PC security: 5 reasons for choosing Windows Vista for your small business

Worried about computer viruses? Concerned about the safety of your company's data?  You're in good company. Databranch can assist you in planning for the future of your network and how best to take advantage of emerging technology solutions, such as Windows Vista.

If you run a small business, you probably don't just feel like a target. Your company probably is a target. Small businesses are frequent victims of cyberattacks, according to several recent studies. And a 2006 Yankee Group survey found that 40 percent of small business owners rank protecting their companies from outside security breaches as an important issue.

"Big businesses have extensive IT departments with deep expertise to handle security," says Ann Westerheim, president of Ekaru, a technology services company for small and medium-sized business. "Small businesses just don't have these resources – and they're vulnerable."

Interestingly, the same Yankee Group study found that half of all small business owners delayed a technology upgrade because of costs. But what if you could address many small business security concerns by upgrading your operating system? By deploying Windows Vista, your small business could effectively kill two birds with one proverbial stone: (1) realizing the performance benefits of a new operating system, and (2) addressing important cyber-security concerns.

Here are five ways that Windows Vista helps your small business run safer:

1.Improved data protection features
There are several new features in Windows Vista that will ensure the protection of the data in your business computers. Among them: An integrated Rights Management client that allows your company to enforce policies around document usage. Plus, there's an improved Encrypting File System. This provides user-based file and directory encryption, which allows storage of encryption keys on smart cards. And Windows Vista Enterprise and Vista Ultimate editions also have a new BitLocker Drive Encryption feature. This offers full volume encryption of the system, including Windows system files and the hibernation file. That helps protect data when a PC is stolen. Here's more on some of the new data protection features in Vista, including its Rights Management client.

2.New anti-spyware tools
Windows Defender (formerly Windows AntiSpyware) has been integrated into Windows Vista. Defender helps protect your company's computers against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. The application's Real-Time Protection monitoring system even recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. Not only does Defender identify malicious programs, it makes them easy to remove, too – meaning that you don't have to worry about protracted down-times for your company's computers. Here are details on Windows Defender.

3.Internet Explorer 7 'Protected' mode
When your company upgrades to Windows Vista, it reduces the threat to users from the Internet by limiting Internet Explorer to enough privileges to browse the Web, but not enough to modify user files or settings by default. So even if there is a vulnerability in Internet Explorer, running in "protected" mode means it won't have enough privileges to install software or change the settings for the browser's homepage or search provider. In addition, Internet Explorer has a new security status bar that allows you to quickly verify the validity of a site's security certificate. Plus, it has a phishing filter to help your employees browse more safely by alerting them when a Web site may be attempting to steal their confidential information. There's more information about protected mode in IE 7 in this overview.

4.Better management of administrator privileges
Windows Vista shores up your company's computers by allowing your users to perform most of their required tasks without having to switch to "administrator" mode. Here's how Vista's new User Account Control works: When one of your employees wants to do something that requires administrative privileges, like installing an application, Vista prompts the user for permission or for credentials. That way, malware can't silently be installed on a PC. This effectively prevents your employees from downloading and infecting their laptops. But as standard users, your employees can perform such routine tasks as installing printer drivers without having to make an expensive tech-support call. Bottom line: Your employees are more productive and safer. Here's more about Windows Vista's User Account Control.

5.Network access protection
Windows Vista's new Network Access Protection can stop a Windows Vista-based client from connecting to your private network if it doesn't have the latest security updates or virus protections. The agent can be used to protect your network from remote access clients as well as local area network (LAN) clients. Malware is frequently introduced to a private network by an infected mobile or remote computer. Network Access Protection allows you to prevent a potentially dangerous remote computer from connecting to your network, or it can prompt the computer to update its settings. Alternatively, it can grant access to a limited part of the network in order to download certain required updates. More information about Network Access Protection can be found here.

Whether you're working on your office computer, traveling, or catching up on work from your home, Windows Vista helps protect the valuable data in your business from being compromised by malware or hackers. It protects your company's computers through a series of new applications that ensure every part of your user experience -- from installing applications to surfing the Internet -- is offered the maximum protection.