Download your free copy of the Microsoft Press eBook Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Written by Stacia Misner and Ross Mistry, this book explores enhancements and new capabilities, including improvements in operation, reporting, and management.

Download the ebook here

 

 

Fast Track to Cloud (MCSE) Certifications

The best path to cloud certifications is to complete your Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification. Show your continued dedication and expertise by then upgrading to the equivalent MCSE certifications when they become available.

Get Current Now With a Two for One Offer!

To help you move to the cloud, Microsoft is offering a limited time* "Two for One" exam offer. When you purchase and take a qualifying exam at full price between April 11, 2012 and June 30, 2012, you will be emailed a voucher valid for the next version exam of your chosen technology path, at no additional cost. Your voucher for the second qualifying exam will be emailed to you when the new exams release and will expire 90 days after the new Certification in your technology path becomes available.

For more details go Here

 

Microsoft has detected a new piece of malware targeting Apple OS X computers that exploits a vulnerability in the Office productivity suite patched nearly three years ago.

The malware is not widespread, wrote Jeong Wook Oh of Microsoft's Malware Protection Center. But it does show that hackers pay attention if it's found people do not apply patches as those fixes are released, putting their computers at a higher risk of becoming infected.

"Exploiting Mac OS X is not much different from other operating systems," Oh wrote. "Even though Mac OS X has introduced many mitigation technologies to reduce risk, your protection against security vulnerabilities has a direct correlation with updating installed applications." Related Content

The security update that Microsoft released in June 2009, MS09-027, addressed two vulnerabilities that could be used by an attacker to gain remote control over a machine and run other code. Both vulnerabilities could be exploited with a specially-crafted Word document.

The exploit discovered by Microsoft doesn't work with OS X Lion, but does work with Snow Leopard and prior versions. Oh wrote that it is likely attackers have knowledge about the computers they are attacking, such as the victim's operating system version and patch levels.

The malware delivered by the exploit is written specifically for OS X and is basically a "backdoor," or a tool that allows for remote control of a computer.

Microsoft advised those who use Microsoft Office 2004 or 2008 for Mac or the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac to ensure those products have applied the patch.

"In conclusion, we can see that Mac OS X is not safe from malware," Oh wrote. "Statistically speaking, as this operating system gains in consumer usage, attacks on the platform will increase."

 

To  see the full article go here

 

 

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2012 supports deployment of Windows 7, Office 2010 and 365, and Windows Server 2008 R2, in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

Deploy Windows 7, Office 2010 and 365, and Windows Server 2008 R2 with the newly released Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012. MDT is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:

• Unified tools and processes, including a set of guidance, for deploying desktops and servers in a common deployment console.
• Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management.

Some of the key changes in MDT 2012 are:

• Comprehensive tools and guidance to efficiently manage large-scale deployments of Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 365.
• An enhanced user-Driven Installation (UDI) deployment method that utilizes System Center Configuration Manager 2012. UDI lets end users initiate and customize an OS deployment on their PCs—via an easy-to-use wizard.
• Ease Lite Touch installation through integration with Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolkit (DaRT).
• This release provides support for deploying Windows 8 Consumer Preview in a lab environment.

Choosing the Right Version
MDT is available for x86 and x64 platforms. Select the version that corresponds with your host hardware type. Both versions of MDT 2012 support deployment of x86 and x64 Windows operating systems.
The New in MDT 2012 guide and Release Notes are available as separate downloads on this page for those who want to quickly evaluate MDT 2012. The full package of guidance is available in .chm format as part of the toolkit. For those who want it in Word format, a separate download is available in the Files in this Download list.
Send questions or feedback about MDT 2012 directly to us via www.Connect.microsoft.com.

 

System requirements

Supported operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition (32-Bit x86), Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (32-bit x86), Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Windows Vista Service Pack 2, Windows XP Service Pack 3

• Supported operating systems the MDT can deploy:Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows XP Service Pack 3.
  * MDT 2012 can be installed on Windows 8 Consumer Preview or Windows Server "8" Beta, used with the Windows 8 Assessment and Deployment (ADK) Beta. MDT 2012 can deploy Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Windows Server "8" Beta.
• MMC 3.0 is required to run the Workbench and view the documentation on Windows XP.
  Note MMC 3.0 is included in Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 relies on several Windows deployment tools. After installation of the .msi package and startup of the Deployment Workbench, the user can choose to automatically download and install the following major tools from the Components:
  • Windows Automated Installation Kit
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit
  • MSXML 6.0
• Microsoft Office Word or Word Viewer (available as a free download) can be used to view Word documents
• Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats (available as a free download) can be used to open, edit, and save documents, workbooks, and presentations in the file formats new to Microsoft Office.

Download it  here

 

Doctor Web doesn't register significant decrease in BackDoor.Flashback.39 bot number

April 20, 2012

Doctor Web's virus analysts continue to monitor the largest to date Mac botnet discovered by Doctor Web on April 4, 2012. The botnet statistics acquired by Doctor Web contradicts recently published reports indicating a decrease in the number of Macs infected by BackDoor.Flashback.39 The number is still around 650,000.

According to Doctor Web, 817 879 bots connected to the BackDoor.Flashback.39 botnet at one time or another and average 550 000 infected machines interact with a control server on a 24 hour basis. On April 16, 717004 unique IP-addresses and 595816 Mac UUIDs were registered on the BackDoor.Flashback.39 botnet while on April 17 the figures were 714 483 unique IPs and 582405 UUIDs. At the same time infected computers, that have not been registered on the BackDoor.Flashback.39 network before, join the botnet every day. The chart below shows how the number of bots on the BackDoor.Flashback.39 botnet has been changing from April 3 to April 19, 2012.

 

However recent publications found in open access report a reduction in the number of BackDoor.Flashback.39 bots. Typically, these materials are based on analysis of statistics acquired from hijacked botnet control servers. Doctor Web's analysts conducted a research to determine the reasons for this discrepancy.

BackDoor.Flashback.39 uses a sophisticated routine to generate control server names: a larger part of the domain names is generated using parameters embedded in the malware resources, others are created using the current date. The Trojan sends consecutive queries to servers according to its pre-defined priorities. The main domains for BackDoor.Flashback.39 command servers were registered by Doctor Web at the beginning of April, and bots first send requests to corresponding servers. On April 16th additional domains whose names are generated using the current date were registered. Since these domain names are used by all BackDoor.Flashback.39 variants, registration of additional control server names has allowed to more accurately calculate the number of bots on the malicious network, which is indicated on the graph. However, after communicating with servers controlled by Doctor Web, Trojans send requests to the server at 74.207.249.7, controlled by an unidentified third party. This server communicates with bots but doesn't close a TCP connection. As the result, bots switch to the standby mode and wait for the server's reply and no longer respond to further commands. As a consequence, they do not communicate with other command centers, many of which have been registered by information security specialists. This is the cause of controversial statistics — on one hand, Symantec and Kaspersky Lab reported a significant decline in the number of BackDoor.Flashback.39 bots, on the other hand, Doctor Web repeatedly indicated a far greater number of bots which didn’t tend to decline considerably. The image below shows how a TCP-connection to the command center makes a BackDoor.Flashback.39 bot freeze.

Doctor Web once gain warns Mac OS X users of the BackDoor.Flashback.39 threat and strongly recommends you to install Java updates and scan the system to determine whether it has been infected. For more information about BackDoor.Flashback detection and neutralization visit https://www.drweb.com/flashback/. To remove the Trojan, you can use Dr.Web for Mac OS X Light available free of charge.

This article is a repost of http://news.drweb.com/show/?i=2386&lng=en&c=14

Doctor Web once gain warns Mac OS X users of the BackDoor.Flashback.39 threat and strongly recommends you to install Java updates and scan the system to determine whether it has been infected," the company said in the blog post.

Apple issued a patch for the Java vulnerability April 4, but security researchers criticized the company for its slow response to the issue, which was first reported in February.

On April 12, Apple released an update for Mac OS X v10.7 and v10.6 that removes most common variants of Flashback.

Last week, security researchers identified a Flashback variant, called SabPub, that appears to have been built to carry out targeted attacks, potentially against pro-Tibetan activists.

