Comsource Associates : Computer solutions...that work!

1627 Pearl St
Eugene, OR 97401

Phone: (541) 345-0408

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PREVENTING VIRUSES, WORMS, SPYWARE & SPAM

The internet is an amazing place that allows each and every one of us easy access to a wide variety of resources. Unfortunately, there is an increasing amount of viruses, worms, spyware and spam that can easily infect your computer. Your computer in fact may already be infected and you may not even know it.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING DATA LOSS

Data loss itself can come in a variety of forms. A virus can infect your network deleting documents throughout the company. An employee might maliciously delete sensitive documents. An important document might be accidentally overwritten by using the same filename. An electrical outage might cause your server to crash and damage the hard drive storing all company data. The company database might become corrupted. There are a very wide variety of potential technical disasters just waiting to happen.

SAVE MONEY WITH A DOMAIN ENVIRONMENT

We routinely encounter businesses that have setup their networks in a “peer to peer” or “workgroup” configuration as opposed to establishing a domain. A peer to peer network is a configuration that was made popular in 1992 with the release of Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Peer to peer networks were easy to setup and required only a basic knowledge of computer networking. In Windows XP, this technology is often referred to as “File & Printer Sharing.” Many businesses forego the cost of establishing a domain due to their belief that a peer to peer network is quicker and therefore cheaper to setup. However as we will demonstrate in this article, establishing a domain provides your business with a complete business solution that will serve your needs now and into the future.

THE EIGHT BASIC ELEMENTS

Comsource Associates specializes in Medical, Manufacturing, Distribution and Accounting Systems. We can provide your company with complete solutions for your entire workflow - solutions that fit your industry. With extensive experience in automation and database development, Comsource Associates has the tools to lower costs while increasing your company's profit margin.

Following is an overview of the eight basic elements required in most every computer network:

1. A computer server with a network operating system and a network card.

There are a wide variety of computer servers in the marketplace. It is important to purchase a server that truly meets the your needs now and into the future. At Comsource Associates, we understand the challenge faced by businesses when investing in a computer network. The cost. With significant changes in technology, however, the cost of computer software and hardware is incredibly low. In fact, the capabilities found in modern software and hardware is far greater and can be obtained for less money than years ago.

2. An internal or external backup drive.

3. Backup software.

Your backup software should provide you with a detailed log of your daily backup job. Ideally, it should have the capability of backing up Open Files as well as SQL Server or Exchang Server files.

4. An Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).

An Uninterruptable Power Supply is an important aspect to every computer network. In the event of a power loss, your server will properly shut down preventing damage to your data.

5. A network hub/switch connecting CAT-5 or CAT-6 cabling; or a wireless router.

6. A firewall which also provides VPN connectivity.

7. Client workstations with network cards typically utilizing the TCP/IP protocol.

8. Anti-Virus software.

COMSOURCE TIPS

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