Photo: The Entech Family at our annual dinner looking forward to 2012.

We hope you had a great 2011, excellent Holidays, and are enjoying 2012 so far!

We’re really excited about 2012, and the biggest buzz in our industry has been, and continues to be, the exponential growth of Cloud Computing.

If you’ve been following our blog, you noticed we wrapped up a series on “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” (also available as a free eBook) in October.

Over the last few months, we’ve been asked how businesses are actually switching to, and using Cloud Computing.  We’re extremely excited to say we’ve compiled 8 great examples for our new free eBook that will be debuting shortly, entitled:

“8 Ways to Use Cloud Computing in Your Business”

We’ll be reviewing how Cloud Computing helps businesses continue to grow and flourish through having centralized business document storage, secure online accounting & billing (allowing business owners the ability to more closely monitor cash flow!), and even enhance the relationships you have with your clients through online customer relationship management!

Be sure to get your free copy of our “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” eBook and you’ll automatically be notified of when our new eBook debuts!

As always, if you have any technology questions, or need help with your computer systems, or network, please give us a call at (800) 573-0234, or contact us online.  We’re here for you!

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

-Martin

…that appeared in Southwest Florida’s “December 2011 – Gulfshore Business” publication.

Congratulations, Jake!

In the article, Jake talks about the most common questions he receives lately regarding cloud computing, and they are:

“What’s the cloud?  What’s cloud computing?”

In a nutshell, the latest buzz of “cloud computing” simply means doing & storing your work on the Internet (which is commonly referred to as the ‘cloud’) as opposed to your computer, or company file server.

One of the perks of cloud computing is not having to maintain your own file servers.  Another is “mobility”, since your work is stored securely online – you can generally work from anywhere you have an Internet connection and a mobile device (think Smartphone, such as the iPhone or Android, or Tablet, such as the iPad) or computer.

Generally, companies pay a monthly recurring fee to continually have access to their programs securely available in the cloud.

Jake mentioned that “in Southwest Florida, cloud computing is catching on, however, many are nervous about the switchover because they feel think they will lose control, however, that’s not necessarily the case”.

Be sure to get our free “7 Ways Cloud Computing Will Change Your Business” eBook that will help you understand what cloud computing is, and how it can help you!

Also, you can read the Gulfshore Business article online, too!

Enjoy,

Martin

Quickly, the icons for their anti-virus software disappeared, and their anti-virus software was inoperable — worse, the virus was spreading throughout their network, doing similar damage to each machine it hit.

All in all, this computer virus outbreak affected most of this particular company’s 16 computer systems, including 2 production servers – resulting in days of downtime.

Unfortunately, we were called after the damage had been done – discovering that one of the first machines to get infected had expired anti-virus software.

But guess what?

After a few days of recovery, reinstallation, and integration back into their office environment — we were able to get them back on their feet, and rolling again!

It’s these kinds of incidents where having a Managed Anti-Virus solution, or even better, Managed IT Services for your business saves days of downtime.

Why?

The beauty of Managed Services are that they stop the problem from happening at all.

In this case, the computers on the network weren’t being kept up to date with the latest anti-virus updates, and the Sality Virus slipped in.  With Managed Services the computers on the network are automatically updated as soon as anti-virus updates are made available – with NO user intervention!

If you’d like to know more – be sure to learn more about our Managed Services, including:

• Managed Anti-Virus Protection,
• Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery,
• Managed Anti-Spam Protection, and
• Managed Voice-Over-IP Services (VOIP).

If you’re having a problem with your computer, network, or technology right now, be sure to visit YourComputerHelpDesk.com, or give us a call at (800) 573-0234.  We’re here for you!

PS – If you ever see the message “Your Anti-Virus software update has expired, would you like to renew?” — be sure to renew!

PPS – Here’s the symptoms of the Sality Virus:

• Disables antivirus software and prevents access to certain antivirus and security websites.
• Prevents booting into Safe Mode and may delete security-related files found on infected systems.
• Spreads via the autorun feature of Windows, generally drops a .cmd, .pif, and .exe to the root of discoverable drives, along with an autorun.inf file which contains instructions to load the dropped files when the drive is accessed.

The Sality Virus has keylogger and back door capabilities meaning that it:

• can monitor the keys you’re typing and send them to hackers on the Internet, and
• allow hackers to access your computer (think GoToMyPC) remotely.

As you can imagine, Sality opens the doors to online identity theft.

…that you know that’s one of the very first steps in creating a solid Disaster Recovery Plan.

Recently, one of our local newspapers, the News-Press, interviewed us about this very topic, and Buddy, our Chief Operating Officer mentioned:

“Having a backup plan and being prepared for a disaster are two very different things.  Disaster recovery plans focus on ways businesses can continue to operate even during a disaster.”

The big question to ask yourself is “What if I walked into my office tomorrow morning and my computer, and server, were gone?”

Would that put you out of business?

If so, and if you’re worried about it — we can help you assure that you not only have an off-site backup of your computer(s), but have a plan in place to get your business back up and operational as soon as possible (sometimes within hours!)

