ExecuSoft BLOG

Any computer and internet user, regardless of the reasons that they are online, need to have the latest antivirus software programs installed on their computer. Antivirus software is absolutely essential to safe and continual internet usage. It also plays an important role in computer safety, as it can protect your vital documents and files from becoming damaged or lost forever.

How does an antivirus software program detect and eliminate potential virus threats? This can be accomplished in one of two ways. First, the computer security program on your PC or laptop scans any files looking for virus definitions that match a virus dictionary. If a matching virus is found, the software alerts the user about the virus. The second method of locating viruses is to identify and suspicious virus behavior, such as port monitoring, spyware or data capturing. When these behaviors are detected, the antivirus software springs into action and gets rid of the infected files.

Every so often, you’ll hear on the radio or see on the news about a potential virus or worm that is spread via email. It may come with a subject line like “open this to see a funny video”. Once the “video” is opened and downloaded, the virus infects your computer and starts eliminating or damaging files. Antivirus software can help minimize the overall threat that viruses cause. As certain as you would lock your doors at night, or hide away valuable items in a safe location, computer safety depends on having antivirus software installed in your machine.

One thing is for certain: computer security is dependent on antivirus software and vice-versa. New worms and programs are being developed all the time. Some viruses target specific files, like word documents or excel spreadsheets. Other more malicious programs can actually shut your computer right down. However, by installing the latest and most effective antivirus software programs on your computer or laptop, security will increase and you’ll have peace of mind as a luxury. It is extremely important for business to keep an updated antivirus to avoid any downtime or security compromises.

ExecuSoft Controls, Inc. would love to make a recommendation based on your business needs.  Please contact us at 770-487-6546 for a site evaluation.

It used to be that only big corporations used battery backup. Whether it was in the form of a fancy in-house uninterruptible power system (UPS) or an expensive stand-alone model it was generally not given a thought as to home use. Things have changed and prices have come down over the years. Now, every home should have some form of battery backup for its computer system. A UPS system can benefit you in the following three ways:

• Prevent data loss and file corruption
• Keep your expensive hardware safe from damage
• Help save on your energy bills

Have you ever been in the middle of typing up a report or long email and all of a sudden the power goes out? Even just a second is long enough to force a computer to reboot. This can be maddening not just because you probably lost your train of thought but, more importantly, because you lost your data! A battery backup system will prevent this from happening.

How many of us have experienced brownouts or the dreaded rolling blackout? You need not fear this with a UPS. If the power cuts off and stays off you simply save all your work and turn off the computer.

Another advantage of battery backup is that it will keep your sensitive computer equipment safe from power surges and a less-than-consistent power supply. Many of today’s higher-end backup units offer automatic voltage regulation (AVR). This ensures a steady, regulated supply of power is delivered to your computer and its peripherals. This is important because even small changes in an electrical charge can have a negative effect on the sensitive parts of modern electronics. Additionally, most UPS devices protect your phone line, cable line, and network line when run through them.

Since a UPS device is basically just a big, smart battery, it can help save on your power bills. The latest models include GreenPower Technology or EnergyStar Technology. This means software built into the battery backup device will be able to shut down peripherals when they are not in use. You simple program the unit to decide which outlets will have this feature available to them. Best of all, today’s UPS devices run much cooler than older models so you need not worry about additional cooling costs in the summer.

You can now see why having a battery backup system in place is a great idea for any homeowner with a desktop computer. Whether you are looking to keep your system safe from power spikes, are afraid of losing any data, or just want to be a little greener, both in power and your wallet, you should definitely invest in a UPS.

Let ExecuSoft help you decide what UPS / battery backup solution would be right for your business!

“We’re so happy to finally be able to share it with you” – Jensen Harris, Director of Program Management for Windows User Experience. Yes, Windows 8 is officially official! Upon first glance, it reminds me a lot of my super cool Windows Phone 7. It’s all about you and customizing the interactive interface to suit your needs.

The Start screen comprises a “personal mosaic of tiles” that gives you the ability to glance at what you want – including photos, weather, calendar, and social networking updates. While the new interface has been optimised for touch capabilities, it works perfectly as well with a mouse and keyboard.

The new platform is based on standard web capabilities such as HTML5 and JavaScript, allowing millions of developers to create a new kind of app for Windows 8. See the new fast and fluid interaction between applications; whilst still maintaining the power, flexibility and connectivity that Windows has always offered. It’s got all the goodness of hardware including the accelerated Internet Explorer 10 to bring you fully touch-optimised browsing.

