Computer Authorities Plus

Lockheed-Martin compromised. Info from PC World.

2011-05-29T16:52:00.000-04:00

The network of defense contractor Lockheed-Martin was attacked using counterfeit electronic keys. Since the RSA Security network was hacked and the keys to its SecurID tokens were compromised a few months ago, the world has been waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Well, it dropped.

In an analysis of the breach at RSA Security, NSS Labs predicted, "This was a strategic move to grab the virtual keys to RSA's customers--who are the most security conscious in the world. One or several RSA clients are likely the ultimate target of this attack. Military, financial, governmental, and other organizations with critical intellectual property, plans and finances are at risk."

Cyber attacks have evolved into precision tools for corporate and government espionage. Since the compromise of the SecurID keys, there have been malware and phishing campaigns probing for specific data connecting RSA tokens to the end-user, suggesting that those attacks were being conducted by the original RSA Security attackers with a goal in mind.

Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, and most crimes of opportunity can be avoided. Stay in populated, well-lit areas, and you're relatively safe. Walk down dark, deserted alleys and your odds of getting mugged go up. Lock your car doors and keep valuable hidden, and you probably won't get things stolen. Leave your car unlocked with your iPad sitting on the passenger seat and it probably won't be there when you get back.

However, avoiding a targeted attack--a stalker dedicated to trailing you specifically--is much more difficult. The attack against RSA Security does not appear to have been a random crime of opportunity, but rather a targeted attack calculated with the goal of acquiring the keys necessary to tackle larger prey like Lockheed-Martin.

I am sure that Lockheed-Martin and the United States government have information security experts much smarter than me investigating these incidents and connecting the dots, but it certainly seems at face value like either a state-sponsored attack, or an attack by well-funded hackers with the intent to market whatever information can be extracted internationally to other governments.

Thankfully, Lockheed-Martin detected the attack and acted quickly to thwart it. A spokesperson for Lockheed-Martin reports that no customer, program, or employee data has been compromised as a result of this attack.

But, the entire incident--starting from the RSA Security attack and compromise of the SecurID tokens, and ending at Lockheed-Martin--illustrates that malware and cyber-crime are becoming more insidious. Malware has evolved from a trivial, script-kiddie nuisance, to a professional crime syndicate, and now into a tool for precision corporate and government espionage.

Gartner's Top 10 Technologies for 2011

2010-11-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

October 20, 2010

1: Cloud computing

This group of technologies has been on the top 10 lists for a few years. Now everything as a service will alter business models and IT procurement. Gartner analyst David Cearley said what has changed is that there are multiple services. Companies will probably need cloud computing brokers. Things to watch:

Where does the public cloud fit? IT is generally scared of the public cloud, but select workloads are fine.
Beware cloud washing. IT execs are comfortable with the vendors cloud washing but may not get real capability.
Limit access to specific clouds based on community and groups. That approach would minimize security risks. Gartner has exclusive clouds and community clouds as services to watch.
Private clouds are custom and packaged.

My impression: A safe pick for sure, but the cloud is getting more granular as it matures. Think cloud washing magnified.

2: Mobile apps and media tablets

Tablets and touch aren't new. Claunch said that the selection of applications changes the game for businesses. "Apple has leveraged the ecosystem of the iPhone," Claunch said. "And Apple has created consistency." In addition, Apple's iPad is the poster child for how consumerization is affecting corporate IT. Things to think about for enterprise IT:

Enterprise apps will need to be designed for the tablet.
Delivering these apps gets complicated due to the selection of platforms.
Context-aware computing can connect to customers better.
Marketing will drive a lot of projects to utilize tablets, but these devices can be used for inspections, surveys, image capture, documentation, and training.

Cearley added, "The PC era is over. Think of mobile design points."
My impression: It's stunning how many iPads are in this crowd of 7,000-plus IT execs and managers. Another thread: Almost all of these IT execs are carrying PCs not Macs. Typically, CIOs and the like are the last to get on board an early adoption curve for a new device. There's a frenzy over tablets.

