Monthly Archives: April 2011

Protect your online identity with these tips

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In light of the recent Playstation security breach, many people are growing more concerned over the security of their online identities. If your information falls into the wrong hands, the consequences can be detrimental. Luckily, there are lots of steps you can take to ensure that your online identity is safe.

Use an encrypted connection

Using an encrypted connection is an incredibly simple way to attain greater online safety. Many websites, including most social networking sites, have recently adopted more secure connections, although you sometimes need to change the settings to get the extra level of security.

In order to see whether or not your connection is safe, check the URL. A secure connection will have a URL that begins with “https” instead of simply “http.” Unfortunately, all sites don’t use encrypted connections, so this is not always a possibility.

Use strong passwords

Strong passwords are unbelievably easy to create and can make a tremendous difference in online security. Using a combination of numbers, symbols, spaces and upper- and lowercase letters can help to create a strong password. If you can’t see yourself using a bunch of different characters, at least be sure to use a password that can’t easily be guessed.

Also, utilizing a unique password for each site is imperative. If you use the same password for multiple sites and one of those sites is hacked, you could be opening up all of your other accounts to hackers as well.

Look out for phishing

Phishing is an extremely common practice because it so often works to help hackers acquire sensitive information. It is basically when a hacker poses as a reliable business, such as a bank, to try to get your passwords, account numbers or usernames.

The recent data breach suffered by Epsilon is a perfect example of how phishing can come about. The people that hacked Epsilon’s network immediately gained access to thousands of email addresses and therefore had the opportunity to get sensitive, personal information from people.

These three tips are unbelievably easy to follow through with and instantly increase your online security. If you’d like more information on protecting your online identity, check out this article.

How to be productive while on the road

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Many of us travel regularly for business. Sadly, the vast majority of business travelers don’t know how to be most productive while they’re on the road. We have compiled a list of tools and tips that can help you to be more productive and keep your work and devices safe while you’re on the go.

Tools for easier travel

Traveling can become disorganized fast. We lose track of details, can’t locate our boarding pass quickly enough, or simply cannot remember which hotel we’re staying at. For those of us that get disorganized quickly, there are a number of tools that are designed to help.

One tool that can take a lot of stress out of traveling is TripIt. It is an app that organizes all of your travel information for you. You can email your itinerary to TripIt and it keeps track of your flight times, hotel information, and frequent flier numbers, all in one place.

Good luggage is also critical. It makes getting through the airport easier and can help keep you organized – a big plus when you’re doing business on the road. These are some key features to look for in your luggage:

  • Laptop compartment – It’s best to have a separate compartment for your laptop so that finding it at security, or even once you get to your destination, is easy. Nobody enjoys being the person who’s holding up the security line.

  • A wire pouch – Having a dedicated spot to place all of your chargers and other wires is perfect for anyone with lots of gadgets. You no longer have to wonder where you placed everything, as there is a designated pocket for it.

  • Convertibility – A convertible bag is ideal for someone who goes on a variety of business trips. If you need to carry everything through the airport one day and carry only your laptop the next, finding a bag that can serve both purposes is beneficial.

Security tools

Most people are inclined to bring all of their most valued items with them while they’re on the road. This can result in added stress, because we can’t always keep track of them. In those cases, laptop locks and personal safes are easy, portable solutions that can keep everything secure.

Typically, it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to securing your belongings. Place your items in a safe or lock them up whenever you can in order to decrease your stress level. For other security tips, take a look at this article.

Boosting productivity

Generally, we are less productive when we’re traveling because we are in unfamiliar settings. We often work fastest when we are at our own desks, with our usual mouse, keyboard and other tools. There are certain items, however, that can make on-the-go productivity much less difficult to achieve.

Internet access is critical for most jobs, especially when you need it to communicate with your coworkers. If your hotel does not offer Wi-Fi, consider investing in a wireless card that is easily portable and can provide you with instant Internet access.

Finally, consider bringing a back pillow. Hotel desk chairs are typically not ergonomic and can be seriously painful for your back if you sit in them for too long. Back pillows generally aren’t too bulky and can make all the difference when you’re working in an unfamiliar chair.

There are many things that can make working from the road easier and more productive. These tools and tips can be incredibly helpful and help you learn how to be at your best while you’re on the go.

