Month: December 2019

Keep Tabs on Which Version of Windows 10 Your Business’s Computers Are Running

Windows 10 follows a different lifecycle than its predecessors. Learn about this lifecycle and how to check a computer to see if it is running an unsupported version of Windows 10.

With all the attention that Windows 7’s demise is getting, another deadline has passed with much less fanfare. On November 12, 2019, Windows 10 version 1803 reached the end of its service. This might come as a surprise to some people. However, Windows 10 follows a different lifecycle than its predecessors.

The Different Lifecycle of Windows 10

In the past, Microsoft typically stopped supporting Windows client operating systems a decade after their release. With Windows 10, this is no longer the case. Each version has its own end-of-service date. Windows 10’s version changes each time it receives a feature update, which occurs twice a year. For example, Windows 10 version 1803 is the version resulting after the Windows 10 April 2018 Update is installed.

The end-of-service date depends not only on the version but also the edition (e.g., Windows 10 Professional, Windows 10 Enterprise). Table 1 shows upcoming end-of-service dates for popular Windows 10 editions.

Why the End-of-Service Date Is Important

The end-of-service date is important to know because, once it is reached, the version is no longer supported. This means that Windows 10 will no longer receive the monthly quality updates, which include security patches and bug fixes.

When a Windows 10 version is reaching its end-of-service date, Microsoft will automatically try to update it on customers’ computers. However, the update might not occur for various reasons. For example, companies might control updates through management-system policies or a computer might not be connected to the Internet. Plus, in some editions, Windows 10 users have the ability postpone feature updates. For this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that your business’s Windows 10 computers are not running any unsupported versions.

Here is how to find out which Windows version a computer is running:

1. Open the start menu by clicking the Windows icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Click the gear icon, which will open the Settings app.
3. Select “System”.
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the left pane and click “About”.
5. Scroll to the “Windows specifications” section in the right pane.
6. Note the edition listed and its version number.

If one of your business’s devices is running an unsupported version of Windows 10 and you are not sure how to get it updated, give us a call.

Table 1: Upcoming End-of-Service Dates for Windows 10

Windows 10 Devices flickr photo by DobaKung shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

by powerone

Online Holiday Scams & How to Protect Your Data

December is the busiest shopping month of the year with several gift giving holidays within. Companies send out more email volume during this time to past purchasers or potential buyers and hackers are aware of this busy shopping season and will attempt to steal your information.

Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security issued a release with tips to avoid phishing and malware scams which are worth paying attention to. We list popular ways hackers are tricking shoppers and how to protect yourself this holiday season. Happy online shopping!

Picking up YOUR packages                                                            

Companies are tailoring their purchase process to easier consumer methods such as buying products online that are picked up at a physical location. Make sure when purchasing this way that the merchant has a secure method to picking up the products in person, as well as a secure checkout page when purchasing beforehand.

E-Skimming

Similar to skimming a card and stealing that information, e-skimming works on the checkout page with javascript running in the background that steals your card details. Sometimes the hacker’s code looks like an application installing to complete the checkout process, which should never be the case. Use protective tools your browser offers to protect your information with encryption, and make sure the website is secure with an ‘https’ before the URL.

Shimming

Bank and credit cards are now equipped with chip enabled technology to crack down on skimming, a method where criminals attached a device to a transaction machine which were commonly attached to gas stations. However, with advancement of secure technology comes the threat of criminals cracking the technology to steal your card information, and have now started “shimming” chip cards successfully. Hackers place a “shim” or a thin device into the slot where you would stick the chip end of your card and will save your card information and used in instances where chip technology is not required, such as online purchases. You can protect yourself by setting up transaction alerts every time your card is used or use the contactless feature when paying so information cannot be stored and sold to third parties later.

Quick Checklist

While there are always new methods of hacking your secure information there are easy solutions and methods you should use when shopping online:

• Don’t download shopping apps directly from a link as it could be malware installing onto your device.
• Make sure you have researched the party purchasing from.
• Check the URL to be sure you are on the correct page, and not a 3^rd party page claiming to be the original company.
• Make sure the site is ‘https’ enabled, not ‘http.’
• Do not shop on public wi-fi, use private wi-fi that is secure and password protected.
• Setup transaction alerts to monitor your accounts.

Whether holiday shopping online or sending secure data for business operations, don’t allow an unsecured network put your financial data at risk. Ask how our secure network monitoring services can improve your online security.

Data Protection and Privacy flickrphoto by Cerillion shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

by powerone