The final curtain call for Windows 10: What you need to know
Microsoft has announced that the current version of Windows 10, released in 2022, will be its final release.
If you’re currently using Windows 10, you might wonder what this means for your day-to-day operations.
The good news is that your computers won’t suddenly stop working. The current updates and security patches for Windows 10 won’t disappear anytime soon either.
However, you may want to consider upgrading to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. Microsoft has made it clear that it will be devoting all its attention to the new operating system from now on, so future developments and innovation will be focused on Windows 11.
Upgrading can be a daunting task, but moving to Windows 11 has so many benefits:
Enhanced performance
Windows 11 has been designed to maximize efficiency and performance across all types of devices, making it a no-brainer for businesses looking for faster and more efficient technology.
Improved user experience
The interface has been updated with a more modern look, making it easier to navigate and customize.
Increased security
Windows 11 comes with Microsoft’s most advanced security features, making it harder for cyber criminals to breach your system.
Better integration with cloud services
Windows 11 gives you access to a range of cloud-based services, making it easier to collaborate with other team members and enhance your business’ productivity.
If you’re still hesitant about upgrading, keep in mind that Microsoft will eventually stop releasing security updates for Windows 10. We’re expecting it to be in late 2025. This means staying with Windows 10 for too long could put your business at risk of security threats.
The sooner you upgrade, the better your protection against these threats, and the more significant the benefits you’ll be able to reap from Windows 11.
Like any big project, making the move to Windows 11 needs to be planned and implemented properly. Your hardware needs to meet certain requirements and, of course, you’ll need to make sure it’s done without affecting day to day operations.
If you’d like help making the transition with as little disruption as possible, get in touch.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
Windows 11 optional update: Why it’s better to wait
Microsoft has just announced an option for people to trial new features before their general release in Windows 11.
This isn’t about fixes to security flaws – everyone gets those at the same time.
This is an opportunity for businesses to jump the queue to receive new features and updates first.
Sound exciting?
Yes!
Worth the risk?
Not quite.
Our advice?
Patience is a virtue!
Sure, it may be tempting to give in to the tantalizing prospect of new features… nobody ever wants to wait. But jumping aboard any trial phase comes with risks.
Bugs, errors, and other stumbling blocks could have a significant impact on your operations, potentially causing chaos in your daily workflow.
Waiting until features have completed a thorough trial process gives you the advantage of other people’s experience. They’ve already dealt with the complexities so, by the time you get the new features, they’ll be polished and dependable. And isn’t that more important for the smooth running of your business?
Trust us, the safe road is the smart road, especially when your business systems are involved. The benefits of being an early adopter may seem enticing, but you don’t want to end up being the guinea pig.
Remember the old adage… good things come to those who wait!
We’re all for keeping up with the latest technology and software updates, but there is a time to exercise caution, and this is one of those times. Don’t be tempted by the shiny new features.
Be patient
Stay safe
And ensure that when the time comes, you’re getting something that’s proven to work
Microsoft already has a lot of (tested and approved) features that can boost productivity and make your work processes smoother. We spend a lot of time helping businesses find the right ones for them. If we can do the same for you, get in touch.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
Can your business go green by switching to the cloud?
Cloud computing has quickly become a popular option for businesses that want to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and become more flexible.
But are you swayed by the idea that cloud services are automatically better for the environment? Could the need to do your bit ‘cloud’ your decision-making?
Sorry. Bad pun.
It’s true that cloud services have environmental benefits compared to using your own servers. These include reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint.
Yet you shouldn’t view the cloud as a “green solution” without fully understanding the environmental impact.
One consideration of using cloud services is the location of the data centers where servers are housed. Some providers have made commitments to use renewable energy, but it’s not a guarantee. It is essential to do your research and choose a provider that sources renewable energy and uses energy storage where possible.
When thinking about switching to the cloud, there are other benefits besides environmental sustainability. They include improved data security, ease of collaboration, and scalability as your business grows.
