Texas Hill Country Computer Service

Posted by Wilson

Anytime-Computers has provided computer hardware, software, and services with business network design and installation as our main focus.
We offer complete installation and service on all Microsoft, Unix / Linux, and Novell networks and servers. We also service a variety of PBX Systems as well as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) for all your telephony needs.

Anytime-Computers offers on-site services for new and existing computer equipment. Whether it is a workstation, server, or printer for an enterprise or individual, our experienced staff of network engineers can provide a solution for your every need.

Need new hardware equipment, software upgrades, network management, or reconfiguring your existing equipment? Let us look out for your best interest and improve your productivity by utilizing our skills for your needs.

Furthermore, Anytime-Computers offers in-warranty and out-of-warranty service contracts on computer equipment you currently own or purchase from Anytime-Computers.

Give us a call, you will find our service to be expedient and reliable.
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Second Tuesday - Microsoft Patches

firefoxThe second Tuesday of every month, 10:00 a.m. PST. Like clockwork, Microsoft releases a group of security patches. And like clockwork, that release sets in motion a flurry of events from businesses, security vendors, the media and even hackers. Microsoft Patch Tuesday, as it is widely known, started in October of 2003 at the request of Microsoft's customers, who preferred to receive patches in an organized way, at a specified time, explains Christopher Budd, Microsoft's security response communications lead. The change was made to make testing and deploying updates easier and more predictable.

In formalizing the process, Microsoft gave customers what they wanted, but in doing so, they also fostered a bustling industry around those monthly patches.

It's a pattern that repeats every month: On the Thursday before Patch Tuesday, the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) issues an advanced notification about what will be included. On Patch Tuesday, customers that have signed up for the Security Notification Service receive a notice alerting them of the newly available security updates. Users can then download the security update using a variety of Microsoft or third-party tools—ones that have sprung up specifically to deal with the complexity of what and how to install Microsoft security patches.

Because of these complexities, an entire industry has grown up around Patch Tuesday. Businesses race to quickly determine which are the most critical for their users and which might inadvertently cause more problems than they solve. Security firms rapidly implement fixes to their own systems and push them out to users. The press floods the public with descriptions and warnings, and hackers work to reverse-engineer the patches to discover and use the vulnerabilities to their own advantage.

Anytime that Computers give you a problem, give us a call. We're available 24/7 and will do an excellent job for an honest price.

- Wilson Simpson

"Every Patch Tuesday sets off a race where companies try to get their computers patched before they accidentally hit a website with hacker code," says Brian Livingston, editor of Windows Secrets newsletter.

Microsoft Security Tools

Found on Microsoft's Website

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Security Update Management

  • Microsoft Update

    Microsoft Update consolidates updates provided by Windows Update and Office Update into one location and enables you to choose automatic delivery and installation of high-priority updates.

  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

    WSUS simplifies the process of keeping Windows-based systems current with the latest updates, with minimal administrative intervention.

  • System Center Configuration Manager

    System Center Configuration Manager 2007 enables operating system and application deployment and configuration management, enhancing system security and providing comprehensive asset management of servers, desktops, and mobile devices.

  • Systems Management Server 2003 Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates

    Systems Management Server administrators can use the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) to determine the update compliance of managed systems.

Security Update Detection

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA)

    MBSA scans for missing security updates and common security misconfigurations. It can be used in conjunction with Microsoft Update and Windows Server Update Services.

  • Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Connector for the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

    This connector lets you view the results of an MBSA scan in a clear, comprehensive Microsoft Office Visio 2007 network diagram.

  • Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

    The Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is used to detect security bulletins not covered by MBSA including MS04-028, February 2005 bulletins, and future security bulletins that are exceptions to MBSA.

    Security Assessment

    Lockdown, Auditing, and Intrusion Detection and Remediation

    • Account Lockout and Management Tools

      These tools can help you manage accounts and troubleshoot account lockouts.

    • BitLocker Active Directory Recovery Password Viewer

      This tool helps to locate BitLocker Drive Encryption recovery passwords for Windows Vista- or Windows Server 2008- based computers in Active Directory Domain Services.

    • BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool

      This tool configures the hard disk drives in your computer properly to support enabling BitLocker.

    • Bitlocker Repair Tool

      This tool can help recover data from a corrupted or damaged disk volume that was encrypted with BitLocker.

    • EventCombMT

      Available as part of the Security Guide Scripts Download, this is a multi-threaded tool that will parse event logs from many servers at the same time.

    • File Checksum Integrity Verifier

      This command-line tool computes and verifies MD5 or SHA-1 cryptographic hash values of files. These values can be displayed on the screen or saved in an XML file database for later use and verification.

    • IIS Lockdown Tool

      This tool reduces the attack surface of earlier versions of Internet Information Services (IIS) and includes URLScan to provide multiple layers of protection against attackers. (All of the default security-related configuration settings in IIS versions 6.0 and 7.0 meet or exceed the security configuration settings made by the IIS Lockdown tool.)

    • Port Reporter

      This tool runs as a service on computers running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000, and logs TCP and UDP port activity.

    • Port Reporter Parser (PR-Parser)

      This tool that parses the logs that the Port Reporter service generates. The PR-Parser tool has many advanced features that can help you analyze the Port Reporter service log files. You can use the PR-Parser with the Port Reporter tool in a number of scenarios, including troubleshooting and security-related scenarios.

    • PortQry

      This command-line utility helps you troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity issues on Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000.

    • PromQry

      Promqry and PromqryUI allow you to detect network sniffers on computers that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

    • SubInACL

      This command-line tool enables you to obtain security information about files, registry keys, and services. It also lets you transfer this information from user to user, from local or global group to group, and from domain to domain.

    • UrlScan Security Tool

      This tool helps prevent potentially harmful HTTP requests from reaching IIS Web servers.

    • Windows SteadyState

      Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet cafe, a library, or even in your home, Windows SteadyState helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to.

    Virus and Malware Protection and Removal

    • Malicious Software Removal Tool

      This tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps to remove the infection if it is found. Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month, and as needed to respond to security incidents.

    • Windows Defender

      This free program helps protect PCs from pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.

    • Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner

      This free service scans PCs for viruses, spyware, and potentially unwanted software.