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Vol 2, #44, Nov. 2, 2010 |
Computers feel safer than mobile devices Most feel their home computers are protected from viruses, malware and hackers but that confidence does not translate to their mobile devices with 87 percent of people surveyed reporting they feel safer going online with their PCs than with their phones, according to the 2010 National Cyber Security Alliance – Norton by Symantec Online Safety Study. The study shows that only 24 percent feel very safe and 61 percent feel somewhat safe that their home computers are protected. In comparison, only 18 percent of those polled feel their mobiles phones are very safe and 28 percent feel they are somewhat safe "We're encouraged that more Americans feel safe going online from their home computers," said National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Executive Director Michael Kaiser. "We need to ensure that this is not a false sense of security and that a feeling of safety does not lead to complacency. We need to remain vigilant and be sure that all web-connected hardware has the proper security tools installed and is up to date. In addition, the use of sound judgment and common sense online is necessary to protect personal information and reduce the loss of important data." Half of those surveyed now have two to three computers at home, with 74 percent owning a laptop or netbook. All told, 31 percent said the laptop or netbook is their primary computer. Nearly 17 percent can connect to the internet via their TV, and 24 percent connect via a gaming device. These multiple points of connection pose new security risks. Wireless networks have reached high levels of adoption. The study found that 70 percent had a wireless router at home, but 43 percent admitted they have logged onto a wireless network without entering a password – a number that increases to 66 percent for 18 to 29 year olds. "Computer users can run into online threats regardless of where they might be connected and what device they're using," said Marian Merritt, Norton Internet Safety Advocate. "However, on a Wi-Fi network, there are other risks consumers can run into, like 'evil twin' networks that trick people into connecting to unknown networks, giving cybercriminals access to their computer and its contents. Consumers should ensure they're connecting to a legitimate network, using the access keys or portal given to them by the Wi-Fi provider." When it comes to mobile phones, computer users aren't taking the proper steps to protect themselves or their data. Just 22.2 percent back up personal data stored on their phones despite using them to keep private information such as personal contacts, calendars and e-mail. Top of Page The Media Awareness Network (MNet) has released e-Parenting Tutorial: Keeping up with your kids' online activities, an online resource to help parents better understand and become actively involved in their children's online lives. Made possible through financial contributions from Inukshuk Learning Plan Fund and Bell, this engaging interactive tool helps parents increase their awareness of the ways that children and teens are using the Internet for learning, entertainment and socializing, and the issues they may be encountering along the way. Through the exploration of five key themes - homework, cyberbullying, marketing, online relationships and excessive use - parents can develop the knowledge and skills they need to help their children navigate the Internet safely, wisely and responsibly. "Parents often feel unprepared when it comes to helping their children manage their online lives," said Jane Tallim, Co-Executive Director of MNet. " e-Parenting Tutorial is designed to instill the confidence they need to help their kids become thoughtful cybercitizens." Canadian Institute's fourth social media conference The Canadian Institute has announced its 4th Annual Conference on Social Media, offering insights and strategies for engaging your followers, demonstrating the ROI of your social media initiatives, and integrating social media tools at your organization. Delegates will hear from those working at the frontlines and access practical case studies that will help you overcome your most pressing social media challenges. Speakers will include top social media leaders from WestJet, the Royal Bank of Canada, Dell, ING Direct Canada, MINI, Travelocity.ca and many more The conference will take place November 9 and 10 at the Marriott Bloor Yorkville Hotel in Toronto. Visit the Canadian Institute’s website for details. Top of Page GREY Canada opens new office in Kitchener Waterloo GREY Canada is excited to announce the opening of a new branch in the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle. The new GreyKW office will be located in The Communitech Hub: Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator, in the Lang Tannery building, in downtown Kitchener. This location puts GreyKW in the centre of Canada's thrust for achieving digital media excellence through innovation. "This initiative is very exciting because it allows us to explore new business opportunities in a very vibrant region within Canada," says Ann Nurock, President and CEO, Grey Canada. "The region of Waterloo has a thriving business community with a range of industries that can benefit from the global expertise that a company like the Grey Group can provide. We are keen to become part of and support the business community in the region." The key driver for opening this regional office was to be part of the excitement generated by the Communitech Hub which opened on October 7th. This location offers a very dynamic component for Grey Group's expansion into the region. As part of the Hub community, Grey's team will be working directly with startup companies, to assist them in creating their marketing strategy and establishing sales opportunities. The global marketing experience plus the strategic and creative excellence that Grey is known for will be of great value to entrepreneurs and companies throughout the region. Top of Page New online community for IT service managers Consulting-Portal, a leading IT Service Management (ITSM) process design and implementation company, is announcing the launch of an online social media community for Service Management practitioners. This free online community provides a forum for ITSM practitioners to interact, share, collaborate and to expand their knowledge of IT Service