Instead of PC’s, Thin Clients can be used.

So what is a Thin Client? It is a PC-like device that allows most of the “heavy lifting” to be performed by the server instead of the PC. “Thin” implies that it is to be used in conjunction with a server and not as a stand-alone computer.

Some Potential Thin Client Advantages:

1. Reduced Workstation Cost – Thin clients normally cost much less than PC’s. In addition they require less initial setup and configuration.
2. Reduced Management Expense – In some situations, it is necessary to go from desk to desk to manage desktop computers. With Thin Clients, however, most of the management can be performed on the server.
3. Improved Security – Most Thin Clients have no moving parts, no hard drives, and no data storage. They are often thought to be less vulnerable to user action, and security can be more easily managed.

Thin Clients are not right for everyone. Feel free to contact us for further information concerning your specific situation.

So, what to do???

One solution is to develop a personal system: a formula that you use to create passwords which can in turn be used to remember passwords.

For Example:

1. Phrase - Choose a phrase such as tu+2 (skirt a ballerina might wear)
2. Business - Determine a method to enter a unique character(s) for each web site such as the first and last letter of the business. Facebook = Fk, Kohls = Ks, Dell = Dl
3. Date - Determine the additional character to use such as the last digit of the year and the number of the quarter (2012, 1^st quarter could be 21)
4. Assemble - Now put it together. Facebook is: tu+2Fk21
5. Revise - Update your passwords quarterly. When you update to 2012, 2^nd quarter the password would change to tu+2Fk22
6. Renew - Change your password formula each calendar year to keep it fresh

Please don’t use this system verbatim. Create one that fits you and that only you know. No system is perfect. They are all a function of cost (password length, complexity, uniqueness, revision frequency) and benefit (the better the password, the more secure the system). Pick something that you feel is sufficiently secure.

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While none of these in isolation may stop the attack–combined, they make the break-in attempt too difficult to succeed. Disaster averted!

A criminal attempts to break into your business through your network; what will discourage or stop him? It is possible to access your business through this “entrance” too.

Consider: if your business has access to the internet, your business is vulnerable—just as it could be attacked by means of a physical door leading into your office.

Don’t make the critical mistake of minimizing the importance for security planning at this critical point of entry!

A Few Effective Network Defenses:

1. Hardware Firewall – This is equivalent to a properly locked front door. Only those with permission can enter your network.
2. Strong Passwords –Think of this as the lock on the inner office doors or file cabinets.
3. Internet Security Software – This is similar to the security guard or video surveillance system watching for improper activity.
4. Updated Hardware / Software – This insures the latest defenses and not those that the crooks have already defeated.
5. Avoid The “Administrator” Role – If someone does succeed at breaking in, the “user” role limits the harm they can do.

Such a scenario is actually possible by simply adopting small improvements in productivity. And believe it or not, the computer keyboard is a great place to start! For example, how often do you or your employees click 3, 4, or more times to access information which could be accessed with a keyboard shortcut? Sounds too simplistic to matter? Not so; in the long-term, the cumulative effect of implementing a number of keyboard shortcuts can yield savings in both time and money.

How can you improve efficiency? Begin by adopting a few small changes like these:

1. Select Everything – Ctrl+A – Highlights everything in a window. Then you can Copy (Ctrl+C) or Cut (Ctrl+X).
2. Print – Do you print multiple items each day to the same printer? Print (Ctrl+P) can make quick work of this without even taking one hand off the keyboard.
3. Switch Between Two Windows – Do you find yourself clicking between two most recently viewed windows? Switch (Alt+Tab) will make quick work of this.
4. Show The Desktop – To Show the desktop press Windows logo key+D. Repeat the action to restore view.

What actions do you perform most frequently? Search for “keyboard shortcuts” for that action. By the way, some of these commands will work on a Mac by using the Command key instead of the Ctrl key.

Many Windows shortcuts can be found here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Keyboard-shortcuts

Mac shortcuts can be found here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

What’s Up?

1. More Computer Power – A computer purchased today is much more powerful, has much greater data storage capacity, and is also significantly more energy efficient than a computer purchased just 3 years ago.
2. New Technology – In recent years, Solid State Drives (SSD’s) have become more widespread in replacing Hard Disk Drives (HDD’s). USB 2.0 now has been joined by USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed), which is 10x faster than its USB 2.0 predecessor. Now, networks often have 1 GB speeds instead of 100 MB—a 10x improvement. Newer operating systems and software offer more productivity, features, and security.
3. Mobile Devices – Remember a few years ago when one would need to go to the office to access one’s computer? Today with remote access and mobile devices, such travel is no longer necessary.
4. Cloud Computing – There are many ways to use the internet to either access and supply data or services which did not exist a few years ago. Some examples include online file sharing and cloud based software.

Yet, I ask you:

Why save When You Can SAVE?

Do you endure rising expenses and reduced reliability in order to forego the expense of new computers?

If so, consider:

What is the value of improving your business productivity by 30%, reliability by 50%, security by 25%, energy consumption by 30%, and employee morale by 20%?

Likely, it would be worth far more to you than the cost of replacing an outdated computer system. Such improvement is indeed plausible; your business is a great place to invest!

Consider refreshing your equipment on a scheduled basis, thereby maximizing your business benefit.

