Stop! And think, before you act on that email
How many times a day do you respond to an email without really thinking about its contents?
Maybe it’s a request for some information. Perhaps it’s asking you to pay an invoice. All mundane stuff. But no sooner than you’ve hit send, you’ve fallen victim to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack.
A BEC attack occurs when a cyber criminal gains access to your business email account and uses it to trick your employees, customers, or partners into sending them money or sensitive information. They do this by impersonating someone senior, and abusing their position of trust.
It might sound like something that only happens to big corporations, but that’s not the case.
According to the FBI, small and medium-sized businesses are just as vulnerable to BEC attacks as larger ones. In fact, these attacks have cost businesses more than $26 billion over the past few years.
And Microsoft brings more bad news, with its recent findings showing that they’re getting both more destructive and harder to detect.
So, what can you do to protect your business from BEC attacks? Here’s our advice:
- Educate your employees: They are the first line of defense against BEC attacks. They need to know how to spot phishing emails, suspicious requests, and fake invoices. Train them regularly on cyber security best practice, like strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and secure file sharing.
- Use advanced email security solutions: Basic email protections like antispam and antivirus software are no longer enough to block BEC attacks. You need more advanced solutions that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent these attacks in real-time. Look for email security providers that offer features like domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance (DMARC), sender policy framework (SPF), and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM).
- Set up transaction verification procedures: Before transferring funds or sensitive information, establish a verification process that confirms the authenticity of the request. This could include a phone call, video conference, or face-to-face meeting. Don’t rely on email alone to confirm these types of requests.
- Monitor your email traffic: Regularly monitor your email traffic for anomalies and unusual patterns. Look for signs like unknown senders, unusual login locations, changes to email settings or forwarding rules, and unexpected emails. Make sure you have a clear protocol in place for reporting and responding to any suspicious activity.
- Keep your software up to date: Ensure that you’re always running the latest version of your operating system, email software, and other software applications. These updates often include vital security patches that address known vulnerabilities.
BEC attacks are becoming more common and more sophisticated, but with the right awareness, training, and security solutions, you can protect your business.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action today to keep your business safe.
If you want to know more about how to protect your business from cyber threats, our team is always ready to help you. Give us a call.
Is your business data at risk? Don’t take chances with old tech
When you replace old computers or external drives, do you delete data and then just… get rid of them?
You could be putting your sensitive data at risk.
A new study by a data recovery specialist shows that millions of deleted files can be recovered from improperly wiped hard drives that are sold online.
It’s not just buyers who can access your old files. Cyber criminals often buy used hard drives and attempt to recover data from them. This could include anything from confidential business information to client details.
It’s easy to forget about old data when you’re excited about shiny new technology. However, it’s important to consider what’s on that old drive before selling it or disposing of it.
Even if the drive is encrypted, it’s still possible for data to be recovered. And if the drive is damaged, there’s a chance that some of the data is still salvageable. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to sensitive information.
Think about it this way: Would you leave important documents lying around for anyone to see? Of course not! Your digital information deserves the same level of protection.
So what can you do to protect yourself?
Don’t let your old hard drives become a liability. Take the time to have them properly wiped or destroyed before disposal. If you’re upgrading hardware, consider hiring a professional to handle the data transfer and ensure that your old devices are wiped clean.
This isn’t just about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting your employees, clients, and anyone else whose personal information you may have stored on that old drive.
It’s a small investment to make for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is safe from prying eyes.
Don’t take chances with your data – take action to protect it:
- Properly wipe or destroy old hard drives
- Bring in a professional for your hardware upgrades
- Upgrade your overall security practices
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
How to Stay Ahead of AI-Powered Cybersecurity Risks
While artificial intelligence (AI) has many benefits for businesses, it has also created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to carry out complex cyberattacks that are difficult to detect and mitigate. Using AI, hackers can create convincing phishing emails that bypass spam filters. Similarly, cybercriminals can leverage AI to manipulate security systems and gain unauthorized access that causes irreparable damage to your business and your reputation.
This emerging threat landscape can be tough for businesses that do not have a dedicated IT security team equipped with the advanced tools to mitigate complex cybercrimes. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to bolster your organization’s cybersecurity. In this blog, we'll explore ways to improve your preparedness against AI-powered cyberattacks.
Security best practices for AI
Here are some practical tips for enhancing your organization's cybersecurity posture against emerging AI threats:
- Provide continuous, real-time cybersecurity training for your team
AI technology is evolving quicker than ever, and so are cyberthreats. Mix the two together without continuous cybersecurity training for your team and you’ll have a security disaster on your hands.
When a hacker targets an organization, an employee often gets blamed for clicking the wrong link or downloading an infected file. However, rather than blaming an individual, devise a strategy to ensure all your employees have the knowledge and training they need to make the right decisions.
For example, you can use real-time scenarios or simulations to help your employees identify phishing emails so they don’t fall for malicious attempts. You can even set up regular, ongoing security awareness training to educate your employees about persistent threats like ransomware and social engineering attacks. By making cybersecurity training an essential part of your work culture, you can have all your employees invested in organizational security.
- Improve security policies and enforce them
As AI-powered cyberthreats evolve, take proactive steps to improve cybersecurity policies and enforce them rigorously through consistent communication that emphasizes the necessity of good cyber hygiene. Your IT and HR teams can also work on cybersecurity strategies and policies that ensure your employees stay vigilant and aware of the latest AI cyberthreats. For example, you can have weekly newsletters sent out to employees to keep them updated on emerging threats.
Additionally, you can carry out regular risk assessments and implement multifactor authentication to enhance your cybersecurity. Businesses that don’t have IT teams or security resources have been able to build a strong IT security stance with the help of a trusted IT service provider.
- Partner with an IT service provider
An experienced IT service provider will have the inside scoop on all the latest developments in AI and can help you build a formidable cybersecurity posture that protects your business from AI-related threats. Since an IT service provider has the advanced resources and tools to combat threats, you can focus on crucial business decisions without having to worry about managing your IT security.
We are here to help
Make cybercriminals the least of your worries. Consider partnering with an IT service provider like us. We have the experience and expertise to help you build a solid cybersecurity posture against AI-fueled security threats without breaking the bank. Contact us today!
Download our infographic, "The Business Leader's Roadmap to AI Success" and discover countless ways AI can improve your business productivity and profitability.
How to Successfully Leverage AI in Your Business
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help organizations like yours gain an edge in today's highly competitive business landscape by increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability. You can improve customer service, enhance marketing efforts, optimize inventory management, streamline sales processes and more.
Implementing AI requires a strategic approach to ensure that it delivers the intended benefits while being practical, ethical and aligned with the overall business plan of your organization. In this blog, we'll explore the best practices you can implement to successfully integrate AI into your business.
Best practices for leveraging AI successfully
- Pick the best places to start
Identify critical business areas that AI can solve or add value to. By prioritizing key functions to automate and optimize, you can achieve a quick win and prove the value of AI integration to stakeholders.
- Ensure data quality and integrity
For the success of your AI strategy, your data must be clean, structured and complete. This will help your AI model deliver more accurate and valuable insights that improve the efficiency of your business processes and decision-making.
- Be open to innovation and experimentation
AI technology is rapidly expanding, and the best way your business can truly reap the rewards of AI is by staying open to innovation and experimentation. By adopting new approaches and opportunities to innovate, you can find new ways to leverage the full potential of AI technology.
- Get help and support from the experts
Transitioning to a new technology on your own can be challenging. That's why you should consider partnering with an IT service provider like us to access the expertise and tools you need to ensure you implement best practices as per industry standards.
- Think about the ethics
For the long-term success of your business, it’s crucial to use AI ethically and transparently, with clear accountability measures in place. Ensure that you use unbiased data and maintain transparency in the algorithm from the beginning. This will minimize risks and ethical challenges from popping up down the road.
Wondering how to get started?
Figuring out where AI can fit within your business can be challenging. We can show you the right strategies to make AI implementation a breeze. Contact us today to get started!
Download our checklist, "Four Key Actions to Harness the Power of AI in Your Business" to learn how to overcome potential obstacles and get all the benefits of AI for your business.
Here’s how cyber criminals try to hack your accounts while you sleep
Have you ever felt frustrated by the flood of notifications from your multi-factor authentication (MFA) app?
Well, cyber criminals have too. And they’re taking advantage of “MFA fatigue” to try to gain access to your sensitive business data.
MFA is essential for keeping your data secure. It adds an extra layer of security to your apps and accounts by asking you to verify your identity in two or more ways, such as a password and a code sent to your phone.
The constant alerts can be overwhelming though.
Attackers know this and will bombard employees – sometimes in the middle of the night – with a constant stream of MFA notifications. Which makes it more likely someone will authenticate a login attempt through frustration, tiredness, or just to get the notifications to stop.
But now there’s a new weapon in the fight against MFA fatigue.
Microsoft Authenticator has introduced number matching as a way of making sure your MFA notification is from the correct login attempt, preventing cyber criminals from taking advantage of notification fatigue.
How does number matching work?
When you receive an MFA notification, the app will display a randomly generated number. You then need to input this number to authenticate the login attempt and prove you’re not a cyber criminal trying to access your business data.
That’s not all. Microsoft Authenticator also allows for biometric authentication, which means you can use your face, fingerprint, or other unique physical features to prove your identity and combat the threat of MFA fatigue attacks.
With these security measures in place, your business can stay ahead of cyber criminals and keep your sensitive data better protected.
If you already use Microsoft Authenticator, number matching is ready to use. Simply make sure your app is up-to-date, and you’ll be protected.
If you use another MFA system and want to look at how to make your security better or easier, we can help. Get in touch.
Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.
Don’t Trust These Zero Trust Security Myths
In today’s threat landscape, where businesses are constantly at risk of being targeted by a cyberattack, adopting a zero-trust security model could be a wise decision from a cybersecurity point of view.
