TechRepublic, an IT resource of the publisher ZDNet, has a good summary of the security features of Windows 7 which are especially pertinent to system administrators.

While some features like BitLocker, a drive and volume encryption mechanism, and DirectAccess, a VPN-like remote access implementation, are available in the Enterprise edition only, Windows 7 generally adds more security measures than Vista in a less obtrusive manner. Although operating system security is no substitute for vigilance and user training, it's an important componet and defense against present and emerging threats.

Perhaps it's not a coincidence that the September National Preparedness Month is followed by National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Organized by the National Cyber Security Alliance, it aims to educate users in the home, business, and school environments about healthy and secure computing habits.

Barbara has blogged here before about the new TechSoup Limited offerings available to nonprofits and libraries on a limited basis. It was just brought to my attention that there are four TS Limited products that organizations and libraries are allowed to re-distribute to their constituents, members, and individual supporters.

Our donor partner, PC Tools has made their Internet Security, Registry Mechanic, Spyware Doctor, and famous Spyware Doctor with Antivirus broadly available to nonprofits and libraries — and now to your members and users as well. 

Each of the three products includes 3 licences that can be installed on 3 different machines (for a total of 9 installations) so not only can your organization use their spyware, antivirus, and registry cleaning tools to keep your computers functioning well, but you can share them with the individuals you serve. According to the restrictions:

Barbara has blogged here before about the new TechSoup Limited offerings available to nonprofits and libraries on a limited basis. It was just brought to my attention that there are four TS Limited products that organizations and libraries are allowed to re-distribute to their constituents, members, and individual supporters.

Our donor partner, PC Tools has made their Internet Security, Registry Mechanic, Spyware Doctor, and famous Spyware Doctor with Antivirus broadly available to nonprofits and libraries — and now to your members and users as well. 

Each of the three products includes 3 licences that can be installed on 3 different machines (for a total of 9 installations) so not only can your organization use their spyware, antivirus, and registry cleaning tools to keep your computers functioning well, but you can share them with the individuals you serve. According to the restrictions:

Does your organization have a plan to keep your technology, data, and assets protected in the event of an emergency or disaster? What if it's not an actual disaster like a hurricane or flood, but a staff member simply loses or breaks a laptop carrying essential supporter data? How much time or money might your organization spend trying to recover even a fraction of what's been lost? If these questions have crossed your mind and your answers are less than ideal, you should join us for our two-part webinar series on disaster planning to protect your technology.

Join me on Thursday, August 20 at 11 a.m. Pacific as I interview nonprofit tech expert Chris Shipley from Nutmeg Consulting and Elliot Harmon, TechSoup staff writer and editor of our soon-to-be-released The Resilient Organization: A Guide for Disaster Planning and Recovery. We'll also be joined by Michelle Baldwin, Executive Director of Volunteers in Service to Others, which runs the Cooke County emergency food bank. They experienced a flood two years ago and she'll be offering advice for other nonprofits trying to plan ahead.

TechCrunch, the popular technology blog, just published a survey and matrix on some online apps to share large files. We had a forum thread on a similar topic a few weeks ago, and as the responses in the blog post and forum thread suggest, there is no clear "winner" in this field, and the best tool for you will depend on your organization's needs.

Back in March we blogged aobut how URL-shortening services could pose a threat on social networking sites such as Twitter. The Wall Street Journal blog is now reporting that they may be doing something about it.

Although Twitter hasn't officially responded, the blog is reporting that tweets with links to suspicious sites will be deleted, with a message "Oops! Your tweet contained a URL to a known malware site!."

Back in March we blogged aobut how URL-shortening services could pose a threat on social networking sites such as Twitter. The Wall Street Journal blog is now reporting that they may be doing something about it.

Although Twitter hasn't officially responded, the blog is reporting that tweets with links to suspicious sites will be deleted, with a message "Oops! Your tweet contained a URL to a known malware site!."

The recent theft of confidential documents from Twitter's Google Docs account points out the dangers of insecure passwords. NTEN's blog discusses the details of the break-in and lessons we should learn from it. The chief lesson: good passwords are key to good security. 

A 2007 NTEN post provided suggestions and resources for creating strong passwords and establishing a password policy.  More recently, Slate.com published an article called Fix Your Terrible, Insecure Passwords in Five Minutes with general password tips and a clever algorithm for developing strong passwords. You can also look at TechSoup's Security Corner for more tips, articles, blog posts, and resources on securing your information. 

Photo: Paul Linton

The recent theft of confidential documents from Twitter's Google Docs account points out the dangers of insecure passwords. NTEN's blog discusses the details of the break-in and lessons we should learn from it. The chief lesson: good passwords are key to good security. 

A 2007 NTEN post provided suggestions and resources for creating strong passwords and establishing a password policy.  More recently, Slate.com published an article called Fix Your Terrible, Insecure Passwords in Five Minutes with general password tips and a clever algorithm for developing strong passwords. You can also look at TechSoup's Security Corner for more tips, articles, blog posts, and resources on securing your information. 

Photo: Paul Linton