Kathleen Urban of Geis Realty Group

Kathleen won a $20 gift card for Wawa Markets

Last month’s answer

The original name of Lancaster, PA was?

 a)  Hickory Town

This month’s question is:

Which of the following is true about a mother and her babies?

a) A mother giraffe often gives birth while standing
b) A female oyster over her lifetime may produce over 100 million young
c) Kittens are born both blind and deaf, but their mother’s purring is used to signal them
d) All of the above are true

E-mail Kathy Tuno ktuno@productivetech.net with the correct answer by 5 PM today to get your name “in the hat” and you can win a $20 gift certificate to Wawa Food Market or Primo Hoagies!

Please always log off of your computer every night – but leave it on.

Leaving your computer on when you go home helps our staff do several things. We will keep your computer running at optimal performance with a scheduled maintenance routine and update all of the things that should be updated, so they aren’t a distraction for you during the day. Thank you!

In which city did Paul Allen and Bill Gates found a small partnership named Microsoft in 1975?

a) Albuquerque
b) Seattle
c) Dallas
d) Boston

Be the first to e-mail Kathy Tuno ktuno@productivetech.net with the correct answer to win a $20 gift certificate to Wawa Food Market or Primo Hoagies!

As a leader in state of the art technologies in the Delaware Valley for over 27 years, ProductiveTech is proud of our highest level of service, OneTEAM Network Assurance, which represents a revolution in IT. Gone are the days when advanced IT solutions were meant for only large companies. With this program, even small businesses can afford to experience the same IT functionality and security that big corporations enjoy.

OneTEAM Network Assurance combines proactive 24×7 monitoring of servers, workstations and networking equipment, superior preventative maintenance including automated patching and threat removal, and professional IT services, with a fixed monthly fee making it a client favorite. Another important aspect of this program is the role of the VCIO (Virtual CIO). We periodically visit each of our Network Assurance clients with reports and ideas in hand for what is essentially a review and planning meeting.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of OneTEAM Network Assurance:

• Budget your IT services with a Fixed-Fee Support Plan.
• Stay productive and worry-free as ProductiveTech proactively prevents downtime and increases performance through 24×7 monitoring and maintenance.
• Plan your hardware replacements and upgrades strategically utilizing a real-time electronic inventory.
• Experience the benefits of your own “Virtual CIO” with business technology and planning meetings.
• Watch everything come together in your monthly “network health” reports.
• Clients can call for support as often as they’d like. There’s no need to suffer with computer problems or have an employee attempt repairs to prevent a bill.

Contact us now and ask for your FREE consultation to learn how OneTEAM Network Assurance can help improve your IT and save you money at the same time.

Rogue security software, also known as “scareware,” has reared its ugly head again in the form of fake virus alerts. Rogue software is software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure users into participating in fraudulent transactions. Because most ProductiveTech clients have either Symantec or AVG antivirus products installed, any virus alerts for any other products should be a red flag and definite cause for suspicion.

How does rogue security software get on my computer?

Rogue security software designers create legitimate looking pop-up windows that advertise security update software. These windows might appear on your screen while you surf the web. The “updates” or “alerts” in the pop-up windows call for you to take some sort of action, such as clicking to install the software, accept recommended updates, or remove unwanted viruses or spyware. When you click, the rogue security software downloads to your computer.

What does rogue security software do?

Rogue security software might report a virus, even though your computer is actually clean. The software might also fail to report viruses when your computer is infected. Inversely, sometimes, when you download rogue security software, it will install a virus or other malicious software on your computer so that the software has something to detect.

Some rogue security software might also:

• Lure you into a fraudulent transaction (for example, upgrading to a non-existent paid version of a program).
• Use social engineering to steal your personal information.
• Install malware that can go undetected as it steals your data.
• Launch pop-up windows with false or misleading alerts.
• Slow your computer or corrupt files.
• Disable Windows updates or disable updates to legitimate antivirus software.
• Prevent you from visiting antivirus vendor websites.

To help protect you from rogue security software:

• Install a firewall and keep it turned on.
• Use automatic updating to keep your operating system and software up to date.
• Install antivirus software. ProductiveTech recommends Symantec Endpoint Protection and Symantec Protection Suite (Small Business Edition), depending on your specific network.
• Use caution when you click links in email or on social networking websites, such as Facebook.
• Use a standard user account instead of an administrator account.
• Familiarize yourself with common phishing scams.

Check your accounts. If you think you might have entered sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or passwords into a pop-up window or at a rogue security software site, you should monitor your associated accounts.

If you think you might have rogue security software on your computer, contact ProductiveTech for a thorough scan and removal.

