RACS IT Blog

How to save an e-mail as a template in Microsoft Outlook

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:41:00 GMT

If you find yourself typing the same e-mail repeatedly in Microsoft Outlook with slight variations, you'll be pleased to know there is a feature within Outlook called e-mail templates. This feature allows you to create an e-mail as a "template" and save the contents of the e-mail as a file where multiple people can access it later.

Choosing to create an e-mail content template not only saves time and energy, but allows for creation of a standard e-mail which can be filled out or re-sent as needed, ensuring no important information is forgotten.

Create an e-mail content template in 5 easy steps:

1. Open a new e-mail in Outlook by clicking "New E-mail". (In this tutorial we are using Microsoft Outlook 2010 SP1.)

2. Type up the e-mail that you wish to use as a template.

3. Before sending, click on the "File" button, then "Save As".

4. Then click the drop down menu next to "Save As Type" and select the "Outlook Template (*.oft)" option

5. The last step is to save it somewhere that users can get to it, and give it an applicable name.

Once you have saved the file, other users can now create a new e-mail from this template. All they need to do is to navigate to the folder where you saved the template and double click it. Easy!

IP addresses, ports and DNS: a quick introduction, just add wine.

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

So, you want to know more about IP addresses, ports, and DNS... Fortunately, it's not a combination of intellectual property, port and other drinks, and does not involve a Director of Nursing Services (though you may feel like you need a combination of these things once finished).

What is DNS?

Firstly, let's take a look at DNS. DNS involves many different elements including root servers, TLD servers, registrars, domain name services, website servers and e-mail servers. If you would like to know how DNS works, DNSSecrets provides a great infogram that simply explains how DNS works with plenty of helpful information and facts for unraveling the complexities of DNS.

What is an IP address?

Every device that is directly connected to the internet has a "public" IP address. Public IP addresses are used by servers on the internet, including servers for web sites, DNS servers, network routers or any computer connected directly to the Internet via a modem. Another way to approach the idea is that a public IP address is a completely unique address that is accessible from any other public IP address.

IP Version 4 addresses (the current standard) are comprised of 4 sets of digits between 0 and 255 which are separated by periods. For example, the IP address of www.racs.com.au is 54.252.148.183.

Although we use domain names to access things such as websites, nothing on the internet can be directly accessed by domain name (i.e.: www.racs.com.au), it can only be truly accessed by IP address. Considering that using IP addresses to access websites would be a real pain when you needed to access a website, the Domain Name Server system was invented, which converts a domain name to an IP address. For example, www.racs.com.au is converted to 54.252.148.183 in the background.

The conversion happens when you type www.google.com.au into Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer's address bar. In the background, your computer asks your local DNS server what is the IP address for the domain name www.google.com.au. The server then replies with an IP address, taking you to the desired web site.

What are ports?

Now that we have covered IP addresses and DNS servers, what in the world are ports? Well, the way that I think of ports is that they are like a block of single bedroom units. The IP address is the street number, and the port number is the unit number.

Fact: Every IP address has 65535 ports that are usable. You may not realise it, but you use ports every day you're on the internet!

An example of using ports is accessing this website (the RACS blog). All public web servers always use port 80 for unsecured web traffic, so when you type www.racs.com.au into a web browser, it is actually accessing the IP address 54.252.148.183 : port 80 (or abbreviated to 54.252.148.183:80). If you were accessing a secure site, it would use port 443.

With single bedroom units, there is only ever one family or person staying in them, though many visitors may come and go, the same person stays in the unit. In the same way, ports only have one service attached to them, though traffic can come from more than one place to this port, the same service will be at that port (there are exceptions to this for higher numbered ports, but this is not essential).

Now what is the service that greets the traffic that comes to the port? Well, that all depends on what the IT Administrators have configured on that port. As mentioned, port 80 is a standard port for unsecured web traffic and port 443 is for secured web traffic.

That all sounds good in theory, what about a real life example?

Let's say that Joe wants to access his computer at work from home. How can we do this? At Joe's work, his computer is connected to the work network with the IP address of 192.168.0.25 (not public), and on the work network there is also a router with a public IP address of 1.2.3.4. Microsoft run the Remote Desktop service on port 3389 (don't ask why they use this exact port, they just do).

If we add a rule to the router on the work network for any traffic that comes to the public IP address 1.2.3.4 port 3355 (fictional port number for Joe, you can pick your own), it forwards on this traffic to the private IP 192.168.0.25:3389. (Remember the 3389 is the port for Microsoft Remote Desktop service). This means that when we try to access port 1.2.3.4:3355 from the internet, it will be connected to Joe's Remote Desktop service on his computer inside the network.

