Technology News

 

Windows XP Ends Another Era

June 17, 2008

 

On June 30 Windows XP will be yet another notch in the history of Windows operating systems.

 

Microsoft’s decision to throw the switch and focus its development efforts on Vista has left many of us scratching our heads and asking “what’s next?”

 

Big PC makers have already made their plans for the death of Windows XP.  After June 30 HP will offer XP on a select number of their consumer products, Lenovo will ship with a downgrade XP CD and Dell, after June 18, will stop offering XP as an OS on all internet sales.

 

For those of us who are die hard XP fans we are left with a choice.  Put your faith in Windows Vista and its share of problems and well reported miscues, hold on tight to the sinking XP ship or latch on to Linux or a Mac. 

 

I am going to hold on to XP for a while. What will you do?

 

Deb Alloway

Editor - TechNewsletter.com

 

 

Understanding of Wireless Security

May 27, 2008

 

The number or employees who require access to your corporate network is increasing. Wireless access is your solution. However because this extends the parameters of security in place in your corporate network it raises a new set of security issues.

 

A deeper understanding of wireless security is needed to ensure protection on both sides of your network firewall. In the white paper, Good Architecture and Security, you will learn three essential elements of wireless security that must be considered in your overall implementation.

 

Perimeter or Firewall

The first priority is always to maintain security of your internal network .  Programs running inside the firewall should not open doors for attack from programs running outside therefore areas of authentication and administrative security must be addressed.

 

Transmission security

When corporate information is transmitted over the public Internet and/or a wireless network, the data needs to be protected against interception or “man-in-the-middle” attacks.

 

Handheld security

Once internal information is received and decrypted for viewing on a handheld, the information must be protected against access by unauthorized users or programs on the handheld.

 

Wireless computing systems are fundamentally different and involve another level of security risks.  Good Architecture and Security provides information to help you gain a deeper understanding of the areas of risk and introduces an end-to-end solution which provides security in each of these areas.

 

Deb Alloway

Editor - TechNewsletter.com

 

 

$44.6 Billion?

February 11, 2008

 

Microsoft and Yahoo made news headlines again this week. On Friday, Microsoft made Yahoo a takeover bid of $44.6 billion. Yahoo declined today stating the offer “substantially undervalues” the company’s worth.

Yes, that is right – they rejected $44.6 billion!

 

This is an interesting response when you take into account Yahoo stocks have been on a downhill slide since the fall of 2007, a layoff of 1000 employees by mid-February was recently announced and Yahoo recorded returns of -32% over the last 12 months. Without a competitive offer in the picture I would think Yahoo shareholders are scratching their heads- especially given that Microsoft was offering a 67% premium over the share price?

 

It is early and a lot of things can happen. Yahoo has taken a bold stance because if Microsoft walks away again it could cause Yahoo stocks values to drop even further.  A hostile takeover is possible, but Yahoo has a "poison pill" to thwart that action. A poison pill is a defense posture whereby potential purchasers can be scared off by giving the target company’s Board the power to trigger nasty side effects. In Yahoo's case, in March of 2001, they adopted a "stockholder rights plan" under which if anyone buys 15 percent or more of its stock, the shareholders have the right to buy extra shares. This has the effect of not only diluting the shares but making a hostile takeover much more expensive.

 

Hmmm…I see lawsuits on the horizon.

 

A successful sale would be beneficial to both parties. Together they would be a powerful force against Google as a Web search engine, for search advertising and Web based applications.

 

Strategically I think Microsoft once again has the upper hand and a deal will be sealed in the next few months.

 

Deb Alloway

Editor - TechNewsletter.com

 

 

Explore the Dark Side of online behavior aimed at corporations and other institutions.

October 29, 2007

 

When your reputation is attacked online, your response has to be appropriate or the results can be disastrous. A new executive white paper prepared by researchers at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society analyzes the three types of aggressive online behavior and suggests how corporations should respond.

