E-mail systems such as Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes and GroupWise were constructed with a single purpose in mind: accept and send the maximum amount of mail, and route that mail as efficiently as possible. Without question this has succeeded; e-mail is the most commonly utilized business communication tool on the planet, and its use is projected to continue to rise.
Unfortunately, e-mail's sharp rise in popularity makes it an attractive target for individuals seeking to do harm, either for their own misguided personal satisfaction, or more likely, for financial gain. The first e-mail hackers found simple vulnerabilities in the operating systems and protocol stacks of e-mail systems, and exploited these known weaknesses. Now, however, hackers and virus writers have become specialists, constantly developing new and innovative methods of overcoming the improvements made in today's security systems. The game of cat-and-mouse is unlikely to end any time soon, if ever. With every improvement in defensive techniques, hackers and virus writers modify their tactics in an attempt to circumvent these defenses and wreak havoc on corporate networks. This document outlines how hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in e-mail systems, and describes the widely available hacking tools they use. As a collection of already published risks to e-mail security, this white paper is written to educate IT security managers on the challenges they face.
here is the pdf file
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Download Managers - A Better Downloading Experience: An In-Depth Analysis of How Download Managers Help You Download Content From the Internet
A download manager is a utility designed to fix all the problems you may be having downloading content from the internet. They have quickly become a must-have utility for all internet users. Download managers can accelerate your downloads, allow you to resume broken downloads and contain numerous features that allow to you get hard-to-get files from the internet. This white paper will explain the benefits of download managers, the different types of download managers, the various types of content on the internet, and how download managers assist you to get this content.
here is the pdf file link
CHEERS AUROBINDO
here is the pdf file link
CHEERS AUROBINDO
The certification game. Do you want to play?
These days certification isn’t cheap. Between providing training and study time, a typical certification may cost your company from $700 to $2,000 per employee.
And this is on top of the costs of the certification tests, which can range from $100 to $500 per test. With all this expense, the question I’m sure many an employer has asked is: Is it worth it?
Let’s first explore some of the benefits and follow that up with what I think is a very viable alternative solution.
Certification conveys a number of conceptions about the individual. In an employee, the image of personal commitment and drive is attached to certification.
The certification(s) indicates that the employee has the dedication to pursue professional development outside of the arena of his or her full-time career. It shows a passion about her field of interest and for her personal development plan.
And when screening job applicants, certification has become an obvious litmus test for employers. When considering applicants with experience in the field, the one with certifications will often fare better because of the above-mentioned notions that accompany certifications.
And when looking for entry-level employees, many companies look for professional certifications to open the door to that potential first job. The earned certification is supposed to be the qualifier: proof to the employer that this prospective employee has the required aptitude to get the job done.
As an employer, you are expected to assume that, with this credential, the candidate has the minimum level of knowledge about the products he works with.
Also, as a business, you receive certain vendor incentives for having certified individuals on your team (such as being labeled a solutions provider with Microsoft).
These incentives may serve to comfort or impress your clients with the quality and technical expertise they hope to receive in their relationship with you.
Getting Burned
But in reality, do these letters after the employee’s name really deliver on all that’s promised?
In a word: No.
Using certification as a minimum aptitude is now a waste of time. There are countless ways to beat the certification testing system and just as many Web sites dedicated to just that.
These “brain-dump” sites (not to mention professional Web sites) make a living bucking the system. If a certification exists, it can be cheated on.
There are people that will study posted test questions for a couple of days, take the test, and pass. Most of these certification tests only require a C-average.
And while the majority of employees actually do seek certification to support continuous learning and to improve their own knowledge and performance, many seek certification for entirely different reasons altogether.
Some earn the certification to gain the financial token offered as incentive by the employer. Some earn it because they fear losing their job if they don’t. And some earn it so that they may go find a more lucrative job elsewhere.
Yes, that’s right. I mentioned that these certifications are costly and many in the IT field just can’t afford to earn them. So it is quite common for an employee to specifically seek out a company that will pay for certification.
Once they certify, they move on to greener pastures because they want more money than the current employer is willing to give.
