Latest Security News from the IT World

From wireless hacker-carjackers tormenting motorists to rogue vigilantes threatening to expose married people from their adulterous ways such as in the recent Ashley Madison dating website breach, it is no wonder why cyber-world naysayers are gaining much ammunition for putting down and hampering IT advancements. The rise in global DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks and cyber terrorism rumors involving the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and United Airlines, along with many other security glitches what were supposedly the most secure digital environments are not helping much in easing people's fears of progress through web technologies.

Fortunately, big name developers are always on a mission to make the web and all IT systems that feed on it, a safer and better place. Case in point, Microsoft's most recent round of updates for July, 2015. The new issue featured 14 bulletins, which offered fixes for dozens of vulnerabilities in various Microsoft products, including their newest Windows and Office versions.

Given the many vulnerabilities that web users, individuals, enterprises, and website owners face online, it is critical that everyone learns to be vigilant against clear possibilities of attacks and dangers, as well as the many risks that are associated with them. While it is only large-scale attacks that grab headlines, it is the increasing number and size of average DDoS attacks and activities that individuals and organizations should be looking out for, as these are the types of attacks that are causing headaches for people across the globe. Businesses should, therefore, take the necessary actions to define their risks and put up necessary measures in order to mitigate them and avoid their havoc.

Developers big and small are doing everything possible to protect clients from the perils of these malicious hacker activities, but it is also the responsibility of every web user and entity to be vigilant against them.

About the Author:

                          

Mike Rana is the Chief Technology Advisor of Orion Network Solutions. Orion Network Solutions specializes in providing Computer Installation, Maintenance and Consulting services along with 24x7 help desk services for small and midsize companies. We provide network solutions that enables small businesses to not only lower their management cost but also increases employee productivity at the same low price. We offer network solution that become integral part of your organization and can provide an increase in productivity of your organization.

Are You Still Using Windows XP and Do You Have a Plan in Place to Migrate?

It has been more than a year since Microsoft cut off support for Windows XP. Users of this operating system can no longer receive the latest security updates, assisted support options, or technical content updates. This also means that new vulnerabilities that may be discovered in Windows XP post cut-off will no longer be addressed by security updates from Microsoft. 

Despite the obvious risks of continuing to run Windows XP, some companies insist on using this operating system until the hardware fails. Windows XP loyalists have a hard time leaving their old ways behind not only because of the fear of transition, but because of the immediate cost implication of such a switch. What they don’t realize is that the long-term costs of managing an unsupported, out of date technology or system add up quickly—easily superseding the amount needed to pay upfront to license new technology.

The security risks associated with using Windows XP beyond its end-of-support date are serious. Attackers now have the advantage of having more information about the system’s vulnerabilities—and they know that Microsoft is no longer there to defend their new attacks. Malware attackers are now exploiting XP, and small businesses are particularly more vulnerable because they don’t have the same level of IT security as bigger entities.

Security issues do not end with the OS itself. Application-level vulnerabilities also proliferate it. Vendors will stop patching applications running on XP because it will no longer be economically worthwhile for them to do so. Finally, failure to move to Windows 7 or 8 limits productivity due to lessening compatibility. A company may miss out on opportunities because it cannot take advantage of the latest technologies, like desktop virtualization.

Plan for Migration

Migrating to Windows 7 or 8 from XP is not easy, but careful planning can help smooth the path. It makes sense to hire an IT consultant to assist you during the transition. A consultant can check if your current systems are up to the task and recommend hardware upgrades to improve compatibility. The consultant can also assess your organization’s needs and help you decide which new OS is a better fit. A consultant can likewise teach your staff how to handle legacy applications using the new OS.

Don’t underestimate the complexity and size of a migration project. Working with a consultant is the best way to ensure a smooth transition, and will save you money in the long run.

About the Author:

                          

Mike Rana is the Chief Technology Advisor of Orion Network Solutions. Orion Network Solutions specializes in providing Computer Installation, Maintenance and Consulting services along with 24x7 help desk services for small and midsize companies. We provide network solutions that enable small businesses to not only lower their management cost but also increases employee productivity at the same low price. We offer network solution that become integral part of your organization and can provide an increase in productivity of your organization.

Finding the Right IT Professional Services Washington DC

It is always prudent to hire an IT professional to assist you in the design, installation, and maintenance of a custom IT infrastructure for your business. An expert can determine a unique approach to managing your networks and information technology systems to lower your expenses and reduce your IT costs by up to 60 percent. By leaving technology-related matters in the hands of professionals, you can focus more of your resources and efforts in sales, marketing, and customer service.

The best providers of managed IT services can assess your requirements at no cost. During this free diagnosis and evaluation stage, you can become more familiar with the provider and see how they work. Be sure to work with reputable IT companies in Washington—one that is regulated and authorized to provide the highest-quality information technology services for small and medium sized businesses. Consider working with a locally owned IT company that serves Washington DC in particular.

It is important to choose an IT company with at least five years experience. This indicates that they are familiar with the typical issues, challenges, and budget constraints that most small and medium enterprises experience when it comes to their information and networking infrastructures. A professional provider takes time to truly understand your business and create a custom solution that can lower your IT management costs and enhance access to complex solutions—which are usually available only to larger companies—at a lower price.

The best professional IT firms in Washington can provide reliable 24/7 computer support to resolve any IT or computer-related issues quickly and at reasonable rates. They understand that network disruptions and computer problems can cause plenty of losses, downtime, and minimized productivity. Hence, they quickly respond and resolve issues and prevent problems in the first place by providing regular network maintenance services.

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