Is privacy in America dead? With all the camera phones, online tracking software and social media sites, you can pretty much bet on it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself.

For starters, go to Google Maps and search on your name to see if they have a picture of your home mapped out. If so, you can request to be removed. Next, set up a Google alert for your name (and company name if you’re a business owner). Google will e-mail you any time something is posted about you with a link so you can keep an eye on reviews, photos, etc. Next, go to www.Spokeo.com and search on yourself – you might be shocked at how much information is posted about you, your home, your income and personal life. You can request to be removed from this site by going to www.spokeo.com/privacy.

Get your head out of the Clouds and put your Business there instead!

   Cloud computing refers to the “next evolution” of the Internet and how users (you and me) access, store and work with applications, files, e-mail, data and more. Instead of having all your files and applications stored on a PC or laptop, cloud computing puts this workload onto a high-speed, high security server that you access via any Internet connection or device.  Why do this? Several reasons: 

1. You can connect to your files and applications from anywhere on (practically) any device.
2. You’ll save a lot of money on IT support, maintenance and software since those responsibilities are assumed by your cloud provider.
3. You only pay for the applications, storage and software you use. A good comparison for this system is the way you access the electricity that runs into your home or office. To use it, you just plug the appliance of choice into any outlet. Like electricity, which is metered, with cloud computing you just pay for the services you use.
4. Most Cloud Solutions offer instant backup and the ability to be back up and running again fast. Since your files and applications are hosted online, a failed server or PC won’t put you out of business, and the chances of a data center going down (the place where your files and apps are stored) is very, very slim.

     Chances are you’re already using cloud computing without even knowing it. If you bank online, access an e-mail service like Yahoo! Mail or Gmail, or use an e-mail broadcasting service like ConstantContact, you’re using cloud-based apps (also called SaaS or “software as a service”).

    Many businesses are moving to cloud computing because it frees them from having to install, maintain and upgrade expensive, overblown PCs that cost a lot to maintain. It also makes adding and removing users (or employees) quick and easy since you simply pay for what you use each month and nothing more. Other advantages include unlimited storage, automatic backups, higher-level security and the ability to access your information from any device anywhere. Plus, cloud-based networks don’t require the ongoing maintenance that traditional server-workstation networks require.

    However, not every application or situation is suited for the cloud. While many line-of-business applications still can’t be hosted in the cloud and require a commercial-grade Internet connection with a backup such as DSL or cable, there’s no doubt that cloud computing is here to stay. Advances are being made rapidly to make it the better solution for most businesses. Of course, we’re here to help you understand your options and the pros and cons.

1. Don’t leave it lying around Although this is common sense, you’ve probably violated this rule more than once. iPads are easy targets for thieves, so don’t let it out of your sight when in a public place – and don’t leave it in plain view in your car or you might end up with a broken window in addition to a stolen iPad.
2.  Use a passcode Although it’s not 100% hacker-proof, it will block unauthorized users from accessing your information.
3.  Consider enabling automatic data erasing You can configure your iPad to erase your data after 10 failed passcode attempts. Clearly this is not a good solution for anyone who constantly forgets a password or those who have kids who might try to endlessly log in to use your iPad.
4. Sign up for MobileMe This software will allow you to locate a lost iPad and, if it’s not recoverable, you can remotely wipe the device of your private information.
5. Limit its capabilities You can set your iPad to restrict certain functions such as access to Safari, YouTube, installing applications and explicit media content using a passcode. In the corporate world, an IT administrator could set these restrictions for company owned devices. At home, you can use this to restrict what your children can do with your iPad.
6. Install software updates As with all software, make sure you have the latest security updates and patches installed to protect against hackers and viruses.
7. Only connect to trusted WiFi networks Public WiFis are open territory for hackers and identity thieves. Whenever you connect, make sure it’s a legitimate, secure connection.

Back in April, the largest known e-mail security breach took place when Epsilon, an online marketing corporation, had their clients’ lists of e-mail addresses stolen by sophisticated cyber thieves. Epsilon was in charge of maintaining the e-mail databases and campaigns of some of the largest corporations in the country, including 1-800 Flowers, Best Buy, Walgreens, JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and more.  In fact, there’s a good chance that you’ve received multiple “apology” e-mails from these vendors.