So, is it worth it to certify in your company? That depends on your motivation for encouraging the certifications. If you need to be able to show your clients and your public that you have a percentage of recruits who are safely and securely certified in order for them to maintain their faith or loyalty, by all means yes. Continue on with the certifying.
But if you are strongly urging your people to certify in hopes that you will have a top-notch, highly trained, special forces level of employees in your arsenal, my answer for you is no. Seek other training options.
The Four-Step Remedy
My dream solution for this education vs. certification battle is to offer four things within each company: ongoing education/training, community experience, trade magazines, and a computer lab.
Encourage ongoing education/training. Allow your employees to pursue excellence in the area that they are passionate about in the field. And offer similar encouragement to pursue topics that will foster excellence in their position in your company.
Provide classroom training in-house. Offer computer-based training (CBT). Approve funding when an employee takes the initiative to choose to attend a seminar or conference.
Let them explore their potential. The whole purpose of training is to better oneself. If an employee works with Microsoft technology and they want to learn about Cisco firewalls, encourage it. Help them grow.
Give them the training that makes them love your company and be loyal to your company. In the end, you will find yourself with an excited, knowledgeable, fulfilled employee who feels appreciated and valued by his employer.
Open the door to experience in the IT community. Allow your employees to grow within the IT communities around the world by participating on message boards and blogging.
Encourage them to speak at conferences if their subject is accepted. Troubleshooting solutions to the problems of others and then providing helpful information to the masses is a great learning tool.
Offer subscriptions to trade magazines. If your employees are interested in certain computer subjects, consider allowing them to subscribe to a magazine that will provide cutting-edge information.
Support their need to read about emerging technologies. Providing your employees with resources to grow and learn and gain experience will likely be more valuable than any four-letter acronym out there.
Finally, and most importantly, make the investment in a computer lab.
One thing I would love every company to have is a lab for learning. There is nothing better than a computer lab to test out things and learn through hands-on participation.
You may even want to have your staff configure lab time into their job to explore new technologies or to dig deeper into familiar ones. I can’t tell you the number of certification tests I have taken but I didn’t even break the surface of many issues until I was faced with them in my lab at 2 a.m.
Real learning takes place when setting up these programs and labs and by working through them until you really feel the product and what it’s about.
As a highly certified IT professional, I believe there is a better way for many companies to prepare their staffs. Allow your company’s finest to ignite their passions. You will be (happily) surprised what the freedom will bring.
What you think???????
And this is on top of the costs of the certification tests, which can range from $100 to $500 per test. With all this expense, the question I’m sure many an employer has asked is: Is it worth it?
Let’s first explore some of the benefits and follow that up with what I think is a very viable alternative solution.
Certification conveys a number of conceptions about the individual. In an employee, the image of personal commitment and drive is attached to certification.
The certification(s) indicates that the employee has the dedication to pursue professional development outside of the arena of his or her full-time career. It shows a passion about her field of interest and for her personal development plan.
And when screening job applicants, certification has become an obvious litmus test for employers. When considering applicants with experience in the field, the one with certifications will often fare better because of the above-mentioned notions that accompany certifications.
And when looking for entry-level employees, many companies look for professional certifications to open the door to that potential first job. The earned certification is supposed to be the qualifier: proof to the employer that this prospective employee has the required aptitude to get the job done.
As an employer, you are expected to assume that, with this credential, the candidate has the minimum level of knowledge about the products he works with.
Also, as a business, you receive certain vendor incentives for having certified individuals on your team (such as being labeled a solutions provider with Microsoft).
These incentives may serve to comfort or impress your clients with the quality and technical expertise they hope to receive in their relationship with you.
Getting Burned
But in reality, do these letters after the employee’s name really deliver on all that’s promised?
In a word: No.
Using certification as a minimum aptitude is now a waste of time. There are countless ways to beat the certification testing system and just as many Web sites dedicated to just that.
These “brain-dump” sites (not to mention professional Web sites) make a living bucking the system. If a certification exists, it can be cheated on.
There are people that will study posted test questions for a couple of days, take the test, and pass. Most of these certification tests only require a C-average.
