SCAM WARNING

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Recently there have been calls from someone saying they are a “Microsoft Representative” or something of the like. They will proceed to tell you that your computer is not secure, or a similar message.

DO NOT BELIEVE THEM.

If you go along with them, they will ask for remote access to your computer. This will leave you vulnerable, as they will most likely use a trusted means of remote access such as Log Me In or Mikogo and pretend to check legitimate settings within Windows. Unbeknownst to you, they leave several Trojan viruses behind. These viruses create a back door to your computer that this person can use to extract personal information from it. This includes any banking information, passwords, pictures, etc that you keep on the computer.

Please be aware that Microsoft does not have any of its employees call you personally to tell you these things. Your computer’s security is up to you.

Always be sure to have a legitimate antivirus/antispyware program installed on your machine. We here at Kalax recommend NOD32. If you are unsure about your computer’s security, feel free to call or email us.

Sincerely,

The Kalax Team of Professionals

The benefits of networked security cameras

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People are always surprised when they hear that we install and configure network camera systems for both business and residential clientele. They seem to believe that only big business needs to worry about crime. The sad truth is that it happens everywhere, and the sad truth is that it can happen to anyone at any time. The amount of criminal events is much higher than just what we hear about.

We have installed many network cameras (commonly referred to as IP cameras), and as such, we know first hand that the crime rate in our society continues to grow.

While it is true that a camera can’t physically do anything to stop a crime, it can be configured to do the following:

  • sound alarms
  • notify personnel or authorities via email or text message
  • record the event both locally and remotely
  • show a live feed online (and/or email a link to the live feed to a list of people)

Not only that, cameras are a great deterrent. Would-be criminals see security cameras as a huge threat. Modern cameras come equipped with night vision so that your property is safely monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As well as a slew of other features, most cameras have High Definition visuals so identifying the guilty party is a breeze. Most modern cameras are also PoE-capable (Power over Ethernet).

This means that no AC Adapter is required to power your camera, you only need to have the network (Ethernet) cable run to it. You do need a special piece called an Injector to do this, but they are relatively inexpensive and well worth it.

Another benefit of network cameras are the low ongoing and maintenance costs. Other security services require you to pay for a subscription to their services each month. With network cameras, the only cost you incur is the initial charges (parts and setup), as well as any expansion should you choose to do so. There is no monthly service fee unless you subscribe to premium services such as remote recording storage. Typically the equipment will last many years with little or no problems.

We always recommend Vivotek cameras. They are high quality surveillance devices and their lineup of products can suit any individual need.

If you are interested in network cameras feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

The benefits of a VPN

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Today, we would just like to emphasize the benefits of a VPN-enabled workplace. We have set up many VPN tunnels at office sites, and have gotten lots of positive feedback.

For those of you who don’t know, a VPN is a remote connection to a network. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Basically, your computer establishes a secure connection over the Internet to your home or office network. This connection will grant you access to anything on the network that your administrator allows you. If your account only has access to certain directories, then those will be all you can use.

As stated before, a VPN connection allows for remote access to a network. This can be beneficial in many ways. The most obvious benefit is the ability to work from anywhere with an Internet connection (provided the computer you are using is configured to contact the network properly).

If you feel sick and can’t go into work, you could get some work done from home should you feel better as the day goes on. If you live far away from the office and your car won’t start, you can go inside and use the VPN to connect to the office and get some work done. If the weather has been really nice the last few days, you can take off early to go enjoy the weather and log in from home later that evening to finish off what you started. These reasons alone will help relieve lots of work-related stress.

Another benefit of VPN tunnels is the ability to connect offices.

If your business has various locations or branches, a VPN allows you to keep them all linked together. This allows you to easily check inventory and other data that needs to be logged at each location without having to make a phone call or go to each location. Linking sites over a VPN saves many hours of phone calls and travel to each location.

You don’t need anything too fancy to set up a VPN (We’ll go over this another day). You need a VPN-capable router such as a Linksys WRV200. If you would like a VPN for your office network we recommend a Sonicwall (check out the products we’ve set up here). Sonicwall makes quality products, they are a bit pricier but you get your money’s worth. Sonicwall also allows you access to their proprietary VPN software, which greatly simplifies the use of a VPN.

