September 2007

>>> Simpler-Webb partners with EVault
Simpler-Webb, Inc. announced its partnership with EVault to provide customer data protection software and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions from EVault, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seagate Technology. EVault offers a suite of data protection software and SaaS solutions that are easy-to-use, reliable, and flexible. This allows Simpler-Webb’s credit union customers to conform to industry-specific compliance and security regulations by addressing their backup, recovery, archiving, business continuity and e-discovery needs.
http://www.creditunions.com/resources/press/pressreleases/41565/EVault%20release%20CU.doc
http://tinyurl.com/39ss9y

>>> Sixty members caught in repeated phish nets
Financial accounts of more than 60 members at a credit union in Indiana may have been compromised due to an unusual multi-part e-mail phishing scam discovered Friday.

Fraudulent e-mails posing to be from the $391 million-asset Notre Dame FCU in South Bend rerouted users to a counterfeit credit union website in the Netherlands that asked members for personal information, such as debit card numbers and security codes.
http://www.cuna.org/newsnow/07/system090607-6.html?ref=hed
http://tinyurl.com/2o9grw


>>> Everyone's hacking the net, says Check Point founder
Governments, criminal gangs, and gifted amateurs are seeding cyberspace with Trojans, viruses and other malware to monitor activity and benefit economically, according to the founder of Check Point.

"Every day we are seeing attacks, and I am not sure if this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Gil Schwed, the founder and chief executive of the security software and appliance firm. Schwed was referring to recent media reports that the Pentagon, the German government, and Western corporate sites had been attacked from China.
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/070906_checkpoint_cw.html
http://tinyurl.com/2mawwc

>>> The Biggest Problem with VISTA
The biggest problem with Vista is the one that Microsoft can least fix - driver support. Even after all this time, there's still a lot of (even brand new) hardware I own that doesn't support Windows Vista. Maybe Microsoft could bribe (or offer "incentives") to manufacturers to release Vista drivers for all of their hardware less than 3 years old. And make sure the drivers actually work properly. Other than that, I think the "Ultimate" edition should actually be the only version on sale. Price it at the same as Home Premium and then at install time give the option of installing a "basic", "regular" or "expert" version of the OS. It would save a lot of shelf space and confuse consumers less.

>>> Help users create complex passwords that are easy to remember
While most end users understand the importance of using passwords to secure corporate systems and data, they don't always know how to create a strong password. That's why it's just as important to create a strong password policy in your organization. Remember: Passwords are only as good as the policy that enforces their use. For example, if your company's password policy only requires a minimum of six characters and doesn't require complexity (i.e., a combination of uppercase and lowercase characters, digits, and/or nonalphanumeric characters), then you've got a pretty weak policy. That means most users will use passwords that are easy to crack through either brute force or social engineering.
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1009_11-6028857.html?tag=nl.e036
http://tinyurl.com/2dr36b

>>> FBI May Seek No Hats Legislation in Washington State
The FBI in Washington State may seek legislation that would forbid financial institutions from doing business with member/customers wearing hats and sunglasses and hooded sweatshirts while inside the institution. Special Agent Larry Carr, who heads the bank robbery division in Seattle, plans to work with state lawmakers on the legislation, said The Seattle Times (Sept. 14). Robbers often use the clothing to disguise themselves and thwart surveillance cameras.
http://www.cuna.org/newsnow/07/system091407-5.html?ref=hed
http://tinyurl.com/2kx7t4

>>> CU Members Value More Online Security
When it comes to a positive credit union online experience, improving online security and communicating security policy are key according to a recent Solavista survey. Results from 1,809 credit union respondents showed that online security is the overwhelming feature members are seeking from their credit union’s Web site. In fact, three of the top four Web site improvement factors desired by members involved security enhancements. Some 81% said they want greater assurance that their information won’t be sold or distributed to others. Protecting against hackers (73% of all respondents) and protecting against phishing attacks (64%) ranked two and four respectively.

>>> Google Presents Power Point Alternative
The rumored arrival of a Google option for creating and viewing slide-based presentations became fact with the debut of its newest feature on Google Docs. You'll see something different when clicking New in Google Docs. The option to create a presentation with Google's online suite has been on the radar since Google disclosed it in April 2007, confirming an earlier rumor about it posted to Google Operating System. People have the option of creating new presentations with the slide editor in Google Docs. The technology comes from a blend of companies Google acquired for their slide-based innovations. As noted on the official Google blog, presentations and collaboration go hand in hand with this new product: “When it's time to present, participants can simply click a link to follow along as the presenter takes the audience through the slideshow. Participants are connected through Google Talk and can chat about the presentation as they're watching.”

The debut of presentations gives Google another point on which they and Capgemini can compete with Microsoft for certain segments of enterprise workers. Google's deal with Capgemini gives it access to a lot of people working for units managed by the IT outsourcer.