Now if Gary saw Joe's set-up and wanted the same thing, we can add another rule in the router for Gary's computer, but we can not use port 3355 because Joe's computer is already on that port. We might use port 3356.

For some examples on setting up port forwarding on Mikrotik routers as per the above example, we have an upcoming blog article about it. Alternatively, you can log a support ticket below and we can help you get organised.

Applications and Security Updates for Personal and Small - Medium Business Users

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Keeping secure with the latest software updates can be quite a challenge. Similarly, working out what software packages to use can be just as confusing. In this post we aim to show you a couple of great software packages and a few simple methods you can use that we hope will help keep you safe and up-to-date.

Best Free Anti-virus - In our experience, we have found there are a couple of great anti-virus packages out there. We really feel this however is the BEST of them.
Google Chrome Installation or Update - There are a myriad of web browsers available. We feel Chrome is the outstanding winner.
Microsoft / Java / Adobe / Google / Firefox Updates (Do monthly, sometimes fortnightly) - Updates can be time consuming and fiddly, but everyone needs to do these to stay current with the latest updates to protect our systems. Our advice is to update now, or you'll end up suffering later.
Cloud Storage - Amazing services that allow you to perform file copies and backups to keep some of your precious files safely saved away for emergencies.
Cloud File Sharing (typically with large files) - Secure file storage services that allow you to upload large files to the cloud without complicating things for people when you want to *simply* email attachments.
2-Factor Authentication - refers to an extra step you need to undertake when logging into an application. It means you'll need to confirm you're logging in to a new browser or device usually with a second device like a mobile phone. It means an extra step, to authenticate rather than the standard single step of entering only your username and password, but will usually protect you from hackers and many other risks.

Best Free Anti-virus

After hundreds of Server AND Workstation installations, we are really sold on Bit Defender. It is far better protection than anything else out there right now. If you are NOT CURRENTLY using Bit Defender (applies to personal users in this case), RACS recommends that you consider Bit Defender. To do this you will need to remove the current anti-virus you have installed, reboot, download and install Bit Defender from the link below. This assumes that your current IT advisor does not have something in place for you already of course. There are a number of good packages out there, but RACS feel this is the best FREE anti-virus package currently.

This is completely FREE. There is a requirement after install, the software wants you to create a "My Bit Defender" login within 30 days. Proceed and create/join/login. It is safe to do so.

Install Bit Defender

Download and install from the green "Free Download" button.
We have still not seen any free only for personal use caveats to date.

Google Chrome Installation or Update

Chrome Browser is simply amazing! We do not want to get into any debates or browser wars about the ups and downs of ALL of the browsers available, but generally speaking Chrome is superior to other browsers thanks to security, speed and features.

Download the latest version. After downloading it, you will need to close/exit chrome and then navigate to your downloads folder to run/install the new download.

NB: This is a GB-English (UK) edition, NOT USA version. We are often asked why our Australian users have to conform to what we consider incorrectly spelled words! Downloading the English GB or UK version solves this issue.

Microsoft / Java / Adobe / Google / Firefox Updates

All of these updates should be completed monthly, sometimes fortnightly. Most computer users really dislike updating, but to stay safe and secure we strongly advise that you undertake the updates or your system can potentially suffer at a later stage.

You will find that you need to deal with updates from the software vendors (ISV's) almost weekly but again these are necessary to give your system every chance of staying secure and safe.

Microsoft Updates

Windows 7/8 Users - Control Panel – Windows Update – Check for new updates.

Windows XP Users - click here (REQUIRES Microsoft Internet Explorer).

Don’t install optional updates – just the critical ones.

A piece of technical advice: As author of this post, I am not going to take any criticism on board for this next line! This is my own choice and my advice. Please do not see this as dissing the competition, but rather my advice for staying safer. It is best NOT to use Microsoft Internet Explorer when possible as it has more ongoing security issues on average than other browsers. Firefox is a better browser than Microsoft Internet Explorer in our opinion but it can have other complexities that are more "techy" in nature and for this reason tends to appeal more to IT techs and developers.

FireFox update

If you're using FireFox browser, to update it to the latest version from the main toolbar choose – Help – About – Update

Google Chrome UPDATE

The safest browser available for the laymen - we HIGHLY RECOMMEND you try this if you are not already using it

Download Chrome Browser: If you do not have it you can download the UK/GB (for Australian spelling ) version.

