InfoBusiness 2.0

As networks become increasingly complex, securing them at every entry point has become an overwhelming challenging.  All applications, databases, software, and hardware include default settings that can be easily circumvented.  And, cyber-criminals are more sophisticated than ever before, possessing the skill and knowledge needed to hack their way into even the most intricate technology environments. 

It is up to you to take the necessary measures to protect your most critical business systems.  An ironclad security infrastructure, combined with stringent internal security policies that include rigid enforcement and regularly-scheduled checks, is the key to keeping your network safe from hackers, intruders, and other unauthorized users. 

The first step in ensuring tight network security is use of testing tools, which can be easily obtained via download directly from the developer’s Web site.  This will help you to determine how vulnerable your environment really is.  These tools test the integrity of each server’s internet access protocols and firewalls, and identify any potential “open doors” (you’d be surprised how many there are on the average system).  A list of the Top 100 Network Security Testing Tools, as determined by a 2006 Insecure.org survey, includes software solutions by vendors such as Nessus, WireShark, Snort, NetCat, and more.

If you’re really concerned about network vulnerability, you can hire a third-party security firm to perform ethical hacking.  During an ethical hacking test, consultants will attempt to breach your network security – with your permission, of course – and document any problems found.  Some of the firms that provide this kind of testing include Paladion Networks, Mitnick Security Consulting, Sky Box Security, and Remington Associates.

Although external security breaches are a major issue for corporations today, studies show that the real threat comes from inside company walls.  A recent FBI survey demonstrated that 70% of all computer intrusions are perpetrated by someone associated with the business.  To preserve the integrity of confidential customer data or proprietary product information, you need to tighten up network security.  Just a few simple security steps can save you quite a bit of grief later on. 

I recommend:

• Using strong alphanumeric passwords that are longer than eight characters.  Change them at least every one to six months. 
• Implementing biometric fingerprint technologies for login and authentication. 
• Monitoring and logging all network activity at your company.  Review the log files each week, and look for any suspicious events or behavior. 
• Encrypting more sensitive data with industry-strength algorithms like Blowfish. 

You can further enhance network security by using password-protected screen savers with automatic logoff.  Keep your server room, or any other area where computer terminals are located, locked at all times.  You can also use electronic locks with badges or swipe cards, or highly-secure biometric locks, to identify and keep record of all visitors. 

The use of video cameras in public access areas can dramatically reduce your risk as well.  Studies show that employees who know they are being watched are less likely to break company rules.  While you don’t need to record all activity around-the-clock, I strongly recommend that you do.  If a security breach occurs, you can immediately identify the person responsible. 

Finally, deploy all security patches for all of your desktops, servers, and network devices, and ensure that they are updated automatically.  Many businesses already have massive security gaps in their systems, and don’t even know it.

For more information on protecting your systems from hackers, cyber-criminals, and security breaches, visit The Computer Institute of the Rockies, Enterprise IT Planet, and The InfoPackets Windows Newsletter.

7 Simple Steps To Secure Your Computer From Malicious Attacks and Avoid Expensive Repair Bills

1. Keep an up-to-date anti-virus software running at all times. I recommend AVG anti-virus for two simple reasons: 1) It detects and removes spyware and malware programs that a lot of the more well-known (and more expensive) anti-virus software programs miss, and 2) It does it for about half the price.It also has an auto scan and update feature that will make sure your computer is running the most current protection available and regularly scanning for threats. If you want a free 30-day trial of the AVG product, go to this website: http://free.grisoft.com

2. Start using an alternative web browser to Internet Explorer such as Mozilla Firefox. Just recently, hackers have figured out a way to access and download malicious programs to your computer via a security hole in IE. What is amazing about this is that you don’t even have to click on anything or download a program to get infected. You are especially vulnerable if you have an older version of Windows such as Windows 98.Mozilla is a completely free web browser that does not have the same security problems as IE. Many of my clients even report back that they like their Mozilla browser better than Internet Explorer. Switching from IE to Mozilla is a simple and cost-free way to add another layer of security to your computer. To download this free browser, go to www.mozilla.org.

