Data Security…A Balance Between Convenience, Privacy, Stupidity

Content Insider #116 – Security

Data Security…A Balance Between Convenience, Privacy, Stupidity

“My Mama always said you've got to put the past behind you before you can move on.” -- Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump – 1994), Paramount Pictures

Instant information, instant entertainment, instant communications to and from anywhere in the world, with anyone is fantastic.

It’s all been brought to us by the computer and communications industries.

It’s a lot like Forrest Gump’s magic shoes, “They could take me anywhere.”

The problem is a lot of other people also have magic shoes.

Some good.

Increasingly, some bad.

Some just a major pain in the behind.

The good varies as to your needs and tastes.

The Working Bad Folks

The bad are the growing number of Black Hatters, Doom9ers, hackers, cyberthieves and cyberspies.

Figure 1 - Bad Guys – It seems as though every time you turn around you hear about someone losing their online and offline identity information because of unscrupulous individuals. But there are always new opportunities for the gullible people. Source -- NYTimes

These folks are dedicated and ingenious.

And…they work really hard at their job!

They’re rather like rodents. They find software holes even the most conscientious programmers never thought were there. They spend hours and days testing, probing, tickling and trying to grab your information.

Sometimes it is hard and they really have to work at it. Most of the time it is surprisingly simple (as long as you’re bent on doing bad things).

Sometimes … we do it to ourselves!

It’s called click fraud and it is virtually unstoppable.

Figure 2 - Clickity Click – There is always people out there who believe someone selected them out of the billions of people on the planet to entrust their millions to for safekeeping. Obviously the person who sent you the email realizes how trustworthy you are…right! Source -- Ipsos

Sure most of the requests for assistance to transfer $1-2 million are improbable by “normal, rational” people.

Certainly the bank’s note that your account may have been violated or that you haven’t shipped the product to the buyer are dumb (especially if you don’t bank there, don’t do online banking or never sold anything online).

Surprise…it doesn’t have to work 100 percent of the time.

If only .01 percent of a million emails respond then BAM!!! they’ve got enough account information to work with.

As Forrest said, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

Since we aren’t the brightest pencil in the box we buy security software. Software that:

• protects our devices from “them”

• doesn’t impact all of the important things we’re doing

• doesn’t slow us down

• is the cheapest software we can find

Yep…a placebo will work just find!

Our Portable Stuff

People can “almost” be excused for giving up some of the stolen information they volunteer.

Almost…

After all to get information you usually have to give information.

As you know there is so much fantastic, vital information and content out there today that we need constant access to it.

So we buy/use increasingly portable computers, higher capacity smartphones, portable storage/player devices.

Cool but…

• 1 in 10 notebooks stolen, 88% never recovered

• A Veterans Affairs employee lost a notebook with 27 million veteran records on it

• 10,000 FBI notebooks were lost last year

• 30,000 cellphones were left in NY cabs last year and never reclaimed

• Two major banks reported notebooks with client account information were stolen last year

• Government agency personnel have “misplaced” multiple backup devices containing citizen files/records

When hardware is misplaced or stolen, thieves are no longer interested in a device they can sell.

Figure 3 - Replacement – Lose or have your hardware stolen, corrupt your operating system/applications and it is a big pain but it can be replaced. Lose your data, your information and it can be devastating. Source -- zTrace

They aren’t even interested in the software they might be able to sell.

But damn the data? Yeah!!!

Online Business

We have a little trouble keeping track of all of our devices, all of our content and we do a few online transactions.

Less that a lot of folks, more than some.

We know there are issues out there that keep many people from carrying out online financial transactions.

Figure 4 - Online Concern – Whether you do your banking or purchase products/services online, there is a healthy concern about the security of the information you provide. It never hurts to check and double check. Source -- Mintel

We’re not ignorant of the challenges or naïve enough to believe we’re immune to attack.

Instead we somewhat agree with Forrest, “I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I, I think maybe it's both.”

From our perspective, security is a major selection criteria for the devices and software we select as well as for the online outlets we visit.

