Virus Alert! Fake Microsoft Outlook Critical Update
Virus Alert! Beware of any emails you receive requesting or recommending you update your Microsoft Outlook email program. We have had numerous LANPRO customer’s call in verifying whether or not they should apply this new update. After in-depth research, we found that this to be a new virus/spyware threat floating around the Internet.
Use this link for more information on this latest malware release: MX Logic SPAM News
New iPhone Release – Is It Right For Your Business?
Tomorrow mark’s the next new release of Apple’s iPhone 3G solution. Many LANPRO clients have inquired in to the Pro’s and Con’s of utilizing the iPhone as a productive business solution. This post will provide our readers with just a few advantages and disadvantages of utilizing the iPhone in today’s business environment.
Business Pro’s
Exchange/Email Integration — One excellent (and probably the most useful) function of the iPhone is its capability of tying directly in with our clients Microsoft Exchange email collaboration servers. Almost real-time syncing of Inbox, Calendars, Contacts, and Tasks allows our clients the capability of utilizing their iPhone soluton as effectively as they utilize their Microsoft Outlook at the computer level.
Safari Web Browser — A lot of business related applications these days are web driven, giving remote employees the capability of accessing key company systems for things like CRM/Sales apps, billing apps, etc.
GPS – Knowing where you are or how to get where you are going is absolutely essetial these days and the iPhone GPS functionality is TOP NOTCH. Great for those businesses that have field techs and sales representatives tasked with driving from client A to Client B.
Voice Control — With new California laws in place that prohibit typing on cell phones while driving your vehicle, having a good “Voice Prompt” system in place certainly helps the “On The Go” executive in placing those very important phone calls.
Cut, Copy & Paste — While the concept is basic, this functionality with the new iPhone release is probably one of the most talked about. The new iPhone release will support the capability of copying and pasting data from one part of the iPhone to the next. Note: This is also available in the software upgrades slotted to be released for those that have older iPhone models.
Business Con’s
iPhone Keyboard — Probably the biggest challenge for most iPhone users—especially those heavy email/texting users—is getting use to the touchscreen keyboard of the iPhone. The newest release, however, has made improvements towards learning your typing patterns and over time, helps correct those common typing mistakes often made while typing those long and detailed emails/text messages.
Productivity Loss — At the business level, and like the typical office computer, the iPhone can lead to a HUGE productivity loss if your employees are not monitored carefully. There are 1000’s upon 1000’s of applications avaiable for the iPhone that have NOTHING to do with your business environment, so it’s recommended that you implement strict usage policies once assigned to your organization’s staff members.
There are obviously many more uses for the iPhone device and if you are interested in utilizing the iPhone solution for your business but not quite sure if it’s the right fit, we’d like to invite you to inquire with a LANPRO sales representative on any questions or feedback you might seek on the iPhone device. You can call (661.716.8324) or email (Sales@lanprosystems.com) with any inquiries you have.
Link: More on the iPhone features available.
WindowsLive – Free 25GB’s of Storage
Looking for a good, FREE, way of saving some of your important documents, pictures, and videos. Microsoft’s WindowsLive is currently providing 25GB’s of FREE storage to use for exactly this purpose.
There’s nothing more important than storing your data offsite–especially for you home users—to help protect against fire, theft, and any other unknown disaster and this is a great start in doing so. Check out the link below for additional details and as always, contact your friends at LANPRO if you need any assistance!
Direct Link – Windows Live SkyDrive
Make The Switch to LANPRO. It’s Easy! It’s FREE!
Does The Thought of Switching IT Providers Keep You Up At Night?
We understand that the prospect of switching IT providers can be an uncomfortable endeavor. We frequently field questions such as “How long will it take the new provider to understand the intricacies of my business” or “What if our old provider becomes irate and seeks retaliation on our network?”
Switching IT Providers
The fact is, every business thinks that their technology is more complicated than it really is – most businesses are leveraging technology in the same or similar fashion, and we have the skill sets to very quickly learn how YOU do things.
There is absolutely NO reason why you should continue to utilize a technology firm/individual JUST because you are worried about what “might” go wrong during the transition. Your computer infrastructure is really one of your biggest business assets and as such, you want an IT firm that has your best interests at heart, a firm that is tech-saavy and reliable, and a team of indviduals that’s going to be there when you need them!
LANPRO has been called upon many times to pick up where previous individuals and/or IT firms have failed. In all of these cases, we were tasked with learning and securing the environment quickly, and working with management in crafting an exit strategy for the old provider or the old IT department. We have a proven “take-over” methodology that we have flawlessly executed time and time again.
