Once upon a time, large corporations began moving away from mainframe-based systems and started using servers and PCs instead. As technology improved and became more affordable, small and mid-sized businesses invested in servers. Today, even the smallest business has one computer that’s considered ‘mission critical,’ and would negatively impact the business if it failed.

One of the complications of computing software is its reliance on the specific computer hardware on which it is installed. For example, in the past, software files could not be copied from one computer to another with the expectation that they would automatically work. However, this changed with the introduction of “virtualization” in 1999.

Virtualization lets a computer operating system and software run independently of the hardware it uses. The actual physical computer is called the Host, and the computer instances that run on top of it are called Guests. With virtualization, we can now move entire computing systems from one physical box to another with ease. If the hardware is powerful enough, more than one computer can be run on the same physical box.

Apart from being a pretty cool technical trick, virtualization delivers real business benefits, such as:

Less downtime/Faster recovery time:

In the event of a hardware failure, you can copy your virtual computer across to another physical box, start it up and away you go again. This can keep your business running while your original hardware is getting replaced or repaired. The only caveat is that a spare physical computer to copy is necessary, but that box can also perform another function (like serve as the bookkeeper’s PC) if it is powerful enough.

Software testing with no business impact:

If your business software is being upgraded, take a copy of your virtual computer and run the upgrade on this test copy first. It will include all of your live business information, but enables the upgrade to happen during business hours with no impact to your staff and can prove that everything will go smoothly. When the test is successful, you will have more confidence about upgrading your real system.

Do more with less:

If you run multiple pieces of software in your business, a second server may be necessary. Virtualization lets you run two servers on one powerful Host, which will allow you to save physical space and electricity consumption.

Under the covers of many cloud computing services, you will find virtualization. This helps Cloud providers isolate information and software programs from one client to another, using the same common piece of hardware. They can even spread the demand load from their clients across more than one Host during peak times, using hardware virtualization.

Give us a call at Computer Troubleshooters to discuss whether virtualization could benefit your business, or for any of your technology needs. 203-702-2103

Small Business Technology News – Highlights from around the globe

At Computer Troubleshooters, we’ve once again braved the information-overload of the internet to find current trends, important alerts or general hints and tips from other sources. Here’s the best technology information of the month, relevant to small businesses.

Enjoy the articles in bite-sized pieces and click on the Read More links to see the full stories.

Note: Although we take reasonable care in selecting the websites to be linked, these external sites are not under the control of Computer Troubleshooters. As such, we do not endorse, approve, represent, or certify those external sites, nor do we guarantee the accuracy, completeness or quality of the information contained on them.

Mac Hack Attack!

Mac Botnet Has Infected Over Half a Million Computers

Many people bought Macintosh computers partly in thanks to the low-risk of getting viruses and other junk more commonly associated with Windows machines. Unfortunately, however, a malicious botnet has emerged and is affecting Macs everywhere.

Keeping your Mac fully updated is the best way to avoid nasty viruses. Apple has published additional software updates to assist users. For more information on the botnet, keep reading.

Read More

Small Businesses and Top-Level Domains

Should small business have access to new domains?

There is a movement brewing to allow more control over top-level domains; .com and .org could soon be replaced by .food or .travel, depending on the specific business, the industry, and the way they want their URL to appear.

This possible changed has sparked many conversations in the industry. One side of the argument says this has the possibility to grow and better represent small businesses. The other side, though, argues that it would be costly for companies and confusing for customers.

Read More

Your Business Data on WikiLeaks – A Real Concern

Diposing of your old computers and parts properly can save you a major headache.

Most businesses, large and small, already have procedures to protect their data in case of a crash. However, does your company have procedures for disposing old PC’s and hard drives which still may contain valuable information about your business or clients?

As you may be aware, there have been serious issues with breaches of confidentiality and leaked information from governments, banks, and corporations. In this day and age of instant ability to upload data electronically, completely wiping your machines of data can be as important as data-loss protection.

Read More

Pinterest for Small Businesses

Check out how the newest Social Media can grow your Small Business

The latest internet craze, Pinterest, allows users to “pin” pictures of interesting things they find around the internet to their board, which is shared with their family and friends.

As interest in Pinterest continues to boom, it provides a new, cost effective medium for businesses to connect with new and existing customers, create fans, and potentially increase their sales.