While some said the breach didn’t cause a whole lot of damage, I disagree. Essentially, these cyber criminals now have the ability to invent highly sophisticated phishing attacks by creating e-mail offers that look like legitimate promotions coming from companies they (the people whose e-mail addresses were stolen) buy from and trust.   And though it’s already common for cyber thieves to impersonate credible organizations with what appears to be legitimate e-mail messages that seek to verify account information, this recent breach of security allows cyber thieves to be smarter and even more targeted with their scams.

Two Key Lessons

First, you need to be a lot more wary of e-mail promotions and communications that ask you to provide your credit card information or to validate your account information (username, password, social security number, etc.). No valid company will ever ask you to send important, confidential information in that manner.

Second, this breach serves as a warning to all businesses that they must have the MOST up-to-date security systems in place for their computer network, especially if you handle client data such as credit cards, bank accounts, social security numbers, passwords, client lists and more.  Epsilon has responded to the security breach, apologizing to all of those affected, but the damage is done to their organization, not to mention their clients.

All of our ConnectCare clients have the maximum protection from these sorts of breaches, as we include our fully managed firewall and anti-malware software FREE with our service. This service allows us to monitor your network’s anti-virus, firewall and security settings to make sure your network is fully protected against these damaging events. If you’d like to find out more, just contact us.

Since e-mails are cheap and easy and deliver instant results, there’s a good chance you are (or plan on) using e-mail broadcasts to communicate with your clients and prospects. But with so much spam, how can you make sure your e-mails stay OUT of the spam filter and get safely delivered to your recipients’ inbox? Here are a few tips:

1. Send e-mails only to people who have opted in or requested to receive e-mails from you. Otherwise, you’ll risk being flagged as a spammer and will get your account or server blocked.
2. Use a legitimate e-mail broadcasting service. This goes along with the above recommendation. These services have entire teams of people working to make sure the e-mail broadcasts sent from their servers are delivered – a huge task that is no simple thing in the online world. That’s why it’s better to use these services versus broadcasting from your own server. It takes only one person to flag you as a spammer to get your server shut down.
3. Send text e-mails instead of HTML. A study by AWeber.com shows that plain text messages are undeliverable 1.15% of the time and HTML-only messages were undeliverable 2.3%. If sending HTML, always send a plain text alternative message, also called text/HTML multi-part mime format.

With the complexity, costs and problems associated with installing a mail server, many businesses are now opting for “Hosted Exchange” in the cloud rather than bringing the server in-house. What are “cloud”-based or “hosted” services? Think of them like a gym membership. Instead of purchasing your own home gym equipment, which can be expensive, require maintenance and take up a lot of space, you can pay a small monthly fee to go to the gym and use a multi-million-dollar facility that is kept and maintained by someone else.

 Hosted Exchange works the same way. Instead of incurring the costs and hassle of building and maintaining your own mail server, you can pay a low monthly fee and get top-of-the-line services, storage and security for your e-mail. Plus, you get the following benefits:

• Being able to access your e-mail remotely from any device
• More uptime and fewer issues
• E-mail archiving (storing of old e-mails)
• Spam filtering and anti-virus included
• 24/7/365 support
• Unlimited storage
• Easy synchronization with mobile devices

 Want to find out how Hosted Exchange can save you a lot of money and solve your storage and archiving problems? Give us a call at 954-920-9604.

With online video becoming a hot trend and an effective way of engaging visitors with your web site, you might be wondering how you can quickly and inexpensively create your own web videos. Or maybe you want to create a video tutorial to train employees how to perform a certain process or task without having to repeat the training over and over again. Or perhaps you want to create welcome videos and tutorials for new customers. All these are possible using Camtasia Studio.

Since the software comes in versions for Windows and Mac users, anyone can create professional-looking videos. The cost is $300; compared to hiring someone to do this for you, it’s a steal. There is a bit of a learning curve, but TechSmith (the makers of Camtasia Studio) offer several web videos to assist you. TechSmith also offers a 30-day trial so you can see if you like it before you commit to buying.

Take a look at some of the great video’s our own Master of Disaster has created!

     The last time you were flipping through your favorite magazine, you may have noticed a small, digital-looking image on one or more of the advertisements. What is it? A “Quick Response” code or QR code for short.

     A QR code is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.

     This concept was initially created by Toyota for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing; however, QR codes have been largely adopted by advertisers that want to target mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). QR codes can be used to display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user’s device, to open a URL or to compose an e-mail or text message. Users can also generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code–generating sites.

