Propel your organization forward with these vital policies

For an organization to thrive and grow, a well-defined corporate policy is always warranted. Be it then again related to firewalls, backups, or personnel management, at any time of the day an organization would need security policies to keep itself on the forward march. However, the policies discussed here do not mean other policies are less important. And in any scenario, an organization might need to formulate as many as hundred of policies to be in sync with its objectives and vision. But then again, going into the nitty-gritty of every such policy would be nothing more of a herculean task. So out here we are just mentioning the vital policies which are considered to be more than handy. Starting with:

Acceptable User Policy (AUP)

Every organization needs to spell out its activities; allowed or prohibited. This step is specifically taken with regards to the usage of the official equipment and resource such as the internet. Say for instance, accessing adult sites or running one’s own personal agenda such as free lancing, is considered as activities contrary to the interests of an organization. Thus, at the end of the day AUP acts as a guide for employees to enhance their productivity without putting the organization at risk with risky activities contrary to the interests of a business.  

Privacy Policy

A privacy policy is responsible for disclosing what is private or not private while working on the company’s premises or its equipment.  A privacy policy is inclusive of activities such as use of security cameras, recording of keystrokes, monitoring of net usage. The policy also dictates what must be disclosed, what shouldn’t be, to whom the information is disclosed and for what purposes.  

Password Security

The password policy tends to comprise rules and regulations with regards to framing of passwords, characters used in a password, minimum and maximum age of a password and prevention of any password reuse. Under this policy users should be trained on how to select more secure passwords. The policy also works towards disabling of passwords wherein even after subsequent login attempts a user fails to log on.  

Disposal and Destruction of confidential data

Safe destruction and disposal of official documents is always warranted. For at the end of the day; dumpster diving might very well end up leading to confidential documents getting into the hands of either competitors or the government. 

Storage and Retention Policy

Data to be used in the future must be retained and stored properly. Backup devices alone won’t do and the use of a working media device such as backup software and compatible OS software is always considered as quintessential.

 Human Resource Policy

The human resource policy is always something on which an organization builds its foundation. For at the end of the day, the policy is responsible for recruitment and training of employees; considered as the most pivotal cog in the smooth running of any organization.

Firewall Policy

Firewalls are essential components of a computer security infrastructure. Responsible for keeping unwanted traffic at bay, a firewall policy dictates and describes how firewalls are to be implemented. www.pccare247.com

Beware!! Top 5 Malware Delivery Networks look to prey on unsuspecting netizens

The best of the breed Firewall and Anti-Virus software are bound to fail in front of malware delivery networks comprising of dynamic links and ever changing payload servers. Elements working towards luring innocent netizens by offering them sugar coated baits comprising of online storage solutions and free software downloads. And with those remaining untouched often coming up tagged with categories such as:

·         Search Engines (39.2%)

·         E-mail (6.9%)

·         Pornography (6.7%)

·         Social Networking (5.2%)

Once again driving home the point conventional firewall and anti-virus software would be deemed as incompetent for dealing with dynamic and constantly changing threats. Thus, pushing home the point of employing an intelligent, real-time cloud based Web defense that is dynamic and equally effective at the same time. However, then again coming back to the question of malware delivery networks, on any given day there would be nothing less than 50 operational and highly active malware networks. But since we can’t talk about all of them, herein we are just listing the top 5 networks which may play havoc with any security software.

Take Care!! The evil 5 are still thriving and throbbing

Netizens really need to take care; for there are 5 networks still thriving and throbbing which intend to make a huge dent in any security establishment. Well here goes nothing. Starting with:

1.    Shnakule

As the name sounds, equally is the destructive force of this malware network. With a Unique Attacks Hosts tally comprising of 2001 and going up to teach a maximum of 4357, the network in the first half of 2011 nearly drew about 21000 users on an average, with the maximum touching a whopping 51000 users. Broad based in origin, the Shnakule has a number of malicious activities in its kitty; primarily comprising of fake Anti-Virus and Codecs, Fake Flash and Firefox updates, Fake Wares, Botnet commands and controls. With Search Engine poisoning being a major USP of the network, Shnakule has a stake in many categories such as pornography, gambling, pharmaceuticals, link farming and work-at-home scams.

2.    Ishabor

Exclusively devoted to distributing fake anti-virus scareware and comprising of unique attack hosts averaging up to 766 and the maximum touching up a whopping figure of 1140, extensive research revealed Ishabor was riding piggy back on Shnakule from the very beginning to spread around its nefarious designs.  

3.    Cinbric

With unique attack host raking up an average of 505 hosts and going up to touch a maximum of 1602 hosts, Cinbric as a network tends to primarily rely on spam to drive traffic to porn-centric ransomware. At the same time luring users with the promise of exclusive Web cam access, if they were to download and install their software.  

4.    Naargo

Notching up impressive figures of 199 for unique attack hosts and the maximum number going up to as good as 299, even though Naargo is not devoted to malware delivery, the network tends to exhibit a number of shady characteristics; calling for continued tracking and investigation. The network also tends to heavily rely on using spam and search engine poisoning for driving traffic to porn sites.

5.    Vidzeban

Boasting of a significant Russian-language presence, the malware network with its unique attack hosts tallying up to 156 and the maximum tally climbing up to as good as 347, Vidzeban ends up wooing netizens by promising them easy to download and install software. In short, the basic premise on which the network tends to thrive is Search Engine Poisoning. http://www.pccare247.com/pc-security/malware-removal.html

Embrace Consumerization – Don’t wish it away

Emerging technologies are propelling IT industry ahead and it is about time organizations took notice of them. And It is about time IT departments started to shrug off their inhibitions and started to embrace concepts such as cloud computing, Consumerization and but of course Social Media with open arms. Using the same technologies to not only improve productivity of the employees but at the same time Ushering an era of work productivity like never before.    

Consumerization is ‘fait accompli’

It is about time the senior management started recognizing Consumerization is here to stay and they cannot simply wish away devices such as personal smart phones, tablets, and laptops away. Devices which to say the least are inevitable and extremely pivotal for communication. For at the end of the day Consumerization is way more than just users connecting a personal device to the corporate network. It is anything but an experience which is driven by several inter-related trends such as:

• Enterprise Mobility

In a highly dynamic environment personally liable smart phones and tablets are slowly but surely becoming a norm. Users of such devices are more than happy in bringing such gadgets with them into an enterprise.

• Cloud Computing

Cloud-based infrastructure and applications whether public or private can be pivotal in driving down the Capex and other associated IT operational costs. More importantly, as it goes, cloud computing also ends up giving users an instant access to cloud-based alternatives and IT-controlled applications. To be used at the end of the day without any sort of involvement from the IT department.

• Social Media

Enterprises across the globe are on the cusp of a generational shift in how their workers communicate. And somehow in the consumer world such communications end up taking place in the form of online conversations on community forums, wikis and instant Messaging.

Considered to be immediate yet uncensored at the same time, it is worth pointing out that the above trends tend to thrive in a synergistic relationship. Wherein, cloud makes enterprise mobility possible and mobility drives more demand for cloud-based and mobile applications. While, on the other hand Social Media is the communication medium in which users end up collaborating with each other, search for new applications, share information and offer their opinions as and when asked for.

In short, this new era of Consumerization and mobility is changing the relationship between users and their enterprise. And it is about time, the management ended up taking note of it. www.pccare247.com

What do you know about cloud computing?

There would be many geeks and technical experts out there who might scoff at me when I ask such a question. But then as it would be the case there is also a whopping majority of those who are not so well acquainted with the vagaries of the IT world and are rather keen to get a good understanding of the terminologies and technologies which can make a pivotal difference in their lives. And well in that perspective with all the recent brouhaha surrounding cloud computing I thought why I don’t get cracking on the same concept and the possible implications it holds for avid PC users.

So, just go ahead and read on and get yourself enlightened on the terminology and its bearing on your daily life.

The Internet is ‘the’ platform, so take advantage

As the concept goes cloud computing is a general term for anything which involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories:

·         Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)

Entities such as Amazon Web Services provide Infrastructure-as-a-Service for starting, stopping accessing and configuring virtual servers and storage virtual server instance. In this instance via cloud computing a company is required to pay for only as much capacity it requires and going for more only if the need be. Sometimes this model is also referred to as utility computing because of its pay-for-what-you-use functionality.

·         Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)  

Platform-as-a-service in the cloud comprises of software and product development tools hosted on the provider's infrastructure. With developers creating applications on a provider's platform over the Internet, PaaS providers may end up using APIs, website portals or gateway software residing on a customer's PC. Google Apps is a prominent example of PaaS.

·         Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

In this model, the vendor supplies the hardware infrastructure, the software product and interacts with the user through a front-end portal. SaaS is a very broad market. Services can stretch from anything like a Web-based email to inventory control and database processing.  And yes with the service provider hosting both application and data, the end user is free to use the service from anywhere.

Cloud computing rules the Roost

Cloud service primarily consists of three distinct characteristics which differentiate it from traditional hosting. What’s more it is sold on demand typically by the minute or the hour and it is also elastic – a user can end up having as much or as little of a service at any given point in time. Better still the service is fully managed by the provider (With the PC user requiring nothing but a personal computer and Internet access). www.pccare247.com
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Is Social Networking really an evil or more of a necessity?

The platform of social networking is always ready to embrace one and all. For not only in reality is it a concept where old acquaintances and friends can go ahead and catch up on old times but rather are also at a liberty to opinionate and shop around for some of the most lucrative deals around. 

In fact, as trends would point out social networking as a concept also does well to blur boundaries, increase transparency and create fluidity in almost anything and everything we do. Linking a twelfth of society and growing rapidly, it may be added companies large and small can no longer ignore or even try blocking social networking. In essence, all I can say it is the part of the fabric in which we not only learn but play and work at the same time.

Making sense of social networking

The reality is you need to go where your target audiences are and people are more likely to participate in a social media forum than any other venue. Clients, channel partners and employees alike are more or less likely to engage via social media –  in short, it is a way for you to stay connected, gather feedback, recruit, and collaborate. As a result, I can really vouch that supporting social media in any environment readily gives an impetus to innovation, productivity, and accelerated growth which will ensure a business expands well and beyond what is expected.

The Ugly face of Social Networking

In spite of factors such as personalization, the ease with which information can be shared, and the real-time nature of the medium, it might be worth pointing social media also ends up posing significant risks to a business. And following are the top four risks which come tagged along with social networking. Starting with:

·         Malware

With more than 700 billion minutes being spent per month on Facebook alone, social networking sites are fast turning into ideal malware targets. And yes, if statistics would be anything to go by then nearly 40% of users are infected by malware from social networking sites. Typical attacks often stem from the trust relationship established between users and their connections users are tricked into giving up financial information that can be further exploited for financial gain. Some examples of malware are:

o   Phishing: Employing increasingly sophisticated techniques; attackers pose as legitimate social networking connections and try to lure PC users into providing sensitive information, such as your login credentials. Preying on the tendency of most people to use same passwords for all accounts hackers believe PC users are tricked into divulging confidential information related to banking and other financial transactions.

o   Click-Jacking: This concept uses the dynamic nature of social networking and a willingness to click on links from known contacts, and even those ones you don’t know to reach a large audience, cajoling you into revealing private information (e.g. through surveys), collecting hits for ad revenues and eventually allow access to an entire social network.

·         Productivity Loss

Online destinations such as social networking enable you to post and read messages, date, shop, upload or check out videos, and play games. In turn making such platforms an increasingly convenient and engaging target for users, drawing them to spend more and more time and better still at the end of the day making it increasingly challenging for a business to apply control.

·         Bandwidth Consumption

With nearly 40% of employees accessing social networking sites at work, a potential strain on bandwidth ends up acting as a detriment of other business applications.

·         Data Loss

There been cases in which employees have unintentionally posted proprietary software code to social networking sites, exposing sensitive intellectual property. These actions, though unintentional, can potentially violate industry specific regulations, impact reputation, or put an organization at a competitive disadvantage with unprecedented data loss. Just visit any kind of Support for Malware Removal http://www.pccare247.com/pc-security/malware-removal.html

Antivirus software: Do you know how it really works?

Anytime when our conversation hovers around the word antivirus, we only end up talking about renowned antivirus brands such as Bitdefender, Norton, Avast, Vipre, Kaspersky, Mcafee, Norton and what not (Phew!! I am out of breath for the list is certainly long). Extending the jargon long and not really giving a serious thought as to how the software really works and which brand would end up providing us the best protection against viruses and malware. 

So, just to get you enlightened and save you from the ignominy of becoming a sitting duck for conniving software retailers I would  like to share the detection techniques inherent to any antivirus software and what role they serve in defending your PC.

Virus Detection Techniques and their connotations

• Signature-based detection 

Pro

It is a technique where key aspects of an examined file are utilized to create a static fingerprint of known malware. With the signature representing a series of bytes in the file, this method of detecting malware has become an essential aspect of antivirus tools since their inception. 

Con

However, a major limitation of signature-based detection method lies in its inability to flag malicious files sans any signatures. Keeping this in mind, modern attackers frequently mutate their creations for retaining malicious functionality by changing the file’s signature.

• Heuristics-based detection 

Pro

The technique detects new malware by statically examining files for suspicious characteristics without an exact signature match. The tool might even emulate running the file to see what it would happen if executed, attempting to do so without noticeably slowing down the system. 

Con

Wherever the characteristics end up exceeding the expected risk threshold the tool may classify the file as malware. The biggest disadvantage of heuristics is it can even tag legitimate files as malicious.

• Behavioral detection 

Pro

Considered as a detection method for observing how the program executes rather than merely emulating its execution. The approach of this method is to identify malware by looking for suspicious behaviors and thereby detecting the presence of previously unseen malware on the system. As it is the case with heuristics, actions by such a method aren’t considered as sufficient for classifying a program as malware. 

               

Con

The use of behavioral detection techniques brings antivirus tools closer to the category of host intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) which have traditionally existed as a separate product category.

Though the approaches above are listed under individual headings, the distinctions between various techniques are often blurred. So, to keep up with the intensifying flow of malware samples, antivirus vendors have to incorporate multiple layers into their tools and refrain from relying on a single approach. Ring and Grab Instant Virus Removal Support at +1-855-877-5848, www.pccare247.com

The Battle for a more Secure OS Rages On

The battle lines have been drawn and both the operating systems are going all out to woo PC users. Moreover, supporters from both the camps are also pitching in to prove as to why their OS has a bigger fan following over the other. However,in the recent past things have started to become more interesting for it seems the onslaught unleashed by the Mac Malware and Trojans has ended up bringing down things to quite an even keel.

Malware Blues: Mac OS Vs Windows

The sparring continues with regards to ability of both the OS to resist malware. Mac users have an unflinching belief that their OS has only a fraction of vulnerabilities as compared to Windows. But then again to counter the argument Windows aficionados have a belief the subscriber base for their OS is way too big and the Mac has just got to show only a fraction of the same.

Honey, it’s all in the genes

The follies affecting the Microsoft OS are certainly a result of poor engineering rather a large subscriber base. For when Microsoft Windows 95 was launched, the internet and high-end network connectivity had started to grow by leaps and bounds. The advancement ended catching Microsoft on the wrong foot for the amateur PC users using the OS became too easy a prey for hackers and malware. And yes, if it may be pointed out the insecure coding of the OS did not help matters out much either.

On the other hand the Mac was always recognized for its ability to provide a good baseline security and a safe haven where malware was always kept at bay. But then again in the recent times it seems viruses and Trojans such as OSX.Trojan.iServices.B, has ended up blowing the Mac’s security hoopla to smithereens.    

All the more it seems Mac social engineering attacks have gained momentum in the recent past. However, cybercriminals have also ended up realizing the malware being developed by them ends up promising far less returns and ends up gobbling a huge chunk of their resources. Leading to a conclusion the stakes are way far too less as and where Mac users are concerned. And better still at the end of the day, the malware unleashed by them would end up reaping far better returns if and when a larger population comprising of Windows users was to be targeted.  www.pccare247.com