Malware, hackers and phishing, oh My!

H1N1 is a walk in the park compared to identity theft.  If you are like me, a significant portion of your life is on your computer.  Hopefully by now, we all have basic security features in place (and we have our operating systems constantly reminding us about updates).  The fact remains that there are more viruses today than ever - literally. That coupled with the fact that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes, makes it quite clear that we all have our personal information at risk.  So with the odds stacked up against you, how can we move into 2010 with confidence?  The answer is an ounce of prevention, and a pound of common sense.

While many companies claim to have the best protection out there, the truth is that your system is always somewhat vulnerable.  You can have the best antivirus software on the planet installed, but if you download that one attachment from an unknown sender that is questionable, you could end up digging yourself out of a hot mess.  Even if you delete any suspicious emails, and you don’t give out your bank account number to “collect unclaimed funds” from some overseas country, the threats that we face today actually mimic websites, URLs, and email “from” addresses.  Being fooled by these modernized scams is easy, so your best defense is to be smart about info that you give out.  Don’t be afraid to call the person asking for your info, and don’t provide them with any information until they can verify their own legitimacy.

If you have a PC, then you need an antivirus program and a firewall.  Some software packages offer these together as an integrated suite.  Personally, I am not a huge fan of some of the larger programs (both in software popularity and usage of system resources).  I’ll give you a hint - it rhymes with “Snore-ton”.  If you have it and are happy, then great – you are protected.  However, I would think twice before renewing my subscription, as there are free options available; AVG Free is a great free antivirus program.  Do a Google search for “AVG Free” and then click the link “AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition” and be sure to download the free edition.  They offer a paid upgraded version, but the free one works great (I have been using it for years). This program, run in conjunction with “Zone Alarm Free” (a firewall program) work wonders on your personal security.  This firewall, like many, allows for you to set the internet connection permissions based on program (and set it to remember your preferences).  While there are a bit of confirmation windows at first, your software will soon learn which programs to allow internet access. Should another program try to access your internet connection, there will be a “red flag” popup asking you for internet usage permission.

Don’t be afraid to “Google” (yes, Google is a verb too).

If your firewall is telling you “whatever.exe wants to access the internet, do you want to allow it?” – don’t be afraid to run a Google search on “whatever.exe” to learn if this is a malicious program.  The good thing is that these days, people love to blog about good and bad software, so doing your homework is really some light reading.

Internet Explorer has competition for a reason.  A while back, Microsoft created a web browser called Internet Explorer (IE).  This web browser was integrated tightly with the Windows operating system - so much so that in 1998, antitrust laws forced the software giant to ensure that IE could be uninstalled as not to have a monopoly with their web browser (http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/press_releases/1998/1764.htm).  Although Microsoft complied and made it so IE could be uninstalled, IE has a bit more integration with the operating system than any 3^rd party browser (it also shares the same interface as Windows Explorer – the interface you see when you go to “My Computer” on your desktop).  This integration, while it can be convenient, is also very dangerous.  Enter the 3^rd party browsers: Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome are great, lightweight, expandable, secure browsers.  In fact, I only use Internet Explorer for “Windows Updates” and the occasional website that requires IE.  Other than that, Firefox is my go-to web browser.  These web browsers are free, and way safer than IE, so be sure to check them out.

Warning - stay away from other free programs unless they came recommended from someone you know and trust (and who hopefully has a decent amount of computer knowledge).  There is a lot of crap out there (like the free game installations that install something called Wild Tangent – avoid at all costs). That being said, as a New Year bonus, I have also included some cool links to other useful tools.  Enjoy and have a great 2010!

If L.L. Cool J were a geek like me, that’d be his new anthem.  Web based programs are a new trend that will continue to grow.  While the little web apps I mentioned last month: Box (box.net) for file sharing, and Picnik (Picnik.com) for image editing make your life easier, that’s only the beginning. In today’s information age, internet enabled phones are becoming the norm - so not only are we accessible from anywhere, but we are expected to be checking our email on the run too.  What happened to technology is making our lives easier? The next leap isn’t connecting to each other – it’s collaborating with each other.  Virtual offices and online collaboration will be the next standard for startups and established businesses alike, especially as the global market evolves.

Free online collaboration tools like Google Docs as well as Microsoft Office Live Workspace allow you to post your files online and share them with whomever you like – a few people or the entire online community.  The key word here is collaboration. Posting files online isn’t a new idea, however having the ability to edit a document via a web browser – with multiple people – at the same time is a brilliant innovation.  Your document changes are even logged for reference later.  How Cool is that?

While the purpose of this article is not to illustrate the differences of Google Docs and Office Live Workspace, let me say that they are very similar. There are specific advantages to each, so please do a Google search to check out the differences before selecting a platform – research will save you time in the long run, rather than switching mid-stride.  Personally, I prefer Google Docs for my own purposes, but your results may vary.

The main controversy about web based programs revolves around security.  While we may not all be entrusting our detailed medical history records with an online database anytime soon, that used to be the widespread mentality about online shopping and banking.  While I would not vouch for any online tool’s security, let me just say that even national banks have had compromised online security – “Oops, thousands of names and account numbers somehow got leaked”.

Local server-side applications (like an intranet) alleviate any “Big Brother” concerns, but are still not immune to hackers if it is connected to the internet.   Microsoft’s One Note allows for a centralized database of notes that is often used for collaboration, both from people locally in an office, and for those dialing in remotely. 

Many online applications have some sort of encryption or security features in place, but suffice it to say that it probably isn’t any safer than a web-based email account.  For the sake of argument, if we were to put it on the same pall other things being equal, the bottom line is that you can grant other people access to your document, and have a teleconference where you both edit the document and see it updating real-time.  I’d like to see your email program do that!

The internet is maturing from a “Broadcast Yourself” mentality to more of a “Selectively Share Specific Information.”  I am excited to see these advancements in online applications come to fruition, and if you can fit online collaboration properly into your workflow, you just may find out that you are “Doing it Web” too.

-Allen Borza

aborza@greengroupstudio.com

www.greengroupstudio.com

Social networking seems to be the recessionary blue light special for companies trying to bring in business.  It’s free, and everyone is saying to do it, right?  Unfortunately the “if you build it, they will come” mentality doesn’t always work.  In today’s information age, content is king, and unless you have something interesting to contribute (read: smart, funny, attractive, unicycling bungee jumper) your social media outlet may fall on deaf ears.  However, while technologies are advancing to make our lives easier (supposedly), for some people it can just be an added headache.

To Tweet or not to Tweet – that is the new question. Social networking is a subject that many of my clients often inquire about.  Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter seem to each have their places as industry leaders for how their users interact.  Is it for you?

If you aren’t a fan of the internet or email (thanks for reading, but) social networking probably is not for you.  Social networking, much like a financial plan, takes a decent amount of time to implement properly. 

If you know about Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, please skip this paragraph.  For those not hip to the lingo, here’s the 4-1-1 -- I mean a non-comprehensive feature breakdown. Facebook is great for finding people you know and becoming “friends” with them.  You can share your life with them with photo galleries, fun quiz results, and the coveted “status update” – which is a quick answer to “whatchya doin?”  LinkedIn is similar to Facebook but is more geared towards the professional résumé reading crowd.  There aren’t fun little quizzes or a lot of multimedia because the focus is connecting business to business and professionals to their networks of pros.  It also features a type of status update to let people know what you are working on.  Twitter is just for answering the question ““whatchya doin?” but in 140 characters or less (including spaces).  Short and sweet “Tweets” have impact because everyone seems to have A.D.D. these days.

With all these choices, it’s difficult not to get overwhelmed about what social networking outlet fits your personality or level of time dedication.  If you are a real geek like me, you have a Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn account – with Plaxo, and Merchant Circle, thrown in for good measure (I said I was a geek!).   How do you keep them all straight?  First, start small. One social networking outlet properly used will be more effective than a bunch of poorly managed accounts.  After all, if you are too busy updating info online, you will not be able to interact – which is the main point.  Generally speaking, I recommend a Facebook account.  It’s easy, popular, and personable.  Facebook can be the foundation that makes it easy to segue into other outlets like Twitter.   

Must-Have Helpers
If you decide to tweet, first, set up your Twitter account, then downloading a nifty little free program called Tweet Deck (there’s also a free iPhone app).  This little time saver helps control the clutter of your new micro-blogging community of friends and associates with its clean, logical layout. Tweet Deck also allows you to integrate your Facebook account so that you can tweet, and have your Facebook “status update” updated at the same time.

Xobni (xobni.com) has a Microsoft Outlook plugin that integrates your Outlook contacts with your social networking accounts.  This little gem of a program allows you to add contacts to your social networking accounts simply by clicking an email in your inbox, browsing the sender’s online profiles, and adding them to your network with a click of a button.  It also allows you to run a Google search on people, all with the click of a mouse.  This is super handy for quickly connecting with people that email you without the hassle of stalking them online - a must have for social networkers.  A couple of other programs in the “make your life easier” category are: Box (box.net) for file sharing, and Picnik (Picnik.com) for image editing.  Check out these powerful tools, seriously – wow! 

Step 2: Getting an audience
Content and user experience is very precious these days.  In fact, more and more people (especially the younger generations) are going to the internet for their news and information.  Newspapers are losing circulation and print presses are slowing down.  The good news (for online networkers) is that more people than ever are online.  TMZ started as a website and is now a television show.  While you may not get your own TVshow, websites like YouTube allow you to create a free channel to “broadcast yourself.”  By starting with your current contacts on any social networking platform, you can cross promote your company’s website, social networking accounts and company newsletter.  Face-to-face networking at trade shows is a great way to touch base with people who may be interested in what you have to say or offer.  Collecting business cards and following up with your connections is a great starting point.  If you like to write, comment on other people’s blogs and have links to your accounts in your signature block.  Bonus: this also will increase the search engine ranking of your website if you have your company’s website URL in the signature block.

 While social networking may be a time consuming practice, it allows for an additional “touch” point with your prospects, and allows you to stay in touch with your friends and family.  Everyone loves free, and you just may find that the opportunity to network from home in your underwear is a beautiful thing.

 -Allen Borza
aborza@greengroupstudio.com
www.greengroupstudio.com

Business loans: SBA programs are available, but banks hesitant to lend

Despite several federal programs, banks only lending to best customers

By Marcia Heroux Pounds South Florida Sun-Sentinel | July 5, 2009
(full story here)

"...
Allen Borza and Clara Mateus, husband-and-wife graphic artists in Greenacres, were laid off one day in March within hours of each other. They decided to expand the side business they had started on weekends, rather than frustrate themselves trying to find new jobs in a tight market.

The couple recently snagged a $50,000 loan backed by the SBA. But they didn't get it from their bankers in South Florida. They found their seed money through Borrego Springs Bank, a Native American-owned bank in California. The bank has a commercial branch in Panama City.

For the fledgling business, called Green Group Studio, to get a loan is "pretty remarkable," said Phil Scruton, business analyst with the Small Business Development Center at Palm Beach Community College in Boca Raton. "Lenders are looking real hard at resumes and qualifications to do business."
..."

BALANCING ACT

Jobless opt for entrepreneurship over job hunting

With the economy in a slump, many workers who can't find employment are considering launching their own business.

LILLY ECHEVERRIA / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

• Photo

BY CINDY KRISCHER GOODMAN

cgoodman@MiamiHerald.com

Thank You for your feedback on this story!

The national AP newswire syndication of our story is a true testament to the struggles we all overcome.  We will continue to deliver top notch design and website services and look forward to helping out many more small business owners.

Original story here