Security

Hackers' Potential Damage Increases

August 21, 2008 | As hackers evolve from irresponsible adolescents to organized crime figures, the danger to your business -- no matter how big or small -- grows. Forget about spam and viruses, now the hacking game is bigger and more vicious, from phishing and identity theft to shutting down power grids and municipal extortion.
By Paul Korzeniowski

How-To Allay IP Telephony Concerns

August 19, 2008 | Skepticism abounds among IT and business decision makers about IP telephony. Yankee Group's Steve Hilton examines the root cause of the concern and offers suggestions for how channel partners can respond in this month's Ask Steve.
By Steve Hilton, Courtesy of Yankee Group

The Zen of Password Cracking

July 25, 2008 | Password cracking is an integral part of a security audit -- and can be a lot of fun. Cisco's Jimmy Ray Purser has four methods to accomplish this and the tools IT administrators can use to do it on their own.
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

When Speed Just Isn't Enough: A Network Quality Check

July 11, 2008 | As your smaller business' network traffic grows, getting faster switches isn't your only option. Jimmy Ray Purser says that paying attention to a network's quality of service -- by classifying packets as they enter your network -- can be just as important
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

SaaS Eases Security Cost and Complexity

June 30, 2008 | Small and midsize companies confront two chronic conditions related to information security: lack of time and a dearth of deep expertise. For many, the answer will be software-as-a-service security
By Benjamin Tomkins

How to Build Your Very Own Hack Lab -- on the Cheap!

June 20, 2008 | Truly understanding network security only comes with hands-on experience. Building your own hack lab can give you the skills you need to become a network security expert. Jimmy Ray Purser takes you step-by-step through that process
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

How I Hack Your Layer 2 Network

June 13, 2008 | Many smaller businesses think they have to put up with lower end security because they cannot afford more expensive enterprise gear. Jimmy Ray says that's not true -- and he wants to show smaller business how to keep their networks secure, on a budget
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

E-Mail Archiving for Smaller Businesses

June 11, 2008 | E-mail pours into businesses every day and it never stops. How to turn that flood into an asset? By selecting an e-mail archiving system that meets their needs, smaller businesses can protect themselves from litigation, boost productivity, and ensure business continuity.
By Jake Widman

Hackers Follow Users to Social Networks

June 10, 2008 | What's the latest threat to your company network? Social networks. Why should you care? Because your employees probably use social networks and, odds are, they're using your computers to do it.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Unsecured Wireless Networks: Bad For Both Sides Of Smaller Businesses

June 3, 2008 | Those open-access and unsecured wireless networks we and our employees encounter in our travels are convenient -- and may be risky to use. Far more risky is the number of those networks that belong to small and midsize businesses, exposing themselves and their data not just to bandwidth freeloaders, but also to intruders.
By Keith Ferrell

Emergency Preparedness for Smaller Businesses: How Good is Your Plan?

May 29, 2008 | With tornadoes tearing across America's Midwest, the deadly Myanmar cyclone, and China still reeling from the recent earthquake and continuing aftershocks, now is a time to consider emergency preparedness. And though most companies have formal, written emergency plans, few know for sure those plans will work when disaster strikes
By Paul Korzeniowski

Security 101: Layer 1 Is the Loneliest Number

May 23, 2008 | Network security is complex, but it starts at two simple places: the hardware and human levels. Jimmy Ray explains how USB ports, keyboard loggers, Bluetooth, and more can make your smaller business vulnerable -- and how to protect it
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

SLIDESHOW: bMighty Q&A Gallery: Leaders Talk IT for Smaller Business

May 21, 2008 | Leading executives, managers, and experts share their insights and perspectives with bMighty on a host of issues, challenges, and opportunities important to smaller businesses
By Benjamin Tomkins

Protect Your Customer's Data for Peace of Mind

May 16, 2008 | For many smaller businesses, keeping their customer's data safe is their key to survival. Computer-related crime is becoming increasingly prevalent but there are ways to ensure that the information on your network stays secure and away from prying eyes
By Eric J. Adams, Courtesy of Cisco

To Catch a (Hacking) Intruder

May 9, 2008 | Securing your smaller business' data is critical to its survival. But how do you secure your network if it's been hacked? More important, how can you tell if you've been hacked? Jimmy Ray has all the answers
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

Is Security Slowing Your Business Instead of Keeping It Safe?

May 8, 2008 | The moment information enters the network, it's at risk. But the defenses introduced to mitigate that risk can minimize business innovation
By Keith Ferrell

SLIDESHOW: Interop for Smaller Businesses

May 6, 2008 | Interop Las Vegas was bristling with product announcements, new services, innovative solutions, and lively debate about the next hot technology. Back from the show, bMighty delivers a selection of show snapshots for smaller businesses
By Fredric Paul, Naomi Grossman, and Benjamin Tomkins

Augusta's RFP Twist May Master Municipal Wi-Fi

April 30, 2008 | So far, municipal Wi-Fi hasn't delivered on the hype and hope, and many cities now confront spiraling costs, stalled implementations, and poor connectivity. However, a new approach by the city of Augusta, Ga., may blaze a path to viable metro wireless networks
By Paul Korzeniowski

Web 2 ... Oh ... Security?

April 25, 2008 | Web 2.0 is here to stay and while it's cool, its security is tricky -- but not to worry. Jimmy Ray Purser will show you how to let your smaller business take advantage of the latest technology and stay safe
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

Beating Botnets at Their Own Game

April 15, 2008 | According to some estimates, bots infect millions of PCs -- this means lost productivity for smaller businesses. A new, automated program for detecting and disabling botnets holds promise for helping smaller businesses clean up infected computers without sucking up precious resources
By Paul Korzeniowski

The World's Biggest Security Risk: Management

April 11, 2008 | Your management needs to understand the very real security issues facing your company's network. But how does an IT guy explain these very serious, but frequently very intangible, security threats? Jimmy Ray shows you how
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

How to Secure Your Network Against Spam

April 4, 2008 | As spammers find new and better ways to infiltrate a company's network, managing incoming traffic becomes trickier and more crucial both in terms of productivity and security. Can smaller businesses protect themselves without straining their IT staff and budget? The answer is yes
By Rhonda Raider, Courtesy of Cisco

Router Security in Four Easy Steps

March 28, 2008 | Your router is the gateway to your network which makes it a target for hackers. In just 15 minutes and four easy steps, Jimmy Ray Purser shows you how to significantly increase the security on your router, and keep your company's network safe
By Jimmy Ray Purser, Courtesy of Cisco

Choosing an Online Backup Provider for Your Smaller Business

March 18, 2008 | Smaller businesses can back up data online with ease. The challenge is in selecting from the host of consumer, local, and commercial providers to find a vendor that can be entrusted with your company's most sensitive information, trade secrets, and financial records
By Howard Marks

Payment Fraud Protection in an Electronic Age

March 5, 2008 | Whether your smaller business makes payments electronically or not, it's still vulnerable to electronic payment fraud. You need to know how to protect your business' account. From tools to best practices, here's how
By Mary Schaeffer, courtesy of CPA Insider