Technology Connections - Winter 2007

In this day of increased concerns over security and technology, a strong password is a must. Follow these simple rules for keeping your password safe and secure.

1. 1. If it’s in the dictionary, don’t use it. Hackers can easily write programs that will try tens of thousands of English words as passwords. 
2. 2  Do not divulge your passwords to anyone.  Studies show that revealing passwords to anyone, including qualified people dramatically reduces users’ confidence in the password scheme, making the more likely to reveal them to unqualified people.     
3. 3. Don’t let websites save your password for you.  A hacker or virus program can recover these kinds of passwords easily.
4. 4. Don’t use the same password everywhere, as a hacker who gains access to one password then has them all.
5. 5. Change your password regularly.  Try not to alternate between two passwords.  Instead, come up with twelve strong passwords and store them in a passwords saving program such as http://www.moonsoftware.com/pwagent.asp.  If you change them monthly, then any hacker who gets one will need to wait a year before it’s good again.

 Time Matters 9.0 has an updated interface with multiple new enhancements including:

• Enhanced usability - Provides a new task panel, seven new wizards, five new default security profiles, the ability to display multiple main toolbars simultaneously, improved power views and the ability to right-click to mark an item as "done".
• Up to 100 staff members per form - Allows users to associate up to 100 staff to selected records.
• Enhanced archiving process - Simplifies and centralizes administration of records, and prompts warn the user about incomplete items. It also allows users to opt out of the archive or cancel the archive process altogether.
• Improved CaseMap link - Enables the user to send multiple case/matter records and research results to CaseMap 7.5 case analysis software.
• Updated, more powerful search tool - Improved Conflict of Interest/Global searching.

Time Matters 9.0 has the most integrations with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook email/calendar/contacts notes, Works, Internet Explorer, Excel, and PowerPoint) and mobile devices (Blackberry, Palm and Windows Mobile 5/Smart Phone devices), which makes it the product of choice for firms that want a single view of what is going on in their firm, whether in the office or on the road. Another additional benefit is that it links with the most common back office products on the market, which provides the opportunity for integration and share time/billing information with any system the firm is running.

1. 1.  Do you know that Google is a calculator? 
2. 2.  Do you know that Google does currency conversions?
3. 3.  Do you know that Google can help you find vital supplies like pizza? Try searching for pizza 44114.
4. 4.  Do you know that Google can reverse look-up phone numbers? 
5. 5.  Do you know what happens when you type an address into the search box?  You can get directions and a map to any location. 
6. 6.  Do you know how to search a specific site?  By using a special format you can tell Google to only search one specific site.  Try searching: admissions site:www.bw.edu
7. 7.  Do you know that with Google Maps you can map any street address in the United States?
8. 8.  Do you know that you can search satellite photos?
9. 9.  Do you know about the Google language and country searches?
10. 10. Do you know Google does translations?

Managed Services is one of the fastest growing sectors of the technology

• Choose a provider with 24/7 remote monitoring.  Some MSPs only monitor your network during business hours, increasing the chances of a security breach or system failure.
• The provider should offer you a plan tailored to the needs of your company.  For instance, a 50 person firm may benefit from 10 hours a moth of remote and on-site maintenance while a 5 person firm may only require 2 hours a month.
• Be sure to select a MSP that offers end user help desk support.  Your company needs to be able to speak to someone immediately in case of an emergency. 
• Select a provider that provides monthly service reports to keep you knowledgeable and aware of how your IT environment is performing throughout the year.  Service reports will show you which areas of your network are performing well along with which areas need improvements. 

Vista is certainly a milestone for the PC industry. The new Operating System includes significant improvements such as stronger security, better built in applications, networking enhancements, parental controls and stunning graphics. Vista does, however, require more processing power, graphics capabilities and system memory than many of today’s machines. 

So why do I recommend waiting to upgrade? Although Vista is an exceptional piece of technology, many users have already run into a variety of small but annoying glitches.  Many of the features don’t work as seamlessly as they should and a fair amount of third party applications and peripherals are not compatible. In the first quarter of 2008, Microsoft plans to release its first service pack (SP1) for Vista to the general public. SP1 includes security enhancements and patches, advancements that improve transfer performance, decrease CPU utilization, and allow for better compatibility with third party hardware and applications.

If you’re buying a new computer PC, it probably makes sense to get Vista. However, if you already have a PC running on Windows XP smoothly, you may not need to upgrade right away. I recommend waiting until you replace your machine or until Vista’s kinks are worked out with Vista SP1.

If you have any questions about whether Windows Vista is right for your firm, please contact us at (216) 662-3200 or solutions@accellis.com.

Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs such behaviors as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without consent.

A virus intends to destroy a user’s computer or data, ultimately causing poor performance or system crashes.  Viruses are usually written by computer ‘thugs’ simply for notoriety and power.  They typically spread through email or system vulnerabilities.  In other words, almost no user interaction is needed to attain or spread a virus.

Spyware, on the other hand, exists to steal information for the benefit of a third party.  Many spyware programs are written by software developers seeking financial gain.  They make money by showing ads or rerouting web browsers to pages that can generate revenue for the authors. Since spyware authors have more funding, many are supported by mainstream advertisers who pay to have spyware companies develop highly targeted advertising campaigns.  Some even keep track of your credit card numbers and passwords, allowing them to create ads based on your shopping habits. 

Spyware is often made to appear as formal software complete with End User Licensing Agreements explaining exactly what they will do in legal language that no average person can understand.  As a result, the majority of users simply click the ‘Yes I Agree’, without reading the entire agreement. 

Some spyware is attached to freeware and relies on the users ‘agreeing’ to the installation.  Other times, a visitor can be affected just by visiting an infected webs site.  Porn and on-line shopping sites are both notorious for this type of installation.  Spyware can also be attached to legitimate software. 

How can you rid your system of spyware?

The value of spyware resides in how long it can remain installed on the infected system.  The longer it stays, the more information it can collect.  Spyware results in loss of privacy and productivity, from annoying pop-up ads and poor system performance to the theft of personal information. 

The following are three spyware removal programs that we recommend:

• Spybot Search & Destroy - A free spyware removal program which works on Microsoft Windows 95 and later.  This program requires manual updates a couple times a year. 
• Adaware 2007 – Also a free spyware removal program which works on Windows 2000 and later.   This version requires manual updates. 
• Spyware Doctor – Detects, removes and blocks all types of spyware.  Offers full scan, real-time protection, automatic updates and removal of spyware threats, all for about $20 a month.   

For any questions about spyware or any these solutions, please contact an Accellis network support specialist at 216-662-3200 or solutions@accellis.com.