Q.
A. there are several things you can do to prevent unauthorized access to your email --
1. regularly update your:
a. operating system - make sure you have the latest patches
b. anti-virus software - ensure you have the latest virus definitions installed
c. anti-spyware - make sure to have latest spyware updates
2. create passphrases instead of passwords; they're more difficult to crack, and i strongly recommend you put in some mixed-case letters, numbers, and other symbols, e.g., "r3dR@bb1t"
3. do not reveal, for any reason, or to anybody, your email password. system administrators and helpdesks do not need to know your password. if they have to ask, it's most likely they're doing some social engineering and trying to get into your account illegally
4. change your password at most every 45 days; change as often as 14 days
5. the most difficult password is useless if it's written down in a sticky note on your desk, or worse, on your computer screen. try memorizing your password; if this is not possible and you have to write it down, keep it in a secure place.
one of the easiest way to remember passwords (even if you keep changing them) is to create a base passphrase and generate permutations, e.g., "r3dR@bb1t", "P1nKr@bbit", "ra88170R@ng3"
6. physically secure your computing devices -- password-protect your computers, PDAs, mobile phones, etc.; also, do not walk away from an open computer, always lock your computer either manually (ctrl-alt-del on windows) or automatically through a short-timed screen saver
7. if you suspect your email account has been accessed by an unauthorized source, notify immediately the email service desk or system administrator and change your password.
these pointers are not limited to securing your email account but encompasses information security in general.
hope this helps.
1. regularly update your:
a. operating system - make sure you have the latest patches
b. anti-virus software - ensure you have the latest virus definitions installed
c. anti-spyware - make sure to have latest spyware updates
2. create passphrases instead of passwords; they're more difficult to crack, and i strongly recommend you put in some mixed-case letters, numbers, and other symbols, e.g., "r3dR@bb1t"
3. do not reveal, for any reason, or to anybody, your email password. system administrators and helpdesks do not need to know your password. if they have to ask, it's most likely they're doing some social engineering and trying to get into your account illegally
4. change your password at most every 45 days; change as often as 14 days
5. the most difficult password is useless if it's written down in a sticky note on your desk, or worse, on your computer screen. try memorizing your password; if this is not possible and you have to write it down, keep it in a secure place.
one of the easiest way to remember passwords (even if you keep changing them) is to create a base passphrase and generate permutations, e.g., "r3dR@bb1t", "P1nKr@bbit", "ra88170R@ng3"
6. physically secure your computing devices -- password-protect your computers, PDAs, mobile phones, etc.; also, do not walk away from an open computer, always lock your computer either manually (ctrl-alt-del on windows) or automatically through a short-timed screen saver
7. if you suspect your email account has been accessed by an unauthorized source, notify immediately the email service desk or system administrator and change your password.
these pointers are not limited to securing your email account but encompasses information security in general.
hope this helps.
Helpdesk Subscription Services?
Q. Hey guys. I am an IT Mananger, where my role is primarily to ensure that helpdesk operations run smoothly. It is my responsibility to ensure that my staff have the latest tools, information and techniques available to them when it comes to fixing computers and maintaining them. Are there any subscription services or websites out there that particularly specialize in the Helpdesk Niche? Just as IGN.com specializes in games and everything you need to know about past, current, and future games for the serious games, does anyone know of anything that focus on Helpdesk services and information, for the serious Helpdesk personnel? Just something to keep me up to date with information at all times..anything. I thank all of you sincerely.
A. Not one that I know of.
There are lots of "Manufacturer / Developer Help -forums - discussions- software updates - support.<insert corp name here> .com " types.. but you need to sign up or subscribe to each one.
If you've got an average mixed shop, you probably need to be signed on with at least 10 companies.
The free subs will get you only so far, then you have to sign up for paid services or buy yearly software licenses.
Other sites that deal with Sysadmins are not always friendly.. the nicer ones include Lockergnome, the newsgroup alt.24.hour.support.helpdesk, usenix, Sage, HardOCP.. but they get very specialized.
Organizations like IEEE / and the IEEE Computer Society (computer.org) or ACM have occasionally tried to put together WIKIs for help & support.
Some of the best I've seen come from EDU support departments, but few last long. High turnover / lower pay grades mean a lot of the best documentation writers are getting dragged out the door because of less-than-deserved salary.
There are a few commercial ones out there that try.. but most are just shams set up to draw in advertising $$. If anyone else finds a good one, please share!!
There are lots of "Manufacturer / Developer Help -forums - discussions- software updates - support.<insert corp name here> .com " types.. but you need to sign up or subscribe to each one.
If you've got an average mixed shop, you probably need to be signed on with at least 10 companies.
The free subs will get you only so far, then you have to sign up for paid services or buy yearly software licenses.
Other sites that deal with Sysadmins are not always friendly.. the nicer ones include Lockergnome, the newsgroup alt.24.hour.support.helpdesk, usenix, Sage, HardOCP.. but they get very specialized.
Organizations like IEEE / and the IEEE Computer Society (computer.org) or ACM have occasionally tried to put together WIKIs for help & support.
Some of the best I've seen come from EDU support departments, but few last long. High turnover / lower pay grades mean a lot of the best documentation writers are getting dragged out the door because of less-than-deserved salary.