Why do businesses adopt managed services?

Nearly 70% of businesses that use managed services cite cost reduction as the primary reason – according to a research study conducted by Ovum Ltd in October 2006. Other highly-rated reasons are higher levels of support and availability, predictable costs and access to the latest technology.

Use Managed Services to Control Network Costs and Gain Greater Flexibility

Subscribing to managed services is a highly-effective way to:
Lower your costs. By providing your network services, we enable you to significantly reduce capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx). You can reduce IT investments, lower maintenance costs, avoid increased IT staffing, and cut lost revenue due to downtime.

Ensure higher levels of support and availability.
Rely on us to constantly monitor the health and availability of the network to ensure that it’s secure and operating smoothly. We offer you best practices in all areas of network management, centralized change control, full-time help desk, and the convenience of a single point of contact.

Establish predictable costs.
Managed services costs always remain at the level specified in your contract, so your IT budget becomes stable and predictable.

Gain access to the latest technology.
The network is our business. That’s why we invest heavily in advanced network technologies and expertise that keeps us at the forefront of innovation. We pass the benefits along to you by giving you access to the latest technologies that offer increased performance, availability, security, and cost-efficiency.

Tap into an enhanced skills base.
We maintain a staff of intensively-trained specialists whose job it is to serve you. They’re able to implement technical innovations and solutions for you – quickly and at reasonable cost – so you don’t have to expand your own IT staff.

Adapt to changing business conditions.
You don’t have to worry about accommodating an unplanned business change such as the need for increased bandwidth, more users or additional services. That’s because, depending on your business needs, we can expand or reduce the breadth and depth of your managed services. That gives you enhanced flexibility, reduces your expenditures, and helps you avoid technological obsolescence by enabling easy migration to new technologies and updates.

Focus on your core business.
Since we’re dedicated to your network requirements, your IT staff is free to concentrate on your core business.

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With each passing day, social networking becomes further ingrained in our personal and work lives. The benefits of social networking in the workplace can be significant as it brings together distant locations, serves as a cost efficient recruiting and marketing tool, and provides access to vast amounts of information and people. Unfortunately, the dangers of social networking can also be equally daunting. Information exists in “real time” and can never be erased, there is little privacy, it is very difficult to monitor and track, and it is an easy risk to the integrity of intellectual property and confidential information. The trick for restaurant owners is to balance these often competing interests.

Social networks pose a distinct challenge to the restaurant industry, which employs a particularly youthful demographic who have grown up with blogs, MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. This generation posts its life “on-line” for all to see—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This free spirited approach to posting often leads to problems in recruiting and employee relations as well as operational areas such as public relations and brand management. Employers who are not careful about how they approach and use social networks may learn too much information about applicants and employees. For example, knowing the political beliefs or sexual orientation of an applicant for a general manager position is certainly not relevant to the job, and could lead to allegations of discrimination should the applicant be unsuccessful.

For the naive manager who “friends” a subordinate employee and unintentionally discovers the off-duty exploits and drinking habits of that employee, certain biases may be drawn about that employee that were never intended. These biases may also result in the employee being treated differently than his or her co-workers, creating a potential liability for the employer. In short, with Facebook and other social network sites, an employer may obtain information about employees that puts them at risk of violating anti-discrimination statutes and, where applicable, off-duty conduct laws.

Most industries are incredibly competitive, and in a tough economy reputation is everything. One bad review or negative posting on a site such as Yelp or citysearch can sink a restaurant’s reputation, severely affecting sales. It takes little thought for a disgruntled or former employee to zip off a posting to a site that contains negative statements about an establishment, manager or employee.

Another risk, intentional or not, is that it does not take much effort for employees to download highly confidential information, copyrighted material, signature dishes or recipes. Within seconds, these actions can reach an audience of millions. It is also easy for an employer to access and read employee e-mails and personal postings. However, understanding when trademark and copyright laws have been broken, or recognizing the boundaries of the statutory laws affecting the electronic workplace can be a daunting task for any employer.

