Security is very important to most people and when you are dealing with computers, on line accounts, and other electronic devices you want to make sure your information is safe and secure.  You can create that security by selecting a perfect password.  Despite the name, a password does not have to be an actual word.  When choosing a password be creative.  Make sure your password is easy to remember and hard for someone to guess.

Listed below are some do’s and don’ts for choosing a perfect password to protect your accounts:

Choose a password that contains the following:

• at least nine alphanumeric characters
• a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• include numbers and other special characters

Avoid passwords that include the following:

• names of software, hardware, or computer companies
• your company’s name and/or location
• dictionary words or repeated letters or numbers
• names of family members, pets, friends, or co-workers
• your birthday, address, telephone number, or social security number

Guidelines to protect your password:

• do not disclose your password to anyone
• do not use the same password for multiple computers, PIN numbers, and/or bank accounts
• never write your password down anywhere near your computer or desk
• change your password frequently

Talk to experts at TCS Vision for assistance.

Ultimately, choosing a complex password may seem like a hassle, but it will ensure that your accounts are protected.  To learn more about creating and using passwords to safeguard your accounts please contact the security experts at TCS Vision at 877-884-6827.

Have you ever purchased a laptop or a workstation for an employee only to find out that the version of the operating system that was included with the machine was not compatible with your environment? Have you ever purchased multiple copies of a particular application and thought, “Why did I just pay so much money for multiple copies of the same software just because I need a license for every running copy?”

These are just two questions that might arise in the complex world of software licensing. Licensing can be confusing and costly, especially if you are not aware of options available and the requirements of your environment. TCS can help reduce confusion and save you money.

TCS Vision can work with you to help you get more out of your IT budget by looking your environment and providing solutions that reduce ongoing costs. For example, Microsoft’s Open Business & Value, Adobe Volume licensing, and various other volume licensing programs can provide lower up-front purchase costs and simplified budgeting options. In addition, these various programs offer upgrade protection so you can offset the cost of upgrading your software while keeping up-to-date.

Very often, purchasing software on a volume basis will save your business money as compared to purchasing individual or OEM licensing. By working with a software licensing partner like TCS Vision, you will objectively and accurately define the actual cost of your workstations, servers, and software suites, saving you potentially expensive upgrade fees later. Save hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars per year by leveraging TCS Vision volume licensing services.

“Once small-business owners really come to understand what volume licensing is, it just makes all the sense in the world”

Eric Ligman, business development manager for Microsoft’s small-business segment, had this to say about volume licensing. However, in order to better understand how your company can benefit from volume licensing you need to understand what volume licensing is. In summary, volume licensing is like getting a discount for buying larger quantities without need to purchase large quantities.

Consider the following example:

You want to purchase standalone copies of Microsoft Office for one or two computers. Perhaps you think that, in the future, you may need additional copies (for more computers) but aren’t sure. A single copy of the retail version of Microsoft Office may cost upward of $500US. By opting for Microsoft’s Open License Program, you can reduce your inital cost by as much as 40% and protect your future investment by enrolling in their Software Assurance (SA) program. Along With the Microsoft Open License Program, you receive add-ons for these programs that would otherwise cost you money and the upgrade costs are significantly less expensive, saving you money up-front and simplifying your IT budget.

Another advantage of volume licensing is the way in which licenses are stored. When you go to any retail outlet and buy an application the license is usually the product key located somewhere on the packaging or on a piece of paper included with the application. This can be lost and if it is, you are no longer eligible to receive product updates and upgrades. By leveraging volume licensing, all of your software licenses are stored electronically, eliminating the need to store them onsite. Volume licensing programs also generally eliminate the need to maintain a “one to one” relationship between the software and the machine on which it is installed (no software activation), greatly reducing administration complexity and saving you time and money.

There are clearly many good reasons for your business to consider volume licensing. Let us help you evaluate your current licensing situation, needs, and identify how you could benefit from a licensing program. Contact TCS Vision for a licensing review today.

As of late, one of the hot topics in technology has been the discussion about the Wireless Equivalent Protection (WEP) having been broken. It is true that the protocol has effectively been rendered (for all intensive IT security purposes) useless and should be avoided. Researchers at the Darmstadt University of Technology in Darmstadt, Germany have proven that WEP can be broken with as few as 40,000 captured packets. What does this mean to you? An intruder could potentially recover your passkey in a short time and gain access to your WEP-encrypted network.

