Why do you need Microsoft Windows 7 SP1?

I am hearing that many people are opting to not install Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 which was released back in February 22, 2011. The reasoning is that it is a large download (750MB or 1GB depending on whether you need 32bit or 64bit versions), a long install process, and there are no enhanced features. So what does the Service Pack …

Secure IT Alert: Potential Microsoft Windows SMB vulnerability discovered

Homeland Secure IT Alert for Thursday, February 17, 2011 I’m posting this verbatim from the WatchGuard security blog… — Yesterday, a gray hat going by the alias Cupidon-3005 posted details about a zero day Windows SMB vulnerability that could potentially allow attackers to gain control of fully patched Windows Server 2003 and XP computers. Microsoft is currently investigating this surprise …

Secure IT Alert: Adobe releases Acrobat, Coldfusion, Reader, Shockwave and Flash updates #security #adobe

Secure IT Alert for Friday, February 11th, 2011 Adobe has beat out Microsoft for the number of vulnerabilities addressed on Patch Tuesday with the unleashing of a plethora of patches for their Acrobat, Reader, Coldfusion, Shockwave Player and Flash Player. Reader’s updates are considered CRITICAL and there 29 holes that are plugged… Shockwave comes in second with 21 CRITICAL vulnerabilities …

Secure IT Alert: Microsoft Unleashes a Slew of Updates for Windows & Windows Server & IIS FTP

Secure IT Alert for Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 The February 2011 Patch Tuesday was not boring…   Updates include something for everyone.  Basically every current Microsoft Windows OS version was addressed. The big one was the IE Update that fixed four code execution holes in the popular web browser. In addition to fixing thumbnail and font vulnerabilities which mainly affect …

Trend Micro Worry-Free 7.0 Business Security Patch Build 1396 Released

If you are running Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security 7.0, then you should have received an update notification that reads like this:   A new patch has been released: “WFBS 7.0 Critical Patch Build 1396”. To view the readme and get the install package:     1.   Visit the Trend Micro Download Center from the Small Business tab on the Trend …

WatchGuard XCS 9.1 Update 2 With Spam & Data Loss Prevention Enhancements

Re-posted direct from the WatchGuard announcement: WatchGuard is very pleased to announce the release of WatchGuard XCS version 9.1 Update 2 for all XCS Extensible Content Security appliances. WatchGuard XCS 9.1 Update 2 includes significant enhancements to our award-winning WatchGuard XCS Extensible Content Security solutions. This release includes enhancements in spam protection, management and reporting, as well as data loss …

Greenville & Upstate Computer Repair Nightmares?

Today, while talking with a client, I was reminded how different Homeland Secure IT is from some of the other PC service companies. This client told me how much money she had spent at one repair facility and her problem was not taken care of at all. She initially took her computer in for a diagnoses of an issue, which …

Google’s Chrome Browser is Becoming Better for Business all the Time

I normally don’t weigh in on the browser wars, as each browser has its own place. For instance, there simply is no replacement for Microsoft Internet Explorer if you want near 100% compatibility with every site in the world. Obviously, each alternate browser has a strong point, such as speed, or installation size, or security, but each browser also has downsides that sometimes …

WatchGuard XCS 370 Awarded CRN Product of the Year in Security Appliance Category

One of our security partners, WatchGuard, was just awarded the CRN’s “Security Appliance Product of the Year” for their XCS 370 series device! Here’s the press statement: WatchGuard XCS 370 Security Appliance Wins in CRN’s 2010 Products of the Year SEATTLE – January 11, 2011. WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader of business security solutions, today announced that the company won …