Cloud Computing Security Risks

Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular today and is ever increasing in popularity with large companies as they share valuable resources in a cost effective way. At the same time, leaks and thefts are occurring with increased frequency.

Cloud computing is a paradigm rapidly being embraced by government and industry as a solution for cost-savings, scalability, and collaboration. Cloud computing offers real alternatives to IT departments for improved flexibility and lower cost.

The technology is of course not without its flaws. One of the main issues is security. Cloud computing and web services run on a network structure so they are open to network type attacks. One of these attacks is the distributed denial of service attacks.

According to analyst firm Gartner, cloud computing is fraught with security risks. Customers must demand transparency, avoiding vendors that refuse to provide detailed information on security programs. Ask questions related to the qualifications of policy makers, architects, coders and operators; risk-control processes and technical mechanisms; and the level of testing that's been done to verify that service and control processes are functioning as intended, and that vendors can identify unanticipated vulnerabilities.

The 3 main aspects of cloud computing are software as a service, platform as a service and infrastructure as a service. Here are seven of the specific security issues Gartner says customers should raise with vendors before selecting a cloud vendor:

Privileged user access. Sensitive data processed outside the enterprise brings with it an inherent level of risk, because outsourced services bypass the "physical, logical and personnel controls" IT shops exert over in-house programs. Get as much information as you can about the people who manage your data. "Ask providers to supply specific information on the hiring and oversight of privileged administrators, and the controls over their access," Regulatory compliance. Customers are ultimately responsible for the security and integrity of their own data, even when it is held by a service provider. Traditional service providers are subjected to external audits and security certifications. Cloud computing providers who refuse to undergo this scrutiny are "signaling that customers can only use them for the most trivial functions Data location. When you use the cloud, you probably won't know exactly where your data is hosted. In fact, you might not even know what country it will be stored in. Ask providers if they will commit to storing and processing data in specific jurisdictions, and whether they will make a contractual commitment to obey local privacy requirements on behalf of their customers. Data segregation. Data in the cloud is typically in a shared environment alongside data from other customers. Encryption is effective but isn't a cure-all. "Find out what is done to segregate data at rest. The cloud provider should provide evidence that encryption schemes were designed and tested by experienced specialists. Recovery. Even if you don't know where your data is, a cloud provider should tell you what will happen to your data and service in case of a disaster. Ask your provider if it has "the ability to do a complete restoration, and how long it will take. Investigative support.. Investigating inappropriate or illegal activity may be impossible in cloud computing.Cloud services are especially difficult to investigate, because logging and data for multiple customers may be co-located and may also be spread across an ever-changing set of hosts and data centers. If you cannot get a contractual commitment to support specific forms of investigation, along with evidence that the vendor has already successfully supported such activities, then your only safe assumption is that investigation and discovery requests will be impossible. Long-term viability. Ideally, your cloud computing provider will never go broke or get acquired and swallowed up by a larger company. But you must be sure your data will remain available even after such an event. "Ask potential providers how you would get your data back and if it would be in a format that you could import into a replacement application."

-->

Conclusion:

loud computing technology has been improved and network technology has also been

improved a real golden opportunity exists for the future. Each cloud solution must however be tailored to each company but they can all benefit from the numerous advantages the technology brings to the table.

By embracing a new ecosystem of cloud-based security solutions, businesses can safely extend their virtual security perimeter while still complying with privacy regulations.

Source: http://www.idi.ntnu.no/emner/tdt60/papers/Cloud_Computing_Security_Risk.pdf

X10 Home Automation: Get Started on your Remote Control Home!

X10 home networks use the electrical wiring of the home for communication. It's an industry standard for home automation networks. Make your house look lived-in while you're away and even wake up each morning by scheduling your bed-side lamp to turn on! Easily expand your X10 automation system and customize it to your exact needs and wants!

The technology behind X10 has been developed over several decades and remains popular today despite competition from other standards. X10 utilizes either wired power line or wireless radio communication methods. With X10 home automation kits and software you get everything you need! Turn lights on and off from anywhere in your home, turn security lighting and sprinkler systems on and off when you choose, dim lights – even if they couldn’t dim before – and much, much more! Control your lights, appliances, home theater and more by remote, motion sensor or PC with X10 home automation kits and accessories! This is cool stuff! X10 Equipment X10 equipment is the best-known (and probably best-selling) home automation equipment around. It may surprise you that it is also very inexpensive, and that inexpensive computer interfaces are available, and that there are (free) open-source software packages to work with that computer interface. An X10 home automation environment utilizes sensors and control devices that communicate with each other and manage various household appliances. X10 devices most commonly interface with: lights - turn on and off, or change the brightness level, on demand or on a timer security cameras - detect motion and automatically activate thermostats - raise and lower temperature settings according to homeowner preferences

-->

X10 Network Protocol

Several X.10 protocol commands work specifically with lighting systems to control their brightness. Others also support temperature control and security systems. X10 devices communicate over either wired power line or wireless radio links.

