ETC Computerland

Welcome to our monthly round-up of tech tips, news and web wisdom.
If you have any questions you’d like us to address, please contact us at web@etccomputerland.com.

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Hidden Hazards Lurk Above and Below

Brandon Gallaher
Cabling Specialist

Cabling is the lifeline between your computer and what you need whether it’s your documents on the server, or the outside web. We constantly strive to get faster and faster connectivity, but what is often overlooked after an upgrade is, “where did my old cable go?” Usually it is where it’s always been, hidden in the ceiling or basement, out of sight and out of mind. The reality is one cable can cause all kinds of performance issues with your new cable. If left in groups, it can cause air dams which restricts air flow.   This will create performance issues with equipment in air cooled closets and data centers.

There are many other kinds of cables that add to this problem as well. Today many companies are switching from analog to IP based camera and phone systems. And much of the old wiring for these systems are being left behind and forgotten about until it becomes a problem.

Other hazards this could create are more dangerous. The sheath and protective coverings, which are primarily plastic, provide an exceptional amount of fuel should a fire happen in your office or building.  Studies have shown that the fuel this creates is equal to gasoline once the fire gets going. This would speed up the destruction a fire could cause. Not to mention the toxic fumes that are created when cables burn.

Call our cabling department today and schedule your cable evaluation.  
For more information call 217-228-6180.

 

My Computer is Running Slowly

Chris Stegner
Service Manager

At the ETC ComputerLand Service and Support site, the most common complaint that is registered is “My computer is running slow”.  This is a common cry from many computer users.  There are many reasons a computer can start to crawl, but the most frequently discovered reason is Malware.

Malware is a category of malicious code that includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Destructive malware will utilize popular communication tools to spread, including worms sent through email and instant messages, trojan horses dropped from web sites, and virus-infected files downloaded from peer-to-peer connections. Malware will also seek to exploit existing vulnerabilities on systems making their entry quiet and easy. (Symantec.com)

How Do You Know

  • Malware works to remain unnoticed, either by actively hiding or by simply not making its presence on a system known to the user.

What to Do

  • Only open email or IM attachments that come from a trusted source and that are expected.
  • Delete all unwanted messages without opening.
  • Do not click on Web links sent by someone you do not know.
  • If a person on your Buddy list is sending strange messages, files, or web site links, terminate your IM session.
  • Only transfer files from a well known source.
  • Keep security patches up to date.
  • Run an up to day Symantec End Point Protection security software suite.

It is no wonder that this form of computer corruption has been seen more frequently.  According to Symantec the number of malware outbreaks has risen 571% since 2006. (Symantec.com)

For more information about how to keep protected, please contact an ETC ComputerLand sales representative, 217-228-6180 or visit our sales page.

 

Managed Services: Reduce Your Liability Footprint and Cut Costs Too

Brian W. Caldwell
Presidium Supervisor

Financial belts are tightening everywhere, and you can help your organization by applying and recommending the following IT approaches to your organization. A long term relationship with ETC ComputerLand through our Managed Services group (Presidium) can help you achieve savings through the smart application of the following technologies and services.

Managed Labor / Outsourced IT Services: ETC ComputerLand has worked with numerous customers already to assist them in reducing labor needs while effectively maintaining a secure IT environment. We can help you streamline your organization if you feel you are a little heavy on internal IT staff. 

Virtualization and Power Management:  How many servers do you have?  Do you know how of your power bill goes toward the energy requirements of those servers? With an engagement from our Presidium staff, we can work with a qualified electrical professional and quantify the amount of power your systems are using. From that we can offer a managed server consolidation and virtualization proposal that delivers a tangible return on investment. Not only will you gain from newer technology and the inherent power savings therein, but you will also realize efficiencies gained from a managed virtualization approach.

Disaster Recovery Planning / Secure Offsite Data Vaulting: What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and realized your office had been destroyed in a natural disaster?  Do you have a good backup? Are you sure?  When was the last time you tested your disaster recovery plan? A managed relationship with ETC ComputerLand can help you put a plan of action in place, verify your backups are good, and provide you with validated proof on a recurring basis. We also work with our managed customers to develop sound disaster recovery plans to get you back in business when the unthinkable happens.

Managed Network Security: Effective security policies are in everyone’s best interest. Take for example your Anti-Virus solution of choice; have you updated your virus signatures lately? Also, what about that firewall you have on your network protecting you from all the evils on the Internet?  Do you regularly check for firmware updates for this device?  If you answered no to either one of those questions, you are potentially putting your organization at risk. Establishing a managed security maintenance contract with your solution provider will be well worth the investment in potential data losses or other types of security threats.

References:  CRN Staff. (2009, January). 10 Real Cost Cutting Technologies For 2009. CRN , pp. 14-16.

 

Congratulations North Adams Home!North Adams Home

As many of you may already know, GiFT is a monthly computer and technology giveaway sponsored by ETC ComputerLand to benefit local not-for-profit tax-exempt agencies who are in good standing with the state of Illinois and/or Missouri and whose principal offices are within 30 miles of Quincy, IL, and Kirksville, MO.

Click here for instructions on setting up a monthly reminder to sign up for GiFT.

REGISTER NOW!

April '09 Features
Hidden Hazards Lurk Above and Below
My Computer is Running Slowly
Managed Services: Reduce Your Liability Footprint and Cut
Costs Too
GiFT
Archived Newsletters
Presidium

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