I/O Vision Blog

How Important Are Secure Passwords?

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:13:01 -0400

We use passwords every day to access our email accounts, bank accounts, Facebook and Twitter accounts and hundreds of other services. There is great temptation to use one password for all accounts and to make it short and easy to remember. However, this may have a devastating effect on our security and privacy. If you think that you have nothing to hide, think again. In most cases the passwords are cracked with malicious purposes - to use your computer to send spam, to steal money, to infect your computer, and many other.##more##

What makes a password weak and easy to crack? In most cases the attacker uses various automated computer programs that tries many passwords in very fast succession in order to find a match. Here are some examples of weak passwords:

Generic passwords and default passwords, such as: admin, administrator, user, guest, pass, password, etc.
Meaningful words or names, like: sandbox, NY, lion, john, mary, USA, etc.
Words or names with added numbers: john123, pass123, 123456, number1, etc.
Personal names, birthdates or similar information.

But how do you choose safe passwords? The most important thing is to avoid using the same password for different computers or services. If one of your passwords is compromised, the others will still be safe.

What makes a password strong? Basically, the password strength depends on the number of possible combinations, which must be tried in order to crack the password. For example, the standard 4-digit PIN codes are weak, because there are only 10,000 combinations. This is not a big problem for ATM machines because the PIN code is useless without the card and most ATM machines block when the password does not match more than 2-3 times. In many other cases it is possible to use automated password cracking tools, which can try millions of passwords per second.

So, how do you make a really strong random passwords?

Choosing "random" letters and numbers. This may often appear random, but only at first sight. Humans are not normally very good at random picks.
"Random" typing on the keyboard with closed eyes. This may be slightly better than random choosing, but still nowhere random enough.
Online random password generators have the drawbacks that the generated password may be saved on the website with malicious purposes or eavesdropping may intercept the passwords. In addition, the quality of random number generators are often is not up to the task.
Specialized password generator programs is the best option, as long as they are implemented properly and come from a trusted source.

Remember that, if your password symbols are not random, then the cracking times are drastically lower, and your security can easily be compromised.

Battery Backups for Data and Equipment Protection

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:11:06 -0400

In today’s technology reliant business world, companies are becoming increasingly responsive to the need to protect and retain valuable business data. One often overlooked means of protecting against data loss and equipment damage is the utilization of quality battery backup device in addition to critical data retention and mainframe disaster recovery software implementation. While battery backup can prevent the loss of valuable data in the event of a power outage or lapse, a quality battery backup solution will furthermore protect expensive electronic equipment such as personal computers and servers from costly damage. Considering the high cost associated with data loss and equipment replacement, not just any battery backup device will suffice.

Here we examine some of the factors that should be considered in the selection of a battery backup for business or home use.
First of all, what does battery backup do? A battery backup, also referred to as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), allows equipment to safely shut down temporarily in the event of a power outage or lapse in service, but a quality backup unit also prevents equipment damage by regulating fluctuations in the flow of electricity to the equipment. Even when electrical service is seemingly reliable and consistent, variations such as spikes and surges alter the voltage level being delivered to sensitive electronic equipment. Battery backups with an automatic voltage regulation feature are recommended due to their ability to prevent such fluctuations from harming equipment in the long term.

A battery backup must be capable of accommodating the amount of energy required to power the equipment for which it is intended without being overworked. A battery backup device must have the appropriate wattage and volt-ampere ratings to support the equipment that will be utilizing it. While a single home computer and monitor may be able to get by with a basic battery backup unit, more demanding applications such as server rooms warrant a more powerful solution. Additionally, a more advanced battery backup unit will incorporate software which performs periodic tests on the device and retains the test results.

Even when an appropriately powered, self testing battery backup device is being utilized, telecommunication equipment connected directly to a computer or server poses a hidden danger. A single lightning strike can easily travel via RJ-11 and RJ-45 cables and wreak havoc on the connected equipment. A battery backup device with RJ-11 and RJ-45 protection provides a necessary layer of defense between valuable equipment and storm related surges or lightning.

Awareness of product features and voltage ratings among various products is critical to selecting a battery backup device that is sufficient for a particular application. All battery backup solutions do not incorporate all of the features outlined herein. Other factors such as whether all or only select outlets on a unit are actually battery backed and whether a device facilitates the ability to “hot swap” a battery when needed may also be considered in the selection of a battery backup device.

iPhone vs. Blackberry: The 2011 Challenge

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:10:18 -0400

When word of the iPhone first got out, it seemed as though Apple was going to take over the cell phone market, in a similar way as iPod swept over the MP3 player market. But Blackberry refused to stay behind all the brouhaha surrounding the iPhone, and so far, they have perfectly held their own against the iPhone.

What we're seeing this year is reminiscent of the old duel between PC's and Mac's, IBM vs. Macintosh, just with cell phones. We’ve got BlackBerry users and Apple enthusiasts. Who would have thought it, huh?

In 2011, we can see a resurgence of interest in the iPhone. There are many reasons why people would prefer this device over the BlackBerry, since they may feel that the BlackBerries are just too rough or coarse when it comes to user interface. However, in a business environment, the interfaces are proven, and widely used. But, we’re not likely to see Guitar Hero and Star Wars themes for BlackBerry.

So, is it fair to compare iPhones and BlackBerries?

It seems BlackBerry is winning, so far this year, given the new iPhone 4G “issue” with the signal antenna (and how Apple seems to have been handling this in a terrible way).

With the availability of the cell phone companies and models available, no two cell phones go head to head more often than these two. The iPhone and the BlackBerry are still hands-down the two most popular phones sold today. So, how do you know which one is right for you? See how each one ranks in the following categories to help you decide:

Applications – If having lots of software options on your phone is important to you, then the iPhone is your clear choice. The iPhone has over 1,000 application options available and easily trumps the BlackBerry’s very small list of programs that only include a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a PDF application. Granted, many of the iPhone applications are frivolous, like the “How Old Are You In Neanderthal Years?” calculator, or the daily horoscope update; but some are actually useful for business purposes, such as the available project management, time tracking, or financial calculator software. BlackBerry, on the other hand integrates with popular CRM solutions. Both the BlackBerry and the iPhone have software that allows you to use them as mini computers; but if you want to be able to convert your phone into a remote for your stereo, only the iPhone can do that.

Durability – For all intents and purposes, the BlackBerry wins in this category. The BlackBerry was actually created with business users in mind and therefore is a sturdier phone. If you have traveling sales people or remote users who need to stay connected to the office, the BlackBerry is less likely to get damaged than the iPhone. Although the iPhone has made definite strides in this area, dropping that phone on its face assures that you’ll have to get a new one.

Business Functionality – In the not too distant past, the iPhone didn’t have the business functionality of the BlackBerry. However, iPhones now integrate with Microsoft Exchange, which is one of the most common e-mail applications for small and mid-sized businesses. Both the BlackBerry and the iPhone have the ability to synchronize your contacts, calendar, and e-mail. Apple is also making attempts to ramp up the security of their iPhone; and as it stands today, the BlackBerry is the most secure of the two phones.

Of course, there are other smart-phone solutions on the market, but in the foreseeable future, this is where the battle lines are drawn.

What A Wonderful World ...

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:08:43 -0400

Did you know -

The first hard drive available for the Apple II had a capacity of only 5 megabytes.

Whale oil was used in automobile transmissions as late as 1973.

The normal static electricity shock that zaps your finger when you touch a doorknob is usually between 10,000 and 30,000 volts!

The average car produces a pound of pollution every 25 miles!

If a car is travelling at 55 miles per hour it will travel 56 feet before the driver can shift his foot from the accelerator to the brake.

Nearly 50% of the world's scientists are assigned to military projects.

A “jiffy” is an actual unit of time - 1/100th of a second!

In 1895 Hampshire police handed out the first ever speeding ticket, fining a man for doing 6mph!

