Beware Fake Anti-virus Software!

At several client sites recently, we've seen the nasty results of the latest virus/spyware scam to hit the Internet.  Simply put, it's fake anti-virus software.   What you'll see is a message claiming that your computer has many vulnerabilities and/or many infections and the only way to clean them is to download and run a linked anti-virus program.  Of course, the anti-virus program is none of the sort - it's a virus or spyware!   So, please remember (and remind your staff) not to download so-called "free" virus protection (or system tune-up utilities from the Internet.   If you aren't sure, call us and we'll check it out.

You can read about one of the latest scams on Wired's website here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/09/dan-brown/

It's quite ingenious... they are using Google and the latest current events to ensure they are at the top of current search results and, of course, when you click on it, you get infected or tricked into infecting yourself.

One website that tracks these nefarious characters is StopBadware.org at http://stopbadware.org/   You can check there for the latest scams.

Bye for now!   To ensure you get current updates (like this one), follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/carefreeit

Cloud Computing - Part 5 - What's Next?

There are many theories and ideas as to where exactly the cloud computing paradigm will take us. As I reviewed in my last post, many of the computer industry's larger players (Google, Microsoft, etc) are investing heavily in cloud services so, certainly, there will be many different types of Internet cloud-based services available to your business in the coming years. You can be sure there will be services we haven't even contemplated yet.

But, cloud technologies don't necessarily have to based solely on the public Internet. The same technologies can be used inside your four walls.  In fact, large companies may offer services via their own private clouds. For example, perhaps your bank may offer (or already does offer) services in its own cloud.  You already do your banking online - that's a cloud service - perhaps they'll also add payroll or investment services (if they haven't already).

Companies may create their own clouds to provide the IT services their employees need to do their jobs. Perhaps we'll see companies keeping their core business functionality inside their own networks on a private cloud but use the Internet cloud for other non-critical business functions.   Some predict that the Internet cloud will supplement your internal cloud during peak usage times.  The possibilities are endless!

Now that we know these changes are happening, the logical question is what do we do now? That's what we, at CarefreeIT, have been working on for the past year. We've been testing various cloud technologies. We've logged many hours trying different things... we've created our own private cloud and have been using it in our office. We also have some clients testing various technologies. We believe future systems will be a blend of private and Internet clouds.  

For now, we're going to continue testing cloud computing technologies.   We'll continue to consult with you to ensure we understand your priorities and we'll build and offer services that will make your systems reliable, easy to use, affordable and safe.   Our first new service - the Total Restore service - is a first step in that direction but it won't be the last.   

Over the coming weeks I'll delve more deeply into some of the specific new technologies that I believe will have an impact on your businesses in the near future.  We'll talk about the pros and cons and the costs.    As always, I can't do this in a vacuum.  I need your input to help me understand what's important to you.  Please take an active part in the discussion because we're all facing the same challenges and we'll all benefit by sharing our collective knowledge and ideas.

Cloud Computing - Part 4 - Where are we now?

You'll be surprised fo find out how much you're already using cloud computing services!

This blog is a perfect example. Google owns Blogger (the tool I used to create this blog) and provides it free of charge. I don't know where the Blogger server(s) are located, I didn't have to install anything, I don't have to do any upgrades or backups or maintenance. The service is provided to be over the Internet and I just use it. That's the essence of cloud computing!

Other examples? There are so many... web-based e-mail services such as Hotmail, Yahoo and G-Mail are cloud-based applications. The Google search tool itself is another prime example. In each of those cases, those are services available to you from somewhere "in the cloud". You don't have to manage, monitor, secure, upgrade, or install them. They are just there for you to use.

Not all Internet cloud services are free. In fact, most probably won't be. Salesforce.com is a prime example of a cloud service. They provide a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system in the cloud. Check them out at http://www.salesforce.com/.

Some of you may have used Quicktax online to do your income taxes this year (http://www.quicktax.ca/). It's an execllent example of a Internet cloud service. The tool that we use to monitor your systems is also a cloud-based application.

Microsoft is also getting into the game in a big way. They now offer what they are calling their "Business Productivity Online Suite" which includes Exchange, Sharepoint, Office Communication, and Office Live. What's that mean? It's not free but it means you can deploy and use some of these tools on a monthly subscription basis without having to buy and implement the servers to house them internally. I'll talk more about this in a future blog because there is so much there it deserves its own blog post.