What Is the Importance of WiFi Security?

We would ask a different question: Do you need wireless in the first place? When you incorporate WiFi into any network, you are introducing a potential security vulnerability. If you are considering implementing WiFi into your network, ask the following important questions:

• What is the real business driver? Does my company want to provide access for employee convenience or are there other business needs? Convenience isn’t always worth the potential risk of adding potential entry points to your business network?
• Does your present infrastructure support network segmentation? A properly designed WiFi network separates the wireless network and limits access to only necessary resources (through VLANs and proper network configuration), which should be properly protected.
• Have you considered the areas where WiFi access will be provided and designed your coverage appropriately? There are ways to alter the wireless signal and limit it to only certain parts of your location, preventing the wireless signal from being accessed outside of your coverage area.

These are just a few considerations for implementing wireless access points in your business. Keeping these in mind, you can certainly use WiFi and still maintain appropriate levels of security for your network.

First and foremost you want to incorporate a proper encryption key strategy. There are many available but some are not as secure as others. The weakest type of wireless security is WEP which was developed circa 1999. As mentioned in the first part of this article, WEP has now been “cracked”, and should be avoided. You can find more information about why not to use WEP in the following article from the University of California-Berkeley:

http://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/isaac/wep-faq.html

WEP vs. WPA

The WPA (Wifi Protected Access) method of protection uses a much stronger method of encryption and some key differences between WEP and WPA are as follows:

The main weaknesses of WEP are:

• The same IV (initialization vector) can be used more than once. This feature makes WEP very vulnerable, especially to collision-based attacks.
• With an IV of 24 bits, you only have about 16.7 million of possible combinations.
• Masters key, instead of temporary keys, are directly used.
• Most users usually do not change their keys. This gives hackers more time to crack the encryption.

Some advantages of WPA over WEP are:

• The length of the IV (initialization vector) is now 48, as compared to WEP’s 24. This gives you over 500 trillion possible key combinations.
• The IV has much better protection with better encryption methods. This effectively prevents the reuse of IV keys, greatly increasing security.
• Master keys are never directly used.
• Better key management.
• Impressive message integrity checking.

TCS Vision can help you to better understand the differences between encryption modes and determine which WiFi security mode(s) will best suit your network. In addition, we have performed comprehensive network and wireless implementations for business, ranging from the small & medium office to campus-wide area WiFi segmented networks. Contact our team today if you are considering adding WiFi to your business or campus.

Setting up PublicVPN access under Windows Vista is simple. The following instructions go step-by-step through the creation process. These instructions work under all the client side variations of Windows Vista, namely Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate.

The things to click and places to type your information are hilighted in red, yellow, green, and/or blue.

System Requirements

Before setting up your VPN connection, make sure your version of Windows Vista is up to date by running Windows Update.

Make sure your system is up-to-date

Be sure that you run Windows Update before setting up your VPN connection.

Open the Control Panels

First, click on the Start button and click Control Panels. This opens up the Control Panel Home.

Go to the Network and Internet panel

Next, click on the Network and Internet control panel, which is circled in red below.

Connect To A Network

Next, click on Connect to a network.

Set up the VPN connection

The next screen may not look quite like this if you have networks already defined. In any case, click on Set up a connection or Network.

Choose the Connection Type

On the next screen, click on Connect to a workplace then click Next.

Select the Internet connection

Next click Use my Internet connection (VPN).

Enter the server information

Now, enter the server information.

In the text box labelled Internet address ( hilighted in blue) enter your VPN server address. This is the Internet address of your server as assigned by your network administrator.

In the text box labelled Destination name (hilighted in green) type enter a friendly name for your connection. This is the name of the connection, and will show up in the Connect to a network screen when we’re done.

Lastly, make sure that the checkbox labelled Don’t connect now; just set it up so I can connect later (hilighted in yellow) is checked.

Then click the Next button.

Enter your VPN username and password

In this screen, enter your VPN username and password.

In the text box labelled User name: (hilighted in blue), enter your username.

In the text box labelled Password: (hilighted in yellow), enter your password.

Optionally, check the Remember this password checkbox (hilighted in green) and you won’t have to enter your password when you connect to your VPN.

Then, click the Create button.

Connection Ready

You should see this screen next. Click the Close button to return to the Network and Internet screen.

Go to the connection

Now click on Connect to a network again.

