I am sure I am not the first one to tell you support for Windows 7 in ending in January 2020. But "What does that mean to your business?" "How do you move to protect your assets?" And "Should you upgrade your old PC with just a software change or get a new PC?" All of these are great questions - now lets explore some answers.
What does it mean
Contrary to popular belief your PC won't die exactly in January 2020 as a result of these license changes. The good news is you PC will continue to run. But the bad news is that you will not get any more security updates. As you are well aware the threat landscape on the future is evolving quickly. New vulnerabilities are discovered all the time. Microsoft has had a history of "Patch Tuesday" releasing periodic protections to you at no charge. Additionally when Microsoft discovers an extreme vulnerability they do what is called "out of band patching." That means that they immediately push out to you computer protections for discovered vulnerabilities that they are now protection. All of this protection will stop in January 2020 for Windows 7.
How do you protect
Next question: How do you move to protect. The easy answer is upgrade - the slightly harder question is what will that do to my software? If you have a current program and are in contact with your software manufacturer or developer they likely already have a new version available. You will need to contact them and get this question answered. If you do have legacy software that is no longer supported an must run it on Windows 7 you need to increase your security posture. That means updating your antivirus, malware protection suite. Additionally you should increase the backup cycle of your critical Windows 7 PC. Multiple and more frequent backups will at least give you a recovery path if trouble flares up.
Upgrade or new PC
Finally the last question: Upgrade my old hardware or buy new? PCs are machines and machines with moving parts eventually break. What is a moving part on a PC? Fans and motor. All PCs have a power supply and there is a fan in there most of the time. Almost all motherboards have a fan that blows continual cool air on your processor. lastly the older style hard drives have a motor in there that spins it like a record player to retrieve and store data. All of these motors if more than 2-3 years are prone to failure. Warranty's on hardware are also expired for older PCs. And for the cost of a new hard drive, new Windows 10 license and the setup to put it into your PC it is usually more cost effective to buy a new PC and just transfer the data. Of course there are a lot more specific variables for your computing environment. Give ACE a call or drop me an email with your questions and I know we will find an answer together Click here
Friday, November 8, 2019
Friday, May 6, 2011
Data Backups - What are you trying to protect?
We are all told very frequently that we need to back up our data. Very few people actually like to do the backup and then monitor what is really happening. But, just like with real world insurance...nobody cares until until you actually lose something...then everybody wants protection.
Business data falls much the same way into these categories.
But the bigger question I think, is from what are you protected?
You can do all sorts of backups to protect against accidental file deletion and be protected. But when you leave the USB backup drive or tape right next to the server, your protection is not that great. If a fire, flood or theft occurs, the backup you did is gone as well.
Take the case of all those people in Japan who recently lost everything. I am sure some people were doing off site backups and taking data to home offices or second locations. They thought they were doing everything right. But when a massive tsunami destroyed both locations...all data was gone.
Today, there are many online backups that are VERY cost effective. These CLOUD BACKUPS put you back in control.
Once you have had a moment to think about your data, you probably need to talk with someone who deals with this stuff all the time.
Give ACE a call or drop me an email to see what is possible for your company...
Business data falls much the same way into these categories.
But the bigger question I think, is from what are you protected?
You can do all sorts of backups to protect against accidental file deletion and be protected. But when you leave the USB backup drive or tape right next to the server, your protection is not that great. If a fire, flood or theft occurs, the backup you did is gone as well.
Take the case of all those people in Japan who recently lost everything. I am sure some people were doing off site backups and taking data to home offices or second locations. They thought they were doing everything right. But when a massive tsunami destroyed both locations...all data was gone.
Today, there are many online backups that are VERY cost effective. These CLOUD BACKUPS put you back in control.
Once you have had a moment to think about your data, you probably need to talk with someone who deals with this stuff all the time.
Give ACE a call or drop me an email to see what is possible for your company...
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
What is old is new again - malicious bogus programs that invade
Several years ago Microsoft wrote a greate article about bogus software that gets installed on your PC and tells you alarming messages about how infected your computer is...and then "offers" (for a fee) to remove the programs. Of course it is all a nighmare and not true. The ultimate goal of these tricksters is to con you into paying them money.
Here is a link to the 2008/2009 epedemic that broke out:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/antivirus-rogue.aspx
Well it seems these bandits are up to their old tricks again using almost the same game.
Except now they are using school web sites, commerce web sites and places like Facebook, etc. to try and trick you into loading the bogus software then sticking you with the removal and repair fees.
Be very careful.
Also know ACE now has a very low cost monthly way for you to completely protect all your PCs...give me a call for details.
Here is a link to the 2008/2009 epedemic that broke out:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/antivirus-rogue.aspx
Well it seems these bandits are up to their old tricks again using almost the same game.
Except now they are using school web sites, commerce web sites and places like Facebook, etc. to try and trick you into loading the bogus software then sticking you with the removal and repair fees.
Be very careful.
