Computer Tip of the Day: Malicious Software

Computer Tip of the Day: Malicious Software

What in the world is a computer virus?

It almost sounds like technical jargon too hard to comprehend. The reality is that computer viruses are only a fraction of what computer users should be concerned about. Viruses fall under the umbrella of a much broader term called malicious software, which is any and all software installed on a computer that does something against the law or against the will of the computer user and usually goes unnoticed.

Unfortunately, many times the software will go unnoticed until it’s too late and something bad has happened as a result of the infected computer. In summary, there’s more to be concerned about than just computer viruses. Before discussing the broader term of malicious software, the definition of a virus will be briefly discussed.

When someone’s computer breaks down or is acting in an odd way, many times, the first thought is something along the lines of, “I’ve got a virus!” However, a malfunctioning computer doesn’t always flag the presence of a virus, and many people can confuse the effects of viruses with a malfunctioning computer. Viruses are actually computer programs written to take advantage of flaws or security “holes” in a computer operating system such as Microsoft Windows or OS X (Macintosh). A software program, commonly called an “app” nowadays, can also contain flaws or security holes in the code that makes up the program.

By far, the most common way a computer is infected with a virus is by a computer user finding and installing a program from the internet that is free and “looks good,” usually hosted on a website that looks friendly.

When the program is installed by the user, the tainted program will install a virus simultaneously, unnoticed by the user. However, as said, there is more than just viruses to be concerned about. Other entities that fall under the umbrella of malicious software are rootkits, worms, and spyware. A rootkit can be installed much the same way as a virus can be, but rootkits are more difficult to detect and sometimes go unnoticed by antivirus software and can require an expert to be rid of. A rootkit will enable a remote hacker to more or less take over and administer a computer.

A computer can obtain a worm by running without firewall protection which protects from other computers on a network; a worm is a self-propagating virus that spreads automatically from computer to computer. Spyware is similar to viruses, but the goal of the spyware programmer is to spy on computer users. The result of infection by any of the said entities is usually a broken down computer or identity theft.

The first line of defense in protecting against malicious software is to use great care and careful judgment when deciding which websites to download and install software from. The next line of defense is typically an antivirus suite installed on the computer. Consulting specialists and obtaining appropriate education can aid as first lines of defense, especially when choosing an antivirus suite to be installed on a computer.

Please contact us for a consultation.

Avoiding The Virtual Attacks

Avoiding The Virtual Attacks

Major businesses and enterprises are not the only ones who face the threats and risks of breaches and cyber attacks. There is a misconception that hackers and cyber attackers are only interested in obtaining information from large businesses in order to gain more money or to capture more confidential and sensitive data. Actually, small businesses are more at risk of security breaches than larger businesses.

Hacking and cyber attacking do not cost a substantial amount of money, so attacking a business will result in a profit, regardless of the size of a business. Hackers and cyber attackers will generally go after the type of systems they are familiar with, so most of the time it is all about undermining a specific technology rather than going after a specific type of business or individual.

As hackers become more sneaky and smarter, the rate of cyber attacks and data breaches will increase. As a small business owner, it is important that you arm yourself with the proper cyber security strategies. You should also make sure you have the right principles and fundamentals in place. What can you do to keep your small business safe from cyber attacks?

Secure Your Network

It is important that your small business monitor the flow of network traffic for any abnormalities like file transfers that have not been authorized or dubious IP addresses. Once the abnormalities have been identified, they can be placed on a block list that will no longer allow them to gain access to the network.

Are You Outsourcing Your Services?

Many companies have discovered that one of the best ways to ensure the safety and security of their business and information technology infrastructure is to outsource some or all of their security operations. Many businesses will find value in the assistance of third-party security expertise to supplement their current security strategies and operations. While using outside security technologies can be essential in helping to secure your sensitive data, it is also important that you combine the technologies with a security monitoring service.

Data Backup

When a hacker places a virus on your computer in order to encrypt files and hold them hostage for money is known as ransomware. Ransomware is one of the major concerns of all businesses and it continues to be a major security threat. This is why it is essentially important that your business backs up your data frequently. It does not matter if you store data on-premise or in the cloud, you will need to keep your data in a safe place. When you store your data in the cloud, you will be able to easily back up your data and maintain security protection.

As a small business, we do not want you to become a target of threats and data breaches. Contact us today if you are ready to protect yourself from virtual attacks.

