Granted, it?s highly unlikely that a child will visit your front door this Halloween dressed as a hacker. Nevertheless, the digital doors of your business, i.e., your website and network, are very likely to be visited on Halloween–and every day following. While many of these threats aren?t all that scary and are easily thwarted by security tools like a managed firewall and spam-blocking solution, a threat that?s specifically targeting a user has a greater chance of getting through. If such a hacker successfully breaches your security system, that?s when the nightmare of cyber extortion begins. Cyber extortion comes in many different forms, and it can be very effective when executed properly. The hackers behind cyber extortion prefer using fear to incite unreasonable action from their victims, even if it means using frightful tactics like blackmail and deception. Many of these methods work similarly to ransomware. Most ransomware will encrypt the files stored on a victim?s computer, and they will only provide a decryption key if the victim pays a fee. The idea here is to use fear to get users to hand over money (often in the form of untraceable cryptocurrency) in exchange for their precious files. This can be particularly devastating for businesses, as it means they could potentially lose access to all of their mission-critical data. In the majority of ransomware cases, unless an organization has their data backed up, they?re out of luck and won?t be able to retrieve their data without paying the fine. Now that?s scary! In an even scarier twist on an already sick scam, there are hackers who will steal information from businesses or individuals, and then offer an ultimatum; either pay up, or the sensitive data gets leaked to the Internet. This may be a worse fate because it allows other, more dangerous hackers to access the data and use it for nefarious purposes. This variety of hackers tend to ask somewhere between $250 to $1,200 for the safe return of the victim’s data. IC3, the FBI?s Internet Crime Complaint Center, received a significant number of reports indicating that users who had data stolen through high-profile data breaches received extortion emails demanding that they pay a fee, or suffer the consequences. This data could be anything from personally identifiable information, like Social Security numbers, to financial information, like credit card numbers. In some cases, hackers would claim to have information that could cause catastrophic damage to victims? personal lives, like personal photos and correspondences. Although, we should point out that there?s virtually no way of guaranteeing that these hackers actually have the files they claim to have. They could just be blowing hot air and fishing for a response, hoping that you?ll be gullible enough to give in to their outlandish requests. However, for this same reason, it?s important that you don?t immediately pay the ransom. What guarantee do you have that they?ll give you the decryption key? The answer: none. Basically, you should never, under any circumstances, give in to fear and pay the ransom offered by the hackers. Doing so doesn?t necessarily save your information (if they even have it) from being posted on the Internet. All it does is give in to the hacker?s demands by providing them with exactly what they want. Why should you give them this […]

Security is one of the most important parts of running a business, especially today when organizations rely so heavily on their technology solutions. Some of the most dangerous threats lurk on a business?s network, watching and waiting for an opportunity to do some real damage. With the right preventative measures, your business can catch these threats in the act before they can accomplish their goals. Defining MalwareMalware, or ?malicious software,? is a blanket term for malicious code that?s designed to cause trouble for the machine that it infects. Malware can inject code into applications or execute viruses and trojans. One of the most common types of malware is called ransomware (perhaps you?ve heard of it), in which the files on a system are encrypted until a ransom is paid to the developer. Malware can have far-reaching and varied effects, so it?s best to keep such unpredictable threats off of your network in the first place. Defining RootkitsJust like malware, a rootkit is designed to install on a system. Unlike some types of malware, however, rootkits are designed to allow a hacker to gain control of the system while remaining undetected themselves. In particular, rootkits are dangerous due to their ability to subvert the software that?s supposed to find them, making it optimal to prevent rootkits from accessing your system in the first place. Defining TrojansIn computing, a trojan is a malicious entity that allows a hacker access to a system through misleading the user. While the purpose can vary from data destruction to theft, trojans are often used to install backdoors and allow access to a system at a later date for the purpose of surveillance or espionage. Preventative Security MeasuresJust like how there are various types of threats, there are plenty of ways to keep your organization?s network safe from them. Here are just a few. Firewall: Firewalls act as a bouncer for your network, keeping threats from entering or leaving your infrastructure. They work best when combined with other preventative measures, like antivirus, content filters, and spam blockers. Antivirus: Antivirus solutions detect and eliminate threats that have made it past your firewall solution. Prompt detection is important, as viruses or malware that are left unchecked could cause untold troubles for your infrastructure. Spam blocker: Threats often arrive in your email inbox as spam, and the unknowing employee could accidentally click a malicious link or reveal important credentials. A spam blocker eliminates the majority of spam so that it never even hits your inbox. Content filter: A content filter is helpful for keeping your employees from accessing sites known to host malware, as well as inappropriate or time-wasting sites, like social media. All of the above solutions can be found in what?s called a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution, which is widely considered to be one of the most comprehensive and useful preventative measures to improve network security. To learn more about UTMs and other topics concerning network security, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.

