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1. Begin by installing the latest version of iTunes for Windows onto your PC if it isn’t already. You can download iTunes from apple.com/itunes.
2. Once iTunes is open, select “Edit” and head over to “Preferences” to select the “Devices” option.
3. Check-mark the box that says, “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from Syncing automatically” to prevent iTunes from erasing all of your device’s data the first time it’s connected and press “OK.”
4. Connect your device to the computer via the USB iPhone connection cable. After a few seconds you should see your device show up on the left side of the iTunes window.
5. Select the name of your device under the Summary tab and click “Sync only checked songs and videos.”
6. Select the “Info” option at the top of the window and proceed in unchecking all boxes except the box that reads “Sync Calendars with.”
7. Select “Outlook” and read all other options thoroughly to be sure current contacts are not overwritten.
8. After saving your settings, select “Sync.”
9. Your Outlook/Exchange calendar should be syncing with your device!

Questions? Comments? Contact Miken Today!

Join us on May 22, 2012 for a free Lunch n’ Learn session as we present “Simplify IT” @ The Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce!

Attendees will have a chance to win copies of Windows 7 Ultimate and Office 2010 Professional software!

Topics this year include:

• Minimize IT maintenance by using fewer servers and getting everyone on the same software.

• Make it easier to protect your information by centralizing data storage.

• Save IT resources by keeping tabs on your entire IT environment with easy-to-use IT management tools.

Tuesday,

May 22, 2012

1400 South Highway Drive

Suite 99

Fenton, MO 63099

11:30am – 12:30pm

Hurry!! Registration ends on MAY 18!

Sign up HERE

Remind me!

]]> http://www.miken.net/2012/04/upcoming-event-simplify-it-lunch-n-learn/feed/ 0 http://www.miken.net/2012/04/3-reasons-a-good-it-consulting-session-can-save-you-thousands/ http://www.miken.net/2012/04/3-reasons-a-good-it-consulting-session-can-save-you-thousands/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:24:16 +0000 Mike Smith http://www.miken.net/?p=1392 Continue reading →]]> A lot of businesses treat their outsourced IT team the same way they do a doctor or dentist: as someone they know they should meet with more often, but frequently put off. That’s understandable, but it’s also a bad idea. As we have written in the past, waiting for problems to creep up with your technology isn’t going to do you any favors in the long run. Besides, good IT consulting – that is, meeting with a technology expert or virtual CIO before you need one – can save you thousands of dollars every year. Here are three quick ways:

By helping you to spot more cost-effective hardware and software. Business owners and executives are often surprised to find that, even though they paid top dollar for their company’s technology, they haven’t gotten the best tools for their business goals. Why? Because good IT isn’t just about having the “latest and greatest,” it’s also about having the right match between capabilities and efficiency. That is, what runs the fastest or costs the most isn’t always the equipment that makes the most sense in a given situation, or is the most reliable choice. A good IT consultant can help you spot the difference quickly and easily.

By better integrating technology with your short- and long-term business goals. Outsourced IT help isn’t just about fixing problems as they pop up – it can also be about sensing opportunities as they arise. That’s important, because you want your company’s technology to help move you towards your most important business goals, not be an anchor that’s holding you back from them. For that to happen, however, you have to have someone on your team who understands technology well enough to know what’s possible, and how new products and ideas can be integrated into the rest of your company. That’s where the right IT consultant can come and save you a lot of money.

By preventing major IT problems later. This might be the part of outsourced IT that you’re most familiar with, but a good consultant can go beyond just looking at malfunctioning hardware software and making repairs. It’s much more efficient, not to mention effective, to actually prevent these problems from happening in the first place. By auditing your current technology setup, looking out for potential problems or failures, and making sure you have the warning you need before critical systems go down, an IT consultant can easily save you thousands of dollars in just a few hours.

Nobody likes to go to the dentist, and few of you probably enjoy the idea of paying an IT consultant to fix a problem that you don’t even know you have. But, invest a few dollars and have a professional team take a look at your technology, and it might turn out to be the best investment you make all year.

(Source: Apple)

After news broke last week that 650,000 Mac computers where infected with a Trojan horse virus called “Flashback,” many began scrambling to check if their systems were clean.

Within the week, many have updated Apple’s security update and took steps to banish the malware from their systems all together.

