My information Resource (blog.mir.net)

My mother get a phone call say there is a issues with her computer and they are going to turn the computer off unless … Is this a scam?

My friend got an email saying that illegal materials were found on my computer and it would be locked until I paid a fine. Is this a scam?

Yes, this sounds like a common blackmail scam called ransomware. Ransomware is an email, website or pop-up window or a phone call  that displays warnings about possible illegal activities and demands payment before you can access your files and programs again. Delete the email and report it immediately.

 

What to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam

If you suspect that you’ve responded to a phishing scam with personal or financial information, take these steps to minimize any damage and protect your identity.

• Change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts that you think might be compromised.

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you’re not sure how to do this.

• Contact the bank or the online merchant directly. Do not follow the link in the fraudulent email message.

• If you know of any accounts that were accessed or opened fraudulently, close those accounts.

• Routinely review your bank and credit card statements monthly for unexplained charges or inquiries that you didn’t initiate.

PLEASE THINK FIRST BEFORE OPENING OR GIVING INFORMATION TO SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW

 

As I sit here at the ChannelPro SMB Forum Fall 2013, i was taking to some computer dealers and vars, who did not know some free resources the help train you staff… 

The  Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA)  is a free training site for you to learn about Microsoft Products.

Successful technologists never stop learning and great technology never stops evolving. Microsoft Virtual Academy (MVA) offers online Microsoft training delivered by experts to help technologists continually learn, with hundreds of courses.  

Developers who want to learn how to build apps for the web, Windows or Windows Phone can explore our courses on App Development training, HTML5 training, C# training, and Windows Phone app development.

IT Pros who are looking to evaluate, deploy, administer, update, and manage infrastructure in their organization should checkout our online courses on Windows Server training, Windows 8 training, Windows Azure training, and Microsoft Virtualization.

 

This site covers for example

Licensing Windows 8

This course covers Windows 8 licensing, identifies the type of user for each edition, and reviews the channels through which these editions can be purchased. At the end of the course we will review licensing Windows 8 for specific customer scenarios

You can take  this course here 

Microsoft Licensing Fundamentals

In this course we will look at licensing basics and clarify the various ways to acquire licenses for Microsoft software and services to help you choose the right licensing for your company’s needs. We will then review the benefits available with Software Assurance and how organizations can transition to cloud services.

You can take  this course Here 

Operating and Managing a Secure Windows 8 Environment

Keep your users safe and protect your infrastructure by using advanced Windows 8 technologies like AppLocker, BitLocker, and Windows Firewall. In this course, you will explore the security and privacy options in Windows 8 and learn how to manage a secure Windows 8 environment.

You can take  this course here

Live MVA Jump Start on September 13: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases

If you’re already familiar with database fundamentals and you’ve worked with SQL Server, this Jump Start will help you take your skills to the next level. Learn about data manipulation and how to alter tables with demos presented by the experts: Brian Alderman (CEO and Founder of MicroTechPoint) and Tobias Ternstrom (Microsoft Program Manager in the SQL Server division). This Jump Start will also help prepare you for Microsoft Certification Exam 70-461.

 Register now.

Second Shot FAQ

What Is Second Shot?
The Second Shot offer provides a free retake exam if you do not pass your exam the first time. If you purchase a Microsoft Certification exam pack using the Second Shot offer, you will have one (and only one) retake for each of the exam in the exam pack.

How long is the Second Shot offer available?
You will have to get a  Second Shot voucher code, schedule an exam, pay for your exam, take the exam the first time and take your retake exam before the voucher expiration date. Check your voucher for the expiration date.

Which exams qualify?
The Second Shot offer currently applies to academic IT professional and developer certification exams (all exams with a 072 and 073 prefix). The offer also includes all Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams beginning with the 098 prefix.

Retake an exam for free

Earn a Microsoft Certification and prove your skills with current technologies and solutions. Passing Microsoft Certification exams can be tough, but for a limited time, you’ll get a free second chance to succeed.

With Second Shot, if you fail your exam the first time you take it, you can use the same voucher for your retake exam.

Second Shot is available for the regular-priced individual technical exams with a prefix of 070 or 071, and for the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exams administered through Prometric. See details and restrictions below. The Second Shot offer is available until May 31, 2014.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Register for your Second Shot voucher.

   Experienced technology professional? Request your Second Shot voucher for individual technical exams

   New to technology? Request your Second Shot voucher for Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exams

2. Schedule and pay for your exam at Prometric using your voucher code.

3. Take your exam.

4. If you don’t pass the exam, use your voucher to register for the same exam again at no charge.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro RTM builds (as well as Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM builds) to the developer and IT professional communities via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions.  They have Not released the Enterprise version of windows 8.1 yet.

 

 

Microsoft has released another free ebook offering from Microsoft Press. Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release (ISBN 9780735682931), by Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Server Team, introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. This book is based on the Preview release and will be updated to cover Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM.

Info from Microsoft site

the PDF version of this title here

 

Rethinking Enterprise Storage: A Hybrid Cloud Model describes a storage architecture that some experts are calling a game changer in the infrastructure industry. Called the Microsoft hybrid cloud storage (HCS) solution, it was developed as a way to integrate cloud storage services with traditional enterprise storage.

The author, Marc Farley, works at Microsoft on hybrid cloud storage solutions as a senior marketing manager. The book includes a Foreword by storage industry expert and noted blogger Martin Glassborow, better known in the industry as Storagebod.

The book includes seven chapters:

Chapter 1  Rethinking enterprise storage
Chapter 2  Leapfrogging backup with cloud snapshots
Chapter 3  Accelerating and broadening disaster recovery protection
Chapter 4  Taming the capacity monster
Chapter 5  Archiving data with the hybrid cloud
Chapter 6  Putting all the pieces together
Chapter 7  Imagining the possibilities with hybrid cloud storage

You can get the book Here

 

CSET is a desktop software tool that guides users through a step-by-step process to assess their control system and information technology network security practices against recognized industry standards. The output from CSET is a prioritized list of recommendations for improving the cyber security posture of the organization’s enterprise and industrial control cyber systems. The tool derives the recommendations from a database of cyber security standards, guidelines, and practices. Each recommendation is linked to a set of actions that can be applied to enhance cyber security controls.

This tool is free and supplied by DHS

Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET) Fact Sheet

Onsite Consultation and Self-Evaluation Fact Sheet

 

Downloading and Installing CSET

A set of video tutorials have been added to Version 5.1 of CSET. The DVD version includes both the regular videos and a full set of tutorials with closed captioning added. Because of size limitations, the full DVD content could not practically be downloaded from the Web.  To address the size issue, two downloads are now available.  The first is the application without videos, (similar to Version 5.0) and the second is the set of regular videos.  To receive the closed captioning version you must request the DVD from DHS.

The two files are:

            CSET51 (the application), and  CSETVideos (the video tutorials).

 

•Link to Software

 

A free, powerful, multi-purpose tool that helps you monitor system resources,
debug software and detect malware.

 

Many of you have probably used Process Explorer in the past. Process Hacker has several advantages:

• Process Hacker allows you to copy data by simply pressing Ctrl+C.
• Process Hacker is open source and can be modified or redistributed.
• Process Hacker does not have several year old bugs that still remain unfixed.
• Process Hacker is more customizable.
• Process Hacker shows symbolic access masks (e.g. Read, Write), rather than just numbers (e.g. 0x12019f).

 

 

Get it Here

This course provides an accelerated introduction to HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript and helps students learn basic HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript programming skills. It focuses on using HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript to implement programming logic, define and use variables, perform looping and branching, develop user interfaces, capture and validate user input, store data, and create well-structured applications. This course uses Visual Studio.

This is offered by the Microsoft Virtual Academy

Go Here