TomBrooklyn
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join:2002-03-04
Brooklyn, NY
1 edit |  UPS Good For Security?
In the Security Forum FAQs #8463 »Security »How to Secure (and Keep Secure) My (New) Computer(s): A Layered Approach:, under the first paragraph, Power Protection, a UPS is highly recommended above a surge surpressor alone.
I understand the benefit of a surge suppressor to avoid loss of data in the event of a power outage, but what are the security benefits, if any, of a surge suppressor? |
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marti
Color outside the lines
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join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
clubs:
| I can't think of any security-related reasons for a UPS, but it's good for the hardware. Computer hardware is not happy with power surges, my UPS has "felt" surges when the lights in the house didn't blink.
Each computer needs it's own UPS, if you have more than one.
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dave
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not in ohio
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1 edit | reply to TomBrooklyn
It depends what you think 'security' means.
I think it means, in part, that data on my computer will be available when I want it to be available. Hence a UPS is indeed a security device, in that it stops my file system from getting corrupted due to sudden loss of power.
(Cf. a term like "financial security", which doesn't just mean "stop people from taking my wallet at gunpoint"  ) |
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Toppil
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join:2000-12-30
clubs:
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 ·Comcast
| reply to marti
The term these days, instead of "Computer Security", is "Information Assurrance", which is essentially doing everything needed to keep the information available. That includes UPSs, physical security, personnel security, and, well, you get the idea. It's taking into account anything that coule make your system and the information and services it contains available for use. |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
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join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
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| reply to TomBrooklyn
I've been operating 365 x 24 x 7 pcs for the better part of the past ten years and I have yet to buy a UPS. I keep everything on a mega surge suppressor, however. UPS are nice if you've got the extra cash for pretty new toys that the average user will probably never need.
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marti
Color outside the lines
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join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
clubs: | I'm an "average" user with one computer. I have had a UPS for several years. It's not a "toy," it's a necessary part of my computer system. |
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mjmsr
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Lombard, IL
clubs:
| reply to TomBrooklyn
Don;t know about security, but for peace of mind, I bought one.
Since I have, it has saved me a few times from power surges, spike, and outages.
There were a few times when I would leave my system running and then found it off when I got up in the morning. Appearantly there were spikes/surges in my line.
I re-arranged my swap drives about the same time I bought the UPS so I cannot tell you if the UPS was soley responsible for not having any crashes since then, but I was having unexplained crashes before.
I can tell you that I feel more secure with it. |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
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join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
| reply to marti
said by marti  :
It's not a "toy," it's a necessary part of my computer system.
Care to elaborate on what makes the UPS so essential to your system? That would be more insightful than a simple refutation.
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mjmsr
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join:2001-08-25
Lombard, IL
clubs:
| reply to major marco
I cannot agree...I do not believe it is a "toy". Possibly you have a very good electrical system in your home, I do not. I did not realize it until I bought the UPS. Looking at the data from the UPS, I have frequest power spikes/surges and occasional black outs.
When I do review the data, it appears that most of these occurr at the same time, not on a daily basis, but a few times a week...all at the same time. I live in an apartment complex and am certain the electrical is not 100% all the time.
It has helped me tremendously! Certainly not a toy! |
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jeff3120
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join:2001-09-02
Chicago, IL
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
1 edit | reply to major marco
said by major marco :
>
Care to elaborate on what makes the UPS so essential to your system?
I know this wasn't directed at me, but you must be blessed with a reliable/clean source of electricity. I live in a part of Chicago where line spikes and sags are common: not to mention the occasional momentary loss of power. I bought a UPS to combat these problems. As a bonus, my UPS also has line conditioning which is quite helpful during low volatge situations that occur frequently during the summer air-conditioning season. |
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dave
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join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
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·Verizon FIOS
| reply to major marco
said by major marco :
Care to elaborate on what makes the UPS so essential to your system? That would be more insightful than a simple refutation.
Freedom from the sickening 'clunk' which means (a) the power just went out, and (b) the last half-hour's work which was sitting in RAM, is no longer.
For me, UPS that gives me a couple of minutes to shut down nicely is both necessary and sufficient - I don't need anything too fancy.
(Actually, I think I've only actually suffered a power outage once. But this is the security forum: it's about insurance against things you don't want to happen). |
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marti
Color outside the lines
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join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to major marco
We obviously have power surges in our house. Before I purchased a UPS, the computer would reboot for unknown reasons. My buddies on a general-purpose computer support forum suggested I get a UPS. I did, and no more spontaneous reboots. The UPS will "see" a power surge, when the lights don't blink. (They probably do "blink" but it's so fast that we can't see it with our eyes.)
We have also had the electricity go off, long enough to mess up the clocks on the VCR and etc., and then come back on in a few seconds.
I live in Houston, Texas and we often have thunderstorms. Lightening is not your computer's friend.
I checked with the folks that insure our house -- the computer is covered under the homeowner's policy for lightening damage, but not power surges.
Power surges can cause damage to your hardware in a similar way that a close lightening strike can damage it.
Please note that I am not an engineer nor an electrician, so my explanations are not as technical as a person in either field would use.
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hollister911
join:2004-02-01
Pasadena, TX
| reply to TomBrooklyn
Where I live ... the power company remotely switches a transformer setting to adjust line properties. Ask an EE what that is all about. But when it happens ... there is a noticable surge. Often strong enough to reboot a computer.
Electrical storms are fun with a UPS too. I grin and say "right on". Gimme your best shot !! hahahaha
I guess without a UPS you never realize the number of brown outs or dips. The UPS announces these and makes you aware of them.
I can't imagine not having one now. In the middle of a large file transfer and a brown out occurs ... gonna trust the data? Sending an Email and it happens ... did they get it? What if in the middle of a disk defrag? Ouch! Lots of reasons.
Mine is a Conext 900 AVR. No complaints. |
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marti
Color outside the lines
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join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
clubs:
| hollister,
You are near me (I'm in the Clear Lake area) so you too understand the fun we have when we have storms. We use the computer during storms, until it gets so bad that the UPS is beeping all the time!
Your computer isn't secure in this part of Texas without a UPS. Fried computer parts are harder to replace than a messed up OS (from malware).
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
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join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs: | reply to TomBrooklyn
OK now you all need to stop because you're giving me a severe case of FUD  |
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marti
Color outside the lines
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Houston, TX
clubs:
| said by major marco :
OK now you all need to stop because you're giving me a severe case of FUD
I'm sorry you have "FUD," but I have no idea what that means. English, please.
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
| said by marti :
I'm sorry you have "FUD," but I have no idea what that means. English, please.
FUD = Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt |
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marti
Color outside the lines
Premium,MVM
join:2001-12-14
Houston, TX
clubs: | Thank you. Us telling you that a UPS is "something you should have," should not cause FUD. |
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Daniel
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join:2000-06-26
Pleasanton, CA
clubs:
| reply to TomBrooklyn
In upper-level information security terms, Availablility is considered part of the security equation. This is to say that if you can't use your data, it might as well be destroyed or stolen. A UPS can prevent your system from being fried, so in this sense, yes, a UPS helps with security via helping your data's availability.
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The wise desire that which they already possess. |
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keith2468
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join:2001-02-03
Winnipeg, MB
| reply to TomBrooklyn
Security isn't just about preventing hacking.
Security isn't just about preventing hacking.
Security is about keeping your data secure.
Sudden loss of power can corrupt databases, thus causing loss of data.
Even more important than a UPS are periodic backups with copies kept offsite. |
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