Everyday Cyber Security Tips For Businesses

Everyday Cyber Security Tips For Businesses

Businesses of all sizes are facing cyber security threats on a continuous basis. Since these threats are evolving each day, it is prudent to consider daily tips that can help you protect your business from such malware. That will not only promote continuity but also protect your valuable investment in the infrastructure you have in place.

Here are some tips you can adopt everyday to make this a possibility.

Educating and Enforcing Accountability Regarding Cyber Threats

Learning does not stop, and as an employer, you should make it your aim to train staff on dangers of exposing details about the company to the public on social sites. Online hackers can use such information to break into the firm’s network system, which is often detrimental to the smooth running of daily operations.

Therefore, it is important to caution employees on the risks of getting into such engagements. Also, commit to guiding them on the responsible use of social platforms each day. Once you do so, you can hold each accountable for their online actions.

Have A Mobile Device Action Plan

Nowadays, the majority of individuals can access their company’s data on mobile devices as employers seek to increase their productivity. In addition to the benefits of such an approach, the danger of losing such devices and finding their way in the hands of criminals still lurks around. To protect against threats of this kind, make use of passwords to gain access a requirement for every employee.

Additionally, encryption of this data is a necessity and installation of security apps will protect against those who hack systems when the phone is on public networks. Daily monitoring of these devices is critical too.

Consider Anti-spyware Installations

Anti-spyware and antivirus software is available from various vendors who provide regular updates for the same as well. As such, you need to install the software for every computer in your establishment and configure it to update automatically.

That will ensure regular update of systems, which is an essential daily procedure. If you need more information on cyber security tips, contact us today.

4 Cyber Security Tips for Employees Who Work Remotely

4 Cyber Security Tips for Employees Who Work Remotely

Thanks to the internet, many businesses now allow employees to work remotely part of the time or even most of the time. However, this presents a whole slew of security concerns. Here are some cyber security tips for employees who work remotely.

Be Wary of Anything Public

Public WiFi certainly makes staying connected easier, but consider having a policy that employees are not allowed to use public wifi when doing work stuff. This is the best way to prevent passwords from getting stolen or devices from becoming compromised on unsafe WiFi networks. At the very least, have some rules in place about which networks are acceptable and what kind of activity can be done when connected to them. Employees can also use their mobile phones as a hot spot if they need to stay connected. In addition, make sure your employees avoid using public computers whenever possible. The same goes for working in a public area where everyone can watch what you are doing.

Be Wary of BYOD

If you have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, you can’t really control what employees do on their laptops or phones. One compromised device can endanger the entire network. Consider issuing laptops and tablets specifically for work and prohibiting other devices from using your WiFi. Each work-issued device should only be able to access the data that that specific employee needs. This way, you will mitigate the risks of data becoming compromised.

Encrypt Your Email

Email is one of the most common ways hackers get access to a network. Use tools or a service to encrypt your work-related emails.

Train Your Employees

Train your employees regularly on good cyber security practices. Chances are that many are simply ignorant about what to do and what to avoid. A monthly training session can go a long way.

For more cyber security tips, contact us today.

Ransomware: Tips to Keep Your Computer Safe

Ransomware: Tips to Keep Your Computer Safe

Stories of ransomware and other forms of malicious software attacking businesses have been on the rise in recent years.

This makes it more important than ever that you take certain precautions in order to ensure that your data is secure. To help get you started, here are a few tips on steps you can take to protect your business’s digital security.

Perform Automatic Backups

Backing up your company’s data is one of the most important things you can do. Regular backups ensure that you are protected in the event that your computer crashes, or in the event that you fall prey to a ransomware attack, as this will allow you to reset your system.

You can either perform weekly backups manually, or you can use a program that will perform regular backups for you on a regular basis to an external hard drive or a cloud-based storage service.

Don’t Open Suspicious Emails

In order to protect yourself from falling subject to a ransomware attack, you should be careful not to open emails from suspicious senders, as these emails may include malicious software disguised as an important link or attachment.

However, it is often difficult to differentiate malicious emails from genuine emails sent from an unknown sender. It is then important that you use a quality spam filter that will help to prevent malicious content from ending up in your inbox.

Perform Updates When Prompted

Sometimes it can seem easier to ignore those reminders you receive regarding system updates rather than take the time out of your day to allow your computer to update these programs. However, it is critical that you make time to perform updates to your operating system and programs on your computers, as these updates often contain important security patches.

Without these updates, your computer may be more vulnerable to hackers, leaving your data at risk. It is then best to allow your computer to perform these updates as soon as possible after you receive a reminder to do so.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to protect your business from malicious software.

Contact us for more advice, and look out for our next computer tip of the day.