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Top Security Threats in 2012, Part 2 of 2

April 12th, 2012

In Top Security Threats in 2012, Part 1 of 2, we discussed the increasing number of targeted attacks on websites and servers in 2011. Today’s, lets focus on social media threats and mobile mayhem.

Social media scams

Social media is among the primary means by which consumers and businesses communicate, do business, interact and share on the Internet. This makes social sites virtual magnets for criminal types. When the original iMac debuted, makers of cheap PCs immediately copied the colorful design to capitalize on Apple’s resurgence. In the same way, much of the current crop of malicious spam mimics the “look and feel” of such leading social networking sites as LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and, increasingly, Google+.

Scams on Facebook, in particular, spread by “likejacking,” where people are fooled into “liking” a page to make their Facebook walls available to the scammer for posting ads, porn promos or who-knows-what. Facebook alone will have over a billion users before long, logging on with phones, laptops, tablet PC rentals, game consoles and as-yet-unimagined wireless doodads. Despite ongoing improvements in security measures, the concentration of users and data on a handful of sites makes an irresistible target. Expect more of the same scams, along with some new ones, in 2012.

Mobile mayhem

With social media such an inviting target, malware targeting social media will increase, especially as millions more people buy tablets, rent laptops or log on to social media from even the cheapest cell phones. In addition to stealing data, malware can also track a device’s location, a serious new risk to child safety. And personal photos on most devices get stamped with the time as well as GPS coordinates of where the picture was taken, revealing more than you may wish to share.

The primary concern with mobile malware is the vulnerability, as well as the technical ignorance, of average users. In most companies, PCs are maintained by an IT department (one person or 100, depending on the size of the firm) that handles everything from operations and upgrades to networks and security. But if employees use their own mobile devices to access, use and store corporate data, some security teams may not even know. Companies must expand their security policies to control access to company networks by mobile devices. This may just be the most serious security threat for the year ahead.

If the year ahead holds production and/or post-production challenges for your firm, CRE can help you strategize just the right solutions from our industry-leading inventory of render farms, mass storage and other specialized gear. Plus, our rental equipment is tested to ensure security threats are eliminated. One call or e-mail, or a visit to the Quick Rental Quote page, is all it takes!

Top Security Threats in 2012, Part 1 of 2

April 10th, 2012

As the Internet and other modern communications technologies continue evolving, so too do the various security threats. With every new laptop or PC desktop computer rental, it seems there’s also another new virus or identity-theft scam. Now a report from the experts at M86 Security Labs predicts the top Internet security threats for 2012, the first three of which continue trends that emerged in 2011: targeted attacks, social media threats and mobile malware.

Recent history

In 2011, targeted attacks increased dramatically over previous years, lighting up the mass media headlines with well publicized hits on RSA, Sony and Lockheed. With the incredible growth of social media, cybercriminals have developed sophisticated, legit-looking scams on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to steal users’ personal and financial data and, as usual, spread some more malware around.

With so many tablets, iPad rentals and smart phones around, perhaps the most troubling security trend is malware that exploits weaknesses in wireless/mobile devices, turning them into bots, infiltrating mobile applications and stealing data. With people now using their personal devices at work, cybercrooks can kill two birds with one stone and potentially get both personal and corporate information through a single, vulnerable device.

What’s in store for individuals and companies in 2012? The full report from M86 (PDF) details the top 10 web and e-mail threats that their experts expect to see this year, but today lets focus on targeted attacks (in Part 2, we will discuss social media threats and mobile malware).

Targeted attacks

Until the last few years, incidents of targeted attacks were rarely made public, as corporate victims preferred not to advertise their weaknesses. However, such “hacktivist” groups as LulzSec and Anonymous happily report on their nefarious deeds. Also, since there are now many more Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) being used against corporate and governmental targets, Internet “battles” and “cyberwars” are regulars in the news.

In 2011, a series of attacks forced Sony to shut down its PlayStation service for long enough to lose lots of money (and even more credibility, since confidential user information was obtained). A cyber-attack on Lockheed-Martin may have resulted in the theft of fighter jet blueprints. Armed with no more than a Linux netbook, a PC laptop or a MacBook Pro, a hacker can cause real chaos, and real easily, so you should expect more attacks via APTs in 2012 – and more of them being launched against big corporate targets.

