ITTI Blog

Which Web Browser is Best?

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:30:00 GMT

With such a range of web browsers available today, its hard to know which is the best one for you.

Some questions you might ask yourself are:

Do I want the fastest browser available?
Is security most important?
Do I want lots of addons?
Do I want a browser that looks graphical and exciting?

In a test done recently by PCWorld, they ranked the top browsers overall:

Google Chrome 17
Mozilla Firefox 10
Facebook RockMelt 0.9
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9
Opera 11.61
Apple Safari 5.1.2

By speed:

Google Chrome 17
Facebook RockMelt 0.9
Mozilla Firefox 10
Opera 11.61
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9
Apple Safari 5.1.2

All these browsers have good security features, but Opera 11.61 came up short on its HTML5 processing. Safari 5.1.2, while having solid security, performed poorly on all other checks especially speed.

Overall, if you are looking for speed, security and great addons, Google Chrome 17 or Mozilla Firefox 10 may be the way to go.

Sourced from PCWorld Issue 259

CompTIA Certification

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:58:00 GMT

Get CompTIA certified here at ITTI!

CompTIA certification can be an essential stepping stone to becoming an IT professional. CompTIA certification will open doors to career paths such as:

Service/Help Desk
Network Administration
Project Management

And much more!

ITTI offer CompTIA examinations in:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Server+

» View our Computer Courses

HTML5 - The Next Generation of Markup Code

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:13:00 GMT

With the arrival of HTML5 comes the ability to add audiovisual content to websites, without the need for plugins. Compatible browsers will render audio and video directly.

These changes have opened a world of creative possibilities for web designers.

Kickstart your rewarding and exciting career in web design today!

See our Web Design Courses.

Top 10 IT Jobs

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:52:00 GMT

Here are 10 of the top IT jobs that could be earning you the big bucks:

IT Manager
Mac or Linux Support
Network Security Specialist
Open Source Specialist
PHP Developer
System Architect
Virtual Systems Manager
VoIP Support Specialist
Web Developer/Designer
Wireless Network Manager

We offer a wide range of IT Certificates and Diplomas, designed to kickstart your IT career today!

Research done at the beginning of October showed that 79% of employers were wanting the international certifications that ITTI students leave with after only two years of study.

Call us today on 0800 LOVEIT.

Graduation on 15th December!

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:44:00 GMT

Join with us to celebrate the graduation of our 2011 students!

Graduates will be presented with their well-earned Certificates and Diplomas.

All welcome.

Phone 0800 LOVE IT or + 64 9 528 8224 for tickets.

Cisco Aquires Versly

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:25:00 GMT

Cisco giant has just acquired privately held Versly.

Versly is a company based around creating collaboration around content in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Cisco aims to provide enhanced collaboration solutions to customers using Microsoft Office. These solutions will be aimed at an estimated 600 million users of Microsoft Office applications.

Cited from http://itvoir.com/portal/news/News/Cisco-acquires-software-firm-Versly-18-743.asp

Want to achieve Cisco Certification? Talk to us today about our Cisco courses.

Metservice Trojan

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:31:00 GMT

If you have recently visited the MetService website (www.metservice.com), you may have been a victim of an invisible attack.

The MetService website was recently hacked and a trojan was uploaded into the online advertising platform. The trojan was automatically downloaded upon visiting the website. You would not have known it happened, it would have just happened.

The trojan can be removed using Malwarebytes, a free software.

How to Remove the Trojan

Download and install Malwarebytes
Restart your computer
Hit F8 just before Windows starts running
Select "Safe Mode"
Run Malwarebytes and follow any recommendations

Cited from http://www.geekzone.co.nz/freitasm/7776

Be Security Conscious

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:21:00 GMT

There are security issues everywhere for your PC, notebook, IPAD or whatever technology it is you use to connect to the internet. Some things to keep in mind as you browse the World Wide Web include:

Anti-Virus Software

Make sure you have adequate anti-virus software installed. Ensure that you update the virus database regularly so that you are always protected.

Passwords

Passwords are very important, don't get lazy and use an obvious combination such as your name or birthdate.

A strong password will include a combination of letters and numbers; throw a couple uppercase letters in there for good measure.

Make sure you change your password regularly, and don't tell anyone what it is.

Security Settings

Your computer will have some default security settings enabled. Don't mess with these unless you know what you are doing.

HTTPS vs HTTP

If you are submitting credit card details or other such sensitive data, ensure the URL you are on has "https" instead of "http" at the beginning of the URL. If it does not say "https" it may not be a secure connection and your details may be open to hackers.

Applications

Be careful what applications you download and install. There could be malicious intent hidden in your application. Facebook Applications are among the ones to watch out for.

Public Wi-Fi

As we noted in our last blog, public Wi-Fi can leave you open for attack. Try and avoid public Wi-Fi unless you know it is secure and encrypted.

Protect your Wi-Fi!

Mon, 02 May 2011 21:49:00 GMT

Don't get caught out, protect your Wi-Fi internet connection from hackers and other unwanted users.