Another key advantage of cloud computing is data backup and recovery.
With all your data stored in the cloud, the risk of data loss due to equipment failure, damage, or theft is virtually eliminated. It means that in the event of an unforeseen disaster, like a fire or natural disaster, you can rest assured your data is safe and can be quickly recovered.
Cloud computing also enables better collaboration and communication, helping your team to work together more easily and efficiently, no matter where they’re working from. This can increase productivity and reduce your costs in comparison to maintaining traditional on-site systems.
Finally, cloud services provide better scalability as you grow, with the ability to increase storage and processing power as needed.
Can you see the benefits of cloud computing are huge? It’s why so many businesses have already ditched their servers.
If you’re considering migrating, get in touch – we can talk you through the process and what happens when.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
Charging in public places? Watch out for “juice jacking”
Airports, hotels, cafés, even shopping malls, offer public charging points where you can boost your phone or laptop battery on the go.
They’ve been in the news after the FBI recently tweeted advice to stop using them. Crooks have figured out how to hijack USB ports to install malware and monitoring software onto devices as they charge.
The security risk of “juice jacking” was long thought to be more theoretical than real, but the tech needed to carry out an attack has gotten smaller and cheaper and easier to use. This means less sophisticated criminals are now turning their hand to it.
So how does it work?
The most common charging cables – USB-C and lightning – are dual-purpose. They have pins for charging and pins for data.
When you charge your device, you only use the charging pins. But a compromised charging port – or a cable that someone has left behind – could use both charging pins and data pins without you knowing.
When they use the data pins, criminals can install malware onto your device that gives them access to your credentials and other data. It’s a little like plugging your phone into someone else’s laptop.
To avoid the risk, the best solution is to always carry your own charger and cable, and plug it into a power outlet. If you have no choice but to use a public USB port, invest in something called a USB data blocker. This prevents data being transferred, but the device will still charge.
We help businesses stay secure and productive at the same time.
If we can help you, get in touch.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
LinkedIn takes action to tackle fake accounts
LinkedIn is introducing new verification features over the coming months to help tackle fake accounts.
The business-focused social platform is a fantastic place to connect with like-minded businesspeople, and to find new employees, jobs and opportunities.
But thanks to this popularity, we’re seeing an increase in fake profiles, created by scammers for more sinister purposes.
Bot-like accounts have been cropping up all over the platform. They’ve been spamming people, tricking genuine profiles into downloading malware, and scamming them into giving away personal data.
LinkedIn holds a huge amount of information on each of its members, including their job history, contact details, professional interests and places of work – all valuable data that a determined criminal could put to use.
These fake accounts can be hard to spot. They look like real people (sometimes they’re AI-generated deepfake images), they seem to work for legitimate businesses, and the profiles have been carefully curated to look like the real deal.
LinkedIn is making changes over the coming months to help tackle these fake accounts, by way of an improved account authentication process.
Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, is partnering with secure identity platform Clear to help verify accounts using work email addresses, government-issued ID, and a phone number.
It’s initially only being tested in the US, but if it’s a success, we expect we’ll see a wider rollout over the coming months.
Once the relevant information has been provided, accounts will receive a verification mark, like the ones introduced by Twitter. However, unlike Twitter, LinkedIn will be offering verification free of charge.
We’ll keep you updated when we know more, but in the meantime, if you need help keeping all your accounts secure, get in touch.
Microsoft hints at some exciting Windows 12 developments
We’re fickle creatures.
Windows 11 still feels like a new toy, yet we’ve already heard (reliable) speculation about Windows 12 arriving as soon as next year. And now it’s all we can think about!
What will it look like?
What improvements will we see?
Will there be new features?
We can’t answer these questions with certainty just yet, but there are whispers of new features that could be big news for businesses.
Three in particular have got us excited.
