Service Pack 3

Microsoft recently released Service Pack 3 for XP Pro.

What is service pack 3?

Windows XP Pro Service Pack 3 includes all previously released updates for the operating system and is delivered in a single installable package. These updates assist with security, performance and stability flaws within the operating system.

Why Should I Have Service Pack 3 Installed?

Installing Service Pack 3 on your machines ensures that your systems are updated with the latest Microsoft critical patches by filling gaps in the updates you might have missed & allows you to continue receive new critical updates for the operating system.

Problems or Concerns?

MTI has found that Service Pack 3 may require some special installation steps to prevent opportunities with PC permissions and certain virus protections.  These special installation steps include possible changes to the registry.

 MTI Tech Solutions recommends having an IT professional handle the Service Pack 3 install. Making changes to a PC’s registry or permissions without knowing exactly what you are doing can render a PC non-functional.

Contact an MTI representative today to schedule an on-site visit today!

Helpful Hints to safeguard your PC and Data during Arizona’s summer months

1). Back-up your data to an external hard drive, tape drive or have a backup company store your data in an offsite location . Monsoon season is notorious for causing power surges and outages that can result in the loss of your important data. We recommend backing up your PC every night and implementing the use of a surge protector.  Adding a backup power supply will also provide an additional layer of protection.

2). Avoid keeping your PC in areas that are exposed to the high temperatures. As with any electronics, the heat can take its toll on your PC. We recommend placing your PC in a well ventilated/cooled area during these hot summer months.

3). Rid your PC of all the dust that it collects over time. If you have ever opened up a computer, you would know that tons of dust settles inside and in time it could affect the PC’s efficiency. There are several products you can purchase that can help you “Spring Clean”.

4). Keep your PC up-to-date with the latest Microsoft critical updates, virus protection, spy ware cleaning and disk defrags.

*Please note that these are only suggestion & MTI makes no guarantee that the suggestion listed above will prevent issues from arising.

 Do you know what PC users are doing with their time on their company computer?

Have you ever wondered how much time a PC user spends surfing the web? Do you know how much personal business is done during a work day?  How much of the data on their PC is actually personal pictures, documents and even movies.  Excessive downtime can affect the overall productivity of your company; ultimately costing you money.

MTI can help you monitor PC users’ activities; this can be done at a variety of different levels to ensure you are comfortable with the solution you choose.  Monitoring can be as simple as documenting a users total time on the internet during the day or as complex as retracing their keystrokes to determine if sensitive and valuable data is leaving your company unauthorized.

Monitoring Options:

1.      Internet usage – Reports can document total time spent or even detail exact websites visited

2.      Key Stokes – Recover emails transmitted via personal email to determine if any sensitive information is leaving your office; see what documents are being alerted etc.

3.      File content – Gain access to a user’s PC to review the contents of the PC

4.      Real time – View a user in real time to see what they are doing.  This is especially helpful if a user is suspected of deleted or corrupting data.

There are various software programs that can be installed on a single PC and are undetectable to the user. These programs have a variety of functions and start at around $300 for a single user.  Your specific costs will depend upon the level of monitoring desired.

Monitoring can also be integrated into a more complex network through firewall logging; allowing for more extensive user monitoring.  These programs can also prevent issues with restrictive access to network drives, websites and programs.

Call an MTI representative today to discuss your PC user monitoring options.  We will evaluate your current system and monitoring needs to develop a plan that will work with your company’s needs and budget.