On the Lookout for Virus Hoaxes
Most of the time, businesses are on the lookout for ways to keep viruses out of their systems, not the other way around. From firewalls to email restrictions, the tools company leaders put in place have become fairly commonplace in today’s work environment.
However, there is another side to virus protection: virus hoaxes. While virus hoaxes take on a variety of forms, they are almost always warnings about hoaxes that don’t actually exist. Instead of sending you an email containing a dangerous link, these types of emails either send you a warning about a virus that isn’t really a virus at all, or they’ll send you a “virus” or “tracking option” that will allow you to forward a message on in hopes of receiving some sort of unrealistic prize.
As far as information security goes, virus hoaxes are fairly benign. After all, it never hurts to be over-cautious about potential viruses, and forwarding on a message that tells you Bill Gates is going to give you $1,000 free of charge doesn’t do much more than make you look like a fool.
This doesn’t mean virus hoaxes can’t affect your business, however. For example, spending too much time on these types of emails can be bad for employee productivity, and having access to personal emails like this during work time is one of the leading causes of virus problems in the first place. Another major problem is that some clever virus designers actually turn virus hoaxes into real problems. A hoax virus warning might be enough of a challenge for someone to attach a destructive trojan and see what kind of damages ensue.
At the end of the day, the most important thing for workplace information security is to remain on top of what your network – and your employees – are capable of. No matter what your business is, your best bet is to keep protective barriers in your infrastructure and incorporate policy management that limits the amount of access employees have to potentially damaging emails.
How Well Have You Planned for Your Company’s Future?
Even in the dark days of recession, you are keeping your company running. Your planning and resources have made the difference, and even now you are making it through. You’ve planned for growth as well as for lean times, and even for a disaster.
Good for you. But just how well have you planned for your future IT capacity needs?
Your business relies on quick turnaround and even quicker communication. Your employees need to access data, to process it, and also to store it. They need to communicate with you and your customers as well as with each other. Knowing your system needs and how you expect them to grow will allow this to continue.
Think of your business as running along a pipe. With your current needs, you’re flowing along with some extra room. If there’s a spike in volume, you can handle it. What happens when your business grows? Will you invest in a huge pipe and let your business trickle along the inside? While you’ll certainly have the space to keep things moving, you’ll have wasted a lot of resources buying and installing far too much infrastructure.
Capacity planning is all about finding the balance between what you need today and what you’ll need tomorrow, while not wasting time and money purchasing too much. Your IT system keeps your business running, and it’s important to make sure that it continues to flow. By taking a look at your capacity needs and making plans for the future you can make sure that your data is can keep to its course without flooding over or backing up.
Can Your IT Staff Really Find Your Vulnerabilities?
Your IT staff was handpicked from a variety of applicants. You chose the people with the best training and the most experience, and they’ve come together to form a formidable team. They’ve built your network and keep it running while maintaining the security of your data and resources. But just how secure are your systems? No matter how experienced your staff is, is it really wise to leave security in the hands of general IT staff?
Network security is complex. It requires constant training and experience. New loopholes are being regularly exploited. Original viruses are being created every day.
Is your staff up for the challenge?
One solution is to find an experienced security consultant. Day in and day out, these specialists work with companies to streamline and strengthen security. They are constantly trained to meet the challenge of securing networks and keeping data safe.
Think of your IT staff as a local baseball team. Sure, they’ve got more skills than most people. They keep the ball moving and score the runs. Put them on a team in the Majors, however, and you can really see the difference.
It’s not that your IT staff isn’t skilled or that they can’t learn. The issue is that they specialize in building networks and keeping your company running, not in security. They’re simply playing at another level, and don’t have the experience to initiate a comprehensive security protocol. IT security consultants, on the other hand, do nothing else. Let experience be your guide, and let a consultant work with your IT staff. You’ll get better security and a more streamlined system, and then you can really start hitting it out of the park.
Are You IT Tip: Don’t Put Too Much Trust in Your Vulnerability Tracking Software
Vulnerability tracking software can be a tremendous help when you are looking to tighten up security. When you run it regularly, you can find out if you need to update applications or if there are gaps in your security structure. You can take the data, implement it and go on your merry way, right? Sadly, this is just not the case. If only vulnerability tracking were this easy, IT security would be a breeze.