Once installed, keeping Chrome up-to-date is similar to FireFox detailed above ~
Menu – About Google Chrome – Update

Oracle Java Updates

Oracle Java is sometimes required for other programs installed which you may not realise. Programs like the ATO BAS login just to name one. It is critical that this is kept up-to-date (in some ways the most important item in this list). We recommend a slightly different approach to most to ensure old versions are not left installed as a potential target -

Control Panel
Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP)
Programs and Features (Windows 7/8)
Remove Java (V6 and V7) from Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs
Remove Java 64 bit (V6 and V7) from Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs
Now you are free to download the latest and install -
Download and install this as a replacement for the above removed items - Most users require ONLY this version at the top of the list - "Windows Offline (32-bit)"

Adobe Software updates

Adobe also has become a very high profile target for hackers unfortunately. ADOBE FLASH IS NOT REQUIRED if you are using ONLY Google Chrome. You can usually IGNORE the next steps if you are using Google Chrome. Some software still requires Adobe FLASH for Windows applications, if this is the case proceed with the instructions below. For users using Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader we would recommend removing it completely and email us for a viable alternative. We feel Adobe Acrobat Reader is too dangerous to use currently. We primarily use PDF-XChange PDF Reader

Control Panel
Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP)
Programs and Features (Windows 7/8)
Remove Adobe Flash Player ActiveX from Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs
Remove Adobe Flash Player Plugin from Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs
Now you are free to download the latest and install -
Download and install these as replacements for the above removed items
Flash Plugin for Firefox
Flash (ActiveX) for Internet Explorer

Cloud Storage

Cloud Storage - Amazing services that you can perform file/storage backups to that allow you to keep some of your precious files safely saved away for emergencies. We have tested a lot of these tools recently and we are seeing more and more out there. Choosing the right cloud storage that is safe/secure/trusted can be confusing. I am including a list below of storage we currently have in our OK/TRUSTED Category of software. ALL ARE FREE. Most of the below items even include Desktop File/Folder Sync software.
FREE - DropBox 2GB to 14GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud
FREE - Microsoft SkyDrive 7GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud. Requires a passport identity from Microsoft Passport Site. A Microsoft Passport Identity is typically most peoples MSN Messenger login.
FREE - Google Drive 5GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud
FREE - SugarSync 5GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud
FREE - Amazon Cloud Drive 5GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud
FREE - Box 5GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud
FREE - Mega 50GB per user of FREE storage in the Cloud

Cloud File Sharing

Secure file storage services that allow you to upload large files to the cloud without complicating things for people you want to simply email a large file(s). Below are two free/safe/secure resources you can also use when you need to send a large file to someone that is too big to be practical to send by email.

FREE - We Transfer Up to 2 GB per file of FREE temporary storage in the cloud for transferring files to others - files are deleted after 14 days
FREE - Mega Unlimited FREE temporary storage in the cloud for transferring files to others

2-Factor Authentication - Security Tips

Another way to securely enhance your log in details online is to use two-factor authentication. This creates an additional step to gaining access to your online accounts. Two factor authentication usually requires ~

1. Something you know, like your password
2. Something you have, like your mobile phone

An example of logging into an online site or application with two factor authentication — after you enter your username and password, a second code can be sent to your mobile phone. Only after entering the second code will you be able to gain access to your online account or application.

In simple terms this means that your mobile phone is the extra component apart from just username and password. You are not prompted every time once this is enabled. Usually it remembers the browser, computer or device you are using once you have verified it using a code sent to your mobile by SMS or Google Authenticator. Typically this protects you from someone who may look over your shoulder while you logged in and simply think they can use the same username and password from a different computer. They will get a nasty surprise if they try! It also adds an extra layer of protection from online hackers as they need the third log in credential from your mobile phone.

PLEASE consider enabling 2-factor authentication for at a minimum Google, Facebook and DropBox if you are not already doing so. We are seeing a lot of hacks lately. Adding this extra step will almost make you hack-proof for these popular online services.

Google 2-step Verification
Apple 2-step Verification
Facebook Login Approvals
DropBox two-step verification

Banks

Banks currently do not offer 2-factor authentication for every transaction or device, but they do cater for this with external account transfers. USE IT IF YOU HAVE IT AVAILABLE !!

