trueITpros, LLC

The new Windows 8 update finally enhances user access and controls

We’re back with more news about the anticipated summer release of a Windows 8 update. We talked about a few things earlier this month, but have learned a great deal more since the platform has undergone recent tech trials. The Windows 8 update focuses on many critical back-end fixes that will surely enhance the Microsoft user experience.

Faster startup

New technical advances have finally been introduced to the Windows platform to boost reboot time, including:

• HybridBoot writes a copy of the disk to the drive before going into sleep mode.
• Upon restart, Windows reads the disk copy for instant startup.
• This feature can be easily disabled.

Managing and fixing disk errors

The new Windows 8 update establishes an advanced system for repairing New Technology File Systems (NFTS).

• NFTS disk errors can be targeted and repaired
• Instead of scanning the entire system, weak disk areas are isolated, targeted, and fixed
• This increases disk health, system speed and virus protection

Enhanced update management

The new Windows 8 update has tackled the aggravating task of managing updates. Windows only forces reboots for crucial security updates. All other updates are executed automatically at restart.

New task manager

Possibly the most exciting new feature on the new Windows 8 update, this update offers better user controls for dealing with task management, such as:

• Improved graphical interface for task management
• New graph feature visualizes disk, network, and memory usage
• Task manager has updated controls and one-click access to common features

Explorer updates

A new ribbon-based interface makes browsing cleaner, faster, and increases usability. With some nudges from the Apple platform, Windows is finally offering:

• New file history manager similar to Apple’s Time Machine
• 1-click zip will be added, similar to Apple’s control-click zip feature
• 1-click access to Computer, Network, and HomeGroup configuration

Data, storage and security

A new Storage Space Manager illustrates disk capacities and app storage. The new Windows 8 update has also enhanced data and security features to assist in higher data and security standards:

• Ability to combine drives, making storage management super easy
• BitLocker supports full disk encryption (FDE) for Windows Professional and Windows Business

New connectivity

Better integration of SkyDrive and DropBox are major selling points on the new Windows update. The majorly enhanced platform allows synchronization of multiple systems to duplicate content, features, and settings. App content can be automatically replicated across multiple devices for easy tablet-to-PC syncing.

Small business updates

New Windows To Go can copy an entire operating system (OS) to a USB or hard drive through an easy setup wizard. Users will be able to manage how information and data are cached. A one-click status check on all active domains can now actively predict disk propagation errors.

Phew!

You can anticipate the new Windows 8 update sometime this summer. With our team of Certified Microsoft IT Professionals, you can rely on trueITpros to deliver the latest news in IT and small business management.

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written by trueITpros

A virtual backup server is worth every penny for IT stability

Do you have a virtual backup server? The Vault system operates on two major platforms—a physical server and a cloud-based server. The two are integrated to prevent downtime and enhance your internal IT infrastructure. Technology blurps happen—with The Vault, you can be prepared to answer its sometimes frustrating and always inconvenient hiccups. When disaster strikes, will you have the necessary backups in place and ready to deploy? The Vault is designed to copy your network every 15 minutes and store the network contents automatically.

When The Vault copies your server, trueITpros engineers monitor the backups for virus, malware, and spyware protection. Instead of using full backups, the VAULT virtual backup server copies the entire server one time (the first time) and then creates incremental snapshots. These images are then transferred to the cloud where we can supervise for suspicious activity. The cloud enables our engineers to easily access the backups to analyze the content on a constant basis. Our virtual backup server system is proactively monitored 24/7/365 to ensure IT stability and long term functionality.

Just last week, one of our clients experienced a server crash that could have resulted in hours of downtime. Thankfully, our client had installed the Vault virtual backup server just days before the breakdown. In ten minutes, trueITpros engineers had successfully restored the server and all of its contents and connections. Thanks to The Vault, the client server was repaired and back to business with virtually no downtime at all. The Vault is configured to prevent downtime despite any type of server failure, including fires, floods, and theft.