PATCH you computer this is an example of how all computer system are at risk without constant updating…

 

TechNet Webcast: Everything You Wanted to Know and Ask about Windows Deployment (Part 1)

Registration URL: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9807963  or  http://bit.ly/JLTQLM

Date/ Time:    Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 9-10am (Pacific)

Abstract: In this demonstration-rich, question and answer webcast, Windows Product Manager Stephen Rose moderates an open conversation with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Product Manager Michael Niehaus and deployment guru Johan Arwidmark. They discuss the new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 release as well as tips and tricks from the experts about using the Windows Deployment Toolkit.

__________

TechNet Webcast: Everything You Wanted to Know and Ask about Windows Deployment (Part 2)

Registration URL: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9807964   or  http://bit.ly/Kgny8y

Date/ Time:    Thursday, May 17, 2012  - 9-10am (Pacific)

Abstract: In this demonstration-rich, question and answer webcast, Windows Product Manager Stephen Rose moderates an open conversation with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Product Manager Michael Niehaus and deployment guru Johan Arwidmark. They discuss the new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 release as well as tips and tricks from the experts about using the Windows Deployment Toolkit.

 

This is a remind that if they have received any promotional exam vouchers for Exam 70-659: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization, the time to redeem them is now. All offers for the exam will expire on May 31, 2012. They can register to take their exam at the Prometric Registration website

 

My sister gets a call … Hi Microsoft, we see you are having a problem were are here to help fix you computer….

My sister asked how did you know my phone number, what your phone number… and the hung up…

She and you should know that Microsoft and other software vendors do not call you.. Unless you opened a ticket for support. If you not sure ask for their name and the call the vendor back on a Support phone number that you get from the vendors web site.

And now

US-CERT: has created a warning….

Social engineers target utilities with fake Microsoft support calls

The U.S. Cyber Emergency Response Team released "ICS-CERT Monthly Monitor" yesterday, warning that social engineers are attempting highly targeted attacks against Industrial Control Systems like utility companies. The attacks are in the form of phishing phone calls allegedly coming from "Microsoft Server Department" and warning of infected PCs. The attacker attempts to have the utilities turn on services which would allow unauthorized remote access

I will be helping with this event

Every organization has the power to employ cloud technologies in their own way, at their own pace and with their own terms. The use of private cloud technologies help transform how organizations manage infrastructure resources, provision applications and automate services for their business. It also helps them leverage and manage public cloud services that expand their current infrastructure and application capabilities. As an end result, organizations increase IT operational agility, improved business focus and achieve value-add economics that evolves their IT infrastructure into a strategic asset.
Over 24 hours, you will hear from top industry and technical professionals from around the world to help you better understand the private cloud technology solutions that are available today. You will hear from industry organizations about how they view the public cloud and how the role of the IT Professional will evolve as more and more organizations begin a private cloud transformation. Listen to the number of technical professionals who will be on hand talking about the required components to simplify private cloud creation and management. Talk with them and your peers about the numerous operational efficiencies that come from deploying a private cloud with the reduction of servers and the benefits of provisioning and managing virtual applications across multiple platforms.
We hope that you will come away from this event with the knowledge and experience to help you in your private cloud infrastructure decisions and be prepared to have thought-leadership based discussions focused on building and managing your organization’s agile and efficient private cloud environment.
Event Start: May 10, 2012 8:00AM GMT
Event End: May 11, 2012 8:00AM GMT

register here

MCSE is back but it new….

Move Your Career to the Cloud with the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certification

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a reinvented certification for today’s technology solutions

Microsoft has reinvented its certification program by building a broader and deeper set of technology solutions skills validation, starting with cloud-enabled solution skills. As one of the most recognized and respected certification programs, Microsoft is charting the path for IT Professionals and Developers to keep their skills relevant as new technology solutions are released.

Reinvented, Not Just Renamed

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) emphasizes solutions

Microsoft has reinvented its certifications to validate the skill sets needed to develop, deploy, and maintain Microsoft technology solutions. These certifications recognize IT Pros and Developers who have skill sets that run both broad and deep. Certifications are available at three skill levels:

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

The Associate level is the prerequisite certification necessary to get your Expert level certification. This certification validates the core skills you need to get your 1st job in IT.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) &
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

The Expert level is Microsoft’s flagship set of certifications validating that your skills are relevant in the constantly changing tech environment. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is the destination for established IT Professionals who have expertise working with Microsoft technology solutions. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is the destination for established Developers who have expertise developing solutions with Microsoft tools.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)

After you have achieved your Expert level certification, Master is the next destination. This certification is for the select few who wish to further differentiate themselves from their peers and achieve the highest level of skills validation.

