It beggars belief how sensitive data like account details, signatures, phone numbers and family details - enough to open fraudulent accounts - can be stored unencrypted. Yet time and again we hear how data like this turns up in places like trains and online auctions.

Now there's a new low in data security. When I applied for Incapacity Benefit, I had to undergo a medical. The government contracts out this to a private company, ATOS Healthcare. Out of the blue they phoned me one Saturday afternoon. I later discovered that it was to arrange this medical. But they started out, without introduction, asking me to confirm my postcode and date of birth. Assuming it was a phishing call (to try to get personal data in order to steal my identity), I asked for proof of who they were. I even rang the police, who said I'd done the right thing (but couldn't do anything even if it was a phishing call). Eventually, they sent me a written form.

Thinking this was a one off, I forgot about it. Then I bought an item in America, on the Internet, by credit card. This is something I do rarely, and my credit card company flagged it. Their security team then phoned my mobile, again out of the blue. This time I got an automated system claiming to be the card company. It too began asking for sensitive security data. This time I phoned the number I had for them and sorted it out that way.

It seems to me that cold calling, starting out asking for sensitive data, is dangerous. Imagine I rummage through your bin and find a letter from FictionCard. You're careful. You shred any sensitive data. This letter had nothing more than your name, address and phone number and saying how proud they were to offer such a great customer a lower rate. I now know you're a Fictioncard customer. I have your basic details, and a number to call you on.

"Hello, is that Mr. Smith? Hello, it's Fred here from FictionCard. We've had an unusual transaction on your credit card and want to check out that it's a genuine purchase. Can I start by confirming your postcode and date of birth please...?" Which of course I don't offer you. After all, I'm genuinely from FictionCard so you know I know this already. Right?

Crazy. Would your granny think before giving out this information?

Here are the items I found in a five minute search (United Kingdom):-

Health board lost patients' data: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7584048.stm
When financial data goes missing (RBS):  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7576572.stm
Firm 'broke rules' over data loss: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7575989.stm
Extent of data losses is revealed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7570611.stm
Discs loss 'entirely avoidable': http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7472814.stm
Tougher data laws needed, say MPs: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7168588.stm
'Lax standards' on data security: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7295467.stm

Design flaws that could compromise security were widespread and included some of the largest banks in the country. Design flaws uncovered in the study included:

* Placing secure login boxes on insecure pages
* Putting contact information and security advice on insecure pages
* Having a breach in the chain of trust, with customers redirected to another site
* Allowing inadequate user IDs and passwords
* Emailing security-sensitive information insecurely

The flaws leave cracks in security that hackers could exploit to gain access to private information and accounts. Some of the flawed banking websites are already being reworked. However, the need for diligence on the part of banking and information technology is notable. Continually sending IT work to the lowest bidder in a foreign country is not always the best option for data and business security. The bottom line is that banking safety and security cannot be assumed by banking customers.

One thing to be mentioned right away: The perfect solution does not exist. But there are ways to do quite well. Personally, I copy my CF-cards on location to an image-tank. Back at the head-quarter the files are copied to my network drive and the workstation for post production. The network drive is mirrored on a regular basis to tape - with the tapes stored in a safe place (physically at a different location!).

One new way might be to copy files to Blu Ray Disk.

According to the manufacturer website this system offers :

Delkin Blu-ray (BD-R) discs are the first archival grade Blu-ray product guaranteed to preserve data safely for over 200 years. In addition to unprecedented longevity standards, Delkin BD-R boast a market-leading read/write speed of 4x, enabling a 25GB burn to be completed in only 23 minutes!

200 Year Archival Lifespan

• Delkin archival Blu-ray (BD-R) discs offer the longest guaranteed protection over time. Use them to store what's most important to you, whether it be wedding photos, tax documents, medical records, musical compositions, or family videos.

Large 25GB Storage Capacity

• Each Blu-ray (BD-R) disc is able to store more data than over 5 DVD-Rs or over 33 CD-Rs. Record over 2 hours of High-Definition video or over 23 hours of standard video per disc.

