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■ Be Social Without the Headache
■ Is a Remote Workforce for You?
■ Top 10 Things Your IT Pro...
■ Events
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Cartoon of the Month
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Quote of the Month
"Choose to focus on
not what has happened
but what we can do."
-Ellen Pompeo
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Be Social Without the Extra Security Headaches
by Blake Britton, VP of Axxys Technologies, Inc.
If you must allow Facebook in your business...then at least block the "insides".
Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and many others are quickly becoming relevant to businesses. We are seeing advertisements on them, company Facebook pages are being created, Twitter pages are being followed, networking is happening, and the list goes on. It is how we communicate and how we do business…over the Web. The challenge now that these social media Web apps are becoming more commonly used in business is how we ensure they are INDEED being used for business.
So, how do we control usage while still allowing business and networking to be conducted?
The first step is an “Internet Acceptable Use Policy”, this will drive how you filter content and your employees will be aware of the company policy. This policy is very standard for businesses and is the framework for any business security policy in regards to IT and company data. Once this policy is in place then there must be enforcement. One method of enforcement is limiting the access of non-business related browsing/surfing.
WatchGuard, preferred security appliance of Axxys, recently announced their latest filtering enhancement called Application Control. When enabled on their latest version of Fireware (Operating System) it allows businesses to block specific applications, scripts and links within websites. Here is a brief list of "signatures" that can be blocked using this new feature:
- Allow the use of Facebook but block "Games" within Facebook (you can even block the Like Button)
- Allow usage for Instant Messenger but block File Transfer over IM
- Block known links that redirect to hijacking sites
- Block usage of Skype
- Block specific streaming media sites while still allowing others
- Block specific email programs such as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL and others…
The list goes on and continues to grow. As of right now there are about 2,500 application filtering signatures that are ready to be implemented with WatchGuard’s Application Control. By limiting access to these functions, or applications, over the Web you are also decreasing your risk in getting malware on your machines, as well as recapturing the lost bandwidth being used to run these applications.
Take away - If you need to allow these Web applications for business reasons or even for your business culture then allow them in accordance with your Internet usage policies. If you need help developing a simple policy for your business Internet use let us know, we would be happy to assist in writing or pointing you in the right direction.
For more information on this enhancement to the WatchGuard appliance visit the Application Control page of their website.
Thanks and SAFE SURFING!
Is a Remote Workforce the Right Solution for Your Business?
used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Site
Ask yourself the following questions to evaluate whether a remote workforce suits your business.
1. Are you in a client-service business?
2. Do your employees spend more than 50 percent of their time at client locations?
3. Do most of your employees have laptop computers?
4. Do you have employees who travel frequently as part of their jobs?
5. Do the majority of your employees daily spend more than one hour commuting to and from work?
6. Is the majority of your business conducted in a non-regulated industry?
7. Do your employees have the technology tools needed to work remotely?
8. Does your company have the ability to share documents securely?
9. Do your IT professionals support users in multiple locations?
10. Are your employees open to the idea of working remotely?
RESULTS
To see if your business should consider a remote workforce, add up the number of "yes" answers that you made to the questions above.
7-10: If you answered "yes" to seven or more questions, a comprehensive remote-work program and usage policy has the potential to significantly improve your business performance and employee satisfaction. Read on for additional information on the recommended infrastructure and protocol to best implement this across your organization.
4-6: If you answered "yes" to four-six questions, you would likely benefit from investing in specific communication and collaboration tools, like Office 365 , and implementing a remote-work policy.
0-3: If you answered "yes" to three or fewer questions, you may not need a full remote-work program at this time, but you would benefit from establishing a remote-work policy. The policy should outline the proper protocol for employees to follow on the occasions they need to work from home.
How can a company get started with telework initiatives?
There are several steps to consider when getting started with telework initiatives:
1. First of all, does your company have a formal or consistent policy around telework? Working with company leaders and HR, telework policies can actually improve productivity and morale, while setting the foundation for technology implementation.
2. Secondly, consider your internal and remote technology capabilities. Can your employees easily communicate and collaborate with one another both inside and outside of the office environment? Incorporating internal collaboration tools such as SharePoint and Lync, and remote work technologies such as cloud computing, will enable employees to conduct business more effectively and efficiently while in the office and away from the office.
3. Third, security of your internal and remote systems. While accessibility and instant collaboration are essential in today's business climate, many companies make the mistake of turning to public networking or social media platforms to exchange sensitive ideas and information. Advancements in collaboration and communications technology, such as Office 365, enable an increasingly mobile workforce to work more securely than ever before.
Tips for Delivering the Remote-Work Announcement
A successful deployment of a remote-work program results in a combination of technologies with policies. After you have implemented the proper remote-work technology infrastructure, it is important to broadly communicate the usage policy. Setting clear guidelines and expectations right from the start helps establish trust between company management and staff, and it ensures effective use of the remote-work policy across the organization. Consider using the following three steps to help you unveil a new remote-work program:
•Step 1. Develop and share a plan that has clear expectations.
This includes appropriate use of company property, such as computers and mobile phones, and guidelines on reimbursable expenses.
•Step 2. Address any potential concerns. Make it very clear that working remotely will not influence raises, bonuses, or promotions. Doing this reiterates performance expectations and company reward programs.
•Step 3. Establish clear channels of communication with expectations and schedules. Establishing and effectively communicating a remote-work policy sets ground rules and helps to build trust across the entire organization.
Top 10 Things Your IT Professional Would Like You to KnowDiana Johnson, Wood Networks
Sometimes it seems like your IT guy speaks another language. Some of the words sound like English, but surely the definition differs. Perhaps there is an alien life form that currently inhabits his body. Which would make sense, wouldn’t it? I mean how else does he work his IT magic, if not by using some extra-terrestrial super power? Well, in an effort to bring peace to our species and understanding to the human race, I have compiled a top 10 list to cover some of the more basic phrases.
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Computer
When a tech is talking about your computer, he is referring to the CPU tower that generally sits in a cabinet in your desk or on the floor. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse are not a part of the computer, think of them as accessories.
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Overheating the CPU
Your CPU (refer to number 1 if you are unsure what your CPU is) needs to have some room to breathe. Overheating is the easiest way to ensure your computer will not work properly, but it is also the easiest to fix. Leave at least 1 inch of air space on each side of the computer and 4-5 inches in the back. Do not stack calendars, binders, etc around it. If you use a space heater in your office, do not put it anywhere near your computer. It only has evil intentions toward your computer; it is best to keep them far apart from each other.
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| 3. |
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Scams
If a window pops up telling you that your computer has an infection and you need to purchase Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware to protect your computer, do not do it. This is a scam to both get your money and infect your computer with either a virus or malware. Similarly, if you get a pop-up that tells you that your computer has a virus or a threat detected and it needs to clean or remove the threat and you don’t recognize the Anti-Virus as one you installed- do not click anything. Shut down your computer and start it back up again. If the pop-up window appears again, call your IT professional. This is the threat; clicking on any part of it may install a virus or malware. Remember hackers are not your friends, like the space heater, they are evil. Seriously, it’s a crime wave and it is centered on your pc.
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| 4. |
Slow computer at startup
It’s Monday. You are running a little late. You dash into the office and turn your computer on. It is taking forever to get to your login screen! What’s the deal? The majority of the time a slow computer at startup means that you have too many programs running in the background trying to load when you just want to login. Sometimes it may be programs that came with your computer that you really don’t need, especially if you purchased your computer at a retail location. It also may be programs that have latched on when you visited a website. The answer? Call your IT professional to clean up your Startup Menu. You could try and do it yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There are too many programs you do need that you could innocently remove, which would cause your computer to function improperly and in some cases cease to function altogether.
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| 5. |
Log off
When asked to log off your computer, you just need to sign off. Nothing should be shut down or turned off. Click on your Start icon at the bottom left hand of your monitor screen, go over to Shutdown and hover over the arrow next to Shutdown (do not click), then click on Log off.
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| 6. |
Restart
When asked to restart your computer, you need to use the specific restart function. Click on your Start icon at the bottom left hand of your monitor screen, go over to Shutdown and hover over the arrow (do not click), click on Restart.
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Hard Shut-down
When asked to do a hard shut-down on your computer. Press and hold the power button (usually on the front of the computer, not the monitor) until the computer shuts down. Usually the tech will want you to wait 10 seconds to 2 minutes and then power it back on, pressing the power button again. In some cases where he knows you have a severe infection he may ask you to leave it off until he arrives.
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| 8. |
Local printer vs. Network Printer
A local printer is one that only you can print to. In most cases there is a direct line from that printer to your computer.
A network printer is one that is setup on your IT Network and multiple people can print to it.
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| 9. |
Noises
Beeping: Is it coming from the speaker for your system, the actual CPU, or the UPS? For the sake of clarity the UPS is the piece of equipment you plug everything into, also known as the battery backup. Most of the time a beeping sound will be coming from the UPS and it means you need to replace the battery in it.
Clicking: If you hear a clicking sound when you are accessing your CD-ROM, you may have a problem and the CD-ROM drive may need to be replaced.
High Pitch Noise from Computer: This could mean that your fan may need to be replaced within the computer.
Hard Thump: This could result from a bad hard disk drive. Have it checked out by an IT professional.
Loud pop or crack from the speakers after your computer has been turned on: A crack or pop when you initially turn on your computer is not uncommon. However should it continue, try moving your speakers to an alternate spot. If that does not help, you probably need to replace the speakers.
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If you aren’t sure how to fix something- don’t. One of the most harmful things you can do to your computer is to try to resolve something on your own if you aren’t sure what you are doing. Don’t forget, you can always call your friendly IT professionals at Axxys Technologies! |
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