Remember when you rent post-production computers to trade show convention rentals, our rental equipment has been tested to avoid these sorts of security threats. With a simple call or e-mail, or a visit to our Quick Rental Quote form, you’ll find us ready to help with the right solutions, right now!

Read Part 2 of Top Security Threats featuring social media threats and mobile malware on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

Thunderbolt Adoption Surges

April 5th, 2012

Although it debuted on the MacBook Pro in 2011, Thunderbolt – the wicked-fast data transmission technology – still seems like a “new” feature, possibly because it is entering the Macintosh product line gradually (the Mac Pro does not yet have it). Industry rumor-meisters assert that Intel, which developed Thunderbolt with Apple, is releasing a new “Ivy Bridge” processor in April that supports both Thunderbolt and its high-speed transfer competition, USB 3.

macbook pro with thunderbolt

Thunderbolt’s growth rate should accelerate dramatically as the technology moves to the Windows side of the market and starts appearing on computer rentals (and everything else). At 5Mbps, USB 3 is 10 times faster than USB 2, but Thunderbolt is twice as fast as that at 10Mbps. Thunderbolt also supports “daisy chain” connections (every Thunderbolt device has an in and out port) so computers need only one port to support up to seven devices.

Gradual acceptance of Thunderbolt interface

At first, Thunderbolt technology almost struck out. The two immediate strikes against it were chips cost about $20-25, and it was competing with USB 3. Thunderbolt did not get much attention from the IT crowd right away, but as Apple incorporated it into its monitors, MacBook Pro, iMac and MacBook Air, demand surged. The cost for adding Thunderbolt will drop throughout 2012, enabling standardization across computing platforms.

Some folks saw the future back in September 2011, when Asus and Acer committed to Thunderbolt-compatible PCs and peripherals for 2012 in an attempt to position themselves as front-runners. Intel has already announced the “full release” of Thunderbolt specifications in April, so these firms and other top-tier PC makers have Thunderbolt-equipped motherboards and desktops in the pipeline. And it won’t be long before you can rent laptops from CRE with it, too.

Watch the floodgates!

If you want to standardize a technology for computers – desktops, laptops, tablet PC rentals, all kinds – it needs to be on PCs, not just Macs. (You never saw AppleTalk on any Dell products.) As Intel’s development partner, Apple was initially the sole vendor with Thunderbolt technology, but as demand grew Intel released it for wider use. Speaking of “wider use,” Apple apparently has plans to include Thunderbolt on iOS devices, too, and with more and more PC makers getting on board, Thunderbolt’s prospects are bright.

Sony is integrating Thunderbolt technology into its product lines, too, while Asustek Computer and others are expected to add it, as well. Gigabyte Technology has been aggressive about all new transmission technologies, and is set to launch Thunderbolt-equipped motherboards in April to compete against Asustek, ASRock and other board makers. Your chances of being hit by lightning are still as low as ever, but you’ll probably run into a Thunderbolt, and soon!

CRE is the undisputed leader in trade show convention rentals as well as powerful post-production gear, high-end A/V equipment, monitors and touch screens, workstations and computers. Call or e-mail an Account Executive – or use our Quick Rental Quote form – to get the right solution, right now!

PC Maintenance: You Can Do This!

April 3rd, 2012

Today’s computers are a far cry from those of just seven or eight years ago. The average desktop computer rental has more RAM, a bigger hard drive and better graphics performance than the high-end models of 2005. Improved case design and modular components also make it easier for non-nerds to add memory, install additional hard drives and otherwise personalize their computers.

PC Computer Maintenance It is also easier to maintain computers today, which extends their lifespans. In addition to utilities that come with every new computer, there are low- and no-cost ones for both Macs and PCs to aid with preventive maintenance, routine “cleanup” and the occasional repair. Whether it’s your office iMac or your home PC, doing your own maintenance, upgrades and repairs is a big money-saver.

The regular stuff for computers

Regular maintenance helps keep the OS (Operating System) and the hard drive in shape, reduces clutter (seen and unseen) and protects your PC from attack. The Windows OS wants you to “clean the registry,” Mac OS X requests that you “repair disk permissions” – but both want you to defragment your drive (and leave 10% free space). Whether you have an office full of workstations or rent laptops for a conference, you may need to do some or all of these tasks.

While some utilities scour your hard drive and list files that (they think) are expendable, you could lose something important. For example, controlling recording gear and certain audio visual equipment rentals with your PC requires special plug-ins that often have cryptic names. Review any such list to ensure you don’t toss something you need. Your spyware/malware protection is likely automated, but if not, run a scan regularly (at least weekly).

Updates and patches

Windows Update sends patches, updates and “service packs” to your computer’s OS and Internet Explorer, with automatic installation if you choose. On the Mac it’s called “Software Update” and accomplishes the same thing. Having a clean, well-oiled machine (figuratively speaking, of course, so put down that oil can!) means you will get the best plug-and-play performance from your computer, even when using such high-end peripherals as render farms or RAID arrays.

Open source boosters would tell you to install Linux on your computer and be done with drive fragmentation, start-up applications running in the background and viruses. But using Linux brings you back into nerd territory, and if you’re not up to it, stay put with your Mac or PC and get whatever help you need to whip it into shape. There are plenty of help sites out there. You are not alone. You can do this!

Use our Quick Rental Quote form if you know what you need, but if you want advice on equipment, conference strategies or post-production solutions, a single call or e-mail will connect you with an expert Account Executive. We don’t charge a cent for brainstorming solutions and strategies with you. Call now!

XP: Still the #1 Windows OS

March 8th, 2012

Microsoft debuted the Consumer Preview (beta) version of its Windows 8 Operating System (OS) recently, looking for the public’s input (read: free troubleshooting) for a critically important product designed to run on devices big and small. Now that laptops and tablets outsell desktops, we’re seeing the same thing from Apple – the convergence of its legacy desktop system, OS X (now at 10.7.3), with elements from the newfangled smartphone/tablet system, iOS (now at version 5).

OS…aging but not obsolete

This convergence is more of a challenge to Microsoft than to Apple. New Macintoshes like the iMac will only run the latest versions of OS X, and those will only run on post-2006, Intel-based Macs. On the other hand, both new and old PCs will run XP, Vista, Windows 7 and, soon enough, Windows 8. This is the “product line fragmentation” that Microsoft has been trying to resolve for years, despite its leading to such niche products as the special “pen-based” OS installed on our tablet PC rentals.

XP is now an 11-year-old platform. Although it still reigns as the most popular Windows OS, and is a popular choice for a PC desktop computer rental, it is gradually giving way to Windows 7. NetApplications, the research firm that tracks such things, reports that XP’s market share slipped from 47 percent in January 2012 to 45 in February. In this same period, Windows 7 added what XP lost, rising from 36 to 38 percent of all users. Vista is a distant third at roughly 8 percent.

The future’s spelled “8″

Since its debut in October 2009, Windows 7 has gained ground every month. It has picked up XP users slowly – but Vista users quickly. It was Vista, in fact, that introduced some of the design elements of the new Windows 8 look and feel. You can still rent laptops with Vista if you need it, but Microsoft wants users to move from XP and Vista to Windows 7, in accordance with the firm’s “Map for the Future.” Microsoft does not want XP and Vista users waiting for the commercial release of Windows 8.

Microsoft is reminding everyone, especially firms with large numbers of PCs, that official support for XP ends April 6, 2014. After that, no more updates, bug fixes, security tweaks or patches. Despite the fact that it would make for a more efficient transition, the firm will not require XP or Vista users to install Windows 7 before upgrading to Windows 8. (The Windows 8 Consumer Preview download has install-in-place options for XP, Vista and 7.) They may have their druthers, but Microsoft will take Windows 8 users any way it can get ‘em.

Need a desktop computer with Windows OS? Simply call or e-mail CRE Rentals to get an experienced Account Executive to assist you, or use the Quick Rental Quote form if you know what you need. We’re always ready with the right solution at the right price – right now!

