Best Home Security Help and Advice
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andy_J_Jones]Andy J Jones
Is home security important? Well, if you have already been burgled then you know the answer to that. So many people think that home security is something they must do, but don't really get around to doing anything about it. By not taking action and addressing your home security weaknesses you are running a big risk. TV's, hi-fi's and games machines can easily be replaced but can you really afford to lose all of your personal possessions, precious heirlooms and sentimental items of value and importance? The following are the many ways that you can improve your home security and give peace of mind that your home is properly protected.
Burglar Alarm Systems
This should be the first home improvement you must make if you want to increase your home security. Alarm systems generally consist of a control panel, siren and a variety of sensors to trigger a burglar intrusion. There is a choice of hard wired or wireless type systems. Wireless systems are a very popular choice as they are cheap and easy to install although sensors require a regular battery change. Technology has improved somewhat and they are less prone to false alerts nowadays. Hard wired systems are generally more permanent and more stable and used in professional installations. They have higher install costs and there will be a lot of disruption during installation.
Monitored Home Security
Monitored home security is when your home burglar alarm system is connected to a alarm monitoring company and their job is to watch over your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your alarm is triggered they will send out help to assist with your emergency, be it police, fire or ambulance. They will charge a small monthly fee but you may find that by having monitored home security your insurance premium may drop - thus offsetting the monitoring costs.
Security Cameras
Closed Circuit Television or CCTV is a popular method to visually and sometimes audibly, monitor and record activity directly outside your property. There are simple, inexpensive systems that simply send a signal to your TV or a monitor for you to view. Or there are more sophisticated systems that can record images and video digitally from many security cameras that may be monitoring your property. The digital images can sometimes be viewed remotely, all around the world via the internet. There are many choices of camera. Again, security cameras can be both hard wired and wireless, color or black and white and some even operate in the dark via infrared.
External Security Lighting
External security lighting is one of the cheapest - yet effective - home security improvements you can make. The burglar does not want to be seen when breaking into a property so external lighting will be sure to put him off. It is recommended to buy the security lighting with an attached PIR motion sensor this will switch on immediately when movement is detected.
Deadbolts Locks For Securing Doors
Deadbolt locks provide an additional security obstacle for your external doors and will make it nigh on impossible for the burglar to get into your property via the protected door. These days biometrics are becoming popular offering keyless locks with gadgets such as fingerprint readers to allow the door to be opened.
Driveway Monitors
A driveway monitor will detect the entry of someone onto your land giving you an early warning of someone's presence. It could be an expected visitor, friend or neighbour, but it could equally be an unwanted intruder.
Security Window Bars
Security window bars provide both a visual and physical deterrent to a burglar making them think twice about breaking into a property. A burglar does not want to draw attention to himself when breaking into a property and also wants to be very quick to enter the property. By installing window bars you will slow him down and he will create noise when trying to remove the window bars. This should be enough for him to move on, even before he has attempted a break-in.
These are just a few of the many ways to prevent to burglar entering your property and making off with your property and valuables.
Learn more about [http://www.securehomeadvice.com]home security systems and for more great advice on the [http://www.securehomeadvice.com/the-best-burglar-alarm-system.aspx]best burglar alarm systems go to securehomeadvice.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_J_Jones http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Home-Security-Help-and-Advice&id=2296918
Sunday, November 29, 2009
How Can an Outdoor Security Camera Help You Keep Your Home Secure?
How Can an Outdoor Security Camera Help You Keep Your Home Secure?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Goldstein]Jerry Goldstein
Wherever you live, you need to protect your home. One of the most recent advances in home surveillance systems technology is the outdoor security camera. Many manufacturers and sellers now have made these cameras affordable and easy to use. Many outdoor security cameras even come with do-it-yourself installation. Then again, if you have enough money, it's always better to hire a professional to install it for you.
Cameras can be wireless, wired or self-contained. Self-contained cameras just need to be plugged in to start recording. These types of cameras are of course simpler and easier to use since there is no need for any other connection. Some security cameras can be connected to a television, a videocassette recorder or a digital video recorder to capture still or moving images. They all need a power supply so they have to be plugged in an outlet.
Often, outdoor security cameras have lux ratings, a measurement form. The lux number is the light needed by the camera to operate properly and capture the image. The lesser the number, the lesser will be the light requirement of the camera. The lux requirements of outdoor security cameras also depend upon the settings of the place where it will be installed. Cameras used for home surveillance are typically weatherproof. You need to be cautious of any interference, since cell phones and other wireless products can interfere in the camera's performance if they have the same frequency in operation.
Outdoor security cameras come in different prices. There are affordable and expensive cameras. Homeowners who are planning to buy these for their home surveillance are encouraged to consult a professional. They can also do their research about it on the internet or offline. They need to gather information on where to install it and the areas that would be covered in order to find the best option.
There are many local sellers of outdoor security cameras who can help with the installation. There are also many shops selling online but one should be extra careful when making an online purchase. Before buying, they must see to it that the online seller is legitimate. Who would want to lose hundreds or thousands US dollars? They should look for a deal with online companies that bear a good reputation.
A proper research of everything about security cameras will lead you to a reputable company. It would help you in making the right choice for the good and affordable protection you need. Outdoor security cameras can also be upgraded if it's needed.
An outdoor security camera will let your sleep better without having to worry about your home and other precious belongings.
Are you thinking of buying an [http://www.outdoorsecuritycamerapro.com]outdoor security camera? Stop thinking and just do it. I can even begin to tell you how important [http://www.outdoorsecuritycamerapro.com/get-an-outdoor-security-camera-stay-safe-from-security-threats/]outdoor security cameras can be. We finally have a way to keep our family safe - should we second guess it? I think not.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Goldstein http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Can-an-Outdoor-Security-Camera-Help-You-Keep-Your-Home-Secure?&id=2599718
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Goldstein]Jerry Goldstein
Wherever you live, you need to protect your home. One of the most recent advances in home surveillance systems technology is the outdoor security camera. Many manufacturers and sellers now have made these cameras affordable and easy to use. Many outdoor security cameras even come with do-it-yourself installation. Then again, if you have enough money, it's always better to hire a professional to install it for you.
Cameras can be wireless, wired or self-contained. Self-contained cameras just need to be plugged in to start recording. These types of cameras are of course simpler and easier to use since there is no need for any other connection. Some security cameras can be connected to a television, a videocassette recorder or a digital video recorder to capture still or moving images. They all need a power supply so they have to be plugged in an outlet.
Often, outdoor security cameras have lux ratings, a measurement form. The lux number is the light needed by the camera to operate properly and capture the image. The lesser the number, the lesser will be the light requirement of the camera. The lux requirements of outdoor security cameras also depend upon the settings of the place where it will be installed. Cameras used for home surveillance are typically weatherproof. You need to be cautious of any interference, since cell phones and other wireless products can interfere in the camera's performance if they have the same frequency in operation.
Outdoor security cameras come in different prices. There are affordable and expensive cameras. Homeowners who are planning to buy these for their home surveillance are encouraged to consult a professional. They can also do their research about it on the internet or offline. They need to gather information on where to install it and the areas that would be covered in order to find the best option.
There are many local sellers of outdoor security cameras who can help with the installation. There are also many shops selling online but one should be extra careful when making an online purchase. Before buying, they must see to it that the online seller is legitimate. Who would want to lose hundreds or thousands US dollars? They should look for a deal with online companies that bear a good reputation.
A proper research of everything about security cameras will lead you to a reputable company. It would help you in making the right choice for the good and affordable protection you need. Outdoor security cameras can also be upgraded if it's needed.
An outdoor security camera will let your sleep better without having to worry about your home and other precious belongings.
Are you thinking of buying an [http://www.outdoorsecuritycamerapro.com]outdoor security camera? Stop thinking and just do it. I can even begin to tell you how important [http://www.outdoorsecuritycamerapro.com/get-an-outdoor-security-camera-stay-safe-from-security-threats/]outdoor security cameras can be. We finally have a way to keep our family safe - should we second guess it? I think not.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Goldstein http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Can-an-Outdoor-Security-Camera-Help-You-Keep-Your-Home-Secure?&id=2599718
A Fake Security Camera Can Help You Fake Your Way Secure!
A Fake Security Camera Can Help You Fake Your Way Secure!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brandi_Abbey]Brandi Abbey
Many people utilize security camera systems to protect their homes and businesses. However, it is possible to save money and maintenance time by adding a fake security camera to your security system. Even though some people try to save even more money by using only fake cameras, it can be best to use them in addition to your regular security cameras. This can significantly lower the overall cost of your security system, because you do not have to spend a lot of money on multiple cameras.
Your dummy cameras will not actually be connected to anything, but that will not detract from their usefulness. Many times all it takes is having a camera visible, to remind potential criminals of the fact that your property is under camera surveillance. The mere sight of a security camera is enough to deter many criminals.
There are advantages to using a dummy camera. Of course, your maintenance costs will be lower as a result of using fake cameras. Since the cameras are not real, you will not have to spend money to keep them operational. Many fake security cameras are quite realistic in appearance, right down to the cables and power cords. Some even include a fake electrical outlet so that you can plug the camera in, which can add to the realistic effect. If you use a good quality high-end dummy camera, many criminals will think that it is a real security camera. Many of these cameras even utilize the housing of a real camera, because this makes them appear to be real.
Of course, dummy cameras are a fraction of the cost of a real camera. Some models include a flashing LED light, which makes the fake camera appear to actually be working. When purchasing a fake security camera, it is well worth the extra expense to get one that looks realistic. Otherwise, it will not fool anyone, and will not deter criminals at all.
Homes as well as businesses can utilize a [http://fakesecuritycamera.org]fake security camera. If you are adding a dummy camera as part of your home security system, make sure you also have real cameras, so that you do have camera surveillance to protect your property. If you put the dummy cameras in a visible location, most potential criminals will see the camera, and choose to bypass your home. It does not matter if the camera is a fake, as long as it is visible, and it looks enough like a real camera to fool the criminals.
For more great security tips as well as discounts on a fake security camera, visit [http://fakesecuritycamera.org]http://fakesecuritycamera.org.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandi_Abbey [http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Fake-Security-Camera-Can-Help-You-Fake-Your-Way-Secure!&id=3157502 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Fake-Security-Camera-Can-Help-You-Fake-Your-Way-Secure!&id=3157502
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brandi_Abbey]Brandi Abbey
Many people utilize security camera systems to protect their homes and businesses. However, it is possible to save money and maintenance time by adding a fake security camera to your security system. Even though some people try to save even more money by using only fake cameras, it can be best to use them in addition to your regular security cameras. This can significantly lower the overall cost of your security system, because you do not have to spend a lot of money on multiple cameras.
Your dummy cameras will not actually be connected to anything, but that will not detract from their usefulness. Many times all it takes is having a camera visible, to remind potential criminals of the fact that your property is under camera surveillance. The mere sight of a security camera is enough to deter many criminals.
There are advantages to using a dummy camera. Of course, your maintenance costs will be lower as a result of using fake cameras. Since the cameras are not real, you will not have to spend money to keep them operational. Many fake security cameras are quite realistic in appearance, right down to the cables and power cords. Some even include a fake electrical outlet so that you can plug the camera in, which can add to the realistic effect. If you use a good quality high-end dummy camera, many criminals will think that it is a real security camera. Many of these cameras even utilize the housing of a real camera, because this makes them appear to be real.
Of course, dummy cameras are a fraction of the cost of a real camera. Some models include a flashing LED light, which makes the fake camera appear to actually be working. When purchasing a fake security camera, it is well worth the extra expense to get one that looks realistic. Otherwise, it will not fool anyone, and will not deter criminals at all.
Homes as well as businesses can utilize a [http://fakesecuritycamera.org]fake security camera. If you are adding a dummy camera as part of your home security system, make sure you also have real cameras, so that you do have camera surveillance to protect your property. If you put the dummy cameras in a visible location, most potential criminals will see the camera, and choose to bypass your home. It does not matter if the camera is a fake, as long as it is visible, and it looks enough like a real camera to fool the criminals.
For more great security tips as well as discounts on a fake security camera, visit [http://fakesecuritycamera.org]http://fakesecuritycamera.org.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandi_Abbey [http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Fake-Security-Camera-Can-Help-You-Fake-Your-Way-Secure!&id=3157502 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Fake-Security-Camera-Can-Help-You-Fake-Your-Way-Secure!&id=3157502
How Security Cameras Help Your Business' Bottom Line
How Security Cameras Help Your Business' Bottom Line
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_Krohn]Jack Krohn
How many ways can you think of to save money at your business to improve your bottom line? I am sure you can probably tick off a bunch. Realistically the number one way is to stop employee theft. Close behind is to stop customer theft commonly called "shoplifting."
Studies show that just over 40% of all losses in retail businesses are from employee theft. Customers only account for another 30%. That is absolutely huge! Enough to drive loss prevntion experts crazy. If you can put a stop to shoplifting oe employees theft or even put a dent in it how much better off you are.
First it puts you in a more competitive position. Instead of having customers and employees steal your inventory you could actually consider lowering prices to gain market share or just gain sales from lower prices.
No matter your personal beliefs in your fellow man even honest people will steal given the opportunity. So your job as owner or manger is to take away as many opportunities as you can and remove the temptation. Keep the honest ones honest and catch the crooks.
Think of a restaurant as an example. Two types of theft usually occur in a restaurant. High cost items like proteins, liquor and wine are being taken out of the back and service personnel like waiters and bartenders are giving food and drinks away without ringing it up or under-ringing the sale. Very Common!
A video surveillance system can safeguard your operation from internal thefts. They act as a deterrent to external theft as well. As a bonus many insurance companies give businesses insurance discounts for surveillance systems-further evidence of their effectiveness.
Jack Krohn owns 'Security Solutions' and has written over 400 articles on self defense and home security.
Use Discount Code FTV at checkout to save 10% [http://www.secure-at.com/complete-systems.htm]Complete Surveillance Systems are great for external building security. [http://www.secure-at.com/speed-dome-camera.htm]Speed PTZ Dome Camera is a sophisticated surveillance camera with multiple indoor and outdoor uses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Krohn http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Security-Cameras-Help-Your-Business-Bottom-Line&id=3010202
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jack_Krohn]Jack Krohn
How many ways can you think of to save money at your business to improve your bottom line? I am sure you can probably tick off a bunch. Realistically the number one way is to stop employee theft. Close behind is to stop customer theft commonly called "shoplifting."
Studies show that just over 40% of all losses in retail businesses are from employee theft. Customers only account for another 30%. That is absolutely huge! Enough to drive loss prevntion experts crazy. If you can put a stop to shoplifting oe employees theft or even put a dent in it how much better off you are.
First it puts you in a more competitive position. Instead of having customers and employees steal your inventory you could actually consider lowering prices to gain market share or just gain sales from lower prices.
No matter your personal beliefs in your fellow man even honest people will steal given the opportunity. So your job as owner or manger is to take away as many opportunities as you can and remove the temptation. Keep the honest ones honest and catch the crooks.
Think of a restaurant as an example. Two types of theft usually occur in a restaurant. High cost items like proteins, liquor and wine are being taken out of the back and service personnel like waiters and bartenders are giving food and drinks away without ringing it up or under-ringing the sale. Very Common!
A video surveillance system can safeguard your operation from internal thefts. They act as a deterrent to external theft as well. As a bonus many insurance companies give businesses insurance discounts for surveillance systems-further evidence of their effectiveness.
Jack Krohn owns 'Security Solutions' and has written over 400 articles on self defense and home security.
Use Discount Code FTV at checkout to save 10% [http://www.secure-at.com/complete-systems.htm]Complete Surveillance Systems are great for external building security. [http://www.secure-at.com/speed-dome-camera.htm]Speed PTZ Dome Camera is a sophisticated surveillance camera with multiple indoor and outdoor uses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Krohn http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Security-Cameras-Help-Your-Business-Bottom-Line&id=3010202
Monday, September 28, 2009
Why is One Click Blog Installation the Dangerous Way to Install Wordpress?
Why is One Click Blog Installation the Dangerous Way to Install Wordpress?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Micheal_Savoie]Micheal Savoie
It scares me to think that experts all over the world are telling people that they can easily install Wordpress from their control panel using a "One Click Install" of the Fantastico Wordpress Icon. They are setting up a lot of people to a life of frustration and vulnerability.
Fantastico is a very useful resource for a new webmaster who just purchased a domain and hosting account and now wants to put something on his or her website instead of the little logo from the hosting company. Usually there is a minimum of 10 to as many as 30 different scripts set up to be installed by just entering a few forms and BAM! Your script is installed.
Unfortunately, the same script that makes these program installations so simple for the user, also makes it much simpler for a hacker to make figure out 2 of the 3 keys that can open the blog (or any of the other scripts like Joomla) up for complete control. The only line of defense you have is a strong password, which means it must be written down, and by default makes it insecure.
How can I make such an outlandish claim? As a webmaster, I often worked with databases in the server and I began to notice a pattern among all of the Wordpress Installations that had been installed by the Fantastico script: all of the database names and usernames were nearly identical!
I wrote a manual to teach my clients how to repair this security flaw themselves, and I have been giving it away for free. Soon I started hearing others talking about Fantastico negatively, but for a different reason. When they tried to upgrade Wordpress after a Fantastico installation, some of the files would not allow the installer to overwrite them and many users were left having to completely reinstall their blogs from scratch.
What happens is that when Fantastico installs the files, some of the permissions of the files belong to the server instead of the user, which means that the user cannot make changes to those files unless the administrator actually takes control of the files. One of my clients had that happen to his blog, and it was not until I opened up a support ticket with his hosting provider that I managed to get them to give me control of those files.
When installing blogs, it is important to create a database name that is not easily guessed. It is also important to use a user name that is different from the database name (unless you do not have a choice). Then you can use a hard to guess password to round out the strength of your installation.
