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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.

When DDoS Attacks and Ransomware Combine, the Results are Ugly

When DDoS Attacks and Ransomware Combine, the Results are Ugly

Ransomware, the malware variant that has appeared more and more frequently has struck again, this time targeting users of Microsoft Outlook in a zero-day attack. A malware variant of Cerber (a ransomware) was recently utilized in a large scale attack on users of the messaging program, sent via phishing emails to corporate users.

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Microsoft Office 365 vs. Microsoft Office Suite: Which is Right for Your Business?

Microsoft Office 365 vs. Microsoft Office Suite: Which is Right for Your Business?

Regardless of what type of organization you run, there is always a need for a word processor, spreadsheet software, and email solution. You might already take advantage of Microsoft Office, but do you take advantage of the subscription service (Office 365), or do you purchase the software licenses outright?

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Windows Ink Adds A Further Element To Your Business Computing

Windows Ink Adds A Further Element To Your Business Computing

Your technology is a gateway to productivity, and Microsoft has managed to put together a solid way to use it with their latest operating system. In Windows 10, you can use Windows Ink to doodle or write notes on your screen while using a Microsoft application like Word, PowerPoint, or OneNote.

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Is the New, Stripped-Down Version of Windows 10 Practical for SMBs?

Is the New, Stripped-Down Version of Windows 10 Practical for SMBs?

Google Chromebooks run a streamlined version of the Chrome OS to offer users a relatively decent browsing experience, despite the device’s limitations. But what if Microsoft created a similar operating system? Well, they did just that with Windows 10 S, which is designed to be used with less processing power than the current operating system.

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Windows Server 2003 End of Support Date is Fast Approaching

b2ap3_thumbnail_server_03_end_of_support_400.jpgTechnology has come a long way since 2003. It seems like just yesterday that Microsoft dropped support for Windows XP, and in just a few short months, they’ll be dropping support for Windows Server 2003, as well. If your business is one of the many still utilizing this server operating system, you’ll want to make sure that you upgrade away from it before July 14th, 2015. Otherwise, you’ll be running without security patches or updates.

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How to Prevent Your Computers from Inflating Your Electricity Bill

b2ap3_thumbnail_computer_electricity_costs_400.jpgTechnology is getting more powerful, but have you considered where all of that power comes from? Not many people actually take the time to understand how much energy their PC or workstation is using, but this could potentially be increasing your operating costs higher than they need to. Try taking the time to calculate your PC’s energy usage to get a feel for what your workstation is costing your business and the environment.

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Tip of the Week: How to Prevent Email Spam

b2ap3_thumbnail_prevent_spam_400.jpgWhile email offers several great benefits to those willing to deal with it, the most popular method of communicating in the office has its flaws. One of the most crippling is spam, which can ruin your inbox and your productivity. The unfortunate truth is that even the most diligent workers get hit with spam, but that doesn’t mean that your business’s productivity needs to suffer from it.

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Microsoft Fixes Vulnerability Going All the Way Back to Windows 95

b2ap3_thumbnail_vulverability_fixed_400.jpgWell, better late than never.
This is to be said of Microsoft after they recently patched a security flaw that’s come with every generation of its operating systems going all the way back to Windows 95.

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PowerPoint Rangers Lead the Way!

b2ap3_thumbnail_powerpoint_rangers_400.jpgOne would assume that being an officer in the military would require the ferociousness of a warrior and the mental fortitude to make split-second life-saving decisions on the battlefield. Surprisingly, in today’s modern military, there’s one skill that’s valued above the ability to fight: Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency.

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Should Windows Upgrades Be Free?

b2ap3_thumbnail_free_windows_updates_400.jpgAll operating systems change over time, and upgrades are eventually made available. But in light of Windows 10, Windows Threshold, or whatever their new OS’s final incarnation is going to be called, one has to wonder if Microsoft has ever considered free upgrades to the Windows operating system family tree.

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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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Sexy New Windows 9 Photos Leaked All Over the Web [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_9_coming_400.jpgWell, now that we've got your attention, it's a good time to mention that leaked photos and a video of what may be Windows 9, currently called Threshold, have been leaked to the web. As the next entry in the Windows family of operating systems, it has been highly anticipated since the return of a Start menu was displayed in April 2014. Microsoft has a lot of ground to cover after Windows 8, but will Windows 9/Threshold deliver?

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OneNote Online - Microsoft OneDrive’s Note Taking Solution

b2ap3_thumbnail_microsoft_onenote_400.jpgTaking notes is a pain, and we all know that. One of the biggest problems with taking notes is that your team might store them all in different places. Before you know it, you have no idea where anything is or what has been done. Microsoft's OneNote on OneDrive changes that, providing a collaborative cloud-based solution for note taking.

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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 Explorer 8 Zero-Day Vulnerability Found, but Not Patched

b2ap3_thumbnail_vulnerability_microsoft_400.jpgWith the world still on edge about the recent vulnerability found in most versions of Internet Explorer, another one has been discovered, this time in Internet Explorer 8. This bug allows a hacker to execute malicious code when a user opens an infected email or webpage.

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XP Support is Down, but Not Out

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_xp_400.jpgThe news that Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, one of its most successful operating systems, was a great blow to many who loved the software. The greatest blow, however, will likely prove to be hackers, who will be able to break into the system now that Microsoft is not providing security patches.

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CTRL - One Key to Rule Them All

b2ap3_thumbnail_sb_meme_400.jpgLet's face it, no matter how quickly you can type, there is only so much you can accomplish without the use of keyboard shortcuts. Perhaps you never cared to learn them, or maybe you never had the opportunity. Now that you own a small business, your productivity and efficiency is at stake. Thankfully, some of the most useful shortcuts utilize one common key: the Control key.

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DANGER! Vulnerability in Internet Explorer Not Patched Yet, No Fix for XP

b2ap3_thumbnail_alert_one_400.jpgInternet Explorer is one of the most used web browsers. Despite this, there have been various security problems with it, and another one has just been found - a zero-day vulnerability that leaves IE users at the mercy of hackers. We will cover what you need to know to keep your business safe.

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Don’t Get Trapped in PowerPoint Purgatory

b2ap3_thumbnail_powerpoint_skills_400.jpgEveryone dreads presentations, but for different reasons. Some people are just afraid of public speaking, or they are just overall unorganized. In the end, well designed presentations are essential for your company's success, whether they are given to clients or to your employees. Thankfully, there are ways to minimize the stress that giving a presentation can cause. One of the best ways to prepare a presentation is to use a Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow as an aid.

However, it's very easy to fall into "PowerPoint Purgatory", a place filled with overburdened slideshows that last for hours on end. The amount of professionals who don't use PowerPoint effectively far outweigh those who do. Macro Systems is here to help by providing you with some useful tips to make your presentations both easy for the presenter and for the audience!

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Is Your Word Document Leaking Secrets?

b2ap3_thumbnail_word_tracking_400_20140404-200407_1.jpgJust because you hit the delete button when using Microsoft Word doesn't necessarily mean that your information is gone forever. Thanks to Word's Track Changes feature, all of your deleted sentences can be easily retrieved. This is a very handy tool to help you out of a jam, but it can also be misused to leak secrets if you're not careful.

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Macro Systems
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