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Tag: security

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...

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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...

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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...

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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. ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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DevSecOps: Why It’s Important and How To Achieve It

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What Is DevSecOps? In essence, DevSecOps is a refinement of the original DevOps concept that puts more emphasis on the importance of application security. Many cybersecurity incidents are the result of security flaws in an application’s code. There is a strong argument that the DevOps movement’s focus on faster software deployment acts as a barrier to developing secure software. Software security teams are tasked with ensuring that vulnerable code is not released into production. Traditionally, security teams implement rigorous testing to verify the integrity and security...

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4 Reasons Your Small Business Needs Security Automation Services

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1. REDUCE EMPLOYEE MISTAKES One of the many advantages of security automation is that it greatly reduces the number of mistakes in the workplace due to human error. Employees are much more likely to become careless and make mistakes if they are continually performing mundane tasks each day. However, security automation is perfect for handling many of these duties, such as automatically downloading the latest security updates or uploading daily data backups to the cloud. Time saved by automation = more time to focus on the tasks at hand. And we call that a productivity win. 2....

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