I just had a client get one of the "Best Buy" extended warranties for his new MacBook pro. Problem is that I told him to get the Apple Care warranty and a Best Buy employee convinced him that their 2 year warranty was better than Apple's 3 year plan. And... It costs the same! I had to call back after getting the news. (Bad attitude sailor boiling up in me).

Note: If you were pressured into getting an extended warranty, go back to the shop where you bought it and talk to the on-duty manager. If you don't get the resolution you want, fill out a Consumer Complaint form with the State.

Here are my guidelines for extended warranties:

1. Not all extended warranties are evil. The poor schmuck that offers it to you is forced by his employer to push them.
2. If it is a 3rd party warranty, run away!
3. If it is a manufacturers warranty, consider it.

As a general rule, if it is a mobile device and the manufacturer offers an extended warranty, I get it. I have had to take 2 MacBooks that had issues and so far, minus extended warranty cost, I have saved over $2,500.00!
If it is a desktop I don't bother. Most problems are with the operating system (Microsoft) or buggy software. If warranty service has to be called in, they often nuke the hard drive. I can do this myself and keep client data in place.
Extended manufacturer warranty on servers and network electronics. Heck YES! If something goes bump-in-the-night, you want someone in the trenches with you.

So far I have yet to see a 3rd party extended warranty service be of value to ANY of my clients. If you are tempted, get a copy of the contract, go to your favorite coffee shop and read it. That is if you can get a hold of the contract and not just the application form.

Tags: Extended Warranty, Profit Margin, No Teeth, Long Wait, Expensive,

I have ben getting a lot of calls about on-line backup services. Frankly the concept gives me the willies. If you are considering an off-site backup solution, please give us a call 503-356-9101.

Here is a list of additional questions you might want to ask before taking the On-Line Services plunge:

1. Are employees subject to regular background checks?
2. What is their drug policy enforcement?
3. When was the last time their product ben verified by a credible outside party?
4. How are the facilities provisioned?
5. Do they offer de-duping technology?

If you are already using an On-Line Backup Service, you may want to add some of these steps into your admin calendar:

1. Check the raw backup logs to be sure there are no errors.
2. Try to restore a file and directory. Compare results with the data you have in house.
3. Put a network probe on the remote service so you can monitor performance and reliability.

Finally there is the issue of perception. Can you tell your clients, with certainty, that their data is safe?

UPDATE:
I am compiling a list of reputable providers. They will be interviewed and the results posted here.




Pricing
Technology
Regulatory (No Information On-Line)



Pricing
Technology
Regulatory (No Information On-Line)



Pricing
Technology
Regulatory



Pricing
Technology
Regulatory (No Information On-Line)



Pricing
Technology
Regulatory

Tags: Off-Dite Backups, Backup Vendors, Data Security, Vendor Trust, On-Line Backups

I found this little gem while researching a paper I was drafting for the Oregon Bar.

Proper long term evidence storage is extremely important. Not just in keeping the Chain of Custody in tact but the physical needs of the evidence itself need to be met. Access control has also ben problematic.

A viable solution (especially with large or varying case loads) is off-site storage. Until recently this was not practical. Most "Climate Controlled" storage systems have heat only and are subject to wild temperature and humidity swings. Most security in off-site storage facilities not acceptable for keeping evidence secure.

Premier Storage offers inside access, individually alarmed, temperature controlled units. The video surveillance is impressive and the key-lock system is a nice touch. Factor on spending around $2.00 a square foot per month. For more information call Jared Jensen at 503-645-1111.

For high profile cases, you may want to also include a Fire-Safe.

Tags: Evidence Storage, Secure Storage, Evicence Security, Evidense Preservation, Environmentally Controlled Storage,

Impressive looking banner huh? It looks like the NSA finally decided to fill the void long left by the "Rainbow Books" and re-establish some basic security standards. Topics cover Operating Systems, Applications and Network Gear settings.

Most of the information is dated 2008. Hopefully the NSA will take this resource seriously and keep it update better than the "Rainbow Book" series.

Below is a short list of what is available:

Operating Systems
Apple - Mac
Linux
Windows
Solaris

Applications
MS Office
MS Exchange

Supporting Documents

Tags: NSA, Configuration Guide, Computer Security, Server Security, Application Security, Security Settings, OS X Security Settings, Microsoft Security Sattings, Linux Security Settings, Security Documentation

OK, I got a little dramatic on the title.

While digging up specs on hard drive storage, I came across some information on humidity that is often overlooked.

The maximum humidity ratings for hard drives, SS Drives, and other related media is around 90%. Buried in a sub note there was mention of "non condensing" humidity. This is where things get dicey. Condensation + Electoronics = Trouble.

Be sure to pop one bag into each of the evidence packages before sealing them up. If evidence is re-opened, be sure to replace the desiccant bag and dispose of the old one properly. Re-using desiccant packages is NOT RECOMMENDED! There is no way to tell how much of their capacity has already been used up. They only cost about 14 cents each so there is absolutely no reason to skimp!

If you are using a fire-safe, gun safe or a secure container with little to no ventilation, it may also be a good idea to use a desiccant canister as well.

Uline is a great resource for low cost evidence management products. They have desiccant bags, anti-static bags, seals and tamper tape.

Tags: Humidity, Desiccant, Long Term Storage, Electronic Storage, Acquisition Storage, Evidence Storage

I kept running into this truck in Hillsboro, OR. Something just was not right about it. Keep looking...




Notice the gate latch securing the door?

I know, there are multiple locks on the doors, but it is a vivid reminder as to how important perception it to our work.

Tags: Armored Car, Security, Gate Lock, Unsecure,

I am more than aware of the cost of running a "Brick and Mortar" front end, but this is just plain rude.

The shop needed a couple of books on Active Directory for reference and planning. I found two books totaling $77.60 and selected the option to have the local store pull it and have them ready to pick up. There was an option to be notified on the cell phone when the order was ready, so I selected it.

About an hour later I got two messages stating that my orders were ready for pickup. It was odd that the full retail price was mentioned in the text. I wrote it off to bad programming.

When I arrived at the B&N across town my books were ready and at the full price of $115.08! I showed the clerk the web printout and the similar Amazon pricing. She said that B&N does not price match ANY stores (even their own). You would be proud. I kept my temper, choosing not to berate the cashier, since she had nothing to do with the policy and making a fuss would not help resolve the issue.

The best way to get B&Ns attention is to take business elsewhere and show others how they can save LOTS of money by following my lead.

Presenting Amazon. No real secret here. But did you know that Amazon started out as being a book retailer? If you can wait a couple of days, you can save a BUNCH of money. Here are some tips:

1. Take free or slow shipping as possible.
2. Amazon represents multiple vendors. Be sure to place as many items with one vendor as you can to combine shipping cost.
3. Check new and used pricing. Sometimes new books are actually cheaper than used!
4. Beware the shipping and handling monster. Amazon monitors these charges, but sometimes a vendor gets uppity with charges and can surprise you at checkout.
5. Be sure to check the version of the book you are ordering. This is especially true with tech books!

I truly hope B&N gets their act together and stops taking their clients for granted.

Tags: Books, Amazon, Used Books, Brick and Mortar, Ripoff