Latest Security News from March/April 2019

Microsoft has always had quite a reputation when it comes to security updates and software upgrades and the latest April 2019 Patch Tuesday update is no exception, with reports of units freezing during the update process and some hanging in the middle of startup after the patch is applied. The culprit? Conflicts between the recent patch update and the antivirus software, which affected many Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2.

Microsoft, Sophos, Avira, and Avast have already addressed and brought light to the issue through their respective support articles. They say that the conflict is largely between recent updates and certain components of antivirus software systems, including Sophos Endpoint Protection, AVG Business Edition, ArcaBit, Avast for Business, CloudCare, and Avira Antivirus. In particular, the patch caused computers to hang or fail on boot, freeze upon startup, or run very slow.

Resolving the issue is a matter of removing the updates from affected machines and you can generally do so by booting in safe mode and disabling the conflicting antivirus service and then booting in normal mode so you can uninstall Windows KB. Do not forget to enable your antivirus service after uninstalling the problematic update.

Because these patches and upgrades can be technical in nature, it is always best to seek assistance from your managed IT service provider in order to perform recovery and repairs properly. With the right service, you can rest assured that fixes are correct and won’t cause any further problems for your system.

In conclusion, despite antivirus systems and update patches causing some conflicts with certain operating systems, there is no denying their importance in keeping your applications and your operating system in general functional and secure. Instead of avoiding or deferring these updates, keep yourself informed and on the lookout for latest security news to brace yourself for the positive or negative impacts of these patches and updates.

Role of IT Support Services in Washington DC in Your Business Evolution

Innovation paves the way to business growth and success. In this day and age of digital transformation, business requires IT support services in Washington DC to help them cope with the increasingly competitive and complex nature of modern business. Information Technology has effectively revolutionized the way that business is done in the modern age. More than incorporating computing in the day to day operations of an enterprise, businesses must also deal with the increasing need for digital marketing, digital communication, social networking, online commerce, cloud computing, and other such subsets of IT that are increasingly becoming the standard in business.

With new waves of technology come even newer ways of doing business, which is why organizations must invest in IT support services in Washington DC, ensuring up-to-date systems and access to the newest innovations that the new age brings. This is the way toward more accurate business planning, more effective marketing, systematic management, global reach and sales opportunities, better customer support, real time monitoring, and long-term growth—all of which is possible with the help of IT services.

There are also certain aspects of the business that cannot live without IT support services in Washington DC. These include business analytics, data and information processing, management information systems, and resource management, among many others. Business success is highly dependent on many different factors, but mostly on accurate data analysis and evaluation, and the choice of the right technologies and systems that can best support the needs of the organization and empower its vision. Studies have proven, time and again, that businesses and organizations that choose the path of technology and innovation experience a great increase in their financial figures, market share, and overall business growth and productivity—things that every business strives for as they move forward their journey toward growth and development.

Latest Security News from March/April 2019

Microsoft has always had quite a reputation when it comes to security updates and software upgrades and the latest April 2019 Patch Tuesday update is no exception, with reports of units freezing during the update process and some hanging in the middle of startup after the patch is applied. The culprit? Conflicts between the recent patch update and the antivirus software, which affected many Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2.

Microsoft, Sophos, Avira, and Avast have already addressed and brought light to the issue through their respective support articles. They say that the conflict is largely between recent updates and certain components of antivirus software systems, including Sophos Endpoint Protection, AVG Business Edition, ArcaBit, Avast for Business, CloudCare, and Avira Antivirus. In particular, the patch caused computers to hang or fail on boot, freeze upon startup, or run very slow.

                                                    

Resolving the issue is a matter of removing the updates from affected machines and you can generally do so by booting in safe mode and disabling the conflicting antivirus service and then booting in normal mode so you can uninstall Windows KB. Do not forget to enable your antivirus service after uninstalling the problematic update.

Because these patches and upgrades can be technical in nature, it is always best to seek assistance from your managed IT service provider in order to perform recovery and repairs properly. With the right service, you can rest assured that fixes are correct and won’t cause any further problems for your system.

In conclusion, despite antivirus systems and update patches causing some conflicts with certain operating systems, there is no denying their importance in keeping your applications and your operating system in general functional and secure. Instead of avoiding or deferring these updates, keep yourself informed and on the lookout for latest security news to brace yourself for the positive or negative impacts of these patches and updates.

