From the category archives:

Security

Who owns that phone?

June 22, 2011

The linked article by law professor Glen Reynolds discusses the recent kerfuffle with Apple possibly attempting to control the use of iPhone video.
It also raises a question of ownership. When Americans buy an iPhone or other gadget, we tend to think that, since we paid for it, we actually, you know, own it. But the [...]

Read the full article →

Fraud…Yes it can happen to you

June 14, 2011

We don’t like to think about these things but the fact is that dentists are all too often victimized by fraud. The following is from the e-newsletter of a CPA biking friend Peggy Ullmann.
…actually small businesses that are the most vulnerable and hardest hit by fraudulent schemes. On average, a typical fraud can last approximately 18 [...]

Read the full article →

No Power? Go Mobile

June 10, 2011

I just heard of an unexpected benefit from using a mobile app for your dental practice management system. One of my lunch table mates at the Dentrix Users Conference, Dana, is an office manager for a dental office in Port Lavaca, TX which is on the gulf coast. This last winter they experienced severe weather [...]

Read the full article →

The File Room of 2021

June 3, 2011

Today: The dentist has a room filled with charts, radiographs, correspondence, EOBs and all the other records along with endless little white boxes filled with plaster models. Finding the models and records for a case done six years ago requires an exploratory party and soon bears a striking resemblance to a wilderness expedition. But make no mistake about [...]

Read the full article →

How to Know When to Outsource IT

May 27, 2011

A hat tip to Chris Miles the CEO of Miles Technologies in NJ for sending me this link. The gist of the article is that the cost of outsourcing IT support has fallen drastically in recent years. As Chris put it, “For less than the salary you would pay an employee, you can have your [...]

Read the full article →

One Out of 14 Downloads Is Malware

May 19, 2011

Hmmm
One out of every 14 programs downloaded is malware,
via Microsoft: One Out of 14 Downloads Is Malware | News & Opinion | PCMag.com.

Read the full article →

Electronic medical records vulnerable

May 18, 2011

The AP story linked below is disturbing. I am such a cheer leader for electronic records I tend to dismiss anything that gets in the way. However the security of our personal information is a real issue. The unfortunate truth is that the qualities of digital technology, speed and ease of use, that make it [...]

Read the full article →

Passwords and Security

May 5, 2011

The Article linked below discusses password security for online accounts.
For business accounts, using a separate, unique password for each major service—and making sure that none of these passwords are the same as those associated with personal accounts—is essential.
Digital security has been in the news a lot recently with Sony and others under cyber-hack-attack.
Everything the article [...]

Read the full article →

Eye Phone or Spy Phone or?

April 28, 2011

The article linked below is related to this from yesterday. This whole thing, that is tracking us with phones or name badges, analysing our movements and conversations, reeks of “Big Brother” like monitoring and control. Creepy barely begins to describe it.
…at MIT, scientists who tracked student cellphones during the latest presidential election were able to deduce [...]

Read the full article →

Employee Dishonesty

April 22, 2011

The following rather frightening numbers come from QuickBooks “goddess” Susan Gunn. She recommends Fidelity Bonds for all employees handling money. The sad fact is that the same features of digital technology that make it faster and easier for us to do business also make it faster and easier for thieves to steal from us. Most [...]

Read the full article →

Computer Security

April 13, 2011

I have long had mixed feelings about computer security. On one hand I acknowledge we do need to be aware of the issues and take precautions, on the other hand I am such a Pollyanna when it comes to digital technology I just want it to be wonderful and tend to ignore the seamier aspects [...]

Read the full article →

Online Cloud Storage Services for Free Backup

April 6, 2011

I have long been a fan of online back up. It is a much more reliable method than the old run a tape at night option most dental office have been using. The biggest issue has been cost. If you are storing great gobs of gigabytes then online was pricey compared with tapes. The Lifehacker [...]

Read the full article →

Massive Email Breach Exposes Data

April 5, 2011

FYI
A huge security breach has exposed the names and email addresses of customers of major brands, including Target, Best Buy, Walgreen’s, Capital One and more…
via Massive Email Breach Exposes Data From 50+ Major Retailers, Including Target.

Read the full article →

How to Spring Clean Your PC

March 30, 2011

Dental office computers are especially prone to gunk. If the tower is on the floor it will accumulate enormous dust bunnies. By the way if possible don’t put it on the floor mount it in a cabinet or at least with an under counter sling. Keyboards tend to get clogged with glove powder. Wherever you put [...]

Read the full article →

Online Passwords, Accounts, Data – Digital Death Day

March 22, 2011

Interesting article. What happens if you are suddenly gone? Who has access to your passwords and online accounts? In the office who has access to the deepest levels of Dentrix or Quickbooks? The article indicates there are some very nebulous legal issues that have yet to be answered. The best advice is to include a [...]

Read the full article →

Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change

March 1, 2011

The article linked below looks at privacy issues from a legal and public policy point of view. Persoanlly I am conflicted. One one hand I readily acknowledge the “creepiness” factor of some computer, which means some “big brother” in the sky, knowing things about me. On the other hand I appreciate being offered products and services I really [...]

Read the full article →

Secure Your Online Life the Easy Way

February 16, 2011

Here are the best of the no-hassle, no-install-required options that you should be using now.
via Secure Your Online Life the Easy Way.

Read the full article →

The Best Antivirus Software in 2011

January 19, 2011

The article linked below has reviews for both personal use and for business use. For your home system there are several good free options that the article outlines.
For your business you need a more robust application that will not slow down your practice management system. You can use the linked article as a knowledge resource. On the [...]

Read the full article →

How About Some Resolutions?

January 3, 2011

Good advice from John Flucke in the form of some New Year’s Resolutions. Follow the link for the whole list.
To start out the new year, Id like to propose a few resolutions to help your office.
1. Check your backups. Its a process called validation or validating. Just make sure you can restore from them. A [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →