August 2002 EduNotes

EduCyber is pleased to present the August 2002 Edition of EduNotes. In this issue you'll find out how to be more secure in your computing, whether a web site makes "cents" for you, and how and where you can volunteer your time in the community. Enjoy and as always, send feedback to edunotes@educyber.com.
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Bring the web into the real world
One of the best marketing tools for businesses from 1 to 10,000 is to present a consistent image to the public. EduCyber can help design or redesign your company logo and feature it on your web site's pages to help you present your company in a consistent manner.
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8 Steps Towards Security
Wondering how to be more secure in an insecure world? It's not as difficult as you might assume. The following are eight steps to apply to your computing to improve your system security.
1) If you're purchasing a system, we recommend Windows users get either Windows 2000 or XP Professional. Both of these systems come with built-in security features not available in Windows 98, ME, or even XP Home Edition. For the most part Mac users or Linux users don't have to worry as much about security issues but they should make sure they keep up-to-date with the latest patches and updates that need to be applied.
2) Another simple security device is using real passwords. For example, a user name of wsmith for William Smith should not use william as a password. William would also not want to use shirley, his wife's first name or his license plate number or his address. If William wants to make sure he can remember the password, he could even try wi11iam, substituting the l's (el) for 1's (one). While this is also a common password trick, it does move the security up a notch. The best passwords are the also the hardest to remember. How about 45rexcyt, 8 numbers tapped out more or less at random but each pair is next to each other on the keyboard?
3) How long have you had the same password? Changing your password on a regular basis is highly recommended. Unless you're involved in national security or something similar, "regular basis" doesn't have to mean every day. Every three to six months is just about right for most small businesses. Of course if you have employee turnover, you also need to make sure unused accounts are disabled or deleted and other passwords are changed accordingly.
4) I still find clients who don't have antivirus programs installed! If your computer has an Internet connection or a floppy drive, it should also have an antivirus program installed and those virus definitions should be updated on, at the bare minimum, a monthly basis, with a weekly basis being the preferred interval. A quick check of the mcafee.com web site reveals that, since June 28th, at least 30 new viruses have been discovered. If you have installed an antivirus program but haven't updated it since it was installed, your computer is at risk.
5) Following closely on the heels of a good antivirus program is having a good backup routine so that if you get hit or hacked, you can go back to your clean data. With the advent of recordable and rewritable CD's, the cost of a fast, efficient backup has plummeted. Most small businesses (1 to 5 computers) don't need whole system backups because it would be cheaper and faster to reinstall the operating system and applications than to try to restore from a tape backup. The critical thing is to have your data backed up. With one CD able to hold over 700 MB of data, most of us can do quite nicely with a CD burner and supply of rewritable CDs.
6) If you've got an always on internet connection like a cable modem or DSL router plugged directly into your computer or network and don't have any software firewall installed, your computer is at great risk of being hacked. Once hacked, your computer could have all its data erased or be used to launch a denial of service attack on another computer. There are many hardware and software firewall options available depending on your needs but zonealarm.com has a decent software firewall free for individual and non-profit users.
7) We wholeheartedly endorse doing business online. There are hundreds of ways you can save money by either selling or buying online. But do it with your eyes wide open. Don't do business with a company that doesn't have a phone number and / or physical address or you might be kissing your money goodbye.
8) Looking for a real low-tech security solution? Turn your computer and / or router off at night. Does that always on Internet connection need to be on all night? If not, you can turn it off at night (check with your technology provider to determine how to best do this if you're not sure). Of course, if you have backups or other automated processes that run in the wee hours, you'll want to make sure you leave the computers on but you still might be able to turn off your Internet connection.
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Does a Web Site Make Cents for You?
Maybe the best question is how can a web site make cents (or lots of dollars) for you? Businesses large and small can use web sites to help them make and or save money.
Here are five tips for my five cents on the subject:

1. Use forms where web site visitors can submit questions, request additional information, or ask for someone to call them. The more specific the form's function ("Use this form to request a sales representative to call you."), the more likely it will be used. Don't ask for information you don't need - if the customer wants a call back, you don't need his or her address on the form, just a phone number.
2. Use key words and phrases that a potential customer would likely search for on the first page of your site. Make sure your site is listed in the search engines - give us a call if you need help with this.
3. Make sure your web pages are fast loading. Nothing drives people away faster than having slow, "heavy" pages that takes minutes to appear on the screen.
   Use a uniform graphic or color scheme throughout the site to help visitors identify your site.
4. Last but not least, focus on content not on pretty graphics or other cool features that end up detracting from your message.
5. (I've always got more than five cents worth on a subject) Make sure that your web site address is featured prominently on any and every piece of PR that you put out.

If you are in an organization that's looking for volunteers, you'll watch to check all of the above to make sure your opportunities are listed.
Of course you can always check the web site of your favorite charity or religious organization to find out about specific opportunities that might not appear in the sites above.
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© 2002 EduCyber, Inc. This newsletter is brought to you by EduCyber, Inc. http://www.educyber.com Permission is hereby granted to redistribute all or part of this newsletter as long as this copyright message is included.
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For questions, or to be removed from this monthly newsletter distribution, email us at edunotes@educyber.com.