Approximately $25 million is spent each year on lap dances in Las Vegas.

The average 21 year old has spent 5,000 hours playing video games, has exchanged 250,000 e-mails, instant and text messages and has spent 10,000 hours on the mobile phone.

By the year 2012 there will be approximately 17 billion devices connected to the Internet.

While it took the radio 38 years, and the television a short 13 years, it took the World Wide Web only 4 years to reach 50 million users.

What To Look For In A Gaming Laptop

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:08:02 -0400

For the serious gamer, and laptop enthusiast, what may constitute the biggest factor to the enjoyment, is to have a system that performs optimally.

The most important factors are often considered a tie—the processor and the graphics card. When running games, you need them to run at decent speeds, so they’re not choppy and don't freeze up. Look for at least a dual core processor, with a speed of 1.8 GHz or above. You probably shouldn’t go below 1.8GHz. Even games that are a couple years old don’t run well on processors below 1.8GHz. Also, over time, computers get slower (not by themselves, there are several contributing factors). To ensure longevity go with as high a speed as you can. Also, if you can afford it, go with quad core processors.

If something is shooting at you and your images don’t render fast enough, you’ll probably be dead by the time you can even see what it is that’s shooting at you. So for this, go with a graphics card with 512 MB or even 1GB or more, of dedicated video RAM. NVIDIA and ATI CrossFire are popular choices. If you’ve got the money, check out SLI-enabled systems.

In the laptop RAM (as opposed to the dedicated video RAM), you’re going to need at least 2 GB to be able to run all the grueling tasks that most games require. For 64-bit operating systems, you want to consider a minimum of 4GB. However, you’re likely to be limited by processor speed and video RAM before laptop RAM.

Finally—the sound card. This normally wasn’t important, and you could get by with using an integrated sound card. But recently, gaming is all about high definition video AND high definition sound. In some more rare cases, games can even crash. Creative Audigy or Fatal1ty are perennial favourites because they’re not too overpriced.

Other factors to consider are hard drive speed—try to find 7200rpm systems, or even the new Solid State Drives.

Integrated Bluetooth will improve controller connectivity.

If you like playing games “on the go”, then a wireless N card will provide faster online play (as long as the source is wireless N).

A security system, such as fingerprint or even facial recognition, will improve system and data security.

The battery life is important for “on the go” playing. Nothing ruins a game like running out of juice.

Consider also factors like a card reader and a Blu-ray drive.

A big problem with a gaming laptop is cooling. They tend to heat well above average systems. Look for a user controllable, powerful, large fan. Consider an external lap desk with extra cooling fans built into it.

And last, but not least, the most recent operating system, such as Windows 7. Go with 64-bit if you can.

Happy gaming.

Make Your Online Client A Repeat Customer

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:07:02 -0400

It’s easy to sell first time, but equally difficult to sell repeatedly to the same customer. The biggest challenge for online retailer is not to get the site up and running, and getting a customer; the most grueling part is to make that same customer buy more than once. In fact, the success or failure of an online retail store depends on it. The more returning customers you have, more likely you are to stay in business. Here are the considered top 10 features to make your customers come back to your store:

Easy user interface – Give an easy interface to find your products with proper filter, sorter and search options. Make it easy to locate the products.

Offer coupons to your customers – If I am your customer and purchased once, you have made a profit. So, what's wrong in shedding a portion of that profit to make me buy once again and make more profit? Offer coupons to your existing customers and create a need so that they buy again.

Offer discounts – The most lucrative thing associated with online shopping is low cost with discounts. Make your price competitive, give discount whenever and wherever you can and create a noise. Send mailers to all your customers or run promo campaigns.

Be interactive and friendly – Use social media (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and so on) to be connected with your customers. Make your offers through these platforms. Use apps to make your products available through social media networks.

Get a toll-free customer care number – If possible, give 24 X 7-customer support through a toll-free number besides email and chat support.

Transparent business policies – Be clear in defining your shipping and return policies. Think from your customer perspective and if needed, add an FAQ section with the answers to the obvious questions.

Supports multiple payment options – Support all major credit cards in your region. If debit card or net banking is more popular, give these options too.

Sense of security – display authentic and reputed security seals from top service providers on your store. Your online customers will talk about your security and this will create trust.

Better technology, smarter look – Use the latest technologies and try to look smarter and sleeker than your competitors; your customers will always like it.

Keep an updated product list – Keep product-list of your online retail store updated and display the latest price and other information. If you want to display a product that is not in stock, Display the "Out of Stock" right at the beginning on the category page itself. No customer would like to start the buying process for an "Out of Stock" product.

These are some of tips (and not all!) that can make your store a “comfortable” zone for your customers to return. Through your online store be friendly to your customers and give them better deals; nothing will entice your customer more than service with a smile.

Improving Network Security

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:06:10 -0400

Naturally, with the growing benefits of technology, the Internet and network configurations comes the growing danger of security breaches, identity theft and cyber crimes. Unfortunately, electronic theft is becoming a greater danger to many businesses across the globe, so how do business owners keep their data safe and secure? One way to keep sensitive information secure is to constantly improve network security and to stay ahead of the game.

Every day we hear that computer viruses, hacker, and other security breaches have found new ways to steal identities, financial records and other information we thought previously secure. Because of the increase in such cyber crimes, data protection laws have tightened and the punishments hardened. With this comes the need for all businesses to take data security very seriously.

It is extremely important to improve network security for your business on a regular basis. Aside from encrypted pages and passwords, there is a multitude of ways to improve network security for your business which include firewalls and other infrastructure protective measures. Education, information and action are key elements to improving any network's security.

Before a business can adequately protect its network, it is important to understand that there is no such thing as a completely secure system, as technology is always changing. However, to stay one step ahead and keep the network secure, business owners and their IT department should learn and understand any and all risks associated with security standards and network systems.

Network security can always be improved. After understanding the risks involved in any network, network operators should be educated and informed. It is important for network operators to keep an eye out for operational anomalies. Any anomaly is usually an indication that something is wrong and there may be a security breach. In addition to educating operators, it is important for operators to know and understand the risks associated with your existing security standards. Risk mitigation is essential in improving network security.

Organization is also crucial to improving network security. It is an excellent idea to employ both control system engineers and IT specialists to work together to maintain the network. If you are unable to employ individuals, you may outsource the positions. The team should schedule risk analyses on a regular basis, implement change control and monitor the network regularly. Additionally, create policies and procedures that describe and outline risk mitigation, alert vectors and actions to be taken if and when any type of security breach is detected is smart. Furthermore, your operating staff should know exactly who to contact in the case of a breach or attack on the security of the network.

Following industry guidance and suggestions is also a good way to improve network security. One of these suggestions is to create a single point failure matrix, which is often critical during possible threats or attacks. The network security industry is always announcing new ways to secure and protect networks, configurations and information.

Staying informed is never more important than when a business needs to improve network security. Though integrating the latest technologies and protections for your network is smart, regular security audits, education, and monitoring are all key ways to improve network security.

Technologies That Should Be Extinct (But Aren't)

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:05:25 -0400

These obsolete technologies didn't get the memo—maybe because someone wrote it on a typewriter and faxed it to them:

The Telegraph—Yes, Virginia, you can still send a telegram, though not through Western Union. It sent its last telegraphic transmission on January 27, 2006.

Typewriters—In the age of Web tablets and smartphones, typewriters are for snooty novelists who cannot compose on any technology introduced since Hemingway took a dirt nap.

Fax Machines—Despite Internet fax services and scanners, these annoying gadgets continue to attract lawyers and others who are nervous about the authenticity of signed documents.

Landline Telephones—Nearly 25 per cent of North Americans are now only using cell phone or VoIP. But, for the aged, nothing says "I've fallen and I can't get up" quite like a landline.

Turntables—CDs and MP3s were supposed to kill the LP for good. Instead, vinyl LPs have clung to life longer than Abe Vigoda. Life's just better when listened to at 33 and 1/3.

