Goodbye Net Neutrality - Hello Net Discrimination
Net Neutrality used to matter. Soon, it won't. Recent actions by the SEC and FCC are undermining US competitiveness. Greed hurts everyone - even the greedy - but it'll especially hurt small businesses and our kids even more.
Well, it was a good idea.
Everyone, everywhere, regardless of your size or complexity, should have unfettered access to the Internet; everyone's packets should get treated the same way no matter who you are; the superhighway shouldn't get an HOV lane or a premium lane or levied a toll for crossing; the Internet should be a neutral place where anyone could get their foot in the door, to become the next Facebook, Apple, or Google.
Net Neutrality has been a long-standing idea behind the design and implementation and regulation of the Internet. Until now.
All that's about to change.
New changes in upcoming FCC regulation will allow ISP's (already fattened, regulated monopolies in this country) to charge for higher speed access to American consumers, effectively creating a fast lane for premium rate-payers.
That's bad news for small business who'll end up having to pay more to keep up with a premium "look and feel" as the larger companies who can afford the higher transfer rates.
It'll also keep downward pressure on startups and innovators who want to disrupt the ecosystem and dethrone the reigning content providers.
It's bad news for web design and developers who'll need to create tiers of design strategies based on the bandwidth budgets of their customers.
And it's bad news for the consumer who'll suffer through second-class speeds unless they browse to the websites of premium rate-payers. Let alone our Internet speeds suck. In Seoul and Stockholm, users are paying $25/month - 1/17th of the American price-tag - for gigabyte service: 100x faster than what we in the United States experience. The average Joe from South Korea flies out here and thinks we live in a 3rd world banana republic because our Internet connectivity is so bad. And with the recent Time Warner/Comcast merger, US consumer is left getting kicked in the ribs over and over again.
If the Internet is the emergent platform for innovation in business, commerce, medicine, engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology, cloud computing, big data, research, and education, the FCC and SEC are doing their darnedest to keep the United States in a perpetual state of uncompetitiveness. Over time, greed and discrimination hurts everyone - even the greedy. Except it'll hurt our small businesses and our kids even more.
R
Heartbleed Vulnerability Advisory
Russell Mickler, technology consultant, warns about the heartbleed bug.
This week, a doozy of a security risk was revealed concerning the way data is encrypted between computers and web servers on the Internet.
It's called Heartbleed and you may have heard of it by now.
If you are a client of mine - and as it is my obligation as your technical administrator - I wanted to take a minute to address my services and your exposure to this vulnerability.
Microsoft Windows Terminal Services
If you receive terminal service/remote desktop solutions from me, your services are ran on Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 servers. Inasmuch, Microsoft has confirmed that their platforms are not affected by the Heartbleed vulnerability so your site and its data and your communications between them are not subject to this risk.
Google Apps
If I manage your Google Apps environment, as of Thursday April 10, 2014, Google confirmed that they've patched all of their servers for their major services, so your mail, contacts, calendars, and so on - stuff I manage for you under Google Apps - are also secure:
http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/09/google-heartbleed-patch-info/
Online Backup
If you receive an online backup product from me, I've received a verbal confirmation from the vendor that their solutions are not subject to this vulnerability.
VOIP Phone Solutions
If you receive your VOIP solutions from me, I've received verbal confirmation from the vendor that their solutions are not subject to this vulnerability.
Third Party Website Hosts and Operators
You need only be concerned about this vulnerability if your website conducts any form of secure transaction, such as logins, taking payments, or processing orders.
If your website just serves-up webpages with information, you are not affected by Heartbleed. If your website takes in any information securely, it is likely subject to this vulnerability.
If your website or email service or backup service is hosted by a third party, it is their responsibility to patch their servers and advise you of their status. I recommend you contact them immediately for a status.
Third Party Cloud-Based Services
Nearly all websites are affected by the Heartbleed vulnerability including popular brands like Netflix, Dropbox, Twitter, Facebook, large banking institutions, and the like. The situation right now is rather fluid and broad but I'd recommend the following approach:
1. Take an inventory of the 3rd party websites that are related to your business and that you frequent; ie, your financial institution, online business software, file sharing software, and so on.
2. Visit their websites or blogs for the latest update/information about their vulnerability to Heartbleed.
3. Following their confirmation that their vulnerability has been addressed, you would want to change your password with that service at the earliest opportunity.
Android Phones
Finally, Google has confirmed that some versions of the Android (Droid) operating system are exposed to this vulnerability. The models and versions vary. Those who run Android/Droid operating systems on their phones will want to apply updates throughout the weekend or discuss this matter with their cell phone carrier/provider. To test whether or not your Android phone is vulnerable, you may wish to try this solution.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
R
What I Do
Russell Mickler is a computer consultant in Vancouver, WA. He helps small business use technology better.
Who I Help
I help small businesses use technology better. I define a small business as one with 1-50 employees – for-profit or non-profit – and usually without an internal IT Department. I have customers all across the country.
What I Do
Do you want (or need) help with your computers, phones, tablets, email systems, servers, networks, or social media strategy? Do you want to work with somebody who loves what they do, who will talk to you without belittling geekspeak, and who’ll be a partner in your success? Well, I just might be your guy!
What I Don’t Do
Regrettably, I do not help residential users of computers. My clients are businesses or solo-professionals.
Platforms I Work With
I’m an expert with PC’s and Mac platforms, Windows, Linux, and MacO/S. I’m also very familiar with IOS devices like the iPhone and iPad, as well as Android (Droid) and Blackberry. I work on Windows Servers, Mac Servers, and Linux Servers; VOIP phones as well as PBX and Key Phone Systems. I’ve been doing this since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
How I Can Help
Hey, I’d love to help you! There are four ways:
Hourly Rate
I bill my time in quarter-hour increments at $125/hour.
The No-Cost Consult
Listen, I don’t charge anybody to learn how I can help them out. I also don’t charge for asking questions. I’m serious about wanting to be your partner, and that means I’m willing to learn about your business, your customers, what your needs are, and describe how I could help – without charge. Phone, email, Skype, or even on-site if you’re in Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR. Let’s get to know each other and see if we can do business together.
Block Retainers
Okay, if you’re not a regular client and if you’ve got technical questions, need some immediate help with server or network, your social media campaign, or you’re computer’s just plain busted – and time is of the essence – this track is for you. You can buy five or ten hour blocks of time to ask me whatever questions you have and get your problem fixed straight away.
Request For Proposal
If you have a large project and need a more thorough response, and want a competitive bid, please use the contact form below to have me prepare a proposal for your company.
Don't Know Which Service is Best for You?
No problem! Just complete the contact form. I’ll contact you within an hour or two and we can chit-chat about what you need. Make sure you leave me your phone number so I can call you back right away!