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Mobile Devices & Your Network

Techspert — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:46:26 +0000

For most, smart phones & tablets (smart devices) are a necessary part of our lives…both personally and professionally and become our constant companions. So it stands to reason that we should be selective in who or what we chose to spend so much time with.

So, what should you look for in a new smart device to ensure that your needs are met and that your new companion will play nicely with the rest of your technology?

Here are some points to consider during the selection process:

All smart devices are NOT created equally and it’s the applications that set them apart. When looking for a smart device, don’t be sold on all the bells and whistles packaged in a sleek sexy package. Instead plan out your needs. Do you need access into your business network? Remote apps connect differently. While some devices connect natively, others may require special applications on the server side ($$) to make it work. Even better (or worse if this is you), some smart devices might not run the applications needed AT ALL.
Compatibility: Will they play nicely with your other devices and network or will you need to add other hardware and or software to make them work properly?

Now, being a dutiful companion means that we take our beloved devices to work with us and so do our employees. This leaves your company network exposed (and who really likes being exposed).

Here are some tips/points to remember to keep your network safe and secure when using mobile devices:

Remote connections to the network: There are several apps that allow you to remotely connect to your business network – almost all of these allow you to save your username/password credentials. A lost phone or tablet makes it very EASY to access the network because most people allow the device to store these credentials. Never allow an application, website, browser, device to store your login information no matter how much simpler it will make your life.
More on remote connections: It is important to also be aware that there are devices out there designed to steal and clone your network logins. What can you do about it? Set device passwords and make sure when you do connect to your network that you do it through a secure server. By doing so login credentials can be changed immediately once a device is lost or stolen. Swift action will minimize your risks.
About those passwords: People I can’t stress this point enough. USE COMPLEX PASSWORDS. It’s your first line of defense. A complex password is a minimum of 8 characters in length and uses a combination of upper/lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
Be wary of wifi. Accessing critical corporate data via unprotected means such as the public wifi is an issue waiting to happen. Again, only login through a secure server. To do this, utilize a VPN connection or a direct firewall pass through that requires login credentials.
Siri on the iphone: Ask yourself…do you know more about technology and what it does more than IBM? Well IBM has banned Siri from their networks. Why? Because everything their employees say is sent to Apple and transcribed into text then stored for some unknown length of time and can be accessed by some unknown amount of people who have permission do unknown things with it. Additionally, in order for Siri to do a good job answering their question in the first place, it accesses contacts and other “unspecified” user data. This may not only compromise sensitive company intellectual property but put the company and/or the employee in violation of non-disclosure agreements. Are you okay with that? If you are…carry on then.

While mobile devices and nifty applications are increasingly important tools in our multi-tasking work/home life it is important to understand that just because the products are out there doesn’t mean that security holes that they create have been plugged yet.

Before you invest in any new smart device make certain that it will meet your needs, works well with others and take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your business when using it.

Can I just ignore a virus and save some money?

Techspert — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:27:04 +0000

Do you run better in crutches?

I Didn’t think so.

Continuing to operate a system that you know full well is infected is tempting. Many people do just that and continue to limp along until the system comes to a grinding halt or they get the blue screen of death. Why is this a problem? (Do you like seeing the blue screen of death? I don’t know about you but MY nerves can’t take it!)

Besides all of the annoying things that happen with an infected system – like running sllloowwwllly, obnoxious pop-ups and inexplicable bouts of freezing there are also more worrying things that accompany them such as malware, spyware and scareware. Not only do these things threaten your identity and bank balance but viruses will destroy your data bit by bit (literally). Further, some can do damage to your hardware. If caught early, you can largely avoid these problems and spend far less to repair it. If you are thinking…”so what, I can just buy another system!” Are you going to by one every time you get infected? How cost effective is that solution?

The better solution is to go ahead and get it taken care of properly (by a real professional) as soon as you suspect an infection. Then, purchase and properly configure top quality anti-virus for your system to help cut down on infections.

fix my PC

Techspert — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:49:02 +0000

If it’s displayed in a prominent TV or internet ad, it must be good…right? I mean who doesn’t love their pajama jeans or shamWOW?! But when we are talking about things that can “make your system run faster,” as in computer repair, buyer beware.

These days everyone is in the computer repair/tune-up business. I mean everyone…even popular search engines have gotten in on the act. One doesn’t have to look far to find in-your-face ads claiming that with a quick click of the mouse your system will run smoother and faster than ever by fixing hundreds of problems (you didn’t even know you had) thereby returning your computer to “like new” condition. Additionally, it will KEEP your systems running smoothly for a small annual fee if you wish.

It seems safe enough, a phone call to that 1-800# or a little click here and there and presto you’re all done. No need to get ripped off again by that local repair house…that is for suckers!

Let’s explore this shall we?

Most of these quick fix services charge about $30-60 or so. Luckily most do not access your system remotely and seems safe enough. You just click to install their software onto your system. What they don’t tell you is that their software is one of those unnessary items that helps make your system run slower in the first place. They also don’t tell you that you can delete your own cookies and run the same defrag scans yourself for free…but now I’m just getting picky. Another thing they don’t tell you is that you may have just installed a program that was already infected with malware, spyware and viruses. But hey…it comes with UNLIMITED tech support…so they can fix it. Oops except that they can’t really diagnose (it’s okay this is probably covered in the fine print somewhere) hardware except for the super obvious “eminate failure of hard drive”…which again they can’t fix…double oops. Of course, your internet must be working to partake in these convenience services in the first place. Oh, and darn it…you can’t really completely remove all viruses this way…no matter what they tell you.

Our advice? Don’t engage in risky behavior no matter how good of a deal it appears to be. Downloading software and/or allowing remote access to your system is risky unless you KNOW who/where it’s coming from.

Keep your systems running smoothly by:

Investing in a good anti-virus, properly configuring it and keeping it updated
Allow ligitmate system updates
Use your common sense when clicking on websites, links, emails, facebook invitations or allowing anyone access to your system remotely.
Pay a professional a minimal fee to do a system tune-up a few times a year or do it yourself. I recommend the first who can also check for viruses/malware/spyware/scareware and remove it for real if they find them.
Keep unnessary software and files off your system – in addition to food and beverages (seems obvious I know).
If you hear strange noices, feel heat, suffer from pop-up hell, your system freezes up often or doesn’t turn on…contact a local professional that you trust immediately.

