Web Security Planning

SharePoint is a Work Horse for Committees

Larry — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:03:13 +0000

Will you agree to me if I will say that SharePoint can be the most useful for committees? Yes, right? Committees by the word itself presage synchronization, teamwork, conversation, arguments, so on and so forth. SharePoint, as a content management solution, provides exactly what any committee requires the most. On SharePoint sites, committees can team up set of people and facilitate distribution and supervision of content arranged for conversation and debate in meetings.

SharePoint Server 2010 can be used by committees for crafting and submitting committee programs, committee minutes, and other vital committee documents. Here, committees can draft, scrutinize, commend and remark on committee jobs even if the group members are spread across the globe. Earlier meeting data can be checked on real-time basis. Blogs, social networks, wikis, etc. can be used on SharePoint Server 2007.

Hosted Microsoft Exchange is also gainful for committees as it facilitates them to be informed about their emails on a real-time basis. Swift email access, mobile synchronization, email archival, checking contact list, calendar, task list, etc. are some of the paybacks of using Dedicated Exchange Server.

Several other free hosting templates for data management and project management are also available for reorganization, collaboration, and systematization of tasks.

Top 10 Cyber Security Threats of 2011

Larry — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:53:27 +0000

The landscape of web security has experienced vast changes in the recent years, and it is imperative that you keep up with these developments. Early in the year, security expert Narus, Inc. has released the top 10 cyber security threats in the coming months. Here are a few of them.

Attacks via USB

The ease and convenience that USB drives offer also poses a threat: malware can be passed around more easily.

Large-scale, targeted botnet attacks

Sophistication is the key, they say. Attackers are getting better at their game, and this year will be a testimony to their creativity and skill.

DDoS attacks

Nothing new here, but it doesn’t seem like DDoS attacks are going to disappear in 2011.

Increased attacks on and via social networks

Social networks are THE thing today, and they will definitely be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous.

The rest of the list:

Click jacking and cross-site scripting
Phishing attacks from “trusted” third parties
Online fraud and money mules
Cloud computing concerns
Data exfiltration and insider threats
Attacks on mobile devices and wireless networks

While some of these concerns may not be new, the scale at which they may be used this year is expected to expand. Planning and vigilance cannot be emphasized enough, if you are to keep your data secure.

A particularly interesting point is cloud computing, which is supposed to allay security concerns. After all, data service centers are built with strict security measures in mind. With the professionals housing your data, its security should not be your problem, right? Then again, we know very well that even the “unhackable” can be hacked. It is thus worthy to take a closer look at these predicted top cyber security threats as you embark on your web security planning activities this year. Information such as this should not be taken lightly, and instead, should be incorporated in your planning and evaluation. Threats only develop into problems if they are not nipped at the bud.

Photo via Island of Lost Toys

Authentic Mechanism (Part 3)

rain09angel — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:33:31 +0000

The last authentic mechanism is the basic through SLL authentication. This authentication finds the middle ground between the two other methods of authentication. Actually, basic through SLL authentication is a security mechanism that is being used for transferred data to the Internet. The best about this mechanism is that it is getting support from most browsers because it allows access to all Exchange resources. At the same time, this mechanism is very much secured. But one disadvantage of this mechanism is that just like NTLM authentication, users are still required to enter username and password. Another thing is that it is quite costly because of encrypting and decrypting packets.

Don’t Miss your Business Emails in Venezuela

Larry — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:48:05 +0000

Venezuela with its seashore is always mistaken for some paradisaical Caribbean island. The fun part o this country is that it has disco pubs in Caracas that goes vibrant with rocking rhythms. However, even during this fun time, you can access your mails easily.
Hosted Microsoft Exchange server gives you this facility!

By configuring your wireless with hosted Microsoft Exchange, you can surf through your mails quickly that too on free Exchange hosting. However, prior to synchronization with Exchange email hosting, verify with your own country’s local providers regarding their support functionality with Exchange web hosting.

Venezuela has a population of over 26 million of which most of the populace speak Spanish. And since Hosted Exchange 2010 is available in multi-lingo pack which includes Spanish as well, the inhabitants of Venezuela can use the Exchange Hosted features in their own home tongue.

Thus, be a native or non-native of Venezuela, using Microsoft Exchange Hosting on your mobile device is the best for your mail access!

