Office IT Archives - Page 12 of 13

What to do When Windows Won’t Update Properly

Company Updates, Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, Security, SoftwareFail, Reboot, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

May 2014

Does Windows keep telling you that the computer needs to restart to finish installing updates even after you have already restarted the computer repeatedly? Here’s how you can fix the problem.

It is paramount to install these updates correctly because getting the latest updates means getting the latest security fixes that prevent infections from compromising your system.

Before trying anything else, run a System Restore:

In Windows 7, click the Start button, click the Accessories folder, then System Tools, and select System Restore.

In Windows 8, use the mouse to swipe the right edge of the screen of the cursor, then click the Search Charm.

In the box that comes up, type restore point and click Create a restore point.

Choose the last date your computer worked correctly before the failed update. In the System Restore Wizard window, select the restore point that corresponds with that date. If the wizard doesn’t display the date in question, check Show more restore points.

After you have found the correctly dated restore point, click Next. Then select Finish to allow Windows to run the wizard and reboot.

After rebooting, run Windows Update again.

If Windows fails to update again, malware may be the culprit. Malwarebytes anti- malware is a useful tool that can remove these types of infections that block updates. For more information on how to remove malware, please refer to the following article.

If the failed updates are not the result of malware, try the Windows Update Troubleshooter. It is a free Microsoft diagnostic tool that can sort out update problems.

If all of the solutions mentioned above cannot rectify Windows update, try rebooting one more time. Sometimes temporary problems arise that prevent updates from installing. A simple reboot often clears Windows of these problems.

As a last resort, you can reset windows update. This is a very complicated process that involves precisely following the steps described in this Microsoft support article.

For more information on this or other issues with your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

Scammers Hijack SOHO Routers to Steal User Information

Internet, Office IT, Office Network, Repairs and Upgrades, Security, Servicesd-link, dns, internet, micronet, privacy, router, security, soho, tenda, tp-linkOphtek, LLC

Apr 2014

TP-Link is among the vendors affected by the SOHO pharming campaign.

Recently, it was discovered that several hundred thousand routers fell victim to a hijacking scheme that could become a prevalent problem to many internet users worldwide. The attack, dubbed as a ‘small office/home office (SOHO) pharming campaign,’ was targeting Vietnam, but according to a report by Team Cymru, the SOHO pharming campaign also made its way into regions like the US and Italy.

The criminals behind the pharming campaign took advantage of exploitable security holes in various consumer-grade routers, and from there they were able to redirect users to malicious websites to steal login credentials and/or dropped malware onto the users’ computer. The scary part about this SOHO campaign is that more than one type of routers are affected. According to Team Cymru, the compromised routers could be a brand name like D-Link or and off-brand like TP-Link.

A diagram depicting the ‘man-in-the-middle’ hijacking scheme from Team Cymru.

Cyber security experts found that once the attackers had control of their targeted routers, they changed the devices’ Domain Name System (DNS) settings to force users to send out requests to the 5.45.75.11 and 5.45.75.36 IP addresses. The new DNS settings then acts as a ‘middle-man’ and redirect users to malicious sites instead of legitimate ones.

While it is easy to point the fingers directly at the people manufacturing the routers, it’s not completely their fault. There’s no such thing as a ‘hands-off’ policy when it comes to protecting yourself from intrusions by cyber criminals. That said, there are a few things many router owners can do to lessen their chances of becoming victims to the router hijacking scheme.

Disable router’s remote user-mode and graphical user interface. Disabling remote access will help keep users who aren’t directly connected to your network from accessing your routers’ admin properties. Disabling the GUI will, reportedly, mitigate the likelihood that someone can find a hole in the routers’ software. Instead of making changes to the routers’ setting via a graphical interface, try to change the settings via command lines.
Corporate networks may want deploy tracking systems (i.e. an HTML code on the externally facing servers) to detect possibly malicious IP addresses.
All SOHO router settings (especially DNS) should be controlled at the host level.
Admins must proactively monitor router settings periodically to ensure that the router’s DNS is pointing at those that belong to their internet service providers (ISP).

These are just a few of the basic security measures you must consider if you or your organization is using a SOHO router. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the recent SOHO pharming campaign or what you should do tighten up your network security, contact our IT professionals.

Turbocharge Home or Office File Sharing and Backup With A NAS

General, Office IT, Office Networkcloud, filesharing, nas, network, network attached storageOphtek, LLC

Mar 2014

What a NAS typically looks like.

NAS (not to be confused with NOS) is an essential tool for sharing files, doing backups and many other common functions between computers in your home or office. Network Attached Storage, or ‘NAS’, isn’t the first thing you will think of when you’re shopping around for a computer. As your home or office PC’s, tablets and smartphones build up, the term NAS will likely come up somewhere.

How can you use a NAS for your Home or Office?

Once you have several computers in your home or office, you’ll realize that it’s an inefficient use of time to constantly duplicate files from one hard drive to the next just so you can access them from all your devices. That’s where NAS come in. It’s an external hard drive with a light operating system (OS) to help make ‘sharing’ easier.

Another look at a different NAS model.

Most of us pull information directly from the cloud, or huge datacenters scattered all over the world, but the issue with this is many people are not yet connected to a high speed connection. A typical image (i.e. JPG or PNG) will download in just a few seconds if you’re retrieving it from a server, but large files like HD videos will require several hours. The proximity to a server and the connection quality become limiting factors when we want to share any type of digital content.

