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Barnacleware
by Mark D.
MacLachlan, itSynergy
 Keeping up to date with security patches for non
Microsoft applications can be a daunting task. Redmond
Security Watch author Russ Cooper recently referred to
applications that come pre-installed on new computers as
barnacleware. The name is apropos, these pre-installed
utilities cling to new PCs slowly eating away at resources
(both hard disk and memory) in the same manner that
barnacles cling to a ship's hull, slowing it down and slowly
eating the hull.
Our engineers have
long made it a standard practice to remove as many
pre-installed applications as possible. The process can be
very time consuming, but often ensures a better performing
computer that is less likely to be exploited because some
never used application has a newly discovered back door.
Ideally when purchasing a new computer consider ordering
without any pre-installed applications or even without a
pre-installed Operating System. Although this may add a bit
to the initial price, you will more than make it up in lower
setup fees from our engineers.
Often times these
pre-installed applications are not required and in many
cases will never even be utilized. If you find you really
can't do without that fancy calculator or that little
application that takes the red eye out of your photographs
then we recommend that you be sure to check that application
for updates on a regular basis. Keeping computers up to date
is a crucial start in keeping your network safe and secure. | 