3: Next-gen analytics

Companies need to develop "operational analytics" to make predictions and use data mashups. "There's value in very current information. We are now shifting our focus to start doing simulations and modeling to predict the future," Claunch said. These simulations would ultimately be run on smartphones and other devices. Algorithms will really matter to companies to support the right type of prediction.
Gartner didn't advocate doing a lot of analytics investment yet, but be ready to invest.
My impression: Analytics is largely untapped ground for many companies. Claunch's key point: "This is just being enabled now." Another key item: A show of hands revealed that the entire room had business intelligence software. A show of hands also indicated that no one thought those applications were delivering real value.

4: Social analytics

This concept revolves around taking social networking data and incorporating it into enterprise analysis. Sentiment, context, and influence are key areas for companies. "We're starting to see the tipping point," Cearley said. "It's moving from bleeding edge to mainstream activity." For now, look at communities you have to support and analyze an entry.
My impression: CIOs should be watching this stuff, but given the crowd response to business intelligence, I'm not seeing much progress on the analytics-social intersection.

5: Social communication and collaboration

Social collaboration is "inevitable," Cearley said. "Over the next few years, it will be impossible to ignore this," he added. By now, companies should have policies, high value social uses identified, and have experiments to link social with CRM systems. Meanwhile, unified communications will merge with social. Expertise location will probably be the best use case.
My impression: Gartner makes a good point, but I'd be willing to bet that enterprises are way behind the curve on social communication and what it means for collaboration and productivity.

6: Video

Corporate use of video is going mainstream. Low-cost video recorders are everywhere. Companies will need video content management systems and better design skills, and they'll need to address privacy issues and policy concerns. Will all conference rooms be recorded by default? E-learning, merchandising, marketing, webinars, and telepresence will all be key video uses. The tipping point will come in 2011 to 2013. In addition, video will be needed to reach younger employees.
My impression: Video has hit mainstream, but networks haven't. Will Vlogs really be the best use of employee time? One other key point: How will business intelligence systems digest video content?

7: Context-aware computing

The idea here is that social analytics and computing leads to knowledge about preferences. User interfaces would change based on context. Today, it's all reactive. By 2011 to 2013, there will be more proactive alerts. By 2014 to 2018, you'll have context integrated with enterprise systems. Ultimately, there will be a context platform. Portals, mashups, mobile, and social will combine. Vendors will offer "user experience platforms."
My impression: I have a hard time seeing strapped enterprises going all contextual. Look for business units such as marketing to launch these projects to drive sales. Companies will need to deliver context-aware services to businesses. Can't wait for all of those user experience platform pitches.

8: Ubiquitous computing

This topic has been discussed in previous years on Gartner's lists. In a nutshell, computers melt into objects. There will be machine-to-machine connections, portable personalities, and connectivity changes across multiple devices. There will be thousands of computers for each person on the planet, and you'll have multiple devices.
My impression: Ubiquitous computing is more a guiding principle for projects than something you think about in terms of budget. The timeline here is decades. What's also notable: Everyone has punted on getting one device to consolidate them all. We're doomed to carry a bunch of devices.

9: Storage class memory

When Flash meets RAM, there are differences in speed and costs. Persistent storage will also alter management. Claunch said that storage class memory goes beyond solid state drives. This new class of storage will lead to software where operating systems determine where data goes. Storage class memory will become more important over the next two to three years.
My impression: It's a bit experimental, but storage class memory will ride shotgun with analytics. Companies will have to define what data goes into fast memory.

10: Fabric based infrastructure and computers

Every vendor will talk fabric computing, so get ready for fabric-washing. The overall idea here is that you'll have infrastructure that manages resources in an integrated fashion. Cisco UCS and HP Matrix are examples. New ways of building servers will mean you buy pools of processors and memory instead of physically swapping boxes.
My impression: Forming your own flexible servers sounds appealing. The fabric thing sounds way futuristic for now, but the seeds are being planted.

Tech Myths Debunked!

2010-11-08T09:51:00.002-05:00

By Mark Tiongco - November 7, 2010

In this tech tip, we expose the myth and reality surrounding some of the biggest trends in our technology-oriented world. Hopefully, this will shed some light which can help you better understand how these crazy gadgets work!