     So how could you use this? Some companies are smartly using this technology to drive sales by allowing people flipping through a magazine or waiting at a bus stop to get more information on a product, connecting the dots to get people to buy much faster than these types of media originally offered. Others are putting QR codes on permanent coupons or on their business cards to allow would-be prospects an instant way to get more information about a business. You can get a free QR code by going to http://qrcode.kaywa.com

Did you know…

• More than 90,000 registered sex offenders were removed from one popular social networking site…and those were only the ones who used their real names.
• According to the Al Qaeda Handbook, terrorists search social networking sites for “government personnel, officers, important personalities and all matters related to them (residence, workplace, times of leaving and returning, children and places visited).
• Social networking sites have become a haven for identity thieves and con artists, and social networking viruses are on the rise.

     Think about it: Facebook, Twitter and other social media web sites have become the world’s largest database of personal information, all served up intentionally by the user. It’s practically every scammer’s dream come true!

9 Smart Tips To Stay Safe

     Protecting yourself requires some awareness of how cyber criminals use the system against you. Here are a few things you need to know:

1. Keep your firewall’s security and anti-virus software up-to-date.
2. Never log in from public hotspots. Social networking sites generally do not have secure logins available (that’s the https with the lock icon in the search bar). That means your username and password can be swiped at any time. Log in only from trusted wireless networks.
3. Use strong passwords that contain a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers.
4. Remember the golden rule: If you wouldn’t do it or say it on a public street, don’t post it online.
5. Be wary of all links and files. Hackers often post links in comments to try and trick you into downloading an “update,” “security patch” or “game.”
6. Keep an eye on what your friends post about you. Many people have been fired or lost an important client because of online pictures and content.
7. Be careful who you ‘friend.’ Yeah, it feels great to have hundreds (or thousands!) of friends, but the reality is, you really know only a fraction of those people.
8. Be wary of all add-ons. Many of the games and plug-ins are written by third-party companies, not the social network itself.
9. Do a search on yourself. You might be surprised at just how much information comes up! If it’s more than you feel comfortable with, restrict your profile online.

It’s 4:30 on Friday afternoon when you get the message that a key vendor will not be able to deliver what they promised on time, which will in turn cause YOU to miss a critical deadline for your most important client. Frustrated, you call the vendor, who instantly denies ever being told about the deadline. You know deadlines were discussed but can’t find it in your original written agreement. You then turn to your e-mail only to be forced to dig through hundreds of messages to try and find the e-mail where you conveyed the importance of this project being delivered on time, but you can’t find it because it was deleted.

Sound familiar? Or perhaps you’ve been in a similar situation where you’ve had to “dumpster dive” for old e-mail communications?  Think about it – almost all of your business communications and negotiations are performed via e-mail, making them important documents to keep for reference.  And since you send and receive hundreds if not thousands of e-mail messages annually, it just makes sense to have a simple and easy way to find old communication threads. But this isn’t just a convenience issue, it’s a legal one.

What Every Business Is Required By Law To Do

Some industries have strict federal guidelines on storing e-mail communications (financial institutions for example). But what most people don’t realize is that ALL businesses must comply with the Federal Regulations on Civil Procedures, or FRCP. In this instance, ignorance is far from bliss – it could put you and your organization in serious legal trouble.

The amendments, which went into effect on December 1, 2006, mandate that companies be prepared for “electronic discovery.”  Simply put, that means you must know where your data is and how to retrieve it. Failure to do so can lead to fines or loss of a lawsuit.

But I Have A Backup…That Means I’m Okay, Right?

Wrong! E-mail archiving is not the same as conventional e-mail backups. Backups only enable you to restore your e-mail servers to a previous point in time in the event of a disaster.  An e-mail archive (unlike a backup) is indexed and searchable, which means you can find e-mail communications based upon various criteria, such as date, subject, sender or receiver address, attached files, or any combination of the above.

Aside from the legal issues, e-mail archiving just makes sense. Murphy’s law dictates that you’ll need an e-mail the minute you permanently delete it; that’s why it’s smart to archive your inbox. Plus, it will make searching your inbox infinitely faster (not to mention easier) AND prevent your inbox from getting so overblown that it stops working due to file size limitations.

At the beginning of this year, we started to offer a complete email archiving solution to our ConnectCare clients. If you want to set up an e-mail archiving solution for your company, give us a call at 954-920-9604 or e-mail us and we’d be happy to help you!