There is a drawback to using a VPN though. Because you are going over the Internet, things will only load as fast as the slowest connection present. If your office has blazing high speed Internet and you have dial-up, you can only get the information as fast as your dial-up will go (most max out at 56k, which is a drop in the bucket compared to most broadband connections).

We hope this information will allow you to make a more informed decision about VPN tunnels. If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.

Incompatible Document Files

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There has been a fair bit of debate over which office suite is best. There are quite a few of them, take a look for yourself. Rather than list the pros and cons of each individual suite, we are going to show you how to convert file types using a free office suite.

The fact is that Microsoft Office is the standard. More often than not, people will use Microsoft Office. But, those who do use other suites (Corel Wordperfect or even Microsoft Works for example) will most likely save the document as a “foreign” file type. We say foreign because it isn’t recognized by the Microsoft Office suite and cannot be opened, or it looks odd when opened.

When you have to do work with anyone who is using a different suite, this can create what could potentially become a severe problem. Especially if you are on a strict deadline. The most common Microsoft Office extensions are “.doc, .docx, .docm, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .mdb, and .accdb”. Corel usually uses “.wpd”. You may also see “.txt, or .rtf”, these two will work in any text editor (Notepad, Wordpad, Microsoft Word, etc)

Skill Level: Basic, Intermediate

Time Required: 25 minutes

Software Requirements: Microsoft Office installed on your computer

For this example we are using a computer with Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007, as well as the Google Chrome web browser. If you have another version of Windows or Microsoft Office, this tutorial should still work, things just might look a little different. If you have a Mac or Linux computer, the concepts should be similar at least.

Now, we are going to download a program called Open Office from their website, install it, and use it to open the document in question, and then save the document in a format that will be recognizable by Microsoft Office.

Now, go to the Open Office Website and click I want to download OpenOffice.org. Then click Download Now.

Remote control router setup

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Seeing as we just covered our remote control program setup, we thought we should probably cover how to use remote control through a router as well. This way if you have a router and would like to try remote control stuff you can go right ahead and it also sets it up for us to come in through your router should you require our assistance.

Skill Level: Advanced, Intermediate

Time Required: 15 minutes

Equipment required: One router, laptop, ethernet cable (optional) and desktop computer (optional)

Software Requirements: Remote software installed on the computers you wish to access remotely

This example will be done using a Cisco-Linksys E2500 router. All Cisco and Linksys routers and managed switches run very similar software (With regards to the UI). They all look something like this:

That isn’t to say that this tutorial won’t work for you if you have a different brand of router. The interface may be very different but the items we are working with are generally the same. We also recommend that all router setup be done while wired into the router as wireless can be very flimsy and may not work very well for this purpose.

But before we start anything we ALWAYS recommend making a backup of the settings before you start making changes and after you finish. This can usually be done from the Administration tab:

One thing you should definitely have a good understanding of is IP’s and how they work.

Any computers that you want to have access to remotely, we recommend setting them up with a static IP (we recommend this for desktops only) or a DHCP Reservation (Some routers will do this and it is the preferred method. Especially for laptops).

In our router we will make a DHCP Reservation by clicking that button on the page above. Another window will pop up and we can view and edit information. DHCP reservation will assign a static IP address to the unique MAC address of your device (Wireless and Wired interfaces will each have their own MAC address). Find out your device MAC address and you can make a static IP for it within your network. Make sure there are no duplicate IP addresses! We will need that Static IP in order for our remote control to work properly.

We also recommend that remote administration be turned on because it makes working remotely infinitely easier. See below:

See how Remote Management is Enabled? This will make everything much easier if remote work needs to be done. These settings allow us to access the router using http://WANIP:8080 in a web browser on a computer off site (WANIP can be identified by visiting www.whatismyip.com while on site). Be sure to check the WAN IP on site every so often because if you aren’t paying your ISP for a static IP it will change every so often.

Now to set up remote access within the router it is very simple really:

Copy the VNC line EXACTLY as you see, but make sure the IP address is the one you have assigned the computer you wish to reach remotely.

That’s it! Hopefully this tutorial has helped you set up your own remote control-capable network using a router. It will sure help us help you should you require assistance. Don’t forget to make another backup!

