Computer VulnerabilitiesComputer Vulnerabilities[an error occurred while processing this directive]
The Big Three
By Bruce Stockwell, BVP Computers, bvpcomp@bcn.net
Digital Dictation & Transcription Systems
Many of us use our computers on a daily basis, paying little mind to the techno jumbo. We turn them on and expect them to perform flawlessly, like a dutiful slave. Most of the time they do. This fact, in and of itself, is somewhat of a miracle. There are three areas of exposure that make our computers quite susceptible to the "evils" of outside world influences. Ironically, one of these evils, is actually quite necessary for the operation of our computers. The situation is of great concern, as OVER 85% of our computer problems and/or failures can be traced back to these evils. The very longevity of our precious systems is indeed at risk.
What are these ominous bad guys? Simply stated, they are the electric lines, the telephone lines and the dreaded ESD. Obviously, we need electricity to run our computers. However, the computer salesperson probably neglected to inform you that a computer likes "clean" electricity and without it, we experience problems. Just what do we mean by clean electricity? The power distribution grid in the USA was NOT designed with computers in mind. In fact it can be considered quite HOSTILE to our computers. In past articles, we explained about sine waves and electrical noise. Basically, the computer wants clean, (no noise spikes) 60 cycle, 110 volts, of AC electricity. This is a FAR cry from the reality of what our computers encounter on a daily basis.
While traveling from the electrical generating plant, through the power distribution grid and to your home, the electricity becomes "dirty". By this we mean it may be very noisy, be over voltage, under voltage or have a range of other maladies. Couple this with a few lightning strikes, even 10 miles away from where you live, and we have the recipe for disaster!
Now that we have you on the edge of your seat concerning the very life blood that your computer needs, let's look at other sources for problems. Those of us that use a modem, fax, voice mail or digital dictation systems are vulnerable to another external influence, in the form of the telephone lines. There IS electricity on the phone lines. It can and does have noise on it. The phone lines can and DO receive lightning hits. The normal open circuit voltage on the phone lines is around 48 volts DC. The ringing voltage is around 90 volts RMS at 20 cps. Now, put a lightning hit on those phone lines and in spite of the protective circuits, it can be fry and die time for your computer.
Lastly, if all the above were not enough, we can terminate, with extreme prejudice, our computers WITHOUT the help of the electric and telephone companies. This occurs from electrostatic discharges, ESDs. As foreign as this term might sound, most of us are extremely familiar with this infamous phenomena. Those that live in the colder regions and have carpets in their homes are more likely than others to experience this problem. When the humidity is low, (winter) static electricity builds up in amounts of tens of thousands of volts! No, that is not a typo. It is very high voltage, low current electricity. You've been there, you touch a light switch, your cat or dog and ZAP. You can feel it, see it and hear it! When you sit down at your computer, think how much it appreciates receiving that little bundle of thunder bolts ... NOT!
Great! We have painted a very real but disparaging view of the daily evils our computers are exposed to. But, don't give up ... get even! In spite of various protective measures that exist in the distribution grids and our computers, some real world ADDITIONAL protective devices are definitely in order. Do you drive your car without insurance? Then we STRONGLY suggest you consider some insurance for your computer, especially if you make your living from using the lovely little darlings.
Consider having a qualified electrician install a commercial grade surge suppressor on your main service panel AND a separate one on the individual breaker that is serving your computer. In addition, the absolute MINIMUM requirement for suppressing electrical disturbances is a QUALITY surge suppressor. These are NOT the $19.95 jobs you find in the discount houses. Those are not much more than a glorified multi-plug strip. Get one with a manufactures insurance policy where they back up there device with $25,000.00. It will have chokes, MOVs, and filter capacitors. It will have UL 1449, 1283 and 497A approvals. It should also provide for phone line protection. The price range will be from about $50 to $100. This IS money well spent!
The DESIRED requirement is a QUALITY, INTELLIGENT, NON- SWITCHING UPS. This is an Uninterruptible Power System. A quality unit will provide computer grade electricity to your computer ALL the time and will continue to run your computer, in the event of a power failure. ALL UPS units are NOT the same, buyer beware! The recommended unit will run about $1,500 and weighs about 130 pounds!
The phone line problem can be handled with quality phone line surge suppression units. Some are available as part of an electrical surge suppressor. Others are individual units sold to protect fax machines etc. Again, we cannot stress strongly enough the word quality! There is not much worse than thinking you are protected when you are NOT.
ESDs, unlike the others, can pretty much be totally eliminated. Remove all unnecessary carpets from under and around the computer. Install an anti static (the ones with a little ground wire) desk mat under the computer work station on the floor. Spray any carpets that aren't removed with antic static laundry spray weekly, like Static Guard that is sold in grocery stores. When you first sit down at the computer, touch metal FIRST, like the file cabinet, computer housing etc, BEFORE you touch the keyboard. The ESD hit may do more than wipe out your keyboard, it may go on into the main computer motherboard and do big time damage.
Please remember, the above suggestions, while not a complete panacea, will go a long way towards keeping your computer operating properly and providing a long life as well. Some of the smaller hits that a computer receives, do not immediately show up as damage. But in time these hits accumulate to reduce the computer's life. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) will be reduced without proper protection.