If you mention “OS X” and “virus” in the same sentence, you’ll get some weird looks from Mac users. Traditionally viruses and trojans on OS X were near non-existent, but there’s a Mac specific trojan, codenamed Flashback, that has affected more than 600,000 computers. This is big news as it shows that machines running OS X may not be as secure as first thought.

Many Mac owners are unsure of what exactly the Flashback trojan is, what it does and how to ensure they’re not infected. We’re here to help clarify the situation.

What is a Trojan and What Does Flashback Do? In general terms, a trojan is a piece of malicious software that infects a computer and gives control of part, or the whole computer to hackers. The Flashback trojan takes advantage of an OS X Java vulnerability and infects computers by tricking them into downloading a fake Java update.

When the program is installed, Flashback will download and install the main trojan code without the need for permission from the administrator. From there it proceeds to hijack your browser, redirect search queries to websites developed by hackers, and then take advantage of pay-per-click advertising.

Why Should I be Worried? While this version hijacks your browser, there are far more sinister things it could do. As this trojan acts as a downloader, there’s nothing stopping the developers from updating the malware to steal passwords, banking information and other confidential information.

How do I Ensure My Mac is Clean? Apple has released an update for machines running OS X 10.6 and later. The first step you should take is to update your computer to patch the vulnerability. To update your Mac:

1. Press the Apple logo, located in the top right hand of your screen.
2. Select Software Update...
3. Press Install and Restart.

While the patch will prevent Flashback from working, it won’t delete the program if you’ve been infected. The Internet security company F-Secure has developed a script that scans your computer and removes Flashback if found. Once you have downloaded the script, open and run it. The script will search your computer and place the infected files in an encrypted ZIP folder labeled Flashback_quarantine.zip.

Flashback has infected a higher number of Macs than any other trojan to date and goes to show that Macs also have security flaws. This also serves as a reminder that you should have a virus scanner and security program running on your Mac. If you have any questions regarding the security of your Mac or other devices, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help keep your machines secure.

It used to be that your work and personal time had clearly defined separation. You spent the day at work focused on your job and at the end of the day you’d turn your brain off, go home, cook dinner and relax. As a collective whole we seem to have lost our ability to focus. We spend most of our days worrying about the work that needs to be done.

It’s time to reclaim our focus at work and here are seven tips to help you do so.

1. Practice productivity wind-sprints. While at work, we’re normally doing work while browsing Facebook or chatting. This can be harmful for productivity and shifts your focus from important work related activities. Interval training is a great way to increase your focus. Get a timer, set it for ten minutes, and focus solely on your work. When the timer goes off take a two minute break.

2. Defensive scheduling. Our days are filled with commitments and we struggle to keep up with our projects or find time to work uninterrupted. Schedule a meeting with yourself at a convenient time. Treat this meeting like a real meeting, no interruptions. This is your time to focus on important tasks or projects.

3. Socialize with your tablet. Separate work from social activities with a tablet. We’re often just hitting our stride with work when BING, we get a chat message. What do we do? Immediately reply to the message. When we do that we lose our focus and struggle to regain it. Why not use use your tablet for all social activities and work computer strictly for work? Combined with tip one, this could really help you focus.

4. Realize your unconscious focus. The vast majority of managers often aren’t sure what the top issue in their mind is. It comes with multitasking, we’re always making less important ideas critical, and this takes our focus off the most important issues. To realign your focus take some time, let your mind wander, and make note of the ideas you keep returning to. These are your most critical issues.

5. Focus on most important tasks first. When you get into the office in the morning switch off your phone and email alerts. Focus on your most important priorities, this will give you time to get your most important work out of the way, before you shift your focus onto other less important projects.

6. Disconnect. Many of us don’t take time to give our brains a rest, we’re always thinking and possibly worrying about work. It’s beneficial to your mental and physical health if you take time each day to disconnect from the office. Temporarily sever all ties with the office and focus on something you enjoy doing. Remember, this is your time don’t think of work, focus on the activity.

7. Can’t focus? Consider if what you’re doing is right for you. If you find that you really can’t focus, even with the previous techniques, it might be time to consider that what you’re doing is actually something you don’t care about or enjoy. If this is true for you, then it’s time to start looking for a change.

