MCS Computer Service

9 reasons not to upgrade to Windows 10 -- yet http://www.computerworld.com//9-reasons-not-to-upgrade-to-

Coming soon to Firefox: More ads! http://www.computerworld.com//coming-soon-to-firefox-more-

OK, so it has been a while since a post, or a security breach....but one occurred recently. I'm a little behind on getting the news out, since it happened on Sept 8th. Home Depot had a security breach on their data network, effecting up to 56 million people. Read more here: https://corporate.homedepot.com/MediaCen//Statement1.aspx|THD|Test&mid=syNdpcEtb|dc_mtid_8903qmu25195_pcrid_46105304283_pkw_home%20depot%20hack_pmt_e&gclid=CM-_mObj8sACFQhbfgodg2EADw

Ok, many of you have been asking for a fix for the Internet Security issue. Microsoft has released a update to all of it's versions of Internet Explorer. This update is for XP users as well, even though Microsoft claimed to no longer support them. Click start button, go to "All programs" and select the "Windows Update." Make it check for new updates and install the ones marked "Important" It will also say update for XIE (X is your version) Let me know if there is further help needed.

Impact of the Heartbleed bug It's been a while since there was a computer security bug that we all had to worry about. Unfortunately, it seems like we may all have been facing one for two years and not even realized it. Earlier this week, security researchers announced a security flaw in OpenSSL, a popular data encryption standard, that gives hackers who know about it the ability to extract massive amount of data from the services that we use every day and assume are mostly s...ecure. This isn't simply a bug in some app that can quickly be updated - the vulnerability is in on the machines that power services that transmit secure information, like Facebook and Gmail. What's next: The Heartbleed bug makes it practically impossible to detect history of abuse, but to be on the safer side, we strongly recommend that you change your Customer Account passwords, for any accounts (email, bank, other.) Remember we are here to help find us at www.mccomputerservice.com/contact

Office 2013 VS Office 365 (Cloud) which ones better? Honestly it's up to the user. In most cases owning your own software is the way to go, but there are advantages to using the cloud version too. Both carry a cost factor, Office 2013 products are yours till support ends, but you need to buy a licensed copy for each device, (pricey). Or there is the 365 version, with more features than the most expensive 2013 suite. But, 5 devices (and 5 tablets) @ $99 a year, until you sto...p the subscription, again pricey. As overwhelming as it could be, if there is only one device in the house and you can not justify spending $99 a year for the cloud version, Office 365, than your better off getting the Office 2013. If you have questions contact us www.mcscomputerservice.com/contact See the differences here from Microsoft: http://office.microsoft.com//compare-microsoft-office-prod

Support for Microsoft Office 2003 is also no longer available.

Some of you still have Windows XP, unfortunately, Microsoft officially stopped the support for Windows XP, on April the 8th. Meaning no updates, no security patches and no support from Microsoft. For those whom have XP operating system still in use, you might want to think about upgrading to Windows 7 compatible computer. Its the last of the "friendly" versions, compared to Windows 8, or 8.1, but it requires more processing power than the machine you might be running now. Thi...ngs to think about: 1. This ones important, Make sure you OLD programs work with Windows 7 or greater. 2. Is your current desktop, laptop able to support Windows 7, 8, 8.1 minimum requirements? 3. Weight the cost factor, newer device compared to upgrading your current one. 4 If your hard drive is older than 3-5 years of age, consider a newer machine vs a replacement of just the hard drive and the Windows 7 (or newer) software. 5. Find a reliable tech to answer your questions regarding your upgrade from Xp to a newer Operating System (Or ask several) 6. Contact us if you want to get answers as well. www.mcscomputerservice.com/contact

I found this interesting tid-bit of info regarding End Of Life (EOL) support for the different Windows Operating Systems. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

Just an FYI, Users with Windows XP Service Pack 3, Microsoft will discontinue support on April 8th of this year. The days are counting down (literally, see their website below). If you want to upgrade to WIndows 7, before Microsoft yanks that away too, contact us! www.mcscomputerservice.com http://www.microsoft.com//w/enterprise/end-of-support.aspx

Need a helping hand? ... So Windows has nifty things called Gadgets. Right click anywhere on the open desktop (away from icons) and on the sub menu select "Gadgets" with the left click. Now you have the option to add a clock, CPU meter, my fav the Calendar or other assortment of items to choose from. Double click on one to have it sent to your desktop. Hoovering on the right hand side of the gadget brigs up a "X" a a square with dots or a wrench. This allows you to close the gadget (for good) the Square with dots is to move it to another area on the desktop and the wrench allows you to configure it. Like the clock and the weather ones- you want the right time and location for weather, this allows you to configure it correctly. You don't want time in Asia, or the weather in New York...right? But all these gadgets are new ways to get info or what ever you need. You can also add gadgets like Pandora (another fav!) See this link....http://www.pandora.com/on-windowsgadget

Java blocked my application or site from loading because of security settings.....now what? Here is a fix to remedy the issue: (This link takes you to the Java website for resolving the issue) http://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_blocked.xml

How secure is the CoveredCA website and Obama Care overall? So many of you might have noticed that I like security news stories that more than likely are not to popular to you, but mean serious business to me. Here is one that holds some serious interest to be looked at. If you have signed up on the covered ca website. you need to know there is a security risk you are taking with your identity. This link directs to the Forbes website to explain more. It scares me to believe ...that the people that create this website and knew it was going to be a target, are asking people to be quiet on it's security flaws. What else are they covering up? http://www.forbes.com//so-you-found-an-obamacare-website-/