Microsoft Azure Australia Geo announced.

Microsoft have announced that Azure is now available so that data is stored in Australia. There appears to be two locations. One in NSW and one in Victoria which I suspect will enable them to have redundancy in Australia. This should handle one of the issues where data was previously stored overseas. It however doesn't resolve the issue where the USA government seems to consider they have access to data maintained by American companies no matter where they are located in the world, or at least that's how I've read the situation. It is however a major step forward.

http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/10/26/microsoft-azure-australia-geo-generally-available/

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for IT support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

A tip for those travelling in Australia wanting who may need extra data, and or better/alternate internet access.

I've used this technique a number of times with very good results both for myself, my family and clients.

On a regular basis Coles and other businesses offer mobile devices for less than it costs for the data alone.

The best special has been $10 for the combined Wi-Fi/USB device. I bought one for myself and then bought one for a client who moved into a new apartment but Telstra could not install internet because of the asbestos ban at the time. For $10 this gave the client temporary internet access.

My mobile plan used the Optus infrastructure (not using Optus). Optus is OK but quite often Telstra has better coverage in more remote locations. I don't go to remote locations that often, but I used this when I went to Monkey Mia in WA.

Also sometimes Telstra is better and sometimes Optus is better, so sometimes it is good to have a second network available just in case. In one instance in Townsville the free Wi-Fi provided in the hotel was worse than that provided by the dongle.

Sometimes you also use more data than expected. For example if I go over my plan (as I have right now) 1GB of data would cost me $100. This way I have extra data for just $15. This could occur when I've been giving more demonstrations than usual. Also have a second network available is a good back up strategy even in the city areas when demonstrating.

What I do is I buy one of these devices if I think I might new it in the next six months. I then toss it into the draw for when I need it. I consider $10-$15 a cheap back up plan. It is actually cheaper to buy the device and on special than it is to simply recharge. To me that's a waste because once used the device is no longer worth recharging if another special offer comes available.

So if you'd like 1GB of data in reserve with Telstra, keep an eye out for the specials. I just bought this unit from Coles as it it on special until tomorrow. Be warned they are very popular and can be hard to buy so it may be necessary to drop in to a couple of different Coles stores, or buy as soon as you can. Often it seems only a limited quantity is made available in each store.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 901 703 for IT support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

I'd suggest that people reconsider using online sites to generate more secure passwords.

I've seen a number of people recently suggesting to others to use an online site to generate a more secure password. I'd suggest that may not be the wisest idea.

First you usually have no idea who runs the site, what information they are storing, or what other sites they may be related to.

When you visit a site there's a lot of information that can be collected about your computer that could in many instances uniquely identify your computer and thus you, without even knowing who you are. With the password all that would be required is for you to somehow provide your username (which now is often an email address) and someone may have everything they need to hack your services.

When you visit a site, the ISP you're using provides you with an IP address (a unique number) which lets others know who your ISP is and often your location. Your browser then usually provides the operating system you're using, the type and version of the browser and since there are quite a few versions, this makes it easier to identify you. Next your browser may also provide things like screen resolution, number of colours and more, so there really is a lot of information that can be obtained from you without knowing it.

Think of your computer like the game of 20 questions, where by answering 20 questions the answer is often provided to you. Each bit of information you provide progressively helps to identify you and often, that can end up uniquely identifying you and you haven't even entered a single piece of information.

Now if the site had a sister site where you signed up for a newsletter or a great deal, then your email address or the second part of your security could also be obtained.

I'd seriously suggest that you don't use online sites to create more secure passwords. Generally you have no idea about the site so really is it worth the risk?

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for IT support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.

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Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au/myanswers/
(An Online Connections service.)

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www.OnlineConnections.com.au/myanswers/
(An Online Connections service.)