Windows 8: The Home Stretch

February 28th, 2012

Windows 8 is coming. Really! Microsoft has mailed invitations to a media event they are holding at Mobile World Congress 2012. The company will announce some new products, new developments – and new vocabulary. “Beta software” packages, the full-featured versions that follow “Developer Previews” and engage millions of users in debugging the final commercial release, will now be called “Consumer Previews.”

More importantly, though, there’s a change in the Windows “design vocabulary.” Windows 8 is a dramatic “re-imagining” (in Microsoft’s marketing vocabulary) that follows the “design language” of Metro, the user interface (UI) initially developed for Windows Phone 7. Following the lackluster Vista OS, Windows 7 – installed on most every PC desktop computer rental from CRE – offered both cosmetic and operational improvements a-plenty. Elements of desktop and mobile UIs are combined in Metro.

From desktop to mobile

Microsoft typically makes Consumer Previews available on the day they are announced. The company has always had special flavors of its OS tweaked for 1990s handhelds or today’s tablet PC rentals, so its decision to release the Windows 8 Consumer Preview at the Mobile World Congress is a strong signal that the firm will push Windows 8 very hard in the mobile market.

In mid-September 2011, Microsoft released the Windows 8 Developer Preview. In 90 days the unfinished OS was downloaded over 3 million times, more than the total downloads for the feature-filled Windows 7 beta in early 2009. Compared to the Developer Preview, the Consumer Preview targets a broader audience and could account for up to 10 million downloads, given the level of interest and how much is at stake.

Wanted: Bug reports

The Windows 8 Developer Preview was incomplete, but the Consumer Preview should have nearly full implementation of new features. People will install it on all kinds of PCs, as well as on the iMac and every other Macintosh from laptops to towers (since Macs run Windows). Millions of bug reports will help Microsoft refine and finish the product.

There are doubtless a few Microsoft executives, marketing directors and product managers mulling over the following points:

Feedback is mixed – Microsoft has already received tons of feedback about the Metro look and feel. The relatively recent builds demoed at CES 2012 incorporated user feedback in an attempt to blunt the criticism.

Windows “true believers” – A hard-core minority will always resist change, but will have to accept it this time around since the final release will most likely not have a “classic” option.

A new course – Apple left OS 9 and Motorola processors in the dust as OS X matured and the Mac Pro became the media professional’s go-to gear. As Microsoft charts a new course, we’ll keep you posted as we follow along!

CRE is a leader, not a follower, when it comes to providing post-production gear, trade show rentals, A/V equipment, plasma display rentals, touch screen PCs, workstations and computers. Call or e-mail an Account Executive, or use our Quick Rental Quote form, to get the right tool for the right job – right away, too!

Phishing Now Targets “Whales”

February 23rd, 2012

When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ran computer security tests in 2010 and 2011, the results were disappointing. In one incident, DHS agents surreptitiously dropped USB thumb drives, CDs and DVDs – compatible with every PC desktop computer rental and Mac in the world – in parking lots of both government departments and contractors. Some 60 percent of the people that picked up these unmarked items inserted them into computers. Of the items with a government or industry logo, over 90 percent were inserted.

The results were not unexpected, as computer security professionals have known for some time that humans are the weakest link in the security chain. This is why hackers study psychology and sociology in addition to every possible kind of computer from a mainframe to an iMac. They exploit human vulnerabilities in addition to technological ones.

Computer security…it’s not like the movies

When people think of computer security, they imagine geeks with a MacBook Pro battling nerds with Windows 7 PCs. In real life, however, “all forms of online theft” cost the world’s economies about $1 trillion according to the Silicon Valley computer security firm, McAfee, Inc. The best defenses, corporate firewalls costing millions to build and manage, have done a decent job of blocking malware aimed at infecting computers, disrupting networks and stealing credit card numbers, account data and passwords.

But humans are the weak link, remember? The low-tech, virus-free “phishing” technique – sending e-mails that appear to come from a legitimate company – still gets plenty of confidential and extremely valuable information. The latest version is dubbed “whale phishing” as it targets senior executives whose computers contain, and link to, tons of valuable info. Data on iPad rentals or personal tablets can also be swiped, as they are backed up regularly via iCloud or USB.