And while the majority of employees actually do seek certification to support continuous learning and to improve their own knowledge and performance, many seek certification for entirely different reasons altogether.
Some earn the certification to gain the financial token offered as incentive by the employer. Some earn it because they fear losing their job if they don’t. And some earn it so that they may go find a more lucrative job elsewhere.
Yes, that’s right. I mentioned that these certifications are costly and many in the IT field just can’t afford to earn them. So it is quite common for an employee to specifically seek out a company that will pay for certification.
Once they certify, they move on to greener pastures because they want more money than the current employer is willing to give.
So, is it worth it to certify in your company? That depends on your motivation for encouraging the certifications. If you need to be able to show your clients and your public that you have a percentage of recruits who are safely and securely certified in order for them to maintain their faith or loyalty, by all means yes. Continue on with the certifying.
But if you are strongly urging your people to certify in hopes that you will have a top-notch, highly trained, special forces level of employees in your arsenal, my answer for you is no. Seek other training options.
The Four-Step Remedy
My dream solution for this education vs. certification battle is to offer four things within each company: ongoing education/training, community experience, trade magazines, and a computer lab.
Encourage ongoing education/training. Allow your employees to pursue excellence in the area that they are passionate about in the field. And offer similar encouragement to pursue topics that will foster excellence in their position in your company.
Provide classroom training in-house. Offer computer-based training (CBT). Approve funding when an employee takes the initiative to choose to attend a seminar or conference.
Let them explore their potential. The whole purpose of training is to better oneself. If an employee works with Microsoft technology and they want to learn about Cisco firewalls, encourage it. Help them grow.
Give them the training that makes them love your company and be loyal to your company. In the end, you will find yourself with an excited, knowledgeable, fulfilled employee who feels appreciated and valued by his employer.
Open the door to experience in the IT community. Allow your employees to grow within the IT communities around the world by participating on message boards and blogging.
Encourage them to speak at conferences if their subject is accepted. Troubleshooting solutions to the problems of others and then providing helpful information to the masses is a great learning tool.
Offer subscriptions to trade magazines. If your employees are interested in certain computer subjects, consider allowing them to subscribe to a magazine that will provide cutting-edge information.
Support their need to read about emerging technologies. Providing your employees with resources to grow and learn and gain experience will likely be more valuable than any four-letter acronym out there.
Finally, and most importantly, make the investment in a computer lab.
One thing I would love every company to have is a lab for learning. There is nothing better than a computer lab to test out things and learn through hands-on participation.
You may even want to have your staff configure lab time into their job to explore new technologies or to dig deeper into familiar ones. I can’t tell you the number of certification tests I have taken but I didn’t even break the surface of many issues until I was faced with them in my lab at 2 a.m.
Real learning takes place when setting up these programs and labs and by working through them until you really feel the product and what it’s about.
As a highly certified IT professional, I believe there is a better way for many companies to prepare their staffs. Allow your company’s finest to ignite their passions. You will be (happily) surprised what the freedom will bring.
What you think???????
Video: The Future of IT—Aligning IT with Business
IT industry editor and analyst Joanie Wexler sits down with Cisco vice presidents David Aungle and Lance Perry to discuss the evolving expectations and opportunities of IT professionals. Aungle and Perry share their insights on where IT is headed and how decision makers can prepare for success.
It's a video file... just selct yes in the combo box and then click on submit button and you can download the video.
here is the link
It's a video file... just selct yes in the combo box and then click on submit button and you can download the video.
here is the link
Illustrated walk-through: Creating a bootable USB flash drive for Windows XP
A bootable flash drive can come in handy--but trying to create one might have you pulling out your hair. Windows expert Greg Shultz shares the method he followed, from configuring the BIOS to allow the USB port to act as a bootable device to creating a bootable image of Windows XP using the free PE Builder software (and a pair of Windows Server 2003 SP1 files) to formatting and copying the image onto a UFD.
here is the link
here is the link
10 Windows XP tips and tools to simplify your work
Whether you're trying to iron out problems with users' systems or you just want to optimize your own PC, these tips will help you work more efficiently with Windows XP. Learn how to launch System Restore from a command prompt when XP goes belly up, customize the Start menu's pinned items list, speed up the Search Companion, and take advantage of tools like BGInfo, Duplicate Finder, and RoboCopy GUI.
here is the link
GOOD LUCK!!!
here is the link
GOOD LUCK!!!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
50+ keyboard shortcuts to move faster in Windows XP
For ur comfort i am giving you the link of the pdf file... download it..or save it as you wish....