The Cloud Changes Everything

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) helps bridge the new cloud computing talent gap

“With the demand for cloud skills growing quickly, the gap between hiring demand and talent supply across the United States is getting larger and causing more difficulties in sourcing candidates.”

Wanted Analytics, Hiring Demand for Cloud Computing Skills Skyrocketing, March 2012

The need for cloud computing skills has been pushing the market for months. Solution providers are seeking cloud-ready employees to bring their businesses to the next level. The cloud computing market is evolving at such a pace that while the number of job postings is skyrocketing, the talent isn't there to fill the positions.

In the past 20 years, Microsoft Certifications have been THE tool to address the skills gap. To be relevant, certifications need to continue to be the tool needed and recognized in the market.

That’s why Microsoft has reinvented its certification program—to certify a deeper set of skills that are mapped to the Cloud and to real-world business contexts. Rather than testing only on a component of a technology, IT Professionals and Developers are now tested on more advanced skills and a deeper understanding of the technology.

New Certifications Are Available Now

Private Cloud and SQL lead the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) reinvention

We’ve posted a lot more information about the reinvented program and the first new certifications: Private Cloud MCSE, Database MCSE & Business Intelligence MCSE:

Microsoft Certification overview page: http://aka.ms/MSCerts

Microsoft Certification overview video: http://aka.ms/MSCertsVideo

MCSE information page: http://aka.ms/MCSE

MCSE video on YouTube: http://aka.ms/MCSEvideo

MCSE Private Cloud: http://aka.ms/MCSEpvcloud

MCSE Data Platform: http://aka.ms/MCSEDP

MCSE Business Intelligence: http://aka.ms/MCSEBI

You may also wish to encourage your readers to take advantage of a new 2-for-1 exam offer from Prometric:

Prometric 2-for-1 offer: http://aka.ms/Prometric241

 

 

Free ebook: Programming Windows Phone 7, by Charles Petzold (a 24-chapter gift from the Windows Phone 7 team and Microsoft Press)

Free ebook: Moving to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (10 chapters by by Patrice Pelland, Pascal Paré, and Ken Haines)

Free ebook: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (10 chapters by Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner)

Free ebook: Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions (Second Edition) (6 chapters by Mitch Tulloch)

Free ebook: Own Your Future: Update Your Skills with Resources and Career Ideas from Microsoft (8 chapters by Katherine Murray)

Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2 (9 chapters by Charlie Russel and Craig Zacker)

Free ebook: First Look Microsoft Office 2010 (14 chapters by Katherine Murray)

Free ebook: Deploying Windows 7, Essential Guidance (10 chapters from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and 6 TechNet articles)

 

Take control—and put the built-in security and privacy features in Microsoft Office to work! Whether downloading documents, publishing a presentation, or collaborating online—this guide offers concise, how-to guidance and best practices to help protect your documents and your ideas.

• Get practical, proactive guidance for using the security and privacy management features in Office 2010 and Office 365

• Walk through everyday scenarios, and discover everyday techniques that help you take charge

• Understand common risks and learn best practices you can apply right away

You can download it  Here

How do you make a USB to go Windows 8 Stick!

The will show you the step by step process that I use.

My configuration is as follows

1. C drive has windows on it

2. Using the e as location of windows source

3. Using d as USB drive to put windows to go

4. Using f as location that I mounted install.

All commands are bolded for easy in using the document;

--------------------------------------------------------

Open a Dos Command Prompt as Administrator

Type Diskpart

Note: this open Diskpart program

Type List disk

Note: show disk drive in my computer

Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt

-------- ------------- ------- ------- --- ---

Disk 0 Online 128 GB 0 B *

Disk 1 Online 256GB 0 B

Disk 2 Online 64 MB 0 B

Note: my USB drive is 64 gigs

Type Select disk 2

Note: put focus on drive 2

Type Clean

Note: cleans all data off drive

Type Create partition primary

Note: creates primary partition

Type format fs=ntfs quick

Note: format the drive using ntfs and fast format

Type Active

Note: make the drive active so you can boot USB drive

Type assign letter=d

Note: make the USB drive letter d

Type Exit

Note: end Diskpart program

Do the following: Either put Windows 8 DVD in Drive for or Mount Image as f drive

Note in Windows 8 point to and ISO Image and in explore click mount or put Windows DVD in drive f

Type in dos windows: dism /apply-image /imagefile=f:\sources\install.wim /index:1 /applydir:d:\

Note this will install Windows to d drive using the Install. Win then you will see if you done the steps correctly.