So you can see that the very convenience of the One Click Blog Install is also the reason you should stay away from it, because it is just as easy for a hacker. For people who are afraid to do blog installations themselves, I have created the guide to allow you to repair the blog installation and patch the security holes. It will not help you with the file permissions, but it will take care of the hacker situation.
With a secure blog, you are more likely to spend your time writing articles and earning money from it, instead of having to worry that all of your hard work is stolen from you by hackers.
Micheal Savoie teaches blogging, blog installations and making money from blogs at My Blogging School where you can also get a [http://mybloggingschool.com/freebloginstall/]free Wordpress installation for trying his [http://mybloggingschool.com/maint/]blog maintenance program for a month. Use the helpdesk link at the bottom of either of these pages to request my free Fantastico Fix guide!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Micheal_Savoie http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-is-One-Click-Blog-Installation-the-Dangerous-Way-to-Install-Wordpress?&id=2209312
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Micheal_Savoie]Micheal Savoie
It scares me to think that experts all over the world are telling people that they can easily install Wordpress from their control panel using a "One Click Install" of the Fantastico Wordpress Icon. They are setting up a lot of people to a life of frustration and vulnerability.
Fantastico is a very useful resource for a new webmaster who just purchased a domain and hosting account and now wants to put something on his or her website instead of the little logo from the hosting company. Usually there is a minimum of 10 to as many as 30 different scripts set up to be installed by just entering a few forms and BAM! Your script is installed.
Unfortunately, the same script that makes these program installations so simple for the user, also makes it much simpler for a hacker to make figure out 2 of the 3 keys that can open the blog (or any of the other scripts like Joomla) up for complete control. The only line of defense you have is a strong password, which means it must be written down, and by default makes it insecure.
How can I make such an outlandish claim? As a webmaster, I often worked with databases in the server and I began to notice a pattern among all of the Wordpress Installations that had been installed by the Fantastico script: all of the database names and usernames were nearly identical!
I wrote a manual to teach my clients how to repair this security flaw themselves, and I have been giving it away for free. Soon I started hearing others talking about Fantastico negatively, but for a different reason. When they tried to upgrade Wordpress after a Fantastico installation, some of the files would not allow the installer to overwrite them and many users were left having to completely reinstall their blogs from scratch.
What happens is that when Fantastico installs the files, some of the permissions of the files belong to the server instead of the user, which means that the user cannot make changes to those files unless the administrator actually takes control of the files. One of my clients had that happen to his blog, and it was not until I opened up a support ticket with his hosting provider that I managed to get them to give me control of those files.
When installing blogs, it is important to create a database name that is not easily guessed. It is also important to use a user name that is different from the database name (unless you do not have a choice). Then you can use a hard to guess password to round out the strength of your installation.
So you can see that the very convenience of the One Click Blog Install is also the reason you should stay away from it, because it is just as easy for a hacker. For people who are afraid to do blog installations themselves, I have created the guide to allow you to repair the blog installation and patch the security holes. It will not help you with the file permissions, but it will take care of the hacker situation.
With a secure blog, you are more likely to spend your time writing articles and earning money from it, instead of having to worry that all of your hard work is stolen from you by hackers.
Micheal Savoie teaches blogging, blog installations and making money from blogs at My Blogging School where you can also get a [http://mybloggingschool.com/freebloginstall/]free Wordpress installation for trying his [http://mybloggingschool.com/maint/]blog maintenance program for a month. Use the helpdesk link at the bottom of either of these pages to request my free Fantastico Fix guide!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Micheal_Savoie http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-is-One-Click-Blog-Installation-the-Dangerous-Way-to-Install-Wordpress?&id=2209312
Blog Security - Vital Protection For Blogs
Blog Security - Vital Protection For Blogs
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bob_Beacham]Bob Beacham
Blogging is fun, easy and profitable. Leading software such as WordPress is "open source" so anybody can write bits for it and there's a whole army of people writing superb add-ons (plug-ins and themes) to make you blog do all kinds of useful things. Unfortunately that openness is also the big weakness in your blog security.
Blogs get hacked all the time. It doesn't matter if you're famous, rich or just starting out, the hackers don't care. Some of them write nasty little robots that just go round knocking on a blog's back door until some blogs let them in. These robots can hit thousands of blogs a minute so protection is vital.
It's also near impossible to do unless you're a full-time code geek and you watch your blog like a hawk 24/7. Not practical.
So what can you do? Well the first thing is to be aware of it. Don't think it won't happen to you, take steps to protect yourself. When you choose a password, don't make it your name, for example, and don't share it. You'd be surprised how many people email passwords around or post them on forums when they're asking for help. If you absolutely have to do that to fix a problem, change it to a new one right after it's sorted out.
Sadly that won't stop them all. Something else you can do is always make sure your WordPress version and all it's plug-ins are up to date. It won't take you many minutes and it's worth it. Sometimes an update is for function but sometimes it's to fix a security flaw. Have a glance every time you log in. If there's an update, just do it.
After all that some hackers will still get through. To be brutally honest, protection for blogs could be seen as a bit of a myth. An impossible goal. If someone really wants in, bang, you'll be hacked.
The blog security tips above will help. Then, if you're unfortunate enough to have it happen, you need to be able to recover quickly. To do that you need to make sure your blog is regularly backed up. That way you can simply strip out the hacked files and replace it with a recent copy of your blog. Automated plug-ins can back up certain files for you and you can probably get access to your hosting to do a full back up there as well.
A couple of things. Just check to make sure your blog is working properly before you back up, and in case you accidentally back up a hacked version, always keep several archived back-ups. Finally, do it regularly. You can have auto back-ups as frequently as every hour - which is probably overkill, but at least once a week is good.
Protection for blogs is a question of taking simple, sensible precautions. I hope it doesn't happen but your blog security may be compromised one day. Make sure you can recover quickly and carry on your business.
Get blog security tools and tips here: [http://firstmoneyonline.com]Blog Security plus.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Beacham http://EzineArticles.com/?Blog-Security---Vital-Protection-For-Blogs&id=1927273
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bob_Beacham]Bob Beacham
Blogging is fun, easy and profitable. Leading software such as WordPress is "open source" so anybody can write bits for it and there's a whole army of people writing superb add-ons (plug-ins and themes) to make you blog do all kinds of useful things. Unfortunately that openness is also the big weakness in your blog security.
Blogs get hacked all the time. It doesn't matter if you're famous, rich or just starting out, the hackers don't care. Some of them write nasty little robots that just go round knocking on a blog's back door until some blogs let them in. These robots can hit thousands of blogs a minute so protection is vital.
It's also near impossible to do unless you're a full-time code geek and you watch your blog like a hawk 24/7. Not practical.
So what can you do? Well the first thing is to be aware of it. Don't think it won't happen to you, take steps to protect yourself. When you choose a password, don't make it your name, for example, and don't share it. You'd be surprised how many people email passwords around or post them on forums when they're asking for help. If you absolutely have to do that to fix a problem, change it to a new one right after it's sorted out.
Sadly that won't stop them all. Something else you can do is always make sure your WordPress version and all it's plug-ins are up to date. It won't take you many minutes and it's worth it. Sometimes an update is for function but sometimes it's to fix a security flaw. Have a glance every time you log in. If there's an update, just do it.
After all that some hackers will still get through. To be brutally honest, protection for blogs could be seen as a bit of a myth. An impossible goal. If someone really wants in, bang, you'll be hacked.
The blog security tips above will help. Then, if you're unfortunate enough to have it happen, you need to be able to recover quickly. To do that you need to make sure your blog is regularly backed up. That way you can simply strip out the hacked files and replace it with a recent copy of your blog. Automated plug-ins can back up certain files for you and you can probably get access to your hosting to do a full back up there as well.
A couple of things. Just check to make sure your blog is working properly before you back up, and in case you accidentally back up a hacked version, always keep several archived back-ups. Finally, do it regularly. You can have auto back-ups as frequently as every hour - which is probably overkill, but at least once a week is good.
Protection for blogs is a question of taking simple, sensible precautions. I hope it doesn't happen but your blog security may be compromised one day. Make sure you can recover quickly and carry on your business.
Get blog security tools and tips here: [http://firstmoneyonline.com]Blog Security plus.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Beacham http://EzineArticles.com/?Blog-Security---Vital-Protection-For-Blogs&id=1927273
Thursday, July 23, 2009
When Selling Used Servers And Technology Assets - Avoid These Costly Mistakes
When Selling Used Servers And Technology Assets - Avoid These Costly Mistakes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stan_Travers]Stan Travers
Selling used servers and technology assets is an excellent way to raise cash and free up
storage space. However, many companies make mistakes that can be very costly and time consuming.
To achieve the highest payout for your technology hardware make sure that you work with an asset recovery firm that has a well established network. It is no secret
that the company that buys your equipment only profits when the technology is resold.
Therefore only technology buyers that have extensive business relationships can offer the highest payout for your assets, due to their many resale options.
Not all asset recovery companies have the cash reserves to purchase your assets. Verify that your technology buyer has been in business for at least 5 years and is capable of making large technology hardware acquisitions.
Improper data destruction can result in a multitude of problems. Corporate data left behind is at the very least embarrassing and at worst can lead to legal action. Make sure that the asset recovery firm that you work with has a formal data destruction and wiping methodology. Ideally you should wipe the data from all hard drives before releasing the equipment. However, the technology buyer that acquires your assets should offer this service as a part of the technology asset acquisition program.
Inevitably some portion of your asset mix will have no residual value. Monitors, computers and servers contain hazardous material. If improperly disposed these heavy metals and toxic materials can get into ground water. Make sure you work with an asset recovery firm that has adopted EPA standards for proper waste disposal.
Finally don’t procrastinate selling your used servers and technology equipment. Your technology assets decrease in value very rapidly. To maximize your profits, contact an asset recovery firm sooner than later. [http://www.minfotech.com]Asset Recovery - Maximum payout for technology assets We are interested in purchasing any surplus technology assets. Maximum payout for your
used servers and technology equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Travers http://EzineArticles.com/?When-Selling-Used-Servers-And-Technology-Assets----Avoid-These-Costly-Mistakes&id=613294
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stan_Travers]Stan Travers
Selling used servers and technology assets is an excellent way to raise cash and free up
storage space. However, many companies make mistakes that can be very costly and time consuming.
To achieve the highest payout for your technology hardware make sure that you work with an asset recovery firm that has a well established network. It is no secret
that the company that buys your equipment only profits when the technology is resold.
Therefore only technology buyers that have extensive business relationships can offer the highest payout for your assets, due to their many resale options.
Not all asset recovery companies have the cash reserves to purchase your assets. Verify that your technology buyer has been in business for at least 5 years and is capable of making large technology hardware acquisitions.
Improper data destruction can result in a multitude of problems. Corporate data left behind is at the very least embarrassing and at worst can lead to legal action. Make sure that the asset recovery firm that you work with has a formal data destruction and wiping methodology. Ideally you should wipe the data from all hard drives before releasing the equipment. However, the technology buyer that acquires your assets should offer this service as a part of the technology asset acquisition program.
Inevitably some portion of your asset mix will have no residual value. Monitors, computers and servers contain hazardous material. If improperly disposed these heavy metals and toxic materials can get into ground water. Make sure you work with an asset recovery firm that has adopted EPA standards for proper waste disposal.
Finally don’t procrastinate selling your used servers and technology equipment. Your technology assets decrease in value very rapidly. To maximize your profits, contact an asset recovery firm sooner than later. [http://www.minfotech.com]Asset Recovery - Maximum payout for technology assets We are interested in purchasing any surplus technology assets. Maximum payout for your
used servers and technology equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Travers http://EzineArticles.com/?When-Selling-Used-Servers-And-Technology-Assets----Avoid-These-Costly-Mistakes&id=613294
How To Keep Up To Date On Computers And Technology With Articles
How To Keep Up To Date On Computers And Technology With Articles
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cottier]Michael Cottier
Reading articles online, written by people who know what they are talking about, is perhaps the best way to stay up to date on any subject, especially computers and new technology.
With computer components getting faster and more demanding everyday, it's a wonder that anybody ever has an up to date computer. And technology as a whole is moving at such incredible speeds, every day is literally the most advanced human beings have ever been.
So with this in mind, you probably wonder how you can stay completely up to date on it all, while still learning about current technology. The fact is, basically in the field of technology you have to learn and practice at the same time.
How to Find Great Articles on Computers
Using the search engines to find information is something just about everybody does, but usually a search returns somewhat old information and pages with the information you are looking for scattered all over.
The best way to find high quality articles and article directories that have very informative information is to put the word "articles" along with your search term. This way the search results that you get back will most likely be just articles and article directories that have related information to the rest of your search term.
Staying up to Date on Current Technology
While you can use the same method as I stated above to find computer information and articles, you can do the same with technology information. The problem with that though is you can never really be sure the author knows what they are talking about.
Usually at the end of an article there is a resource box with a link to the author's website, but even then it is still hard to tell who knows what they are talking about.
What I do is usually one of two things. I double check what I am reading by searching for the same words on the search engines, and see if other authors say the same thing or not.
You can also use highly popular, but also ever changing, social voting news websites, like Digg or StumbleUpon. Do a search for those websites, and when you visit them you will see that other members like you can vote on information and articles that they know or believe to be true.
While sometimes people can be deceived and false information gets posted, it is much less often then regular websites owned and operated by Joe Anonymous.
So in a nutshell, the best way to stay up to date on computers and technology is to use the search engines, and continue to use websites that you know to be truthful, at least for the most part.
If you are looking for a great article directory, that has a lot of up to date and accurate information on computers and technology, please visit the Computer Customizing Guide article directory to subscribe too our RSS feeds and read or submit new articles.
You can visit our article directory at http://www.computer-customizing-guide.com/articles
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cottier http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Keep-Up-To-Date-On-Computers-And-Technology-With-Articles&id=853896
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cottier]Michael Cottier
Reading articles online, written by people who know what they are talking about, is perhaps the best way to stay up to date on any subject, especially computers and new technology.
With computer components getting faster and more demanding everyday, it's a wonder that anybody ever has an up to date computer. And technology as a whole is moving at such incredible speeds, every day is literally the most advanced human beings have ever been.
So with this in mind, you probably wonder how you can stay completely up to date on it all, while still learning about current technology. The fact is, basically in the field of technology you have to learn and practice at the same time.
How to Find Great Articles on Computers
Using the search engines to find information is something just about everybody does, but usually a search returns somewhat old information and pages with the information you are looking for scattered all over.
The best way to find high quality articles and article directories that have very informative information is to put the word "articles" along with your search term. This way the search results that you get back will most likely be just articles and article directories that have related information to the rest of your search term.
Staying up to Date on Current Technology
While you can use the same method as I stated above to find computer information and articles, you can do the same with technology information. The problem with that though is you can never really be sure the author knows what they are talking about.
Usually at the end of an article there is a resource box with a link to the author's website, but even then it is still hard to tell who knows what they are talking about.
What I do is usually one of two things. I double check what I am reading by searching for the same words on the search engines, and see if other authors say the same thing or not.
You can also use highly popular, but also ever changing, social voting news websites, like Digg or StumbleUpon. Do a search for those websites, and when you visit them you will see that other members like you can vote on information and articles that they know or believe to be true.
While sometimes people can be deceived and false information gets posted, it is much less often then regular websites owned and operated by Joe Anonymous.
So in a nutshell, the best way to stay up to date on computers and technology is to use the search engines, and continue to use websites that you know to be truthful, at least for the most part.
If you are looking for a great article directory, that has a lot of up to date and accurate information on computers and technology, please visit the Computer Customizing Guide article directory to subscribe too our RSS feeds and read or submit new articles.
You can visit our article directory at http://www.computer-customizing-guide.com/articles
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cottier http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Keep-Up-To-Date-On-Computers-And-Technology-With-Articles&id=853896
Seven Easy Ways to Save Money on Computers and Electronics
Seven Easy Ways to Save Money on Computers and Electronics
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson]Jamie Jefferson
Nearly every home in the United States is also home to a variety of technological devices. From televisions to computers, to gaming systems and surround sound, not to mention our digital cameras, DVD recorders and mp3 players - technology adds a lot to our lives. And you can save money on these big ticket items just by knowing where and when to shop.
Here are seven strategies for saving money on computers and electronics.
1. Whether you are buying online or offline, the first step is to research the new item and determine exactly which features you want and need. Go to the Internet first and read product reviews and recommendations.
Do an Internet search and check out each piece of equipment to see what others have said about it. Is it highly recommended or riddled with problems? Read about the particular item on various electronics forums. People on the forums will be more honest than someone who is paid to write a review.
2. Find out what might be available locally by going to various retail stores and their websites. Many of the electronics big box stores (including Best Buy and Circuit City) have a program in which you choose and purchase your item online, and then it's ready for you to pick it up in the store - sometimes in less than an hour. If you are buying online and having it shipped to your home or office, you'll want to pay special attention to your shipping costs especially on those larger items, such as TVs and computers.
3. Before you buy, go to your favorite electronics retailer and ask to see "open box items," which are items that have been opened and returned. Generally, the full warranty still applies on these items, but you may be able to find what you want at a reduced rate because the box has been opened. If the price hasn't been reduced, ask the manager if she can come down on the price.
4. If you can't find the item you want as an "open box item," Go back to your original search and do some comparisons. Find out which store has the lowest normal prices and then check out their sales.
5. Even though you would love to get the latest and greatest, consider purchasing the item that was replaced by the latest and greatest. There shouldn't be that many changes that you can't do without, and that little sacrifice can save you a lot of money.
6. Another way to save money is to wait until right before school starts and take advantage of the "tax-free" holidays. Not having to pay sales tax on the item can save you a pretty penny. Of course, there are also sales prior to major holidays. Don't forget to take advantage of the rebates that often come with new electronics, as well, as they sometimes provide quite a savings.
7. If you find the item online, make sure to check for coupon codes and free shipping offers that can save you even more. The Internet makes it so easy to find the very best deals.
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares the web's best coupons for [http://www.susies-coupons.com/categories/electronics-computers.htm]discount computers and [http://www.momscape.com/coupon-codes/circuit.htm]discount electronics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson http://EzineArticles.com/?Seven-Easy-Ways-to-Save-Money-on-Computers-and-Electronics&id=1055789
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson]Jamie Jefferson
Nearly every home in the United States is also home to a variety of technological devices. From televisions to computers, to gaming systems and surround sound, not to mention our digital cameras, DVD recorders and mp3 players - technology adds a lot to our lives. And you can save money on these big ticket items just by knowing where and when to shop.
Here are seven strategies for saving money on computers and electronics.
1. Whether you are buying online or offline, the first step is to research the new item and determine exactly which features you want and need. Go to the Internet first and read product reviews and recommendations.
Do an Internet search and check out each piece of equipment to see what others have said about it. Is it highly recommended or riddled with problems? Read about the particular item on various electronics forums. People on the forums will be more honest than someone who is paid to write a review.
2. Find out what might be available locally by going to various retail stores and their websites. Many of the electronics big box stores (including Best Buy and Circuit City) have a program in which you choose and purchase your item online, and then it's ready for you to pick it up in the store - sometimes in less than an hour. If you are buying online and having it shipped to your home or office, you'll want to pay special attention to your shipping costs especially on those larger items, such as TVs and computers.
3. Before you buy, go to your favorite electronics retailer and ask to see "open box items," which are items that have been opened and returned. Generally, the full warranty still applies on these items, but you may be able to find what you want at a reduced rate because the box has been opened. If the price hasn't been reduced, ask the manager if she can come down on the price.
4. If you can't find the item you want as an "open box item," Go back to your original search and do some comparisons. Find out which store has the lowest normal prices and then check out their sales.
5. Even though you would love to get the latest and greatest, consider purchasing the item that was replaced by the latest and greatest. There shouldn't be that many changes that you can't do without, and that little sacrifice can save you a lot of money.
6. Another way to save money is to wait until right before school starts and take advantage of the "tax-free" holidays. Not having to pay sales tax on the item can save you a pretty penny. Of course, there are also sales prior to major holidays. Don't forget to take advantage of the rebates that often come with new electronics, as well, as they sometimes provide quite a savings.
7. If you find the item online, make sure to check for coupon codes and free shipping offers that can save you even more. The Internet makes it so easy to find the very best deals.
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com, where she shares the web's best coupons for [http://www.susies-coupons.com/categories/electronics-computers.htm]discount computers and [http://www.momscape.com/coupon-codes/circuit.htm]discount electronics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson http://EzineArticles.com/?Seven-Easy-Ways-to-Save-Money-on-Computers-and-Electronics&id=1055789
OnAir GT Hybridizes Computers And TV's
OnAir GT Hybridizes Computers And TV's
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julia_Hall]Julia Hall
Many people in the computer industry believe that TV- at least in the traditional sense- is dead. While this may be somewhat of an extreme view, it's certainly becoming more common to get TV programming and movies from online sources than it used to be. It's also far more common to watch TV programming, both TV shows and movies, on devices other than a traditional TV (or an HDTV) in the living room. Computers and portable devices, including even some types of mobile phones, are increasingly being used to watch video.
Because of the increase in popularity of watching TV on mobile devices, a whole new genre of gadgets has cropped up that can be plugged into lap top computers and home computers that will allow them to receive TV broadcasts over the air and for their users to watch that programming on their computer screens. One of these gadgets is called the OnAir GT and it's made by AutumnWave.
The OnAir GT has a whole bunch of features that make it, and the computer that it's plugged into, extremely versatile for watching TV. The device itself is pretty much a phenomenally compact USB device that can plug into a Windows based computer and, along with special software that comes with the OnAir GT, display the TV programming on the screen. The OnAir GT can receive both analog and digital programming over the air, and even be used to watch HDTV programming. (Although you presumably need an High Definition computer screen on your computer in order to get the most out of the HDTV programming.)
The device can provide video resolutions ranging from standard definition television all the way up to High Definition resolutions as high as one thousand and eighty horizontal lines of resolution. In addition to getting video from over the air programming, the OnAir GT can also be plugged into a cable jack to receive unencrypted cable TV. As another additional feature, the software that comes with this gadget is capable of turning a computer into a digital video recorder and then playing back the recordings at some point in the future when over the air TV isn't available.
One disadvantage of the OnAir GT is that it's only compatible with Windows based computers. Users of Apple computers and people who insist on using the Linux operating system are pretty much out of luck. That said, this device has an advantage over other similar devices in that it doesn't require that the computer have as much power. For example, the OnAir GT will work with computers with as little as 128 megabytes of RAM and processor speeds as low as 800 megahertz (if it's the right kind of processor). Of course, significantly faster processors and 256 megabytes of RAM are recommended.
The OnAir GT also has variety of user friendly features. For example, it allows you to watch TV as the wallpaper of your computer desktop or capture images from video to use as wallpaper. It's also based on USB technology, so it's compact to transport, easy to plug in, and is completely powered off of the computer that it's plugged into. It also comes with a remote control, so you don't have to be a foot away from the screen to use it.
In all the OnAir GT can add a lot of value to your computer in a location that can receive over the air TV signals.
A pioneer in [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]technology reporting, Julia Hall has published articles about the latest digital devices and [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]gadgets for over ten years. After graduating from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, Julia turned down huge salaries from some of the most recognized fortune 500 companies in the world to pursue her dream of becoming a leading consumer advocate. Julia uses her expertise to cut through the too good to be true deals offered by high tech companies to reveal the real steals and the real duds that we're bombarded with daily. If you enjoy staying on the cutting edge of technology about newest [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]gadgets whether for business or pleasure, but find yourself occasionally confused by the overwhelming and convoluted information out there let
Julia show you the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?OnAir-GT-Hybridizes-Computers-And-TVs&id=480233
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julia_Hall]Julia Hall
Many people in the computer industry believe that TV- at least in the traditional sense- is dead. While this may be somewhat of an extreme view, it's certainly becoming more common to get TV programming and movies from online sources than it used to be. It's also far more common to watch TV programming, both TV shows and movies, on devices other than a traditional TV (or an HDTV) in the living room. Computers and portable devices, including even some types of mobile phones, are increasingly being used to watch video.
Because of the increase in popularity of watching TV on mobile devices, a whole new genre of gadgets has cropped up that can be plugged into lap top computers and home computers that will allow them to receive TV broadcasts over the air and for their users to watch that programming on their computer screens. One of these gadgets is called the OnAir GT and it's made by AutumnWave.
The OnAir GT has a whole bunch of features that make it, and the computer that it's plugged into, extremely versatile for watching TV. The device itself is pretty much a phenomenally compact USB device that can plug into a Windows based computer and, along with special software that comes with the OnAir GT, display the TV programming on the screen. The OnAir GT can receive both analog and digital programming over the air, and even be used to watch HDTV programming. (Although you presumably need an High Definition computer screen on your computer in order to get the most out of the HDTV programming.)
The device can provide video resolutions ranging from standard definition television all the way up to High Definition resolutions as high as one thousand and eighty horizontal lines of resolution. In addition to getting video from over the air programming, the OnAir GT can also be plugged into a cable jack to receive unencrypted cable TV. As another additional feature, the software that comes with this gadget is capable of turning a computer into a digital video recorder and then playing back the recordings at some point in the future when over the air TV isn't available.
One disadvantage of the OnAir GT is that it's only compatible with Windows based computers. Users of Apple computers and people who insist on using the Linux operating system are pretty much out of luck. That said, this device has an advantage over other similar devices in that it doesn't require that the computer have as much power. For example, the OnAir GT will work with computers with as little as 128 megabytes of RAM and processor speeds as low as 800 megahertz (if it's the right kind of processor). Of course, significantly faster processors and 256 megabytes of RAM are recommended.
The OnAir GT also has variety of user friendly features. For example, it allows you to watch TV as the wallpaper of your computer desktop or capture images from video to use as wallpaper. It's also based on USB technology, so it's compact to transport, easy to plug in, and is completely powered off of the computer that it's plugged into. It also comes with a remote control, so you don't have to be a foot away from the screen to use it.
In all the OnAir GT can add a lot of value to your computer in a location that can receive over the air TV signals.
A pioneer in [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]technology reporting, Julia Hall has published articles about the latest digital devices and [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]gadgets for over ten years. After graduating from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, Julia turned down huge salaries from some of the most recognized fortune 500 companies in the world to pursue her dream of becoming a leading consumer advocate. Julia uses her expertise to cut through the too good to be true deals offered by high tech companies to reveal the real steals and the real duds that we're bombarded with daily. If you enjoy staying on the cutting edge of technology about newest [http://www.newgadgettechnology.com]gadgets whether for business or pleasure, but find yourself occasionally confused by the overwhelming and convoluted information out there let
Julia show you the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?OnAir-GT-Hybridizes-Computers-And-TVs&id=480233
The Commercialization of Virtual Reality Computers and Technology
The Commercialization of Virtual Reality Computers and Technology
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow]Lance Winslow
The rate or progress for Virtual Reality is indeed stunning. So too is the commercialization of products, services and potential applications. For instance researchers, teachers, politicians and innovators are always stacked with projects that need a Virtual Reality Technicians skill sets to the audience, customer or funding groups better visualize.
Of course as things move forward much faster standardization is also coming to a head. Many VR consultants and leading edge thinkers speak of granularity, verbs and software programming methodologies, but none are completely certain that is how things will work in the future in VR, yet we all see this is the push. It is amazing all the competing VR standards, theories and directions the market place is working with now. It is pretty insightful and although 4 years old now is pretty much on the money.
One of the reasons I make this statement is because someone mentioned in an article about the slicing of food on the kitchen in virtual reality and the sound of the knife in EOX (basically that is surround-a-sound) and the granularity (individual animated pixels) dividing the object and yes all that is good for action sequences, explosions, car crashes in video games, VR Life II type things and such, or simulators for training, but there is an issue with combinations of multiple scenarios, with AI and the size of the program, current bandwidth, storage devices, etc.
We can talk all about the future as the VR Technicians see it and we can discuss all the applications for Government, Military, Business, Healthcare, Earth Sciences, Space, Training, Psychology, Sports, Sex, Politics, Distance Learning, Sales or V-travel and yet in the end a standard is needed so that the theories, methods and philosophies can all be on the same page to move the ball down the field and attract the capital needed to bring the VR World into a blurred reality with the real world and to make a profit in doing so. ROI is what the real world is about.
We must never forget that as we create the future Utopia in Virtual Reality. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Commercialization-of-Virtual-Reality-Computers-and-Technology&id=466445
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow]Lance Winslow
The rate or progress for Virtual Reality is indeed stunning. So too is the commercialization of products, services and potential applications. For instance researchers, teachers, politicians and innovators are always stacked with projects that need a Virtual Reality Technicians skill sets to the audience, customer or funding groups better visualize.
Of course as things move forward much faster standardization is also coming to a head. Many VR consultants and leading edge thinkers speak of granularity, verbs and software programming methodologies, but none are completely certain that is how things will work in the future in VR, yet we all see this is the push. It is amazing all the competing VR standards, theories and directions the market place is working with now. It is pretty insightful and although 4 years old now is pretty much on the money.
One of the reasons I make this statement is because someone mentioned in an article about the slicing of food on the kitchen in virtual reality and the sound of the knife in EOX (basically that is surround-a-sound) and the granularity (individual animated pixels) dividing the object and yes all that is good for action sequences, explosions, car crashes in video games, VR Life II type things and such, or simulators for training, but there is an issue with combinations of multiple scenarios, with AI and the size of the program, current bandwidth, storage devices, etc.
We can talk all about the future as the VR Technicians see it and we can discuss all the applications for Government, Military, Business, Healthcare, Earth Sciences, Space, Training, Psychology, Sports, Sex, Politics, Distance Learning, Sales or V-travel and yet in the end a standard is needed so that the theories, methods and philosophies can all be on the same page to move the ball down the field and attract the capital needed to bring the VR World into a blurred reality with the real world and to make a profit in doing so. ROI is what the real world is about.
We must never forget that as we create the future Utopia in Virtual Reality. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Commercialization-of-Virtual-Reality-Computers-and-Technology&id=466445
History of the Computer - Computers and Technology
History of the Computer - Computers and Technology
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cooper]Michael Cooper
The volume and use of computers in the world are so great, they have become difficult to ignore anymore. Computers appear to us in so many ways that many times, we fail to see them as they actually are. People associated with a computer when they purchased their morning coffee at the vending machine. As they drove themselves to work, the traffic lights that so often hampered us are controlled by computers in an attempt to speed the journey. Accept it or not, the computer has invaded our life.
The origins and roots of computers started out as many other inventions and technologies have in the past. They evolved from a relatively simple idea or plan designed to help perform functions easier and quicker. The first basic type of computers were designed to do just that; compute!. They performed basic math functions such as multiplication and division and displayed the results in a variety of methods. Some computers displayed results in a binary representation of electronic lamps. Binary denotes using only ones and zeros thus, lit lamps represented ones and unlit lamps represented zeros. The irony of this is that people needed to perform another mathematical function to translate binary to decimal to make it readable to the user.
One of the first computers was called ENIAC. It was a huge, monstrous size nearly that of a standard railroad car. It contained electronic tubes, heavy gauge wiring, angle-iron, and knife switches just to name a few of the components. It has become difficult to believe that computers have evolved into suitcase sized micro-computers of the 1990's.
Computers eventually evolved into less archaic looking devices near the end of the 1960's. Their size had been reduced to that of a small automobile and they were processing segments of information at faster rates than older models. Most computers at this time were termed "mainframes" due to the fact that many computers were linked together to perform a given function. The primary user of these types of computers were military agencies and large corporations such as Bell, AT&T, General Electric, and Boeing. Organizations such as these had the funds to afford such technologies. However, operation of these computers required extensive intelligence and manpower resources. The average person could not have fathomed trying to operate and use these million dollar processors.
The United States was attributed the title of pioneering the computer. It was not until the early 1970's that nations such as Japan and the United Kingdom started utilizing technology of their own for the development of the computer. This resulted in newer components and smaller sized computers. The use and operation of computers had developed into a form that people of average intelligence could handle and manipulate without to much ado. When the economies of other nations started to compete with the United States, the computer industry expanded at a great rate. Prices dropped dramatically and computers became more affordable to the average household.
Like the invention of the wheel, the computer is here to stay.The operation and use of computers in our present era of the 1990's has become so easy and simple that perhaps we may have taken too much for granted. Almost everything of use in society requires some form of training or education. Many people say that the predecessor to the computer was the typewriter. The typewriter definitely required training and experience in order to operate it at a usable and efficient level. Children are being taught basic computer skills in the classroom in order to prepare them for the future evolution of the computer age.
The history of computers started out about 2000 years ago, at the birth of the abacus, a wooden rack holding two horizontal wires with beads strung on them. When these beads are moved around, according to programming rules memorized by the user, all regular arithmetic problems can be done. Another important invention around the same time was the Astrolabe, used for navigation.
Blaise Pascal is usually credited for building the first digital computer in 1642. It added numbers entered with dials and was made to help his father, a tax collector. In 1671, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented a computer that was built in 1694. It could add, and, after changing some things around, multiply. Leibnitz invented a special stopped gear mechanism for introducing the addend digits, and this is still being used.
The prototypes made by Pascal and Leibnitz were not used in many places, and considered weird until a little more than a century later, when Thomas of Colmar (A.K.A. Charles Xavier Thomas) created the first successful mechanical calculator that could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. A lot of improved desktop calculators by many inventors followed, so that by about 1890, the range of improvements included: Accumulation of partial results, storage and automatic reentry of past results (A memory function), and printing of the results. Each of these required manual installation. These improvements were mainly made for commercial users, and not for the needs of science.
While Thomas of Colmar was developing the desktop calculator, a series of very interesting developments in computers was started in Cambridge, England, by Charles Babbage (of which the computer store "Babbages" is named), a mathematics professor. In 1812, Babbage realized that many long calculations, especially those needed to make mathematical tables, were really a series of predictable actions that were constantly repeated. From this he suspected that it should be possible to do these automatically. He began to design an automatic mechanical calculating machine, which he called a difference engine. By 1822, he had a working model to demonstrate. Financial help from the British Government was attained and Babbage started fabrication of a difference engine in 1823. It was intended to be steam powered and fully automatic, including the printing of the resulting tables, and commanded by a fixed instruction program.
The difference engine, although having limited adaptability and applicability, was really a great advance. Babbage continued to work on it for the next 10 years, but in 1833 he lost interest because he thought he had a better idea; the construction of what would now be called a general purpose, fully program-controlled, automatic mechanical digital computer. Babbage called this idea an Analytical Engine. The ideas of this design showed a lot of foresight, although this couldn't be appreciated until a full century later.
The plans for this engine required an identical decimal computer operating on numbers of 50 decimal digits (or words) and having a storage capacity (memory) of 1,000 such digits. The built-in operations were supposed to include everything that a modern general - purpose computer would need, even the all important Conditional Control Transfer Capability that would allow commands to be executed in any order, not just the order in which they were programmed.
As people can see, it took quite a large amount of intelligence and fortitude to come to the 1990's style and use of computers. People have assumed that computers are a natural development in society and take them for granted. Just as people have learned to drive an automobile, it also takes skill and learning to utilize a computer.
