Protect your business data with five BYOD security apps

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) will help to not only empower your employees; it will save your company's bottom line. Without having to purchase extra hardware, that budget will be freed up for other crucial elements of business. But along with BYOD comes a wealth of concerns – one of which is security. Not only do you risk having your network compromised, you run the risk of seeing sensitive data lost as devices are lost or used improperly on your network.

How do you prevent data loss and a compromised network? That is simple – with some planning and the right tools. I have found five must-deploy tools to help secure your company's BYOD experience. Although these tools won't suit everyone's needs and platforms, they will give you a solid understanding of what you need to secure your company's BYOD platform.

Five apps

1. Packetfence

Packetfence is one of the finest Network Access Control tools you will find. This open source solution allows you to control who/what/when/where can use your network. All of those BYOD devices that will be joining your network can be registered and controlled.

PacketFence 2

So well designed is Packetfence, that you can enforce a policy that only registered devices can join the company network. Packetfence has an outstanding web-based management portal and allows you to: Control VLAN, manage guest access, manage violation types, control expiration, manage bandwidth usage, and much more.

Boxcryptor 1

2. Boxcryptor

Boxcryptor adds additional security to Dropbox, SkyDrive, and Google Drive. This security is simple – all encrypted files/folders that are synced with a supported cloud service are encrypted. The encryption is handled directly on the phone or tablet, so no passwords are ever transmitted. For an additional level of security, the app itself can be password protected.

Boxcryptor 2

If the company itself doesn't use cloud services, many employees do – if only to enable themselves to be able to work from anywhere. For those that do, having a layer of encryption between that mobile device and their cloud service can mean the difference between compromised and secure data.

Divide 1

3. Divide

Divide is a unique tool that creates a hidden desktop on Android devices that users can employ for work data. This hidden workspace is fully encrypted and offers secure access to email, contacts, and calendar. Divide also ensures a perfect separation between personal and work data.

Divide 2

Divide syncs with Exchange ActiveSync, Google Apps, Lotus Notes, and more. One other feature, users and companies will be glad to have is a private browser – to keep prying eyes away from company sites and web-based data.

DirectPass 1

4. DirectPass

DirectPass is an outstanding application to prevent business web-based logins from getting into the wrong hands. DirectPass installs a password protected, secure browser on your mobile device and allows the user to store bookmarks and site credentials safely.

DirectPass 2

DirectPass also enables a one-click access to your most frequented sites as well as auto form filling.

FileLocker 1

5. FileLocker

FileLocker allows you to encrypt specific files on your mobile device. This app encodes the actual file, making it virtually unreadable, without decoding. Huge files are quickly hashed by encoding only the beginning and the ending of the file. Encrypted files are also hidden from view – making them practically disappear. FileLocker also tracks temporarily unlocked files – in case you've forgotten to re-lock them. If you're looking for an outstanding (and simple) way to protect sensitive company data on a mobile device, look no further than FileLocker.

FileLocker 2

Bottom line

BYOD doesn't need to be synonymous with a lack of security. There is no reason not to allow BYOD because of security – not when you can deploy a few tools to ensure your company data is safe from prying eyes. Some of these applications even allow the user to enjoy security away from the company. These are a no-brainer for anyone wanting to add BYOD to a company infrastructure.

Read More

Screenshots: Five mostly obscure desktop backup tools

Backup Maker 1

It's simple: If you're not backing up your data, at some point you're going to regret that mistake. For many medium to large businesses, data is typically backed up via shared directories on a server. But for smaller companies, or end users who have needs outside of shared directories, it's nice to know there are backup tools that can be installed, free of charge, and can handle one, simple task: Backup your desktop data.

I'm not talking about applications with bells and whistles to suit every need. What I'm looking for are applications that can do one job and do it dependably. In my quest to find a backup tool to meet these needs, I came across five that could happily recommend. Let's take a look at these tools and see which, if any, will do the job you need done.

Five Apps

There is one caveat to some of these tools - for a few, the free version is assumed for private use only. The business versions of the same tools can be acquired, for a small price.

1. Backup Maker

Backup Maker is one of those tools you need if what you're looking for is simplicity and security. Backup Maker handles your desktop backups with an interface that nearly anyone (with any level of experience) can use.