Cash Registers—Despite computerized PoS systems that can automatically track inventory and sales history, many retail stores still rely on this cigar box that can do third-grade math.

Instant Cameras—Like their distant cousins, the typewriter people, many camera buffs eschew digital for the comfort of darkrooms and the aroma of developer fluid.

Disc Drives—With just about anything being available via downloads, the CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray are destined to follow the various portable storage media into the digital bone yard.

Cathode Ray Tubes—The venerable “boob tube”, cling to life due to the durability and price. And—guess what?—they still offer higher-quality pictures than LCDs and plasma sets.

CB Radios—Though not as popular as when Burt Reynolds was, well, Burt Reynolds, thousands of CB radios are sold each year. Some conversations are simply better. 10-4, good buddy?

The Business Case For Video Conferencing

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:03:53 -0400

One of the most compelling cases for video conferencing technology has to be the reduction in travel costs.

Many businesses increasingly view travel as a drain on time and budgets. You can understand why when most business travelers admit that only half of the time spent on a business trip can be classed as productive working time.

Allied to this is the environmental argument. Video conferencing uses only a few units of electricity. A UK environment minister gave a keynote speech at the Climate Change Conference in Sydney via video conferencing. This saved 60 hours of travel time and 6.2 tons of CO2 emissions.

In addition, video conferencing gives you the flexibility to hold ad-hoc meetings; no need to plan weeks in advance. This flexibility could speed up decision-making and response times, which will also benefit your customers.

Why invest in video conferencing now?
As the technology has improved, the old argument that video conferencing is expensive, complex to implement and delivering low quality, jerky images, have lost ground. Today’s IP-based networks provide cost-effective multi-media communications of generally high quality.

Video conferencing shopping list
There is a video conferencing system for every budget, ranging from personal desktop systems using low cost webcams, through to specialist video conferencing equipment designed for use in meeting rooms and other shared environments. However, the essential components of any video conferencing solution are camera, microphone, monitor, speaker and codec. Extra peripherals, such as high definition and wide-angle cameras, will enhance the video conferencing experience.

Alternative — Web conferencing
To offset the relatively high cost of video conferencing, one may experiment with lower cost web conferencing solutions.
Web conferencing allows your staff to share what’s on their desktop with people in other locations. Additional features include the ability to share documents and to work collaboratively on projects.

Why tele-presence could be the next step for video conferencing
Tele-presence offers ultra high resolution, making video conferencing an even more immersive experience. Spatial audio allows the transmission of every nuance of a conversation, while huge screens and high quality cameras capture every detail of an expression. However, it requires a high-bandwidth connection and a specifically designed room at each location.

Whichever solution you choose, don’t forget to keep your customers in your focus. Go for the solutions that make sense from your client service perspective.

Dealing With Viruses and Spyware

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:02:52 -0400

Whether it's Conflickr or a new fake anti-virus program, it seems like spyware and viruses are inescapable for any PC hooked up to the Net. Despite spending millions on virus detection and removal, why aren't we virus free?

The answer lies in the nature of malicious programming or greedy programmers. Computer viruses don't spring up out of nowhere, they are designed by programmers who either have nothing better to do and think it will be interesting, or pros who make a living by abusing your computer. Whenever anti-virus vendors are told about a new virus, they create a new definition for their anti-virus software to help isolate and remove that virus if it is downloaded onto your computer. Once the new definition is widespread enough that a serious share of computers are safe against that virus, a newer one is made by the nefarious programmers and the cycle begins all over again. Thousands of new viruses are identified daily, and it’s not going away any time soon. This is why you want to allow your anti-virus software to download new virus definitions so often.

Frustrated hackers tired of the rapid turnover of "regular" viruses have graduated to attacking your computer's defenses directly: your anti-virus software. Many new viruses include programming that either hides itself specifically from many popular anti-virus programs, prevents them from downloading new virus definitions, or shuts them down completely. Even if these new viruses are identified quickly, many computers will already be infected and the software on the machines will not be able to get rid of the virus. In circumstances where one virus shuts down the anti-virus software entirely, other viruses will often infect the machine and can render it inoperable in a couple of hours if not minutes. Still other nasty viruses employ tricks to avoid removal strategies, and will re-infect a machine after an anti-virus program or a user tries to delete them.

The battle against computer viruses is non-stop, but you can do something to help shield your system. Installing a good anti-virus program and permitting it to update frequently is just the 1st step, but be wary of fake anti-virus programs you may find online (many of these are viruses themselves). Fake anti-virus programs normally go by the names like Antivirus 2010 Pro, Windows Pro Police, System Guard 2009, to mention a few. You can see a pattern in how they name themselves.

Never download anything from a person or website you don't trust, never open a suspicious email (you do not always have to open the attachments to get infected), and don't go to websites with a poor reputation.

If you take these steps and your PC still gets infected, have a trained professional remove the virus for you instead of trying to remove it yourself. It's very easy to hurt your system accidentally while trying to remove one.

How Spam Filter False Positives Harm Your Business

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:02:20 -0400

Unless you live in a cave—you're probably familiar with the huge time waster that sifting through megabytes of email spam can be. And while spam is a huge annoyance for employees and users everywhere, the real costs for businesses are in time and money and they're increasing every day. As costs rise, IT people (at small and medium sized businesses in particular) are desperate for ways to deal with it effectively.

It's estimated that 100 billion spam emails fly back and forth, dirtying up the internet every day. A significant portion of these emails end up on in business email boxes, and employees are forced to spend their mornings sifting through all this spam. All of which is time they're spending not working.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Spam Filters
Installing anti-spam filters is really the only effective way to deal with day-to-day spam. These filters separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, allowing the good emails through and tossing the junk in the trash. They do this by combining several different types of technology, and updating almost constantly. And while the highest quality spam filters do provide relief, sifting out about 98% of a company's spam, they're still imperfect.
Why? Unfortunately, spam filters occasionally have trouble telling what is wheat and what is chaff, and toss some important emails out along with the junk. And while this doesn't occur that often, “false positives” can still become a problem for business owners.
One solution to the problem of false positive is adjusting the sensitivity of the company's spam filters. The way this works is simple: the higher the sensitivity, the more spam is caught. But the higher the sensitivity, the more valid emails will be taken out with the trash. Increasing the sensitivity of spam filters can cost companies a heck of a lot more money than too much spam. After all, customers don't like it when their emails go ignored.

The Direct and Indirect Cost of Anti-Spam Filters
Even one little missed email can get a company in deep water. A law company based out of Colorado, for example, missed an email containing some important information about a court date and ended up missing the day in court. The cost? They were required to pay all of the fees for the opposing counsel.
How did this happen? To combat spam, the company's IT department had turned up the sensitivity of their email filters. Apparently, the United States District Court sounded pretty “spammy” to these super hyper filters, and it cost this company thousands of dollars in fees. Ouch.
While this is an obvious example of how false positives can lose a company money, in most cases it's simply not that cut and dry. Most monetary losses aren't direct; they come from a loss of business and credibility. When an email from a client is gobbled up by the spam filter and a big business deal falls through because the client feels ignored, it takes a lot of work and good will to get that client back. And sometimes it just never happens.
In addition to directly losing a company money, false positives can affect productivity just as much as an overload of spam can. If employees are used to seeing a lot of their important emails get junked, they will have to spend valuable time sifting through their spam folder for genuine emails. How much can that cost? More than you'd think. According to Ferris Research, recovering a genuine email from a spam folder costs an average of $3.50 of that employee's time. Especially if you don't experience many false positives, it may not seem like much, but in a company of 500 people who have to fish out two emails from their spam folder a month, it adds up to $42,000. Does that sound like an itty-bitty expense to you?
It doesn't to most other business owners, either. And to reduce the number of false positives—and the amount of business lost—many businesses don't use any anti-spam filters at all. And while it's hard to judge them for wanting to prevent a loss of business, going without a spam filter opens them up to all sorts of problems. Taking care of spam is just too important.