Read More

With today’s smart devices, we take internet connectivity for granted. Now that we’ve untethered ourselves from large, immobile computers, we’re used to accessing websites, social media and emails no matter where we are. So how is “mobile computing” impacted if we travel? Can we expect the same connectivity overseas that we have at home? This varies from country to country and may be expensive if you want to use your own mobile phone. Here’s what to keep in mind when accessing the internet abroad:

Before you go

– Set your “out of office” email message before you leave, to notify senders that there may be a delay in your reply. Change your phone’s voicemail greeting as well and leave the details of an alternative contact person. You may even be able to set your voicemail so callers cannot leave a message, if interested. Check with your phone provider in case you need to enable “international roaming” so your phone will work overseas and ask them if they have any arrangements with providers in other countries for preferential rates. Also remember that the governments of countries like Mainland China, Syria, Iran, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates block access to some internet sites, so additional research prior to travel will be helpful.

When you arrive

– Your phone may automatically connect to an available network upon your arrival in a new country. It may be worthwhile to manually choose the provider you prefer to use, as the automatically chosen one will likely not be the most cost effective. It is suggested that you check whether your phone automatically changed to local time, which can alter your calendar entries. You should also confirm the call and data costs of the network you are now using. If the data charges are high, you might want to turn off “mobile data” on your phone and instead rely on WiFi access when it’s available. This should help guard you from large unexpected bills when you return home. Remember that incoming calls and SMS/MMS messages will be charged to your account at international rates and therefore it may be cheaper to buy a local SIM card for calls and other messages. The local tourist information center will be a helpful resource and will offer SIM cards in most countries.

Be wary of free internet

– Watch out for free internet access offers and instead opt to use known, trusted organizations. Internet connections can be monitored to capture login names, passwords and credit card details, particularly if you use their computers instead of your own device. Be careful about websites you visit on shared connections, especially when accessing your personal information and always take caution to sign out.

Give us a call at 203-702-2103 for more advice on internet access overseas and how to get friendly, local support from our network of franchisees in over 25 countries!

Small Business Technology News – Highlights from around the globe

At Computer Troubleshooters, we’ve once again braved the information-overload of the internet to find current trends, important alerts or general hints and tips from other sources. Here’s the best technology information of the month, relevant to small businesses.

Enjoy the articles in bite-sized pieces and click on the Read More links to see the full stories.

Note: Although we take reasonable care in selecting the websites to be linked, these external sites are not under the control of Computer Troubleshooters. As such, we do not endorse, approve, represent, or certify those external sites, nor do we guarantee the accuracy, completeness or quality of the information contained on them.

Here’s Who Should Buy the New iPad

Advice for your First or Upgraded iPad

Apple’s new iPad is beautiful, but it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Whether it’s your first iPad or just another upgrade, everyone can use a little buying advice before breaking out the credit card.

Here’s some explanation on what you can expect from the new iPad. Is this tablet worth getting for your business or personal life?

Read More

10 Key Features in Windows 8

Tablets, Touch, and More!

Released just last week in Developers Preview mode, Windows 8 already contains more than 300 new features. At its Build developers conference, Microsoft pointed to plans to keep adding more new capabilities until Windows 8 evolves into a shipping product. Which of the existing features are most important to get to know about right now?

While no list like this can even approach ‘all inclusiveness’, our list of ten key features in Windows 8 ranges across new jargon such as “charms” and “snap muti-tasking,” to first-time operatibility on ARM-based tablets, to major improvements around support for USB 3.0, touch keyboards, file copying, and more.

Read More

Kony 2012: How to Make a Video Go Viral

Almost overnight, millions of people watched and shared this 30-minute video. Here are five things it got right.

If you haven’t already seen “Kony 2012,” you should-not only because of its message but also because it’s probably going to be one of the most successful viral videos of the year.

The video sheds light on how Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army in central Africa has, for decades, been kidnapping thousands of children-reportedly 66,000 of them-and forcing them to do atrocious things like kill, rape, and maim fellow citizens.

The fact that the video has been viewed more than 69 million times (last time I checked) in the last week is impressive. For one thing, it’s 30 minutes long and YouTube viewers aren’t exactly known for their long attention span.

Read More

7 Classic Tech Blunders to Avoid,

Any of these mistakes could cost you time, money, and the security of your business.

You’d like to think of yourself as tech-savvy: You upgraded to the latest Web browser, started using CRM software in your business, and even added a new mail server running Microsoft Exchange. What could go wrong?

Plenty. In fact, you might be making a classic tech blunder at this very moment…

Read More

For help integrating your tablet computers into your network, your applications, and your life, contact Computer Troubleshooters today.

