Category: CYBERSECURITY

The Top 8 Phishing Scam Tactics and How to Spot Them

Posted on by Keenan Budd

Since the late 1990s, phishing has been a popular hacking technique. You’d think everyone would know how it operates and how to prevent becoming a victim. That is regrettably not the case for these Phishing Scam Tactics. The number of casualties has increased. Over 300,000 people were hacked in the US alone in 2022, resulting in damages of more than $52 million!

Phishing scams have changed with time, which is the issue. Hackers are becoming better at duping unwary victims, but they also have easy access to contemporary technology, which helps them advance their phishing techniques.

The Top 8 Phishing Scam Tactics

At all levels of your organization, you must raise awareness of these frauds to secure your data and your business. Following that, here are the top 8 warning signs of phishing scam tactics and what you can do if you see them.

Fake Emails

Many people open an email when they receive it from a reliable source. Hackers are aware of this and use it for their phishing scam tactics. Even though the email address is completely different, they use a trusted sender’s name to make it appear the email originated from a reliable source. Verify that the sender and the address are the same before opening an email.

Feeling of Urgency

You might become alarmed if you get a message threatening to delete your account or take legal action against you. You might hastily click on the links in the email because of your stress. You would, of course…Avoid getting sued or in trouble with the law! When you get such emails, be cool. Before acting, make sure the information is accurate.

Malicious Links as a Phishing Scam Tactics

Despite being one of the oldest phishing techniques, malicious links are still powerful. These connections may pique someone’s curiosity naturally, while other times they offer a reward. The hackers win when fake emails persuade the unknowing victim to click the link or open the attachment. Once more, double-checking before clicking is a good idea.

Asking for Passwords

Have you ever received a request for your password or other private account information in an email from your bank or credit card provider? Never! Legitimate businesses do not request this kind of information from customers. If you ever receive such a request, block it and disregard it for this is a few example of phishing scam tactics. It’s almost certain that they are hackers attempting to access your account.

Incorrect Spelling and Bad Grammar

Even though many hackers these days have improved their language, misspelled words, and typos can still identify many phishing emails. These emails may make you grimace, but they can seriously harm your company. As a result, you shouldn’t even try to respond or correct your grammar.

Individualized Content

If they address you by your name and title, it sounds like a legitimate email, right? Hackers are highly inventive. That sort of widely available information is easily accessible to them. If you support their efforts, they will access much more. Therefore, be sure to confirm the message’s origins before taking any action.

Phony URLs are used in Phishing Scam Tactics

Another phishing scam technique that has a very high success rate is the use of bogus website URLs. Hackers will invite you to check in after sending emails that appear to be from a reputable source, such as a service provider, and include a link to what seems to be the provider’s actual website. Of course, you submit your login information, thinking you are at a legitimate website, and inadvertently give them full access to your account.

Unwanted Emails

Be immediately suspicious if you receive an email out of the blue that causes you concern since it’s probably a scam. Avoid doing anything they urge you to. Never even respond. Check the email’s source to see whether it is authentic.

Final Reflections

Encourage any employees who experience phishing scam tactics to come forward so that others can be extra cautious. It may not be too late if someone suspects someone has hacked them. There are steps you can take to lessen the harm. Our “The Top 10 Steps to Take If You Think You Have Been Hacked” infographic lists the procedures. By clicking here, you can get it immediately.

Call us to learn more about enhancing your company’s cybersecurity and safeguarding it from phishing schemes. We’ll be pleased to schedule a free consultation for you!

Is Your Company Prepared for a Security Incident?

Posted on by Keenan Budd

Every 14 seconds, a new incident related to cybersecurity occurs. The widespread belief that only large corporations are the targets of hacking attacks couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone, from large global organizations to small local businesses, might now be a potential target. Because there is no obvious pattern to the attacks, it is difficult to determine who the next victim will be. Every firm needs to have a Plan B in place in case there is a breach in their network security, and they must cope with the aftermath of a security incident.

 

The Importance of Having a Response Plan in Case of a Security Incident

When confronted with an online threat, having a prepared reaction in the event of a security issue will save you valuable time. The framework for the plan is already in place. You only need to put the plans into action, and there won’t be any need for guesswork or pointless delays that could cost you a lot of money.

Besides preventing more data loss or system damage, minimizing downtime, reducing financial losses, and helping to preserve your reputation among customers and clients, an incident response plan, also known as a data breach response plan, is one name for this type of strategy. Naturally, it also assists your company in regaining its footing as quickly as possible.

 

The Process of Developing an Emergency Action Plan

Developing a security incident response plan is time-consuming and must be in place before any potential security breach. It is not something that you can delay until the very last minute, even when there is an immediate threat. Therefore, we will outline the primary actions that need to be carried out.

 

1. Put together a team to deal with the security incident.

Choose knowledgeable people who can start acting immediately in the event of an emergency. Check to see that everyone is aware of the responsibilities they have. When required, seek support from outside sources.

 

2. Always make a copy of your data. 

Data is often the target of breaches since the goal is typically to either steal the data, destroy it, or gain unauthorized access for harmful reasons. If something untoward occurs with your data, you should always have a safe backup to fall back on.

 

3. Keep a close eye on your system.

With vigilant monitoring, it will notify you of online hazards before they become more severe. Systems that manage security information and events, known as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), as well as big data analytics, can provide timely detection to protect your system and limit damage.

 

4. Make plans for unforeseen circumstances.

When a security incident happens, these are the steps and procedures that need to be carried out. These would make up a significant portion of the incident response plan that your company has in place. In this section, you are required to provide all the procedures necessary to turn off the system, contain the damage, evaluate it, and alert customers of the situation.

 

5. Engage in some mock-up exercises.

The act of putting one’s plans and strategies into action differs significantly from simply preparing a response. You are required to not only train your staff on what to do in the event of a security breach but also to do regular simulations of such scenarios. This will hone their replies and teach them to approach the problem with composure, which will be beneficial when dealing with it.

 

6. Perform checks and updates regularly.

The dangers posed by cybersecurity are evolving. A foolproof method right now may be useless in a few short months. To maintain the usefulness and applicability of your security incident response plan, it is important to check it regularly and change variable parts such as contact details, processes, and technology as required.

 

Strengthen Your Defenses in the Face of Security Incident

It is critical to be ready to respond in any situation. This step is the tip of the iceberg for your cybersecurity plan. There are many additional ways to strengthen the defenses of your firm, such as by providing regular training to your personnel and raising their awareness about the significance of cybersecurity. You can also impose a stringent Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, tighten the perimeter of your IT infrastructure, and restrict access to sensitive data.

Using privately held technology for professional purposes has given rise to several current security incident concerns. Implementing a detailed Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that includes specific rules, restrictions, and consequences is one way to reduce the possibility of incidents like this. You do not know how to start from scratch when making a policy. We have a BYOD policy template you can download for free and then modify as needed for the requirements of your business. Call us now if you need additional help!

The Seven Mobile Security Threats to Your BYOD Policy

Posted on by Keenan Budd

Bring Your Own Device, also known as BYOD, is an emerging trend in the workplace that encourages workers to use their own personal electronic devices, such as cellphones, laptops, tablets, and so on, for business purposes. This policy contrasts with the conventional practice of relying solely on the tools and resources provided by one’s employer for professional purposes which can also have Mobile Security Threats.

 

The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy offers several benefits, including increased flexibility in remote work, improved work-life balance, and lower overall costs associated with equipment. However, doing business in this manner presents a few issues, most notably about your security.

 

When employees use the same device for all their dealings, it could present various mobile security concerns that the organization must address in the BYOD policy. Those mobile security threats could compromise the company’s data. The following are seven of the most significant dangers, followed by the solutions we offer.

 

Mobile Security Threats – Theft of Electronics

If devices are lost or stolen, there is a possibility that individuals or organizations may get unauthorized access to sensitive information saved on the device. To prevent this, there needs to be a method that can wipe data entirely and remotely from the device in question.

 

Infection with Malware

Malware can cause a data breach, and a slew of other security issues, very quickly. You can avoid this for your organization if you equip all privately owned devices with dependable and up-to-date antivirus software to protect against the threat of malware infection.

 

Unsecured Wi-Fi Encryption is essential for ensuring the privacy and safety of one’s data, and as a result, most workplaces and private homes have implemented it. However, this is not the case with public hotspots. Use a virtual private network, or VPN, to protect your data if you need to connect to an untrusted network.

 

Mobile Security Threats – The Practice of Phishing

When compared to using a computer at work, people’s behavior on their personal mobile devices is noticeably more relaxed. Because of this, many people are vulnerable to falling prey to phishing scams. The staff would benefit from constant reminders to help establish a natural caution in them.

