What Is A Virus And What Can You Do?

As computer network consultants we are frequently asked the question: What is the best antivirus product? We usually explain being secure is not a product but a process with knowledge. With new viruses appearing daily it remains up to the end user to click on an infected attachment and unleash the potential virus on the PC or Network. While careful inspection of e-mail attachments goes a long way toward extinguishing Virus and Worm circulation, there’s always the need for quality, up-to-date antivirus software as your first line of defense, however finding that first line of defense maybe the hardest part.

• Look for antivirus software that features automatic downloading of updates. If you’re a corporate customer automatic distribution feature frees your administrator from the hassle of installing updates on networked clients and servers.
  
  
• Install a virus scanner directly on your company’s own Internet e-mail server, or on e-mail servers that connect to your ISP’s Internet gateway. If your email is hosted by Next Horizon each and every email is scanned for viruses and spam BEFORE it even enters your inbox.
  
  
• Be sure the product is ICSA (TruSecure) Certified.
  

So What Are Viruses, Worms And Trojan Horses?
Malicious code is any program that acts in surprisingly and potentially damaging way. Malicious code can change, delete, insert and transmit data inside and outside a business or PC. Some types of malicious code will even create a back door, allowing for outside entry into infected systems. Since nearly all modern malicious code is mobile it will use e-mail, instant messaging and peer-to-peer “file sharing” applications as transportation and reproduction. Malicious code can also infect your company through unsecured wireless access points. For example, Company A allows hot spots for vendors to come and present information to Company A. Vendor A brings in their laptop with wireless access and unknowingly opens an effected email that his anti-virus did not catch. This code can then easily spread throughout Company A’s Network unnoticed until it causes damage.

Our Network Engineers at Next Horizon specialize in security. As a corporate solution we represent Panda Anti Virus. Panda Antivirus is ICSA (TruSecure) Certified. Panda also allows for unattended automatic updates as well as distribution of those updates for customers that utilize a server based network. This Antivirus can detect and remove Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses, and even Heuristic (virus like code ex, Spyware).
Let Next Horizon handle your security.

Contact Us Today For A FREE 1 Hour Consultation.

Next Horizon
Networking Department

  A Special Gift To Our Customers

During the summer months we decided to offer something special for our new customers, FREE SITE SUBMISSIONS with a new Orlando web design or redesign. Then we decided to offer it to ALL of our customers. Next Horizon is always appreciative of all of our customers. So at the beginning of June all sites that have been created by Next Horizon received a free site submission to over 850 search engines.

Why Are Search Engines Important To You?
Search engines like Google, MSN, and Yahoo are how people find you. Think of search engines as worldwide Yellow pages. There are advertisements and there are free listings just like the yellow pages. Next Horizon offers a whole line of search engine optimization and online marketing plans to choose from. Search engine submissions are only one product in the basket, however it is an important one. We hope you enjoy the free traffic given to you by your total computer source Next Horizon.

Next Horizon
Sales & Marketing Department

  Tips On Picking A Network Consultant

How To Hire A Consultant:
An effective Orlando Networking Consultant will bring his or her knowledge of how systems work in similar environments. He or she should have extensive direct experience in integration; and can advise your company on which products best work together. They generally should have expertise in assessing and comparing products, pricing and support from varying vendors.

Choosing A Consultant
How can you find a consultant? How does a company go about determining which computer consultant to choose? References, references, references.

When preparing for automation, expanding, repair, or a new installation with any system, companies can easily spend a great deal of time researching computer hardware and software vendors. Sales people are trained to be captivating and convincing and to present their products’ strengths while not discussing weaknesses. The budding of confusion and a aggravated rush to a decision are often the end result.

Qualified consultants can eliminate unqualified venders, and can serve as a “buffer” between your company and the vendors.

Consultant Or Friend?
It’s also critical that your consultant and your company take a “big picture” view of your organization’s technology, and how it all works together. That’s yet another reason why you want to choose carefully, and find a consultant that has experience with companies of your size.

Too many companies pick a relative or friend for a consultant. The reason is simple: They feel they can trust their friend. A friend will make every effort to do a good job. The consultant of choice should design and monitor system implementation. It is unlikely that the friend or relative has the experience to properly design and monitor system implementation.

Do your homework to hire the right consultant. Check references, review their web site, and interview the consultant to make sure he or she is compatible with your company’s goals. Then let the consultant do the legwork while you continue to bill and serve your clients. Most consultants will offer a 1 hour free consultation, use it.

Next Horizon Offers A Free 1 Hour Consultation On All Of Our Services. Contact Us Today To Find Out More.

Next Horizon
Networking Department

  Top 3 Steps In Picking A Web Designer.

1. Don't Judge A Designer's Skill Solely On Graphic Design Skills.
Instead of focusing completely on visual image, concentrate on evaluating a designer's other skills. Evaluate the designer's portfolio by asking these sample questions:

• Does this designer design with usability in mind? In other words, is the site designed for form or for function?
  
  
• Does the designer have good organizational abilities? Look for organization of the entire site as a whole, as well as the organization of individual page layouts.
  
  
• Does the designer employ good navigation techniques? Does the designer design sites that are easy to use?
  All sites should motivate a visitor to do something, whether it is buying a product, filling out a quote request form, signing up for a newsletter, etc. Does the designer do a good job of visually showing visitors how to take action?
  
  
• Instead of asking, "Does this site look good?" ask, "Would this site make me want to buy a product?"

2. Talk With References.
Don't just peruse the sites in a designer's portfolio. Get in contact with some of the designer's past clients and question them on the specifics of their experience.

Also, be sure to ask how effective the client's website has been. How many visitors do they get? By how much have their sales increased? (Note not all companies choose to have their designer market the website, choose your questions wisely or you could get a wrong impression)

3. Don't Necessarily Go For The Lowest Bidder.
Remember, it's not just about getting a website; you'll need a website that will actually perform. Price and quality usually have a direct relationship, so you'll get what you pay for. Designers who are overly inexpensive ordinarily lack experience, are difficult to work with, don't understand much about online marketing, or don't truly have a grasp of good Orlando web design techniques. A website from such a designer won't be beneficial.

Next Horizon
Web Design Department

  Site Portal Released

A New Solution That Could Save You Money:

The Site Portal Released. Click here to view the demo. The site Portal will allow users virtually full control over their Orlando web site with out the need of a web designer. Once the original portal is created for you, Next Horizon will give you the ability to add and remove FAQ’s, Events in a dynamic calendar, News articles, and virtually all the text in your site.

This product can save the end user or the corporate customer hundreds and even possible thousands of dollars by being able to maintain their own text and minor changes. Please contact us today to find out more.

Next Horizon
Application Solutions Team