Skip navigation

Windows IT Pro UPDATE, February 20, 2007--Looking for Nontraditional Infrastructure Concerns

In This Issue * Looking for Nontraditional Infrastructure Holes *From the Community: FAQ: Vista's Administrator Account
Featured Forum * New and Improved
Restrict Applications' Access to System Files and Settings
Know When Files Are Opened or Forbidden Applications Are Used

==================== THESE ADVERTISERS HELP US TO BRING YOU WINDOWS IT PRO UPDATE FREE OF CHARGE.

Roadmap to Email Archiving and Compliance
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/ebooks/sherpa/compliance/?code=ITProTop0220

NETWORK TESTING LABS COMPARES ARGENT TO MOM 2005
http://www.argent.com/w/whitepapers_mom.html?Source=WNT

Got VoIP? Leverage Fax.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/seminars/faxback/leveragefax/?partnerref=ITProHot0220

====================

Sponsor: Sherpa Software

Roadmap to Email Archiving and Compliance How will compliance regulations affect your IT infrastructure? Help design your retention and retrieval, privacy and security policies to make sure that your organization is compliant. Download the free eBook today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/ebooks/sherpa/compliance/?code=ITProTop0220

====================

***Commentary: Looking for Nontraditional Infrastructure Holes
by Paul Thurrott, News Editor, [email protected]

A few weeks ago, in my commentary "We Are the Weakest Link," (http://www.windowsitpro.com/WindowsSecurity/Article/ArticleID/94952/WindowsSecurity_94952.html ), I discussed the fact that human-engineering attacks have remained surprisingly effective, while various forms of electronic attacks have come and gone over the years. A few recent events reminded me that these types of attacks--which typically use email messages (including phishing attacks) and malicious Web sites to fool innocent users into coughing up personal and private corporate data--aren't the only major nontraditional (i.e., not completely electronic) problems facing IT pros today. So this week, I present two nontraditional issues: One is a financial matter, and the other is a security concern.

If you've worked in IT for any amount of time, it probably doesn't come as a surprise to hear that the cost of running and, perhaps more important, cooling data centers is astronomical and rising all the time. However, you might be surprised to discover how bad it's gotten. According to a recent study conducted by Stanford University and commissioned by processor maker AMD, energy consumed by data centers doubled between 2000 and 2005. The costs include electric, cooling, and other infrastructure expenses.

Most of the reason for the jump in costs--about 90 percent--is due to a growing number of inexpensive, low-end servers that went online during that time period. But clearly, low cost in this context applies only to the original purchase price. To put the actual cost in perspective, consider these numbers from the study: The total energy consumption bill for US-based data centers was $1.3 billion in 2000. But it jumped to $2.7 billion in 2005. Worldwide, the numbers jumped from $3.2 billion to $7.2 billion during the same time period.

Not surprisingly, many enterprises and other businesses are looking into or already implementing server consolidation strategies, virtualization solutions, and other ways to combat a glut of physical servers. Buying more efficient hardware also helps, and--surprise, surprise--survey commissioner AMD just released a more efficient line of corporate-oriented processors. But processors aren't the only energy sink in a typical server: Many older servers have incredibly inefficient power supplies as well.

In "We Are the Weakest Link," it turns out I inadvertently overlooked a major issue in many data centers and other secure environments, though even here, the line of attack is coming from an unexpected quarter: Smoking isn't just dangerous to your health. It could be dangerous for your enterprise as well. Penetration tests from NTA Monitor in the UK show that smokers who routinely go outside corporate buildings open up their employers to physical theft and on-site electronic attacks, because their entry and exit points are often unlocked and unguarded.

This is problematic because once an intruder gains physical access to your infrastructure, the available methods of attack become greater and simpler to implement. So although companies have reacted to emerging laws and social pressures to force smokers outside, the trend might ultimately hurt companies in other ways due to lax physical security. It's something to look into, certainly.

==================== Sponsor: Argent Software

NETWORK TESTING LABS COMPARES ARGENT TO MOM 2005 Network Testing Labs, one of the world's leading independent research companies, concluded that "Argent's suite had a smaller footprint, was more scalable, supported more platforms, had a more responsive and intuitive user interface and gave us more useful reports," the report says. "Argent's suite of monitoring products emerged from our testing with flying colors."

Download this FREE Comparison Paper now: http://www.argent.com/w/whitepapers_mom.html?Source=WNT

====================

***From the Community FAQ: Vista's Administrator Account
by John Savill, http://www.windowsitpro.com/windowsnt20002003faq

Q: Where is the Administrator account in Windows Vista?

Find the answer at http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/94619/94619.html

------ Have a question? Got answers? Join your peers in the Windows IT discussion forums: http://forums.windowsitpro.com/web/forum/default.aspx?forumid=8
Current Threads in the Windows Vista forum (http://forums.windowsitpro.com/web/forum/categories.aspx?catid=247&entercat=y ):
Burn to DisK Issue
Drag and Drop Functionality in Windows Vista
"Limited or no Connectivity" Problem

