What You Need to Know About the Big Chip Security Problem

Jun 5, 2018 Website Admin 0 Comment

According to Intel Corp.,most of the processors running the world’s computers and smartphones have a feature that makes them susceptible to hacker attacks. The chipmaker, working with partners and rivals, says it has already issued updates to protect most processor products introduced in the past five years, but the news sparked concern about this fundamental building block of the internet, PCs and corporate networks.

The revelation of the so-called Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities spurred a scramble among technology’s biggest players, from Apple Inc. to Amazon.com Inc., to enact fixes and reassure customers they were on top of the problem.

1. What’s the problem?

Modern processors guess what they’ll have to do next and fetch the data they think they’ll need. That makes everything from supercomputers to smartphones operate very fast. Unfortunately, as Google researchers discovered, it also provides a way for bad actors to read data stored in memory that had been thought to be secure. In a worst-case scenario, that would let someone access your passwords.

2. How bad is it?

The vulnerability won’t stop your computer working and doesn’t provide an avenue for hackers to put malicious software on your machine. Though it could put important data at risk, there’s been no report so far of anyone’s computer being attacked in this manner. More broadly, though, the new fears could undermine longtime assurances that hardware and chip-level security is more tamper-proof than software.

3. How was it discovered?

The weakness was discovered last year by folks Google employs to find such issues before the bad guys do. Usually, solutions are developed in private and announced in a coordinated way. This time the news leaked before the companies involved had a chance to get a fix in place.

4. What’s being done to fix it?

Chipmakers and operating system providers, such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Microsoft Corp., are rushing to create software patches that will close the potential window of attack. Intel said that it expects to have issued updates for more than 90 percent of recently introduced processor products. Amazon.com Inc. said “all but a small single-digit percentage” of its servers have already been protected. In a blog post, Google said its security teams immediately “mobilized to defend” its systems and user data. Some customers of Android devices, Google Chromebook laptops and its cloud services still need to take steps to patch security holes, the company said. Patches for Windows devices are out now and the company is securing its cloud services, Microsoft said in a statement.

5. Is this just an Intel problem?

No, though that seems to be what panicky investors initially thought. Intel says it’s an issue for all modern processors. But rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. stated that its products are at “near-zero risk.” ARM Holdings, which has chip designs that support all smartphones, said that, at worst, the vulnerability could “result in small pieces of data being accessed” and advised users of its technology to keep their software up to date. Google fingered all three companies. Apple said all Mac computers and iOS devices — including iPhones and iPads — were affected, but stressed there were no known exploits impacting users and that steps taken to address the issue haven’t dented performance.

6. What will the fallout be?

Some computers, mostly older ones, could be slowed down by the software patches that will make them more secure. Intel said that in common situations software might be slowed down by as much as 3 percent or not at all. But in other rare situations, performance might be reduced as much as 30 percent. The company doesn’t expect any financial impact and said it thinks customers will keep buying. As the fixes haven’t been widely deployed yet, it’s unclear whether anyone will even notice or whether computer slowdowns will be widespread. Intel has only done lab tests.

Website Website Design

Website Design – Hassman Research Institute

May 23, 2018 Website Admin 0 Comment

The Website Design team of South Jersey Techies has been constantly working on developing great looking websites using the latest web technologies. The most recent website developed by our team is for Hassman Research Institute in Berlin, NJ.

Have questions?

Our Web Design team is here to help, call us at: 856-745-9990 or visit: https://southjerseytechies.net

South Jersey Techies, LLC is a full Managed Web and IT Services Company located in Marlton, NJ providing IT Services, Managed IT Services, Website Design Services, Server Support, IT Consulting, VoIP Phones, Cloud Solutions Provider and much more. Contact Us Today.

Microsoft Software Windows Windows 10 Enterprise

200M Now Use Windows 10 In The Enterprise

May 11, 2018 Website Admin 0 Comment

The latest numbers from the company show businesses are close to schedule to move away from Windows 7 before the older OS retires in early 2020.

Windows10 Enterprise

Microsoft on Tuesday said that some 200 million enterprise workers now run Windows 10, a sign that corporations and other businesses are close to schedule to scrub Windows 7 from their machines before that older OS retires in about 20 months, an analyst argued.