There are a few commercial ones out there that try.. but most are just shams set up to draw in advertising $$. If anyone else finds a good one, please share!!
employment & IT & computers advice needed?
Q. I work for a supermarket in home shopping in administration for home shopping and have been doing this job for 2 years. managing a system that picks orders then i check what has been picked and then get the paperwork to the drivers ready for delivery. The thing is I don't seem to be developing and see other people get promoted all the time except me.
So I have been looking into doing a IT computers ICT degree with the open university mainly because I understand employers look for people with degrees. I have a HND in design communications but still this is not a degree. I have seen good IT jobs with good salary's and need a good wage to pay for a mortgage I am also thinking about doing a microsoft certified course maybe with computeach. Am I doing all the right things here? is their any advise you would give with the down turn my main concern is if lots of people like me are retraining in IT will their be any jobs left. I think with me having 2 years admin experience it does give me a good advantage as I think alot of employers will want a mix of both experience and qualifications even after I got the degree I will need to think what direction I will want to go to weather it be systems or hardware or website and HTML maintenance. so many things to think about in which direction I should go after the degree stage. I have basic computer building knowledge and would consider my knowledge average not a beginner but no expert either. I have a friend who works along side of me he is doing the computeach course i think its either 2 or 1 years long which includes the a++ stuff maybe .net too.
But I said to him if you not got a degree will you really get a job. on the internet I read that some one with 30 years experience was made redundant he tried applying for other jobs and got interviews very easily but he was told be cause he did not get a degree he could not be offered the job can any company's and IT professionals give me lots of advise I would be very grateful hope to here from lots of advisers thanks for your time.
ps- I am talking about the UK near Leeds here.
So I have been looking into doing a IT computers ICT degree with the open university mainly because I understand employers look for people with degrees. I have a HND in design communications but still this is not a degree. I have seen good IT jobs with good salary's and need a good wage to pay for a mortgage I am also thinking about doing a microsoft certified course maybe with computeach. Am I doing all the right things here? is their any advise you would give with the down turn my main concern is if lots of people like me are retraining in IT will their be any jobs left. I think with me having 2 years admin experience it does give me a good advantage as I think alot of employers will want a mix of both experience and qualifications even after I got the degree I will need to think what direction I will want to go to weather it be systems or hardware or website and HTML maintenance. so many things to think about in which direction I should go after the degree stage. I have basic computer building knowledge and would consider my knowledge average not a beginner but no expert either. I have a friend who works along side of me he is doing the computeach course i think its either 2 or 1 years long which includes the a++ stuff maybe .net too.
But I said to him if you not got a degree will you really get a job. on the internet I read that some one with 30 years experience was made redundant he tried applying for other jobs and got interviews very easily but he was told be cause he did not get a degree he could not be offered the job can any company's and IT professionals give me lots of advise I would be very grateful hope to here from lots of advisers thanks for your time.
ps- I am talking about the UK near Leeds here.
A. I assume the IT world is not so different in the UK as in the US. So there are three things to consider:
First, IT is a good field insofar as there is often high demand. But a bad field in that businesses quickly put as much IT on hold as they can when the economy weakens, plus there is a lot of competition from other sources, mainly very affordable talent from other countries.
Second, there are three main paths in IT -- hardware (helpdesk), software (programming), and LAN admin/security. Of those three, hardware/helpdesk is the "squishiest" field because it doesn't involve a lot of rare specialized skills. (As opposed to being a PHP guru or a highly regarded computer security expert, for example)
Three, when it comes to IT, employers don't place a lot of stock in education (degrees). They trust certifications a bit more, but still not much. They have all seen a lot of great IT talent with no formal credentials, and a lot of IT professionals with degrees and certifications who were real plodders. So, it's all about results.
That all being said, you have a couple of important advantages working in your favor. A lot of It people have crap communication skills -- clearly yours are solid. And second, a lot of IT people don't understand business, they just understand techie stuff. Your background gives you that insight. There are two other paths in IT you may want to consider -- IT project management, and being a business analyst. You should be able to find education/training for either (or perhaps I should say both -- they work together very well).
Good luck!
First, IT is a good field insofar as there is often high demand. But a bad field in that businesses quickly put as much IT on hold as they can when the economy weakens, plus there is a lot of competition from other sources, mainly very affordable talent from other countries.
Second, there are three main paths in IT -- hardware (helpdesk), software (programming), and LAN admin/security. Of those three, hardware/helpdesk is the "squishiest" field because it doesn't involve a lot of rare specialized skills. (As opposed to being a PHP guru or a highly regarded computer security expert, for example)
Three, when it comes to IT, employers don't place a lot of stock in education (degrees). They trust certifications a bit more, but still not much. They have all seen a lot of great IT talent with no formal credentials, and a lot of IT professionals with degrees and certifications who were real plodders. So, it's all about results.
That all being said, you have a couple of important advantages working in your favor. A lot of It people have crap communication skills -- clearly yours are solid. And second, a lot of IT people don't understand business, they just understand techie stuff. Your background gives you that insight. There are two other paths in IT you may want to consider -- IT project management, and being a business analyst. You should be able to find education/training for either (or perhaps I should say both -- they work together very well).
Good luck!
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