Anti-phishing tips

After leveling off in previous years, phishing incidents were up almost 7 percent between June 2010 and May 2011, according to Symantec Corp. In addition to updating firewalls and strengthening security practices against other threats, here are some simple things you can do to combat phishing:

Check the sender of any e-mail that has attachments or embedded links. Don’t know them? Don’t open it.
Don’t enter personal or corporate information on a web or e-mail form.
If you get an info request that is supposedly from your bank or vendors, call them up.
Do not click on any links in any e-mail whose sender is unknown. One click to the wrong place can ruin your day (and your hard drive).

Remember, one call or e-mail to the right place, CRE Rentals, puts an experienced Account Executive to work just for you. You can also use our Quick Rental Quote form to get things going even faster. From event production rentals to the latest in high-end post-production gear, CRE is your one-stop shop.

Back to Basics: Running Windows on a Mac

February 21st, 2012

Through the years, Macintosh and Windows never played well together, although there were plenty of attempts to make them do so. But not only were there different pieces of software, they ran on completely different processors. Windows used Intel, AMD and other compatible chips, while Macs, like the top-of-the-line Quadra 950, ran on Motorola processors – and were slower by far than today’s iMac.

When Apple began using Intel processors in 2006, everything changed. Now it doesn’t matter if a particular Windows program doesn’t have a dedicated Mac OS X version, because there are two different ways to run it on a Mac – emulation or virtualization – with various approaches for each. If you have a favorite Windows program you want to use for a presentation on one of our plasma display rentals, you can do that with a Mac, no problem.

Emulation

Emulation software simulates enough basic parts of the Windows OS to run some programs on the Mac. One well known Windows-on-Mac emulator is WINE, which you build yourself from freely available code (difficult) or install with a third-party “pre-fab” package (not so difficult). Among the best of the latter is PlayOnMac, which features a simple interface for browsing and installing compatible Windows programs.

The more advanced Crossover application is quite straightforward. Try it for free to see if the programs you want to run are supported, and then buy it if they work. The shortcomings of emulation include a limited selection of programs, potential quirks in running them outside their native environment and a heavy CPU load for some. Of course, the MacBook Pro and other Macs now have Intel “Core i-” series CPUs, so that last problem is greatly diminished.

Virtualization

In the era of Motorola CPUs, the open source VirtualBox (since acquired by Oracle) was among several complicated ways to run Windows on the Mac. Virtualization now relies on an actual installation of Windows, which became possible after Apple started using Intel chips. You can boot into Windows, as well as run it “in parallel” with Mac OS X. In fact, one of the first programs to offer this functionality was named Parallels, which is in wide use.

Running two operating systems simultaneously gobbles up memory and CPU resources, and early virtual machines did not always work properly with peripherals. Now, Parallels and VMware run on every Mac from laptops to the mighty Mac Pro, and can interface with scanners, networks and all kinds of printer rentals. Just ensure that your Mac has at least 4GB of RAM and a Core 2 Duo processor and you should have smooth sailing. Remember, you need a Windows installation disc with a serial number for a legitimate installation.

From straightforward advice and high-tech gear – render farms, mass storage, A/V equipment – to the best trade show convention rentals, one call or e-mail (or a few clicks on our Quick Rental Quote form) puts an expert Account Executive on the job for you!

The New Sustainability Frontier

February 16th, 2012

Computers are not optional. They’re a way of life. But desktops, laptops, servers and other IT devices can take as much energy to cool as they do to run, so there is substantial environmental impact. Even CRE’s individually efficient Mac Pro rentals add to the challenge when you have a company full of them, plus as many (or more) PCs and other equipment.

Stanford University recently reported that 15% of total campus electricity use is for an IT infrastructure with 40,000 computers and 6,000 servers. At some firms, the IT energy share can reach 50%. The double-barreled challenge is to reduce both financial and environmental impacts.

100% Eco Friendly

Accelerating need

Sustainable IT management targets both the systems and the facilities that house them. Mitigating the cost and environmental impact of IT-related activity includes

reducing the electricity demands for computing and telecom equipment,
minimizing the energy used for cooling,
decreasing the total amount of energy used to build the systems,
reallocating the resources needed for new facilities, and
reducing the electronic waste resulting from equipment disposal.

