By now, most mobile users are aware of the threat of having their data stolen due to improper security. With infinite options to choose from and millions of apps to make our lives easier on the go, smartphones often function as a mobile extension of our work and personal lives. You may be familiar with the common methods of safeguarding your information: changing and maintaining a secure password, scanning for viruses on a scheduled basis, and not sharing personal information. Now, there’s one more thing to worry about – the SMS Trojan sparked by the sudden rise popularity of the photo sharing app Instagram.

Instagram is a photo sharing program that allows you to enhance captured photos or images saved in your smartphone’s gallery with several different filters. It gives users the option to add tags and upload the polished photos to a number of social networking sites. Instagram’s appeal is their signature vintage feel; images are formatted in a style that mimics old Polariods.Instagram has been around since 2010 and was initially available on devices running Apple’s iOS. It caught on quickly and spawned several sites and blogs that posted Instagram photos. Facebook bought the photo giant on April 3, and on April 12, an app was finally released for Android phones running version 2.2 (Froyo) or higher. Since the release of the app, the Android market has seen a surge in interest for the app. Malware watchdogs reported that several copycat Instagram websites have popped up offering “genuine” downloads of the app. These third-party installs can seriously cause harm to your phone and expose personal information.

What’s scary is that this has happened before with hyped apps, namely the Angry Birds Space unveil back in February. And while malware on Android has been limited until now, it’s clear that hackers are picking their targets wisely. The websites who have been spotted offering the Instagram app purportedly also offer a variety of popular apps and games for free. While you may have the urge to nab the paid app that you’ve been craving for free, it’s important to remember to not openly trust third-party websites claiming to offer the latest and greatest technology, especially if it is claiming to be a paid app for free or a pre-release. Official copies of the app will be sporting the company’s name on trusted markets such as Google Play and the Apple and Amazon App Stores. If you believe that you may have fallen victim to a malware scan, there are several free solutions available for your device.

Computer security is often a huge game of cat and mouse – antivirus software companies are always in a race against to protect against the multitude of threats facing the public. Companies and consumers alike are constantly under siege from malware, viruses, hacking attempts, and phishing scams. If you want to be better prepared, keep a lookout for these top security trends in 2012:

Google has been developing their own slice of the almighty cloud for the past 10 years; now they’ve unveiled what they’ve been doing with all their hard work with a revolutionized marketplace for Android devices. Google Play rolled out at the beginning of last month. The all-in-one service gives users an entirely new experience that is akin to Apple’s App Store with the added advantage of fresh new UI and user-friendliness.

Not long ago, Google updated their Market interface to include several different types of media for purchase, including books, music and movies. It was just a small sample of what they had in mind for the future. On the surface level, Google Play is just an overhaul of the Android Market that includes even more micro-distractions for customers to browse and spend money on. Of course, there’s much more to it than that.

Google Play puts a large amount of emphasis on the cloud aspect of the service by touting its convenient design that only requires having the app in order to connect to a library and past purchases. It requires no extra software, syncing or additional devices, something none of their competitors can offer. The app seamlessly integrates with the cloud in an incredibly user-friendly way. Users can purchase media from anywhere on any device and have access to it on other devices. All a user’s media becomes completely portable, giving them access to entertainment on the go.

It is collectively everything Google has to offer in one convenient location. Users can even preview media before purchasing, view ratings, and check out top picks. It also acts as a social networking device, giving users the option to share their finds and purchases on Google+ and via text message. As an added bonus, members of Google+ can give and receive free samples of media they have purchased. And as before, there is plenty of free content to choose from as well.

As far as the entertainment market is concerned, Google is shaping up to be a fierce provider of content, challenging the likes of Apple and Amazon. With the added bonus of cloud functionality, the new Google Play deserves a big +1.

As more data centers begin to utilize cloud services, many companies are choosing to make the switch
to cloud databases as opposed to traditional physical servers. Cloud hubbing is when a business uses
the data center design to optimize the performance of applications. Data centers becoming cloud-
centric have a few advantages over traditional setups. Cloud-based services are user friendly and
deliver faster results and optimal speeds. It is possible to make more connections and spread data
further than with traditional servers.

How can you tell if cloud hubbing is the right solution for your business? It all depends on the structure
of your business and what services you offer. There are five specific scenarios where cloud hubbing is
ideal. If you offer any of these services, you might want to consider the benefits of transitioning your
data into the cloud.

