Security | Virtual Private Network Resource

How to Set up VPN on Smartphones

July 22, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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A virtual private network (VPN) can be an excellent way for a business to operate. As it grows, it will need to connect locations in an efficient manner. Of course, this is where the VPN comes into play.

If your business uses a VPN to connect users, you can easily integrate it with your smartphone. As you likely use your smartphone for business purposes, this can be a great way to streamline matters. From your new LG Android phone to other devices, you can connect via your smartphone.

Set up your profile by accessing networking settings, and create a new VPN profile on your device. You will then enter a name, description, and the VPN credentials needed to access the network. Check with the system administrator if you need help connecting to the network.

Depending on the device and network, you may need to enter other information. For instance, be ready to enter the IP address of the server, appropriate account/password values, and other elements. Again, your administrator can help you in regard to your smartphone. After you have set up the VPN profile, you can log off and on at will – make sure you save the profile.

While there will be many differences for devices and VPN-specific settings, you should be able to set it up without too many problems. Contact your administrator or the manufacturer or the smartphone for more information and if you need troubleshooting. Once the VPN is set up, you will be able to realize the convenience of accessing it on your mobile device.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Security Tagged With: Business, Mobile device, Security

Benefits of Using Virtual Private Networks for Your Business

June 20, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Deploying Virtual Private Networks With Micros...

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Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, can equip your business with the technology it needs to get ahead. VPNs provide long-distance, secured network connections for your organization and allow your business to provide secured networks for your client base. For businesses, Virtual Private Networks help out by creating savings on cost and network scalability. Clients also benefit, as VPNs are easy to use.

Savings on Cost

Implementing this new technology reduces cost in a few ways. First, VPNs reduce long-distance telephone charges. They replace long-distance dialup networks and remote access servers used by business travelers to access their company on the road by intranet. VPNs also eliminate the need for expensive leased lines. Before this technology, businesses had to rent network capacity. Now, VPNs use public infrastructure like the internet to make connections and access virtual networks by using less expensive local leased lines or broadband connections. Finally, using VPN technology lowers support costs as your business can outsource needed support from third-party service providers.

Network Scalability

Without using Virtual Private Networks, the cost of building private networks for an organization increases exponentially as the business expands. VPNs solve this problem. Internet-based VPNs use public lines and network capability that is already out there. This can be especially beneficial for use with remote or international locations.

VPNs also work well with WiFi local area networking. Of course, you must have the appropriate networking hardware or software support to make VPNs work with your business. It’s a step you’ll want to take, though, as the benefits of Virtual Private Networks certainly make your business stronger.

Filed Under: Networks, Security Tagged With: Remote access, Virtual private network, Wi-Fi

Virtual Private Network and the Office

May 22, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Virtual private networking has been publicized in the media a great deal lately, and not all of the publicity has been good. Many people feel that virtual networks are the cause of deterioration of communication between people within the work place. However, many people in the professional world swear by the new technology. No matter what the opinion of virtual networking, the technology seems be here to stay so a look at what the networking is doing for business is important.

Virtual networking is a fancy name for sharing secure information quickly and efficiently over computer networks. For many companies who have multiple business locations or positions where traveling is involved they rely on the virtual networks to spread information safely. The virtual private network is a private network that uses the internet to connect users together so that anywhere where the internet is used information can be sent.

The professional world is incredibly pleased with this technology because of the way that documents can be sent. Rather than have to specialty mail documents or have a trusted carrier relay the documents, documents can be transferred almost immediately and with complete security. This is very important when dealing with proposals, bank documents or other secure information.

While many people feel that using the technology will cause a breakdown in communication between the sender and recipient of the information being sent, many other people feel that because the technology is able to send information quicker any problems or misunderstands between companies can be resolved quickly as well.

Filed Under: Computer, Internet, Networks, Private Networks, Security Tagged With: Network, Office, Virtual

Why Is Internet Piracy so Rampant?

