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Macro Systems Blog

Macro Systems has been serving the Metro Washington, DC area since 1997, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Macro Systems has been serving the Metro Washington, DC area since 1997, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses

The Internet of Things Might Invoke Murder, Ransom, and More

b2ap3_thumbnail_internet_of_things_death_400.jpgWith the Internet of Things connecting more devices to the Internet, these devices can potentially be turned to nefarious use. Despite all of the benefits of the Internet of Things, like big data analytics, anything connected to the Internet is threatened by cyber crime to at least some degree. In fact, some professionals believe that the Internet of Things will usher in an era of new types of cyber crime; murder included.

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Tip of the Week: Recovering Lost or Corrupt Microsoft Office Files

b2ap3_thumbnail_ms_office_logo_400.jpgIf your business were to lose important files due to an unexpected Microsoft Office crash or hardware failure, what would you do? Losing files can be difficult to recover from, especially if you aren’t using a cloud service which saves automatically after every edit. Lost files don’t benefit anyone, and if they are important, it could even put your business at risk. But don’t worry; there’s a way to recover lost Office files if things turn sour.

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Caution: Enhanced Cryptowall Ransomware Threatens Networks

b2ap3_thumbnail_cryptowall_2_0_400.jpgAs a business owner, you have an obligation to keep your data and network files safe from prying eyes and criminals. The latest threats, like the new Cryptowall 2.0 ransomware, can be a difficult hurdle to jump, especially when they are disguised and designed to ruin you. Thankfully, you don’t have to take on these threats alone.

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Sandworm: Russian Cyber Espionage Campaign Uncovered After 5 Years

b2ap3_thumbnail_sandworms_400.jpgA new threat, dubbed Sandworm by iSight Partners, has been discovered. It is a cyber espionage campaign dating back to at least 2009, and is said to be based in Russia. Sandworm uses a previously undiscovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows operating systems to steal information from government leaders and organizations.

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Tip of the Week: 13 Shortcuts for Microsoft Outlook

b2ap3_thumbnail_outlook_1_400.jpgMicrosoft Outlook is a great tool for the everyday businessman, but it can be tricky to use sometimes. Just like Microsoft Word, there are several shortcuts that you can utilize to boost your productivity and reduce the amount of time you spend fumbling around the variety of different options available to you.

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“Zero Trust” Network Security: Only Trust Data as Far as You Can Throw It!

b2ap3_thumbnail_zero_trust_400.jpgWhen it feels like everybody is out to get you, there's only one way to survive: Trust nobody. You may not have too many physical enemies ready to jump you, but there's an army of hackers wanting to breach your company's database. One of the securest ways to keep your company's information safe is to implement a "zero trust" network security model.

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Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ Bend Expectations

b2ap3_thumbnail_iphone_6_and_6_plus_400.jpgApple is back with another iPhone! The Silicon Valley-based hardware and software manufacturer has released the new versions of their extremely popular iPhone series of devices. The two-headed approach that Apple took with their second incantation of the iPhone 5 (the 5s and 5c), is replicated this time out as well. After being surpassed by Samsung over the past two years, does the iPhone 6 and its larger version, the iPhone 6+, have what it takes to get Apple back on top?

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3 Benefits Virtual Servers Bring to Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_virtual_server_400.jpgVirtualization is all the rage in the technology world. In fact, virtual servers are practically omnipresent in modern workplaces. Why? Because they offer businesses unprecedented opportunity for growth and development. The benefits of virtualized servers far outweigh the costs, aiding businesses in expanding their goals and visions for the future.

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Herding Cats is Harder Than it Looks [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_cats_cats_cats_400.jpgHerding cats is a business term used to describe the task of organizing and controlling entities like people and systems known for being uncontrollable and even chaotic. Due to the unpredictable and independent nature of felines, cat herding captures the idea of controlled chaos perfectly. Does running your business feel like you're working on a cat ranch?

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Your Logs Hold the Secrets to Increase Network Performance and Security

b2ap3_thumbnail_keep_logs_around_400.jpgUsers log on and off your company's network all day long. You may think, "No big deal. It's part of the process." But data extrapolated from user logs is a big deal. It can provide your business with valuable information about network security and give you insight on how to improve operations.

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6 Bring Your Own Device Tips to Help Bring the Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_bring_your_own_for_work_400.jpgDoing business in today's world is dependant on mobility, and if you aren't ready to shift toward this new technology trend, you should seriously reconsider. A lot of the time, businesses will allow their employees to bring in their own mobile devices for use in the workplace. This trend is called a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

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Unified Threat Management: Ultimate Protection for a New Era

b2ap3_thumbnail_data_and_network_security_400.jpgEverything changes in due time. Computers grow less secure, malware grows more sophisticated, and hackers' methods change. According to Processor magazine, 80 to 90 percent of attacks are targeted at devices rather than networks and servers. Just like the weakest link in a fence, all it takes is one weak point for a hacker to take down your entire network.

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Prepare Your Business for the Relevant Disasters, Not the Absurd Ones

b2ap3_thumbnail_recovery_for_business_continuity_400.jpgHow prepared is your business for a disaster, and are you prepared for the right disaster? When it comes to making your organization's business continuity plan, the scenarios you plan for need to be realistic. Otherwise, all the hard work of planning will be for nothing.

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Tip of the Week: How to Find the Perfect VoIP Plan for Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_voip_for_you_400.jpgIf your business has a reliable and high-speed Internet connection, then you’ve got what it takes to experience significant savings by switching your company’s phone system to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Once you’ve decided to make the switch, you will next have to select a VoIP solution that’s right for your organization. Here are some tips to help you make this important decision.

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The End of an Era: the Harkonnen Hacking Operation is Over

b2ap3_thumbnail_harkonnen_hackers_400.jpgFor the past 12 years, the Harkonnen Operation has plagued Europe. The malware campaign, operating scams in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since 2002, has finally ended, but that doesn't change the fact that it may be the most long-lived malware to have existed. What kept security firms from discovering these attacks and preventing them for so long?

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au·dit/ noun/: a systematic review or assessment of something

b2ap3_thumbnail_it_audit_400.jpgAre you confident that your company's network is 100 percent secure? The best way to answer "yes" to this question is with a network audit. This is a technical procedure where IT professionals analyze every nook and cranny of your system, looking for every possible vulnerability. No matter what the situation is with your company's IT management, a network audit is worth doing.

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As the Facebook Empire Grows, the Acquisitions Keep Coming

b2ap3_thumbnail_facebook_is_buying_400.jpgIt's no secret that Facebook is one of the most visited sites on the Internet. In fact, according to the Alexa rankings, which measure website traffic, facebook.com is ranked second after only Google.com. With this much exposure, and the emanated revenue that comes from this kind of traffic, it has become important for the world's largest and most successful social network to scout out and eliminate possible competitors, many times before those companies even consider themselves potential competitors.

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Save $11,000 Annually for Each Telecommuting Employee

b2ap3_thumbnail_tellecommuting_is_best_400.jpgA lot of employers are nervous about letting their employees work from home, but due to the increased evidence that it can be beneficial to productivity and cost-efficiency, it's getting more and more difficult to avoid thinking about it. In fact, according to Global Workplace Analytics, working from home has grown a whopping 80 percent in the United States since 2005.

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Tip of the Week: How to Clean your Laptop

b2ap3_thumbnail_clean_laptop_400.jpgThis is our first article in a series of helpful technology tips that we will publish every week. For more great tips, check out our previous blog articles. This week, we're walking you through the proper way to clean your laptop.

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3 Big Data Solutions for Modern Businesses

b2ap3_thumbnail_big_data_help_400.jpgBig Data is an important part of any business. Without understanding trends in the consumer populace, how can you hope to sell your product? Unfortunately, many companies don't know how to handle big data, and this holds back their earning potential significantly.

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(703) 359-9211

Macro Systems
3867 Plaza Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030