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Disaster Recovery Planning: Where to Start?

Disaster RecoveryThere’s often a great deal of cognitive dissonance on the part of business owners when it comes to disaster recovery. They think they don’t need to plan for an emergency because they doubt it will ever happen to them, despite the fact that serious data losses occur relatively frequently. Network emergencies can result in lost revenue, require precious resources to correct, alienate customers, and even completely suspend operations. If you haven’t taken the time to implement a robust disaster recovery plan, your company could be unnecessarily vulnerable in the event of a problem.

Why you need a disaster recovery plan

You wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, so why would you run a company without a disaster recovery plan? These plans are designed to streamline the process of getting your operations back up and running as soon as possible in the event of a network emergency, minimizing lost revenue and resources. Disaster recovery provides a concrete plan of actions including, but not limited to, switching to off-site backup centers, establishing which systems are a priority, and training employees on how to communicate with customers while systems are down.

It’s important for these policies to be clearly outlined in writing in a way that any employee could follow them to the letter in case the person responsible for developing the plan is not available. Additionally, since the particulars of the systems, employees, and sites involved are potentially changing all the time, the disaster recovery plan should be updated at least quarterly to ensure that all information is as accurate as possible.

Man-made disasters

There are seemingly countless situations that can be caused by humans, whether the source be maliciousness, negligence, or human error. One of the newest trends in hacking involves breaching a company’s security protocols, encrypting the stored data, and demanding ransom money for its release. The proliferation and reliance of sensitive data has resulted in an increase in hacking activity, but your systems aren’t only vulnerable because of criminals.

Data disasters can be caused by anything from improperly installed software to inadequate hardware maintenance. Even if your tech team has followed every procedure perfectly, you could overwhelm and crash your servers because of unanticipated demand.

Natural disasters

You also have to worry about the worst that mother nature has to offer. Tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, snowstorms, and more have the potential to sever power connections instantly and for an undetermined period of time. During this time, your entire system could be rendered useless or severely limited.

Don’t let the unexpected derail your business 

Network disasters can wreak havoc on even the best organizations, and a superior product or loyal customer base may not be enough to save your company. Enlisting a trusted IT services company can be an important part of your disaster recovery plan, as you’ll have access to a full suite of emergency services when you need them most. Great Lakes Computer will work with you to ensure that you are prepared for any disaster that comes your way.

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Second Hospital Network Security Breach by Ransomware in Just Two Months

Network SecurityData Backup and Recovery Saved this Hospital from Paying the Ransom

A Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky is the second victim of a ransomware attack in the last two months. The first attack using the same ransomware, called Locky, took place in California several weeks ago. The hospital was locked out of its network for 7 days and forced to pay $17000 in bitcoin to regain access. Henderson’s Methodist Hospital experienced a  network security breach beginning Friday, when an employee opened a spam email attachment that slipped through the spam filter. Their network was shut down for 4 days and ransomed for $1600. They have stated that they were able to regain control without paying the money due to a robust and well tested backup and recovery plan. Here are some details according to Threatpost.com:

The attack began last Friday and lasted for four days. Officials at the hospital told a reporter at a local news station on Monday their system was “up and running.” Unlike Hollywood Presbyterian, which reportedly paid $17,000 to get its files back, Methodist officials claim not to have paid.

The hospital’s chief operating officer David Park told 14 News last Friday that the attackers copied patients’ records, encrypted them and deleted the originals, a pattern of activity that resembles Locky. As is customary with attacks of this nature, Park acknowledged the hospital was working with the FBI and that it activated a backup of its system shortly after the attack started.

According to Reid, the ransomware quickly managed to spread from one machine to the entire network, something that forced the hospital to take all of its computers offline until it could scan each one for the ransomware.