3. Use an alternative e-mail program other than Outlook Express. Outlook Express is notorious for security holes. If you don’t have the latest security updates, hackers can send you e-mails with viruses that automatically open and install themselves without you even opening or previewing the e-mail and its attachments. I recommend that you either upgrade Outlook Express to a newer, more secure version of Outlook or switch to Mozilla’s Thunderbird E-mail software. Thunderbird is free and you can download a copy from this website: http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird

4. Never open suspicious looking e-mails or attachments. This goes without saying because most viruses are replicated via e-mail. If it looks suspicious, delete it immediately!
   
   
5. Stop using peer to peer file sharing sites and downloading “cute” programs. Think of it like cyber candy. Hackers use these cute and funny programs as bait to get you to download their destructive programs. These are guaranteed ways of contracting malicious viruses, spyware, and malware. Also, peer to peer file sharing sites like KaZaa are mine fields of malicious programs. NEVER access those sites or download the programs that run them.
   
6. Set up a firewall. A firewall is simply a device that acts as a buffer between you and the big, wild world of the Internet. Many users will get a DSL or cable Internet connection and plug it directly into their computer with no firewall in between.The one thing you have to remember about the Internet is that it is a big open field. You have access to the world, but on the flip side, the world has access to YOU. Hackers have programs that automatically scan the Internet for computers connected via a cable or DSL connection without a firewall. Once they find one, they access your computer, download vicious programs, and can even use YOUR computer to send viruses to your friends and other computers, all without your knowledge or consent.
   
   
7. Backup your files every night. Have you ever lost an hour of work on your computer due to a crash or program error? Now imagine losing all of your precious family and vacation photos, e-mails, music files, and documents. No one really thinks about losing all of the data on their computer until it actually happens. By then, it is either too late and you have lost EVERYTHING or it will take a lot of money paid to a specialist to recover your files.I cannot stress the importance of backing up your files enough. If the files on your computer are important to you, then it is about time you got serious about protecting them by backing up every night.

   The backup solution you chose will depend on the amount or size of the data you need to backup. Sometimes a simple zip drive or CD burner will do the trick. If you have a lot of data to backup, you may want to consider a tape backup system. If you want to know what is best for your specific situation, call our offices and one of our technicians will be happy to discuss the best system backup plan for you.

The Four Most Costly Misconceptions About

Spyware, Malware, And Other Computer Threats

#1: Spyware and Malware is easy to remove.

Some spyware and malware CAN be easily removed using a program such as Spybot’s Search & Destroy (you can download it for free at: www.safer-networking.org) or Ad-Aware (you can download it at www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download).

However, not all malicious programs can be removed – or even detected – using the above software. Many programs integrate so deeply into the operating system that it takes a skilled technician several hours to fully diagnose and remove the malicious program. In some extreme cases, we have had no alternative, but to wipe the hard disk clean by deleting all of the files on it and re-installing the operating system.

Obviously this is NOT an ideal situation and we do everything within our power to avoid it. Unfortunately there are some malicious programs that are so intelligent that there is simply no other way of removing them.

Of course you can use Spybot or Ad-Aware as a first attempt at cleaning your machine; however, if you continue to notice that your computer runs slow, if you continue to get crippling pop-ups, or any other of the tell-tale signs discussed earlier, you will need to seek the help of an experienced computer technician.

#2: It is my computer’s fault that I continue to get attacked by spyware, malware, and viruses.

In all cases, malware, spyware, and viruses are a result of some action taken by the user (you or a family member that uses your computer). Remember, cyber criminals are incredibly clever and gain access to your computer via some of the most innocent and common activities you are performing; that is why it SEEMS as though it is your computer’s fault.

For example, many of the clients we see simply downloaded an emoticon software program. Emoticons are the smiley faces and action characters that you see at the bottom of many people’s e-mails. In doing so they also (unknowingly) downloaded a payload of spyware and malware and before they knew it, could no longer use their computer due to the instability and pop-ups.

Other deadly programs to avoid are free “enhanced” web browsers, screen savers, and just about any “cute” programs you come across that are free to download. Always read the terms and conditions before downloading ANY program to look for clauses that allow them (the software vendor) to install spyware programs on your computer.

 Installing programs is not the only way a hacker or malware program can access your computer. If you do not have the most up-to-date security patches and virus definitions installed on your computer, hackers can access your PC through a banner ad on the web that you accidentally clicked on or through an e-mail attachment that you opened.

Just recently, hackers have even been able to figure out ways to install malicious programs on your computer via your Internet Explorer web browser EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T CLICK ON ANYTHING OR DOWLOAD A PROGRAM. Microsoft is constantly providing patches to their operating system software and all it takes is one missed update to leave you completely vulnerable.

Finally, you should COMPLETELY AVOID any and all peer to peer file sharing networks such as KaZaa. These sites are the absolute WORST online activities you can participate in for your computer’s health because they are pure breeding grounds for hackers, spyware, malware, and other malicious attacks. 

#3: If my computer is working fine right now, I don’t need to perform maintenance on it.

This is probably one of the biggest and most deadly misconceptions that most computer users fall victim to. Computers are just like cars. If you don’t change the oil, change the filter, rotate the tires, flush the transmission, and perform other regular maintenance on your car, it will eventually break down and cost you FAR MORE to repair than the cost of the basic maintenance.

There are certain maintenance checks that need to be done daily (like virus updates and spam filtering), weekly (like system backups and a spyware sweep), and monthly or quarterly like checking for and installing security patches and updates, disk defrag, spyware detection and removal, checking the surge suppressor and the integrity of the hard drive, and so on.

Your computer repair technician should be adamant that you have regular maintenance done on your computer and should offer to set up automatic virus definition updates, spam filtering (to avoid viruses), and automatic system backups that are stored on an OFF SITE location (this protects the backup from fire, flood, or other natural disasters).

If your technician does not press you to let him do this for you, then RUN – don’t walk – out of their office. Lack of system maintenance is the NUMBER ONE reason most people end up losing valuable files and incurring heavy computer repair bills. If your technician isn’t offering you these services, you need to find someone else to support your computer or network for two reasons:

1.                          Either they don’t know enough to make this recommendation, which is a sure sign they are horribly inexperienced, OR

2.                          They recognize that they are profiting from your computer problems and don’t want to recommend steps towards preventing you from needing their help on an ongoing basis.

Either reason is a good one to get as far away from that person as possible!

#4: The firewall and security tools provided in the Microsoft Operating System are all the maintenance and protection I need.

Again, this is a terrible misconception. Microsoft does NOT include ALL of the security features to protect your data from viruses, hackers, and data loss or prevent your PC from running slowly.

As a matter of fact, there is no one single vendor that provides ALL of the system security features you need to keep your computer and files safe from harm.

Security and protection from these malicious attacks takes a multi-faceted, layered approach. Let me outline exactly what you need to make sure your computer is completely protected…

Special Report:

Consumer Awareness Guide:

How To Keep Your Computer Safe From

Crippling Pop-ups, Viruses, Spyware, & Spam,

While Avoiding Expensive Computer Repair Bills

þ Do you constantly get hammered by pop-up ads that come from nowhere and interfere with using your computer?

þ Does your computer run slow, act funny, or crash unexpectedly?

þ Are you getting tons of spam from unknown senders?

If so, then your computer is probably infected with malicious programs that could end up destroying your files, stealing your personal and financial information, and rendering your computer useless.

Don’t Be A Victim To Online Crime!

Cyber criminals lurk everywhere and are constantly finding new ways to harm you. Even legitimate websites have sophisticated methods of snooping into your private information using cookies and spyware. If you want to make sure you aren’t their next victim, read this guide and discover:

ü Computer scams, threats, and rip-offs that you MUST be aware of.

ü Surefire signs that you are infected with spyware, malware, and viruses.

ü Sneaky, underhanded ways cyber criminals access your computer, and how you can stop them dead in their tracks.

ü The absolute worst type of program to install for your computer’s health; go to these sites and indulge in these seemingly innocent activities and you’re practically guaranteed to get infected with vicious spyware and destructive viruses.

ü The single biggest cause of expensive computer repairs – and how to avoid it.

ü 7 Simple steps to keep your computer safe from pop-ups, viruses, spyware, malware, and expensive computer repair bills.

