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Welcome to this month's issue! The Technology Advisor provides technology advice, strategy, tips and trends to help you manage and grow your business! |
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"Patch Tuesday" - November 13
"Patch Tuesday" is the day each month that Microsoft releases their newest security updates, typically the second Tuesday of the month. This month included six updates, including four "critical" updates, two "important" updates, and one "moderate" update (information only). The updates impact all operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Server 2003, Server 2008.
| Bulletin 1 | Critical
Remote Code Execution | Restart required | Microsoft Windows,
Internet Explorer | | Bulletin 2 | Critical
Remote Code Execution | Restart required | Microsoft Windows | | Bulletin 4 | Critical
Remote Code Execution | May require restart | Microsoft Windows,
Microsoft .NET Framework | | Bulletin 5 | Critical
Remote Code Execution | Restart required | Microsoft Windows | | Bulletin 6 | Important
Remote Code Execution | May require restart | Microsoft Office | | Bulletin 3 | Moderate
Information Disclosure | May require restart | Microsoft Windows |
For a full breakdown, check out the Microsoft Security Bulletin posted on line. Note that in the days leading up to Patch Tuesday, there is always an advance notification, which gets replaced by the actual bulletin on the release date.
A "critical" patch is defined by Microsoft as "a vulnerability whose exploitation could allow the propagation of an Internet worm without user action". As a general rule, all critical patches should be installed as soon as possible. Also, if you have a managed service support plan with us, all patches are tested before installation.
Note that several of the security bulletins require reboots! If you aren't regularly rebooting your systems, this is an important reminder.
The Windows 8 patch this early has concerned security experts who expected Windows 8 to be more secure. Read more on TechTarget.
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More Phishing Scams
We continue to hear reports about phishing emails. Last week's variation was a fake "Incoming Fax Report". The other variations are "fake" emails pretending to be from UPS, JetBlue, eBay, ATT, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, etc that are designed to get you to click on links that will possibly infect your system with malware or try to trick you into submitting your personal account information.
Stop and think before opening a suspicious email. If you didn't book a flight on Jet Blue and receive an itinerary with a (fake) credit card charge, DON'T open the link on the email. The variations of emails we're seeing are carefully worded to trick you into clicking links when you're busy. Slow down! One client opened an email "from" Verizon Wireless thinking his kids had ordered something expensive... turned out to be a fake, but clicking on the link installed malware.
Even if you have a strong spam filter, some messages will get through before they are morphed again. I received one "Incoming Fax Report" email in my inbox, and the next two were quarantined. Next week, it will be something new.
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Tech Headlines
You might literally be allergic to your Blackberry - As if RIM didn't have enough problems already! Read more on Gizmodo
33% of companies allow unrestricted access to corporate resources from their smart phones - Not a smart move for security. Read More at KasperskyLab
Hurricane Sandy - Eight Small Business Lessons Learned - Get prepared for the next disaster. Read More on Forbes
43% of Small Businesses Spend 6+ Hours Per Week on Social Media - Check out the infographic. Facebook dominates, but there is much more. Read More on HubSpot
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 Thank you Veterans!
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Introductory Technology Assessment Over 450 local small businesses have chosen Ekaru to manage their computers and networks. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to get started. We'll visit your office, review your network, and make recommendations. Call us at 978-692-4200 or email us to schedule a no-obligation assessment. If you know someone who could benefit from this offer, simply forward this email to them. Thank You!
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
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