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7 Server Maintenance Tips Crucial to Effective Operation

Server MaintenanceServers form a crucial backbone of your company, allowing you to serve clients, store data and run your business seamlessly. In order to keep your server working well, you’ve got to forge a reliable routine that minimizes potential error and breakdown and routinizes crucial maintenance tasks. After all, prevention of common issues through a good maintenance routine is far preferable to the data loss that can occur with misuse. Here are seven tips to help you do that.

1. Ensure Passwords Are Secure

Passwords protect your data and systems, and when they’re out of date or in the wrong hands, problems ensue. Create a systematic routine to review passwords for all employees and clients, changing them frequently and revoking access once they no longer need them.

2. Keep an Eye on Disk Usage

Most companies need varying storage types. You should make sure to segregate archival storage and regular storage. Legal documents, client records and other permanent items should be stored in a special, self-contained system so they’re not using space on your production system. This minimizes security risks, maximizes performance and makes complete data recovery in case of failure more likely.

3. Automate Repetitive Tasks

Backups, for instance, should be automated. Any task you need to do frequently, but is the same every time, also fits the bill. This makes forgetting or error less likely.

4. Check Backups

While backups should be automated, you don’t want to routinize them so much that you never check to ensure they’re working properly. Perform a test recovery several times a year to ensure all is working as it should.

5. Be Smart About Scheduled Maintenance

Never schedule maintenance for a time when you won’t be able to get help if you need it. Think national holidays or weekends. Instead, plan to execute during the week, when you can fall back on expert help if something goes wrong.

6. Update in a Timely Fashion

Out-of-date software and hardware is one the biggest security risks in your server system. Update your operating system, control panel and all applications frequently.

7. Review Your User Accounts

Much like passwords, dangling user accounts can form a serious security risk. Instead of leaving old accounts semi-active, go through periodically and remove from the system any accounts your company is no longer using. These include accounts from previous employees or former clients. Keep in mind that your contract may specify you delete client data when they move on, so this helps you remain in compliance.

If you’re not sure whether or not your server maintenance routine is up to snuff, consider getting the help of a professional such as Great Lakes Computer. As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so don’t wait until you’re in a jam to call in the experts. Do it today and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your servers are, and always will be, in good hands.

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5 Simple Solutions to Your Biggest Printer Problems

Printer ProblemsPrinters can be a real pain. They often don’t work quite how you’d expect and fixing them can seem daunting. Before your frustration overwhelms your better judgement,  read these 5 common printer problems and how to fix them from PCRepair.com.

Problem: Printing is too slow.

Solution: Rev up printer performance–and save ink in the process–by reducing print quality for everyday output. While printer settings vary by model, here’s how to switch to draft-printing mode in most Windows apps. Select Print and Properties, and then look for a setting that reduces print quality. With the HP Photosmart 8450, for instance, change the default print quality setting from Normal to Fast Draft (click screen-shot at right). Other speedup suggestions: Print pages from websites without graphics, and add RAM to your printer, if possible.

Problem: Windows is sending print jobs to the wrong printer.

Solution: For some mysterious reason, Windows may select a new default printer–the one it automatically sends print jobs to. (This happened to me when I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7.) To fix this glitch in Windows 7, click Start (the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen) and select Devices and Printers. Under Printers and Faxes, right-click the printer you want to make the default, and select Set as default printer.

Problem: My prints are too light, too spotty, or have horizontal lines.

Solution: You may have a clogged print head, a problem that can occur if you use an inkjet printer infrequently. Your printer’s utility program can clean out the dried ink, and print a test page for inspection. The step-by-step instructions on how to do this vary by printer. From the Windows 7 Start menu, click Devices and Printers or Control Panel, and look for your printer’s utility app.

Problem: My wireless printer is too slow.

