Data Protection & Online Backup Should Top Dorm Room Prep Priorities

Posted on August 22, 2011 by appsoft

Laptops and cell phones are among the most commonly stolen items on college campuses. Make sure data protection and online backup are part of your college prep plans.

Headed to college this fall? Make sure computer data protection and online backup are part of your tech prep. Whether you’re a college freshman fresh out of high school or returning for that second degree decades after earning your first, you’ll likely be packing a laptop computer and a smartphone at minimum. And if you’re living on campus, keep in mind that you and all you bring with you will suddenly be surrounded by a lot of strangers in a relatively small space. You’ll need to be prepared for the heightened potential of theft, loss or damage to your electronics.

A top recommendation before you leave home is to implement a data backup plan for your mobile devices. While backing up data on an external hard drive or data key is quick and convenient, these options aren’t foolproof. Small data keys get dropped and lost frequently and are easily broken. External hard drives also are prone to theft and damage. Plus, your data won’t necessarily be encrypted.

Skadoit offers a full range of data protection and online backup software products to help keep your data safe. BackupCloud securely backs up your documents (you know, all those homework assignments and term papers you’ll otherwise have to rewrite), plus personal items like your photos, videos, music and emails. If your laptop is lost, stolen or damaged, you can easily access all of your data for quick and secure download to a new computer.

Laptops (along with cell phones) are one of the most commonly stolen items on college campuses. They’re swiped from dorm rooms, libraries, cafeterias and coffee shops – anywhere that students regularly congregate. Skadoit’s SecurityGuard software lets you stick it to a thief by giving you secret access to your data no matter where a thief takes your laptop. You can delete all of your data and even render your laptop inoperable in near real time. Plus, geo-tracking helps law enforcement officers locate your laptop’s physical location so they can retrieve it and maybe even make an arrest.

Because cell phones also make the list of the top stolen items on college campuses, you’ll want to consider Skadoit’s SafeMobile software that backs up everything on your sim card including contacts, text messages, calendars, ring tones, photos, videos and Internet bookmarks. Plus, our neutralizer technology allows your lost or stolen phone to be geo-tracked and sensitive data deleted remotely.

Make your college experience a positive one. Start by calling Skadoit at 904-215-8989 and talking with a data protection and online backup specialist today.

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Android Users Slack on Cell Phone Backup and Security

Posted on August 19, 2011 by appsoft

Android users are slackers when it comes to cell phone backup and security, one recent study shows.

What, me worry? That’s the collective cry of Android owners when it comes to cell phone backup and security according to a recent study by Retrevo, one of the world’s largest electronics review sites. Researchers called Android owners the Alfred E. Neuman of smartphone users, noting that nearly 40 percent of Android users have yet to do take steps to prevent someone from misusing data on their cell phones in case of loss or theft. By comparison, only 30 percent of BlackBerry owners and 26 percent of iPhone owners had slacked on cell phone backup and security.

The study also concluded:

  • Only 32% of Android owners think their cell phones can get malware and a full 27% said they have no idea whether malware is a threat;
  • Less than half (49%) of Android users have password protection on their phones, compared to 61% of iPhone owners and 62% of BlackBerry owners;
  • Fewer Android owners reported knowing how to recover a lost phone than iPhone and BlackBerry users.

These figures come as a bit of a surprise considering recent highly publicized problems with Android market apps. In the first half of 2011 alone, an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people were affected by Android malware. In March, a malware attack forced Google to pull more than 50 apps from the Android Market and disable them remotely. In fact, studies show that Android users are two and a half times more likely to get hit with malware today than they were six months ago, and a full 30 percent can expect to get slammed with a Web-based security threat on their devices every year.

Retrevo researchers point to less stringent processes for vetting apps as a main culprit for Android’s vulnerabilities. But there are steps Android owners can take to help protect their cell phone. Skadoit data security experts recommend setting a pass code for unlocking phones and using anti-virus or anti-malware apps, especially for owner who use lots of apps. The company also offers SafeMobile, a top cell phone backup software that safely backs up all mobile phone data including contacts, text and email messages, calendars, videos, photographs, ring tones and browser bookmarks. Safe Mobile’s “neutralizer technology” also allows for tracking of lost or stolen cell phones and the ability to remotely delete sensitive or private data.

For more on cell phone backup and security – no matter your cell phone model or carrier – call Skadoit at 877-280-8989 and talk with a data security specialist today.

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Businesses Will Spend $32 Billion on Mobility Solutions This Year – Time for Mobile Phone Backup!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by appsoft

SafeMobile mobile phone backup services by Skadoit protect the sensitive personal and business data stored on your smartphones.

No doubt about it – your mobile phone is becoming an increasingly important and integral part of your daily life. So, it’s more critical than ever that you have a mobile phone backup plan to protect your data.

A recent study shows that small and medium sized businesses will spend upwards of $32 billion on mobility solutions in 2011. Whether it’s helping you locate a great little wine bar for your next date, or offering sophisticated logistics solutions to businesses, companies increasingly are seeing the mobile solutions as a great way to drive revenues and boost business value.

What does that mean for you and your trusty cell phone?  As more and more of your day-to-day life information is stored on and accessible via your cell phone, the more important it is that you have a solid mobile phone backup plan for your data. Law enforcement officers will tell you that a thief can find lots of info about you simply by perusing your trash cans. They know what you’ve purchased lately, what you eat and where you shop. The same can be said about your smartphone – lots to learn from the apps that you download. Your email access alone can make your business and personal information vulnerable, especially if you send unencrypted documents and information via email and access them on your phone.

If your cell phone is ever lost, stolen or destroyed, Skadoit’s SafeMobile cell phone backup software assures that your data won’t be lost. The web-based service stores all of your valuable mobile data on super secure servers, making it easily accessible for download to your new smartphone. Videos, photographs, ringtones, browser bookmarks, text messages and calendars all can be restored. Plus, our neutralizer technology allows law enforcement officers to track your phone’s whereabouts. And private or sensitive personal or corporate information saved on your phone can be quickly deleted.

Skadoit offers this amazing service for an amazingly low price, too. Browse our website or call 904-215-8989 to learn more about mobile phone backup.

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House Subcommittee Approves the “SAFE” Data Act

Posted on July 29, 2011 by skadmin
Total Data Protection

Protect your critical business data from cyber theft with Skadoit's protection plans for data-in-use, data-at-rest and data-in-motion.

Sometimes we know a problem exists but no one seems to know what to do about it. Such is the world of cyber theft where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that nearly 9 million Americans fall victim to identity theft every year. New age cyber-attackers have emerged with the fastest-growing “get rich quick” schemes the world has ever seen. Theft that is costing consumers and businesses billions of dollars annually. Yet, Congress can’t seem to agree on exactly what to do to stop these sophisticated 21st century criminals.

In 2009, the House of Representatives passed legislation intended to establish a uniform national standard for data security and data breach notification but the Senate failed to act upon it. Early this month, California Republican Mary Bono Mack introduced a draft of the Secure and Fortify Electronic “SAFE” Data Act in the House. Mack’s bill comes in the aftermath of massive data breaches over the last couple of years at major corporations like Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Hilton, Best Buy and Sony where an estimated 100 million consumer accounts have been put at risk.

The key feature of Mack’s SAFE Data Act would require entities that collect a consumer’s personal information and financial data to notify the FTC and the consumer within 48 hours of identifying the breach. However, House Democrats have criticized the bill as being too little, too late. Since more than 45 states have enacted their own data breach notifications laws, many Democrats feel the proposed federal law would undermine those state’s legislation. Additional criticisms have pointed out that the SAFE Data Act would only require notification if the consumer’s name, phone number or credit card numbers were compromised along with the customer’s Social Security number, drive license number or other government ID.

