Instant Messaging

How to secure IM

Judi Hasson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:13:22 -0400

Instant messaging is everywhere, and no doubt, widely used by employees at your workplace. It makes common sense for IT departments to have security systems in place, but recent surveys have found that most enterprises have neither the policies nor the technology for securing IM, even though it has become an email alternative for distributing viruses and other malware. There is software available--including appliances, hosted solutions, software modules or features of other web and email security systems--to protect against threats like viruses, worms, spyware and messaging spam.

To get the details:
- see this CSO article

Text messaging not just for the young

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

For most CIOs, IT managers and long time computer specialists, text messaging may seem to be part of the hard-to-fathom under-30 culture and little more than a method of trivial cell-to-cell communication. But CIO Magazine says that texting could be one more tool in the IT productivity arsenal--like email and instant messaging. The magazine offers 10 ways that using text messaging technology could be of help, including accessing a Google calendar on the phone to remember and schedule appointments; using phone web services to track packages; and sending messages to your PC.

For details on 10 killer texting tricks:
- See this CIO Magazine article

More tech stories from the FierceCIO network:
> Details on the forthcoming BlackBerry 9000
> AMD unveils enterprise PCs
> Unlike Microsoft, Dell to keep offering Windows XP

When is too much Internet too much?

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0400

This week, we report on an issue that might seem trivial. The idea of Internet addiction has often been joked about, but few have really taken it seriously. Until now. In one of the first reports on this subject, the American Journal of Psychiatry seriously talks about Internet addiction and what it means.

Given our line of work, most of us probably feel the pull to of the Internet from time to time. How do you feel when you can't get to it? If you find yourself feeling frustrated when away from a computer, it might be time to take a breather and remember that you don't have to work 24/7. Remember: the key to a good work/life balance is to leave your work at the office when you go home for the day. -Judi

P.S. If you haven't yet read our special report on security threats and the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, be sure to check it out!

Internet addiction: a mental disorder?

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

The Internet has finally made the journals--the psychiatry journals that is. The American Journal of Psychiatry reports that its official guidebook of mental disorders has officially outlined Internet addiction as a mental disorder. The description includes distinct symptoms displayed by sufferers. These include withdrawal and an associated sense of anger or depression when a computer is not available. The conditions are difficult to treat because Internet addiction is "resistant to treatment, entails significant risks and has high relapse rates." You might think it's a big problem in the United States but the problem is most acute in South Korea, where Internet addiction is one of the country's "most serious public health issues."

For more on the Internet and addiction:
- See this Vnunet.com article

Forrester predicts tech 'populism'

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

A new Forrester study says there will soon be a proliferation of "technology populism." That means that IT professionals will be rethinking how they currently evaluate, provide and support collective and collaborative software and services. Forrester says this change will increase the pressure to throw out the traditional methods by which technology is deployed. "Technology Populism is driven by people's needs to interact," said Forrester Research Principal Analyst Matthew Brown. "For many employees, the telephone and email are being replaced by text messaging, instant messaging, and mobile devices, such as iPhones and BlackBerrys, and Social Computing tools like Facebook and Wikipedia," Brown said. Is this true at your workplace? Let us know what is happening and what you think of this new trend in the comments.

For more on this trend:
- See this Fox Business article

Warning: Social networks cost you plenty

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

There are many tools available for CIOs to make their jobs more efficient and effective. And there are plenty of pluses that come with the growth of social networks, which provide employees on the job with a way to communicate quickly, reach out to the world and get the information they need. Email, instant messaging and blogs have become a fact of life and can help workers do a better job and collaborate with colleagues who may be far afield. But there is the strong possibility that employees will become distracted and lose productivity by using these tools for personal, not work-related endeavors.

In a new report, Basex estimates that social networking may be the problem of the year for 2008, and that the lack of productivity may cost the U.S. economy $588 billion. "Information Overload: We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us," said Basex analysts Jonathan B. Spira and David M. Goldes. The report claims this kind of detour eats up 28 percent of a worker's day, resulting in the loss of 28 billion hours of productivity. The $588 billion a year assumes a $21 per hour salary for knowledge workers.

