No reason to fear Windows 8, we've pre-configured it to 'just work' for our clients!

Hi Everyone,

You may have heard that Microsoft recently released Windows 8 on Friday 10/26.

Members of the Union Tech Coop Technical Committee have been testing Windows 8 for several months using the Evaluation copy Microsoft provided to developers prior to the final release.

We're happy to say that our test results have been very positive. Windows 8 has several advantages over Windows 7:

1. Performance – some 'eye candy' visual effects have been removed due to the design requirement for Windows 8 to run on lightweight hardware.
2. Security – Microsoft's anti-malware security software and Adobe's Flash Player have been integrated into Windows 8...and they receive updates automatically.
3. Compatibility – Windows 8 seems to be very similar to Windows 7. From our testing, every program designed for Windows 7 that we tested worked properly under Windows 8.

The biggest noticeable change in Windows 8 is the new user interface (called the 'Metro' or the 'Modern' user interface). The new look is the default setting on any newly purchased computer from a retail store that includes Windows 8. This new user interface has large buttons (called 'tiles') rather than a traditional 'desktop' that previous versions of Windows displayed. The new look was designed for computers with touchscreen monitors and for touchscreen mobile devices. The new look works well for touch use cases but can be unfamiliar at first.

Our technicians are able to easily configure Windows 8 to display the 'classic' desktop environment that you are familiar with if you find the new user interface is not to your liking.

Due to the advantages we've seen in our testing and the minimal effort involved in configuring Windows 8 to display the traditional look, Union Tech Coop will be including Windows 8 with our custom desktop computers going forward. We're happy to build custom computers with Windows 7 upon request for clients who prefer to continue using Windows 7 rather than move to Windows 8.

All Windows 8 computers purchased from Union Tech Coop will be configured to show the 'classic' desktop environment by default. Users will be able to easily switch to the new user interface at any time to try it out. We're happy to assist our clients to configure the new user interface to be the default on computers purchased from Union Tech Coop at any time at no additional charge.

We're proud to offer the highest quality custom computers and to include the latest Microsoft Windows 8 Pro as the operating system. We're also happy to schedule a demonstration of the computers for anyone who is interested in giving the hardware and software a try before making a purchase.

Please feel free to give us a call at (608) 616-9925 if you have any questions.

Thanks,

The Union Tech Coop Technical Committee

uniontechcoop.com

Join Us!  Saturday, September 29, 2012 @ The Monona Terrace for the 2nd Annual Co-op Connection

Summit Credit Union (SCU) is hosting the 2nd Annual “Co-op Connection" on September 29, 2012 at the Monona Terrace.

Visit SummitCreditUnion.com/coopconnection for complete information and a registration and sponsorship form.  Look for the opportunity to share Co-op stories on this year’s registration!  SCU will let others know what the Co-op Connection will have to offer in 2012 - the International Year of Cooperatives.

If you have any questions, contact SCU at CoopConnection@summitcreditunion.com.

Ongoing network wide hacker attacks related to Java software

Hi Everyone,

Since Monday 09/03 Union Tech Coop technicians have been monitoring breaking security news that hackers are actively attacking computers that are running out of date versions of Java software.

Java is a prerequisite software that some applications and some websites require to work. Computers that Union Tech Coop has deployed in the past include Java software for several reasons:
1. The OpenOffice/LibreOffice software suite uses Java for the Database application in the suite.
2. So clients that use websites that require Java do not receive error messages.
3. So clients that run applications that require Java do not receive error messages.

The difference between previous hacker attacks and the current ongoing attacks is that previously only a single computer would be compromised. In the recent series of attacks a single computer is compromised, then the compromised computer is used as a platform to attack all other network computers that are missing security updates. In a typical network environment this means that nearly every computer on the network will be compromised as well - a disasterous situation for an organization that relies on those computers for day to day operations.

Here is a description of a real world infection scenario, including the amount of work required to recover a single infected computer:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/03/java_cleanup

Emergency security updates have been released, but hackers are continuing to attempt to exploit the most recent versions of Java as they are released. Until the current versions of Java have been confirmed to be secure, the best practice is to remove Java software entirely:
http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/java-still-not-safe-security-experts-say/240006876

Union Tech Coop technicians have identified several ways to allow an organization that requires Java to continue to use Java software only for trusted applications and websites - while disabling Java for all other untrusted uses.

If your organization requires Java, Union Tech Coop technicians recommend implementing proactive security measures as soon as possible to avoid a network wide malicious software infection. Union Tech Coop technicians are standing by to provide assistance. Please call (608) 616-9925 if you would like to schedule a security assessment.