Archives for Microsoft

Microsoft Not Impacted by Heartbleed Vulnerability

Posted by: Tracey Pretorius, Director, Trustworthy Computing

On April 8, 2014, security researchers announced a flaw in the OpenSSL encryption software library used by many websites to protect customers’ data. The vulnerability, known as “Heartbleed,” could potentially allow a cyberattacker to access a website’s customer data along with traffic encryption keys.

After a thorough investigation, Microsoft determined that Microsoft Account, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Yammer and Skype, along with most Microsoft Services, are not impacted by the OpenSSL “Heartbleed” vulnerability. Windows’ implementation of SSL/TLS is also not impacted. A few Services continue to be reviewed and updated with further protections.

Microsoft always encourages its customers to be vigilant with the security of their online accounts, change their account passwords periodically and to use complex passwords. More information on how to create strong passwords is available here: Microsoft Security & Safety Center: Create strong passwords.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/security/archive/2014/04/10/microsoft-devices-and-services-and-the-openssl-heartbleed-vulnerability.aspx


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Microsoft Offers $100 to Switch from XP (while supplies last)

Tim Thewes, GM at Microsoft’s flagship store in Troy’s Somerset Collection announced a $100 offer to Win XP owners willing to switch to another platform.Make your way to the Microsoft Store in Troy for your deal.  Remember, this is good when you upgrade to any device with Win 8.1 from any manufacturer and includes free data transfer.

Click to hear special XP Switch offer.


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Podcast 1412 March 22, 2014: Red Dwarf, Social Media Spring Cleaning and MS Countdown April 8

Nain Rouge

Show Notes:

Spring Cleaning for your Social Media

Emily HayEmily Hay of Hay There Social Media shares 9 Tips for Small Business Owners to Spring Clean Your Social Media Profiles – Hay There Social Media | Social Media Marketing & Management Services for Small Businesses .

Click here to listen: Emily Hay 9 Tips for Spring Cleaning

Le Nain Rouge

The Legend of The Nain Rouge (Red Dwarf) Graphic Novel Becomes a Kickstarter Project

Joe BastianAuthor Joe Bastian is moving his book about the sinister Detroit legend of Le Nain Rouge from the printed page to an online graphic novel.

 

Carl WinansCarl Winans, producer and digital storyteller, explains the process.

 

 

Click here to Listen: Joe Bastian Nain Rouge

 

Windows-8_1-Update-1-pre-release-contect-menu

April 8, 2014 Super Download Day for Microsoft

J. CoffeyJustin Coffey of Apex Digital Solutions reveals the bonanza of downloads and updates coming from Microsoft on April 8, 2014. (hints: updates, games and iPhone 8.1)

 Click here to Listen: Justin Coffey MS April 8

 

Office 365 Personal Available (1 desktop, 1 tablet)
April 8 is shaping up to be a big day for MS
Patch Tuesday … And…
Win 8.1 Update Feature Pack Release (most of the changes in Windows 8.1 Update 1


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Microsoft reportedly planning Windows 9 release in April 2015

By Tom Warren  @tomwarren The Verge

Microsoft is currently working on an “Update 1” for Windows 8.1, but the company has bigger plans for the future of Windows as part of a “Threshold” wave of updates. Windows watcher Paul Thurrott reports that the company’s Threshold plans will involve a release of Windows 9 around April 2015. Microsoft will allegedly unveil its vision for Windows 9 at the company’s Build 2014 developer conference in April, with a release planned for a year later.

Full Story


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Microsoft Launches Rebranded OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive)

By  for All About Microsoft |

Microsoft is making OneDrive, its rebranded SkyDrive cloud storage service, available globally as of February 19.

Microsoft officials announced the new branding for its cloud storage service, formerly known as SkyDrive, in late January. Microsoft was obliged to change the name of the service after a loss of a trademark battle with British Sky Broadcasting Group over the “Sky” name.

Existing SkyDrive customers don’t have to do anything to move to OneDrive; their files are already in OneDrive and can be accessed by logging into www.onedrive.com with their existing SkyDrive credentials. Updated OneDrive apps for Windows Phone, Android phones and iPhones are available for download in their respective stores.

Full Story


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Keeping New Year's Resolutions: Microsoft

 THE TOOLS WE NEED TO KEEP OUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

The New Year is here! While many, many people plan to use this landmark time to eat healthy, lose weight, get better organized, save more money – the problem with these goals is that they are difficult to maintain. Most people want to see progress within a few weeks. Unfortunately, keeping resolutions can be complicated.
That’s why this year, technology may be the best way to reach your goals…. The creative minds at Microsoft have come up with a number of great tools – apps – to set attainable goals and keep them for more than just a few weeks.