General log in advice

You may believe that because you have secured a log in to an application online with your own username and password that this protects you from being vulnerable to someone gaining access to your online account(s). Unfortunately, in today’s online world, passwords can be easily decrypted with hackers and other unwanted people using tools which can gain crack passwords very quickly. As always we suggest the following when you create a password ~

Avoid using simple passwords based on dictionary words
Never use the same password on multiple sites or services
Never click on 'reset password' links/requests in emails - instead go directly to the service using a manually typed URL into a browser
Never leave it blank!
Use minimum 8 chars (preferably 10) with a mix of upper case, lower case, symbols and numbers - e.g. Donuts123$
Do not use names familiar to you, God, love, sex, wife, pets or kids names, maiden names etc.

In summary

Two factor authentication is a lot more secure than using a password and takes that extra security step to keep undesirables out of your accounts and applications.

DNS - understanding how it works

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:15:00 GMT

Bamboozled by DNS? Let's face it, this stuff is really not as straight forward it looks. You buy a domain name, then what happens? There's root server, TLD servers, the Registrar, Domain Name Service, your own web server and possibly and eMail server!

Try this simple and easy to understand diagram from www.dnssecrets.com

Created by:DNS Secrets

Mikrotik Presentation - Failover Solution

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Roy Adams presented a simple and effective solution for small business in Sydney at the MUM (Mikrotik User Meeting) 24th October 2012. The presentation addressed continuity for internet connectivity — high availability routing appliance for VoIP services with 3G/4G fail-over using Mikrotik routers.

Video Presentation

Slide Presentation

Download Presentation Slides:

Mikrotik Failover Solution

Like to know more?

We can help you apply this simple solution to your business. Get started here.

Password Management: Make it tough for the local neighborhood hacker

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:59:00 GMT

If you are feeling in a charitable mood, and want to make life easier for hackers, crackers and other variations on the words that rhyme with packers, you should store all your passwords in a plain text file, word document or excel document, and call it something like "passwords". This will greatly assist anybody who gains access to your files to remove as much money from you as possible.

For those who would rather not give someone access to your partner's Facebook account, your emails, your aunt's Paypal account that you set up, or any other passwords you need to keep on file, the following items may interest you.

To keep your accounts and passwords as secure as possible, put into practice the following list of good practices.

Never never, ever store passwords in any program not specifically designed to use passwords

(We recommend Keepass). This means no passwords in emails, Excel, word, textpad, notepad, etc. It doesn't matter if you "protect" the file with a password, it is ridiculously easy to break these kinds of password protection.

Use a different password for every site

This means that if one site gets hacked, and the hackers have your password, they can not get access to any of your other accounts, the damage is restricted to the one site(if the hackers get your email password though, This can cause much more issues). The above mentioned password manager means you only have to remember ONE password(so make it a good one) to open your password manager, and all your other passwords are encrypted securely in the manager.

Always have up to date antivirus and windows updates

When windows asks if you want to install updates, click yes

Never install programs/addons/plugins that your are not sure about.

Prevention is much better than a cure when it comes to passwords, a little bit of attention now can save a lot of pain in the future. Also, some password managers have very nice features, for instance, KeePass can auto type your password into websites and other programs, all you have to do is select the password entry in KeePass, and press Ctrl + V.

Have you seen Asana?

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:08:00 GMT

We've been using Asana for most of 2012 now (both RACS and Pixel Portal), so we thought we would share some of its benefits.

It's super easy to use
It's in the cloud
Multiple workspaces
Follow tasks and projects
See changes in real time
An activity feed for every task

Other benefits include

Emails — customisable frequency and levels of notifications for all team members. Members can update tasks with a simple email reply.
Transparency — our team can see who is doing what and when.
Cloud based and it’s mobile and tablet friendly — no matter where you are you can view tasks and stay updated from smartphones, tablets or your workstation.
Free for teams of up to 30 — Yup, it is absolutely FREE!

We thought that you too might benefit from this ultimate task manager. It's also great for personal use too!

Learn more about Asana

DNS Hosting - Brief summary of who sends what info where

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 03:38:00 GMT

A great deal of confusion surrounds the simplicity of how internet DNS names work... (just at a simple level - when we type in a web site address or send email to an email address). Below is a simplified summary of how the basics work. This is not meant to be a hard and fast "this is how it works" but more a brief explanation of what happens behind the scenes without trying to go into too much complexity. Tools are available such as DIG and WHOIS that can verify these operations. Contact us if you would like further information on delving deeper into the inner workings.