Select the connection properties

In the Connect to a network screen, you should see the VPN connection that we set just up. Right-click on the VPN connection document (circled in red), and choose Properties (circled in green) from the menu.

If your administrator has set up specific VPN types or options, you may need to change them here. Otherwise, you may now connect to your VPN.

DNS configuration is essential to all of your network services.  Your e-mail, directory services (Microsoft Active Directory, Novell, etc.), and Web applications are dependent on proper DNS configuration. One small error in internal or external DNS can result in unavailable services, website errors, or non-delivery of e-mail.  Adding to the complexities of top-level DNS setup are the numerous concepts of zone transfers, TTLs, SOAs, PTRs, and so on.  Just because you have a functioning DNS server (hosted or otherwise) doesn’t mean that it is properly configured.  And there is more to DNS than meets the eye – proper DNS setup can mean less spam, tighter security, and more peace of mind.

If your company hosts its own network services like e-mail, websites, FTP, SharePoint, or CRM, read on!

FACT: Just because your internal and external DNS is functioning doesn’t mean it’s properly configured.

Even the most well-intentioned admins and engineers might not know how to properly configure SOA records to properly indicate primary nameservers, serial numbers, retry, refresh, and expiration values.  All of these components are essential to DNS configuration.  As the requirements on SaaS and Web applications become increasingly more complex, it becomes more essential than ever to know that your DNS systems are configured and running properly.  Expert advice on DNS and a regular DNS audit is a must in today’s Web-based service marketplace.

FACT: Errors in DNS e-mail configuration can result in missed e-mails from your customers, partners, and vendors.

E-mail delivery systems have become increasingly complex and more secure.  It is very typical for email systems to do DNS record checks against MX records for your domain.  The reality is that one slight misconfiguration in DNS related to your mailserver can result in other mail systems viewing yours as a potentially insecure mail server – resuting in their systems being unwilling to communicate with yours.  Proper MX and mail server configuration is critical to ensuring that your e-mail systems remain online and viable.  Do you have proper SPF records in place?  If you don’t know the answer to this question, it could benefit you to have TCS Vision audit your current DNS configuration to verify these settings and correct potential errors.

FACT: TCS can help in ensuring that your DNS is healthy.

My approach is to bring solid networking expertise to your company.  As an IT services provider to businesses for more than 10 years, I’ve built a network of highly skilled professionals ready to help your business with all of the current IT challenges.  DNS configuration is among these many challenges and is just one facet of proper, best-practice approaches that TCS provides.  I’ll take the time to explain our audit process, what the results mean, and why maintaining proper DNS configuration is essential to your day-to-day IT operations.  Whether you choose TCS for a one-time project or as a long-term valued IT partner, my approach remains the same: to provide a team that meets the technology needs of your company.  You won’t be limited to a “break/fix” IT person as often happens with independent contractors and internal staff.  Instead, as a TCS client, you will find a dedicated team of tech experts working with you to deliver the best IT services and customer care the industry has to offer.

Get Started With A Free DNS Audit Today!

Starting the process of auditing your DNS server environment can be easy with the proper tools.  In fact, you can start your audit today for free!  If you currently host your own website, e-mail services, FTP services, SharePoint, or CRM solution, DNS Stuff offers a suite of DNS-related tools, including a free DNS report and suite of DNS-related tools including a Domain and Mail Server health check.  Simply run the tool today to get started.  Enter your domain name and print your report.  If your report comes back 100% clean, congratulations!  If your report contains any errors, contact us for a no-obligation quote to assist with correcting your DNS configuration today!

1. Lower desktop deployment and management costs using the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.
2. Ensure you and your customers are using Windows Vista to run your business in an operating environment that lowers deployment, energy, and maintenance costs. A tremendous side benefit is the increased productivity of your workforce.
3. Microsoft System Center delivers a significant cost reduction for server ownership by improving data-center operations management.
4. Infrastructure Optimization tools offer Technical Decision Makers models and scenarios to identify ways to drive down costs.
5. Reduce your IT complexity, lower total cost of ownership, and improve efficiency by using Microsoft virtualization solutions and the Integrated Virtualization ROI tool.
6. Use Deployment Solution Accelerators to deploy the solutions you already own to get the maximum value from your IT investments.

How can you achieve higher productivity and increased efficiency through Application Platform Infrastructure Optimization?