Computers in society have become difficult to understand. Exactly what they consisted of and what actions they performed were highly dependent upon the type of computer. To say a person had a typical computer doesn't necessarily narrow down just what the capabilities of that computer was. Computer styles and types covered so many different functions and actions, that it was difficult to name them all. The original computers of the 1940's were easy to define their purpose when they were first invented. They primarily performed mathematical functions many times faster than any person could have calculated. However, the evolution of the computer had created many styles and types that were greatly dependent on a well defined purpose.
The computers of the 1990's roughly fell into three groups consisting of mainframes, networking units, and personal computers. Mainframe computers were extremely large sized modules and had the capabilities of processing and storing massive amounts of data in the form of numbers and words. Mainframes were the first types of computers developed in the 1940's. Users of these types of computers ranged from banking firms, large corporations and government agencies. They usually were very expensive in cost but designed to last at least five to ten years. They also required well educated and experienced manpower to be operated and maintained. Larry Wulforst, in his book Breakthrough to the Computer Age, describes the old mainframes of the 1940's compared to those of the 1990's by speculating, "...the contrast to the sound of the sputtering motor powering the first flights of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk and the roar of the mighty engines on a Cape Canaveral launching pad". End of part one.
Works Cited
Wulforst, Harry. Breakthrough to the Computer Age. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1982.
Palferman, Jon and Doron Swade. The Dream Machine. London: BBC Books, 1991.
Campbell-Kelly, Martin and William Aspray. Computer, A History of the Information Machine. New York: BasicBooks, 1996.
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By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cooper]Michael Cooper
The volume and use of computers in the world are so great, they have become difficult to ignore anymore. Computers appear to us in so many ways that many times, we fail to see them as they actually are. People associated with a computer when they purchased their morning coffee at the vending machine. As they drove themselves to work, the traffic lights that so often hampered us are controlled by computers in an attempt to speed the journey. Accept it or not, the computer has invaded our life.
The origins and roots of computers started out as many other inventions and technologies have in the past. They evolved from a relatively simple idea or plan designed to help perform functions easier and quicker. The first basic type of computers were designed to do just that; compute!. They performed basic math functions such as multiplication and division and displayed the results in a variety of methods. Some computers displayed results in a binary representation of electronic lamps. Binary denotes using only ones and zeros thus, lit lamps represented ones and unlit lamps represented zeros. The irony of this is that people needed to perform another mathematical function to translate binary to decimal to make it readable to the user.
One of the first computers was called ENIAC. It was a huge, monstrous size nearly that of a standard railroad car. It contained electronic tubes, heavy gauge wiring, angle-iron, and knife switches just to name a few of the components. It has become difficult to believe that computers have evolved into suitcase sized micro-computers of the 1990's.
Computers eventually evolved into less archaic looking devices near the end of the 1960's. Their size had been reduced to that of a small automobile and they were processing segments of information at faster rates than older models. Most computers at this time were termed "mainframes" due to the fact that many computers were linked together to perform a given function. The primary user of these types of computers were military agencies and large corporations such as Bell, AT&T, General Electric, and Boeing. Organizations such as these had the funds to afford such technologies. However, operation of these computers required extensive intelligence and manpower resources. The average person could not have fathomed trying to operate and use these million dollar processors.
The United States was attributed the title of pioneering the computer. It was not until the early 1970's that nations such as Japan and the United Kingdom started utilizing technology of their own for the development of the computer. This resulted in newer components and smaller sized computers. The use and operation of computers had developed into a form that people of average intelligence could handle and manipulate without to much ado. When the economies of other nations started to compete with the United States, the computer industry expanded at a great rate. Prices dropped dramatically and computers became more affordable to the average household.
Like the invention of the wheel, the computer is here to stay.The operation and use of computers in our present era of the 1990's has become so easy and simple that perhaps we may have taken too much for granted. Almost everything of use in society requires some form of training or education. Many people say that the predecessor to the computer was the typewriter. The typewriter definitely required training and experience in order to operate it at a usable and efficient level. Children are being taught basic computer skills in the classroom in order to prepare them for the future evolution of the computer age.
The history of computers started out about 2000 years ago, at the birth of the abacus, a wooden rack holding two horizontal wires with beads strung on them. When these beads are moved around, according to programming rules memorized by the user, all regular arithmetic problems can be done. Another important invention around the same time was the Astrolabe, used for navigation.
Blaise Pascal is usually credited for building the first digital computer in 1642. It added numbers entered with dials and was made to help his father, a tax collector. In 1671, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented a computer that was built in 1694. It could add, and, after changing some things around, multiply. Leibnitz invented a special stopped gear mechanism for introducing the addend digits, and this is still being used.
The prototypes made by Pascal and Leibnitz were not used in many places, and considered weird until a little more than a century later, when Thomas of Colmar (A.K.A. Charles Xavier Thomas) created the first successful mechanical calculator that could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. A lot of improved desktop calculators by many inventors followed, so that by about 1890, the range of improvements included: Accumulation of partial results, storage and automatic reentry of past results (A memory function), and printing of the results. Each of these required manual installation. These improvements were mainly made for commercial users, and not for the needs of science.
While Thomas of Colmar was developing the desktop calculator, a series of very interesting developments in computers was started in Cambridge, England, by Charles Babbage (of which the computer store "Babbages" is named), a mathematics professor. In 1812, Babbage realized that many long calculations, especially those needed to make mathematical tables, were really a series of predictable actions that were constantly repeated. From this he suspected that it should be possible to do these automatically. He began to design an automatic mechanical calculating machine, which he called a difference engine. By 1822, he had a working model to demonstrate. Financial help from the British Government was attained and Babbage started fabrication of a difference engine in 1823. It was intended to be steam powered and fully automatic, including the printing of the resulting tables, and commanded by a fixed instruction program.
The difference engine, although having limited adaptability and applicability, was really a great advance. Babbage continued to work on it for the next 10 years, but in 1833 he lost interest because he thought he had a better idea; the construction of what would now be called a general purpose, fully program-controlled, automatic mechanical digital computer. Babbage called this idea an Analytical Engine. The ideas of this design showed a lot of foresight, although this couldn't be appreciated until a full century later.
The plans for this engine required an identical decimal computer operating on numbers of 50 decimal digits (or words) and having a storage capacity (memory) of 1,000 such digits. The built-in operations were supposed to include everything that a modern general - purpose computer would need, even the all important Conditional Control Transfer Capability that would allow commands to be executed in any order, not just the order in which they were programmed.
As people can see, it took quite a large amount of intelligence and fortitude to come to the 1990's style and use of computers. People have assumed that computers are a natural development in society and take them for granted. Just as people have learned to drive an automobile, it also takes skill and learning to utilize a computer.
Computers in society have become difficult to understand. Exactly what they consisted of and what actions they performed were highly dependent upon the type of computer. To say a person had a typical computer doesn't necessarily narrow down just what the capabilities of that computer was. Computer styles and types covered so many different functions and actions, that it was difficult to name them all. The original computers of the 1940's were easy to define their purpose when they were first invented. They primarily performed mathematical functions many times faster than any person could have calculated. However, the evolution of the computer had created many styles and types that were greatly dependent on a well defined purpose.
The computers of the 1990's roughly fell into three groups consisting of mainframes, networking units, and personal computers. Mainframe computers were extremely large sized modules and had the capabilities of processing and storing massive amounts of data in the form of numbers and words. Mainframes were the first types of computers developed in the 1940's. Users of these types of computers ranged from banking firms, large corporations and government agencies. They usually were very expensive in cost but designed to last at least five to ten years. They also required well educated and experienced manpower to be operated and maintained. Larry Wulforst, in his book Breakthrough to the Computer Age, describes the old mainframes of the 1940's compared to those of the 1990's by speculating, "...the contrast to the sound of the sputtering motor powering the first flights of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk and the roar of the mighty engines on a Cape Canaveral launching pad". End of part one.
Works Cited
Wulforst, Harry. Breakthrough to the Computer Age. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1982.
Palferman, Jon and Doron Swade. The Dream Machine. London: BBC Books, 1991.
Campbell-Kelly, Martin and William Aspray. Computer, A History of the Information Machine. New York: BasicBooks, 1996.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Cooper http://EzineArticles.com/?History-of-the-Computer---Computers-and-Technology&id=84994
Computers and Technology: Shop for Insurance Responsibly
Computers and Technology: Shop for Insurance Responsibly
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry]Elizabeth Newberry
Today's advancements in computers and technology make many tasks easier than they were years ago. Computers and technology aid us in our personal lives as well as professional lives. Most young people probably can’t imagine a world without computers and technology, and most older people probably can’t imagine going back to that world. Thanks to computers and technology, we work online, we play online – we do just about everything online!
A popular trend today is the act of purchasing insurance policies online. Health insurance, life insurance, automobile insurance – you name an insurance, and it can probably be purchased online thanks to computers and technology. This is a great convenience for some folks. Think about it: who wants to make a detour on their commute home from a long day of work to talk with an insurance agent about purchasing an insurance policy? Wouldn’t most people rather go home to spend time with their families and relax before the next day begins?
While computers and technology make it much easier to spend more time enjoying these kinds of leisurely activities, they also make it much easier for us to lose connection with real people. By purchasing insurance online, you’re saving time and effort, but you’re also losing the important, yet overlooked, benefit of speaking with an insurance agent one-on-one, face-to-face. At the very most, the only human interaction you’re going to have by purchasing insurance online is speaking with a representative over the phone.
This isn’t to say that you should avoid the perks of today’s computers and technology, such as purchasing insurance online; however, you should make sure you have the chance to get some one-on-one time with an insurance agent – even if that one-on-one time is only over the phone. Rather than the conversation consisting solely of a brief synopsis of the coverage and your credit card number, ask specific questions, and make sure to get thoroughly detailed answers. [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Home Owners Insurance Wisconsin [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Instant Home Owner Insurance Quote [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/health/]Travel Health Insurance
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By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry]Elizabeth Newberry
Today's advancements in computers and technology make many tasks easier than they were years ago. Computers and technology aid us in our personal lives as well as professional lives. Most young people probably can’t imagine a world without computers and technology, and most older people probably can’t imagine going back to that world. Thanks to computers and technology, we work online, we play online – we do just about everything online!
A popular trend today is the act of purchasing insurance policies online. Health insurance, life insurance, automobile insurance – you name an insurance, and it can probably be purchased online thanks to computers and technology. This is a great convenience for some folks. Think about it: who wants to make a detour on their commute home from a long day of work to talk with an insurance agent about purchasing an insurance policy? Wouldn’t most people rather go home to spend time with their families and relax before the next day begins?
While computers and technology make it much easier to spend more time enjoying these kinds of leisurely activities, they also make it much easier for us to lose connection with real people. By purchasing insurance online, you’re saving time and effort, but you’re also losing the important, yet overlooked, benefit of speaking with an insurance agent one-on-one, face-to-face. At the very most, the only human interaction you’re going to have by purchasing insurance online is speaking with a representative over the phone.
This isn’t to say that you should avoid the perks of today’s computers and technology, such as purchasing insurance online; however, you should make sure you have the chance to get some one-on-one time with an insurance agent – even if that one-on-one time is only over the phone. Rather than the conversation consisting solely of a brief synopsis of the coverage and your credit card number, ask specific questions, and make sure to get thoroughly detailed answers. [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Home Owners Insurance Wisconsin [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Instant Home Owner Insurance Quote [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/health/]Travel Health Insurance
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Computers and Technology Can Help You Find Health Insurance
Computers and Technology Can Help You Find Health Insurance
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry]Elizabeth Newberry
In today’s advanced world of computers and technology, it seems like just about everything is simpler than it was 20, even 10, years ago. We can do many things much faster and easier thanks to computers and technology. We can avoid the cost of phone bills and postage by talking for free through instant messengers and emails. We can save on gas money (and our own energy!) by keeping up with our bank accounts, and even paying bills or shopping using our bank accounts, online. We can save the time it takes to head down to the local library to search for the books we need for a research paper by using the resources of the Internet to study and explore every topic under the sun.
And, best of all for some of us, we can even work from home thanks to computers and technology.
Whether we’re freelance writers, graphic designers, editors, data entry workers, or even photographers, because of the advances in computers and technology, we can set up shop right in our own homes. No more commuting, no more annoying co-workers, and no more bossy bosses!
However, despite all the perks of using computers and technology to work from home, those of us who do work from home usually lack one thing – health insurance. When we’re self-employed, or contracted by a particular business, health insurance packages aren’t usually one of the perks of using computers and technology to work from home.
Therefore, it’s up to those of us who do use computers and technology to work from home to search for our own health insurance policies. There’s good news – the same computers and technology we use to work from home can help us search for health insurance companies that sell affordable health insurance policies for individuals.
So, the next time you log on to start work, remember to take a few minutes to find a health insurance policy. [http://www.myquoteguide.com/Car-Coverage.shtml]Get An Affordable Auto Insurance Policy Rate [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Home Insurance New York [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/]Iowa Car Insurance
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry http://EzineArticles.com/?Computers-and-Technology-Can-Help-You-Find-Health-Insurance&id=305048
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry]Elizabeth Newberry
In today’s advanced world of computers and technology, it seems like just about everything is simpler than it was 20, even 10, years ago. We can do many things much faster and easier thanks to computers and technology. We can avoid the cost of phone bills and postage by talking for free through instant messengers and emails. We can save on gas money (and our own energy!) by keeping up with our bank accounts, and even paying bills or shopping using our bank accounts, online. We can save the time it takes to head down to the local library to search for the books we need for a research paper by using the resources of the Internet to study and explore every topic under the sun.
And, best of all for some of us, we can even work from home thanks to computers and technology.
Whether we’re freelance writers, graphic designers, editors, data entry workers, or even photographers, because of the advances in computers and technology, we can set up shop right in our own homes. No more commuting, no more annoying co-workers, and no more bossy bosses!
However, despite all the perks of using computers and technology to work from home, those of us who do work from home usually lack one thing – health insurance. When we’re self-employed, or contracted by a particular business, health insurance packages aren’t usually one of the perks of using computers and technology to work from home.
Therefore, it’s up to those of us who do use computers and technology to work from home to search for our own health insurance policies. There’s good news – the same computers and technology we use to work from home can help us search for health insurance companies that sell affordable health insurance policies for individuals.
So, the next time you log on to start work, remember to take a few minutes to find a health insurance policy. [http://www.myquoteguide.com/Car-Coverage.shtml]Get An Affordable Auto Insurance Policy Rate [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/]Home Insurance New York [http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/]Iowa Car Insurance
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The Need for Physical and IT Security Convergence
The Need for Physical and IT Security Convergence
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Bennett]Jeffrey Bennett
Business security professionals make it a point to study their craft and learn ways to counter evolving threat. Business intelligence methods need to continue to keep up with technology to analyze and prevent the internal and external influences that can ruin the enterprise. The threats corporations face include: theft, vandalism, workplace violence, fraud, and computer attacks. Through a system of identification, analysis, risk assessment operation security and prevention, astute managers can mitigate risks.
Theft affects all. On average the median loss of theft of cash and non-cash assets is $223,000 (ACFE). The costs of theft are passed on to consumers to bear the cost of the loss. A simple way for companies in retail to get back from a bottom line loss is to pass the costs on by increasing the top line. Raising prices is a symptom of theft, but not a cure. It does nothing by itself to stop the activity other than punish the innocent.
Many companies have invested in security staff. This staff focuses efforts to identify and prevent theft. Many businesses have created “loss prevention” jobs. The whole career is oriented on identifying risky behavior, observing others, investigating theft, and finding methods of reducing risk. In retail, they may be secret shoppers; in transportation they may be monitoring cameras and patrolling as guards, or dressed in business suits advising in board rooms.
Information technology (IT) and lessons from business intelligence (BI) can be applied to detecting and preventing theft. For the internal threat, access can be controlled by badge or biometrics. Capabilities of these can limit access by employee, time of day, and certain days of the week. For example, employees that work in the warehouse can access their warehouse doors, but cannot gain entry to the supply department. Those who have janitorial privileges with their access cards can only do so during work hours and not when the business is closed.
Other IT help includes closed circuit television (CCTV). This is a great deterrent and detection device for both the internal and external threat. Current technologies allow the use of tilt/pan/zoom cameras that can record digital data for months. This data can be reviewed to see the habits and patterns of suspect customers and employees. All of this leaves a data trail that can be put into a data warehouse. Besides employee protection and assistance roles, this data can be mined to see patterns and recognize traits of potential perpetrators. For example, a supply bin in a warehouse may suffer shortage at each inventory. The installation of a CCTV device would provide digital feedback of whether or not supplies are being stolen and who is doing the stealing.
Sabotage and vandalism is a constant threat and can be categorized with workplace violence, criminal trespass activities, and industrial espionage or in conjunction with a theft. Though it is a rare, its costs are heavy and depending where in the supply chain the product is, the expense may fall on the company or the customer. Here supply chain is a generic term, but is used to identify an IT tool that provides and automated tracking of inventory and information along business practices. These practices can include campuses, apartments, retail, transportation, factories and other industries.
Security solutions to detect and prevent include monitoring the workplace and removing the internal threat, building security in depth to prevent the external threat, training employees on operation security, and employing loss prevention techniques. Other effective measures against vandalism and sabotage include volunteer forces, employee incentive programs and other organizations such as neighborhood watch programs. Industry, churches, community activity centers and schools have learned the value of relying on volunteers. Volunteers serve as force multiplies that report criminal activities like vandalism to the proper authorities.
Employee workplace violence makes huge headlines for a very good reason. It is shocking behavior with the most serious events resulting in multiple deaths. These incidents lead to law suits, low morale, a bad reputation for the company and leaves families and victims devastated. In 2003, workplace violence led to 631 deaths, the third leading cause of job related injury deaths (BLS).
This is acts of abuse physical or verbal that is taken out on employees, customers or other individuals at a place of business. For the purpose of this paper, the workplace is identified as a corporate building, warehouse, gas station, restaurant, school, taxi cab or other place where people engage in business.
Not all violence in the workplace end in death. They range from simple assault to much worse. What ever the level of crime, innocent people are attacked at the work place. In the corporate world this may be shocking. In other industries like law enforcement, retail sales and health care systems it is much different. These three have the most incidents. The US department of Justice conducted a study on workplace violence from 1993 to 1999. In this study they found that 1.7 million workers fell victim to many types of non-fatal crime. These crimes include, rape, assault, robbery, and sexual assault. These studies don’t always mean employee on employee violence, but include outsider on employee violence and vice versa (DETIS).
Concerning homicides at the workplace, it is very expensive. For the risk of sounding cold, the average mean cost of a work related homicide from 1992 to 2001 was a round $800,000. The total cost of homicides during those years was almost $6.5 billion (ASIS). These cold hard facts derived from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are what industry must deal with in creating their risk management plan. It is a tough but necessary evil that must be calculated.
When dealing with these facts and creating a mitigation plan, industry has to make choices to protect the workplace. The company has two obligations. The first includes the legal responsibility of the employer to protect and safeguard against preventable harm. This includes all those who work in or visit the workplace. The second responsibility is to handle incidents and investigations, discipline and other processes appropriately (ASIS). It is as important to respect the rights of all persons involved throughout the prevention and investigation processes.
All departments in the enterprise are involved in the prevention and detection. All can contribute to the design, construction, and use of the data warehouse necessary for executing this type of prevention and detection. Each part could maintain a data mart with senior managers mining from the entire warehouse. In this scenario, all team members would build the data base with discriminating features. Alone, these features would probably not mean much, but any behaviors or habits when combined, may identify an abuser.
The more serious discriminators would be identified and “non-hire” criteria. For example, one discriminator that would prevent a person from getting a job would be a history of violence. This would be identified in during the employee pre-employment screening phase. Another would be specific questions about performance during the interview that might indicate propensity for violence or not being able to work well with others.
By building these rules, all sources could contribute to the database to identify high risk people throughout the employment. Rules could be input that when breached, could help management make a determination of who might be a threat to harmony in the workplace. For example, HR can input results of pre-employment background checks, job interview records and disciplinary actions within the company. Managers could provide information from performance reviews about questionable comments. Employees could make anonymous tips about other employees concerning their behavior.
Employees’ may not be the threat. Nature of customers, friends and family members could provide risk to the work place. These criteria could be identified as well. Employees who have abusive partners or spouses and employees who perform in risky environments such as retail must be considered in the risk analysis and data warehouse input.
Some additional mitigating factors for employee workplace violence include traditional security methods. Additional lighting in darker areas, an armed guard, security cameras and panic alarms do wonders to give employees a peace of mind as well as help prevent violent behavior. Knowing security is in place deters the criminal element. These security measures could be linked in a network to provide feedback and evidence for use in analyzing and determining actions to prevent this behavior.
Occupational fraud describes the use of “one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse of resources or assets” (ACFE). Whether an employee feels entitled to his fair share, is disgruntled or other reasons, this crime is costly. The median cost to business for this scheme is $159,000. Some reported fraud cases have cost upward of $1 billion (ACFE). Fraud accounts for approximately five percent of losses of their annual revenues or $652 billion in fraud losses.
This crime can be broken down into three categories: Asset misappropriation, corruption, and fraudulent statement. Examples of asset misappropriation include fraudulent invoicing, payroll fraud, and skimming revenue. Corruption can involve bribery and conduction business laced with undisclosed conflict of interest. Fraudulent statement covers booking fictitious sales and recording expenses in the wrong period (ACFE).
Fraud losses affect small business the greatest. For example, compared to the median loss of all businesses, small businesses suffer median losses of $190,000. Losses like these can devastate an unwitting company and fraud can continue for 18 months before being detected (ACFE). Whenever possible, business should focus on reducing both the mean cost of a fraud incident as well as the time it takes to reduce the fraud discovery timeline.
Out of all industries, fraud causes the highest median losses per scheme in whole sale trade, construction and manufacturing. Government and retail has the lowest losses per scheme (ACFE). These industries have a huge impact on costs of finished product. Wholesale trade, construction and manufacturing all wrap up the costs in the final product. Of course the costs aren’t recovered immediately. In construction and some manufacturing, the jobs are bid on and regardless of losses; the project must be completed at or below cost of bid. However, later bids may be higher as a result to gain back costs.
Believe it or not, the position of who commit fraud is directly related to the cost of the fraud. For example, the losses caused by owners or executives in a business are 13% higher than the losses caused by employees (ACFE). Managers may not be sticking product in their pockets and sneaking out the door. People in higher positions can be found falsifying travel reports, creating false accounts, diverting payment and other crimes. Some of this is evident as we continue to prosecute chief officers involved in huge schemes.
Fraud is difficult to detect and many schemes can continue for long periods of time before they are detected. Detection can be accidental, the result of a tip, an audit (internal, external or surprise), hotline or as referred to by law enforcement. Focus and discipline could be perceived as the best means to detect fraud. Paying attention to patterns, verifying paperwork and checking records is time consuming, but must be performed.
The most successful but less used method to detect fraud involves the input of employees. Training employees on fraud and awareness cuts down on the time span of a fraud as well as the overall cost. Training increases morale in many ways and creates a team like atmosphere. Business can gain from the proper training. Employees are a great resource in fraud prevention. There has been great success with using hotlines and anonymous reporting to detect and deter fraud (ACFE).
Information technology (IT) and lessons from business intelligence (BI) can be applied to detecting and preventing fraud. We have already mentioned that employee and hotline tips are most effective but business doesn’t take advantage of this. Computer links could be set up on corporate sites to allow employees to report fraud. Some methods could include survey, direct question and answer, or just a space for reporting.
The audit, hotlines and tips are effective after or during the commission of the lengthy fraud period. These are all reactionary events. What about being proactive? Many companies have the capability to automate almost everything. Time sheets, accounting, billing, production and supply chain records are often on a server. Most require supervisor approval or at the very least have the capability of real time monitoring. This information can be integrated into a company version of a data warehouse and be manipulated according to the input rules. Specific habits of employees can be pulled to look for and address financial inconsistencies.
As mentioned earlier, businesses have employed access control measures such as card scanners, code readers and biometrics. They leave a trail of employee activity and regardless of position all are required to enter information to gain entry. Computer keyboard activity can be limited by password protection and all media should go through the security department before introduction or removal. All of this leaves a data trail that can be put into a data warehouse. Besides employee protection and assistance roles, this data can be mined to see patterns and recognize traits of potential perpetrators.
Finally, computer attacks are a huge risk to all businesses. The threat of hackers, malicious viruses, and those who hijack websites and hold financial transactions for ransom are just a few serious events of which the security manager must the aware. Data can be destroyed, reputations can be ruined, and lives can be stolen. These attacks can cripple an enterprise and could take months or years to recover. Businesses need to have IT tools to detect and combat this type of threat as soon as possible. Identity protection and other computer related incidents requires the same type of protection afforded to an employee as in the section about employee workplace violence.
Worms and viruses are quickly destroying years of input. These threats appear innocently enough in the beginning and when the right time comes, they activate. They recreate themselves, and spread through out networks and stand alone systems. Hackers continually knock at the internet portal trying to learn passwords and the inner most secrets of protect to exploit for espionage, theft or horrible fun. Hijackers enter a system and threaten to cripple financial transactions until payment is made; extortion in high-tech form.
Unprotected systems perpetuate all the above threats. Businesses that get involved either innocently as naive contributors or as the hapless victims suffer greatly financially and productively. There is another cost that could take longer to recover from. This is the of their valuable reputations with their customers. A technically illiterate or unprotected business has no excuse when dealing with customers or partners. Embarrassing things happen when a virus or cyber trail leads to a witless company. Industry cannot take the risk.
There are many existing security methods available to help companies take the offense against such attack. As the in the above examples, this effort takes the coordination, input and involvement of all business units and departments in the organization. This cannot be given to the security department alone to handle, however such actions should be accountable to one department.
There are new positions created called Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO). The hot new topic for these positions is convergence. Convergence is the alignment of physical and information security under the same department. According to CSO Magazine, this should be run by one point of contact being the CSO. This can align physical security, information security, compliance and privacy under one function. This enables the security executive to address Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Sarbanes-Oxley with focus and intent (CSO Online).
Other aggressive measures that can be taken are password protection, rules on internet use, firewalls and internet access blocking. These can be regulated with the convergence concept. Software already exists to help generate and protect passwords on network and stand alone systems. These help ensure not only that authorized users are accessing the systems, but they also provide a basis for auditing systems. This is vital to protect a company from the threat of social engineering. Information technology can track who used which system to access which information. The user leaves an automatic automated electronic trail.
Companies need a firewall to protect information from both leaving and entering the enterprise system. These firewalls help prevent hacking, high jacking and malicious viruses. The firewall needs to be updated regularly with updates. Most importantly, the CSO or CIO should be checking and running analysis identifying the threat. This analysis of threat and defenses can be conducted the same way as military strategy.
This identification should track where the threat is coming from, how often the defenses are probed, what the threat using to probe the defenses is, and what times of day are the threats the strongest. For operations security, the chief should look at what makes their business so tempting to the threat.
When a chief information or security officer analyses his own operation, they should be trying to identify strengths and weaknesses that the adversary is trying to exploit. When is the IT asset most vulnerable? Are our passwords easy to break? How much intrusion would it take to stop our operations? Are just a few questions that must be analyzed along with external threat analysis.
Internet discipline is also vital. An enemy doesn’t have to break down your defenses to wreak havoc. Just like old vampire lore, all you have to do is invite them in. When employees visit unauthorized websites, download unauthorized software, transfer data from a home computer or forward corrupted email, they can cause just as much harm. Blocking websites, allowing only IT personnel to upload software, and screening all mobile media or preventing all media such as CDs and other portable storage devices is crucial to protecting the enterprise.
As mentioned in other paragraphs, protecting your company with security in depth will solve many problems. This security in depth includes previously mentioned biometric or card reader access devices, alarms and CCTV cameras. These are available IT devices that are popular and effective at monitoring employee movement and activity. The chief can also store vital risk assessment detail in a data warehouse to better analyze events and proactively mitigate risks before damage occurs.
As mentioned throughout this paper, somebody needs to take charge of organizing a multiple business unit task force to protect the company. Traditional methods of segmenting units and having them work in a vacuum do not produce effective results. When the IT department handles all internet activity, human resources execute the laying off offenders, finance department handle all payroll discrepancies and accounting performs all audits, the result is a broken chain of incomplete activity.
The willing participation and information sharing is better handled in the form of a committee. Each respective department can do their day to day activities, but results can be presented to the entire group to help detect and determine any one of the threats addressed in this paper.
We began with the news reports of businesses needing to protect their personnel and the assets. We showed examples from the headlines of people coming to places of business to conduct senseless acts of terrorism and violence and the need for having a corporate culture or environment to address the different types of threats. This culture involves quickly evolving the role of security to become the protector of personnel, facilities and product. This evolution will enable them to use IT as a tool to help detect and deter risks to the enterprise.
Having said that, we can conclude that security professionals need to continue to make it a point to study their craft and learn ways to counter evolving threat. Business intelligence methods need to continue to keep up with technology to analyze and prevent the internal and external influences that can ruin the enterprise. The threats corporations face include: theft, vandalism, workplace violence, fraud, and computer attacks. We have reviewed the roles of security to converge traditional physical protection with the capabilities of IT systems. The IT can provide a great tool to enterprise as a system of identification, analysis, risk assessment operation security and prevention, astute managers can mitigate risks.
Works Cited:
ACFE. 2006 ACFE Report To The Nation On Occupational Fraud & Abuse, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Austin, TX, 2006
American Society of Industrial Security, Workplace Violence Prevention and Response, ASIS International, 2005
Detis. Violence in the workplace, 1993-1999. NCJ 190076. December 2001
Berinato, Scott; Carr, Kathleen; Datz, Todd; Kaplan, Simone and Scalet, Sarah. CSO Fundamentals: ABCs of Physical and IT Security Convergence. CSO Magazine. http://www.csoonline.com/fundamentals/abc_convergence.html
Cummings, Maeve; Haag, Stephen; Phillips, Amy, Management Information Systems for the Information Age. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY 2007
Jeffrey W. Bennett is a corporate security officer and holds the Industrial Security Professional (ISP)certification. Jeff is also the founder of LayMentor Ministries. This organization teaches volunteers how to lead with concepts similar to those taught in most MBA programs. Additionally, Jeff writes and teaches on the ISP certification. For more information on this article, practice test questions and the upcoming book, visit: [http://www.ispcert.com/]http://www.ispcert.com
Jeff is also the author of the Adventure novel Under the Lontar Palm available on line at http://www.jeffreywbennett.com or in major and online bookstores
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Bennett http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Need-for-Physical-and-IT-Security-Convergence&id=472930
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Bennett]Jeffrey Bennett
Business security professionals make it a point to study their craft and learn ways to counter evolving threat. Business intelligence methods need to continue to keep up with technology to analyze and prevent the internal and external influences that can ruin the enterprise. The threats corporations face include: theft, vandalism, workplace violence, fraud, and computer attacks. Through a system of identification, analysis, risk assessment operation security and prevention, astute managers can mitigate risks.
Theft affects all. On average the median loss of theft of cash and non-cash assets is $223,000 (ACFE). The costs of theft are passed on to consumers to bear the cost of the loss. A simple way for companies in retail to get back from a bottom line loss is to pass the costs on by increasing the top line. Raising prices is a symptom of theft, but not a cure. It does nothing by itself to stop the activity other than punish the innocent.
Many companies have invested in security staff. This staff focuses efforts to identify and prevent theft. Many businesses have created “loss prevention” jobs. The whole career is oriented on identifying risky behavior, observing others, investigating theft, and finding methods of reducing risk. In retail, they may be secret shoppers; in transportation they may be monitoring cameras and patrolling as guards, or dressed in business suits advising in board rooms.
Information technology (IT) and lessons from business intelligence (BI) can be applied to detecting and preventing theft. For the internal threat, access can be controlled by badge or biometrics. Capabilities of these can limit access by employee, time of day, and certain days of the week. For example, employees that work in the warehouse can access their warehouse doors, but cannot gain entry to the supply department. Those who have janitorial privileges with their access cards can only do so during work hours and not when the business is closed.
Other IT help includes closed circuit television (CCTV). This is a great deterrent and detection device for both the internal and external threat. Current technologies allow the use of tilt/pan/zoom cameras that can record digital data for months. This data can be reviewed to see the habits and patterns of suspect customers and employees. All of this leaves a data trail that can be put into a data warehouse. Besides employee protection and assistance roles, this data can be mined to see patterns and recognize traits of potential perpetrators. For example, a supply bin in a warehouse may suffer shortage at each inventory. The installation of a CCTV device would provide digital feedback of whether or not supplies are being stolen and who is doing the stealing.
Sabotage and vandalism is a constant threat and can be categorized with workplace violence, criminal trespass activities, and industrial espionage or in conjunction with a theft. Though it is a rare, its costs are heavy and depending where in the supply chain the product is, the expense may fall on the company or the customer. Here supply chain is a generic term, but is used to identify an IT tool that provides and automated tracking of inventory and information along business practices. These practices can include campuses, apartments, retail, transportation, factories and other industries.
Security solutions to detect and prevent include monitoring the workplace and removing the internal threat, building security in depth to prevent the external threat, training employees on operation security, and employing loss prevention techniques. Other effective measures against vandalism and sabotage include volunteer forces, employee incentive programs and other organizations such as neighborhood watch programs. Industry, churches, community activity centers and schools have learned the value of relying on volunteers. Volunteers serve as force multiplies that report criminal activities like vandalism to the proper authorities.
Employee workplace violence makes huge headlines for a very good reason. It is shocking behavior with the most serious events resulting in multiple deaths. These incidents lead to law suits, low morale, a bad reputation for the company and leaves families and victims devastated. In 2003, workplace violence led to 631 deaths, the third leading cause of job related injury deaths (BLS).
This is acts of abuse physical or verbal that is taken out on employees, customers or other individuals at a place of business. For the purpose of this paper, the workplace is identified as a corporate building, warehouse, gas station, restaurant, school, taxi cab or other place where people engage in business.
Not all violence in the workplace end in death. They range from simple assault to much worse. What ever the level of crime, innocent people are attacked at the work place. In the corporate world this may be shocking. In other industries like law enforcement, retail sales and health care systems it is much different. These three have the most incidents. The US department of Justice conducted a study on workplace violence from 1993 to 1999. In this study they found that 1.7 million workers fell victim to many types of non-fatal crime. These crimes include, rape, assault, robbery, and sexual assault. These studies don’t always mean employee on employee violence, but include outsider on employee violence and vice versa (DETIS).
Concerning homicides at the workplace, it is very expensive. For the risk of sounding cold, the average mean cost of a work related homicide from 1992 to 2001 was a round $800,000. The total cost of homicides during those years was almost $6.5 billion (ASIS). These cold hard facts derived from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are what industry must deal with in creating their risk management plan. It is a tough but necessary evil that must be calculated.
When dealing with these facts and creating a mitigation plan, industry has to make choices to protect the workplace. The company has two obligations. The first includes the legal responsibility of the employer to protect and safeguard against preventable harm. This includes all those who work in or visit the workplace. The second responsibility is to handle incidents and investigations, discipline and other processes appropriately (ASIS). It is as important to respect the rights of all persons involved throughout the prevention and investigation processes.
All departments in the enterprise are involved in the prevention and detection. All can contribute to the design, construction, and use of the data warehouse necessary for executing this type of prevention and detection. Each part could maintain a data mart with senior managers mining from the entire warehouse. In this scenario, all team members would build the data base with discriminating features. Alone, these features would probably not mean much, but any behaviors or habits when combined, may identify an abuser.
The more serious discriminators would be identified and “non-hire” criteria. For example, one discriminator that would prevent a person from getting a job would be a history of violence. This would be identified in during the employee pre-employment screening phase. Another would be specific questions about performance during the interview that might indicate propensity for violence or not being able to work well with others.
By building these rules, all sources could contribute to the database to identify high risk people throughout the employment. Rules could be input that when breached, could help management make a determination of who might be a threat to harmony in the workplace. For example, HR can input results of pre-employment background checks, job interview records and disciplinary actions within the company. Managers could provide information from performance reviews about questionable comments. Employees could make anonymous tips about other employees concerning their behavior.
Employees’ may not be the threat. Nature of customers, friends and family members could provide risk to the work place. These criteria could be identified as well. Employees who have abusive partners or spouses and employees who perform in risky environments such as retail must be considered in the risk analysis and data warehouse input.
Some additional mitigating factors for employee workplace violence include traditional security methods. Additional lighting in darker areas, an armed guard, security cameras and panic alarms do wonders to give employees a peace of mind as well as help prevent violent behavior. Knowing security is in place deters the criminal element. These security measures could be linked in a network to provide feedback and evidence for use in analyzing and determining actions to prevent this behavior.
Occupational fraud describes the use of “one’s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse of resources or assets” (ACFE). Whether an employee feels entitled to his fair share, is disgruntled or other reasons, this crime is costly. The median cost to business for this scheme is $159,000. Some reported fraud cases have cost upward of $1 billion (ACFE). Fraud accounts for approximately five percent of losses of their annual revenues or $652 billion in fraud losses.
This crime can be broken down into three categories: Asset misappropriation, corruption, and fraudulent statement. Examples of asset misappropriation include fraudulent invoicing, payroll fraud, and skimming revenue. Corruption can involve bribery and conduction business laced with undisclosed conflict of interest. Fraudulent statement covers booking fictitious sales and recording expenses in the wrong period (ACFE).
Fraud losses affect small business the greatest. For example, compared to the median loss of all businesses, small businesses suffer median losses of $190,000. Losses like these can devastate an unwitting company and fraud can continue for 18 months before being detected (ACFE). Whenever possible, business should focus on reducing both the mean cost of a fraud incident as well as the time it takes to reduce the fraud discovery timeline.
Out of all industries, fraud causes the highest median losses per scheme in whole sale trade, construction and manufacturing. Government and retail has the lowest losses per scheme (ACFE). These industries have a huge impact on costs of finished product. Wholesale trade, construction and manufacturing all wrap up the costs in the final product. Of course the costs aren’t recovered immediately. In construction and some manufacturing, the jobs are bid on and regardless of losses; the project must be completed at or below cost of bid. However, later bids may be higher as a result to gain back costs.
Believe it or not, the position of who commit fraud is directly related to the cost of the fraud. For example, the losses caused by owners or executives in a business are 13% higher than the losses caused by employees (ACFE). Managers may not be sticking product in their pockets and sneaking out the door. People in higher positions can be found falsifying travel reports, creating false accounts, diverting payment and other crimes. Some of this is evident as we continue to prosecute chief officers involved in huge schemes.
Fraud is difficult to detect and many schemes can continue for long periods of time before they are detected. Detection can be accidental, the result of a tip, an audit (internal, external or surprise), hotline or as referred to by law enforcement. Focus and discipline could be perceived as the best means to detect fraud. Paying attention to patterns, verifying paperwork and checking records is time consuming, but must be performed.
The most successful but less used method to detect fraud involves the input of employees. Training employees on fraud and awareness cuts down on the time span of a fraud as well as the overall cost. Training increases morale in many ways and creates a team like atmosphere. Business can gain from the proper training. Employees are a great resource in fraud prevention. There has been great success with using hotlines and anonymous reporting to detect and deter fraud (ACFE).
Information technology (IT) and lessons from business intelligence (BI) can be applied to detecting and preventing fraud. We have already mentioned that employee and hotline tips are most effective but business doesn’t take advantage of this. Computer links could be set up on corporate sites to allow employees to report fraud. Some methods could include survey, direct question and answer, or just a space for reporting.
The audit, hotlines and tips are effective after or during the commission of the lengthy fraud period. These are all reactionary events. What about being proactive? Many companies have the capability to automate almost everything. Time sheets, accounting, billing, production and supply chain records are often on a server. Most require supervisor approval or at the very least have the capability of real time monitoring. This information can be integrated into a company version of a data warehouse and be manipulated according to the input rules. Specific habits of employees can be pulled to look for and address financial inconsistencies.
As mentioned earlier, businesses have employed access control measures such as card scanners, code readers and biometrics. They leave a trail of employee activity and regardless of position all are required to enter information to gain entry. Computer keyboard activity can be limited by password protection and all media should go through the security department before introduction or removal. All of this leaves a data trail that can be put into a data warehouse. Besides employee protection and assistance roles, this data can be mined to see patterns and recognize traits of potential perpetrators.
Finally, computer attacks are a huge risk to all businesses. The threat of hackers, malicious viruses, and those who hijack websites and hold financial transactions for ransom are just a few serious events of which the security manager must the aware. Data can be destroyed, reputations can be ruined, and lives can be stolen. These attacks can cripple an enterprise and could take months or years to recover. Businesses need to have IT tools to detect and combat this type of threat as soon as possible. Identity protection and other computer related incidents requires the same type of protection afforded to an employee as in the section about employee workplace violence.
Worms and viruses are quickly destroying years of input. These threats appear innocently enough in the beginning and when the right time comes, they activate. They recreate themselves, and spread through out networks and stand alone systems. Hackers continually knock at the internet portal trying to learn passwords and the inner most secrets of protect to exploit for espionage, theft or horrible fun. Hijackers enter a system and threaten to cripple financial transactions until payment is made; extortion in high-tech form.
Unprotected systems perpetuate all the above threats. Businesses that get involved either innocently as naive contributors or as the hapless victims suffer greatly financially and productively. There is another cost that could take longer to recover from. This is the of their valuable reputations with their customers. A technically illiterate or unprotected business has no excuse when dealing with customers or partners. Embarrassing things happen when a virus or cyber trail leads to a witless company. Industry cannot take the risk.
There are many existing security methods available to help companies take the offense against such attack. As the in the above examples, this effort takes the coordination, input and involvement of all business units and departments in the organization. This cannot be given to the security department alone to handle, however such actions should be accountable to one department.
There are new positions created called Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO). The hot new topic for these positions is convergence. Convergence is the alignment of physical and information security under the same department. According to CSO Magazine, this should be run by one point of contact being the CSO. This can align physical security, information security, compliance and privacy under one function. This enables the security executive to address Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Sarbanes-Oxley with focus and intent (CSO Online).
Other aggressive measures that can be taken are password protection, rules on internet use, firewalls and internet access blocking. These can be regulated with the convergence concept. Software already exists to help generate and protect passwords on network and stand alone systems. These help ensure not only that authorized users are accessing the systems, but they also provide a basis for auditing systems. This is vital to protect a company from the threat of social engineering. Information technology can track who used which system to access which information. The user leaves an automatic automated electronic trail.
Companies need a firewall to protect information from both leaving and entering the enterprise system. These firewalls help prevent hacking, high jacking and malicious viruses. The firewall needs to be updated regularly with updates. Most importantly, the CSO or CIO should be checking and running analysis identifying the threat. This analysis of threat and defenses can be conducted the same way as military strategy.
This identification should track where the threat is coming from, how often the defenses are probed, what the threat using to probe the defenses is, and what times of day are the threats the strongest. For operations security, the chief should look at what makes their business so tempting to the threat.
When a chief information or security officer analyses his own operation, they should be trying to identify strengths and weaknesses that the adversary is trying to exploit. When is the IT asset most vulnerable? Are our passwords easy to break? How much intrusion would it take to stop our operations? Are just a few questions that must be analyzed along with external threat analysis.
Internet discipline is also vital. An enemy doesn’t have to break down your defenses to wreak havoc. Just like old vampire lore, all you have to do is invite them in. When employees visit unauthorized websites, download unauthorized software, transfer data from a home computer or forward corrupted email, they can cause just as much harm. Blocking websites, allowing only IT personnel to upload software, and screening all mobile media or preventing all media such as CDs and other portable storage devices is crucial to protecting the enterprise.
As mentioned in other paragraphs, protecting your company with security in depth will solve many problems. This security in depth includes previously mentioned biometric or card reader access devices, alarms and CCTV cameras. These are available IT devices that are popular and effective at monitoring employee movement and activity. The chief can also store vital risk assessment detail in a data warehouse to better analyze events and proactively mitigate risks before damage occurs.
As mentioned throughout this paper, somebody needs to take charge of organizing a multiple business unit task force to protect the company. Traditional methods of segmenting units and having them work in a vacuum do not produce effective results. When the IT department handles all internet activity, human resources execute the laying off offenders, finance department handle all payroll discrepancies and accounting performs all audits, the result is a broken chain of incomplete activity.
The willing participation and information sharing is better handled in the form of a committee. Each respective department can do their day to day activities, but results can be presented to the entire group to help detect and determine any one of the threats addressed in this paper.
We began with the news reports of businesses needing to protect their personnel and the assets. We showed examples from the headlines of people coming to places of business to conduct senseless acts of terrorism and violence and the need for having a corporate culture or environment to address the different types of threats. This culture involves quickly evolving the role of security to become the protector of personnel, facilities and product. This evolution will enable them to use IT as a tool to help detect and deter risks to the enterprise.
Having said that, we can conclude that security professionals need to continue to make it a point to study their craft and learn ways to counter evolving threat. Business intelligence methods need to continue to keep up with technology to analyze and prevent the internal and external influences that can ruin the enterprise. The threats corporations face include: theft, vandalism, workplace violence, fraud, and computer attacks. We have reviewed the roles of security to converge traditional physical protection with the capabilities of IT systems. The IT can provide a great tool to enterprise as a system of identification, analysis, risk assessment operation security and prevention, astute managers can mitigate risks.
Works Cited:
ACFE. 2006 ACFE Report To The Nation On Occupational Fraud & Abuse, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Austin, TX, 2006
American Society of Industrial Security, Workplace Violence Prevention and Response, ASIS International, 2005
Detis. Violence in the workplace, 1993-1999. NCJ 190076. December 2001
Berinato, Scott; Carr, Kathleen; Datz, Todd; Kaplan, Simone and Scalet, Sarah. CSO Fundamentals: ABCs of Physical and IT Security Convergence. CSO Magazine. http://www.csoonline.com/fundamentals/abc_convergence.html
Cummings, Maeve; Haag, Stephen; Phillips, Amy, Management Information Systems for the Information Age. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY 2007
Jeffrey W. Bennett is a corporate security officer and holds the Industrial Security Professional (ISP)certification. Jeff is also the founder of LayMentor Ministries. This organization teaches volunteers how to lead with concepts similar to those taught in most MBA programs. Additionally, Jeff writes and teaches on the ISP certification. For more information on this article, practice test questions and the upcoming book, visit: [http://www.ispcert.com/]http://www.ispcert.com
Jeff is also the author of the Adventure novel Under the Lontar Palm available on line at http://www.jeffreywbennett.com or in major and online bookstores
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Bennett http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Need-for-Physical-and-IT-Security-Convergence&id=472930
Security Thieves Hate
Security Thieves Hate
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Frank_Landers]Frank Landers
Basic Security in the Home does not need to cost a fortune in fact it could save you a fortune. By the time you read this article there will have been five burglaries. The majority of break-ins are through doors (66%) followed by the windows (32%) A home security alarm with alarm monitoring, home security cameras (CCTV) and quality security locks fitted are part of the best security scenario for your property. However there are some basic crime preventative measures you can take that are either free or very cost effective.
Simple precautions include making sure your external doors are locked especially in the evenings, install a chain and bolt and a door viewer. Put a deadbolt on any cellar or basement doors from the inside if possible or a hasp and good strong padlock on the outside. Close all your windows especially when you go out even the small ones. Don’t leave handbags or wallets lying out where someone could quickly snatch them. Make sure that any gardening equipment and ladders are locked away to prevent them being used to help a burglar break-in. Don’t leave a spare key under the mat or a plant, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor.
Security lighting is cheap and usually come with built-in PIR motion detector, which will light up when someone approaches your property. Thieves hate to be noticed and the last thing they want is to be seen. Security lighting is also a good safety feature to help provide safer access to your door.
A cheap battery operated PIR Motion detector costs very little and could alert you to an intruder and hopefully frighten them away if they think they are going to be discovered. Think about where you place the motion detectors if you have pets or children that could set them off. Join or start a neighborhood watch scheme in your area. Your local Police department should be able to give you help and advice to set one up and run it. If you are going out at night close the curtains or blinds and leave a radio playing to give the appearance that someone is still in.
Fit security window locks, especially to all lower ground windows and don’t leave the key in the window when you go out. Security window locks are cheap and easy to fit and are generally available at most DIY stores. Mark your property with your postcode using a (UV) security pen or engraving and make then less attractive to steal. It is often harder for them to sell property that has been marked with the true owners post code or details.
Many people do not realise that over the years their property is worth far more than they think. How much does a CD or a DVD cost? then multiply it by the number you have. Even the modest CD or DVD collection could be expensive to replace and in some cases could be impossible if your favourite CD is not longer available to order. Think about any Jewellery, DVD players, Televisions, Hi-fi, Cameras and video cameras you may have, what would it cost to replace all of these items? You might have insurance but that does not help you replace items of a sentimental value or the now deleted CD or DVD. It’s your property and by taking a few simple precautions you could prevent it becoming someone else’s!
It’s not just the fact that someone has taken your possessions, they have been in your home and through your personal property. Then you have to deal with the Police to report the crime and then the insurance company who want receipts and lots of information. The last thing you want is to come face to face with a burglar where anything could happen.
These measures should be in conjunction with other security measures like a home security alarm, high security window locks, security cameras (CCTV) it all helps to prevent your home from being the next crime scene. Most burglars are opportunist and if you don’t give them the opportunity you will save yourself a lot of stress and hassle.
Frank Landers is a freelance journalist and award winning photographer, He has also worked as a Travel and Security adviser (Not allowed to say who for) and is currently retained as a security adviser for [http://www.securityinthehome.com]Security in the Home
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Landers http://EzineArticles.com/?Security-Thieves-Hate&id=421478
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Frank_Landers]Frank Landers
Basic Security in the Home does not need to cost a fortune in fact it could save you a fortune. By the time you read this article there will have been five burglaries. The majority of break-ins are through doors (66%) followed by the windows (32%) A home security alarm with alarm monitoring, home security cameras (CCTV) and quality security locks fitted are part of the best security scenario for your property. However there are some basic crime preventative measures you can take that are either free or very cost effective.
Simple precautions include making sure your external doors are locked especially in the evenings, install a chain and bolt and a door viewer. Put a deadbolt on any cellar or basement doors from the inside if possible or a hasp and good strong padlock on the outside. Close all your windows especially when you go out even the small ones. Don’t leave handbags or wallets lying out where someone could quickly snatch them. Make sure that any gardening equipment and ladders are locked away to prevent them being used to help a burglar break-in. Don’t leave a spare key under the mat or a plant, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor.
Security lighting is cheap and usually come with built-in PIR motion detector, which will light up when someone approaches your property. Thieves hate to be noticed and the last thing they want is to be seen. Security lighting is also a good safety feature to help provide safer access to your door.
A cheap battery operated PIR Motion detector costs very little and could alert you to an intruder and hopefully frighten them away if they think they are going to be discovered. Think about where you place the motion detectors if you have pets or children that could set them off. Join or start a neighborhood watch scheme in your area. Your local Police department should be able to give you help and advice to set one up and run it. If you are going out at night close the curtains or blinds and leave a radio playing to give the appearance that someone is still in.
Fit security window locks, especially to all lower ground windows and don’t leave the key in the window when you go out. Security window locks are cheap and easy to fit and are generally available at most DIY stores. Mark your property with your postcode using a (UV) security pen or engraving and make then less attractive to steal. It is often harder for them to sell property that has been marked with the true owners post code or details.
Many people do not realise that over the years their property is worth far more than they think. How much does a CD or a DVD cost? then multiply it by the number you have. Even the modest CD or DVD collection could be expensive to replace and in some cases could be impossible if your favourite CD is not longer available to order. Think about any Jewellery, DVD players, Televisions, Hi-fi, Cameras and video cameras you may have, what would it cost to replace all of these items? You might have insurance but that does not help you replace items of a sentimental value or the now deleted CD or DVD. It’s your property and by taking a few simple precautions you could prevent it becoming someone else’s!
It’s not just the fact that someone has taken your possessions, they have been in your home and through your personal property. Then you have to deal with the Police to report the crime and then the insurance company who want receipts and lots of information. The last thing you want is to come face to face with a burglar where anything could happen.
These measures should be in conjunction with other security measures like a home security alarm, high security window locks, security cameras (CCTV) it all helps to prevent your home from being the next crime scene. Most burglars are opportunist and if you don’t give them the opportunity you will save yourself a lot of stress and hassle.
Frank Landers is a freelance journalist and award winning photographer, He has also worked as a Travel and Security adviser (Not allowed to say who for) and is currently retained as a security adviser for [http://www.securityinthehome.com]Security in the Home
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Landers http://EzineArticles.com/?Security-Thieves-Hate&id=421478
Information Security
Information Security
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Prajakta_Dhote]Prajakta Dhote
For every organization information is the most vital part. Now a day the most challenging job for every organization is Information Security. When we say Information Security it means Information Security in Internet.
Now a day’s productivity improvements and competitiveness are being driven by the networked enterprise organizations connecting up, communicating and doing business in real time with customers, partners and suppliers wherever they are located. But at the same time, today’s business environment is also characterized by risk and uncertainty. Customers, shareholders and partners are understandably placing a premium on businesses that are secure and protected. Every organization has to cope up with daily threats such as virus attacks, basic human errors and security policy enforcement. Security should be designed to minimize and control the impact of human errors, harness the power of leading products and technologies but must also be carefully crafted, integrated and underpinned by rigorous procedures.
An effective corporate security strategy will be judged on well it protects the value generating assets of one’s organization. Including people, information, processes, technology, systems, networks and buildings enterprises need to accept wide policies and process:
1) Strategic risk and vulnerability assessment across the enterprise.
2) Deployment of resilient IT and network infrastructure.
3) Contingency and recovery plans to minimize the impact of disruption
4) Regular training, rehearsal and audit.
If one gets these elements right it will go well on the way to reaping the benefits of running a secure and protested business. Deploying the right technical solutions is vital, but far from sufficient. In this area there is a great demand of skilled people to help in the event of a crisis along with having the right policies and processes. This is the only way to ensure that risk is being properly managed.
For many work to be done, challenges are must. And when we talk of security obviously challenges and threats are there. A threat to security major hampers organization from financial, social as well as from technical aspects. Whereas challenges are-
1) Implementing security
2) Maintain it
3) Take decision according to the organization situation
The most common challenges in implementing information security are
Speed of change and increasing sophistication of threats, Employee awareness, Internal availability of specialist skills, Budget, Availability of tools, security solution, Unclear roles and responsibilities (IT and Business ) , Senior business management support, Lack of information management strategy, Senior IT management support
As it is understood that information security threats involves viruses and unauthorized access to information or hacking are not the only one. In addition to this government and private intelligent community and the policies of information security that give major threat to information security.
Degree of risk is high in Aerospace & Defense, Electronics, Financial Services, Health Care, Information Services medium in Pharmaceutical,
Retail, Automotive, Chemical, Energy/oil and gases, Transportation, Wholesale low in Agriculture, Construction & Real Estate, Food, Beverages, Industrial Equipment.
Although there is no guarantee that any organization won’t get hit, but there are some key components on which Information Security manager has to take care of (Role)-
1) Identifying the risk. Determining Company’s most critical information, assets and spending his time and energy protecting what’s most important.
2) Getting the CEO involved. Good security has to start from the top, with executives who help create a corporate culture that values security.
3) Putting some in charge. Security is a complex job, so make sure some one is in charge of coordinating security efforts.
4) Developing and implementing a security policy. Establishing guidelines for how the company handles and protect data.
5) Educating employees and raising awareness among them.
6) Having a security audit done. Hire an independent third party to evaluate the security position and then apply the recommendations made by auditor.
7) Incorporating physical security in to the plan. The best security technology in the world won’t do any good if a well meaning employee allow the wrong person in to the server room.
8) Remembering internal threats. Most attempted hacks come from the outside, but most successful ones start with people who have inside knowledge.
9) Deleting the user account when employees quit or are let go.
10) Continuously updating and keep tracking of new developments in information security including new vulnerabilities and attacks.
11) Prepare for the worst creating an incident response plan to help you save time in the event of the security problem.
In working with both the private and public sectors, Unisys has created and deployed a Secure Commerce Blueprint across six different countries – Pakistan, Shrilanka, China, Hong Kong, U.S. , Brazil and Taiwan. The new Blueprint does more than just increase security. By integrating global supply chain networks , this blueprint offers greater real-time visibility and the ability to adopt and respond to all events, from a port strike or terrorist threat to a sudden market opportunity.
Information security professionals has to take care of –
Secure access to the workstation.
Secure access to the server
Single sign on- a) Activating the electronic signature, b) Activating data encryption
Today many organization demands an advance level of security for the new business process they are introducing to the workplace. There is need of new advance identification & authentication procedures to offer a high level of security appropriate for business processes and at the same time guarantees highest user comfort, massive cost savings and security investment.
The challenging world of Information security is open for the person who is ready to update their knowledge every moment.
Prajakta C. Dhote M.C.A. is a Jr. Faculty in ICFAI NAtional College, Chandrapur , Maharashtra, India. She has 3 years of corporate experience and 2 years academic experience and doing reasearch in Fuzzy Logic
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prajakta_Dhote http://EzineArticles.com/?Information-Security&id=332531
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Prajakta_Dhote]Prajakta Dhote
For every organization information is the most vital part. Now a day the most challenging job for every organization is Information Security. When we say Information Security it means Information Security in Internet.
Now a day’s productivity improvements and competitiveness are being driven by the networked enterprise organizations connecting up, communicating and doing business in real time with customers, partners and suppliers wherever they are located. But at the same time, today’s business environment is also characterized by risk and uncertainty. Customers, shareholders and partners are understandably placing a premium on businesses that are secure and protected. Every organization has to cope up with daily threats such as virus attacks, basic human errors and security policy enforcement. Security should be designed to minimize and control the impact of human errors, harness the power of leading products and technologies but must also be carefully crafted, integrated and underpinned by rigorous procedures.
An effective corporate security strategy will be judged on well it protects the value generating assets of one’s organization. Including people, information, processes, technology, systems, networks and buildings enterprises need to accept wide policies and process:
1) Strategic risk and vulnerability assessment across the enterprise.
2) Deployment of resilient IT and network infrastructure.
3) Contingency and recovery plans to minimize the impact of disruption
4) Regular training, rehearsal and audit.
If one gets these elements right it will go well on the way to reaping the benefits of running a secure and protested business. Deploying the right technical solutions is vital, but far from sufficient. In this area there is a great demand of skilled people to help in the event of a crisis along with having the right policies and processes. This is the only way to ensure that risk is being properly managed.
For many work to be done, challenges are must. And when we talk of security obviously challenges and threats are there. A threat to security major hampers organization from financial, social as well as from technical aspects. Whereas challenges are-
1) Implementing security
2) Maintain it
3) Take decision according to the organization situation
The most common challenges in implementing information security are
Speed of change and increasing sophistication of threats, Employee awareness, Internal availability of specialist skills, Budget, Availability of tools, security solution, Unclear roles and responsibilities (IT and Business ) , Senior business management support, Lack of information management strategy, Senior IT management support
As it is understood that information security threats involves viruses and unauthorized access to information or hacking are not the only one. In addition to this government and private intelligent community and the policies of information security that give major threat to information security.
Degree of risk is high in Aerospace & Defense, Electronics, Financial Services, Health Care, Information Services medium in Pharmaceutical,
Retail, Automotive, Chemical, Energy/oil and gases, Transportation, Wholesale low in Agriculture, Construction & Real Estate, Food, Beverages, Industrial Equipment.
Although there is no guarantee that any organization won’t get hit, but there are some key components on which Information Security manager has to take care of (Role)-
1) Identifying the risk. Determining Company’s most critical information, assets and spending his time and energy protecting what’s most important.
2) Getting the CEO involved. Good security has to start from the top, with executives who help create a corporate culture that values security.
3) Putting some in charge. Security is a complex job, so make sure some one is in charge of coordinating security efforts.
4) Developing and implementing a security policy. Establishing guidelines for how the company handles and protect data.
5) Educating employees and raising awareness among them.
6) Having a security audit done. Hire an independent third party to evaluate the security position and then apply the recommendations made by auditor.
7) Incorporating physical security in to the plan. The best security technology in the world won’t do any good if a well meaning employee allow the wrong person in to the server room.
8) Remembering internal threats. Most attempted hacks come from the outside, but most successful ones start with people who have inside knowledge.
9) Deleting the user account when employees quit or are let go.
10) Continuously updating and keep tracking of new developments in information security including new vulnerabilities and attacks.
11) Prepare for the worst creating an incident response plan to help you save time in the event of the security problem.
In working with both the private and public sectors, Unisys has created and deployed a Secure Commerce Blueprint across six different countries – Pakistan, Shrilanka, China, Hong Kong, U.S. , Brazil and Taiwan. The new Blueprint does more than just increase security. By integrating global supply chain networks , this blueprint offers greater real-time visibility and the ability to adopt and respond to all events, from a port strike or terrorist threat to a sudden market opportunity.
Information security professionals has to take care of –
Secure access to the workstation.
Secure access to the server
Single sign on- a) Activating the electronic signature, b) Activating data encryption
Today many organization demands an advance level of security for the new business process they are introducing to the workplace. There is need of new advance identification & authentication procedures to offer a high level of security appropriate for business processes and at the same time guarantees highest user comfort, massive cost savings and security investment.
The challenging world of Information security is open for the person who is ready to update their knowledge every moment.
Prajakta C. Dhote M.C.A. is a Jr. Faculty in ICFAI NAtional College, Chandrapur , Maharashtra, India. She has 3 years of corporate experience and 2 years academic experience and doing reasearch in Fuzzy Logic
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prajakta_Dhote http://EzineArticles.com/?Information-Security&id=332531
Network Security
Network Security
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Hazelwood]Rhonda Hazelwood
Security is an essential part of maintaining any network and is the primary focus for a network administrator. While most people think that the main focus of a network administrator is to ensure that users can access data and other resources needed to perform their job functions, they don’t realize the work and attention needed to make certain all data is secure.
End users are happy as long as they get the data they need and don’t have to jump through hoops to get to it. Account names and requiring passwords only serve to keep honest people honest. There are many ways to compromise an account’s security and any decent hacker usually knows more tricks of the trade than the network administrator. The use of authentication services and/or Biometrics can improve security, but only to a certain degree.
If you’re responsible for a small operation, network security cannot be compromised. Hackers don’t discriminate; they’re looking for sensitive corporate or financial data that they can exploit. Customer and clients don’t discriminate; they’re entitled to the same service and reliability that they would get from a large corporation.
When it comes to protecting your network, there is no room for compromise. You must block any and all threats flowing around the Internet. Especially look for viruses and other forms of malware that can compromise your network and end-user systems, which could lead to data loss and expensive downtime. Spam clogs up inboxes and e-mail servers that cost businesses billions of dollars each year. Spyware and network intrusions are designed and targeted to steal valuable information from specific companies which can impact revenue and a company’s reputation. Plishing attacks exploit user habits to steal personal information.
Everyday security threats are being modified and refined, as hackers new conduits such as instant messaging, peer-to-peer connections, and wireless networks to deliver their attacks. In my opinion, the biggest headache for small businesses is the misuse of the Internet by employees. If a user visits an inappropriate site, sends or receives inappropriate content, or worse, violates confidentiality and leaks client information or company secrets, legal liability action is sure to follow. End user education needs to be top priority for all network administrators.
Insiders aren’t the most common security problem, but they can be among the most damaging to a company’s reputation. Insider attacks against IT infrastructure are among the security breaches most feared by both government and corporate security professionals. If an employee is terminated, it’s crucial that all system access be revoked immediately. About half of all insider attacks take place between the time an IT employee is dismissed and their user privileges are taken away. I was in a situation where a co-worker was dismissed because of poor work performance. The IT manager arranged for all user privileges to be terminated immediately after the employee was informed of his termination. He was allowed to remove personal items from his office and computer, but was supervised the entire time. There was a tremendous amount of planning involved to coordinate this, but it work effectively.
When it comes to current employees, IT managers must keep an eye out for insubordination, anger over perceived mistreatment, or resistance to sharing responsibility or training colleagues, which are all signs someone may be capable of system sabotage or data theft. IT managers must be watchful any time someone with access to sensitive systems has a falling out with his or her bosses.
Defending against insiders isn’t easy, but knowing what to look for and understanding who you’re up against certainly helps. Managers must not only monitor system access, but also let employees know their system changes can be tracked. Employers should be wary of people unwilling to share their knowledge about systems or uncomfortable with the fact that their activities accessing systems or data can be tracked.
There are six basic security rules for Windows systems that can apply for all systems. If a network administrator follows the basic principles that will be discussed here, they can feel confident that their systems are protected.
First, the manager should be segment the network into areas of trust and provide specific controls at border areas. A basic firewall can filter access to services, and a more advanced system can inspect traffic and can detect that it is harmful. Things as simple as blocking access to TCP port 1433 and TCP port 1434 at the border firewall, allowing Internet access only to those SQL systems that must be accessed from the Internet, and patching the SQL systems could prevent viruses or worms from infecting a network.
Systems are sometimes left unpatched because there are so many to patch. Focusing efforts on the most vulnerable points will most likely achieve adequate coverage. You can find a list of the most frequently probed ports used by Windows systems at www.sans.org/y2k/ports.htm. Not all of the ports listed are used by Windows but you can make sure they are filtered at the firewall. You can also set a standard to block all ports and then unblock only the ports needed. Another good practice is to determine the open ports to ensure that they are legitimately needed.
Second, moderate the effect of spoofed ports and increasing use of port 80 by new services. The most common open port is of course port 80, so attacks directed at a web server will not be stopped by a common firewall. If a needed port is blocked, applications such as instant messaging, and streaming media will automatically use the open port. Trojans can be designed to listen on any port and can be specially designed to look like web traffic. Preventing overuse and misuse can be accomplished by using an application-layer firewall, ensure that a port is open only for specific servers, and configure systems at the host level with port filtering or IPSec blocking policies that can be set to block known troublesome ports.
Third, everyone agrees that the number one thing that you can do to improve security on a network is to keep patches current. Over ninety percent of systems that have been attacked could have been prevented if known vulnerabilities had been diminished via patches and configuration. Patching plans can be developed and used with enormous benefits. Some ways to mitigate patches are: manually, by downloading the patch, testing and applying it to a system, visiting the Windows Update Site to review the available patches, then deciding to accept or reject any proffered changes. Automatic updates can be configured to periodically connect to Microsoft for inspection and downloading of updates. Software Update Service is a free server application that when configured the system will periodically download patches from Microsoft. Microsoft Systems Management Server with update is purchased separately from Windows operating system and provides multiple management services. And, third-party patching products are available that can provide similar services.
Strengthening authentication processes can also help to secure your network. Authentication can be increased by enforcing a strong password policy. Use some other form of authentication along with this. Use technology and physical security to protect password databases and authentication material. Also you must understand that Windows authentication systems vary, and backward compatibility means less secure authentication may be used even by the most recent version of the operating system. One very important issue is to recognize that your network is only as secure as the least secure part.
Fourth, limit the number of administrators and limiting their privileges can help to secure a network. Don’t automatically give admin rights to the local PC unless there are applications that require it to run needed processes. In most cases administrative rights can be substituted with just elevated or privileged rights. Users with admin rights should be educated about not using that account to read email or surf the Internet. Instead, they should be given an ordinary account for those purposes.
Fifth, protecting systems against known attacks by means of system configurations is not a simple process. It requires knowing about past attacks and current vulnerabilities, and having an extensive knowledge of operating systems. To benefit from your configuration settings, you should not install IIS except to create an intranet or Internet web server. Don’t configure non-file servers to use File and Printer Sharing. Set strong permissions on Windows shares. (Use shares sparingly) Don’t allow anonymous access into your systems. You should also disable any Windows services, such as Telnet, Alerter, and Clipbook, (doe’s anyone use these?) Indexing services, Messenger, and Remote registry, that is not necessary.
Last, but not least I can’t stress enough the importance of developing and enforcing security policies by ways of accountability, technology and user training. The best knowledge anyone can have on security can not protect your systems if it not used. Security policies should be enforced by more than technology and fully supported by management People make security work. People support the development of culture of security, and people follow the rules because they understand them and because they are aware of the consequences. Train your users, let them know the rules, and hold them accountable.
The best laid plans will not stand if you can’t afford the resources or the support of implementing them. A crucial problem a network administrator faces is the cost of security. Security control mechanisms have expenses associated with their purchases. Deployment, maintenance, and implementing these systems in a redundant manner can increase costs significantly. When deciding on redundancy and security controls, it is helpful to create a number of scenarios in which a security breach or and outage occurs to determine the corporation’s cost for each occurrence. This should help management determine the value to the corporation of an assortment of security control mechanisms. (3) End users are that part, so anything done to strengthen it can have a huge effect on the baseline security of your systems.
Another thing to keep in mind is that user education is only effective to a point. No amount of education can eliminate careless mistakes or stop a disgruntled employee from violating a policy. Security technologies like encryption and digital right management software can act like seat-belt laws to help computer users from hurting themselves. Some steps to prevent data loss is to guard against human error by using data encryption as a safety net for honest mistakes. All laptop hard drives should be encrypted. Monitor outgoing messages. Use software to block e-mail messages or file transfers with confidential data. Ensure that security is easy to use or employees will find ways to get around it. Audit security practices on a regular basis.
If these steps are taken to prevent data loss, then a company can at least know that credibility with their customers is preserved.
Rhonda Hazelwood
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Hazelwood http://EzineArticles.com/?Network-Security&id=387697
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Hazelwood]Rhonda Hazelwood
Security is an essential part of maintaining any network and is the primary focus for a network administrator. While most people think that the main focus of a network administrator is to ensure that users can access data and other resources needed to perform their job functions, they don’t realize the work and attention needed to make certain all data is secure.
End users are happy as long as they get the data they need and don’t have to jump through hoops to get to it. Account names and requiring passwords only serve to keep honest people honest. There are many ways to compromise an account’s security and any decent hacker usually knows more tricks of the trade than the network administrator. The use of authentication services and/or Biometrics can improve security, but only to a certain degree.
If you’re responsible for a small operation, network security cannot be compromised. Hackers don’t discriminate; they’re looking for sensitive corporate or financial data that they can exploit. Customer and clients don’t discriminate; they’re entitled to the same service and reliability that they would get from a large corporation.
When it comes to protecting your network, there is no room for compromise. You must block any and all threats flowing around the Internet. Especially look for viruses and other forms of malware that can compromise your network and end-user systems, which could lead to data loss and expensive downtime. Spam clogs up inboxes and e-mail servers that cost businesses billions of dollars each year. Spyware and network intrusions are designed and targeted to steal valuable information from specific companies which can impact revenue and a company’s reputation. Plishing attacks exploit user habits to steal personal information.
