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Computer Network Security Software - Why You Should Never Be Feeling Too Secure
Once you hook up your computer to a network - be it at home or at the office - you are vulnerable to attacks from the internet. It is therefore essential to have some kind of network security software installed.
Sure, your PC might not get compromised without this software just like somebody riding a motorbike without a helmet is not necessarily going to die in crash because they didn't wear a helmet. You get the picture.
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about security software is of course an antivirus program with the latest virus definitions installed. This is not only for your own safety, but also for other people's safety. An infected computer can be manipulated by the cyber-criminal to infect other computers, all the contacts stored on your computer for example.
The "good old days" of only virus attacks are long gone now. Attackers have access to highly sophisticated spyware programs - some of them readily available for download on the net- which keep on getting better every day. The biggest pest nowadays are Trojans. These are malicous programs which often contain a variety of malware. So if you get one Trojan on your PC, you can be pretty sure it can contain a combination of worms other trojans or even worse, rootkits.
That is why you should supplement your antivirus program with a good anti-spyware program. Both do an excellent job at what there are meant for. Most antivirus software offers some malware protection, but nothing as good as a standalone anti-spyware program. This also doubles your defense if you care about computer network security.
Does it end there? Network security is a never ending process, depending on how secure you want your computer to be. For the home user there is another very important factor which often gets overlooked.
Most of you have heard about a firewall which is standard in an internet security suite. Few of you will understand the workings of a firewall. What does it mean if your firewall software asks you "program x wants to access the internet, allow once, allow always, deny?"
Just press "deny" once for the wrong program and you will have disabled your internet access. Much better to get a hardware firewall which is standard and already configured in a SOHO router and consequently will not nag you with those incomprehensible questions.
As a home user do not hook up your PC directly to the network, get a router to tunnel and control the traffic between your PC and the internet.
There are of course other "nasties" out there. If you would like to find out more about some extra protection visit http://pcuserinfo.com/reviews/sentrybay-personal-data-protection/ where you can find out more about hidden spyware.
Degunking Windows
From the moment you turn your computer on and start using Windows you begin a slow downward trend in performance. As you install more programs and surf the Web your computer hard drive becomes fragmented and filled with unneccesary temp and cache files. Small programs you don't need configure themselves to start when Windows starts and sap precious memory and resources. This book will show you how to find and remove what you don't need and clean up what you do need to maximize your Windows PC.
Clean up and speed up your Windows computerPlain English help with a dash of humor show you what you need to knowGreat tips and information"Quick Degunking Sheet" illustrates the time and effort required to perform different tasksLots of tips, tricks, hints and advice written in language that novice users can comprehendReferences programs you can download to help you with the cleaning and "degunking" processGuide Review - Book Review: Degunking WindowsThe main focus of this site is security- not Windows maintenance. I tend to spend most of my time examining new ways to protect and safeguard my computer, not clean it up. However, perhaps because I install and uninstall software frequently to test it out and surf the Web an inordinate amount of time doing research, my computer becomes cluttered and fragmented faster than most and the information found in Degunking Windows is exactly what the doctor ordered. If you follow the default Windows installation you may already be starting out with a significant number of applications and utilities that you will never use taking up hard drive space and possibly memory and processor resources. As you surf the Web your computer caches information in Temporary Internet Files which can take a significant amount of drive real estate if not kept in check. As you use programs data that in theory belongs together is actually written to random areas scattered about the hard drive. Over time this file fragmentation can slow your computer down and cause excessive wear and tear on your hard drive.
Joli Ballew and Jeff Duntemann do an excellent job of helping you to find the things that are slowing down and cluttering up your system. They explain in plain-English what you need to know to remove unwanted programs and optimize your Windows machine for maximum performance. Keep the book handy because you will need to go through this cleanup periodically- maybe a couple times a year.
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Anti Virus Protection - Free Anti-Spyware and Anti-Virus List
Spyware and computer viruses are one of the online threats that can be harmful to your system. Protection against these threats is essential and every computer should have at least a basic protection.
National Cyber Security Alliance in 2005 online safety study has reported that 81% of computer home users lack basic protection. This study shows that most people still don't know about PC protection and even though some of them know about it, they don't know where to find good software to protect their system.
