If you are a frequent remote user the following shortcut keys may improve your computing experience.

Key combinations
Function

CTRL+ALT+END
Opens the Windows Security dialog box

CTRL+ALT+DELETE
Opens the Windows Security dialog box of your local computer

CTRL+ALT+BREAK
Toggles the Terminal Services client display from window to full screen

ALT+TAB
Cycles through running programs on the remote computer

ALT+PRINT SCREEN
Places an image of active window onto the TS clipboard

A security vendor performed an analysis on the strength of the passwords and then created a Consumer Password Worst Practices, which identified the top 20 most commonly used passwords.

1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 123456
9. 12345678
10. abc123
11. Nicole
12. Daniel
13. babygirl
14. monkey
15. Jessica
16. Lovely
17. michael
18. Ashley
19. 654321
20. Qwerty

I could have stopped this list at the Top 10, however I thought the last 10 show how common some passwords are.

All of the above are either too short or too simple, they are susceptible to basic forms of cyber attack. It would take only seconds to break these passwords.

This is one side of the password dilemma, the other is that most people re-use the same password on multiple sites.

Password security should be considered as an important first step in data security, as one of our clients found out first hand when they received a $10,000 internet bill.

We have designed a 10 point Security Assessment which can highlight potential problem areas.

If you would like to organise your assessment then please call us to organise a suitable time.

LinkedIn has confirmed that some of the passwords that were compromised correspond to LinkedIn accounts. They are continuing to investigate this situation and have advised the following:

“This is what we are pursuing as far as next steps for the compromised accounts:

1. Members that have accounts associated with the compromised passwords will notice that their LinkedIn account password is no longer valid.
2. These members will also receive an email from LinkedIn with instructions on how to reset their passwords. There will not be any links in this email. Once you follow this step and request password assistance, then you will receive an email from LinkedIn with a password reset link.
3. These affected members will receive a second email from our Customer Support team providing a bit more context on this situation and why they are being asked to change their passwords.”

It is worth noting that the affected members who update their passwords and members whose passwords have not been compromised benefit from the enhanced security we just recently put in place, which includes hashing and salting of our current password databases.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our members. We take the security of our members very seriously.” he writes.

Please ensure you don’t always use the same password for all websites as this severly reduces the security of your information.

Back in 2005 we started the program in response to our clients need to dispose of their old hardware when they refreshed their systems.

Our Original Mission:

We have seen many things change in this space over the years, many companies and programs have come and gone, a number of large hardware vendors have stepped up and provided their own donation/trade-in programs, which is great, they should be environmentally aware of what they put out into the world.

Some council’s now even have their own computer recycling programs.

We are always looking at new and innovative ways to give back to the community, if you have any ideas please contact us as we would love to hear from you.

If you are unsure of how to dispose of your old computer gear, contact us and we would be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

The Flaming Beacon is an independent architectural lighting design service with an international reputation for creative innovation.  An array of work is drawn from across the globe and includes clients such as boutique developments, hotels and resorts, restaurant precincts and performance centres.

Like most modern day businesses The Flaming Beacon depends on technology that is flexible, reliable and fast.

Its challenges

With its large design files, time critical project management and global accessibility needs, The Flaming Beacon realised their existing IT service may not be as proactive or experienced as needed to support their business.

Key business drivers such as system security, remote accessibility, stable communication and robust backup were identified as essential deliverables for any new provider.

Risk Factors

• unreliable client communication due to a volatile and insecure email system
• delays and productivity issues because of outmoded and ineffective remote access
• loss of data, client contacts, design or project files due to backup protocol
• project inefficiencies with existing design file sharing and access issues
• high prospect of system infiltration and infection due to deficient security firewall

Our solution

After an IT health audit to determine current and future needs, existing servers were commissioned to function as intended.  A new firewall was also added and NOVA iT Managed Support Services have now been providing stable external email, secure remote access, offsite FTP file sharing and reliable external backup for over 12 months.

Not only does this provide the peace of mind, files can be restored in minutes, it leaves internal resources free to concentrate on growing the business.

Results

The Flaming Beacon now enjoys technology systems, security and processes consistent with its own professional image.  The NOVA iT solution has delivered genuine cost reductions but the real return on this investment lies in improved workflow processes and better staff productivity.

No reliance on personnel to change tapes or take backup disks home, offers greater security and a high integrity disaster recovery plan is in place, should it ever be needed.

The Flaming Beacon solution is scalable to the business.  So in the long term, selecting NOVA iT as their IT provider means they have also chosen a service capable of supporting future business growth.

‘IT doesn’t come up in our meetings anymore, it just works and we can focus on our jobs.’
Jo Roads, Office Manager ]]> http://www.novaitgroup.com.au/lighting-design-firm-sees-the-light/feed/ 0 http://www.novaitgroup.com.au/see-us-at-cebit-2009-1052007/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=see-us-at-cebit-2009-1052007 http://www.novaitgroup.com.au/see-us-at-cebit-2009-1052007/#comments Tue, 01 May 2007 01:24:18 +0000 davidvidos http://www.novaitgroup.com.au/?p=104

(More)…

We proud to be taking part in CEBIT Australia 2007 and to invite you to join us at the largest information and communication technology event for businesses in this region, from 1 -3 May at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Cenrte.

