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Tag: security

Italian ransomware attack highlights bad patch management

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TARGETING THE WEAK The newest attack impacted servers across Italy. At its peak, traffic was reduced to 26% of normal levels across the country. Servers in France, Finland, the United States, and Canada were also affected. The French cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, which issued the first alert on Friday, warned of continuing attacks against vulnerable servers in the days to come, and reiterated its guidance to administrators to patch their affected systems. So, in case we’re keeping score, here’s where we’re at: VMware identified a weakness in its products 2 years ago. The company...

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A new year means a new approach to cybersecurity

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WATCH WHAT YOU CALL THEM, THOUGH Let’s not call these resolutions, though. Because unlike our resolutions to eat better and get more steps in, we can’t afford to start ignoring cybersecurity before the first holiday credit card statement arrives in the mail. Here’s a quick list of things you’ll want to zero in on as you tune up your organization’s cybersecurity strategy for 2023: 1 – UPDATE YOUR DEVICES AND SOFTWARE You’re only as secure as your latest software update. We all know that outdated operating systems, apps, browsers, firmware, and any other form of code are invitations...

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Is Your Organization Prepared for a Ransomware Attack?

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HOW THE ATTACKS WORK Malicious software is used to deny access to data or systems until or unless the attacker’s ransom demands are met. Methods for delivering the malware payload vary, with the three of the most common being phishing emails, exploitation of application vulnerabilities, and delivery via remote desktop protocol (RDP). The use of phishing emails as an attack vector is currently on the rise. Once successfully delivered, the malware propagates across data storage environments and/or vulnerable systems, rendering systems and data inaccessible. Attackers then demand ransoms...

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Privacy Concerns: New Technology to Grade Meetings Through Surveillance of Attendees

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HOW IT WORKS Using sensors, cameras, and software algorithms, Microsoft’s “Meeting Insight Computing System” (MICS) will collect data on each meeting participant’s body language, expressions, and participation level. MICS will also track how much time attendees spend on activities that are not meeting-related, such as texting or reading email. For remote meeting participants, MICS factors in whether or not they activate their cameras. The system will also take environmental factors into consideration, including the temperature and level of noise in a meeting room....

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7 Common Myths About Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) You Shouldn’t Believe

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1. IT DOESN’T AFFECT SEO When analyzing the keywords and positions for which websites should rank, search engines place the greatest emphasis on content when calculating how websites should rank. However, HTTPS can still affect search engine optimization (SEO). If your website is powered by HTTPS, Google will favour it over your competitors’ HTTP websites. Google announced in 2014 that HTTPS websites would receive a slight boost in authority since they offer a safer and more secure experience for visitors. While Bing doesn’t use it as a ranking factor, HTTPS may indirectly...

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5 Ways an IT Provider can Save Your Business Money

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1. CLOUD TECHNOLOGY Technology is always changing, and purchasing the latest computer equipment can quickly devour your budget. However, a managed service provider will enable your business to use cloud technology, which gives your business access to the best tech available without any additional costs. Cloud technology also makes it more natural for employees to work together, whether they’re inside an office or in two completely different locations. An effective IT provider will also upload all of your information onto the cloud for the maximum protection against data loss. 2....

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The Psychology of Data Theft: Tricks Social Engineers Use and How to Fight Back

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SCARCITY Whether it is gold coins, gourmet foods that are hard to come by or the latest internet fad, scarcity drives demand and prices up. You may recall the fistfights over Cabbage Patch dolls back in the 1980s or the more recent physical tussles over chicken sandwiches when the principle of scarcity was on full display. Social engineers understand the value of scarcity, and they use that psychological weakness to entice their victims. They may pretend to have something everyone wants, and they count on human greed and fear-of-missing-out to do the rest. You can fight back against this...

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Two-Factor Authentication: What You Need to Know

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WHAT IS AUTHENTICATION? In cybersecurity, authentication is the process of proving that someone is who they say they are. This is to give that person permission to carry out specific actions. If you’re an average consumer, authentication is you proving to your online bank app that it’s actually you, so you can manage your finances online. In the past, this was accomplished with a simple username and password combination. As hackers have gotten more sophisticated and computing power has improved, it has gotten easier for criminals to guess a simple password. For instance, the...

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10 Ways the Internet of Things Will Transform Your Life

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1. THE INTERNET WILL BECOME EVEN MORE INTERCONNECTED Currently, most devices, apps, and websites work independently of each other. However, as the IoT grows, the digital world will become more of an extensive ecosystem. This Internet ecosystem will be built on smart devices that are connected to central hubs to make sharing data across platforms faster and more straightforward. 2. SMART APPLIANCES WILL DO MUNDANE CHORES FOR YOU In the future, your smart appliances will be capable of doing many of the mundane chores that are currently your responsibility. For example, smart refrigerators...

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5 Key Benefits of Outsourcing Website Development and Maintenance

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1. MAXIMUM SECURITY One of the top benefits of outsourcing ongoing website maintenance is that it gives your company the ultimate security against cyber threats. An experienced team of IT professionals will keep your site well-protected against the latest versions of malware and viruses. Your website will also be well-protected against hackers, and your data is backed-up in multiple locations for additional security. 2. ACCESS TO MOST RECENT UPDATES Another benefit of outsourcing website development and maintenance is that it gives your business access to the most recent software and...

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