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5 Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses (Part 2)

In 4 Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses (Part 1), I previously shared about cybersecurity. It includes creating better passwords, setting restrictions, and so on. For this blog post, I will discussed more helpful tips for small businesses.

5. Plan for any Data Breach that May Happen

For this step, you may want to consult an IT staff. Perhaps, you may want to seek the advice of I.T. service providers like Omnipotech. Because cyber attacks keep increasing and increasing, it is recommended to prepare for the worst case scenario. For instance, backing up your data really helps in case data loss may happen.

6. Hack Your Own System

To check whether an outsider can easily get in your network, it is best to hire someone who look for these vulnerabilities and weaknesses. An IT consulting firms, like Omnipotech, can help you do a technical audit. now to audit your system in search of weaknesses. From there, you can think of better solutions or come up with better ways to connect with your clients.

7. Set Up a Firewall

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a blog post called Cybersecurity for Small Business, and in that article, they specifically said,

A firewall is a set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network.

The FCC recommends to all small businesses to create a firewall as a barrier between important company data and cybercriminals. Aside from having an external firewall, other companies also install internal firewalls to add another layer of protection.

8. Back Up Important Data

Yes, these to security measures prevent cyber attacks as possible, but there is no such thing as a perfect defense. You can still be breached regardless of extreme caution. The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds businesses to back up the data on all computers.

Important data include financial statements, invoice, spreadsheets, and other financial files. Do not forget to save word processing documents, databases, human resources files, and other company data. If possible, set up an automatic weekly back up, and store these files on another location. Keep it away from water and/or fire hazards.

9. Install Anti-Malware Software

Don’t leave it all to chance. It’s easy to say that your employees know what they are doing. They could have, unknowingly, opened phishing emails. Perhaps, they thought it was just another harmless email.

In fact, Verizon’s Data Breach Report indicated that 30 percent of employees admitted to opening phishing emails. Once these malicious emails are clicked, malware can quickly spread on the employee’s computer. Thus, it is extremely important to have anti-malware software.

If you can and if budget permits, install an anti-malware software on all devices using the company network. According to an article posted on Entrepreneur.com, phishing attacks go after certain employees. They target anyone who has access to confidential data from executives to human resources.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity should not be the last item on your security checklist. In fact, it should be the utmost priority of any business. Contact Omnipotech Support Center now to learn about the different cybersecurity solutions that you can add to protect your business.

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4 Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses (Part 1)

Often times, we often hear about data breaches on the news. These may involve huge corporations and government offices being hacked. However, the truth is that all businesses are vulnerable to attacks. Whether you manage a big or a small company, you can still be a victim of hacking and data breach.

Unfortunately, small businesses are prone to being hacked because these companies are not well protected. It may be because of the lack of resources or lack of employees to handle the cybersecurity division.

Hackers can get into big companies without a hitch. What is gonna to stop them from going for the small fishes in the sea? Small companies are easy money for these hackers because they cannot afford a tight level of online protection. With that being said, I will list some cybersecurity tips that every small business can apply.

1. Create Better Passwords

The first thing to do create strong password to protect your devices and your network. This step should be mandatory, and do not even try to implement “temporary” weak passwords.  If you have a secure network, you should follow strict standards.

Strong passwords are needed, and the one should change/update on a regular basis. Apply certain policies in order to avoid any accidental sharing of passwords even to co-workers.

2. Set Certain Restrictions

Next, you should not only depend on passwords. A secure defense contains layers upon layers of security. This is to avoid any sensitive data safe from going out. This means you should limit the access of certain information. In addition, you should put extra layer of password, encryption, and more.

3. Monitor the Devices Used

Being a newbie, your business cannot afford getting laptops and personal computers at the time being. Naturally, your starting group of employees will have to use personal devices when working.

To make sure that company data won’t leak, it will help if you install a monitoring software on their devices. Implement rules to make sure the devices are secured such as installing security updates, and changing passwords from time to time.

These are security measures in order to protect your business. Hence, you have to clearly explain to your employees that this is not invasion of privacy. You just being careful especially if employees may put the business at risk while using their own devices.

4. Train Your Employees About Cybersecurity

Even if you apply the best cybersecurity solution there, your employees can unknowingly trigger a data breach. So, train your employees regarding the repercussions of their actions. Hence, you have to make sure that all your employees learn on how to properly use company resources with compromising security. Lastly, they should know that security should be the top priority.

Level up your cybersecurity!

Cyber attacks are NO joke, and you should not take it lightly. These cyber criminals can bring down businesses if they want to. Luckily, you can protect your business with the help of IT service providers such as Omnipotech. It’s about time to take cybersecurity very seriously!

 

More on 5 Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses (Part 2)

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Network Security Threats and the 4 Ways to Protect Yourself

In the past, I have talked about the Mobile Security Threats that You NEED to Know About and I also shared some tips on What You Can Do to Avoid Mobile Security Threats?

For this blog post, I will focus on the most common network security threats. Let’s all face it; the Internet connects us in a convenient way, breaking geographical boundaries. However, it also brings us closer to various threats.