December 15, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Internet piracy has become a big concern for companies in the entertainment industry. Whether a company makes movies, television shows, music or video games, they have been impacted by piracy. Websites such as the Pirate Bay and Sumo Torrent, however, seem undeterred by copyright laws that were meant to protect intellectual property. It is important to consider why so many people think that it is OK to take copyrighted material from these sites rather than pay for them through legitimate channels.

What is a Product in Today’s World?

The word product once meant a thing that was made by someone. Today, however, a product does not have to be a physical object. An mp3 is very different from a TapouT t-shirt, yet they are both considered products. Although we all know that these two things are both products that are bought and sold, our sense of ethics might not really understand the difference. Someone who wouldn’t think twice about downloading a pirated album might never even consider stealing someone’s purse.

The Ethical Drag

Some researchers have even surmised that our ethical mindsets see piracy as a good thing. To some extent, human survival has always depended on sharing. This could mean that evolution has given us the inclination to share when we can. Piracy, especially torrents, often emphasizes the importance of sharing with others. It is possible, therefore, that we simply have an ethical drag that prevents us from seeing Internet piracy as theft. It’s sharing, and our brains have been programmed to see that as a good thing.

If people participate in piracy because deep down it feels like altruistic sharing, then no laws are going to change that. Teaching people about the impact of piracy, however, could help remold what we think of as giving and stealing. This approach would likely have a bigger impact than simply suing everyone who has downloaded a few songs without paying.

Filed Under: Internet, Networks, Security Tagged With: Copyright infringement, Filesharing, Intellectual property, Pirate Bay

Making Online Casino Gaming Safe for Your Personal Computer

December 4, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

When it comes to online casino games, it’s safe to say that not all of them are created equal. Some, but not all, of these games are riddles with adware and malware that are designed to infiltrate your computer wreaking all manner of security havoc.

You do not have to choose between your interests in casino games and your desire to protect your computer and your personal information from outside influences. You do have options that will protect your PC and allow you to enjoy the freedom you want while visiting online sites where gaming is allowed.

Antivirus Protection

Antivirus programs present a logical first line of defense when protecting your personal computer from all manner of potential problems. There are excellent choices available that require subscriptions in order to use. However, there are also a few great antivirus programs available to download for no additional charge that work equally well for common viruses.

The key, when it comes to antivirus protection is to make sure that you keep the program updated and use it often. Many offer the option of daily scans at preset times. Since in depth programs may slow down the performance of your computer it is a good idea to set them at times when you are least likely to rely on your computer.

Anti-Spyware Software

Since spyware is the big concern most people have when it comes to gambling online, it’s a good idea to invest in at least one heavy hitter type of anti-spyware program. There are programs available that offer a wide range of features and price. Some software is even compatible with Macs. Compare your options to find the one that works best for your surfing and gaming needs.

It doesn’t take a huge amount of effort to make your online gambling interests as safe for the sake of your computer as they can possibly be.

Filed Under: Computer, Security

Disadvantages of a Computer for Children

November 28, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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Computers are becoming an ever-more central part of our lives. It is important for our children to learn how to use computers from an early age as they will be doing so the rest of their adult lives. However, the Internet is not necessarily a safe place for a child and there are certain things about computers that make them dangerous for children to use.

The biggest concern of any parent for their child is safety. The old phrase ‘don’t take candy from strangers’ has been repeated to many a child, but this phrase bears just as much weight online. Children can also be easily tricked online when predators pretend to be young children just like them in an attempt to make friends. Children can also be a target for other children online. There are more and more reports of cases of ‘cyber bullying’ online as social networks become more popular.

Being on a computer can also cause a child to forget one of the best pleasures of childhood – playing outside! More and more children come home from school and log on to the Internet, completely forgetting simpler pleasures like tree climbing or simple exercise. This can also be dangerous for children as a lack of exercise will cause them to get fat.

Another concern is the kind of material children are being exposed to on the Internet. It is relatively easy to protect children from influences such as violence or sex in traditional media like the movies as there are ratings systems that are not easily beaten. However, although many sites employ these same ratings systems online, the vast majority do not. Children are easily gain access to a range of material that is unsuitable for them online. One good idea is to set up a password or security key on certain sites so that your children can not access them.

