Alpha Technical Solutions is proud to announce a brand new service which we are very proud of.

Why should I backup my data?

All of your data is important, whether it’s contact information, business documents, financial contracts, customer databases, or archival photographs and videos, corporations and individuals demand quality assurance from their disaster recovery programs in case of negative externalities, litigations, accidents, and other such unfortunate events.

Why use Online Backup?

Backup is a must, obviously. The question is: what are the advantages? As part of the growing computer industry sector, data stores are critical parts of the Information Economy, and as such companies are coming to rely more on applications to help drive their business. Our software supports every platform in the market to help supply this demand, from live incremental compatibility with SQL, to Enterprise Linux Boxes and Windows Servers, our Java-powered solution will scale in all business environments.

What control do I have over my backups?

You have all the control. Every customer account is protected with the highest-grade encryption, meaning several layers of operational and technical security are taken to ensure absolute data integrity. All systems are under 24/7/365 surveillance and monitoring, secured from natural disasters, and are subject to 3rd party audits.

So check out how easy and cost effective a complete off-site backup solution can be. http://www.atsbackup.co.uk/

Last week, we reported on ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.A and ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.B, Android malware that recorded phone calls made from infected devices then sent stolen information to a remote site.

This week, we saw another Android malware with the same code structure as ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.A. Like the latter, this does not display an icon and executes similar routines, save for some modifications.

Detected by Trend Micro products as ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C, it uses the following services:

• MainService
• AlarmService
• SocketService
• GpsService
• CallRecordService
• CallLogService
• UploadService
• SmsService
• ContactService
• SmsControllerService
• CommandExecutorService
• RegisterService
• CallsListenerService
• KeyguardLockService
• ScreenService
• ManualLocalService
• SyncContactService
• LocationService
• EnvRecordService

This malware comes in the guise of Google+, Google’s most recent foray into the social networking scene, in an attempt to hide from affected users. All the above-mentioned services use the Google+ icon. The app itself is installed using the name, Google++.

ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C is capable of collecting data such as text messages, call logs, and GPS location from infected devices, which it then uploads to a certain URL through port 2018.

It is also capable of receiving commands via text messages. To do so, however, it requires the sender to use the predefined “controller” number from the malware’s configuration file to send a message as well as to enter a password to execute the command.

Listening In

Like other ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY variants, ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.C also has the capability to record phone calls made from infected devices. What makes this particular variant different is that it has the capability to automatically answer incoming calls.

The code suggests that the following criteria must be met before the malware can answer a phone call:

1. The call must come from the number on the “controller” tag from its configuration file.
2. The phone screen must be turned off.

Before answering the call, it puts the phone on silent mode to prevent the affected user from hearing it. It also hides the dial pad and sets the current screen to display the home page. During testing, after the malware answered the phone, the screen went blank.

From the looks of it, the developer of this app went for the more real-time kind of eavesdropping as well, apart from the one ANDROIDOS_NICKISPY.A used, which involved recording calls.

The “auto-answering” function of this malicious Android app works only on Android 2.2 and below since the MODIFY_PHONE_STATE permission was disabled in Android 2.3.

Source:

http://blog.trendmicro.com/android-malware-targets-china-mobile-subscribers/

Here’s a posting form the Kashiko blog that talks a positive benefit of America receiving new technology benefits before the UK. The idea is that rolling out services or hardware in the US first means that in the UK we only receive the goods when they have been tested. In effect American Business is using American citizens as guinea pigs for the rest of us.

The link is:  http://www.kashiko.co.uk/2011/07/22/does-an-america-centric-web-benefit-us/

This blog is mostly good news. Announcements of work done for clients or updates regarding new or improved cloud and web services.

However something less than pleasant has come to my attention that I ned to share with you.

It concerns Dropbox, the darling file sharing service of the tech community.

On July 2nd an update to its terms was released, and there is probable cause for concern.

Here’s the offending quote from the ‘Your Stuff & Your Privacy’ section -

By using our Services you may give us access to your information, files, and folders (together, “your stuff”). You retain ownership to your stuff. You are also solely responsible for your conduct, the content of your files and folders, and your communications with others while using the Services.