In this article, I will tell you what are the anti-spyware and anti-viruses that you can use for free and will give you the protection that you need.
Avast! Anti-virus is created by ALWIL Software and one of the top anti-viruses. I like this the most because it has seven protections. Instant messaging, Internet mail, network shield, outlook/exchange, P2P shield, standard shield and web shield.
Another good software is AVG. AVG is created by Grisoft and you can get new virus definitions almost everyday. It also has a real-time protection against viruses. Install one of these software because you cannot have more than one anti-virus in a system.
Now let us go to the anti-spyware solution. The first one is Spybot Search and Destroy and it's also free software. This software is very good and it can remove almost all threats such as adware, spyware, and keyloggers from your computer. It also has some real-time protection.
Ad-Aware 2007 is also one of my favorite software. The free version of this software lacks Ad-Watch, which is the real-time protection against spyware. However, owning the free version of this software is enough because you can use other software to provide your system a real-time protection for free.
The software that can provide you real-time protection against spyware are Spyware Terminator and Windows Defender. Both are free and both are good enough to give real-time protection for your system.
Anti-spyware has a different rule than anti-viruses, not like anti-viruses, you can install more than one anti-spyware in your system.
It's up to you which software that you want to use because all the software that I recommend here are good and please remember that some of these free software can only be used for personal use only and not for commercial use.
Azwan Asmat is the author of Chuang Computer Tips - http://www.chuangcomputer.com/blog - Want to know the secret of securing your PC from dangerous spyware, adware, and malware programs that can ruin your PC, your finances, and your sanity?!! Visit http://www.chuangcomputer.com/5day for more info.
How Best to Manage Your IT Security
Like it or not we live in an age where IT is at the hub of most things we do. So much data is stored through IT systems that we need to be certain that confidential information does not get in the wrong hands. IT security is vitally important in seeing that data is kept under cyber lock and key, accessible only to those authorised to see it.
The impact of an IT security breach for a business can do untold damage not only financially but also to its reputation. This would be especially true if that IT security breach happened to involve confidential client information being stolen or hacked into. A damaged reputation can be disastrous for any business, whether it is young or old as it may never be restored.
Most larger organizations have a risk management team to deal with perceived IT security threats. It is an important process to staying ahead of hackers and keeping IT security up to date. Such analysis will include understanding the potential threats, putting in place procedures to prevent security breaches and ensuring there are contingency measures in place should something go wrong.
In fact some of the measures put in place by large scale organizations equally apply to smaller businesses and individuals. For example having properly installed and up to date anti-virus and firewall software on computers is an important step towards ensuring IT security is not breached. These need to be updated on a regular basis with service packs, patches and other fixes to ensure newly created threats do not bring down an entire network.
Company IT departments and management need to ensure that all staff are aware of the threats posed by viruses. Likewise home users can take measures to ensure they have adequate IT security and procedures in place. For example being wary of e-mail attachments from unknown sources is a key step, and such items should be deleted straight away as a precaution.
E-mail attachments are often a way of spreading viruses and many companies will have software in place to stop these types of e-mails reaching their intended destination. Likewise they will block staff from accessing certain websites with unsuitable or unsafe content. Anyone can and should subscribe to a hosted e-mail spam and virus scanning service to protect their computers.
Plug-ins such as USB devices should be avoided if received from an unknown or unreliable source, given there is no knowing what data might be stored on them. IT security teams should discourage staff from bringing in their own USB to use on office computers. Check wireless connections as they often have security settings switched off by default, and should be switched on and set to your business or individual needs.
Of course now many businesses provide their staff with other hand held items such as blackberries. IT security is no less an important issue with these items, so again these need to be properly managed and protected. A virtual private network (VPN) is a good way to ensure privacy on a mobile connection, and will stop sensitive information being hacked into.
As already indicated, a business or home users can have the best IT security systems and software in place, but in the end the care, diligence and integrity of individuals is the front line in the battle against hackers and viruses. So long as people understand the threats and implement common sense then most threats can be avoided. Regular training, procedure updates and good management will help staff to avoid common mistakes with IT security systems, with up to date software acting as the next line of defence.
Indit is a distributor in South Africa and Southern Africa of the world's best computer security solutions for data networks of all sizes. Click here to see their range of IT security solutions, which include Cyberoam, Acronis, Sophos and BioMatch.
Indit Technology Distribution is a distributor of the world's best computer security solutions for small office home office (SOHO) and large corporate data networks in South Africa. Click here to see their range of IT security solutions here, which include Cyberoam, Acronis, Sophos and BioMatch.
Philip writes on computer equipment and computer security issues on behalf of IndIT. IndIT provides equipment, software and other solutions for installing and managing data networks and computers in South Africa. Get their free guide "8 Ways to Future-Proof Your Data Network" here >>> [http://www.indit.co.za/download-guide/].
Cheap Offsite Backup
Most of us don't usually think about backups until after we've lost something. Nothing is more boring then sitting down with a stack of DVDs and burning 50 gigs worth of family photos to disk. Things got a tad easier with the advent of cheap USB connected hard drives.
The problem with both of these technologies is that unless you take all your backup DVDs and USB drives and put them in a safety deposit box, then they are likely sitting right next to the computer that you are using. If your house catches on fire, or you have a major flood or something, then you will lose both your computer and your backups (and your wife will never forgive you for loosing all those precious baby photos).
You need an off-site backup. At the very least you should periodically backup your data to an external drive and keep it somewhere other than your house. That sounds pretty good, but many of us are lazy and want an easier solution.
Enter: Cloud-based mass storage.
Cloud-based backup services have been around for quite some time now, but many of them are starting to allow for higher capacity backups, some even offering 5 GB for free when the norm used to be 1 to 2GB. Some cloud providers even offer all-you-can-store unlimited plans.
Cloud-based storage providers also provide the ability to sync documents between devices such as tablets and smart phones. You can work on a document on your iPad and pick up where you left off when you get to your computer at home.
While cloud-based storage is great, some people (myself included) don't completely trust that it will be there when we need it. What if the provider goes out of business or gets hacked? I still advocate that you keep a local backup of your critical files on physical media and use cloud storage as a "hot backup" in a secondary role.
Let's look at a couple of strategies for using cloud-based backup services to provide off-site storage:
1. Document storage
If your only wanting to store office-type documents then you have a lot of options that are free to you unless you have a massive amount of documents. The free accounts from Droxbox, Sugar sync and others are more than enough storage for text-based documents.
These services have desktop client software that will allow you to have it backup specific file folders on a regular basis.
2. Photo Storage
Since your picture library is typically a lot larger than your document library you will want a service that provides a lot more gigabytes worth of storage. A couple of good options include Flickr and Photobucket.
Photobucket allows you to store an unlimited amount of photos and has online editing capabilities as well.
3. Video and music storage
Digital video and music are probably the biggest storage hogs after photos. In addition to photos, Photobucket also allows you to store up to 500 video files under the free plan. On the music side, both iTunes and Amazon both offer cloud-based access to tracks you've already purchased. iTunes also offers a iTunes Match service to allow access (for a yearly fee) to tracks in your library that didn't come from iTunes.
Nearly all of the cloud storage services out there offer free plans with limited storage and paid plans that usually upgrade both the storage and the features available to users.
You can choose to use multiple providers to get the most out of the freely available options or you could opt for a single backup storage provider such as those offered by Mozy or Carbonite.
Internet Security Versus Social Media, First Amendment Rights and Hackers
Social media, First Amendment and data security issues are interwoven in recent accounts of current events that raise fascinating concerns and questions.
In San Francisco, attempts were made to foil protesters planning to disrupt public transportation services when the Bay Area Rapid Transit authority temporarily interrupted cell service at several subway platforms. This unleashed a barrage of reaction and debate on both sides of the issue. Perhaps the most notable and certainly the most vicious group to take exception to BART's action was the hacker group Anonymous, which attacked myBart.org, defacing the site and releasing personal information for 2,400 BART riders, and even organizing a subsequent demonstration.
It's not only the vigilante group that is acting in the wake of BART's decision to thwart protesters by disrupting cell service, however; the Federal Communications Council has also launched an investigation into the matter.
Was BART's temporary shutdown reasonable given the public safety concerns of the transit authority, which designates free speech areas for public protests safely outside of its train and subway platforms? Were the free speech rights of the protesters violated? What about other riders who may have tried to reach a child, parent or even emergency services during the period cell service was disrupted? Was it worth the cost to attempt to prevent potentially dangerous protests?
While all these issues are sorted out, BART's professional reputation has certainly been damaged. Policy-makers are questioning the organization's decision-making and lack of leadership, some even comparing BART to former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who shut down cell service in Tahrir Square in response to peaceful protests earlier this year.
Days before the San Francisco incident, social media was cast first as the villain and then as the hero across the pond in London. First, rioters utilized BlackBerry Messenger to organize days of extremely destructive and disturbing lawless acts. In the wake of the riots, however, volunteers have been recruited and massive cleanup efforts have been mobilized via Twitter and Facebook, redeeming social media's role in this unfortunate episode in the eyes of Londoners and other observers.
Back in California, Anonymous is again making threats, this time in Fullerton where the vigilante organization seeks retaliation for the alleged beating death of a homeless schizophrenic man by Fullerton police. The Anonymous YouTube video is both fascinating and disturbing with its masked spokesperson, computer-modulated voice and demands.
So where will this tale end? Its conclusion is yet to be written. The debates surrounding the use of social media platforms to incite action, the use of cyber-attacks to exact vigilante justice and the threats to First Amendment rights and data security are too important, however, for any of us to ignore. Where do you stand on these issues? Which of these threats do you find most disturbing?
Based in Nashville, Tenn., Lovell Communications Inc. is a national marketing and public relations firm that protects brand reputations and works with companies to build and grow their businesses. We specialize in public relations, crisis communications and healthcare marketing services.
Microsoft data centers of yore
Microsoft is continually improving all the important aspects of its data centers. It closely manages all the costs of a data center, including power, cooling, staff, local laws, risk of disaster, availability of natural resources, and many other factors. While managing all this, it has designed its fourth generation of data centers. Microsoft didn�t just show up at this party; it planned it by building on a deep expertise in building and running global data centers over the past few decades.
The first generation of data centers is still the most common in the world. Think of the special room with servers in it. It has racks, cable ladders, raised floors, cooling, uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs), maybe a backup generator, and it�s cooled to a temperature that could safely house raw beef. The focus is placed on making sure the servers are running; no thought or concern is given to the operating costs of the data center. These data centers are built to optimize the capital cost of building them, with little thought given to costs accrued beyond the day the center opens. (By the way, the collection of servers under your desk doesn�t qualify as a Generation 1 data center. Please be careful not to kick a cord loose while you do your work.)
Generation 2 data centers take all the knowledge learned by running Generation 1 data centers and apply a healthy dose of thinking about what happens on the second day of operation. Ongoing operational costs are reduced by optimizing for sustainability and energy efficiency. To meet these goals, Microsoft powers its Quincy, Washington, data center with clean hydroelectric power. Its data center in San Antonio, Texas, uses recycled civic gray water to cool the data center, reducing the stress on the water sources and infrastructure in the area.
Source of Information : Manning Azure in Action 2010
The first generation of data centers is still the most common in the world. Think of the special room with servers in it. It has racks, cable ladders, raised floors, cooling, uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs), maybe a backup generator, and it�s cooled to a temperature that could safely house raw beef. The focus is placed on making sure the servers are running; no thought or concern is given to the operating costs of the data center. These data centers are built to optimize the capital cost of building them, with little thought given to costs accrued beyond the day the center opens. (By the way, the collection of servers under your desk doesn�t qualify as a Generation 1 data center. Please be careful not to kick a cord loose while you do your work.)
Generation 2 data centers take all the knowledge learned by running Generation 1 data centers and apply a healthy dose of thinking about what happens on the second day of operation. Ongoing operational costs are reduced by optimizing for sustainability and energy efficiency. To meet these goals, Microsoft powers its Quincy, Washington, data center with clean hydroelectric power. Its data center in San Antonio, Texas, uses recycled civic gray water to cool the data center, reducing the stress on the water sources and infrastructure in the area.
Source of Information : Manning Azure in Action 2010