The one thing Congress and the American public can agree on . . our current fascination with electronic technology and the convenience of ecommerce exposes all of us to a host of cyber crimes. Skadoit has been a leader in developing next-generation data availability, protection and risk mitigation solutions. The company offers affordable data-assurance products and services that can protect data on any server, computer, laptop or mobile device. When you need to protect critical business files, check out Skadoit’s online service that securely encrypts before, during and after transmission for the best protection plans of data-in-use, data-at-rest and data-in-motion.

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Online Data Protection Among Top Priorities Before Starting a Business

Posted on July 28, 2011 by appsoft

Implementing a online data protection system is just as important for your new business as finding a great location.

If you’re looking to break out on your own, take a cue from other successful entrepreneurs. There are a few things you must do BEFORE opening the doors to your new business, including establishing a secure data online data protection and backup plan. Skadoit provides these services for hundreds of people who have become their own bosses and open companies ranging from small home-based businesses to large corporations. Here are a few tidbits we’ve learned:

Know your business and your motives: Being your own boss can allow for a more flexible schedule and prove more lucrative than doing the 9-to-5 grind for someone else – eventually. The initial reality is long hours, wearing multiple hats and balancing many responsibilities. Start a business because you’ve got a great idea for a needed product or a more effective customer service and you’re willing to put in the time and sweat equity – not because you’re expecting immediate freedom and financial success.

Network: Entrepreneurs spend lots of time dealing with people including investors, business attorneys, accountants, suppliers, vendors, marketing and advertising professionals, and potential customers. If you’re not a “people person,” get over it quick! You’ll find your opportunities to further develop your business in the relationships you build.

Know thy enemy: A successful businessman is one who knows everything about his competition – their prices, their clientele, their policies, the quality of their product and services, their business and sales tactics, etc. Study your competitors and be prepared to tell potential investors and customers how your business outshines them.

Be prepared: Be sure you have all the startup items you need including enough cash to take risks and fail a few times before steadying; business supplies and equipment from computer network infrastructure to paper clips; a visible and accessible location; and a solid online data protection system to protect your business, your livelihood and your customers’ privacy should a data loss hit. Skadoit’s BackupCloud, DigiClone and SafeMobile products are top options.

To find out more about online data protection for entrepreneurs, call 904-215-8990 and talk with a Skadoit representative today.

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Top Eight Excuses for Skipping Offsite Data Backup

Posted on July 27, 2011 by appsoft

Skadoit hears lots of excuses for skipping offsite data backup.

Everyone agrees that data backup is important. Yet, when disaster hits and frantic calls come into the Skadoit offices, we inevitably hear all the excuses for not backing up data to a secure offsite server. Skadoit’s data protection specialists share their most often-heard excuses and their responses to each.

“We didn’t do offsite data backup because…”

  1. We don’t know how: Purchase Skadoit’s BackupCloud and DigiClone. We’ll help you set it, then you can forget it, knowing all your data will be there in case disaster hits.
  2. We already save our company data to a central server: They’re popular, but not foolproof. Without a solid offsite backup, central server configurations can actually make the effects of a crashed hard drive, viral infection or other data loss even worse.
  3. We already save our data onsite: Brilliant. Except that the same fire/hurricane/flood/other disaster that takes out your office building will take that onsite server with it. Backing up data onsite is great, but your Plan A is only as strong as your Plan B.
  4. Only big companies can afford offsite data backup: Au contraire, mon frère. Skadoit offers a full battery of data backup and system replication options, including mobile device data backup, at a fraction of the cost you’d expect – some plans as low as $29.95 per year.
  5. Offsite backups are too time consuming: Supercharged data backup products like Skadoit’s BackupCloud can be configured to back up data automatically as it changes.
  6. Offsite data backup software will slow down our network’s performance: We know the old saying, “Time is money.” And we wholeheartedly agree. That’s why Skadoit’s software products are designed to require minimal network resources and can be scheduled to run after hours, when your resources and bandwidth are not overloaded.
  7. We’re not convinced our data will be secure offsite: Skadoit’s products and services encrypt your data so that it’s fully protected while in transit and while being stored on our multiple, super-secure servers. Even we won’t be able to read your data while it’s in our hands.
  8. We’re too busy and data backups are boring anyway: All the more reason for offsite backup. Busy people make mistakes and often overlook critical tasks. Those mishaps are a top cause of lost data and lost data is a sure-fire way to lose customers, lose your business (in as little as 30 days, statistics show) and find yourself sitting at home unemployed and watching Oprah reruns. How’s that for boring?! Luckily, Skadoit’s set it-and-forget it software makes offsite data backup too quick and easy to be boring.