Striking a Balance
But how do you deal with spam and reduce false positives at the same time? The best method is to set aside all mail marked as spam into a special folder so that users will have access to it, and can check it often. While this may seem time-consuming, with good anti-spam software it really doesn't have to be. The better the software is at recognizing obvious spam, the fewer emails will end up in the junk folder.

As spam filters improve, so do spammers. Because of this, spam filters will probably never be 100% effective—the ones that will delete every piece of spam will generally delete a few important emails along with it. And the ones that let all the important stuff though will also let in a bit of junk. But using a good, well-configured anti spam software and integrating it with your email server can really reduce the amount of spam that end users receive, as well as the rate of false positives you experience.

Feel And See TV Shows With Your Contact Lens!!

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:01:20 -0400

It sounds like science fiction - contact lenses that transmit TV shows and tattoos that let us feel the emotions of the actors on screen. Yet experts believe both could be reality within ten years. They say the constant miniaturization of technology will lead to TV sets being shrunk to the size of contact lenses and powered by body heat.

Channels could be changed by voice commands or a wave of the hand, says a report on the future of home entertainment.

Ian Pearson, a “futurologist” who advises companies on new technologies, said of the TV contact lens: “You will just pop it into your eye in the morning and take it out at the end of the day.” Digital tattoos, meanwhile, will pick up on the emotions portrayed by actors in TV shows and create impulses allowing us to feel the same emotions.

While the wearer’s eyes might seem a bit tinted to onlookers, they wouldn’t be able to tell what programme was being viewed, a report on the future of home entertainment states. It states: “We could even get to the point where we’ll be able to immerse ourselves in a football game, making it feel like you’re running alongside your favourite player or berating the ref.”

Miriam Rayman, of the Future Laboratory consultancy, which compiled the report, said that while the predictions may sound pie in the sky, most of the know-how already exists. She said: “The technology is getting smaller and smaller and people are trying to work out how to make it more immersible. They are trying to bring it closer and closer to the eye.” Bob Darke, Comet’s commercial director, said: “The future of home entertainment will go well beyond wafer-thin screens - we will be networked to our TVs emotionally and we will enjoy interacting with our home entertainment systems.”

The world, in all its multi-sensory forms, will literally come to us, just the way we want it. It will give staying in and slouching on the sofa a whole new meaning.

Connecting Your PC To Your TV

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 10:00:43 -0400

Today, a DVD or a Blu-Ray player comes standard in a PC. If it doesn’t, you can always purchase an external player. In addition to watching cable television programs, one can watch a lot of network television programs that stream over the Internet on the TV itself. In addition, by connecting the PC to TV, you have got a great way to play music during parties.

The Requirements
You can connect your PC or a laptop to TV, if the PC has Windows XP or above. There are many ways to connect a PC to a TV, all that is needed is the proper cabling.
Check the TV and PC features to see exactly what is required to connect. If it is an older TV, it may have only a composite connection (three wire cable with red, yellow, white connectors). Newer TV's will usually have HDMI, component, VGA, and/or DVI inputs. Modern computers will have VGA or DVI outputs, while some video cards will have HDMI output. A lot of laptops will also have S-Video, HDMI or some variant of Mini/Micro-DVI.
TV with a VGA or DVI input is the best-case scenario. In this case, an adaptor is not required but an additional audio cable is required. Check the TV for either a 3.5mm stereo plug or the white and red plugs from a composite cable associated with the VGA/DVI input. If it is the red/white composite audio inputs, the cable will have to be red/white plug on one end and a 3.5mm stereo plug on the other. The 3.5mm plug will go into the PC’s headphone/speaker output socket.
Another best-case scenario would be if the PC has an HDMI or DVI (with sound) output and the TV has an HDMI input. For this scenario, all that is needed is an HDMI cable or an HDMI cable plus a DVI to HDMI adaptor. For the rest of the connections, a suitable adaptor is required.

The PC Settings
Once the connections are made, there is just one last step to get the PC display on the TV. For this, the PC display settings need to be configured. Follow these simple steps:
Go to Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> select Display. Select the Settings tab and click the ‘Advanced’ button.
The options displayed in the dialog box vary based on the video graphics card.
Find the tab that is specific to the video graphics card. It will usually have the manufacturers name on the tab.
In the graphics card tab, see if it has options such as Clone or Dual or Multiple Display, etc.
Check the appropriate box or radio button for the desired configuration and click Apply.

Older TVs won’t display high resolution. Also, some newer TVs will only accept certain resolutions. If the display does not work right away, try changing the resolution. If that still doesn’t work, try rebooting the PC with TV connected. The PC may auto-detect the display and configure it for you.

Internet Addiction

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:59:49 -0400

Because of the growing number of individuals who use the internet every single day, and the rise in how much time which is being spent by individuals online, doctors along with other professionals are starting to wonder whether there may be such a thing as internet addiction.
Many people use the net at work, as jobs often have an online component. In addition, they go home and check their personal emails, go on social networking sites, or just browse the net. So, they would consider this to be normal parts of the day, and not an addiction (but that's what virtually all addicts say about their condition.)

First of all — how would one recognize an internet addict? The basic answer is — somebody who uses the web a lot. Provided that the length of time they’re spending online isn't negatively affecting their life, then it shouldn't be a problem. Prolonged use of a PC has many unwanted effects. We're constantly reminded that we should take a rest from the monitor at least every hour to grant our eyes a rest, as well as to stretch our legs. Those found to be using PC's a good deal can generally be found to be of poorer health, as they are seated for long periods at a time, often consuming foods and drinks that lack basic nutritional values. In addition to these obvious negative impacts a World Wide Web addiction can have, there are also others. For example, has your relationship with your partner, or family and friends changed? Do you now see less of them resulting from your internet use, and has there been stress in your relationship because of this? Has your work relationship changed? Do you now generally feel more tired at work, resulting from the amount of time spent on-line and not taking time off, for instance, to get some exercise? What about your hobbies? Have you given up on things that you previously were fond of?

All these things come into pay when considering whether someone is an internet addict or not. A truly great way to tell whether someone is an addict, is to observer how they react once the internet has been taken away from them. Are they suffering any “withdrawal symptoms?”
As with anything in life, an excessive amount of anything is rarely a good thing. And if you or someone you know is a heavy internet user, beware — it may be a good idea to keep an eye on them. Just like other addicts, heavy internet users often let other areas of their life slip because of their fondness of being online.

Plan Your Company’s Security Policy

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:59:21 -0400

Creating a security policy doesn't have to be a difficult task. Breaking down all necessary components can turn an overwhelming task into one that is easily manageable and executable. It all starts with the necessary first step to policy success: Planning.

It is common for many companies to notice a security problem and then immediately look for technology solutions to plug up the hole. In the end, companies wonder why they have an abundance of solutions that in the end don’t efficiently secure company assets. This is where planning becomes a necessity.

The Importance of Planning
Planning your security policy requires a close analysis of employee behavior in different job roles and is also the time when the company’s security goals are articulated. Having problems and goals evaluated simultaneously makes it easier to come up with comprehensive solutions that will be both effective and advantageous for all. A good rule of thumb when planning a security policy is to base the policy around risks rather than technology. A policy should not change as the technology changes.
The Planning Stage helps to address this, by focusing on employee behavior. This is crucial because, changes in policy often start with changes in procedure. Organizations need to understand that much of the security and privacy work that needs to be done are people-based, as they pertain to policies, procedures, training, awareness and response activities.

Planning Your Security Policy
There are three factors to keep in mind when planning your policy. The first requires you to express the goals of your policy. What are you trying to accomplish? What are you trying to protect?
The second step requires you to scan the work environment and identify vulnerabilities that exist within current processes.
The final step asks you to create a plan of action that will help alleviate the flaws. All are equal contributors to planning success.

Step 1: Setting Goals for Your Security Policy
Your security policy goals should run parallel with the goals set for your company. For example, if your company is customer oriented, then a goal of your security policy should be to protect your customer and their data through use of encryption and network security.
Furthermore, all parties should play a role in goal setting. This is crucial because if a security breach was to occur, each department plays a different role in the recovery process, as well as in re-evaluating procedures for policy improvement. Global involvement allows each department time to invest in the policy, ensuring a higher level of cooperation when the time comes to implement the policy.

Step 2: Identifying Security Vulnerabilities
A company must examine existing procedures and identify all processes that pose a security risk. For example, policies regarding data management; how data is protected during storage, how long it is kept and proper methods for data deletion are common pains in the corporate world. Some questions that may help identify such vulnerability include:
* What types of sensitive information does your company handle?
* Which department handles each piece of sensitive information?
* Is sensitive information stored with non-sensitive information?
Such questions should spur some thought as to what changes need to be made in order to begin alleviating the risks that accompany current processes within departments.

Step 3: Creating a Plan of Action
After identifying which processes require change, create a plan of action for mitigating these risks. Each plan should consider how long it will take for the each change to occur, what type of training is necessary for each individual and department to meet the newly adopted standards and also what responsibilities each unit can be held accountable for (i.e. how often are gap analyses regarding security conducted and who conducts them?)

Other challenges include budget limitations and optimizing security measures while still adhering to standards of auditing. Such measures should be traceable from one document to another so that audits can easily verify that policies are being enforced. If technology solutions are an option, comparing different products must be included in the process.
After procedures have been established, decision makers should be able to identify which personnel roles are responsible for which activities, which activities need to be logged, and how often inspections and reviews are done internally. They should also be followed up with a procedure for making additional changes to the policy in the future.

Security Policies to the Rescue
Security policies are a necessary element to prevent your business from facing disaster. Information security and privacy cannot be a band-aid add-on after a product or system has been launched; it must be incorporated into the mindset of all personnel, with ample time and training provided to ensure internalization.

On the Demise Of Technology ...

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:58:03 -0400

“Who in their right mind would ever need more than 640k of RAM!?”
-- Bill Gates, 1981

“Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.”
--Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
--Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

“I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year.”
--The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957

“But what ... is it good for?”
--Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
--Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

“This “telephone” has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”
--Western Union internal memo, 1876.

And finally (not wholly related) ...

“We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”
--Decca Recording Co. rejecting The Beatles, 1962.

Social-Media Malware Are Hurting Small Businesses

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:56:57 -0400

A third of small and medium businesses surveyed by Panda Security have been hit by malware from social networks, according to a study released last month.

Panda's "Social Media Risk Index for Small to Medium Sized Businesses" also found that 35 percent of the companies hurt by social-media malware suffered financial losses, with more than a third losing in excess of $5,000. Further, a quarter of the businesses said they lost sensitive data due to employees who violated company policy by revealing certain information via a social network.

The report was based on surveys Panda conducted in July of 315 small and medium businesses (SMBs) with up to 1,000 employees.
Among social networks, Facebook took the dubious honor of being the top spot for malware infections (71 percent) and privacy violations (73 percent). Next on the list was YouTube followed by Twitter. Those businesses that took financial losses from malware attacks also tagged Facebook as the most problematic site, followed by Twitter, YouTube, and finally LinkedIn.

Despite the threat of social malware, many companies still see social networks as a huge benefit to business. Among those surveyed, 78 percent said they use Facebook, Twitter, and other sites to conduct research, improve customer service, push marketing and PR initiatives, and ultimately boost sales. In these areas, Facebook again proved the most popular — 69 percent of the SMBs said they have active Facebook accounts. Twitter was the next most popular social-media tool, followed by YouTube and finally LinkedIn.

To address the malware and privacy risks from social networks, 57 percent of those surveyed have social media policies in place. And most said they use staff to actively enforce those policies. Further, 64 percent have formal training classes to teach employees the risks and rewards of social networks. Most don't allow social media on the job to be used for personal reasons, while 25 percent reported that they block Facebook and other popular sites.

"Social media is now ubiquitous among SMBs because of its many obvious business benefits, yet these tools don't come without serious risks," Sean-Paul Correll, threat researcher at Panda Security, said in a statement. "While a relatively high number of SMBs have been infected by malware from social sites, we were pleased to see that the majority of companies already have formal governance and education programs in place."

A Simple Guide To VoIP

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:56:10 -0400

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to make basic communications functions, such as voice calls, voice messaging and facsimile over the internet instead of the traditional telephone network.

You can use your existing broadband internet connection so there is no need for a second line to be installed. You simply sign up to a VoIP service provider who will charge you a subscription charge, and/or your call charges. When you sign up to a VoIP provider you are given a VoIP number which is the same as a traditional phone number, and what you give to other people so that they can contact you.

VoIP Costs
With VoIP you can still call any number that you want whether it be another VoIP user, a landline or a mobile. You are not limited to other VoIP service users only. The charges for all calls depends on the VoIP service provider that you sign up with. You may find that some calls using VoIP are cheaper than a traditional telephone network, whilst others may work out more expensive. Depending on your VoIP service provider you may also get a number of free calls, particularly to other VoIP users with the same provider.
The cost of VoIP varies depending on which VoIP service provider you use. Some will charge a monthly subscription fee which may include a number of calls, whilst others may simply charge only for the calls you make. You may also have to pay an one-off set-up fee or for any equipment you need to use VoIP.
Many VoIP service providers offer a pay-as-you-talk option similar to that which is offered with mobile phones. You simply purchase credit from your VoIP service provider and make calls until that credit runs out, before purchasing more credit to use again. Some VoIP service providers may require you to top up your account by a minimum amount for a fixed period.

VoIP Technical Issues
VoIP uses broadband connection so your use of it will be as reliable as your existing broadband internet connection. Therefore, if your connection often drops, then you may find it will do the same with your VoIP usage. Broadband technology is relatively dependable but you may suffer problems if your internet service provider has technical issues or there is a high amount of internet traffic.
If you use VoIP via your computer then it will have to be turned on in order for you to make or receive calls. To put it simply, if your computer is not on then people will not be able to contact you on your VoIP number. Some VoIP service providers may offer a voicemail option in order to pick up messages from any calls you can not take but you may be charged for this service.

It should also be noted that some VoIP service providers do not allow you to make emergency calls so you should also ensure that you have another way of getting hold of the emergency services if required.

Should Your Company Block Social Media?

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:55:10 -0400

Many times, blocking social media at work is a decision that comes from IT or human resources – not from marketers. Regardless, marketers must be equipped to either deal with these policies or offer up valuable reasons to change them.

A report by Purdue University earlier this year spoke to the concerns businesses have for blocking sites. The research drew from more than 1,000 companies’ social media usage at work.

More than 80% of these businesses restrict the use of at least one social media site, while 13% block all such services. The report also concluded that seven out of 10 businesses reported large expenses as a result of employee usage of social media, at an average cost per incident of $2 million.

On the other hand, another report shows that 40% of businesses have recorded an increase in productivity after allowing employees access to “Web 2.0 tools,” and 75% hoped to increase revenue by using these tools.

You can argue in favor of blocking social media sites at work, but there are cases where caution is warranted. Similarly, the potential for increased brand advocacy, inter-departmental relationship building and advancement of educational training programs demonstrates how valuable social media can be for employees.

Pros of Blocking Social Media Sites

Setting a singular tone and voice
Like PR professionals recognize the importance of a single spokesperson, a reliable personality in social media is key to successful engagement. Whether your company’s voice on Twitter and Facebook is humorous and off-the-cuff or professional and knowledgeable, it’s important for your social media community to know what to expect.
Too many voices can muddy this official presentation and confuse potential customers. By preventing employees from accessing social networks, they can’t easily speak for the company during the work day. It’s also almost impossible to fully tell personal and professional accounts apart – which can lead to miscommunications and consequently confidential, internal information becomes public.
Industry-specific concerns
Especially in government and military sectors, social media sites can pose safety and confidentiality problems. In addition to official communications, employees who aren’t trained may inadvertently release proprietary information via offhand remarks.
Marketers in these areas should survey their customers – are they using social media for business purposes? If their concerns match your own and they are not using tools such as Facebook and Twitter, social media may not be effective in the first place.

Cons of Blocking Social Media Sites

Silencing your best brand advocates
Employees are often a brand’s most knowledgeable and vocal proponents. Who else knows your products inside and out, or holds the success of your company as a top priority? In addition, loyal customers are few and far between. Taking their social media voice away puts a stop to these brand ambassadors’ online networking, promotion and lead generation.
Increasing the gap between social media and…every other department
Social media touches a variety of departments.
Twitter can provide public relations with potential media placements, LinkedIn questions can provide leads for the sales team and Facebook may assist Human Resources in filling an open position.
However, other departments are often skeptical about the time and resources it requires. Outside of the marketing department, employees often have little to no experience with the new media’s usage. Blocking these sites increases that gap.
Additionally, the customer data available on these sites can offer insight to customers’ likes and dislikes, industry affiliations and spending habits. Mining potential leads for information on their spending habits, how they like to be approached and pitched, what interests them outside of business is important. But it’s also important to share that information with any other departments. If the social media manager is the only one who can monitor this information, what good does it do your company overall?
Losing the opportunity for education
Blocking social media sites reinforces the notion that sites such as Facebook and Twitter waste time and have little value in a business setting. If your company utilizes social media accounts but blocks usage for employees, what kind of message does that send about the usefulness of those efforts and budgets?

One of the keys to social media right now is education and outreach. As these sites become more mainstream with better opportunities for business and commerce, social media education in the workplace can range from appropriate usage at work to how-to workshops on personal branding and blogging.

Texting drivers feel unsafe, but still do it

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:52:50 -0400

The majority of motorists on U.S. roads feel less safe than they did five years ago, according to a new study from AAA.

AAA reported in its "2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index" that 52 percent of motorists feel unsafe while driving. A whopping 88 percent said that text messaging or responding to e-mails is a "very serious threat to their safety." AAA said 62 percent of respondents consider talking on a mobile phone a serious threat to safety.

The problem is AAA found that those who fear for their safety are engaging in the very same activities that are potentially putting them and others at risk. In fact, 70 percent of respondents said that they talk on their mobile phones while driving. Another 24 percent of people said that they "read or sent text messages or e-mails while driving in the previous month."

However, the organization found that 80 percent of people would support a law banning text messaging and answering e-mail while driving. About 66 percent of people said that "they would lose some respect for a friend" who was text messaging or e-mailing while driving.

Communicating while driving — especially text messaging — has been a major issue on roadways over the past few years. A dozen states have banned texting while driving since last year, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Despite the ban in Canada, we are almost daily confronted with news of accidents involving drivers who text while behind the wheel. Solutions, anyone?

Searching For Free Stuff Online Can Be Costly

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:52:07 -0400

It's common knowledge that you can catch computer viruses on porn Web sites. But did you know it's also risky to surf the Web searching for free movies or music?

A recent study from McAfee finds that adding the word "free" when looking for entertainment content in search engines greatly increases the chances of landing on a site hosting malware.

For instance, searching for free music ringtones increases the chances of hitting a malicious site by 300 percent, according to the report, "Digital Music & Movies Report: The True Cost of Free Entertainment."

Searching for "lyrics" for a particular artist is twice as risky on average as searching for "ringtones" for the same artist for the first five pages of results, the report found.

And including the term "MP3" increases the riskiness of music searches in general. There has been a 40 percent increase in the number of Web sites that are delivering infected MP3 files or that seem to be built for purposes of financial fraud or delivering malware, according to the report.

Meanwhile, McAfee found malware associated with a number of Web sites around the world advertising free downloads of sports games, movies, and TV shows.

Twelve percent of sites that distribute unauthorized content are distributing malware, and 7 percent of sites offering unauthorized content have associations with cybercrime organizations, the report concluded.

"The sites often look very professional and attempt to lure the user with the idea of a 'trial period' or even some nominal fee that is much less than what may ultimately be charged," the report says. "Once the user agrees, they have to authorize their computer to access and interact with computers that are involved in a wide range of schemes--from money laundering to stealing credentials such as user names and passwords. In addition, with this access, your computer is profiled--with all of its software versions, user agents, and any other date--and this information can be provided to third parties for malicious purposes. (This is often called 'fingerprinting.')"

To reduce the chances of landing on malicious sites, McAfee recommends avoiding the use of the word "free" in searches for entertainment content, avoiding clicking on links in banner ads on content sites that aren't well established, not clicking on links posted in forums and on fan pages, keeping security software up to date, and using safe search plug-ins like McAfee Site Advisor that warns of potentially risky sites.

Malicious Website Tally Grows to 57,000 Per Week

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:50:55 -0400

Malware syndicates are constructing 57,000-plus new malicious websites each week to rip off Internet users and spread even more malicious code, according to a new security software industry study.

eBay, Western Union and Visa are the three most-targeted companies, accounting for more than half of all the bogus websites created during the three-month investigation.

There are several machinations of the scam, but all of them have the same goal: confusing or tricking people into believing they're visiting a legitimate site, extracting their passwords and banking or credit card numbers, and then quickly using this information to steal cash or use the account details to purchase other goods and services.

Sometimes victims are directed to the faux websites through links embedded in spam. Other times they appear after hackers have gamed search engine queries. Still others are stumbled upon when users accidentally mistype the URL for a legitimate bank or ecommerce site.

"Although search engines are making an effort to mitigate the situation by changing indexing algorithms, they have so far been unable to offset the avalanche of new websites being created by hackers every day," according to one of the report's authors.

Hackers for years have targeted legitimate websites with complex SQL injection attacks that embed malicious code - often iframe loads with Trojans or worms - on legitimate sites to do their dirty work for them. Now, the trend is to simply build corrupt sites and, with the trap set, sit back and wait for potential victims to come to them.

The researchers found that banks comprise more than 65 percent of the fake websites they unearth, with HSBC, Bank of America and Bendigo leading the parade. Online auction and ecommerce sites, such as eBay and Amazon checked in second at 27 percent of the bogus sites discovered.

In June, online gamers learned firsthand just how effective and destructive these malware campaigns can be when Baidu.com, the most popular search engine in China, was infected with a blackhat SEO scam that pushed some 50 million-plus registered to its Mop.com gaming sites infested with a variety of phishing exploits.

"Given the proliferation of this technique, we advise consumers to visit banking sites or online stores by typing in the address in the browser directly rather than using search engines or links in an email," the study said.

Working When Place No Longer Matters

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:50:30 -0400

The new Superjumbo's, the next generation of airliners which will dwarf today's giants, will put the fear of flying in many of us. Imagine the headlines when the first one crashes - 1000 dead in one go.

Today's workforce are beginning to do their work from their veranda, or just about anywhere there's connectivity.

Many are already becoming long-distance drop outs from the metropolis; separated by space, but united by communication. Using cellular phone, fax, and modem most, if not all, research can be conducted without leaving your comfy chair. With a notebook computer and the latest wireless radio modems it's technically possible to do my work on the beach and sell it globally within minutes.

Even language barriers are vanishing. A Japanese newspaper can use an articles written on the beach of one of the Canary Islands. It's possible they use one of the latest innovations, a photo-copier which, using a type of OCR, translates English/Japanese as it copies.
One day, and this is not science-fiction (perhaps nothing is), telephones will translate speech while we talk.