Figure 5 - Want it All – When it comes to devices and online services people want it all – service, availability, entertainment, satisfaction and more. But the number one criteria people demand is security. Source -- Ipsos

As long as we’ve done some level of due diligence and feel reasonably comfortable/secure, we’re good to go.

As Forrest said,” That’s all I have to say about that.”

Balancing Act

All of us want information security.

Unfortunately it comes at a price.

It their usual professional, knowledgeable manner the governments around the globe have had some degree of national cybersecurity management effort.

Ok so most of them suck but they are trying.

To protect “us,” they now have the authority to tap phone and computer lines in the U.S. Lots of other governments probably do as well but…who’s going to complain?

Oh sure the Brits are complaining because it is estimated that their images are captured on camera 300 times a day but that’s all in the name of security.

Truth is all that information is gathered and all of the video archived but it’s never looked at.

Privacy and security at every level is important. So important that the business side of “privacy management,” is growing in leaps and bounds.

Figure 6 - Opportunities – But if you’re searching for a new career where your services are always in demand it doesn’t hurt to get a good grounding in online, offline security. Crooks are always there waiting for the unsuspecting. Source – Carnegie Melon

Across the board, security is the most important capability of today’s social media initiative.

One of the major points of contention though is that in a shared pool outside the enterprise, we don't have any knowledge or control of where the content resides.

Granted, we have a huge body of standards and services that pertain to IT security and compliance. We also have guidelines for governing most business interactions that sorta, kinda apply to stuff that is done in the Web 2.0 cloud.

Ultimately, the user is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of his/her data.

Large and small enterprises are investing millions to protect not only their information but also their customers’ content. But increasingly much of the information exchange is done in the cloud and no one is exactly certain how secure (or how vulnerable) it is in the cloud.

The challenge is the constantly changing environment as Forrest noted, “One day it started raining, and it didn't quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.”

Most people who are really into this security thing say that companies are doing a pretty good job of addressing the content and data security.

Many went to the Andy Grove (Intel) school of security management training, “only the paranoid survive."

They have pretty good people in charge of their programs and spend a lot of money monitoring things, buying new stuff and…reacting to dangers.

Security managers’ biggest risks is one of the most difficult to address …the idiot sitting at the keyboard.

Figure 7 - Your Users – The major source of organizational security breaches are the result of careless employees. All of the firewalls and security software in the world won’t protect people from their own missteps. Source – Yankee Group

Talking to and training users (especially managers) is a tough, seemingly never ending job. As Forrest said, “Sometimes, I guess there's just not enough rocks.”

Of course for any manager it is pretty tough to resist grabbing a big chunk of a $1.5 M inheritance that belongs to a princess whose father was overthrown/killed. And what can she do with the money? Heck she’s dying of cancer, in the middle of this backward country.

Go for it dude.

Click on that return arrow.

Send over the miniscule information she is asking for after all you read the note, she found gawd!!!

What a Deal – When folks pop email offers into your inbox and offer you something for nothing or an opportunity to make a huge profit, you might – just might – want to be a little skeptical. Or not, your choice.

You know what Forrest said… “Mama always said, dying was a part of life.”

Content insider is a regular feature courtesy of Andy Marken

Marken Communications
Andy@MarkenCom.com

Cell Phone and Home Phone Become One

Teach Your Old Phone New Tricks

Cancel your landline, but keep your home phone working.

Xtreme Technology Corporation Reinvents the Home Phone System by Integrating the Cell Phone with the Home Phone

The new XLink simultaneously integrates up to three cell phones into your landline phone system, allowing consumers to make cell calls conveniently through the home phone

Calgary, Alberta—– Xtreme Technology Corporation is proud to announce the reinvention of the home phone system with the revolutionary new XLink, the world’s first multiple cell phone Bluetooth gateway. The new XLink BT & BTTN models seamlessly pass cell phone calls through the regular telephones throughout your house and come equipped with a new long distance solution, eliminating costly service charges and saving consumers money.

The XLink family comes at a time when people have begun to rely heavily, if not exclusively on their cell phones. With a tight economy, consumers have been cutting corners where they can, and landline phone service has been one of the first things to go. The BT & BTTN route cell phone calls through the regular phone systems in the house even when you have decided to abandon landline service.

