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Tech News from FlexITechs
| June 26, 2013
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FlexITechs Now in Its
Ninth Year
FlexITechs is now in its ninth year of serving Sussex County residents and businesses.
After two years as the computer services arm of our sister company, Sussex County Online, FlexITechs was formed to better define the computer services offered by owner Eric Magill.
We thank all of our customers who have made it possible for us to reach our 9th year! |
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REFER A FRIEND AND SAVE
ON YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL!
Dear (Contact First Name),
Thank you for your continued interest in FlexITechs. If you'd prefer not to receive our occasional email newsletters, use the "Unsubscribe" link above.
Also, be sure to:
Sincerely, Eric Magill, FlexITechs |
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Replace XP Computers
If you haven't heard by now, Microsoft plans to end all support for its Windows XP operating system in April 2014.
That means not only will it not resolve issues with XP, it also will not provide security updates and patches for problems that develop in the OS after April 2014.
After next April, anyone still using XP will be wide open to hackers developing exploits for XP that haven't been previously patched.
The same is true for those still using Microsoft Office 2003, whose support also ends in April 2014.
Time to Upgrade
For computer users still using XP, that means it's time to either upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8, or in the vast majority of cases, purchase a new computer with Windows 7 or 8 on it.
Most computers running Windows XP will not run Windows 7 / 8 or not run it well, so most will be better off just buying a new computer.
Fortunately, you have time to plan that purchase, so some time between now and next April you should plan on replacing your XP computer.
If you'd like me to check your XP computer to see if it can run Windows 7 or 8, call me at 302-537-4198. You can also call me to help with buying a new computer if you know you plan to go that route.
P.S. Speaking of Windows operating systems, I wrote at length last month about the numerous problems in Windows 8. Microsoft is addressing many of those, such as the missing Start button, in the Windows 8.1 release due in the fall. If you're looking for a laptop, it will have Windows 8 on it, so you might want to put the purchase off until Windows 8.1 is out.
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Scammers Alive and Well
Scammers continue to find ways around security software and most of it is just simple social engineering.
I've written before about fake tech support companies posing as official Microsoft or Dell or other brand name tech support by setting up a web site that gets high search engine rankings and tricks unsuspecting searchers into thinking they've contacted the official support site for those brands.
We've seen more of that kind of trickery lately. To remind everyone, DON'T search for the tech support sites of brand name manufacturers or software developers using Google or Yahoo or Bing or your favorite search engine.
Instead, enter the brand name's web site directly in your browser address bar and then look for the tech support options on that site.
A Real Life Encounter
Of course, scammers continue to call unsuspecting computer users on the phone to inform them they are calling about all the errors on their computer.
For a look at how those scams work, check out this encounter with a security software employee who decided to play along with the scammer. Pay special attention to the end of the encounter when the scammer became upset when he couldn't close the "sale."
Along those lines, never, ever give your personal information, such as your Social Security Number, credit card info, etc., to someone who has just called you out of the blue, no matter how official they sound. And never give someone who calls you out of the blue access to your computer.
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BizTech -- Social Media Policy
Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Constant Contact, Hoot Suite, Squidoo ... the number of social networking tools and sites available to today's businesses can be daunting.
And while you may have talented individuals on staff who can handle your company's social networking tasks for you, don't give them free reign online.
This is your company's reputation you're putting out there, after all.
The benefits of marketing your business through social networking circles can be enormous. It can allow you to maintain continuous personal contact with clients and instantly post specials and sales to your client base, among other things.
Negative Consequences
But your company can also experience negative consequences if you don't demand accountability and responsibility from those performing your social networking tasks.
Besides measuring the effectiveness of your social networking campaigns, you need to control what goes on your social networking sites to protect your company's reputation and proprietary information.
The best way to do this is to establish a Social Networking Policy, perhaps as part of your Acceptable Use Policy, that establishes the requirements for online communications.
This includes who can post online in the company's name, who previews those posts, the types of posts each employee can make, and responses to client inquiries and complaints.
For assistance in setting up a Social Networking policy or setting it up within your Acceptable Use Policy, contact Eric Magill at 302-537-4198 or ericm@flexitechs.com.
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We thank you for your past business and hope we can continue to fulfill your technology needs in the future. If you have any questions about current technology issues, feel free to contact us at 537-4198. |
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Sincerely,
Eric Magill
FlexITechs
Microsoft Small Business Specialist |
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Refer a Friend. Save 10% on Your Next Service Call!
Now through July 31, 2013, when a friend tells us they were referred by you, we will offer you 10% off your next service call, no matter when you need us.
So, if your friend has us perform a service call by July 31, then the next time you need us, we'll take 10% off your bill. | Offer Expires:
July 31, 2013
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