What's the Buzzz...: May 2009

Internet Explorer 8 making life complicated!

Many of you understand my feelings about automatic updates... the Microsoft Service you hate to love. It seems like we just got over Internet Explorer 7 when BAM! another update forced upon us that conflicts with agency operations - Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). Microsoft has recently decided that IE8 is an important update causing it to be installed via automatic updates. So now the questions and problems start about what should I do?

Already installed IE8

Back in January 2009 Beta1 version of Internet Explorer 8 was released. Warnings prior to download cautioned installing the software on a production computer. Beta2 was released trying to fix open, discovered, reported and patched issues but then some additional problems became apparent like the inability to completely uninstall the Beta1. Surprise that issues still exist uninstalling Beta2! The answer at this point is IF IE8 is not conflicting with your agency management system or the priority carrier websites you're lucky. Be cautioned that additional automatic updates might cause conflicts as fixes/patches are installed.

Thinking about installing IE8

You might be stuck in a difficult situation, as a carrier might require IE8. When this is the case, the responsible course is to determine if the employee's primary product is this carrier's rating site and you don't care about any conflicts with other sites then continue with installation. An option might be to install another internet browser supported by that carrier (maybe Firefox) be careful though as some carrier sites don't support Firefox.

Preventing installation of IE8

We can prevent the installation of IE8 via automatic updates in multiple ways but unfortunately, we can only advise employees. That is we can disable the auto-installation of IE but CAN NOT PREVENT an employee from downloading IE8 for installation manually! Please email all employees that installation of IE8 may not be compatible with the agency management system and some carrier sites preventing production. While there is a tool distributed by Microsoft - "Toolkit to Disable Automatic Delivery of Internet Explorer 8" (read here then download). I recommend an additional manual check by running Windows Update, Custom installation which will present available High-Priority Updates. If IE8 is found then Uncheck the checkbox to deselect the install, Click on the boxed plus sign to expand the description, Check the box labeled "Don't show this update again", and proceed with the rest of the update. Remember that monthly updates are important!

Contact me here for a personal response or to schedule an appointment.

Is your AntiVirus outdated?

Most agencies are using Symantec AntiVirus Corporate ver 8.x or 9.x... the current version sold is ver10x if you are using an older version the product is unlicensed, outdated and may stop updating. You should upgrade now to get the best AV solution protecting your systems with the latest technology.

Signature updates may continue (some are not) since your product expired but your installed version is not as effective as even the latest edition. I have successfully migrated many agencies to Eset NOD32, which is the best in class compared to the most known antivirus solutions. Click here for a comparative analysis.

Other than just being more accurate, NOD32 has smaller memory requirements which means more space for your other applications. NOD32 'threat sense technology' provides zero day threat protection and unknown virus. It provides this protection by sensing virus like activity rather than relying on recognizing the virus signature. This is important because while others are waiting to define what the new virus looks like NOD32 detects virus activity or potentially unwanted programs and prevents it from infecting you computer.

Visit Eset NOD32 for information, an online scan or purchase.Contact me here for a personal response or to schedule an appointment.

OpenDNS will filter your web surfing.

OpenDNS provides domain names systems (DNS) support for your computer. As implemented by OpenDNS, their service is not like other DNS because it provides faster and smarter service, phishing protection and web content filtering. When installed it will provide a safer and more productive internet environment in your agency and their service is free.

OpenDNS is faster, more reliable and smarter than your internet provider's dns. They have created a matrix of redundant servers in five (5) sites throughout the United States to provide a rollover of service upon any outage any one site could experience. Smarter as they will fix typos when they can but if not they provide search results based on your URL entry which is better than just giving an error "page not found".

Phishing protection blocks fraudulent attempts to direct you to a website to get you to provide personal and confidential information. OpenDNS currently blocks over 250,000 sites known to phish.

Web Content Filtering is another service provided through OpenDNS. When enabling web content filtering you can select from four standard levels of filtering or create a custom filter based on over 50 categories. Additionally site whitelisting and blacklisting is available for even more control for your agency.

I recommend OpenDNS and implement it so you can benefit from the following:

Faster more reliable internet access through a better DNS.
Assist in providing safer internet use with phishing protection.
Better productivity eliminating access to non-business sites.
Assist with compliance to web acceptable use policy (sample).
Block access to adult and gambling sites.
Filtering based on your request both implemented and ongoing.

To reiterate the best function of OpenDNS is the Web Content Filtering so you can block access to Facebook, MySpace, personal webmail, dating sites, YouTube and many other time wasters. Studies show that employees admit to wasting almost 1.6 hours per day surfing the web. That sounds very high but do you know HOW MUCH TIME you are loosing in productivity. The internet is the single highest time waster in business above socializing and conducting personal business.

I have successfully implemented OpenDNS at various insurance agencies. Installation is quick in revising DNS in network properties or changing DHCP configuration. While OpenDNS service is free the only fee is my installation which is best done with a monthly update check but can be done in about 5 minutes per computer.