You are here: Home / Archives for Network Security

Online Backup Vendors: Major Players Lists

March 25, 2010 By 1 Comment

In preparation for my last article on online backup, I asked some of my peers what online backup tools they preferred; my intent was to compile a list of most favored by local small business IT support professionals. In true tech fashion I got two suggestions: a reference to other lists and a question regarding capabilities. As I reviewed the lists I was well aware that I was looking for options other than iBackup, which I directly resell, and BackupRX, which I like but thought was priced higher than I thought reasonable for my client base. For you, the consumer, it’s more than likely relevant that I note why IT pros support/partner/resell for a particular vendor(s):

  1. Establishing a secondary source of income is self-evident: It’s simply a good business practice to offer additional value above and beyond IT support.
  2. Familiarity with utilities that a service provider deploys from site to site simplifies and standardizes the support process: using familiar tools eases installation and support maintenance, thus saving time and costs to the client. Further, this standardization makes troubleshooting more efficient site to site over time.
  3. The more familiar a vendor becomes with a reseller the better the vendor technical support when needed.

With that in mind, here is the current online backup matrix I give to clients: (Please note entries marked in red are noted to be most popular for home use.)

Company Service Link Cost: $/Gb/Mo Contact Comment
Ibackup* Online Backup and Storage https://www.ibackup.com/p=briscoe_network_solutions $9.95/10GB 1-800-949-355/Reseller Includes server, PC’s, Linux, Exchange, SQL and Mac’s
Carbonite* Online Backup for Your Small Business http://www.carbonitepro.com/ $10/20GB 1-866-596-7988 SQL and Exchange? No Mac or Linux support
Mozy Pro* Mozy Home and Business backup http://mozy.com/pro
 •Desktop Licenses: $3.95 + $0.50/GB
•Server Licenses: $6.95 + $0.50/GB		 877.669.9776/Reseller Includes server, PC’s, Exchange, SQL and Mac’s
BackupRx* Online Backup Manager http://www.backuprx.com/ $98/20 GB/Annual Reseller Total backup and storage solutions for business offices
Intronis* Online Backup and Recovery http://www.intronis.com/download/index.php Reseller Online/reseller I’m currently testing
Most popular for home computer use
* Offer free trial.

I don’t mean to imply that my list is the best or most exclusive, but merely that these are the products that I will install or set up trials for my customers. There are other lists which you may find more to your liking:

My take is online backup is a good resource for easy backups, quick file recovery, and disaster recovery. That said, I still like to have physical backups for full or bare metal restores. Take your time, do a little research, and you’ll be sure to find a backup that fits both your needs and your budget.

Filed Under: Backup and Security, Backup Software, Maintenance Plans, Online Tools Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Scamville – The Pitfalls of Social Networking

December 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

While Facebook can be an excellent tool for networking and expanding business, there’s also a dark side to the many applications offered via the social networking site. Michael Arrington of Tech Crunch explains the possible pitfalls while using applications via Facebook, and details some ways companies use the information garnered from games and quizzes to sell your information: Scamville.

Filed Under: Backup and Security, CyberCrime, Network Maintenance, Security News, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

Create a Password You Can Remember

December 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Say you have the most secure system in the world. How do you keep it that way? Passwords not only keep your system secure, but can limit access to certain people, be it employees, technical support, or a specific member of your team, such as the accountant. Do you remember the passwords to your server, Quickbooks, etc? Do you change them regularly with secure passwords? While we all can relate to dreading the 30-60 day password change, there are techniques out there to help make the burden lighter. Wikihow gives helpful techniques on not only creating a secure password, but one you can remember too:

Wikihow – Create a Password you can Remember

Filed Under: Backup and Security, Maintenance, Network Maintenance, Network Security Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Microsoft is poised to start giving away security software.

June 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The company is reportedly trialling free anti-virus software internally and said the beta version would be released “soon”.

Called Morro, the software will tackle viruses but lack the broader range of utilities, such as parental locks, found in paid-for security suites.

Click here for full story:

Filed Under: Anti Virus, Security News Tagged With:

Security

June 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Security through control ‘brilliantly simple’

Briscoe Network Solutions believes in security through control which is why we chose Sophos as our security software solution. Through Sophos we offer complete protection and control to business, education and government organizations – defending against known and unknown malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, and policy abuse, and providing comprehensive network access control (NAC).

Sophos is a world leader in IT security and control.

We offer complete protection and control to business, education and government organizations – defending against known and unknown malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, and policy abuse, and providing comprehensive network access control (NAC). Our reliably engineered, easy-to-operate products protect over 100 million users in more than 150 countries. With over 20 years’ experience and a global network of threat analysis centers, the company responds rapidly to emerging threats and achieves the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry. Sophos is a global company with headquarters in Boston, MA., and Oxford, UK.

Sophos Security Suite SBE
Sophos Security Suite integrates anti-virus, firewall and anti-spam protection in one easy-to-use software package for small businesses. Designed for non-technical users, it protects Windows and Mac desktops, laptops, file servers and Exchange email servers from the latest threats. Streamlined installation and small, fast updates to Sophos Anti-Virus and Sophos PureMessage for Microsoft Exchange ensure the whole network is protected against viruses, spyware, adware, spam and potentially unwanted applications, while Sophos Client Firewall prevents intrusion from hackers and application hijacking. Centralized cleanup lets you disinfect computers quickly and simply, and with 24/7 technical support included in every license, peace of mind is assured.

Endpoint Security and Control combines anti-virus and client firewall protection to secure desktops, laptops and file servers. Choose this evaluation if you are interested in any of these:

  • Sophos Anti-Virus (including Application Control)
  • Enterprise Console
  • Sophos Client Firewall
  • Protection for smartphones and PDAs

Sophos Trial

Email Security and Control provides protection for the email gateway, securing against viruses, spam, spyware and phishing, and providing policy control capabilities. Choose this evaluation if you are interested in any of these:

  • Sophos Email Appliances
  • PureMessage for Microsoft Exchange
  • PureMessage for UNIX
  • PureMessage for Lotus Domino
  • SAV Interface

Sophos Trial

Filed Under: Network Security Tagged With:
Newer Posts »