The XLink products allow people to make and receive cell phone calls through their landline while cell phones can sit charging in a convenient location where service is good. Simply plug in the Xlink, and the cell phone’s Bluetooth connects wirelessly to the XLink. Each cell phone line has a distinct ring throughout the house, making the line easy to identify. When making a call, users can choose which cellular line, or the landline to make a call from.

*Neilson reports that seventeen percent of U.S. households — 20 million homes —about 17% have already ditched their home landlines, relying instead on mobile phones. “With one in five U.S. households expected to be without a landline phone by the end of 2008, we see the XLink as an ideal solution for consumers ready to make that step,” remarked CEO Chris Becker. “The XLink family has arrived to make cutting the cord less traumatic.”

Cutting the cord isn’t for everyone. According to Neilson, about 10% of the people who experimented with wireless only in their homes returned to add a landline service. The XLink BTTN supports your regular landline service while simultaneously routing up to three cell phones through your home phone system, effectively making your home phone the carrier of all four lines. With advanced upgradeability, the XLink can ensure compatibility with new cell phones and download features such as Skype support (available in 2009).

The new XLink comes ready to save consumers even more money by including a cost effective long distance call service solution, unlimited long distance calling for only $25/month. The Xlink BT & BTTN have an MSRP of $69.99 and $99.99 respectively. Since the average “cord-cutters” are saving $33 a month, the BT pays for itself in about two months.

Content Insider – CES 2009 Wrap-Up

Content Insider – CES Wrap-Up

Content You Can “Almost” Touch, “Almost” Take With You

Article Courtesy of Andy Marken
MarkenCom.com

Ok, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2009 was off a little in the number of exhibitors and attendees. So? It was a crappy second half of ’08 folks. No one has been drinking happy juice about the prospects for the next six months!

Best guess there were only about 90,000 people at the Vegas show (after 5-10 shows a year for 10++ years…you get a feel for these sorts of things).But…you could get a flight at the last minute…Get a hotel room at the last minute…Get a cab…Not be cramped on the tram…Get a dinner reservation…Talk to the right people…Sounds good to us!

Why We’re There

The buzz focused on 3D content, entertainment everywhere and mininotebooks.

Everything else supported the buzz.

Lots of groups want 3D here sooner rather than later, for starkly different reasons.

Jeff Katzenberg, chief executive of DreamWorks, has been all over the globe pushing the idea of movies in 3D. He is pretty certain that a really trippy entertainment experience is the way he can drag you back into theaters.

To whet your appetite, he’s shipping out 150 M of his 3D glasses to folks so they can watch his 90 sec Super Bowl commercial (sorry no costume malfunctions!).

In the right theaters the movies are way better than the bad 3D horror flicks we watched bleary eyed as a kid in the 70s.

Figure 1 - Good Ol 3D – Back when we were growing up in the ‘70s super bad horror flicks in 3D were a great way to “relax.” But today’s 3D is way better…even the glasses are cooler. From what we saw at CES they’ll just keep improving

Problem is retrofitting the theaters won’t be cheap so we’ll probably see a lot of great 3D “solutions” at NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) in April (yes back to Vegas).

A few of the upgraded old flavor 3D are already available and more are on their way.

It’ll be 18-24 months before we’ll see all digital 3D movies. Like HD, each will be better than the last.

A lot of groups want to see good 3D come to your home.

Screening Ideas

Already 7-10 acronym organizations and consortiums want to “contribute” to the next standard for home and mobile device applications.

Big and small players demonstrated their ultra best solution for 3D at CES including Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Dolby, Nvidia, 3M, networks and production companies.

The AVN folks can’t wait to help advance the technology.

Some of the 3D efforts will certainly help drive more screen sales.

HD screens – bigger, thinner, brighter, better – dominated the show floor and they do look great.

