Mediaura

Many people often wonder what the difference is between secure website hosting and regular website hosting. Simply put, secure website hosting will afford you the ability to sleep at night, without the worry of whether or not your website or valuable information will become compromised.

Even more alarming, most webmasters are often clueless when their websites are hacked. Over 90% of webmasters surveyed did not notice any strange activity when their website was compromised, despite the fact that their sites were being abused to send spam, host phishing pages, or distribute malware, according to the report Compromised Websites: An Owner’s Perspective.

Perhaps more surprising, nearly two-thirds of the webmasters surveyed did not know how the compromise had happened.

The Threat of Hackers

The portrayal of hackers in the media has ranged from the high-tech super-spy to the lonely anti-social teen who is simply looking for entertainment. The reality, however, is that hackers are a very diverse bunch, a group simultaneously blamed with causing billions of dollars in damages. In 2011 alone, hackers were responsible for cyberattacks against the Justice Department, the FBI, Universal Music Group, The Recording Association of America, Motion Picture Association of America, Visa, PayPal, and MasterCard just to name a few.

The Internet abounds with hackers, known as crackers or "black hats," who work to exploit computer systems. They are the ones you've seen on the news being hauled away for cybercrimes. Some of them do it for fun and curiosity, while others are looking for personal gain.

Adrian Lamo is a good example of a black hat hacker.

Lamo's claim to fame is his break-ins at major organizations like The New York Times and Microsoft. Lamo's intrusions consisted mainly of penetration testing, in which he found flaws in security and exploited them. His hits include Yahoo!, Bank of America, Citigroup and Cingular. When he broke into The New York Times' intranet, things got serious. He added himself to a list of experts and viewed personal information on contributors, including Social Security numbers. Lamo also hacked into The Times' LexisNexis account to research high-profile subject matter.

Hackers that use their skills for good are classified as "white hat." These white hats often work as certified "Ethical Hackers," hired by companies to test the integrity of their systems. Others, operate without company permission by bending but not breaking laws and in the process have created some really cool stuff. Stephen "the Woz" Wozniak, one of the co-founders of Apple, is a well-known example of a white hat hacker. Woz got his start in hacking making blue boxes, devices that bypass telephone-switching mechanisms to make free long-distance calls.

However, no matter the nature of their intent, there is never any reason for a hacker to have access to your system nor the information stored on your servers to risk compromise.

Mediaura Secure Hosting

Security has always been a prime focus for our company. Our clients have long been aware of the lengths Mediaura goes to as a company to protect and secure their information and website systems. We have been vocal advocates regarding a focus on security and the need for extra protective measures, long before this current uprising of cyberattacks and malware began to take place.

Although we formerly only offered our Fort-Knox-level of secure hosting to existing clients, after numerous requests and inquiries from the outside public, we have decided to begin offering secure hosting to outside companies and organizations as well. Therefore companies who either need extra-security around their information or for companies that would just like the peace-of-mind, Mediaura hosting is now available to you.

The Mediuara Difference

While we can't go into all of the details and measures we've taken to insure that our systems are impenetrable (and there are many), we can share with you some key factors.

- HIPPA compliant
- PCI compliant
- Military clientele
- SSL certificates and secure business transactions

We take our virtual security just as seriously as our physical security. Our entire network operates behind redundant high-throughput transparent stand-alone firewalls powered by pfSense. We also maintain a series of VLAN configurations on our private networks in order to further increase security and efficiency between the various segments of our network. As a rule of thumb every single point of failure maintains at least one identical backup. This is true for our servers' power supplies and NIC's as well as our managed switches and firewalls

Mediaura has expanded our cloud by embracing a new and larger rollout of Vmware Vsphere 5 running on multiple Dell Enterprise servers and a fancy new SAN for the ultimate in data redundancy and efficiency. Having expensive equipment and software for the ultimate in redundancy would be a moot point without a highly secure, redundant and reliable data center. That’s why Mediaura chose Peak 10.

Peak 10 Facility Overview

General Facility Features

• 11,500 Square Feet Raised Floor
• Subfloor Cable Management and Power Distribution
• 18" Raised Floor
• Conditioned AC power
• Customized Cage, Private Suite and Cabinet Space Available
• 24/7/365 Customer Access
• 24/7/365 Network Operations Center
• Built above 100 year flood plain

Security Features

• Biometric Fingerprint Readers
• Card/PIN access
• 24/7/365 Monitored Video Surveillance

Environmental Controls/Redundancy

• Internally Redundant and Double End Fed Power Grid
• 2.4 MW Generating Capacity
• Redundant Backup Power via Multiple UPSs and a Generator
• Redundant Network Infrastructure
• Controlled Temperature and Humidity via Redundant HVAC Units
• VESDA/FE-25 Gas Fire Suppression System
• Geographic Diversity/Redundancy via Other Peak 10 Data Centers

