BE SURE YOUR INTERNET EXPLORER AND ADOBE FLASH ARE UP TO DATE!!!

According to the SANS Institute, as of Dec. 10  a newly detected SQL injection attack has already infected nearly 300,000 web pages. Although you don't need to worry about what a SQL injection is (unless you are a programmer), as a user of the internet you do need to know that the malicious software (malware) invisibly injected into these web pages looks for vulnerable (not up to date) versions of Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash Player and some other applications that it uses to infect the internet users computer with malware. That malware specifically steals online banking credentials.

Check right now to be sure your patches are up to date, or if you are a Computer Lady client, contact me to log onto your computer remotely and get everything patched.

Stay warm and keep your fingers crossed that we don't get freezing rain tonight or tomorrow!
Beverly (beverly@computer-lady.com)

Research, research and more research

I've been spending every spare moment researching some of the new services I plan to offer in 2010. I've been researching various encryption options; backup and disaster recovery options; remote monitoring of an entire network; hardware firewalls and assorted other devices.I've also been learning as much as I can about various computer data regulations such as HIPAA and PCI. Meanwhile I've been cleaning up our existing client database to be imported into our new contact and business management program, Tigerpaw. I think it is really going to help the business a lot, but I know Todd isn't going to be very happy about using it. When I told him, he will be expected to log each phone call with a client and the basics of the discussion as well as what was covered during appointments and when he does shop work on a computer he looked at me like I'd gone crazy.

Tomorrow the business Christmas Cards will be in the mail and the first part of the week postcards requesting email addresses from clients for whom we don't have them. My to do list is as long as my arm or maybe both arms, but this is the most excited I've been about the business in a long time.
Beverly

I got busy and the website is back!

Although the website is still "Under Construction" at least the basics are now posted. The website address is www.computer-lady.com . Check back often since I will be adding information regularly for the next few weeks or maybe months or probably years :)

I've been researching lots of new products (particularly for networks) concerning security, compliance with all the various regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, and many others, as well as the new versions of Windows, etc.

We are also in the midst of changing the business management software we use to run The Computer Lady to a product called Tigerpaw. I am confident it will help to keep us more organized and prevent things from slipping through the cracks. It should also make invoicing much less cumbersome.

Oops I've got to get back to work. A computer consultants job is never done!
Beverly

Big Changes for 2010

Although the computer world has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, The Computer Lady hasn't changed much at all. We haven't changed our product offerings or our prices. Much of that was due to a prolonged illness that allowed me to do what absolutely had to be done and that was it.

Well gang, I'm finally feeling much better (at least most of the time) and the changes are coming. I'm updating various certifications; researching and reviewing a number of new products (particularly for those of you that have network servers); installed new business management software along with a new Windows Small Business Server 2008; and am working on a number of new products and various means of communicating with you.

We now have 24/7 telephone answering in case of emergency, and continue to expand our remote service capabilities. As you've probably figured out by now we also have a blog! I'm debating on if I should get setup on Twitter and FaceBook, but if I do that will be at a later time.

Our website at www.computer-lady.com is currently down for renovation, but should be back on-line soon and you can always contact me by email or phone.