Communication technology, particularly the Internet, is shrinking the world. Combine the net with video telephones and virtual reality, and physical travel will no longer be as important. Using VR, which at the rate of technological advance will be perfectly feasible at home in a few years, we'll be able to stay home and, if we cared to, work in a virtual reality office.

Telecommuting does encourage certain entrepreneurial qualities, including drive, self-discipline, self-reliance, and improved judgment. Away from the office you know you've got to perform or your idyll could be shattered with an E-mailed redundancy notice. Or if you're self employed just the thought of no easy pay cheque and no paid holidays does the trick.

This telecommuting concept taps into our powerful nostalgia for village life, far from the hassles of city living or a demanding and expensive commute. When most people talk about telecommuting they mean avoiding driving into the city. Not moving to the other side of the world - swopping snow for sun.

Will you ever miss the nostalgia of the commute? The point is that with modern technology, you can live where you choose to live, and pull in an income from anywhere in the world. All you have to do is find something you can sell. Whether it's your remote computing skills, information, coffee, or plots of land on Mars, there's a lot you can do on the Net.

Physical distance is ceasing to be as important. We're in the age of the passing of remoteness. When we can skip around half the globe in seconds without leaving our chairs do we really need the new ozone-blasting Superjumbo's?

In the future (not long now) we're just not going to need to travel as much. It's easy for someone sitting on the beach sipping tequila sunrises to say that, but at least, when virtual reality comes of age, you can really stay at home and think you're at the office. And look at the advantages you'll have as an armchair tourist. You'll have your favourite pub still down the street, you're not going to risk dropping from the sky with a thousand other people, and best of all you can visit a third world country without having to drink the water.
But electronic communication over thousands of kilometres does have one big disadvantage. A virtual reality pint of beer just doesn't have the same appeal. So perhaps that Superjumbo does have its uses after all.

Feeling Stressed? Try The One Joke Per Day Therapy

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:49:38 -0400

There are so many elements today in our lives that make things more and more hectic by the day, and there hardly seems to be any respite from the constantly mounting pressures and tough competition to stay ahead of everybody, plan for the future, etc. However, this has also led to rising stress-related issues, blood pressure, etc. While one cannot simply sit at home to avoid all this, a bit of humour has always helped in bringing cheer to ones day.

Yes, it is true. Just one good joke in a day can actually relieve a high amount of stress, and make your hormones come to their normal levels despite all the anxiety and pressures of the professional life. Think of it this way, has not there been a day when you were told a joke by a friend or relative on the phone or via SMS, and you kept on thinking about the same throughout the day, and had a great, stress-free working experience. You might also have spread the cheer by telling the joke to your colleagues, thereby also brightening their day and bringing some laughter in their lives. Is not this proof enough of what a great joke can do to your entire day?

Presently, there are many sources from where one can get funny jokes, with the best one being the internet. Clearly, there are quite a few of those who like to share their humorous side online, which is visible from the great compilation of jokes that are available online. There are many kinds of redhead jokes, lawyer jokes, doctor jokes, and so on, giving you ample variety in terms of choosing the kind of laugh you want to have according to your taste.

But one thing that must be kept in mind is that these jokes are completely in the spirit of humour, and should be taken sportingly, and not personally. Remember, it takes only 7 muscles to smile, and 32 to frown, and the former always gets a better reaction from the other person.

Why You Need To Manage Smartphone Security Risks

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:48:57 -0400

Although there aren't any prevalent security attacks or threat mechanisms associated with smartphones in the market today, security vendors and analysts are urging mobile device users to use security best practices on them, just as they would with their computers.
With recent advancements around mobile devices and technologies, particularly smartphone devices, more and more people are staying connected both in the home and office environments.

Andrew Jaquith, a senior analyst at Forrester Research based in Cambridge, Mass., said the new breed of smartphones, such as Android and iPhone-based devices, are built on operating systems that are “fairly-well locked down.” However, although he said using these types of devices are “generally safer than PCs because malware can't run on them,” there are still privacy and data risks to be aware of.

“You don't want a navigation application sending your location to an outside service without your permission,” Jaquith said. “We'll see privacy-related issues emerge with third-party applications, for sure, but the good news is the remedy for these kinds of problems is simple: the operators of the “app stores,” (Apple and Google) can find the offenders and yank the certificates used to sign the applications.”

Especially for those users who bring and work with their personal devices in and out of the workplace, the safety of the data on those devices becomes an issue.

James Quin, lead research analyst for risk management at London, Ont.-based Info-Tech Research Group, said more and more people are staying connected through devices such as smartphones.

“Smartphones allow us to be more connected with each other and users are sending information via e-mails and through attachments, all of which are susceptible to loss or theft,” Quin said. “At the end of the day, smartphones aren't a prevalent security threat as long as users take steps to protect the data that's on the device.”

One of the biggest security mistakes customers make with their mobile devices today is that they fail to use even the most basic security protection methods such as passwords, Quin explained.

“People aren't using passwords because they think of their smartphone as a phone first but really, it's a small, low-power computer that also has a phone in it,” he said. “Users must start thinking of smartphones in this way so they can adopt the appropriate policies and processes, just as they would when it comes to protecting computers.”

Is An E-Business The Right Thing For You?

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:48:22 -0400

You would like to supplement your income. Perhaps you'd like to change careers. Maybe you'd like a new challenge. Or you've just heard about the fortunes that can be made on the internet.

Any one of these reasons might have led you to the decision to start your own internet business, but before you begin investing your time and money there are some important questions you need to answer to determine if an E-business is right for you.

First—you should consider your familiarity and ease with the internet. If you don't know about negotiating the web or attempting to do makes you uncomfortable then this alone does not mean you should rethink starting an E-business. However it does mean that you need to spend time learning about how the internet works and getting familiar with basic tools such as email, web browsers, message boards, and search engines. If your discomfort was a simple result of ignorance then don't worry about it as you can acquire the knowledge and skills you need. However if you find that you simply don't like it even after you become familiar then that should be a red flag to consider another career path.
Second—you should consider your business knowledge and experience and then consider how that works for you or against you in the world of ecommerce. A simple lack of knowledge and experience simply means that you will need to spend time learning or filling in the gaps in your knowledge. The good news is that this information is readily available on the internet. Of course the bad news is that if you leap into business before you are ready it can cost you a lot of time and money. My advice is to read articles and E-books to acquire a basic foundation then begin spending time in some online forums and ask questions. People are always willing to help. Don't spend any money while building this foundation knowledge. You don't have to so why do it? Latter on as you begin to delve deeper into your niche then you may decide that some information is worth paying for but hopefully by then you'll be a better judge. However you may discover during your studies that ecommerce bores you or confuses you. Again, that should be a red flag to consider another career path.
Third—what need will your E-business fill? Obviously you have needs but that is not what I'm talking about. Think about your potential audience or customer. Start searching for other products that might compete with yours or other businesses that already exist. Visit forums, subscribe to newsletters, and study web sites that relate to this field. Eventually you will be able to determine if there is a need for your E-business, how big a demand exists, and how much competition is already in place. It is important to consider these angles because each fact will help determine how easy it will be to establish your new business, grow that business, and ensure its success. You can make a success in a highly competitive field but it is more work than finding yourself in a smaller, yet unexplored, niche.

How To Secure Your Data In The Office Network

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:47:15 -0400

The data of any company forms the backbone on which all the organizational activities rest. Information is the key to any operation in the commercial world and this fact makes it an extremely valuable commodity. This in turn requires that the data must be protected at all levels and made safe from risks, whether they originate internally or externally. This can be effectively accomplished only through the use of programs and software systems which are designed for that particular purpose.

The Basic Foundation for Any Data Security Strategy
Any corporate strategy for data security must proceed from the basic foundation of detection and control. The first step requires that you identify the parameters for the information that has to be made secure. Once these parameters are established, the software will then constantly scan the network to ensure that any risk is identified and attention is brought to it. The continuing data security will then proceed on two levels. One is to identify the source of the threat, and to prevent the threat from occurring, and the second from the protection software itself, which will continue to update and thereby detect and manage future risks.

