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Dropbox provides easy access to your files anywhere

Admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:54:58 +0000

Although I have had Dropbox installed on my computers for quite some time, it was only recently that I began using it in earnest. My need arose when I kept getting emails from my “email administrator” that my mailbox was filled to 90% of quota. I have a 10 gigabyte quota on my mailbox. Working as an attorney, I am constantly emailing and receiving files to and from clients and other attorneys. All these files were choking my email inbox/outbox and quickly exhausting my 10 gigabyte quota. I needed to stop emailing files and other email attachments, and Dropbox came to my rescue. Now I just include a download link to the file in my email. No longer do I have to worry about whether the recipient’s email provider blocked the email because of a too large attachment; whether the recipient is close to his/her email quota and my attachment pushed them over the edge; or whether my email service choked on the attachment and never sent the email out in the first place.

How do I do it? Let me show you. When you install the Dropbox application on your computer or other device, it creates a Dropbox folder. You place your files that you want access to from other computers/devices in the Dropbox folder. Any files that you wish to share with others, you place in the Public folder inside the Dropbox folder. Right click on the file that you wish to share with others. One option you will see is “Copy Public Link.” Take this link and paste it into the email for the recipient. If you want to stop access to the file at a later date then just move the file out of your Public folder.

You can also do this using Dropbox’s web interface at dropbox.com.

Go to your Public folder, open it, and click on the triangle to the right of the file that you want to share. From there, choose “Copy Public Link”. Paste the link in the email you are sending. The recipient clicks on the link and downloads the file. Beautiful! You can also share entire folders with friends or colleagues.

Besides making email more efficient, Dropbox gives you access to your files from any other computer or device. I can access my files from my ipad or iphone or other computers. If a computer does not have the Dropbox application installed, I can just use the web interface at Dropbox.com. Dropbox gives me the freedom to do work away from the office.

Dropbox also serves as a great way to backup your files. Dropbox automatically syncs files among computers and devices and all of your files also are found in the cloud via Dropbox’s web interface. If your laptop is stolen, your files are still safe in the cloud. If you get a new computer, you can easily transfer files to it via Dropbox.

I am still learning about Dropbox but these are just some of the many benefits that it offers. If you are interested, sign up for Dropbox today and start experiencing the freedom it gives. It’s free if you stay within the two gigabyte limit!

Law Office Technology

Legitimate Microsoft Executable files and Malware

Admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:20:13 +0000

Executable (exe) files are used in Microsoft operating systems to run routines and applications, and enable the stable, secure running of your computer. However as they can run without any user intervention these files are an ideal way for hackers to infect your computer with a virus or malware program, as they can run malicious programs without your knowledge. Some malware programs disguise themselves as legitimate exe files to make them even harder to identify, and the only way you can tell them apart is to look at where they are in your directory.

Legitimate files that run key routines are saved in the subfolder “C:\Program Files”, and a good anti-malware program will scan your computer and identify if any duplicate files have been saved in other subfolders. For example the fssm32 process (filename fssm32.exe) is located in “C:\Program Files”, and part of the F-Secure Anti-Virus Client Security program, which monitors and makes adjustments to applications on your computer. However malware programs can also disguise themselves under this name, and in this case the fake files can appear in other subfolders such as “C:\Windows” or “C:\Windows\System32” folders.

Another systems file that is vulnerable to exploitation by hackers is groovemonitor.exe. This file is a multi user resource which is part of Microsoft Office 2007, and is used to track groove behaviour and create error reports that are send back to Microsoft central. This exe file is saved into “C:\Program Files”, but like the fssm32.exe malware, the filename can also be used to camouflage malicious files in other subfolders such as “C:\Windows\ Folders”.

It is important to note that this groovemonitor file will not uninstall automatically if you uninstall Office 2007, and will continue to load up and run when you start up your computer. You will need to manually delete this from your system by accessing your Control Panel and then selecting ‘Add/Remove programs’. Check through the list until you see the groovemonitor application, and then click on ‘Remove Program’. Sometimes this file can prove difficult to remove, and in this case you will need to use the ‘msconfig’ function by going to the ‘Start Menu’ and clicking on ‘Run’. Then type in ‘msconfig’ and press enter. In the ‘Startup Table’ uncheck anything that relates to groovemonitor and then reboot your system.

ScriptDebate.com

Proper disposal of client files

Admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:17:48 +0000

First of all, don’t just throw them in a dumpster outside:

A swanky Manhattan law firm cleaned house by leaving six Dumpsters stuffed with confidential case files out on the street – exposing their clients’ most personal information.

The private documents, mostly from the 1990s, included addresses, medical records and Social Security numbers, the Daily News found. (See article for photo. NY Daily News: Law firm clients’ files filled with personal data left in six dumpsters on street, I.D. thief’s gold.)

If you have to do a major house cleaning of files, there are shredding companies that will come to your office. They’ll back the truck right up to your door, and you can supervise the shredding.

WordPerfect Blog