Network Security

Endpoint Immunity

* Zero software (applications, O/S, data) at the endpoint
* USB access at the endpoint can be controlled/access denied
* Keyboard and mouse input are encrypted
* Secure remote access to virtual machines. with output options controlled

One of the primary goals is to move all software off the desktop and to the server. In accomplishing this goal, the ultimate secure endpoint was created, impervious to all malware and viruses. While this does not change the vulnerability of the software and data in the data center, at least it is in place where IT has more control. And in the event a virtual desktop machine is corrupted, IT can simply discard it and provision a new one, in just minutes.

The Pano System is compatible with the most USB devices, however the IT Staff can prevent the use of an external device at the endpoint, further protecting access to centrally located applications and data. Meanwhile all keyboard and mouse input from the user session, are protected with the industry standard AES128 encryption.

For remote access, a companion product to the Pano System has been developed called Pan Remote. Pano Remote can be used by employees at any PC anywhere on the Internet. It is a convenient tool that end-users quickly integrate into their daily routine. Since it is only using the client as an access vehicle and uses SSL tunnel to gain entry to the virtual machines back in the Company's server room, it is completely secure. If the vehicle being used should be infected - there is no risk of cross contamination.

Pano Green

Uses only 3% of the energy of a PC

* Same as a traditional PC turned off
* 80% savings over a traditional PC
* Less heat created means lower A/C costs
* Zero clients -> no moving parts -> longer upgrade cycle -> less waste
* RoHs compliant


Whether driven by the need to help the environment or reduce company costs (or both), you may be surprised at the impact of the Pano System on the energy bill. The Pano System will provide more than an 80% energy savings over a traditional PC, even when including the additional energy used by the server.

Another energy related factor is whether to tell employees to turn off their PC's at night, or leave them on. A recent article (USA Today, 03/25/09) stated that $2.8 billion was spent by companies on electricity for PCs left on overnight - $2.8 billion down the drain with no value in return. However, if employees shut down their PCs at night, their data may not be available for scheduled back-ups, which is not conducive for business continuity. Second, they can spend 10-20 minutes per day shutting down and starting back up the following day, conservatively costing a full work week per year.

The Pano System is always on and always available. No energy wasted and no time lost shutting down or booting up.

Tips & Tricks

Want to know a few tips & tricks for using your computer? Well I have gathered a few handy tricks with the Mouse & Keyboard. Enjoy!


The Mouse

* Most people have 3-4 browser tabs open at one time. If you want to close a tab you have to click on it, then click the little x that appears on the tab. That is two clicks total and you also have to view the tab that is about to be closed.

All you need to do is middle click any tab in Firefox or Internet Explorer and it closes. No need to see the tab or click the x. Try it sometime.

* Say you have a link that you would like to open. Traditionally you would either double click the link, or right click and select an option to open.

When you middle click the link it opens immediately in a new tab.

* What if you have a folder in Internet Explorer or Firefox that has a collection of links you use all of the time. Do you open these links one by one?

Instantly open every link in a folder, each in its own tab, by middle-clicking that folder. It doesn't matter where the folder is located bookmarks, or a pull down menu.

* Want a faster way to scroll through a document or web page?

Click and hold the middle mouse button. This will activate a handy page scroll option.

What About the Keyboard?

* Would you like a quick way to switch between open program?

ALT+TAB Switch between the open items

* How about a fast way to minimize all of your current open windows?

Windows Logo+M Minimize all of the windows

* When in a window and you would like to move through cells or options rapidly you can..

TAB Move forward through the options

* Conversly if you would like to move backward through cells or options you can...

SHIFT+TAB Move backward through the options

* Want a new tab in a browser

CTRL + T will open a new tab in Firefox & Internet Explorer

Desktop Virtualization

Traditional Desktop Management Challenge

Management is time consuming and inefficient
· Different Systems, users, images, applications
· Distributed PC Management
· Provisioning large numbers of users

Security & Compliance Risks
· Difficult to maintain regulatory compliance
· Low Control on data saved on PCs
· Unpredictable user activity

High Operating Costs
· High Support, Administration Costs
· 90% of Cost is Operational Management
· PCs are more than 80% under-utilized and waste power

Poor User Experience
· Inflexible access
· User is tied to physical hardware, and risk of downtime or loss
· No continuous availability of personalized desktop

What is Desktop Virtualization







What is the Value
·
Save Money and Reduce Costs
· Virtualization is a strategy to drive IT efficiency
·· Allocate resources per user only as needed
·· Save green by going green

·Centralized Management
·· Faster provisioning of services and infrastructure
·· Eliminate break/fix at the endpoint
·· Dynamically scale respond rapidly to changing business needs
·
Safer and More Secure
·· No IP or virus threat at the endpoint
·· Keep data in controlled data center environment

With talks of Microsoft ending support for Windows XP now seems like a great time to get to know the newest platform, Windows 7, and what it has to offer.

I would like to start with what is new in Windows 7.

Snap
Size and arrange windows by simply dragging their borders to the edges of your screen. Instantly expand to full screen and back, or arrange two windows side by side.



Peek
Look right through open windows to see the icons, gadgets, and anything else on your desktop, all with a simple move of your cursor.


Shake
Want to focus on one window? Shake it, and all the other open windows on your desktop will be hidden. Shake again, and they're all back.

Pin
Pin programs to the taskbar. Pin files to Jump Lists. Just like tacking notes on a bulletin board, you can use pin to keep the things you need close at hand.



Jump Lists
Got a file, photo, or website you use a lot? Open it in two clicks. Jump Lists keep the most recent things you've used handy for faster access than ever.



Windows Taskbar
Open files and get around your PC faster. You can even pin programs you use often to the taskbar so you can launch them in just one click.


Windows Search
Instantly locate and open any file on your PC, from documents to e-mail messages to songs, right from the start menu just by typing a word or two.

Reference:http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/what-is-windows-7.aspx

Hacking Wi-Fi made easy Again......

The second generation of Wi-Fi security systems has now been broken as badly as its notoriously insecure predecessor: Japanese researchers say they can crack WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), the successor to the old-school WEP, inside of a minute's time spent eavesdropping on a wireless network.

Details on the mechanics of the attack are set to be announced next month at a computer conference, but it's tentatively described as taking to "a new level" the previous method by which WPA had been roughly compromised, adapting previously theoretical holes in the WPA system and turning them into practical attack techniques.

The previous method of attacking WPA devices took up to 15 minutes to be successful, and didn't always work. The new method is said to work on far more devices and, obviously, much more quickly. However, as with the old attack, the new one only works on WPA devices that use the TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) algorithm, which is a setting in your router and device setup.

WPA devices that use the newer AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm, plus devices that use WPA2 -- the third generation of wireless security standards -- are still safe for now.

However, this does mean that it won't be long before this attack technique trickles out into software that malicious hackers can use to invade WPA networks. With access to your wireless network, a hacker can potentially eavesdrop on any traffic sent, access shared folders on computers attached to the network, and of course send and receive data (like illegal file sharing or even child pornography) which could then be blamed on you.

To protect yourself, upgrade the security settings on your devices to WPA2 if they all support the standard. Alternately, you can upgrade any WPA device from TKIP security to AES. Check in your router administration console and on your computer for and where how to do this.

AOKNetworking can help you with your security needs. Have you been hacked? Do you even know?

Top 10 Facts about Spyware and Malware

Top 10 Facts about Spyware and Malware

"There is no one software available that can remove all spyware or malware". Spyware seems to be the topic of the day. Here are some important facts that you need to know about spyware removal and how to protect yourself using AOKNetworking's Proactive Care!

Fact 1: Spyware and Malware can easily be installed on a system without the user's knowledge. In some cases one infection can propagate many more infections by downloading and installing malicious software stealthily in the background.

Fact 2: There is no software available that can remove all spyware or malware because of the techniques that are used to release new variants and new strains of infections into the wild

Fact 3: Spyware and malware infections can make pieces of your identity just a few mouse clicks away for criminals because of the ability of the software to gather and report personal information about you.

Fact 4: Spyware and Malware can slow down your internet connection speed dramatically

Fact 5: Spyware and Malware take away precious system resources in your computer, making boot times longer and over all performance sluggish.

Fact 6: A spy Audit survey in 2004 suggests that over 90% of computers are infected with some type of spyware!

Fact 7: Spyware and Malware can infect your system without your knowledge when you install certain software on your computer. Screen savers, online games, PC performance enhancers and even some spyware removal programs can "bundle" spyware and malware into their software.

Fact 8: Many computer users resort to "reformatting" their computer to rid their system of spyware, resulting in complete data loss and hours of valuable time lost to working on their computers.

Fact 9: Some variants of spyware and malware can install backdoors to allow hackers complete control over a system. This often results in someone from the outside using your computer to send out spam and viruses.

Fact 10: Businesses and individuals can spend thousands of dollars in a year on tech support, losing hours, days and even sometimes weeks and STILL have the same problems from the start!

Why not let AOKNetworking take the responsibility of managing the network for you to prevent this in the first place. Call us today and we can discuss how Proactive Care can help you!