“The 200 million resonates with me, based on what I’m hearing from clients,” said Stephen Kleynhans of Gartner Research. Migrations to Windows 10, he added, are progressing “pretty aggressively.”

Joe Belfiore, a corporate vice president who leads the Windows 10 team, revealed the number at Microsoft’s Build developers conference Tuesday. “Right now, there are over 200 million people in corporate accounts using Windows 10,” Belfiore said as he claimed deployment is “really ramping up” in the enterprise. “We’ve seen that [Windows 10] adoption rate increase now at 79% year-over-year growth.”

The day before, Microsoft contended that “nearly 700 million” devices are running Windows 10 worldwide. On that basis, enterprises accounted for less than 30% of all copies of Windows 10.

(Although the two numbers – Belfiore’s 200 million people using Windows 10 in corporate settings and Microsoft’s 700 million devices powered by the operating system – measured two different things, it’s not uncommon for Microsoft to obfuscate this way to prevent direct comparisons. In actuality, because Microsoft typically sells licenses on a per user basis, with multiple devices allowed for each user, 200 million people may be using more than that number of Windows 10 devices.)

While neither the percentage nor the 200 million are to be sneezed at, the former is significantly less than the average overall for commercial PCs, which have historically accounted for more than half – 55% has been an often-cited figure – of all personal computers.

And while Kleynhans did not dispute Microsoft’s claim of 200 people running Windows 10 in the enterprise, he sounded a bit disappointed in the number. “Is it a low number? It’s a little behind where I thought it would be,” Kleynhans said, noting that he expected it to be around 250 million by this point, perhaps even close to 300 million.

That 2009 operating system will fall off Microsoft’s support list on Jan. 14, 2020, meaning that while Windows 7 will continue to work as before, the Redmond, Wash. will stop distributing security updates to it.

It’s unrealistic to expect that all commercial customers will have purged Windows 7 by the retirement date, Kleynhans said, pointing out that he has recently spoken with clients who still run some instances of Windows XP (retired from support in 2014) and even Windows 98 (2006).

“What we [Gartner] expect is that enterprises will get to the 85%-90% level by the deadline,” Kleynhans said of the percentage of corporate devices shifted to Windows 7, “maybe even a little higher than that.” Nothing that’s happened has changed that estimate, he added.

“There are always laggards,” Kleynhans said.

According to other metrics, there may be a considerable number of them.

Estimates from analytics vendors, including U.S.-based Net Applications, which measure user and usage shares, signal that a large resorvoir of Windows 7 users will remain after the operating system’s retirement in 20 months. Net Applications’ latest data, for example, drove a Computerworld forecast that of the world’s Windows personal computers – all the PCs, not just those in the enterprise – 42% would still be running Windows 7 in January 2020, a much larger percentage than the 29% powered by Windows XP when that edition fell off the support list in April 2014.

In the end, large organizations will do what it takes to get off Windows 7 and onto Windows 10 by the former’s support cut-off date. The 200 million touted by Belfiore this week will be quite different a year from now, Kleynhans was certain.

“The speed with which I see Windows 10 moving now, it’s not going to be an issue,” he said.

Windows 10 deployment is, like previous iterations of the OS, on a timetable not of its own making. Instead, because of the vagarities of Microsoft’s historical release schedule and corporate acceptance (or rejection) of some editions, there is a clock ticking on Windows 10 because of the impending retirement of the current corporate standard, Windows 7.

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Get answers from Microsofts Cloud Solutions Partner!
Call us at: 856-745-9990 or visit: https://southjerseytechies.net/

South Jersey Techies, LL C is a full Managed Web and Technology Services Company providing IT Services, Website Design Services, Server Support, Network Consulting, Internet Phones, Cloud Solutions Provider and much more. Contact for More Information.

Cisco VPN Client Security

Windows 10 SSTP VPN Manual Setup Tutorial

Feb 16, 2018 Website Admin 0 Comment

Manual Setup

Step 1

Go to your start menu, and type in “network”. In the search results click on “Network and Sharing Center”

Step 2

Select Connect to a workplace and click Next

Step 3

Click on Use My Internet Conection (VPN)

Step 4

Enter in the internet address (provided by your IT Professional), Name then Create

Step 5

Network and Sharing Center window should still be opened. Click on Change Adapter Settings

Step 6

Right Click on the new connection you made, then go to Properties

Step 7

Go to the Security Tab, and change your properties to be the same as the below image. Press OK once done.