Zero trust works on the premise that everything — humans, machines or applications — poses a risk to your network and must prove trustworthy before accessing the organization’s network or data. By insisting on verification and authentication at every step, zero trust makes it difficult for a hacker to gain access through a compromised user account or device.
However, with the increasing relevance of the zero-trust framework, there also has been an increase in misinformation surrounding it, fueled mainly by security vendors vying to sell their miracle solutions. In this blog, we will discuss the top zero-trust myths and how an IT service provider can ease the entire process without you facing any roadblocks.
Top zero-trust myths busted
Let’s take a quick look at the four common myths surrounding the zero-trust framework and dispel them with facts:
Myth #1: I can achieve zero trust for my business by using a zero-trust product.
Fact: There are no miracle zero-trust solutions. Zero trust is a security strategy that needs to be implemented systematically. However, you can use solutions and tools to support the framework. Consider taking the help of an IT security provider to identify and implement the solutions best suited for your business.
Myth #2: Zero trust is too complicated for me to implement.
Fact: It can be challenging for businesses with limited knowledge or resources to achieve a zero-trust security framework. However, if you lack expertise, consider taking the help of a trusted IT service provider. An IT service provider can help you understand your business’s risk profile and develop a realistic roadmap to implement a comprehensive and effective zero-trust security strategy.
Myth #3: Zero trust will make it difficult for my employees to do their jobs and negatively impact productivity and morale.
Fact: It enables a better user experience and promotes increased collaboration. However, there are always chances for increased friction and decreased efficiency due to the additional security layers. That’s where an IT service provider can help by suggesting user-friendly policies and easy-to-use solutions that balance security with convenience so your employees can perform their jobs seamlessly.
Myth #4: Implementing zero trust is too expensive.
Truth: Implementing zero trust can be expensive, but that cost is still less compared to the fortune you may have to shell out in the event of a major cybersecurity incident. You may have to deploy additional resources and tools to get the best out of a zero-trust security model. However, you can control the expenses and increase efficiency by opting for an IT service provider.
The time to act is now
By now, it must be clear that zero trust is a great security framework to adopt if you want to protect your business against cyberattacks while ensuring business continuity in the event of a breach. However, implementing zero trust on your own can be a challenge. That’s why partnering with a specialist like us would be the best option. Reach out to us to learn how you can leverage our expertise to implement an efficient zero-trust model with minimal effort.
The time to act is now. Start your journey today to a more secure future for your business with a zero-trust security model. To dive deeper into the concept, download our checklist — How to Achieve Zero Trust Security? It is a valuable resource that can help you effortlessly get started with zero-trust security.
3 Steps to Zero Trust Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
Cyberattacks have become rampant and have also grown in sophistication. A simple lapse in your network security could lead to a chain of events that could prove catastrophic for your business. You can avoid this by implementing a robust cybersecurity framework such as zero trust.
Zero trust asserts that no user or application should be trusted automatically. It encourages organizations to verify every access while treating every user or application as a potential threat. Zero trust is a great starting point for businesses that want to build formidable cybersecurity. It can not only adapt to the complexity of the modern work environment, including a hybrid workplace, but also protect people, devices, applications and data irrespective of where they are located.
However, zero trust should not be mistaken for a solution or a platform, regardless of how security vendors market it to you. You can't just buy it from a security vendor and implement it with a click of a button. Zero trust is a strategy — a framework that needs to be applied systematically.
Implementing zero trust: Three core principles to remember
As you begin your journey to implement a zero-trust framework to bolster your IT security, there are three core principles that you must remember:
1, Continually verify
You should strive to implement a “never trust, always verify” approach to security by continuously confirming the identity and access privileges of users, devices and applications. Consider implementing strong identity and access (IAM) controls. It will help you define roles and access privileges — ensuring only the right users can access the right information.
2. Limit access
Misuse of privileged access is one of the most common reasons for cyberattacks. Limiting access ensures that users are granted minimal access without affecting their day-to-day activities. Here are some common security practices that organizations have adopted to limit access:
- Just-in-time access (JIT) – Users, devices or applications are granted access only for a predetermined period. This helps limit the time one has access to critical systems.
- Principle of least privilege (PoLP) – Users, devices or applications are granted the least access or permissions needed to perform their job role.
- Segmented application access (SAA) – Users can only access permitted applications, preventing any malicious users from gaining access to the network.
3. Assume breach and minimize impact
Instead of waiting for a breach, you can take a proactive step toward your cybersecurity by assuming risk. That means treating applications, services, identities and networks — both internal and external — as already compromised. This will improve your response time to a breach, minimize the damage, improve your overall security and, most importantly, protect your business.
We are here to help
Achieving zero trust compliance on your own can be a daunting task. However, partnering with an IT service provider like us can ease your burden. Leverage our advanced technologies and expertise to implement zero trust within your business — without hiring additional talent or bringing on additional tools yourself.
Download our infographic “Why Now Is the Time to Embrace Zero Trust” to learn actionable steps you can take today to build a solid zero trust security framework. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
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.