If you are interested in more details about the protocol, please go to the following web page: http://www.x10.com/support/technology1.htm

X10 Devices

Devices communicating using the X10 protocol can then be controlled by your Linux system. This brings sprinklers and timers, thermostats, humitiy sensors, motion sensors, security gates, security cameras, nany cams, lighting (simulated home occupation), home theaters, ... under the control of your Linux computer. Plug-ins also exist to support the MP3 player XMMS to create an MP3 juke box controlled via a remote (RF or IR). Sixteen home codes each supporting 16 devices for a total of 256 devices on a single electrical network can be supported. X10 networks have limited range, are insecure (no encryption) and may be suceptible to electrical noise. The network is required to all be on the same 2 phases of a 3 phase input circuit which enters the house (typical).

X10 devices can transmit (TX), receive (RX) or both (2 way). The X10 devices which receive signals generally turn devices on or off. Some may receive a level accociated with the "on" (dimmer). The two way devices can report their status (on/on level/off).

Device	Capabilities	X10 model number
Appliance module	on/off	AM486
Lamp module	on/off/dimable	LM14A
Motion sensor		MS13A
Firecracker	DB9 serial port transmitter	CM17A
PC receiver	Serial port device	MR26A
Computer interface	Two way controller TX/RX	CM11A
Remote	Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF)

Source: http://compnetworking.about.com | http://www.yolinux.com

Easy Tips to Boost and Increase Your Internet Speed

Having a fast and efficient Internet connection is a vital component of your daily life. Slow speeds and weak connections can be frustrating and even costly.

There are a number of tips out there that will enable you to maximize your system’s performance and likewise, there are lots of things you can do to boost and increase your Internet connection speed.

Speedtest.net is a good place to test your internet speed. They operate through servers all over the world, so you can connect to a server near you, which increases the accuracy of your result.

-->

Here are a few tips to Increase the Speed of Your Internet Connection:

• Most Internet Providers have flaky DNS servers (no citation necessary, it's a given) - so, instead of using those provided by your ISP, switch your DNS servers to use those of OpenDNS. OpenDNS is far faster, and more reliable, simply using 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 as your domain name servers will speed up most flaky DNS problems (may even speed up your networking since OpenDNS has large caches).
• Sometimes, viruses, spyware, adware or malware can slow your Internet connection. Malware on your computer can eat up your bandwidth. Make sure you have an up-to-date malware protection program.
• Don't expect dial up or moderate speed service to be fast. The Internet is primarily geared towards Broadband Connections, which is about 512kbs or higher Sometimes, you have to wait a little.
• Download programs that make browsing faster
• Avoid offbrand, lesser known, free-/share-ware software download-sites which "might be good", but should be checked, as best you can, as unknown ones might contain "unwanted or bad add-ons" such as viruses that may damage computers and disrupt software.
• Call your ISP and have them verify all of your TCP/IP settings if you are concerned. Ask them to verify that your Proxy settings are correct.
• Keep current, updated anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall programs, but you can have too many toolbars trying to verify and block the same sites.
• Use the Stop button to stop loading pages once you've gotten or seen what you want.
• Make sure your system memory can handle the load! If you want to browse fast, you will need to close other applications in case your RAM is maxed out.
• You can also try a program such as TCP Optimizer to fine-tune your Internet connection.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com

What's the best way to optimally control my home's heating and cooling?

You can control your preferred temperature range by entering specific temperature for time ranges during the day (such as 60 degrees when you'll be away and 68 degrees when you're at home for winter heating) with a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. According to www.energystar.gov, Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. Basic thermostats will have just one cycle that will repeat that time range (or multiple ranges) each day. To decide which model is best for you, think about your schedule and how often you are away from home for regular periods of time—work, school, other activities—and then decide which of the three different models best fits your schedule: 5-2 programming: Allows you to set a schedule for 5 days (such as for work or school days) and then an alternate schedule for 2 weekend days. 5-1-1 programming: Same 5-day schedule as above, but with the option to program each weekend day individually. 7-day programming: Allows you to create an individual program for each day of the week.

-->

You can use the table below as a starting point for setting energy-saving temperatures, and then adjust the settings to fit your family’s schedule and stay comfortable.

http://www.energystar.gov

If you have a heat pump, you may require a special programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings year-round. Talk to your retailer or contractor for details before selecting your thermostat.

If you have a manual thermostat, you can adjust the temperatures daily before you leave the house and when you go to sleep at night. Typically, adjusting temperatures 5 – 8 degrees (down in winter, up in summer) can help save energy if you are going to be away from home for several hours.

Apple's newest AirPort Extreme Base Station Reviews

The Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station offers Wi-Fi speeds up to 3x faster than the previous generation. It features next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a powerful beamforming antenna array for higher performance and range, simultaneous dual-band support, and a new vertical design with a smaller footprint. And the AirPort Extreme is easy to set up and highly secure, letting you share your broadband Internet connection, a USB printer, or a hard drive.

With three-stream 802.11ac technology, the AirPort Extreme Base Station can reach data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps (based on theoretical peak speeds) -- up to three times faster than 802.11n Wi‑Fi. You also get double the channel bandwidth, with 80 MHz-wide channels providing more room for more data to flow faster than ever. And if you have 802.11a/b/g/n devices, AirPort Extreme maximizes that connection as well.

It features simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, which transmits at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. That means your devices automatically connect to the best available band for the fastest possible performance. In addition to Wi-Fi networking, the AirPort Extreme Base Station includes three Gigabit Ethernet ports for fast wired connectivity with desktop computers, network drives, and more. The new AirPort Extreme Base Station features the intelligent, powerful beamforming antenna array. Most base station antennas emit an equal and constant Wi‑Fi signal in all directions. But the beamforming antenna array is smarter -- it knows where an 802.11ac device is on the network. Then AirPort Extreme targets its signal to that device, so your Wi‑Fi signal is stronger, clearer, and faster.

-->

Check price here:

Specifications

Wireless	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Six-element beamforming antenna array Simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Maximum number of users: 50
Compatibility	Interoperable with 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac-enabled Mac computers, iOS devices, Apple TV, Windows-based PCs, and other Wi-Fi devices
Security	Wi‑Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2); WPA/WPA2 Enterprise; MAC address filtering; NAT firewall; 802.1X, PEAP, LEAP, TTLS, TLS, FAST; time-based access control
Ports	Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for connecting a DSL modem, cable modem, or Ethernet network USB 2 port for connecting a USB printer or hard drive Three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for connecting a computer, Ethernet hub, or networked printer
Setup and Administration	iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 5 or later and AirPort Utility 1.3 Mac with OS X Lion v10.7.5 or later and AirPort Utility 6.3

Online data backup service - saves your files off-site..!

If you or your businesses are looking for a fail-safe way to store a variety of file types "in the cloud", it’s time to discover the multiple benefits of "Online backup services". This exciting new service is designed to give users superior data protection wherever they have access to an Internet connection. Online backup services make this safeguarding your data easier and more reliable.

Online data backup services provide an excellent way to avoid permanently losing your most important files, documents, music, photos, videos and more if your hard drive crashes or your computer is stolen or destroyed. With these services, you can easily access and download your data 24/7 from anywhere.

Because your data is stored off-site, if your computer crashes, is destroyed or stolen, your data is still safe on the service’s secured servers. There are several reasons for using an online data backup service, including not needing to burn CDs or DVDs of your data. By the time you’re done burning discs, you’ll probably have dozens lying around.

Having an external hard drive is an essential part of any backup plan, but using an off-site data backup service will keep your files safe if disaster strikes your home. These services are easy to use, and you won’t feel like you need an advanced degree in computer science to schedule your backups.

--> To help consumers learn everything that they will need to know about Their services, They've created a practical quick guide. Once individuals learned how effective, easy-to-use and reliable this cloud-based file storage service is, they’ll know that it’s the right choice for their online backup needs. Common pricing for online backup runs at about $55 a year for unlimited storage for one PC. Some services let you back up as many PCs as you want in an account, but charge you for storage space in 25GB increments. With several dozen services out there, by far the hardest part is deciding which online backup service to use, there are several items to consider when you’re looking for quality online computer backup services, such as how much space you require. Some services offer a variety of storage space allotments so you can pick the plan that best fits your needs. Others offer unlimited storage space for a monthly subscription or an annual price.

The next thing you’ll need to consider is what kinds of features and tools you want to have. Some services offer not only basic backup tools, but also tools for sharing, plus versioning and mobile access.

When you decide upon an online data backup service for your computer, it’s a good idea to create a total backup plan for your system.

What is an appliance EnergyGuide label?

If you’ve shopped for appliances, you’ve seen the bright yellow EnergyGuide label. Recently revised so it’s easier to use, the label tells you how much energy an

appliance uses.

In the United States, the EnergyGuide appliance label is also shown on Energy Star label of qualifying products. All major home appliances must meet the Appliance Standards Program set by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

To earn the ENERGYSTAR, a product must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

-->

Yellow EnergyGuide labels are found mainly on large home appliances and they show an estimate of how much electricity that particular appliance will use over a year of average use.