Also know ACE now has a very low cost monthly way for you to completely protect all your PCs...give me a call for details.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Viruses and Malicious Software
It sure seems like we have been under attach lately. Lots of people are getting hit by the bogus antivirus software and other trojans that are very difficult to remove.
Where are they coming from and how are they getting into systems?
Watchguard (the firewall router company) recently had a partner event that reviewed the sources.
Many are coming from holes (un-patched software holes) in other programs like Adobe Reader, JAVA, Flash Player and more.
To best protect yourself it is now extremely important for you to patch not only Windows...but all of these other subsystems.
And because all of these programs have hooks into web browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc...you can trigger the attackers ability to get into your system by merely looking at web pages that seem to be reputable.
This is a very tough problem to attack. Check out what the professionals have to say: http://www.watchguard.com/predictions/index.asp
Stay tuned - ACE will try and keep you as up to date as possible.
Where are they coming from and how are they getting into systems?
Watchguard (the firewall router company) recently had a partner event that reviewed the sources.
Many are coming from holes (un-patched software holes) in other programs like Adobe Reader, JAVA, Flash Player and more.
To best protect yourself it is now extremely important for you to patch not only Windows...but all of these other subsystems.
And because all of these programs have hooks into web browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc...you can trigger the attackers ability to get into your system by merely looking at web pages that seem to be reputable.
This is a very tough problem to attack. Check out what the professionals have to say: http://www.watchguard.com/predictions/index.asp
Stay tuned - ACE will try and keep you as up to date as possible.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Microsoft Online Services - CLOUD SERVICES
Microsoft has been making a huge investment in hardware just east of the mountains near Quincy, WA. They built only a few of these data centers for the entire US. The one in WA State covers all service west of the Mississippi River and is in our back yard! The Microsoft offerings are called Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS), Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, Live Meeting and Communicator.
What is cloud computing? Some define it as online documents, SPAM filtering for your email, sales and document sharing tools. Now is the time to try out these products and make cost effective use of your resources. Call or email today.
NOTE: the BBC was recently allowed access into this Microsoft facility and shot a 3-minute video you can see online. Click here to watch.
What is cloud computing? Some define it as online documents, SPAM filtering for your email, sales and document sharing tools. Now is the time to try out these products and make cost effective use of your resources. Call or email today.
NOTE: the BBC was recently allowed access into this Microsoft facility and shot a 3-minute video you can see online. Click here to watch.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Windows 7 - Lunch and Learn
If you are in the Bellevue, WA area and have time for a free lunch on December 9 or 10, 2009. Drop me an email: james@ace2100.com
I will be teaming with Comcast and having a presentation on Windows 7:Upgrade the Desktop...things you need to know as a business professional. Remember that Windows XP was released in October 2001 - eight years ago last month! It has served us well, but new technology is right around the corner and you will need Windows 7 to make it run fast on new systems.
Come get some education and a free lunch.
Call to RSVP - 206-5551-7000
I will be teaming with Comcast and having a presentation on Windows 7:Upgrade the Desktop...things you need to know as a business professional. Remember that Windows XP was released in October 2001 - eight years ago last month! It has served us well, but new technology is right around the corner and you will need Windows 7 to make it run fast on new systems.
Come get some education and a free lunch.
Call to RSVP - 206-5551-7000
Thursday, September 17, 2009
New Versions, New Releases, New Software
It appears that now that summer is over, all of the programmers are back to work and on target to release new products, intermediate version releases and whole new operating systems. There is a lot of exciting news to release and I will have a major post at the end of the month.
One new thing that you may have heard about is the new Windows release of the operating system that will replace Vista called 'Windows 7'. It is on target and committed for October 22 to be released to the public. There is a lot of excitement and apprehension all tied together in this upgrade. In addition to the Windows Desktop Update there is a Server Update and very shortly after that a new version of MS Office (Office 2010) that is just on its heels. Microsoft is working very hard to release some new products that will increase worker productivity. I just got a first glimpse demo at the Microsoft campus yesterday by the product manager. It looks good!
Fall 2009, even though we are in tough economic times, looks to be a very busy time in the computer world.
Let ACE help you navigate these new changes and make cost effective implementations of new technology as it makes sense for your business. Please call or email me any quesitons.
One new thing that you may have heard about is the new Windows release of the operating system that will replace Vista called 'Windows 7'. It is on target and committed for October 22 to be released to the public. There is a lot of excitement and apprehension all tied together in this upgrade. In addition to the Windows Desktop Update there is a Server Update and very shortly after that a new version of MS Office (Office 2010) that is just on its heels. Microsoft is working very hard to release some new products that will increase worker productivity. I just got a first glimpse demo at the Microsoft campus yesterday by the product manager. It looks good!
Fall 2009, even though we are in tough economic times, looks to be a very busy time in the computer world.
Let ACE help you navigate these new changes and make cost effective implementations of new technology as it makes sense for your business. Please call or email me any quesitons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