Four ways to protect your internet are:

Security Level

Set your Wi-Fi for the highest level of security that your router and PC allow. Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) is the latest in network security technology.

Password Protect

Having a secure, strong password is very important. Ways to ensure your password is strong are:

Use a combination of upper and lower case letters
Use at least one number
Ensure your password is at least 8 characters long
Don't use dictionary words or personal information

File Sharing

Windows lets you share files across a wireless network, ensure this is turned off.

Public Hotspots

Be wary of sending any personal information or sensitive data over a public hotspot, as security protections may be turned off.

Cited from http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/home-wi-fi-network-security-4-ways-to-avoid-big-trouble

Fines for Spammers

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:47:00 GMT

High Court action is being taken against alleged spammer, Brendan Battles and Image Marketing Group Limited, under two statements of claim. The Department of Internal Affairs’ Anti-Spam Compliance Unit is seeking financial penalties of $200,000 against the company principal and $500,000 against the company itself.

The alleged is being charged for sending over 44,000 SMS messages to mobile phones on the Telecom and Vodafone networks in New Zealand. He is also being charged for sending unsolicited emails to recipients in New Zealand.

Companies should be wary when using email addresses purchased from database marketing companies as proper consent may not have been received from the individuals who own the email addresses.

Under the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 it is illegal to send unsolicited emails or messages for the purpose of promoting or selling commercial products or services. Penalties carry a maximum of $500,000 for organisations and $200,000 for individuals.

Cited from http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=9136

New Google Service Announced

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:05:00 GMT

A new service from search giant, Google, has been announced.

The new service is called Google Voice and allows clients to transfer their cellphone number into their central Google Voice number. This service will cost $20.

A Google spokeswoman said, "We're continually testing new features to enhance the user experience. For a limited amount of time, we're making the Google Voice number porting process available to users. We don't have any additional details to share at this time, but plan to offer this feature to all users in the near future."

Benefits of Google Voice

Google Voice is a service that ties all your different phone lines, including your mobile device, office and home numbers, into one central phone number.

If a call is made to your Google Voice number, all your phones ring until you pick up the call on one of your phones.

Other helpful services included in Google Voice include text messaging, voice mail transcripts and overseas calling rates.

Disadvantages of Google Voice

Minor disadvantages of Google Voice include:

You must distribute your new Google Voice number to all your contacts, or you will only get calls on your individual lines instead of routing calls through one central number
This minor dilemma is fixed for $20
You must cancel your mobile contract, and may incur fees from doing so

Cited from http://www.pcworld.com/article/217140/google_voice_tests_number_porting_for_a_price.html

HTML is the new HTML5

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:13:00 GMT

HTML5 is to be the last versioned specification of the web standard. In future, the web standard will be simply known as HTML.

The call to remove the numbering was made to better reflect the more dynamic process of developing the standard.

The web standard is now to be viewed as a living document. Changes in the standard will be annotated on a section-by-section basis.

Cited from http://blog.whatwg.org/html-is-the-new-html5

Microsoft backs HTML5

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:54:00 GMT

Microsoft is backing and actively promoting HTML5, the much awaited new Web standard.

The latest beta release of Internet Explorer 9 has passed many CSS 2.1 tests, making a great leap forward with browser software.

The HTML working group of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is currently in the process of defining the HTML5 standard.

Cited from ITvoir.

Studying in Auckland?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:06:00 GMT

Are you looking to study in Auckland City, New Zealand?

Located near to the top of the North Island, Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. Auckland offers breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, stunning walks, idyllic holiday islands, fine food and wine, great shopping and a lively nightlife.

» Find out more about Auckland, New Zealand.

Tourism Auckland provides a vast range of information about Auckland. Find accommodation, things to do and great places to see.

» Tourism Auckland

Ever-Changing Google

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:42:00 GMT

Google is an ever-changing, giant search engine.

Google's algorithims and rules for showing results are constantly being updated, tweaked and modified, with the aim always of trying to get the best results to you each time. Google are always looking for ways to weed out crumby sites with crappy content.

What does this mean to me?

Well if you have a website, this means that you many need to have a look at your website content. Does your website have good, relative content? Do you have strong search engine optimisation?

Synonyms

Much of Google's results are served from synonyms of the keywords you typed.

This means that your website needs to include a range of relevant words that capture the different search terms. For example if you have a website for rental cars, you will want to include terms like "hire" and "vehicle" as well.

May Day Release

Google's May Day release brought in a change in Google's algorithim that affected long-tail keyword pages.

"Long-tail keywords" are longer search terms, such as "Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Christchurch New Zealand". A "short-tail keyword" would be something like "Christchurch accommodation".

The change mostly only affected large directories and sites relying on long-tail keywords for results.

What does this mean? Well it means you may need to check the search engine optimisation on your website. Have you optimised your website for short key phrases or long key phrases?

It can be very helpful to go to Google yourself and type in a few different things to try and bring up your website. If you can't find it then you will need to tweak your optimisation.