Security experts agree and still recommend that passwords be as tough as possible to prevent access to information on computer systems/networks. Yeah, it sounds very redundant and has become a bit tiring to read but it truly is the best protection ever for a computer may it be in the office or home. Encryption is one of the most promising technologies that has swept the IT security arena but even these robust encryption technologies (hardware/software based) protection technologies can be circumvented given enough time and resources.
Some companies have even turned to military-grade encryption which is tough and almost impossible to break but a wrong move along the way (encryption, transmission and decoding) can lead to catastrophic data loss. Carbonite has another approach to data security by actually backing up data offsite from subscriber’s computers may they be corporate or home users. The initial process of copying and indexing may take a few hours or even days depending on the amount of data to be copied but the subsequent back-up process which is simultaneous (which means that it works in the background when there is not much going on in terms of resource use) as one connects to the internet. So you can be working all day and stop fro a few minutes for a coffee break and return to a computer that has all the necessary information backed up by the system automatically.
Data loss due to hardware failure, software corruption due to malicious code (viruses and the likes) and people simply being reckless and deleting information without following the proper assessment of the information still cost a lot of money to recover from and the approach Carbonite uses is a better option. The system uses secure military-grade encryption which even the Carbonite servers cannot break and use adding to it the use of SSL in the transmission of the information for one mean back-up solution. As a user in the article says, it is like getting an insurance policy for your data. More on the said technology in the coming posts so do return and check us out from time to time for more information on the latest and hottest information from all over the world in terms of IT Security. Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.
[tags]Data Security, Data Backup, Strong Passwords[/tags]
Tags: Carbonite, data-security, hardware-failure, Online-remote-data-back-up
Categories: Backups, Cryptography, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Wireless Security
Flash drives have become commonplace in just about anyplace where we use computers. These compact digital storage devices have replaced floppy disks, cd’s and other bulkier forms of storage that used to be the easiest way to transport data from point A to B. It also has the convenience of being as small as a keychain or an eraser so it fits just about anywhere like your coat pocket.
Enough of the good sides and to the bad sides of this technology for they are truly a security risk for they can become a propagation media for many problems such as viruses, worms and even be used to sneak information in and out of the workplace. Tis’ true that many a security programs such as programs that check for viruses and other problematic stuff contained within them but it is still very hard to determine if it does indeed pose a threat to the company or others who might be using the systems they are connected to.
Even the portable media players have the capability to be formatted to not only carry music but information as well. Products like the Apple’s Ipod series can be configured to carry video, audio and data in the form of files and documents. The only sure way to screen these products for stolen information is to scan them individually for any suspicious data/information. Their ability to connect to just about anything that has a USB port tends to raise the risks further.
Responsible use and strict control in their use and bringing into the workplace might sound a bit too paranoid but when conducted in the proper manner might provide some protection. Entry into restricted areas such as data centers and other server areas must also be looked into due to the potential for information leakage and the introduction of viruses and other dangerous programs.
Tags: data-security, Flash-disks, Mp3-Players, portable-digital-data-storage
Categories: Backups, General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Real-World Issues, Storage
Information is knowledge so information is power. Much so that data that is used, stored and shared within a business environment as all of us know is the subject of too much security that has data centers locked up away from the actual site. Some companies even have armored or secure clean rooms where if something was to happen in the actual office or work site the data center can survive anything under a nuclear blast. But most it professionals still forget the importance of integrity of data that is stored within these data centers.
Yes they have been secure for all the years the several servers have been sending and retrieving data to and from the data center but is the information that we work so hard to keep intact accurate? What if some malicious code somewhat managed to sneak past the thousand dollar anti-virus and other protective software? And has been wreaking havoc within the data center walls? I mean, they do not have to destroy or corrupt the data for as simple alteration of making 1’s into 0’s could be enough to reduce all the information stored within useless.
That is where redundancy comes in which many people now consider to be an old fashioned approach and a waste of important resources. Say a back-up tape/s of all the initial data that is updated with current data say yearly and processed with the same information that entered the data center in a parallel run to see if all was well. It might seem to be a lot of work and investment of manpower but it is assured to keep the integrity of all the information within, going in and out of all data centers. Say a 1,000,000.00 pension suddenly turned into a 1,100,000.00 pension, wouldn’t that ruin your day?
That’s why companies like RSA’s Enterprise Data Security offer in Data security and control systems to prevent such problems from arising in the first place. In any system, the weakest link is till the human operator who can easily misplace a file or other data that can make or break a company. So instead of having to develop their own systems for the same purpose, most opt to hire someone to do that job for them which allows the business to do what it was put up to do, earn a profit.
Tags: Data-integrity, Real-World-threats, security
Categories: Backups, General, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Storage
It would only be normal to find shared folders in the default setup of Windows operating systems. This can be easily seen once a person would go to the explorer option of his computer where shared folders are waiting to be accessed. This is automatically made for access if people connect to a network and would not set the security policies and accessibility on a restricted basis which only allows administrators to access them.
The importance of setting security levels to avoid such access to folders is important. Not al people are aware of the harmful things an unauthorized user may do once he gets the chance to intrude in another person’s workstation. Aside from probable back-ups, a person may lose the files contained in such folders if he is not careful. Hence it is best to do the precautionary measures before hand to avoid unwanted avoidable circumstances would ensue.