The Case for Managed Services

Techspert — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:04:38 +0000

If you can get the milk for free…why buy the cow? Contractual commitment. Does anyone really love it? Why would they? You’re locked into something or someone long term (well unless you’re Kim Kardashian). It could be costly. What if you don’t get what you need? What you paid for? By the way…what ARE you paying for? It could end badly…then what?

I too have had my own aversions to contractual relationships so I understand the hesitations. However, partnering with an information technology firm that provides “Managed Services” can be an ideal situation. Allow me to make my case and yes, I’m going to use different analogies so prepare yourself.

Let’s be honest, most of us can’t get through lunch without checking our email, text messages, etc., let alone…gasp…being “down” for a day. Consumers have changed throughout the years along with the evolution of technology. They need things to work NOW and having a network down in business is costly. In this economy businesses can’t afford to have paid employees standing around idle waiting for the “all systems go.”

Free Milk. In the good ol’ days. When you had a problem, you could just call the local IT house and they would drop everything to rush out and put out the fire with no commitment or obligation for you to use them in the future. Today, IT companies are more like your Primary Care Physician who is trying to prevent the fire in the first place (but are fully capable of smothering you should you spontaneously combust) and they can best help you by regularly seeing you over the long term. If your IT provider hasn’t changed the way they do business yet, they soon will.

This means that IT companies are moving from handling service in a reactionary model, to a proactive model, in which we keep things running smoothly by monitoring your network 24/7/365. Depending on the level of care you choose, updates are performed automatically and we are alerted by the monitoring system we put in place before your equipment fails – giving us time to do something about it. Then, when things do go wrong, you receive priority treatment. No waiting until your “IT guy” can “get to it.” It’s better for your budget, your schedule and your sanity while allowing service providers to remain open and ready to serve without adding to your overhead.

You might think that going with a hosted server will save you the trouble in committing to a technology firm. This sounds good on the surface, but you still have a network to maintain even if your server is hosted elsewhere. Hardware, such as in individual workstations, software applications and anything else attached to your network (cameras, telephones, etc.) still need to play together nicely. Additionally, you will still need to maintain constant Internet connectivity on your end to stay attached to the cloud. If you hadn’t already seen it, my last blog entitled “Up in the Clouds” explained the cloud and the hidden costs involved. You might want to read it for more things to be aware of so that you make a fully informed cloud decision.

Our advice? Don’t be afraid to make a commitment and hop on board the Managed Services ship with a service provider that you trust, then sit back and enjoy the free sailing, well okay, reasonably priced value-packed cruise! That is, after you’ve done your homework, carefully compared plans (apples to apples) and found the best fit for your business.

Is a blog a blog or not really a blog?

Techspert — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:13:14 +0000

This might be a shocking revelation…but not everyone that “blogs” really blogs. Call me naive but when I found this out I was shocked. Not the “not everything you read in the National Enquirer is TRUE?!” kind of shock but surprised nonetheless. I mean isn’t a blog supposed to be the inner most thoughts of the author? Kind of like an electronic diary?

Who cares?

Well, what if you were cleaning out your late Grandma’s belongings and found her diary. You read it, and you felt like you gained some bits of wisdom, some juicy stories (after you washed the “eww…that was my Grandma” off of you that is) and you felt like you got to know her better. Now, what if later you found out that Grandma didn’t write it at all but instead hired a ghost writer to handle it? Your entire world is now rocked! Were the stories true? Didn’t Grandma care enough to write it herself? WTH?!

After I started writing this blog, I found out that some people actually hire other people to write their blogs for them. Now, I’m all for outsourcing when it makes sense but I thought a blog was your opinion otherwise, couldn’t you just call it a “white paper?”

After I poked around some more, I found some things suspiciously familiar. Many blogs look exactly the same, same word-for-word content, same pictures, same order…same everything (except the company name of course). I understand that some people make a living writing but maybe the blog could just say so…full disclosure so to speak.

Bottom line, I’ve always been “special” (at least my Mom thinks so) so why change now? So, in the spirit of respect and genuine concern for – our clients and the technology challenges they (and we) face daily – I will continue to take the time to personally write meaningful blogs on issues we see day in and day out. Issues we know matter to them.

THIS works…now THAT doesn’t

Techspert — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:47:38 +0000

Remember the Rubik’s Cube? If you were alive in the 80’s you remember it (and if you weren’t…too bad for you). Did you ever get four of the sides perfectly lined up to one solid color…FINALLY…only to notice the top and bottom all messed up? Didn’t it drive you crazy? Were you like my “friend” who just ripped the stickers off, placed them perfectly back on and called it a day?

Cause and effect. It’s a sometimes mind boggling and often frustrating thing that refers to the philosophical concept of causality, in which an action or event will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event. Here’s another example.

Imagine that you are Farmer that raises goats. You don’t raise the goats for fun, you raise them to earn a living, making and selling Goat’s Milk Cheeses. Things are going along okay, until one day when you hire a new helper, but the goats don’t like him. Unfortunately for you he’s not too smart and he leaves the gate open. The goats take this as their opportunity to go rouge and high tail it out of there. So, what’s a Goat Cheese Farmer to do?!

Hire a professional Goat Wrangler to bring back your goats and get rid of the lamebrain who left the gate open in the first place. But wait there’s more!

Now your goats are pissed off and sure they’re back but they’ve rebelled, there is infighting and now they refuse to play nicely together. Luckily for you, the professional Goat Wrangler that you hired knows how to not only make the goats get along…but more efficient than ever by producing even greater amounts and better tasting milk. Sales are up, profits are up and everyone is happy!

That’s what we do.

As Systems Integrators we are your professional Goat Wranglers – making technology work together seamlessly and more efficiently than ever. Why is this important? Now I’ll give you a technology example.

Let’s say you have a business or you run one. Things are humming along nicely, in fact you are growing. You then decide to improve efficiency, and thereby profits, by undergoing a major software upgrade. So you purchase industry specific specialized software from that nice software company that you’ve heard so much about. They take your money, blow in to install it then blow out in a hurry. Problem is…now your hardware doesn’t work and your network is slow and keeps crashing. So you call “Tech Support” but they only have one technician for your region and you have to wait. Even worse, you have employees, which you are paying, that now can’t perform their job.