Fast 4X Read/Write Speed

• Burn data at twice the speed of a standard 2X Blu-Ray (BD-R) disc and with the same high level of accuracy and precision. Burn 25GB in only 23 minutes! (When using a 4x speed drive)

ScratchArmor™ Surface Protection

• Delkin Blu-ray (BD-R) discs utilize the very best in Japanese polymer hard coat technology, providing you with unbeatable damage protection from scratches, fingerprints, stains, and more.

Tech Specs

• Speed: 4x
• Lifespan: 200 Years
• Capacity: 25GB

Blu Ray drives are expected to be available soon where prices could be in the range of 200 to 300 Eur for an external USB 2.0 unit.

We will see ....

Backing up your data doesn't have to be a time consuming process. With a good backup application, your data can backup without you having to do it hands-on. I use SyncBackSE. With a one time installation and configuration, my files are backed up regularly. When the profile runs, it checks to see which files are new and which have changed and then performs a remote backup to the server (space is included with my website hosted by Pixelgate). The server is backed up automatically every night by the company so I can rest assured that my data is safe.

SyncBackSE is only a one time license fee of $29.95, or you can download the watered down version SyncBack-Free, which is free, but with less options. Both work great, and you can configure it yourself, however, Pixelgate does offer setup assistance for a nominal fee.

Whether you use a removable drive, or an application like SyncBackSE, backing up your data should be a proactive approach to any businesses data safety. To find out more about backing up your data, visit Pixelgate's website http://www.pixelgate.net/backup.jsp.

Don't put it off until a disaster happens to you to put in place your disaster recovery plan.

Colleen

Next to Apple's unique and fascinating operating system it's the variety of stylish student applications that makes studying on a mac so efficient while at the same time being so much fun (and yes, those variables do correlate). 

Finding the right tools tailored to your academic needs will take some time and extensive online research. There is no fixed list of “the" best study tools for all students. It depends on your chosen subject area as well as your own level of technological understanding.

Unfortunately the most effective tools are mostly the hardest to learn and only really start to shine after you invested considerable time in tutorials or related forums (and you are strongly advised to do so). Take a widely known application like Photoshop as an example. If you intensively study this application for a number of weeks you will without a doubt produce astonishing results. Nevertheless a few hours may be sufficient enough to use Photoshop satisfactory for your needs. Not every mac user will end up in the creative branch after all and in the past few years many universities have started to recognize the mac as a universal interdisciplinary student tool.

So, since this list can’t provide “the” best tools for your subject, I will not try to do so. Instead you will get an overview of the best tools that aid studying in general. Although if you ask me as a social scientist about “the” one tool I couldn’t do without, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick Scrivener. Yes, it’s that good and you’ll also find it on this list. Not because of it’s qualities for the social sciences but for it’s value as a universal creative writing tool. I would even go so far to say that you’d have an unfair advantage over any student on a windows pc when it comes to essay planning (more about that later).

Ladies & gents, I'm pleased to introduce you to Macology's very own mini series about a few handpicked tools that I consider the best of the trade.

Part I
Keep your stuff SAFE

The first priority for any student should be a safe work environment. On a mac your files are already pretty much immune to viruses, trojans and most other nasty malware that plague most windows users. That leaves us mac users with just general concerns about data security, such as accidental file deletion, application failure and worst of all hard disk errors.

While Time Machine (included tool in Leopard) is already a very good back up solution (that is if you have a second hard drive available) most students prefer to have their files on the go with (not less important) cross-platform compatibility. That leaves us with only one logic solution, files & folders on a usb-stick. Gigs on a stick come cheap these days and for most students a few gigabyte are more than enough to survive a whole semester (or even the whole way).

The application that does the job best and which is also super-easy to handle is called LifeBoat by Martian Technology (around $14). All you need to do is to select the files & folders you intend to backup. From then on every time you plug your usb-stick into your mac, folders you pre-selected on your mac will automatically update your stick content. And that’s all it takes. Once configured it’s just plug & go. No opening of the app and no extra clicks. It really is that simple.

Voila, data safety & mobility in one easy & cheap application.

.........to be continued in "Best Mac Study Tools Part II" (coming this weekend)