Also, Microsoft, whose Office application is the poster-child for the old way of doing things, has recently announced the next version of Office 2010. That's not news but what is exciting is that there will be a FREE version of Office available to anyone to use online. So, even Microsoft Office will be in the cloud! How cool is that? How much money is that going to save you in Office licensing?

To wrap up... cloud computing is already here and you're already using it for many things. But, we're barely scratching the surface. Stay tuned for more information on where we go from here. As always, I welcome your comments!

Cloud Computing - Part 3 - Is there a downside?

When companies were first switching to the central electrical grid from their own power generation systems there were those who were slow to adopt to the new technology. Their reasons? They didn't trust the electrical companies that were supplying the power. Also, they didn't think the power produced from the grid was of the quality that they produced on their own. In some cases, there may have been some legitimate reasons for concern but, as the bugs were worked out, those reasons soon went by the wayside.

In the same way, there are nay-sayers out there today who are making similar statements about cloud computing. Some of the issues they raise certainly are legitimate but others aren't. The legitimate issues are issues today but they likely won't be issues tomorrow.

Let's look at a few possible problems. The first issues that many people raise are security and priviacy. They worry that data stored outside your four walls and on someone else's computer can't be secure and private. Certainly, with today's privacy laws, these are real concerns. But, does anyone really think a server sitting in your office is truly secure from theft, fire, flood, etc? Servers in the cloud are locked in controlled-access server rooms with fire suppression systems and "clean" electrical power (with backups). As well, your data can be encrypted and protected by security and privacy agreements with the cloud vendor. So, yes, security/privacy IS an issue but it is an issue that can be managed by putting in the proper controls, restrictions and safe-guards.

Probably the biggest issue today that we need to address today is Internet bandwidth and reliability. Obviously, if you're getting most of your computing services from the Internet you'll need fast and reliable Internet to your office. Many companies don't yet have the Internet bandwidth or reliability that they can afford to put too many applications in the cloud. However, Internet bandwidth and reliability is improving every day and this issue is going away.


Finally, not all applications are suitable to cloud computing and they will need to be re-written or modified to make them work properly. You may have applications that simply won't work in a cloud computing set-up. However, many vendors are currently re-writing their applications so they will work in a cloud configuration.

So, yes, there are issues with cloud computing but, over time, we will resolve them and/or find ways around them. One way might be to use cloud computing technologies inside your private network for those applications that privacy laws (or whatever) dictate can't exist outside your four walls. You may see some hybrid situations where some applications are hosted externally and some internally. The point is that the technology works either way!

Your comments and ideas are always welcome! Please feel free to post them here or e-mail me directly.

Cloud Computing - Part 2 - Benefits

What are the real benefits of cloud computing? First, obviously, there are savings in capital dollars since you don't have to buy servers and, maybe, even desktop or laptop systems. You may choose to buy "thin client" systems which you can think of as scaled-down desktop computers (they're cheaper, more fail-safe, and use less power).

Second, computing services in the cloud are typically more reliable than servers you have in your office today. The reasons behind that is that they are typically higher-end, fault-tolerant systems and are managed 24x7 by specialists.


Third, you save on system management costs. Someone else is managing the cloud systems so you don't have to pay to have someone manage the server system(s) in your office. You will likely still need someone to organize and coordinate the cloud computing services into something usable but that shouldn't cost as much.


Fourth, you save on power and air conditioning. Servers and desktops, to a lesser extent, consume lots of electrical power and generate heat. So, cloud computing is "greener" than traditional computing.


Fifth, cloud applications can actually be more secure that applications you host on your own servers. How? These applications are typically hosted on state-of-the-art data centers with multiple layers of protection around them. They will be protected by high-end redundant firewalls and the data centers will have very secure and multiple physical access controls.

Finally, system accessibility is improved. Typically, you can access your cloud-based systems from anywhere you have Internet connectivity - at the office, home, cottage, coffee shop, etc. Of course, you can also put controls in place if ubiquitous access isn't something you want or need.

So, as you can see, there are many benefits to cloud computing and most of them will lead to decreased cost for computing power and, these days, that's good for everyone.

