Posts Tagged ‘internet’
Friday, December 3rd, 2010
In the recent weeks Wi-Fi users have encountered yet another threat that has them concerned about their Internet security. Session hijacker Firesheep is the latest security threat that has Internet users wondering how to defend themselves while on the web.
What is Firesheep?
Firesheep is an extension for the web browser Firefox that lets people sharing your Wi-Fi network sniff out your login information to a number of sites, including most social networking sites, and log in as you. They can then make alterations to those accounts and perhaps discover sensitive data.
Firesheep was originally released as a way to encourage websites to take better measures to protect their users. Many websites don’t encrypt their users’ sessions from start to finish, making those sessions prone to hackers. This extension shows just how easy it is for people to hijack sessions on these websites and is making Internet users mindful of just how susceptible they are.
How is Firesheep a threat to me?
Since the introduction of Firesheep many people have taken advantage of the add-on in order to acquire access to other people’s accounts. Because of its fairly easy-to-use interface, hacking can now be done by just about anyone.
What Firesheep does is open a sidebar in the Firefox web browser that shows the hacker who else on that Wi-Fi network is logging into the vulnerable sites and lets him or her immediately start using their accounts. Because most social networking sites are not entirely encrypted, users of practically any of those sites are vulnerable to session hijacking.
How can I protect myself?
Programmers have worked quickly in response to Firesheep. In the weeks following the launch of Firesheep a number of applications have been built that are specifically designed to protect users from session hijacking.
- Force-TLS lets you identify sites on which you would like to force the use of the HTTPS protocol, making your cookies invisible to Firesheep http://bit.ly/9yf8Mr
- HTTPS Everywhere, like Force-TLS lets your browser change to HTTPS on any site you specify in the Firefox Add On Preferences menu http://bit.ly/cDMQIW
- VPN clients authenticate and encrypt anything sent while using the client. You can use your corporate VPN if you have one, or you can employ a pay VPN service such as AlwaysVPN http://bit.ly/ateKFK
These programs offer protection from session hijackers as well as
other hackers. It’s essential to keep in mind, however, that
Firesheep is just the latest in a continuous series of threats.
Protecting your information from Firesheep is essential but remember
to be conscious of other security threats and to be extra cautious
when using unsecured Wi-Fi.
Tags: data, firefox web browser, hacker, hackers, HR, internet, internet security, IT, latest security, network, security, security session, security threat, sensitive data, session hijacking, Social network, social networking, wi fi
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Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Today, companies involve huge IT departments that are dedicated to storing and sharing extensive data. This means huge amounts of data and data servers being handled by companies who are at best minimally familiar with the ins and outs of computing. Presently there are more than 15 million computer servers operating globally. Every organization has to build its network for its peak demand leaving 80% of the running servers idle every day, which as you may imagine leads to huge waste of time and money for these companies.
There is an expansion of networks, computer storage and servers, and the growth has left companies wanting a new solution to their computing needs. “Data Utilities” will allow companies to discard their data storage infrastructure and hand off all their data storage and maintenance needs to third parties able to efficiently and responsibly manage them. These data utilities will allow sharing of servers to meet the peak needs of companies without requiring the company to pay for and maintain the server during its times of lower demand.
The concept of data utilities isn’t all that new, and we all use them everyday. For example, every time you share photos through services such as Facebook, snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak, or Flicker, you are operating in the cloud and using a data utility. Similarly, the online software suite from Google Apps allows users to generate and access information and spreadsheets exclusively online. Users can create, edit, and share all sorts of files from any computer with Internet access.
Basically any kind of storage can be met by a data utility. It is estimated that the internet contains 5 million terabytes of data. That is just an initiating point since constant improvement will only increase storage demands. Data utilities will allow the collaboration of computing power, data storage, software applications, and other IT needs through a global network. It will permit businesses to concentrate on what to offer rather than technical know-how of how to offer the service.
At the time of great economic concern where cost efficiency is gold, the data utility trend has only hastened. IT decisions are being made based on economic reasoning as well as a technical viewpoint. Data utilities enable companies to utilize resources on demand and pay for them when needed.
Tags: Business, Company, Computer, computer servers, computer software, computer storage, computing power, data, data servers, data storage, Facebook, global network, google, HR, infrastructure, internet, IT, network, new solution, peak demand, server, snapfish, Software, software applications, software suite, storage demands, storage infrastructure, storage software, time and money
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
Cloud computing is a new technology which essentially utilizes the power of a cluster of servers to power a website by dynamically scaling resources such as processing power, memory and storage among others. Each server in the cluster can be thought of as hosting the website. If this is ambiguous to comprehend, then think of it as if your website resides on a super high powered server which never breaks down because this super high powered server actually is a combination of several servers working together.
It is a fact that maintaining a huge IT department is costly and a lot of corporations have no idea what networking and computer software involves. Cloud computing introduces strategies in which companies can send their files to people that can manage and handle them more effectively. With this facility, companies will be able to cloud into any kind of IT that they need including hardware, software, web hosting, networking, and etc. As a result, companies can focus on what to offer rather than technical details on how to offer their services.
Some of Technology’s biggest names are leading the cloud computing system. Google’s internet based word processor and spreadsheet program are fighting to replace the desktop version of Microsoft’s Word and Excel. But perhaps, even a better way to jump in the present is through the more vague service providers. These businesses provide the physical servers, hosting space, and means to communicate with them. Well-known names include Equinix (EQIX), Rackspace (RAX), and Terremark Worldwide (TMRK).