Every business is different, so you will have to consider your unique situation, but here are some things to keep in mind while doing so.

Computers and office equipment

Companies can start saving energy one computer at a time and make a dramatic impact. The iMac, like Windows PCs, has utilities to manage energy consumption, automate backups, simplify maintenance and protect against crashes. “Smart” power strips also help.

The Stanford study estimated that just dimming monitors and letting computers “sleep” saves the university over 2 million kWh of electricity annually. All computers, whether generic beige boxes or an all-in-one multitouch display PC, must meet EnergyStar requirements.

Data centers

Advanced new instrumentation enables ongoing monitoring and automated temperature control. Energy requirements are reduced by “cold-aisle containment” and variable speed drives on air-handling devices.

Server rooms

The Satellite Server Room section of Stanford’s study indicated that, whether you use Apple’s Xserve technology or some other, how you design and manage server rooms “can make a 2x difference” in operating costs. Design matters, big time!

Server virtualization

Server virtualization gives you multiple virtual servers on a single physical one, reducing energy use tremendously. Virtualization also means improved increased flexibility, superior crash recovery and reduced operating costs. VMware and others make virtualization products for use in any modern computing environment, from mainframes on down.

Energy savings via mobility

Various types of “work anywhere” systems allow mobile and remote access, communication and collaboration via smart phones, tablet PCs and iPad rentals. Costs (and greenhouse gases) associated with travel go down, while overall efficiency goes up.

A great deal of effort goes into planning for sustainability. CRE is part of that plan because of our own “green philosophy” and the efficiencies of renting vs. buying certain technology. It’s different for every firm, so call or e-mail an experienced Account Executive and talk about it. Know what you need? Hit our Quick Rental Quote form and you’ll be on your way in no time!

Cloud of Confusion?

January 31st, 2012

Confused about “the cloud”? You’re not alone. Still, believe it or not, we may be nearing that point where we’re finished defining it and are moving into some clearly understood efforts and approaches. Perhaps IT managers can finally stop going to every workshop or conference on “virtual teams” or “whatever-as-a-Service” (the first was probably SaaS, Software as a Service).

We’ll call that the good news. And the bad? The cloud computing options are seemingly limitless. That a list of just the “top firms” in cloud computing runs to 100 is a sign of just how big this latest top-down paradigm shift might be. For now, though, the whole thing still seems big and a bit unwieldy – and hard to explain in the desktop computing vocabulary most people have learned via basic home and office use.

The real problem with “the cloud”

There is a dizzying array of activities surrounding “the cloud,” but that’s not really the problem – having choices is a good thing. But it gets complicated when you have to decide on vendors, choose commercial vs. open-source solutions, ensure the “portability” of applications among various clouds and so on. For individuals and firms exclusively using the Mac Pro or other Macs, Apple has a top-down solution in iCloud. But for PC users and mixed environments (like most companies), it can be messy.

Running a business has never been more complicated than it is now. Everyone is talking about “cloud projects” but your IT manager (or outsourced service) spends 70-80% of the time (and budget) just keeping things running. Now, if you’re a small post-production firm handling your own IT you may be comfortable with high-tech gear like a Xserve RAID rental but confused by all these cloud offerings. And it’s expensive to acquire the right skills whether you promote internally, retrain, cross-train, get a consultant or hire a full-time expert.

Public or private?

For larger firms a Private Cloud may be worth a look, so study the best practices of current Public Cloud operators like Netflix to see what you can implement. And it’s not just about what happens in the office. If you outfit your conference team with iPad rentals you’ll want access to your cloud for PDF brochures and other data. Universal access is one of the main reasons to have a cloud.

From chaos and confusion comes opportunity, as long as you’re open to change, new ideas and an incremental (read “cautious”) approach. We’re experiencing an historic change in computing and communications that will affect businesses on many levels. How inventors, vendors, businesses and individuals handle the challenges will chart the course of IT for the next decade or two. It should be interesting!

For event production rentals or post-production gear, CRE is your one-stop shop. We can support your cloud project with a room full of iMac rentals or mass storage. One call or e-mail does it – and if you know what you need already, use the Quick Rental Quote form.

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