Retiring Windows XP and Office 2003

In approximately 220 days, support for Windows XP and Office 2003 will end.   Most Small and Medium business support groups will start phasing out support in October of 2013.   What this means to you,

- Security Risks

- Compliance Risks

- Lack of Independent Software Vendor Support

- Lack of Hardware Vendor Support

Here is even more detail, 

- Retiring Windows XP (Microsoft)

- XP's retirement will be hacker heaven

- Support ends in 2014 for Windows XP and Office 2003 (Microsoft)

If these were big enough issues, the looming issue is 41% of all Windows users still use Windows XP.

I see three possible outcomes to the Windows XP end of support.

- Nothing happens immediately, but over 3 - 6 months software starts to change and is no longer compatible with Windows XP drivers.

- In the months leading up to the retirement date prices for other Operating Systems (Windows 7, Windows 8) increase and you pay more to upgrade.

- Hackers and other folks aware of the end of support date store up viruses, malware, etc. and then set them loose on the unsupported Windows XP user base.   With such a broad installation base this could be a potential nightmare.

What should you do?

In my opinion, upgrade now.  Avoid the risk of lack of support, gain the benefit from improved performance, and mitigate your risk. 

Warning, certain Xerox scanners/photocopiers can switch numbers on scans

I came across this article recently, and it is my worst nightmare come true.  I have always been a little circumspect when coping and scanning documents, but never thought that it would actually happen.

Based on this report, certain Xerox photo copiers have a habit of changing numbers.  

 The full story is here,

 Xerox Work Centers Switching Numbers when scanning

Here is a sample of the problem, 

This looks like a limited problem on a couple of models of Xerox machines, but once this becomes better distributed I can only imagine the fall out.   The site article is definitely worth a read, and Xerox is very focused on resolving the problem, but one can only imagine the problems that might, or have arisen from the issue.  

Be sure to review the list of the affected printer/copier/scanners.   The last thing that you would want is to have this issue befall you after it has been discovered.

Zoho CRM, Simple, Powerful, and Affordable

Recently I have done several transfers and initial set ups in Zoho CRM.  There are three key reasons for this, it's simple, powerful, and affordable. 

Zoho has simple, straight forward appearance that when contrasted to other CRM systems allows it to be easily navigated, customized, and most importantly adopted.  This combined with simple set up interfaces that allow customization at various levels provides a clear advantage over other CRM systems. 

Powerful tools come standard with Zoho, including mass emailing, web to lead / contact, case management, invoicing, workflow, and pricing tools at most paid levels.  Combine this with a wide range of tools that can be integrated from other Zoho services and integration with Google Apps and you have a enterprise level system. 

Cost is not a problem with Zoho, it is affordable.   Zoho's nearest competitor based on functionality is Salesforce.   For a Salesforce instance with similar functionality with Zoho the price is about $60 per user a month.  With Zoho the cost is about $20 a month, with the ability to add great functionality like Mail and Project management for the incremental price of between $3 - $5 a month.  

If you would like to find out more about Zoho CRM, click here, Zoho CRM or feel free to contact me. 

What happens when you used a unsecured hot spot?

The risks of using a unsecured WiFi hot spot seem limited when you are desperately looking for a internet connection, but think again.    Here is a great article on what can be seen when you cruise the internet on a unsecured hot spot, 

Here's what an eavesdropper sees when you use an unsecured Wi-Fi hotspot

With this in mind, here are some quick tips when using WiFi networks.

- Use only secure WiFi networks, such as WPA or WPA 2 secured networks.

- If there is not a secure network, try using a mobile WiFi hotspot from a mobile service provider, or a tethered connection through your mobile telephone.

-  If you borrow someone's secure network, ensure that you turn off File Sharing.   In many instances you may think that you are secure, but then you fail to confirm that File Sharing is turned off and all of your files are secure.  

Is your web cam taking pictures when you do not want it too?

I am not usually the paranoid one when it comes to invasion of privacy via or on the internet, I am of the mind that privacy in this zone was compromised from day one.   Even so I am concerned by the increasing frequency of hacks and compromises concerning web cams and mobile cams.  

Most recently this hack appeared, 

Smile! Hackers Can Silently Access Your Webcam Right Through The Browser (Again)

Even though it is reported to have been fixed,  I am more concerned of its existence in the first place.

Further to this you have the Arron's Computer Rental spyware, 

How spyware on rental PCs captured users’ most intimate moments

and the FBI in this case, 

FBI denied permission to spy on hacker through his webcam

These instances have prompted me to to even more vigilant when it comes to who can access my computer and why, and has even made me think about taping up my web cam.  What are you thoughts?