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Did You Budget for Increased IT Support Costs This Year?

Posted by Michael Silverman on Mon, Feb 03, 2014 

Do you have a potential IT Time Bomb in your office?

Posted by David S. Mulvey on Sat, Jan 04, 2014 In 90 days, on April 8, 2014 Microsoft will end extended support for Windows XP. This means that no additional security patches, bug fixes, or service packs will be released and that users will no longer have access to free or paid technical support.  Systems running XP won’t suddenly stop working on April 8, but they will become increasingly vulnerable and the source of additional problems to your company.  I doubt you have called Microsoft for XP support for years, so why is this a big deal?

Well it’s not that Microsoft will no longer take a support call for Windows XP; the real issue is that new security exploits that come along for XP will no longer be corrected by Microsoft.  Microsoft finds and corrects hundreds of security exploits within their operating systems every month; when your PC downloads a new Microsoft Patch; you are receiving the security corrections to harden your system from attack.  On April 8, 2014, Windows XP will be open season for security hacks, data hijacks and other vulnerabilities.  You simply must protect yourself and your company data by removing all of your Windows XP machines from production!

IT Security: The sudden absence of support for XP leaves a void that will likely be filled by a slew of old or soon to be exploited vulnerabilities that will subsequently give rise to a new crop of security exploits that target Windows XP systems.  Without continuing security updates; older operating systems like Windows XP typically have more exploit activity due to the fact that the malicious code will have ample time to mature, circulate and infect your machines.  There are also other reasons for considering removing your XP machines from production.

IT Performance: Todays modern PCs have features that were nonexistent when service pack enhancements for Windows XP were discontinued.  Today’s PCs include WIFI, Bluetooth, faster USB ports, and high resolution video graphics and touchscreen capabilities.  Many of these features are either poorly supported or not supported at all by Windows XP Professional.  Converting your old Windows XP machines over to Windows 7 can bring a huge performance boost.  You will get the benefits of better device drivers, high speed WIFI, faster USB 3.0 ports, and double software speed execution with 64 bit software support.

Office 2003: Unfortunately, Office 2003 is at the end of support with Microsoft. So, much like Windows XP, you need to determine if your company is still using Office 2003 which includes 2003 Word, 2003 Excel and 2003 Outlook.  With all of this software becoming essential obsolete and worse than that, a liability to have on your network, what should you do?

Windows 7 or Windows 8? Peter Klein the CFO for Microsoft said, “If enterprises are holding off on Windows 8, they are still embracing Windows 7 as an upgrade solution.”  He continues, “This quarter we saw continued progress from the transition of Windows XP to Windows 7.  Now, two-thirds of all enterprise desktops are running Windows 7.” ANP agrees that Windows 7 is the perfect replacement for Windows XP.  Windows 7 will be supported by Microsoft until October 13, 2020, which is far more time than a new PC bought today will be in service.

Next Steps: Take a careful look at your Windows servers and desktops and determine if you have any Windows XP still running on your company devices.  If so, upgrade the machine and operating system at the same time.  If you are not sure or don’t know how to take inventory of all of your Microsoft software you can reach out to ANP; we would be happy to help you in the assessment and also in the upgrade process.

Attend our IT Webinar: During our free 30 minute IT webinar we will dive deeper into the potential risks of not migrating out your old Windows XP machines and explain three Windows 7 migration strategies and why one might be perfect for your company. Sign up for the 30 minute webinar below: 
Topics: End of Windows XP Support, IT Time Bomb, Microsoft Windows 7, Windows XP

IT Technology Lifecycle Management for Small Business

Posted by Michael Silverman on Fri, Dec 27, 2013 

Technology Management Guidelines 
How does a Business Owner Insure IT Security with Employees?

Posted by Scott Persechino on Sun, Dec 22, 2013 Having worked in the technology field for many years, I’ve developed a certain perspective regarding the security of technology devices in my office and in my home…and frankly, I’m not sure if it’s “healthy” or “unhealthy”.  Here in my office, if I take a look at the devices connected around me, I see a computer with connections to internal resources as well as external Internet- and cloud-based resources; I see a little USB drive hanging off my computer; I see a smart phone with all sorts of applications loaded on it; I see an IP-based phone, with voice mail, and all sorts of other capabilities.  At home, I have a cable modem, a little wireless router, a few cable boxes, telephones with voice mail service, and a couple of smart appliances.  Although all of these devices are either essential for me to be able to do my job…or help make my time at home be more convenient and enjoyable, I can’t help but think they all have one thing in common…and that is all of these devices can be hacked!

The simple truth is that if you can plug it in, or connect it to a “network”, your device, no matter what it is, can be taken over by someone else. And the truth is that someone doesn’t have to be an experienced hacker to do some serious damage…either on purpose or by accident.