Like most companies, your business probably manages loads of data on a daily basis. According to the 2017 Cost of Data Breach Study: Global Overview, data breach could happen in 1 out of 4 companies. You could be the next victim!

In 2017, the average cost of a data breach is $3.62 million. With the advancements in technology, it is safe to say the costs keep getting higher and higher each year. The good news is that you can do something to prevent data breach.

Network Security Threats

First, let us discuss the network security threats your company face. Here are the most common threats:

Now that you know the numerous network security threats, the question is… how do you protect your business data?

4 Tips in Protect Your Company

These are the 4 ways you can improve on your company’s overall network security.

  1. Strengthen the Access Control

  • Outsiders can access your data because of weak security. Therefore, strengthen the control measures by applying strong passwords.
  • Follow the basic password guidelines such using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Next, passwords should not be as short as possible. In fact, the longer, the better.
  • Lastly, never use default passwords. Reset them so that you can create a unique password instead.

  1. Remember to Update Your Software

  • Updates are important to your network’s health. That is why people can access your network because of its outdated state. So, keep everything current from your antivirus to your operating systems.
  • The updates are there to fix the previous issues such as potential vulnerability. So, embrace these updates to maintain a secure wall of defense.

  1. Set a Uniform Software

  • Your company should use one standard tool to isolate attack. What I mean here is that your employees should not use any browser they like. For instance, computers are installed with Firefox plus some privacy add-ons. Then, here goes one employee installing Chrome without approval. This cannot be!
  • Make sure the computers all have the same: operating system, web browser, extensions, multimedia player, and so on.

  1. Conduct an Employee Training

  • External threats can happen because of an internal flaw. An employee could have indirectly given away or hinted a password. So, make sure your employees understand the fundamentals of network security.
  • All of them should know what is risky (and what is not) to your network. This is to avoid unnecessarily comprising the security protocol. Give a security training at least once a year to keep your employees updated about the recent trends.

A Dependable Company for Your Cybersecurity Needs

There are team of experts willing to help you have the proper network security. For all your I.T. needs, Omnipotech is the name you can trust. Contact Omnipotech Support Center now to learn more about the cybersecurity solutions that we provide. The number to call is 281-768-4800!

 

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Getting to Know Malware and Learn the Many Ways to Prevent It

Malware is a short term for malicious software. Typically, this software is made to gain access or to damage a computer. This usually happens without the permission and knowledge of the owner.

These malicious codes will creep in a device, and a malware can manifest in many forms such as adware, spyware, worms, viruses and Trojan horses. I have discussed these in a separate post. (See: Mobile Security Threats that You NEED to Know About)

Generally, malware can take many forms, and it depends on the intent of the creator. The number of malware infection is on a steady rise because of the profitable income to be gained in engaging in Internet crime.

Originally, malware started out as a way to prank and experiment. Eventually, its purpose shifted towards the ruin and slaughter of such devices. Now, most malware out there is made to profit from ads, to steal private data, to spread spam messages and emails, and to extort money.

Some may not harm but steal your personal data

Like adware, spyware is made to gather data about you. This is why spywares go hand in hand with adware in order to deliver an advertisement that’s pretty hard to resist. Where there is adware, there is most probably a spyware.

A spyware may not straightforwardly harm your computer. However, spyware can secretly monitor what you do on your computer. These spywares can know confidential information like your account number, your username, your password, and other personal details that only YOU should know about.

What makes you vulnerable to malware attacks?

There are numerous factors that make computers vulnerable to such attacks. A series of chain reaction can trigger when one takes advantage of the flaws of a computer’s operation system. Then,  when an infected computer is on same network with the other computers, this could lead to a domino effect. Thus, all it really takes is infecting on computer. Since Windows is the most common OS, there more malware attacks that target the operating system.

The best protection against malware.

Whether it is a ransomware, spyware, adware, or whatever kind, always be cautious. Follow these important pointers:

  1. Be careful when opening email messages especially if there are attachments that come with it,
  2. Stay away from incredulous websites, and do not believe everything you read on the web.
  3. Don’t click everything you see, and maintain caution when browsing.
  4. Lastly, install a trusted antivirus program, and keep it updated at all times.
  5. More tips discussed on What You Can Do to Avoid Mobile Security Threats?

Do something about your cybersecurity!

Above all else, I personally believe that cybersecurity should come first. In this digital era, we should all take steps that will help boost privacy. This is particularly important if you manage or own a business.

Once your devices are comprised, third party companies can get hold of your information and the information of your clients. Omnipotech can help you in improving your company’s overall online security. For more information about cybersecurity and the services we offer, kindly contact Omnipotech Support Center or you may call Omnipotech at 281-768-4800!

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4 Tips in Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus Phishing Sites

In Beware of Coronavirus Scams and Other Related Malicious Sites, I made you aware of the phishing tactics spreading around the internet lately. I made sure that I would allocate a specific post regarding the protection against these online threats. Wether you admit it or not, there will be people using this global pandemic to their advantage. These cybercriminals don’t just go for healthcare institutions, but they also target your personal banking details.

