Mobile PC Doctor Scheduled Security Check-up! (Security Calendar)

We offer a quarterly security check up for business with 2 or more networked computers.

ü We physically check each machines performance on the local networks installing any applicable Service Packs, Patches, and Software Updates verifying the integrity of your Virus, Spyware and firewall protection.

ü To Identify and inform you of any concerns regarding your computers security. We run several applications such as the DX Diagnostic tool, Malicious software Identification tool and the signature verification program. Additionally we run many command line security checks to locate and identify active services running on your computers including but not limited to Net View, Blaster clean and Net Statistics.

ü As an added advantage of being on our Security Calendar, service calls falling within the covered quarter are reduced $20.00 to only $65.00 (including the trip charge and first hour of service) Additional onsite hours are still $35.00 an hour billed in quarter hour increments.

ü Convenient scheduling (viewable online) Allowing you to pick the best time for us to inspect your computers network minimizing any interference with your existing work flow. (please allow for 15 Minutes diagnostic inspection time for each workstation on your network)

Client Information

This page provides an end-to-end overview of the potential security issues that can affect any networked computer, and some things to keep in mind about system security. For your detailed individualized network and security inspection please feel free to contact us directly to schedule. (336)788-8900 or on the Internet at NCPCS.com

The firecrackers in the illustration represent potential points of security failure in a networked system. The discussion in this page will start at the user's keyboard and follow the path to the target server.

(1): The user's own system

There are several security points to consider on your own system, including both hardware and software. User system security risks can include:

• Your operating system and software. Any operating system (Microsoft or Linux based) has its own inherent vulnerabilities, many of which have to do with the Internet, file sharing and administrative permissions. In addition, through usage hacking and advancing technology more security vulnerabilities are being discovered and exploited weekly, The various Operating System vendors attempt to overt this by releasing update Patches or fixes trying to maintain the usefulness of their product.
  
  What we do to protect you in this area:
• We keep your Operating System and your software applications up to date with the latest security patches, fixes or updates. We regularly ensure quarterly, that you have the latest updates and security patches installed from the Operating System vendor that you use, each vendors maintain there own updates upgrades and security solutions we help you to regularly maintain these fixes.
• Microsoft products for Microsoft, we try to limit usage of Third-Party software applications. Operating Systems have become more and more All-inclusive over time. The Operating System vendor with the source code can create more efficient and reliable applications than Third-Party software vendors who do not have the source code to write with. Also Third-Party vendors have to be judged on an individual basis regarding reliability and integrity. Be cautious determining which applications to run on your work machine.
• Keep your Anti-Virus software up to date. We check this for you quarterly with our security check-up but it is your responsibility to maintain and keep the latest virus definitions installed. (This is imperative if your system does any kind of file sharing (or Internet access)).
• Keep your Anti-Spy ware software up to date and running. We check this for you quarterly with our security check-up but it is your responsibility to maintain and keep the latest Spyware definitions installed (also important if your system does any kind of file sharing (or Internet access)).
• A personal firewall allows you to restrict the connections that can be made into or out of your computer. We will ensure it is installed on and active. We recommend (if using Microsoft) to use the Firewall incorporated with Service Pack 2 versions of Windows Xp.
• We help you identify and turn off any services you don't need or are not using. You don't always need to share your files or hardware (printers etc.) over your local network; we help you to minimize points of entry for a hacker to exploit.
• We recommend and explain how to keep your Operating System Lean; don’t install programs that are not relevant to what you are using your computer for. Games, Browser Plug-ins and to many Instant Messaging applications running can drastically slow the performance of a computer.
• By joining our Security Check-up Calendar you are allowing us to accept the burden of your computer and networks security. As computer professionals we are obligated to stay up to date with the latest technologies and advancements. We are constantly learning of new vulnerability’s security breaches and how to secure and repair them maintaining a high level of operating efficiency, ensuring the optimal performance of all the machines on your local network.
• Different Connections. Determine if you need Security Check-ups by your Internet Connection.
• Least secure: Wireless networking. (not recommended for Businesses) By default, wireless data is transmitted unencrypted over the area covered by your computer's wireless networking card. Anyone connecting to the same access point can intercept and interpret that data. VPN server and WEP although offer added layers of security, are still vulnerable to password hacks such as Brute Force which can gain access to the routers configuration utility. Allow us quarterly to ensure you the highest levels of security possible for this medium of Internet access.
• Second least secure: wired connections. (Recommended for Businesses)Connections such as Internet via Ethernet, cable modems, and DSL. Although being more reliable and consistent the constant connection offers more security risks. The 24 hour connection maximizes the amount of network exposure to each computer on your network. Second wired connections typically maintain a constant or consistent IP address (via DHCP) for the machines connection. This makes machines easier for hackers to find. Firewalls physical (router with a Gateway) and Quarterly security Check-ups are highly recommended for these business users.
• Second most secure: Intermittent wired connections (dial-up) (not recommended for Businesses). While slow, dial-up connections do provide the slight advantage of security through obscurity. The machine is not always connected to the network and it likely receives a different IP address during each of the relatively brief occasions when it is connected. However, it is still possible for dial-up users to be infected by particularly swift-acting viruses and Spyware. (Our scheduled Security Check-ups are less of a necessity for these users. As long as they regularly maintain and keep up to date their Operating System, Spyware Program, Firewall and Anti-virus software and abide by standard security measures.)
• Most secure: Never connected. (If possible, recommended for Businesses) a computer whose only purpose is to perform an alternative function such as file storage, local printing, calculating or even older games and is not ever connected to the Internet would therefore not be as exposed to the associated security risks of the Internet and File sharing. (Our scheduled Security Check-ups are less of a necessity for these users. As long as they regularly maintain and keep up to date their Operating System and Anti-virus software and abide by standard security measures.)