 

Outdated Technology

Some employees are not huge tech nerds and would not be in line the second the newest iPhone was available. Many people will continue using outdated technology even after it becomes technically impossible. That they are so economical is admirable, but using antiquated technology puts business and personal information at serious risk. In your bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy, you might stipulate that all devices that workers want to use for work must undergo regular and necessary upgrades.

 

Apps That Could Be Dangerous

Many users frequently install games and other applications that may not be secure on personal smartphones and laptops. These applications will ask for permissions, some of which could endanger the data on your device. Because of the potential for such dangers, the BYOD policy must forbid both the installation and usage of applications that are not confirmed safe.

 

Data That Is Not Encrypted

When sending electronic correspondence from a computer at work, it automatically encrypts the data to ensure it remains private. Your data is at risk of being compromised on public hotspots and some home networks because these may not have enough encryption protection. You can avoid a breach by requiring encryption on all corporate data before sending it out into the world.

 

Developing a Bring Your Own Device Policy for Mobile Security Threats

Creating a BYOD policy for the first time can be overwhelming. For example, the mobile dangers we have described above are just some of the potential concerns you would have to deal with, and we are sure that you would think of even more as you move along the process.

 

We highly recommend that you use the BYOD policy template that we have developed expressly for this aim. Using this template will ensure that you do not overlook any significant aspect of the policy. The document covers permitted devices, security specs, prohibitions, and punishments. This document is both exhaustive and succinct. Feel free to modify it as needed to meet your security goals. Call us now if you need additional help!

Why It’s Important to Have Cybersecurity Insurance

Posted on by Keenan Budd

The importance of cybersecurity insurance measures cannot be overstated. The transition of organizations into a digital environment coincides with an increase in the sophistication of online attacks. In the past, hackers would target large, high-revenue corporations because these businesses both had significant amounts of money and important information. However, over forty percent of recent cyberattacks were aimed at small enterprises. Even more concerning is that just 14% of these small enterprises are prepared to defend themselves against such an assault.

 

Purchase of Cybersecurity Insurance is an investment that is both prudent and essential

Businesses are already taking increasingly strict precautions to protect their operations from the dangers posed by Internet activities. Despite your best efforts, malicious software and ransomware could still infiltrate your system, and unauthorized access to your data could still occur. You must purchase a solid cybersecurity insurance policy for your company if you want to shield it from the myriad of consequences that can result from attacks like this.

 

Even though cybersecurity insurance cannot stop or reverse the effects of cybercrime, it can assist your company during the recovery process if an attack happens online.

 

Reduce the Risk of Monetary Losses with Cybersecurity Insurance

The costs associated with dealing with the fallout of a cyberattack might be significant. Your company could suffer a loss of millions of dollars because of the attack, depending on how severe it is. You will pay for services such as damage control, damage prevention, and legal representation. A comprehensive plan can cover these costs and a great deal more.

 

Cover Losses Incurred During Downtime

Again, the speed with which you can get your company back on its feet will be directly proportional to the severity of the crisis. You may get by until your company has fully recovered with the help of insurance while it is rebuilding or when operations are stopped.

 

Fill the Void in Your General Liability Insurance Coverage

When shopping for a plan for general liability insurance, many owners of businesses make the mistake of assuming that this protects them against cyberattacks. However, this is rarely the case. Even though standard plans might provide some coverage, that protection is rarely sufficient. A standalone cybersecurity insurance policy will provide you with the most comprehensive coverage available for your company.

 

Help with Recuperation

Today, many cybersecurity insurance policies offer more than just cash help. Many service providers offer a comprehensive recovery package that contains services such as legal representation, damage control for public relations, and computer forensics. You can get each of these services from a different supplier; however, why put yourself through the hassle when you can get them all from the same location?

 

Cost-Effective Solutions with a High Level of Protection 

Insurance companies will typically offer relatively affordable premiums to customers who have an effective cybersecurity strategy in place. The purpose of this is to encourage businesses to place a higher priority on cybersecurity and to develop improved methods. If you want to take advantage of our lower prices, it is in your best interest to increase the amount of protection you have as soon as possible.

 

Methods That Prove to Boost Online Safety and Security

As most of us know, there are many approaches to improving cybersecurity in the workplace. First, you need to provide frequent training for your staff members. This is because a lack of understanding is still the most common factor that allows hackers to penetrate computer systems. You should also install multi-factor authentication, safeguard your networks, and maintain continuous updates to any anti-malware technologies you use.

