MSP Talk: Windows XP Questions Answered, Security Updates, Lync Conference

What are MSPs talking about this month? Big topics of the last few weeks include who has made the MSPmentor Top 501 list (see the full list here), the looming end-of-support for Microsoft (MSFT) Windows XP and the question of whether to migrate or not, and various security issues around privacy, malware and ransomware.

We’ll take a look at what MSPs are saying about these and other issues here. But we’ll start out this week with security.

Security

Appriver’s Fred Touchette was kind enough to share the results of a face-to-face survey he and his team conducted with RSA attendees at this year’s conference in San Francisco. He shares his findings on top concerns here.

Focusing in on a specific malware problem, Powersolution provides details about a new ransomware threat, CryptorBit or HowDecrypt, which has shown up with increasing frequency in recent days. The blog post also provides tips and recommendations on how to deal with this threat.

Australian MSP Customtec reports that while small businesses may believe they are less of a target than their larger counterparts, that’s not always the case. The company says that hacker attacks are now targeting small business firewalls and routers, using known vulnerabilities in SOHO networking devices to get management access. The company includes a list of the affected brands in its post here.

Windows XP

On the OS front, all talk is about the end-of-support date of April 8 for Windows XP. Here’s a quick rundown of blog posts from MSPs on the topic.

XP End of Support: What it Means & What You Can Do

Windows XP: Remain? Ugrade? Downgrade? New Computer?

Unable to Migrate from Windows XP Before April 8th? Here’s 5 Tips to Help You Stay Protected

Microsoft End-of-Support for Windows XP Date Approaching: Can’t Migrate then Isolate

Which OS Should Your Company Consider In A Post-Windows XP World?

Tips for Customers

And beyond the whole XP and what-should-I-do issue, MSPs provided the following helpful tips and how-tos in blog posts for customers.

Cut down time wasted while your PC boots up and Increase Productivity

8 Fantastic Timesaving Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Word

Making a Graph in Microsoft Excel is as Easy as Pie

Would You Rather Text Than Talk? Essential Tips For Business Texting

Five quick ways to create secure passwords that are easy to remember

Tech Topics

Finally, Mirazon’s Drew Haney was kind enough to share some details about what he learned at the recent Microsoft Lync conference, including news about Skype-Lync integration plans. Check out the full post here for more information.