Microsoft Printers Patch Exposed as Vulnerable

Ophtek, patches, printer vulnerability, Security, Security Threats, Updates, upgrade, , , , , , ,
01
Sep 2020

The importance of installing updates and patches should never be underestimated. However, did you know that even these are not 100% secure?

Microsoft knows a thing or two about computers, but this doesn’t mean they are immune from mistakes and flaws. Accordingly, they regularly release patches and updates to address any vulnerabilities in their software.  A recent investigation, though, has discovered that these updates aren’t quite the safeguard consumers would expect. And, when you consider the amount of applications that Microsoft bundle with their systems, this is a matter of major concern.

Given the number of patches you are prompted to install each and every week, it’s important to understand what has happened on this occasion.

A Vulnerable Patch

The initial vulnerability in question relates to a flaw which was discovered in Windows printing services. Your first thought may be that printers are far from a security risk, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If a device or application has any form of access to your network then it needs strong defenses. And this is why Microsoft was keen to patch a vulnerability which offered hackers a route into PC networks through print spooler software. This patch was issued in May and Microsoft believed this was the end of the story. But this story was due to run a little longer.

Researchers discovered that the impact of this initial patch could be negated by simply bypassing it. By modifying .SHD files (better known as Shadow), the researchers were able to add them into the spooler folder. This particular type of folder allows commands to be sent between a PC and a printer. Usually this is the preserve of printing documents, but the modified Shadow files allowed the researchers to send all manner of commands. It’s a scenario which had the potential to give hackers full access to a network.

How Can You Defend Against Weak Patches?

The vulnerability in question is no longer in present in systems which have since been updated, but it paints a worrying picture for PC users. If you are unable to rely on patches to give you full protection then what hope do you have?

First of all, you must, no matter what, always install all security patches. They are a crucial aspect of security and are all programmed with an objective of preventing an attack. This printer spooler fiasco demonstrates they are not perfect, but the majority are capable of fulfilling their aims. Nonetheless, being overcautious with IT security is always a good idea. Therefore, make sure you follow these simple steps:

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

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The Best Ways to Keep Your PC Organized

Best Practices, Ophtek, Organize, PC, Security, Updates, , , , ,
30
Jun 2020

The workplace can be a very stressful environment, so it’s vital that you keep organized. Key to this organization is a PC which doesn’t cause you stress.

It’s likely that your PC is your most important tool at work. After all, they can do almost anything from creative tasks through to data handling and communicating. But this is only possible if your PC remains organized. A badly organized PC will not only hinder your productivity, but it can have a negative impact on the health of your system.

The best workplaces avoid these shortcomings by making sure that employees follow simple, yet effective methods for organizing their PCs. And, as luck would have it, we’re going to share these with you today.

Keeping Your PC Organized

You don’t need a degree in computer science to keep your PC organized. You just need to follow these best practices:

  • Tidy Up Your Desktop: A cluttered desktop quickly becomes difficult to navigate, so it’s crucial that you keep it tidy. Ideally, your desktop should only ever contain shortcuts to the apps you use the most. Saving random files to your desktop may seem quick in the short term, but, in the long term, it makes finding everything on your desktop more difficult. 
  • Audit Your Files: No two files are the same and, accordingly, they will all have different lifespans in terms of usefulness. A spreadsheet on outgoing costs, for example, is likely to be something you regularly use. But a spreadsheet detailing a one off order is going to experience less usage. Therefore, it’s a good idea to regularly go through your files and see which can be archived and which should be kept on your system. This will free up storage on your PC and allow you to find useful files more quickly. 
  • Use a Structured Folder System: Structure is the backbone of all organization and, as a result, it should be integrated into your folder system. And this should be more extensive that just moving everything into My Documents. Everyone, of course, will need and want a different system as our brains all work differently. But what’s crucial is that you breakdown all your files into their simplest terms e.g. specific client names and then into increasingly specific folders such as customer orders, correspondence and contact details. 

Final Thoughts

A well- organized PC allows an employee to work to their full potential. It’s essential that all your employees are in this position as it will provide a massive boost to your productivity. Best of all, the most effective solutions are also some of the easiest to implement. However, consistency is crucial when it comes to organization, so make sure these best practices are regularly followed.

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

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How to Work Safely on your Home PC

coronavirus, IT Best Practices, Ophtek, PC Server, Security, Tech Support, Updates, , , ,
09
Jun 2020

Workplace PCs tend to be more protected than those found in our homes. Therefore, you need to make sure you always work safely on your home PC.

With remote working on the rise, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important that we don’t take our eye off the ball when it comes to security. Organizations, naturally, have more finances to invest and enhanced IT expertise, but it’s still easy to stay safe at home. All you need to do is know how to protect yourself. And, to get you started, we’re going to share some fantastic ways to make sure you remain safe.

Working Safely on your Home PC

Safety on your home PC can be achieved quickly and easily by following these best practices:

  • Implement All Updates: Software and hardware updates are crucial when it comes to getting the best IT experience. And, of course, they maximize your security. This is why you need to install all updates as soon as possible. Sometimes these updates will be automatic, but they will often need direct authorization from the user. Either way, the install process is simple and requires little more than a short wait. 

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

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Make Sure Your Software is Updated and Secure

Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, Software, Software Security Patches, Updates, , , ,
14
Apr 2020

It’s vital, if you want your PC to remain safe and secure, to install all software updates and patches. The alternative is, of course, that you get hacked.

Now, no one wants their PC to get hacked. The fallout from such a scenario can only spell disaster for a business. We’re talking stolen data, disrupted IT operations, financial damage and a major drop in productivity. And no one wants that. Certainly not a business and certainly not their customers. But hacking is a major threat in today’s digital workplace. In the first half of 2019 alone, a total of 4.1 billion records were compromised. It’s a figure which is clearly huge, but it’s also one that could be significantly reduced if organizations updated their software regularly.

So, to help you keep your software updated, we’re going to run through the basics of updating and securing your software.

What are Software Updates?

It’s difficult to create a flawless piece of software. The complexity of coding means that, even when developers feel their application is finished, it’s likely that minor problems will remain. And, in most cases, the only impact of these errors will be felt in the application’s functionality. However, on occasion, these minor flaws can represent major security issues. Hackers, if they are to be commended on anything, are highly persistent. And, if they can find a vulnerability in a piece of software, you can rest assured that they will exploit it.

This is why software updates and patches are crucial. The most common update that most PC users will encounter is an operating system update. These are regularly released by developers in order to counter security issues which have been discovered. These updates, in their simplest terms, patch the software. Following the patch process, your operating system will be considered more secure and functional. Unfortunately, many organizations are either too busy to worry about updates or they fail to understand their importance. And that’s why you need to know the best ways to keep your software updated.

How Do You Update Your Software?

Updating software on a PC is straightforward and simple, but only if you know how. Therefore, it’s important that you practice the following:

  • Allow Automatic Updates: The sheer number of updates that are required for multiple applications is mind-boggling. And the time taken to action these updates is significant. But, with this in mind, most pieces of software allow you to select an automatic update option. This takes the pain out of authorizing and conducting every new update and patch. The setting is most commonly found in the updates section of an application’s control panel. 
  • Visit Developer’s Websites: It’s good practice to regularly visit the websites of developers to make sure you’re working with the latest updates. Adobe Flash Player and JavaPress, for example, can both be verified by visiting their respective websites. The relevant software is quickly analyzed to determine which version it is. And, if any updates are outstanding, the user will be prompted to install these or upgrade to a new version. 

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

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5 Quick Tips for Maintaining Your PC

Backup, Best Practices, Company Updates, Ophtek, PC Tools, Updates, , , , ,
31
Dec 2019

Like any other electrical product, PCs are prone to failure due to the number of components involved. But a well maintained PC is likely to last longer.

Your organization’s PCs are likely to be crucial for your day-to-day operations, so you need to make sure they are in good working order. After all, you wouldn’t let your car fall into a state of disrepair. You would make sure your car is regularly serviced and maintained to make sure you could continue getting from A to B. And a PC is no different. But, thankfully, you don’t need to pull on your overalls or take your PC to a garage to maintain it. You can complete regular maintenance’s quickly and easily from your office.

How to Maintain Your PC

If you want to keep your PC working to its full potential and optimize its productivity then make sure you practice the following:

  1. Declutter Your Startup: When your PC starts booting up it also starts loading all the programs which are defaulted to load at startup. However, not all of these are necessary. And the more programs that need to load then the longer the startup time. Therefore, head to Task Manager on your PC and click on the Startup tab. From here you can remove any unnecessary programs and speed up your boot time. 
  1. Install all Updates: It’s important that all recommended updates are installed immediately. These updates aren’t just related to security issues. Sometimes they are released by developers in order to fix bugs in their software and enhance the product. Ultimately, an update is one of the quickest ways to optimize your PC and ensure that it’s well protected. 
  1. Always Shutdown Correctly: The shutdown process on a PC can be a frustrating affair due to the time taken, but it’s important that you follow this procedure to the letter. It may be quicker to turn the PC off at the mains, but this approach can lead to corrupted files. Instead, make sure you save all your files and close each application down before waiting for the PC to run through the shutdown procedure. 
  1. Carry out a Registry Clean: Your PCs registry is a giant database which logs everything that happens on your PC. If you install a program or change your password then this is logged in the registry. And, over time, the amount of data stored here starts building up. This may not be too much of a problem with newer PCs, but if you’re running an older PC this can create performance issues. However, you must proceed with caution and it’s recommended that you use a highly rated registry cleaner to perform the clean to avoid issues. 
  1. Delete Unwanted Programs: It’s natural that your PC will gradually accumulate more and more installed programs over time. But not all of these programs remain relevant. And if you are running programs that are no longer relevant then they are putting an unnecessary strain on your PCs memory. So, every couple of months, make sure that you evaluate the programs installed on your PC. This will give you a clear idea of what can be uninstalled and what can remain. The result will be improved performance for those that remain.

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

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