First (and probably most obvious) is the inclusion of more AI functionality. From automation to chatbots, AI has exploded in recent months. It just makes sense that Microsoft will harness this power to bring us a more impressive operating system.
We’re likely to see better AI analysis of our content, and prompts to help us begin projects or choose apps to help get things done. It will also help us speed up what we’re doing with improved intuition for what we’ll do next.
We do know that Microsoft wants to bring us faster updates and better security.
It’s likely things will be split into different sections rather than having the entire OS as a single entity as it stands today. That means updates to different elements will be able to run in the background while you continue to work, and different people may be granted access to each partition for improved security.
Microsoft also intends to make the Windows 12 experience more modular. The benefit of creating different components in this way is that higher-powered devices will get the maximum Windows experience, while lower-powered devices will still be able to do everything they need, running the Edge browser, Office tools, or web apps, for instance.
Some of these features may be reliant on dedicated hardware and upgraded equipment and we’re waiting for more announcements on that. As soon as we hear, you’ll be the first to know!
If you haven’t yet made the move to Windows 11, now’s a good time. Get in touch if you need any help or advice.
Criminals are exploiting AI to create more convincing scams
One of the many cool things about the new wave of Artificial Intelligence tools is their ability to sound convincingly human.
AI chatbots can be prompted to generate text that you’d never know was written by a robot. And they can keep producing it – quickly, and with minimal human intervention.
So it’s no surprise that cyber criminals have been using AI chatbots to try to make their own lives easier.
Police have identified the three main ways crooks have found to use the chatbot for malicious reasons.
1. Better phishing emails
Until now, terrible spelling and grammar have made it easy to spot many phishing emails. These are intended to trick you into clicking a link to download malware or steal information. AI-written text is way harder to spot, simply because it isn’t riddled with mistakes.
Worse, criminals can make every phishing email they send unique, making it harder for spam filters to spot potentially dangerous content.
2. Spreading misinformation
“Write me ten social media posts that accuse the CEO of the Acme Corporation of having an affair. Mention the following news outlets”. Spreading misinformation and disinformation may not seem like an immediate threat to you, but it could lead to your employees falling for scams, clicking malware links, or even damage the reputation of your business or members of your team.
3. Creating malicious code
AI can already write pretty good computer code and is getting better all the time. Criminals could use it to create malware.
It’s not the software’s fault – it’s just doing what it’s told – but until there’s a reliable way for the AI creators to safeguard against this, it remains a potential threat.
The creators of AI tools are not the ones responsible for criminals taking advantage of their powerful software. ChatGPT creator OpenAI, for example, is working to prevent its tools from being used maliciously.
What this does show is the need to stay one step ahead of the cyber crooks in everything we do. That’s why we work so hard with our clients to keep them protected from criminal threats, and informed about what’s coming next.
If you’re concerned about your people falling for increasingly sophisticated scams, be sure to keep them updated about how the scams work and what to look out for.
If you need help with that, get in touch.
Top 9 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Cybersecurity
When it comes to protecting your business from cyberthreats, having the right tools and technology is only half the battle. You also need the expertise, controls and processes to manage and mitigate these threats effectively. That’s where a managed security service provider (MSSP) comes in.
Think of a Managed IT Service Provider as your outsourced cybersecurity department, ensuring your technology is safe, secure and compliant.
In this article, we discuss the benefits of outsourcing your cybersecurity to a trusted MSSP partner. From enhanced security posture to cost savings, you’ll learn how collaborating in cybersecurity matters can help protect your business from cyberthreats while streamlining your IT operations.
The benefits of outsourcing your cybersecurity
Although there are a lot of benefits to outsourcing your cybersecurity, we’re listing the top nine below:
Enhance business outcomes
Partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider can help you enhance your business outcomes by reducing downtime, increasing productivity and improving customer satisfaction. You can focus on growing your business and achieving your strategic goals by mitigating cyberthreats and keeping your IT systems secure.