Dear Fellow Computer User:

If you own a computer that has access to the Internet and e-mail, then it is only a matter of time before you fall victim to a malicious spyware program, virus, worm, or hacker. Every day we get customers coming in who are experiencing computer problems due to these threats, and it is only getting worse.

What is even more frustrating is that many of these computer users are back in my office a few days or weeks later with the EXACT same problems and end up having to spend ANOTHER hefty fee for restoring their computer back to normal.

You see, unless you learn how to ward off these evil cyber criminals and beat them at their own game, you will constantly fall victim to their pranks and criminal intent and end up spending hundreds – possibly even thousands – of dollars to get your computer running normal again.

Just recently we have seen a sharp increase in the number of computer users falling victim to these attacks and that is why I decided to write this report. I wanted to arm my customers with the facts so they could avoid problems and expensive repair bills.

The information in this Guide will not only educate you as to WHY you are experiencing these problems, but also what you *must* do now to guard against the unethical actions of these cyber criminals.

Three Dangerous Threats You Must Be Aware Of

One of the most dangerous aspects of online threats is their ability to cloak their existence. Hackers and the authors of malicious spyware and malware programs go to great lengths to create programs that are difficult to identify and remove.

That means a malicious program can be downloaded and doing its dirty work on your computer long before you are aware of it. Below are the two most common threats you’ll need to guard against with a brief explanation of what they are:

Spyware: Spyware is Internet jargon for hidden programs advertisers install on your PC without your permission to spy on you, gather information, and report this information about you and your online activities to some outside person.

Spyware is NOT harmless; it can be responsible for delivering a boatload of spam, altering your web browser, slowing down your PC, and serving up a bounty of pop-up ads. In some of the more extreme cases, spyware can also steal your identity, passwords, e-mail address book, and even use your PC for illegal activities.

Most spyware finds its way onto your computer via file downloads including free programs, music files, and screen savers. While you *think* you are only downloading a legitimate program to add emoticons to your e-mails, you are unknowingly also downloading a heaping spoonful of spyware programs.

Spyware piggybacks the download and runs undetected in the background collecting information about you and sending it back to its originator until it is removed. Although spyware has malicious components, it is not illegal, and it is not considered a virus because it doesn’t replicate itself or destroy data.

Malware: Malware is short for malicious software and represents all programs, viruses, Trojans, and worms that have malicious intent to damage or disrupt a system. Malware is harder to remove and will fight back when you try to clean it from your system. In some extreme cases, we have had to completely wipe out all of the information on the computers’ hard disk and start with a complete re-install of the operating system.

Among other things, a malware infection can corrupt your files, alter or delete data, distribute confidential information such as bank accounts, credit cards, and other personal data, disable hardware, prevent you from using your computer, and cause a hard drive to crash. Frequently, malware is also designed to send itself from your e-mail account to all the friends and colleagues in your address book without your knowledge or consent.

Hackers: Hackers are computer programmers turned evil. They are the people who design the spyware and malware programs that attack your computer.

Some of them have criminal intent and use these programs to steal money from individuals and companies. Some have a grudge against the big software vendors (like Microsoft) and seek to harm them by attacking their customers (you). Others do it purely for fun. Whatever the reason, hackers are getting more intelligent and sophisticated in their ability to access computer systems and networks.

Surefire Signs That You Are Infected With

Spyware, Malware, and Viruses

Since most malicious programs are designed to hide themselves, detecting their existence not always easy. However, there are a few surefire signs that you have been infected:

§ You start getting swamped with pop-up ads that seem to come from nowhere and constantly interrupt your use of the computer.

§ Your computer is unstable, sluggish, locks up, or crashes frequently.

§ Your web browser’s home page changes on its own and you cannot modify the settings. You may also see toolbars on your web browser that you did not set up.

§ You get a second or third web browser popping up behind your main browser that you didn’t open or request.

§ Mysterious files suddenly start appearing.

§ Your CD drawer starts opening and closing by itself.

§ You get constant runtime errors in MS Outlook/Outlook Express.

§ You find emails in your “Sent Items” folder that you didn’t send.

§ Some of your files are moved or deleted or the icons on your desktop or toolbars are blank or missing.

