New Processors to Only Support Windows 10

hardware, Office IT, ,
01
Mar 2016

windows-10-hero-official-wallpaper-

Many people have resisted migrating from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10, but Microsoft has now announced that new processors will only run on Windows 10.

You might have noticed, last summer, that windows were popping up on your PC encouraging you to switch to Microsoft’s latest operating system (OS) – Windows 10. However, a high percentage of users avoided hitting the ‘INSTALL’ button.

You see, Windows 8 was somewhat of a disaster for Microsoft, both technically and aesthetically. As a result, consumers were reticent to take up Microsoft’s offer of a free upgrade as they had no idea what would be waiting for them.

These fears were further compounded when story after story emerged of issues with Windows 10 e.g. security flaws and Microsoft actively forcing installs onto users’ systems. As I’m sure you’ll agree, though, progress is always necessary, so you were probably going to give in at some point.

Microsoft has decided to try and force your hand a little sooner with their announcement that new processors will only be compatible with Windows 10, so let’s take a look at what this means for you and your business.

What Exactly Has Microsoft Announced?

Microsoft is keen for the latest processors being designed to use the most up to date Windows OS. This means that new processors released by AMD, Intel and Qualcomm will only work on PCs running Windows 10. If you’re running an old OS, they simply won’t work. And when Windows 11 comes around, the exact same procedure will be put in place.

Why is Microsoft Making This Policy Change?

Windows-10-Free-Upgrade-Windows-10-Free-Insider-Program-Windows-10-how-Can-Upgrade-How-to-Upgrade-Windows-10-586338

Upgrading previous versions of Windows always had a financial pinch for consumers, but Windows 10 is completely free. This is all part of Microsoft’s plan to market Windows 10 as a service rather than a costly product.

Microsoft wants everyone to adopt it, so ensuring that Windows 10 is essential for new processors means there will be no choice but to upgrade.

It’s also a move which will keep hardware developers for Microsoft happy as they will no longer have to outlay huge amounts of cash on making their processors backwards compatible.

Does This Mean You Have to Upgrade Immediately?

Microsoft-Upgrade-Your-World-Windows-10-600x360-600x330

You might be concerned that Windows is forcing you to not only upgrade to Windows 10, but also to upgrade to one of the new processors. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Windows 7 and 8.1 will still receive essential security and application updates for several years, so, as long as your hardware stays the same, your OS will remain supported.

However, remaining on an ‘antiquated’ OS is not the best way for your business to stay competitive and work to its full potential. That’s why it seems as though it’s only going to get harder and harder to resist the upgrade to Windows 10.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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No More Passwords: Could Passwords Become Extinct?

Security,
23
Feb 2016

No more passwords

We’re all used to creating and remember passwords when working with sensitive data, but could Google make the password a thing of the past?

Passwords are essential when it comes to working with PCs due to the amount of confidential data that they may contain and process. When it comes to business usage, it’s likely that you’re going to need several different passwords to access all your software and hardware needs.

Google, keen as ever to re-invent the digital wheel, has decided that perhaps it’s time to approach data security in a different manner. That’s why they’re trying to implement smartphones as the key factor in accessing data.

Let’s take a look at why Google are doing this and how they plan to achieve it.

The Problems with Passwords

Facebook-Password-Sniper-v1.2-Hack

You’re probably well aware that passwords are inconvenient. After all, the number of passwords you need to use on your PC at work can become disorientating, so it’s no surprise when you forget them. As a result you’ll tap in a couple of guesses and find yourself locked out. It’s then down to your IT team to manually reset your password.

Aside from this inconvenience, though, there are a number of reasons why passwords are not the best way of securing data:

  • Many users use the same password for all their accounts to avoid having to remember numerous passwords. It’s a nice, quick solution but if their password is hijacked then it compromises all their accounts
  • Hackers are able to use spyware and keystroke loggers to easily steal users passwords without them knowing
  • Password reset questions are often very easy to guess, so this offers an easy route into your systems for hackers

There are obviously problems with relying on the humble password, so how are Google going to take security to a new level?

No More Passwords

gmail-password-forgot

Google plans to eliminate the need for passwords to access your Google account by tapping into the modern obsession with smartphones.

Here’s how it’s going to work:

  1. You’ll head over to the Google sign in page and enter your email address as per normal.
  2. At this point your smartphone will receive a notification message asking you to confirm your login.
  3. Once you authorize this – with one tap of the “YES” button – your device (be it PC, tablet or smartphone) will be given access to your Google account.