Filed Under: Security Tagged With: Child Safety, Parental Control

Beware of Malware!

November 22, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

What is Malware?

The word malware means exactly what it implies. It is an application or software that is placed on a person’s computer maliciously and is designed to access the computer’s internal system in a hostile manner. Of course, by definition of the word, it is done maliciously and without the owner’s consent. Malware can include anything that aggressively harms the computer, including viruses, worms, spyware, adware, or anything that is unwanted on the computer’s system.

Guarding Against Suspicious Software

So how does malware even get onto your computer? Through a variety of ways. You can unknowingly download any malware applications through other websites. The sites may look harmless, but there could be hidden code within the click-able links or on other portions of the site.

To safely guard against a malware attack, always be careful of the sites that you visit and the links that you choose to click on. Make sure the site is a reputable one and that you trust the site, as well. Also, check out what other people online are saying about sites in particular to see whether there have been other reported problems.

You can also guard against any malware attacks by installing a malware detector and allowing the application to run through your computer’s system on a daily basis. If there are sites or networks that you frequently visit, this is also very important to do. Social media monitoring of any contacts or clicking on sites should be done carefully. Beware especially of games and applications that are within those social sites, as most of them are hidden malware applications which can start to run on your hard-drive once you click on the icons.

By taking a few extra steps and time to equip your computer with tools to guard against software attacks, you can save yourself a lot of grief and frustration in the long run.

Filed Under: Computer, Security, Software Tagged With: Adware, Malware, Spyware

Different Types of Computer Virus

November 22, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Ask any computer user that has been affected by a computer virus, and they will tell you they are extremely annoying! Computer viruses can affect all aspects of your computer, from the hardware to the programs that are stored on it. There are a number of different computer viruses that can affect your computer and it is important to know what they do in order to combat them.

One time of virus is called a resident virus. This is a program that affects your computer’s internal RAM, taking yup valuable space. The virus causes the computer to slow down and can affect its performance. The virus can also affect any program that the computer may be running by corrupting necessary files.

Direct action viruses are also a common problem. These bugs require a certain set of actions to be carried out and once the user has completed them, the virus goes to work and spreads through the computer. These viruses are usually very nasty and can often completely render a computer useless, stripping it of its most basic functionality and processes.

Another type of virus is called the overwrite virus. This particular bug stands true to its name and affects the user by wiping files or overwriting them with different data. It is normally quite difficult to replace files that have been affected by these bugs and the files usually have to be rewritten completely from scratch, which can take up time.

Boot viruses are also a common problem. They live in the part of the computer that manages how the machine starts up and changes many of its processes. The machine then has difficulty starting up in its normal way and the user gets an interrupted and awkward end experience.

Filed Under: Malware, Security

Codes of Practice for Protection Against Computer Viruses

November 11, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

If you are a keen Internet user, you should always be careful of contracting a virus onto your computer. The Internet is a hotbed of viruses and malware that can affect your computer and damage your files. There are certain things you can do while using the Internet to make sure you cut down on the possibility of contracting computer viruses.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid clicking on anything that offers ‘free’ services. This includes pop up ads or banners on dubious websites. There are many viruses that are passed around via email, so you should NEVER open an email attachment from someone you don’t know offering you services that you have not asked for. Doing this can often lead to people downloading programs by accident that they do not want.

Changing your internet browser is also another good way to avoid viruses. Although all browsers perform more or less the same tasks, some are a lot more secure than other. Mozilla Firefox is one of the most respected internet browsers you can use, although if you use Internet Explorer you have the option of customizing a number of features for your use, which includes security settings and privacy options.

Although the Internet provides a wonderful opportunity to interact with people, you should always be careful of who you are communicating with. Forums and social networks provide the perfect environment for computer hackers and people with viruses to infect other computer users. You should be careful about talking to people with instant messaging software on forums as these are sometimes set up solely for the purpose of spreading computer viruses. It is also a good idea to create a secondary email address when you sign up to these accounts, in order to prevent your primary email address becoming spammed.

Filed Under: Security