Because of these issues, it is essential for employers to maintain the following “best practices”:

• Develop a uniform procedure for conducting social media searches
• Designate a Human Resources professional to conduct the search and limit it to relevant criteria;
• Apply uniform search criteria for all candidates and document the sites that were searched and the information reviewed;
• Limit access to this information to only those making hiring decisions;
• Prevent improper solicitation of guests and key employees through social networking
• Review language in non-solicitation and non-compete agreements to ensure that communications through social networking sites are included;
• Within parameters of the law, monitor social media when employees depart;
• Train managers on risks associated with social networking
• Posting employee recommendations on sites such as LinkedIn may violate an employer’s neutral reference policy;
• There is an inherent danger in managers “friending” subordinates online because it may lead them to treat employees differently and adversely;
• Inappropriate behavior online may spill over into the workplace.
• Institute a clear social networking policy that is distributed to everyone within the organization
• Describe how monitoring of sites will occur;
• Detail who will conduct the monitoring;
• Train those employees who will monitor;
• Clearly prohibit defamatory, harassing, and discriminatory material;
• Identify required disclosures, disclaimers, and endorsements necessary on social networking sites related to the business;
• Notify employees that violations of policies can lead to disciplinary action including termination;
• Obtain written acknowledgments from all employees that they received, reviewed, and understood the policy;
• Partner with operations, IT, marketing and other key departments that utilize social media to carry out the policy.

As our dependence and utilization of new media grows, the legal boundaries concerning social networking in the workplace are constantly being tested. It is important for employers to work with counsel to ensure these are not crossed. It is also essential that with respect to social media, employers review and revise applicable policies and procedures meet the organization’s business need as well as satisfy legal obligations, which may differ from state to state.

Shopping Safely Online

Online shopping has become a popular way to purchase items without the
hassles of traffic and crowds. However, the internet has unique risks, so it
is important to take steps to protect yourself when shopping online.

Why do online shoppers have to take special precautions?

The internet offers a convenience that is not available from any other
shopping outlet. From the comfort of your home, you can search for items
from countless vendors, compare prices with a few simple mouse clicks, and
make purchases without waiting in line. However, the internet is also
convenient for attackers, giving them multiple ways to access the personal
and financial information of unsuspecting shoppers. Attackers who are able
to obtain this information may use it for their own financial gain, either
by making purchases themselves or by selling the information to someone
else.

How do attackers target online shoppers?

There are three common ways that attackers can take advantage of online
shoppers:
* Targeting vulnerable computers – If you do not take steps to protect
your computer from viruses or other malicious code, an attacker may be
able to gain access to your computer and all of the information on it.
It is also important for vendors to protect their computers to prevent
attackers from accessing customer databases.
* Creating fraudulent sites and email messages – Unlike traditional
shopping, where you know that a store is actually the store it claims to
be, attackers can create malicious websites that appear to be legitimate
or email messages that appear to have been sent from a legitimate
source. Charities may also be misrepresented in this way, especially
after natural disasters or during holiday seasons. Attackers create
these malicious sites and email messages to try to convince you to
supply personal and financial information.
* Intercepting insecure transactions – If a vendor does not use
encryption, an attacker may be able to intercept your information as it
is being transmitted.

How can you protect yourself?

* Use and maintain anti-virus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware
software – Protect yourself against viruses and Trojan horses that may
steal or modify the data on your own computer and leave you vulnerable
by using anti-virus software and a firewall (see Understanding
Anti-Virus Software and Understanding Firewalls for more information).
Make sure to keep your virus definitions up to date. Spyware or adware
hidden in software programs may also give attackers access to your data,
so use a legitimate anti-spyware program to scan your computer and
remove any of these files (see Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware for more
information).
* Keep software, particularly your web browser, up to date – Install
software updates so that attackers cannot take advantage of known
problems or vulnerabilities (see Understanding Patches for more
information). Many operating systems offer automatic updates. If this
option is available, you should enable it.
* Evaluate your software’s settings – The default settings of most
software enable all available functionality. However, attackers may be
able to take advantage of this functionality to access your computer
(see Evaluating Your Web Browser’s Security Settings and the paper
Securing Your Web Browser for more information). It is especially
important to check the settings for software that connects to the
internet (browsers, email clients, etc.). Apply the highest level of
security available that still gives you the functionality you need.
* Do business with reputable vendors – Before providing any personal or
financial information, make sure that you are interacting with a
reputable, established vendor. Some attackers may try to trick you by
creating malicious websites that appear to be legitimate, so you should
verify the legitimacy before supplying any information (see Avoiding
Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks and Understanding Web Site
Certificates for more information). Attackers may obtain a site
certificate for a malicious website to appear more authentic, so review
the certificate information, particularly the “issued to” information.
Locate and note phone numbers and physical addresses of vendors in case
there is a problem with your transaction or your bill.
* Take advantage of security features – Passwords and other security
features add layers of protection if used appropriately (see Choosing
and Protecting Passwords and Supplementing Passwords for more
information).
* Be wary of emails requesting information – Attackers may attempt to
gather information by sending emails requesting that you confirm
purchase or account information (see Avoiding Social Engineering and
Phishing Attacks for more information). Legitimate businesses will not
solicit this type of information through email. Do not provide sensitive
information through email, and use caution when clicking on links in
email messages (see the paper Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scans for
more information).
* Check privacy policies – Before providing personal or financial
information, check the website’s privacy policy. Make sure you
understand how your information will be stored and used (see Protecting
Your Privacy for more information).
* Make sure your information is being encrypted – Many sites use SSL, or
secure sockets layer, to encrypt information. Indications that your
information will be encrypted include a URL that begins with “https:”
instead of “http:” and a padlock icon. If the padlock is closed, the
information is encrypted. The location of the icon varies by browser;
for example, it may be to the right of the address bar or at the bottom
of the window. Some attackers try to trick users by adding a fake
padlock icon, so make sure that the icon is in the appropriate location
for your browser.
* Use a credit card – There are laws to limit your liability for
fraudulent credit card charges, and you may not have the same level of
protection for your debit card. Additionally, because a debit card draws
money directly from your bank account, unauthorized charges could leave
you with insufficient funds to pay other bills. You can further minimize
damage by using a single credit card with a low credit line for all of
your online purchases.
* Check your statements – Keep a record of your purchases and copies of
confirmation pages, and compare them to your bank statements. If there
is a discrepancy, report it immediately (see Preventing and Responding
to Identity Theft for more information).