The IT industry may shout that Cloud Computing is the way of the future and that all businesses should move their IT to the Cloud. The reality is that any IT solution should be investigated and planned, whether it’s within your office or accessed via the Internet. So, what factors will you need to consider? The following guidelines address some of the pains that can be experienced with a hurried, unstructured move to Cloud computing.

Identify what you want in the Cloud

– Cloud computing doesn’t need to be an ‘all or nothing’ project. Start with a picture of your current IT setup and the functionality that it gives your business. If you’re only just starting up, this will be different than if your business is already established with historical information. Is there something new you want to explore, like email marketing or a prospect database? This could be perfect for the Cloud. But if you are looking to only move pieces of your existing IT capability, consider any flow-on effects to other systems. Make sure that a move to the Cloud won’t hinder any future integration opportunities.

Confirm your ongoing costs & savings

– Cloud providers will point out the cost savings from using a centrally owned and managed system. Certainly this may give your business access to IT at a fraction of the cost of owning it yourself. However, can your business handle a cost on an ongoing basis instead of a one-off purchase when you do have the cash to invest? If there is still a large amount of technology needed in your business, Cloud computing may not significantly decrease your support costs. Do your homework and know the costs you will be committing to and where the savings will be coming from.

Confirm the flexibility

– Cloud solutions can be cut-down versions of the full software, so if you are getting ‘email’ (for example), make sure you know what functionality is included and what isn’t. How flexible is the hosted system if you want to make changes, like increasing attachment size limits? Are you locked in to what you can change and what you can’t … and are you OK with that?

Prove the Backup & Disaster Recovery plans

– Debate rages on whether businesses with their information in the Cloud also need their own local backup. Thoroughly reviewing your provider’s agreement is only the first step. Ask about their last Disaster Recovery test. Include offsite backup testing reports in your contract. Plan how your business will survive if your Cloud provider fails and ensure your plan is implemented and tested on a regular basis.

Review your Infrastructure

– Your Cloud solutions still have to be accessed via your local computers with your internet connection. If your PC is slow, or if you are significantly increasing your internet usage, then your Cloud application may be slow or unreliable. Consider your local IT components and plan for any necessary upgrades. Also consider additional redundancy, like a backup internet connection or spare internet modem, as any failure in your connectivity will have a larger impact.

Ultimately, Cloud computing must deliver increased business benefits or reduce IT costs overall without reducing functionality, unless your business is prepared to make sacrifices to improve your bottom line. Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooters to cut through the hype and make your Cloud adoption a success.

Recently, Google has been very busy implementing various changes to its privacy policy and to its search engine. Let’s look at these changes and how they may impact you.

You may have noticed the banner “We’re changing our privacy policy. This stuff matters.” on some of the Google sites you’ve been visiting. Now that Google is much more than just a search engine, it is consolidating more than 60 individual privacy policies across its products into a single one that promises to be “a lot shorter and easier to read”. Some products (like Wallet and Chrome) will retain their own policy for regulatory purposes and/or to help spell out that product in greater detail. Google believes this will allow them to consolidate your usage across their products, to bring you better integration and more relevant content.

Imagine a scenario where Google notifies you that you may be late for your meeting, because it combines your location, your calendar entry and the local traffic conditions. Sounds helpful, doesn’t it? And if your status on Google+ is often about horse riding, you may start seeing more horse riding videos in the Featured section of YouTube. The other side to this coin is that Google will have a much more detailed picture of you, enabling it to target you with specific advertising, which is a much more valuable commodity to pitch to advertisers. While Google still won’t sell your personal information, access to a tightly defined market will see advertisers running to Google to promote their products, as a targeted audience is much more cost-effective for them than a mass marketing approach.

To see your presence across the Google products and to access your personal settings, you can log into the Google Dashboard (https://www.google.com/dashboard/?hl=en&pli=1). To learn more about this topic, view Google’s official policy page here: http://www.google.com.au/intl/en/policies. The change goes into effect on March 1, and if you don’t agree with the change, your only option is to stop using Google’s products (with an account).

The other major changes impact website owners. Google will now lower your search result ranking if your site is packed with advertising ‘above the fold’ (in the top space before a reader needs to scroll down). It will also focus on how relevant your content is to your keywords – do you deliver a helpful website and a great user experience, or are you delivering some slick, copied sales pitch to promote an e-book on a different topic? More than ever, your website needs to focus on being relevant and recently updated. Webmasters also need to be aware the Google search results can now include content from other Google products, so items like your company’s Google+ page updates may also appear. This is good news for businesses who have embraced social media as it will add to their search results presence.

Talk to us, your local Computer Troubleshooter, about your Google presence or any of your technology needs.