1. SQL Server 2008 is here, and together with the NEW Microsoft Application Platform Agreement, there is an opportunity to broadly standardize all of your database needs and drive transaction volume projects up with no additional license investment.
2. Windows Server 2008 operating system, with its built-in Web and virtualization technologies, enables you to consolidate more applications on fewer Servers, optimize your hardware spend and require less physical space. In-built middleware and interoperability allows more applications than ever before run on this platform, reducing support and maintenance of dual platforms.

Reduce costs and increase performance using Business Productivity Infrastructure Optimization.

1. Microsoft Online Services relieves your Technical and Business Decision Makers from the burden of managing and maintaining business systems, freeing your IT departments to focus on initiatives that can deliver true competitive advantage.
2. Reduce travel, meeting, real estate and facilities, and communications costs, while leveraging a platform that fosters increased productivity through collaboration with Microsoft Unified Communications Solutions.

Drive competitive advantage and take out costs for your Business Decision Makers. Microsoft Dynamics helps you drive Sales, Marketing, Finance and other core business activities at lower costs and higher productivity.

1. From streamlining administrative procedures like invoicing to producing needed financial reporting, or freeing up capital through better inventory management, Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions automate and bring together business-critical operations to produce maximum efficiency and productivity and reduce costs.
2. Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step offers rapid implementation projects that can help streamline implementations and deliver a quick return on investment.
3. Tight integration between Microsoft Dynamics and other familiar Microsoft tools, such as Microsoft Office, drives seamless interactions with existing applications and helps you avoid significant ongoing costs.

Now, more than ever, you need to recruit new and retain existing customers with an incredible focus on satisfaction as well as real precision with marketing automation. Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides this along with better methods to precisely track revenue to deliver top line results.

Lastly, here are two offerings to directly contribute to the bottom line now and help drive your decisions.

• Qualified customers can use Microsoft Financing in 15 markets to finance 100 percent of their IT purchases, so they can refocus tight budgets to grow their businesses. With credit markets tight, this is an especially useful tool.
• Microsoft Software Assurance for Volume Licensing and the Forrester ROI tool enable you to leverage maintenance benefits to get the most from your software investments.

This list, while detailed, represents only a fraction of the ways that Microsoft can save your business money in a time when every dollar of the budget is critical and at the same time can help you drive profitability by maximizing every business opportunity.

1. In Windows XP, go to Start > Run

2. Type MSCONFIG in the “Open:” box and then either press enter on your keyboard or click on the OK button.

3. This launches Microsoft’s System Configuration Utility. Click on the Startup tab (the tab at the far right).

4. This takes you to a page with a list of “startup items.” Startup items are programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn on your computer. Some startup programs are absolutely necessary, others are simply a waste of RAM.

In Windows XP, all of Windows’ essential programs are loaded through something called “Windows Services.” This means that most of the startup items you see in XP are completely optional and can be turned off. However, a good rule of thumb is to disable only those programs that you recognize and don’t need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on. Or, better still, check out Paul “PacMan” Collins’ huge “Startup Applications” list at http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php. This list of over 13,000 startup items you may encounter in MSCONFIG tells you which items are absolutely necessary, which items are optional, and which items you should definitely uncheck.

Remember, disable only those programs that you recognize and don’t need to have running all the time. When in doubt, leave it on.

5. Click on the OK button.

6. A message will pop up telling you that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on “Yes” and your computer will automatically reboot.

7. That’s it! Your computer should now boot faster and crash less.

And if you ever want to turn on any of the startup items you disabled with MSCONFIG, just run MSCONFIG again.

• Additional levels of support for software
• Home use program – allows employees to install licensed software at home
• eLearning courses
• Free updates to the latest major releases of software (no need to re-purchase or pay upgrade fees)

For many customers who purchase Microsoft software in volume, and depending on the usage of the software, the SA program can make real financial sense from a cost-benefit standpoint. For example, companies that typically need to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft’s software within 2-3 months of its release in order to take advantage of newer features should buy into the SA program. The SA program makes sense for companies who are eager to test and deploy the latest features of Microsoft software as soon as the new releases become available.

Of course, the decision to enroll software in the Software Assurance program is essentially limited by budget and upgrade considerations. Companies should at least consider the following:

• Impact of SA on the yearly IT budget vs. one-time upgrade costs
• Importance to the company of having the latest and greatest software at its disposal