This standing/anti-aging study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. It links aging with the chromosome ?telomeres? that protects one?s genetic code. This chromosome shortens when a person sits, and lengthens when a person stands. Longer telomeres are better at protecting genetic code by keeping it from wearing and tearing, whereas shorter telomere have been linked to premature aging. The study even makes the claim that standing is better than exercise, seeing that exercise doesn?t have any impact on telomere length. In fact, a top medic from the study claims that, ?Standing up for three hours a day is the same as ten marathons.? Scientific research like this is groundbreaking for anybody trying to live longer by dieting and exercising. To further make our case against sitting at a desk all day, consider these statistics from the Harvard Business Review: As we work, we sit more than we do anything else. The average person sits for 9.3 hours a day, compared to 7.7 hours of sleeping. After one hour of sitting, the production of enzymes that burn fat declines by as much as 90 percent. Extended sitting slows the body?s metabolism affecting things like HDL levels in our bodies (good cholesterol). Research shows that this lack of physical activity is directly tied to 6 percent of the impact for heart diseases, 7 percent for type 2 diabetes, and 10 percent for breast cancer or colon cancer. In the biggest blow to the practice of sitting at a desk, further research shows that if you sit for more than 23 hours a week, you are 64 percent more likely to die from a heart attack. What?s a health-conscious office worker to do? If you?re able to switch to a standing desk, then this simple move may literally add years to your life. Another helpful activity you can do to somewhat offset the negative health effects of sitting is to incorporate regular stretching exercises into your daily routine. To help you out, here are three easy exercises that virtually anybody can do. Get Down and StretchGet down on all fours and slowly rock back and forth. When rocking back, your hips should move down towards your feet, and make sure to extend your back across the lower portion of your spine. Also, make sure to relax the stretch when returning to the forward position. If you?d like to make the stretch more impactful, nod your head as you rock, bringing your chin to and from your chest. Roll Around on the GroundStart by lying on your stomach and then lift your arms above your head. Next, lift your arms and use their weight to roll over a few times on each side. Make sure you?re using the weight of your arm to roll, instead of using the ground to push yourself over. The Benefits of CrawlingIt?s surprising that something so basic as crawling can double as such a good exercise. When crawling on all fours for exercise purposes, be sure to move your hips as much as possible. At the same time, stretch your neck by turning your head from side to side while moving backward. Between standing and stretching, you may be able to offset the damage done from years of sitting. What about you? Would you identify as […]

Here are three ways that the cloud can help your business. Anywhere Access to Applications and DataIf your organization is new to cloud computing, one of the better ways you can capitalize on its value is by using virtual applications that are hosted on and provided by an online environment. In fact, your business might already be using cloud-based applications, like Microsoft Office 365 or the newly-renamed Google Apps, the ?G Suite.? These solutions offer data storage and cloud solutions that can help your employees work effectively from anywhere with an Internet connection. This helps them get more work done, and in turn, helps your business improve efficiency. Additionally, it can be beneficial to host other applications and services in the cloud. For example, a cloud-based VoIP solution gives your team access to an online phone system that can be accessed via a desktop or mobile app, providing greater communication to your employees. Improved BudgetSince the cloud uses virtualized machines to distribute your data, like servers and your desktop infrastructure, you can significantly cut costs by reducing the amount of hardware that you host on-site. You can manage workloads and operations all through the cloud, which helps you to optimize network operations and reduce inefficiencies. Plus, since you?re using minimal actual hardware, you save on utility bills like electricity and air conditioning, and you don?t have to maintain multiple hardware systems like you would with a whole room filled with servers. Simplified Network with Room for FlexibilityWhen your network is simple, it means that you?re hosting it on the minimum amount of hardware possible. Calling it ?simple? may not be the best way to describe it; rather, it?s using only the required hardware on-site, with the rest of it being hosted in the cloud. All of your organization?s critical solutions can be accessed and called upon from the cloud. For example, a desktop infrastructure hosted in the cloud allows you to take advantage of thin clients, which are essentially less resource-intensive workstations that call applications and desktop functionality from a centralized server. When implemented properly, thin clients can effectively reduce costs and improve efficiency. Plus, cloud-hosting allows you the flexibility to adapt resources adequately as your business grows. To learn more about the cloud or to ask about what the cloud can do for your business, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.