DNS operations hierarchy

DNS Registration

Registrar (sends *your domain* DNS server info to)-> TLD Servers

DNS Lookups

Root Servers (refers lookups to)-> TLD Servers (refers lookups to)-> DNS Service (authoritative) (refers lookups to)-> Web/Mail Hoster (who host web pages and email)

WHOIS operations hierarchy

WHOIS Registration

Registrar (sends *your domain*registrar details to)-> TLD Servers

WHOIS Lookups

Root Servers (refers lookups to)-> TLD Servers (refers lookups to)-> Registrar (who knows the domain, registrant, admin and contact information)

Web/Mail Hosting Operations

WEB Page Hoster

Checks that *your domain* is KNOWN to the hosters web server serving out your web pages (aka header hosting). They give out web pages for web browser requests with *your domain* in the URL string from your browser after the “http:// and before the next “/” (this usually caters for *your domain* and also www.*your domain* ).

MAIL Hoster

Checks that *your domain* is KNOWN to the hosters mail server sending/receiving email for *your domain*. They then send and receive email on your behalf and give you *client access* to download/read/send emails.

The dangers lurking on the Internet your un-updated PC faces: Exploit Kits

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

An exploit kit is a software toolkit which gets injected into a site that is either malicious (created for the purpose of infecting PC’s via things such as spam e-mail links) or hacked (a trusted site that has been compromised) and silently installs itself while you are using your computer.

How do exploit kits infect your PC?

The most common way an exploit kit will infect your PC is by looking for software, plug-ins or addons that haven’t been patched. As the name suggests, the exploit kit exploits the vulnerabilities of out dated software and find a way into your PC. Exploit kits can hide themselves in many places but are usually in spam e-mails in the form of attachments or links to malicious webpages. We all know there are “bad places” on the Internet, so be wary of where you direct your browser to and what kind of downloads you make.

How can I protect myself against exploit kits?

There are three simple steps you can take to keep your computer protected from exploit kits (and other nasties out there):

1. Patch everything: Exploit kits make their way in through out dated versions of software. The two most common pieces of software that leave people vulnerable to attacks are Java and Adobe Acrobat PDF reader. Java releases updates frequently, so if you don’t need it – remove it. You can always re-install Java should you need to use it. A list of things to keep updated includes:

Windows Updates
Browsers
Browser addons and plug-ins
Software (Java, Adobe, Media Players, Anti-virus etc.)

2. Stay away from spam e-mails: Be careful about what you open. If you aren’t expecting an e-mail from PayPal, your bank, a pizza delivery or even a friend (they could be infected and sending spam) – don’t open it, delete it. The same goes for any attachments or links on or in e-mails.

3. Use an anti-virus: This tip is pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you keep your anti-virus up to date as exploit kits are always evolving. At this point in time, we recommend you use Avast as an antivirus.

4. Make sure you back up: If you do get infected, it's always important to have a copy of everything before your computer was compromised. Check out our blog article on cloud back up services. Get in the habit of backing up your important files before it's too late!

Five Things to Consider When Using Cloud Services for Backups

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:35:00 GMT

With cloud services increasing in popularity and availability it’s unsurprising that the number of cloud backup services and providers is also growing. This growth is not just in the personal IT sector, but also in the enterprise sector. If you are considering using cloud backup services to replace or supplement your current back up routine here are five crucial things to consider when comparing services and providers.

Backup restore times

The entire reason we back up is so that we can restore data at a later date. You will need to consider what your company’s recovery time aims are and if they can be met by the cloud service. Rolling backups may make things more convenient and timely however in the event of total data loss though theft, hacking, corruption or failed hardware, you will need to restore all of your data in one go which won’t be possible. It is worth noting that any data loss to any business will be disruptive to the daily operation and planning for disasters big and small will help in minimizing the amount of time lost.

Backup times

Calculate how long it will take for you to backup your company’s data via the Internet. Consider if you will be able to backup out of hours or if you will be continually backing up throughout the day.

Bandwidth

Undoubtedly this will be the most crucial point of consideration when choosing between cloud backup services. You will be using the Internet to back up your data to the cloud and not using your LAN to move data or copying your data from disk to disk. Analyse your company’s traffic patterns and circuit and based on back up times, consider if you will need to increase your bandwidth.

Bandwidth from the data recovery site

Should disaster strike, you will also need to ensure you have as much bandwidth at your data recovery site as you do in your production environment.

