Orange Alert: Vulnerability in the PDF distiller of the BlackBerry Attachment Service for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server

On October 13, 2010, Research In Motion (RIM) released a security advisory, KB24547: Vulnerability in the PDF distiller of the BlackBerry Attachment Service for the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. This security advisory provides details of a known vulnerability in the PDF distiller of the BlackBerry Attachment Service component of the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, and BlackBerry Professional Software that affects how the BlackBerry Attachment Service processes PDF files.

RIM has issued interim security software updates that resolve the issue in supported software versions of the affected software. Resolution for the issue is available by downloading and applying the interim security software update for the appropriate affected software version. Links to the updates are listed in the Resolution section of the security advisory. Orange recommends that you apply the software update or implement the workaround which is also documented in the security advisory.

This security issue could allow a malicious individual to cause buffer overflow errors, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) condition or possibly arbitrary code execution on the computer that the BlackBerry Attachment Service runs on. Successful exploitation of this issue requires a malicious individual to persuade a BlackBerry smartphone user to open a specially crafted PDF file on a BlackBerry smartphone that is associated with a user account on a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The PDF file may be attached to an email message, or the BlackBerry smartphone user may retrieve it from a web site using the Get Link menu item on the BlackBerry smartphone.

So just be careful when opening PDF attachments!!!

A helping hand, Geko Direct Limited 01952602260, 08707777701, bb, BES, blackberry, enterprise, geko, gekodirect, help, live, Orange, scam, server, tutorials, uma

Orange UMA (Unique) Service setup for BlackBerry Smartphones

In order to set your BlackBerry smartphone to work using UMA you must have a compatible router that supports WEP encryption; you will need to speak with your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to get this information.

Set up the phone to ensure it will operate using UMA.

Start on the home screen and press the Blackberry button.

Click on the Manage Connections icon. Scroll to and select Mobile Network Options and ensure that the connection preference is set to Wi-Fi preferred and network selection mode is set to Automatic.

Click back and once again click on the manage connections icon.

Setting up the Unique Service (UMA) on the handset.

• Click on Setup Wi-Fi Network then Next.

If you are at home or in the office or at a wifi point you will regularly use then click Scan For Networks the phone will then display all wireless routers in the area.

• Highlight yours and click the Ok.

• Enter your wep key or passcode then click save.

Once connected you will be prompted to name this connection (home, office etc) If you have other network connections you can prioritize them here by clicking Prioritize Wi-Fi profiles and choosing your highest priority network.

A helping hand, Geko Direct Limited 01952602260, 08707777701, bb, cheap, geko, gekodirect, news, Orange, tutorials, uma, voip

Since working in sales I do find the same questions keep popping up all the time and would like to answer it here.  We supply a large number of BlackBerry devices to our business customers on the Orange network and would like to share why we do so.. This will explain the benefits of accepting an offer through Geko Direct and utilising the Orange network.

Why Geko?

Apart from the obvious advantages of having a one to one account management service and a home grown team of business mobile professionals whose sole aim is to keep your business mobile…

Geko Direct Limited is passionate about emerging and current technologies which is why every member of staff is trained and qualified to sell and support the kit we supply, we also have a highly qualified technical support team who are on hand to assist with anything you require, from software installation right up to policy management and handset setup.  Due to Geko’s unique working relationship with Orange we are able to offer top level support normally reserved for corporate account holders to anybody with an account with Geko/Orange.

All of our staff has completed the dealer training provided by RIM to ensure that we are able to sell and support with confidence.

Why Orange?

Orange are currently the biggest UK networks with over 50% of the market share and have invested heavily (over £1m per day) in bringing the network up to the high standards demanded by RIM.

The Orange BlackBerry Internet infrastructure is constantly monitored and has more than multiple fail-safe’s and failover thresholds to provide the high availability that RIM prides itself on.

The support team at Orange are some of the highest qualified and technologically talented people in the industry.  Anyone working within the BlackBerry support ring fenced team was handpicked and trained to the highest required standards by RIM and Orange.

All BlackBerry support members within Orange are UK based and are able to remotely diagnose problems and provide remote support to Enterprise Servers to both IT management and the customer direct.  Every call made to Orange from a BlackBerry smartphone is automatically directed to this team and will be answered within 10 seconds, a service that cannot be rivalled or matched by any other network.

Orange is the only network in the UK who can provide a phone service with absolutely no network coverage providing you are with a Wi-Fi hotspot.  With UMA you are able to use an existing wireless network to make and receive calls with no additional software or hardware.  The end user will receive the call with no knowledge as it is routed through the internet and to an Orange switching station which forwards the call through the cellular network.

Summary

Put simply by accepting a BlackBerry device or product through Geko and Orange you are ensuring the highest quality support and expertise which will ensure that your business is never kept waiting.

A helping hand, Geko Direct Limited 01952602260, 02, 08707777701, 8520, 9105, 9700, bb, BES, BIS, blackberry, cheap, geko, gekodirect, internet, news, Orange, pearl, rim, uma, voip

Rightio this is the first guide in the series of many.  This is one of the most asked question after an iPhone supplied by Geko Direct, the customer calls us and wants to know why they’re iPhone doesn’t work.  Below is the steps you will need to follow to get your iPhone up and running:

Every individual iPhone device requires activating (also known as unbricking) before it can be used. This will allow you to use all its functionality, and is completed by connecting to iTunes via USB cable.

What you need before you start:

• First, make sure that your computer has the latest version of iTunes. If your computer does not have iTunes, go to the iTunes site and select Downloads, then download and install on your computer the latest version of iTunes (currently version 9.1.1).
• If your computer is already equipped with iTunes, check that the version is updated. To do this, click on iTunes in the menu bar and select Check for updates.
• If you don’t already have an iTunes account, you must create an iTunes Store account. To do this, select Store on the software, then Create Account. You need a valid email account.

Instructions to download iTunes

• Visit www.apple.com/uk/itunes.
• Click on the Download iTunes link. Always choose the most up to date version – this is currently iTunes 9.1.1 (May 2010)
• You are now presented with two options which are automatically ticked:

• a.       Opt out (if you wish) of receiving New Music Weekly and special iTunes offers.

• b.       Opt out (if you wish) of being kept up to date with Apple news, software updates and the latest information on products and services.

• You must then enter your email address and then click on Download Now.
• A pop-up box will appear asking if you wish to run or save the file, you need to click Run.
• Follow the onscreen instructions and restart your PC / Mac before starting to register your iPhone.
• If you haven’t yet activated your device, the screen will flash between an Emergency Calls only screen and the iTunes logo.

Instructions to activate iPhone:

• Insert your SIM card.
• In your iPhone box there is an extraction tool that allows you to insert your SIM card. Once the SIM card is inserted, turn on your iPhone.
• Then connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable provided and then follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
• When iTunes prompts you to install an update to the carrier settings for your iPhone click on Update settings to ensure your iPhone has the correct settings for the Orange network. The carrier update contains internet and MMS settings which are essential for using full handset functionality.

• You may also be asked to enter your PIN code, also called unlock code, which is 1111 as a default.

So there you have it the official un-bricking guide for the iPhone on Orange.

A helping hand, Geko Direct Limited 01952602260, 08707777701, geko, gekodirect, help, mobile phones, no complaints, no quibble, Orange

Over the next few weeks I am going to be adding more posts to this section mainly to share the knowledge I have accrued whilst working at Geko Direct.

Geko Direct Limited is a Midlands business to business mobile phone dealer, who offer bespoke tariffs based on your needs rather than a simple “off-the-peg” solution.  Geko Direct Limited are also one of the very few Specialist level Orange Business Partners which is a great accolade and one that I am proud to boast.

I started working at Geko a couple of years ago within the porting team and my role was assisting customers transfer their numbers from network to network.  However through sheer hard work and determination I have worked my way up to sales executive and taken many different turns during my career, this isn’t without complaint though.  Not only do I offer support to both staff and customers I am now able to sell the product I believe in so much.  Geko Direct has been one of the best career moves I have made since I moved to Shropshire 5 years ago.  As you probably know I have already tried my hand in Litigation and Credit Control with some relative success but I have now gone back to my roots in Technical Support with the added responsibility of sales.

So keep checking back and maybe that question you have been searching for might finally get answered!

Link Dump
Links to various sites mentioned in this blog.

GekoDirect Limited: http://www.gekodirect.co.uk/
Orange: http://www.Orange.co.uk/

A helping hand, Geko Direct Limited 01952602260, 08707777701, geko, gekodirect, guides, help, mobile phones, Orange, scam, technical support, telford