Mozilla looks set to release Firefox 4 on 22 March, unless developers encounter any nasty bugs in their final tests.

Mozilla’s Damon Sicore confirmed yesterday that the Release Candidate build of Firefox 4 that Mozilla pushed out last week is likely to be the final test version of the browser.

“Firefox 4 RC1 has received a very warm welcome; it’s time to make a decision to ship,” wrote Sicore.

“As of now, there are no known issues that would stop us from shipping RC1 as final. At the conclusion of our regular 11:30AM triage session on Wednesday, March 16th, release drivers will decide whether to ship RC1 as Firefox 4.”

The 22 March deadline could change if Mozilla spots an 11th hour show-stopping bug.

“If at any time we discover issues that would block final release, we would issue an RC2 as soon as possible, reset the ship date, and communicate to everyone,” said Sicore.

Microsoft released Internet Explorer 9 yesterday for Windows 7 and Vista-based computers. Redmond hasn’t extended any love to its own Windows XP, however.

Mozilla execs took the opportunity to point out that Firefox 4 does indeed support the 10-year-old operating system.

How would you like to have lunch on the BARN… I mean on the house… That’s right, a healthy appetite is providing lunch for our friends who register into this FREE seminar offered exclusively to you from the B.A.R.N. No gimmicks, no sales pitch… just plain helpful and beneficial information and business skills to make you a better business owner. This information will help you grow your business…for sure!

Why? Because we want to add value to YOU and your business, better connect with some of our current customers and their friends. We are interested in your success!

We will hopefully see you at 11:30 AM at 313 Dividend Dr., Suite 300, Peachtree City, GA…Can you attend?

Come learn better sales skills, learn how to leverage technology to advance your business and get a grip on all the current changes going on in the insurance industry so you can save money. Key note speakers will share briefly with impacting information and you will get to network with other business owners…and eat for FREE. No kidding.

The BARN is a business and relationship network of healthy business owners who have something to give to you. We hope you will take us up on our offer…ONLY 40 spaces available…..register by emailing tracee@logginscpa.com
or call Tracee at (770) 478-7424

Click Here For More Information

I will see you there

Costas Soulakos
ExecuSoft Controls Inc.
313 Dividend Dr.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
costas@peachcity.com
770-487-6546
www.execusoftcontrols.com
“The Best IT Department you can have!”

Microsoft’s first service pack for Windows 7 will, according to speculative reports, reach the company’s MSDN and TechNet subscribers this time next week.

WinRumors cites sources close to the matter, who have pinned down 16 February as the date when Windows 7 SP1 will ship to Microsoft subscribers.

The service pack apparently hit manufacturers last month, however, Microsoft is yet to go public with its RTM milestone.

In November last year the company prepped its Windows Service Pack blocker tool kit to include its upcoming service packs for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. All of this hinted that SP1 would indeed land soon.

The service packs for both operating systems hit Release Candidate status in October 2010.

It’s reported that the service pack release will become generally available on 22 February. But for now Microsoft is keeping quiet about its SP1 plans.

Please contact ExecuSoft Controls to see if your business systems will be affected by this update.