Smaller IT providers closing their doors
With the realities of the new economy upon us, there is a tremendous amount of consolidation going on in the industry, with the weaker and less stable providers dropping quickly. If you have no intentions on making the switch today, if for nothing else, keep our contact information handy and we can be your “Disaster Recovery Plan” if your IT provider closes its doors. We will be here for many years to come.
We make switching to LANPRO Systems an easy and seamless transition. Contact us today to find out how you can make the switch FREE of charge! P: 661.716.TECH (8324)
LANPRO Now Offering IP Based Phone System. Introducing PBXtra!
LANPRO Now Offering VOIP!
We are very excited to announce the recent partnership established between Fonality and LANPRO Systems! We’ve analyzed several IP based phone systems on the market, but none have come close to the overall functionality, scalability, and more importantly, affordability of the Fonality PBXtra IP based phone system!
Every business needs an affordable communications solution that provides a competitive edge. Fonality PBXtra offers unparalleled reliability and productivity gains in a cost-effective enterprise-class phone system designed to grow with your business. On top of that, PBXtra is simple to use and easy to manage.
PBXtra comes in 4 editions for different business with different needs. Whether you’re a small business with basic telephony needs, a national corporation with multiple offices, or a growing company with call center needs, we have a system that’s right for you. Whichever you choose, you’ll be getting an affordable market-proven phone system that’s easy to use and manage, reliable, and scalable.
General Options and Functionality Includes:
- Auto-Attendant
- Unlimited Extensions
- Unlimited Mailboxes
- Voicemail to Email Capabilities
- Operator Panel
- Music On Hold
- Call Forwarding
- Dial By Name Capabilities
- Scheduler and Night Mode
- VOIP Capabilities
- Several Phone Optoions – From basic to high-end call center phones
For more on LANPRO’s new IP based PBX Phone Systems, please contact us today: 661.716.8324.
State of California Sales Tax Increase – Effective Today!
Information courtesy of Andrea R. Hill, CPA:
Effective today (April 1st, 2009), across the State of California, the sales tax rate is increasing 1%.
For Kern County that means an increase from 7.25% to 8.25%.
And NO this is not an April Fool’s Joke.
Andrea R. Hill, CPA
4900 California Ave., Tower B-210
Bakersfield, CA 93309
P: 661-377-1879
F: 661-377-1848
E: ahill@arhillcpa.com
Importance of Windows Updates – Are you up-to-date?
Microsoft regularly issues patches or updates to solve security problems in their software. The critical updates are the ones you should be concerned about. If these are not applied, it leaves your computer vulnerable to hackers. Service Packs are larger updates which upgrade and fix security problems.
The Windows Update feature built into Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista (including all Microsoft server operating systems) can check your PC against a common database of patches. You go to a Microsoft web site and your operating system is checked against critical updates and a suggested list shows for your PC so that you may download and install these. You should do this periodically.
A key benefit to LANPRO’s iManage Service offering is the fact that we automate and monitor these Microsoft updates at both the server and workstation level. There are several worms (see recent “Conficker” post below) floating around the Internet right now and without the recent Microsoft Updates applied to your key systems, you and your network are hugely susceptible to various security risks ranging from annoying spyware pop-up variants, to full fledged external/unauthorized control of your core servers and workstations.
Call LANPRO today to discuss the importance of Microsoft’s Windows Updates and how we can secure your entire computer network infrastructure today: 661.716.8324.
See another security expert’s comments on the importance of keeping your computer systems updated and patched: Online CNN Video
Virus Alert!
The Conficker Worm (a.k.a. April Fool’s Day Worm)
A new worm called Conficker, sometimes called Downadup has generated a great deal of interest over the last couple of days. Many experts estimate that millions of computers have already been infected with this threat since January. We have only recently received updates and alerts stating the severity of the situation at-hand. It’s HIGHLY recommended that you read this Blog post thoroughly and forward on to all of your friends, family, and colleagues for their review as well.
What does the Conficker worm do?
The Conficker/Downadup worm mostly spreads across networks. If it finds a vulnerable computer, it turns off the automatic backup service, deletes previous restore points, disables many security services, blocks access to a number of security web sites and opens infected machines to receive additional programs from the malware’s creator. The worm then tries to spread itself to other computers on the same network.
New variants of Downadup focus not so much on spreading as on protecting itself from being removed and protecting its communication with those who created it. Further, it is believed that on April 1st (April Fool’s Day), infected computers (or zombie computers) can and will be hijacked by what is called a “Master Computer” causing issues ranging from keystroke monitoring, to overwhelming websites with bogus network traffic, to bombarding computers with pop-ups and adware.
How does the worm infect a computer?
