Spyware and computer viruses are the most common forms of malware.  There are many differences between the two, but the main difference is how they spread. A computer virus can spread from one computer to another in email attachments, instant messages, and other forms of shared media such as USB flash drives. Computer viruses cause damage by corrupting or deleting data on your computer and some are even capable of emailing themselves to people in your contact list.

Spyware, on the other hand, is usually installed unknowingly by the user. Once installed on your system, spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits and passwords. Spyware can also interfere with user control of their computer. Examples of this include the installation of additional software in an attempt to confuse the user, or redirecting of web browsing activity to an illegitimate website. Here are some general ways in which spyware is installed:

• Piggybacked Software Installation from Freeware or Shareware – Some popular types of software (such as free peer-to-peer media file sharing clients) can and do install spyware in their normal install process.  You authorize the download and install the program, however, you could additionally be getting spyware installed at the same time.
• Drive-By Download – Either a website or a pop-up window tries to install the spyware on your computer.  Depending on your web browser settings, you may or may not get a pop-up request to click “OK” to complete the installation.
• Fake Anti-Spyware – Software that pretends to be legitimate security software and provides the user with an alert(s) that your computer is infected.  It will convince the user to run the fake program scanner, and in some cases, offer to remove the fake infections for a paid fee.
• Browser-Add-ons - These are pieces of software that install into your web browser to add functionality enhancements.  These include additional search bars, tool bars, download accelerators, etc…  The add-on may in fact work, but have elements of spyware included. 

Symptoms of Spyware and Computer Viruses

• Pop-ups appear randomly on your screen – These ads may display on your screen even if you are not browsing the Web.
• Computer settings change and you are unable to change them back – Changes can include your web browser home page, search settings, and desktop settings. 
• New software or web browser components appear on your system – Spyware can add toolbars to your browser or install unwanted software such as fake anti-virus applications.
• Computer has become slow and sluggish - Spyware utilizes critical system resources such as CPU and memory to track your activities, provide pop-up ads, and modify system files.

Protecting your computer from Malware

Although there is no 100% effective way to avoid viruses and spyware infections (unless your computer is off 24/7), there are ways to remove malware and help prevent malware from infecting your computer.

• Use a Firewall - A firewall can assist in providing a defense against hackers that can attempt to remotely install malware on your computer.
• Keep Software Updated - Many software vendors provide critical and security updates for their products.
• Install Anti-Spyware and Virus Protection - There are free and paid virus, spyware, and security software bundles that help protect your computer from unwanted software.  Scan your computer regularly.
• Only download software from websites that you trust - If you are uncertain, enter the software program into a search engine and see if anyone has reported that it contains spyware.  
• Make sure you read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements for the software you are considering to download.
• Never click “Agree” or “OK” to close a pop-up window – Use the “X” in the right hand corner or the keyboard combination of Alt+F4 to close the window.
• Be cautious with installing “free” music and video file sharing software – Make sure you understand all of the software that comes with that program.

Opti-Vise provides organizations with help managing and maintaining their business critical systems and  mitigates potential security risks. Opti-Vise provides fully managed anti-virus and spyware solutions along with our monitoring services. For more information regarding our monitoring services, contact us at (800) 834-7479 or sales@opti-vise.com today.

Post written by Michael Hardwick

With the many options available in the mobile phone market it can be pretty tough to determine what the best choice is concerning mobile productivity. There are still some people that say a phone is a phone, but those are usually the people who resist change. In today’s world a phone has become way more than just a phone.

My mobile productivity overhaul began a few years back when I traded in the company flip phone for a shiny new touchscreen windows mobile phone. At our office we use a Microsoft Exchange Server to manage all of our email calendaring and other communication tasks. Windows mobile with ActiveSync gave me the ability to have instant access to all of my stuff from anywhere over the wireless network. If I sent mail or updated contacts on my phone it was reflected in my Outlook client on my desktop almost immediately and vice versa. The phone also gave me on the go access to the web and other online content. I very quickly realized what I had been missing.

My job has given me the opportunity to experience a lot of different mobile devices hands on. Sometimes the setup of these devices can be challenging and I get opportunity to play with customers newest toys. I have assisted with pretty much everything out there from IPhones and BlackBerrys to Windows Mobile and Android.

For the longest time BlackBerry was the standout when it came to business mobile devices. RIM (Research In Motion) did a great job with the product and were brilliant marketing their BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) to the corporate user. They made secure messaging in the corporate environment easy and fun. That was not necessarily the case for us small business users. If you have ever had any experience using a BlackBerry without BES you will understand. The features can be limiting and cumbersome.

When Apple released the IPhone it was an instant hit. Everyone knows “there’s an app for that”. It was great for small business users and home users because it was easy and fun. The game changed in the corporate world when Apple made the decision to add ActiveSync (Exchange Server Connectivity) to the IPhone. Corporate users could then use the phone with their work accounts and have all of the same security and reliability features that the BlackBerry had and IT groups could deploy them in and Exchange environment without the need for additional servers BES.

My current device of choice is an IPhone 3GS. It works great in our Exchange environment, I love the form factor, and the software is head and shoulders above the rest of the market. AT&T is currently the only mobile provider that carries the IPhone and I am well aware that that can be a major deterrent.

My goal with writing this article was not to necessarily sway your opinion or to sell you a phone. I just want customers to be aware that Opti-Vise is here to help with your mobile productivity decisions and we would love to answer questions you have regarding these issues. The mobile phone environment is changing rapidly and keeping up can be challenging. If you are reading this and your phone is “just a phone” then use it to give me a call. I will talk to you while I find all your answers from wherever I am using my iPhone.

 Post written by Kyle Hamilton

Microsoft has marketed server solutions to the small business community for quite some time.

Microsoft is preparing the long awaited release of Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Key fact: no computer or network device can sustain operations in the event of any noticeable power failure. You?ve watched your computer reboot at the smallest ?flicker? in the power. Your building may be equipped with a generator, but that doesn?t protect your computer or network device from a power outage.

A computer system ?crash? caused by power events can be devastating to your network. Beyond physical damage, the loss and/or corruption of data looms as most damaging to your business. The cost of resulting downtime or data recovery efforts can easily eclipse the cost of battery protection.

Battery backup devices provide two (2) major functions. First, they sustain power to your computer and network equipment in the event of a power outage. Additionally, most good battery backup units also provide some level of power conditioning. The better battery systems (often used on servers), can even provide protection from voltage sags and surges. In case of an extended outage, battery backup units can implement an orderly shutdown of your equipment.

Our client has a generator system for the building, but that only underscores the necessity of a complete battery backup solution. Typically, backup generators are equipped with a delay circuit that senses the absence of power for a specified time before the generator starts and switches into the building power. If battery backup devices cover all facets of your network, all operations can continue uninterrupted while waiting for building power to be restored by the generator.

Opti-Vise highly recommends that, at a minimum, battery backup systems be provided for all servers on your network. We also recommend that critical network devices (firewalls, routers, switches, etc.) be considered for battery units, as well. For the highest level of protection, workstations should also be included.

Author: Kent Hamilton