Build a greener office with these 5 suggestions

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Creating a greener office is a great way to simultaneously save money and help the environment. Some small businesses think that going green takes too much effort, but that’s hardly the case. Here are a few quick and simple ways to make your office greener.

1.    Use double-sided printing whenever possible

Set your printer or copier’s default mode to double-sided printing to automatically cut down on paper use. This is a simple step and if anyone needs single-sided printing they can easily change the settings.

2.    Use a water delivery service

Bottled water is incredibly wasteful, and unfortunately is common in most offices. Using a water delivery service gives your employees the chance to drink clean water without wasting all that plastic and suffering from the potential health effects of bottled water.

3.    Turn lights and machines off when they’re not being used

Although this may seem like an obvious way to be greener, many people overlook its necessity. Some people believe that it’s more efficient to leave computers and other machines on overnight, but it’s far more wasteful than anything else. If you can afford to install motion sensors, they are always a great option as well.

4.    Use recycled and recyclable products when you can

Virtually any paper product is available in recycled versions at major office supply retailers. While they’re much better for the environment, they are typically comparable in price to non-recycled versions.

Also, if you must use disposable plates and cups, try to get recyclable or compostable options. It’s not enough to simply buy recyclable products, it’s important to have an easy-to-follow recycling program. Stress to your employees the importance of recycling those products, otherwise there’s a good chance they’ll end up in the trash.

5.    Cut down on commuting

Organizing carpools is rather easy to do. Simply match people up based on where they live. If you can, offer parking incentives to those who carpool. If your town has public transportation systems, try offering a bus or train pass to employees who can utilize those systems.

As you can see, these are simple and inexpensive ways to make your office greener. If you’re interested in even more green ideas, take a look at this article.

Ways to clean your keyboard

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You’ve most likely heard that your keyboard could be dirtier than a toilet seat – but are the rumors accurate? Levels of germs on a keyboard vary, but are often quite high. Some keyboards that have been tested have, in fact, shown levels of germs five times higher than germs found on a toilet.

If that alone doesn’t make you want to clean your keyboard, the fact that you use it on a daily basis should be. The germs that build up due to sickness, food, and just everyday bacteria can quickly add up and spread to other items on your desk. Luckily, we have some tips that can help you clean your keyboard quickly and effectively.

Detach the keyboard

No matter what cleaning method you use, it’s important that you detach the keyboard first. This can prevent you from accidentally performing certain actions on your computer. It also prevents damage to your computer, which could be expensive.

For a quick fix

Try utilizing a can of compressed air to get rid of the loose dirt that has built up. This is a very basic way to clean your keyboard without taking up too much time.

Spray the compressed air while your keyboard is upside down and tap the keyboard until you see loose dirt fall out. You may have to do this several times in order to get rid of the majority of the debris. To make sure you’re really getting it clean, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and swab the edges of the keys.

For a more thorough cleaning

If simply cleaning out the dirt isn’t sufficient for you, you can remove the keys for a more squeaky-clean keyboard. The keys can be removed by gently prying them up with a small screwdriver or something similar.

Once the keys are off, you should use the can of compressed air to remove all of the loose dirt. Then wipe the entire keyboard with a moist cloth. Finally, clean all of the keys with isopropyl alcohol to get a more substantial clean.

After a spill

If you’re simply doing a little damage control after a spill, the solution is easy. Unplug the keyboard, turn it upside down right away and put a cloth underneath it to soak up all of the excess liquid. You will then want to leave the keyboard upside down for as long as possible to ensure that it is totally dry.

For more tips on cleaning your keyboard, check out this guide.

Canfield Computers to Participate in SBA E-200 Initiative

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I am proud to announce that Canfield Computers has been selected as one of 18 small businesses in the Youngstown area to participate in the US Small Business Administration’s E-200 Emerging Leaders program. I will be representing the company at the SBA program which is designed to teach growth strategies to business owners who have achieved local success and are ready for the next level of growth. “Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs, and helped drive local economic growth in their communities” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.

The business owners in the E-200 course will receive about 100 hours of intensive training over a seven month period. The training curriculum will focus on developing a winning business expansion strategy, including information on how to access new forms of capital and government contracting opportunities. During the course we will have the opportunity to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with each other, local leaders, and the financial community.

I’m really excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to meeting my classmates and getting started on the program. Our first class meets on Tuesday, April 19. The class will be preceeded by a press conference – look for me I’ll be there!