The Conficker/Downadup worm tries to take advantage of a problem with Windows (a vulnerability) called MS08-067 to quietly install itself. Users who automatically receive updates from Microsoft are already protected from this. The worm also tries to spread by copying itself into shared folders on networks and by infecting USB devices such as memory sticks.
Who is at risk?
Clients and end-users that don’t run routine maintenance (security updates, operating system patches, etc.) on their workstations and servers are the most at risk at this point. Those clients that DO NOT have a valid and working anti-virus solution installed are also a high-risk candidate in contracting this latest malware
If you are a LANPRO client and you are NOT currently under a iManaged Service (MSP) agreement, it is highly recommended that you schedule a site visit soon! During this visit, we will visit each workstation and server on your network, run the latest Microsoft security patches, verify that you have the latest service pack installed, and more importantly, verify that your anti-virus solution is current and updating accordingly. Contact the LANPRO Help Desk to schedule your site visit.
Who is NOT at risk?
Clients and end-users that have implemented and perform some form of routine maintenance (security updates, operating system patches, etc.) on their workstations and network servers and end-users that have a current and working anti-virus solution (AVG, Symantec, McAfee, etc.). All LANPRO clients that are under a current iManage Service Plan (MSP clients) are protected by this latest release. We already have monitoring and security updates in place network-wide at your facility and will use the next couple of days to check and double check that your entire infrastructure is secure and protected from this major security threat.
More Information on the Conficker Worm
CNN - http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/24/conficker.computer.worm/index.html
CNN - http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/ptech/01/16/virus.downadup/index.html?iref=newssearch
Or contact the LANPRO Support Team using one of the following methods:
Online Chat - http://www.lanprosystems.com
Phone: 661.871.HELP (4357)
Email: Support@lanprosystems.com
Organize Your Inbox!
Micheal Jeske, LANPRO Technician
No doubt, Microsoft Outlook plays a tremendous role in our everyday business computing environment. And if you are like most end-users, your Outlook Inbox is only getting busier as your organization and address book continually grows. If you haven’t already, you might consider learning a bit more about using the built-in “Outlook Rules” feature in your Outlook email client.
Outlook rules are an excellent way to automatically organize your ever-growing number of Email messages as they hit your Inbox. More over, these rules, once created, will automatically move messages to their designated folder within Outlook itself, keeping your Inbox clean, organized, and even more productive than it already was.
The rule creation process is a bit too lengthy for this blog post, so I have compiled a very useful PDF document you can download and reference whenever you are ready to move forward with creating your own Outlook email rules. Enjoy!
Managed Services Defined
Wikipedia Definition (Direct Link)
Managed services is the practice of transferring day-to-day related management responsibility as a strategic method for improved effective and efficient operations. The person or organization who owns or has direct oversight of the organization or system being managed is referred to as the offerer, client, or customer. The person or organization that accepts and provides the managed service is regarded as the service provider.
Now In Layman’s Terms – LANPRO’s Definition
Managed Services is a fairly recent buzz-word in the IT support industry. What it really means is that you, as a company or non-profit organization, can outsource the management and maintenance of your IT assets (computers, servers, phone systems, firewalls, etc.) to a company like LANPRO Systems and let us provide consutling services, maintenance services, and proactive services that help your IT infrastructure work at its most efficient level; at a cost that is far below what you might think. That frees you up to focus on your core business functions without having to learn a new language and stay current in your knowledge of computer uses, configuration, and maintenance.
Typically, your Managed Service plan will provide proactive services with a combination of scheduled maintenance visits, priority emergency response times, and remote support when appropriate. In addition, you will get help with all of the business activities that surround your IT investment such as help with purchasing hardware and software, budgeting your IT expenses, planning for upgrades or changes, and reporting findings or results to key decision makers or board members.
Enter LANPRO Systems’ iManage Services
LANPRO specializes in helping your business or non-profit organization get the most of your IT investment. You can leverage our knowledge and experience to design ways of using technology to better do what you do best.
The most important part of our managed service offering is to have the infrastructure in place that allows us to remotely monitor the health of your IT systems. With our “best-of-breed” tools and experience, LANPRO is able to do just that. We are able to predict imminent failures and are alerted of any network errors or warnings. If there is an alert, the LANPRO Managed Services Infrastructure immediately broadcasts an alarm to your LANPRO team who in turn, quickly resolves the condition. Not too many technology support firms in Bakersfield can boast this particular capability and service offering.
That infrastructure in addition to what we feel is the best group of engineers and technicians in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas is exactly what your business needs in the current economic and competitive climate. You will find that the people that represent LANPRO Systems are highly skilled yet very personable. A combination that other IT companies have a difficult time with as well.
For more on LANPRO’s iManage Service offering, please follow this link or give us a call: 661.716.TECH (8324).
