All posts by Solve-IT.ca

IT Security

What Is Wardriving and Why Should Your Hamilton Business Be Concerned?

If you happen to run a small business, beware! At one time, making sure our computers were locked to our desks and we had the right passwords were just enough to secure confidential corporate data. Maybe having your server locked in a secure room gave you the peace of mind that everything was secure. Times have changed especially since the invention of wireless networks. Today, crooks simply need a WI-FI connection to break into your office.

These Wardrivers drive around cruising neighbourhoods, shopping centers and office buildings looking for open or WI-FI networks that can be easily hacked into. All businesses are at risk! Small Business right through to large corporations can fall victim to a compromise of their WI-FI network. There are almost daily stories of corporations having their WI-FI networks hacked into and customer data compromised. A few years ago it was TJ Maxx; tomorrow it could be your business.

Right now, these wardrivers might make you a target. Here is how they will typically do it…

Wardrivers cruise around in vehicles, usually the ones with tinted windows to make sure no one outside sees what is happening inside the vehicle. Inside the vehicle will be laptops connected with long-range antennas that collect the list and locations of wireless networks. When they come across a vulnerable wireless network, they tap into it and steal credit card numbers and even personal information.

And if you are using an unsecure Wi-Fi standard called Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), you may be at risk. Consumer-grade WI-Fi routers (normally sold at your local office supply store) are often the targets of these wardriving attempts to hack into your business network. Your business might be using one of them. But the point here is that WEP’s encryption can be easily cracked with a little help from sophisticated tools by unsophisticated hackers, so it is time you reviewed your network security and our team of Hamilton IT security specialists can help you.

Just over a year ago, a hacker named Albert Gonzalez was convicted of stealing more than 130 million credit card numbers, most of which were robbed using wardriving.

What does your business need to be secure?

It starts with having a review of your overall business security systems, physical and virtual. It is great to have alarms on your building, controlled access to your business but what about your employees who connect from home via remote access or your WI-FI connection that is broadcasting to the world that your business is “open for business”. Having a trusted Hamilton IT support team like ours will ensure your network is completely secure, all possible gaps are filled and you can rest assured knowing that the right team is on the job.

Wireless networks are great and they are convenient. But what are the risks? Contact Solve-IT today to learn more about how to secure your business network.

Microsoft

Microsoft set to retire versions of Windows

For Windows XP and Vista users, there is bad news AND there is good news.

Let’s get done with the bad news first. The bad news is that support is ending for some versions of Windows which includes Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) for which support ends on July 12, 2011. And if you didn’t know, support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) has already ended on July 13, 2010 which means if you are using any of these versions, you won’t get security updates for Windows after support ends.

However, users of the 64-bit version of Windows XP running it with SP2 need not worry as this version of Windows will continue to have Microsoft support and receive updates until April 8, 2014.

Now, we understand this is devastating news to some of you who elected to hold onto Windows XP but now is the perfect time to sit down and talk with your St. Catharine’s computer repair team about Windows 7.

In our opinion it is the better option for today’s business. Windows 7 simplifies your everyday tasks, makes your PC safer, and makes new things possible. For those “do it yourself” folks, make sure you download Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC can run Windows 7 before you run out and buy it. Compare versions to find out why Windows 7 is the better option and then and only then should you buy it.

Even better, call us and we can help your business find the right version of Windows 7.

Not ready to shift to Windows 7 now? Don’t worry, there are two things you can do: get Windows XP SP3 (a free update) or get Windows Vista SP2 (which is a free update too).

Windows XP SP3 includes all previously-released updates and a small number of new updates. There is no SP3 for the 64-bit version of Windows XP though, but you can use it with SP2 and you will continue to get support till April 8, 2014. Likewise, Windows Vista SP2 includes support for new types of hardware and includes all the updates that have been released since Windows Vista SP1.

As your St. Catharine’s Microsoft Partner, we can help you get the most out of your business IT. Talk with us today.

To learn more about Microsoft retirement of Windows visit http://windows.microsoft.com/eos.

Microsoft

Microsoft Big Easy 6.0 Offer

If you are thinking of purchasing or renewing software, why not do it via eligible Open License programs, especially at a time when Big Easy 6.0 is providing an incredible offer with the latest Microsoft products? As your local Hamilton Microsoft Partner, there are many programs your business can leverage to help make sure the right solutions are in place for your business and that you are getting them for the right price plus maybe taking advantage of many Microsoft incentives.

The Big Easy 6.0 offer provides you up to 30% in partner subsidy dollars on qualifying Microsoft purchases, and the offer applies to new and renewal software purchases. You will also be able to apply these partner subsidy dollars towards future purchases of Microsoft solutions or services. With the offer, you will be able to receive a reimbursement on the purchase of a Windows Phone device through Open Business or Open Value, as well.

While making new purchases, you will be able to get 5% in partner subsidy dollars under the Open License plus Software Assurance, and the percentage is 15 for Open Value. Those who opt for an Open Value Subscription will be provided 30% partner subsidy dollars. Confused about Microsoft’s licensing programs; don’t be. We are here to make sure your business gets the right licenses.

Likewise, if you are looking for renewing an existing license agreement, you will be able to get 30% partner subsidy dollars under the Open Value agreement where renewals are given when other new products are purchased.

You must have already taken your pick by now. If not, we recommend you make new software purchases through the Open Value Subscription (OVS) agreement and renew existing license agreements through the Open Value (OV) agreement (because they are the most beneficial agreements!). The offer lets you choose from the latest softwares like Lync, Office 2010, Windows Server, and Exchange 2010 to name a few; but the offer lasts only until June 30, 2011.

So what are you waiting for? Grab the offer today!

Internet

Three Ways To Improve Your Google Searches

Sometimes finding what you are looking for when performing an online search seems impossible, but remember, it is not. With these three unbelievably simple tips, you can certainly find what you are looking for:

  • Keep it simple: The first unbelievably simple tip for getting accurate results is simple, keep the keywords simple. Use only a few words or phrases, make sure they are good enough and you are bound to get relevant results.
  • Learn about Boolean: You have probably already done this. Using terms like “and,” “not” and “or” in your online searches to include or exclude the terms you are looking for can get you better results. And don’t forget to do some math. You can use pluses or minuses and you can even use quotation marks. For example, if you would like get a particular term in your search results, you can simply type a “ ” before the term while conducting the search. For excluding the term, you will have to keep a “-“ before the unwanted term.
  • Be precise: Being precise is a sure-fire way to find what you are looking for. Don’t use broad phrases or you will end up with thousands of results which are not even close to what you are trying to find. Instead use quotation marks for the exact phrase you are looking for.

So, the next time you are performing an online search, keep in mind these three simple tips and find what you are looking for in an instant.

Your Hamilton IT support team at Solve-IT are here to help you get the most out of your IT. Helping our clients is not always focused on technical issues but sometimes “how to” questions. Feel free to contact us at anytime to discuss how we can help your Hamilton business with all of your technology needs.

Microsoft

Important Microsoft Security Fix For Niagara Business

Microsoft addressed two security bulletins in May’s Patch Tuesday release. Security experts said administrators should apply the fixes immediately – because, despite their small size, they address significant threats.

Microsoft fixed a critical vulnerability affecting Windows Server and an important bug in Microsoft Office PowerPoint, according to the Patch Tuesday advisory released May 10. Microsoft also assigned separate “exploitability” scores for newer versions of the software under the “improved” exploitability index ratings.

Your Niagara computer support team at Solve-IT is already looking into all identified security flaws and addressing them. Our clients who are part of our fully managed IT support program have nothing to worry about. Interested in learning more about how we help Denver business with their day-to-day IT needs? call us today for a no obligation review of your business IT.

read more from eweek.com

Telephones

Getting a small business phone system?

Communication is extremely important for businesses. Many would argue that effective communication is what separates the great companies from those who continue to struggle. Be it networking for the growth of your business or corresponding with your customers regarding transactions, it is of vital importance that you have suitable means of communication and a communication service that you can rely on to be there when you need it.