Management processes and frameworks such as ITIL®, COBIT®, and ISO20000®. It also allows for members to connect at a personal level through private messaging, public posting and the ability to "friend" other members. The community contains a number of resources including a blog, articles, podcasts, webinars and a variety of user forums on topics such as ITIL® training, ITSM Governance, Service Management tools, Process Design techniques, Configuration Management & the CMDB and much more. "The goal of the community was to create an online dialogue covering all aspects of IT Service Management. We are passionate about the practice of Service Management and we hope that this community will allow others to share our passion...we believe that social media and ITSM is a natural fit," says David Mainville - CEO and co-founder of Consulting-Portal. Top of Page Les Kahl new Creative Director with AdfarmAdFarm is pleased to announce that Les Kahl has been named Senior Creative Director for their longstanding Bayer CropScience Canada account. Kahl has worked in the advertising and communications industry for 24 years, including more than 10 years as a creative director and two years as Vice President of Brown Communications. Kahl has spent five years with AdFarm. A native Manitoban, Kahl’s career began in Winnipeg and has taken him to Calgary, AB, Vancouver, BC, and, most recently, Kansas City, MO. “I’m thrilled to be moving back to Calgary and working with the AdFarm team on the Bayer CropScience account,” says Kahl. “The creative group continues to do great work for this client. My job is to clear the strategic path and take the momentum to the next level.” Kahl has worked on all aspects of the communications industry – from art to copy, positioning to execution and mentorship to relationships. Kahl also spent time teaching at the Alberta College of Art & Design (ACAD) in Calgary. Today, he takes great personal pride in pushing the creative limits, exploring and embracing change as a creative director, and in representing and leading the art of advertising. Top of Page Pure Tech one of top ten Cleantech companies Pure Technologies Ltd. has been named one of Corporate Knight Magazine's top ten publicly held companies in the Cleantech realm. The Cleantech 10™ category was compiled by Corporate Knights Inc. and Cleantech Group LLC, the leading provider of Cleantech indices and information. The Cleantech 10 represents Canada's best publicly held companies in the Cleantech realm and span a range of sectors. Since its inception in 2007, the Cleantech 10 has outperformed the S&P/TSX Composite by 23 percent. In March of 2010, the TSX launched the S&P/TSX Clean Technology Index, a benchmark that tracks Canadian firms that develop and implement green technologies. "Being included as part of the Cleantech 10 emphasizes Pure's presence as a company dedicated to sustainability and conservation," said Jamie Paulson, Pure's Chairman. Top of Page DDB appoints new EVP, Managing Director David Leonard, President and Chief Operating Officer of DDB Canada, has announced the appointment of Lance Saunders as Executive Vice President (EVP), Managing Director of DDB Canada's Vancouver office. Saunders joins DDB Canada from Campbell Mithun in Minneapolis, where he gained valuable leadership experience as executive vice president, director of strategic planning. Prior to that he had an impressive 20-year tenure at Leo Burnett in Toronto, where he last served as senior vice president, managing partner, planning director. "After an extensive international search, we believe Lance is the ideal choice to bolster the agency's strategic planning expertise and lead our Vancouver operation," says Leonard. "His innovative thinking and drive to uncover insights that inspire breakthrough ideas will significantly increase our muscle in strategic planning." As EVP, managing director of the Vancouver office, Saunders will be responsible for people development, creative product and new business development. Saunders has provided his strategic planning expertise to many top brands across several categories, including tourism, packaged goods, retail, financial services, beverage and telecommunications. "With the communications world rapidly changing, today's communications plans are about driving people to take action, rather than passively take in our messages," says Saunders. "Today's winning brands are driven by the power of their unique world perspective. It's a fundamental shift from saying things at people, to doing things with and for people. Our job is to uncover what makes a brand remarkable to get people to want to engage with, participate in, be advocates for, but most importantly to take action." A sought after thought leader, Saunders has spoken at various Canadian universities and colleges and is an annual instructor at the Miami Ad School on planning, brand positioning, research and ideas. Top of Page Allstream to provide IP connectivity for Mobilicity Allstream is pleased to announce it has signed a three-year contract with Mobilicity, Canada's unlimited 3.5G mobile operator. Allstream is the preferred telecom provider for Mobilicity for Ethernet back-haul services. The new carrier's unlimited zones in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver will leverage Allstream's industry-leading IP Network. "Allstream is pleased to continue our relationship with Mobilicity and provide its customers with reliable IP connectivity," said Dean Prevost, President, Allstream. "Allstream has built a very successful business relationship with Mobilicity and has a solid understanding of the company and its business needs." Allstream provides a wide range of Ethernet Network Services that work over its IP Network and have the ability to evolve in order to support the changing needs of its customers. Allstream's Ethernet service will allow each of Mobilicity's various locations to stay connected, reducing infrastructure costs and improving business flexibility. "By leveraging Allstream's strong and stable IP backbone network, we're ensuring our customers receive a superior mobile experience," said Mobilicity's Vice President of Network Operations Sharyn Gravelle. "We have worked with the Allstream team in the past and consider them to be a valued partner. As we continue to grow our company, we know we can rely on Allstream to support our IP connectivity needs, efficiently and effectively." |
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