According to application statistics and some antivirus vendors, the sales of Mac security software have jumped since the announcement of the malware infection on Apple computers. As Computerworld points out:

“We’ve seen a substantial increase in both sales and downloads of trial versions of our software,” said Peter James, a spokesman for French security company Intego. “Part of this is certainly due to Flashback.”

James did not provide sales figures for Intego’s security software, or specify the increase his company has seen since a Russian antivirus firm said more than 600,000 Macs had been infected with Flashback, many of them in a recent campaign that exploited an at-the-time-unpatched vulnerability in Oracle’s Java.”

There has also been interest in Apple’s Mac App Store for antivirus apps as well. At the time of this writing, BitDefender Virus Scanner sits at No. 15 on the top 200 list of the most popular free programs with another free virus scanner, ClamXav, sitting right above at No. 14.

Along with the peaked interest in antivirus apps came stricter security measures for iOS and iTunes users by Apple.  CNET notes:

“The new security demands, apparently implemented yesterday, have been asking users to choose three security questions and answers that are then required to download a new app from the App Store. A backup e-mail address is also being required, presumably in case a user’s primary address and associated Apple ID become compromised.”

It appears this might be Apple’s attempt to implement greater security for its mobile users although it is unclear if this security measure is targeted for specific accounts as the new measures don’t seem widespread at the time and there has been no official announcement from Apple.

Starting in 1993, Sev-Rend have been leaders in the industry for innovation in tab and label application, flexible packaging, and product identification. They work closely with customers to develop high-performance product and application solutions. Sev-Rend has been a Miken client since 2005.

Ferguson Roofing has been serving the local community for the past 70 years in everything from roofing and siding to windows and blow-in insulation. They have been a Miken client since 2004.

Unfortunately, with the smartphone and tablet market still being in its infancy, it is becoming quite easy for hackers to steal highly valuable information stored on these devices.  Information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and personal information are all laid out on the table for the bad guys to access.  Below we list the top ways to prevent hacks and keeping your personal data secure.

1. Set up a lock screen on your smartphone and tablet.
   Setting up a password protected home screen prevents someone from accessing your data if your device were to fall into the wrong hands.  Most users are constantly logged into bank accounts and social networking sites and without a protected password, a hacker or thief has front row access to everything you hold valuable. Set up a password that will be easy for you to remember and be sure to avoid passwords containing birthdays, addresses, pet names, and most specifically… 12345.
2. Avoid accessing personal data while on a free WiFi network.
   While free Wifi networks offer convenient way for us to gain internet access, they do have their drawbacks.  Accessing information such as bank and credit card numbers on a shared free Wifi network opens your information up to a whole world of possible hacks because a secure firewall or encryption may not be set into place.  Sharing information on an unsecured network is one of the top ways hackers receive access to your data. Try to avoid any websites that can easily identify you such as personal finance and social networking sites.
3. Research your Apps.
   Installing applications onto your device is of course the most fun and exciting part of owning a smart device, but it can pose as a security risk as well because you could be allowing them access to your phone or tablet.  Our best advice would be to read user reviews and comments before automatically downloading.  Also, be careful when an App asks for access to your personal information like a Facebook account.
4. Keep up on OS updates.
   We know it can often be more of a hassle to connect your phone and wait for it to download and install the latest operating system update. But it’s recommended because these updates contain fixes in bugs and security patches while also just improving the overall performance of your device. Check for updates in the general settings on your phone or tablet.

While smartphones and tablets have taken us into the “Post-PC” era of technology, they still are only equipped with very basic security measures. Following these measures will help in keeping your private information safe while also giving you a peace of mind.

This virus encrypts all of the users files including PDFs, Office documents, txt files, xml files, sql database mdf and ldf files and even picture files such as jpg and bmp. The virus also deletes/uninstalls all antivirus programs and backup software.

If you are running this version of Adobe Reader on your server, our experts recommend a complete uninstall of the program and then an installation of the most recent version (Adobe Reader X). Simply upgrading will not work because the vulnerability stays with it.

Leave your comments below or call Miken today to learn more. If you are a contract client who is running Adobe Reader 9.0/9.5 on Windows 2003 or Windows 2008 Standard, call us today to have us take a look at your systems.