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

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.

…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.

It’s entirely possible that it does, and you might not even know it!

With our Managed Anti-Virus Protection, you don’t have to worry about viruses anymore.

Every computer user on the planet, that is connected to the Internet, has gotten at least 1 computer virus.

In fact, “computer viruses cost businesses more than $55 billion annually with over 30% of this activity taking place in the United States.”

This is a very scary statistic for the typical business owner.

Luckily, there is a solution that can take the worry out of virus protection…

It’s our Managed Anti-Virus Solution which offers the following services:

• Automatic and up-to-date definitions, patches and updates that are applied to all PC’s on your network.
• Automatic alerts of any virus activity on your network, and
• No annual subscription/licensing fees!

Computer Security is a major component of any business, be sure you’re prepared.

Interested in our Managed Anti-Virus Protection 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.

…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.

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