We?re talking, of course, about a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. It?s a well-known and exceptionally helpful security tool that manages to take care of most threats that can access a network. However, unlike some other security solutions, the UTM not only focuses on eliminating current threats to your infrastructure, but also preventative measures designed to keep your system safe and secure. We?ll discuss the components of a quality UTM, so that you can know what to look for when shopping around for a security solution. FirewallA firewall is a basic security measure that anyone who uses a computer should be familiar with. You can think of a firewall as a virtual bouncer that keeps the bad data from entering your organization?s network, while still allowing good data through. A firewall, however, needs to constantly be updated with threat definitions in order to remain effective, and some seemingly-benign data might still get through. AntivirusAn antivirus solution works well alongside a firewall; it can detect and destroy potential threats before they can do harm to the infected system. Alongside a firewall, antivirus software is a critical component of any computing infrastructure–particularly in the business sector. Spam BlockingSpam is one of the preferred modes of transportation that hackers use for their malware, and there?s a very good reason for that. It?s because spam allows users to ?go incognito,? so to speak, and mask their identity through the use of email spoofing and other methods. Hackers commonly use what are called phishing attacks to trick users into downloading malicious files or accessing suspicious websites. A spam blocker can keep the majority of spam out of your inbox, eliminating this threat. Plus, spam is just annoying in general, even if it?s not malicious. Content FilteringNot all web content is safe to browse, and even a good employee could accidentally visit an unsafe website that contains malicious code. In instances like this, a content filter keeps your infrastructure safe. Also of note is that content filtering can restrict access to specific sites on a per user basis–perfect for the problem employee who can?t seem to stay off of social media. To learn more about UTM solutions and other security measures, be sure to reach out to us at (603) 889-0800. Our professional technicians can work with your business to assemble the ultimate security package.

Step One: Check YourselfBefore you get started, make sure that your router is located far away from other electronic devices. This is because devices can often hamper your router?s ability to broadcast a signal. When there are devices or other obstacles between your own device and the router, like walls or floors, the signal is further weakened. Therefore, a simple fix is to elevate the router, especially if its signal needs to reach a higher floor. This cuts down on the distance between point A and point B, allowing for both a stronger signal and a more efficient router location in general. Hopefully, this resolves the problem, as there will be fewer places where the connection can get caught up. Step Two: Antenna AdjustmentsIf your router or device has an external antenna, you can try to adjust it to find the ideal Internet connection. It?s hard to suggest an optimal antenna orientation, but chances are that you?ll be able to figure it out pretty quickly with a little trial and error. If you still can?t get out of the dead zone, you can replace the antenna entirely. You may even have to resort to a standalone antenna/extension cord combo. The idea is to extend your device?s reach to a place far beyond the dead zone. With any luck, you should be able to pick up the signal that you need, even if you technically shouldn?t be able to. If the equipment you?re using just doesn?t have an antenna, you can use USB adapters for a similar effect. Yet, if these adjustments still aren?t helping your technology connect, it might be time to buckle down and go all-in on a Wi-Fi extender. Instead of figuring out the optimal position for a router, a Wi-Fi extender takes your signal and extends it even further, effectively repeating the signal so that any devices within range of the extender can connect to the Wi-Fi. It?s great for getting around an immovable object like a wall. Step Three: Upgrades and UpdatesThe final step is to make sure that your router and any adapters are all up-to-date themselves. While you may not notice significant problems at first, there is the possibility for significant trouble down the road. Like all office solutions, it?s important that you keep your connectivity technology updated with the latest patches, firmware updates, and drivers. Doing so can help you considerably extend the lifespan of your technology. With these best practices, you should have no trouble with your Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting. If you still have difficulty, however, let White Mountain IT Services give you a hand. To learn more about the services we offer, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