For what it’s worth officials at the hospital told 14 News’ Jessica Gavin that in the wake of the attack they’re restructuring their network and starting an employee training program to prevent future virus outbreaks. While hospitals have increasingly found themselves targets for ransomware over the last few months, Lawrence Abrams, a computer forensics expert and founder of BleepingComputer.com, doesn’t think attackers are singling out them out in particular. “I do not believe at this time that the ransomware developers and distributors in these stories are actually targeting hospitals. They are instead looking for vulnerable sites to hack in order to spread ransomware and hospitals that were infected did so by user error,” Abrams wrote Tuesday.

Attacks like these are becoming more common. The hackers are constantly evolveing their techniques and it is more important than ever to evolve with them. Having a throrough data security package with robust IT Support is crucial to protect your vital data. Is your network protected? Let the staff at Great Lakes Computer help you make your network the most secure it can be.

Learn more about our Data Security Product Suite

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Cloud Computing, Is it as Safe as You Think?

Cloud ComputingCloud computing isn’t just a buzz word anymore. It is where the majority of data processing and storage is headed, if it’s not already there. The cloud offers many advantages over premise-based hosting, the most important of which is Agility. The cloud is scalable and adaptable and in a fast-paced business environment, that is key. But is it safe? It’s safer than you think. Cloud security is adaptive, it can respond as threats or opportunities rise. Here, DataCenterJournal.com tells some of the trends in Cloud Security that we can expect this year:

Emergence of Serverless Frameworks

One of the most challenging innovations in the cloud in 2016 will be the rise of serverless frameworks. They includes elements like Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Lambda and the rise of code-PaaS (code-based platforms-as-a-service), in which IT departments will no longer have to manage an operating system or virtual machine.

This is a big change for cloud security strategy, because it means APIs are becoming an additional area of vulnerability for attacks. It’s an area where IT teams are usually unaccustomed to configuring for and defending against these types of threats.

Host- and Network-Based Security Measures Move to the Control Plane

Another aspect of cloud security that differs from traditional data center environments is that security features are moving into the control plane. This change is opening up more opportunities for IT to get information about risks and vulnerabilities as they arise. And instead of presence-based discovery, as is par in a traditional in-line network, a big advantage for cloud security will come in the form of real-time “firehose streams” of updates on network, host and serverless-process events through APIs.

Cloud-Aware Security Solutions Delivered by Incumbents

Cloud security will be delivered by more than innovative startups, because as cloud infrastructure becomes more important to organizations of all sizes, cloud security solutions will have to evolve to keep up. This evolution will happen from cloud security providers of all sizes, including some of the big incumbent players in the IT security industry. For example, multiple vendors are coming to the market with solutions for Windows- and Linux-based workloads in AWS. Other incumbent vendors will see more pressure from customers who need them to support hybrid deployment models that include traditional data centers and AWS.

Whether it’s by acquiring smaller IT vendors or by developing innovative new products, big security players will become more involved with delivering cloud-based security solutions. And if not, they’re going to risk disruption by faster-moving competitors.

Cloud Security Will Accelerate

Attacks on cloud infrastructure are becoming more sophisticated and automated, and this trend is unlikely to abate in 2016; if anything, attacks on the cloud will become even more intense because more organizations are storing more and more valuable data in cloud infrastructure. But the cloud security landscape will reflect the same tension in that “uneven handshake” of shared security responsibilities. According to research from Gartner, “Through 2020, 80% of cloud breaches will be due to customer misconfiguration, mismanaged credentials or insider theft, not cloud provider vulnerabilities.”

IT organizations need to upgrade their security preparations with real-time alerts and response capabilities while also taking a closer look at their in-house operations, internal configurations and employee security training and credentialing.

Read the rest of the article here.

If you’re looking to move your business operations into the cloud, we’re here to help. Whether you’re considering a small step by moving your email server to Office 365 or you’re ready for our complete cloud solution, Great Lakes is ready to guide you and help you make the transition.

View the Video and Download Cloud Computing 101

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4 Data Security Hacks that Hurt in 2015

Data SecurityThe world is constantly becoming more interconnected. Modern broadband technology has brought cheap and reliable communication, increased the efficiency of many processes, and changed entrepreneurship as we know it. It has also opened the door for tech criminals to feast on the ever-expanding availability of sensitive data, and despite the many noteworthy hacking scandals that have recently erupted, some businesses still don’t take network security seriously. Take a lesson from the following four data security breaches from the past year and don’t let you or your clients be the next victim.