1. Why a cable Internet service provider's (ISP) advertised speeds are not actually reality

While it's attractive to see that ISPs advertise 10-15 megabits per second download speed, the reality is that you share the same network node as your neighbor (and neighborhood) when it comes to network logistics. So if you and 15 of your neighbors who have the same cable Internet provider are all online, that 10-15 mbps is split between each of you. What's worse is that if one of your neighbors is downloading 24/7, then you'll see reduced speed all the time. The highest chance of your network's peak performance is late in the evening when everyone else is asleep.

2. True or False - Your CD burner's 52X speed is
truly 52X speed

False-ish - The fine print here is that first, in order to achieve 52X speed, you would need a 52X compact disc. Second, when the cd burner starts, it begins at the inside of the disc and works its way out. That's why some burning programs that show real-time speed will say it's burning at 2.5X speed after 1-2 minutes. The 52X speed is achieved as the burner gets closer and closer to the outer edge of the disc. This is the same for burning DVDs.

3. True or False - Megabits and Megabytes are
the same thing

False - Keep in mind that MEGABITS (Mb) is a unit of measurement for network transfer speed. Megabytes (MB) is a unit of storage such as hard drives. That's why when Internet service providers pitch their fast speeds, they always reference megabits. Therefore, a 1 megabit transfer speed does not mean being able to move 1 megabyte across a network. 1 megabit is about .125 megabytes.

4. Why your 500GB hard drive only shows 465GB of space when you look under MY COMPUTER

Your computer reads information in different ways.

So for example:

BASE 2

1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes (KB) - BASE 2 (2 ^ 20 = 1,048,576 bytes)

1 Gigabyte (GB) - 1024 Megabytes (MB) - BASe 2 (2 ^ 30 = 1,073,741,824 bytes)

BASE 10

1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 Kilobytes (KB) - BASE 10 (10 ^ 6 = 1,000,000 bytes)

1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 Megabytes (MB) - Base 10 (10 ^ 9 = 1,000,000,000 bytes)

Because we know that 1024 Megabytes (MB) => 1 Gigabyte (GB) => BASE 2 (2 ^ 30 = 1,073,741,824), 500 GB equals 500 x 1,073,741,824 bytes or 536,870,912,000 bytes.

We also know that in BASE 10, 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes

So let's look at what we have:

536,870,912,000 (500GB IN BASE 2)
--------------------- = 1.073741824
(500 x 1,000,000,000) (500GB IN BASE 10)

And if we multiply 1.073741824 x 465, we get 499.28994816, which, if rounded up equals 500 GB

Hard Drive Manufacturers use the binary method when manufacturing their drives but Windows reads the information in the decimal format to show the size. However, which would be more attractive? Buying a hard drive advertised as a 536,870,912,200 byte drive or having it say a simple 500 GB?

5. True or False - The 750 watt power supply you
just purchased for $22 is really putting out 750 watts

False-ish - Similar to how a car with 236 lb-ft of torque provides 100% of it at a certain engine rpm speed, PSU manufacturers know that power supplies hit their max wattage at certain points in time.

For example, 750 watts might be attained with 1 hard drive and 1 optical drive while the computer is idling. Also, it's a dead give-away if you paid only $22 for a high-powered PSU. Look for a PSU that certifies their wattage. So if you see an Antec TRUE 550W power supply, it's Antec's way of saying that the PSU provides 550 watts of power at any given time. Another way to tell that a PSU is reliable is if it’s heavy. Quality-made PSUs are engineered with heavy-duty and longer-lasting capacitors.

6. True or False - Buying a larger-screen size
notebook automatically equals more viewing space

False - Between 15.5" and 16" screen sizes, most entry-level notebooks have a resolution of 1366 x 768 which is fine but doesn't offer more space. Most 17" notebooks have 1440 x 900 resolution.

If you're looking for more viewing space, opt for a higher resolution.

In other words:

15" - 1680 x 1050 or 1920 x 1080

17" - 1600 x 900, 1680 x 1050 or 1920 x 1080

The images, icons and text appear crisper and you can fit browsers side-by-side along with being able to simultaneously view all folders without having to press Alt-Tab to switch windows/folders.

7. Buying a computer with more cores (more
than dual-core) equals much faster performance

False - Mathematically-speaking, more cores would theoretically yield better performance but the issue is that many simple, everyday programs like Microsoft Word, FireFox and Excel won't know to use the extra cores to run the program faster. However, gamers and graphic designers whose programs will see (and utilize) the additional cores will benefit from it. If you want more performance, focus on optimizing the hard drive such as defragmentation, reducing programs that run on start-up (which slow the system down), adding more RAM and cleaning the Windows registry. So ultimately, you really won't see much of a speed difference between a dual-core cpu computer and a hexacore (6-core) computer both running FireFox and Microsoft Word simultaneously.

In Conclusion

The common denominator for these tech myths is that their “validity” is usually exaggerated marketing hype and manufacturer/retailer buzz words in order to entice customers to buy their products, thus adding confusion to the reality. So the next time you’re in the market for a new cheap laptop, digital camera, phone, discount mp3 player, etc., don’t automatically digest the excessive marketing that salespeople throw to close the sale."

Facebook Invasion: Beware of New 'Smart' Worm - PC World

2009-11-12T18:26:00.000-05:00

Facebook Invasion: Beware of New 'Smart' Worm - PC World

Windows 7 upgrade problems vex users | The Money Times

2009-11-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

Windows 7 upgrade problems vex users | The Money Times

Ten free Windows apps no one should be without!

2009-10-23T17:33:00.001-04:00

To view and download...click here.

Brace Yourself: Microsoft Readies Record-Setting Patch Tuesday - PC World

2009-10-12T19:04:00.001-04:00

Brace Yourself: Microsoft Readies Record-Setting Patch Tuesday - PC World

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Get $$$ for your old Cell phone!

2009-09-24T19:42:00.008-04:00

Do you have an old Cell phone laying around collecting dust but you don't want to throw it out? Good news, if you want to get some cash for that old phone click here!

Top 10 Causes your computer slows down

2009-09-08T19:20:00.014-04:00

1. System Start-up packed with too many applications (Start-up overload)
Over time, as you add more and more programs to your computer, many of these applications automatically add themselves to your Windows Start-up folder. Additionally, these applications can add themselves quietly to a hidden area of your Windows Start-up system (accessed via the MSCONFIG run command). In extreme cases your PC will appear completely frozen. Limiting the
number of applications loading themselves at start-up can speed boot times considerably and increase overall system performance.

2. Spyware
Malicious programs that stealthily embed themselves into your Windows Registry and core file system are the number two most common cause of a slow PC or poor PC performance. These applications are usually installed without your knowledge or consent during the installation of a “free” application you’re trying out, or pushed out automatically in the background when you visit websites that engage in this practice without the user’s knowledge. These spyware programs must be removed as soon as possible to return your PC to top running speed, and before they damage your file system. In some cases they can be removed by manually editing the Windows core file system and registry or by using an automatic spyware remover like XoftspySE, our favorite pick for spyware removal and cleaning.

3. Corrupted/Bloated Windows Registry
The Windows Registry is the master control center for your operating system and applications it runs. Corruption or overload registry issues can cause all sorts of pc performance problems, including poor application startup times, slow Windows start-up, extremely slow shut down, inability to resume from computer sleep and more. Cleaning, compacting, and optimizing your Windows registry can go a long way to dramatically speeding up your computer’s performance, start-up and shutdown speed.

4. Badly Fragmented Hard Drive
The sixth most common reason for a slow PC is hard drive and file system fragmentation. Over time, your computer’s files can be scattered into bits and pieces located all over your hard drive. This is called fragmentation. Windows has a built in tool to help you with hard drive defragmentation:
* Open My Computer,
* Right-click once on your C: Drive and go down to “Properties”
* Select the “Tools” tab and choose the “Defragment Now” option and follow the step by step instructions.

5. Poor Security Software that is stealing system resources
Unfortunately, a large number of security software programs and suites out there demand a huge portion of your system resources and memory. This can lead to sluggish performance from the rest of your PC while your security software is constantly scanning and monitoring your computer for threats. While threat detection is essential, some security vendors go overboard with their approach and drag your PC down with them. To see how much memory and system resources your security software is using, press and hold CTRL+ALT+DELETE and choose the task manager. Once the task manager is open look at the “processes” section to see how much of your system resources are being used by your security apps.

6. Remnants of uninstalled programs
Uninstalling an application either via the control panel or the application’s start menu folder has been known to leave behind remnants of the uninstalled program. These remnants can slow down your computer while Windows tries to figure out what to do with them. Additionally, residue of old program stays behind in your system registry, clogging up your PC’s core.

7. Pagefile
The Windows page file is a temporary area of memory that your computer uses to move files around while it processes functions. Basically, it’s a buffer that your computer uses for wiggle room. If your Pagefile is too small, your operating system won’t have enough room to move and you could end up with poor performance and error messages.
To increase the size of your Pagefile:
* Right-click on “My Computer” and go down to “Properties”
* Click the “Advanced” tab
* Click “Settings” under the “Performance” section
* Click the “Advanced” button
* Click “Change” under “Virtual Memory”

8. Hard Drive getting full and too many internet temp and windows temp files
If your hard drive has less than 10% free space, you will experience a dramatic slowdown in the performance of your PC. To improve this, free up some space by removing old documents you no longer use or programs that are no longer needed.

9. Virus
Closely related to Spyware, viruses can wreak havoc on your system’s performance and severely limit your PC’s ability to do what you ask it to. Typically, viruses get onto your computer via infected email or instant messages, although they can also be installed via applications or files that you download from file-sharing networks and other non-trusted web sites.

10. Hardware Problems
The fourth most common cause of a slow or freezing computer is gradually dying internal hardware components. These can often show up in the form of slow boot and shut down, as well as poor program launches riddled with errors. There are very few hardware diagnostic utilities out there, so i recommend careful removal of any newly installed pc components to see if they are causing a problem or incompatibility. Other than that, taking your PC to a certified, trusted hardware repair shop is usually a good idea. If you don't do that type of work yourself, find someone you trust that you can refer people to.
~Ric~

Free Cellular Phones - The Real Deal!

2009-09-04T16:23:00.012-04:00

We now offer our customers cellular service provided by, not just one carrier, but ALL of the major carriers. That's right, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint & Nextel and more! Here is the GREAT part, "WE ARE GIVING AWAY FREE CELLULAR PHONES"! No I'm not kidding. Not just the base models either! The same great phones as the Mall Kiosk! The retail outlet will give you their base model phone with the activation of a new line. Right? We will give you a top of the line phone with a new activation. Which would you rather get?

Seeing is believing so go check it out for yourself! Click on the Free Phones Picture above.

T1 Internet Connection Basics

2009-09-04T10:28:00.017-04:00

At the most fundamental level, a t1 internet connection is the link from your companies data infrastructure to the rest of the world. A T1 connection is sometimes referred to as a "dedicated service" as the service is delivered to and from the customer premises from the CO (Central Office) without combining it with other traffic. A T1 connection is established by providing a "loop" or wire from the users premises to the CO where the service provider has equipment. Part of the cost of a T1 is the "loop charge" or the monthly
rental fee for the wire that is rented from the local phone company. Once the connection reaches the CO it can access the carriers network and reach any destination. While understanding the service may be somewhat straightforward, getting the service implemented is not always so easy. Like any business decision, a switch in T1 providers should be properly researched. You probably don't have time to listen to all carriers sales pitches that you should in order to get the best service, however. Consider shopping in real time by using a broker at T1 Price Quote. While a broker is always a time saver in telecom shopping, the creators of MyTechnologyBroker.com have made it even easier to shop for T1 service by introducing the first real-time bandwidth and loop calculator. With real-time information you'll be able to quickly analyze service plans in your area and determine what is right for you. The people at MyTechnologyBroker.com have provided a system that equalizes the carriers and makes them easier to compare by laying them out side by side and showing the features of each service. Need more help? They also have agents that will assist you free of charge. These agents make their money when you sign with one of the many service providers so you don't have to worry about them pushing you into a contract that you don't want with a carrier that you don't want. Get your price, ask your questions and be certain when you make your choice.
More Information on Realtime T1 Quotes>>