Email is one of the most important tools that business users utilize.  It allows instant communication around the world.  Unfortunately it can be misused to trick you into revealing sensitive information to people that will use it against you.  Here are a couple examples of tricks that spammers and hackers like to use.  PC-World List.  Also new emails scams include an email stating you have a new e-Card waiting from a friend or relative.  DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK IN THE EMAIL.  The best advice i can give you is, "If you are unsure of the email and its intentions then don't open it and delete it."

      Wifi has changed the way we do business.  Whether we are in our office, on our back porch or in the local Starbucks, with WiFi technology you have the power to stay in your office or go out and enjoy the nice day.  As long as you stay within range of your network, you can be anywhere.  There are obviously plenty of advantages to WiFi networks but what are some of the disadvantages.  One is speed, not the speed of the internet but the speed of your network.  While on your WiFi it will take longer to transfer files from computer to computer.  If a computer can be plugged directly into a network through a Cat 5 or Cat 6, then you should plug it in.  If running a cable just isn't feasible then WiFi technology can help.

      Now that you've decided that WiFi is something you want you need to decided which WiFi Tech to use.  There are many out there and it will be changing often.  The most common and stable kind is 802.11 B/G.  Linksys, DLink, and BuffaloTech all make quality WiFi tech.  There is a new version of WiFi that has been showing up on shelves and it’s called 802.11 Draft-N.  The word DRAFT is just like saying BETA.  It is a new protocol that still has a long way to go.  There are a couple issues with Draft-N most notably signal dropping, security incompatibility, and varying speed.  In my opinion 802.11 Draft N is not ready for public usage.  So be caution when deciding which WiFi tech to use.

         Over the past week a couple new viruses have appeared on the Internet.  All have the potential to steal your personal information, and to do serious harm to the data that resides on your computers.  The most severe virus is a Trojan Exploit called Exploit-ANIfile.c.  The infection method for this virus is either through Email or through a web page link.  So be careful who you get emails from they might not be real and always remember if you don't think it looks right or you are not sure if you should click on it then DON'T.  The next virus is the W32/Fujacks.aa.  It appeared less than a month ago and has caused widespread damage.  It uses the above Exploit to execute its code and download other spyware/malware in order to steal your personal information.  Methods of infection are Email, Web Page links, over floppy or removable disks, or through other spyware/malware.  Even though Microsoft hasn't released a patch for the vulnerability that allows these viruses to be possible, many of Virus Scanning software like McAfee, Symantec, or Panda, protect you from these.  As long as you have updated them that is.  If you want to avoid getting these viruses you must take a proactive approach to the situation and constantly check that your system is up-to-date on all aspects including Windows Updates, Virus Definition Updates, and Spyware/Malware Databases Updates.  If you think you have a virus give us a call, we can help get rid of it.

        With our need for up to the second news, media, and data, we find ourselves lost in the sheer number of options that exist out there.  The questions we find we're asking ourselves is "Do I need to carry my laptop with me where ever I go?", "Do I have power and internet connection if I do bring it?", or "Do I have a safe place to put it if I have to leave?".  These questions are constantly asked by every person who travels and needs access to their news, data, and media.  If you decided not to bring your laptop, now how do you get to your stuff.  The answer is a SmartPhone.  You already carry a cell phone.  Why not make it a SmartPhone and have the best of both worlds.  Over the past 6 months numerous companies have launched their own versions of a SmartPhone.  And with the introduction of the new 3G network or UMTC (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) as its known, you can now access your data even faster than before as near broadband speeds. 

      Cell carriers like Cingular offer 3 or 4 different Smartphones, like the 8125, 8525, and BlackJack.  T-Mobile is releasing a new Phone that isn't so much a phone as an ULTIMATE communications device.  It is called the Ameo or "Athena" depending who you talk to.  It has everything you need plus things you didn't even know you needed.  To see a complete review about it click here.  One MAJOR drawl back about this device is that its not something you can simply put in your pocket or put up to your face for a call.  Its BIG, REALLY BIG.  You must use a headset to talk with this device. It has a 7in screen with an attachable keyboard, 8GB hard drive, front and rear camera (front being for video calling, you read that right, VIDEO CALLING), WiFi, Bluetooth, and to round it all out with an integrated GPS.  Even though it is really cool, and has a lot of features I personally would have a hard time trucking this around every where.  That’s why I use the Cingular 8525.  It is 3G, has a slide out keyboard and is Windows Mobile so it allows me to link my Outlook Contact and Calendar to my phone.  And with a simple Data Plan from Cingular I am able to use it as a cellular modem to get internet access while I’m on the road.  Many of today's carriers offer their own versions of a SmartPhone so talk to them on which ones they offer as well as their Data Plans.  And if things still aren't making much sense and the little helpers at the stores aren't really helping let me know and I can help you with your questions.  Rememebr these phones are a great way to stay better connected, but be aware that they are a device not a simple little phone anymore.