With these tips you should see an increase in your focus and productivity. If you would like to know more about how to improve your productivity please contact us, we can help.

Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP, has become one of the main ways businesses communicate. An ever growing number of companies have been switching over to VoIP systems to take advantage of its cost savings. Recently, one of the most popular programs, Skype, reached a milestone of 40 million users logged in concurrently.

Skype has some excellent features but many businesses stick to the basics. Here are four ways you can better utilize Skype.

• Call forwarding. If you’re expecting an important call but have to step away from the computer for a bit you can forward any calls to your phone. To set up call forwarding: open preferences and select Calls. You will see the option to set up call forwarding at the top of the page. Press the Forward calls radio followed by Set up Forwarding. Be aware that regular call rates will be charged.
• Screen sharing. Skype is a terrific collaboration tool and many businesses take advantage of it by holding virtual meetings. You can take this one step further by sharing your screen with other parties you are chatting with. This is a fantastic way to give virtual presentations. To share your screen while in a chat press the plus symbol at the bottom of your screen, or right click, and select Share Screen.
• Customer service tool. Using Skype is a convenient way to get in contact with your customers. Ask your website developer to put a Skype button on your website. Be sure to add when you or your employees are available to be contacted.
• Add-ons. Skype has solid features but there are a multitude of add-on apps that can make it even better. Some apps allow for closer collaboration, let you broadcast pre-recorded messages, or record video and audio calls. The apps can be downloaded from the Skype Shop.

Skype has many useful features that when utilized allow businesses’ clients and employees to communicate with ease. If you would like to know more about using Skype or other VoIP services in your company please give us a call.

ProviDyn Doubles Data Center Capacity to Meet High Demand for Private Cloud Services

Increased Adoption of Private Cloud by Clients Prompts ProviDyn to Expand its
Data Center Capacity Twofold

Atlanta, GA — April 14, 2012 — ProviDyn, a provider of IT support, strategy and managed services, announces it has doubled its data center footprint with additional rack space to meet the growing demand for private cloud services. This expansion mirrors the increase in the adoption of cloud services by small and medium-sized (SMB) businesses looking to benefit from IT services typically out of budget for smaller companies — at a lower cost and with greater efficiency.

ProviDyn’s private cloud is hosted in a tier 4 SSAE 16 Type II (formerly SAS 70) audited data center which features: fully redundant power through a dedicated grid, 36 generators and 16 independent UPS systems; fully monitored cooling systems; internal environmental protections against fire and water damage; 24×7 monitoring and support; advanced biometric physical access controls; a hardened facility rated against external environmental threats. As with its managed technology and strategy services, ProviDyn customizes its private cloud solution for each client based on factors such as industry, growth rate and the need for scalability. Unlike many service providers, ProviDyn’s cloud is proprietary and dedicated, allowing its clients more control over data, security and compliance.

“The expansion of our data center footprint is indicative of how SMBs are beginning to warm up to private cloud services as a smart way to manage technology,” said Hamish Davidson, president and co-founder of ProviDyn. “The cloud makes sense for most businesses that truly don’t need to operate and manage their own IT systems. The flexibility, option to scale as you go, pay only for what you need and many other benefits make the private cloud a great option for most SMBs.”

ProviDyn’s Private Cloud Benefits:

• Remote Access – Access to files, applications and data from anywhere, anytime.
• Hosting of Critical Business Applications – All business applications are automatically updated and running at peak performance.
• Security – Encryption and expert firewall management provides a deep layer of security for critical information and systems.
• Cost Savings – No more large investments in equipment, software or personnel.
• Scalability – Priced to fit current needs with the flexibility to quickly and easily expand or contract as the business changes, and without downtime or capital expenditure.
• Backup and Restoration – Automatic replication and back up of all data, applications and systems.

About ProviDyn

ProviDyn provides technology expertise, services and support to Atlanta-area small and medium-sized businesses. Backed by certified technology professionals, ProviDyn’s services include managed services, cloud computing solutions, virtualization, help desk and computer support, IT strategy, network security, backup and disaster recovery and IP telephony. ProviDyn delivers the right mix of technology and expertise allowing its clients to focus on growing their business. To learn more about how ProviDyn is Driving Business Through Technology and helping companies reduce costs, improve efficiency and maximize productivity, visit www.providyn.com or follow us on Twitter.

