Backup Everything
The smallest backup includes just your data files. But what about your system and application files. If your hard drive crashes it could take days to rebuild it from the original distribution CDs. And what if you downloaded all your applications from the web and the install files were stored on the now dead hard drive? Worse is your secure password store is also gone. The solution is one of the many products that you can use to ‘image’ the entire system. You can restore an individual file as easily as restoring your whole system from the point of the last backup.

Backup Frequently
How often you back depends on how much change you create in your working files. If you run a business that is handling hundreds or transactions an hour you might want a backup process that occurs as often as every 15 minutes. You should at least consider running a backup once or twice daily.

Don’t store your backups with your systems
This may seem obvious but don’t keep your backups in the same building as your systems. I have seen businesses where the backup goes from the USB cradle to the shelf beside the computer. If the building burnt down then you lose everything: the computers and the backups. USB hard drives are cheap and easy to transport. There is also a growing list of online providers so you can backup your files or systems across the internet.

Keep archives
An archive is a backup that you keep for long time, eg a month, six months, a year, etc. Most businesses should archive their email for 7 years but rarely do. Medical companies may be required to retain archives of their production records for 99 years. It’s not uncommon for a client to want to retrieve a file from a few weeks or even a few months ago.

Test your backups
You have the backup but can a file or a full system be restored? Some industries require annual proof that you can restore a system to full working order. Think about implementing a regular test of your backups.

Secure your backups
Your business has a firewall, you enforce a stringent password policy, there is network monitoring and secure email. So, don’t leave your backup disks or tapes vulnerable to someone simply picking it up as they walk through the office.

File integrity
Finally, you can introduce mechanisms to ensure that your files aren’t corrupted by human errors during data entry, errors when files are being transferred across the internet, errors from software bugs, hardware malfunctions or even natural disasters.

There are increasing reports of scammers operating out of India who are targeting unsuspecting Windows computer owners in Australia. They call claiming to be from Windows Support, Microsoft, IRS Support, A-Logix, etc, and they ask “Are you the computer owner or main user?” and “Can you to go to your computer and turn it on?”. They say the reason they called is because “your computer has been detected sending viruses and errors, etc.” and they will need to remotely access your computer to ”fix the problem”.

To prove the infection they get you to open your computer’s Event Viewer and tell you that each red item in the Application Log or the System log is a sign of a virus.

Next you are directed to a web site to install software that will then allow them to remotely access your computer. Once they have access to your computer they proceed to confirm the previously agree “infection” of your computer. They may even perform a check of your current warranty, which of course comes back as “expired”.

Finally, they direct you to a web site and go through their warranty or service options and get you to pay up to $400 for them to ‘fix the problems’.

Some known suspicious web sites are:
jarssupport.com
techforhelp.com
pcserviceq.net (under maintenance?)

A hint that these sites may be bogus is the poor sentence structure, eg “We are the best friend of computer, is your computer interested for friendship?”

You can report a scam at this URL www.scamwatch.gov.au, just click on “Report a Scam” on the right side.

Some points to note:
1 Microsoft does not call you, the end user
2 Your computer doesn’t send error reports to Microsoft or anyone else
3 Simply say “Thank you, not interested” and hang up

If you are concerned about your computer security and whether your computer has appropriate and adequate anti-virus or anti-malware protection then please contact Richard at Gahleru Solutions on 0414 807 282 for an independent assessment.

There are multiple computer hardware options when it comes to supporting your small or medium business, including in-house physical servers, in-house virtual servers, hosted servers, desktops, laptops, printers, smartphones, firewalls and uninterruptible power supplies. There are networking options in the form of wired and wireless communications. Application options include your standard applications (email, documents, spreadsheets), your line-of-business applications (legal, accounting, manufacturing), data backup, business resumption and your business protection tool for managing anti-malware, anti-spam, anti-virus and web filtering.

Then you need to consider your budget.

The best computer systems

The core of your network may be a Small Business Server. If you have more than 2 desktops or laptops, then you should use a server to store and share your files. This server will include suitable data backup or business resumption facilities.

Servers and desktop computers can generally be sourced from known brands or from a white box supplier. White boxes are generally cheaper than the brand names and their use can extend your budget. Ask your Managed Service Provider for server comparisons and warranty details.

Laptops are better sourced from brand names. For your small or medium sized business you should select the business or professional models rather than the consumer models.

There are front doors and then there are front doors. The standard ADSL modem/firewall as supplied by your Internet Service Provider is usually cheap and suitable for domestic use. However, it may not be sufficiently flexible or configurable to protect your business network. You should work with your Managed Service Provider to ensure you have a suitable business-grade firewall and that it is correctly configured.

Your network

A useful method of allowing a laptop or smartphone to function in an office is to use a wireless access point, a wireless router or a firewall with built-in wireless capability.

Wireless networking is beneficial to some companies’ success because it’s instantly expandable, is relatively easy to maintain and manage, and it doesn’t require costly building alterations to run cables. Your wireless internet connection can allow you to work more efficiently too. For example, you can use your laptop at your desk and then simply carry it into the boardroom for a presentation. Plus you can back up your laptop across the network to the main server.