On the next post, I'll talk about some of the drawbacks and potential pitfalls to cloud computing.

Stay tuned and, as always, I welcome your comments.

Cloud Computing - Part 1 - Definition

Last week I talked about the concept of virtualization and its potential for changing the way we implement systems. This week I want to begin to talk about one of the ways that virtualization is being put to use in a big way already but, in the very near future, will see explosive growth. I'm talking about "cloud computing". You may also hear it referred to as "utility computing".

But, first, a step back. For those of you old enough to remember, the original way we implemented computing technology was with big expensive mainframes locked in special rooms and manned by very "special" people. You accessed them via "dumb" terminals. If you were lucky you had one at your desk. If not, you signed up for time on one in the terminal pool.

From there, in the mid to late 80's we slowly saw a shift from mainframe computing to what we called "client-server". Here, we had server computers - much smaller and cheaper than their mainframe cousins - but we also had PCs on our desks to replace the terminals. Some of the processing work was done on the server systems and some of it is done on the PCs. This was a far cheaper and more flexible way to push computer power out to the people. Client-server technology is still the prevalent computing paradigm in place today in nearly every office.

But, hold on.... the times are changing again and a new computing paradigm has appeared and is slowly beginning to take over. Why? There are many reasons but it always boils down to cost. There is now a cheaper and more flexible alternative way of delivering computing power.

So, what is cloud computing? Let's start with an analogy. Think of the electrical power that is provided to your business or home. In the early days of electricity, companies had to generate their own power (somehow) and pay people to oversee and manage the power generation system. Needless to say, it was expensive! Today, of course, power is provided to you from a centralized power grid. You don't need to have your own power generator and you don't need to hire someone to manage it for you. You don't worry how or where the electricity is generated - you just pay for what you use. The result? Electrical power is much cheaper today than it was when we all had to generate our own. (I shamelessly stole this analogy from Nicholas Carr's book "The Big Switch". Get it and read it if you want to understand why this change is inevitable.)


There is a parallel with what is about to happen with computer services. Today, in order to get computing power, you buy computers - desktops, laptops and servers - and pay someone (like us) to install, trouble-shoot and manage them. It's expensive - as I'm sure you've noticed!

Well, what if you didn't have to buy and manage your own server systems? What if server and desktop computer power was available to you from a central computing grid (perhaps outside your four walls) and you just used what you needed, when you needed it, and paid for what you used? That's the definition of "utility" computing. The computing grid? That's the Internet. The term "cloud" comes from the idea that the Internet is like a cloud of computing power. Hence, the term "cloud computing".

Imagine this... what if you were able to put inexpensive network access devices, almost like the old "dumb" terminals, on your employee's desks and access a limitless amount of computing power? You don't know or care where it comes from... it's just computing power. You pay for only what you need when you need it... much like the electricity that comes to your office or home. You don't have to buy computers... you don't have to pay someone to manage, install, or trouble-shoot them.

Sound hard to believe? We're closer than you think. There are "cloud services" companies out there on the Internet who are already starting to offer services like this. Think of Hotmail. Think of Google. Those are true cloud computing services. You don't know or care where they are located, you don't have to maintain the computers they live on, you don't have to worry about storage. They are just services available to you on the Internet. Of course, not all cloud services will be free like Hotmail and Google but you get the idea. Another excellent example is Salesforce.com (check them out at http://www.salesforce.com/). They offer a complete cloud-based CRM system on a subscription basis.

Cloud services don't necessarily have to be out on the Internet, though. The technology can be used internally as well. Computing resources would be placed in an internal "cloud" and employees access and use the resources as needed when needed. Ultimately, companies may blend their internal clouds with the external clouds to provide limitless computing power to their employees.

You might be wondering... where does virtualization tie into all of this? Well, it's one of the underlying technologies beneath cloud computing and it's part of what makes it affordable. Cloud services providers have many virtual host servers and these systems are hosting many, many guest servers. Perhaps we may put some host servers in your office and they will offer a variety of cloud services by hosting guest servers. Complicated? It is a little bit... but over the next several posts I'll talk more about the benefits and concerns regarding cloud computing. We'll also talk about practical implementations today to prepare you for what's coming tomorrow.

Stay tuned and, as always, I welcome your comments and questions.

Virtualization - What's it all about?

You may have heard the term "virtualization" being bandied about the mainstream news lately. It's one of the "new" technologies that is getting some attention because of the significant cost savings and improvements in system reliability it can offer.


But, first, some definitions are necessary. When you "virtualize" a computer system what you are doing is simulating that computer on another system. For example, if I was to virtualize system "A" on system "B" I would take the following steps:


a) Take a snapshot of system "A".

b) Move that snapshot onto system "B".

c) Shut down system "A".

d) Start up the snapshot of "A" on "B".

From that point on, it looks to the rest of the network that system "A" is operating as usual.


In this scenario, system "A" is a "guest system" and system "B" is the "host system". If system "B" has enough resources (CPU, disk and memory), then it could conceivably host multiple guest systems - each guest is totally unaware and unaffected by the others. That, in a nutshell, is virtualization.


The first advantage you can see from virtualization is decreased hardware costs. If I can buy one system and host many other virtual guest systems on it, then I'm saving by not having to purchase as many physical computers.


Generally, virtualization has been used to consolidate server systems. Most physical computer servers today are vastly under-utilized. The increases in hardware capacity have out-grown the demands of the software so, as a result, most servers don't even break a sweat. By combining many guest servers onto one hardware host server, you use up more of that excess hardware capacity that you've already paid for.


Today, though, we are starting to see virtualization in many different areas. Desktops are being virtualized and so are individual applications. It gets complicated but the basic idea is that virtualization makes better use of computer hardware. That means you spend less on buying new computers and you save in the "green" aspects such as power usage and cooling.


How does virtualization improve system reliability? A system that has been virtualized is essentially "hardware independent". It can run on any virtual host system. So, if a physical system breaks down, you can move the guests systems it hosts to another physical host system without any reconfiguration. There are even tools to automate the fail-over process thus providing 100% up-time.

How well does it work? It used to be that virtualization was purely done in software. You would install virtualization software on a server and it could then host guest systems. Over the past few years, though, all the major chip makers have moved the virtualization smarts down into the hardware. This has provided a huge increase in performance to the point where it is nearly impossible to see much performance difference between standard systems and virtualized systems.

Large companies are already heavy into virtualization and are reaping the rewards. Lately, though, even base-level servers are coming with the virtualization support built in to the processor. This means that smaller businesses are also positioned to take advantage of virtualization.

As of today, in addition to virtualizing most of our own internal systems, we are using virtualization technology at four of our client sites. In each case it is being used in a slightly different way but the common benefit is that all are seeing performance improvements, better reliability, and, of course, cost savings.

But, we're just scratching the surface of what this technology can bring us. In the coming weeks I'll explain how virtualization, in combination with high speed Internet, is going to radically change the way we build, install and configure systems and how that, in turn, is going to save you money while making your systems more reliable and easier to use.

Stay tuned! Please feel free to post comments and/or questions directly to the blog.

What's Important to You?

There are many new and exciting technologies appearing on the information technology landscape. Examples include "cloud computing" and "virtualization". Some of these technologies will prove to be revolutionary while others may fizzle. We test and evaluate many of them as a way of determining what might be useful and affordable for our clients.

However, we can't do this work in a vacuum. We need your input to help us figure out what new technologies to pursue and to make available to you through our service offerings.

The pace of technological change is so fast today that it is forcing us to change the way we do business and change the services we offer to our clients. So, as we work to develop our new service offerings the first question we ask ourselves is, of course: What do our clients value?

Do you value secure systems most? Is it reliable systems? Easy to use? Flexible? Low cost? Cutting edge? What are your priorities?

So, the first thing I'm asking each of you to do is to think of the ideal computer services for your company and arrange the following list in order of importance to you:


_ Ease of use

_ Flexibility

_ Security

_ Technical currency (i.e. cutting edge technology)

_ Remote Access

_ Low Cost

_ Reliability

_ Other (please specify)



If you are not comfortable replying to the blog (where others can see your reply), then please e-mail me personally (john@jmbalch.com). Once most of you have replied, I'll compile the results and post a summary for all to see.

In coming blog postings we'll continue the conversation. I'll talk about some of these new technologies and try to explain them so that you can help us determine whether they can be useful to you.

Of course, this won't work if its a one-way conversation so I encourage all of you to post your comments, insights and ideas.

Thanks!