Using staging devices

Consider if you will run your backups directly to your cloud backup service provider or if you will employ a staging device. A staging device acts like a buffer where your data is first backed up onsite and then backed up to the cloud from the staging device. This allows for a preliminary backup should your cloud backup crash while in transfer and allows for improved compression, local storage of data and adaptable traffic patterns. The danger of using staging devices is that if the data onsite has not been pushed to the cloud yet and there is an onsite disaster such as hardware failure or fire there may be total data loss.

While using a cloud backup service is a wonderful way to move your data offsite, provide flexibility and potentially save money but it is completely different to the tape backup systems we are all used to. Making a switch in the way in which you back up requires extensive re-examination and planning. Consider all options available and run test backups and restorations before committing to the cloud and tossing out your tape drives.

Overview on cloud offerings for backup

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:01:00 GMT

One of the most popular items we're asked about are backups and in particular the swing across to "cloud" systems for backing up data.

The last 18 months or so have seen cloud-based backups become really popular. We have been testing a couple of the more well known cloud offerings for about 12 months and can recommend 3 really cost effective sites (less than $5 / mo per user per month) and easy to use. A selection from our highlighted services for your own use will depend on how much data needs backing up.

In Cloud Back Up Solutions - Less than $5 per user per mo.

Typically with any of these products, less than 10GB per user should work easily, providing your internet link has the upload capacity.

How can I prevent malware infections?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

While all of these types of malware are concerning, there are several preventative measures you can take to ensure you stay safe both online and offline. Primarily, ensure that you have a quality antivirus installed on your system and keep it up to date. Keeping up with things such as your Windows updates is very important as sometimes Microsoft releases system and program security updates. If you are intending to surf the web, make sure your chosen internet browser is up to date as you can become infected just by visiting a page which contains malicious code.

When downloading files and programs, make sure that they come from a trusted source. If you are redirected for a download, always check the URL bar to ensure you are browsing on the site they were claiming it to come from. Never open e-mails or attachments from people you don’t know or sources you weren’t expecting something from and if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Stay smart online and you’ll stay safe.

What is a rootkit?

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

A rootkit gives a hacker or remote user access to all of the folders on your computer, both data and system folders and files. While it is not directly destructive to your computer like a virus or designed to spread like a worm, rootkits are used to gain control of your desktop by hiding deep within your computer which can be far more devastating. They can infect the BIOS, which is an important part of your system that is independent from the operating system you are running which can make them very difficult to detect and remove. Rootkits also run at the same permission levels as a system administrator and antivirus programs which can cause additional problems with detection and removal as the computer cannot tell which program has the greatest authority.

You can become infected by a rootkit by downloading and installing software and programs, sharing disks and USB drives and infected web pages.

What is spyware?

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Spyware also takes its form in a computer program like a Trojan, appearing to be performing a harmless or even helpful action. However they do not harm your computer, they harm you. Once the program with the spyware has been installed on the system, it runs in the background gathering users personal and confidential data. This means it could be collecting your bank account details, credit card numbers and CVV’s, passwords, e-mails and other important and personal files and documents.

So how does Spyware manage to do all of this? It can scan and read the files on your computer, read your messenger chats and e-mails, track and record your keystrokes (what you type) and collect your internet history. Spyware is also capable of making changes to the settings on your computer, which can result in slow internet speeds, slower boot times and changes to your internet browser such as a different home page or default browser.

What is a Trojan horse?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but this does not mean they can’t be dangerous and destructive. A Trojan horse is a program that will generally appear to be harmless or seem to be useful however it is hiding and harbouring malicious functions. A Trojan may give a hacker remote access to your computer system allowing them to perform a variety of operations which are only restricted by the design of the Trojan itself and the user privileges on the computer.

This means that Trojans require interaction on a hacker’s part in order to be dangerous. The hacker may not be responsible for writing or distributing the Trojan, however it is possible for hackers to find a computer with one laying dormant and take control of it.

What is a worm?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

In essence, a worm is like an advanced virus. It replicates and spreads itself but it happens on a larger scale. What makes worms more dangerous is that they do not require any human action to replicate and spread. A worm is always looking to exploit security vulnerabilities in networks and operating systems and spread itself. In fact, most worms are designed only to spread and don’t attempt to change the host computer or system which they enter and spread through. This does not mean worms are without danger however. Being infected by a worm may result in your computer being used as part of a botnet to send spam e-mails. Some of the more common ways worms spread are by e-mails, weak networks and attachments.

What is a virus?

