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This is a recurring theme – technology is not always the problem that causes us frustration, sometimes we do it to ourselves.

Ask yourself this question:  How many different systems have the same password?

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Hacking attacks against companies are growing bigger and bolder—witness a string of high-profile breaches this year at Sony Corp., Citigroup Inc. and others. But gone are the days when hackers would simply find holes in corporate networks to steal valuable data. Large companies have grown wise to the threat of hacking, and have spent the past 30 years hardening the perimeters of their networks with upgraded technology.

These days, criminals aren’t just hacking networks. They’re hacking us, the employees.

“The security gap is end users,” says Kevin Mandia, chief executive of security firm Mandiant Corp. The majority of corporate security breaches his firm is currently investigating involve hackers who gained access to company networks by exploiting well-intentioned employees.

Click here to read the rest of the article – What’s a Company’s Biggest Security Risk? You. by Geoffrey A. Fowler

Over the summer, Netflix customers were informed via email that prices would be raised and the streaming services would be separated from the by-mail DVD service. This caused an uproar on the Netflix blog and also caused stock to drop for the third quarter.

Netflix has done it again, announcing that their DVD service would now be named Qwikster, complete with separate billing charges and separate queues. Somehow they think that the same red envelope will be enough to calm people down but that’s unlikely.

Even though the service is still very reasonable and a lot cheaper than cable, here are 5 Alternatives to Netflix/Qwikster that you and your family might be interested in. While Blockbuster isn’t the powerhouse it used to be, I have a feeling RedBox is seeing quite an increase in business these days…

Windows Vista products will reach their End of Life (EOL) on October 22, 2011. After this date, Now IT Works will no longer distribute systems with Vista.  If you require Vista after 10/21/2011, please contact your Now IT Works account manager to discuss your options.

To view the Microsoft Windows Life-cycle Fact Sheet, click here.

• Microsoft says Windows 8 “boots super fast” (MSNBC)

• Wired Giveaway – Win an iTunes download of the Beatles Greatest Hits (Wired)

• Amazon is considering a Netflix-like book rental service (CNN Tech)

• Mobile apps for back to school – from doing homework to relaxing (PC Mag)

On Aug. 30, the news broke that a hacker calling himself “Comodohacker” made off with a Google authentication certificate on July 19, which allowed him to set up fraudulent Web pages under a legitimate Google domain name and harvest the personal information of anyone who visited his spoofed sites.

Read the rest of the article here from MSNBC – “Cracked Digital Certificates Endanger ‘Web of Trust’”

Scary! So the 3 things that lead to this cyber-disaster were:

(1) easy to guess passwords,

(2) lack of antivirus software and

(3) not being patched to the latest security update.

Who’s been talking about that again? That’s right, Now IT Works.  Talk to your account manager about signing up for a Blue Steel Support Program today!

In one of the biggest stories of the week, the government is trying to step in to block a proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile, saying it is a bad move for customers as well as the competition.

“AT&T’s elimination of T-Mobile as an independent, low-priced rival would remove a significant competitive force from the market,” the Justice Department said in its suit.

“The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile would result in tens of millions of consumers all across the United States facing higher prices, fewer choices and lower quality products for mobile wireless services,” said Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole. “Consumers across the country, including those in rural areas and those with lower incomes, benefit from competition among the nation’s wireless carriers, particularly the four remaining national carriers. This lawsuit seeks to ensure that everyone can continue to receive the benefits of that competition.”

AT&T is vowing to take this matter to court, saying that the merger would create U.S. jobs through call-center employment, if approved.

(Quoted Source: Wired Magazine)

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As New England tries to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irene, we here at Now IT Works would like to take a moment to send our best wishes and condolences to all those who are suffering from this devastating event.

• Did you know your cell phone is more likely to work in a hurricane than an earthquake? (CNN Money)

• Make sure your laptop battery is fully charged! Track Hurricane Irene online here (MSNBC Tech)

• For New England business owners – here are some safety tips for your business (Patch)

For Now IT Works customers, please check your email for the important announcement regarding protecting your business technology this weekend. And to all our readers, please stay safe!

Google recently made a deal, it’s largest acquisition ever in fact, to purchase Motorola Mobility for 12.5 billion dollars. Google believes this will help them make gains in the mobile marketplace. Also, Google potentially wanted to make this deal to gain access to the 17,000 patents (and 7000 patents pending) that Motorola has assembled over the years.

It was recently announced that plans are in place by the FCC to update the technology that communicates with the 911 emergency response system.

The plan will allow 911 to accept transmission of text messages, voice calls, videos and photos. Also, automatic location information will be able to be obtained from calls.

According to the FCC press release, the official project name is Next Generation 911 (NG911) and this is the five step plan:

1. Develop location accuracy mechanisms for NG911

5. Develop an NG911 funding model

What do you think about the new developments to the 911 emergency response system?

• A month after launch, Google + has some believing that it has real staying power (Wired)

• New technology that can’t end well – a CarZor Razor that fits in your wallet (Geekologie)

• As the beginning of the school year rapidly approaches, here is a great video to help you save money on back to school computing (CNN Tech)

• For the geeks out there – here are the Top 10 Favorite Geek Movie Quotes – enjoy! (Huffington Post)