Backup Maker 2

This tool easily handles compression and even offers strong encryption (AES 256-bit). Backup targets can be anything from USB drives, FTP (passive or FTP over SSL), or CD/DVD. Backup Maker even supports spanning backups (splitting larger backups into multiple files). The personal edition is free. If you need to dive in for a professional license, it will set you back $66.63 USD. Backup Maker works with Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

2. Genie Timeline 2012

Genie Timeline 2012 has one of the most simplistic interfaces you'll find (bested only by the Linux-only Deja Dup) and is about as close to 'set it and forget it' as any backup can be. Although the free version of Genie is very limited in scope and feature, it will reliably backup desktop data with just a few, quick clicks.

Genie Timeline 2

One of the nice features of Genie is that it can back up both unlocked and locked files (though I wouldn't depend upon a tool like this for a machine that runs a local database, such as MySQL). Genie Timeline offers an incredibly easy way to exclude files – called the No Backup Zone. Simply drag and drop files into this folder and they will not be backed up. Genie Timeline is available for Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

FBackup 1

3. FBackup

FBackup is a nice and easy backup, with minimal features and maximum reliability. You can set FBackup for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly intervals. The major limitation with Fbackup is that you do not get an option for either incremental or differential backups – all you get is full or mirror

FBackup 2

Probably the one feature that won me over to FBackup is the application specific plugin. What the developers have done is set up plugins that enable quick and easy backups for popular applications. For example, there is an Email plugin that will backup popular email applications (like Thunderbird and Outlook). This feature should win over anyone that doesn't want to spend a great deal of time setting up backups. FBackup is available for Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 8.

Lucky Backup 1

4. LuckyBackup

LuckyBackup is the first of the Linux backups on the list. This is my personal backup solution of choice. Not only is it incredibly easy to use, it is also as flexible as the platform it backs up.

Lucky Backup 2

Lucky Backup features: Backup or syncing directories; create snapshots of data; test-run system; exclude system; add/remove rsync options; execute user specific commands upon successful run; easy restore; and much more. Lucky Backup does not include its own scheduler, but works with the Linux cron system to create scheduled backups. With Lucky Backup you can create different profiles, so you can group backup jobs together for granular setup. Luck Backup runs on most all modern Linux systems.

Deja Dup 1

5. Deja Dup

Deja Dup is the aforementioned backup with one of the minimal interfaces you will find on an application. Although Deja Dup offers an incredibly simple interface – it does offer plenty of features. With very little setup, you can have your data backed up to an attached drive or a cloud service (such as Amazon S3, Rackspace Cloud Files, and Ubuntu One). By default, Deja locally encrypts and compresses your data and does incremental backups. If you're looking for one of the easiest ways to back up your Linux desktop data, you will not find an easier option than Deja Dup. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find an easier solution, regardless of platform.

Deja Dup 2

Bottom line

If you have to ask the question "Should I be backing up my data?" you are in the wrong industry and should return to using tin cans and stone tablets. The ultimate question should not be if you'll lose data, but when you'll lose data. Even if you're shared drives are backed up on a server, you might need to backup specific local directories – or your business is a one man band in a home office and your budget for such software is next to zero. No matter the case, give one of these solutions a look and see if it will handle the task at hand.

Read More

Five portable security apps you should carry on your USB drive

t

Introduction

NOTE: If you'd prefer to view this information as a blog post, check out this entry in our Five Apps blog.

Portable apps make life easier for system and network administrators, and security is one area where portable apps can make a big difference. But there are so many to choose from, it's hard to piece together a collection of tools that best fit your needs. Here are a few portable security apps you might never have heard of. Even if you only take away one or two of these tools, your portable security toolkit will have improved significantly.

Photo: iStockphoto.com/AndreyTTL

SmartSniff

SmartSniff enables you to capture TCP/IP packets traveling on a network adapter and view the packets between source and destination.

SmartSniff

The TCP/IP conversations can be viewed in ASCII mode (for text-based protocols, such as HTTP, SMTP, POP3, and FTP) or as a hex dump (for non-text based protocols, such as DNS). Having SmartSniff with you allows quick troubleshooting a networking issue from any PC on your network.

Omziff

Omziff is an encryption utility that can encrypt, split, and securely delete files (according to DOD standards), create file hashes, and generate random passwords. The encryption allows you to choose from all the standard types (Blowfish, IDEA, Twofish, and more).

Omziff

Omziff also includes a few utilities (random number generator, file append, and a command prompt) that can help you with other tasks.

Eraser Portable

Eraser Portable is a secure data removal tool that can remove data from a drive with multiple wipes, pattern writing, and more.

Eraser Portable

The portable version of this tool is based on the full version of Eraser and offers the same features. It can erase files, folders, and even previously (insecurely) deleted files. You can also instruct Eraser Portable to automatically restart or shut down a PC.

Remove Fake Antivirus

Remove Fake Antivirus should really have a better name. But even with the wacky name, the tool does exactly what it says it does -- checks for any fake antivirus and removes it.

Remove Fake Antivirus

The tool removes nearly 50 antivirus variants. It can be run as a portable app or, with the help of some scripting, can be saved on a drive and run on schedule or at bootup.

BleachBit

BleachBit is one of the best tools for freeing up hard disk space and guarding privacy. It frees cache, deletes cookies, clears Internet history, shreds temporary files, deletes logs, and discards various types of junk you may not have known was on a system

BleachBit

BleachBit is available as a portable app as well as an installable for both Windows and Linux.

Read More

10 apps that are topping enterprise blacklists

by Gina Smith

Introduction

Zenprise, a mobile device management company that specializes in BYOD, recently released its Zenprise MDM Cloud Report. The report includes the top 10 apps that enterprises are blacklisting (or attempting to blacklist) in the United States and globally. The list is theirs. The snide commentary, mine. So here they are. The 10 most blacklisted apps this month, in descending order

Angry Birds

Would someone please muster up the courage to tell the CEO to stop with the slingshot already?

Facebook

Imagine an update like, "I am sitting here listening to our blowhard manager give a talk that could fell a tree."

Google Play

Buying apps on company time? And potentially with company money? Hard stop.

Dropbox

Worst case: Employee walks off with your company data and Dropbox is installed on four of her computers. Nuff said.

Skype

Now this is what you want. Folks texting and calling relatives all over the world. It puts a whole new spin on the idea of personal calls at work, doesn't it?

YouTube

Imagine a Google+ Live Hangout saved and shared on YouTube. It's a recording of your confidential board meeting. Yikes!

The App Store

Just ... too easy to get a game even more addictive than Angry Birds. If such a thing exists, it is in the App Store

Evernote

Social, shareable note-taking screams take our secure company information and share it with the world the next time you get angry at your boss. Or quit.

Cydia

An Apple iOS app that lets your users browse and download applications for a jailbroken Apple iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Lovely.

Twitter

Sure, users, tweet all day. Gain more followers. Lose work time.

Read More

Five tools to simplify Samba configuration

by Jack Wallen

Introduction
Samba makes life possible within a homogeneous environment. You want Windows, Mac, and Linux to talk to one another, you use Samba. But for some, configuring Samba can be a challenge.
Thankfully, tools are available that can help nearly every skill level with the task. Which apps are best suited for you? Let's take a look and find out.

system-config-samba

All new Samba admins should be using this GUI tool. System-config-samba can be installed onto practically any Linux distribution and is incredibly easy to use. With this tool, you can configure the shares to be handed out, as well as the Samba server settings.

system-config-samba

The GUI isn't cluttered with too many bells and whistles to confuse the user, so getting shares added is as simple as clicking the Add button and filling in a few bits of information.

Swat

Swat is the original GUI tool for Samba. It's a Web-based tool that allows you to get much deeper into the configuration of Samba than any other tool. Although newbies can use it, they may quickly become intimidated by the number of options available. Once Swat is installed, you reach it by going to:

http://IP_ADDRESS_OF_SERVER:901

GAdmin SAMBA

GAdmin SAMBA is part of the Gadmin Tools administration toolkit. This GUI tool can satisfy by any level of experience and will allow the newbie plenty of room to grow. Although there is a bit of a learning curve with this interface, once you've figured it out, you'll be rocking out Samba shares like crazy.

GAdmin SAMBA

GAdmin SAMBA also offers multiple local and remote user and group import and on-the-fly share creation and user handling.

Webmin Samba Module

Webmin, being one of the most powerful administration tools, naturally offers a Samba module: Webmin Samba Module.

Webmin Samba Module

Webmin Samba Module offers everything you want in a Samba administration package: share, printer, share mode configuration, and the ability to easily manage user access to different shares.

Command line

For those of you Samba masters, the command line is the thing. WIth the help of your favorite text editor (such as nano, vi, or emacs), you can configure and manage every aspect of your Samba server.

Command line

Of course, this isn't a tool for new users -- but they should begin to examine the configuration file found in /etc/samba/smb.conf. They can see how their GUI tool configures Samba by viewing this file and eventually become a Samba master as well.

Read More