There are many channels of communication you can use for your business, but it starts with making sure you have the right tools that allows you to communicate efficiently. Many business owners struggle with finding the right phone system to meet their needs. Selecting a phone system can be a confusing and difficult decision for many. After all, there are many options for you to choose from, phone systems like PBX (Private Branch Exchange), KSU (Key System Unit), and also the KSU Less Systems. Before you leap, you should know a few of the useful features for each that will be of advantage to your business. Some of them have been mentioned below:

  • Voicemail: If nobody is around to pick up the phone, this feature saves important messages and info from your callers. So, you won’t have to worry about missing that important phone call.
  • Integration with Microsoft Exchange Server: This is becoming very important; have your voicemails emailed to your smartphone, and Microsoft Outlook inbox will ensure you can respond quickly to urgent messages.
  • Presence: This is another area in communication that is moving ahead rapidly.  Seeing when others are online, in meetings or out of the office will allow you to communicate in the most efficient manner, including phone, email or instant messaging.
  • Conference Calling: This feature lets you hold conferences with remote employees or customers who are miles away.
  • Multiple Lines or Call Waiting: With this feature, your business will be able to take multiple calls at the same time. And if not available, you can also use the call waiting feature that clears the phone line to accommodate each caller.
  • Call Attendant: Transfers calls to a different extension to direct the call to the department or person.
  • Speed Dialing: This feature helps you save time (and a little space in your memory, as well). You will be able to save multiple phone numbers which can be called just by pressing the assigned button for each phone number.
  • Hands Free Calling: Keeps your hands free for multi-tasking.
  • Redial: Press one button and you will be connected to the last phone number dialed on the telephone pad.
  • Caller ID: Lets you know who is calling by giving you the telephone number or the caller’s info even before you pick up the phone.

These are just a few but important features of small business phone systems you can use to make your business grow.

Trust your Hamilton IT support team at Solve-IT to help you with selecting the right phone system for your business.  Contact us before you make your final decision.

IT Security

Rogue Anti-Virus

Recently I have been onslaught with the latest generation of rogue anti-virus. When I run a series of system sweepers against the PC, the end result is that the rogue is no longer present but the user’s profile is still corrupted. When you log on as the local admin or domain admin, both uncorrupted profiles the PC behaves in a stable fashion. I have found the fastest and most effective way around the corrupted profile is to back up the user’s current profile on the PC. Delete the profile and add it anew. Restore any user data and you are off to the races, the user/client is happy and time is not wasted on a rebuild/reload of the OS and reload of all the applications.

So far I am two for two, I will keep you appraised of what occurs along the way.

Microsoft

Windows SBS 2008 Recovery

Recently, I ran into an interesting situation where a client’s computer (MAC) decided to have a Microsoft Outlook issue. Outlook crashed; and when it re-opened, it identified an issue with the client’s identity. Subsequently, it requested a rebuild of the user’s identity. Sadly, the rebuild was performed rather than the proper procedure of erasing the identity and recreating it. (I only service one Apple PC, so I don’t encounter this a lot. I only found out the proper procedure after the damage had already been done.)

Subsequently, the profile was rebuilt to the server; but all the calendar entries had been wiped out, as well as about 1GB of data was vaporized from the client’s exchange store. Needless to say, the client was overly pleased with the results. The client had not elected to use my preferred backup application, but at least had the Windows Small Business Server backups running.

I began the procedure to recover missing data from a specific email box as described by Microsoft. This requires the technician to perform a complete restore of the entire mail store (based on size and server speed, anywhere from 1-4 hours) to a redirected folder on the server. Once that is complete, you create an Exchange Recovery database and associate the required mail store to the recovery mailbox.

Following that you attempt to mount the mail store (AKA database) on the server so that it can be viewed and restored from. So far this all sounded rosy save for the initial recovery mechanism. If the file mounts successfully from the restore, you perform a mail merge operation and recover the user’s missing information and are off to the races.

