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 …

Homeland Secure IT is now your Greenville / Upstate LG-Ericsson Elite Partner!

Homeland Secure IT, LLC has become an LG-Ericsson Elite Partner in order to provide Greenville & the Upstate the entire line of data and telephony products that the manufacturer has to offer! LG-Ericsson’s product lineup include their Hybrid VoIP phone systems, IP phones, switching technology from unmanaged to managed and stackable, routers, wireless routers and other data products. These are …

Secure IT Alert: Microsoft Security Bulletin Re-Releases & AutoRun Advisory

Homeland Secure IT Alert for Thursday, February 23, 2011 Microsoft has released Security Advisory 967940, titled “Update for Windows Autorun”, and it covers an issue that has long plagued Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. When you insert a USB flash drive, or USB hard drive, Windows has attempted to treat them like CD/DVD material and perform an autorun on it. While …

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 …

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How long will your computer last? It’s all about the MTBF! Or is it?

A common question that computer sales, repair, service and support people hear is, “How long will this computer last me?” The most common answer is, “It depends…” Just what does it depend on? The quality of the product is of the highest importance, but even a very reliable device can have a shortened life if not maintained properly and it …

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 …

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Safe Browsing from Public Wi-Fi Hotspots is possible with a VPN

WSPA’s Amy Wood (@TVAmy) had a great segment on last night (2011-02-07) in which she had Doug Cone (@nullvariable) a local web/graphics “devsigner” discussing the dangers of using public Wi-Fi. You can find that story here. He demonstrated a tool which allows even the most novice of “hackers” to see a list of others who are using any given open …