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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.

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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As Seen in Zoolander, Tech Support Miscommunication Can Be Frustrating

b2ap3_thumbnail_tech_support_miscommunication_400.jpgIT support is heavily reliant upon communication between both parties involved. Without both sides being on the same page, IT support miscommunications are far more likely to happen. Sometimes you just can’t help but laugh at poor communication skills, as seen in the 2001 movie Zoolander. But thankfully, these situations don’t arise too often in the non-fictional universe… right?

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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: 8 Ways to Perform Better Google Searches

b2ap3_thumbnail_google_seach_logo_400.jpgGoogle is the world's most popular search engine, but sometimes it just can't find exactly what you're looking for. This is because Google utilizes algorithms, which don't crunch data the same way that humans do. What we might think is common sense doesn't qualify for Google. Thankfully, there are several different ways you can narrow down Google's search results.

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The PC on Haunted Hill

b2ap3_thumbnail_pc_on_haunted_hill_400.jpgOur minds often attribute unexplained phenomena with hauntings from ghosts. Most of the time, there's a perfectly good scientific explanation for what's going on. If you ever see your computer's cursor move on its own, your PC isn't haunted. Although, you might prefer a haunting to what's really happening; a hacker is probably stealing your data. Now that's scary!

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Tip of the Week: How to Stay Sanitary with Your Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_not_so_sanitary_keyboard_400.jpgWhether it’s warranted or not, some people are worried about the spread of the Ebola virus. Office employees should also be concerned with the many other cooties that remain on common surfaces. This points to sanitation as a primary issue, especially in public places like your office. Among many other surprising germ-transmitting mediums, like money, cats, and dogs, technology accumulates a lot of ilk which could potentially spread to the entire office… that is, if you’re not careful to nip it in the bud.

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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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Tip of the Week: Recovering Lost or Corrupt Microsoft Office Files

b2ap3_thumbnail_ms_office_logo_400.jpgIf your business were to lose important files due to an unexpected Microsoft Office crash or hardware failure, what would you do? Losing files can be difficult to recover from, especially if you aren’t using a cloud service which saves automatically after every edit. Lost files don’t benefit anyone, and if they are important, it could even put your business at risk. But don’t worry; there’s a way to recover lost Office files if things turn sour.

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Caution: Enhanced Cryptowall Ransomware Threatens Networks

b2ap3_thumbnail_cryptowall_2_0_400.jpgAs a business owner, you have an obligation to keep your data and network files safe from prying eyes and criminals. The latest threats, like the new Cryptowall 2.0 ransomware, can be a difficult hurdle to jump, especially when they are disguised and designed to ruin you. Thankfully, you don’t have to take on these threats alone.

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Sandworm: Russian Cyber Espionage Campaign Uncovered After 5 Years

b2ap3_thumbnail_sandworms_400.jpgA new threat, dubbed Sandworm by iSight Partners, has been discovered. It is a cyber espionage campaign dating back to at least 2009, and is said to be based in Russia. Sandworm uses a previously undiscovered zero-day vulnerability in Windows operating systems to steal information from government leaders and organizations.

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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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“Zero Trust” Network Security: Only Trust Data as Far as You Can Throw It!

b2ap3_thumbnail_zero_trust_400.jpgWhen it feels like everybody is out to get you, there's only one way to survive: Trust nobody. You may not have too many physical enemies ready to jump you, but there's an army of hackers wanting to breach your company's database. One of the securest ways to keep your company's information safe is to implement a "zero trust" network security model.

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Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ Bend Expectations

b2ap3_thumbnail_iphone_6_and_6_plus_400.jpgApple is back with another iPhone! The Silicon Valley-based hardware and software manufacturer has released the new versions of their extremely popular iPhone series of devices. The two-headed approach that Apple took with their second incantation of the iPhone 5 (the 5s and 5c), is replicated this time out as well. After being surpassed by Samsung over the past two years, does the iPhone 6 and its larger version, the iPhone 6+, have what it takes to get Apple back on top?

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3 Benefits Virtual Servers Bring to Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_virtual_server_400.jpgVirtualization is all the rage in the technology world. In fact, virtual servers are practically omnipresent in modern workplaces. Why? Because they offer businesses unprecedented opportunity for growth and development. The benefits of virtualized servers far outweigh the costs, aiding businesses in expanding their goals and visions for the future.

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Herding Cats is Harder Than it Looks [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_cats_cats_cats_400.jpgHerding cats is a business term used to describe the task of organizing and controlling entities like people and systems known for being uncontrollable and even chaotic. Due to the unpredictable and independent nature of felines, cat herding captures the idea of controlled chaos perfectly. Does running your business feel like you're working on a cat ranch?

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Tip of the Week: How to Find the Perfect VoIP Plan for Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_voip_for_you_400.jpgIf your business has a reliable and high-speed Internet connection, then you’ve got what it takes to experience significant savings by switching your company’s phone system to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Once you’ve decided to make the switch, you will next have to select a VoIP solution that’s right for your organization. Here are some tips to help you make this important decision.

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The End of an Era: the Harkonnen Hacking Operation is Over

b2ap3_thumbnail_harkonnen_hackers_400.jpgFor the past 12 years, the Harkonnen Operation has plagued Europe. The malware campaign, operating scams in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since 2002, has finally ended, but that doesn't change the fact that it may be the most long-lived malware to have existed. What kept security firms from discovering these attacks and preventing them for so long?

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au·dit/ noun/: a systematic review or assessment of something

b2ap3_thumbnail_it_audit_400.jpgAre you confident that your company's network is 100 percent secure? The best way to answer "yes" to this question is with a network audit. This is a technical procedure where IT professionals analyze every nook and cranny of your system, looking for every possible vulnerability. No matter what the situation is with your company's IT management, a network audit is worth doing.

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As the Facebook Empire Grows, the Acquisitions Keep Coming

b2ap3_thumbnail_facebook_is_buying_400.jpgIt's no secret that Facebook is one of the most visited sites on the Internet. In fact, according to the Alexa rankings, which measure website traffic, facebook.com is ranked second after only Google.com. With this much exposure, and the emanated revenue that comes from this kind of traffic, it has become important for the world's largest and most successful social network to scout out and eliminate possible competitors, many times before those companies even consider themselves potential competitors.

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Save $11,000 Annually for Each Telecommuting Employee

b2ap3_thumbnail_tellecommuting_is_best_400.jpgA lot of employers are nervous about letting their employees work from home, but due to the increased evidence that it can be beneficial to productivity and cost-efficiency, it's getting more and more difficult to avoid thinking about it. In fact, according to Global Workplace Analytics, working from home has grown a whopping 80 percent in the United States since 2005.

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Macro Systems
3867 Plaza Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030