Category Archives: Blog

Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

A Number Of Netgear Routers Get Security Fixes

Dozens of Netgear routers are vulnerable to a very old security flaw. The DNS rebinding flaws that these routers have date back to models the company put out as early as 2007. That means this issue has been lurking in the background for a very long time.

It was recently brought to light by the Vietnamese security company GRIMM and an independent security researcher known only as d4rkn3ss. Both confirm that these potentially fatal security flaws are centered around the remote management capabilities of the routers in question.

Unfortunately many of the impacted routers have reached their end of support life so no fix is coming. Refer to the extensive list below. If you have one of the affected routers be sure to keep an eye out for a security patch from Netgear.

If you have an older piece of equipment that isn’t slated for additional security fixes, here is the solution. Your best bet is to use the browser based interface to access your router and be sure that its remote management feature is set to “disabled.”

Note however that this will not offer bullet proof protection. Someone with physical access to your network could still exploit the issue but disabling remote administration does go a long ways in terms of protecting you and your network.

Here is the complete list of impacted Netgear routers:

  • D6300, firmware version 1.0.0.90 and 1.0.0.102
  • DGN2200, firmware version 1.0.0.58
  • DGN2200M, firmware version 1.0.0.35 and 1.0.0.37
  • DGN2200v4, firmware version 1.0.0.102
  • R6250, firmware versions 1.0.4.36 and 1.0.1.84
  • R6300v2, firmware version 1.0.3.6CH, 1.0.3.8, and 1.0.4.32
  • R6400, firmware version 1.0.1.20, 1.0.1.36, and 1.0.1.44
  • R7000, firmware versions 9.88, 9.64, 9.60, 9.42, 9.34, 9.18, 9.14, 9.12, 9.10, 9.6, and 8.34
  • R8000, firmware version 1.0.4.18, 1.0.4.46
  • R8300, firmware version 1.0.2.128 and 1.0.2.130
  • R8500, firmware version 1.0.0.28
  • WGR614v9, firmware version 1.2.32NA
  • WGR614v10, firmware version 1.0.2.66NA
  • WGT624v4, firmware version 2.0.12NA and 2.0.13.2
  • WN3000RP, firmware versions 1.0.2.64 and 1.0.1.18
  • WNDR3300, firmware versions 1.0.45, 1.0.45NA, and 1.0.14NA
  • WNDR3400, firmware versions 1.0.0.52 and 1.0.0.38
  • WNDR3400v2, firmware versions 1.0.0.54 and 1.0.0.16
  • WNDR3400v3, firmware versions 1.0.1.24 and 1.0.0.38
  • WNDR3700v3, firmware versions 1.0.0.42, 1.0.0.38, and 1.0.0.18
  • WNDR4000, firmware versions 1.0.2.10, 1.0.2.4, and 1.0.0.82
  • WNDR4500v2, firmware versions 1.0.0.60 and 1.0.0.72
  • WNR1000v3, firmware version 1.0.2.72
  • WNR2000v2, firmware versions 1.2.0.8, 1.2.0.4NA, and 1.0.0.40
  • WNR3500, firmware version 1.0.36NA
  • WNR3500L, firmware versions 1.2.2.48NA, 1.2.2.44NA, and 1.0.2.50
  • WNR3500Lv2, firmware version 1.2.0.56
  • And WNR834Bv2, firmware version 2.1.13NA

If you have one of these routers, consider upgrading. Stay on guard.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Microsoft Windows 11 Finally Has A Release Date

Are you excited at the prospect of Windows 11? If so then you will be pleased to know that Microsoft’s latest OS now has an official release date. That date you’re looking for is October 5th, 2021.

Microsoft had this to say about the release date in a recent blog post:

“The free upgrade to Windows 11 starts on October 5 and will be phased and measured with a focus on quality. Following the tremendous learnings from Windows 10, we want to make sure we’re providing you with the best possible experience. That means new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first.”

If you’re a Windows 10 user and you meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11 you’ll be able to download the new OS and install immediately as of the date mentioned above. Users with older OS’s will need to perform a clean installation via a bootable USB drive and an ISO to complete the installation.

Windows 11 is packed with new features and sports a long overdue UI overhaul. Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements are angering broad swaths of the company’s user base. Many CPU’s that are perfectly capable of running Windows 11 are simply incompatible with it. That means if you have a top of the line computer that can run Windows 10 without a hitch you may not be able to use Windows 11 at all.

While Microsoft hasn’t backed away from those requirements the company has announced that it will continue to support Windows 10 through 2025. That gives Windows 10 users plenty of time to retire their existing equipment and still get a free upgrade to Windows 11 which is good news indeed.

One way or the other though the future is Windows 11. It ultimately comes down to whether you embrace the future now or a bit later on but either way it’s coming.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Free Repairs Offered For iPhone 12 Users With Sound Issues

The bad news is some of Apple’s iPhone 12’s have sound issues. If you own an iPhone 12 then you are probably already aware of this.

The good news is that Apple has moved on the issue fairly quickly. The company has introduced a new free-of-charge service program for impacted iPhone 12’s. If your device is defective you can have it repaired at no cost to you.

The company recently published a blog post that had this to say about the matter:

“Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro devices may experience sound issues due to a component that might fail on the receiver module. Affected devices were manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021. If your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro does not emit sound from the receiver when you make or receive calls, it may be eligible for service.”

You’ve got three different options open to you if you have an iPhone 12 suffering from the sound issue:

  • You can take it to the nearest Apple Authorized Service provider and have it repaired.
  • You can take it to the Apple Retail Store nearest you.
  • Or you can contact Apple Support and arrange mail in service via an Apple Repair Center.

If you select this last option you will receive instructions about where to mail your device when you complete the service request on the Apple Support page.

Apple’s quick response here demonstrates once again why the company has an almost Evangelical following. Whether you like the company and the products they make or not give credit where credit is due. The company has a long history of taking good care of its customers.

Kudos to Apple. While it’s unfortunate that the malfunction exists the company has made it delightfully easy to get it fixed.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

Microsoft Teams Adds A Number Of New Features

Do you use Microsoft Teams? If you do then you’re going to love the August update. It offers a number of new high value features that will improve the quality of your online meetings. Here’s a quick overview:

Two New Presenter Options

In Presenter Mode you’ll find two new options available: A Reporter mode and a Side By Side mode. In Reporter Mode any shared content will be placed above your shoulder (left or right) as a visual aid while you’re speaking. In Side by Side mode your shared content will be in a separate column next to you.

Captioning and Transcription Changes

The two biggest changes here are live captions and live transcripts which provide captions and transcription in real time as your meeting is unfolding. In addition to that Microsoft has expanded the number of supported languages to 27 which is absolutely fantastic.

Calling Changes

The latest version of Teams now offers dual-tone multi-frequency support for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. In addition to these changes Admins can now delegate admin roles to specific members for the device management section in the Teams Admin Center.

Where Teams for Education is concerned both educators and students can access and edit Team meetings for their courses directly from their Canvas course. It is a small change but a big time saver and highly convenient. You’ll also be able to view past and future meetings at a glance on your agenda and schedule and edit or join meetings from your LMS course.

Teams for Education also offers a new way to collaborate via Blackboard and the new Reading Progress feature allows readers to practice their skills in a safe student centered environment.

The bottom line is that there’s something for just about everyone in the August update. You won’t want to miss this one.

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Posted on Author Atlantic Computer Services Categories Blog

iPhone Users Getting Secure IDs And Digital Drivers Licenses

Have you ever wished you had a digital ID like a driver’s license? Apple is working to make that a reality.

The company is currently in talks with officials from eight different state government to fold state IDs and driver’s licenses into Apple Wallet.

 

The states in question are:

  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Oklahoma
  • And Utah

There’s the day to day convenience that is a natural outgrowth of having a digital copy of your driver’s license and/or State ID. In addition the company is touting the benefits of Apple Wallet to travelers saying that it will make airport check ins faster and more convenient.

Whether that proves true or not is something that remains to be seen but it certainly has the potential to. The idea would be that if you’ve got a digital ID on your person you’ll be able to breeze through at least some TSA checkpoints with a phone tap.

Here’s how the process is being designed to work, per Apple:

  • A consumer would add an ID or license to Apple Wallet as they would a credit card or transit pass.
  • If paired with an Apple Watch the consumer could add the ID to the Apple Watch.
  • The consumer would be asked to use their iPhone to scan their physical driver’s license or state ID card and take a selfie that would be provided to the state for verification.
  • For additional security customers will be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements.
  • The issuing state would then verify the IDs to be added to Apple Wallet.
  • Once added, the TSA will be able to accept IDs with a tap at the identity reader. Using Face ID or Touch ID the identity information being asked for is shared.

This is big news and potentially huge news especially if it catches on nationwide. Kudos to Apple and the eight pioneering states mentioned above. Exciting times indeed.

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