      Recently while surfing the Net I stumbled across an article on PCWorld.com, entitled "The 50 Most Important People on the Web".  It's a great article that lists the 50 people and a brief description as to why they are so great.  Some of them make a lot of sense, others do not.  Click the link below to make your own judgments.

The 50 Most Important People on the Web

      Today's Post is about Computer Care.  Would you drive over 10000 miles in your car before you changed the oil?  No, of course not.  Would you wait till after you got the flu to get the flu shot?  No, it’s already too late.  So why would you want to go months and months without ever scanning your computer for Virus's and Spyware.  In order to keep your computer in tip-top-shape you need to update and run your scanning software.  Another useful tip for keeping your computer running is to check for Microsoft Updates at least once a month. 

      Email is one of the most important tools we use in your daily lives.  The link below is a great article covering 10+ e-mail best practices.  Check it out a lot of them make sense.  http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877_11-6161848.html

       The physical laptop equipment is the cheapest thing you can replace when comparing it to the data that was located on it.  Over the past few months there have been numerous stories about some of this nations security, medical, and armed forces organizations losing or having their laptops stolen.  Most recently the FBI reported that 160 laptops were stolen or lost over a four-year period, and of those missing most could not be determined if they carried sensitive or classified information.  Here’s a link to the most recent CNN story.  This greatly disturbs me, not only do they not know if the laptops had classified information on them, they sometimes didn’t even know the laptop was even missing.  This is one of our Nations top Security Agencies and it can’t even protect a simple laptop.

      So you’re asking yourself what can I do to protect my laptop if they can’t protect theirs.  The answer is simple.  Open your eyes.  The two places where laptops are most stolen are either out of the back of your car or at the airport.  While at the airport be real cautious, 1000’s of laptops travel through an airport in a single day, and it would be almost impossible to find it if someone walked off with yours.  Some simple tips to help are; if you are sitting at a table wrap your laptop bag strap around the leg of the table or the leg of your chair.  If someone tries to take your bag you will know very quickly; while going through the metal detectors hold onto your laptop until you are just about to walk through it.  This way no one can slip in front of you and take your laptop.  Tips for your vehicles are easy.  First off you should never leave your laptop in a vehicle for an extended period of time, but sometimes you can’t help it.  If you do leave it in your vehicle make sure it is covered up so not to divulge that it is a laptop.     

      Your laptop is one of your most important tools you have in your business, and you should treat it as such.  You can start by making sure you have proper passwords setup on your laptop.  If you are using the new Windows Vista, Windows Bit Locker is a great way to encrypt your data.  If you’re not using Vista there are many third-party software providers which provide Data Encryption software.  And remember if your laptop is stolen or it happens to become lost, if you made REGULAR BACKUPS, you are only out your laptop.  

I would like to address Microsoft Windows Vista.  First off any company who spends 6 Billion dollars and 5 years in developing an Operating System is bound to come up with something decent.  Vista was built on some of the strongest security ever created; its new 3-D AERO user interface is really nice for multimedia and multi-tasking users; File Explorer and Search functions are greatly improved; and the new Networking Wizards helps you quickly and easily share devices and files on your personal network. 

Some of the draw back with Vista lies in the many so called flavors.  There are six in all; Ultimate, Business, Home Premium, Home Basic, Enterprise, and Starter.   Vista Ultimate gives you every bell and whistle Microsoft has to offer including the features in all the other versions of Vista, hence the name Ultimate.  Business and Enterprise Edition is geared directly towards the corporate world and business user.  Home Premium and Basic is where most people will be satisfied.  Think of it as XP Pro and Home with a new interface and functionality.  Vista Starter is for those users who want to try the operating system but don’t want to spend a lot of money to get it.  This version will run on older computers and laptops but lack many of the advanced features.  To see a more detailed list of reasons to upgrade or not to upgrade click here.

After you have made your choice you will have to deal with a little bit of a learning curve to get used to the new interface and layout of all your data and applications.  Remember older equipment will have difficulty running most versions of Vista so Upgrading should be made with caution.  Microsoft provides a tool to let you know if your current equipment can handle the system requirements.  Bottom line is if you are getting a new computer and Vista is an option I would get it, and only the Ultimate version.  If you have XP and are thinking of upgrading to Vista I would advise against it.