GhostNet Spy Ring Compromises Large Organizations

How secure is your Small Business?

GhostNet, an Internet Malware discovered by Canadian researchers at the University of Toronto, has been specifically targeting government and private offices in Asia and around the world, including the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

This has caused us at SureFire IT Solutions to wonder if these organizations, which have some of the best security systems are being breached, how much easier would it be to infiltrate an Edmonton Small Business?

GhostNet has Big Brother Capabilities

According to the NY Times, GhostNet is capable of turning on camera and audio recording features of an infected computer, enabling monitors to see and hear what goes on in a room.

Infiltration from this malware can happen 2 ways:

• 1. By clicking on an attached document in an email
• 2. By clicking on a web link in an email message

If this kind of infiltration can slip past organizations that have large security budgets and onsite security experts, how much easier would it be to attack small businesses that lack access to the same resources?

Your Network needs Multiple Layers of Security

Multiple layers of security are extremely important and even cost effective for small businesses since the cost of lost information far outweighs the cost of protecting that same information. SureFire IT Solutions focuses on providing Edmonton businesses with a secure network environment so that you can relax with the knowledge that the information on your network is being protected.

In the GhostNet example many of these organizations were specifically targeted, however, there are many other viruses set to disrupt commerce with malicious software sent out en masses hoping to infect a percentage of the targets.

SureFire IT Solutions specializes in working with Edmonton area businesses to help maximize the security and the efficiency of their technology solutions.  Talk to us about a free consultation about your business, by clicking here to setup an appointment to meet with us.

To learn more about the GhostNet electronic spying organization visit the NY Times and Wikipedia for additional information.

Getting Things Cleaned Up & Organized in Your Company Documents

Have you ever just sat at your computer asking yourself: Where did I save that file from last week?  What did I name it again?  Do I have the most up-to-date version or is Bob still working on it?  I need to make a new company document but I don’t remember which letterhead to use?  I’m not making a letter, so now what do I use?

A really fantastic way to solve some of these issues is through the use of a company SharePoint site and standard company templates.  Using a SharePoint site, you can store your documents in one place for all employees to see, you can search for them as needed, multiple versions will be shown, documents can be checked out when someone else is working on them, and custom company templates can be uploaded for everyone to use from where ever they are.

The method that we have been employing in our company as of recent goes a little something like this:

1. All possible document templates that one would use are added to our SharePoint site.

2. A reference document is created for everyone to determine when it is appropriate to apply any given template. 

3. Each template is available through a drop-down menu on our SharePoint site.  Choose what you need.

4. Once you are finished with your document, save it to the SharePoint site for any other person people in the company to have access to for printing or editing.

 

An example where this is very useful is when a new sales sheet is needed. One person in the company can pull the resources for the sales sheet, they can input said information into the appropriate sales template, and save to the site.  Anyone who needs to approve or give feedback to this sheet has full access to it whether they are in the office, at the local coffee shop, or in the comfort of their living room.  As long as everyone does their job, it is seamless.  

 

Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) is an online workspace for anyone in your company to see, share, and collaborate on documents, projects, and tasks. SharePoint gives staff a central place for posting news, information and calendar items. Common company web links, discussions, and pictures can be accessed from wherever you have internet access. SharePoint is a great way for your company to have a central point for sharing. 

 

Check out our post on the 18th for a testimonial from our client, Anaid Productions, and for more information about getting your own SharePoint site, email me at Lisa@SureFireIT.com