A new system offers:

1. Performance – New computer performance is typically much improved over what generally was available 5 years ago. Also, newer software includes features which further improve efficiency of your workforce and responsiveness to your customers.
2. Reliability – Seldom do new computers fail. Most computer failures occur after 3 or more years of service. The failure rate continues to increase year after year, reducing the cost effectiveness of postponing equipment replacement.
3. Security –Each software release generally improves on the security of the prior version. Realize that Power PC Mac computers likely can’t be upgraded. Windows Server 2000 support has ended and Windows XP SP 3 extended support ends 4/8/14.
4. Acquisition Cost – The cost (per computer) of acquiring a group of computers is much less than the cost of replacing only a few. There are many economies of scale that make mass replacement less expensive.
5. Predictability – Many companies, realizing the true cost of unplanned computer downtime, take action to refresh equipment in a planned and efficient manner. This approach offers many seen and unseen savings benefits—all within the framework of dependability and predictability.

It is estimated that malicious software costs businesses and individuals billions of dollars each year. From identity theft, to false advertising, to espionage, and through many other ways, money is illegally obtained using malicious software. Most malicious software avoids detection and actively defends against removal, making it much harder to eliminate than to avoid. It often injects itself into good files, corrupts them, and frequently reproduces itself to avoid removal.

We often assume that if we don’t presently find evidence of malicious software, we don’t have malicious software .Not necessarily so! It is quite possible for a crooked programmer to create computer code that sits idle on a computer until the software is later activated.

Knowing Why Malicious Software Is Created Helps To Understand The Risks:

1. Data Theft – Examples include key loggers who convey to others our key strokes (including account numbers and passwords) and those who search for our valuable information.
2. Remote Control – Malicious software can be designed to hijack computers in order to extend the computing power and internet bandwidth of the bad guys. Yes, you could unknowingly participate in causing harm to others!
3. Money – You’ve heard the adage: “Follow the money.” From selling useless software to selling stolen information, criminals utilize malicious software to tap into the vast (and often far too trusting) market.
4. Notoriety – Such computer programers are akin to vandals who spray paint bridges and buildings…just because they can.

Most viruses are not simply pranks. In reality, they are often much, much worse.

So too with software on your computer. Some folks install all the software they can get their hands on. Ultimately, their computers have problems. Why? On analysis, some of the software may not be well written. Some may not be kept up-to-date. Some may conflict with other installed software. Further, some of the software may be malicious or virus ridden.

Prudent businesses carefully select software applications. They make sure the software choices are compatible, test them to be sure they work properly, keep them updated, and make good use of the applications. The result? Their computers tend to operate faster and with less trouble. In the event a problem, they address the situation quickly and professionally—yielding a well-run system, properly supporting the overall business.

Software–tips for success:

1. Select – Determine your primary needs regarding software, and determine what software will best meet those needs.
2. Verify – Is it from a trustworthy source? Is it compatible with your computer?
3. Update – Keep it updated. As issues are discovered and resolved, updates will likely be needed.
4. Remove – If you decide to replace one type of software with software designed to address the same issue, properly uninstall the unneeded software.

Need a few uncomplicated “gadgets” to aid your productivity? Navigating a sluggish economy and managing a busy schedule make even small time-savers relevant to efficient output.

If the following time-saving “gadgets” aren’t familiar to you, consider utilizing these tools to expedite your computer work;

1. Copy / Cut / Paste – When you want to copy or move text from one location to another, you can often use Copy (CTRL+C) or Cut (CTRL+X) and Paste (CTRL+ V). Copy: places the text in memory but leaves the original intact. Cut: copies the text to memory and will delete it. Paste: places the text in a new location.
2. Find – If you have a word or phrase to find on a document or web page Ctrl+F is a great help.
3. Computer Lock – It is wise to lock the computer when you leave. Anyone who wishes to use the computer will need the password. We notice doctors’ offices and banks doing this most anytime an employee leaves his/her computer. Window+L will do this in an instant.
4. Switch Window – If you would like to switch to another window on your computer but would rather not use the mouse, Alt+Tab is a quick way to get around. By the way, Window+Tab is another more graphical method available on many Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers.
5. Help – F1 on a PC will often bring up context sensitive help.

Note: If you do a web search for “keyboard shortcut” along with your program name you can find many more. Mac users can use some of these commands by substituting Command for Control.

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Remember the old adage, “Art imitates life”?

Visualize technology-based methods of maliciously intercepting sensitive information belonging to others, and you will have a good idea of the risks faced today. Technological advancements have digitized age-old crime.

Much of your information is in an electronic format, so how can you protect yourself? Encryption is an effective technique. For example, which would be more secure?  Unencrypted: “2^nd Quarter Revenue $14.8 Million” OR Encrypted: “2:$V>7w&4|3+w=R0,xC5[}o-3c_d1”? You get the idea.

Unencrypted data is subject to:

• Prying eyes and theft
• Data modification by unwelcomed sources
• Inability to confirm the source of received information

A few protective moves:

1. Plan – Determine necessary level of data protection; research available options, and/or acquire knowledgeable assistance.
2. Encrypt – Various encryption tools and techniques are available.
3. Retain Password – Don’t get locked out of your own data. Keep track of the “key”.