Standard Remote Control Setup

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Hey everyone,

Today we’re going to show you how to set up our standard for remote control of a computer. Keep in mind that this will not show you how to configure your router for this.

For this exercise we will use a computer that is directly connected to a modem for internet access.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Time Required: 30 minutes

First things first. We’ll need to download the latest version of the software in order to install it. You can get it here. Just click on the most recent entry in the list. In this case you would click “Download UltraVNC 1.0.9.6.1″. It will usually be the first in the list.

Clicking that will take you here:

You will have to click one of the two red download buttons, but in order to know which you should click you’ll need to find out what architecture your OS is. We always recommend that when you download something, never run it from the web page. Always save it to the Desktop and scan it with your trusted Antivirus Software first. We recommend ESET NOD32. In order to do that just follow these instructions:

If you have Windows Vista or 7, just click on the Windows Button and then right click on Computer and click Properties. In the window that comes up, look for System Type and it will tell you either 32-bit or 64-bit. If it says 32 bit, click the first red download button, otherwise click the second.

For XP users, go to My Computer and open up your main drive (The one with Windows installed on it. Usually C:). If there are two Program Files folders, and one of them contains (x86) you have 64-bit. Otherwise you have 32-bit. If you have 32-bit, click the first red download button, otherwise click the second.

For older versions of Windows, click the first red download button.

You will then be taken to the terms page where the download will occur. Scroll to the bottom of the page and wait a few seconds while it fetches the file. Click the check box that appears and then click download.

Save it to your desktop and scan it with your antivirus software to ensure that it is not a virus posing as a legitimate file. When the scan completes, as long as no harmful files were detected, double click the file to start the install process. If the file was found to be harmful, try downloading it again. If it keeps up, try downloading a less recent version such as 1.0.9.6.

Select English and Press OK:

Click Next:

Click Accept and click Next:

Click Next:

Click Next:

Select UltraVNC Server Only and click Next:

Click Next:

If you have Vista or Windows 7, leave the Download Vista addons files now box checked and click Next (Make sure you have an Internet connection). Otherwise uncheck it and click Next.

Ensure that the checkbox is checked and click Next:

Check only the first two boxes and click Next:

Make sure you still have an Internet connection and click Install:

After the install finishes click Next:

Click Finish:

Another window should have popped up that looks like this:

Ensure that everything looks as it does in the window above. Enter the VNC (Remote control) Password as something you won’t forget and that you would share with us if you need our assistance. Our standard view-only password is “letmesee” (No Quotes). Then click Apply and the following screen will come up (If you are running XP. If not just click Allow when it comes up):

Uncheck the check box and click OK. You will be taken back to the previous window. Click OK and repeat the procedure.

If that window didn’t pop up, look in the system tray for an eye inside a bluish box. When you hover the mouse over it it should say WinVNC followed by your current IP address. Right click on it and click Admin Properties, then just follow the steps above.

That’s it! Now if you need us to assist you and you are directly connected to your modem, go to www.whatismyip.com and give us a call. You will need to tell us the IP it shows on whatismyip.com and your VNC Password.

We hope this helps you out! It will certainly help us help you in a time of need.

Importing contacts the easy way

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A lot of people ask us if there is an easy way to copy all of their contacts from one computer to another. There is, but depending on which email program you prefer, compatibility may be an issue, but generally speaking it isn’t.

Today we’re going to go through importing and exporting contacts from outlook 2007 to outlook 2007 on another computer. It doesn’t really matter if you have another version of outlook or another program altogether because the general process is very similar. However, it is a good idea to check what file types the program on the computer you wish to move contacts to will take.

Skill Level: Novice

Time Required: 15 minutes

Tools Required: USB Memory Stick (recommend 1GB minimum)

Open Outlook and find the option for Import/Export (Generally it’s under the File option in the menu), if there are two separate options click export.

A window will open up with a whole bunch of options. Select export to a file and click next.

Select Personal Folder File (.pst) and click next.

Here’s the important part, in the next window, select Contacts, make sure the box labeled “include subfolders” is checked and click next.

