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Businesses: Here’s what you can learn from the Sony PSN security fail

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Features, Internet, Video Games

psn outage

Sony's devastating security breach is not only a public relations nightmare and now, an identity-theft worry for its customers, but it's also a reminder (yet again) of the vulnerability of computer networks.

Sony's PlayStation Network is comprised of networked servers housing massive amounts of data including valued customer data. The parts making up Sony's network are not much different than the parts making up any other business' network, except most business networks are on a smaller scale.

While Sony is not releasing a lot of detail as to how the breach was carried out or what security mechanisms it had in place that failed, there are some good lessons learned for any business no matter what the size about protecting network infrastructure and the data residing on those networks.

One of the key ways any company owner can protect themselves is to forget the notion of, "Why would anyone want to hack into my network?" Why? Because they can. Whether you run a business making chocolate candies or handle financials for thousands of clients, taking an offensive approach against hackers, network intruders, or script kiddies looking to make a name for themselves, is fundamental to protecting your business network.

It's important to know that in the technology world, there is no such thing as 100 percent secure. You can lessen the chances of network or data compromise though, with a few tips:

Click to continue reading Businesses: Here’s what you can learn from the Sony PSN security fail


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What the F*ck is Social Media?

Posted by Drea Avellan Categories: Marketing, Social Media

What the F*ck is Social Media: One Year Later, is a presentation by Marta Kagan depicting the impact of social media on our current culture. A great starting point for anyone just jumping into the social media bandwagon and a perfect way convince businesses to start taking social media seriously. The presentation explains that social media is about dialog with your consumers—it’s no longer a monologue. Filled with statics, metrics and tips, What the F*ck is Social Media One Year Later is a great presentation that gives some insight into the social media world in a clean, easy to understand manner.


USB Email Notifier

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Internet

Email NotifierReplace your annoying “You’ve got mail” announcement with the Email Notifier. When one arrives, the small device lights up and flashes to tell you the good (or not so good) news. Attach to your USB port with no external batteries or power source needed, and use it for both your home and business accounts. The notifier is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista and most POP email services for GBP 13.99 (~$23.00.)

Read More | Lazybone

Video: Rethinking the way we sit down

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Household, Misc. Tech, Videos

After watching Niels Diffrient, creator of the Freedom Chair, talk about how he approached chair design from a whole new perspective, we had to share it. The talk was given in 2002 at TED, so it isn’t new by any means, but it’s very cool to hear the details of how Niels came to completely rethink the office chair, using the human body as his fundamental data set.


More Companies Predicted to Go Under This Year

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Misc. Tech, Transportation

Krispy KremeMoody’s Investors Service says that there may be 25 large company bankruptcies this year. Ratings from them and other sources came up with a list of those that are feeling the pinch. Sirius, Chrysler, Six Flags, Blockbuster, Rite Aid, and our beloved Krispy Kreme are all at risk of going under. Most of the companies have limited cash, large debts with huge interest payments and little chance of refinancing. While some of this may be inevitable, we suggest you go out and buy American. Treat your family or office to a dozen donuts or a trip to the amusement park.

Read More | Microblog Buzz

Logitech To Cut Jobs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Misc. Tech

Logitech logoYet another company is suffering from the bad economy. Logitech announced that sales were down in Q3 2009. Sales amounted to $627 million, a decrease of 16% compared to $744 million in the same quarter last year. In addition to them reducing their operating expenses, they will be cutting back about 600 employees. The beleaguered company will be restructuring over the next year and has hopes that it will see results beginning in 2010.

Read More | Logitech

Green Energy Machine Recycles Waste

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science

GEM

Businesses that have a few extra parking spaces and about $850,000 extra in their budget can invest in the GEM (Green Energy Machine) to crunch up trash. The generator accepts food, cardboard, plastic and organic waste, shreds it and turns it into pellets. These are then fed into a gasifier which produces synthetic gas that burns in a natural-gas microturbine. GEM will not accept metal and class because they have no energy content and can convert up to three tons of waste. Here’s hoping some enterprising person/company will create a GEM for the rest of us at lesser prices.

 

Read More | Daily Tech

Originatic Smart-Leaf PCs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: CES, CES 2009, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi, USB

Smart-Leaf PCOriginatic unveiled their Smart-Leaf line at the CES, a rather clever PC that has both wall and desk mode. The Oasis has a standard keyboard with touchpad intended for personal or business usage, while the Mountain has a stainless steel keyboard and trackball, perfect for kiosk usage. Both have WiFi and a 3mp webcam with angle adjustment, card reader, audio out and 6, count ‘em, 6 USB ports. They have spill-proof LCDs, keyboard lock, are scratch resistant and have the option of a touchscreen. With various amounts of memory and hard drive available, the Oasis’ price starts at $1,899.00 while the Mountain can be yours at a minimum of $2,699.00.

Read More | Originatic

EDG Business Card Has Video

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, USB

EDG

Jump Lab’s EDG (pronounced “edge”) doubles as a business card with video information. It features an interactive screen, audio/video capability and a USB port for transferring data. Originally conceived for pharmaceutical firms and their clients, the rCard can be adapted to many different types of businesses, such as clubs, casinos and more. The card is available in three different models, a standard version for promotions, the Lightning for content-changing use, and the Platinum for activity and transactions. The EDG is priced according to quantity and data involved, but the estimate comes somewhere between $17.50 and $29.00 per card.

 

Read More | Gizmag

Dell Latitude and Precision Laptops

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop

Dell Latitudes

Dell has announced 2 new Precision laptops and 6 new Latitudes aimed at the business crowd.The Precisions start at $1,449.00 and their M2400 weighs a mere 4.77 lbs. The Latitudes are available in five different colors and the company claims better battery life. They start at a price of $869.00. The E4300 weighs about 3.3 lbs., making it their lightest, and the E6400 ATG meets military standards for dust, humidity, and vibration. All but two of the Latitudes are available now.

Read More | Dell

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