While you cannot stand over a worker's computer station all day, there may be ways to discourage employees from spending time away from their work. You might block some kind of technologies or lay down the law and issue a few rules, remembering that they always can be broken. Like everything else in this new world of technology, training the staff to do it right may be the best defense when the work clock is running.

For more on workplace perils:
- See this eWeek article

Go slowly on social networking

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Social networking may be the hottest item to come down the pike in a while. But a new study by Gartner warns businesses about getting caught up in the hype. The caution from the research company is very clear. Before a company invests in social network tools or develops a social networking operation, Gartner advises IT executives to make sure that intellectual property is protected and to determine if employees would prefer using existing external networks such as Facebook and MySpace.

It's a decision that ultimately rests with the CIO to make sure a social network is operated properly. And it also concerns the HR department, which should decide the extent to which employees can social network on the job instead of, say, working. The Gartner report also says that social networking may not be mature enough to warrant an investment. And there is no evidence yet that it is as effective as instant messaging or other existing technologies that can link workers in one business together.

For more on this office technology:
- See this Silicon.com Article

If you aren't blogging, you aren't with it

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

It's easy to get behind the curve in technology. The field is moving so fast, and there are so many new tools to try out that no one blames you if you don't have the latest gadget to make your job easier. But one that has really taken off is blogging. And if you don't have it at your company, you are definitely not with it. Blogging is an easy way to communicate, easier than email and instant messaging. It allows many more people to look at your ideas at one time and to respond to them. If your company is not using blogs in the search for new ideas, you are behind the times.

Toni Schneider, who started Automattic, a company that is working on the open-source blogging software WordPress, knows the power of the blog and how to make it better. He told CIO Magazine that enterprise blogging has been slow in getting started, with blogging used most frequently as a media tool. But he says: "We do hear that companies desire to have the simplicity of the blogging we see on the consumer side within the enterprise. My guess is people will use blogging more and more for things like project management and as an internal productivity tool." He says there are plenty of enterprise tools available, but if you just want an open-source blogging one, it can be difficult to find without investing lots of time and effort in one of the newest technological devices in the industry. For example, if your employees want to use their Blackberrys or iPhones to interact with their blogs, that functionality is already available as a WordPress plugin. But if you have a more monolithic tool that's not open, you will have to wait for the next software release, and that will cost you plenty of money, he says.

For more on how to blog:
- See this CIO Magazine article

McAfee: Microsoft Visa a security risk

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Are you worried about Microsoft Vista's security? You probably should be. Criticism of Microsoft's latest Windows operating system has been common, especially with regard to security. Now McAfee, an intrusion prevention and security risk management company, has identified Vista as one of 10 pending security threats in the coming year. Vista was not alone on the list. CIOs need to sit up and take note about all of these warnings.

The other threats include continued distribution of malicious software and data mining of personal information through popular online applications such as MySpace and Monster.com. Increased proliferation of Storm Worm, a malicious program that began infecting computers in January 2007, remains a threat. And don't forget viruses spread through Instant Messaging programs. What CIO does not have Microsoft Vista in his shop or plans to get it as soon as the program expands? It may be a big issue for every CIO system in the coming year. And we would like to know what you are doing to make sure your Vista system is protected--let us know in the comments.

For more on Vista headaches:
- See this CNNMoney article

The road to an Internet tax ban

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:59:59 -0400

Congress is moving closer to extending a ban on Internet taxes, a law that expires on Nov. 1st. Recently, the Senate joined the House in passed a moratorium. However, there are differences in the two pieces of legislation that will have to be reconciled. The Senate version calls for a seven-year ban while the House wants a four-year ban. These differences will have to be resolved before the legislation is sent to President Bush for his signature. But it is a step forward for lawmakers to protect the Internet at the time when local and state governments are looking to it as a new source of tax revenues for their coffers. Supporters said the ban would help encourage the growth of broadband and help fuel the U.S. economy. But opponents said that the ban could give taxing authorities the idea of looking at instant messaging and text messaging for new taxes.

For more on stopping Internet taxes:
- read this CIO magazine article