Frankly, I’m a minimalist when it comes to technology…I want to turn things on and have them work.  I don’t need every fancy attribute, but I expect that my equipment will work, and I don’t need any hassles with hackers.  Part of what makes new technology so exciting is that, unlike the old days, it works right out of the box. Now any “non-techie” can download just about any application very easily, and it just works.  However, with this “tech world” being more accessible, it also becomes more problematic…and the hackers love it!

Take a look at a quick list of devices that “experts” think will be vulnerable over the next few years as the Internet of Things becomes more widespread.  Here are the pretty obvious items: smart phones; smart watches; office computers; tablets; home computers; the cloud (services, storage, software); ATMs at banks; printers; GPS devices; Wi-Fi routers; web cams; thumb and portable USB drives; cable box or DVR; voice mail (especially those with a global call-in numbers that don’t lock out after successive failed attempts)

But how about these “less obvious” items…these might be the “hack-able” devices of the future: power strips (today, they can be infected with malware); power cords for your devices (software code can be implanted now); luggage trackers (such as the Trakdot); connected glasses (Google Glass); gaming consoles: PS3, Kinect, Nintendo; refrigerators (such as Samsung); cars with computer operating systems; smart pens (like the Livescribe); gesture control devices (such as the Leap); cameras; smart alarm clocks; coffee makers; key fobs; light switches; moisture sensors; traffic lights (MIRT transmitters can change lights to green in two to three seconds); highway signs that spell out text  And I didn’t even mention medical devices, which are frighteningly exposed to hackers.

The proliferation of all this technology creates a constant need to keep devices updated and secure. For small- to medium-sized business owners in particular, where your internal IT support may be minimal and less-experienced at best, you are uniquely vulnerable.  Experts believe the most vulnerable device in any American house is the cable box, because it is so rarely updated.  However, if a hacker takes out your cable box, the damage is pretty well contained…hopefully.  Yet, if a hacker takes out your company’s server, or critical workstations are compromised, it could bring your company to its knees, and potentially put you out of business.

If what I’m saying makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. So how should we think about our constant vulnerability? Whether it’s “healthy or unhealthy”, I make a daily assumption that everything I do is hack-able.  I have an awareness of potential vulnerabilities, and I’m trying to develop an evolving set of street smarts…all business owners should as well.

For example, when you’re traveling and working on the road, consider carrying your own Wi-Fi hotspot. You can use a secure virtual private network (VPN) to send and receive email, and to access content that you have stored in the cloud. (Truth be told, that network can be hacked too, but at least your IT person or your managed services provider can watch the logs of what information is coming and going, and attempt to fight off intruders.)

Another good rule of thumb is to keep your network cloaked, meaning, don’t name it “Joe’s Hotspot”, if your name is Joe Smith.  As a managed service provider who performs regular network assessments for prospects, we routinely look at networks, and are astonished to see how many people use their own names or the names of their companies in their naming conventions. One approach is to change the names of all your devices to your mobile phone number. That way, if your laptop is lost or stolen for example, someone will see a phone number rather than your name, and perhaps there will be less of an incentive to poke around your machine to see what’s there.

Another idea is to use passwords that are easy to remember, but difficult to crack. Experts say you’re best off with a long phrase that also includes numbers and at least one capital letter. For example, something like “Iwant99pizzasand12sodasfordinnertonight” is actually more secure than “Gx1U2y,” because the algorithms that are used to crack passwords have to process many more computations when the password is longer.  Speaking of passwords, as much of a pain as it is, please change them regularly…weekly is recommended. It should go without saying that each one of your networks and devices should have a different password. When was the last time you changed yours?  Since I know you’re wondering: there is no workaround for this and no way to short-cut the management of your own passwords.  Again, another function you could look to your managed services provider for assistance.

Another good rule is to turn off your peripherals when they’re not in use, including printers.  Same goes for nonessentials on your network, such as additional computers, game consoles, and the like. The more things you have plugged in, the more opportunities there are for penetration. Be cognizant of who’s plugging “what” into your network. An innocent-looking thumb drive can destroy your computer within seconds…scary.

The good “healthy” news is that the “tech world” is open to all, offering fantastic business opportunities “in the office”…not to mention that it teach kids how to use and control the many devices that are undeniably tied to their futures “at home”.  The truth is that open networks are vital to innovation…however, the “unhealthy” truth is that they aren’t totally secure…and probably never will be…

It is incumbent upon a business owner to insure himself that as his company data is proliferated over smart phones, home networks, everything remains secure! ANP can help you evaluate if in fact you have everything secured, what happens when an employees laptop or smart phone is stolen; can your company wipe off the data? ANP can help, check out our free network assessment below. 
Topics: IT security, Business Owners, IT Technology, Virtual Private network, home network, security of your company 
Topics: CEO Peer Group, Virtual CIO, IT Assessment