Here are three ways you and your employees can save time and resources by wasting less time on your emails. Make Time to Read Your InboxWhile it might be exactly what you dread, there?s no other way to clean up your inbox. You need to go through it and read the messages that you?ve received, important or not. Many business executives receive so many messages a day that the sheer thought of keeping up with them sounds impossible. This is why you have to make time to go through your inbox. Remember, nobody can do it other than you. A good strategy is to check it in the morning, in the afternoon around lunch time, and at the end of the day. Eventually, you?ll start to chip away at your inbox to the point where the emails you receive are much more manageable. Unsubscribe from Email ListingsAnother great way to clean your inbox is to cut down on the amount of new messages you receive in the first place. In your Internet misadventures you may have subscribed to online news sources or e-newsletters that send promotional messages to your inbox. You can unsubscribe from these services by looking for the unsubscribe link in the message. This should direct you to the website?s account settings, where you can unsubscribe yourself from receiving any more messages. Just be sure that the link is legitimate and not a cleverly disguised phishing scam. Implement a Spam Blocking SolutionSpam is a major problem for all businesses, but even more than that it?s a security problem. Hackers tend to send malware in unsolicited email messages. If your users don?t know any better, they could accidentally expose your network to potential threats. With a spam blocking solution, you can keep your inbox safe and secure from dangerous or time-wasting spam messages. The ideal solution is capable of keeping these messages out of your inbox in the first place, eliminating the need to comb through them. If your business is sick of dealing with spam and the necessity of cleaning up inboxes, White Mountain IT Services can help. Through proactive technology solutions, we can vastly improve the way that your organization functions. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

Before we dive in too deep, we want to make the statement that we don?t sympathize with hackers in any way, shape, or form. However, it is fascinating to investigate the inner machinations of a hacker?s mindset, and doing so can help your business better protect itself from future hacking attacks. Ransomware is a major threat to hospitals due to its ability to cripple systems and lock down important–potentially life-saving–files. While the number of attacks on hospitals is still relatively low, it?s feared that the successes of others will draw more attention to just how lucrative the practice can be. When lives hang in the balance, hospitals are more likely to pay the ransom, though there are always exceptions. For example, some hospitals are prepared for ransomware and they have ways to decrypt their files, or to restore a backed-up copy of their data. Surprisingly enough, there are hackers who think that hospital hacks are completely inappropriate. ZDNet reports that there?s a certain code of ethics used by hackers in the Russian underground, and it makes sure to label hospitals as off-limits. This verdict extends beyond borders, even into countries that are known to be hacked by Russian cyber criminals. ZDNet cites a forum where hackers discussed the ethics of hacking at length: ?Yes, this is pretty sad and a new low. These ransom attacks are bad enough, but if someone were to die or be injured because of this it is just plain wrong.? Keep in mind that these words came from a hacker. Yes, there are those that do have some semblance of moral standards. Of course, you can?t rely on hackers to display the same ethical standards as others. While some might hesitate to hack specific targets, there are others that will brutally assault your infrastructure, regardless of what it holds. Unfortunately, you have other matters to handle, like running your business, making network security a secondary priority. Wouldn?t it be nice if you could outsource this responsibility to professional technicians trained specifically on the security of your IT infrastructure? To protect your systems from hacking attacks, your best chance is to reach out to White Mountain IT Services. We can arm your systems with enterprise-level network security solutions designed to prevent and detect attacks before they cause significant damage. In particular, we can take preventative measures against ransomware. Since it often comes attached to spam, we can prevent these messages from hitting your inbox in the first place. To learn more, call us at (603) 889-0800.

Targeting the hard drive?s actuator, DiskFiltration malware can decipher the sounds that the actuator makes as it writes data to the drive?s platters, assuming the malware is paired with the correct device. Fortunately, this method does not look to be a promising option for hackers to make use of. For one, the hack will only work if the recording device is within six feet of a system for an extended period of time, as the data rate caps out at 180 bits each minute. Furthermore, this method of hacking is only effective against hard disk drives, as solid state drives make no sounds for DiskFiltration to filter through. Therefore, to avoid falling victim to DiskFiltration, there are some relatively simple precautions to take. Encourage employees to keep an inventory of their desktops. Since the physical component of DiskFiltration requires a very close range, chances are it can be avoided if a worker just keeps track of the things on their desk, keeping unfamiliar devices away from your system. Make sure your employees remain vigilant of threats, both online and in person. Consider upgrading to SSD. Without the physical noise of a mechanical hard drive, DiskFiltration is rendered useless. Plus, your systems will receive a boost in stability in general from the moving-part-free hardware. If you upgrade to an SSD, you are that much better defended against a new variety of threat, as well as given the opportunity to prepare for similar threats before they advance. To learn more about how to protect your business from the latest hacks, subscribe to White Mountain IT Services?s blog.