Ashely Madison

The dating site Ashley Madison already had its detractors due to its philosophy of encouraging members in committed relationships to cheat on their partners, but it came under major public scrutiny after a hacking group released sensitive information of Ashley Madison users into a searchable database. The hack resulted in the exposure of names, addresses, credit card information, email addresses, and more, and resulted in the public shaming of many subscribers to the site. Presumably, Ashley Madison customers had trusted that the company would focus on discretion above all else, as there would seem to be little incentive to use the service without it, but they got a rude awakening when it was discovered that the company had been breached.

FBI Portal Hack

Early in 2015, a hacking group was able to access the personal email account of CIA Director John Brennan. In November, the group struck again as they stole data from a portal that was used between law enforcement agencies (specifically police forces and the FBI) to share intelligence. This hack demonstrated that even powerful government agencies aren’t immune to determined and skilled hackers.

VTech

The global toymaker, VTech, suffered a serious data breach courtesy of hackers in November 2015. What made this incident even more troubling was that the stolen data included personal details of millions of children, including birthdays, names, and photos. Experts suggest that weak password requirements in the company may have played a role in allowing the hackers access to such a wide swath of company data.

Experian

Global information services firm Experian compiles and maintains credit history, address, and other personal information (including social security numbers) for millions of customers. It’s no surprise then that when hackers gained access to a database that Experian provided to T-Mobile, the victims, many of whom didn’t even opt in to Experian’s services in order to have their information stored, were very angry.

Don’t let your security efforts lag behind

It’s hard to compete in the modern world if your customers don’t trust the security of your data. Hackers are extremely adept at exploiting vulnerabilities, so it’s more important than ever for you to work with a managed IT services firm that offers superior protection and aggressive security measures. Partnering with Great Lakes Computer can relieve you of the worries that you, your employees, and your customers will fall victim to the next attack by malicious hackers.

Learn more about our Data Security Product Suite

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Printer Repair Tip: Spring Clean that Printer!

Printer RepairEven the highest quality printers suffer from wear and tear and experience the buildup of dirt and grime through repeated use. These conditions occur very slowly and they can cause your printer to experience diminished performance or even render it unusable. Regular printer maintenance and cleaning is the key to extending the life of your printer and ensuring that it is always delivering the peak performance you expected when you paid for the machine.

Know which areas to focus on

If you’re planning on undertaking printer cleaning yourself, the first step should be to familiarize yourself with the various parts on which you’ll be working. The average printer contains hundreds of different parts working in concert with one another, and certain areas are more vulnerable to the collection of dirt and debris than others.

If you’ve been noticing streaks on your printed materials or areas with missing ink, dirty printer heads could be to blame. Since the printer heads are frequently coming into contact with ink and exposed to the air, they can easily become clogged and diminish the performance of your printer. The air compressor may also need to be blown out in order to allow sufficient circulation to prevent overheating. Additionally, if you find that your power or connection is unstable or nonexistent, it could potentially be the result of particle buildup around the ports.

Take care when attempting to clean sensitive machinery

A little extra time and effort can keep your printer running for a long time, but if you’re not careful when attempting to clean out the parts you could end up doing more harm than good (either to the printer or yourself!). The instruction manual included with your printer should provide some helpful guidelines on how to treat the parts with care, and you can likely download a copy of the manual from the manufacturer’s website if you’ve misplaced the hard copy.

Most importantly, make sure the printer is not plugged in and has had sufficient time to cool down since last being operated before you begin putting your hands inside the machine. Always use soft cleaning materials and avoid using force to remove or replace any parts.