5 Cyber Security Trends to Prepare for in 2019

Cyber security has always been a challenge for IT professionals. Over the last couple of years, the corporate world has been plagued by high-profile data breaches—not to mention increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks and relentless cybercriminals who are only becoming more persistent in their cause to wreak havoc in the cyber world. Here are some of the most vital cyber security trends organizations should look out for in the coming year:

                   

1. On GDPR – The European Union’s GDPR (general data protection regulation) requires the protection and privacy of the personal data of EU citizens by businesses operating within the territory. Non-compliance to this can mean grave penalties, which is why organizations have since started to adopt procedures in order to remain compliant. A lot of experts expect the same proactive approach toward data privacy to come to enterprises trading elsewhere, such as the US and some business IT support in Maryland, so more comprehensive federal data privacy laws could be in the horizon for the United States.
   
2. On managed/unmanaged devices – IoT will remain a major pain point when it comes to cyber-security, especially since many connected devices have little to no built-in security, creating many holes in previously secure networks and increasing exploitable endpoints.
   
3. On personalized phishing – Account take-over remains a huge threat in cybersecurity and attacks are becoming more personalized than ever, as cybercriminals move from standard, untargeted phishing emails, to more strategic and tailored attacks that target more lucrative business executive accounts.
   
4. On multi-factor authentication – Multi-factor authentication is becoming the gold standard for security as people become more and more aware of the importance of their personal data.
   
5. On AI cyber-attacks – As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply ingrained in the day-to-day of the average person, it can be expected that cybercriminals will exploit its potential, creating new breeds of AI-targeted and powered malware.

Cyber risks are everywhere, and the abovementioned threats are only some of the most pressing threats that organizations should address in order to protect themselves and their customers from the claws of data breaches and the implications of falling prey to increasing cyber security attacks.

IT Services in Washington DC: Efficient, Easy, and Affordable Way to Grow Business

Modern businesses are heavily reliant on technology. Big or small, every enterprise requires effective IT services Washington DC to make sure that their systems are working optimally to achieve their goals as an organization. When your IT network offers reliability and optimal efficiency, your business can stay competitive and even ahead of your rivals. Professional IT management can help bring you up-to-date with all the latest tech trends, innovations, and strategies, while cutting back on the cost of having to maintain an in-house team of similar-caliber IT professionals and experts. Only with updated systems can a business be flexible and resilient to the changing needs of markets and industries because clients always choose businesses that go with the times and show dedication by addressing their demands when it comes to increased reliability and streamlined operations. 

With managed IT services Washington DC, businesses benefit from more effective data management. Businesses nowadays rely on big data. However, the large influx of information can easily overwhelm an outdated network. Fortunately, managed IT service providers can ensure efficient storage, management, and analysis of all data that goes through your company’s network, eliminating many threats to data security, while allowing better decision making with the help of proper data analysis. 

Small business IT support Washington DC is also beneficial as it allows businesses access to the right tools, technology, as well as hardware and software applications that help them better collect, store, and analyze information, solve complex problems, and plan scalability. Also importantly, IT support partners provide utmost safety and security from compromising attacks, viruses, and malicious software. They can help ensure the security of each component of your network, protecting you from the most sophisticated viruses and online threats, while providing comprehensive monitoring for all other potential issues and problems your network may encounter.

3 Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing IT Consulting Services

Because IT is such a crucial business commodity, some managed IT service providers simply can’t help but overpromise and oversell their services and capabilities—only to under deliver once you have signed the dotted line. This is why it is important that you take a careful approach to your selection process whenever choosing an IT consulting service to help you meet your business requirements. Here are some things you should avoid when choosing an outsourcing provider for your IT needs:

• Outdated technologies – Your MSP should be on the cutting edge of technology, not the other way around. The very reason you want to get IT experts on-board is so that you can be on the forefront of technology and prevent yourself from getting left behind by your business rivals. A good way to gauge your MSP’s leading edge when it comes to modern technology is to look into their certifications and affiliations with industry leaders like Mac, Windows, Google, etc. This pretty much helps guarantee their access to the latest services and products from these innovative companies.

• Top-down decision making – During your initial interview with your prospective IT consultant, make sure that they use a holistic approach to decision-making—one that takes into account the needs of every stakeholder. While a top-down approach keeps your vision intact as a business, you risk missing out on crucial viewpoints that can actually help you improve your operations and systems, such as user experience and other strategic needs. Choose a company that can tailor IT support and systems based on a holistic view of your company’s needs.

• Company culture – Also importantly, choose a service that has a similar or complementary working culture, methodologies, and ethics as your business, as this will help ensure smooth communications and a strong, growing partnership instead of a problematic and stressful venture.