Plug in your USB memory stick and once it is recognized by your computer, make sure it has enough space on it (most will need only a little, but if you have many contacts it could be a lot. Make sure you have at least 512MB of free space on your USB memory stick by locating it in My Computer (Your stick will most likely be called something else),

right clicking on it, and clicking properties. Look at the Free Space (3.07GB in this case))

and in the window that says “save exported file as” click browse.

Locate your USB memory stick in the window that comes up and click open. Then type in a file name where it says “File name” and click OK.

Check “Do not export duplicate items” and click finish.

You may password protect the file if you want but we’ll just click OK.

Once that is done, eject your memory stick (Right click on it under My Computer and click Eject). That will make it safe to unplug it (You may have to close Outlook first).

Then plug it into the computer you want the contacts on. Open Outlook and go to File Import/Export. Select Import from another program or file and click next.

Find personal folder file, select it and click next.

Click browse and find the file you created on your memory stick and select it and click open.

Highlight do not import duplicates and click next.

Select contacts, make sure include subfolders is checked, and select import items to the same folder in personal folders, and click finish.

Once it finishes you’re done.

Network-ready printers

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Earlier today we pre-configured a network-capable printer for a client. That simply means that it can be directly connected to a network by use of an RJ-45 cable, otherwise known as an Ethernet, Cat5 patch or Network cable (See below).

RJ45 Cable (aka Ethernet or Network Cable)

That all sounds nice and easy doesn’t it? Plug it into the network and you’re all set to work? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, it’s a little more complex, but fortunately for us, most manufacturers have tried to make installation as painless as possible. Let’s go through one of the easiest ways to install a printer shall we?

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time Required: 30 minutes

Now, there are three things you need to be able to print to a networked printer.

1. The right driver (Which is easy to find)

2. The right assigned port (Which is easy to set up)

3. A working network connection (To the same network the printer is connected to)

Keep in mind that we are using a Lexmark in this example, so this may not work for you. Although the process is somewhat similar no matter what brand you have, there’s no guarantee.

Make sure your printer is set up and turned on. Have it connected to the network via an Ethernet cable. Now insert the CD that came with your printer into the CD Drive in your computer. The CD will contain the software and any documentation you will need to have this printer working in no time.

Click Install Printer and Software. Make sure you do a custom setup with select components. The following screen will come up:

Make sure everything above that is checked is checked (that is all you will need). Select your printer and click Add Printer (Make sure you have the right model selected as well as the correct print emulation(PCL XL is a good choice)). You should then see this screen:

Click on Port and then Add Port, the following window will pop up:

Make sure you select Standard IP (On some CDs it will be called TCP/IP). Fill in the rest with an appropriate name and IP address. The IP address is the IP you will give the printer. make sure it is on the same subnet as your computer (The subnet is the first three sets in the IP address. For example: In 192.168.45.186, the subnet is 192.168.45, think of it as the area code and the last set is the IP address (186)). You can check what your computer’s IP address is by clicking start and if you have XP (clicking Run, typing in cmd and pressing enter. Type ipconfig in the next screen and press enter.); If you have Vista of Windows 7 (type cmd and press enter, then type ipconfig and press enter) Write down the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. You must give the printer a unique IP address (absolutely no other device on your network can have the same one otherwise you will encounter complications and troubleshooting those is outside the realm of this post). Once you have a unique IP address for the printer, put it in and click Add Port. It will take you back to the previous screen which has been updated to include your new port. Click finish to install.

Once the install finishes, it’s time to give the printer the IP address. Open up the Lexmark IP Setup Utility that was installed with the driver. This handy tool will help us immensely.

In the box in the bottom your printer should show up automatically (The client’s printer is no longer on our network which is why nothing is showing up in the picture above). Make sure you have the proper printer selected by checking the MAC Address (This will be listed on the box the printer came in. If you no longer have the box, just make sure the model and IP are right. Then click TCP/IP Settings. Input the Subnet Mask and Default Gateway that you wrote down earlier and input the unique IP address you selected for the printer as well and click OK. The program will update the printer with the information and then you can test print it by clicking Start>Printers.

Find your printer, right click on it and if you are using XP click Properties and on the following screen click print test page. If a test page prints you are all done. If you are using Windows Vista or 7 click printer properties and then click click print a test page on the following screen. If a test page prints you are all done.

And that is the most efficient way to do network printer setup for a Lexmark.