of flak – it’s undoubtedly colder in winter, can be expensive to travel to from other urban areas and, you say, what is there to do?

Enter Dunedin’s burgeoning arts and culture scene, gorgeous outdoor scenery and experiences that all of the family can enjoy: there is so much to see and do. Go on a guided tour with Small City Big Walks and explore Dunedin’s uber-cool street art, where walls all over the city have been adorned with murals by some of the world’s best street artists like ROA and Phlegm.

If you’re still not tired after all that walking, try making it up Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, without stopping. If you’re lucky enough to be there during Cadbury’s Annual Chocolate Carnival, watch about 25,000 Jaffas roll down the street en masse with the Jaffa Race.

For an activity that’s equally cultural but a little more low key, mosey on over to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and Otago Museum. Both are some of New Zealand’s oldest institutions, with collections full of stunning art and artefacts, and exhibitions that will thrill the young and old.

No mattter what kind of experience you’re after, Dunedin’s nooks and crannies are bursting with culture and a unique city experience. Best of all their Geeks on Wheels team is pretty cool to boot.

Our Dunedin Geeks on Wheels Team

Andrew and Damian from Dunedin’s Geeks on Wheels team reckon Dunedin is a pretty cool place to live too.

Damian, a USA native made the great migration to Dunedin about six months ago, and already rates the place as having good outdoorsy activities for the family and for some alone time. His favourite place to go and be one with nature is the trails along Silver Stream in Mosgiel, but he also reckons the many parks like the Dunedin Botanic Garden, is perfect for hanging with the family. And it’s not all about the greenery, Damian loves to take his family to one of many cool little theatres for a spot of dramatics. There’s no shortage of real life dramatics as a GoW technician though – Damian has witnessed one of his customer’s laptops actually catch fire! Don’t worry, this is a rarity and the GoW team will help you out before it gets to the catching fire stage. Don’t let Damian catch you double-clicking your mouse too often though, this is his technological pet peeve, saying that most people don’t know when to click just once. Something everyone’s a little guilty of, perhaps?

Andrew on the other hand, a Dunedin native, reckons many of his customers are a little too free with their passwords – either not remembering them at all, or writing them all down in one place. Passwords can be tricky things to remember though, especially if you have multiple accounts, so don’t fret too much. It’s Andrew’s job to do the worrying for you, and he’s a fine technician, specialising in cloud services and synchronising data across multiple mobile devices. His favourite place in Dunedin is a place called Ross Creek, in Maori Hill. Andrew says that back in the day you could see glow worms on the banks of creek at night time. He might be a little psychic too, as Andrew’s childhood tech-dream was the ability to communicate to one another through video. Impressive! Communication is important to Andrew, who despite leaving Dunedin for a number of years, jumped at the chance to go back, to be near his family and raise a wee one of his own.

Geeks on Wheels services available in Dunedin

Geeks on Wheels love dealing with people, and our technicians offer a range of services for the people of Dunedin. If you’re having computer troubles, we’ll come to you and sort them out. Whether it’s a PC or Mac, we can diagnose your computer’s problems and help get it running smoothly again, and can help you with software updates, hardware issues and virus scans.

If you suspect your computer does have a virus, our spyware removal service is fast and effective. We’ll screen your computer for any threats, get rid of them, and update it with the latest and best anti-virus protection software.

For those of you with a new computer, don’t stress about setting it up, especially if you’re not confident. We can come to your Dunedin home or office and set up all systems and related technology for you. This includes installing programmes, setting up internet and email, and even the transfer of data from your old computer to your new one, or removal of data you no longer need.

Wireless setup is made easier with our mobile service. We can provide you with a wireless router so you can surf the net from anywhere in your home or office. This includes setting up your wireless security, antivirus and firewall protection so that you can surf with ease and safety.

Got precious photos, a tonne of great music or some very important data that you would hate to lose? We can provide you with a variety of backup solutions, software and can teach you how to use your backup drive so that if anything does happen to your computer, you’ve got your important files at hand. Online backup solutions are also available.

If you’ve already lost your data, there may be a chance we can recover it. Give us a call and we’ll use all the tool we can to attempt to recover your files, and provide backup for the files that don’t have it already.

For any other issues not listed here, give us a bell and we may be able to help you.

Dunedin – a global city

The Dunedin Geeks on Wheels team will provide you with all the geeky info and services you need to make your life stress free. Dunedin may be at the bottom of the world,but there are top notch tech services available from our dedicated and talented team, like Damian and Andrew.

Technology doesn’t need to be a hassle, and we love helping out the technologically challenged in our community so that everyone has access to smooth running computers, fast wireless internet, and more.

We’re part of a global community, where Dunedin can be connected with someone on the other side of the world in a few seconds, and we want to nourish that. Whether it’s through art, culture or technology, it’s amazing being able to open up communication lines and know that we’re up there with some of the coolest cities in the world.

If you have any queries, computer issues or are thinking of giving Dunedin a visit, give us a call on 0800 4 A GEEK and we’ll help you out, from the bottom of the world.