Each January, the I.T. industry reveals predictions for the upcoming year, so we’ve scoured the news sources and added our own insights. But first, let’s see how 2011’s predictions manifested.

‘3D without the glasses’ was a great engineering feat but hasn’t hit mainstream manufacturing for your living room just yet. Monetizing social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter etc.) has also not been widely adopted, with many businesses still scratching their heads over how to accomplish this. Facebook advertising, social media competitions and promotional codes all seem to be small steps towards this. Location-based services gained more momentum (especially with the rise of FourSquare) and with Apple re-securing a patent relating to locations, expect to hear more about these services in the future. Tablets did indeed move into the world of business, forcing I.T departments to adopt strategies for securing and supporting these devices. And last but not least, the adoption of cloud computing could not be more varied, with some companies transitioning to it completely while others are still wary of security & availability.

So what’s in store during 2012? Here are the top picks for the year ahead:

Smartphones are normal

– We now have a generation of ‘smartphone literate’ kids who would never turn on a computer if they could find what they need from their mobile phone. Though we first mentioned this in 2010, if you still don’t have a mobile version of your website, give that some serious thought in 2012. With the internet in their pocket, people will research, locate and share like never before.

E-commerce here to stay

– Sadly, 2011 saw the demise of some well-known American retailers, with the effect spreading to other locations too. Online stores will have to shout out their point of difference or play the pricing game to compete with one another, as shoppers easily compare items between stores. Are traditional retailers going to continue to struggle to keep up or will they adopt new strategies to exploit their ‘buy now, use it now’ capability? eBooks will continue to push through this paradigm in reverse though, as electronic delivery to your device is faster & cheaper than purchasing in store.

Mobile payments

– MasterCard and VISA both rolled out ‘contactless’ payment systems last year, opening the doors for this capability on your mobile phone. Google is firmly pursuing this with the Google Wallet smartphone application, creating another advertising revenue stream for itself. Maybe in late 2012 you’ll leave your real wallet at home?

Social Media is normal

– The sparkle may wear off social media but it will remain a powerful, uniting communication medium. Businesses will be forced to accept it as part of their marketing strategy or be left behind by competitors that have embraced it.

The Latest Windows Operating System

And though it can’t really be classed as a prediction, Microsoft will launch its Windows 8 operating system in 2012, replacing the Start Menu with touchable, updating panel icons.

Whatever the I.T. industry delivers in 2012, contact us, your local Computer Troubleshooter, to discuss how it can benefit your business or for any of your computing needs.

Gone are the days when all of your interaction with the internet was done at a computer. Our mobile phones no longer hold just names and telephone numbers as we now use them to access websites, social media and software applications. Tablet computers have also enabled us to use the internet while we’re on the move or from the comfort of our living room. So, if you have anti-virus software or security software to protect your computer, do you need it on your phone or tablet too?

The answer is a resounding YES. The creation of malicious software (malware) for Android in particular (the operating system found on many smartphones and tablets) has jumped significantly in recent months. This is mainly due to the creators switching their focus to Android, which now has a significant presence in the market. They also know that most Android-based devices are not running any security software. However, don’t think that your iPhone or iPad is immune either.

So what exactly is at stake here? Well, malware can allow hackers to gain access to any personal information on your phone or tablet, which can then be on-sold to identity thieves and also used to spam other device users. This can include your messages, your contact list, your photos, your location and any information you’ve created using an installed application (e.g. notes or documents). Phone malware can also be used to secretly send premium rate text messages or make calls to premium numbers from your account. As this activity does not show in your Sent folder or Call History, you won’t even know it’s happening until you get your account statement or run out of credit.

Most commonly, malware lurks in software applications (apps) that seem innocent but may actually be pirated versions of genuine apps, ‘free levels’ of popular games or even fake security tools. There is also a growing concern about malware hidden behind ‘URL shorteners’ (like bit.ly, t.co and cl.ly). These tools are used to display a short version of a long internet address and hide the target location of the internet site where you will actually end up.
Malware usually relies on your acceptance before it can install, so you can protect yourself with some good habits:

• Avoid installing apps that you’re not familiar with including software that wants to download and install automatically from websites.
• Be wary of free apps and those with prices that seem too good to be true, compared to their usual price.
• Confirm whether friends or family really did send you a message before clicking on any links.
• Be wary of online contests or promotions to win free gadgets, other products or services.
• Install a reputable anti-malware app. Learn how to use it and keep it updated and what the alerts looks like.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about the best anti-malware solution for your phones and tablets, or for any of your technology needs.