Passwords Plus

Larry — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:09:39 +0000

With the use of 128 bit encryption technology, Passwords Plus helps to secure files it creates which can only be accessed by using the utility after keying in the correct password. Passwords Plus features an automatic shutdown system which will eliminate the possibility of unauthorized entry to the system in case the software utility is left running accidentally by the user. The tool is designed to provide data protection from both remote and local threats.

The user has the option of exporting protected files to a backup media to make sure that they are not lost in case that the hard drive suddenly fails. The role of the user is to simply be conscious of the possible security threats and be aware of the consequences.

Two things you can do to help your business at the beginning of your SEO campaign

Larry — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:39:39 +0000

If you are not experienced in search engine optimization and have been looking into the process a little, you have probably found out you are not the best person to be in charge of your SEO campaign. However, just because you are not best suited for this role doesn’t mean that you don’t have other important responsibilities and that you can’t contribute to your SEO campaign in other ways.

Firstly, you need to learn as much about SEO as you possibly can. There is a vast amount of useful information available about SEO on websites and in books and you need to explore these sources. The more you know about SEO, the more you will be able to contribute to your campaign in the future.

Always be careful of the sources of information you use and check any details of significance that you come across to make sure information is accurate.

Finding out as much as you can about SEO will not only enable you to give a lot to your SEO campaign but will also help to ensure you have realistic expectations of what SEO services in the UK can do. There are a lot of SEO myths in circulation which lead business owners to believe SEO is some kind of magical solution to their problems. This is not how SEO works and it is important for site owners to be aware of what SEO can and can’t do.

Once you have a sound knowledge of SEO and believe you know the essentials of the process, it is time to find a search engine optimization company to run your campaign for you and this is extremely important. You have to find an SEO firm you can trust and that will use ethical and up to date SEO methods to help your business.

There are a number of professional SEO companies currently offering their services and the quality of service offered can vary significantly. You have to explore the SEO techniques they use, previous clients they have worked with and research their reputations within the online community too. If you are going to hire a professional SEO firm and give them your trust and money, you have to be sure you respect them and have faith in the service they are offering.

It is also important when looking for professional SEO consultants to discuss specific issues such as budget. You have to make sure you select a company which can tailor your SEO campaign to your budget and your wants and needs.

Just because you are not an SEO expert does not mean you do not have an important role to play. Your actions and decisions can mean the difference between SEO success and SEO failure.

We at www.searchengineoptimization.co.uk encourage those interested in our service to get in touch and explore what we have on offer. We then encourage clients working with us to participate in their SEO campaigns as much as possible because we know the value of what they have to offer.

Keywords – search engine optimization company, SEO services in the UK

Small Business Server and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Larry — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:18:27 +0000

Email hosting is very important for all kind of business—be it small, medium, or large. Keeping this in mind, consequently Microsoft designed its Small Business Server package including significant components like Microsoft Exchange in it. As you know the Microsoft Exchange Server features electronic mail, calendaring, managing contacts and tasks; support for mobile and web-based access to information; and support for data storage, etc. Microsoft Small Business Server package would have been incomplete without this component, isn’t it? Yes!

Hence, if you glance through, Microsoft has been upgrading the SBS versions over the period of time which also meant upgradation of the Microsoft Exchange Server. For instance, Small Business Server 2003 includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 which is 32-bit only and doesn’t install on the various 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003. On the other hand, Small Business Server 2008 uses Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 product, which has introduced advanced e-mail and calendar functionality to it. Exchange Server 2007 uses a 64-bit version and delivers a seamless end-user collaboration experience and unparalleled security features. Other contrasting feature of SBS 2003 Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and SBS 2008 Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 is that the later version has built-in support for Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualization platform which also means that it will be relatively easy to virtualize Exchange 2007 system down the line – making it simpler to implement a disaster recovery system for email. Thus making it possible for the organizations to be in communication with its customers all the time!

Yet another interesting and glaring difference between SBS 2003 Microsoft Exchange and SBS 2008 Microsoft Exchange version is the anti-spam feature. The new version includes an anti-spam migration tool unlike the earlier version which reduce the amount of spam you get with support for content filtering and Internet IP block lists. Other improved features of Windows Small Business Server with Microsoft Exchange 2007 include improved calendaring, unified messaging, improved mobility, improved web access, 64-bit performance & scalability, command-line shell and simplified GUI, improved deployment, role separation, simplified routing, a new command-line shell and scripting language for system administration, unified messaging that lets users receive voice mail, e-mail, and faxes in their mailboxes, and lets them access their mailboxes from cell phones and other wireless devices, improved database size limit, and increase in the maximum number of storage groups and mail databases per server, to 5 each for Standard Edition (from 1 each in Exchange Server 2003 Standard), and to 50 each for Enterprise Edition (from 4 groups and 20 databases in Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise).