Generally, cybercriminals don’t just spread threats online, but they have the audacity of going through your very homes. In fact, CNN posted an article about criminals that are posing as government authorities to scam people.

Protection Against Coronavirus Phishing Sites

As mere users, what can you do to avoid phishing scams? More importantly, if you own a business, what can you do to help your employees fall for these schemes?

  • Knowledge IS Power.

First, you have to inform everyone you know about COVID-19 so they won’t carelessly look for information elsewhere. Others may not be as well-versed as you are so keep them away from any threats by sharing the knowledge you know.

  • Only Share Official Websites.

Next, you have to stop speculating. The internet is full of conspiracy theories about the coronavirus. We all have to deal with this as a team and now is NOT the time to insist on your personal opinions. COVID-19 is a health emergency. Having said that, believe what the doctors and medical experts are saying. They are the most reputable sources of information today; don’t go sharing what you read on Facebook without verifying anything.

To help you get started, you can visit these websites:

  • Conduct a Quick Cyber Awareness Training.

Since this global pandemic has change the landscape of our workforce, it’s also timely to make them aware of the threats proliferating online. The virus we are fighting isn’t just found outside, but there’s also a threat spreading online. Phishing emails can endanger businesses as well. Teach all your employees on how to spot suspicious websites and emails, which are used to steal information. Most importantly, use pro-privacy tools even when one is using a shared computer at home.

In order to avoid to fall victim on these malicious email and sites, please read the following articles on cybersecurity.

  • Before Doing Anything, Verify First.

Lastly, don’t believe everything you read online. Verify all the information you have gathered. If you know a doctor or a nurse, you ask them first. Don’t spread unnecessary fear about the coronavirus.

Also, don’t immediately perform tasks which require you to supply sensitive information such as money transfers or signing documents. For instance, an employee got an email that he or she should transfer money immediately because a supervisor or an executive is not available at this time. Inform all your employees to:

  • Examine carefully all the emails they get. Check where the email is from, the email address used, the domain name of the email. Make sure everything matches with the information that they have!
  • As much as possible, verify through a phone call or through internal communication about the task especially if it entails money and classified information.
  • Never reply to those phishing emails and delete them right away!
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Beware of Coronavirus Scams and Other Related Malicious Sites

As the number of Coronavirus Disease 2019 ( or COVID-19) cases rapidly increase throughout the world, there are also a growing number of Coronavirus websites proliferating. At every corner of the internet, you could see websites popping up getting email addresses and personal user information. Sadly, these websites only bring more harm than good. Thus, it is important to filter the information that come your way. Don’t be fooled by other websites and only believe data from verified outlets. For reliable information, you can visit the  Public Health Emergency, Centers for Disease Control, and The New York Times.

Now, more than ever, is not the time to spread malicious websites. The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center warns the netizens about a malicious website that’s not only fake, but it is also a malware. Worse, most users are unsuspecting of this because they just want to learn and get updates about COVID-19.

Undeniably, cybercriminals are using this global pandemic for their personal gains. Now is the time to be alert of the coronavirus spread, but also of the people taking advantage of new disease. The threat online is also as important the threat we experience in the real world. So, let’s dissect the phishing websites spreading online? What are the tactics they use to scam people?

A Fake COVID-19 Tracker

In any disaster, often times, people rely on the internet to get the new information. That’s why cybercriminals aim to replicate real and actual sites, making them seem harmless. What do they do exactly? They come up with a fake live tracker.

corona-virus-map[dot]com, a phishing website, seems to be the real deal when you look at it. Please don’t even try visiting the said site! I am not linking it here; this is just to make people aware that such fake tracking map exists. COVID-19 is already a serious threat as it is, and now, this fake website is only making thing worse. The phishing website is said to impersonate an actual health organization called John’s Hopkins University. Upon visiting the said site, the website visitors will infect with a trojan, and this AZORult trojan will steal information from the unsuspecting visitors. The information gathered can be used for cybercrimes and even theft.

More Coronavirus Domains

According to the security firm CheckPoint.com,

Since January 2020, based on Check Point Threat Intelligence, there have been over 4,000 coronavirus-related domains registered globally. Out of these websites, 3% were found to be malicious and an additional 5% are suspicious. Coronavirus- related domains are 50% more likely to be malicious than other domains registered at the same period.

COVID-19 Related Cybercrimes

More and more news articles pertaining to the coronavirus are being published each day. In fact, CheckPoint.com even reported that legitimate sites such as CNN and Financial Times have more than 1,200 articles and 1,100 articles about the coronavirus respectively.

Ever since the World Health Organiztion categorized COVID-19 a global pandemic, numerous COVID-19 themed websites are popping up. Other malicious websites spread through different means like:

  • sending malicious links online,
  • attaching shady links on emails,
  • spreading through online ads, and other portals on social media.

So, everyone should be aware on how cybersecurity threats can spread. Don’t just be cautious over this new corona-virus-map[dot]com site, but also be careful on the links and emails you click when you browse for new information about the coronavirus. Read helpful on 4 Tips in Protecting Yourself from Coronavirus Phishing Sites

 

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