The EnergyGuide label also shows an average of what it will cost over a year at an estimated power rate. If your local power rate is higher, you can multiply either the low or high kwhs given by your own local power rate to get a better idea of consumption costs.

Energy-efficient appliances are usually priced higher than conventional models, but since they use less energy, you will save money on your electric bills.

For the best energy savings, when you shop for a home appliance, choose a model with the lowest estimated usage shown on the EnergyGuide label, plus the presence of the EnergyStar logo.

What is vampire energy?

Standby power, also called vampire power, vampire draw, phantom load, or leaking electricity is the energy used by some products when they are turned off but still plugged into a power/wall outlet. While this standby power sometimes provides useful functions such as remote control, clock displays, and timers, in other cases it is simply wasted power as a result of leaving an electronic device or power adapter plugged in.

You may have an energy vampire (or, more likely, several) in your home, and don't know it. Even if you turn off a device--such as by pressing the Off button on an HDTV's remote control--it is still consuming some electricity.

This is referred to as vampire energy (or phantom power), as it secretly sucks power while adding to your monthly electrical bill. According to the Department of Energy, up to 75% of energy used by home electronics is consumed when they're "off" and in either standby or passive energy modes.

Standby mode for devices like computers, TVs, DVD players, and game consoles enables a quick return to full usage mode when activated rather than going through a full boot-up process. Examples of devices with passive mode include microwaves (where the clock display draws power) as well as laser printers and cordless phones. The devices causing this waste are referred to as energy vampires because these products are slowing sucking energy from your home while not providing any useful function! In addition to your home office and home electronics equipment, chargers for cell phones, ipods, power tools, etc also suck energy from your home when they are plugged into an outlet, even if they aren't charging. The amount of energy used by products when they are in standby mode is significant. The average U.S. household spends $100 per year to power devices while they are off (or in standby mode). On a national basis, standby power accounts for more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of annual U.S. electricity consumption and more than $10 billion in annual energy costs. The most effective way to vanquish energy-sucking vampires in your home is to simply turn them off, but that can negate the convenience of the device. The next most effective way to keep energy costs down is to make sure to purchase Energy Star-qualified electronics and appliances, which conform to low standby power requirements. For instance, laptops, printers, and TVs must consume 1 watt or less of electricity when in standby mode to qualify for the Energy Star program. To cut down even more on energy vampires, you can also find power accessories that can minimize the time that devices are placed on standby or passive power modes. One accessory will turn power completely off after a set amount of time, and this is can be useful for keeping rechargeable portable devices (like your mobile phone) in full working order while stopping the flow of electricity to it after it's been fully charged. Another accessory can turn power off to peripheral devices (such as a game console and Blu-ray player) when the main device (such as your HDTV) is turned off. The HDTV will still consume power on standby, but the other devices will be completely shut off and they will be powered back on (for a cold boot-up start) when you turn on the HDTV via its physical power button or the one on the remote.

-->

What is light temperature?

While it's important to understand how much light output you'll get from a bulb, lumens won't tell you whether the bulb produces a warm glow or a bright white color. For that, you'll need to pay attention to the measurement for correlated color temperature, or CCT (also referred to as light or color temperature, or light appearance). 

Measured on the kelvin temperature scale (K), warmer lights (as found with most incandescent bulbs) have a yellowish-white color that measure between 2700K and 3000K. For whiter light that's optimal for kitchens and workspaces, look for bulbs that measure between 3500K and 4100K. And for the bluest light (akin to natural daylight), looks for bulbs marked 5000K to 6500K.

Color temperatures over 5000K are called cool colors (blueish white), while lower color temperatures (2700–3000 K) are called warm colors (yellowish white through red). Starting in 2011, the FTC will be requiring a new label on light bulbs that will not only display the watts of energy used by a bulb but also its brightness level in lumens plus its light color appearance on a spectrum of warm to cool. Additionally, it will include the Energy Star logo if it meets qualifications. And if it's a CFL bulb, it will include a warning that the bulb contains mercury.

-->

Temperature	Source
1,700 K	Match flame
1,850 K	Candle flame, sunset/sunrise
2,700–3,300 K	Incandescent lamps
3,000 K	Soft (or Warm) White compact fluorescent lamps
3,200 K	Studio lamps, photofloods, etc.
3,350 K	Studio "CP" light
4,100–4,150 K	Moonlight, xenon arc lamp
5,000 K	Horizon daylight
5,000 K	tubular fluorescent lamps or Cool White/Daylight compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)
5,500–6,000 K	Vertical daylight, electronic flash
6,500 K	Daylight, overcast
5,500–10,500 K	LCD or CRT screen
15,000–27,000 K	Clear blue poleward sky
These temperatures are merely characteristic; considerable variation may be present.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/