All in all, SBS 2008 with its renewed Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 component is definitely worth grabbing, and it is more affordable as Small Business Server hosting from a service provider. So if you are still using the older version, don’t forget to switch over to the new version.

Preventing Intrusion

Larry — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:24:01 +0000

There are five components involve in preventing intrusion to your computer systems. Similar to a puzzle, each piece must contribute in order to form a comprehensive protection from external intrusions. Malicious attacks are rampant on the Internet and it is wise to always protect your data and your system from each and every form of attack.

The components of intrusion protection involves:
� Preventing intrusion at the front door
� Utilizing hardware prevention
� Installing software security
� Protection from Adwares
� Intrusion protection from viruses and spywares

Combining all of these protection methods will ensure that you can safeguard your system and your precious data.

Document Management has improved with SharePoint Library … How?

Larry — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:16:48 +0000

Remember how difficult it was in those early days when in office we had to preserve and work on huge piles of papers? Wasn’t it difficult? Yes it was. But today with developing technologies, things have become easier and faster. Now days, content management, be it in the form of documents, videos, etc., have become hassle-free—thanks to SharePoint Server 2010 Library!

A SharePoint Server library is a specialized form of SharePoint lists that are used to store document type data rather than metadata based items. The main difference is that in a normal list the metadata is what defines an item in the list while in a library the document is the main focus. However, libraries do support metadata. Libraries are created in much the same way as normal lists and support the same type of functionality such as workflows, event triggers or handlers, various display options, and custom forms for editing or entering data.

Document Library
A document library in SharePoint is where you upload your main or core documents. Document Library comprises a row and column view with links to the documents. Thus, whenever the document is updated, the link is created on your site. You can also track metadata of your documents. Meta data in SharePoint includes document properties. In the document library, you and your users can design dashboards, reports, charts, and models in Excel rather in hard to learn developer tools. You can easily deploy them with SpreadsheetGear for .NET.

Video Library
These days companies need to share more than just documents. From training materials to commercials, companies are accumulating rich media like videos quickly. While SharePoint is pretty good at storing a lot of things, video and audio files have their own needs. SharePoint Video Library helps you create a centralized location for not only storing videos, but for playing them back and sharing them as well. The SharePoint Video Library provides several advantages over a standard Document Library, such as:

o An embedded video/audio player that supports multiple file types
o The ability to capture and display media metadata (e.g. file type, duration, resolution etc.)
o Display of video thumbnails
o Storage of media within the library, or linked to using external sources
o Ability to share links to videos, or embed them into another page

The SharePoint Video Library provides users with a simple but powerful library that is custom made for storing media. Authorized users can upload or link to video and audio files in a variety of formats and locations, while other users can view details (like resolution and length), and playback the content from within the library using the embedded player.

So, hitherto if you were facing issues with document or content management at your workplace or anywhere then you know now what to look for. Take advantage of the advanced features included in the SharePoint family of products that include SharePoint Foundation 2010, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, and numerous free SharePoint templates and web parts.

SharePoint Server 2010 Lists

Larry — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:10:20 +0000

In SharePoint Server products, you can get a lot of mileage out of something as simple as a list. A SharePoint list is a collection of similar items, which may contain columns or fields that define the item data or metadata schema. Each item stored in a list shares the same schema.

Now you will be thinking how is a SharePoint Server 2010 List different from a SharePoint Library, right? Simple, in SharePoint lists, items are defined by metadata or the columns of a list with documents being attached to that metadata. In a SharePoint library, a document is the item with library metadata supporting the document.

Lists in SharePoint resemble database tables in structure and behavior. Lists support various field or data types, and can have triggers that react to list events such as creating, updating, or deleting items. In addition, lists can be configured to filter, sort, or group items based on item data or properties. SharePoint lists also support various methods of visualization, both in the display of data and in the editing or entry of item data.

Take the benefits of SharePoint family of products including SharePoint Foundation, Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007, and free SharePoint web parts and templates.