The Vault is the small business solution to avoid IT catastrophe. The best part? We can access your virtual backup server remotely. If your system ever fails, we can have you back online without waiting for an engineer to get to your business site. If you have questions or walk to talk details with a member of our staff, drop us a line.

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written by trueITpros

Avoid cloud security issues with tips from trueITpros

As we move further into the cloud for our personal and business data management, how can anyone avoid cloud security issues? Cloud and Dropbox users across the globe are surely becoming aware of possibly being hacked. Who is responsible for these attacks? Can we ever feel that our data is truly secure and that our clouds are impenetrable? We have a few tips to help you avoid cloud security issues if you’re managing your own cloud.

1. Use highly encrypted and different passwords for different accounts

All too often, hackers gain access to one account, which invariably leads to access on all accounts. Back in August of 2012, Gizmodo’s twitter feed was hacked when an employee’s seemingly secure alpha-numeric iCloud account was breached. A general password rule of thumb: change your passwords often. Use symbols and capital letters. We know it’s a pain to update every device to reflect this kind of security protocol, but knowing your vital information is safe is a priceless asset to behold.

2. Make sure your server has a dynamic SSL (that’s Secure Sockets Layer)

The SSL method of encrypting your cloud access will save your server the potential threat of a hack. SSL protocols enhance your ability to avoid cloud security issues by ensuring all information sent between servers and browsers remains private. trueITpros uses SSL certificates on all our servers, meaning your IT assets are always locked within many layers of internet security.

3. Do the “mud puddle test”

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes of Forbes calls “the mud puddle test” the ultimate way to avoid cloud security issues. The test goes as follows:

1. First, drop your device(s) in a mud puddle.

2. Next, slip in said puddle and crack yourself on the head. When you regain consciousness you’ll be perfectly fine, but won’t for the life of you be able to recall your device passwords or keys.

3. Now try to get your cloud data back. If you can “get your cloud data back,” it means your service has failed the test.

If you want more information on our secure cloud services and remote IT support, drop us a line. According to Network World, Gartner predicts that by 2015, 10% of overall IT security enterprise capabilities will be delivered in the cloud.

trueITpros uses the strongest encryption devices and IT technology to manage your business in a virtual fortress. Happy clouding!

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written by trueITpros

Microsoft launches a direct attack on Google privacy standards

Have you ever sat down to read your Gmail and been blown away by the accuracy of ads appearing around your inbox? The Google privacy standard is under direct attack by the digital patriots at Microsoft. Let’s be real: it’s no secret that Google harvests user information to sell highly targeted ads. Heck, a major part of the trueITpros model is to help businesses get the highly famed and sought after Google recognition. In today’s market, being in-sync with Google is absolutely necessary to digital success. Do we think it’s wrong for Google to target highly sensitive, personal information to sell said ads? Yes, we think it is very, very wrong.

Our only aim is to guide other small businesses along the rough and tumbling road to success.  Our team of Microsoft Certified Engineers knows there is a right and wrong way to do business. So what does Microsoft have to say about all this? Everything they’ve wanted to say for years.

Scroogled.com is Microsoft’s latest campaign aimed at publicizing “borderline creepy” Google  privacy standard. The website has outlined the endless reasons why a switch to Outlook would be the best step toward secure and private web communication. We think this massive anti-Google effort says a lot about Microsoft’s stance on ethical business practices. Back in 2012, Microsoft launched Outlook.com, a web counterpart to the popular desktop mail application.  A recent announcement stated that the web app will begin moving veteran Hotmail users to the new platform. Is this a last-ditch effort to establish some notoriety?

The Scroogled campaign hasn’t been exclusively on the web; Microsoft has also targeted newspapers as a medium to convert Gmail users. Gmail fanboys will likely defend the platform regardless, claiming that the interface and design outweigh the threat of totally unethical security breaches.  We’re with Microsoft on this one;  no one wants their private moments targeted against them just to make a buck.

trueITpros says go Microsoft to avoid ads altogether. Outlook.com has zero ads, and will integrate flawlessly with your business IT structure.  We offers highly secure IT solutions with the highest Microsoft standards for business integrity.

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written by trueITpros