The problem is that by hiring separate people to install specialized software, a phone system, CCTV cameras/security system, point-of-sale system, electronic medical records system, etc. you are looking at each problem separately. This causes problems in itself because they are tied into your network but networks are designed to work as one (cause/effect).

Looking back, I never solved the Rubik’s Cube (embarrassing yes) because I approached each side separately; trying to get one side to work instead of looking at the puzzle as a whole. System Integrators, do just that…they look at the technology puzzle as one big picture that they solve as a whole.

Would the Goat Cheese Farmer have been better served by hiring a team of counselors to talk down each goat separately? Expensive and not a very efficient use of their time…wouldn’t you say?

Our advice? Hire a technology provider, specifically, a Systems Integrator that can look at the big picture and make certain that ALL technologies for your business can and will work together in the first place. If it can’t, discuss/plan/budget for the changes that need to take place in order to support those improvements. Once the strategies are fully mapped out, they’ll need to have the experience an ability to make it happen. Surprises can still come up (and you thought technology was boring) but a professional Systems Integrator is agile and can move things along to keep your overall costs down and save you many headaches along the way.

Up in the Clouds

Techspert — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:24:52 +0000

The Hidden Costs of Cloud Computing

There is so much buzz these days about cloud computing. You hear it everywhere, television commercials, business meetings, articles and newsletters so maybe by now you are thinking that you might need to inquire about it.

The first thing to know is that the cloud isn’t really all that new. For example, if you go to Facebook, bank on-line, or use Google or Yahoo for your email, then you are already on “the cloud.” Simply said, the data in the cloud isn’t stored on your computer, it is stored on the Facebook, Google, Yahoo and your banking institutions server. You do not have control of this data…they do.

Some people don’t care where their data is stored, who sees it, or what happens to it…some do. For example, if you are in a profession where the data is particularly sensitive, such as medical or the legal profession there are real consequences to a security breach.

The cloud doesn’t have to be an all or nothing equation. For your business for example, you might gain some real benefit from using a software application that is on the cloud. But just because it is on the cloud (or accessed through the internet) doesn’t mean that you can’t be the one hosting it on your own server. This is the best of both worlds. It combines the beauty that is “the cloud” with its ease of use and access of information but the control some need to maintain by running it off of your own server.

Our advice?

Things you should know about “cloud” computing when contemplating if you should jump on the cloud bandwagon yourself:

Internet Connection. For the cloud to work, your internet connection must be maintained at all times. In other words, if your internet is down…your cloud is down. This may not be that big of a deal for you but if all of your data is on that cloud and your internet is down for more than a few minutes, it might turn into a more complicated situation for you or your business.
Internet (data) Bandwidth. Specifically, synchronous bandwidth. For your data to reach the cloud you must have sufficient bandwidth availability through your internet provider. This isn’t cheap. Really not cheap and it is a vital part of making the cloud work for you. Before moving over to a cloud hosted anything you must find out how much bandwidth you need to make it happen. This will depend on the amount of data that you or your business uses. So you must consider how you and your employees use the internet (video streaming, music, etc.), your VOIP phone system (if not on a separate phone line), security cameras, etc. This clogs up your bandwidth super highway and drags down the speed and ability to drive your data to the cloud (not to mention use your phones, access the internet, etc.).
Cloud Server Down = bad. If the cloud server is down, your data can not be reached until they are back up. Again, this could be mere seconds or days depending on the situation and it is out of your control (a scary thought for some business owners).
Security. Who is hosting the cloud? Wherever it is hosted is where your data resides. Who will see it? How long will they store it? How secure is their location? Do they store it in multiple servers in various locations (redundancy) just in case the building burns down? Can the data be intercepted while in transit to the cloud? Yes, it should be encrypted, but because there are more people and businesses using the same cloud – there are more potential victims swimming in the same pool. Making you a much more enticing target.
Rent not Own. Imagine that you rented a storage unit for your most valuable stuff for a really good price. You saved lots of money because you didn’t have to buy a house big enough to fit it all in plus, they gave you a really good deal. You had it there for years and years and luckily nobody stole any of it. So now, you’ve decided that you want to cancel your lease for whatever reason. But now the storage company won’t give you back your stuff. Fine. Since you’ve complained enough they’ll give it back to you but shred to pieces. If you ever end a contract with a company hosting your cloud data, you might be able to save it or get it back from them but it will be in their format – that you no longer have access to thereby rendering your data unreadable and useless. If you have been using a hosted cloud software application to run your business, what is the cost of not having access to all of that data (that has now multiplied significantly)? Again, some people don’t mind this…some do. Which are you?

The bottom line is that if you are considering moving to the way of the cloud, for your software applications or even your server, really give it some thought. Be aware of the hidden costs involved to truly know if it is in fact a great money saving deal. Also, if you are considering moving your server to a hosting center, read your contract to be fully informed as to what will happen to your data and server if you ever change your mind. Weigh the benefits and the risks and talk to your trusted advisors.

Di-agnostics

Techspert — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:57:14 +0000

“Ag•nos•tic ” to be a doubter, disbeliever or skeptic.

It’s no wonder people doubt the importance of diagnostics…heck doubt comes built right into the word. By nature, we just hate the diagnostics process as a whole…don’t we? Why can’t the doctor just take one look at us and instantaneously KNOW what is wrong?! Why must you spend good money and time on figuring out the exact problem? Can’t they just take their best guess and treat that?

Unless we have walked into the emergency room with a pair of gardening sheers through our eye socket (ouch just saw that on the news)…chances are, in most cases, it’s just not that obvious why we have this pain or that (unless we’re married in which case it might be really obvious).

Additionally, do we really want our Doctor taking their best guess and treating us with what they think is wrong?

I’ll help you out here. Well of course we don’t. Sure, the Band-Aid might stick for a little while but could later fall off to expose an even bigger gangrenous problem. (Like the metaphor?)

Anyhoo…you’d be surprised how many times a day we get asked “Why are diagnostics so important? If I think that I am infected with a virus…can’t you just fix it?”

How do we say this nicely?

While your input is an important part of determining what the problem is, things are not always that simple. Taking the time to do complete diagnostics is the right way to do things and it saves you money in the long run.

Bottom line, you don’t want to waste money on repairs that you don’t need. Computer systems are complex and not every issue is attributable to a virus, as common as they are.

