For a business with a more dynamic Internet presence, the risk level goes up as its visibility increases. Computers at the University of California in Santa Barbara, Stanford University, a home business in Portland, Ore., and hundreds of other computers were taken over for bombardment use in the February attacks. Both experts say, even with a traditional firewall barrier, that outside connections to the Internet create vulnerability in the system. On May 4, Love Bug worm hit and managed to spread from the Far East to Europe and then to the United States and caused shutdowns of whole computer networks to protect them from being crashed by the rapidly spreading program. But a vulnerability doesn't mean companies should unplug their Internet connections, says Pfeiffer.
Security is a much a business issue as it is a technology issue.
Businesses have to weigh their desired computer use versus the security risk it creates and then calculate the return on investment to make a reasonable assessment. Pfeiffer says complete security is unavailable at any price. You have to balance paranoia with diminishing returns and that point is different for each business depending on what they want to accomplish. Earliest info on new businesses, homeowners Sales Prospecting Center Real info, real opportunities. HireNashville Fill an opening, find a job Internet Directory Local businesses on the web Legal Center Hundreds of business legal tools Office Products Special deals on equipment, supplies.