Step 8

Right Click the Connection and choose “Connect” option.

Step 9

You will be prompted for your username and password for your VPN. (provided by your IT Professional). Enter them as provided. ex. DOMAIN\username and password.

After a few seconds it will connect and show you “Connected” status.

Step 10

You can also check the VPN status in the Network applet (the icon in your system tray at the bottom right).

Connecting the SSTP on Windows 10

Find the network connections icon in the bottom right corner of the screen (near the clock). The icon can be in the shape of computer display or wireless signal meter (you can see it on Step 10). Click on that icon. In the appeared list click on any network connection.
After that you will see another window with the connection list, click on theVPN connection (the connection name can be different, you have set it up on Step 5).
Click the “Connect” button under the connection name.

Disconnecting the SSTP on Windows 10

Find the network connections icon in the bottom right corner of the screen (near the clock). The icon can be in the shape of computer display or wireless signal meter (you can see it on Step 10). Click on that icon. In the appeared list click on any network connection.
After that you will see another window with the connection list, click on theVPN connection (the connection name can be different, you have set it up on Step 5).
Click the “Disconnect” button under the connection name.

Have questions?

Get answers from Microsofts Cloud Solutions Partner!
Call us at: 856-745-9990 or visit: https://southjerseytechies.net/

South Jersey Techies, LL C is a full Managed Web and Technology Services Company providing IT Services, Website Design Services, Server Support, Network Consulting, Internet Phones, Cloud Solutions Provider and much more. Contact for More Information.

Google+ Tips & Info

How to leave a Google review for South Jersey Techies, LLC

Oct 12, 2017 Website Admin 0 Comment

Google lets you write a review or describe a place

On Google Maps, you can write reviews for South Jersey Techies. Your reviews are public, so anyone can see what you write. You can’t add an anonymous review.

To leave us a review click here

Note: Google has a zero tolerance policy for fake reviews. Google reserves the right to take down any review that they deem to be fake or which doesn’t comply with their user content and conduct policies.

Why we want you to leave a review on Google?

At South Jersey Techies, we recognize the challenges businesses face and can help you improve your technology with affordable professional Managed IT Services and Website Maintenance Plans .We’ll help your company save time and money while giving you excellent service and tech support. In return we would like to know if we are doing our optimum best to help you and your business thrive

Here are some other things that others will be able to see:

> Your name that appears on your About me page
> Other reviews you’ve written on Google Maps
> Photos you’ve added to Google Maps

Tip: If you like adding place information or writing reviews, join the Local Guides community. By contributing to Google Maps, you can earn points and get a special badge next to your reviews. For more info and answers to your other questions, check out the Local Guides forum.

Computer

Find other people’s ratings or reviews

On your computer, open Google Maps.
Search for a place.
Below the search box, you’ll see a rating.
To read all the reviews for the place, to the right of the rating, click on the total number of reviews.

Tip: If you want to see a translated review in another language, go to your languages on the right, click Edit choose a language.

Add a rating or review

On your computer, open Google Maps and make sure you’re signed in.
Search for a place.
Click Write a review.
In the window that appears, click the stars to score the place. If you want, you can also write a review.

Android

Find or share other people’s ratings or reviews

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
Search for a place or tap it on the map
At the bottom, tap the place’s name or address.
At the top, tap Reviews.
To share a review, go to the bottom of the review and tap Share .

Tips:

> To find high-quality reviews, look for Local Guides . A star means a Local Guide wrote the review.

> If you want to see a translated review in another language, go to your languages on the right, click Edit choose a language.

Add a rating or review

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app .
Search for a place or tap it on the map.
At the bottom, tap the place’s name or address.
At the top, tap Reviews scroll down until you see 5 empty stars.
Tap the stars to score a place or write a review.

iPhone & iPad

Find or share other people’s ratings or reviews

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
Search for a place or tap it on the map.
At the bottom, tap the place’s name or address.
Scroll down until you see reviews.
To share a review, go to the bottom of the review and tap Share .

Tips:

> To find high-quality reviews, look for Local Guide . A star means the review was written by a Local Guide.