The truth of the matter is that while vulnerability tracking software can be a great way to find some weaknesses, it can’t do everything. It’s just not comprehensive enough, and it cannot think. A true system security review requires perspective, expertise, and creativity. The software, no matter how advanced, isn’t a flexible human mind. In order to fully secure your system, you need the help of a security specialist. This person has the knowledge and ingenuity to implement the best security protocols out there.
The fact that vulnerability tracking software has limitations doesn’t mean that you should stop using it, of course. It can still be a vital part of your security plan when you understand its limitations. Understanding that it has limitations and that you still need human reviews of your security is what really matters. The software is still a great tool, and you should be using every instrument at your disposal to secure your business.
Combining software with human experience is what it really takes to take your security to the next level.
Does Your Mac Have Vulnerabilities You Aren’t Aware Of?
Sure, we’ve all heard about how safe Mac systems are. Most people think that viruses can’t get to them, that they’re hard to hack and spyware doesn’t have a chance. There’s a bit of truth to all of this, but not for the reasons you think. Macs aren’t inherently safer. They’re just less common.
Think about this from an attacker’s perspective. If you want to get into a system to score some private data, which would you choose? Would you go after the company with a system you know how to hack, or the one that will take more time to get into? What if you want to build a virus? You could be building the virus to destroy data or also to steal it. If you are going to spend hours, days, or weeks of your life working on this attack, wouldn’t you want it to be as infectious as possible?
That, in a nutshell, is why Macs are often safer. Most attackers and viruses target Windows-based systems because of the sheer number of them in the world. Macs are growing more popular, however, and the number of vulnerabilities being exploited on them is increasing. Not only that, but some Macs run Windows applications. The apple on the logo doesn’t protect your system from viruses targeting Windows, if that’s what you’re running.
Do yourself a favor, and invest in some comprehensive security programs and training. You may be safer with a Mac, but you’re not immune. Don’t find out the hard way that you can still be hacked. Just take a few precautions and secure your system, and you can keep your safety record going strong.
Have You Looked Into the National Vulnerability Database?
You have programs in place that are tracking your vulnerabilities. You’re reviewing the data, implementing it, and feeling pretty secure. But what if you had more information at your disposal? If there were a national database of known weaknesses in applications and infrastructure that you could access, wouldn’t you look into it?
Lucky for you, this database exists. The National Vulnerability Database is a government operation that records vulnerability data from systems across the nation. By compiling data, they can help you find the vulnerabilities in your own system that are the most likely to be exploited. Think of your security like a class final. You can study your notes alone, or you can study with a group of overachievers who are all interested in earning the A. Which scenario is the most likely to help you pass?
You can also contribute to the National Vulnerability Database to help others. Your scans and vulnerability tracking data can be added to the database. You get the good feeling of helping others while not having to worry about compromising any proprietary data. It’s a win-win situation when you use the database and share what you find on your own end.
So how about it? Is it time to take your vulnerability tracking to the next level? With viruses and attackers looking for ways to get inside, you need every advantage you can get. The National Vulnerability Database could be a tremendous asset to your company, and every step you take to protect your data protects your business.
Should You Develop Your Own Software or Buy What’s On the Market?
Depending on the size of your business and how tight of a niche you fill, you may find that your existing software isn’t meeting your company’s needs. There’s some tinkering you can do with most applications, but it isn’t always worth the headache. Is the loss of time and energy working with lackluster software worth creating a proprietary system that truly meets your needs?
Existing software can be very expensive, and finding and evaluating it takes vast amounts of time. While it’s faster to find software that meets your needs than it is to up and build a new program, how can you be sure you’ve seen all of the options?
- Working with an experienced IT consultant can smooth out this process. They know the ins and outs of what’s on the market, and may know ways to tweak what’s out there to make it fit your needs. They also may be able to help you piecemeal a system so that you aren’t paying for more software than you actually need.
- Another option is to build your own software, but that can be time consuming. If it’s the best answer for your company’s productivity, however, then it is absolutely worth the investment. You can focus on the exact specifications you need and build a system tailored to your business. Your IT consultant can help you to evaluate your needs, make suggestions, and walk you through this process. Consultants also have contacts, resources, and knowledge you don’t, all of which can help you decide what option is best for you.
