Where technology experts at Endsight share their expertise on IT Management, the issues that arise for clients, and the benefits of technology for medical practices, biotech firms, law firms, financial services and other small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area.
May 31st, 2008
by Mike Chaput, President & CEO Filed under: Hardware
I’ve been using my HP tc4200 for about a year now and it’s easily the best laptop that I have owned.
The tc4200 is a great machine and has a terrific form factor. It’s small, sleek, light, sturdy and has a swivel screen that makes it easy to give presentations on the fly. I’m hard on my computers and two previous machines (made by another manufacturer) had already started to fall apart within a year.
While the form factor of the tc4200 is cool, it’s the tablet software that really makes this baby rock and roll. By far the most useful feature is the Windows Journal. This application allows you to take handwritten notes on your screen and store them as a digital file. Others rave about how good the hand recognition software is, but I’ve found that just saving my handwriting is enough. I average about eight meetings per week and generate copious notes. In the past, I used notebooks and legal pads that inevitably got lost among the stacks on my desk. Storing my notes digitally has made recovery fast and easy and has been a huge advantage for my productivity.
I’ve also saved an enormous amount of time in dealing with the documents that come my way requiring signatures and fax-backs. Before, I had to print the document, sign the document, and fax the document somewhere. Now I simply open it on my computer, sign the screen, and e-mail it back.
Any business whose sales staff, consultants, or other professionals depend on the exchange of ideas and notes will benefit from tablet PCs. For reference, I’ve included a link to the HP site for more information on the tc4200.
Related Article:
Desktops becoming a less viable business
Tags: hp, tablet pc, tc4200
May 26th, 2008
by Mike Chaput, President & CEO Filed under: Network Security
Over the course of a year, we meet with hundreds of small business owners and executives and the issue of network security is one of the most confusing and daunting for nearly all.
While many businesses have a healthy fear of network breaches, far more concerning are those who believe they are “below the radar.” We often hear statements such as “Nobody would want to steal my data” or “We’ve never been attacked before.” Unfortunately, it’s not just high profile businesses that are attacked.
What most executives don’t realize is that most of the time, no one is interested in actual data. There are many other reasons why networks get exploited. By understanding these reasons, it becomes inherently clear that any company relying on its computer network needs a basic level of security.
As mentioned previously, theft is a primary motivator for security breaches. But, it’s not the data being stolen. If your systems are not properly protected a hacker can install a program called a Key Stroke Logger (KSL). This software tracks every key stroke typed on an infected machine. The hacker can determine usernames and passwords, not only to your network but also to any website you visit - including your bank. (As it turns out, it is a lot easier to hack your computer than your bank!) Using KSL software, a hacker can access your accounts and steal your identity. Small business owners are left worrying not only about their personal and corporate accounts, but also about lawsuits from employees affected by negligent security.
Other network attacks are the result of ill will harvested in the process of running your business. It’s not
uncommon to see a scorned employee, irritated vendor, or angry customer retaliate in the form of a ‘hack.’ Indeed, the software used to attack networks is freely available on the internet and anyone with reasonable computer skills and time can take advantage of an improperly managed network.
Finally, boredom is a prime motivator of hackers. Many are computer savvy kids who feel a great sense of power by taking control of a stranger’s network. The hacker specifically targets an improperly secured network, runs a basic attack and takes control. With the keys to the kingdom, the hacker may engage in anything from an elaborate prank to the illegal hosting of pirated movies, pictures and music. For the unfortunate business owner, it all adds up to downtime, data loss and potential embarrassment.
If you think your company may not be taking appropriate precautionkey stroke logger,kls,s with network security, chances are you’re right. Consider outsourcing your IT management to a company that can administer the network using industry best practices; however, if your philosophy is to handle these issues internally there are resources that can help. ICSA is a third party organization that evaluates and certifies all internet security products. It is an excellent resource for deciding which solution is most appropriate for your network.
After all, education is the key to preventing network security breaches.
Tags: computer hackers, hackers, hacking, it management, Network Security, outsourcing