Scaling applications. Companies that offer large volumes of applications, especially games that
connect to the internet, often have large fluctuations in their traffic. The uncertainty of the flow
of data puts a strain on servers and slows down processing speeds. Hubbing gives dedicated
bandwith that can scale applications more efficiently.

Content delivery. Some businesses require several servers to cache a high-volume of content to
continue delivering services. In this instance, cache arrays are set up to distribute content across
the Internet which reduces the distance the data must travel to reach the customer.

Application acceleration. It is possible to increase the quality and flexibility of service by
using application accelerators. In this instance, hubbing is useful for companies that operate on
a global scale and need their services to be far-reaching. By cross-connecting, a fast network
can be created that can deliver content more efficiently to customers.

Big data analysis. The inherent problem with big data is how best to use big data. There are
several options, but one of the best is Direct Connect. With Direct Connect, customers can
access the cloud without needing to use the Internet.

Mobile applications. Since mobile apps consume a large amount of data, it's important that
they are optimized so that customers get the best possible service. With a cloud network, it is
possible to eliminate the middlemen to improve direct connections to the consumers.

Although cloud technology has just recently emerged on the commercial scene, it has been in development for several years and is already dominating the data services market. As new devices hit the market every day, companies are scrambling to produce services that give consumers the capability to use wireless data sync and storage for personal use.

Three of the names on the forefront cloud computing are Google, Apple, and Amazon. These big timers are rapidly revolutionizing the way the cloud works and what services are offered to consumers, with many new devices shipping pre-connected to some sort of wireless sync service. For example, Apple’s “iCloud” is optimized for instantly syncing data between all Apple products, encouraging brand-loyal consumers to own multiple gadgets. But as the cloud continues to expand, the competition for offering unique services grows larger. Google is now touting their brand of cloud called “Google Play,” a new service that is integrated with their former “Android Market” that offers a wide range of media. Amazon’s “Cloud Storage” gives a user the ability to listen to their friend’s music. Most of these services are only offered in part to consumers; Amazon offers a small amount of free storage to its users, about 5GB, but gives them the option of upgrading for a small subscription fee. Apple’s iCloud is free so as long as users have the most up-to-date firmware on their products.

Why is cloud computing so important? The Consumer Electronics Association estimates that the average household has around 24 electronic devices, including “basic” commodities such as cameras and remote controls. About half of those devices are able to connect to wireless Internet in some way. This means that as technology becomes more advanced, the more families will rely on multiple devices to handle their day-to-day activities, send important information, and save precious memories.

Cloud computing is undeniably the future of data storage, allowing consumers to use their multiple devices to their utmost potential. In the digital age, being able to access your personal information from wherever you are is not just a convenience, it’s a must.

• What do you need to know about RACK59?
  Security
  Biometric access to facility entrance
  3-tier security within the facility via proximity reader
  Security cameras
  Customer racks have locking front and rear doors
  Rated to withstand an F3 Tornado
  
  Power
  138 kV dual-fed on-site substation
  25MVA redundant utility transformers, expandable to 45MVA
  Separate underground A&B feeds to multiple parallel load centers
  800 kVa Kohler backup generator with 12,000 galloons of diesel belly tank
  
  Fiber
  Two fiber entries into the building
  Multiple providers including AT&T, Sprint, Cox
  100 gig point to point wireless failover
  

 

By Chad Henderson

I have always wanted to attend the massive Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that happens ever year in Las Vegas around this time. I imagined it as this sprawling, hypnotic disneyland of amazing technology and spectacle. A place to see the all your dreams of the future laid out around you like a feast. Where else are you going to learn about the new toys and gadgets that you will be drooling over in the stores next year? Companies like Sony and Microsoft spend all year planning how they will get the most attention at shows like CES. They spend huge amounts of money on booth decorations and lighting. They hire actors and stuntmen to make flashy dramatic entrances. They plant beautiful, evocatively dressed young ladies around their products, hoping to attract more eyes than the next company.    

But as I sat watching Leo Leporte walk through the convention center yesterday, all streaming to me live thanks to the magic of the modern internet, it occurred to me that these huge trade shows may be entering their twilight years. Watching Twit Live allowed me to be there without having to be there, and more importantly, without having to purchase a ticket to attend. I am sure that I missed out on some of the pure amazement and spectacle that you experience by being there in person. I am sure that things like the large beautiful 3D tvs do not seem very impressive when seen through a normal video stream, and standing next to a lovely young women in a tight Sony T-shirt is much more compelling that seeing her on a laptop screen, but otherwise, I felt like I was there. 

I was finally getting to attend CES, all without having to deal with the hassle of travel, and the crush of thousands of other technology geeks. I was getting to see all of the new toys and gadgets, and thanks to the power of an internet celebrity like Leporte, I was actually getting to see more than I would have as a normal visitor. I was getting to see interviews with, and hands on demonstrations by, the people behind the tech.

Wow, why bother going now?

But as powerful as that question is, it really doesn't seem as important as it once would have been. Now that sites likeCNet, Engadget, and Gizmodo are covering not only events like CES thoroughly, but also offering a year round spotlight on everything tech and gadget related, companies are starting to realize that they do not need to spend a ton of time and money to have a presence at huge events like CES. As a matter of fact, this will be the final year that Microsoft will be doing the keynote at CES. That fact alone tells you that interest in the trade show is waning. Apple has already pulled out of Macworld in a huge way and instead started doing their own events anytime they want to make an announcement to the world and it is working.

Even if companies wanted to wait for events like CES to make their big announcements, frequent leaks and rampant internet speculation often steal the thunder from what they waited to unveil. If news sites are discussing photos and specs in detail weeks before your big unveiling, why bother with it. Controlling the flow of information becomes harder the longer you wait and CES only happens once a year. For this reason, many products are now being announced long before the big events, even if the product is not actually ready.

Based on these changes in the mind set of companies and visitors, I expect that these large shows will start to fade into the background and eventually disappear altogether as the expense and effort eclipse the return. So if you want to attend an event like CES in person, you better do it soon. It may not be here in a few years.

Or just watch twit.tv, like I do. 

If you haven't been inside OKCWorks, the home of RACK59, you have missed out on one of the most impressive structures in Oklahoma City. 

The former Lucent Technologies/AT&T/Western Electric plant has a long history since ground was first broken on the site in December of 1958. But since then, it has seen its share of ups and down.

Now, with RACK59 as its anchor and hundreds of thousands of square feet to be used and developed, it remains unparalleled.

"We believe OKCWorks has traits that are unmatched in the industry anywhere on the globe when it comes to expansion flexibility for users.  Also, the speed to market possibilities of OKCWorks will offer a terrific solution in an industry where urgent business needs surface rapidly." - Tom Freeman, Jones, Lang, LaSalle

On this blog, we will walk you through the plant's history and talk to some of the former workers inside. It's because of their innovations that great work continues to this day at RACK59.

In 1960, the 1,100 new Western Electric employees first walked through the door of OKCWorks. Construction on the original factory cost $35 million. The 1,300,000 square feed made it one of the largest facilities of its kind in the southwest. The City of Oklahoma City helped lure Western Electric to place the new site in town by paying for the financing of a smaller test factory at 39th and Tulsa.

The plant quickly became an economic powerhouse for Oklahoma City, stimulating the economy thanks to all of the new jobs that were created. 

Wrote the Oklahoma City Times on the groundbreaking day: "The ground-breaking ceremony for the huge, new Western Electric plant in Oklahoma City yesterday was definitely a major-league event -- one that puts our city in the class of the biggest industrial centers in the nation. December 10, 1958 will alway be a red-letter day here."

A major-league city? Sounds like OKCWorks was onto something 53 years ago.

Periodically on the RACK59 blog, we will look at how different industries are handling their data security. RACK59 secure and reliable data center services for many different industries. For more information about our company’s services go to our Service Page.

Accounting firms hold some of the most valuable data for companies around the country. Communication between an accountant and their customer can contain account numbers, pay records and other sensative information that needs to be kept away from prying eyes and Internet threats.

A recent article on AccountingToday.com outlined three key components that an accounting firm should have in place when it is putting together their data security strategies. Here is a summary of the recommendations:

• Physical security: Not only should your data center have cameras and alarms, but your server room should be raised and climate controlled. Access to the data storage aerass should be “strictly controlled.”

• Security technologies: Off-site facilities are one of the best choices for protecting your data, said Accounting Today, but “All of these security measures are for naught if you suffer a server failure or other catastrophic loss of data. A well-executed backup plan is essential.” Security systems must also be tested often to find weaknesses and missing elements.

• Policy and staff communications: A key to success in security company data is educating your staff on what data needs to be secured and how. “a security policy is useless if your employees don’t fully understand and agree to abide by it,” says the article author Hillel Sackstein.

  Data is becoming such a valuable commodity for businesses of all sizes and types. It’s what gets passed back-and-forth between professional service companies and their clients and kept by large corporations. Investing in the best company that can give peace of mind that your data will be safe is essential to a success and security in the future.