By performing thorough diagnostics your technology professional will be better able to pinpoint what the exact problem is and thereby do a better job of making your repair successful…the first time. Plus other unforeseen issues can be caught before they become a problem.

Make sure that your diagnostics:

Test Hardware
Check for Viruses/Malware/Spyware
Check Log for Errors
Check System Resources

Equally, if not MOST importantly…make sure that you have your systems diagnosed through an actual trusted technology professional (not your neighbor’s teenager…sorry kid). While not the cheapest route, it will prove to save you time, money and headaches in the future.

Gone Phishing

Techspert — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:17:53 +0000

I don’t have to tell you that identity theft is a big problem in today’s highly electronic society. I also don’t have to tell you that cyber criminals feed off of our private information. Now, given that our private information is so vital to their mere existence it stands to reason that they are going to find a way to acquire it. Right?

So, they can go about it the hard way – like having to actually “hack” into your account(s), tap your network or physically steal your computer. OR they can go about it the easy way – which in fisherman terms – is to cast out a great big net onto naïve victims to see who might literally hand them the information they require.

Now, being a fisher of men is a pretty good thing. Phishing to steal from them is another story. To protect oneself from being a victim of the later kind you must first understand what “phishing” is.

Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire private data such as a person’s username and password, credit card information, and/or account numbers by masquerading as a seemingly trustworthy entity. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or text message, and it often directs the user to enter details at a fake website that looks almost identical to the legitimate one.

The first thing to know without question is that no legitimate bank (for example) will ever lose your username and password nor send you an email requesting that you “update” your account information. Period. The same can be said for Facebook, Ebay or any other site that you may have purchased from or joined.

With that said, they might send you an order confirmation but typically you would know if you just ordered something. At least I hope you would. Further, if you just joined a site you would know that too. So you could expect a “thank you for joining” email. Pay close attention to emails that confirm a password or username change. These requests are a little harder to ignore. In fact, you may very well have just engaged in these very things. Remember timing and stupidity gullibility are what “phishermen” are hoping for but there are some rules of thumb that will help keep you out of their nets.

First is action. When you receive any email asking you to respond in some way – DO NOT click on the link provided within the email. Instead, go directly to the site yourself. This will insure that you have gotten to the legitimate site and not the fake phishing site. Once there, look for the https:// in the URL before entering in information that you prefer be kept secure. Keep in mind that “security questions” are helpful to include when you set up new accounts and be sure to always use “complex” passwords.

Second is avoidance. Enlist the help of an “email filtration device” that will help weed out many of these phishing emails and spam in general. This piece of hardware is especially helpful to businesses that receive email messages in greater volume. They lower the risk by catching most spam, phishing and virus infected emails in their OWN nets and keep the user from being confused by them in the first place. They also keep your inbox clean and keep your network running proficiently.

Finally, embrace your inner skeptic and second guess everything you receive in an email or text message – including items that give the appearance that they came from a friend OR your friendly neighborhood banking institution.

The Validity of On-Line Reviews

Techspert — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:58:25 +0000

Ohhh the dreaded negative on-line review. Now I know this might shock you – given the delightful personality that is ME and my brand – but yes, even I have received a negative on-line review (or two) over the years. No, I’m not whining about it (okay maybe a little) and I appreciate honest constructive feedback but sitting in my “business owner” chair, I also see the big picture.

Behold the power of the internet and 5 little stars. Most people know that a five star review can help a business. Most people also know that a 1 star “This place is horrible!” review can hurt a business. I bet that we could agree that for most people to take the time to make any kind of review on-line they would have to feel pretty passionately about something – positive or negative. Therefore, most people are going to post either a 5 star or a 1 star comment. But let’s explore this further…shall we?

Most people who legitimately experience 5 star service, unfortunately, do not take the time to tell others about it. I mean you really like the place, but gosh…time is on short supply these days and well, you just forgot. Sure most people are good intentioned so they mean too and they certainly would mention it if the subject comes up, but they typically won’t go out of their way to make a post on-line telling the world about their awesome experience. HOWEVER, if they feel they’ve been WRONGED…now that’s another story.

We love to tear people down (just ask Lindsay Lohan) and it is just so easy to do it. We can use our real name or just make an anonymous comment. When tempers are high and emotions raw we go onto the internet to “warn” anyone that will listen instead of notifying the store, the management, the owner or even the Better Business Bureau that there WAS a problem.

Competitors are also keenly aware of the direct impact a negative review can do to another business and so are disgruntled ex-employees. You can bet that some engage in “review warfare” to help snuff out the competition. Again, it’s just so easy. Anyone with an email address can create a fake account and make it seem legitimate.

Truth be told, not even all of those POSITIVE reviews are real. Of course MINE are (it’s an integrity thing). But, some companies do recruit the help of their employees, friends and family and even pay people to post fake 5 star glowing reviews. Shocking right? Not really. They have figured out that the total number of reviews drive up their placement on search engines like Google, Yahoo, Yellow Pages, etc. Why does that matter? Paid advertising is VERY expensive (I know…I pay for it). By placing fake reviews these companies do two things. One, they add “credibility” to their business by posting positive comments about themselves. Two, the total of reviews bumps up their visibility and therefore their ability to attract new victims customers.

Long story short, because I DO care, it DOES bother me when I get a bad review. Being a small business owner, it also HURTS. It hurts my reputation, which hurts my company and if it hurts my company then it hurts my employees, and because we are a family business, it hurts my family (and NOBODY is allowed to hurt my family but me).

Given that there is so much hurting going on maybe before you post a negative on-line review you could take a deep breath and consider what you are doing. These reviews stick around FOREVER and once you’ve had a glass of wine and calmed down you might feel differently. If you do and you already DID make that post, then remember to go back and include an update.

Finally, before being so quick to believe ANY on-line review perhaps time should be taken to consider the source of the review. Did their Mom write it? Does it sound fair or just mean spirited? IS IT IN ALL CAPS? What specifically was the complaint? Did the company respond? When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask about it and get their explanation. If they seem reputable and appear to be long standing in the community dig a little deeper and check other reference sources such as the BBB. After all, a trusted service provider is hard to find and putting in a little effort to find a good one can pay off for years to come.

Sink that Pirate Ship!

