This article on the BBC's website prompted me to write about how careful we all need to be when surfing the web or accessing web content. Almost all of us at some point will have come across rogue content, the consequences of which will vary quite considerably. My advice is you should assume the worst and protect yourself the best you can. As a minimum follow the golden rules of IT.

1. Have a valid backup
2. Install and maintain anti-virus software

3. Keep your software up to date

4. Be careful what you click on

How do I...?

Use IT to cut costs in my business?

Most businesses today are looking to cut costs and of course at the same time we want to be effective with our sales and marketing in order that we continue to generate and increase revenue.

Elegant use of IT can help you do this. In part this will be down to efficiency improvement and other times it will be achieved by changing to a solution. As an example most companies that make phone calls abroad or lots of calls to mobiles can save money by moving to an Internet based phone system. One such solution is to use 3CX. 3CX uses Internet based calls (VOIP) to call abroad and can reduce costs. Also by enabling mobile and remote working 3CX can also drive up efficiency. This is one of the examples of how we look at the question of costs in a business when we talk to clients.

New Business Tools... Mobile WiFi 

This month we have had on loan a Vodafone Mobile WiFi device. This device allows you to get up to five devices (such as laptops and netbooks)connected to the web. There's no wires, and no software to install. Just switch it on and enjoy mobile broadband. It has proved to be very good for project teams who are mobile or for remote locations where clients cannot get a fixed line mobile connection.

Flaunt-IT is a great new marketing idea that we have been talking to some of our clients about. It works well for online retailers. Anybody who follows me on Facebook will have noticed recently that I booked a holiday to Kenya and that I purchased a RoboCop costume. These were test messages that show how Flaunt-It can be integrated into the checkout of any online retailer to allow people to shout about recent purchases. This brings suppliers to the attention of my friends and allows for comment or debate.

Imagine you and a group of friends are going to a fancy dress party and you want to tell people the costume you purchased and where from. This is what Flaunt it does. It is great low cost marketing for retailers. Retailers can also offer incentives to clients who flaunt their purchases. Low cost and measurable, it is an elegant use of IT!