Medical Office Systems Tech Blog

Microsoft Fix-It Center

2012-02-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Windows Users, Rejoice! Microsoft has a new service available that can repair problems for you at no charge.

Named the Microsoft Fix It Center, it is still in beta test, but having used it several times I can attest that it does indeed work. The range of fixes goes from the trivial (repair a shortcut) to major (un-do registry errors). Most of the Fix-It center has been around for a long time under the heading of Knowledge Base articles. What is new is that Microsoft has consolidated all the fixes under one website, as a single installation. No more hunting for KB articles!

I highly recommend the Fix-It center, it is a great way to save time on those annoying problems that occasionally crop up.

The Fix It Suite website is here:
http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal

If you don't want to install the full suite of fixes and just want to solve one issue, the Fix-It individual items site is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

Stress and Strains of Using Tablets

2012-01-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

Like bad ergonomics associated with desktop computers, a whole new class of physical problems occurs when users slouch, over-use, or don't take breaks while using their tablets... Frequent tablet users are finding that repetitive stress injuries can result from using a tablet too intensively, with bad posture, or for too long.

http://www.infoworld.com/t/laptops/the-hidden-danger-touchscreens-181774

Phishing - Take the Quiz

2011-12-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

Phishing is a form of internet fraud you may encounter via email or a faked / spoofed web site.
The purpose is to trick the unsuspecting user into divulging personal, confidential, or financial data to identity thieves. Being able to spot the real from the fake is critical to keeping your identity uniquely yours.

If you receive a phishing email or hit a spoofed website, could you spot it?
Open DNS, a web security company has posted a quiz entitled "Can you spot the Phish?".

http://www.opendns.com/phishing-quiz/

Steve Jobs Was Right... Flash Player Is Crap

2011-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

When the iPad first appeared, and well into it's existence, Apple did not provide Adobe Flash web support. Apple (and Steve Jobs) took a lot of heat for this decision from nearly every quarter (including this writer). Who would ban the use of a technology that about 70% of websites depend on for enhanced animation, display and video?

A smart cookie who is concerned about security, that's who. In recent weeks, Adobe's security flaws in Flash Player have been exposed multiple times. In the process of removing three viruses from computers, I found the evidence trail led right back to Adobe Flash Player.

Here's an article on the topic:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222546/Two_zero_day_vulnerabilities_found_in_Flash_Player

Android Security flaws

2011-12-06T17:13:00.001-08:00

From Art Holecek, longtime reader and Apple/Mac Expert, Android apparently has a serious flaw in it's security model:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/12/05/serious_security_flaws_discovered_in_android_phones_samsung_and_htc_ignore_issue.html

More details about "They Are Watching You"

2011-12-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

Eight Wireless Carriers are hit with a class-action lawsuit - The CarrierIQ (monitoring software on most mobile phones) controversy now has it's very own lawsuit. In short, with the exception of Verizon Wireless, every single cellphone maker and cellphone service has used CarrierIQ, which basically tracks everything you do including geolocation, so they know the what, when, and where of everything you do with the phone.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222424/8_companies_hit_with_lawsuit_over_Carrier_IQ_software

Just Fix It

2011-12-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ever wish you could have quick tech support to fix small (or maybe not so small) issues?

Well, Microsoft has been quietly building a library of automated programs that fix problems with Microsoft software. I noticed a few of these sprinkled about their website in the last 6 months or so, but recently they have been gathered into a single webpage of all fixes.

It's called Microsoft FixIt, and the page is at this address:
http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

Try it, it's quite good!

You are being watched... 24x7x365

2011-12-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

A small company named Carrier IQ and our pals over at WikiLeaks both caused a ruckus this week. Carrier IQ's stealth monitoring capability is embedded in nearly every cellphone and wireless device. With the sole exception of Verizon Wireless, you can count on being watched. This includes keystrokes, locations, times, calls, etc.

Or, how about this one:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/internet-privacy/carrier-iq-and-facebook-pose-the-least-your-privacy-threats-180619

And another take on the topic:http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/security/carrier-iq-snooping-another-good-reason-to-root-your-phone/6984?tag=content;selector-fd-river
Bottom line: assume you have no privacy.

Next, Apple's iTunes has a similar spying issue, through a security hole in it's programming.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19363/wikileaks_assange_warns_of_apple_itunes_spy_portal

Consumerization of IT, BYOD

2011-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

A currrent trend in the computer industry and business in general is the subject line of this post.

Consumerization of IT represents the trend of consumer-level products (which lack security and manageability controls) being used in business situations. BYOD stands for "Bring Your Own Device" [to work].

The main driver of this trend has been Smartphones and Tablets, namely the iPhone and iPad. As good as these devices are for consumers, they are generally not recommended for business use due to the lack of enterprise-level controls. The lack of control is being addressed by software and hardware manufacturers so this issue will ease as time goes on. With appropriate control, from a technical standpoint it's OK.

But the larger issue I want to address is that if the employee uses their own device for business use, there are some legal and business issues that will result. For example, if the employee is terminated, how will client contacts and/or business data be recovered? I assume the above-mentioned software will have some control over this data, but then the question for the employee is "how much are you willing to let your employer control your device - will you let your employer reach into your smartphone or IPad and delete contacts or data at will?"

Likewise, let's say the employee using their smartphone commits a crime using that device, perhaps some type of stock trading fraud. Is the company liable? It's data is on the phone, and it theoretically has control of the device...!

Fun Stuff - Test Your Tech Biz Knowledge

2011-11-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

Here’s an interesting Quiz about Technology companies and their sometimes questionable business practices from BrightHub.com:

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/125139.aspx

I got 7 of 12 questions correct, I thought I'd score 12 of 12. The ones I got wrong... well, here's a hint: Microsoft is not as evil as you may think.
-JB

First Posting

2011-11-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

Hello World,

My first posting, I decided to start a blog because there is so much to computer stuff discuss. My monthly Newsletter is just not frequent enough, and sometimes I have to get stuff out faster.

Look for more posts in the next few days...
-jb