50+ keyboard shortcuts for moving faster in Windows XP
BEST OF LUCK FOR A BETTER XP
50+ keyboard shortcuts for moving faster in Windows XP
BEST OF LUCK FOR A BETTER XP
10 things to look for in an antivirus application
Antivirus programs are no longer a best practice; they’re a requirement. If a system has a power supply and runs Windows, it must have a first-rate antivirus application current with the latest signatures. Don’t make it easier for attacker to compromise the systems you’re supposed to be keeping secure. Insist on these 10 elements in any antivirus application you implement.
1. Potency
An antivirus program is useless if it fails to identify and isolate viruses, worms, and similar infections. Productivity losses quickly mount when you have to clean machines of malicious software. Removing infections from systems supposedly protected by antivirus applications only adds insult to injury. Avoid such frustration by ensuring that the antivirus platform you deploy effectively prevents infection.
Don’t let persuasive ads or persistent channel partners talk you into specific brands. Research your options thoroughly and talk to other IT pros to learn their recommendations. The insight you’ll gain is invaluable, especially when comparing notes with colleagues within the same industry—those who are responsible for maintaining the same type of business and enterprise applications.
2. Low overhead
Some mass-market antivirus programs have been known to bring minimally configured Windows systems to a standstill. An effective antivirus program must constantly work behind the scenes to monitor active applications. That’s understood. But protective software apps requiring (or commanding) significant system resources often do more harm than good.
When selecting an antivirus application, review the program’s system requirements. Before committing to a solution, test the application on several workstations to determine the true load that the program places on real-world equipment. Don’t settle for manufacturers’ claims. Verify performance data firsthand.
3. Centralized administration
No one enjoys having to visit every workstation within the organization. That’s just what you’ll have to do, though, if you standardize on an antivirus application that doesn’t support centralized distribution and administration.
Make sure the antivirus solution you select works well with Windows Intellimirror and other mass client-deployment technologies (or has its own native deployment features). Although some smaller organizations aren't as dependent on time-saving deployment tools, remotely managing and administering antivirus applications is still most efficient, even in businesses with just 20 employees. By eliminating the need to visit those systems to configure scans, review logs, and maintain updates, strong centralized administration features more than pay for themselves.
4. E-mail protection
It goes without saying that any antivirus solution should guard against infectious code sent or received in e-mail. However, not all applications provide such protection. Even if your organization maintains an e-mail server- or router-based antivirus program, seek client antivirus apps that provide secondary e-mail protection.
Client-side e-mail security offers essential protection for your organization. It also safeguard's its reputation, preventing users from infecting external customers, partners, and suppliers and keeping your organization off one of many troublesome spam lists.
5. Compatibility
In addition to confirming that an antivirus application operates well with your operating system, check that it doesn’t create errors when installed alongside enterprise applications, proprietary programs, and other software packages. Some IT newsgroups—and occasionally, antivirus manufacturers—do a good job of warning about known conflicts. But the best bet is to install the solution (prior to a department- or organization-wide deployment) to test the antivirus software’s interaction with other programs.
Pay particularly close attention if you're working with Microsoft Vista. Don’t expect Windows XP-based antivirus software to work well with the newest desktop OS. In fact, in most cases, it won't. If your organization has moved to Vista, confirm that the security software is certified for use with the newest Windows platform.
6. Effective reporting tools
Some antivirus solutions enable you to review reports from all configured clients via a Web interface. Others produce reports indicating threats, scans, and infections but require that an administrator visit each client to obtain that information.
