Why Managed IT Services
Your Business Needs It
Typically, a managed services provider is considered a company that manages and provides a defined set of technology services to its clients offsite or externally. These services are outsourced and offloaded to the provider, which is typically called or known as managed IT services. But the real question is, what is really offered or involved?
Breaking It All Down
A managed IT services provider will take over all of the aspects of your IT management tasks, ranging from acting as a liaison with your technology vendors (such as Comcast or AT&T) to servicing employee trouble tickets – basically taking the stress off your hands by handling the day to day technical operations of your company so you don’t have to. These can also include network support and monitoring, IT consulting, network and threat protection, anti-virus protection, patch management, upgrades, procurement and disposal, and more.
Hiring a Service Provider
The benefits of hiring a managed IT services provider are many. Your employees, who are demanding the latest technology in the workplace, as well as fast and efficient support when and wherever they need it, will be able to work more efficiently. Your business will be able to maximize ROI because you’ll improve daily operations while cutting expenses in the process. You can outsource the time and energy needed to acquire, deploy and manage computer, tablet, phone devices and more, while getting greater stability and visibility on your technology costs. Security is built-in to employees who are accessing devices and applications off-site. All computer or network-maintenance activities are covered, so you can focus on building your business.
Comprehensive reporting is also available to allow you to keep track of everything that’s happening with your company within its IT realm. You’ll also eliminate unplanned repair services that can be a huge cost burden to any organization. The results? Your company will be able to take advantage of the money saved and reinvest in your business for added staff, technology or equipment needs, while boosting overall operational performance.
What Is The Cloud?
If you’re a little unsure of what “the cloud” is in computer language, or how it works, here’s a quick primer. The cloud is just a shortened term for cloud computing, which is basically utilizing someone else’s computers over the Internet for storing data and files, and running software programs. In an increasing world of wireless connectivity, the cloud has become a valuable source for keeping your most important files secure.
Convenient Access
The cloud allows offers you powerful and convenient access to any of your documents or files and applications wherever there’s a computer (or smartphone or tablet) and an Internet connection. An application that runs on the cloud usually means there are multiple internet-connected computers around the globe that host the application, and you simply access it from your computer location. Many businesses utilize the cloud because it allows them to offer sophisticated applications simultaneously to people, while decreasing the need for your computer to handle the software by itself.
Data File Storage
File storage is another area that benefits from the cloud. Your files are safer and more secure since they are not just on your hard drive, flash drive or portable storage. Cloud storage simply synchronizes with folders stored on your computer hard drive, meaning you always have a backup of important files. You can also rent or purchase audio, video or apps and store it there, as well as stream movies without the need to wait for the files to download.
There are a ton of cloud applications to choose from, some will require a paid subscription and offer different levels of storage space based on what you pay. And the cloud does somewhat depend on data, which can quickly use up a monthly allotment on a smart phone, for example. So, do your homework when it comes to selecting a cloud storage option.
Find our more about JamKo’s Cloud Services…
Kill The Malware
Why You Need To Kill Malware
You’ve probably heard of the term malware if you regularly spend time on the internet. But do you know exactly what it is, where it comes from, and what it can do to your computer or computer network? Malware, also known as spyware, adware or viruses is basically an extremely malicious software designed to invade your computer or network and cause major (and sometimes irreparable) damage. Malware can change critical computer settings, delete important software, cause drastic computer errors and even monitor your browser habits. This software is a gateway to opening your computer or network to attacks of all kinds while harming its security and affecting its performance.
Malware Software
Malware software is utilized by hackers who use deceptive and unethical tactics to install it on your computer without your knowledge or consent. These methods usually come in the form of unrequested downloads, where you mistakenly run the software on your computer and unknowingly install it, starting the process of computer degradation.
Where does malware come from?
A computer can be at risk simply by visiting an infected website or fake homepage, downloading infected software, or installing untrusted software. Being redirected to another website is another symptom.
What can be done about it? Most antivirus programs can clean and delete malware, but it’s always recommended to purchase and run an anti-malware program or cleaner periodically to ensure that your computer is cleaner and most importantly, safe.
What Is Virtualization
In regards to computers and technology
Virtualization means to create a virtual replica of a computer device or network resource. Examples of this would be a virtual server, data storage, network or even an entire operating system for your PC’s, where the framework divides the resource into one or more environments. Even something as simple as partitioning a hard drive is considered virtualization because you take one drive and partition it to create two separate or “Virtual” hard drives. PC’s, software applications and users are able to interact and access the virtual resource as if it were a real single logical (physical) resource.
The term virtualization is being used more often these days around the IT community, and as a result the term is being associated with various IT technologies including storage devices, servers for centralized data, OS environements, networks and application execution.
If you would like to know more about “Virtualization” and if your business could benefit from this service, call JamKo Force Networks at 239-249-3306 in Fort Myers Florida or 865-454-1421 in Knoxville Tennessee.
Knoxville Managed IT Services
JamKo Opens Knoxville IT Offices
JamKo Force Networks is growing! James Kockler, owner and CEO of JamKo located in Fort Myers Florida announces the expansion of their Managed IT Services. JamKo Force Networks has been growing in the SW Florida area for over 10 years serving business owners from Naples to Ft. Myers and north to Port Charlotte and is expected to continue fast growth due to the increased business market.
JamKo recently accepted the opportunity to expand and open a new branch office in Knoxville TN with the same quality and reliable IT Services that Floridian’s have been experiencing over the years. JamKo’s expansion just adds to the stability and solid foundation for the increased demand for an experienced IT service company that business owners have come to trust and depend on for their network security and stability.
We couldn’t do this without our valued clients in SW Florida, said Kockler. This expansion will enhance both IT Service locations with more resources and quality services.
Visit our Knoxville Managed IT Services page for more info…
Faster Ethernet Speeds In Demand
Ethernet Speeds of 100G
Of particular interest to corporate network owners is the growing trend to upgrade to 100G Ethernet capability. The demand for faster ethernet speeds is increasing as technology continues to expand.
Furthermore there were about 1 million 100G Ethernet network ports purchased in 2016. And in 2018 it is expected to increase to nearly 12 million. As a result, large enterprise companies continue to look at that technology for their networks for the increased speed and performance it offers.
The Network Giant, Cisco Agrees
The increased need for faster ethernet speeds and data being transferred from networks is driving the upgrade of the backbone, said Roland Acra. Roland Acra is senior vice president and General Manager of Cisco’s Data Center Business Group.
While 100G technology is gearing up, so is another level of Ethernet speed known as the 25G segment. As a result, the 25G segment has experienced revenue increases of 176% with purchases growing 359% in 1Q18, according to technical news sources.
Cisco had a big lead on 25G as they corner the market with about 80% of the sales. However it is projected that Dell, Arista, Juniper and others to see significant increases this year.
-Call JamKo Force at 239-249-3306 or for more info on Managed IT Network Services and Upgrades.
DDoS Attacks
Dreamhost Is Under DDoS Attack
Dreamhost detected the attack at 9:20am PST and mitigation started at 10:20am PST.
Dreamhost has recently been in the news for fighting a US Department of Justice request for the IP addresses of all visitors to a website that they host.
Protect your network and servers from attack with Managed IT Services from JamKo Force Networks. Call today for a consultation @ 239.249.3306 or email us here. We serve all of Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties of SW Florida.
“We Speak To You In English…Not Geek!”
Latest Rasomware Outbreak
BREAKING! A New #Ransomware Outbreak
A new Ransomware Outbreak is adding stress to already battered infrastructures across the globe. Properly provisioned networks will survive.
Here is the latest from McAfee:
McAfee is receiving multiple reports of modified #Petya ransomware outbreak variants. McAfee Labs is receiving various samples which are in analysis, and can confirm that McAfee Global Threat Intelligence (GTI) is protecting against current known samples at the low setting.