And don’t worry if your smartphone has run out of battery or you’ve lost it. You’ll still have the option to use your password to login to your Google account.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

Google’s vision paints an interesting future for your business and the way in which you protect your computer systems. It also highlights the lack of security behind passwords and how you need to ensure that your business is well protected from the threat of hackers.

If Google’s trial is successful then it’s likely that we’ll see this new approach to security filtering into the business world fairly quickly. And not only will it protect your data’s security, it will also reduce the amount of man hours spent resetting passwords.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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How Important is Cloud Security for Small Businesses?

Security,
09
Feb 2016

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing allows you to run programs and store data on the internet and is a world away from the traditional method of physical installs and servers.

It offers flexibility, enhances collaboration and reduces overheads, but many businesses are wary of cloud computing. Sure, it’s a new way of doing things, so this is always going to induce a little anxiety. However, there have also been numerous headlines about the cloud’s security which has raised concerns.

To try and sort the myths from the facts, We’re going to take you through the security aspects of cloud computing.

Cloud Security Breaches are Big News

We’ve all heard a scare story about the cloud becoming breached and the most famous of these is probably ‘The Fappening’ which saw Apple’s iCloud breached to obtain personal photos of celebrities.

The Fappening, naturally, was distressing for those celebrities involved, but also brought to the public’s attention that maybe data isn’t that secure up in the cloud. Matters haven’t been helped by similar concerns being raised such as the possibility that stealing millions of Apple iCloud passwords can be achieved with a simple phishing email.

However, there are always going to be hackers, so is it fair to label cloud computing as a proposition which is too risky? Or is it just a simple case of monitoring the cloud’s security as you would any other type of network?

A Secure Provider is Essential

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With cloud computing being a relatively new phenomenon it’s not a surprise that there’s a little ambiguity over whom exactly is responsible for what. Cloud vendors are more than happy to provide you with the infrastructure to start cloud computing, but the levels of security are going to vary between providers.

Many cloud vendors may expect your in-house IT team to take on at least some of the responsibility for your cloud network. The problem is, though, that cloud computing is such a new form of networking that most in house IT teams simply don’t have the necessary knowledge to secure their cloud effectively.

Therefore, with the threat landscape ever expanding, it’s important that you identify a cloud vendor who can provide a fully experienced team of personnel to monitor the cloud’s security. The costs, obviously, will increase, but for the peace of mind it brings, it’s relatively small change.

Increasing Your Cloud Security In-House

cloud_security

Now, I know that I just said it’s not a good idea to take on cloud security yourself, but there are certainly ways you can help maximize it at your end!

Remember that your whole network can become compromised by the smallest mistake. This is why it’s essential that you take the following steps:

  • Remind staff of the importance of choosing strong passwords. I always feel that it’s a good idea to insist on the need for a number, symbol and uppercase letter in a password. It may mean that they’re harder to remember, but it also means they’re harder to guess.
  • Increase the level of authentication required for even the most basic applications e.g. instead of just asking for a username or password, follow this up with the need to enter a code sent by SMS to approve access to certain network areas.

Should You Move to the Cloud?

The cloud is, undoubtedly, the future of computing and will prove to be a significant factor in businesses remaining competitive. It’s always difficult to break from the traditional methods of working, especially with security concerns ever present, but as long as you ensure security is tight then it’s the logical step forwards.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Old Server Brings Paris Airport to a Halt

Software,
02
Feb 2016

orly airport

Chaos reigned supreme at Orly airport, Paris recently thanks to a technical fault on an old server running the ancient operating system Windows 3.1.

Yes, you read that correctly, the server was running on Windows 3.1 which is an operating system (OS) launched in 1992 and, as far as we thought, made redundant 20 years ago by Windows 95! It was the ancient nature of this OS which caused so many problems.

Let’s take a look at exactly what happened and the lessons it can teach us on maintaining and upgrading your servers.

All Flights Cancelled

flight-canceled

Pilots and air traffic controllers at Orly airport rely on a computer system called DECOR which helps communicate information about poor weather conditions. As you can imagine, this is crucial for taking off and landing, so it’s a vital piece of software. However, the problem is that DECOR doesn’t run on the lovely new OS Windows 10. Neither does it run on Windows 7. Or even Windows XP.

Instead, it uses the antiquated OS Windows 3.1 which certainly seemed a marvel back in the early 90s, but these days it looks like a dusty relic from the past. And, due to a glitch in DECOR, air traffic controllers were suddenly unable to relay critical runway conditions to their pilots. As a result, all flights were grounded as technicians raced to find a solution.

Outdated Software on Old Server

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For an airport, having all your flights grounded is an absolute disaster, but Orly airport only has themselves to blame.

Upgrading your software intermittently is very important for the health and security of your servers. By ignoring this practice you run the risk of the following:

  • Loss of knowledge: Alexandre Fiacre – from France’s UNSA-IESSA air traffic controller union – has conceded that they only have three specialists who understand DECOR. One of these is retiring soon and they still haven’t found a replacement. Due to the obsolete nature of Windows 3.1 it’s unlikely any newcomers will have the required knowledge either.
  • Lack of Spares: Outdated servers, naturally, use outdated parts. And this becomes a huge issue when a spare part is required. Many manufacturers these days don’t like to give more than a 10 year lifespan for products, so parts are often made obsolete after this cut off point. And if the parts are no longer available for your server you’re going to face a big problem when they fail.
  • Risk of Hacking: The lack of interest in an old piece of software such as DECOR means that the creation of any security upgrades and patches would have ceased a long time ago. This opens up the software to potential hacking incidents where the client will be left defenseless.

How to Avoid An Orly Airport Incident At Your Business

The simplest way to ensure your servers can be maintained efficiently is to upgrade them every couple of years. Sure, this has financial ramifications, but is less disruptive and embarrassing than having to temporarily close your business.

France’s transport minister has promised to upgrade the Orly’s software by 2017, but in our opinion that’s too late. It should have been upgraded in 1997!

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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5 Email Security Tips for Small Businesses

Security,
25
Jan 2016

Email Security

Email security is a crucial focus for your business, but as it offers a gateway into your systems you need to understand how to keep it secure.

If your email security is below standard then you’re opening up your network and sensitive data to the mercy of malicious software e.g. trojan horses, malware and viruses which can really disrupt your business and compromise your data.

No business wants this type of risk bubbling away in the background, so we’re going to take you through 5 essential tips which will ensure your emails are secure.

1. Does It Have to Be Emailed?

There’s a tendency to assume that because email is available it has to be used. And many people feel that, seeing as email servers have plenty of storage, that all those attachments are just fine to be stored there.

However, both these methods ensure that data is readily available should your servers be hacked.

Therefore, if you’ve got a highly important report which contains sensitive data it may be best to seek an alternative delivery method e.g. via courier. And do attachments need to stay on the email server? No, they don’t. They can easily be archived to external hard drives which offer security and plenty of retrieval options.

2. Don’t Access Emails from Public Networks

6_secure_email_iStock

It seems as though everywhere you go these days there’s a public wifi network that you can hop onto in a couple of seconds. This accessibility means you can connect with your emails no matter where you are, so many people take advantage of it.

However, the security of these public networks can never be predicted. Due to their ubiquity they’re also the regular targets of hackers. This means that secure data such as your passwords are at risk and this can grant hackers a foothold in your system.

Sometimes, though, you’re going to need to access your emails on the move, so connecting via a public network will be your only option. To protect against any viable security threats, the best practice is to employ two factor authentication for your email servers to provide extra security.

3. Password Resets

padlock-security-protection-hacking

Employees love to keep their password the same for as long as possible because it means it’s easy to remember. And the easier to remember it is, the less chance there is that they’ll have to go through the hassle of ringing their IT department to reset it.

However, this type of complacency leads to your emails becoming vulnerable as it becomes easier to infiltrate your system over a long period of time.

That’s why we would recommend that your email software forces users to routinely change their password every 4 – 6 weeks. And if emails are entered incorrectly 3 times then make sure that email account is locked straightaway!

4. Filter All Attachments

Malicious content is most likely to enter your business’ network through email attachments, so it’s vital that you set up email filters to protect your business. These filters will help block any suspicious attachments and give you the time to review them before releasing them into your system.

Remember, hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are able to package malicious software into seemingly innocent files e.g. a spreadsheet entitled “Monthly Sales Report” may appear genuine, but something nasty may be lurking in the background.

5. Train Your Staff on Email Security

email security training

Staff, of course, represent the final wall between emails and your servers, so it’s important they receive training on email security.

This should be carried out upon their induction into your company, but it’s also a good idea to regularly email updates around warning of any on-going threats. This knowledge allows them to understand what they should be looking out for and helps keep your email security sage.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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