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Why Are Windows 10 Updates Coming So Slowly?

Windows 10 updates are mandatory and forced, whether you want them to happen or not. And they’re happening more infrequently.

Windows 10 owners know by now that updates to the OS are being released much slower than Microsoft has done so in the past.  Remember when a tiny popup would show at the bottom of your screen, asking you to update, and you always selected for it to update in four hours?  That’s gone, now.  Updates are mandatory and forced, whether you want them to happen or not.  And they’re happening more infrequently.  Read on to find out why.

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Microsoft Introduces New Surface Studio

Are you a budding artist? The new Surface Studio may be the right machine for you. Microsoft has announced their new version of the Surface, which is moving computer technology into the future.

Are you a budding artist?  The new Surface Studio may be the right machine for you.  Microsoft has announced their new version of the Surface, which has been referred to as moving computer technology into the future.  The Studio seems to be aimed at those who draw and design, and has many draws for the conventional customer, as well.  The original Microsoft Surface has been incredibly successful and raved as extremely functional; so, it stands to reason that the Studio should follow.  Read on to learn more about the Surface Studio.

Why is Windows 10 Worth Your Time?

Whether you already updated your computer to Windows 10 or you have been putting off the installation, it gets an unfair bad reputation amongst Windows users.

Whether you already updated your computer to Windows 10 and are regretting your decision or you have been putting off the installation for almost a year and half, Windows 10 gets an unfair bad reputation amongst Windows users. As of now, Windows 10 is running on less than half the number of Microsoft PCs that are running Windows 7, and the usage rate is not increasing much from month to month. Why should you upgrade your computer to Windows 10 and what’s all the fuss about?

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Make Outlook Work For You

Many companies use Microsoft Outlook as a centralized program for emails, calendars, and task lists.

Many companies use Microsoft Outlook as a centralized program for emails, calendars, and task lists. If your company uses Outlook, or is thinking of switching over to it, here are a few tricks and tips to make the program work for you! [Read more…]

Windows Sales have declined since the launch of Windows 8

“People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn’t they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines… There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. But with time, people will come to accept their silicon masters.” – Bill Gates

Well, Microsoft has recently changed, launching its newest version of its popular operating system, Windows 8, and people have not been receptive. In fact, window sales were down 21% after the first four weeks Windows 8 was on the market.

“Windows 8 has captured 58% of Windows computing device sales. Comparatively, Windows 7 had garnered 83% of such device sales in its first four weeks of release,” according to the NPD Group.

However, it is unclear as to whether the drop in sales is due to the release of Windows 8 or the fact that Microsoft increased the average price of its machines from $433 to $477 after the release of the new operating system. The only thing that is for certain is that Microsoft Windows sales are down. But Microsoft should have saw this coming, right? Public opinion of Windows 8 was not good when the product was demoed before its full scale launch. If you recall from one of our previous blog posts a few months ago, before the launch of Windows 8, most analysts were not very high on the new operating system.

 

According to ZDNet.com, even hard-core Windows 8 fans prefer Windows 7 by a two to one margin.

“We really don’t think Windows 8 will get significant traction as a PC OS in a corporate environment,” said Gartner analyst Steve Kleynhans. “Why? Because Windows 8 is a “plumbing” upgrade. This is an upgrade that drastically changes the technology without adding significant improvements.” “An SMB is unlikely to decide ‘Windows 7 is no longer good enough, I must have Windows 8!’,” said Analysys Mason analyst Patrick Rusby. “Windows 7 is proven and popular.”

Do you have Windows 8 or have you used it? What do you think about the new operating system? Do you love it, hate it, or are you indifferent? We want to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Sources:

Windows Sales Down 21% Since Windows 8 Launch

Brainy Quote

Windows 8 is set to be released next Week. What is the Public saying?

The release of Windows 8 is right around the corner. But why does no one seem excited? According to Microsoft, Windows 8 is “Windows reimagined and reinvented from a solid core of Windows 7 speed and reliability.” But what does the public think?

Unfortunately for Microsoft, public opinion has not been in favor of Windows 8. In fact, the closer Microsoft gets to unveiling its newest operating system and the more the public learns about Windows 8, the less likely they are to implement it.

Windows 8 Reviews

 

  1. “We really don’t think Windows 8 will get significant traction as a PC OS in a corporate environment,” said Gartner analyst Steve Kleynhans. “Why? Because Windows 8 is a “plumbing” upgrade. This is an upgrade that drastically changes the technology without adding significant improvements.”
  2. According to ZDNet.com, even hard-core Windows 8 fans prefer Windows 7 by a two to one margin.
  3. “An SMB is unlikely to decide ‘Windows 7 is no longer good enough, I must have Windows 8!’,” said Analysys Mason analyst Patrick Rusby. “Windows 7 is proven and popular.”
  4. “[Windows 8] really seems to be designed for tablets and phones,” said Working Nets own David Spigelman. “While you can install and run it on a desktop or notebook, it’s really not designed for that.”

