Blog

Why do we prefer to switch provider?

Brett Raynes — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:58 +0000

Many businesses aim to achieve great customers satisfaction levels. Yet still they lose customers, apparently having done little wrong.

And in today's increasingly competitive and efficient market places, customer loyalty is reducing.

But can businesses do more...?

Law London - 9-11th March

Jennifer Jackson — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:44:46 +0000

Backup Direct will be attending the Law London Exhibition in the Olympia Conference Centre, London next week. It's on the 9th, 10th and 11th March (Tuesday-Thursday). If you're going to be there, come to stand 48 - we'd love to see you.

Mariposa Botnet busted by Spanish Police

Jennifer Jackson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:39:24 +0000

Spanish police have revealed that they have arrested three men responsible for one of the world's biggest networks of virus-infected computers. With nearly 13 million computers infected in 190 countries, it's very surprising that these 'masterminds' did not have advanced hacking skills and yet were able to inflict a world of damage.

Should you switch from Internet Explorer?

Jennifer Jackson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:13:46 +0000

For the last year or so Microsoft has been fighting claims from Europe that bundling Internet Explorer with Windows is anti-competitive. The EU argued that, because Windows has the most common operating system, it was unfair that Microsoft force all those users to use IE without first informing them of their options. The resolution? Offer a ballot box in the latest security update to inform Windows users of the alternatives available to them. Should users take the opportunity to run from IE given the last few months of high profile vulnerabilities? Or is there more to the incidents that have been overlooked?

Summary of Business Conditions January 2010

Harry Burton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:41:23 +0000

Our monthly update on the state of the UK economy. Over the Christmas and New Year period, retail sales were reported to be well up on the same period a year earlier, the housing market has continued to recover and while investment intentions remained muted, few firms planned a further round of sharp cuts following last year’s sizable reductions in spending.

Backup Direct talk to Director of Finance

Harry Burton — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:47 +0000

Backup Direct's Managing Director, Brett Raynes, was recently asked to write an article for Director of Finance magazine about the importance of backup in Financial Services companies. You can read that article here.

Blue Screen of Death hits XP users

Jennifer Jackson — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:37:05 +0000

Windows XP users have recently been hit with a dreaded Blue Screen after installing a recent update on their machines. This follows on from last month's issue with Windows 7 machines showing a different shade of panic and confusion.

Internet Explorer Users At Risk Again

Jennifer Jackson — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:33:41 +0000

It's not been a good start to 2010 for Google or Microsoft.

January bared witness to what is being called the ‘Google v China war’. On January 12th, Google released a blog called “a new approach to China” claiming that China had been making sophisticated computer attacks from Taiwan on U.S. businesses and Chinese Human Rights activists. Google said that it was reporting the attacks because they were concerned about freedom of speech, and is in discussion with the Chinese government regarding removal of their censorship programs it placed over its search engine at China’s request. They have also threatened to shut down Google.cn and close their offices in China, pulling out of China altogether.

IT Focus Jump Out Of Plane

Harry Burton — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:18:02 +0000

Mike Burne and Mike Jenkins, who work for friends of Backup Direct - IT Focus - recently jumped out of a plane for charity. They were raising money for Bath's Cat's and Dog's Home.

Businesses Optimistic for 2010

Brett Raynes — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:00:20 +0000

Around 75 Beacon businesses responded to a questionnaire aimed to test their levels of businesses optimism for 2010.

The sentiments of this group of companies are perhaps interesting in that Beacon companies comprise the best of the best. And as such, whatever this group feels and experiences talks to the future possibilities of business in Britain.

Hosting is not backup – nor is it disaster recovery

Brett Raynes — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:31:28 +0000

Two well known hosting providers: Rackspace and Fasthosts have both had complete outages in the past week. We know because we have been contacted by many of their customers who have just realised the consequences...

Backup Direct's Online Commercial

Harry Burton — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:43:07 +0000

After weeks of great work from writer Mark Humphries, Illustrator Simon Spilsbury and Animator Simon Deshnon - the first Backup Direct animation is ready. Here is a sneak preview of the result before it's rendered and displayed properly on the website.

Internet Password Security

Harry Burton — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:02:50 +0000

I read an article in the Telegraph recently that talked about the most commonly used internet passwords. The story was based around research conducted by data security firm, Imperva, who did an analysis of around 32 million passwords that were recently exposed during a hack on social networking website, RockYou.

How much does Tape Backup cost?

Harry Burton — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:16:53 +0000

When people first enquire with Backup Direct, it is common that they have recently suffered at the hands of tape backup. It could be unsuccessful data retrieval, a two week old backup or an incidence of data exposure but whatever it is it has come at a cost for the company.

It’s usually after this that they start to reassess their current backup strategy.

Summary of Business Conditions December 2009

Harry Burton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:43:29 +0000

In our monthly update on the state of the UK economy, December showed a growth in consumer spending (probably thanks to the Christmas holidays), a gradual continuation in the pickup of housing market activity and a decrease in the decline of unemployment.

How to spot a Phishing scam

Jennifer Jackson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:41:49 +0000

Phishing email scams have become increasingly popular over the past year. In 2008 alone there were allegedly 285 million personal records exposed as a result of phishing hackers. Early reports from 2009 show figures are only getting larger.

Here is an recent example that I received the other day - and I highlight the main things to look out for.

Superfast Broadband by 2012

Harry Burton — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:26 +0000

The UK government has finally decided to up the ante in the global broadband arms race. Most technologists and economists have known for some time that the key to future economic growth is in the development of broadband infrastructure. Less developed European countries like Slovenia, Andorra and Lithuania have been laying their own Fiber optic foundations for years now, and the benefits of super-speed Internet connection throughout large regions are already being felt.

Zeus Trojan Virus Targets Online Shoppers

Jennifer Jackson — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:56:59 +0000

It was only a few weeks ago that I talked about an expected increase in online scams this festive period as more shoppers opt to buy their presents over the internet. Well, now is the time to introduce the latest of those: The Zeus Trojan.

Windows 7 Blank Screen of Death

Jennifer Jackson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:25:25 +0000

Just when Microsoft finally release an operating system that people approve of, there has been news of the first major glitch. Allegations of a ‘black screen of death’ (BSOD) have spread like wildfire across the Internet after scores of bloggers have ranted and raved about the latest boob from the monolith. The story goes that when users log on to their computer they are confronted with a blank screen: no desktop, no task bar, system tray or sidebar - just a lonesome My Computer Explorer Window.

Components of the Data Protection Act

Harry Burton — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:02:31 +0000

Many small business make the assumption that they do not need to worry about the Data Protection Act (DPA). They are wrong. All companies and organisations, no matter how large or small are subject to the compliance of the DPA and negligence can result in personal liability for directors and damages claims against companies. This is particularly worrying because the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) latest report indicates that just under half of all small-medium businesses are unaware of these implications - meaning they may or may not be compliant.