 

Policy for Users to Bring Their Own Devices

Bring-your-own-device policies, often known as BYOD policies, can boost the cybersecurity of your firm. Implement these policies in the workplace. For utilizing privately owned devices to access company data and other uses of the device while at work. This policy should clearly outline the duties of your firm and the individual as well.

 

You may use our BYOD Policy template, which you can get by clicking right here, to ensure that your company’s BYOD policy contains all the components. This can be done by ensuring that you use our template here. You are free to change it in any way you see fit to bring it into line with the activities and objectives of your organization.

 

A Few Parting Thoughts For Cybersecurity Insurance

A company must take all the steps to improve its cybersecurity. However, regardless of how formidable your defenses may be, you should never allow yourself to become complacent. The best thing you can do to safeguard your company is to be sure it has a cybersecurity insurance plan. Call us now if you have additional questions about Cybersecurity Insurance.

Ten Good Reasons Why Companies Need Password Management

Posted on by Keenan Budd

The protection of your company’s passwords is one of the most fundamental parts of such protection. Your company’s security relies on strong passwords and proper management. Because of this, it is recommended that users choose secure passwords that are unique to them and change their passwords regularly to reduce the likelihood of being hacked.

For managing passwords, relying entirely on human efforts has become laborious and dangerous because of the fast-growing number of passwords we generate and use. Managing passwords manually is becoming increasingly cumbersome. In today’s world, it is essential for companies to implement a reliable password management solution to guarantee the safety of their data. This was not always the case. Here are ten persuasive arguments in favor of getting a password manager for your company as soon as possible in case you don’t already have one.

Enhanced Protection of User Data 

Password Management provides you with a wide variety of capabilities, each of which might improve the safety of your company. It can produce passwords that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to crack. Store these credentials in safe locations within the cloud. They have support for multifactor authentication.

Compliance with Regulations 

Businesses must comply with legislation governing data security, regardless of their geographic location or the sector in which they operate. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, also known as PCI DSS, and the General Data Protection Regulation, often known as GDPR, are two examples of such regulations. We need password management cause it assures adherence to these rules and any other applicable regulations.

Fewer Passwords Mean Less Memorization

When employees must create hundreds of different passwords for several accounts, they will increase the stress they already feel. We need a password management tool so that we no longer have to remember all these passwords because the application can auto-fill them for you. This eliminates the need for you to remember all these passwords.

Password Management Enhanced Capacity for Work Productivity

Employees can focus on their job obligations when fewer tasks compete for their attention and there are fewer concerns, such as lost passwords. A more productive workforce will ultimately lead to improved corporate performance.

Sharing of Allowed Passwords Only

One of the reasons why we need a password management tool is because it enables many users to share passwords without compromising the account’s level of security. This is useful for accounts that are accessible by more than one person.

Protection for Telecommuting Employees

When logging into company accounts from a public or private network at home, there is cause for concern because most companies are now adopting a remote or hybrid work setup. Even if your employees work across the country, your network’s safety can be improved by using a password manager equipped with features like encryption.

Improved Capabilities for Digital Estate Planning

If the owner of a company passes away, the inheritors of the company can refer to the digital estate plan to figure out what should be done with the digital assets. However, because they do not know the passwords for the accounts, it is common for them to have a hard time even attempting to log into the accounts. However, if you currently use a password manager, you can incorporate this information into your digital estate plan. This will allow for a smooth and trouble-free handover of the business if the owner passes away.

Controlled From a Central Location

When a company grows, the administration of passwords might become difficult. Thanks to the centralized control that a password manager application offers, your IT department will have an easier time managing everything, from creating passwords to establishing individual access for staff.

Password Management Helps Monetary cost Reductions

It’s not the first thing that comes to mind, but using a password manager can save your company money. Using password managers can save time and prevent data breaches.

We Need Password Management for Continuity of Business Operations

Using a password manager ensures safe and continuous access to login credentials during crises. This helps ensure that the organization can continue operating normally during the recovery.

A Few Parting Thoughts Why You Need Password Management

If it does not convince you Download our Free Password Management Cheat-Sheet. You will learn more about password management and other cloud-based solutions that are useful for businesses.

Call us if you are ready to move forward or have any more inquiries; our staff is always happy to assist in any manner possible.

Why Is It So Difficult when Managing Passwords?

Posted on by Keenan Budd

Emailing, shopping, banking, and many other activities are among the many transactions completed online. However, before you can act, you need to go to the proper website and log in using your name and password. Only then will you be able to log in. It’s a relatively standard procedure, but with the ever-increasing number of online services that demand passwords, it can be a challenge when managing these passwords.

 

The Complicated Nature of Managing Passwords

It is common knowledge that passwords are required to guarantee that no one other than yourself will access your online accounts. However, sometimes they can become hard to manage, particularly when you already have so many that you need to remember, and I’m sure this is something we can all relate to, right? The following are some of the many reasons managing passwords is so difficult.

 

There are too many passwords for us to remember.

Because so many people are prone to forgetting their passwords, many write them down on paper or in a digital file when managing their passwords. Others have a lot of faith in their capacity to remember things, so they store their passwords in their heads. If you only use a password once in a great while, likely, you likely won’t remember it when the time comes to use it again. However, if you use it frequently, it will serve you well.

 

Alterations Made Constantly to Passwords

Altering your passwords regularly is a necessary step in maintaining the safety of your online accounts. With all the changes, it is easy to become confused if you forget that you have already changed the password and the one you recall was the previous one. This is especially true if you forget you have already changed the password.

 

The Need for Passwords That Are Both Unique and Complex

Many individuals are lazy and use the same password for all their online accounts since it is easier than trying to remember many complicated passwords. It is simply impossible to overstate the risks involved in this activity. When even one of your accounts is compromised, the hacker will have a field day since they will access all your other data and use it to their advantage. Therefore, you must require unique passwords for each of your accounts. This step is necessary for ensuring safety, but it makes password management more difficult.

 

How Applications for Managing Passwords Can Be of Assistance

There is something that you can do to improve the management of your passwords while also increasing the level of protection they provide. We accomplish it by making use of a trustworthy password management solution.

 

These days, when managing passwords, password managers are more accessible than ever before; selecting the right one requires careful consideration. Consider the level of protection they provide. Consider also how simple it is to use their products, and how well they meet your requirements. You may find a list of the five best password managers for businesses in our blog post from the previous week, which you can read here.

 

You can also use contemporary technologies, such as biometric login and multi-factor authentication. These technologies help improve data security while enhancing the user experience.

 

Login using biometric data

Using biometrics to log into an online account is a contemporary alternative to entering a password. This biometric data method eliminates the need for a password. It will confirm your identification using a physical characteristic particular to you alone. The most popular biometric identification is a fingerprint scan. There are some applications that use facial recognition, voice recognition, iris matching, and other forms of identification besides fingerprints.

 

Authentication based on multiple factors

This way of logging in requires additional confirmation besides the standard password before granting entry into an account. This significantly increases the level of protection when managing passwords.

 

Managing Passwords is becoming increasingly important in digital estate planning.

Biometric login and multifactor authentication are beneficial for increasing a company’s level of security. We must also take into consideration that placing complete dependence on these methods might create new challenges. An example would be gaining access to the company after the owner has passed away.

 

Let’s imagine that the person who inherits it ends up in possession of computers, gadgets, and other such things. If each account is set up for biometric login using the owner’s characteristics, gaining access to your business accounts may be a challenging endeavor. Considering this, despite the availability of these innovative solutions, it is still necessary to start managing passwords.

 

We cordially invite you to watch our Cloud Webinar on Digital Estate Planning and why Password Management is a must. Managing passwords is another way to increase the security of information related to your company.

Best Password Management for a Company

Posted on by CT Team

Businesses require the best password management to function correctly. Hackers will have an easier time breaking into your system if your passwords are easy to guess or if they are not in a secure location. This can cause problems for the firm, your clients, your consumers, and who knows what else. You don’t want something like that to take place!

You can find many trustworthy password management solutions suitable for businesses. Access some through your web browser, while others are applications. If you are looking for the most effective type of password management solution, select the ones hosted in the cloud.

The Benefits of Using a Password Manager Hosted in the Cloud

Compared to other types, cloud-based password managers offer more convenience and security. Cloud-based password managers offer more.

Many people are still reluctant to use cloud technology because they are concerned about their data’s security. They believe that since your cloud solutions are off-site rather than in your office, they are more prone to being attacked by malicious cyber actors. Your passwords will be secure if you store them on the cloud. And thanks to the highly advanced encryption methods used by most cloud providers, you’ll gain an extra layer of security.

A password management service that uses cloud technology will grant you greater access to your passwords, which improves your convenience. If there is an internet connection, it does not matter where in the globe you are or what kind of gadget you are using; you can access it from anywhere in the world. Besides that, using them is a breeze.

The Best Password Management Solutions Available to Businesses

As was just discussed, the current market offers a variety of programs that can work as company password managers. We would like to provide you with the most secure and dependable applications for your company. As a result, when we searched the internet for the five most effective options you can select, we restricted ourselves to cloud-based password managers alone.

LastPass is your Best Password Management

LastPass is an all-inclusive password management solution that offers a wide variety of features and services that will improve the safety of your company login information and its overall management. Password generation, auto-fill, and storage in the cloud are some features that are used by their customers the most frequently. For an additional layer of protection, they employ multi-factor authentication.

Dashlane 

Dashlane comes in at number two on our list. Besides the capabilities we’ve already discussed (password generation, auto-fill, and storage), it also monitors your activity on the dark web. If your login password becomes compromised, Dashlane will promptly notify you of the situation. It provides a safe Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that, no matter where you are in the world, enables you to connect to the internet quickly and securely.

1Password

1Password is an excellent solution to test if you are looking for a business password firm that will do much more than generate strong passwords for you and store them in a secure cloud location. If this sounds like what you are looking for, consider 1Password. They take password management to the next level by protecting your data with encryption of AES 256 bits, and their attentive monitoring will inform you as soon as they notice a breach or even the existence of a weak or duplicate password in your system. This is how they take password management to the next level.

Keeper

This is a password manager with several layers of protection, which is one of its most helpful features. Keeper uses end-to-end encryption to protect all your credentials, making it an excellent choice for commercial and personal use. They combine AES-256 encryption with PBKDF2 encryption, an innovative technique that is only used in networks with the highest level of security. This renders your data almost impossible for cybercriminals to access.

RoboForm

This shows you do not need to spend thousands of dollars on top-quality password security. RoboForm has one of the most inexpensive monthly membership costs available today, but it does not provide as many features as some of the other solutions that cost more money. They offer trustworthy password audits, auto-fill, and multi-factor authentication, all of which are keep your login credentials protected.

A Few Parting Thoughts For A Best Password Management

Password managers, as you can see, offer a variety of functions, so you need to investigate each one thoroughly to select the one that is most suitable for your company. Security, interoperability with your other business tools, convenience of use, and compliance with standards that relate to your industry, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), would be the most important aspects to take into consideration.

To further protect your data, Download our Free Password Management cheat sheet.  Also, watch our cloud webinar about password safety and management. Need help with passwords or security? We’re here for your company.

Why Businesses Need to Implement Password Management

Posted on by CT Team

In matters of internet security, the dangers increase in tandem with the progression of digital technology. Because malicious cyber activity is still widespread, it is more important than ever for organizations to put in place tried-and-true security protocols. There are many approaches to safety and security that a company might implement. Using first-rate password management solutions is one of the most straightforward methods and one of the most efficient.

What Does It Mean to Manage Passwords?

A company’s procedures for maintaining the confidentiality of its users’ passwords is referred to as “password management.” It encompasses everything related to passwords, from learning how to select a strong password and keeping it a secret to employing sophisticated software to store and routinely update a company’s whole database of passwords. It also includes knowing how to select a strong password.

Everyone knows how vital it is to select passwords that are challenging to crack and to take precautions to ensure that no one else is privy to one’s credentials. But that’s far simpler to say than it is to do. People have a terrible habit of forgetting their passwords. Because of this, it’s a good idea to store all your passwords in a secure location, whether it’s a digital file on your computer or a physical notebook with your passwords. However, the security of methods for storing passwords is questionable. Password managers can help in this situation.

Why Businesses Need Password Management Software

A password manager can benefit your company, especially if most of your operations and transactions happen online, as is typical today. Today, we conduct most business online. A web browser-based manager, a portable manager, a desktop-based manager, or a cloud-based manager are several kinds of managers used today. The second option is the one that is essential for commercial settings. Why so? Here are some excellent reasons.

You don’t have to remember every password that you have.

Almost everything we do online requires logging in as a precautionary measure. The typical person must keep track of at least a dozen separate passwords. Perhaps using the same password for all your accounts will make it easier for you to remember them, but doing so is not at all secure.