If you don’t have a solid offsite data backup plan in place, call 904-215-8989 and talk with a Skadoit data protection specialist today – No excuses!

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Data Protection Failure Impacts Half of Small Businesses, Survey Shows

Posted on July 21, 2011 by appsoft

A survey shows data protection for small businesses is increasingly important, but many consider it an expensive and time-consuming hassle. Skadoit changes all that.

A recent study shows that a full 48 percent of America’s small businesses are hit with data protection failures. More than 125 companies with two to 20 employees responded to the study and nearly half said they have suffered a data loss. The figure represents a significant jump from 42 percent reporting a data loss in a similar study conducted last year.

Among the top causes of data loss in small businesses are:

  • Hardware or software failure – 54 percent
  • Accidental deletion – 54 percent
  • Computer viruses – 33 percent
  • Theft – 10 percent

Researchers also found that small businesses primarily rely on external hard drives (41 percent), CDs and DVDs (36 percent) and USB or flash memory drives (36 percent) for data protection. And while entrepreneurs and small business leaders agree on the importance of backing up their data, 31 percent also complain that it’s a hassle that takes time and human resources away from the day-to-day requirements of running a successful business. Many also consider costs for online data backup to be prohibitive.

Skadoit expertly addresses all these concerns with several set-it-and-forget-it data protection software products and services designed to help keep a company on solid business-as-usual ground in the event of a data loss. Products like BackupCloud, DigiClone and ContinuityCloud can prove to be an entrepreneur’s wisest investments – and with Skadoit, they’re probably less expensive than you anticipate. Call 904-215-8989 and talk with a computer data protection specialist today.

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Skadoit Client Talks Hard Drive Data Recovery

Posted on July 21, 2011 by appsoft

Unfortunately, hard drive data recovery isn't quite this easy - unless you have Skadoit backup and recovery services.

If your small business has ever found itself needing hard drive data recovery help, you’re certainly not alone. Statistics show that a full 40% of small and medium sized businesses fail to back up their computer data at all – either on external hard drives, flash drives or online.

The consequences can be dire. Sixty percent of small firms hit with a major data loss go out of business within six months, 70% within a year and 90% within two years. Plus, it costs an average $17,000 to reproduce just 20 MB of lost data. That’s a price that few small businesses can afford. Here’s the kicker – 32 percent of all data loss is caused by simple human error.

Such was the case with one Skadoit client, Rewald Electric. Company officials were cleaning up an old computer and removing select programs in order to free up space, but didn’t realize that the process they were using would wipe out much more than they had anticipated – including data files created and stored using a particularly critical program.

“It took the whole entire program off, even from our server – all the data too,” says company representative Denise Spaight. The lost data represented several years of work and would have been impossible to duplicate. Fortunately, the company had a hard drive data recovery plan in place via Skadoit’s services.

“Everything was up and running smoothly in only two hours,” Spaight says. “Thank goodness we had this!”

If you’re an entrepreneur, you know that building a successful business is about taking chances – but not with your company data. ‘Skadoit’s BackupCloud, DigiClone and ContinuityCloud services can help assure that your business data is safe. Call Skadoit at 877-280-8989 to speak with a hard drive data recovery and backup specialist today.

Posted in Backup Cloud, ContinuityCloud, Data Security for Business, DigiClone, Skadoit News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Data Protection After Your Laptop is Stolen

Posted on July 14, 2011 by appsoft

If your laptop ends up in the wrong hands, you'll have to act quick to ensure data protection without backup and tracking services.

In the case of a stolen laptop, data protection is easy if you’re prepared with online backup and geo-tracking software. But if you’re like millions of other Americans, you probably never thought that far ahead. In most cases, a thief will simply wipe a stolen laptop clean and reuse or resell it. But many use them to steal identities, bank funds and trade secrets. Act fast and you may be able to lessen the damage done if your laptop lands in the wrong hands.

  1. As soon as you can get to another computer, immediately change all usernames and passwords to your email, social networking, credit card and banking accounts, as well as accounts with any online retailers from whom you’ve bought items online.
  2. Contact all financial account providers including your bank, creditors and mortgage company to let them know that your data may be compromised. Though many will freeze your accounts temporarily, it’s best to close out the accounts and change account numbers and PINs. This may seem like a huge hassle, but finding out that your financial accounts have been drained and trying to get that money back will certainly prove a bigger one.
  3. Think of all the documents you may have stored on your computer, including receipts, tax documents and contracts. You’ll need to contact anyone whose work or data security may also be affected. This is particularly important if resulting business data breaches are subject to regulatory consequences.
  4. Call each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) and request a fraud alert and/or credit freeze on your credit cards.
  5. File a police report and be sure to include your laptop’s serial number.
  6. Also file a report with your laptop’s manufacturer. If the thief or unwitting recipient of your computer attempts to get it repaired by the maker.
  7. Check craigslist, eBay and similar listing sites to see if you recognize your computer and call or visit the local pawn shops to see if it shows up. Many pawn shops work directly with local police forces and report items with serial numbers listed as lost or stolen.

With statistics that show a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds in America, and that there is a less-than-five-percent chance of recovery, laptop data protection should be a major concern for anyone who owns or uses a laptop for personal or business purposes. If you haven’t already, check out Skadoit’s SecurityGuard software that allows for geo-tracking of a stolen computer and remote access to your files; and our BackupCloud and DigiClone products that automatically backup your files and programs for easy retrieval.

Posted in Backup Cloud, Computer Data Safety Tips, Data Security for Business, Data Security for Home, DigiClone, Regulatory Compliance, SecurityGuard, Skadoit News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Data Protection BEFORE Your Laptop is Lost or Stolen

Posted on July 13, 2011 by appsoft

Thousands of laptop computers are stolen during business trips. Skadoit offers data protection advice to heed before your laptop gets lost or stolen.

Thousands of laptop computers are lost or stolen daily in the U.S., making data protection a top consideration. In fact, statistics show that a laptop computer is stolen every 53 seconds in the United States and that upwards of 97 percent of stolen laptops are never recovered. Yet very few people take the proper steps to secure their important personal, business and financial data in the case of a theft or loss.

Skadoit, a national leader in data security concepts and technologies for computers, cell phones and other mobile devices offers tips for avoiding laptop theft and protecting the data stored on your laptop should it go missing.

  1. First, be very careful about the kind of information you store on your computer. Financial documents, for instance, are better stored on highly secured remote servers to which you have quick access. Skadoit offers this service via its BackupCloud and DigiClone products. Storing sensitive information on flash drives or external hard drives locked away in a safe or other secure place also help, but these too are vulnerable to a break-in and burglary.
  2. Purchase passcode-enabled encryption software so that your  data files will remain scrambled until you enter the correct code.
  3. If traveling with your laptop, keep it in sight at all times, including throughout the airport screening process. Never include it with your checked baggage. When you’ll be out of your hotel room, store your laptop in the hotel room safe – even if you have to pay extra.
  4. Install a geo-tracking software or device on your laptop, so that law enforcement can find it and hopefully make an arrest. Skadoit’s SecurityGuard not only tracks your lost or stolen laptop’s location, but allows you to access and delete your files remotely.

Address your data protection issues before your laptop is lost or stolen by calling Skadoit at 904-215-8989 and talking with a data security specialist today.

Posted in Backup Cloud, Computer Data Safety Tips, Data Security for Business, Data Security for Home, DigiClone, SecurityGuard, Skadoit News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment