Social media is funneling all sorts of useful information into workplaces, but it’s not without its risks. These extend not just to malware and data leakage, but also to the very real possibility that employees could spend all day on Facebook without getting any work done. And with social media taking hold so quickly, many organizations are now coming to grips with the fact that giving their employees unfettered access to social media isn’t a good idea.

READ THE WHOLE STORY http://www.crn.com/news/security/231602450/study-organizations-waking-up-to-social-media-security-risks.htm?cid=nl_sec

While free online storage or free online backups may sound
sweet to small businesses looking to make the best use of their limited budgets,
the reality is that the cost of a properly managed, fully compliant backup is
worth far more than its cost.

That’s the word from providers of
cloud-based storage and backups that every day deal with clients who are
attracted by the lure of free storage but who may not understand the potential
ramifications of trusting their precious business data to technology more
targeted at consumers looking to back up photos and audio files.

Cloud-based storage, whether used for backing up data, adding disaster
recovery, or even storing primary data, is becoming a major part of the IT
business.

Tartajubow writes:

There are many sites that offer cost-free file storage, but be aware that stored files, whether stored on internal and external drives, face a variety of dangers of being lost because of virus, corruption or crashes.

Advantages of free sites are, for example, files can be shared in situations where e-mail attachments of large documents can be sent. It is much easier just to send a link to the document. In addition, personal files like photographs, videos and music files can be shared publicly or privately through free file storage sites.

However, one must remember online storage companies don’t guarantee customers a fail-safe backup system and legal experts say there is generally little recourse for consumers in the event of data loss when using such services.

“In general, consumers are out of luck,” said Ira Rothken, an attorney based in San Rafael, Calif., who has litigated such cases in the past. “Frankly, it’s understandable. There are always going to be glitches that lead to data loss.” He said consumers can protect themselves by ensuring that valuable files are adequately backed up. Some Web-based e-mail services, such as Yahoo Mail, allow customers to download e-mail to their desktops and retrieve them using a PC-based e-mail client such as Microsoft’s Outlook.

Running the follow three programs are the most important maintenance tasks. When performed on regular intervals they will assist in keeping your computer healthy and maintained!

• Check Disk (Error-checking)
• Disk Clean-up
• Defragmentation

It is important that you perform the basic maintenance tasks for your computer so you can make certain it will not experience the following: Computer Crash, Missing or Damaged File Errors or the dreaded Blue Screen of Death.

All computer users fall into the following three categories, which one are you?

1. The Do Nothing Person - Typically the uneducated and/or time-constrained computer user who either don’t know how or don’t have the time to maintain their PC.
2. The Random/Manual Person – Usually the more experienced computer user who occasionally but not consistently maintains their PC.
3. The Automate it Person - The educated computer user who utilizes software to automate their PC maintenance tasks.

Which Category do you what to be in?

Automate your PC maintenance tasks with FreeComputerMaintenance.com to assist in keeping your computer healthy and maintained!

Chances are, you use your PC to do a lot of things at once. I prefer to use shortcuts whenever possible. It’s kind of amazing how much time you can save by cutting out mouse clicks. Here are my top 20 shortcuts that you might not know about—but should.

There are certain shortcuts I use all day, every day. They work whether I’m doing stuff with photos, music, documents, or spreadsheets.

• Copy a selected item: Ctrl+C
• Cut a selected item: Ctrl+X
• Paste a selected item: Ctrl+V
• Undo an action: Ctrl+Z
• Redo that thing I just undid: Ctrl+Y
• Select everything: Ctrl+A
• Print: Ctrl+P

Get even funkier with these addtional shortcuts

• Switch between open windows
  Alt+Tab

• Clear away everything and show the desktop
  Windows logo key +D
• Minimize the window
  Windows logo key +Down Arrow
• Maximize the window
  Windows logo key +Up Arrow
• Compare and contrast in a snap
  Windows logo key +Left Arrow or Right Arrow
• Multitask with multiple monitors
  Windows logo key +Shift+Right Arrow or Left Arrow
• Open Task Manager
  Ctrl+Shift+Esc
• Lock your PC or switch users
  Windows logo key +L
• Choose a presentation display mode
  Windows logo key +P

• Zoom in, zoom out
  Windows logo key +Plus Sign or Minus Sign

• Search for files and folders
  Windows logo key +F

• Open a new instance of a program
  Windows logo key +Shift+Click a taskbar icon

• And when you need it …get help
  Windows logo key +F1

It’s the simplest shortcut out there. When all else fails, and you’re just not sure what to do, press F1.

For more details on the above shortcuts visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/explore/20-pc-shortcuts

Thus, the use of security software (antivirus, antispyware and firewall protection) is highly recommended to protect you or your loved ones when you begin to surf the internet.

The good news is that if you are tired of spending a lot of money on a computer, there are some good and totally free security utilities and at least one of them is bound to suit your needs.

Top free antivirus or anti-virus software

• 1. Microsoft Security Essentials
• 2. Avast! Home Edition – Free Antivirus
• 3. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Top free antispyware software

• 4. Ad-Aware
• 5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• 6. Microsoft Security Essentials
• 7. Combo Fix

Top free firewall software

• 8. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
• 9. Comodo firewall
• 10. Windows Firewall

These best free security software will provide comprehensive protection for your new PC.

Finally, we wish you the best with your new PC.

FreeComputerMaintenance.com