Some of the basics you’ll want to think about are:

• Backing up your file, nightly!
• Preparing a ready-to-go e-mail list for clients & vendors to notify them in case of an emergency.
• Familiarizing yourself with your programs, and assuring you know programs like Quickbooks, have hosted services where you can access them online from the Internet (securely).

To learn more about disaster recovery planning please visit our “Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery” page on our web site, contact us, or give us a call at (800) 573-0234.

Here’s to being prepared, and knowing your business has a plan in case a catastrophe happens.

- Martin

…there is nothing that you can do about it.

Never be put in that position, because when you work with us, you’ll be enControl® of your network!

As you probably know, computers & technology have a nasty habit of giving out when you need them most.

Most of the time, problems can be avoided by proactively monitoring, and updating technology.

Our Managed IT Services & Support is our service that provides that proactive solution, and we call it enControl®.

Who knew that it could be so easy to get out of that “break and fix” relationship that the vast majority have with technology today?

If you are looking for fast results, that get you back up and running faster than you thought was possible, then are looking in the correct place.

Learn more about our Managed IT Services & Support services or if you need help with your computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

…it’s very important to us that you know how important it is to update your computer(s)!

Microsoft has rated this as a Critical Security Update, which means that if you don’t have the update installed, you are at considerable risk!

The update fixes reported vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer that could allow “remote code execution” on your computer.

This means that a virus could be installed on your computer, simply by you navigating to a page on the Internet!

We know the pain and frustration that comes with getting a computer virus and we want to make sure that you don’t have to worry about it!

If you’re looking to assure you’re taken care of the moment new viruses are found, you may want to consider one of our following services:

• Managed Anti-Virus Protection

• Managed IT Services & Support

and our other related services:

• Managed Anti-Spam Protection

• Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery

If you are experiencing any problems updating your computer or you need any help with your computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

…because your computer crashed?

We know the pain and frustration that you can experience and we’re excited to tell you that we can help!

We know what you’re going through — the loss of data can be a huge set back in the business world as well as at home.  History shows us, that the number 1 way to avoid these kinds of issues is Proactive Planning.

When a disaster strikes, and it will sooner or later, what are you going to do?

How are you going to get back, up and operational?

Our Managed Backup & Data Recovery services can help you get back on your feet quickly and easily.

Time is money and we know that a disaster could severely hurt you, or your business.

Rest easy knowing you’re prepared for any disaster!

Interested in our Managed Backup & Data Recovery services or do you need help with your computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

Did you know we offer complete Apple Sales & Service?

We’re an authorized Apple Service center, and…
…that means that we can take care of any problem that you might be experiencing with you Apple computer.

We can even take care of Mac’s without a warranty!

Never again do you have to sit on the phone and wait for someone to walk you through troubleshooting your computer, only to tell you to send it in for a week. (We know this can be frustrating experience!)

Just bring it to one of Entech’s two authorized Apple Service centers located in:

Fort Myers and Sarasota

This means that any problem(s) that might pop up with your Mac can be solved quickly and without you having to go very far!

Interested in our Authorized Apple Sales & Services or do you need help with your computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

Microsoft has released a critical security bulletin regarding a vulnerability in Internet Explorer.

This is a very urgent Windows Security Update. The update fixes a vulnerability that can potentially:

• Allow a hacker to execute malicious code on your server or workstation.
• perform a variety of malicious activities ranging from theft of information all the way to complete system crash.

It is recommended that this patch is downloaded immediately, in order to save yourself from excruciating pain and frustration.

If you need to download the update, follow this simple guide:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click on Control Panel.
3. If you are using the Classic view:
   • Click System.
   • Click the Automatic Updates tab.
4. If you are using the Category view:
   • Click Performance and Maintenance.
   • Click System.
   • Click the Automatic Updates tab.
5. Click the option that you want.
   * to make sure that you get updates automatically in the future, simply make sure Automatic Updates is turned on.

As always, if you need immediate computer help, you can visit Your Computer Help Desk, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234 and we’ll be more than happy to help you.

…you realize something is missing.

All of the computers in your office are GONE – the workstations, and even your server.

What do you do now?

Disasters come in two forms natural and man made.

The end result is typically the same – your network is down expenses increase and your revenue decreases.

For all businesses the solution is the same ~ proactive planning (also known as business disaster planning).

Proactive planning that is specific to your business will reduce your downtime, save your data and your business. Start by identifying your weakness surrounding the following components.

• Data – Is it stored off site, backed up nightly, can the data be recovered quickly?
• Hardware – Are patches and updates installed timely?
• Communications – Is your network accessible in a power outage?
• Other IT structures – Are your Vendors safe?

These questions will help you detect any weakness in your plan, make appropriate corrections, and ensure that your have a proactive prevention plan in place when disasters strike. Your plan should encompass other non-IT related parts of your business too.

Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Key Personnel – Do you need to increase or decrease staff during this crisis?
• Facilities Plan – If your office is uninhabitable? Can your clients find you?
• Crisis Communication – How will you tell your clients that you are still open?
• Reputation Protection – If data is compromised what will you tell your customers?

If you need assistance creating and defining a business disaster plan, feel free to contact us, or give us a call at (800) 573-0234.

We offer FREE Disaster Assessment Planning for your business, and want to assure you’re taken care of.