NOVA iT GROUP - is proud to be taking part in CEBIT Australia 2007 and to invite you to join us at the largest information and communication technology event for businesse s in this region, from 1 -3 May at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Cenrte. On show will be our ability to provide a suite of Engineering, After Sales Support, Help Desk and Administrative services to the Information Technology Industry. We take on your obligations in Field service, On-site Service, and administration. And we leave you free to do what you do best: run your central operations without distractionWe would like to invite you to attend CEBIT Australia and to come and visit us on Stand P67.

We provide you with highly skilled on-site and field service engineers enabling you to cover your engineering commitments to your clients and with the following benefits: Overall reduced cost to you Australia wide coverage You maintain full account control Service engineers specifically skilled to the task Prompt attendance minimizing your client’s downtime Click here to request more information

We contract highly skilled on-site and field service engineers to iT service providers and provide you with the following benefits:  Attractive rates Projects specific to your skills Flexibility of preferred locations Prompt payment Ongoing income opportunities Click here to request more information

 

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1. Remove Cartridge
2. Insert next cartridge
3. Wait until the “IOMEGA Auto Backup Pro” window appears.
4. Select “Insert a new disk and continue”
5. Select the REV 35 Drive in the bottom window (you may need to press Refresh List)
6. Click OK
   DONE

MONTHLY BACKUP PROCEDURE

1. Remove Cartridge
2. Insert next cartridge
3. Right Click on the REV BACKUP icon
4. Select Format
5. Ensure Quick Format is ticked
6. Click Start (If the format fails then un-tick the format and Click Start again)
7. Wait until the “IOMEGA Auto Backup Pro” (large window appears with the Data Backup and System backup icons)
8. Click OK
   DONE

Also, in some instances, Microsoft has made using a mouse more difficult than using the keyboard. For example, you access the Find Computer function that I use so much by clicking Start, Find, Files or Folders, and then finding the Computers link under “Search for other items.” I find that approach extremely annoying; the Find Computer function was much more accessible in Windows NT.

Fortunately, there’s a 3-key sequence that takes me right to it!
So, without further delay, here’s a list of useful Win2K keyboard shortcuts that I’ve found.

Print this list and keep it handy!
- Ctrl+Esc: Launches the Start menu
- WIN+R: Launches the Run dialog box
- WIN+E: Launches an Explorer view (similar to double-clicking My Computer)
- WIN+F: Opens a Find – Files or Folders window
- Ctrl+WIN+F: Opens a Find – Computers window (my favorite shortcut!)
- Ctrl+Shift+Esc: Opens Task Manager
- WIN+M: Minimizes all windows on the desktop
- Shift+WIN+M: Restores windows after a WIN+M operation
- Shift+F10: Opens the Shortcut menu (i.e., the “right-click” menu) for a selected item – Holding down Shift while inserting a CD-ROM: Disables CD Autorun
- Alt+Enter: Brings up the properties dialog box for a selected item
- F3 in an Explorer window: Opens a Find – Files or Folders window using the current directory point as the starting location
- F2 with an item selected in an Explorer window: Lets you rename an item
- Ctrl+A: Selects all items/text in a window

Here’s another interesting keyboard tweak I found. Hold down the NumLock key on your keyboard for 5 seconds to open a dialog box that lets you enable ToggleKeys–an accessibility option I find particularly useful. ToggleKeys beeps whenever you activate Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock. I find this feature helpful because I use a wireless keyboard from Logitech that has no indicators for Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock (it would drain the batteries too quickly if it did). With ToggleKeys, I can hear whether my Caps Lock is enabled when I press the key.

Many other keyboard shortcuts exist, but these are the ones that I find most useful and most difficult to figure out when working at a keyboard-only system.

Hope this helps!

NOVA iT Support Team

Fleur Doidge, CRN

16 September 2005 11:45

Melbourne service provider Nova iT has been expanding its wholesale IT support service coverage, signing new contractors across Australia and New Zealand on the back of rapid growth.

David Vidos, managing director at Nova iT, said the reseller had engineers based in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

It already had some support offering and clients based in New Zealand but was signing more contractors, he said.

“We’re in the process of getting contracts signed,” Vidos said.

Many businesses preferred to get all their support from a single service provider and that was the advantage Nova iT could provide, he said.

“The easiest way is for the client to go to their service provider and say ‘this is what we want’ and then that’s their problem [to sort out the details],” he said.

The company established a support presence in Sydney in July. “Nova iT has enjoyed growth of 600 percent in the last financial year,” Vidos said.

The popularity of IT outsourcing had been a major contributor to Nova iT’s growth. Many companies were realising they preferred to get someone else to handle their IT support and so on, he said.

“They don’t need as many staff, here or overseas,” Vidos said.

Nova iT supported its own clients but also served other IT companies that in their turn supported larger multi-state customers, he said.

“We provide other IT companies with the support staff to allow their business to grow and expand into other states without capital outlay to hire someone full-time or to organise the logistics.”

Expansion to South Australia was also expected by the end of the year, he said.

Nova iT also began providing IT recycling services this year, offering customers a chance to dispose of old equipment in a more environmentally friendly way.

“We donate some of the computers to community groups and charities and others we sell to ensure the warehouse has enough space to process more computers,” Vidos said.

He said the reseller had held exclusive rights to soft furnishing quotation package Click Software and accounting inventory system ACCENTiS Enterprise in Victoria since 2004.

Those applications helped it open up opportunities in banking, finance, communications and manufacturing verticals, he said.

Nova iT was founded in 2001. It had 15 staff in total, spread across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including three in its Melbourne head office. Nova iT had formal partnerships with Cisco and Symantec, Vidos said.