Firesheep is an easily acquired extension for the Firefox browser. It steals your login information by packet “sniffing”. While your initial login to sites like Facebook is encrypted, the information sent back and forth in the subsequent session is not. Firesheep intercepts the cookies and allows the hacker to access your information just as if they were you.

There are several preventative measures you can take to protect yourself from this threat. First, you can set your Facebook to secure browsing. If you go to account settings and then security you will see the option “Secure Browsing: Browse Facebook on a secure connection (https) when possible”. Check this box and hit save.

Second, you can view any active sessions of your Facebook account. If you go to account settings and then security you will see the “Active Sessions” option. If you click on edit, this section will expand and show you all active sessions, the location where the session was initiated, and on what device. You can then choose to “end activity” of any sessions if the device or location is unfamiliar to you.

You can also request to be notified when your account has been logged into. If you go to account settings and then security you can see the “Login Notifications” option. Click edit and then check the box to enable this feature. Anytime your account is logged into, you will receive and e-mail to the address Facebook has on file.

Lastly, you can require authentication of any device that tries to access your account. Under account settings and security you will see the “Login Approvals” option. Click edit and then check the box. It will then prompt you to set it up on your mobile phone. Whenever a new device tries to log into your account, a passcode will be sent to your phone via text. You will then have to enter the code to access your account. This is a great way to prevent hijackers from getting to your profile.

As you can see, it is relatively easy to protect yourself from unscrupulous types who would like to wreak havoc on Facebook. Just take the time to perform these simple steps and you will no longer have to fear using public Wi-Fi.

I could, however, see where there would be quite a bit of backlash to this new format. It would be unpleasant for those who post (or have friends who post) embarrassing, personal and hurtful material to their walls. This is why the wise folks at Facebook have given us 7 days to review our Timelines and delete or hide any posts that we do not want others to see. Of course, you still have to rehash and filter through EVERYTHING you EVER posted on the social network.

If you think the new Timeline is not for you, well that’s too bad. Change is a ‘coming. You can delay the inevitable shift for another week. Timeline goes live for all Facebook users on 12/23/2011. Below is a link to an article from PC World that gives you some tips on how to handle the shift. What do you think? Is it a change for better or for worse? Let us know at www.Facebook.com/OnePowerfulSolution

http://www.pcworld.com/article/246371/facebook_timeline_the_7day_countdown_mustdo_checklist.html

Of businesses that have a major data loss, 43% never reopen, 51% close within 2 years and only 6% survive long term! This means that data backup is more crucial now than ever before. Backups can be either stored onsite (local) or offsite (remote). Many companies rely solely on a local backup (or as Dylan likes to call them “cross your fingers that your building doesn’t go down cause then you’re out of business” backups, CYFTYBDGDCTYOOBB for short). Remote backups are much more secure. Companies who provide this service usually house their equipment in highly secured, bunker-type buildings with several locations. Check out Servosity’s impressive list of infrastructure and security measures: http://www.servosity.com/tour/infrastructure-security

It is imperative for businesses of all sizes to have a disaster recovery plan in place. Companies like Servosity offer stream-lined, easy to use and affordable backup solutions through IT service providers such as PowerOne. Individuals can easily backup their data for very little cost (and sometimes even for free) at sites like Mozy.com, Carbonite.com and Dropbox.com.

It’s so easy to protect your data from theft, natural disaster, equipment malfunctions and human error. Not backing up your data is like not having a fire extinguisher in your home. Are you protected?

 
The first reason is obvious; a free internet connection. Your neighbors or passersby may access your internet connection without paying a cent. This may seem harmless enough, but it could slow down your internet connection, increase your bill (if you pay by bandwidth used) or even unknowingly infect you with a virus or Trojan!

 
Hackers may also hide behind your IP address to conduct criminal activity online. All devices on your wireless network access the internet through the access point which has a public IP address (assigned by your Internet service provider).  Any activity from the network is linked to that IP address whether or not the device is legitimate.  That means if someone gets into your wireless network and subsequently sends out illegal material, it’s going to show up from your IP address.

 
There is also the concern of your private information being out in the open. Things such as bank statements, wills, tax records and so forth contain information that could be used to steal your identity. So how do you protect yourself and your wireless network from intruders? There are several relatively easy steps you can take to secure your network:

 
1) Change ALL the manufacturer defaults. Your router/access point will come with a default login and administrator password, a default SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a default subnet. All of these need to be personalized to deter hackers from accessing your network.

 
2) Disable the SSID broadcast. SSID is basically the name of your wireless network, which is required to connect to it. If you don’t disable SSID broadcasting, your access point will display your network name making it more susceptible to hacking.

 
3) Enable encryption. When data is encrypted, only devices that have a matching encryption key can communicate with the access point. This makes it much more difficult for nefarious characters to hack into your network.

 
4) Disable DHCP. DHCP uses a pool of IP addresses and assigns them to a device when the device connects to the network. By assigning static IP addresses to all devices on your wireless network, you make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to it.

 
If you follow these measures, your wireless home network and all of your information will be much more secure! If you have any questions, please feel free to post them on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/OnePowerfulSolution

To order or for more information please contact us at 352-253-2200.

To order or for more information please contact us at 352-253-2200.

* installation is waived with one year agreement, router/modem free with 2 year agreement

To order or for more information please contact us at 352-253-2200.

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