Solution: To get the best performance from a network printer, it’s hard to beat a wired, Ethernet-cable-to-router connection. Wireless printing may be more convenient in many homes and offices, but it has its limitations. Since Wi-Fi speeds slow down with distance, you’ll want to place your wireless printer as close as possible to the router. Also, make sure your Wi-Fi printer or any wireless print server it connects to supports the 802.11n spec, which can rival the performance of 100-mbps Ethernet.

Problem: I don’t know how to fit more text on one page. How do I do it?

Solution: Shrinking text to fit two pages on one sheet saves money (you’ll buy less paper) and speeds up printing (fewer pages to print). This two-for-one approach is best for spreadsheets, receipts, and other documents that are still legible once shrunken. In any Windows program, select Print and Properties, and then look for a printer setting that lets you increase the number of pages per sheet.

If you don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to take on printer repair and maintenance, it’s time you called in the professionals. The Managed Print Program at Great Lakes Computer can save you time and money!

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Top 5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your POS System

POS SystemYour point-of-sale (POS) system is crucial. When it’s working well, life is easy, but without it, business comes to a grinding halt, and you can’t even perform the simplest tasks. Don’t let that happen to you by allowing your POS to break down earlier than it’s supposed to. Here are 5 tips for extending its life.

1. Use It As It Was Intended

This is perhaps the biggest thing you can do to ensure your equipment lasts a long time. If you use your equipment in ways it can’t handle, not only might you wear it out faster, you could void your warranty. Therefore you should only use fingers or styluses on touchscreens (no pens!), and take care not to set objects on top of your POS components. Avoid spilling liquids or spattering equipment with grease, and never ever bang on something in order to get it working again.

2. Back It Up

You’ve got lots of information embedded in your POS system … orders, prices, add-ons and customizations that you really don’t want to lose. Therefore it’s critical that you back your system up frequently. If you don’t know how to do this, hire someone who can help you create an automated backup system.

3. Turn Off Your Machines

While it’s true you no longer have to shut devices down to keep their batteries in good working order, keep in mind that LCD displays and indicator lights can still burn out. Shutting down equipment not only saves your business energy, it helps it last longer. Make a plan for how often you’ll shut down, and stick to it.

4. Use the Right Equipment

Nothing runs your POS system into the ground like using shoddy hardware or software. Instead, use equipment that meets the recommended specifications for your system, and don’t be tempted to cheap out. It’s also a good idea to use high-quality supplies with your system. If, for instance, you use crummy paper in your POS printer, it may jam frequently, which not only gums up your operations but will also wear down the entire system more quickly.

5. Clean Your Equipment Regularly

This might seem like a very basic mandate, but it is also a very important one. Grease and grime collect on the undersides of keys, inside ports and around panels, so it’s important that you clean everything out regularly. This will keep your systems functioning at full capacity, and prevent any buildup that might corrode them over time. Use a light cleaner to wipe it down, and a pipe cleaner for the magnetic strip reader.

Luckily, if you take this advice, your POS system should last as long as intended and often much longer. If you need help with POS system repair, contact a trusted partner like Great Lakes Computer to help you keep everything in topnotch condition. We’re always happy to help your business run at peak performance, so get in touch.

Learn more about Great Lakes POS Systems Depot Repair

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POS Repair Tips: 5 Helpful Hints to Keep You Up and Running

POS RepairPOS systems are the lifeblood of many businesses, but with finicky parts such as touchscreens and printer ribbons, they are also prone to malfunctions. Having to break out the manual credit card imprint machines is the bane of both your customers and your employees, but some simple steps can help you get the most out of your POS system and allow you to serve your customers efficiently.

Purchase quality products and accessories

Most business owners choose to buy the best quality POS system that they can afford, only to forget that the hardware’s performance also depends on peripherals and accessories such as cables. If you’re having difficulty with your POS system but can’t detect any problems with the software or firmware, make sure you are employing effective tools such as cables and displays before paying for expensive repairs for the entire system.

Stay up to date on software upgrades

It’s easy to overlook software and firmware updates when they aren’t a core process of your business, but doing so can result in costly downtime if your POS system crashes due to a bug. POS software carries a significant and diverse workload, so it’s understandable that glitches are going to happen from time to time. By taking the time to proactively update your software on a regular schedule, your system will be less susceptible to small problems that can turn into big issues.