Checkout How People React to Windows 8

Do you think you will make the switch to Windows 8?

If you have any questions about Windows 8, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

At Working Nets, we work closely with each client to determine their IT needs, and how to meet them quickly and inexpensively. We’ll meet with you and perform an extensive system review before creating a detailed, comprehensive strategy to meet your unique needs.

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

 

Cybersecurity News: Microsoft PCs are infected before reaching Consumers

It has not been a good couple of weeks for Microsoft. First, they discovered that Hackers had found a Security Hole in Internet Explorer. Now, the computer company has discovered that many of their PCs and laptops made in China were embedded with malicious software before ever reaching the consumer. The computer virus allows hackers to switch on a microphone or Webcam, record keystrokes, and access login credentials and online bank accounts.

And because computer companies rely on such a long and complex supply line, the malicious software could have been uploaded at any point, something Richard Domingues Boscovich, the assistant general counsel for the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, called “especially disturbing.”

“It’s one of the toughest cybersecurity challenges out there,” said Tom Kellermann, vice president of cybersecurity at Trend Micro. “There’s not really a solution unless you start to only build computers in the USA again.”

This isn’t the first time this has happened either. In 2008, the Defense Department and Federal Aviation Administration unknowingly purchased counterfeit Cisco routers, which were pre-loaded malicious software. FBI investigators found the routers allowed hackers to “gain access to otherwise secure systems.”

Then in May, the Senate Armed Services Committee released  a report citing 1,800 cases of counterfeit electronics from China, electronics used in the Air Force’s largest cargo plane and Special Operation helicopters.

“Companies are in a competitive dogfight to make products cheaper and hit the market faster,” said Scott Aken, a former FBI special agent who dealt with cyber counterintelligence. “They’re not spending time or money to ensure those products they are sourcing from overseas are devoid of counterfeits.”

So what are consumers to do?

Boscovich offers this simple advice: Consumers can often spot dangerous counterfeit technology if the deal “appears too good to be true.”

“However, sometimes people just can’t tell, making the exploitation of a broken supply chain an especially dangerous vehicle for infecting people with malware.”

If you have any questions about Cybersecurity, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

At Working Nets, we support your business by providing top-notch Information Technology (I.T.) services to companies like yours: Companies that don’t need full-time I.T. services, but do need someone to turn to, when they are having a problem. We provide services like Network Design, Monitoring and Maintenance. We troubleshoot technical issues when they arise, and give you options for solving them. We help you use your technology investment to achieve your business goals.

At Working Nets, our focus is on your needs!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Sources:

Pre-Infected PCs Expose Flaws In Global Supply Chain

Cybersecurity News: Hackers have found a Security Hole in Internet Explorer

It was recently reported that security researcher Eric Romang of Zataz.com discovered a major cybersecurity issue with Internet Explorer (IE) versions 6, 7, 8, and 9. The popular Internet browser has a major hole, a hole that hackers have already discovered.

The fresh “zero day” vulnerability allowed cyber attackers to install malicious software – a form of the old Poison Ivy Trojan – on Windows computers. This allowed the hackers to take control of the victim’s computer.

It is thought that the hackers behind the IE attack may also be the group responsible got last month’s exploitation of Oracle’s Java browser plug-in.

Microsoft Responds to the Cybersecurity Threat

Microsoft quickly responded with a security advisory, including an extensive list of work-arounds. Unfortunately for IE users, these work arounds are somewhat burdensome.

“I would recommend not using Internet Explorer until this issue is patched,” Sophos’ Chet Wisniewksi tells me. “While the exploit is not in widespread use, it could be integrated into popular attack kits like the Blackhole Exploit Kit any time now.”

The Solution: Make the switch to another browser, like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera. You can always come back to IE after Microsoft issues a patch.

If you have any questions about Cybersecurity, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

At Working Nets, we support your business by providing top-notch Information Technology (I.T.) services to companies like yours: Companies that don’t need full-time I.T. services, but do need someone to turn to, when they are having a problem. We provide services like Network Design, Monitoring and Maintenance. We troubleshoot technical issues when they arise, and give you options for solving them. We help you use your technology investment to achieve your business goals.

At Working Nets, our focus is on your needs!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Source:

Hackers Just Found a Big Hole in Internet Explorer. Should You Switch Browsers?