Author Archives: Jerry Gartner

Jerry Gartner has been working in the computer field since 1989. Areas of expertise include Microsoft Windows and Linux based workstation and server technologies. I can also get Macs to play nice with other systems. I’ve yet to be confronted with a computer related issue that I couldn’t solve.

I also thrill at the opportunity to re-make or create nice-looking, easy to use, professionally designed websites for my clients.

Three easy steps to secure your wireless network

I recently performed a security audit for a local retailer that provided wireless internet access as a convenience to its customers. This wireless access point (WAP) was set up by a relative of the proprietor who “knows a lot about computers”. Like many of these hot-spots, customers didn?t need a password, or any special configuration to get on the internet. I often see wireless routers configured like this even in businesses that have no intention of providing public access. I turned on my laptop and was easily connected. I had no problems getting on the internet ? very easy and convenient. I also had no problems getting on their internal network. In less than a minute, I was looking at the files on the company?s point of sale and inventory management computer ? files which I could have deleted, or altered, or copied. I didn?t use any special tools or secret scanning software to do it. In fact, a person with the very basic knowledge of how to read Windows network configuration information could have done the same thing. Fortunately, my intent was to find problems like these and get them fixed.

The Best Way to Send Email to Multiple Recipients

Because worms and viruses are often spread through email, Gartner Web Development recommends multiple recipients not be placed in the ?To:? or ?Cc:? fields when emailing several people. When you place multiple recipients in the ?To:? or ?Cc:? field, all of the recipients receive the email addresses of all other recipients ? as does anyone else that your message is forwarded to.

What are your employees doing?

Ask most people how to mitigate the security risks involved in connecting their computer to the internet, and they’ll usually suggest anti-virus software with current virus pattern updates and firewall protection. While these two things are an absolute must for all systems on your company network, and single systems connected to the internet, alike, there are other “attack vectors” that are often overlooked. First, we’ll take a look at exactly what it is that we are securing by loosely defining the expectations of most businesses regarding computer resources.