Here’s the sour point: when you attempt to recover the database, the logs are likely missing and the database won’t mount gracefully. This will leave you in a heap of trouble since now you need to repair the database before you can mount the database (this is almost sexual, but I will leave that to another topic and this wouldn’t be a site you would be browsing for that type of story.)

Microsoft has made it much easier to run the old command lines for eseutil /d and eseutil /r by automating these commands for you. Keep in mind that since they have automated it, you can’t set the locations of the temporary databases (DBs). So if you have no space on the email store drive, this will fail. The major issue is the time taken to repair the DB before you can even begin to recover the mail.

Once I realized that my newly recovered database wouldn’t mount, I started the repair mechanism. Three hours later I was finally able to mount the database. At this point, I went through the basic steps of merging the user’s particular mailbox back into the existing email box and was successfully able to recover the missing 1GB of messages and their calendar items.

The end result of the story was that the user paid about $400 in service time to recover a singular failed mailbox because they didn’t want to spend $700 to buy a proper backup application.

Happily, the Microsoft application worked as advertised. I wouldn’t want to rely on it if I am interested in saving the client time in terms of recovery and lost productivity due to missing email.

mobility

4G Is Coming To Canada

4G is finally here. Though it will initially be available only in a few major Canadian cities, it will be available. With Telus officially announcing the rolling out of this technology starting in mid-2011, the prediction made by Deloitte’s Technology Media Telecommunications earlier this year appears to be coming true.

The report had suggested that the adoption of 4G might be slower than expected as some mobile providers have not fully utilized their existing 3G spectrum. Whatever it is, some of us will be using 4G soon. But what exactly is 4G? The term “4G” has been highly used with different carriers having their own definitions for the term making us more confused by the day.

4G, in simple terms, refers to wireless network-based on fourth-generation technology which will provide faster wireless service over 3G. It will be much more reliable and faster than the existing 3G wireless network, and the technology has been developed to cater to consumer’s growing demand for data to power their smartphones and tablet devices.

4G mobile technology and wireless carriers will have to implement one of the two systems, either Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) for the service to work. As far as Telus, the pioneer here, is concerned; it will be deploying LTE network and operate on the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). Rogers, Bell, and Wind Mobile have also been thinking of using the same system but they have not made any announcements yet.

The transition from 3G to 4G will take some time. In fact, some of it has already been done. In 2009, Telus and Bell had brought forth 3G HSPA+ wireless network (also known as 3.5G). The 4G wireless network, according to Telus, will appear in early 2012 (remember, only in major cities) and it will take a short while for the service to be available nationwide.

business tips

Five Tips To Build Strong Client Relations

Your clients keep your business going; and unless you build strong relations with them, the chances of your business growing are almost nil. If you want your business to grow by maintaining a healthy relationship with your customers based on trust and good-will, here are five tips that will help:

  1. It is hard to support any relationship without keeping in touch, and your relationships with your clients are no exceptions to the rule. Stay in touch with your clients on a regular basis giving them relevant information about upcoming offers they might be interested in. Correspond with them using tailored and personal messages to make your customers feel more appreciated and focused on. There are plenty of Clients Relationship Management tools and software solutions out there that will help you create and manage relationships with your customers; but make sure you don’t bombard them with promotional messages.
  2. It is always easier to keep up relationships with existing customers than to create new ones. Focus on strengthening the relationship you already have with your clients. Find out clients who have been loyal to your business and make them feel special by giving them information first or sending them gifts for their birthdays or special occasions.
  3. If you have clients who run businesses, don’t just be a supplier for them. Change your transaction-based relationship into a partnership.
  4. Take it slow. Don’t except the relationship to become a strong one as soon as you have created it. Moving things too fast will make you seem as pushy and give your clients the feeling of being manipulated.
  5. Be honest with your clients. When dealing with your clients, be upfront and open. Hiding facts will only turn your clients skeptical.

We understand the importance of our client relationships. As your trusted Hamilton IT support professional or St. Catharine’s computer tech, we value each relationship with each client. We welcome you to test us out.