This week we recovered over 1TB of lost data for clients! So often we take our data for granted… until suddenly it's gone. Hidden inside a drive with a corrupt filesystem or damaged sectors. We have a number of advanced data recovery tools at our disposal and can also do forensic cloning and deleted data recovery. Hard drive, CD, DVD, flash drive, and even camera cards. So the next time a storage device comes up 'inaccessible', let us see if we can get your data back!

We also offer advanced redundant storage and backup options to protect your data. Don't lose those precious memories or critical files. Let IT Xpress help you keep it safe and secure. Call or stop by today for a free consult.

This week we recovered over 1TB of lost data for clients! So often we take our data for granted… until suddenly it's gone. Hidden inside a drive with a corrupt filesystem or damaged sectors. We have a number of advanced data recovery tools at our disposal and can also do forensic cloning and deleted data recovery. Hard drive, CD, DVD, flash drive, and even camera cards. So the next time a storage device comes up 'inaccessible', let us see if we can get your data back!

We also offer advanced redundant storage and backup options to protect your data. Don't lose those precious memories or critical files. Let IT Xpress help you keep it safe and secure. Call or stop by today for a free consult.

Oracle has released a new version of Java (v7.55) which fixes a number of critical security vulnerabilities. So when your computer prompts that there is a new version of Java available (usually a small orange square icon near the clock in bottom right corner), click it and install the new version ASAP. My ITXpert clients should see this update pushed out in the next 24-48 hours (www.myitxpert.biz)

Critical Java Update Plugs 37 Security Holes — Krebs on Security
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Oracle has pushed a critical patch update for its Java SE platform that fixes at least 37 security vulnerabilities in the widely-installed program. Several of these flaws are so severe that they are likely to be exploited by malware or attackers in the days or weeks ahead.

Some great news on the security front. TrueCrypt is a fantastic piece of software that lets you create highly encrypted 'virtual hard drives' on your computer or even encrypt the ENTIRE hard drive, ensuring the contents of, say, your laptop remain safe even if it's lost or stolen. Our clients in the legal profession often opt for a setup like this. Without their master password you cannot even boot the computer and the HD is unreadable. Now a recent audit into the freely available code behind TrueCrypt confirms there are not 'backdoors' in it like some hypothesized. Worried about the security of your data? Let IT Xpress help!

TrueCrypt audit finds “no evidence of backdoors” or malicious code
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Crypto prof: "Nothing terrible is in there, so that's reassuring."

We're working on site today, so the shop will be closed Monday 4/14. We'll be back at 9AM Tuesday.

With everyone talking about 'HeartBleed' – the major vulnerability in most website's encryption, many services will require users reset their passwords once they update their systems. This is often done via email – so hackers will have a field day sending fake password reset emails to users trying to capture their login credentials. The best thing you can do – unless you are 100% sure a link is legitimate is to go directly to the site and try to login. It will then prompt you to reset your password, or give you a link to do so. Be careful!

Sending a "Heartbleed" password reset email? Please don't include a login link!
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We'd like to urge any of you who are thinking of sending out "heartbleed" password reset emails: *please avoid those login links*. Help us to help everyone get geared up to avoid phishing attack…

If any of you use DynDNS to save money on Static IP address fees, they are shutting down their free plans. You can either pay for your account or switch to another free service. Here at IT Xpress, we use FreeDNS (http://afraid.org/). Here are some other options…

The Best Free Alternatives to DynDNS
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As you may have heard, DynDNS is shutting down its free plans, which is a bit of a bummer. Still, they're not the only option if you need a hostname to use to access your home computers from anywhere, and you don't want to spend money for it. Here are some alternatives.

Seems like everyone is talking about 'HeartBleed' – the major vulnerability found in the software used to encrypt web traffic for 2/3's of the world's websites. Here is some useful information on what you should do. One important tip – don't change your passwords on a site until you know they've updated their software. Otherwise the new password could be compromised as well. Share with your friends!