Everyday security threats are being modified and refined, as hackers new conduits such as instant messaging, peer-to-peer connections, and wireless networks to deliver their attacks. In my opinion, the biggest headache for small businesses is the misuse of the Internet by employees. If a user visits an inappropriate site, sends or receives inappropriate content, or worse, violates confidentiality and leaks client information or company secrets, legal liability action is sure to follow. End user education needs to be top priority for all network administrators.
Insiders aren’t the most common security problem, but they can be among the most damaging to a company’s reputation. Insider attacks against IT infrastructure are among the security breaches most feared by both government and corporate security professionals. If an employee is terminated, it’s crucial that all system access be revoked immediately. About half of all insider attacks take place between the time an IT employee is dismissed and their user privileges are taken away. I was in a situation where a co-worker was dismissed because of poor work performance. The IT manager arranged for all user privileges to be terminated immediately after the employee was informed of his termination. He was allowed to remove personal items from his office and computer, but was supervised the entire time. There was a tremendous amount of planning involved to coordinate this, but it work effectively.
When it comes to current employees, IT managers must keep an eye out for insubordination, anger over perceived mistreatment, or resistance to sharing responsibility or training colleagues, which are all signs someone may be capable of system sabotage or data theft. IT managers must be watchful any time someone with access to sensitive systems has a falling out with his or her bosses.
Defending against insiders isn’t easy, but knowing what to look for and understanding who you’re up against certainly helps. Managers must not only monitor system access, but also let employees know their system changes can be tracked. Employers should be wary of people unwilling to share their knowledge about systems or uncomfortable with the fact that their activities accessing systems or data can be tracked.
There are six basic security rules for Windows systems that can apply for all systems. If a network administrator follows the basic principles that will be discussed here, they can feel confident that their systems are protected.
First, the manager should be segment the network into areas of trust and provide specific controls at border areas. A basic firewall can filter access to services, and a more advanced system can inspect traffic and can detect that it is harmful. Things as simple as blocking access to TCP port 1433 and TCP port 1434 at the border firewall, allowing Internet access only to those SQL systems that must be accessed from the Internet, and patching the SQL systems could prevent viruses or worms from infecting a network.
Systems are sometimes left unpatched because there are so many to patch. Focusing efforts on the most vulnerable points will most likely achieve adequate coverage. You can find a list of the most frequently probed ports used by Windows systems at www.sans.org/y2k/ports.htm. Not all of the ports listed are used by Windows but you can make sure they are filtered at the firewall. You can also set a standard to block all ports and then unblock only the ports needed. Another good practice is to determine the open ports to ensure that they are legitimately needed.
Second, moderate the effect of spoofed ports and increasing use of port 80 by new services. The most common open port is of course port 80, so attacks directed at a web server will not be stopped by a common firewall. If a needed port is blocked, applications such as instant messaging, and streaming media will automatically use the open port. Trojans can be designed to listen on any port and can be specially designed to look like web traffic. Preventing overuse and misuse can be accomplished by using an application-layer firewall, ensure that a port is open only for specific servers, and configure systems at the host level with port filtering or IPSec blocking policies that can be set to block known troublesome ports.
Third, everyone agrees that the number one thing that you can do to improve security on a network is to keep patches current. Over ninety percent of systems that have been attacked could have been prevented if known vulnerabilities had been diminished via patches and configuration. Patching plans can be developed and used with enormous benefits. Some ways to mitigate patches are: manually, by downloading the patch, testing and applying it to a system, visiting the Windows Update Site to review the available patches, then deciding to accept or reject any proffered changes. Automatic updates can be configured to periodically connect to Microsoft for inspection and downloading of updates. Software Update Service is a free server application that when configured the system will periodically download patches from Microsoft. Microsoft Systems Management Server with update is purchased separately from Windows operating system and provides multiple management services. And, third-party patching products are available that can provide similar services.
Strengthening authentication processes can also help to secure your network. Authentication can be increased by enforcing a strong password policy. Use some other form of authentication along with this. Use technology and physical security to protect password databases and authentication material. Also you must understand that Windows authentication systems vary, and backward compatibility means less secure authentication may be used even by the most recent version of the operating system. One very important issue is to recognize that your network is only as secure as the least secure part.
Fourth, limit the number of administrators and limiting their privileges can help to secure a network. Don’t automatically give admin rights to the local PC unless there are applications that require it to run needed processes. In most cases administrative rights can be substituted with just elevated or privileged rights. Users with admin rights should be educated about not using that account to read email or surf the Internet. Instead, they should be given an ordinary account for those purposes.
Fifth, protecting systems against known attacks by means of system configurations is not a simple process. It requires knowing about past attacks and current vulnerabilities, and having an extensive knowledge of operating systems. To benefit from your configuration settings, you should not install IIS except to create an intranet or Internet web server. Don’t configure non-file servers to use File and Printer Sharing. Set strong permissions on Windows shares. (Use shares sparingly) Don’t allow anonymous access into your systems. You should also disable any Windows services, such as Telnet, Alerter, and Clipbook, (doe’s anyone use these?) Indexing services, Messenger, and Remote registry, that is not necessary.
Last, but not least I can’t stress enough the importance of developing and enforcing security policies by ways of accountability, technology and user training. The best knowledge anyone can have on security can not protect your systems if it not used. Security policies should be enforced by more than technology and fully supported by management People make security work. People support the development of culture of security, and people follow the rules because they understand them and because they are aware of the consequences. Train your users, let them know the rules, and hold them accountable.
The best laid plans will not stand if you can’t afford the resources or the support of implementing them. A crucial problem a network administrator faces is the cost of security. Security control mechanisms have expenses associated with their purchases. Deployment, maintenance, and implementing these systems in a redundant manner can increase costs significantly. When deciding on redundancy and security controls, it is helpful to create a number of scenarios in which a security breach or and outage occurs to determine the corporation’s cost for each occurrence. This should help management determine the value to the corporation of an assortment of security control mechanisms. (3) End users are that part, so anything done to strengthen it can have a huge effect on the baseline security of your systems.
Another thing to keep in mind is that user education is only effective to a point. No amount of education can eliminate careless mistakes or stop a disgruntled employee from violating a policy. Security technologies like encryption and digital right management software can act like seat-belt laws to help computer users from hurting themselves. Some steps to prevent data loss is to guard against human error by using data encryption as a safety net for honest mistakes. All laptop hard drives should be encrypted. Monitor outgoing messages. Use software to block e-mail messages or file transfers with confidential data. Ensure that security is easy to use or employees will find ways to get around it. Audit security practices on a regular basis.
If these steps are taken to prevent data loss, then a company can at least know that credibility with their customers is preserved.
Rhonda Hazelwood
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Hazelwood http://EzineArticles.com/?Network-Security&id=387697
Home Security Has Come a Long Way in the Past Century
Home Security Has Come a Long Way in the Past Century
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Winn]Ralph Winn
Having top-notch home security can mean the difference between feeling vulnerable and feeling in control of your home and family. Home security has come a long way in the past century; as burglars have become more sophisticated, so have the means to repel them.
The Garza family of Houston, Texas thought their home was secure. They locked their doors. They lived in a good neighborhood. What more home security should they need? But one Friday afternoon they came home to a broken window and a ransacked house. Their TV, other electronics, even the kid's bikes, were gone. "How could this happen in broad daylight?" Asks Ed Garza. "The criminals are getting braver."
Clever Criminals
They aren't only getting braver, they're getting smarter. Criminals watch families closely to learn their habits, when they're home, when they're not. 40% of break-ins occur in the middle of the day while the family is at work or school. Burglars know that during the day there are likely to be fewer people around to keep an eye on the neighborhood, and they can treat homes like candy shops. Night is no longer the common criminal's only time on the job. They prowl at all hours, so your home security system must be ready and in place 24 hours a day.
Security is moving beyond strong locks and a guard dog and requires more vigilant standards. With burglars coming out into the day time and carefully planning their not-so-random attacks, safeguarding your home with a complex system requires you to put as much thought into it as the burglars do.
The basics: strong locks, trimmed back bushes, and nosy neighbors, are a good start, and you should make those the foundation for your home security system. But these days, a home security system requires a comprehensive network of components working together to protect your family from burglaries, fires, and other emergencies.
How a Wired or Wireless Home Security System Works
Wired or wireless, an alarm system does two things: when triggered, it not only lets out a shrill noise to draw attention to your home and scare away the intruder; it also alerts security personnel to the security breach and sends help right away.
There are many kinds of alarm systems. You can choose an alarm home security system that detects motion or an alarm system that detects window breakage or door entry.
Motion Sensor Home Security System
A motion sensor home security system detects unauthorized movement in or around your home. It senses infrared energy given off by a person in a secured area. On many motion sensor home security systems, an alarm is signaled only when the sensor is armed and the viewed energy has the correct temperature, motion, and timing associated with a burglar, thus safeguarding against false alarms. This sophisticated type of system is pet-proof, so Fido or Fluffy won't set off a false alarm, while Bruno the Burglar will be caught in the act.
A Window Break Home Security System
The other kind of alarm home security system is the window break system. Burglars love to break into windows, which, compared to doors, are much less secure. But a window break system detects when the glass is broken or the window is open without authorization, preventing burglars from simply smashing in a window and coming inside. If the Garza family had this sort of alarm system, chances are the burglar would have run away before stealing anything.
This type of home security system reduces the incidence of false alarms and break-ins. Simply affix the sensor to your window and it will safeguard your home.
Benefits of Any Home Security System
When you install a home security system in your home, you will enjoy decreased home insurance rates because insurance companies like knowing you have taken active steps to prevent damage and property loss in your home. Some home security system software also monitors your home and family for protection from fire and health emergencies as well.
A home security system can be a direct line to 911 -- the police, fire department, or ambulance. In the event of a break-in or other sudden emergency while you are home, you can hit the panic button and help will be on the way, thanks to your system.
The benefits of installing a home security system include:
• Permanent, 24-hour surveillance
• "Pet-immune" motion sensor systems available
• Security fits any size home
• Coded security power on/off puts you in control
• Preventive security as well as useful surveillance security
A Wireless Security Camera Home Security System
You have alarms, now how about some extra watchful eyes to guard you? A wireless camera home security system monitors you home with video surveillance that can capture any unsavory activity that can be used in court or used to protect your family from activities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Benefits of a Wireless Security Camera Home Security System
• Easy to set up
• Cost efficient personal surveillance system
• Transportable, can move from room to room or house to house
• Send signals through walls and floors
A wireless security camera makes video surveillance easy, portable, and cost effective. Have your eyes peeled all the time with a wireless security camera.
Check out all we have in wireless security camera technology.
We also have wired security cameras for more permanent home security system surveillance.
Fire Alarm Home Security System
A system should include security from fires as well as from foe. Fires are a real threat to your home and family. Consider these statistics:
• There were 1,584,500 fires in the United States in 2003
• Fires resulted in 3,925 deaths, 18,125 injuries, and $12.3 billion in damages
• Residential fires represented 25.4% of all fires and 77.4% of structural fires
Fire alarms are a key part of your system. A fire alarm system alerts your family to danger and gets them safely out of the house. The early alert of a fire alarm system can also prevent a fire from actually destroying the structure of your home, protecting not only your loved ones but your house and what's inside. Home fire alarms should be a standard feature of your system.
Home fire alarms belong in every bedroom, plus the hallway, kitchen and den.
At a very low cost, home fire alarms save thousands of lives a year. There's simply no reason for home fire alarms not to be in every security system in America.
Explore our amazing collection of powerful lifesaving fire alarms.
The Power of a Comprehensive Home Security System
This combination of fire alarm, video surveillance, and 24-hour security monitoring will ensure that your home is under the utmost protection of a complex, sophisticated home security system. The Garzas learned their lesson the hard way. Don't wait until it's too late to start fending off burglars- outwit them at their own game by preventing all of their usual tricks. A little thought goes a long way in building a successful system.
Ralph Winn has over 35 years of education and experience in the security industry.
Are you one of the many Americans who have begun to look into improving their [http://www.homesecuritystore.com]home security? This is an important matter and the Home Security Store offers the best protection against burglary and vandalism.
Stay up to speed with breaking [http://www.securityworldnews.com/]security news and technology.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Winn http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Security-Has-Come-a-Long-Way-in-the-Past-Century&id=314212
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Winn]Ralph Winn
Having top-notch home security can mean the difference between feeling vulnerable and feeling in control of your home and family. Home security has come a long way in the past century; as burglars have become more sophisticated, so have the means to repel them.
The Garza family of Houston, Texas thought their home was secure. They locked their doors. They lived in a good neighborhood. What more home security should they need? But one Friday afternoon they came home to a broken window and a ransacked house. Their TV, other electronics, even the kid's bikes, were gone. "How could this happen in broad daylight?" Asks Ed Garza. "The criminals are getting braver."
Clever Criminals
They aren't only getting braver, they're getting smarter. Criminals watch families closely to learn their habits, when they're home, when they're not. 40% of break-ins occur in the middle of the day while the family is at work or school. Burglars know that during the day there are likely to be fewer people around to keep an eye on the neighborhood, and they can treat homes like candy shops. Night is no longer the common criminal's only time on the job. They prowl at all hours, so your home security system must be ready and in place 24 hours a day.
Security is moving beyond strong locks and a guard dog and requires more vigilant standards. With burglars coming out into the day time and carefully planning their not-so-random attacks, safeguarding your home with a complex system requires you to put as much thought into it as the burglars do.
The basics: strong locks, trimmed back bushes, and nosy neighbors, are a good start, and you should make those the foundation for your home security system. But these days, a home security system requires a comprehensive network of components working together to protect your family from burglaries, fires, and other emergencies.
How a Wired or Wireless Home Security System Works
Wired or wireless, an alarm system does two things: when triggered, it not only lets out a shrill noise to draw attention to your home and scare away the intruder; it also alerts security personnel to the security breach and sends help right away.
There are many kinds of alarm systems. You can choose an alarm home security system that detects motion or an alarm system that detects window breakage or door entry.
Motion Sensor Home Security System
A motion sensor home security system detects unauthorized movement in or around your home. It senses infrared energy given off by a person in a secured area. On many motion sensor home security systems, an alarm is signaled only when the sensor is armed and the viewed energy has the correct temperature, motion, and timing associated with a burglar, thus safeguarding against false alarms. This sophisticated type of system is pet-proof, so Fido or Fluffy won't set off a false alarm, while Bruno the Burglar will be caught in the act.
A Window Break Home Security System
The other kind of alarm home security system is the window break system. Burglars love to break into windows, which, compared to doors, are much less secure. But a window break system detects when the glass is broken or the window is open without authorization, preventing burglars from simply smashing in a window and coming inside. If the Garza family had this sort of alarm system, chances are the burglar would have run away before stealing anything.
This type of home security system reduces the incidence of false alarms and break-ins. Simply affix the sensor to your window and it will safeguard your home.
Benefits of Any Home Security System
When you install a home security system in your home, you will enjoy decreased home insurance rates because insurance companies like knowing you have taken active steps to prevent damage and property loss in your home. Some home security system software also monitors your home and family for protection from fire and health emergencies as well.
A home security system can be a direct line to 911 -- the police, fire department, or ambulance. In the event of a break-in or other sudden emergency while you are home, you can hit the panic button and help will be on the way, thanks to your system.
The benefits of installing a home security system include:
• Permanent, 24-hour surveillance
• "Pet-immune" motion sensor systems available
• Security fits any size home
• Coded security power on/off puts you in control
• Preventive security as well as useful surveillance security
A Wireless Security Camera Home Security System
You have alarms, now how about some extra watchful eyes to guard you? A wireless camera home security system monitors you home with video surveillance that can capture any unsavory activity that can be used in court or used to protect your family from activities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Benefits of a Wireless Security Camera Home Security System
• Easy to set up
• Cost efficient personal surveillance system
• Transportable, can move from room to room or house to house
• Send signals through walls and floors
A wireless security camera makes video surveillance easy, portable, and cost effective. Have your eyes peeled all the time with a wireless security camera.
Check out all we have in wireless security camera technology.
We also have wired security cameras for more permanent home security system surveillance.
Fire Alarm Home Security System
A system should include security from fires as well as from foe. Fires are a real threat to your home and family. Consider these statistics:
• There were 1,584,500 fires in the United States in 2003
• Fires resulted in 3,925 deaths, 18,125 injuries, and $12.3 billion in damages
• Residential fires represented 25.4% of all fires and 77.4% of structural fires
Fire alarms are a key part of your system. A fire alarm system alerts your family to danger and gets them safely out of the house. The early alert of a fire alarm system can also prevent a fire from actually destroying the structure of your home, protecting not only your loved ones but your house and what's inside. Home fire alarms should be a standard feature of your system.
Home fire alarms belong in every bedroom, plus the hallway, kitchen and den.
At a very low cost, home fire alarms save thousands of lives a year. There's simply no reason for home fire alarms not to be in every security system in America.
Explore our amazing collection of powerful lifesaving fire alarms.
The Power of a Comprehensive Home Security System
This combination of fire alarm, video surveillance, and 24-hour security monitoring will ensure that your home is under the utmost protection of a complex, sophisticated home security system. The Garzas learned their lesson the hard way. Don't wait until it's too late to start fending off burglars- outwit them at their own game by preventing all of their usual tricks. A little thought goes a long way in building a successful system.
Ralph Winn has over 35 years of education and experience in the security industry.
Are you one of the many Americans who have begun to look into improving their [http://www.homesecuritystore.com]home security? This is an important matter and the Home Security Store offers the best protection against burglary and vandalism.
Stay up to speed with breaking [http://www.securityworldnews.com/]security news and technology.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Winn http://EzineArticles.com/?Home-Security-Has-Come-a-Long-Way-in-the-Past-Century&id=314212
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