Tradition dictates that every 365 days, you should try to kick bad habits and start your life anew. So sit down with a cup of coffee, a paper and a pen, and reflect: What kinds of New Year’s Resolutions will you make for yourself this January 1st, and remember…

1. Be realistic by setting achievable goals. Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp.
2. Describe your resolutions in specific terms, Instead of “I don’t want to be lazy”, opt for “I want to exercise regularly” or “I will cut down on my television watching.”
3. Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym or improve your eating habits.
4. Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So if you want to quit smoking, but you smoke to relax, ask yourself: what other forms of relaxation are available to you?
5. Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you, not what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.

To find out the most popular New Year’s Resolutions year after year and some suggestions on how you can stick to them, please visit: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

Hi Everyone…

With this final note for 2010, the ProductiveTech team and I would like to wish you wonderful times with friends and family this season, an opportunity to reflect, and that lots of great new memories are created, too!

We are so grateful for your friendship and can’t wait to work with you again in 2011.

Happy Holidays from all of us!!

Partner and Vice President

Wanna trade the kindest gesture

for a HOT new iPod shuffle?

As one of our valued customers, you already know the benefits you get from our services:

• Sleeping like a baby – we take care of your technology
• Increased productivity – less downtime translates into more work time
• No more worrying about security – we protect your data and your network
• Enjoying more time for yourself – maximize your quality of life

Rather than doing lots of marketing with hopes to grow, we honor a simple philosophy… We treat our customers the best we know how, go the extra mile every time, and in return receive the greatest of compliments, the referral.

We appreciate our customers and wish we had more like you. So, we’ve decided to hold a SPECIAL “refer your friends” event! Simply introduce 2 friends to ProductiveTech and we’ll send you FREE, the brand new, colorful, clip-and-go iPod shuffle. With buttons, VoiceOver, and playlists, it’s the very best of iPod shuffle. We have a special gift for your friends, too!

Follow this link now to our website and read all the details about this exciting new event where EVERYBODY WINS!

Wait – don’t we “Fall Back” in October? Not any more. As of 2007, Daylight Savings Time was extended for an extra month. That means that we “Spring Forward” in March instead of April and “Fall Backwards” in November, instead of October. So, when do we “celebrate” Daylight Savings Time (DST) this year? The date for “Fall Back” in 2010 is actually the 7^th of November.

Daylight Savings Time, first suggested by Benjamin Franklin, was legislated in 1966, with the passage of the Uniform Time Act which created uniform dates for the beginning and end of DST, but allowed individual states to “opt out”. Currently, Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that don’t participate in DST.

So, the dates for DST have changed, but the process remains the same. So mark your calendars and when you “Fall Back” on November 7, 2010, at 2:00 AM, remember to reset all clocks to prevent time-confusion and if you have elderly relatives or neighbors, why not offer to reset their clocks to prevent accidents or problems with medication.

There’s nothing spooky about Halloween safety. Use these common-sense safety tips to protect your ghosts and goblins.

Costumes: From princesses to superheroes, choosing costumes is an important part of Halloween safety. Whether you buy a costume or make one, choose bright colors and flame-retardant materials. If trick-or-treating outdoors after dark, attach reflective tape to a child’s costume. In case it’s chilly, make sure the costume is loose enough for warm clothing to be worn underneath — but not long enough to cause tripping. Avoid oversized shoes and high heels. A mask can obstruct a child’s vision, especially if it slips out of place. Use kid-friendly makeup instead. Pointed props — such as wands, swords and knives — may pose safety hazards.
Trick or Treat: The promise of Halloween candy may leave stars in your child’s eyes, but Halloween safety still rules.

• Get in on the fun. Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age 12. Pin a piece of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside their pocket in case you get separated. Encourage older kids to trick-or-treat with a group of friends, parents or older siblings. Make sure someone in the group carries a flashlight with fresh batteries. Consider planning a trick-or-treat party with a couple of neighbors instead of house-to-house door knocking. Decorate the garages, have a costume contest with games and prizes. This can be safer and healthier, and it allows your child to interact with more children.
• Stay close to home. Don’t allow your child to go door to door in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Establish a route and set a curfew. Review safety rules, including staying with the group, walking only on the sidewalk, approaching only clearly lit homes and never going inside a home. You may want to give your child a cell phone should they need to contact you.
• Inspect the treats carefully. Don’t let your child snack while trick-or-treating. Inspect the treats first — and discard anything that’s not sealed, has torn packaging or looks questionable. If you have young children, weed out gum, peanuts, hard candies and other choking hazards.. If your child collects gobs of goodies, dole out a few pieces at a time and save the rest.

A sweet and safe home front: When handing out treats, put away anything they could trip over. Clear wet leaves from sidewalks. Replace any burned-out bulbs at your door and walkway. Take no chances that your pet might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door. Instead of handing out sugar-laden treats, try stickers, glittery pencils, or colored chalk.
When driving on Halloween, watch for children who might pop out between parked cars. Be especially careful entering or leaving driveways. Extra caution can help ensure safety and fun for everyone!