Chrome is Number One, and For Good Reasons

Security, Software, , , , , , ,
22
Jan 2014

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Browser share according to W3Counter

The debate about which internet browser is the best has essentially ended.  Personal preferences aside, the consensus among most casual users as well as developers is that Chrome, the Google-backed browser, is number one (for the time being).

Why should you pick Chrome over all other browsers?  First and foremost, let’s consider the fact that the browser is constantly being revamped and tweaked by a huge community of developers worldwide.  Google gave developers the source code for Chrome back in 2008.  Since then, the open source Chomium project has thrived, leading to a robust and constantly updated browser.

A Think Tank is Better Than One Einstein

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AdBlock can be easily integrated into Chrome

What it comes down to is this, Google is allowing outside developers to tinker with Chrome.  Among some of the crucial benefits resulting from the open collaboration of many brilliant minds are these:

  • Exceptional security measures as developers are constantly debugging and patching up vulnerabilities
  • Add-ons built around the Chrome browser allows for a highly customizable surfing experience.  For instance, the adblock plugin lets surfers select which site is allowed to have ads or popups.
  • Convenience.  Users can sync their browsing history, usernames, passwords, and etc. across multiple platforms.  By simply logging into one’s Google account, he/she can have access to all his past browsing history, and save his present browsing experience for future syncing on other platforms.

It Can Always Be Better

Google, with its involvement in adding parts to the Internet of Things (IoT), has greatly improved the browsing experience for most average internet surfers.  Much of the work done in the development of Chrome (past, present, and future) ultimately serves as medium for Google to grow and profit.  However, Google is taking input from outside developers, and thus it has given the search giant an edge in the browser war over its competitors like Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox.

Although Chrome is an exceptional browser for almost everyone and every purpose, a tool for surfing the internet is only a piece of the personal computing experience.  Chrome users will still need to consider what other tools will complement the browser, so that surfing the Internet becomes as secure as possible.

For more ideas and tips on staying safe and secure online, contact your office IT professionals.

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Microsoft Extends Antimalware Updates for Windows XP Until July 2015

Repairs and Upgrades, Security, Software, , , , , ,
18
Jan 2014

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Windows XP, despite its age in the software ecosystem, still controls nearly 30% of worldwide operating system share distribution.  Microsoft announced several months back that it will cease supporting Windows XP as of April 8, 2014.  For consumers, especially those that have already upgraded to Windows 7, the news didn’t mean much.  Businesses that rely on Windows XP for their IT solution, however, the news meant that they will have to either upgrade or find an exemplary IT partner to maintain their infrastructure.

There’s no running away from Windows XP if your business relies heavily on the dated OS to run things like legacy software.  So when Microsoft announced earlier this week that it will continue to provide antimalware signature and engine updates until July 14, 2015, most were relatively happy about the news.

Old Software and Hardware Can’t Keep Up

According to Microsoft, XP users will continue to get antimalware updates because Microsoft wants to ‘help organizations complete their migrations.’  On the enterprise end, the patch updates apply to System Center Endpoint Protection, Forefront Client Security, Forefront Endpoint Protection and Windows Intune.  Casual XP users will continue to receive the antimalware patch as a part of the Microsoft Security Essentials.

Although antimalware support will last for a bit longer, Microsoft recommends that XP users upgrade as soon as possible.  The reason being, old software and hardware may not be capable of keeping up with modern day threats.

What Are the Upgrade Options?

As we’ve already mentioned in a previous post, businesses that have a heavily connected infrastructure should consider upgrading from Windows XP.  When patches and update packages stop coming, the systems will become vulnerable to hackers and other threats on the internet.  Windows 7 still has quite a bit of shelf life left in it, so upgrading to this version of Windows is ideal if businesses are seeking a similar-to-XP experience.

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At the moment, most businesses will probably stay away from Windows 8 as it is a rather new platform that will take some getting used to.

If your business is still running Windows XP, contact our IT professionals for advice on how you can extend the life of the system without official Microsoft support, or how you can leverage your current hardware and save by upgrading to Windows 7.

Lastly, Microsoft also clarified to XP users that as of April 8, 2014, the ‘no longer supported operating system’ means that users will no longer get the official security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical updates.

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Microsoft Ending Sales of Windows 7

Software,
16
Dec 2013

Onsite_PC_Solution_Windows_7_Ending_Retail_Sales_2
It has been reported recently that Microsoft will be ending its retail sales of Windows 7. The customers who want to install Windows 7 on their present computers after this deadline may be out of luck. From 30th October, 2014, you will not be able to buy pre-loaded Windows 7 PCs. This is to keep with their stated policy where they stop selling an Operating System directly after one year of its release. And around two years after release, they also stop supplying licenses to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

This announcement means that Windows 7 copies will no longer be shipped to retailers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and they won’t be pre-installed in new computers. If you are a business that was looking to mass-install Windows 7 on office computers, then you may be out of luck. OEM partners like Dell and Toshiba won’t be pre-installing Windows 7 in new computers as well and if a business wants to buy in bulk, they will have to buy the present stock in the market.

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For vast majority of people, this may not mean much as vendors will continue to sell Windows 7 licenses long after Microsoft stops supplying. Microsoft may not sell them directly anymore, but they are easily available online and offline. You can grab a copy of Windows 7 from Amazon virtual shelves or Newegg. And you can also buy them from offline big box stores. Often these operating system DVDs continue to be sold decades after they are released. Ordinary customers should face no problem if they intend to buy a Windows 7 license in the foreseeable future.

For large enterprises that have volume licensing arrangements with Microsoft, there is no hurdle as they will continue to enjoy downgrade rights as a part of these agreements. So in many ways, Windows 7 will continue to be a force to be reckoned with for a long time to come. Often, Microsoft also extends retail sales deadlines of operating systems to allow everyone to grab a copy.

One of the best ways to stay ahead of the Windows lifecycle is to install Windows 8.1 right now or to update your computers to Windows 7 if you haven’t done so already. Most PCs today come bundled with Windows 8, which should keep you worry free of upgrade cycles in the near future. You can also circumvent this problem as the Windows 8 Pro editions include downgrade rights that allow people to pre-install Windows 7 if they want. Using this method, you can get a direct Windows 7 license from Microsoft for a long time to come.

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