10 Things You Should Know About the Smartphone and Internet Security

If you know the enemy face, consider that half of the battle is already won. Therefore, we suggest you get acquainted with the ten things that can interfere with comfortable walks on the Internet (including, with your smartphone).
1. Spyware: As the name implies, are scripts that are created specifically to spy on you. They collect information about search queries, logins, passwords, credit card data, address books, etc.
2. Viruses: These are script or program codes that are capable of self-replication, and unauthorized transfer from one computer to another.
3. Malware: This is the common name for a variety of computer programs designed specifically to harm your computer, server or network. One of the dangers of malicious programs lies in the fact that they are able to penetrate deep into the files, appearing again, even after their removal.
4. Trojans: Trojans enter your computer disguised as useful or important updates of the program. They are created specifically to cause damage to computers, destroying or altering information on your hard disk.
5. Adware: These programs are created to ensure that no consent to display advertisements on the screen of a smartphone or computer. It can be pop-up windows, automatically downloads sites, etc.
6. Malicious toolbars: They replicate the functionality of known panels (such as Yahoo or Google), but that analyze information stored in the memory of a computer or smartphone.
7. Theft browser: These scripts change the start page of the web browser without any user consent.
8. Cookie: This is a legitimate files that store information about your visits to Web sites and designed to make using them easier and more convenient. However, if a hacker gets access to the cookies, he learns about you very much.
9. Worms: This kind of virus that is able to copy the information for themselves from the PC or smart phone.
10. Common sense: It is the best protection against various kinds of malicious programs. Just avoid questionable sites, do not insert your flash drive in a public computer, do not open email from strangers, etc.
As for smartphones, these relatively new devices are not so heavily exposed to a virus attack. But over time, will appear more and more programs designed to steal information from your iPhone (iPhone), Android (Android) or Blackberry (Blackberry). Therefore, use your common sense and it will save you and your information. Follow above listed 10 things and their prevention method for securing your vital information.

3 Things You Must Do When You Have a Government Contract

There are many businesses that can land a government contract whether they are making electronics or even weapons. If you happen to be one of those businesses, then you will undoubtedly have a steady stream of profit, and you may even attract larger contracts. If that is the case however, there are three things that you absolutely must do if you are to stay in business, and more importantly, out of prison.

1. Be Honest on all Government Documents

Honesty should be a no brainer, especially when it comes to government contracts, but this is not always the case. Because you are working for a government agency, you will be under pressure to produce a certain quantity of product within what could seem to be a very limited time frame. Whether or not their demands are realistic will be up for debate, but there may be a month wherein you cannot meet their demands. It may be appealing for you to simply fib on the paperwork, but you must be honest at all times. Not only will dishonesty lose the contract, it could also result in prosecution depending on the letter of the contract. This is of course one example of honesty, but working under a government contract, you will find that there are several others. Honesty will protect you and the reputation of your company.

2. Protect All Sensitive Information

If you are working with top secret or even classified materials, then you will need to make sure you protect all sensitive information. This goes for anything you may (or may not) be developing for the government, and this is with good reason. While the item you are developing may not seem terribly important for you, it could be extremely important to someone in the field, and if the inner workings of a sensitive piece of equipment happens to get out, you could face charges, or worse, someone could die.

3. Perform Good Quality Work

It is important to remember that you are doing work for the government. That being the case, you should try to ensure that the work you do is of high quality. Not only will this help to ensure quality, it will also allow you to keep your job for a bit longer. There are a number of weapons manufacturers out there, and they can afford to make mistakes. This is evidenced by the M-16 A2 rifles issued to soldiers in basic training. If you are not a weapons manufacturer, or simply want to keep people alive, then make sure you do good quality work.

Mandy H. Smith is an IT security auditor and had performed a number of NIST compliance audits for major corporations. When she's not making sure that companies are NIST compliant she is biking and reading books.

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Ten Things to Consider When Looking for a Technology Consultant

Preferably the person providing the technology consulting will be what is called a "turnkey consultant" or "turnkey provider". That means whatever is thrown at them they take care of, from virus removal to time clock installations. It's sort of like a general contractor for a technology. They may handle 90% of whatever is needed themselves, but they will delegate tasks that they are not experts at to true specialized professionals. If a technology consultant turns down helping with fields of technology completely, or they try to handle everything from phone systems to servers it could be a sign that they are either too inexperienced to have proper relations with others in their field, or overreaching their experience for the money. Both are equally dangerous to the consumer.
A computer consultant needs to have insurance. Don't just ask, ask for a copy of the policy. If they are going to be working around anything very expensive it might be a good idea to be listed as an additional insured on their insurance. Insurance is inexpensive for a technology professional, so not having it may mean that the consultant doesn't take his work seriously. Also, quite a bit of technology delves into construction work, especially cabling. One wrong move with a drywall saw white mounting a display, and contractor insurance is the difference between an insurance claim, and bankruptcy.
If the technology consultant runs a cable make sure that they use a cable certifier and provide the results. Cable certifiers are not cheap, but certified cable can mean the difference between frustration or wonderful results.
Make sure that the technology professional guarantees their work. That may seem like a no-brainer, but most computer repair shops have no guarantee whatsoever. Some computer repair companies remove a virus from a PC and it shows back up three days later leaving the consumer in the same place with a lighter wallet.
Make sure the technology consultant knows were all of the important data is, and has a good solution to do on-site quick backup and restores, and remote backup for disaster recovery. Make sure that there off-site backup is through reputable data center such as Amazon S3, or rack space, and not at their office which could get hit by the same tornado as the office that they are supposed to be protecting.
Think twice about getting a computer consultant that is also a retailer. The old saying goes "When you're a hammer everything looks like a nail." When a consultant is a retailer every problem looks like a chance to sell expensive hardware. Some retailers have really great technology consultants working for them, or they are excellent technology consultants themselves. The danger is always that there is a conflict of interest when someone recommends a product that they have a vested interest in getting rid of.
Make sure that the technology consultant provides an encrypted file with all of the logins and passwords. Nothing is worse than firing a technology consultant, only to find out that whoever is hired to replace them has to spend 20 to 40 hours reconfiguring everything in the office and resetting all of the passwords in the organization because the previous IT consultant is mad that they got fired.
Make sure that the invoices you get have a good breakdown on them. Understand that the technology consultant must charge a markup on hardware, software, and services or they will go out of business. However it does not mean that they should be charging $50 for something they purchased for a dollar. They probably won't if they have to give a good breakdown on the invoice.
Consider doing work with a consultant that gives terms such as 15 or 30 days. It is much easier to get warranty work rectified by your computer consultant when you are not in default on your account, but have also still not paid your bill.
Make sure to ask for referrals. When talking to the referral ask them how they found the technology consultant (make sure it is not a family member) and ask them for an example of a problem and how it was overcome. Every technology consultant and consumer has problems at some point. The difference between a good technology consultant and bad consulting is how they handle those problems when they arise.
If you have a need for a good technology consultant in the Amarillo area, or Texas Panhandle region please consider giving Panhandle Information Technology a call at 806-433-7014, or visit us on the web at http://panhandle.it/
Thanks for reading, I hope you found this useful!