If you are experiencing one or more of the above when using your computer, you are infected and should seek help from a senior computer technician. Before I talk about getting rid of it, let me share with you 4 costly misconceptions about spyware, malware, hackers, and other threats that you will also need to know…

Computer viruses are sometimes impossible to avoid.  We all know somebody who has experienced a catastrophic loss due to a computer virus.  For example, the infamous MyDoom virus of 2004 infected 1 in every 12 email messages on the Internet during its peak.  Those impacted by virus outbreaks – who have often done nothing more than download a corrupted file from an unknown Web site, or open an infected email attachment – must often spend countless hours trying to recover lost or damaged programs, messages, and documents.  To minimize the down time and lost productivity caused by computer viruses, companies of all sizes have implemented one of the many antivirus software solutions on the market today. 

But over the past several years, viruses have become smarter.  Hackers from all over the world are constantly creating new viruses, remote access spyware, key loggers, and other programs designed to perpetuate identity theft, credit card fraud, financial scams, and other crimes.  In fact, security experts believe that computer viruses, worms, and Trojans resulted in more than $204 billion in damages in 2004 alone.   

That’s why solid, reliable, up-to-date antivirus protection is critical.  Not just for individual computers, but for databases, email servers, Web servers, printers, as well as any other systems that exist within your organization.  Make sure every single one of your network components has an antivirus solution that will automatically update itself daily, so you are always protected from any new and emerging viruses.  This can help you avoid a lot of trouble, and spare you hours of work (and many unnecessary headaches) in the event of a virus strike. 

There are countless antivirus packages available.  Many of them, such as the Avast Antivirus Home Edition, are free.  Avast also offers packages designed for business use.  Other popular solutions include AVG, McAfee, Norton Antivirus, Panda, and Kaspersky.

I just published my first business book in English: “Maximize Your Business with IT: 10 Surefire Ways to Succeed with Technology”

Price: $19.95 or free (digital download version).

You can preview and buy it here: http://www.lulu.com/content/2215163

Or download it here (2 Mb, format: Adobe Acrobat PDF) : Parabellum-MaximizeYourBusinessWithIT.pdf

Special Report:

12 Surefire Signs Your Business Is Ready For A Server

Is your business limping along using outdated computers or a peer-to-peer network that is constantly giving you problems? Are you planning on adding employees, opening a remote location or adding an additional office? Are you just sick and tired of dealing with conflicts, error messages, and breakdowns?

If so, this report will reveal if a server is right for your company!

Dear Fellow Business Owner,

If you are like most small businesses, you acquire desktop computers, phone systems, and software in a random, “buy-it-when-you-need-it” fashion as your business operations demand it.

But at some point, this patchwork of stopgap technology you’ve acquired is going to end up costing you more in downtime, system errors, breakdowns, and other problems than it would to rip out and replace everything.

If you’ve suddenly become aware that you’re at that stage of growth in your business, then you want to stop purchasing more software and hardware in a willy-nilly fashion and get serious about planning for your future growth and business operations so you don’t end up with a big pile of expensive hardware and software spaghetti that doesn’t meet your business needs.

One Big Secret To Saving Money

One secret to saving money on IT costs is to strive for as much uniformity and connectivity as possible across your business network - and the first place to start achieving that is through the use of a server.

If you have two or more computers that are loosely connected to share information, printers, scanners, Internet access, or fax machines, then you could inject a great deal of simplicity, productivity, and security with a small business server.

A server simply acts as a single specialized computer that ensures all of the computer connected to it (called “clients”) have access to the resources, information, and systems they need, faster, and with fewer problems. It also acts as a centralized manager to make sure data is secure and organized.

They’re Not Just For Big Business Anymore

At one time, servers only made sense for large organizations because of their high cost and complexity. But today, there are very affordable and easy-to-implement server systems designed specifically for a growing small business. If you’re not absolutely certain that installing a server could help your business enough to justify the cost, here are 12 surefire signs that your business could definitely benefit from an upgrade.