[tags]shared folders, security policy, network security[/tags]
Tags: Network Security, security-policy, shared-folders
Categories: Backups, Cryptography, IM, Instant Messaging, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Physical Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Security Policies, Storage, Tips
Information gathered by a company will always be important and they should not be shared, disclosed or disregarded in any way, since they are the life stream that a company or organization thrives on. Normally, information would be stored in databases and only authorized personnel would have access to them for reference and study on current and probable studies for overall organizational performance.
The security of information is usually left to the jurisdiction of the database administrator and information technology section of companies. While some would consider this department as all computers and no importance, the position they actually hold is important and should be given notice.
Many would consider IT people as expendable, but the truth of the matter is, they bring the secret and the backbone of a company’s information gathering background, and should breaches be experienced, they would be the first ones to know how to do it.
[tags]information security, database administration, servers, network administration[/tags]
Tags: database-administration, information-security, network-administration, servers
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Storage, Tips
While most of the world relies heavily today on computers and the Internet, safeguarding data and intrusion from malicious hackers and technology advanced individuals should be the main cause for concern.
It is no secret that most systems that do not have the proper security programs face the risk of potential loss of information or being a cause for downtime for servers that need to be operational 24/7. Without the security perimeter fences installed, a server or workstation is prey to a lot of attacks stemming from hackers, worms and Trojans that are spread all over the Internet today.
The risk is indeed high considering that a lot of personal and business related programs and files are the bloodstream of most operational works today. Without the proper cyber guards to act as assigned protectors to key data, internal operations and key components in systems will surely be facing threats that may not immediately be recovered by back-up systems alone.
[tags] internet security, cyber security, cyberspace, cyberworld, firewall, intrusion[/tags]
Tags: cyber-security, cyberspace, cyberworld, firewall, internet-security, intrusion
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Operating Systems, Physical Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Programming, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware, Storage, Tips, Wireless Security
Anyone will receive different kinds of offline and online messages from friends and acquaintances. Some would be links to other websites they have done, pictures or news feeds. But while these would be helpful in most cases, it would be best to first query the person and ask what the site is all about.
Cases of rapidly increasing links that creep into the instant messaging service create havoc and spread to the entire contact list of people endorsing the various instant messaging services available over the web today. The most popular of which is perhaps Yahoo Messenger and Instant Messaging. These are the widely used modes of communication today since aside from saving on cost, they hold a wider coverage, thanks to the Internet which is available all throughout the world today.
Hence, such coverage offers a tempting way of making lives miserable and the computers a living hell. The discomforts that it would have would drive a person crazy since the need to remedy the situation may take some time. However, for some people there is always the option to format the whole system, something that is not needed by people who need to access their files regularly and have no backup copies.
[tags]yahoo messenger virus, spyware, instant messaging, hyperlinks, bad links[/tags]
Tags: bad-links, hyperlinks, Instant Messaging, Spyware, yahoo-messenger-virus
Categories: Backups, IM, Instant Messaging, IT Security Basics, Malware, Spyware, Tips
People who own computers who have given up hope for remedying the problems that their workstation has solicited, either from viruses, Trojans or spyware will normally resort to formatting and re-installation of all programs to make things easier for them. This is usually the case for people who would not bother finding ways on solving such issues, the less technical savvy people who want the best and fastest solution to such issues.
People, often referred to as geeks would go at anything to be able to find alternative solutions without having to resort to the dreaded formatting decision since it will entail a lot of issues such as data loss and re-programming as well. While it is true that it is like doing a general cleaning for the entire workstation, historical files and programs will surely be missing one by one. But it is also like starting from scratch and locating the files and programs that a person has been used to having around.
[tags]computer, formatting, programming, viruses, spyware[/tags]
Tags: computer, formatting, Programming, Spyware, viruses
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Malware, Operating Systems, Programming, Real-World Issues, Spyware, Storage, Tips
For the people who have not yet shifted to the new installment of the Windows operating systems known as Vista, a lot of people are probably aware of the System Restore feature that Windows XP has. While such a feature is indeed helpful, especially once systems start going haywire, it also has its side effects especially when viruses and Trojans start infecting a PC or workstation.
For one, cleaning up is done only on the machine at its current state. But with system restore, it backs up files unknowingly and in the process, the viruses and infections as well. The best thing to do during infected states is to temporarily turn it off, clean and disinfect the computer first and then turn it on again.
This is to ensure that the files, including the files backed up are properly cleaned in the process. The new data backup will also overwrite the old ones so that a clean and well-oiled system is being used.
[tags]system restore, windows xp, windows vista[/tags]
Tags: system-restore, windows-vista, windows-xp
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Operating Systems, Privacy & Anonymity, Programming, Spyware, Storage, Tips
The sudden fluctuation of electricity can harm any computer if a person is not careful. The flow of current in the computer is sure to become a problem, especially if the assembled hardware are abused by continuous disruptions which may eventually lead to system crashes from unstable operating systems or hardware. This usually occurs while a computer is on and is not protected by the usual automated voltage regulators and uninterruptible power supplies suggested today for them.
While most entities are equipped with generators to back-up power failures, the important thing is to allow a computer to be shut down properly beforehand. Generators are activated after 5 to 10 minutes which only produce the current from that point. Computers automatically shut down once power is cut. This is why backup batteries are created to allow proper time to back-up and shut it down properly to ensure proper system and database integrity of computers and servers today.
[tags]energy, electricity, workstation, server, ups, avr[/tags]
Tags: avr, electricity, energy, server, ups, workstation
Categories: Backups, IT Security Basics, Network Security, Physical Security, Real-World Issues, Storage
