Jefric Consulting, LLC - Blog

The ABC’s of Malware

AlanBuckwalter — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:42:14 +0000

Malware (or MALicious softWARE) is defined as “software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner’s informed consent”. If you are looking to protect your computer system(s) from the various threats that can present themselves, you may want to first have a better understanding of what you are dealing with.

Free Software – Really!

AlanBuckwalter — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:23:00 +0000

Do you believe in getting things for Free? Not always, but every once in a while you can find something that really will surprise you. Check out these FREE tools for your computer:

The 10 All-Time Greatest Free Downloads and Services

15 Free Security and Backup Utilities

If you know of others, please share them here.

March Small Business Technology News from Jefric Consulting

AlanBuckwalter — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:09:38 +0000

Click here to view the March edition of our monthly Small Business Technology Newsletter.

All newsletters can be found here.

Jefric Consulting provides IT consulting services and custom technology solutions for Small Businesses. With over 30 years of business and technology experience, we are uniquely qualified to work with you and understand your company goals, develop and execute a strategy that delivers the results you want in a cost efficient manner. Solutions include Windows (Small Business) Server, Exchange E-mail, remote access, mobile computing, office collaboration and much more. Where appropriate, off-premise hosted solutions are available, reducing the need for onsite office computing equipment. We want you to get the most value from technology and work smarter, not harder, improve efficiency, and increase revenue and profit for your small business.

Jefric Consulting is a Microsoft Partner, a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and a Microsoft Small Business Specialist.

Web: http://www.jefric.com
Blog: http://blog.jefric.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jefricllc

Are You Still Using Windows XP with SP2 or Windows Vista?

AlanBuckwalter — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:54:01 +0000

Support for Windows XP with SP2 and Windows Vista Ends July 13, 2010

Microsoft support for the Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Vista (RTM version) operating systems will end July 13, 2010. You may want to start thinking about trying and using Windows 7. Don’t get caught running an unsupported operating system.

If you would like to learn more about these upcoming timetables, send me an e-mail and I will forward you a copy of the PDF: “Windows XP SP2 & Windows Vista RTM End of Support Information”

alan@jefric.com

LinkedIn Quick Tips

AlanBuckwalter — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:58:21 +0000

LinkedIn is a very powerful tool, helping you to stay connected with your clients, associates, friends, etc.

Having so many features however, it is easy to get lost or not know where to start. Here are some tips you may find useful. If you have or know of others, please share them here!

LinkedIn Quick Tip: Increase Your Presence With Network Updates
LinkedIn Quick Tip: Should You Upgrade to a Paid Account?
LinkedIn Quick Tip: Monitoring Who’s Viewed My Profile

February Small Business Technology News from Jefric Consulting

AlanBuckwalter — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:50:54 +0000

February 2010 – Technology is an essential tool for your Small Business and staying current is extremely difficult. Let us help you. Read this month’s newsletter here.

All newsletters can be found here.
Visit the Jefric Consulting website here.

Critical Internet Explorer Bug Fix

AlanBuckwalter — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:24:09 +0000

Microsoft normally distributes critical updates and security fixes once a month, on the day that is known as “Patch Tuesday”, the second Tuesday of the month. Rarely do we see updates come from Redmond outside of that schedule, but this week there was one. This “out of band” update address a number of known and widely publicized vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8.

For more information see this Microsoft Security Bulletin, and update your computer!

If you don’t have “Automatic Updates” enabled you may want to check this out and make sure your computer is patched.

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION: MINING THE DIAMONDS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

AlanBuckwalter — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:37:42 +0000

Are you working harder than ever maintain and grow your profitability?
Are you struggling to survive this crazy economy?
Are your 2010 business goals looking more like a dream than a reality?

BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION:
MINING THE DIAMONDS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

This seminar will help you position your business for success. We’ll discuss how to:

Optimize People
Optimize Technology
Optimize Finances

For more information and to register visit: http://miningthediamonds.eventbrite.com/

DATE: March 2, 2010
TIME: 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Red Cross Building, 209 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield NJ
COST: $35 ($25 if you register before February 16th)

What version of Windows are you running?

AlanBuckwalter — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:27:14 +0000

Support is ending for Windows XP with SP2 and Windows Vista (RTM version) on July 13, 2010.
That’s just about 6 months away.

At a minimum you should be running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or Windows Vista with Service Pack 2. It may be a good time to give Windows 7 a try. If you are not, you may be missing a number of critical updates and security fixes which can help your computers perform better.

For more information visit the Jefric Consulting website or call 201-370-6430

Jefric Consulting, LLC
http://www.jefric.com/
info@jefric.com
201.370.6430
917.837.3535
Small Business IT Services and Consulting

What version of Microsoft Office do you use?

AlanBuckwalter — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:09:26 +0000

Microsoft Office is arguably the most common office productivity suite used on desktop computers today. Having said that, there are so many different versions (of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc) being used, each with their own set of features and quirks.

Which version are using using? (To check, select “About…” from the “Help” menu).

The current version of Office is 2007, where Office 1010 is just around the corner. Having said that, many businesses are still running Office 2003 or even the older Office XP, not feeling comfortable upgrading due to new features and user interface changes, like the “Ribbon”. At the same time Microsoft continues to forge ahead, ending mainstream support for Office 2003 last year, placing it into extended (i.e. limited) support mode for 5 more years.

New computers purchased today are coming with the latest version pre-installed, often creating compatibility issues with employees, clients and vendors, as well functionality issues across computers within the office. It may be time to “bite the bullet” and synchronize systems across your organization.

What do you think? Is this a problem for you? Do you need help?
Visit our web site, email, or give us a call:

Jefric Consulting, LLC
http://www.jefric.com/
info@jefric.com
201.370.6430
917.837.3535

Small Business IT Services and Consulting