I believe there will be a vast amount of consolidation in the production over the next decade. The largest tech names will gulp up the less relevant players as a cheap way to gain admittance to the most recent breakthroughs. The new IT attitude of outsourcing will provide companies with more effective support and will further allow them to focus on what they do best, instead of struggling with computer issues and constantly breaking servers and networks.
Tags: Business, Computer, computer software, data, google, Hardware, internet, IT, microsoft, network, new technology, outsourcing, physical servers, processing power, rackspace, RAM, relevant players, server, service providers, Software, software web, Support, Technology, terremark worldwide
Posted in Business | 2 Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Google claims it’s new, experimental ultra high-speed broadband network will serve as a playground for developers, giving them the bandwidth they need to dream up next generation, data hungry online apps. But, Google may have other motives for its speedy network as well.
The whole transition from dial up to broadband has brought so much innovation to the internet, and now Google plans to make the delivery process for new applications even more intriguing and deliverable.
There are already concerns with the limitations on Bandwidth as businesses and consumer become more internet dependent. Internet applications such as video conferencing and telephoning are becoming so popular and accordingly so is the demand for bandwidth . As more businesses adopt internet related practices, traffic jams may take place and could affect the net. Google’s new super network may address these bandwidth concerns. As of now, the super network is in an experimental phase as Google looks to see how smaller businesses, consumers and institutions as well as the local government will utilize this high speed access. While Google promises new enhanced applications to increase the technology system on the net, the super network may also be the answer to the bandwidth troubles that currently face already existing applications.
But Google may also have ulterior motives for its super network. Google has been a frontier in providing internet services to consumers and stealing away consumer from other carriers. The new internet based technology, some say, may allow Google the opportunity to take control of internet services in the market as well. This may be a bit skeptical, but there is no question that a faster-speed super network will displace other carriers, and cause a shift in internet service carriers.
As the idea is still at its inception, Google has not yet completely figured out how it will deal with information ownership and privacy issues. Additionally, Google may have to figure out a way to work through the conflicts its new idea may cause with other carriers and providers that form the backbone of internet services and data communication. Such issues might be determining factors on the success of the super network.
So while the new super highway might provide the promise of new applications, and added support for existing applications, it’s still unclear how Google will address certain issues, and how the new super highway will effect other competitors in the market. We all know that faster is better, but what will the cost be to the market and consumers is yet to be determined.
Tags: bandwidth, Business, data, google, high speed access, information ownership, internet, internet applications, internet service, internet services, IT, network, next generation, privacy issues, speed broadband, StoneHill's Website, Support, Technology, Video, video conferencing
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Monday, November 16th, 2009
The Net Generation, commonly referred to as the Net Gen, is a generation of young people who have never known life without the internet. Information Technology is a way of life for this generation. Exposure to IT begins very young; children age six or younger spend an average of two hours each day using screen media (TV, videos, computers, video games), which nearly equals the amount of time they spend playing outside. Over two million American children six to seventeen have their own Web site.
With Technology at their fingertips allowing them to access people, information, products and ideas from across the globe; the Net Generation is the new face of American business. Entrepreneurialism is on the rise and has become a trend amongst this generation and the many to follow. In a survey conducted by the Kauffman Foundation of 2,400 young people, 4 out of ten said they wanted to start their own business. In another survey of 2,000 Americans, nearly 80 percent of respondents said that entrepreneurs are critically important to job creation. The Net Gen is predicted to integrate technology innovation and entrepreneurialism that will enable solutions to create new jobs and markets, pulling businesses out of the current economic crisis.
Technology is imbedded in our society and evolves more and more everyday producing endless amounts of opportunity to build an enterprise. The Net Generation is at the forefront of this revolution, but the generations to follow will assist in the transformation of commerce. Disney has joined the movement by partnering with the Kauffman Foundation in the development of the award winning Internet simulation game that gives millions of children the chance to run a business in Opportunity City at Disney.com. Our economy may be caught in the storm, but as the world embraces technology and encourages the entrepreneur; our youth will capitalize on their ideas and widespread access to technology, there is sure to be a rainbow in sight.
By: Amber Bowker
Tags: Business, disney, entrepreneurialism, internet, kauffman foundation, net gen, net generation, netgen, Technology
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
One of the most common internet related questions we get at StoneHill, is “Which sites are dangerous?” or “How do I know if a site has spyware or viruses?” It’s a tough question and one that may never have a complete answer. That being said, we have found some the most dangerous search terms in the entire internet. By far the most dangerous search terms you could use would be “free music downloads.” Searching for that phrase seems to put around 20% of web surfers into the hands of websites that distribute malicious software, also known as “malware.” We all love free things but searching for the anything coupled with the word “free” is also one of the most dangerous searches in terms of malicious results.
The study that our researchers found examined 2,600 popular keywords on five major search engines — Google, Yahoo, Live, AOL and Ask — and analyzed 413,000 Web pages. The categories that had the highest risk of run-ins with malware: screen savers, free games, work from home, Olympics, videos, celebrities, music and news. The riskiest specific terms are: word unscrambler, lyrics, myspace, free music downloads, phelps, game cheats, printable fill-in puzzles, free ringtones and solitaire.
When we saw the results of the study, we all scratched our heads and noticed those terms and categories that were the riskiest were definitely not risque. This certainly points to the level of sophistication and social engineering that is going into luring users to these malicious sites. It may explain how your grandma got that virus; she searched for “word unscrambler.”
Tags: bing, dangerous search terms, dangerouse site, google, internet, malware, risky search terms, search terms, spyware, virus, yahoo
Posted in Tips | 1 Comment »
