March 2011 Newsletter
Is There Any Free Lunch?
You've never had a major virus infect your business' PCs. You
run free anti-virus programs on your home computers, and don't have
any problems. Can't you depend on the free stuff you download
online to keep your work computers safe, too? Maybe not - there are
many features included in true business class software and hardware
devices that are not available for free. As the adage goes, "there
is no free lunch."
Firewall Management
A strong firewall basically closes your office network off from
Internet traffic, except for traffic that is authorized. This
applies to both inbound and outbound traffic. Firewall can be found
in full Internet Security Suites as offered by many IT providers,
as well as t hey can be installed as physical appliances. The
Firewall devices are the best solution for any business network
that has confidential client information stored within its
boundaries. Without a true firewall, you only have a lock on the
door - and locks are only meant to keep out honest people.
Anti-Virus, Malware &
Spyware
Internet threats are aplenty- from viruses to spyware to malware
- each offering up its own array of payloads to either damage your
computer, steal your files, or just raise havoc. The right Internet
Security Suite is proactive in checking your system files for
suspicious "virus-like" behavior. Proactively finding and
quarantining suspicious files before they wreak havoc can make all
the difference between having a good day or a very bad week.
Searching for known spyware and malware through literally, hourly
updates from online databases, proper security software will stop
unauthorized access to your confidential information, bank
accounts, credit cards, customer lists, etc.
Spam Filters and Warnings of
Suspicious Sites
Filtering spam out of your legitimate email also saves you time
and money. Checking websites for malware on their web pages is also
essential, especially with so many searches turning up virtually
unknown sites for the user. Good security software checks sites
against black lists and known pages that can attack computers.
Efficiency
With free security applications, you wind up needing a tangle of
applications to protect your systems. Most of the free software is
also ONLY licensed for personal home use. Using it for a business
is a violation of their licensing agreements and subject to
penalties. The free versions of paid software, and so many of the
stand-alone free software, also lack many of the features and
capability of the paid versions. A proper security suite creates a
single portal to your system to which you can apply a consistent
level of security. It's much easier to manage - and ensures total
coverage for security issues.
If you think buying a good security suite has to cost a lot,
think again. It doesn't. There is a range of options available
without breaking the bank or decimating your budget. What you also
need to figure into your cost calculations: the benefit of having
now avoided a terrible problem and the myriad costs it would
create! If your office system contains files with sensitive
correspondence, any financial information and records, customer
credit card numbers or passwords, you need to keep your business
and its reputation protected. Imagine if your system was
compromised and that information disseminated across the web
(read the newspaper lately). Or if a virus wormed its way in and
destroyed every piece of data on your computer. Could you restore
it from a backup? How long would it take? What is the same worm was
embedded in your backups because it had a delayed payload? What
would it cost, including lost productivity time? How would
customers feel knowing their data had been compromised?
So if you're really determined to get a "free lunch" don't do it
by gambling with your livelihood. Use the coupon below
instead! [Top]
Staying Wired In
How has your network
grown?
So many networks grow by adding whatever is needed in the heat
of the
moment, not by design. While this is a common 
phenomenon in many growing businesses,
the results can be not just messy, but also costly. Tangles of
machinery and wiring make it harder to diagnose and resolve
problems when network issues arise. Moving wires from one port to
another can become impossible to accomplish without the risk of
damagi
ng
something in the process. When you can't even see the status lights
on the front of your network equipment, it's time to clean
house.
Making networks more serviceable includes ensuring that your
company has all the proper documentation, as well as a neat and
accessible area with proper cabinetry, shelving and wracks. Once
properly installed and wired, your network becomes more
serviceable without having to slow productivity with unnecessary
downtime issues. A great investment to make this spring: turn any
unmanageable networks into tools that can properly foster your
company's growth into the future, and enable its optimal
productivity. [Top]
Dialing it Up on Smart Phone Sales
What's most in demand
now
Over half of the smart phones used in America are now Androids
(53%), with 32.9 million sold in the last quarter alone - roughly
seven times more than a year ago. For the first time ever, of the
phones purchased in Q4 of 2010, every one of the top five models
purchased were smart phones. According to The NPD Group research
firm, the top five cell phones in the U.S. are now:
1. Apple iPhone 4 (Apple iOS)
2. Motorola Droid X (Android OS)
3. HTC EVO 4G (Android OS)
4. Apple iPhone 3GS (Apple iOS)
5. Motorola Droid 2 (Android OS)
What's missing from this list?
- BlackBerrys, made by Research In Motion
- Phones using Microsoft's Windows mobile operating
system
- Phones using the Palm WebOS
The Android operating system, which is open-source, is the new
standard for phone makers. With more users expected to be surfing
the Web via cell phones than computers in the near future, this is
great news for Google. How big is the market? Well, research firm
Canalys says the smart phone market grew 89% from a year ago in the
fourth quarter: 101.2 million smart phones were sold
overall. [Top]
Recycling Reminder
Be Green and Protect Data
Old computers and monitors cannot be thrown away. They contain
hazardous materials that are harmful to the environment and there
are serious fines for the improper disposal. Equally as bad: what
about all that data and personal or corporate financial information
on the hard drives?
We all have paper shredders (or should) for destroying paper
based confidential information. But how do your "shred" a hard
drive? CONNECT can handle all
your IT disposal needs: servers, workstations, laptops, UPS's
(battery backups), monitors and most importantly, we can handle the
shredding of your hard drives. Call CONNECT for a quote to properly
dispose of all your obsolete and unused technology devices - you'll
be very surprised just how affordable it is to be GREEN (and legal)
while protecting your most valuable asset: your data. [Top]
Spring Recycling Special...
EXTENDED!
CONNECT will waive pickup
charges on any recycling order placed by April
30th! [Top]
Toner and Ink Specials
CONNECT sells toner and
ink for almost all of the printers our clients use. We guarantee
the best pricing, even over the office super stores, with $3.50
shipping on orders over $100. We maintain complete listings by
client to make the restocking process simple. Compare pricing, call
203.333.4444 or contact
one of our sales associates. [Top]
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