Recently, Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) hosted an event on the risks of Mobile Malware.  The discussion focused specifically on the fact that the rise of mobile computing devices (smart phones, tablets) has created a new way for hackers to infiltrate computer networks.  The conclusions of the event stressed that the mobile environment, which is dependent on applications developers, is exploding and users are unaware of the risks they take with teir data when using third party applications on their mobile devices.  Users have to be educated on safe computing with mobile devices to ensure security of their data and your network.

A popular application utilized by many iPad users at ANS is a business application named Dropbox.  Dropbox (www.dropbox.com) is a free cloud service that lets you utilize or sync files among all computing sources so that you do not have to email files to yourself.  For instance, if you have a picture on your computer that you want to share using your iPad or smartphone, you can do so by syncing the file with your free Dropbox account in the cloud.  When you are ready to access the picture you can use your Dropbox account to view and even edit the file.  This is an invaluable cloud service to users who utilize a home computer, a tablet, a smartphone and a work laptop to conduct business, which is becoming a common scenario for ANS users and our clients.

This week many news outlets are alerting users that Dropbox has admitted via its blog that for several hours on Sunday (June 19, 2011), an update to its code caused a security glitch that allowed people to log into any Dropbox account by typing in any password at all.  This should be a huge concern for any Dropbox users who are utilizing the service and are uploading sensitive business documents or password information.  It is also a big disappointment for those who have become reliant on mobile applications to run their business.  Dropbox was one of the trusted application developers, one of the “good guys” in a sea of unknown third parties.

Although the threat risk to Dropbox users was small (less than 1 percent) it serves as a good reminder to exercise the following guidelines when utilizing a mobile computing device:

1.  Always utilize the application provided by the cloud service to log into an account.  For instance if you want to access Facebook – use the provided application from your device versus going to www.facebook.com from your mobile device.

2.  Do not log into a site that you visit through a link in an email.

3.  Know that none of the visual indicators you are used to seeing when attacked on a computer are present on mobile devices.  Many times the user is unaware that they have malware on their phone that can caching sensitive data and/or can be uploaded to a secured network via a wireless network that trusts the device.

4.  Do not conduct commerce on mobile devices if you are installing applications from unknown developers.

Mobile malware is on the rise and reputable application developers are still making egregious errors creating lax security with their applications.  With that said -we are all too reliant on our mobile devices to stop using them and the business changing applications they bring.  ANS can consult with you on your security needs so that you can protect your network and  your users from this rising security risk.  Please contact ANS for more information on how we can help you with protection against Mobile Malware Security Risks.

Some of you are already participating in our beta testing of our Customer Service Survey’s sent out after we have completed a service request for you or your organization. This is a tool we have rolled out to continue providing you and your team stellar customer service. Soon we are going to invite all of our customers to participate in taking the survey’s once a service request has been completed. We will notify you with an email prior to turning on the service for your account. We know that we can only be as strong as our customer service, so we would like to encourage our clients to participate in completing a survey at the close of each service ticket. To get you all in the spirit we are going to have a contest. Each time you complete a survey, your name will be entered in a drawing for a $50.00 American Express Gift Certificate. We will accumulate surveys from the early weeks of July through September. Surveys will come to you in an email that looks like the picture below. We will send more information to you regarding the surveys and the contest in the coming weeks. If you have questions – please forward them to Kate Bamberg (kbamberg@ansolutions.com).

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Let’s become acquainted with Zach Hoover…..

Job Title: Client IT manager

When did you start working at Advanced Network Solutions? March 1^st, 2010

What is your favorite thing about working at Advanced Network Solutions? I love working for ANS because of the people that work here. Everyone is always friendly and willing to lend a hand.

Please tell us one interesting thing about yourself? I have a pet minipig (not my idea, but I have to admit she’s pretty awesome.) Her name is Penelope

What is your version of a perfect PTO day? In a nutshell, Cedar Pointe. I love roller coasters and there is no better place for the roller coaster enthusiast than there.

Describe one thing you miss about being a kid. Competitive baseball, softball just isn’t as fun for some reason.

Describe one thing you love about being an adult. No curfews

Finally, please name your favorite piece of technology you would like to own or do own? Based on my initial research, I am pretty sure that I will be purchasing a Nintendo 3DS pretty soon. I’m an avid gamer and usually stick to my Xbox, but to have a 3D system without having to wear glasses is just to cool to pass up.

Let’s become acquainted with Kim McArthur…

Job Title: Office Manager

When did you start working at Advanced Network Solutions? 4/2/2007

What is your favorite thing about working at Advanced Network Solutions?
Learning things about technology that I might never had known.

Please tell us one interesting thing about yourself?
I love to work in the yard and could decorate my house over and over.

What is your version of a perfect PTO day?

Laying on the beach

Describe one thing you miss about being a kid.
Having no sense of time.

Describe one thing you love about being an adult.
The ability to make my own decisions.

Finally, please name your favorite piece of technology you would like to own or do own?

I would love to own an IPAD.

Let’s become acquainted with Jeremy Kirk…

What is your job title?
Client IT Manager

When did you start working at Advanced Network Solutions?
May 5th 2008

What is your favorite thing about working at Advanced Network Solutions?
I love working at ANS because of all the different opportunities to work with new technology. It seems like every day is a new challenge to learn something new in order to better help our clients. We are encouraged to come up with innovative ideas and being able to think out of the box is definitely an asset!

Please tell us one interesting thing about yourself?
I am fluent in American Sign Language, mainly due to my parents being hearing impaired.

What is your version of a perfect PTO day?
Spending time with my beautiful wife Brenda and kids, Callie & Eli.

Describe one thing you miss about being a kid.
I enjoyed playing baseball, specifically being a catcher growing up.

Describe one thing you love about being an adult.
Being a father and teaching my daughter how to play baseball. She’s still using a tee ball set, but she’s definitely learning how to hit very quickly!

Finally, please name your favorite piece of technology you would like to own or do own?
I own an iPad, which I know a lot of people do, but I really like it for the ease of use and availability. If I’m sitting watching TV and want to check stats on the game I’m watching, I can easily fire up the iPad and look it up without waiting for a laptop to start up.