LastPass is almost everywhere! (Now on Apple Watch)
We strongly recommend a good password system for everyone. For many that means implementing one of the password services. The one we most often recommend is LastPass and one of the reasons in you can get a client for almost any browser and device. Now it seems you can have one for a watch.
Source: LastPass
Ransomware attacks up 113 Percent in 2014
Beginning in 2013 a new type of Malware was spreading via email: Ransomware. Even today in 2015 most people are unaware of Ransomware and are unable to take steps against it.
As the name implies, “ransomware” is malware that prevents you from accessing data or information on your computer until you pay a ransom or a specified amount of money.
Just as sophisticated phishing emails appear to be from trusted financial institutions or other respected companies, ransomware can appear to be from legitimate sources such as legal authorities or even government officials. A demand is usually made for a fine to be paid for the “illegal activity” that was supposedly found originating from your computer. The illegal activity claim could be items like copying songs or duplicating videos and violating copyright laws.
The two commonest forms of ransomware will: lock the screen with a full-screen image or Web page to prevent access to the computer; or encrypt files with a password that prevents access to data or information.
The other bad news for those infected with this malware is that paying the ransom does not always return your computer to normal.
Source: Symantec
Office Online adds Dropbox support
In November of 2014 Microsoft and Dropbox announced they were integrating Office and Dropbox. Initially this allowed users of Office Mobile to open and save Office documents from their Dropbox accounts. Missing at the time was support for accessing those documents without or while away from a Microsoft Office client.
This week Microsoft has announced Dropbox integration for Office Online. Now you can access your Dropbox files from any web browser and edit them in Office.
End of updates for Java v7
After April 2015, Oracle will no longer post updates of Java SE 7 to its public download sites. Existing Java SE 7 downloads already posted as of April 2015 will remain accessible in the Java Archive on Oracle Technology Network. Developers and end-users are encouraged to update to more recent Java SE versions that remain available for public download.
Oracle Critical Patch Update Advisory
The Critical Patch Update released by Oracle includes 98 security fixes for a wide range of product families.
Systems running Oracle Products (Especially Java) need to ensure the latest updates are applied.
Source: Oracle
Office 2016 Preview for Mac updated
Microsoft has released a significant update to the Office 2016 Preview available for Mac. Since its release the preview has become quote stable, allowing users to use a modern version of Office without Windows. The updated includes changes to Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
If you have not downloaded the preview we recommend trying out:
Source: Office Preview for Mac
Security: Phishing attack (Albany area)
Yesterday we had a client receive an email claiming to be from administrator@TheirCompanyName.com asking them to follow a link to receive an encrypted email. None of our clients would be getting such a message from an account named as such. This was malware designed to convince the user receiving it that the message was legitimate and from an internal account.
Should you receive a similar message you should delete the message immediately. IN addition to coming from the account “Administrator” it may also arrive with the name of a legitimate user on your network.
Example message:
**********Important – Internal ONLY********** File Validity: 10/04/2015 Company : “YourCompanyName.com” File Format: Adobe Reader Legal Copyright: Adobe Corporation. Please follow this link :https://YourCompanyName.com/file/internal/encruptedmessage” ********** Confidentiality Notice **********. This e-mail and any file(s) transmitted with it, is intended for the exclusive use by the person(s) mentioned above as recipient(s). This e-mail may contain confidential information and/or information protected by intellectual property rights or other rights. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of and attachments to this e-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete the original and any copies of this e-mail and any printouts immediately from your system and destroy all copies of it.
Outlook for Mobile Updated
Microsoft is picking up the pace with changes to the newly christened Outlook Mobile. This most recent update adds greater functionality to the Agenda widget and includes general performance improvements. Unfortunately the underlying Calendar the agenda widget uses is still less featured and less user friendly than Microsoft’s Sunrise Calendar which remains our recommended Calendar app for Mobile. 
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