In our tech-heavy business world, the software you run is key to your productivity. It’s important to find a way to maximize your company’s potential efficiently while keeping cost effectiveness in mind. Regardless of whether you buy a system or build it, an IT consultant can lead the way and help you make the right decision.
Telecommuters and Data Loss
It seems like most businesses allow telecommuting these days. Your employees are home working in slippers, or are catching up in a hotel room after a day at a conference. Either way, their productivity is growing, they are enjoying their jobs, and you are reaping the benefits.
Sadly, it’s not all a day in pajamas for remote employment. Telecommuting has some serious security risks that you should be considering.
No matter what they are doing, your employees need to be connected to your network. They are sending emails and data and working with others in a complex environment. Your data is at constant risk. It’s not necessarily in more danger than it is being accessed in the office, but the situation has changed. Your company laptops may have extensive security features in place, but they won’t help a bit if your employees are using their home computers for company business. They need to be trained to only access the network from company machines, and to not allow any company data on their home computers.
Another huge risk is a missing laptop. It doesn’t matter if it’s lost or stolen, your data and access to your network are out there hanging. There are a few steps you can take to make this less of a risk, however, beyond chaining the computer to your employees’ wrists.
For example, you could install software that allows a computer to be permanently disabled from the network if it is lost, and you could ensure all applications and the desktop are web-based. If there’s no data on the machine and no way of getting to the network, all you’ve lost is a computer.
Telecommuting is a radical change in how businesses are run, but it’s worth the risk. For a few tweaks in security you get happier employees and greater productivity. Your data can be safe and network can be secure, and all you have to remember to is ask them to change out of their pajamas before the next video conference.
Have You Maximized Your Bandwidth?
You’re cruising down the highway, your music is playing, there are no cars in sight, and there’s not a cloud in the sky. All of a sudden, you hit the brakes because there’s a five car pile up and both lanes are blocked. What’s a driver to do?
Much like driving a car, your bandwidth is all about keeping data flowing and your network speed constant. Occasionally, something can get in the way and slow everything down, sometimes bringing your entire infrastructure to a screeching halt. There are a few steps you can take to avoid this, however. By maximizing your bandwidth you can keep your data moving at high speed.
Some programs put more drag on your bandwidth than others. Streaming music, videos, or even stock quotes can take up a tremendous amount of bandwidth, and they rarely offer much to your business in return. Sure, radios feel pretty ancient in our fast-paced world, but they don’t block the road, either. Removing access to programs and sites that stream data can remove roadblocks, keeping your data moving at high speed.
Keeping the roads clear, however, requires that you know jut where and what they are. Try mapping your system and looking for sudden spikes in usage. If you can pinpoint what is causing a bottleneck, you can find ways to eliminate it and get back to business.
So much depends on how quickly we can send information. By removing the hazards that are slowing down your network, you can keep your business moving and reach your destination with time to spare.
Information Security for Your Home Business
So you’re looking to run a business out of your home, but you’re worried about securing your site. If you’re selling goods online, you’ll have access to financial data, names, addresses, and other sensitive data. Thieves would love to get a hold of this information, so how do you keep it safe and your business prospering?
The simplest answer is to make sure you have an adequate firewall and anti-virus software. You may be answering emails from around the world, and if a virus gets into your computer, it could allow an attacker access to all of your data as well as your store. Anti-virus software and a firewall are a bit like having locks on your front door. They work to keep most people out, but what about thieves who won’t stop at a lock?
It’s time to think about a comprehensive security system. Just like in a home, a security system helps keep intruders out, and sounds an alarm if the perimeter is breached. If a thief gets in, protocols are in place to call for help and to minimize what can be taken. Doing the same for your home business is the least you owe your customers. The majority of small businesses that suffer a major data loss never recover—don’t let that be you!
If you’re concerned about implementing greater security features, get a little help. You can ask an IT consultant for ideas that will get your security in better shape and keep the thieves out. Your business is an extension of yourself, after all, just like your home. Doesn’t it deserve the best protection it can get?