Fill IT gaps
A Managed IT Service Provider can help fill IT gaps by providing the expertise, controls and processes to manage and mitigate cyberthreats. Whether it’s managing vulnerabilities, implementing security controls or responding to incidents, a Managed IT Service Provider can help you bridge the gaps in your IT security.
Lower costs
Outsourcing your cybersecurity to a Managed IT Service Provider can also help you lower costs. Instead of investing in expensive cybersecurity tools and technologies, you can leverage a Managed IT Service Provider’s expertise and infrastructure to achieve the same level of security at a fraction of the cost.
Access to specialized, experienced security experts
A Managed IT Service Provider has a team of specialized, experienced security experts who can provide the support and guidance you need to manage and mitigate cyberthreats effectively. These experts have the knowledge and expertise to rapidly implement advanced security solutions and respond to incidents.
Advanced security solutions
Partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider also gives you access to advanced security solutions that may otherwise be unavailable. From threat intelligence and hunting to endpoint protection and cloud security, a Managed IT Service Provider can provide you with the latest security solutions to keep your IT systems safe and secure.
Rapid incident response and remediation
In the event of a cyberattack, a Managed IT Service Provider can provide rapid incident response and remediation services. Their experts can quickly identify and isolate the threat, contain the damage and restore your IT systems to full functionality, minimizing downtime and reducing the impact on your business.
Ongoing, continuous protection
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, so it’s essential to have ongoing, continuous protection in place. A Managed IT Service Provider can provide you with the 24/7 monitoring and management needed to detect and mitigate cyberthreats in real-time, ensuring your IT systems are always protected.
Threat intelligence and hunting
A Managed IT Service Provider can also provide you with threat intelligence and hunting services, which involve monitoring and analyzing threats in real-time to identify potential vulnerabilities and prevent attacks before they occur.
Compliance support
Finally, partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider makes meeting your compliance requirements easier. A Managed IT Service Provider can provide the support and guidance needed to comply with industry-specific regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS and GDPR, and ensure that your IT systems are always compliant and secure.
Partner to succeed
Outsourcing your cybersecurity needs to a Managed IT Service Provider is an investment to secure the future of your business. The benefits of enhanced business outcomes, filling IT gaps, lower costs and more make it a wise choice for any organization looking to strengthen its security posture.
By partnering with a Managed IT Service Provider like us, you’ll get the expertise and experience to protect your business from ever-increasing, sophisticated cyberthreats. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us now to bolster your cybersecurity.
3 essential security tools for every business
Your data is one of your most valuable business assets. Keeping it safe should be one of your main priorities. So if you don’t have much security in place, there’s a minimum standard you should be implementing, right now.
There are dozens of security solutions available that all perform different tasks – from preventing criminals gaining access, to recognizing attacks in progress, and then limiting the damage that can be done. There’s no one-size-fits-all as every business has different priorities and different types of data to protect.
Here are three essentials that every business should put in place as a basic level of protection.
1. A firewall
A firewall monitors the internet traffic coming into and leaving your IT network. It acts as a wall between your network and the outside world. It’s your first line of defense against an intruder breaking in to your network.
2. A password manager for everyone in the business
A password manager stores all your credentials securely, and can also generate nearly impossible-to-guess passwords for all your accounts and applications.
That’s useful against brute force attacks, where cyber criminals essentially try to force their way into your system by guessing the password. It also stops you writing down your passwords somewhere ‘safe’!
3. A VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN is important for any remote or hybrid workers in your business.
It means your employees can access your network from wherever they’re working, without worrying that their online activity is being watched by a criminal.
VPNs make your browsing completely private, hiding your device and location details, and anything you download. If you or your employees regularly use public Wi-Fi – especially to access your network – a VPN is essential.
These are our absolute minimum recommendations.
The strongest security uses additional tools like Multi-Factor Authentication to prove the identity of all users, and antivirus software to deal with any intrusions.