Applying image

[===========================55.0% ]

When 100 %

When done

Type: bcdboot.exe d:\windows /s d: /f ALL

Note: This install the boot manager to D: so windows will boot.

You are now done..

Take USB computer to a computer start computer by pressing F12 and choose USB device to boot...

This will take some time first time you use it to add all the new devices that the USB drive finds in the host computer

• The Start button takes you to Start Screen and lets you toggle between open apps
• Alt-Tab cycles through apps in sequence, as usual
• Arrow keys allow you to move through the Start screen
• First, to open the charms menu, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner. When the charms appear, click the one you want. Using your keyboard, use the Windows logo + C key combination.
• Windows + F brings up the Search screen, though simply typing (when on the Start screen) is more convenient
• Windows + Z in a full screen app brings up the contextual menus
• Windows + D takes you to the desktop
• Windows + L locks the PC, invoking the lock screen
• Windows + P pulls up multi-monitor settings
• Windows + I brings up the Settings charm
• Windows + E invokes Windows Explorer, as ever
• Windows + R brings up the Run prompt
• Windows + Y makes all your open windows (and the Metro UI) transparent, so you can see the desktop beneath
• Windows + X shows Windows Mobility Center, which appears to serve much the same role as the Settings charm but on the desktop instead
• The Scroll wheel pans across Start screen, slowly
• Right-click brings up contextual menus in a full screen app
• Left-click on the Start screen brings up options to unpin, resize and uninstall apps
• Ctrl-Alt-Delete summons a screen with options to shut down, switch users, log off or quickly open the Task Manager
• If you want to get to your file commands, like Save & Edit for example, in the app you are using, right-click anywhere there is open space (not on text or any images), and the command bar will appear from below. On the Start screen, you can right-click a tile to also see command options for that tile. Using the Windows logo key + Z combination will also get you there.
• To switch to your most recently used app, point to the upper-left corner. When the app preview appears, click it. To switch to a different open app, point to the upper-left corner again and then pull it down slightly. When the app preview list appears, click the one you want. The usual Alt+Tab key combination will also allow you to switch apps.
• To Snap an app to use two apps side by side, Point to the upper-left corner. When the app preview appears, drag it to snap the app to either side of the screen. You can also right-click the preview and select the app you want to snap. Pressing the Windows logo key + Period key in succession will snap the current app.
• If you want to see the familiar desktop view, go to the Start screen, and then click the Desktop tile. Using the Windows key + D keyboard shortcut will also do the trick.
• To zoom in or out, on the Start screen , use the Summary view icon in the lower-right corner or you can use Ctrl+Scroll wheel. The Ctrl+Plus sign to zoom out and Ctrl+Minus sign to zoom in keyboard shortcuts will work for you as well.
• Here’s how you close an app. Point to the upper-left corner. When the thumbnail appears, drag it to the bottom of the screen. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + F4 to close the app.
• And finally, to shut down your computer, open the Charms menu, and then click Settings. Click Power, and then select a shutdown option. Using your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Tab to the Power icon. And list of shutdown options now appears. Use the arrow keys to get to the option you want. And then press Enter.

 

Do you know what on the internet about you, what you doing on social media site, what are your children doing, here are some links that I found to help you protect yourself.

Learn more about managing your online privacy.

• Take Charge of Your Online Reputation (PDF)

• Own Your Space – An Online Reputation That Counts: A Guide for Teens supplemental chapter (PDF)

• Digital Citizenship (PDF)

• Safer Social Networking (PDF)

• Online Safety Policy Backgrounder (PDF)

Here is a list of data Breaches

• Chronology of Data Breaches Security Breaches 2005 – Present