Review your organization’s needs and determine which method will work best. Consider reporting features carefully. A program’s logs and report information will prove invaluable in alerting you to problems before or as they occur.
7. Technical support
Antivirus programs fail. It’s inevitable. Sooner or later, you’ll encounter strange failures, bizarre error messages, or inexplicable system freezes. Having access to the antivirus manufacturer’s development staff is essential for successfully identifying a solution.
Before purchasing any software, check out the manufacturer’s Web site. Find out whether the manufacturer provides a toll-free number for support, review any troubleshooting forums, and check which live assistance options exist.
8. Certification
Just as an antivirus solution’s potency is critical, so too is certification. Manufacturers can make all the promises and claims they want in marketing materials, but industry certification is hard won. ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin, West Coast Labs, the National Associate of Specialist Computer Retailers, and others all require antivirus programs to meet stringent requirements to receive certification.
Of course, certification isn’t foolproof. But one way to know you’re purchasing a trustworthy application is to confirm that the program has earned certification from these leading labs.
9. Simplified licensing
Once you’ve identified an antivirus solution that’s potent, compatible, and backed by quality technical support (among other elements), it’s time to turn your attention to licensing. Some manufacturers complicate licensing to the point that you can install a dedicated license on only a single machine. If that system’s hard disk or motherboard fails (or the entire system goes down), under OEM terms your organization is likely required to purchase another license, even if the original term is yet to expire.
Review license requirements with care. It’s often best to purchase client licenses by seat. Thus, if a workstation or server fails, migrating an existing license to the replacement system becomes a simple matter. (But expect to pay more for the privilege.)
Remember to factor in growth considerations when purchasing a specific number of seats. It’s all too easy to exceed licensing limits signed six months ago. Keep detailed notes on how many systems receive antivirus software and keep the documentation current as workstations and servers are replaced or upgraded.
10. Reasonable cost
When purchasing fewer than 50 licenses, expect to pay approximately $30 to $45 per seat for an annual antivirus license. As an organization exceeds 100 licenses, costs can drop to as low as $25 per user.
Unless an application includes firewall, anti-spyware, or antispam features, prices should fall within the above ranges. Any organization tempted to add firewall or anti-spyware tools to its antivirus application, especially for 20 or more users, might be better served pursuing a hardware-based solution (such as the ones provided by SonicWALL, Barracuda, and other manufacturers) instead of a software-focused product.
Abobe all, Just to see what Anti-Virus Softwares are gaining popularity now-a-days you can check this link to see the Top 10 Antivirus Softwares Reviewed By Top-Ten-Review who do the R&D for us. http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
GOOD LUCK!!!
1. Potency
An antivirus program is useless if it fails to identify and isolate viruses, worms, and similar infections. Productivity losses quickly mount when you have to clean machines of malicious software. Removing infections from systems supposedly protected by antivirus applications only adds insult to injury. Avoid such frustration by ensuring that the antivirus platform you deploy effectively prevents infection.
Don’t let persuasive ads or persistent channel partners talk you into specific brands. Research your options thoroughly and talk to other IT pros to learn their recommendations. The insight you’ll gain is invaluable, especially when comparing notes with colleagues within the same industry—those who are responsible for maintaining the same type of business and enterprise applications.
2. Low overhead
Some mass-market antivirus programs have been known to bring minimally configured Windows systems to a standstill. An effective antivirus program must constantly work behind the scenes to monitor active applications. That’s understood. But protective software apps requiring (or commanding) significant system resources often do more harm than good.
When selecting an antivirus application, review the program’s system requirements. Before committing to a solution, test the application on several workstations to determine the true load that the program places on real-world equipment. Don’t settle for manufacturers’ claims. Verify performance data firsthand.
3. Centralized administration
No one enjoys having to visit every workstation within the organization. That’s just what you’ll have to do, though, if you standardize on an antivirus application that doesn’t support centralized distribution and administration.
Make sure the antivirus solution you select works well with Windows Intellimirror and other mass client-deployment technologies (or has its own native deployment features). Although some smaller organizations aren't as dependent on time-saving deployment tools, remotely managing and administering antivirus applications is still most efficient, even in businesses with just 20 employees. By eliminating the need to visit those systems to configure scans, review logs, and maintain updates, strong centralized administration features more than pay for themselves.