For Getting Fit:
·         Bing Health & Fitness –  Bing Health & Fitness app is a personal companion for everyday living. This app offers trackers for diet, health and exercise that sync with Microsoft’s HealthVault to bring in data from personal medical records and other tracking tools.
For Saving Money:
·         Mint – Get your finances in order with Mint, now available on Windows and Windows Phone! Mint offers a simple and organized way to set budgets, track accounts, set helpful financial reminders, track when bills are due, and do …


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Podcast 1341 Oct. 19, 2013: Windows 8.1 Arrives

Show Notes:

Windows 8.1 Update Has Arrived

J. Coffey

Everything you need to know about this latest and biggest upgrade to Windows 8.   Justin Coffey, Tech Solutions Professional from Apex Digital leads the discussion.  Biggest changes, new features, how to upgrade and more.

Supersite for Windows Tips and Tricks for Windows 8.1

Paul Thurott is the premiere analyst and commentator on Windows and his Supersite is chock full of helpful analysis and tips for those who want to make the most of Windows 8.1 from download to the best applications.  You should bookmark this link for future reference.

 

Super Launch Week Oct. 20-26, 2013

  • Oct. 22      Microsoft Surface 2 Goes on Sale
  • Oct. 22      Apple, California     iPad, mini iPad, TV,  Mavericks OS release
  • Oct. 22      Nokia Launch Event in Abu Dhabi: 6 new products (Tablet??)

MiTechNews Report

Mike BrennanWeekly feature with Mike Brennan, editor and publisher of MiTechNews.com, highlighting technology headlines from Michigan and around the world that impact of our state’s growing high tech sector. This MiTechNews report with Mike Brennan is brought to you by Mophie.Com, the maker of th iPhone juice pack, and the Engineering Society of Detroit, representing 16,000 engineers in Southeast Michigan.


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Monday, Sept.23 Micorosoft Launches 2nd Generation of Surface Tablets

By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft |September 20, 2013 — 13:49 GMT (06:49 PDT)
On Monday, September 23, Microsoft will be launching (but not shipping) its next-generation Surface tablets at an invitation-only event in New York City .

In the past few weeks, lots of leaks have revealed much of what’s expected to debut at the launch. Although Microsoft officials haven’t commented on or confirmed these specs, I’ve heard and seen information that leads me to believe they are correct.
The new Surfaces are going to look almost identical to the current Surfaces, as they are going to use the same 10.6-inch screens and VaporMg casing and be compatible with the same snap-on keyboard/covers that the current Surfaces use.
Full Article


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Podcast 9/21/13: iOS7 Lands and Bing Takes Off

Show Notes:

iOS7 Has Landed:

2012 CalOur very own Sith Lord,  Cal Carson, will lead a discussion of the good, the bad and the amazing about Apple’s newest mobile operating system.  Is it time for you to switch?  Listen and decide.

iOS7 Battery Saving Tips 

 

Bing.com Sports a New Look

bing logoBill Hankes, Communication Director for Bing.com shares some of the highlights of the remake of Microsoft’s search engine (Bing) and the surprising places you will find it (hint: It’s Siri’s brain!)

Bing Preview

rick_broidaRick Broida, our Gadget Guy and the Cheapskate has some remarkable deals to tell you about including a 16″ USB drive monitor.  Don’t miss these deals.

 

Cheapskate Deals:

MiTechNews Report

Mike BrennanWeekly …


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Microsoft reverses course; releases Windows 8.1 RTM to developers

By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft | September 9, 2013 — 17:04 GMT (10:04 PDT)

Follow @maryjofoley

The Microsoft course reversals — such as the reintroduction of a Windows Start Button and the cancellation of the “Always On” requirement for Xbox One — are continuing.

The latest 180, announced by the company on September 9, is that MSDN/TechNet subscribers and volume licensees are going to be able to get their hands on the Windows 8.1 release to manufacturing (RTM) bits early, after all. In fact, Microsoft is making the RTM versions of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro available to those groups today, September 9, starting at 10 a.m. PST. Microsoft also will be releasing the RTM version of Windows Server 2012 R2 to MSDN/TechNet and volume licensees today.
The Windows 8.1 Enterprise SKU will be available to MSDN/TechNet and volume licensees before the end of September, officials said today. The RTM version of Windows 8.1 RT still isn’t going to be released early. (Windows 8.1 RT has leaked to the Web, however.)


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