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

As the name suggests, viruses replicate themselves and spread throughout your computer’s memory. Some viruses are made to cripple the users system with malicious code that can affect your files and over time may result in things such as your computer booting slowly. Others are simply made to be irritating and disable useful features such as the task manager. Sometimes viruses do nothing to call attention to themselves and simply reproduce.

Viruses require a human action in order to activate them. Most commonly, viruses attach themselves to an executable file (.exe) because these types of files need to be clicked on in order to run. So this means viruses are generally speaking unintentionally initiated by the user. This is why it is important to ensure you always download files from a trusted source or site.

What is malware?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:07:00 GMT

Malware is a broad term which can be described as any type of damaging software or program which is made to deceive and harm a user. The easiest way to remember this that malware is short for “malicious software”. Many people confuse the term “virus” for a generalisation for anything unusual or harmful on their computer. Viruses, trojans, spyware, worms and rootkits are all malware. Each piece of malware is designed to do something different such as steal personal and confidential data, irritate the user by disabling certain functions or simply do nothing but reproduce and lay dormant.

Keep your eyes peeled over the next few days for some follow up posts to answer some more questions on malware including:

What is a virus?

What is a worm?

What is a Trojan horse?

What is spyware?

What is a root kit?

How do I prevent malware infections?

Life Hacker - Top Aritcles

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:45:00 GMT

We've been following Life Hacker's website articles for quite some time. Every day they churn some of the best reading.Here's some of the best articles.

Our pick of best Life Hacker Articles

Browser Speed Tests: Chrome 17, Firefox 10, Internet Explorer 9, and Opera 11.61
Check out whats new for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, ahhh yes, and MISE!
How to Promote Yourself (Without Being Sleazy)
Building a great reputation for yourself online.

Android Phones - software data connect via Wi-Fi

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:52:00 GMT

If you have a new Android device you can use this neat piece of software to transfer data from your Android phone to your desktop or from the desktop to your phone. No need to carry the USB data cable to transfer data (drag and drop the files/folders between PC and phone) or no need to mount and un-mount the SD card frequently. Protect your USB interface on the phone and using this method there is no impact to your phone data plan as WIFI is used for the data transfer!

The App is free of charge and basically turns your phone into a networked device where you can browse the device contents

How it works

Download the App from Market Place
Click here for direct link to the App
Install and open the App
Turn on your Wi-Fi
Add the IP address of your phone to your web browser on your desktop.

You should be able to see your phone's complete contents and be able to move, copy or delete any files.

Average User Rating on Market Place is 4.5/5. And Voila! No cables!

Are you sitting in your IT job for long periods?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:39:00 GMT

Here's a heads up on helping yourself if you're sitting down all day. Decrease your risk of heart disease, increase your life span, reduce your risk for certain types of cancer. For all of us in IT, we all sit in a chair all day long. Reading the time-line facts is pretty scary! Facts on what happens to your body after immediately sitting, 1 hour in, two weeks for more than 6 hours a day, one year, 10-20 years!

The good news is, it's surprisingly easy to counteract sitting all day with a couple of really simple changes.

Click here to read this story in full.

7 Best Ultra-Portable Laptops

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:48:00 GMT

You may have read the blog article which we published in December - MacBook Air vs. Ultrabooks. There's not much between models when comparing performance.

This article on Gizmodo looks at the top 7 ultrabooks and takes in to account performance, build quality, usability, battery life, and the general features that makes them standout when the laptop as an everyday machine.

What's the top Ultrabook?

Article author at Gizmodo, Kyle Wagner's says "Features like two-fingered scrolling, keyboard ergonomics, battery life, design and build quality—for now, Apple's still got a leg up. The gap should narrow over the next few years, but for now, the MacBook Air's still the one to beat."

2012 technology trends for small-medium sized business

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:52:00 GMT

As 2012 looms, what can small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) expect to see in the next 12 months when it comes to technology? The 10 technological trends listed below will affect businesses of all sizes in the coming year, but they promise to have an particular impact on small and mid-size businesses in 2012.

1. Microsoft Hyper-V3 Means Cheaper, More Powerful Virtualization
2. More Network Attached Storage Appliances
3. USB 3.0 Devices Abound
4. Thinner, Lighter Ultrabooks (more like Apple's MacBook Air)
5. SSD Prices Fall, HDDs Gets Faster
6. Tablets, Tablets everywhere
7. BYOD (Bring your own device) Goes to Smaller Businesses
8. Small Business Finds Apps on the Cloud
9. Gigabit Wireless Starts replacing Ethernet
10. Windows 8 Triggers Big Changes

Read this story in full

Boomerang for GMail

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:40:00 GMT

Schedule an email to be sent later. Easy email reminders.