Techspert — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:36:49 +0000

Ahhh…don’t you just love a good pirate? After all…some pirates can are pretty sexy and what women doesn’t have a “special appreciation” for a bad boy occasionally? I can think of at least one that I wouldn’t mind sailing away with myself…and you’ll be sure to find me at the movie theater this spring when his new movie comes out! Remember these (not so subtle) words that greeted our beloved Captain Jack in the first movie? “Pirates…Ye be warned!” This message was displayed on a crudely made sign and placed on some hanging skeleton’s (nice touch) just to make a point. Well…don’t say I didn’t warn ‘ye.

This is a topic that we have educated our clients on for years. Pirated intellectual property (and yes, it should concern YOU).

Today we have instant access to so much over the internet and we…well…kind of forget that a lot of the “sharing” that goes on is illegal. Of course, most of us are law abiding, God fearing, tax paying, hard working citizens and we certainly wouldn’t consider ourselves thieves. But, there are some pretty upset people working for the entertainment and software industries that would beg to differ with you…and they are eager to make an example of you. Luckily no lynchings will be involved but it’s sure to take a few years off your life (and savings) non-the-less.

So even if you look like Johnny Depp (and if you do, please feel free to call me) you’ll have to follow the rules like the rest of us. If not, you just might get a surprise knock on your door…and it won’t be the Publishers Clearing House people. Oh they will have something for you alright. A hefty fine and/or some jail time. Not the kind of visit I’d like!

Our advice? These rules apply to everyone. If you are responsible for others (i.e. business owners or parents) make sure everyone is educated on them (employers should have a usage policy). You are ultimately liable for their actions.

What exactly is illegal?

As a general rule of thumb all music, movies, photos, software and even website content is protected by copyright. It does not have to be labeled “copyright” to be considered such and protected under copyright laws. Unless the author specifically says “go ahead and share.” Unauthorized downloading, uploading and/or distribution (sharing) is actionable as copyright infringement, even if not done for profit. Further, claiming “ignorance” may not save you as a defense.

How does someone typically get caught?

Every time you log onto the internet you are assigned an IP address from your internet provider. This IP address is how you can be tracked down. Contrary to popular belief you are NOT anonymous on the internet. Private companies (such as movie, music industry, etc.) can petition your internet provider for information about downloads and find offenders.

Individuals can turn in offenders for a reward (money talks…friends walk).

Updates. When your programs update they link up to the manufacturer (i.e., Microsoft, etc.) where they have several “ways” to verify that your software is genuine.

What can I do to keep it legal and stay out of trouble?

Photos, text content, graphics, creative, etc. Always give credit where credit is due. Site links when sharing information from other websites. Remember photos, logos, specialized fonts and graphics are protected by copyright too. If someone else created it – it is not yours. Most often you can find ones to use on free sites or just pay for the rights to use them. Typically we are talking really small usage fees (even as low as a single dollar).

Software. Don’t let your friends do you any “favors” by installing programs or a new operating system onto your computer. If it is legitimate you will have a genuine license sticker adhered to your system or an actual disk from the manufacturer. If downloading yourself, look for terms such as “shareware,” “freeware,” “trial” (usually in terms of software programs) these are okay to use. Software companies work long and hard to put out a good product. Don’t rip them off by “sharing” it. Besides, you get some perks for paying to use it in way of support and full functionality of the product that you won’t get in those borrowed copies. Be sure to read the license agreement to see how many of YOUR computers you can put it on. How do they find you out? When your system asks you to run updates you will be connected to the manufacturer.

Music. When purchasing music to download read the terms and conditions. Don’t assume that you can copy it to multiple devices within the same household. Make sure kids stay away from sites like Limewire, Kazaa and BearShare where they can engage in peer-to-peer sharing. Again, while it is not illegal to share files it IS illegal to share copyrighted material. These are the types of sites where kids (and their parents) can get into serious trouble because they might start innocent enough but before they know it hundreds or thousands of people have “borrowed” their downloaded music. This is what makes the record companies REALLY unhappy and you could be fined EACH TIME someone has downloaded that piece of music from your kids (or your) computer via the peer-to-peer. You may then get a letter in the mail from your internet provider telling you that the IP address assigned to use has engaged in illegal distribution of copyrighted material over the internet.

Movies. Many people use torrent (or download) sites such as Pirate Bay and Demonoid to engage in “sharing.” The production companies are allowed to monitor these sites and again, with the help of your IP address you can be caught. Movies are so cheap to rent now with the help of Blockbuster, Netflix, Red Box, PPV, etc. it’s not worth it.

Remember there are millions of dollars lost to pirating in these industries each year and they take it very seriously. Sure, lots of people do it but it doesn’t make it right and in the wise words of Mama’s everywhere… “IF anyone’s going to get caught, it’s probably going to be you!” So, just how lucky ARE you?

Resolutions…shoulda woulda coulda

Techspert — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:21:55 +0000

With the New Year well underway now, there is likely no doubt that you’re getting tired of hearing about all the resolutions that you should have made or did make and perhaps by now, haven’t kept. I understand. My year too started off with such gusto and promise for a better tomorrow…I exercised, cleaned stuff, planned, read and was so sure that I would keep it up. Well that was January 1st. By January 2nd I was tired, overwhelmed and spent most of my Sunday as a couch potato. So what if the Christmas decorations are up another week? Now, I’m not giving up on my resolutions but instead just added another. I resolve to “accept my imperfections” and when I falter on resolution #2 (which is to not procrastinate) I will just try again tomorrow. Sure, maybe that in itself qualifies as procrastination but hey…at least I’m trying to do better.

When re-reviewing your New Year’s Resolutions for self improvement how about making some resolutions for your home or business computer? These resolutions might actually be something that you CAN live with (since it doesn’t involve dieting or exercise) and will just make you feel better, more organized and help protect your identity. Thereby keeping your checking account balance AND sanity in place (well during 2011 anyway).

Our advice? Follow these simple New Year’s Resolutions for your computer:

Repeat after me. “I RESOLVE…”

1. to purchase a top rated anti-virus for my computer AND take the time to configure it (or have a professional do it) AND keep it updated.

2. to NOT horde 10,000 emails in my in-box but instead will archive my old emails and delete what isn’t necessary.

3. to keep two separate emails. One for family/friends and one for signing up on websites to cut down on spam. Business should always be separate.

3. to be mindful of the websites that I go to and stick to known reputable sites whenever possible.

4. to NOT place my laptop on anything soft while it is on thereby blocking the fan (i.e. air supply) like my LAP, sofa, carpet or soft kitty.

5. to be careful about whom I allow to “fix” my computer (i.e. “armchair” experts, friends, family or salespeople at big box retailers). I will also be wary of any television or internet advertisement that says it can “fix” my computer with one simple call or click of the mouse.

6. to not subject my computer to “free” anything (anti-virus, games, sweepstakes, ring tones, music, movies, software) as it might infect me and be illegal (sound familiar?).

7. to not click open attachments through my email or social networking sites without giving it careful consideration.

8. to never enter my credit card information on an unsecure site (look for the lock in the url and an https://).

9. to always use complex passwords and never write them down.

10. to not use my laptop as a plate and/or cup holder.

11. to have a professional checkup of my computer once a quarter (if I rely heavily on it) to look for malware/spyware/viruses and overall performance to avert disaster as much as possible.

Pa$$w8Rds!

Techspert — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:31:40 +0000

Are you easy? As in easy target. Well DO SOMETHING about it. Cyber crime, in way of identity theft, is all too common today and one of the easiest things that you can do to protect yourself from it can be found in the beauty that is a “complex and random” password.

I know I know, some of you have heard this before and that’s all fine and good but your old”ish” mind can’t handle memorizing a bunch of different and complex passwords. Besides, you’ve tried it and been burnt before - like the last time you tried to log into your credit card account to pay a bill on-line and couldn’t remember that new “great idea” password you had when you registered. So what good does it do you THEN…right? I understand, and you’ll be glad to know that there is a solution for simple minded busy folks like us.

There are now websites that you can go to that will safely store your password information. RoboForm is a good example (found at roboform.com) and it will even generate those random complex passwords for you. This product is free for users with 10 passwords or less. For more advanced internet users (with more passwords) or for people who want this availability on their phones or USB’s (called the “to go” feature) it is available for under $50. How does it work? Simply go to their website and setup a profile. There you will tell it what usernames, passwords (and the sites they go to) you use. These will all be kept under one new master password (you’ll need to remember this one). Every time you go to a website that you have set-up a username/password for, you will click on the RoboForm button (which now will appear on your navigational bar) to auto fill it in for you. PLUS, every time you go to purchase something on-line it will auto fill in your Bill To / Ship To forms with one click of your mouse and keep your credit cards on file if you like.

Our advice? Here are a few simple password rules to memorize:

1. Have several different passwords

2. Make sure to mix numbers, letters, uppercase/lowercase and symbols to make a complex password

3. Don’t use obvious (and public) information about you to come up with your password (such as maiden name, kids names, boyfriend, birthday, etc.)

4. Change your passwords periodically

5. Don’t write them down ANYWHERE (that includes in a file marked “passwords” on your computer)

6. Always remember the e-mail account that you set up your on-line accounts in and thereby set passwords to protect

7. Utilize known encrypted safe sites such as RoboForm to do the hard work for you

Always Use Protection

Techspert — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:00:24 +0000

How to guard your small business against cyber crime

Your mother always told you to use protection. In fact, if she did any kind of proper motherly brainwashing job it’s engraved in your mind. So, WHY do we get so lax when it comes right down to it? Well, maybe it’s because, as small business owners, we have seemingly more pressing things to worry about (like making payroll, CUSTOMERS, employee issues and just putting out fires in general). Besides…it won’t happen to me…that only happens to OTHER people. If you are a small business owner guarding yourself from cyber crimes should be up there on the top of your list. Those fires that you put out on a daily basis won’t compare to the back draft you’re going to feel when your company falls victim to cyber crime.

When thinking about cyber crime we tend to think of nameless, faceless bad guys “out there” that we don’t know and because we can’t SEE the threat we tend to forget it’s out there. No matter how successful your business is or isn’t, the fact is, that you are MUCH more “attractive” a target than you think. If you leave your back door open every night…somebody is GOING to come in eventually and the after effects can be devastating.

But strangers aren’t the ONLY threats out there to your cyber security. Employees can jeopardize all that you’ve worked for even easier than you’d expect and not necessarily on purpose.

Our advice? Don’t be an easy target. That IS in fact what those bad guys are looking for. Securing your surroundings is essential in today’s technology environment so I’ll break it down for you.

1. Anti-Virus. Purchase a top rated anti-virus for your network AND every workstation (including ones that access your network remotely).

2. Secure network connection. If you or your staff must access your network remotely invest in a secure encrypted connection. Static IP with a good VPN router is a great way to go and doesn’t compromise speed or graphic quality but there are other options.

3. Secure your premises. Invest in a security system for your company from a licensed and insured source. If you have several employees you may want key card access to certain areas of the building (including the server room/closet) and cameras on the parking lot, doors, registers, etc.

4. Limit employee access. Keep employees out of websites that are known to easily infect their computer (and thereby YOUR entire network). Don’t allow employees to leave passwords lying around. Make sure that they shred sensitive documents. Have a good email usage policy and be selective as to which employees have access to network admin, financials, etc.

5. Enlist the services of a technology company you can trust. Be SURE that the company you hire has longevity, is reputable and has background checked THEIR employees. What are their policies regarding confidentiality of YOUR data and can they share their email usage policies with you?

Random DID YOU KNOW? Hacking…it’s not just your computer anymore. Because of increased wireless technology in new vehicles and the computerization of key systems (like the safety critical ones) hackers can actually hijack your vehicle’s systems from their computer. So, like us, manufacturers also have to work to guard against cyber bad guys.

Back to School…and not a moment too soon

Techspert — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:25:29 +0000

So there they sit the little couch potatoes…looking so innocent all the while wreaking HAVOC on your laptop while you are away trying to earn a living. It’s no coincidence that summer is among the busiest time of year for the residential side of our business. Thankfully (for you) back-to-school is nearly upon us and life and your computer can start running smoothly again! But not so fast…

While YOUR computer might now be saved from the virus infecting teenager’s 16 hour a day addiction and your keyboard from their Cheetos crumbs…what happens now? Are you purchasing a system for THEM to use for school? Or perhaps they already have one but yours was that much cooler and/or convenient to use during summer break. Well either way, your work is not done until you educate your child and protect their system from their own stupidity (don’t feel bad mine are stupid too) and your pocketbook from future inevitable repair bills.

Our advice? I’ll put this in terms that both our teenagers and we grownups can understand…

1. Protection. Anti-Virus. There is more about protection later but this is so important it deserves a spot on its own. Invest in a good one for your teen (free does not equal good), configure it properly AND make sure to keep it updated for them. Protection doesn’t work unless you use it, use it properly and every time. You know this.

2. Prevention. Websites/Email Spam/Webcams/Remote Access. Anti-Virus software can only get you so far so your teenager will have to use their brains (scary I know). Popular social networking websites, music sites, downloads, emails, etc. contain viruses that can infect even the most shored up system. Tell them not to just click on every random thing they see and to suspect EVERYTHING. Also, teach them not to plug in a flash drive into systems they don’t know REALLY well…they could catch a virus that way and then infect their own system (and then perhaps yours). They should also be aware that the information that they “put out there” can be used against them by not only college recruiters and potential employers but also phishers/hackers who are all too eager to gain access to their system and its contents. Of course you’ve already taught your teen not to take their clothes off in front of the webcam but they should also be aware that a system can be hijacked remotely and controls of that webcam taken over without their knowledge.

3. Maintenance. This not only includes backing up of data, anti-virus, freeing up hard drive space, etc. but also some easy common sense things like making sure they have a heavily padded laptop bag (don’t go cheap it’s not worth it), that they are CAREFUL with it, they don’t leave it lying around unattended in public places like coffee houses (if you can’t trust them invest in a handy laptop lock (these are new handy gadgets), etc., don’t use it as a snack tray or drink too close to it, have a real surge protector every time they plug it in and if they run it off of the battery they should be aware of the life levels and save their data accordingly.

4. What to do when. At the first sign of trouble instruct them to call you (you in turn call your trusted technology advisor or have them call them directly). In the event they hear strange noises coming from the system, spill something on it, lose data, can’t turn it on, and see a bunch of pop-ups or a blue screen. What they do (or don’t do) at the first sign of trouble can greatly impact the life of their system, whether or not data can be restored/saved and the size of your repair bill.

Random DID YOU KNOW? Many stolen passwords used common slang words, adjacent keyboard keys and names presumably important to the user (like family members, boyfriends, etc.). Encourage your teen to use more complex passwords that COMBINE random letters, numbers and punctuation.

Break the chains that bind you!

Techspert — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:15:01 +0000

Were you aware that with today’s technology you don’t actually have to BE at your office to LOOK like you’re at your office? Now, what if you could do that AND be more productive and efficient than ever. Wouldn’t you want to know more?

Being in the technology business I have access to tools that you may not know exist. Or maybe you knew that they existed but didn’t think that YOU could use them or weren’t sure how. “Working remotely” is one of my favorite uses of technology hands down. See, like you, I am a busy person. I am a wife, mother, business owner/sales person/marketer/problem solver/cheerleader, volunteer AND I actually do have a life (no matter what my kids say). Not only can’t I be chained to the office but frankly, I don’t WANT to be (maybe it was my 40th Birthday last year). So, I no longer am. Does anyone really know that…no. Does that mean that I don’t work…absolutely not. You see I have created that balance that we are all looking for everyday by using technology to work for me. (Yes, technology is SUPPOSED to work for you instead of you for it.)

Okay, so I have some technicians at my disposal but I promise, you too can harness the power that is “working remotely” while you are on vacation, at home, waiting in the pickup line at your kid’s school, on a business trip…whatever. If you happen to own a business or run one…you will love this technology. From wherever…I can not only do the usual stuff like, access the company network, see who’s on it, share and send files, emails, surf the web, forward calls to my cell, check voicemail, etc. but I can also see every call that comes into my business, who answers it (or intercept it myself), see how long they are on the phone, chat live with an employee at any moment, see what employees are on the phone at any given time and to whom (in addition to whether or not they dialed it or received the call) and even see if they are AT their computer working. Additionally, if you have cameras at your business (yes we do that too) you can even WATCH your business at any time. So, in truth, you’d only know that I’m not present if you showed up in person to see me (in which case I’m “in a meeting”).

Our advice? Explore what “working remotely” could do for you and/or your company to save time, reduce labor/overhead, travel reimbursements/fuel consumption, improve productivity, efficiency and moral with a trustworthy, reliable technology partner (see my blog about the cautions of remote access).

Random DID YOU KNOW? Beware of Facebook “friend requests” – don’t be so eager to accept them unless you KNOW the person making the request. Hackers, Phishers, and general cyber bad guys can find out loads of information through your profile, access your computer or just infect your system by your clicking the accept link through your email.

Remote Repairs…Proceed with Caution

Techspert — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:49:37 +0000

Ever been to the big box stores to purchase a new computer? What about calling up the manufacturer directly to purchase it? Then you, like many, should know that some of them offer a nice little package called “remote repairs” that will “virtually eliminate” the need for you to bring it in (to wherever) or ship it back to be repaired. They offer this sweet little “insurance plan” at a low monthly rate of about 25 bucks. So the next time you feel like putting your fist through the screen and going all ninja on it…just call the 1-800# instead and tell them your problem. They’ll “remote in” and presto you’re all fixed up and your good go get on with your day…and instead of looking a bit “frazzled” you can instead look pretty darn smart for agreeing to purchase this service. Now that all sounds fine and good to the novice or the budget conscience. BUT I implore you to think twice. Personally, I have two big problems with jumping in head first.

#1 WHO exactly is going to “remote in” to your system? A young punk? Someone from a foreign country (umm…India perhaps)? Someone with less than stellar intentions? Just because they work for a big company doesn’t mean they are good people or that the company has taken the time (or spent the money) to background check them. Once in remotely they gain access to EVERYTHING on your computer. Oh, and you know that Webcam that you have on your laptop…YES they can see you and YES people have taken pictures and posted them on the internet…it’s not just your Grammy being paranoid (so stop making fun of her). Update: See our latest Tweet for an important new article on this topic (click “Home” – Twitter link is on the bottom right of screen).

#2 Contrary to popular belief NOT EVERYTHING can be fixed remotely. What if the fact that your internet (and lifeline) won’t connect IS in fact your problem? Don’t you think that they will have a hard time “remoting in” if that is the case? Also, not all viruses can be thoroughly removed while your system is running (kinda like changing that tire while speeding down the highway…I mean my husband is good but he’s not THAT good). What about hardware failure? Clearly having some person from wherever they are will not be able to repair your hardware. Sometimes they can’t even properly diagnose the hardware remotely.

Our advice: While remote repairs are an excellent way to get your system up and running in a hurry for some problems understand that they will not solve ALL of your computer issues. If you purchase a monthly plan make sure it is from a reputable company that you trust (ours offers 2 great residential plans and 5 for businesses). Finally, and most importantly, find out WHO is going to be remoting in and don’t just take some kid behind the counters word for it. Get the facts.

Random DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that you should ALWAYS have your laptop plugged into a surge protector (NOT a power strip)…even when charging? Look for a surge protector that can handle at least 1,000 joules and don’t forget to purchase a travel size one for when you’re on the go.

Got junk in your trunk?

Techspert — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:17:19 +0000

Do you have a closet where you could literally go shopping for any variety of sizes at any given time…because YES I AM going to be that size again (how dare you think otherwise)…and then I would have to purchase all new clothes…so look at all the money I’m saving?! I understand and yes, this makes perfect sense to me too…just ask my husband. Now, given that we married people usually have to share a closet with our spouse (really is it too much to ask for our own closet and bathroom for that matter?) you have probably fallen victim to…TECHNOLOGY CLUTTER (aka junk) that you or your husband just can’t part with (actually it’s just him but I didn’t want to name names)…because, hey, we might need that some day and it was so expensive in the first place…besides if I lose my cell phone I can just whip out my giant sized one from back in the day and use it. Now we both know that if we miraculously woke up 50 lbs lighter we would NOT make a run for the closet and break out those old clothes (duh…clearly a shopping spree is in order) and if our cell phone broke we would NOT be so inclined to use our old one…because hey, technology has gotten so much more advanced and you’ve gotten kinda used to it. So, how about you reclaim your valuable closet real-estate AND do something “green” too (if Al Gore can do it so can you)? So once you have removed all that junk from your closet and transferred it to your trunk (and drive around with it for a month) what is a person to do to get rid of it?

Our advice? Don’t throw it away! There are all sorts of reasons not to. Clearly they are not biodegradable and certain parts are toxic and can harm the environment, children and the water you drink. Donation is a great solution (you can be “green” and help the less fortunate) and of course there is recycling. But don’t give your private information away! Have a trusted professional wipe the hard drive of that old computer clean (to get it done right) before you donate it or take it to a recycler for that matter. If you have super duper private information that you don’t want ANYONE to see (gee…now I want to see it). Wipe the hard drive AND beat it with a baseball bat (or some other household item…but not the family member your most mad at currently) into a million pieces (no, you don’t have to count them) because technology has advanced enough for some really eager person (aka thief) to recover even wiped, deleted and/or written over data. As for those “recyclers” take a few moments to research a responsible one in your area to make sure your good deed doesn’t end up doing something other than what you intended.

Random DID YOU KNOW? That there is a difference between http:// and https://? The “s” means that the website has a secure connection.

Buy Cheap…Buy Twice

Techspert — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:52:44 +0000

Gone shoe shopping with your child lately? Well if you haven’t you will soon because ”back to school” will be here before you know it! So I have a question for you. Have you ever bought your child the cheap shoes because heck they’re just going to outgrow them soon anyway (and duh…they aren’t MY shoes) only to have them fall apart the first time you go to throw them in the washer? Which of course then sets off a chain of ugly household events which includes some use of profanity, blaming said child, blaming the husband that didn’t bother to go (or was incapable of) shoe shopping for his own child. Well clearly the kid can’t go barefoot (you know you’ve tried) so they MUST have a pair of shoes (and that darn school makes him wear them anyway). So what’s left to do but summon your husband back out to the store to buy the more expensive shoes?! Now, not only are we not happy with him (sure I’m a little mad at your husband too) and everyone else but now you have added guilt about not listening to your repeatedly proven wise inner voice telling you that “cheaper isn’t always better.” In this economy money is tight for everyone (heck that’s an understatement right) so every penny you can save is critical…I understand. Sometimes cutting costs by going cheap ends up costing you more in the long run (or short run). Sure we’ve all done it and sometimes it does end up being a good deal. But when it comes to technology cheaper is most definitely not better. Like the shoes, that ”xyz” brand cheaper computer is often times made from inferior parts, doesn’t have the techno ability that a better quality one has, has a shorter life span and little to no warranty to boot (even worse when we are talking about a business network server).

Our advice? When purchasing new equipment go for quality over initial cost savings…it WILL save you more in the long run (or short run). Compare apples to apples not oranges to grapes. With quality equipment you’ll end up with fewer problems (less repair bills), a longer lifespan (and it may help your husband’s life span too) and when things do go wrong…a better warranty.

Fact or Crap?

Techspert — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:48:50 +0000

My son’s favorite birthday gift was a game called “Fact or Crap”…of course this comes as no shock to anyone that knows me OR my son. To some (me not being one of them) the title might be a little crude but if we kept this question on the top of our minds it might actually save us from a lot of costly mistakes throughout our life. Wouldn’t you agree? Think about it. This could pertain to those political messages we hear during election time. Think “Fact or Crap?” before you vote. Whether or not to purchase the latest ”must have” on that very convincing infomercial (I swear I’ve only done it twice…okay maybe four times but that’s it). “Fact or “Crap”? Yep…probably crap so why waste the money? Which brings me to the advertising messages and media hype that we get bombarded with when a new technology gadget comes out. Well if everyone is talking about it…it MUST great so I MUST have it. Really? Now, being in the technology business myself I am certainly not saying that you shouldn’t keep up with the latest in technology nor am I suggesting that the latest and greatest is crap. However, if you end up not using it thereby wasting your money…doesn’t that just make you feel like crap?

Our advice? Before you go pitch a tent and wait in line all night for that newest greatest coolest techno thingy….ask yourself…am I just buying this because everyone is telling me that I must have it or can I really use it? Does it fulfill a specific need which would make my technology life easier (yes, technology is supposed to make life easier). Have I researched exactly what it WILL do instead of what I hear it does? Finally, my personal favorite…is it REALLY true that it will NEVER get viruses like the other guys therefore justifying the much larger initial expense because heck…I’ll be saving all that repair money in the future?! hmmmm….