Internet Security for the Budget-Minded

Since the economy is still a touchy subject, we’re going to continue focusing on budget alternatives for small business owners.  This time we’re looking at ways to keep your precious computers safe from the dangerous world of the Internet.  After all, viruses can bring your business to a screeching halt and hackers can scare away your customers.  But, what if you don’t have the big bucks to spend on famous, top-of-the-line security?

 

Panda Internet Security 2010 seems to be an acceptable solution at a much lower price.  For $79.95, you get three licenses, which should be enough for any home-based business.  Panda’s antivirus and malware removal tools are up to date and recognize almost everything that’s out there.  However, Panda’s malware blocker is not nearly as effective as most people would like.  However, the removal tool will take care of anything that gets through.

 

While the high price of certain Internet security tools may keep you from buying the best, this does not mean that you should be completely defenseless.  Panda Internet Security 2010 is cheap enough that you don’t have to.

A Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

The key to many successful small businesses is mobility.  Being able to take your services to the customer will often make the difference.  However, finding a Wi-Fi spot can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you have a large number of devices that need to be connected.  Sprint has come up with the perfect portable solution to this in the Sprint MiFi 2200 Hotspot.

Contained in its diminutive package, the MiFi can manage up to five Wi-Fi devices at a time from up to 40 feet away.  It is powered by a battery that is about the same size as a CompactFlash card.  The unfortunate thing is that it only supports the older 802.11b/g standard.  This shortcoming is made up for with the wide range of networking features, such as VPN pass-through, port filtering and DHCP server configuration.

Time is money, especially for small businesses.  Instead of sending your people all over town looking for a Wi-Fi spot, send one with them!

HP Officejet Pro 8500

The all-in-one printer market is usually aimed at two distinct camps: personal and large office users.  This means that those in small offices are forced to choose between a small but affordable printer that may not be adequate and a large printer that probably costs too much.  However, the HP Officejet Pro 8500 Wireless All-in-One is the first all-in-one dedicated to the small business owner. 

Perhaps one of the most attractive features for small businesses is the 8500’s wireless ability, which allows it to be used by multiple employees across a wireless network.  This is feature is normally only found on the more expensive professional models.  This much-sought after capability is available for about $500.  If your office does not need the wireless ability, you can get the 8500 without it for about $100 less. 

More importantly, the Officejet 8500 shows that major technology companies are beginning to realize the importance of small business and are making efforts to cater to the specific needs of this market.  If this piece of hardware is any indication, the future is bright for small businesses, at least on the technology front.