Server Outtage
Posted by Brian Gallutia on Jul 23, 2010
UPDATE: Servers resumed normally operation at 8:15AM CST. Thank you for your patience in allowing PCS to resolve this matter.
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Our web and email servers are currently experiencing an outtage. We are working hard to remedy and will update this post when the problem has been reolved. Thank you.
Shortcut Vulnerability
Posted by Brian Gallutia on Jul 21, 2010
UPDATE: On August 2nd, Microsoft released an emergency update that addresses this bug and provides a fix. If you haven’t automatically updated your Microsoft OS, please do so now by visiting http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
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Last week, Microsoft confirmed that there is a nasty new exploit out there that often uses infected USB flash drives to take advantage of a vulnerability in Windows shortcut files (.lnk extension files). This attack can allows the bad guys to hijack your computer.
The only way to protect against it is to edit the registry to disable display of shortcuts and turn off the WebClient service. A patch is not yet available, and when it is, there won’t be one for XP SP2 since extended support for it ended this month. All the more reason to upgrade to SP3 ASAP.
The reason that this rootkit exploit is so nasty is that the infection occurs automatically when plugging up a compromised USB key. Sophos has a great video demonstrating the infection on a secure Windows 7 PC here…
Windows Shortcut Vulnerability with Rootkit
YES Needs Your Help
Posted by Brian Gallutia on Jul 16, 2010
Long-time customer and friends of PCS, Youth Encouragement Services, sustained damage on Thursday from bullet fire. Fortunately, no one was injured, but damage is estimated at $2000 and YES runs on a very tight budget.
Youth Encouragement Services (YES) strives to enrich the lives of children in inner city Nashville by encouraging them to reach their full potential. Through daily programs such as tutoring, summer camp, a basketball league, job skills training, and other recreational and cultural activities, low-income children are given a positive alternative to the streets and opportunities for a bright future.
If you or your business has the ability, please make a donation to assist in offsetting the cost of this incident. YES does great work and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
No More Win2K Support
Posted by Brian Gallutia on Jul 13, 2010
Along with discontinuing support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (as mentioned in a previous post), July 13th also marks the official end of support for all versions of Windows 2000, including the 2000 Server product.
What this means is that not only will Microsoft no longer provide assistance for those companies and organizations running Windows 2000 Server, but there will no longer be any updates or security patches released for the aging OS.
If you or your business still utilizes this once-great (but admittedly aged) server operating system, please allow PCS the opportunity to consult with you and provide assistance in updating your networking environment today. We’re ready to help.