These work together to create a multi-layered security shield to defend against threats on many fronts.
But it’s important you create a security plan that’s right for your specific business. It’s a good idea to seek some professional help.
Not everyone’s as excited about IT security as we are! But we definitely have a passion for it.
If we can help you, get in touch.
It’s Time to Bust These 4 Ransomware Myths
In today’s digital age, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated and costly. With cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics and targeting businesses of all sizes, organizations like yours must proactively safeguard your data and systems. Unfortunately, many companies fall prey to common ransomware myths, which can leave them vulnerable to attacks and unprepared to respond effectively in the event of an incident.
In this blog, we’ll debunk four of the most prevalent ransomware myths and provide the accurate information you need to protect your business. Understanding the realities of ransomware and taking proactive steps against it can mitigate the risk and ensure you’re prepared to fight against cybercriminals.
Top Myths to Bust
Without further ado, let’s debunk the ransomware myths you should avoid at any cost:
Myth #1: If my business gets hit with ransomware, I’ll pay the ransom and return to business.
Many businesses believe that paying a ransom is the quickest and easiest way to recover encrypted data. However, that’s just a dangerous assumption.
Paying a ransom does not guarantee that the attackers will keep their word and provide the decryption key. Also, paying a ransom only encourages cybercriminals to carry out more attacks in the future.
The best way to protect your business is to have a solid backup strategy and a comprehensive security plan in place.
Myth #2: My backups will get me back up and running if I get hit with ransomware.
While backups are essential to ransomware prevention, it’s a myth that backups will always save the day. Cybercriminals have upgraded their tactics to compromise backup files as part of their attack strategy.
With the rise of double extortion attacks, cybercriminals not only encrypt data but also steal it. This means that even if you have a backup strategy in place, your data may still be at risk if attackers threaten to leak sensitive data unless a ransom is paid.
Myth #3: My antivirus software (or any other security solution) provides complete protection from ransomware attacks.
Antivirus software is essential to a comprehensive defense against ransomware, but it’s not enough. Relying on a single security product to defend against ransomware is a mistake. There’s no silver bullet solution to ransomware. However, implementing a defense-in-depth strategy can help your business build the most robust possible defense.
Myth #4: My business isn’t a target for ransomware attacks.
Many businesses believe that they aren’t a target for ransomware attacks because they’re too small or not valuable enough. However, this is a myth that can leave your business vulnerable. The truth is that organizations of all sizes and across all industries have valuable data that cybercriminals can exploit.
With the rise of more sophisticated and efficient cybercrime, hackers have expanded their target demographic, making businesses of all sizes prime targets. The best defense is to assume your business is a target and take proactive measures to protect your data and systems.
Partner to Succeed
While it’s true that no security measure is foolproof, taking proactive steps to secure your data and systems can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a ransomware attack. We can help ensure your organization is well-prepared to fight against ransomware and other cyberthreats. Feel free to reach out to us for a no-obligation consultation.
To learn more about ransomware criminals and how to defend your business, download our infographic “The Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack.” It’s a valuable resource that can help you increase your basic understanding of ransomware, identify the signs if you’ve fallen victim and prepare you to defend against these attacks.
The Best Defense Against Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files on a device or network, making them unusable until the victim pays the attacker a ransom. What started as a simple virus spread through floppy discs in the late 1980s has now evolved into a billion-dollar cybercrime industry.
Even with new security measures in place, ransomware groups are constantly evolving to adapt to them and launching new ways to extort victims. As long as these gangs successfully get businesses to pay up, attacks will only continue to increase and expand.
Luckily, there’s good news. With proper preparations, you can minimize the risk of a ransomware attack and mitigate the impacts if an attack does occur. In this blog, we’ll explore the best defense against ransomware and provide you with practical steps you can take to start protecting your business today.
Best practices and precautions
To protect against ransomware, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following precautions:
Regularly update software and operating systems with the latest patches.