How To Protect Yourself From This New Terrifying Security Flaw Called 'Heartbleed'
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There's a big problem with one of the tools used to protect your data as it travels over the Internet. The bug, revealed on Monday by security researchers at Google and at an independent firm called Codenomicon, is called Heartbleed, and it compro…

You might have heard about HeartBleed – a vulnerability found in something called OpenSSL. This is a major security hole in software used by over half the websites in the world that use https (SSL) security. Here's what it means for you as a user…

What the
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Security researchers have discovered a serious vulnerability in OpenSSL, the cryptographic software library that protects many web sites on the internet. Here's what that means for you, the average user.

We have had a lot of people come into our store talking about these support scams. Someone from Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, or other well known tech company calls to say they detected a problem on their computer. They get logged into the computer, install a bogus support software app (that really just throws up warnings occasionally), and charge them $100-$300 a year for 'support'. The app throws up more warnings at the renewal date gets near – and they scam people out of their money. This is an excellent article outlining the many avenues these scammers use to prey on people. Share with your friends and family!

Tech Support Scams – Help & Resource Page
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Hello, we are calling from Windows and your computer looks like it is infected. Our Microsoft Certified Technician can fix it for you. Sound familiar? Wheth

Do you have Windows XP and use MS Security Essentials? Did you wake up today worried you already got a virus? This is a Microsoft scare campaign to encourage people to buy new computers and it's unfortunate they chose to do this. As we noted in earlier posts, by not using Internet Explorer (use Chrome or Firefox), using a decent anti-virus, and ensuring Adobe Flash/Reader and Oracle Java stay up to date – you can use Windows XP just fine for a while while saving up for a new computer. Given what Microsoft has chosen to do with Security Essentials, we recommend uninstalling it and installing a reputable anti-virus program. avast! is a decent free one. We also recommend and sell the award winning BitDefender AV suite (which is included in My ITXpert Pro and Premier plans www.myitxpert.biz). Either way, now that you can't easily tell if you have a virus or just a heavy handed Microsoft marketing campaign – it's time to switch away from…

http://click-to-read-mo.re/p/6txj

We are using Google Drive/Docs more and more in our day to day business. That coupled with Quickoffice on tablets/smartphones can help you start to consolidate your information. Then there are the incredibly low prices on storage Google just announced, once you exhaust your 15GB, it only costs a couple dollars a month to get much more. Here are some great tips on expanding the functionality of Google Drive.

How to Make Google Drive Work Like a Desktop Suite
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Google Drive, and the apps in it–Docs, Sheets, and Slides–are great for people looking for a simple Office suite. It's free, makes collaboration easy, and pretty much anyone can use it. But if you're used to something more traditional, like Microsoft Office, you may be hesitant to use it. Here's h…

Hackers are doing everything they can to compromise financial security measures. In this case they've infected smartphones to intercept txt messages so they can bypass 2 factor authentication. Never install apps from places other than the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Review some of the reviews to make sure it has many consistent high ratings, and running an antivirus program is not a bad idea. They tend to stay in the background and only wake up when apps are updated/installed or you use a web browser. We recommend BitDefender's Mobile Antivirus which will provide you with detailed info about each application and what type of information it collects/accesses

Android Botnet Targets Middle East Banks — Krebs on Security
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I recently encountered a botnet targeting Android smartphone users who bank at financial institutions in the Middle East. The crude yet remarkably effective mobile bot that powers this whole operation comes disguised as one of several online banking apps, has infected more than 2700 phones, …

Microsoft should be embarrassed it kept it's head in the sand for so long with Windows 8 and 8.1. The good news? Updates in the near future will boot desktops into the actual desktop and the Start Menu is finally coming back!

Windows 8.1 Update Hands On: Terrific Tweaks For the Mouse Faithful
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Windows 8.1 did a whole bunch to make Windows 8 feel more homey by tweaking tiny fit and finish issues. And it worked great. The next Windows 8.1 update (creatively called "Windows 8.1 Update") is pretty much the same thing all over again, but this time with mouse-users specifically in mind. And aft…

If you own a Lenovo laptop – a small number have been recalled due to a battery overheating hazard

Lenovo Recalls Battery Packs for ThinkPad Notebook Computers Due to Fire Hazard
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The battery packs, which were sold with computers and separately, can overheat.