Google’s Fiber for Communities initiative (Think big with a gig) is a hot topic around Baltimore these days. As previous blogs indicated, Google is planning to build ultra-high speed broadband networks on a trial basis across the country. The plan is to deploy 1 Gbps, fiber optic connections directly to people’s homes. There is a big push to support this initiative and America’s Remote Help Desk is jumping on board. Learn more on how to do your part at (bmorefiber.com) Baltimore Fiber.

As stated previously, these speeds open up a new level of opportunity for managed services, hosting, disaster recovery, outsource IT firms and especially cloud computing.  Google essentially wants to advance the development of the backbone that will support their agenda.

They are stating that this is an experiment they hope will make Internet access better and faster for everyone. The plan is to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country (we’re pushing for Baltimore to be one of them). They claim their networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. And all of that at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Ultra high speed fiber would be an amazing catalyst for business in Maryland.  We agree that it’s in everyone’s best interest to bring this to Baltimore.  Though it is unlikely to get the same level of attention, it would do more for the city’s long term prosperity than for instance, hosting a super bowl.

Here’s what YOU can do now…

1. REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT: go to www.BmoreFiber.com

2. SPREAD THE WORD: tell your employees, spouses, friends, and family to do the same and for them to encourage other employees they work with to do the same.

Viruses and spyware are a plague in today’s interconnected environment. In our day to day IT Support activities we are often asked how to mitigate the risk of a machine becoming infected and also how to manage ongoing viral infections.

Unfortunately there isn’t one answer that fits all. Viruses and spyware can be complex. Good internet browsing habits alone are not enough.  Working on an outsource help desk the user base and skill level is diverse and I have seen even the most prudent users become infected.

Here is a list of things you can do to mitigate your users’ exposure to Viruses and Spyware:

For IT Departments:

1. Content Filtering: Use content filtering to limit the websites you or your user base can surf.  In an enterprise this can be accomplished with a hardware appliance like Barracuda or SonicWALL.  You can also utilize a SaaS (Software as a Service) application like Message Labs or WebRoot.  Though often too restrictive, strict content filtering is one of the only reliable preventative measures available at this time.
2. Limit End User Permissions: Removing the user’s local admin privileges prevents them from installing programs and other activities that may leave the PC open to an infection.  Using an asset management or desktop management tool, you may be able to further limit applications or easily modify group policy to enforce additional restrictions.
3. Outsource your Endpoint Security (Desktop Management):  There are a variety of Managed Service Providers and Outsource Help Desk and IT firms that will “manage your desktops”.  This usually involves a suite of managed services targeted toward endpoint security, which removes distraction and allows an internal IT team to focus on other projects more aligned with business needs.  If you require complete management of the desktops and end user support, these services can usually be bundled with outsource help desk support, sometimes 24×7.
4. Enforce Best Practices – Raise Awareness: Make your service desk and help desk teams acutely aware of the best practices of your support center.  If you’re working with an outsource help desk managed service, ask them what their standards are and ensure they align with your expectations.  Empowered, the team will naturally educate users and look for risks while working on unrelated issues.
5. PC Imaging: Get an imaging process in place so you can quickly restore a user’s PC.  If they’re properly managing their files this should work without losing data.  It would be an inconvenience and could act as a deterrent from them engaging in future activity which could cause their PC to be imaged.

For End Users:

1. Internet Explorer Active X Settings: Internet Explorer is the most commonly attacked browser, most often via ActiveX that automatically downloads the malware..  However many SaaS (Software as a Service) and web based applications are optimized for IE.  Disabling ActiveX can help. Disabling IE scripts from running automatically will also secure the system but unfortunately will reduce the improved functionality of the browser.
2. Web Surfing Habits: Being aware of where you are going on the Internet is your best protection against any attack.  Beware of pop up windows and sites that have them with any frequency.  If you go to a website and you get a pop up message that says anything to the effect that the site detected a virus and wants to clean it up, run the other way.  Hit escape, back, alt+F4, or anything else but clicking OK.
3. Choose your applications wisely: Often times freeware applications (applications that don’t require purchase) come with a cost in the form of bundled spyware and even viruses.  If you want a freeware application you can often find user reviews that will alert you to these issues, so do some research.  Downloading illegal software of any kind will often leave you infected for a number of reasons.
4. Run an Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware/Malware program: There are free programs that you can attempt to piece together to protect your system (e.g. AVG Free, Spybot), or you can pay for an anti-virus suite like AVG Professional, with improved reliability and functionality.  There are also SaaS (Software as a Service) and MSP (Managed Service Provider) offerings.
5. Use an alternate browser like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.  While these browsers may provide better security against Internet Explorer targeted attacks, you should not expect a system to be completely safe.

Google filed an application for market-based rate authority on December 23 under the name Google Energy.   On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Google’s application.  This essentially allows them to buy and sell energy.  As with some of Google’s other moves, there is a lot of buzz about their intentions.  I see some interesting parallels with the National Broadband Plan and the latest news around Google.  Their most recent moves are eerily aligned with the details the FCC has released thus far.

In October, Google announced that Energy Inc. will be the first device partner for PowerMeter, which monitors electricity consumption in real time and offers feedback on how to reduce consumption.  The tool, which was first announced in February 2009, lives as a secure widget on iGoogle, and communicates with smart meters.  On a related note, an article in the WSJ reports that the FCC released gives some details about the National Broadband Plan, and there is a reference to consumers needing the ability to remotely monitor their electricity usage via the internet.

Another interesting correlation (in the same article) is in a statement from FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, which states that ”100 million U.S. households should have Internet service of at least 100 megabits per second by 2020.”  If you refer to my earlier post on Google Fiber for Communities, you will see the connection.

Google is clearly making bold moves to continue to position themselves as a leader of innovation through technology.  Both of these recent developments push their own Managed Services and Cloud Computing agenda, but also serve to position themselves as pushing innovation for the greater good.  If it means faster internet service and cheaper electricity we won’t complain, and that’s what they’re counting on.

You may have heard about Google’s effort to provide communities unprecedented Internet connectivity speeds of over 1 Gigabit per second.  At this point they’re asking cities to return RFIs (Requests for Information) so they can determine where to build their infrastructure for the trial runs.  A deeper look at their description of the fiber optic trial, dubbed “Google Fiber for Communities” explains their stated reasons for this strategic move.  A primary driving force behind this effort is to provide developers faster speeds in order to accelerate the next generation of app development.

The architecture required for speeds like this doesn’t exist on a large scale today.  In fact, Google will probably not be the first provider to offer these speeds, but they will certainly accelerate innovation.  The bottom line is that it’s clearly a strong push of Google’s Cloud Computing agenda.  If successful, this would provide an incredible catalyst to the SaaS (Software as a Service) industry, which is experiencing historical growth.  With Google Apps Enterprise, Gmail, Google Wave, Google Chrome, Postini and the rest of the franchise, SaaS is something Google knows a little bit about.

ARHD CTO Josh Lippy says “This is part of their grand plan to own the Internet.  By providing 1GB speeds, they’ll be able to push their thin client agenda to the masses.  Chrome operating system and chrome browser for all things computing.”

Google wants to do away with the traditional desktop operating system (that Windows thing), and replace it with a managed service.  Their offering will be an easy to purchase streaming thin client desktop service, most likely paid for based on usage.  The speeds Google is pursuing are the only way to ensure success.  Cloud Computing will take incredible leaps with that kind of speed, not to mention they could start offering television programming with that kind of throughput.  Is there a Google channel yet?

You can go to Google and search for “Google fiber” to learn more.