Extensions currently known as being affected are: .3ds, .7z, .accdb, .ai, .asp, .aspx, .avhd, .back, .bak, .c, .cfg, .conf, .cpp, .cs, .ctl, .dbf, .disk, .djvu, .doc, .docx, .dwg, .eml, .fdb, .gz, .h, .hdd, .kdbx, .mail, .mdb, .msg, .nrg, .ora, .ost, .ova, .ovf, .pdf, .php, .pmf, .ppt, .pptx, .pst, .pvi, .py, .pyc, .rar, .rtf, .sln, .sql, .tar, .vbox, .vbs, .vcb, .vdi, .vfd, .vmc, .vmdk, .vmsd, .vmx, .vsdx, .vsv, .work, .xls, .xlsx, .xvd, .zip
We have confirmed with the samples that SMB is being used as a propogation method, and are aware of reports that RDP may also be used but have yet to confirm this.
After encryption, impacted systems may show a ransom screen and suggest a system reboot after which the system will not be accessible.
Call JamKo Force Networks 239.249.3306 – Your Malware Defense Professional
WannaCry Ransomware
New WannaCry Ransomware Variants have Emerged
Previously we alerted you to a global ransomware campaign a few hours after it started. That campaign has now infected over 10,000 organizations and 200,000 individuals in 150 countries. This includes the UK National Health System which saw ambulances divert from affected hospitals.
On Friday a researcher accidentally stopped the ransomware from spreading by registering a domain that served as a kill switch for the ransomware.
A few hours ago new variants of the WannaCry ransomware started emerging. One of the variants was also stopped today by registering a kill switch domain, the same way the ransomware was stopped on Friday. A second variant is not encrypting infected machines due to an error in programming, but it is spreading.
We expect new variants to emerge all week that continue to exploit the vulnerability in SMB that WannaCry has been using. It is critical that Windows users protect themselves immediately against this threat.
WannaCry Ransomware: How to protect yourself
- If you use Windows, install the patch that Microsoft has released to block the specific exploit that the WannaCry ransomware is using. You can find instructions on this page in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. You can also directly download the patches for your OS from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- If you are using an unsupported version of Windows like Windows XP, Windows 2008 or Server 2003, you can get the patches for your unsupported OS from the Update Catalog. We do recommend that you update to a supported version of Windows as soon as possible.
- Update your Antivirus software definitions. Most AV vendors have now added detection capability to block WannaCry.
- If you don’t have anti-virus software enabled on your Windows machine, we recommend you enable Windows Defender which is free.
- Backup regularly and make sure you have offline backups. That way, if you are infected with ransomware, it can’t encrypt your backups.
- For further reading, Microsoft has released customer guidance for the WannaCry attacks and Troy Hunt has done an excellent detailed writeup on the WannaCry ransomware.
-This info is public access and spread the word!
Read more about the latest ransomeware outbreak.
Ransomware Virus
What is a Ransomware Virus?
Ransomware virus is a kind of malicious script or software that installs itself on your computer without your knowledge. Once it’s installed and running, it will lock down your system and won’t allow you to access any files or programs on that computer. Usually, as in this current WannaCry exploit, it will alert you to the lockdown with an impossible-to-ignore pop-up screen which informs you that your computer is being held for ransom. To unlock your system and regain access to the computer being held hostage, the lock screen informs you that you must purchase an unlock tool or decryption key from the hacker.
How Can You Tell If Your Computer Is Infected?
The most obvious way to tell if your computer has been affected is if you are seeing a ransomware pop-up screen when you start up your computer. But because we don’t know how long the malware sits on your computer or network, not seeing this pop-up isn’t necessarily an indication that you haven’t been infected. The bottom line: if your Windows computer has connected to a shared network, such as those found in schools, public places, cafes and businesses, and you don’t have complete control over every computer on that network and haven’t been keeping Windows up-to-date, your computer may be infected.
How to Protect Yourself From the Vulnerability
According to Microsoft a fix for this vulnerability was released on March 14th for all affected versions of Windows. If you are running Windows and have automatic updates enabled you should be okay. If you don’t and haven’t updated recently you should update to the most recently released version immediately.
Please pass this along to your friends and family. Those that are less technical may not have updates auto-enabled, and may need a helping hand updating their operating system. Read more articles on the WannaCry Ransomware threats.
-Article: Courtesy of Wordfence.com