One of the simplest yet most effective measures against ransomware is regularly updating your software and operating systems with the latest patches since cybercriminals often target outdated applications and systems.
Keeping your systems up to date ensures security gaps and vulnerabilities are patched, making it much harder for attackers to find a way in.
Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
Phishing emails are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments. It’s essential to verify the sender and email content before clicking links or downloading files. If you ever receive an email from an unknown sender or a source you don’t recognize, it’s best to delete it immediately and warn your colleagues.
Back up data regularly on a separate device and store it offline.
Regularly backing up your data is an essential precaution to minimize the risk of data loss due to ransomware. Keeping a copy of your data on a separate device and storing it offline will help you recover your data after a ransomware attack. It’s also crucial to test your backup system regularly to ensure the data can be restored when needed.
Follow safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet.
Safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet include:
- Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks
- Not downloading files from untrusted sources
- Ensuring your firewall is turned on
You should also ensure that your device has up-to-date antivirus software installed and that you use a secure web browser.
In addition to these measures, there are several other best practices that you can adopt to protect against ransomware:
Anti-phishing and email security protocols and tools: These can include email filters that can help block malicious emails before they reach your inbox.
Security awareness training: Regular security awareness training can help educate your employees to identify and avoid phishing emails and other common cyberthreats.
Vulnerability scanning: Routine scanning can help identify vulnerabilities in your systems and applications before attackers can exploit them.
Automated patch management: Automating patch management eliminates the need for manual checks for outdated software/systems, saving time and ensuring your systems are consistently up to date and secure.
Endpoint detection and response (EDR): EDR focuses on monitoring endpoints, such as desktops, laptops and mobile devices, for suspicious activity and responding to any detected threats.
Network monitoring: This involves monitoring your network for suspicious activity and responding to any detected threats.
Network segmentation: Segmentation means dividing your network into smaller, more secure segments to limit the spread of malware in the event of an attack.
Identity and access management (IAM): IAM helps manage user access to your systems and applications, ensuring users only have the access they need to perform their roles.
Strong password policies and good password hygiene: This involves implementing password policies that require users to create strong, unique passwords and regularly change them.
Partner to succeed
By partnering with an experienced IT service provider like us, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have a team of cybersecurity experts on your side keeping your data safe. We can help you implement and maintain best practices, tools and technologies to protect your business against ransomware. So, why wait longer? Contact us today and let’s start securing your business against attacks.
Also, download our “Ransomware Survival Guide” eBook if you want to learn more about how to protect your business and survive a ransomware attack.
Microsoft 365 makes Multi-Factor Authentication easier
Microsoft is planning to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) directly in its Outlook app for many 365 business users.
MFA is a vital tool to help protect your online accounts from cyber criminals. It works by generating a second, single-use passcode every time you log into an account. It’s usually sent to an authenticator app on your phone that you have to download and set up first.
Security codes can also be sent via SMS text message, by a phone call, or you might be given a special USB key to plug into your computer.
The process is often made quicker by using a biometric login like your fingerprint or face ID. It’s a minor chore, but the protection it offers far outweighs the couple of extra seconds it takes to access your account.
Microsoft isn’t so sure about those extra seconds, though. If the tech giant can save you that time, it’s going to do it. That’s why it’s looking to streamline MFA for Microsoft 365 business accounts.
It’s rolling out the improvement by building MFA directly into the Outlook app in a feature called Authenticator Lite. Until now, it’s relied on a separate authenticator app or sending login codes.
There’s no news yet for those of us who want faster authentication on our personal PCs. If Microsoft does announce plans to make this feature available to more hardware or operating systems, we’ll update you with any news.
If you don’t already use MFA for your apps and online accounts, we recommend that all businesses implement it as soon as possible. The additional security it offers protects against the vast majority of today’s cyber threats.
For more help and advice about implementing MFA or getting the best from Microsoft 365, just get in touch.