Category Archives: Blog

Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Apple Users Will Want To Update As Soon As Possible

Do you own a device running macOS Monterey 12.5.1, or iOS/iPadOS 15.6.1? If so, you’ll want to download and install the latest patches as soon as possible. Apple recently released a small but critical security update aimed at fixing a pair of serious vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on an unpatched device.

The two issues addressed by this patch are tracked as CVE-2022-32894 and CVE-2022-32893. The former is a flaw that allows an attacker to gain kernel-level privileges and execute arbitrary code. The second is a WebKit flaw that allows poisoned web pages to run arbitrary code. If you’re not familiar with it, WebKit is the platform that Apple’s Mail app, Safari, and all of its iOS web browsers rest on. Don’t expect much in the way of details from the patch release notes. You won’t find any. The only thing the latest security update does is patch to close these two security flaws.

If you own an Apple watch, also be aware that watchOS 8.7.1 has also been recently released, though when it was released, it was done without accompanying patch notes so we’re not certain whether or not this release is related to the security flaws referenced above or not.

While Apple has already fixed the issues with Monterey, some older versions of MacOS have yet to be patched. It is not currently known whether these versions are vulnerable or not, so be sure to keep an eye out for new releases if you are running older versions of MacOS.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Raspberry Robin Worm In Hundreds Of Windows Networks

Analysts at Red Canary Intelligence have recently spotted a Windows worm on hundreds of networks belonging to a wide range of organizations around the world.

Dubbed “Raspberry Robin” by the research team that discovered it, this worm spreads via infected USB devices and was initially spotted in September of last year (2021).  Another firm, Sekoia, observed the worm even earlier, citing appearances of similar code strains on QNAP NAS devices as early as November of 2019.

So far, nothing is known about the threat group that created the worm.  There’s nothing in the code that ties it definitively to any of the large, organized, active groups of hackers around the world. Although a code analysis reveals that it is quite advanced.

Although it has spread far and wide, and it is clearly capable of unleashing untold amounts of harm, the threat actors behind the worm have simply opted not to. At least not yet.

It is not known whether it’s because they wish to give the worm more time to spread before inflicting harm to maximize the impact of that harm, or because the group is still in early stages and is essentially testing its capabilities to see how far and how easily it will spread.

Given how little is known about the particulars and the theoretical capabilities of the worm, Microsoft tagged this as a high-risk threat. They stress that although the hackers have, not opted to use it to deploy additional malicious payloads so far, that could change at literally any time.

This is one to be on the lookout for.  Make sure your IT staff are aware of it and on high alert.  As additional details emerge about the worm and who might be behind it emerges, we’ll almost certainly have more to say about this latest threat.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

The Importance Of Having An Email Newsletter

Most business owners understand the importance of being active on at least one social media channel. That’s fine as far as it goes, but have you considered supplementing your social media presence with a good, old-fashioned newsletter?

Of course, when we say newsletter, we’re not talking about something you print and mail to your customers but rather something you publish electronically and email.

Not many companies do this anymore and that’s a real shame. While social media is fine, a regularly published newsletter can be a powerful companion to your online presence and can have several benefits.

First and foremost, it makes you stand out in the minds of your customers because again, not many companies are doing that anymore.

Second, whether you publish every two weeks or once a month, it gives you an opportunity to reach out to your customers at regular intervals. That keeps you on the collective minds of your customers.  If they’re thinking about you, they’re apt to head to your website or brick and mortar location the next time they need something.

Third, if your newsletter contains case studies or if it highlights the ways in which your company is responding to industry changes, it sends a clear message that you’re an authority on the topics you’re writing about. Everybody loves doing business with experts because experts really know what they’re doing.  It gives your customers peace of mind and confidence when they buy from you, and that makes them more likely to do so.

Finally, it’s a great way to give people who have done business with you before a sneak peek of upcoming products or services you plan to release, which makes them feel like they’re one of the insiders.  They’re in the know in ways that people who don’t get your newsletter simply aren’t, and that helps to create a powerful connection.

All that to say, if you don’t yet have a company newsletter, you may want to give serious consideration to starting one.  Done well, it will help your company in a wide range of ways.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Prepare For Windows Server 2012 End Of Support

Another week, another Microsoft “End of Life” reminder to write about.

This time, it’s Windows Server 2012 R2.  If you’re a user, then you’re probably already aware of the looming deadline. If you’ve blocked it out of your mind, or if you’ve missed the notifications that Microsoft has been sending out, here’s what you need to know.

The End-of-Life deadline for Windows Server 2012 R2 is October 10, 2023.  If you have not begun making transition plans, now is the time to do so.  Beyond that date, you’ll no longer receive regular patches or security updates which will put your company at risk.

To minimize that risk, Microsoft recommends updating to Windows Server 2019 at your earliest convenience.

It’s also worth mentioning that Server 2012 R2 will follow Microsoft’s “Fixed Lifecycle Policy,” which means it has 5 years of mainstream support plus an additional five years of extended support.

During the mainstream support period, the product receives all updates and support.  During the extended support period, users stop getting non-security-related updates.  Once the extended support period ends, all updates cease. Thus, End of Support.

If you’re evaluating the October 10th 2023 deadline with a pit in your stomach, it’s worth mentioning that customers who need more time can opt-in for a paid plan called “Extended Security Update” that gives you another three years, but that’s a hard deadline.  After that, there is no more support no matter how much you offer to pay.

The cost of the “Extended Security Update” gets more expensive in each of the three years it’s offered. It amounts to 75 percent of License Cost for year one, 100 percent for year 2, and 125 percent for year three. If you need the extra time to transition away from Server 2012 R2, you may consider that to be money well spent.

In any case, the time to start making plans is now.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Microsoft Is Phasing Out Windows 8.1

If you are still using Windows 8.1 and if you’ve somehow managed to avoid seeing the parade of notices Microsoft has been sending out, you should know that the end is nigh.

Support for the aging OS will end on January 10, 2023.  If you have not already done so, you should begin making plans now to migrate away from that OS, and to something more modern.

This is a similar track the company adopted where the end of Windows 7 support was concerned, and the current deadline should not be a surprise to anyone.

After all, Windows 8 itself reached the end of support back in 2016. Although users of version 8.1 got a considerable extension from that point.

It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has decided not to offer an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 8.1, so when the date arrives, that’s it.  No matter how much you may want one, you won’t be able to pay for an extension. That means you’ll lose the benefit of ongoing security patches from that point forward.

Although Windows 10 gets the lion’s share of the press for being the most widely used version of the OS of all time, Windows 8.1 was significant for the Redmond Giant.

Windows 8’s initial release was not well received, and the company worked hard to address the (often legitimate) concerns that the OS’s massive user base had.  Windows 8.1 was the culmination of those efforts and the Windows 8.1 era of the company’s history saw steady improvements in both aesthetics and functionality.

In fact, it’s fair to say that without the gains made during the Windows 8.1 era, the current OS would still look dated and many of the components that are integral to all of Microsoft’s operating systems might not have yet been overhauled.

In any case, the sun is indeed setting on Windows 8.1.  Be sure you’re ready when it goes full dark.

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