12 Signs That Your Business Is Ready For A Server

1. You have two or more computers that need to share office equipment (printers, fax machines, scanners) and resources (Internet access).
2. You have irreplaceable files and data residing on more than one computer that need to be secured from loss, corruption, or unauthorized access.
3. You need (or would like to have) secure access to your computer files while traveling or working from home.
4. You need to back up critical files on more than one computer, and you would like to be able to restore accidentally deleted files or previous versions of your files.
5. You need CRM (customer relationship management) software and accounting programs to manage and communicate with your growing list of clients and vendors.
6. You need to manage different versions of one file.
7. You need a central communication system that makes it easy to schedule group meetings and share information with employees, vendors, and customers.
8. You need to allow employees to share databases and other software tools.
9. You would like to send group faxes and e-mail broadcasts to customers.
10. You want to save money by hosting your own company website and e-mail.

11. You want to control employees’ access to sensitive financial records and personnel information.
12. You want a central access point for information instead of having to hunt down various files and data on various computers on your network.

The Concept of the Slight Edge

All master craftsmen demand excellent tools to complete their work. They know that the best tools allow them to focus on creating their next masterpiece rather than being sidetracked, frustrated, or limited by the tools they are using. The computers, software, and office equipment you use are the tools you use every day to create your greatest masterpiece: your business.

If the technology in your office is not simplifying your business and making it easier for you to get more done with fewer employees, it’s costing you a lot more than the price of a server. While there is no shortage of white papers on the topic of ROI (return on investment) for upgrading technology, you and I know that this is truly a hard cost to quantify; however, there certainly IS a cost, and depending on your business operations and how you use the computers and technology in your office, the cost may be significant.

The “Latte” Factor

In his book Automatic Millionaire, author David Bach talks about the “latte” factor. Simply put, most people end up financially broke not because of the big purchases they make, but because of the small, seemingly innocent day-to-day spending of small amounts of money over a long period of time. For example, no one thinks twice of spending $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks every morning.

However, add that up over the course of a year and they’ve invested $1,460 into a daily cup of coffee. Why am I telling you this? Because massive loss of productivity in any business plays out exactly the same way.

Think about this: a faster processor and a faster hard drive with greater capacity allow you to open and use applications faster, saving a few minutes every hour. Information is centralized, which saves a few more minutes every hour in finding files. There are fewer crashes and hang-ups.

Each of these little things adds up to significant employee hours saved over the course of a year. Then there’s the cost-savings of outsourced IT support. A properly configured and maintained client-server network is far easier to support and troubleshoot than a patchwork of computers that are loosely connected. All of this translates into higher revenue from your technology investment and should land on your bottom line.

In today’s information age, businesses thrive on communication and collaboration. An organization’s ability to share and distribute client lists, product information, and other critical data across and outside the enterprise, in a variety of formats (documents, reports, presentations, emails, images, spreadsheets, etc.) is critical to its success.

For many companies like yours, email has been the traditional method for sharing information. In fact, more than 75 percent of the average company’s intellectual property is contained in email messages and their corresponding attachments, according to a study by research firm Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG).

But sending documents back and forth can be time-consuming and redundant, and can result in information latency (a file may be updated between the time it is sent, and the time it is opened and viewed). It can also cause communication to become inaccurate and ineffective. Additionally, the use of email to distribute large files to multiple recipients can negatively impact the performance of your IT network. That’s why Internet analyst Gartner predicts that, by 2009, email will be replaced by more cutting-edge collaboration tools in at least 50 percent of all US companies.

One way in which businesses can improve the timeliness and availability of vital corporate data is by creating a shared folder that allows authorized users to retrieve, view, and edit files. These folders can be set up on a central server, a dedicated workstation, a network-attached service device, or your own desktop.

In order to keep the data contained in shared folders secure at all times, you must grant authorized users the appropriate permissions to access, edit, and delete files as needed. Additionally, you must implement a rigid data backup schedule, to protect files from being lost, overwritten, or mismanaged. While backing up shared data at least once a week is recommended, daily back-ups will provide you with the highest level of safeguarding.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can make it easier and more cost-effective to link shared folders and files together, and to maximize information flow and accessibility among remote users across your business. Some of today’s most common VPN and VPN-like products include Microsoft Groove Virtual Office, Nortel VPN Gateway, CheckPoint, and Cisco.