----- Tell us what you think in this month's Instant Poll: "When will your organization deploy Vista?"
http://www.windowsitpro.com/

~~~~ Hot Spot: ~~~~

Got VoIP? Leverage Fax. The average 3-page fax takes 9 minutes to send, costing your company $3.10. For that price, you could get a latte. Not a coffee fan? Consider this: If you deal with 25 faxes per day, that's over $10,000 per year! David Chernicoff can show you how new faxing technology can help you take advantage of your VoIP investment and save that $10,000. On-Demand Web seminar.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/seminars/faxback/leveragefax/?partnerref=ITProHot0220

====================

***New and Improved
by Blake Eno, [email protected]

Restrict Applications' Access to System Files and Settings
ByteCrusher Labs announced WindowZones, a security application that protects your PC against viruses and spyware by proactively giving applications only the rights they need to run. When you run Internet-facing applications, you work in WindowZones' Safe Zone, which ensures that applications operate with only the rights needed and without the ability to change sensitive OS files, system registry, and other system configuration data. And because WindowZones works at the access level rather than the detection level, no signature updates are needed. The software also has an Admin Zone where you can temporarily run a program that requires administrative rights, with the ability to then move the program back to the Safe Zone. You can download a trial version of WindowZones at ByteCrusher Labs' Web site. Pricing for WindowZones starts at $29.95. For more information, contact ByteCrusher Labs at 877-983-2983.
http://www.bytecrusher.com

Know When Files Are Opened or Forbidden Applications Are Used
PacketMotion announced new search and alert capabilities to its PacketSentry network-monitoring solution. Now, data including file names, applications, and users/server names that's collected by PacketSentry is fully searchable and the product's alerting feature automatically tells you when specific directories or files are opened, forbidden applications are used, or thresholds are exceeded. The PacketSentry solution is comprised of the PacketSentry Probe 1000 that analyzes and interprets all network activity, while the PacketSentry Manager processes the probe's information to provide network information for reporting and management. For more information, contact PacketMotion at 408-449-4300.
http://www.packetmotion.com

Tell Us About a Hot Product and Get a Best Buy Gift Card!
Have you used a product that changed your IT experience by saving you time or easing your daily burden? Tell us about the product, and we'll send you a Best Buy Gift Card if we write about the product in a future Windows IT Pro What's Hot column. Send your product suggestions with information about how the product has helped you to [email protected].

==== Events and Resources ==== http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/researchit Windows Connections 2007 April 1-4, 2007, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. Dive into the new Windows, Exchange, and Office releases as Microsoft architects and industry experts present over 130 sessions! Register and reserve your hotel room, and get a FREE hotel room night (three-night minimum stay). For more details, call 800-505-1201 or 203-268-3204.
http://www.winconnections.com

Deploy Exchange Server 2007 Without a Hitch! This one-day technical training event teaches you how to preempt pitfalls and avoid corrupting your infrastructure. You'll learn how to effectively install, manage, and secure Exchange Server 2007 in a 64-bit environment. You'll also get a peek into the integration of Outlook, SharePoint Server 2007, and Exchange Server 2007. Register today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/exchange2007usa/?code=epromo

Get Ready for the Windows Server Longhorn Roadshow! Seize control of your Windows infrastructure with Microsoft's biggest server release since Windows 2003. Get a live, under-the-hood look at Longhorn virtualization, deployment, Web services, and breakthroughs in core reliability. This one-day event is filled with demonstrations and in-depth discussions designed for IT pros who want a deep understanding of Windows Server Longhorn.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/longhorn/?code=epromo

Tired of outdated and incomplete data modeling solutions? Build or re-engineer your business applications quickly, cost-effectively, and consistently with Sybase PowerDesigner 12. Download this free white paper today and learn how you can easily transfer your ERwin skills and start taking advantage of all of PowerDesigner's features.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/whitepaper/sybase/erwin/?code=0219e&r

==== Featured White Paper ====

Prevent installation and execution of unauthorized software on the computers on your network. Download this free white paper today for a comparison of different techniques for detecting and preventing unauthorized code. Protect against emerging risks today!
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/whitepapers/bit9/lockdown/?code=0219featwp

===== Announcements ====

Introducing a Unique Exchange and Outlook Resource Exchange & Outlook Pro VIP is an online information center that delivers new articles every week on topics such as administration, migration, security, and performance. Subscribers also receive tips, cautionary advice, direct access to our editors, and a host of other benefits! Order now at an exclusive charter rate and save up to $50!
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&promocode=eu2372ue

Grab Your Share of the Spotlight! Nominate yourself or a peer to become IT Pro of the Month. This is your chance to get the recognition you deserve! Winners will receive over $600 in IT resources and be featured in Windows IT Pro. It's easy to enter--we're accepting April nominations now, but only for a limited time! Submit your nomination today:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/itpromonth

==== Contact Us ====

About the newsletter -- [email protected] About technical questions -- http://www.windowsitpro.com/forums About product news -- [email protected] About your subscription -- [email protected] About sponsoring UPDATE -- [email protected]

====================


This email newsletter is brought to you by Windows IT Pro, the leading publication for IT professionals deploying Windows and related technologies. Subscribe today!
https://store.pentontech.com/index.cfm?s=1&promocode=eu205xwb

Subscribe to this newsletter at
http://www.windowsitpro.com/email

Make sure your copy of Windows IT Pro UPDATE doesn't get mistakenly blocked by antispam software! Be sure to add [email protected] to your list of allowed senders and contacts.

Manage Your Account You are subscribed as %%$email%%

You are receiving this email message because you subscribed to this newsletter on our Web site. To unsubscribe, click the unsubscribe link:

http://list.windowsitpro.com/u?id=%%SUBSCRIBER_ID_TAG%%

View the Windows IT Pro Privacy policy at
http://www.windowsitpro.com/aboutus/index.cfm?action=privacy Windows IT Pro is a division of Penton Media, Inc. 221 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538, Attention: Customer Service Department Copyright 2007, Penton Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hide comments

Comments

  • Allowed HTML tags: <em> <strong> <blockquote> <br> <p>

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Publish