(2) and (3): The machines between the user's system and the destination

Even if you use an Internet service provider (ISP) whose integrity you trust, there are few guarantees that your ISP only routes you through machines that the ISP has personally inspected and verified. Anyone can run a Domain Name Server (DNS server), and anyone can intercept and read unencrypted network traffic that goes through their systems -- if they have the patience and the processing power to wade through that much data. It is your responsibility to be cautious on the Internet.

There isn't much we can do to check or guarantee the integrity of systems between your machine and your target, but we can help you take some steps to protect your data. Our Standard securities Policy’s are as follows.

Encryption of passwords, typed text, and file transfer. Beware don’t enter any passwords or sensitive data without seeing the SSL security locked symbol in the lower right hand corner of secure web pages. Information being sent unencrypted across any network between your machine and the server you're trying to contact can be easily intercepted.

Encryption of Web traffic. If a Web server isn't encrypting traffic you think is sensitive, don't send information to that server. E-commerce purchase pages should always be encrypted. (Check whether the lock symbol at the bottom of most browsers is open or closed. Open means unencrypted; closed means encrypted. If you don't trust their system, find an alternate method of communicating with them. If I can’t call the seller by phone I personally will not order anything from them.

Encryption of individual mail messages. While WebMail makes sure that your login and password are protected in transit to the email server, you still should never send sensitive information through email because it is NOT encrypted once it leaves the mail system. If you need to send email securely from your desktop to the email recipient's desktop, both you and the recipient will need to be running compatible email encryption systems.

Always scrutinize data you are copying to your machine. Be sure to Virus-Scan any files coming into your machine. Rather Safe than sorry.

(4): The destination

As with the user's own system, there are several potential security points of failure on a server, such as the operating system security, the applications' security, compromised user names and passwords, etc. Before you send information to a system, ask yourself whether you believe the system has been adequately secured and whether the operators can be trusted not to redistribute information you don't wish to distribute.