IT Support Blog

Microsoft Internet Explorer is Under Attack!

Posted by Peter Heinicke on Tue, Apr 29, 2014 @ 01:52 PM

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Microsoft Corp. reported to the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (a division of the Department of Homeland Security) that Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 6-11 had come under attack! Malicious hackers were exploiting a use-after-free vulnerability that could allow unauthorized remote code execution. This could lead to the complete compromise of an affected computer system.

Read More

Tags: Blogging, Blog, IT Support, Anti Virus, Microsoft, Internet Explorer

Hope for Those with Learning Disabilities

Posted by Peter Heinicke on Tue, Nov 26, 2013 @ 12:28 PM

Read More

Tags: IT services, Shareware, Blogging, Blog, Article Publishing, IT Support, Tablet Computer, Customer Engagement, Web Content, targetted Marketing

CIPA: Protecting Schoolkids from Net Danger

Posted by Peter Heinicke on Thu, Sep 19, 2013 @ 03:52 PM

     Imagine a school or library that has access to the web. What would that school need to do to protect kids from internet porn, gambling, etc. ? The federal government has already considered this and passed a law called "The Child Internet Protection Act" (CIPA) and the "Neighborhood Internet Protection Act" were passed by Congress on April 20, 2001 to address issues concerning questionable websites, such as porn or gambling or hacking, that children can get free access too. It is sad, but true that these questionable websites sometimes target children. These laws basically impose certain certifications and requirements on schools and libraries who receive funds from the E-rate Federal internet access and connection discount pricing package. Even if a school does not receive federal funds, it is highly advisable to restrict certain types of internet access. You can still be sued if you do not protect the kids from questionable material.  

     How does one become CIPA compliant? If you just block a list of websites, it won't work because the bad guys are always jumping from url to url and it would be an impossible chore for one person to scan the net for all sites of a banned category. So, you go out and buy a filtering and/or blocking device that plugs into the system between where your internet service enters the building and the first router in line after that. These usually (but not always) come with a subscription to monitor the incoming material and check it against a constantly updated list of banned websites. WebSense will sell you a server, for several thousand dollars or more, complete with custom CIPA compliant programming for your particular school or library, which includes the subscription. Sounds ok, right? Surprise, you are still not CIPA compliant! Yes, you have stopped all of the incoming questionable material and have severely restricted the kids’ access to Facebook and other social media while at school. At the same time you have restricted You Tube, but can still use it for selected very good and educational videos on You Tube. But YOU ARE STILL NOT CIPA COMPLIANT!

Read More

Tags: Blogging, Blog, Web Content, Symantec, Security Software, Website Traffic

Five Blocks of Best Practice IT Support

Posted by PC Methods on Fri, Sep 06, 2013 @ 05:30 PM

PC Methods offers a five block support offering for our IT clients. Not all clients choose to take advantage of all five  blocks, but they are there if you want the best possible combination of value and service. The blocks are: Project Work, Centralized Services, Network Administration, Virtual CIO,  and Support. These are the product offerings that clients should look for when selecting the best possible IT business partner. 

Read More

Tags: IT services, Disaster Recovery, Backup, Backup to the cloud, Cloud Computing, Blogging, Blog, Anti Virus, Virus Removal, computer repair, Symantec, Malware, Security Software, Small Business, Sage 300 ERP