It's nothing new, but a recent news item caught my attention: malware that encrypts your files and holds the data to ransom. How does this work?
Well, the first step is obviously getting infected with the malware in question. Most recently, the news item was talking about a new variant of the Gpcode virus. You might get this from installing software, or even visiting a web page... you know the drill. What makes this type of malware different is that it's just a new spin on plain ol' extortion.
An interesting story from the BBC today. They are reporting what information security professionals have been saying for some time: web security is getting worse. With an explosion in the amount of functionality that people are putting into their web sites, there is far more room to inadvertantly open-up security holes.
I just read this... whilst it's great that the author is obviously on her guard, it's sad that many businesses still aren't doing enough to protect their customers. It need not be a technology issue or even complicated. As this anecdote shows, just be careful about how your information gets passed around and where it ends up.
As small business owners, a web site is critical for many of us. But what happens when your web site inadvertently gets hijacked to attack it's visitors? As devious as this sounds, it's happening.
Several SBCN members perform web design services for clients -- I've occasionally done so myself. I came across an article today that typifies the difficulty in being a web designer: by looking at it in the context of an Architect, instead.
Unfortunately, the server hosting the article is running slowly, so here is the text...
I just finished reading this article on the BBC News web site. A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon concluded:
People will pay more for goods if a website does a good job of protecting their privacy.
Wow... so protecting information within your company is not only great to keep you out of the news for the wrong reasons, but it actually allows you to boost your revenue. Now who would have thought?
Hot on the heels of some ways in which PowerPoint should not be used, let's take a look at a really great innovation in using PowerPoint.
Dick Hardt is the founder and CEO of Sxip Identity and proponent of the evolution of Identity Management. He gave a now very famous presentation at OSCON 2005 in which he really used PowerPoint to make his presentation uniquely memorable.
Check out the presentation at the Identity 2.0 web site.
We've all done it... the PowerPoint presentation. That tool that takes mere mortals and turns them into presentation superstars -- or so we like to think. However, there are some definite techniques and approaches to making a coherent and valuable presentation with PowerPoint.
Before we can improve on our presentations, take a look at comedian Don McMillan's observations of what we should avoid...
Having worked at the fringe of marketing for many years, I am always interested in how that whole realm works. One thing I see frequently (especially amongst small business people) is the confusion between Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising and Branding.
To many, these are often interchanged. I came across what I think is the most succinct and easy to understand depiction of the differences between these disciplines: see what you think.
Did you know that industry compliance regulations exists for companies dealing with credit card and personally identifiable information? This article helps outline why security is important no matter the size of your business. Naturally, Solar Nexus Solutions is there to help you understand the risks to your business and how to protect your reputation on-line.
Article follows...