Internet/Access Options

• Diverse Fiber Entry Points: OC-12 up to OC-192
• Internet/Network Access Options: DS-1, DS-3 or OC-X Connectivity
• Network BGP Connected to Multiple Carrier Networks
• Internet Access through KDL and TelCove/Level 3
• Tier 1 Gateways through Qwest, AT&T and TelCove/Level 3
• Metro Ethernet at 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps Connectivity

Disaster Recovery

• Multiple Equipment Procurement Options
• Hot/Warm/Cold Site Recovery Solutions
• Dedicated Work Area Recovery for Customers
• Direct Connections to Customer Networks
• Mobile Recovery Solutions

VMWare Overview

The VMware approach to cloud computing starts with the best virtualization platform, vSphere 5, and adds a suite of intelligent cloud infrastructure products – VMware vCloud Director, vCenter Site Recovery Manager and VMware vShield. Together, this VMware platform provides customers with an evolutionary transition to the cloud that transforms existing datacenters into secure private clouds, adding seamless extensions to compatible public clouds, and combines the best aspects of each into federated hybrid clouds.

Run business critical applications with confidence and respond faster to your business needs with VMware vSphere, the industry-leading virtualization platform for building cloud infrastructures. vSphere accelerates the shift to cloud computing for existing datacenters, while also underpinning compatible public cloud offerings, paving the way for the only hybrid cloud model.

Host With Mediaura Today

Contact Mediaura today (502-554-9649) or email us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about the exciting new Web Hosting services and plans that we offer. With the ability to customize packages to meet the needs of your business, we will work together with you in order to develop the most stringent level of security possible.

Corey Capps has been on the Mediaura team almost since the inception of the team itself. His hard work and dedication to the company not only sets the example for everyone else that joins our team, but it also inspires and motivates them to become better workers themselves. It's not uncommon to find him working until midnight or happily coming in to finish up projects on the weekends of his own accord. Corey is also the person that people in our office turn to when they are having difficulty figuring out a solution to a problem, because even though he may not have an immediate answer he knows how to ask the right questions to help you down the path or see it from an outside perspective.

Corey is also aptly dubbed the "Devil's Advocate" in our office, because he is the person that will highlight or lists problems that may arise on a project before we begin working, so that we have already developed solutions in case they arise. For this reason he is crucial to streamlining our implementation and strategy processes. There have been countless times that this foresight has saved us many hours when the "unexpected" has occurred. It's almost like having an experienced military general on the team, because he is prepared for any situation. This is probably why his mind has compelled him to develop a very thorough Zombie Apocalypse strategy plan, which is quite impressive to say the least.

Corey is also one of the most fun people you could possibly want to work with. An avid lover of Haunted Houses, last year he inspired team members to drive to Atlanta and back in a single day because he heard that there was a particularly scary haunted house (there was).

So without further ado.....

1. Zombie Attack preparedness is important. What are some things people need to have and/or plan for in the event of an undead uprising?
Zombie Attack preparedness is a personal situation.  We all react and plan for the catastrophic in different ways and there are lots of things to consider.  Is this a biological outbreak, or have the dead risen from their graves?  Are these fast or slow zombies?  Did you have time to plan or did an arm just burst through your window?  Taking all these into account you can't prepare for them all.

3. What makes you laugh?
Almost everything, the world we live in is full of things to laugh at and people to laugh with. 

At Mediaura we're often asked how we've been able to build such a diverse and talented team. Through careful strategy and talent attraction, we've recruited a team of amazingly talented individuals. Each one of our team members wears several hats and our corporate culture is one that has created an atmosphere or profesional productivity and yet we still manage to have a lot of fun together (both inside and outside of the office).

When clients and other individuals come into our office they frequently remark on the climate and energy. At any given time, you may have 4 people strategizing in a conference room, other individuals mapping out designs or discussing how to improve a project, and at the same time folks standing around our ping-pong table in the midst of a competitive challenge. Our office is always lively and creative.

Even though we play hard, we work even harder; but the most important (and difficult) piece of that puzzle is finding talented people who can rise to the occassion and fit our employee model. As a young technology company, talent attraction has been the key to our success. However, most of the individuals with the talent and skills we seek often leave our city for employment elsewhere. This is commonly known as the "brain drain" and Mediaura is committed to help stopping it in Louisville.

So mark your calendars, because on Thursday, April 19th, I will be joining Kelley Helegeson of Signature HealthCARE and Melissa Leary of Zappos on a panel discussion for GLI to discuss how we've managed to succeed in this quest.

Mediaura has been growing and adding new team members, and during that process we've been taking a few moments to learn a little bit about the new additions. These entries have been so much fun for us to make, and based on feedback, our readers have been enjoying them as well. So we figured, why not get to know the rest of the team a little bit as well?

When people step into our office, they frequently comment on how young, motivated and energetic our team is. We are of a generation that has always known the Internet and the world wide web, and for some of us, we were on the forefront of the digital revolution as it was happening. This is why we, as a company, are focused on the future, what is next; and it is why we are always looking to see how to make the impossible....possible.

This is what pushes us to innovate and not merely create. We know what can be done, but how do you improve upon the foundation of existing ideas? How do you make a process even more simple? How do you create solutions that save businesses time, money, and reduce overhead while simultaneously driving profits? How can technology be the catalyst or play a role? These are the questions that we ask ourselves every day that we walk through the doors to our office.

One of our youngest team members is also the individual who embodies the Mediaura ideal. He is young, ambitious, driven, intelligent, and doesn't take easy to the word "No." Instead, he finds solutions to problems and ways around roadblocks. Brad first joined the Mediaura team as a high school intern and he has quickly grown into one of the cornerstones of our development team.

If Brad Cypert is the future of Interactive and Software Development, then kick up your feet and relax. Your future is in good hands.

Meet Brad Cypert

1. If you could have one super power what would it be?

Super power... hmm...The power to calm others and to create an instant state of peace within them.

2. What is your favorite movie and why?

Anchorman by far. I feel like the classy wits of Ron Burgandy reflect very well upon my own sense of humor.

3. What makes you laugh?

I laugh at a lot really. I always find humor in well developed jokes, or a dry sense of humor, and in reality as well. Oh, I also enjoy bad puns, they're most definitely my favorite.

4. So why do you like computer programming?

Well, I'm not exactly the most creative person in the world. Drawing was never my thing, and I couldn't paint an apple properly in middle school. I found that programming allows me to flex my creative side through the use of logic. At first, It's hard to grasp how those two work together, but once you understand it and can implement it, It's amazing what you can accomplish. The satisfaction of looking at your own work and saying, "Yes. I did that." always helps too.

5. What is your favorite color?

Blue

6. What is your favorite album?

Right now it'd have to be Some Nights by Fun.

7. Android or iPhone?

It's all about personal preference, and I prefer an iPhone.

8. If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Im not sure I would trade places with anyone else for a day. I'd love to see things from someone elses shoes, but I would also be afraid of missing something important in my life for that day. If I had to choose though, I'd say Dale Carnegie (back when he was writing books and giving lectures). What that man has taught me is remarkable.

9. One of Brad's many talents, is playing the ukulele. He often brings it to work and uses it to lighten the mood or to entertain the team. But none of us really know how he learned to play such a unique instrument. So Brad, how did that come about?

Originally, I started playing Piano, and I didn't enjoy it. I moved onto Bass guitar, and it was alright. I finally picked up an acoustic guitar and loved it. It produced the sound that I desired to hear, but I didn't want to stop there. I recieved a ukulele for my birthday and it has been what I've been hooked on since. I love the tone and the style. It's relaxing. I plan on tackling the banjo next though.

10. Finally, what is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to have a mobile app created?

I would recommend that they make the most of their app. A mobile app and a mobile website are two completely different things, although they often get confused as the same. If it can't be accomplished on a website, it can probably be accomplished on an app; vice versa. Just make the most of it, because there are plenty of apps that don't reach their potential.

Mediaura has long been a proponent regarding the value that membership in the American Advertising Federation of Louisville brings to any business, especially a small one. The connection and networking opportunities are endless, in addition to the informative luncheons and speakers on best-practices that they bring to our community. As an organization there is truly something for everyone to find.

As a company we have sponsored previous events, helping to bring keynote speaker Paul Dery of R/GA to Louisville and our team has been working diligently at placing the final touches on the AdFed Mobile App (launching soon).

I have been a member of the Executive Board, Vice President of Communications, for the past year and I am so proud to have the opportunity to have helped put together the latest version of the print Communique' with my amazing team of committee volunteers.

This issue of the Communique' focuses on the future of advertising; highlighting best practices, sharing tips for what works & what doesn't, and looking forward to the changing climate of our industry as a whole. Featuring contributions from the leading professionals in our area, this issue of the Communique' has something for everyone; whether you're a sales professional, a charity, government official, or an interactive company, etc. Just like the AdFed itself, we've got you covered.

This issue of the Communique' has been a labor of love, and being able to see it materialize from a concept into a tangible magazine has been a wonderful adventure that I am so honored to have helped lead.

Make sure to check out the article entitled "Interactive Technology and Change" written by Mediaura's CEO Andrew Aebersold. As a company, thinking ahead to the future is what helps set us apart from other organizations; so Andrew has a few tips to share on what companies should keep an eye on.

Special thanks to Mary and Julie at the AdFed for helping make this become a reality, Doug Prater for giving me the opportunity to participate on the Executive Board this year, Mark Cable for his wonderful artwork and helping to realize the vision, and to all of whom helped to contribute to this project. It couldn't have been done without you.

Make sure to pick up your copy today or contact the American Advertising Federation of Louisville's office to find out how you can get your own. They make an eye-catching, and valuable read for any business lobby or waiting area as well!

-Dawn

Mediaura would like to welcome the latest addition to our team, Courtney Blanton!

Courtney joins the team as our lead administrator and Executive Assistant. From now on, when you call our offices, she will be the person with whom you are speaking. So in order to get to know the voice that will be on the other end of the line, here are 10 random facts about Courtney.

10 Random Facts About Courtney Blanton

1. She has a secret obsession with disco music.
2. She has been a vegetarian for four years.
3. She worked as a professional model for six years.
4. She loves hiking and the outdoors.
5. Her biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouths open.
6. Her sense of humor can best be described as that of a kindergartner. "I laugh at things that a two year old would find amusing."
7. While she is spending her Spring Break in the Bahamas, she really dreams of visiting Rome, Italy.
8. Her favorite color is baby blue.
9. Courtney's favorite book is, "The Kingdom of God is Within You" by Leo Tolstoy
10. She studied karate for five years. That makes her an expert, right?

Welcome to the team Courtney. We are excited to have you join the growing Mediaura family.

Mediaura ProBuilder Print (formerly known as ADBuilder) is our proprietary, patent-pending web-based software that lets you create templates for your organization to easily and rapidly create customized print-ready content that meets brand standards.

Key Features:

• Patent-pending visual editor allows for real-time creation of content
• Full dynamic sizing capabilities
• Image library allows you to choose from approved content for image customization or upload your own
• Image placement tools allow you to scale and move images on the canvas in real time
• Business database allows you to store custom information specific to a business and auto-populate that on the template, including custom logos per business
• Create black & white or full color CMYK content
• Full control of font face, size and colors
• Choose from approved background images and colors to maximize template capabilities
• Capable of supporting high quality billboard-sized content
• Create single page content or multiple page brochures
• E-Commerce ready means you can send your created designs directly to a printer upon completion
• User-rights management built-in

Mediaura is proud to welcome Zachary Winter.

Zach is the latest website developer to join our growing team. With a strong background in front-end design, website development, programming, mobile applications and software implementation he is a perfect fit for our team.

10 Random Facts About Zach

1. He has a cat named Oliver (that he rescued with the help of Mediaura's CEO Andrew).
2. One of his favorite movies is Airplane, starring Leslie Nielsen.
3. He went to high school at Walden and graduated at the age of 16.
4. Zach is a certified SCUBA diver, and was once in the water with approximately 35 reef sharks.
5. While he doesn't feel like he has any abnormal phobias, he readily admits to hating spiders.
6. He is big on typography.
7. His favorite color is red.
8. He enjoys recording music and has a mini-setup at his house.
9. Currently reading Jack Kerouac.
10. Death Cab For Cutie's "Transatlanticism" is one of his favorite albums.

Everyone at Mediaura is excited to have Zach as the newest addition to our team!

The Mediaura team is proud to announce that we will soon be releasing an exclusive mobile app designed for the Louisville Advertising Federation (AAF Louisville). The mobile app will provide users with a calender of events (and the ability to sign up/register directly from your phone), access to the job listings page, information about AAF Louisville, and the latest in advertising news.

We have been honored to work with such a prestigious organization on this project. Keep checking our blog for further details and a release date.

If your company is looking for a mobile app, feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation. The Mediaura team are certified Apple & Android development specialists, with the ability to develop on all other platforms, so give us a call at 502-554-9649 today.

Long John Silvers Tablet Givewaway

Mediaura is proud to have worked closely with the Long John Silvers team to help develop a sweepstakes giveaway. Winners will receive a chance to win a free tablet of their choice (up to a $500 value) just by entering!

It is always a pleasure to work with the LJS team and we are always happy to help them realize their interactive vision for the company.

About LJS

At Long John Silver's, we serve high-quality seafood with a "come as you are" attitude at a "pay less than you expect" price. For more than 40 years, we've been building seafood expertise – how to catch it, cook it, serve it and enjoy it. Over the last 40 years, we've learned that to get great seafood, you don't need a lot of time, you don't need a lot of fuss, and you definitely don't need a lot of money. The only thing you really need is know-how. And at Long John Silver's, you get more because we know more. You could say that at Long John Silver's, we speak fish.

To view the website (or enter the sweepstakes), please visit: http://www.ljspromotions.com/