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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.

Is Your Favorite Search Engine Showing You Malicious Websites?

b2ap3_thumbnail_search_malware_400.jpgMost search engines are pretty good at keeping malicious websites out of your search results, but just like any other piece of software on your computer, some search engines do a better job of keeping these threats out of your immediate access. According to TV-Test, a German independent testing lab, there’s a huge difference between the security of the world’s top search engines, like Bing and Google.

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Pluto Mail Makes it Possible to Unsend an Email

b2ap3_thumbnail_pluto_mail_flexibility_400.jpgFor those with weak stomachs, it’s not recommended to go back and read an email that was just sent. In doing so, a spelling or grammar error is likely to be found, which will cause one’s stomach to turn and fill with regret. If only there was a do-over button. Thanks to the new app called Pluto Mail, there is one.

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One Failed Restaurant Shows Us Why it’s Vital to Be Listed Correctly on Google Places

b2ap3_thumbnail_google_places_400.jpgWhen a dining establishment goes out of business, it usually doesn’t make the news. After all, running a restaurant is a risky endeavor. However, for one Washington D.C. eatery, it’s blaming its failure a Google Places mishap, which makes you think twice about how important it is for your business to have its online information properly displayed.

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The Underworld of Cybercrime, the Darknet

b2ap3_thumbnail_keypad_darknet_400_20141203-205734_1.jpgHave you ever wondered how hackers become hackers in the first place? How are tools readily available to them? Business owners might be reluctant to find out that hacking has become easier than ever over the past decade. This is partly due to the increased sophistication of the black market known to some as the Darknet.

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Darkcoin: Anonymous Cryptocurrency for the Paranoid… and the Criminal

b2ap3_thumbnail_darkcoin_400.jpgThe world of online currency is a strange, bizarre realm. While it’s designed for online transactions, it has gone from the somewhat useful (Bitcoin) to just plain silly (Dogecoin). However, there’s now an anonymous cryptocurrency available for use called Darkcoin, which attempts to make online transactions more difficult to trace.

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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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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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Even Farmers Can Take Advantage of the Internet of Things

b2ap3_thumbnail_big_data_farmer_400.jpgThe Internet of Things is on its way, and we are seeing new applications for web-connected devices every day. Perhaps one of the most interesting ways to use Internet of Things technology is its integration into agriculture, or more specifically, artichoke growing at Ocean Mist Farms in Salinas Valley, California.

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Programming Classes to Enter French Primary Schools

b2ap3_thumbnail_ecole_en_francais_400.jpgAcross the country kids are hopping on buses and heading back to school. Schools sure have changed and classes aren't quite the same as they used to be. Perhaps the most important thing about these changes has been the classes available for the kids. In fact, some schools have started teaching children how to code, and France is next on the list.

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Dish Network Speaks Out Against Proposed TimeWarner Cable-Comcast Merger

b2ap3_thumbnail_net_neutrality_petition_400.jpgThere have been a lot of complaints against the proposed Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger, and finally, another prominent service provider has spoken out against it. Dish Network has expressed their dismay over the cable juggernauts' union in a very long, in-depth petition aimed at convincing the Federal Communications Commission to shoot down the merger before it destroys cable provider competition.

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Have You Experienced Internet Troubles Lately?

b2ap3_thumbnail_internet_speed_slow_400.jpgYou may have noticed last week that the Internet was having some trouble with its operating speeds, but now we know for sure why. The root of the problem lies in Tier 1's Internet routers' Border Gateway Protocol routing tables, which have exceeded their maximum size, and has brought about the failure of these routers to operate at maximum speed. 

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Microsoft to Discontinue Support for Old Internet Explorer Versions

b2ap3_thumbnail_internet_explorer_400.jpgIn an attempt to push users toward the most recent installment of Internet Explorer (IE 11), Microsoft has announced that, as of January 2016, all older versions of Internet Explorer will reach their end-of-support date. This means discontinued patching and security update support, putting all who refuse the upgrade at risk.

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Internet Users in 1993 Had Too Much Faith in Humanity [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_look_what_is_possible_400.jpgEvery new technology comes with optimism that it will better the future. Take for example gunpowder. Invented in the Ninth Century, Chinese alchemists created it while searching for an elixir of immortality. Twenty years ago, the early adopters of the Internet had the same optimism about how this new tech would make the world a nicer place.

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Is WiFi Service a Burden or an Investment for Your Business?

b2ap3_thumbnail_do_you_offer_free_wifi_400.jpg"Free WiFi Zone." You see the sign advertised in the window of a new coffee shop. You've got a lot of work to do and you want a change of scenery, so you pack up your laptop and pay them a visit. The coffee is great, but the WiFi service is lousy. In fact, the spotty WiFi service is so poor that you get frustrated and leave, vowing to never shop there again.

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You Gotta Fight. For Your Right. To Net Neutrality!

b2ap3_thumbnail_net_neutrality_gross_inequality_400.jpgWe're seeing a lot of buzz about a controversial issue known as "net neutrality." It's primarily being discussed in the realms of American politics, but its ramifications affect every user of the Internet from around the world! We believe that what's happening to net neutrality is important, and that everyone should be informed about it.

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Is It Possible to Encrypt the Entire Internet?

b2ap3_thumbnail_encrypt_the_internet_400.jpgMany websites around the world are still suffering from the nasty little bug called Heartbleed that we covered last month. This prompted over 30,000 TLS/SSL certificates to be revoked and reissued, but many of them were reissued with the same keys. If this was going to happen, why revoke and reissue them in the first place? They're still just as vulnerable as before, since Heartbleed could have leaked those same keys weeks ago.

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Search Anonymously with Duck Duck Go!

b2ap3_thumbnail_duck_duck_go_400.jpgWith the NSA and Edward Snowden making headlines around the world, it's enough to make any user of the Internet think twice about online security and wonder if they are being monitored or not. Google Search has been a popular hub for third party monitoring, which makes Internet users ask, "Is there a more secure search engine available?" There is with DuckDuckGo.

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Bots Outnumber Humans for Web Traffic

b2ap3_thumbnail_webbot400.jpgIt has finally happened, the bots have taken over. While robots have yet to enslave humanity, bots have taken over the Internet, accounting for 62% of all web traffic. Is the bot takeover something you should be concerned about?

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Tips to Search the Web like a Pro, Part 2

b2ap3_thumbnail_mastery400.jpgLast week, we shared four tips to help you search the web and find anything that you're looking for. In part 2, we will take a look at additional search tools that will help you refine your searches so you can become a search master!

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Tips to Search the Web like a Pro, Part 1

b2ap3_thumbnail_goog400.jpgThe Internet is a place of wonderment where you can find almost anything you can imagine, but you have to know how to find it. How good are you at online searches? Anybody can type a query into Google, Bing, or Yahoo, but a simple search like this may not yield the best results.

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