So instead of uploading huge video files to the cloud (i.e. DropBox) and then sharing them via this route, people on the same network can share information using a NAS. The biggest benefit of having a NAS for your home or office network is that you don’t need to run a dedicated PC at all times for people to access files. As we already pointed out, the NAS is a computer on its own, with the exception that it possess just enough horsepower to carry out what it’s intended for.

More features already built in

Most NAS devices also have built-in printer sharing, so a single household can have access to the printer’s feature at all time from any supported devices.

You may also notice that your computer has a ‘back-up’ feature, which allows you to restore or retrieve lost files should there be some sort of software complications down the line. While this method is completely acceptable for most cases, people who are even more concerned about their data should find a secondary source to back up their files to, such as a NAS.

Lastly, NAS is also extremely useful for pulling up information on-the-go. If configured correctly, a NAS can act like a server so any user can pull up whatever is stored on the server from any location with an internet connection. Just keep in mind that once you’re out of range of your own network, how fast you can retrieve these files from the NAS will depend on the connection you’re currently using.

To learn how your office can benefit from a NAS device, contact your local IT support.

Simplifying Small Business IT With Google Apps

Office IT, Servicesbusiness, calendar, cms, crm, email, gmail, google apps, itOphtek, LLC

Mar 2014

Access your documents from anywhere.

Just because you have a ‘website’ it doesn’t mean you or your organization is ready to start dealing with internet matters. Depending on where you’re going with your business, you have to decide which tools will suit your needs most. There are many supposed ‘all-in-one’ packages out there, but no one specific product will likely meet or even come close to fulfilling your demands.

That said, if you’re searching for a cloud suite to conduct and collaborate on ‘general’ internet matters, Google Apps for Business is a wonderful tool. Unlike niche-specific tools like customer relationship management (CRM) and content management systems (CMS), GApps provide you with most of the tools you would need to complete and collaborate on various tasks.

The Must-Have Emailing System

GMail from Google.

Let’s start with email. When it comes to brand building and recognition, you should have your own ‘domain’, which (in this instance) is something like www.mybusiness.com. Along with the domain name, you’ll also likely want to send out emails with a @mybusiness.com address. The hosting service you’ve chosen may provide you with an email system, but trust us when we say that these systems are simply just not as robust as the one built by Google. If you’re using a @gmail email address, you’re using one of the products GApps offer. From spam filtering to on-point subject searches, the Google-based emailing system is as powerful as you can get without getting your hands dirty. Once you’ve signed up for the GApps service, you’ll be able to integrate your business domain into Gmail and send out emails from the Google-built system.

Browser-based productivity apps that you can share and edit in real-time.

Collaboration In Real-Time

For creating documents, there are GApps products like Docs, Sheets and Slides for you to use—these are the cloud equivalent to Microsoft’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Since the GApps document apps are based in the cloud, all your work will be saved onto Google’s server so you can access them whenever and wherever you want. The documents also have built in ‘sharing’ features so that you and/or you employees can share and collaborate with each other without needing to constantly email drafts back-and-forth. Moreover, authorized users of any shared documents will be able to monitor and edit (if given permission) them in real-time.

Cross-platform Calendar app allows your employees to sync all their activities with each other.

Streamlining and keeping all your employees and partners up-to-date is also covered via Calendar. Despite all the technological advancements we’ve experienced in the last decade or so, a calendar is still exactly just that. Unlike the paper pocket reminder you have stashed away in your desk drawer, cloud-based calendar programs provide much more flexibility. Calendar from GApps gives you the ability to sync all your planned activities with your employees. This is especially beneficial if you’re all on time crunches and in need of a tool that will display when exactly everyone will be available.

Heavy In Features But Lighter Than A Cloud

Of course these cloud services will also require some sort of cloud storage, so Google is offering 30GB per user at a price of $5 per month. Should a person need more than 30GB, the administrator of the account can add 20GB to Drive for $4. Your information is automatically encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) security technology, so the burden of having to build virtual private networks from the ground up is negated. Google guarantees that their servers will be up 24x7x365, which means you won’t have to ever worry about not being able to access your data—provided you have an internet connection.

We can’t forget to mention that GApps is a cross-platform service, meaning you can access/create documents and generate new information on virtually any devices. Many businesses have adopted the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model, and chances are your employees have more than just iPhones in their pockets. GApps is accessible on Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone and any phone or mobile device that supports a modern browser. Keep in mind that a modern browser is basically one that’s built for a smartphone, so a flip-phone from 10 years ago will likely not support GApps.

Well Done or Medium Rare?

GApps for Business isn’t, as we already mentioned, a tool that will provide you with everything you need to run your business from a workstation. Moreover, since there are so many ‘separate’ tools available, you need to decide which apps will offer the most return on your time spent using them. The GApps ‘system’ itself is like a raw piece of prime cut steak, and you get to decide how you want to have it done. Essentially, the only con when it comes to cooking a delicious GApps system is the time spent to figure out what you’re in the mood for, and for some this part of the thought process is the ‘make-it’ or ‘break-it’ portion.

A lot of work has to go into information management and GApps simplifies a lot of these areas. The apps themselves are simple enough to use, but with choices come confusion. How will you put all of it together? That’s why we’re here, send us an email or give us a call, we’ll be more than happy to guide you through the GApps process.

Sony Exits PC Business, Support for VAIO May be Limited

General, Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, Servicesdriver, sony, support, update, vaioOphtek, LLC

Feb 2014

Outside of Japan, the VAIO brand is no more.

Sony is ditching the PC business in an effort to restructure amidst a declining PC market. The Japanese tech-giant has been struggling in recent years to keep up with the evolving consumer tech segment, and this latest move away from the PC is just a small step forward for the company.

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