With password management, you won’t have to remember as many passwords because the software will remember them for you. This feature makes remembering passwords a lot easier. Because of this, you will have reduced mental congestion, which leads to increased work productivity. You only need to remember one password to use the password manager.

You can access your passwords regardless of where you are.

Because your IT provider hosts your password manager in the cloud, you can access it from any location if you can connect to the internet. It’s not just you. Any person granted permission to access the account will also be able to get access to the passwords.

You will have increased protection if you have Password Management.

Using cloud-based password managers, like many other cloud services, gives you solid security safeguards that you can rely on. If you use the password manager to generate passwords, which is another one of their functions, they will give you something more secure than your birthday or the name of your spouse as a password. If you use the password manager to store your passwords, it will do so securely.

An Additional Layer of Protection

A password manager is an extremely helpful tool, both in terms of convenience and safety. As the owner of a business, you may also use many other innovative options to safeguard the confidentiality of your information. Using biometrics as an alternate login method is currently one of the most widespread options in the modern world.

Biometrics

Because biometrics use an individual’s distinctive physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, as well as facial or voice recognition, nobody else can access an individual’s account without that individual’s permission.

Multi-factor Authentication with Password Management

This is yet another method that may increase the safety of passwords. The additional steps of verification will significantly cut down on the likelihood that unauthorized individuals will gain access.

Protect Your Company by Keeping Your Passwords Private and Secure

Watch our Webinar on Digital Estate Planning and why Password Management is a must. Even though it may seem like such a trivial matter, keeping your passwords safe and secure is necessary to ensure the integrity of your company. Contact us right now so we can start setting up a password management system that’s right for you.

The Biggest Cybersecurity Threats of 2023

Posted on by CT Team

As the world becomes an increasingly tech-reliant place, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow. Cybersecurity threats can come from a variety of places and at various scales. From nation-states and terrorist groups to individual hackers, there’s no end to the possible sources of cybersecurity threats. In this blog, we’ll discuss the common sources and types of cybersecurity threats and break down how you can stay protected in a scary digital world.

Common Sources of Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats come from many different sources. They can range from individual attacks to large government-run operations from hostile countries. Here are a few common sources of cybersecurity threats that could impact your organization:

  • Nation-States: Foreign nations with hostile intentions may use sophisticated technologies to infiltrate local institutions and cause chaos, disrupting communication channels and causing irreversible harm in the process. The potential consequences of such attacks cannot be overstated, and it is up to individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to safeguard their online assets.
  • Terrorist Organizations: In the realm of modern warfare, terrorists have devised a new means of destruction – cyber attacks. These attacks are typically aimed at crippling vital infrastructure, wreaking havoc on economies, threatening national security, and even endangering the lives and well-being of innocent citizens.
  • Criminal Groups: Sophisticated gangs of cybercriminals are exploiting advanced tactics to infiltrate computer systems with the intent of reaping economic rewards. Through a combination of phishing, spamming, and malware, these nefarious organizations are stealing private data, perpetrating online scams, and extorting their victims. Even the most vigilant digital security measures can be compromised, leading to potentially dire consequences for individuals and businesses alike.
  • Hackers: The threat of individuals targeting organizations through hacking techniques is an ongoing concern. Driven by a variety of motives, including personal gain, financial profit, or political activism, hackers often seek to bring chaos to the digital world. In the quest to improve their skills and reputation within the hacker community, these individuals continually develop new and innovative ways to cause harm to their targets.
  • Malicious Insiders: Insider threats refer to an enemy within, wreaking havoc from right under the organization’s nose. These sly attackers are individuals who have legitimate access to a company’s assets but choose to abuse their privileges to either steal information or cause damage to the computing systems. Insiders can come in different forms, including employees, contractors, suppliers, or even partners of the target organization, and in some cases, intruders who have hacked into privileged accounts and are masquerading as the account owner.