Boomerang for Gmail is a Firefox / Chrome plugin that lets you take control of when you send and receive email messages.

Boomerang can help you:

Remember to pay bills
Schedule birthday/holiday notes when you have time to write them
Make sure you follow up with a sales lead
Communicate with people in different time zones
Clear out travel confirmation emails, returning them on the day of your trip
And lots more!

MacBook Air vs. Ultrabooks

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:29:00 GMT

We're often asked about the specifications of the latest and greatest tech must haves. This article is good read on comparisons between MacBook Air, Acer Aspire S3 and the Asus Zenbook. Not much between them. No matter which you prefer, I think we can all agree that the choice that a competitive field offers benefits everyone. It will be interesting to see if the prices of the MacBook Air and Ultrabooks drop over the next couple of years.

Compare and read MacBook, Acer Aspire S3 and Ausus Zenbook.

Small business IT security

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:05:00 GMT

We often find that most small business tend to be less aware of online and general IT security because

They don’t think they are a possible target
They may be trying to save funds
They may be new in business and not be aware of vulnerabilities

Hackers and thieves are well aware that small businesses are easy targets for breaches in online and general security. Many small businesses are trying to save funds, may be new to business or they may not be aware of the common pitfalls. Attacks on your business may not only be from the internet, but also directly at your business premises.

You can easily take some simple steps to protecting your business from breeches in security, unwanted attacks or financial losses. These are easy to follow steps, however many business owners simply forget or are unaware that these points may be a potential threat to their business. Larger companies or corporations will have adequate training for risk management and contingency plans; however the following simple steps can help protect your small business making you less vulnerable to losses.

Personal & Business Information – It's best practice not to provide your personal information to people you do not know, especially online. Always keep your personal information and your business information separate. This applies to bank accounts, your business and private addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and social media accounts.

IT Security – Always use genuine operating systems and firewalls. Keep updates and patches applied all software and ensure your software licenses and passwords are carefully protected. If your business uses wi-fi apply a WEP key / wireless password in the router. Open wireless access is very accessible hackers. Keep anti-virus software up to date. Stay safe and secure. Keep updated.

If you run your small business at home or business premises, beware of locking workstations, servers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets with a pin or password. If you have a server rack or cabinet, keep it locked. Hired help around the home or business (cleaners, gardeners, delivery persons or even employees) may often have access to your office(s). Always secure devices, pcs and servers with a pin or password. If possible, ensure workstations and servers are behind locked doors.

Passwords – Be diligent in changing passwords for online accounts. This includes passwords for your own website, email, social networking sites, your online banking etc. Hackers use tools (which they locate on the internet) which are designed to crack passwords very quickly. Always try to compile a password that is hard to guess or crack. Use upper and lower case and special characters. Avoid using common words, your date of birth, your own name, your children’s names, the word “password”, or worse still leave it blank.

Employees– Though difficult in small business, if you have employees, try to avoid giving full access to records such as databases, bank records, credit cards and business transactions. If possible set different level of access with restrictions as to what information they can have at their fingertips

Windows Defender Offline Beta

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:29:00 GMT

Ever been caught with malicious and other potentially unwanted software on your PC? These will more than often try to install themselves when you connect to the Internet or install some programs from a CD, DVD, or other media. If the software is makes it to your desktop it may execute immediate or at a later date when you least expect it causing potentially a host of issues.

Windows Defender Offline Beta

Windows Defender Offline Beta has the ability to remove hard to find malicious and potentially unwanted programs using definitions that recognize threats.

What are Definitions?

Definitions are files that provide an encyclopedia of potential software threats. Because new threats appear daily, it's important to always have the most up-to-date definitions installed in Windows Defender Offline Beta. Armed with definition files, Windows Defender Offline Beta can detect malicious and potentially unwanted software, and then notify you of the risks.

Read full article here from Steve Bink at Bink.nu

Downloads from Microsoft

Windows Defender 32-bit version

Windows Defender Offline Beta 64-bit Version

You will need

A CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with at least 250 MB of free space.
Download and run the tool—the tool will help you create the removable media.

Neat settings in Firefox and Chrome - about:about

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Did you know that the url "about:about" (without quotes) will show you almost every setting possible in both Chrome and FireFox. One note to of caution when playing with these settings - you may end up having to reset your profile.

Download sites for Browsers

Click here Google Chrome Browser

Click here for Mozilla Firefox Browser