Manage your power wisely

If you pay the electric bill on a retail store, then you know that they are power hogs that need numerous appliances to keep them running. This is especially true for restaurants, which have to rely on multiple sources of heating and cooling that can wreak havoc on a building’s electrical wiring. All of these sources of power are liable to cause spikes and surges, which can render your POS system useless. If your POS equipment shares a power supply with other volatile appliances, it is a good idea to invest in power protection add-ons, many of which are manufactured to be compatible with POS hardware.

Clean printers regularly

With hundreds of tiny and sensitive parts, printers are notorious for their tendency to break down at a moment’s notice. Once they do, it’s almost always a time-consuming process to troubleshoot the problem and figure out if something needs to be repaired and replaced. By frequently inspecting and cleaning areas that are prone to collecting dust and grime, such as printer heads, you can help to stave off any crippling problems.

Have a backup plan in place

In a fast-paced retail environment, it’s crucial to have a solid plan in place in case your POS system goes down and to train employees on the plan from time to time. You also may want to consider employing a managed IT services company, like Great Lakes Computer, who can perform regular POS maintenance and respond to you quickly in emergency situations.

Learn more about Great Lakes POS Systems Depot Repair

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Medium Sized Businesses Targeted Due to Poor Network Security

Network SecurityHackers, like the viruses they create, adapt at alarming rates. The newest adaptation involves a focus shift to medium sized businesses for cyber attacks. Big companies have the budget to install top line security measures and full IT staffs to oversee them. Medium sized businesses have a hard time keeping up, and that weakness is being exploited. We all know that Target was the victim of a very costly, and very public, cyber attack. But most people don’t know that the attackers gained access to the Target system via a backdoor left open by poor IT security at a medium sized vendor of the Big Box giant. Our friends at CUtimes tell us more:

A Ponemon Institute report stated that 44% of businesses had a data breach in the past year, and McAfee puts the percentage at 60. The average time from the actual data breach to its detection was 210 days.

In a separate Ponemon survey conducted for the Connecticut-based Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co., 55% of smaller business owners and professionals reported at least one breach and almost a third at least one cyberattack. HSB also polled risk managers for mostly large companies in 2015 and found 69% had experienced at least one hacking incident in the previous 12 months.

Costs associated with a breach can be significant. Although per-record cost estimates range, the ID Theft Resource Center said the mid-range cost per record was $217 in 2014. And that doesn’t account for the damage a data breach can do to a company’s reputation.

Cybercriminals may focus on medium size companies as a potential backdoor to access the networks of larger clients. As a supplier, contractor or vendor, the smaller business is a trusted source for the larger company and often has access to its computer system.

Cyber extortion is also a growing threat in which thieves install “ransomware” that encrypts data and then demand payment to unlock the victim’s computer system.

It’s challenging for a midsize business to choose the right insurance program because there are no accepted standards for cyber coverage. Most insurance companies will offer certain coverages but not others. It is difficult to find a broad, inclusive policy, and many business owners and risk managers are not sure which cyber coverages they really need.

Here are some of the cyber coverages that midsize businesses should consider:

– Data breach response coverage for the expense of notifying individuals, credit monitoring and other services.

– Data breach liability for litigation and settlement costs of lawsuits resulting from a breach.

– Identity theft insurance to pay for expenses and expert help for business owners to restore credit standing and identity records.

– Computer attack for data restoration or re-creation, system restoration, loss of business income and other services.

– Cyber extortion to cover the amount of money demanded to unlock a commandeered system, including the cost of an investigator.

– Network security liability to defend against claims that “negligent failure of computer security” caused third-party damage.

– Electronic media liability for claims that information displayed on a website infringes or violates the rights of individuals or defames them.

As insurers offer more cyber coverage designed for medium size companies, agents, brokers and business owners must choose carefully. Packaged policies may serve a small business well, but likely will lack the broader protection that a midsize business needs. Cyber insurance for large corporations often includes coverage and limits that a midsize business doesn’t need and premiums it can’t afford.

If you are a mid sized business owner interested in taking the right steps towards keeping your network secure, contact our security experts at Great Lakes Computer today to get started.

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**Data Security Alert** PC Users Told to Uninstall Quicktime ASAP

Data SecurityThe Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to all PC owners on April 14th; Uninstall Quicktime immediately. There are known vulnerablilities in the software, and Apple has discontinued updates for it. This leaves your PC at risk to hackers. Forbes.com tells us more of the story:

This alert stems from a recent call to action from TrendMicro after the company’s Zero Day Initiative revealed two critical vulnerabilities: ZDI-16-241 and ZDI-16-242 that affect QuickTime for Windows.

“These two vulnerabilities are considered ‘remote code execution’ vulnerabilities, which means a miscreant could get the victim to click on a link or visit a website, and remotely hack into the computer without ever physically being in front of the computer,” warns Dodi Glenn, VP of cyber security at PC Pitstop. “While we have yet to see these vulnerabilities being used in the ‘wild’, our experience tells us that it won’t be long before they are bundled in the majority of exploit kits being sold on the underground marketplace.”

The US-CERT advisory states, “Computers running QuickTime for Windows will continue to work after support ends. However, using unsupported software may increase the risks from viruses and other security threats. Potential negative consequences include loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data, as well as damage to system resources or business assets. The only mitigation available is to uninstall QuickTime for Windows.”

Sanjay Ramnath, Senior Director of Security Product Management for Barracuda, explains, “While Apple has every right to discontinue any of its products, it should be done so in a way to limit risk to its users. Unfortunately, given how widespread the use is, pulling the plug without pre-announcement and without fixing known problems causes significant risk.”

“Unfortunately, companies discontinue products all the time. Quicktime for Windows has been around since the early 90s and I think was the first piece of Windows software released by Apple. However, since its feature set has been eclipsed by other programs over the years it sort of makes sense to discontinue it,” states Cris Thomas, Strategist for Tenable Network Security. “In fact, for most users there is no need for Quicktime at all. It is no longer required by iTunes and web video is usually served by HTML 5 these days.”

The abrupt expiration of support for QuickTime means that Apple will no longer issue patches or security updates for known or reported vulnerabilities, including the two described in the TrendMicro Zero Day Initiative. The implication of this announcement is that Windows machines using QuickTime will be increasingly vulnerable to zero-day attacks.

To complicate things further, any application that relies on QuickTime will need to switch, and for most organizations, a switch like this will take time, impacting productivity and putting them at even greater risk. Adobe has already issued guidance explaining that uninstalling QuickTime could have an adverse effect on Adobe Creative Cloud customers.

There is some good news according to Tenable’s Thomas. “Since the current version of Quicktime for Windows 7.7.9 removed the browser plugin anyway, there is no way for an attack to automatically compromise a system with a simple drive-by exploit. The attacker would have to convince a victim to download a specially crafted file and then get them to open it in Quicktime.”

Ramnath stresses, “The best defense is often a great offense. Customers should ensure they have layered security to protect against these types of attacks—security solutions that block malicious attachments and links or use other advanced threat detection techniques.”

It’s one thing to discontinue support for a software product, however abruptly yanking support for a widely-used program without even addressing known critical security vulnerabilities is another matter entirely. Thomas has some harsh words for the fact that Apple not only isn’t supporting QuickTime, but still continues to offer the software for download from its website.

“Since Apple knows these products have critical vulnerabilities, they should be made unavailable for download. Leaving them in place is simply gross negligence,” proclaims Thomas.

PC Users can find instructions for uninstalling QuickTime for Windows on the Apple Uninstall QuickTime page. If you believe your PC has already been infected, contact the Support Team at Great Lakes Computer to help get your computer virus and malware free.

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