We sometimes need your permission to do what you ask us to do with your stuff (for example, hosting, making public, or sharing your files). By submitting your stuff to the Services, you grant us (and those we work with to provide the Services) worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable rights to use, copy, distribute, prepare derivative works (such as translations or format conversions) of, perform, or publicly display that stuff to the extent reasonably necessary for the Service. This license is solely to enable us to technically administer, display, and operate the Services. You must ensure you have the rights you need to grant us that permission.

How we use your stuff is also governed by the Dropbox Privacy Policy, which you acknowledge. You acknowledge that Dropbox has no obligation to monitor any information on the Services, even though we may do so. We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness, or legality of files, user posts, or any other information you may be able to access using the Services. We may disclose information about your account or your stuff to law enforcement officials as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Although this clearly states that your stuff belongs to you, it also grants a licence for Dropbox or unspecified people that dropbox works with to pretty much do as they need with your stuff.

I don’t believe that this going be appropriate for all users of Dropbox.

My advice is this – take a look at the terms and think about the possible ramifications of the licence stated being applied to your data. If you don’t feel comfortable with that licence then Dropbox you may not be the service for you.

I think this takes me to another point. Although not pleasent it is always important to read and consider the terms of service and privacy statements of all cloud services. The service becomes part of your business and you must make sure it is going to be beneficial to your business

Image via CrunchBase

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) will reach the end of support on July 12, 2011. From that date onward, Microsoft will no longer provide support or free security updates for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). In order to stay secure and continue support you must upgrade to Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Products no longer supported

• As announced in 2008, support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2*) ended on July 13, 2010.
• Also announced in 2008, support for Windows 2000 ended on July 13, 2010.
• Support for Windows Vista Release to Manufacturing (RTM) ended April 13, 2010.

Customers running an unsupported version of Windows or service pack will not be eligible for any of our support options. Updates, including security updates released with bulletins from the Microsoft Security Response Center, will be reviewed and built for the supported versions and service packs only. The most current service packs are available to organizations, and they are easily deployed via Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services/Microsoft System Center, and the Microsoft Download Center. To better understand the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy and your support options visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page.

There is no supported migration path from Windows 2000 to Windows 7 using the Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT). You will need to upgrade to Windows XP and then migrate to Windows 7 using USMT 4.0, a tool included with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK). For more information on Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Server End of Support visit Windows 2000 End of Support Solution Center.

Updating your Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 2000 PCs before the end of mainstream support dates will ensure your PCs stay supported and receive security updates. The best way to be secure and supported is by migrating to Windows 7.

• Small and midsize businesses should migrate to Windows 7 Professional, which is designed to help you work the way you want, help you get more done, and safeguard your work.
• Larger organizations should migrate to Windows 7 Enterprise, which enables enterprise users to be more productive from anywhere, manage risk through enhanced security and control, and reduce costs through streamlined PC management.
• There are tools to help test and mitigate application compatibility issues, including the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit, Windows XP Mode, and Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) to help migration. To learn more about these tools, visit the Springboard Series on TechNet.
• Upgrading to Internet Explorer 8 improves the level of protection against current and emerging online threats.

The BBC are reporting today that around 50,000 iTunes accounts linked to stolen credit cards are openly on sale on TaoBao (the Chinese equivalent of Ebay).

The accounts are available for as little as 1 yuan (10p) a time.

This is latest in a trend for criminals to target the iTunes and other services and highlights the need for all computer users regardless of whether  they use to Windows or Macs to exercise caution and vigilence.

Here is the link to the BBC article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12127603

Its almost Christmas and time for us to announce our Christmas opening hours for the festive period.

We will close for Christmas on Friday 24th of December

and re-open for business as normal on Tuesday January 4th.

Both Rob and Stuart will remain available for emergency call outs and consultations throughout this period and can be contacted by either email or telephone. If you have any difficulties please call us on

0800 0354148

or email on

info@alphatechsolutions.co.uk

In the meantime let me take this opportunity to wish you a

Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year