Dave 's posts

We had another call in the office recently from a small arts organisation whose PCs, it seems, had picked up a virus. They were, quiet understandably, worried, as programmes weren’t working properly, emailed files were being rejected at the receiving end and pop-ups littered screens. They were also concerned about security and had deadlines looming.

What was causing this? How did it get there? Can it be removed effectively? Will it happen again?

It sounded like malware (a malicious computer programme designed to steal important personal details such as log-ins and bank passwords) or scareware (designed to scare the user into downloading a programme, perhaps cleverly masquerading as a virus checker, which then takes over your PC).

Such attacks are on the increase. For the second day running, BBC News' top tech' story relates to a virus: today it's a variant of the Zeus virus, a botnet which targets those using online banking; yesterday they reported a 71 per cent rise in computer attacks under the headline 'Web hit by hi-tech crime wave'.

The world is filled with trojans, malware, spyware, scareware, botnets, keyloggers and rootkits, and it can be especially bewildering to a small company whose experience with IT is - like their time and finances - limited.

So, what's the solution?

If you're running a new(ish) Windows-based PC, Vista and Windows 7 comes with Windows Defender and a Firewall built in. Defender scans your PC for nasties, while a Firewall restricts hackers accessing your hard-drive. If this is your frontline defence, make sure they are switched on and kept up-to-date. The quickest way to find out if they’re on if you’re unsure is to click on the START button (bottom, left hand corner of your screen), click 'Search', and type Firewall or Defender …

Alternatively, there are countless products available on the High Street which will provide 12 months cover for around the £20ish to £50ish mark. They're there in WH Smith, PC World, major supermarkets and leading online retailers such as Amazon and Play.com. Products to look out for include Norton Internet Security 2010, McAfee VirusScan and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010. Though there are many others, and all have their pros and cons, these three are market leaders. If you're buying online, purchase or download from a familiar retailer (as there are sites out there which will sell you virus-infected programmes masquerading as virus checkers).

If budgets are a deciding factor, there are also many free products available online for download - such as AVG. They do the job, although many may not provide the same level of security as the paid-for/ off-the-shelf packages so may need to be used in conjunction with other products.

It's also important to make sure all your software is updated regularly – from Microsoft Office and Windows to your browser and plug-ins. Those automatic Windows updates can be annoying - slowing your PC down as they install - but in the cat-and-mouse world of cyber-crime, you need browser, operating system and programme vulnerabilities plugged as soon as possible.

Do all that, and you should be well protected (or as well as you can be as in trials, even some of the best programmes can only hit 50-70 per cent targets), so be vigilant: avoid clicking on attachments from people you don't know; be wary of emails from friends that are filled with garble or on a subject that seems out of character (ie. 'Hey, click here for great meds!'); if you find an offer that’s too good to be true – it probably is; back up your essential files regularly (via an external hard-drive, suitably large USB ‘stick’ or CD/DVD), and if you do find yourself with an infected PC, DON'T PANIC! Your virus checking software should hopefully be able to remove the intruder, protect your vital information, and repair any damage.

For more information, including useful tips, glossary and details on cyber-fraud, ID theft and smartphone security see: www.getsafeonline.org

Entertainment within large retail spaces has traditionally focused on the simple selling of wares.

For example, a rising pop band have a new album out, an author has published a new tome or a celeb’ has a new DVD to push … so to publicise said product, they make a series of shop-based public appearances where they typically shake hands, sign product, and possibly read a few pages, strum a couple of tunes, and take some questions.

Squeezing in two or three personal appearances in a day alongside media interviews, it’s a well trodden promo circuit popular with such High Street chains as Waterstone’s, HMV and WH Smith, which, in the case of a band, may be followed later in the year by a fully fledged commercial concert tour.

The aims are clear: raise profile and shift units for a particular product.

But over the last few years, there’s been a shift in the relationship between the retail and entertainment sectors as shopping centres are increasingly providing rolling entertainment programmes and host specially programmed events – no longer is it just about drawing in the fans of one particular name to buy one particular product … it’s now about attracting wider audiences for shopping, food and entertainment. It’s a trip. A family day out. An adventure.

The Bullring offers a prime case study. The site of retail activity within Birmingham since the 12th century, replacement of the post-war concrete maze by the new, shiny mall in 2003 drew in a monster 36m visits in the first year, and it remains a huge pull.

And while stores such as Selfridges, Debenhams and others obviously remain the key draw, the Bullring also hosts many high-profile and popular events alongside those tried-and-trusted product-led appearances.

Since opening, the site has been home to a real beach, talent shows, computer game and radio roadshows, concerts and performances, top rated TV shows and even an artist-in-residence - activities previously associated only with arts centres and arts-based venues. And they have all been for free.

Elsewhere in the UK, retail centres have provided homes for local history exhibitions, public art programmes and theatre groups as well as sound, performance, technology, civic and religious festivals.

This shift in the role of these grand malls throws up many questions: are they competing with traditional venues for programming and audiences? If people can see major acts for free at their local shopping centre, why should they pay to see a show elsewhere? What kinds of opportunities exist for arts producers within shopping centres? How can artists and arts providers build and sustain new audiences through relationships with commercial retail outlets?

Explore these questions, and more, at Audiences Central’s Leadership Breakfast: Culture And Couture – are shopping centres the new arts centres? on 18 February

Predictions of a recession-fuelled boom in visitors to the UK's museums and art galleries by The Art Fund has proven correct.

A survey by the independent charity reveals that half of UK museums and galleries have witnessed an increase in visitors between March and September 2009 - with a fifth of museums seeing a rise in visitors of over 10%.

The Art Fund attributes this rise to the trend for "Staycation" - stay-at-home-vacations as cash-strapped households opt for UK-based holidays and cheap or free local events.

As a result, there was also a rise in visitor spending in museum shops and cafes.

However, it's not all good news as survey also discovered museums and galleries faced major decreases in funding (over a third of those funded by Local Authorities), plus increases in running costs, building works, maintenance and conservation costs along with staff reductions.

As a result, it seems volunteers are on the increase, ambitious plans for new exhibitions and activities are being reviewed, the frequency of change-over displays less frequent, and there's less spending on collecting.

To read the report summary, see: www.artfund.org

The Observer has reported (27/9/09) that the Conservativies will pledge at extra £40m for Britain's heritage.

Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary, informed told conservation specialists that the money will come from legislation designed to protect the national lottery funds.

"These reforms will cut the bloated bureaucracy of lottery distributors," says Hunt, "and mean that money is used to back the initiative and enthusiasm of heritage, arts, sport and voluntary organisations – the very groups the lottery was meant to support."

Hurrah! I hear you cry.

But of course, if there's winners ... there's losers and the article goes on to reveal that although Britain's castles, cathedrals and other ancient buildings will benefit, the knock-on effect could give others in the cultural sector some serious headaches.

"Some commentators," says the feature's author Vanessa Thorpe, "predict that the shift could result in cuts to the avant-garde arts scene that has earned Britain's creative talents an international reputation as leaders in their field."

For more, read an edit of the full article here:


Tories pledge extra £40m for Britain's heritage but arts may lose out

... while The Times' take on the story can be found here:

Tories plan to use more lottery cash to save historic buildings