Allow the experts to provide you with worry-free maintenance

Printers are known for being temperamental, so preventative maintenance goes a long way towards heading off more serious problems before they occur. If you’re unsure about the best ways to clean your printer, afraid of damaging sensitive parts, or simply don’t have time to devote to a regular cleaning schedule, consider utilizing Great Lakes Computer to take care of the hard work for you. You’ll have access to seasoned professionals who will treat your printer repair with the care it requires, and you’ll be able to rely on your printer to keep up with your workload. Also, partnering with GLCgives you access to supply refills and emergency service, all for an affordable, predictable price.

Learn More About Great Lakes Printer Repair

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Computer Repair Tip: 10 Ways to Speed Up Your PC

computer repairThere is nothing more agonizing than waiting for your computer to catch up with you. It gives bad flashbacks to using dial up modems. Are you willing to try your hand at some basic computer maintenance? The folks at Small Business Trends Magazine outline 10 ways to help you give that PC speed a little gas.

1. Reduce Items that Run on Startup

If your computer takes a long time to start up, the first thing you want to do is see everything it starts when you hit the power button.

To do this, click on the Windows button, click “run,” and then type “msconfig” into the box. Click on the “Startup” tab. Some things you want to leave alone. For example, your Antivirus. Others, such as Adobe Acrobat or Google Toolbar Notifier, you don’t need to startup with your computer.

2. Remove Programs No Longer In Use

Along with preventing every app on your computer from starting with Windows, you should also review which programs you no longer need and remove them.

Access the uninstaller tool from your control panel and use that to uninstall programs you don’t use. I regularly do this, of course, as a software reviewer.

3. Clean Your Drive

Clean up your drives by typing “cleanmgr.exe” into the run menu to access Disk Cleanup. This is that “search programs and files” box that shows when you hit the Windows Start icon, usually in the lower left of most screens (although you can move it to any part of the screen).

4. Consider Switching From Internet Explorer to Chrome

If you are using Internet Explorer (IE) as your Web browser, it is time to upgrade. Make the Google Chrome download the last thing you do on it.

Chrome is faster and has fewer bugs than IE 11. (Sorry, IE users.)

5. Clean Your Browser

Regardless of your browser, you should clean it out regularly. To clean Chrome, click the three bars icon in the upper right corner, then click “Tools,” then “Clean Browsing Data,” and then check the history boxes, cookies and cached items.

Or, download CCleaner which does a great job on the five top browsers, registries and Windows, overall.

6. Scan For And Remove Malware

Anything that starts with “mal” must be stopped. You should regularly scan your system to get rid of any malware that may be slowing your computer down.

7. Scan For And Remove Viruses and Spyware

In addition to performing regular scans on your computer for malware, you should also regularly scan for viruses and spyware.

Access your antivirus and manually perform a scan. You can schedule these weekly. Just make sure you do so when you won’t be using the computer. Also, having more than one antivirus on your computer will slow it down, so unless you are wanting to be incredibly thorough, and perhaps a bit redundant, it is better to run only one.

8. Make Adjustments For Better Performance

If you want better performance and don’t mind losing visual effects such as mouse shadows, click on “computer,” and then “system properties,” and then “advanced system settings.” You will find a performance settings button that allows you to select “adjust for best performance.”

You can also reduce your screen resolution, which can speed things slightly and improve battery life when running on it.

9. Defrag Your Drive

You should defragment your drive or schedule it to perform this action automatically. In general, you can do this monthly. However, if you excessively download, move, uninstall, or install programs, you may need to do it more frequently.

If your computer is running slow, you can manually analyze the disk to see if it is more than 10% fragmented. I still do this occasionally, but Windows seems to be doing a better job of keeping things optimized.

10.  Add More RAM Memory

There are a few physical things you can do to increase your performance, as well. You can and should add more RAM memory until the computer is at capacity. I’ve found that as a machine ages, you can extend its utility with a RAM upgrade. I’m literally ordering RAM for one of my laptops as I write this.

In most cases, this is simply a matter of snapping in or out memory sticks. Laptops are usually slightly more tricky and you have to remove screws, but still fairly easy. You can also have a retail store service desk do it.

If none of these help, maybe it’s time to talk to the professionals. Let the techs at Great Lakes Computer help you with your computer repair needs and other IT solutions.

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