Figure 2 - Bigger n Better – For the past few CES events you could always count on manufacturers one-upping each other to have the biggest, baddest thin TV screen. This year the honors went to Sharp with their 105-in beauty. Add in internet connectivity and a BD player and you’re ready for popcorn

If you get a new one now plan on upgrading again in three-four years or get a set that is 3D ready (yeah like the big box store clerk knows about that!).

You’ll want it when you’re watching 3D BD movies, fairly decent 3D TV shows or playing one of your video games on your set.

Nvidia, EA, Sony (PS3), Microsoft (Xbox) and sure probably Nintendo see fantastic potential in putting the action right in your lap.

Yes we did say BD discs because they will be around. BD is really only in its second year of availability and sales are respectable…didn’t knock down the doors like the industry would like but respectable.

Prices have come down so players are under $200. By mid-year they’ll be under $100. No where near upscaling DVD players for $40 but sheess.

Disc movies and writable media still beat the pipe alternatives for quality and cost.

In fact a recent SmithGeiger report showed that if the price is the same 60 percent of the respondents preferred BD movies, 12 percent settled for downloads. If downloads were $5 less 55 percent still preferred the disc movie while 22 percent would opt for the download.

According to one Dolby executive maybe two million 3D capable sets have been sold WW so that means set manufacturers have only scratched the surface of sales.

Taking a page from Gary Shapiro’s (CEA president/CEO) playbook, Panasonic has been busy innovating.

They showed off their version of real 3D at the show.

Figure 3 - 3D Class – Panasonic wasn’t satisfied with kinda 3D movies at this CES. They went the whole way with a custom beginning to end 3D HD solution. Nothing you’ll be able to buy/afford for a few years but it does show the future

The movie was spectacular!

Pana’s Prototype

But it was a prototype so don’t run to the store just yet.

The solution took you from a 3D BD movie played on a 3D BD player, sent over HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) to a 3D TV set. The custom set-up delivers images to both the left and right eye without any loss of resolution.

Figure 4 - Alpha to Omega 3D -- 3D HD content on a blu disc played on a next generation BD player (present systems will probably also work) and magically sent to a 3D HD plasma screen. Panasonic showed everyone they came to play!!! Source - Panasonic

Panasonic did give great show!

They’re so hot for 3D HD they announced the opening of a special movie authoring center in Hollywood.

That’s planning…that’s optimism!

Ok not really that optimistic. There are already 14 3Dish movies being released this year, each better than the next.

Videogame developers and sporting events will be running tests this year to prime the pump!

By next CES we’ll know who is really delivering solutions and the experience.

LG and other exhibitors believe 3D will extend outside of the home.

It’s part of our three-screen mantra. You know…TV set, smartphone, computer screen.

Figure 5 - 3^rd Screen – While video playback has been available on smartphones like the iPhone and Nokia unit above, plans are already underway to begin sending TV signals to the units in select US markets. TV to the phone has been enjoyed for some time in the Pacific Basin and Europe

Why not?

It is the next step for our kids.

Their data bills are bigger than their actual phone bills.

Pay-for-play people and service providers see big bucks with online, on-the-go TV. Throw in 3D and you use even more bandwidth!

This hasn’t escaped the watchful eyes of network backbone supplier Cisco. They see video (all types) as their next big frontier. They already have their war chest open to buy strategic video acquisitions.

By CES 2010 they may have enough data, voice, visual parts pulled together to actually keep their booth on the show floor.

That will make Shapiro happy.

Cisco’s Chambers has a good point.

3^rd Screen

Communications and entertainment have become just data.

Figure 6 - Come Together -- For mobile phone service providers content is content. The digital bits can be phone calls, IMs, text messages, photos, music, movies or TV shows. Now if they can be sensible with the pipeline charges we’ll be ready to go. Source - IDC

While a lot of folks have learned to move smoothly across the three screens we just haven’t been that bright.

We like a cellphone to call folks.

We can’t text or IM so that anyone can read what we say (they usually call up and say what???)

We like our cameras for pictures/video.

We like the idea of the cheapie netbooks even though we’ve heard the return rate is “high.”

We just aren’t keen about Google and other search engine/access points tracking every click we make and using that information to their advantage. It’s bogus dude!!!!

