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.

…15 Tips You Need To Know!

Tips 1 and 2 introduce you to Windows 7, explaining why an upgrade may be a good idea.

Tip 1: Windows 7 – Microsoft’s New Operating System

Tip 2: Windows 7 Differences from Vista

Tips 3 through 9 introduce you to the newest aspects of Windows 7 that were included to help increase your productivity on the computer. These tips will help you learn how to use these new aspects efficiently and easily.

Tip 3: Windows 7: Clearing the Clutter with Aero Shake

Tip 4: Windows 7: Resizing Windows, it’s a Snap!

Tip 5: Windows 7 Taskbar – It’s Better Than Ever

Tip 6: Windows 7: The New Windows Screen Capture

Tip 7: Windows 7: Browse Faster with Jump Lists

Tip 8: Windows 7 Libraries: Organize Your Files

Tip 9: Windows 7: Finding Files Has Never Been Easier

Tips 10 through 15 introduce some of the newest features included in Windows 7 and give you a quick rundown of what you will find in each one. Some features are completely new and others are updated versions of older programs.

Tip 10: Windows 7 Touch Screen – You “CAN” Touch This!

Tip 11: Windows 7 Features New Paint, Calculator and Wordpad

Tip 12: Windows 7 Sticky Notes: Don’t Forget Anything Ever Again!

Tip 13: Windows 7 Features: The All-In-One-Package

Tip 14: Windows 7 HomeGroup: Share Music, Pictures and Documents

Tip 15: Windows 7: Windows XP Mode

Bonus Tip: Windows 7: Where is My Email and Address Book?

These tips will help you become more comfortable and efficient while you are working with Windows 7.

If you’d like, you can even download all these tips in our “Windows 7 – 15 Tips You Need To Know” eBook and review it all at your convenience.

If you are experiencing any problems with Windows 7 or you need any help with your computer – feel free to visit www.YourComputerHelpDesk.com, contact us, or call us at (800) 573-0234.

…how to use it properly?

If so, one of the best books we recommend for you to read is the “Absolute Beginners Guide to Computer Basics“, it’s one of the best resources if you need computer help.

The book will help you:

That’s a common question we ask when helping people with Business Disaster Planning, and one of the reasons we recommend having an Business Disaster Plan!

As part of our goal to help you have a positive experience with technology, I’m recommending some of the best books on helping you, and your business, succeed. Here’s one relating to protecting your business! If you have any suggestions, please let me know, okay?

Is your home and business safe from thieves or glitches?

Here’s a great way to find out!

Home and Small Business Guide to Protecting Your Computer Network, Electronic Assets, and Privacy is 1 of the top books that explains how to make sure your home, business, and data are safe.

Learn how to protect yourself from hackers, identity theft, financial fraud, and lost or stolen data with this amazing book.

Author and technical security expert Phillip Alexander explains in simple terms how to make sure what do you on your computer and all your saved data is safe. Home and Small Business Guide to Protecting Your Computer Network, Electronic Assets, and Privacy is a must read for any business owner and any person who values the information stored on their computer.

Home and Small Business Guide to Protecting Your Computer Network, Electronic Assets, and Privacy is available on Amazon

As part of our goal to help you have a positive experience with technology, I’m recommending some of the best books on helping you, and your business, succeed. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, okay?

Simplify your Business and Prosper

Here’s a great book that helps you understand exactly how to Simplify your Business and Prosper!

Whether you are a business advisor, consultant, or a growing entrepreneur, Simplify your Business and Prosper will give you information you can use now, and down the road!

Author Steve Costa uses his 5-step approach to success to give ideas and solutions for any and all possible business problems that you may come across. This book offers you expert advise to achieve all of your business goals.

Simplify your Business and Prosper is available on Amazon.

E-myth Revisited

…(that’s helped us so many positive ways) came from the book “E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber.

Michael talks about building your business like a franchise, or in simpler terms, systemizing your business for the absolute best results…

The foundation of our new Managed IT Services solution is based on this concept!

Even if you’re not thinking about turning your business into a franchise, the concepts presented really help you understand the importance of systems, and making your business scalable.

Here’s a little more about the book:

Don’t believe the myths about starting a small business!

The E-Myth by Michael Gerber has been said to be the ‘guiding light of all businesses that succeed’ and there is no doubt in our minds that you need to read this book! If you are part of a small business and are experiencing growing pains, whether to franchise or not, or even wanting to start your own business, The E-Myth Revisited is for you!

The E-Myth Revisited is available on Amazon.

Be sure to read it, I highly recommend it! I’d love to hear what you think as well!

- Martin

Winning Behavior: What the Smartest, Most Successful Companies Do Differently

In this book, you’ll learn…

…how to out perform your competitors by customizing your business marketing plan. Winning Behavior: What the Smartest, Most Successful Companies Do Differently was written by 2 marketing experts that discuss ‘behavioral differentiation’.

That term isn’t as confusing and as complicated as it may seem, it is actually a way to read new customers and recognize their wants and needs before your competitors can.

This book teaches you the ‘gold standard’ of business and a simple way to blow your competition out of the water!

Winning Behavior: What the Smartest, Most Successful Companies Do Differently is available on Amazon.

Today, there are two wireless network security encryptions that are available.

Each of the following encryptions will create a secure wireless network and will protect both your computer and your connection from being invaded.

WPA - The WPA encryption (Wi-Fi Protected Access, WPA, or WPA2) is stronger and more secure than WEP and it is also easier to use.

WEP - The WEP encryption (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is part of the first generation of wireless networking equipment and is definitely weaker than the WPA encryption, but will still be sufficient for home use.

Be sure to assure you have enabled at least WEP encryption, however, WPA is best.

Have a good day!

Buddy

PS – If you’re a reader, be sure to check out the “Guide to Wireless Network Security” to learn even more!