4. E-mail protection
It goes without saying that any antivirus solution should guard against infectious code sent or received in e-mail. However, not all applications provide such protection. Even if your organization maintains an e-mail server- or router-based antivirus program, seek client antivirus apps that provide secondary e-mail protection.
Client-side e-mail security offers essential protection for your organization. It also safeguard's its reputation, preventing users from infecting external customers, partners, and suppliers and keeping your organization off one of many troublesome spam lists.
5. Compatibility
In addition to confirming that an antivirus application operates well with your operating system, check that it doesn’t create errors when installed alongside enterprise applications, proprietary programs, and other software packages. Some IT newsgroups—and occasionally, antivirus manufacturers—do a good job of warning about known conflicts. But the best bet is to install the solution (prior to a department- or organization-wide deployment) to test the antivirus software’s interaction with other programs.
Pay particularly close attention if you're working with Microsoft Vista. Don’t expect Windows XP-based antivirus software to work well with the newest desktop OS. In fact, in most cases, it won't. If your organization has moved to Vista, confirm that the security software is certified for use with the newest Windows platform.
6. Effective reporting tools
Some antivirus solutions enable you to review reports from all configured clients via a Web interface. Others produce reports indicating threats, scans, and infections but require that an administrator visit each client to obtain that information.
Review your organization’s needs and determine which method will work best. Consider reporting features carefully. A program’s logs and report information will prove invaluable in alerting you to problems before or as they occur.
7. Technical support
Antivirus programs fail. It’s inevitable. Sooner or later, you’ll encounter strange failures, bizarre error messages, or inexplicable system freezes. Having access to the antivirus manufacturer’s development staff is essential for successfully identifying a solution.
Before purchasing any software, check out the manufacturer’s Web site. Find out whether the manufacturer provides a toll-free number for support, review any troubleshooting forums, and check which live assistance options exist.
8. Certification
Just as an antivirus solution’s potency is critical, so too is certification. Manufacturers can make all the promises and claims they want in marketing materials, but industry certification is hard won. ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin, West Coast Labs, the National Associate of Specialist Computer Retailers, and others all require antivirus programs to meet stringent requirements to receive certification.
Of course, certification isn’t foolproof. But one way to know you’re purchasing a trustworthy application is to confirm that the program has earned certification from these leading labs.
9. Simplified licensing
Once you’ve identified an antivirus solution that’s potent, compatible, and backed by quality technical support (among other elements), it’s time to turn your attention to licensing. Some manufacturers complicate licensing to the point that you can install a dedicated license on only a single machine. If that system’s hard disk or motherboard fails (or the entire system goes down), under OEM terms your organization is likely required to purchase another license, even if the original term is yet to expire.
Review license requirements with care. It’s often best to purchase client licenses by seat. Thus, if a workstation or server fails, migrating an existing license to the replacement system becomes a simple matter. (But expect to pay more for the privilege.)
Remember to factor in growth considerations when purchasing a specific number of seats. It’s all too easy to exceed licensing limits signed six months ago. Keep detailed notes on how many systems receive antivirus software and keep the documentation current as workstations and servers are replaced or upgraded.
10. Reasonable cost
When purchasing fewer than 50 licenses, expect to pay approximately $30 to $45 per seat for an annual antivirus license. As an organization exceeds 100 licenses, costs can drop to as low as $25 per user.
Unless an application includes firewall, anti-spyware, or antispam features, prices should fall within the above ranges. Any organization tempted to add firewall or anti-spyware tools to its antivirus application, especially for 20 or more users, might be better served pursuing a hardware-based solution (such as the ones provided by SonicWALL, Barracuda, and other manufacturers) instead of a software-focused product.
Abobe all, Just to see what Anti-Virus Softwares are gaining popularity now-a-days you can check this link to see the Top 10 Antivirus Softwares Reviewed By Top-Ten-Review who do the R&D for us. http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
GOOD LUCK!!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
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