This year some computer folks got the message that there was a need for a netbook size system but one that was a real computer.

Real, Little Computer

We like HP and think their mininotebook is superb (price isn’t that bad!). The higdef screen is clean, sharp. Good tactile feel on the keyboard. Compact size/weight. Decent storage capacity. Ok battery life.

While the skin appeals to our wife it just isn’t something we want to carry into the boardroom, down the street or whip out on the plane or train.

Figure 7 - Her Clutch – The ultracompact HP notebook looks more like our wife’s clutch purse than a serious/real computer. We like everything about it but…the looks. Don’t think real men will be brave enough to carry the designer system even if they do have a purse!

So we’ll opt for the Vaio P system.

There were a lot of incremental nice ideas to fill in the spaces at the PC/CE event but given the cautious to conservative mood that was ok!

Most agree that consumer technology sales will be off about 20 percent this year. The first six months will be the toughest.

After that? Sssslllloooowwww recovery…long way from the “good old days” but recovery.

The Bright Spots

Since CEA’s Shapiro is asking our new President to hold-off on the DTV switch-over it probably means enough folks haven’t bought enough of the big, flat screens.

Prices will be even more aggressive to move the inventory. New screens will be bundled with blu players for disc movies and internet connection for fairly decent ITV and VoD.

Cutting profits to the bone, notebooks and ultrasmall notebooks will still outshine netbook sales which will be “OK.” Netbooks are fine if you use them as casual, impulse, on-the-go units. Not the thing you want to bang on all day long!

Even when you feel miserable you seem to want to capture special moments, memories so digital cameras with still/video capabilities, higher resolution, more automation, lower prices will remain pretty steady.

Home servers and media storage hubs – audio, video, photo, stuff – will see good increases this coming year because they are finally getting kinda easy to install and use.

Phone sales will remain flat to down except for sales growth in a few of the emerging countries but those certainly won’t be iPhone knock-offs.

Storage – solid state, hard drive, optical – volumes will continue to increase because folks are shoving more content at us, we’re making more content, we’re grabbing/stuffing more stuff.

CES 2010 already looks a little brighter doesn’t it?

Until then we’ve still got the really small shows – you know 30-50K attendees at PMA, NAB, CTIA.

KRK Systems ERGO Now Shipping

KRK Systems ERGO Now Shipping Globally

January 8th, 2009 - Chatsworth, CA - KRK Systems, one of the world’s leading suppliers of powered recording monitors, is pleased to announce the worldwide availability of the highly-anticipated ERGO. The ERGO (Enhanced Room Geometry Optimization) is a stand-alone hardware room correction system that corrects recording studio acoustics with the flick of a switch and is compatible with all recording and monitoring systems. The state-of-the-art ERGO improves any studio mixing space by correcting for “real world” acoustic problems.

In addition to world-class room correction, ERGO also features:

• Focus/Global Correction – ERGO can correct for a single listening (focus) position or for an entire room (global) so all listeners can enjoy corrected sound quality

• A/B Speaker Controls – Enables or disables the audio being sent to the “A,” “B” or subwoofer speakers

• Headphone Volume – Adjusts the independent audio stream or the mirrored ‘A” stream audio for your headphones

• Calibration Switch – Enables the calibration microphone allowing the ERGO to analyze a room’s acoustic properties

• Large Volume Knob – Ultra-smooth response, providing simultaneous control of ERGO’s A/B/Subwoofer outputs

For additional product specifications and distribution information, please visit www.krksys.com/ergo/index.php.

“ERGO addresses the needs of professional and project studios worldwide by fixing room acoustics and allowing people to mix in a “perfect” room,” said Tony Rodrigues, Vice-President of Marketing for Stanton Group.

At $799, ERGO delivers the most sophisticated room correction at a fraction of the cost of traditional room treatments. For product availability and distribution information, please visit www.krksys.com/dealer_usdealers.php.

Vuzix Sunglass-Style Video Eyewear

Vuzix Announces World’s First Fashionable Sunglass-Style Video Eyewear with Revolutionary “See-Thru” Quantum Optics

Provides a 60-inch private video display complete with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality capabilities and built-in noise-isolating earphones all in less than 3 ounces

The Wrap 920AV will be demonstrated at this year’s CES in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo Convention Center Booth #73810 on January 8th – 11th

Rochester, NY – January 5th, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking addition to the video eyewear market: the Wrap 920AV. As the demand for mobile access to digital entertainment and information skyrockets, Vuzix has once again pushed the envelope. This portable big screen solution with Vuzix’ proprietary Quantum optics technology allows for a “see-thru” video experience in the form of a functional pair of sunglasses and is upgradeable with optional accessories. The stylish Wrap 920AV functions with any media playing device with a video output and projects a virtual 60-inch screen, as viewed from 9-feet. The state-of-the-art lens technology also allows users for the first time to view 3D video content while seeing and interacting with the real world. This incredible blend of reality and computer generated content will transform the world of portable video while opening up the consumer to previously impossible “location aware” applications. An optional 6-Degree of Freedom tracking sensor and/or Stereo Camera Pair will enable users to upgrade their Wrap 920AV to experience virtual, augmented and mixed reality environments. “The Wrap 920AV will not just change the portable video industry, but how consumers view and interact with information,” said Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. “From watching a Civil War video reproduction battle reenactment on the actual battleground to walking through the streets of New York City with an animated virtual tour guide, the possibilities are endless,” added Travers. “As listed in 2008 at the Gartner Emerging Trends and Technologies Roadshow, Augmented Reality promises a paradigm shift in how consumers interact with news, entertainment and information,” said Vuzix Consumer Division Product Manager Ron Haidenger. “The Wrap 920AV is the first product at a consumer price point to deliver this game changing technology to the masses,” added Haidenger. Additionally, Vuzix will be offering low cost optional prescription lens inserts to provide the perfect solution for consumers wearing prescription eyeglasses. A patent pending electronic Inter-Pupillary Distance system enables eye separation adjustment, ensuring that all users will have an optimal viewing experience. Amazingly, the entire system weighs less than 3 ounces. The Wrap 920AV’s features include: • Virtual 60-inch screen viewed from 9-feet • 2D and 3D video formats • Quantum Optics Technology • Twin high-resolution AMLCD displays • Ultra low power electronics • High-quality noise-isolating and removable comfort fit earphones • Up to 6 hours of battery life on two AA batteries • On screen display settings control • For use with or without eyeglasses • Optional prescription lens inserts • Optional Bluetooth 6-Degree of Freedom head tracking system • Optional USB-powered Stereo Camera Pair Compatible devices include: • All iPod/iPhone models with video output • Portable media players • Video cameras • Cellular phones with video output • Console video game systems • Digital cameras • DVD players • PCs & laptops with S-Video

The Wrap 920AV will be available on Vuzix.com and through various other distribution channels in Spring 2009. For more information, please visit www.vuzix.com.

How to Uninstall Antivirus 2009

How to Uninstall Antivirus 2009

Further to my recent post about Anti Virus 2008, AntiVirus 2009 is the same. Anti Virus 2009 is a nuisance, and spyware, and a malware nightmare! Although the program is very well disguised as a legitimate anti virus scanner and spyware removal tool, it is NOT. it is also suprisingly well written and looks great. Too bad it's intended for malicious purposes.

Anti Virus 2009 is installed through misleading web advertisements and malicious web sites in an attempt to make users believe that their computer is infected. Once the program is installed, it then runs a fake virus scan on your computer. The scan results then list a variety of fake infections that cannot be removed - unless you purchase the Anti Virus 2009. These listed infections are completely fake and serve to force you into purchasing the software.

Antivirus 2009 doesn't stop there however;

Once installed;

- it not only installs Internet Explorer browser hijacks that warn of the many computer infections.

- it replaces your desktop wallpaper with one that advises your computer has been infected

- loads itself into your system tray to warn about the various infections

Antivirus 2009 removal is tricky to say the least, and there seems to be no absoulte solution to it's complete removal.

You may check out this video I found on youtube.