It’s widely accepted that now most business cannot operate without an internet connection. Even industries such as manufacturing or trades have an element of their business operation that benefits from internet access. Some ‘internet-enabled’ business functions are now commonplace, such as communication via email and access to internet banking services. Unfortunately, the internet presence of many small business stops at a basic website. This month we look at a few others way that your business could take advantage of the internet.

Savvy consumers turn to the internet to check out the pedigree of a business, so it’s important to stand out from your competitors. An ‘online chat’ on your site would enable your prospective clients to ask a question & receive an immediate answer, provided by someone in a sales or administration role. Video content on your site (or linked to from YouTube) is great for engaging people instead of pages of text. Also, regular email marketing campaigns and newsletters are an easy way to keep in touch with prospects that aren’t quite ready to buy from you just yet. If a change to any of your website’s content means a call to your I.T. provider, look at a ‘content management’ based platform that allows you to make changes to text and post news updates without any coding knowledge.

Once reserved only for large corporations with big budgets, there are now a number of affordable solutions which allow secure remote access for your staff into your business network, to either access their files or even control their entire office computer and applications. This can give your staff a greater degree of flexibility with their work hours, leading to greater productivity. You could even consider ‘cloud storage’ or hosting of your business information to make your office ‘virtual’ and accessible from wherever you have an internet connection. Keep in touch with your remote workers with video conferencing software and an inexpensive internet camera and microphone. This virtual team concept can be extended to include your clients and suppliers too, removing geographical boundaries. If sharing files like documents or photographs with your contacts could improve your business, ignore the attachment size limits imposed on most email systems and look at an alternative solution for easy, secure file sharing.

Seek out suppliers and educational institutions that use the internet for online presentations (or webinars). These can be watched from the comfort of your own computer and may include a chat option if they are live. Some webinars are recorded, allowing you to inform or upskill yourself at your own pace, at convenient times. Could your clients benefit from a webinar group training presentation on your products or services too?

The internet can also supplement traditional I.T practices. It enables fast, remote support from your Computer Troubleshooter who can connect to see your error message first-hand, without having to drive to your location. It also allows for secure backups of your critical information to another location ‘offsite’, without having to transport hard disks or tapes. And if you haven’t looked at the cost savings of ‘Voice over IP’ yet, it’s worth considering instead of your traditional telephone service.

If this sounds a little daunting and you don’t know where to start, talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter for helping squeezing as much benefit as you can from the internet, or for any of your technology needs.

If you receive an email message that sounds credible, do you check it out before you action it or forward it to your friends? Not everything you read is true, so let’s look at some common hoaxes and scams.

‘Send us your money’ scams, purely designed to get money from you:

Domain name scams

– Watch for a renewal invoice asking you to pay for the continued registration of your internet ‘domain name’ (e.g. mybusinessname.com), except it’s not from the company that your domain name is registered with. Also, watch for a warning that someone else wants to register a domain name that resembles yours, and advises you to register these names yourself first.

Business advertising invoices

– These invoices are sent to small businesses for advertising that was never purchased and, in some cases, doesn’t even exist.

Free iPhone or iPad

– These state that you can get a free iPhone or iPad by completing a survey and giving out your cell phone number or by completing a number of ‘offers’. Read the fine print, as you may be signing up to a premium monthly service that will appear on your mobile bill. The offers are ‘affiliate links’ which earn the site owner a commission every time you complete one.

Surprise lottery win or inheritance

– You’ve won a lottery you never entered, usually in a foreign country, or a long-lost relative has died and left you a lot of money. Either way, you need to send them money as a processing fee to release the funds.

Stranger needing money

– The sender may try to build up a rapport with your first, before telling you a sad story about why they need money.
‘Forward this message’ scams are designed to generate large volumes of messages, which may actually crash some email systems. They rely on your good nature to warn your friends, or a special offer for tracking your email forwarding, which is not technically possible.

Free giveaways or cash donations

– These scams promise that you will receive things for free if 1,000 people receive a copy of the email. The giveaways included cash, theme park tickets, computers, cars, phones and gift certificates for brand name clothing. A variation on this promises a ’10 cent donation’ to a sick child for every email sent.

Misinformation

– Many warnings that circulate via email and social media are untrue. These include cell phone numbers being made available to telemarketers, alerts about fake computer viruses and warnings about changes to sites like Facebook.

Protect your own credibility and research any information before passing it on to your friends. Call your local Computer Troubleshooter if you’re unsure about anything that you have received or for any of your technology needs.