Not many business owners are aware that since 2002 almost all office copy machines and scanners contain a standard hard drive similar to an ordinary desktop computer or hard drive. This hard drive essentially stores every single scan to memory.

Take a look at the video below for more information. If you have any questions relating to hard drive data destruction please call us on 01-8424114.

Microsoft often releases patches and hotfixes but todays press release regarding a major security flaw in their Internet browser was more vocal than their usual ”Apply this update”. Earlier today, they released an offical response to fears regarding security concerns on Internet Explorer and has provided advice to its customers so as to minimise security risks when accessing the internet.

The statement reads:

“Microsoft is investigating new public reports of attacks against a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer. Our initial investigation has shown these limited attacks are targeting customers using Internet Explorer 7, however the vulnerability affects all currently supported versions of Internet Explorer.

“We are actively investigating this vulnerability and upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action to protect our customers, which may include providing a solution through our monthly security update release process, or an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs.

“Microsoft continues to encourage customers to follow the “Protect Your Computer” guidance of enabling a firewall, applying all software updates and installing anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Additional information can be found at Security at home.

1. Good practice is to always keep your anti-virus software up to date
2. Run IE 7 in protected mode (this is a by default in Vista but not in XP)
3. Set your internet zone security on high
4. Set Windows Update to default.”

Alternatively, you might consider alternative browsers until the update is available for download….

Firefox – Download Here
Safari – Download Here
Chrome – Download Here
Opera – Download Here

I made a rare phone call today!!I actually phoned my Hosting Providers to ask why there was a VAST reduction in spam! We had received calls from clients asking us why they were receiving less mails than usual.

The fact is, that the majority of users out there know that their mail server is working fine, when they can check their junk mail folder to find that they received a spam mail in the last 10 minutes. Believe it or not, it can be useful!

So I called the data centre and stated “I’m not complaining, but did you do anything to our Server?”, They responded with an honest “No” and unless a Spotty, 17 year-old King-of-Spam was suddenly arrested somewhere in Arkansas, there doesn’t seem to be any explanation as to why this has occurred.

I’m not asking Google or browsing the web to see if anything has happened ‘out there’ as It may only backup my hunch that this is only a short-term vacation from spam.

And I am certainly not phoning the Hosting Company again only to find out that they had mistakenly given free anti-spam protection and will turn it off straight away!

In this situation, perhaps ignorance is spam bliss..

There are many advantages to shopping online, but probably the most notable one is convenience.

Considering that we are all so time-poor these days, the ability to shop online can make certain aspects of life so much easier. Whether it’s ordering the Pepperoni Passion from Dominos, picking up the latest album release from CDWOW or buying your sisters birthday present in the shape of a book from Amazon, this way of shopping is only going to become more common and much more integrated. With Internet TV, you will be buying direct from the advert that is being broadcast in front of you. Phones too will play a huge role in future online shopping as technology continues to converge. Buying concert tickets in the form of a text message sent to your mobile phone from Ticketmaster and other such organisations seems strange but it makes perfect sense. This solution which I’m sure will have it’s own teething process is a win-win as far as I am concerned. It’s birth and concept is based on beating the ticket touts but the fact that it is so environmentally friendly will probably please any doubters of its necessity.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online?

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• Do: Be creative.
• Do: Use the license plate rule
• Do: Use phonetic replacements:

            ‘Luv2LafF’ for ‘Love to Laugh’ or ‘Phunnyb0n3′ for ‘Funny bone’.

• Do: Include similar looking substitutions, such as the number zero for the letter ‘O’ or $ for the letter ‘S’, 1 for ‘L’, etc.

• Don’t: Write your password down or disclose it to anyone.
• Don’t: Use a password that you have used elsewhere.
• Don’t: Include commonly known information about yourself in your password.
• Don’t: Use a password that is listed as an example of how to pick a good password.

When it comes to your employee password policy, you should decide whether your I.T system requires strict policing or not. If you are a company that is regularly audited, you hold sensitive or private information, etc then this a bit of a no-brainer. A decent policy requires that you use a complex password, it should expire at least every 30 days and you should not be allowed to use up to 5 of your previous passwords.  See below for recommended password complexity.

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