ProviDyn Alleviates IT Burden for Renmatix, Allowing the Company to Focus on its Mission of Reducing the World’s Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Leading Cellulosic Sugar Provider Selects ProviDyn for Private Cloud Services and IT Strategy

Atlanta – April 27, 2012 – ProviDyn, a provider of IT support, strategy and services for small and medium-sized businesses, announced today it is providing Renmatix, a leading cellulosic sugar producer for global biochemical and biofuels markets, with private cloud services and IT strategy.

Experiencing rapid growth, Renmatix was consistently adding office space and employees across multiple locations. Its IT equipment was aging and the company recognized that enlisting an additional resource to help manage and scale its IT infrastructure was necessary for success. Renmatix selected ProviDyn to assess its current technology situation and provide recommendations for building out an infrastructure that would ensure efficiency as the company continued to grow.

To set Renmatix on the proper path, ProviDyn began by providing managed services to stabilize and support the existing IT environment. With its assessment and readiness methodology, ProviDyn was then able to uncover opportunities for Renmatix to increase efficiency and implement new technology. Rather than make an “out of the box” recommendation, ProviDyn interviewed key stakeholders, evaluated existing hardware and equipment and assessed the status of software licensing, along with legal and technological compliance. As a result, ProviDyn was able to provide Renmatix with a solid recommendation of migrating to a private cloud based on a lower upfront investment and the benefits of better equipment, updated licenses, scalability, remote access and disaster recovery.

“ProviDyn came in at the perfect time,” said Duncan Cross, Director of Marketing for Renmatix. “We tried other approaches, such as hiring an internal IT resource, but knew that a managed environment would run more efficiently, reduce costs and add an element of strategy to our existing infrastructure. Because ProviDyn took the time to understand our business inside and out, we felt confident in going with the recommendation to migrate to a private cloud versus building a data center in-house.”

“We are excited to work with Renmatix and provide the forethought and expertise needed to get the most out of their investment in technology,” said Hamish Davidson, president and co-founder of ProviDyn. “By taking the IT burden off of Renmatix, we can help them work toward and meet business goals without worrying about how technology will impact growth.”

About ProviDyn

ProviDyn provides technology expertise, services and support to Atlanta-area small and medium-sized businesses. Backed by certified technology professionals, ProviDyn’s services include managed services, cloud computing solutions, virtualization, help desk and computer support, IT strategy, network security, backup and disaster recovery and IP telephony. ProviDyn delivers the right mix of technology and expertise allowing its clients to focus on growing their business. To learn more about how ProviDyn is Driving Business Through Technology and helping companies reduce costs, improve efficiency and maximize productivity, visit www.providyn.com or follow us on Twitter.

About Renmatix

Renmatix is the leading producer of cellulosic sugars for the global renewable chemical and fuels markets. The company’s proprietary Plantrose™ process challenges conventional sugar economics by cheaply converting biomass – from woody biomass to agricultural residue – into useful, cost-effective sugars. Renmatix’s supercritical hydrolysis technology deconstructs non-food biomass an order of magnitude faster than other processes and enhances its cost advantage by using no significant consumables. Renmatix is privately held, with operations in Georgia (USA) currently capable of converting three dry tons of cellulosic biomass to Plantro™ sugar per day. For more information, please visit www.renmatix.com.

Tablet computers are arguably some of the most useful devices that have been developed in the past ten years. While there are a ton of tablets on the market, there’s one that’s king: the iPad. The iPad has many different features that appeal to nearly every user, including companies who have taken to using the iPad for presentations.

If you’re on the road and give lots of presentations, the iPad can be the perfect tool as it allows you to leave the laptop at home, or in the hotel room. Here are three programs that are great for creating and giving presentations on the iPad, and what you need to give presentations on big-screens such as projectors and TVs.

Keynote Keynote is Apple’s presentation software. With this app, users can create some really professional looking presentations with ease. The one downside to Keynote is that it has trouble interacting with presentations created using Microsoft PowerPoint. Some fonts, clipart and animations used by PowerPoint and not Apple, will simply not copy over.