 

The paper contains detailed research findings, recommended action steps and in-depth case studies of several high-profile corporate attacks.

  • Determine what motivates aggressive online behavior towards companies and what makes it different than offline behavior

  • Learn what drives former employees to devote much time to organizing online protests against former employers

  • Learn the most appropriate corporate responses to aggressive online behavior and Internet extremism

"An Analysis of Aggressive Online Behavior Targeted Against Corporations, their Products, Services, and Brands" is essential reading for all marketing, PR and corporate communications professionals.

 

 

Pod Slurping - An easy technique for stealing data

October 8, 2007

 

Pod slurping, defined by Wikipedia, "is the act of using a portable data storage device such as an iPod to illicitly download large quantities of confidential data by directly plugging it into a computer where the data is held, and which may be on the inside of a firewall."

 

The impact of uncontrolled use of portable devices such as iPods, USB sticks, flash drives and PDA and how they can lead to major security breaches is explored in the white paper "Pod Slurping - An easy technique for stealing data" from GFI Software.

 

"Easy connectivity and high speed data transfer has become increasingly more widespread - a user may simply plug the device into a USB or FireWire port and they are up and running - no drivers or configuration required!

 

In practice, this means that a data thief can get away with precious data, and a negligent employee can dump more viruses into the corporate network."

 

- see this article from wikipedia.org

 

 

Are You Ready for Daylight Savings Time?

October 1, 2007

 

"Fall Back" is a time when all clocks are adjusted to reflect the daylight savings time (DST) change. This includes the time clocks in your networks, computer(s), lap tops and cell phones. The official "Fall Back" date, as mandated in the Energy Savings Act of 2005, is November 4. One week later than in previous years.

 

As a general practice all computers and networks should be updated to reflect the new DST rules. Microsoft customers using Windows Vista or with Automatic Updates turned on may not be affected. For the rest of us, DST changes could mean applying software patches to select Microsoft products, including various releases of the Microsoft Windows operating systems and servers, Microsoft Office and other applications.

 

Microsoft's Daylight Savings Time Update Guide helps you determine what needs to be done to accommodate the time change on your computer, network, cell phones, PDAs, etc.

 

Software programs distributed before 2005 where time clocks were set to automatically change according to the old standard could present more of a challenge. In these cases it may be necessary to contact the vendor of the software directly.

 

- see this article from microsoft.com

 

 

Hackers Used Unprotected Wireless LANs

April 10, 2007

 

Hackers steel 45.6 million credit and debit cards from TJX customer data bases in 2005 and another 130,000 in 2006. The culprit's have yet to be caught.

 

- see this article from networkworld.com

 

A 21year old put $2.5 million in his jeans only to be handed a harsh 12 to 15 year prison sentence for his role in the Lowe's WiFi hack.

 

- see this article from securityfocus.com

 

In both cases the hacker's broke in through unprotected wireless LANs. Adopting wireless technologies has allowed us to be connected to our offices without being tethered by a network cable. Handheld devices provide us the luxury to connect to wireless email, web browsers and internet access. From retail settings to financial institutions we rely on wireless technology. However, like wired networks, security risks are costly and on the rise. Protecting enterprise IT infrastructure requires a deep understanding of the risks associated with mobile applications, handhelds and wireless networks.

 

Critical information is available in:

 

White Papers:

 

 

Take Note, Spyware Alert

April 3, 2007

 

According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infests more than 90 percent of all PCs. This fast-growing Internet threat is also one of the least obtrusive; spyware silently bypasses firewalls and anti-virus software, affecting computer performance and introducing security risks, often unbeknownst to the user.

 

Spyware is showing up more often recently with out your knowledge. Users should take note when downloading free software off the internet. Mostly through games and free music, but more noticeably through programs that claim to help block or remove the viruses and spyware. To prevent this from happening to you, do a little research and know what your are downloading. To help you, visit the Norton Antivirus or MacAfee's web sites and read search on any file before you down load them.

 

White Papers: