http://www.ajsystems.co.uk AJ Systems - IT Support, Development and Training en-gb info@ajsystems.co.uk info@ajsystems.co.uk Mon, 28 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT The new CryptoLocker virus uses email attachments to infect machines with potentially devastating effects.</p><p></p><p>It looks like a harmless ZIP file attachment and when extracted it appears to be a pdf file, but if you double click the file you will infect the machine.</p><p></p><p>The CryptoLocker virus will then encrypt all the documents found on your machine and any mapped drives. It then asks you to pay a ransom to get access to the files!</p><p></p><p>Restoring backups is the only way to get the files back ( without paying ransom which has no guarantee of working ).</p><p></p><p>All in all a potentially devastating virus but a reminder ( if you needed one ) not to open those attachments!</p><p></p><p>For more information on the CryptoLocker see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CryptoLocker">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CryptoLocker</a> Mon, 09 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT The below email has come to our attention, it requests users reset their password via a web site link, these messages or any message asking for passwords are invalid and should be deleted.</p><p></p><p>Just another reminder that you should never give out your password to anyone or any website.</p><p></p><p>From: Email Administrator [mailto:postmaster@postmaster.org] </p><p>Sent: 01 September 2013 13:51</p><p>To: xxxxxxxxxx</p><p>Subject: Security Alert</p><p></p><p>Attention:</p><p></p><p>This is the webmail administrator. Please, be informed that the email server has just been upgraded and your email needs reset immediately through the Email Administrator's page.</p><p></p><p>This process is to keep your email functions updated and protected as always.</p><p></p><p>Click here to reset your email now</p><p></p><p>Regards, </p><p>Email Administrator.</p><p></p><p>Copyright 2013 © Administrator </p><p> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT AJ Training are pleased to announce the opening of our NEW Training Suite at Houldsworth Mill, Greater Manchester - providing a full range of scheduled IT and Soft Skills training courses. It is within easy reach of the M60, FREE parking is available and excellent nearby public transport links. </p><p></p><p>Houldsworth Mill is a Grade 2 listed former cotton mill situated in the heart of Reddish. Our fully equipped Training Suite is close to nearby amenities including cafes, gym, golf course and a nursery. Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT If you use a windows based PC you have probably seen the pop messages prompting you to install updates, the Microsoft updates can cover anything from driver updates to security fixes some of these are essential so ignoring the reminder leaves your machine open to attacks.</p><p></p><p>As part of our standard support offering we will deal with this for you, we can test and approve updates then automatically distribute them across the network. </p><p></p><p>This enables us to ensure your machines maintain the highest levels of security and you minimise down time, all part of our standard support service.</p><p></p><p>AJ Support Team Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Wireless networks in essence broadcast their presence which is great when you need to access the system but don’t have a cable handy but have you considered that the same broadcast could provide potential hackers with access to your systems?</p><p></p><p>Wireless Network Security has come a long way but the standard setup on these boxes often allow far too much access, below are some pointers that could keep your systems more secure.</p><p></p><p>Why broadcast the network name at all? If you are trying to connect to a public WIFI network you need to know it exists but if it’s your own network and you know you are in range you can hide the network from potential hackers, most access points provide this function but very few people use it.</p><p></p><p>If you need to broadcast then consider the Wireless Network name, it seems the standard is now to name your wireless network after your company but think about it, If I wanted to access your system having a wireless network named after your company would give me a great place to start! Why not give the network a generic name? I know it’s not fool proof but simple to implement with no downsides.</p><p></p><p>Once you have your access point you will need to implement security, most access point's offer a range but WPA2 is recommended, you need to know that even this can be hacked so system monitoring is essential.</p><p></p><p>As part of our standard support package we monitor your systems including invalid login attempts so we will know if someone is trying to access your systems and can act before it becomes an issue.</p><p> Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT With Windows 8 not far away, revelations are made more frequently than ever. The new operating system looks to bring a whole range of new features, one of which we found particularly interesting. A new way to secure your devices when locking them down.</p><p></p><p>Whenever your device goes into the locked state you usually have to enter a password or combination of numbers. The new feature with Windows 8 is that you unlock these devices using a user defined image and gestures. The user selects an image of their own choice to be placed in the lock screen background. They then choose up to 3 gestures which they draw onto the picture, becoming their new unlocking method. </p><p></p><p>When unlocking the device using this method the user must provide the same gestures, in the right order and in the right places to be successful. Having a complex picture with many things happening within it will provide enhanced system integrity.</p><p></p><p>We found this to be a very fun mechanic and believe it will provide new improvements to security across the IT industry. As a technical support team we take password security seriously. If there are any new ways to make it easier for clients to secure their devices then we are all ears. Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT With the invasion of the internet into everyone’s day to day lives you probably have more passwords than ever but do you really need a complex password for your computer?</p><p></p><p>First lets confirm that if you are using Microsoft Windows on your machine someone with the required knowledge could access your computer, we can bypass the password.</p><p></p><p>That said, this means that someone would physically need to use your machine ( which you might notice! )</p><p></p><p>The password security on you own machine didn’t really matter in years gone by as everyone seemed quite happy that no one was going to sneak into the office and start hacking machines but now with the internet you get access to your files and email remotely which means no one has to sneak in the office any longer, they just need a PC and an internet connection!</p><p></p><p>When you consider this it opens up your system to the world maybe that password you choose should not be your dog’s name after all!</p><p> Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT At AJ Systems our support team are professional, friendly, efficient and human!</p><p></p><p>We promise not to judge or shout if you….</p><p></p><p>Spill Coffee over your computer</p><p>Delete files and folders by clicking the wrong button</p><p>Forget your password, email address or web site</p><p>Run over your laptop in your car, truck, bus or bike</p><p></p><p>You won’t be the first or the last, just tell us what happened and we will fix it</p><p></p><p>AJ Support Team Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest update to our bespoke system monitoring software is now live for all our clients. </p><p></p><p>This essential software enables us to take a pro active approach to support by quietly monitoring your systems and informing us of any potential issues, with the latest update we are now able to check all the key functions of your systems, highlight potential issues and address the problem before it affects your users.</p><p></p><p>We are always looking to improve our service offering and Version 2 of our systems Montior is another step, Version 3 Coming Soon!</p><p></p><p>AJ Systems - Support Team</p><p></p><p> Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT 1. Maximise your viewing space with the new minimalist interface</p><p>2. Find information fast using One Box and the New Tab page</p><p>3. Control what you want to share, using security and protection features</p><p>4. Treat websites like apps, using Pinning</p><p>5. Enjoy a faster, smoother, and cleaner viewing and listening experience</p><p></p><p>See the full article <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/skills/ie.aspx?WT.rss_f=At Work RSS&WT.rss_a=5 ways Internet Explorer helps you get more done&WT.rss_ev=a">Here</a>