SlideShark SlideShark is perfect for users who aren’t comfortable with Keynote or are more comfortable with Microsoft PowerPoint. It works by uploading your presentations using SlideShark, converting them into a format the iPad can read and syncing them with the iPad. This is a great app for users of PCs.

Power Presenter This app is for presenters who want to give presentations on a projector, as its main purpose is to make it easier for the iPad and projectors to sync with one another. After you’ve finished your presentation, save it as a PDF and hook up your iPad to the projector you’ll be using. The app will simultaneously show the presentation on the screen and your iPad. This app is good if you don’t have the time to set up the projector whenever you give a presentation.

What You Need to Give Presentations When you switch over to using the iPad for presentations, you’ll need two adapters that allow you to hook the iPad up to the various different visual outputs e.g., TV screens and projector units.

The first adapter is a VGA adapter which will allow you to connect your iPad to the majority of projectors. When you give a presentation using a projector, plug the VGA cable into your iPad and the projector, and you should be ready to give your presentation.

The second adapter is for TVs and projectors that use HDMI outputs. Apple calls this adapter a “Digital AV Adapter” and it can be found on the Apple Store. When you plug in the adapter, your display should show up on both the screen and your iPad.

If you have any questions about using your iPad to give presentations or other uses for your Apple products, please contact us. We’re more than happy to sit down and discuss solutions with you.

Android tablets are quickly becoming the go-to tablet for companies and manufacturers. The openness of the OS and the ability to personalize it has major appeal. If you have an Android tablet, or have been reading about them you have probably come across the term “root”. If you’re not quite sure what this means for you and your tablet, we’re here to help.

Before you root your tablet it’s beneficial to know the pros and cons associated with it.

What is Rooting? When you buy an Android tablet, it will have limitations placed on the OS by the maker of the tablet to prevent inexperienced users from inadvertently ruining their device. What rooting does is give users access to the basic or “root” level of the tablet, in other words it removes all restrictions placed on the OS. If you’ve heard the term “jailbreaking” for Apple’s products, rooting is akin to that.

Benefits to Rooting There are a number of upsides to rooting your Android tablet. Some of the most positive features are:

• Access to More Applications. If you root your tablet, you’ll have access to a wide variety of apps not available to unrooted tablets. If you go to the Google Play store, and type in Root you’ll see a list of apps that are only available to rooted tablets. Some of the most useful include ones that allow you to do a full backup of your system or change your layout.
• Improved Performance. When you root your tablet, you’ll be able to control its performance. This includes being able to make it open and close apps faster or decrease processor speed which will increase battery life.
• Latest Version of OS. Companies that create tablets and devices that use the Android OS are notorious for taking a long time to update the OS. Case in point: Google released Android 4.0 in December 2011 and some devices still haven’t been upgraded. If you root your tablet, you’ll be able to update your device to the newest version of the Android OS by using a ROM - the most basic level of software that allows your Android device to operate. ROMs are akin to drivers used by computers.

Drawbacks to Rooting There are some drawbacks to rooting that you should be aware of. The first issue is that if you do root your tablet, the warranty will be voided. If the manufacturer finds that you’ve rooted your device, they could refuse to fix it, forcing you to go to less than reputable dealers.

The second problem is that if rooting is carried out incorrectly you run the risk of “bricking” or “bootlooping” your device. Bricking is when your tablet’s software glitches causing the tablet to stop working, making it about as useful as a brick. Bootlooping is similar to bricking, however your phone will boot up, turn off, boot up and turn off in an endless cycle.

The final downside to rooting is security. There has been an increasing number of malware apps designed specifically for Android devices. If you have a rooted tablet and download apps not from Google Play, there’s a higher chance that the app you download will be infected.

Should I Root? With both powerful benefits and potentially nasty problems, the question is, “Should you root your tablet?” The answer is a bit ambiguous in that it really depends on what type of user you are. Advanced users who want to micromanage their device will be able to do just that if they root, while users who are happy with their tablet will not see much of a difference.

If you do choose to root your tablet, search the Internet for guides on how to root your device and carefully follow the instructions. Should you like to learn more about rooting, or Android tablets please drop us a line, we’re more than happy to hear from you.

Frustrated by Downtime and Inefficient IT Support, Law Firm Turns to ProviDyn for Managed Services

Atlanta – March 10, 2012 – ProviDyn, a provider of IT support, strategy and services for small and medium-sized businesses, announced today its newest client, Dickenson Gilroy LLC, one of the largest women-owned law firms in Georgia. The firm selected ProviDyn to provide managed services and provide strategy needs for its corporate office.

Before approaching ProviDyn, Dickenson Gilroy was in a co-location agreement and working with another provider. Over time, having its server located offsite brought unnecessary challenges. Gaining physical access to the server was cumbersome and it became obvious that it was time to look for a managed services provider that could proactively meet its IT needs from start to finish.

“We knew it was time to make a change,” said Monica Gilroy, managing member of Dickenson Gilroy. “ProviDyn has not only proactively managed our needs to alleviate this issue, they have also ensured that our data is secure and our equipment is performing at the best level possible.”

ProviDyn began the partnership with Dickenson Gilroy by assessing the firm’s current technology infrastructure. Implementing its managed services, ProviDyn was able to consolidate the firm’s equipment, protect data with an extra level of security and take over its day to day technology support and management.

“Although at ProviDyn, we work with clients in many different industries, we understand that each has unique needs and a one size fits all approach simply won’t work,” said Hamish Davidson, co-founder and President of ProviDyn. “In this situation, Dickenson Gilroy’s operations span multiple locations that all share sensitive data. The firm wanted managed services with particular attention paid to data security, which we were able to provide.”

About ProviDyn
ProviDyn provides technology expertise, services and support to Atlanta-area small and medium-sized businesses. Backed by certified technology professionals, ProviDyn’s services include managed services, cloud computing solutions, virtualization, help desk and computer support, IT strategy, network security, backup and disaster recovery and IP telephony. ProviDyn delivers the right mix of technology and expertise allowing its clients to focus on growing their business. To learn more about how ProviDyn is Driving Business Through Technology and helping companies reduce costs, improve efficiency and maximize productivity, visit www.providyn.com or follow us on Twitter.

About Dickenson Gilroy
Dickenson Gilroy is one of Georgia’s largest women-owned law firms, specializing in residential and commercial transactions and all matters of civil, commercial and real estate litigation as well as corporate law, wills and estates.
As leaders in the industry, Dickenson Gilroy has the knowledge to provide you with the highest level of service. Our years of experience, coupled with a team approach, cutting-edge technology and personalized service, assure you of expert, cost-effective and comprehensive legal counsel.

Visit us at www.dickensongilroy.com

ProviDyn Program Assesses Existing IT Assets and Readiness for New Technology

Atlanta, GA – March 30, 2012 – ProviDyn, a provider of IT support, strategy and services, announces the ProviDyn Assessment and Readiness (PAR) program designed to evaluate the technology infrastructure of small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and, in turn, uncover opportunities to increase efficiency and determine readiness for new technology.

For many SMBs, a focus on growth can result in a reactive approach to managing technology. However, problems arise when an incident, such as an equipment failure or security breach, negatively impacts productivity. Often times, these situations can be prevented with awareness and proactive management of a company’s IT infrastructure. ProviDyn developed PAR to provide growing businesses with a comprehensive view of their existing technology infrastructure, along with expert advice on selecting the best technologies and solutions, increasing efficiency and planning for anticipated future needs — before an issue arises.

The ProviDyn Assessment and Readiness Service is a four step process:

Stakeholder Interviews – Conversations with business owners, department heads and stakeholders to determine current IT issues and successes, along with goals for the future. Understanding the company and its drivers for growth help determine if the right technology is in place to drive the business toward meeting its goals.

Physical Discovery – An evaluation of the current systems and network infrastructure to determine quality, brand and model, age and proper deployment. This step also includes checking for proper cabling, switching and routing, along with inspecting backup system hardware.

Environmental Discovery – Identifies any environmental factors, such as exposure to heat, dust and particulate matter. This step will also note vulnerability to fire and water (flood or fire suppression), theft and possible protection from employee tampering or accidental damage.

Digital Discovery – A review of current software licensing, versions of licensing, legal and technological compliance. The ProviDyn team will also look at the configuration of digital systems to see if they are able to prevent both internal and external security threats. This will help identify strategic alternatives such as updating to a more current software version, selecting a better software for a particular job and/or configuring firewalls for added security.

“Our experience with SMBs shows that a one size fits all approach is not effective in establishing a reliable technology infrastructure and scaling to meet future growth,” said Hamish Davidson, co-founder and president of ProviDyn. “Taking what we’ve learned from working with SMBs, we created PAR to give clients a custom assessment of their current technology situation, identify gaps or inefficiencies in IT systems and resources and provide strategic recommendations for selecting the best technology and services in the future.”

About ProviDyn
ProviDyn provides technology expertise, services and support to Atlanta-area small and medium-sized businesses. Backed by certified technology professionals, ProviDyn’s services include managed services, cloud computing solutions, virtualization, help desk and computer support, IT strategy, network security, backup and disaster recovery and IP telephony. ProviDyn delivers the right mix of technology and expertise allowing its clients to focus on growing their business. To learn more about how ProviDyn is Driving Business Through Technology and helping companies reduce costs, improve efficiency and maximize productivity, visit www.providyn.com or follow us on Twitter.

Communication is arguably the single most important aspect to a successful business. One of the most familiar forms of communication is the telephone, and with advances in technology, it’s unsurprisingly gone digital. The most commonly used digital voice system being Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

VoIP has become the main backbone of voice communication for a growing majority of companies, offering numerous benefits including potentially large cost savings, and decreased maintenance costs. When it was first introduced, the technology needed to run a VoIP system was expensive, limiting it to MNCs and other large organizations. However, over the past few years, the technology has come down in price and is now available for next to nothing, allowing SMEs to make the switch to VoIP. If your company is thinking of ringing the changes, there are some necessary requirements you should meet before you migrate.

Foundation A solid foundation for VoIP is key, as without a good foundation you’ll find that network speed and call quality are poor during heavy use. Most SMEs aim for a VoIP system that can handle around 10 employees on the phone at any given time. Before you start the integration, you should track your current call volume by keeping a note of the number of calls in and out, while paying close attention to call volume during peak hours and days.

You should also investigate the speed and stability of your current Internet connection. While a fast DSL or cable connection is good for browsing, it may not be robust enough to handle VoIP communications, which need a connection that is both quick and stable. Look at your downstream (traffic into your network) and upstream (traffic out of your network) connection speed during a time when the network is experiencing heavy data use. Anything over 1.5 Mbps in both directions should be enough to handle the majority of VoIP systems. Most Internet service providers offer a connection speed well above that, but it’s important to check it out first.

Framing When you have a solid foundation that will support your needs, the next step is building the frame for VoIP. You should determine exactly what’s required from your new system. Some good questions to ask include: Am I going to need to make international calls? How many VoIP connections am I going to need? Am I going to want to make video calls? What’s my budget?

Once you’ve determined your needs you can move on to picking equipment. If you’re a business that typically sticks to local, and some long distance calls, you shouldn’t require much in the way of equipment. The vast majority of companies use a device called a media gateway that allows normal phones to interface with an Internet connection - essentially turning a regular phone into a VoIP phone. If you’re a business that would like to take advantage of the more advanced features of VoIP, like portability, you’ll need more state-of-the-art equipment.

The final issue you need to address is security. On its own, VoIP is not the most secure of connections, as it’s open to all the same types of security breaches that computers and networks can fall prey to. To combat this, many good VoIP service providers will have security measures in place to protect VoIP calls on their network. On your end, it also helps to keep your Internet security up-to-date and conduct regular system scans.

Once you’ve addressed the internal requirements it’s time to start looking for a VoIP service provider. Take your time, shop around, ask competitors and other businesses what service they use. One question to ask a prospective provider is if they will be able to migrate your current number onto their system? While most can switch over your existing numbers, it can take a while, depending on your location and local legislation. So be sure to check if the provider can migrate your numbers and how long it will take.

From there, you should be ready to switch over to VoIP. If you’re still unsure of the process, there are consultants available who can help with the preparation, selection and integration. Good luck, and if you need more information about VoIP, we are here to help you.