A wireless network can also save you money when using a smartphone. Using a smartphone 3G connection to access the internet can be expensive. Performing the same browsing through the office wireless network is virtually free.

However, there are some issues to remember when deploying a wireless network. Too many wireless devices can flood the bandwidth, slowing everything down. The data that you access over the wireless link needs to be secured using the highest level of encryption available. You should also set the wireless communication speed to the highest available which is stable. Contact your Managed Service Provider to ensure that your wireless network is correctly configured, secured and managed.

Author Bio

Your computer systems and wireless network can be easily set up and monitored – but you need advice to get it right. Contact us via our web form and we are ready to help you!

While many people think that small business network security, internet security, and wireless security are difficult to attain with a little support, applying patches and some vigilance, your IT Infrastructure can be as secure as any other computer network. Plus it can defend itself against any attacks that may target your computer.

The five basic steps to Internet security

There are five basic steps to internet security, each of them providing an interlocking element of the barrier that you need to use to protect your computer.

1. Risk assessments – the first step is to ensure that you’re doing everything that you can to protect your system. For starters you may need to work with your colleagues to ensure that they aren’t bringing viruses in on external media. Risk assessments can be undertaken by only a qualified IT expert, to ensure they are accurate and cover everything. They are especially important if your company has to meet any form of compliance in data protection.

2. Firewalls – one of the easiest ways to protect your network is with a firewall. But an incorrectly configured firewall can be worse than no firewall. It is critical to ensure that your firewall is installed correctly and properly configured. You should hire an expert IT service to ensure that it is setup correctly. It will cost you far less than the embarrassment if you are hacked and data is stolen.

3. Antivirus and anti-malware – You need to protect your business, your reputation, and your future from web threats by using a suitable security system. The system should provide fast, effective, and simple protection against web viruses, cybercriminals, and data loss, so you can focus on your business instead of worrying about Internet security. This will reduce the risk and the cost involved in computer virus or malware removal. Still, you shouldn’t rely on it solely to protect your system. You should still be vigilant when opening attachments and when going to new web sites. If you’re concerned about your system, you need to have a backup virus scanner to make sure your system is clean. Your risk assessment should also cover this.

4. Ensure your wireless security is as strong as it could be – there are a few different encryption schemes available for wireless networks. You should ensure you are using the highest level possible and combine this with a complex and hard to guess key for your network. Again, consulting with an expert will help you meet your needs.

5. Be vigilant – one of the areas most companies overlook is vigilance. By being vigilant you can ensure that your system is protected at all times.

Other security services

Making sure that your security systems are top notch is a major undertaking for most small businesses. So giving it your best is a major budgetary consideration when setting up a new network. Hiring an expert from the outset will ensure that your computer systems are less likely to contract computer viruses, requiring needless virus removal services and protecting all of the data under your care.

Author Bio
Setting up your small business network security will not only protect your data, but increase your productivity.

Give us a call on 02 9487 8263 or fill out our easy-to-use form.

I picked up the Laptop yesterday afternoon.

Its running great, wireless internet, touchpad digitizer and all.

Just wanted to say thank you for the great work.

Cheers

Jono – Belrose

I purchased Microsoft professional 2010 software & upgraded all my P-Cs this went extremely well until I went to use my configuration of telephone system & pricing it would not open.

I contacted Richard & sent him a copy of the software so he could see what the problem was he had no problem on his P-C we arranged a time in the evening & after 2 hours working remotely & Richard accessing my P-C we had the problem resolved.

Because Richard was willing to work out of normal working hours we were able to resolve this issue which allowed me to perform my normal working hours for my customer without loss of time great & thanks again.

Regards

Jeff Galbraith
Director

The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a warning about phone scams.

PEOPLE should hang up on scammers, according to the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission.

The ACCC and the Australian Communications and Media Authority recently joined forces to highlight the growing threat of phone scams.

ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said over the past two months complaints about phone scams had jumped from 200 a month to 2000 across the two agencies.

“Consumers can stop themselves being scammed by never disclosing any personal or financial details to these callers,” ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said.

“Cutting off the lifeline is the best way to disrupt scammers.”

Scams include callers advising that a person’s computer is infected with a virus and requesting credit card details to fix the problem, or callers offering products, services or cash through fake government grants.

Other scams involve callers seeking bank details to process a bank fee or tax refund, or offer to place the person’s number on the Do Not Call Register for a fee.

One other circulating scam involves a recorded message asking people to dial 9 for a “free” holiday.

Residents are urged be cautious, not give out personal information to unsolicited callers, and hang up if it sounds like a scam.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you have provided your details to a scammer. For more information visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.

The Do Not Call Register is a free Federal Government service where Australians can register their numbers to opt out of telemarketing calls and marketing faxes.

Call 1300 792 958 or visit www.donotcall.gov.au.