Great Lakes Computer Corporation

Managed Service Provider

Bob Martin

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[Infographic] The Beastly IT Security Threats – A MUST READ

IT Security ThreatsData and IT Security are at the forefront of everyone’s concerns these days. The news is overrun with headlines about breaches of corporations that you’d imagine would have tremendous security measures in place, but still fall victim to cyberattack. Then there are the cautionary tales of identity theft you hear from friends and co-workers. We need the interconnectivity of the internet to thrive, but it creates risks to our data security that never cease. Whether it’s ransomware, trojans, phishing, or a simple computer virus, we are under attack from all sides and at all times. How can we possibly hope to protect ourselves? Check out this infographic from our partners at Lenovo to get an idea of beasts we’re facing and how we can win the battle.

Beastly Lenovo Infographic.jpg

Download the Lenovo eBook, mentioned above, here.

If you’re interested in using technology designed to protect your data and fight off these beastly threats, then consider investing in Lenovo hardware. Great Lakes Computer Corporation is an authorized distributor of Lenovo hardware. We can help you find the right weapon to defend your IT security. Contact us today.

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5 Keys for DIY SMB Server Room Setup Success

Server SetupWith all the network security threats and potential government monitoring discussed in the news today, some business owners may prefer to take on their own computing management. Whether you have a small in-house IT staff or you alone represent the entirety of your IT team, setting up a server room is no easy task. Here are six tips to take into account as you consider installing your own server room.

    1. Rack Them Up. Small businesses start with a few pieces of IT hardware and often stack them on a desk. As you grow, the pile gets bigger and things start to get unmanageable and, frankly, dangerous. Not only are you exposing your hardware to potential physical damage, you’re risking your data as well. Server racks are designed to protect your valuable IT hardware. They come in many sizes and mounting options, and some may even have wheels if you need to be able to move your equipment.
    2. Send Servers to Their Room. It is always best to have limited access to the server room. It allows you to control outside factors, like employee tampering, dust, and temperature, which can all impact your equipment lifespan and function. If you can lock the door to it, even better. If you happen to have a very small space, try to create some partitions to at least reduce the likelihood of an accidental trip or bump of the equipment. Server equipment can also be loud, so having its own room will help reduce the distractions to your staff.
    3. Chill Out.Computing equipment can get hot when its working hard. Prolonged and increased temperatures can also shorten the life of your machines. Have a cooling unit running at all times in the server room. If your main HVAC system turns down the AC while the office is closed, install a secondary system to run at night. Consider a fan tray for your rack.
    4. Let Your Inner OCD Out. After you get your servers into their dedicated space, safely in their racks, the chaos begins. Cabling is one area where we are far from wireless. It will serve you well to be incredibly over-detailed when installing your cables. As you lay them into different directions, use repositionable cable ties as often as possible.They keep your groupings neat and tight, but allow for simple changes later. Using a label maker, add tags to each cord towards the plug to describe what each cord does. It will save you many headaches later on.
    5. Don’t Be Afraid of Labels. While we’re talking about getting out the label maker, use it for everything else you’ve set up as well. Label your servers, routers, computers, printers, all of it, plus any power cord that comes out of it (labeled near the outlet). Give it a name and adhese the name to the machine. If there’s an issue with any piece of equipment, there should be no question which piece it is and which wire connects to it and which plug gives it power.
    6. Post the Whole Story on Your Wall. I don’t mean on Facebook, I mean the actual wall in your server room.  Draw out all you’ve set up, your entire network and server configuration, in a reference diagram so anyone can see and quickly understand the overview of the whole system in an emergency. Also post any emergency procedures that may be needed in the event of a failure. Keep it simple, straighforward, and review it with your staff regularly. You may not always be around when your server encounters an issue and you don’t want to risk downtime or data loss.

If after reading all this, you’re thinking you might be better off hiring a professional, consider calling the network experts at Great Lakes Computer Corporation. We have a highly-trained, technical staff that can get your IT equipment setup in the best way possible to get you online as quickly as possible. Whether you are looking for a one-time IT hardware setup and install, cabling services, or a Managed Service provider to take on regular server maintenance, we can help.

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Don’t Just Pitch Your Old Computer, Protect Your Data Security

Computer RepairThere is a never ending, revolving door of new technology these days. In with the new and out with the old happens a lot quicker than it used to when it comes to IT hardware. When you get a new PC, do you just throw the old one in the trash? Absolutely not. It’s bad for the environment and it’s bad for your data security. Here is a quick list of what you should do when upgrading your computer equipment.

1. Pack Up Your Data.

If there’s data on your hard drive that you want to keep, and there probably is, then you need to back it up. There are plenty of options for this. One is an external hard drive. These allow you to move all your files onto a portable drive and then when you need to access them, you can just plug it into your new PC and get what you need. It acts as a good backup storage as well without bogging down your new PC with all your old stuff.

You can also use a flash drive to just pick what you want and move it selectively to the new PC. If you’d like to try out cloud computing, you can create an account with a cloud provider like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive and store your information that way. If you’re already operating in the cloud, then you just need to ensure that you back it all up to your cloud account and then you can access as needed from the new pc, or any other connected device for that matter.

2. Clean Up After Yourself.

You’ve backed up all the data you want, now you need to clean house so to speak. Your information is all over the inside of that hard drive and you need to get rid of it to avoid becoming prey to a cyberattack. If you’re considering donating or selling your PC, you need to remove all traces of you. Delete all your personal files. If they contain sensitive information, then use a file shredder. You can find free shredders online (be sure it’s reputable) or your antivirus software may include one.

Next, encrypt your drive. Search your help tools to find it on your type of machine. Then, deauthorize any accounts you access through the PC, like iTunes or Dropbox. Also, delete your browsing history and then uninstall your applications.

After you do all of that, you need to reset your hard drive to factory settings to wipe everything totally clean.

If you don’t plan on giving the computer to another user, there’s a much simpler solution. Unscrew the back of the tower, pull out the actual hard drive itself, put it on a solid surface, and beat the heck out of it. You can smash it with a hammer until it’s really dinged up and unrecoverable, or use a drill and drive holes through the entire thing. This is a very primitive destruction method, but it’s a lot of fun too!

3. Dispose of the Machine. 

Now your data is safe, you need to ditch the actual body of the machine. Don’t just throw it in the trash. There are harmful chemicals inside that you don’t want leaching in to the ground. You can take old hardware to several electronics chains, like Best Buy, and they will recycle them properly. Your local waste service provider will often offer several electronic recycling drop off days a year as well.

If you’re looking to repair your computer equipment instead of trashing it, contact us Great Lakes Computer. We offer a wide range of depot repair services to help you get your technology back up and running.

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