Common Types of Cybersecurity Threats

As technology and security measures advance, so do the ways in which cybersecurity threats are carried out. Here are some of the most common types of cybersecurity threats in 2023:

  • Malware Attacks: Malware covers a range of malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware, all designed to infiltrate and wreak havoc on computer systems. These dangerous programs can enter your systems through links on untrusted websites or emails or through the download of unwanted software. Once inside, malware can manipulate and block access to important network components, as well as collect sensitive data and even shut down entire systems.
  • Social Engineering Attacks: Social engineering attacks involve tricking unsuspecting users into letting them in by posing as a trustworthy source. The results can be devastating, leaving the victim with compromised security and potential malware lurking on their device. Some of the most common examples of social engineering attacks include: baiting, pretexting, phishing or spear-phishing, piggybacking, and tailgating.
  • Supply Chain Attacks: Supply chain attacks are a new and dangerous form of cyberthreat, exploiting legitimate applications to spread malware via source code or update mechanisms. Attackers target insecure network protocols, server infrastructure and coding techniques in order to compromise build processes, modify the software’s source code without detection from vendors and stealthily conceal malicious content.

Cybersecurity Solutions That Work

At FIT Solutions, we understand that the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity threats can seem daunting. With a wide array of sources and types of threats, it can seem like everyone is out to get you. That’s why you need the team of experts at FIT Solutions on your side. Our cybersecurity solutions will help keep your organization safe and give you the peace of mind you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more about how we can protect you from cybersecurity threats.

Penetration Testing Explained: Best Cybersecurity Practices

Posted on by CT Team

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is an essential cybersecurity practice that involves a skilled professional attempting to uncover and exploit weaknesses in computer systems. This simulated attack is designed to assess the effectiveness of a system’s defense mechanisms and reveal any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Through pen testing, organizations can stay ahead of security threats and prevent potential attacks.

To give an example of what this looks like, imagine a high-stakes game of cat and mouse as a bank hires an individual to play the role of a burglar and attempt to break into their building. The ultimate objective is to gain access to the all-important vault. This clever strategy allows the bank to gain valuable insight into exactly how vulnerable their security measures are. If the imitation burglar succeeds, the bank will be able to take immediate action to fortify its defenses and ensure its customers’ assets are protected. This is basically how penetration testing works. Any weaknesses or vulnerabilities discovered are reported, and an organization can then make the necessary changes to its security practices. 

 

Who Performs Penetration Testing?

A pen test can be a crucial step in securing a system, but it’s not just about identifying the obvious vulnerabilities that automated testing could catch. In fact, the most valuable insights come from pen testers who are unfamiliar with the system. Often referred to as ‘ethical hackers,’ these contractors are brought in to identify blind spots. They use real-world techniques that are currently in use by malicious actors to not just identify gaps, but how several seemingly minor vulnerabilities could be linked together to create a much bigger threat. It’s a delicate balancing act – hacking into a system ethically – but the results lead to a more secure environment.

Ethical hacking is more than just a skillset; it’s a diverse and dynamic field that attracts a wide range of experts. Some ethical hackers hold impressive credentials, with advanced degrees and official certifications in pen testing. Yet others come from unconventional backgrounds and learned their skills through trial and error, often by transitioning from the dark side of hacking to the light. However, to find the best ethical hacker for a specific job, it is essential to consider the target company and the objectives of the pen test. In this way, pen testing is both an art and a science, tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization.

 

How is Penetration Testing Carried Out?

A crucial component of pen testing involves an initial phase of reconnaissance, where a skilled ethical hacker painstakingly collects the raw materials necessary to craft their simulated assault. From there, the emphasis shifts to actively infiltrating and persistently controlling the target system, a feat that demands a diverse arsenal of specialized tools and techniques.

Unleashing a successful hack depends on having the right arsenal, and savvy ethical hackers know how to deploy an array of tools and tactics to uncover vulnerabilities within a network. Whether it’s software programs specifically designed to carry out forceful brute attacks or SQL injections, or small, innocuous-looking boxes that can be plugged into a computer to remotely infiltrate a network, these hackers have at their disposal a diverse range of hardware and software to uncover potential security gaps. But that’s only half the battle. The most experienced ethical hackers understand that human touch can further open doors. Through the use of social engineering techniques, where, for instance, the hacker can send fake emails to employees or even show up at the company disguised as a delivery person or tech support, they exploit the human tendency to trust.

 

How Can Penetration Testing Help You?

Penetration testing is a powerful tool that can help organizations identify and patch up system vulnerabilities before they are exposed.  Investing in proper pen tests now will save you time and money down the road—not to mention give you peace of mind knowing that your sensitive information is secure. With the team at FIT Solutions, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting the absolute best penetration testing services around. For more information about penetration testing or any of the other services we offer, contact us today.

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