On April 26th, 2014 Microsoft became aware of an attempt to exploit a vulnerability in Internet Explorer versions 6 through 11. This is a remote code execution vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute an arbitrary code through the Internet Explorer web browser on your PC.
While Microsoft works to patch this exploit AE Technology Group advises that you use a different web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari until a fix has been released and applied.
What Can You Do?
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind our clients who are still using Windows XP that Microsoft is no longer providing support for this operating system. As such, this exploit will not be fixed for XP users. If you are choosing not to upgrade to a newer operating system, we advise you to use a 3rd party web browser that is not vulnerable to this exploit.
The process of ordering new IT services is evolving away from those common methods used in the past, where IT decisions and purchase orders started at the top of the company pyramid.
Today, the shift in planning and control of IT purchases is being driven by departmental needs.
Does HR see a more efficient and secure way, ala Office 365/SharePoint, to store and share employee profiles and information?
What HIPPA compliance measures need to be considered when determine storage and sharing of documents?
If so, their demand may be more urgent than, say, sales; the latter may be okay for the short term using silos of separate info residing on Excel or in Outlook.
Increasingly, those decisions to purchase new platforms are moving from the traditional top-down approach to accommodate requirements from specific ‘lines of business (LOBs),” like sales and R&D, for example; this, according to a recent global study by Cisco Consulting Services that surveyed 4,000 IT decision makers.
The reason for the shift? Mainly, it has to do with the proliferation of mobile devices and the culture of BYOD in the workplace. As such, there is a recognized need for more control in cloud network migration among departments within an organization or business. In fact, 82 percent of those surveyed by Cisco were planning welcoming more such devices, which in turn would call for compliance and security measures.
For example, if an employee is cleared to use his own mobile device, and changes to another device, what is the policy to track and store sensitive info, particularly if the employee lives the company?
Pandora’s box opens wider with each tech advance. Moreover, by the year 2016 the report expects that cloud services will account for about 27% of IT spending.
To learn more about transition certain services and software functions to the cloud, contact us. Discover why more and more clients are coming to rely on us as their managed service provider.
If you’ve been wondering what information technology salaries have been lately, it’s been fairly consistent that the higher end fields pay very well. But what about those just starting out in the IT field?
There’s is a notion that those starting in particular IT fields don’t get paid all that well while doing very tiring work. The same thing applies to the higher tech fields when first being hired. Regardless, this may be changing now with reports from AOL Jobs that starting pay for high-tech IT jobs are going to be increasing 5.3%.
What areas of IT are expected to be in the most demand to give reason to pay more? Anyone wanting to get into IT now, should consider these fields considering the demand is well exceeding the available talent.
Developers of Mobile Apps
This seems to be sizing up to be the most in-demand IT field in the world for the coming year. In fact, AOL Jobs above says starting salaries for mobile app developers could start close to a $100,000 a year range. That should be enough incentive to get anyone inspired toward an education in mobile technology.
It’s going to take some considerable experience, though, before being hired. Companies are going to need their mobile applications to be accurate and won’t be hiring upstarts without some proven ability.
If you want to get those starting salaries, you’ll likely have to do some volunteer work first just for the experience.
Big Data
Implementing big data may be the second most in-demand IT career next to mobile technology. Considering big data can work in tandem with mobile applications, everything is going to be connected.
In fact, having crossover knowledge between the two can benefit you even more. However, data scientists are going to be the main focus on implementing the complexities of big data. These scientists are already in very short supply.
Expect anyone with the proper and experienced skill sets in designing big data to get a substantial starting salary.
Experts in Wireless Technology
Anything to do with building wireless networks will also be in high demand with higher starting salaries, says AOL Jobs. This goes hand in hand with mobile development, even though security will be a major concern in developing those network systems.
Knowledge in the latest encryption technologies will have to play a major part in this career. Fortunately, encryption is already starting to improve each year, particularly in quantum key distribution.
At AE Technology Group we’re not just about technology but also cognizant of business structure. No technology should be implemented until there’s a real understanding whether it’s truly right for our clients. We are always hiring for new positions, check out our careers page for more information.
Since Microsoft released Windows Vista / 7 and Windows 8 operating systems, help for issues with XP have already begun to dwindle. Updates are not as frequent and drivers users need to run new programs are not being developed or released by Microsoft.
Microsoft is trying to keep up with Mac and Linux systems and now they are visibly beginning to cut the fat. This means in the very near future there will be no more support for Windows XP from Microsoft. On April 8th, 2014, support for Windows XP will officially end. So what do I do?
Many users have become accustomed to XP, and this elimination of support means getting used to a new system, purchasing new equipment, and the integration of new software. This may at first present itself as a daunting task, but users will find upgrading now will save countless man hours and cash in the long run.
Here are some tips for making the transition to Windows Vista / 7 or 8 OS as easy as possible:
Take into Consideration IE 10: When making the switch to Windows 8, your device will also upgrade to Internet Explorer 10. IE 10 has proved troublesome for those trying to access certain sites. Some websites are still in the process of upgrading in order to work with IE 10, but should be fully optimized soon.
Purchasing Product: Windows 7 is no longer available at your local computer store. You can still purchase Windows 7 from online or consult with your IT service provider.
Research Your System Requirements: Some organizations may need to upgrade equipment to work with the newer Windows OS. It is important to consult with your IT provider to find out which systems will work seamlessly with your new OS and which may need upgrading.
Check for Optimum Output: If you have made the switch to Windows 8 and all your systems and websites are working without issue, it may be worth it to upgrade to the latest version of Windows.
If your company is considering making the switch, contact our experts here at AE Technology Group. They can help your organization make the migration from XP to 7 or 8 flawlessly so your company doesn’t miss a beat. Call today (877) 771-AETG.
Love him, hate him, or fear him, there is no denying that Microsoft co-founder and CEO Steve Ballmer is one of the industry’s true larger-than-life personalities. Reactions to the news that Ballmer is to retire within the next year have varied greatly, from “worst CEO ever” to reflections on his “classy exit.” The one certainty of the situation, however, is that Microsoft is due for drastic changes. What impact will the departure have on Microsoft Exchange and enterprise email?
Office 365 is an important part of Microsoft’s future strategies. The platform faces competition from many other providers with enterprise productivity capabilities – one of the most important of which is email. What we will see in Microsoft’s future will undoubtedly be an acceleration of its transition to cloud services and move away from the Window’s bound mindset. The argument has been made that Ballmer’s reign was marked by the unwillingness to accept that the company needed to move beyond Windows.
However, Microsoft must cover a lot of ground if it is get past the “lock in” of its once ubiquitous operating system. Office 365 reflects this fact: despite being cloud-based, its roots in the proprietary license software model show very clearly. Most of its applications need a major retrofit for the cloud-based environment in which access from any device and data interoperability rule.
Rather than waiting for Microsoft to catch up, organizations have more Exchange alternatives than ever for their 21st century email needs. Platforms such as the open-source Zafara were built with web-access and platform independence in mind. Contact us to learn more about systems with all of the capabilities of exchange that also happen to be way ahead of the curve in giving businesses the agility that they need in the modern age.
If you’ve been wondering what 