Another option for businesses that must share information between users that are not connected to the same network is a Web-based file hosting solution. These solutions provide a secure, high-speed environment that enables the movement of large files back and forth between locations. There are hundreds of third-party providers that offer file hosting services. Among them are SWMirror, File Burst, File Factory, My Data Bus, and The File Den.

If all of your users and their computers are connected to the same network, there are three ways to share documents and files:

1) Peer to peer

2) Servers

3) Network attached storage (NAS)

Peer-to-peer sharing is the easiest option. All Windows computers, by default, allow users to share any drive, folder, or file with any other user on the same network. To do this, you simply go to Windows Explorer^® and right-click on the drive, folder, or file you wish to share. Then, choose Properties, select the Sharing tab, and click on Enable File Sharing. Don’t forget to assign users with the appropriate access privileges. Consider prohibiting them from editing or deleting your files. Accidents are more common than you might think, and if another user unintentionally overwrites or deletes your document, you won’t be able to recover it.

Faster, more reliable, and more secure file sharing can be accomplished by dedicating one computer for the sole purpose of housing shared data. This will make documents and information readily available to authorized users, without impacting the performance of their individual workstations. The dedicated computer will act as a network server or file server. All you have to do to begin sharing information immediately is transfer the appropriate files to the workstation and grant user permissions.

Network storage devices provide yet another rapid, economical way to share electronic documents. These devices include hard-drives, a jack to connect the drives to your network, and a Web-based interface for configuring the solution and setting user access privileges. They can be conveniently purchased at any computer or office supply store. Well-known manufacturers of network storage devices include Adaptec, Iomega , and NetGear. For product feature comparisons, pricing, and availability, check Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, Office Max, or Office Depot.

In addition to files, you can also share printers. This can help you significantly reduce costs and waste by allowing multiple users to utilize a single printer, instead of purchasing separate printers – and the needed toner and ink – for each individual computer. To share a printer, simply go to your Control Panel, click on Printers, choose the one you want to set as your dedicated shared printer, and set user access privileges.

Businesses of all types and sizes know that innovation is the key to smooth, efficient, and profitable operations. But understanding and evaluating all the available technologies on the market today – and deciding which ones are best for your company – can be an overwhelming task.

With thousands of products and vendors to choose from, and dozens of new offerings being introduced every day, many businesses find themselves asking:

• What are these solutions, and how can they help me?

• How do I put together an effective technology strategy that will align with my business goals?

• How much do these products cost, and what type of return on investment can I expect?

In this book, I will try to answer these questions and more by highlight existing, new, and emerging technologies. Each chapter will provide an in-depth look into specific category, discuss its uses and benefits, and offer some vendor recommendations.

At the end, you will have gained vital insight into available tools and technologies, as well as an understanding of how each one can add value to your organization. This information will enable you to put a successful technology plan into place, so you can improve the way you do business and increase your competitive edge.

1. Introduction
2. File & Printer Sharing

Special Report: 12 Surefire Signs Your Business Is Ready For a Server

3. Antivirus Solutions

Special Report: Consumer Awareness Guide: How to Keep Your Computer Safe from Crippling Pop-ups, Viruses, Spyware, & Spam, While Avoiding Expensive Computer Repair Bills

4. Network Security
5. Internet Sharing & Monitoring
6. Server-Based Computing
7. Email

Special Report: 5 Simple Ways to Avoid Getting an Avalanche of Spam

8. Internet and Web
9. Backup & Disaster Recovery

Special Report: The 3 Most Expensive & Deadly Computer Disasters That Wipe Out Small Business Owners…And How to Avoid Them

10. Business Continuity Planning

Special Report: What Every Small Business Owner Must Know about Protecting and Preserving Their Company’s Critical Data and Computer Systems

11. Voice-Over-IP (VoIP)

Special Report: The 7 Most Costly Mistakes Companies Make When Choosing A New Phone System… And How to Avoid Them

12. Bonus Tools and Ideas:

Free & Open-Source Software

Automation

Project Management & Collaboration Tools

Remote Access

Network Faxing

Unified Messaging

Video Security

Biometrics in Time & Attendance

Special Report: 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a New Computer

Special Report: Consumer Awareness Guide to Choosing an Honest, Reliable, and Competent Computer Repair Shop

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13. Afterword

14. Technology Glossary