Identification Of Critical Data And Methods For Their Protection
Data protection has become an issue which is dominating your organization in many ways. In a large organization, you will need to have multiple checks in place to prevent any possible leakage of critical data. The variety of software that have been developed for this purpose are specifically designed to identify the critical data, and start procedures for its encryption. At the same time, they are capable of keeping records of incidents where possible occurrences of data leak has occurred. This function ultimately identifies areas where possible data leak may be allowed to happen.

Why You Need To Prevent Data Theft At All Levels
Data theft is a serious issue which has been affecting a number of organizations. The loss of data leads to a number of consequences which not only affect the company’s daily operations, but can also seriously damage its reputation. For, instance, client related data falling into the wrong hands, and used in possibly criminal activities illicit, will hurt not only the organization involved, but have serious long-tern repercussions for your company. The financial repercussions of such data theft can be enormous and can seriously affect the organization at every level. Therefore, you will have to implement effective obstacles in the system to prevent this loss of data.
Once the relevant data is identified, the software systems will locate this data and encrypt it so ensure that it cannot be misused by any employee.

How The Software Can Protect Your Company’s Data
Software which is created with the specific aim to protect data will work at different levels to ensure protection and compliance with policies. It will locate and protect the intellectual property of the company and also ensure compliance with various data related regulations. It will also check the company’s use of the information technology resources while safeguarding the critical information.

Tech Tools To Keep You Fit

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:46:14 -0400

Forget going to the weight room or penciling calories into a food journal. Tons of new technologies have been designed to help you get fit fast and conveniently. Check out these tech-savvy tools to aid in physical fitness.

Wi-Fi Scale
The advanced Withings scale, which measures weight and body fat, automatically sends your daily statistics to your phone or computer. You can then monitor your weight over time, catch patterns and set goals. The scale allows multiple users, so the whole family can lose weight together.
It might look like a run-of-the-mill bathroom scale, but the Withings scale is Wi-Fi-enabled to track your weight directly on your computer.

Tweet What You Eat
While there are many food journal sites out there, Tweet What You Eat should particularly please the health-minded nerd in all of us. The system syncs with your Twitter account so that you can send it messages throughout the day about your eating habits. It also lets you log your weight, tallies daily caloric totals and provides statistics. SMS-enabled Twitter lets you record your weight via text message, so you can keep up with your journal from anywhere—at a restaurant, on the street or in your kitchen. While your food log can be kept private, many users find the public atmosphere of Twitter particularly motivating.

Body Bugg
Finally—a device that calculates exactly how many calories you burn in a day. Worn on an arm band 24/7, it provides accurate and detailed information about caloric expenditure and heart rate. While it will track calories burned during exercise, the device is especially useful for learning how much daily activities—like house cleaning or playing with your kids—actually burn calories. Any dieter knows that weight loss is a matter of calories in and calories out. The Body Bugg has calories out covered.

Wii Fit
While you might not have played a video game since you were a kid, Wii Fit is designed for users of all ages and health levels. The console guides you through all fitness needs, from cardio to strength training to yoga.
It even lets you chart your progress by calculating activity levels and body mass index. Cheaper than a gym subscription and certainly more fun, a Wii Fit in your living room leaves no excuse not to exercise.

Mobile Apps
There are hundreds of apps out there to help you reach your fitness goals. Some of our favorites include Lose It!, which helps you track your daily calories and exercise; Fitness, a comprehensive database of exercise tips and videos; and iTreadmill, which turns your iPhone into a pedometer. Since you already carry mobile devices everywhere, apps might be the most convenient way to get healthy.

Do you already use some of these apps? Let us know how you're doing!

Why Internet Predators Love Social Network Sites

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:44:36 -0400

Internet predators have become a fixture of sorts on many social media sites which necessitates the need for users to exercise caution. Since the advent of the internet “instances” of cyber crime have evolved into regular and expected occurrences. Now the growing popularity of social network sites has cyber criminals taking direct aim at them with their internet scams. What is it that makes the social networks such an attractive target for this type criminal behavior?

Here are 3 very “inviting” reasons:

Casual Atmosphere
Social network sites are meant for just what they imply and that is to socialize. This type of atmosphere is casual and relaxed therefore people for the most part are NOT expecting devious behavior. It is just this type atmosphere that cyber criminals depend upon and thrive in. Their ability to manipulate others is based upon a “blind” trust or having others believe in their own sense of security.
Ease of Use
Most social media sites by and large are set up to be easy to use and navigate. This allows even the less than 'tech savvy' to become involved but they also bring along their own naive nature relative to internet security issues. This makes them even easier prey since they are unaware of or unfamiliar with many common internet scams.
This ease of use on the other hand has also made it just as convenient for the “sinister online element” to gain access to their unsuspecting prey. There are no security systems to work around or advanced coding to decipher therefore the “door” is wide open for the criminal element to gain easy access.
Popularity
As we all know crime always seems to gravitate towards the largest population bases offline and this remains true online as well. The very popularity of social media sites has put them in the “cross hairs” of the devious minded predators that lurk on the internet. Safety in numbers is NOT something innocent site members can count on when interacting within online social communities.

Internet predators have settled in quite comfortably on many social media sites to the point that they have almost become accepted “fixtures” to users.

For the 3 reasons we have spoken of above cyber criminals are attracted to many of the online communities. The structure of these sites offers the perfect opportunity for the criminal element to successfully implement their internet scams. For the users they must simply be aware that cyber crime does exist and will continue to do so calling for the need to exercise caution when socializing online.

The Benefits of IT Outsourcing

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 09:43:39 -0400

Over recent years outsourcing has gained a rather bad reputation in some industries, due to foreign call centres and perceived low-quality work. Although there are obvious flaws in some companies and the way in which they operate, outsourcing can also have many advantages for businesses.

IT outsourcing refers to outsourcing an aspect of your IT to a more relevant partner. Typical examples of IT outsourcing include helpdesk support and online backup and recovery – both of which are best handled by the experts. If you’re a business that is dealing with a lot of data on a daily basis then outsourcing your backups is a completely sensible solution – especially with the introduction of cloud computing, making data access efficient, secure and space-saving.

Here are just some of the many benefits of IT outsourcing:

Peace of Mind
Knowing all of your data is being handled professionally takes away the headaches of having to worry about it yourself. You will have an expert on-hand to help with any outsourcing requirements, and can be sure that your work is in safe hands should anything go wrong.

Ease of Access
Need to work from home or access files from a client’s office? No problem – this can all be done rather easily with help from your IT specialists. Mobile working has become increasingly important over recent years, so having readily available access can play a huge part in your business development.

Recovery
If the unthinkable happens and your local data or systems are corrupted, you know not to worry. By having your files backed up by a 3rd party, you can be sure of limiting the potential loss should anything go wrong in your place of work.

Cost-Saving
Rather than hiring an IT technician to work within your company, you can save money by outsourcing helpdesk support to a trusted IT specialist. This method of technical support will allow you to keep costs at a minimum, and know there will always be somebody available to help you if needed.

Convenience
Following on from the cost saving aspect, outsourcing your IT support can cut down the need for any disruption from within the office in most cases. Through remote access to your computer systems, IT specialists will be able to view and diagnose problems without having to step foot in your office for most issues – so this saves time and ensures you are helped quickly.

Shouldn’t you be Outsourcing?
There are obviously many benefits to outsourcing your IT requirements, and each of them can make your business more productive and efficient. In the fast-paced world of internet access it is important that your company keeps up with the pack. Cloud computing and off-site backups provide a means of accessing your data securely no matter where you are in the world. This provides you and your colleagues with the flexibility to deliver results no matter what the circumstances, and to ensure your business is as efficient as possible from anywhere in the country.