> If you want to see a translated review in another language, go to your languages on the right, click Edit choose a language.

Add a rating or review

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
Search for a place or tap it on the map.
At the bottom, tap the place’s name or address.
Scroll down until you see 5 empty stars.
Tap the stars to score a place or write a review.

See Review

If you have Location History turned on, you can see a list of places you’ve visited or places that you might want to review.

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
In the top left, tap the Menu Your contributions.
- To see places that you’ve already reviewed, choose Reviews.
- To see places you might want review, choose Contribute.

Share/Edit/Delete Review

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
In the top left, tap the Menu Your contributions Reviews.
Find the review you want to share, edit, or delete.
- Share your review: Tap on your review scroll down until you see your review at the bottom of your review, tap Share .
- Edit your review: Tap More Edit review.
- Delete your review: Tap More Delete review.

Report a Review

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app .
Find the review that violates Google’s review policies.
Next to the review, tap More Report review.

Have questions?

Get answers from Microsofts Cloud Solutions Partner!
Call us at: 856-745-9990 or visit: https://southjerseytechies.net/

South Jersey Techies, LL C is a full Managed Web and Technology Services Company providing IT Services, Website Design Services, Server Support, Network Consulting, Internet Phones, Cloud Solutions Provider and much more. Contact for More Information.

Entertainment Technology Fun & Games News Quick Reference Guides Technology Tips & Info

Atari’s Ataribox console will run Linux

Oct 10, 2017 Website Admin 0 Comment

Cost $250-$300, if it ever materializes

Now it just needs an E.T. game.

Atari announced in June that it was getting back into the hardware business, with plans for an upcoming “Ataribox” console. Of course, it didn’t release any actual details at the time—only a slick-looking render of a retro-styled box, complete with real wood paneling. Oh, plus a promise to crowdfund the upcoming console.

If alarm bells just started ringing in your head, visions of another Ouya-style disaster, well we can’t say those fears are unfounded. This week Atari further detailed the Ataribox to GamesBeat, and the plan seems even weirder than before.

According to Ataribox creator Feargal Mac, we’re looking at a device that will a) run Linux and b) cost in the neighborhood of $250 to $300. Featuring a custom AMD processor and launching alongside a catalog of classic Atari games, GamesBeat writes, “the idea is to create a box that makes people feel nostalgic about the past, but it’s also capable of running the independent games they want to play today, like Minecraft or Terraria.”

You know what? Best of luck to them. If Valve couldn’t make the Linux-centric living room PC a hot item, though, We’re not sure that Atari will be able to. And that’s all this is—a very cheap Steam Machine, cheaper even than Alienware’s quaint little model.

Is that enough? Probably not. The problem, as always, is the games. Linux gaming is worlds better than it was a few years ago, especially if Atari focuses on the indie scene. Still, we’re talking a pretty small subset of available titles. Atari’s trotted out the ol’ Valve line of “You can install Windows on it if you want,” and that’s not a great omen in my mind.

And even a $250 Ataribox is still plenty expensive considering this thing won’t run any big-budget games. You can buy an Xbox One S for $250 right now on Amazon, and a PlayStation 4 is only $50 more expensive. Sure, it’s a console, but it’ll at least play Wolfenstein II just as easily as it’ll play Terraria.

Atari’s also been quiet about how you’ll control the Ataribox. GamesBeat mentions a “user interface [Atari is] customizing for TVs,” so I assume a controller, but every photo of the Ataribox is just the console on its own. Hell, for all we know Atari will be buying Steam Controllers in bulk and packaging them with the system. Might as well. Those who want to get into the system level and tinker, though, will probably need a keyboard and mouse, which isn’t very living room-friendly.

One last red flag: It’s still being crowdfunded. Plans are for an Indiegogo campaign later this fall, with a release scheduled for Spring 2018. We’ll keep you updated.

Have questions?

Get answers from Microsofts Cloud Solutions Partner!
Call us at: 856-745-9990 or visit: https://southjerseytechies.net/

South Jersey Techies, LL C is a full Managed Web and Technology Services Company providing IT Services, Website Design Services, Server Support, Network Consulting, Internet Phones, Cloud Solutions Provider and much more. Contact for More Information.

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