508-909-5961 [email protected]

Here’s what to remember when buying antivirus softwareIt’s essential to have antivirus software installed on your business computers to protect these against viruses, malware, ransomware, and spyware, among others. However, not all antivirus programs are created equal. If you’re looking for the best antivirus software, consider the following points. Cost There are free antivirus programs in the market, but they only offer […]

The post Here’s what to remember when buying antivirus software appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

23 Aug, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021august23security_b, antivirus, cybersecurity, cyberthreats, devices, protection, Security, software category
Here’s what to remember when buying antivirus software

It’s essential to have antivirus software installed on your business computers to protect these against viruses, malware, ransomware, and spyware, among others. However, not all antivirus programs are created equal. If you’re looking for the best antivirus software, consider the following points.

Cost

There are free antivirus programs in the market, but they only offer basic protection that advanced malware can easily evade. There’s also a risk that they contain adware, which collects data and sells them to third parties. Antivirus companies may even bundle potentially unwanted programs to generate revenue.

Speed and performance

Antivirus programs are notorious for consuming a lot of system memory, resulting in sluggish computer performance. Thanks to new technology, however, this problem has been addressed. Still, remember that antivirus performance is more important than device speed. What’s the point of a fast computer if it’s quick to succumb to hackers and malware?

Compatibility with multiple devices

Most people these days use or own more than one device, such as smartphones and tablets. Look for antivirus software that can protect all your devices, regardless of their operating system or date of purchase. It’ll be inconvenient and expensive to have different security software per device.

Comprehensive protection

Your antivirus should protect your devices from a wide variety of cyberthreats. These should include popular malware and phishing attacks, as well as malicious downloads, denial-of-service attacks, cryptojacking, and other damaging threats.

Customer support and service

Take the time to learn more about the antivirus software manufacturer. Does the company have a good reputation? Do they actively discover zero-day vulnerabilities and new cyberthreats? And are they at the forefront of developing cybersecurity solutions? If they tick all the boxes, you’re sure that their products and services are worth your investment.

Cybersecurity is not a luxury but a necessity for all businesses. If you’re looking for the right antivirus protection, then let our experts help you. We’ll provide you with the robust security your devices and network need.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Here’s what to remember when buying antivirus software appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

What you need to know about telephony DoSHackers launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks to render IT systems and networks inaccessible to intended users. Large corporations’ web servers used to be frequent targets, but nowadays, every business can become a victim. Hackers have also started launching attacks on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems. This brief guide on telephony DoS attacks can help you […]

The post What you need to know about telephony DoS appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

13 Aug, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021august13voip_b, cybersecurity, denial-of-service, dos attacks, tdos attack, telephony, voice-over-internet protocol, VoIP, voip security category
What you need to know about telephony DoS

Hackers launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks to render IT systems and networks inaccessible to intended users. Large corporations’ web servers used to be frequent targets, but nowadays, every business can become a victim. Hackers have also started launching attacks on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems. This brief guide on telephony DoS attacks can help you become better prepared.

Denial-of-service attacks

The end goal of any DoS attack is to overwhelm a system with so many requests that it is eventually forced to shut down. Telephony DoS (TDoS) attack is a subcategory leveled at VoIP systems. Alarmingly, this attack is commonly used against hospitals and 911 phone lines. Some TDoS attackers even demand a ransom to halt the attack, which is similar to ransomware attacks. They take advantage of cryptocurrencies and caller-ID spoofing to make it incredibly difficult to identify attackers.

TDoS attacks generally employ fewer resources than the DoS attacks that are designed to cripple IT systems, which include networks, servers, and software. At its most basic, a TDoS attack requires only an automated phone dialer that calls a target phone number and hangs up — over and over. That very simple strategy can stop anyone else from getting through the line.

What organizations need to do

While your first instinct may be to lock down your VoIP system with complicated security measures, doing so will only do more harm than good. Most businesses can’t operate if they can’t communicate with their customers, business partners, and other third parties.

Although VoIP may be a digital resource similar to other components within your IT systems, the very nature of phone lines makes hiding them behind firewalls and other protections impossible. Fortunately, there are now new security protocols that can protect your communication infrastructure against those who try to use force to gain access to your directory information. These protocols can also identify, reroute, and filter calls coming from known attackers. Get in touch with our team to learn more about these protocols.

If you’re experiencing any abnormalities with your VoIP system, or if you want to deploy the most advanced solution that the market has to offer, our expert team of IT professionals is ready to help you at the drop of a hat — just call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post What you need to know about telephony DoS appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

Why HTTPS matters for websites and what you need to know about itWhen you visit a website, do you see a padlock icon on the browser's address bar? That’s one of the first signs that a website is safe to visit. That padlock is a security feature that authenticates websites and ensures that the data that users submit to that site is protected. Another sign that a […]

The post Why HTTPS matters for websites and what you need to know about it appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

21 Jul, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021july21web and cloud_b, cybersecurity, cybersecurity tips, https, safe browsing, Web & Cloud, web and cloud, web and cloud security, website security category
Why HTTPS matters for websites and what you need to know about it

When you visit a website, do you see a padlock icon on the browser's address bar? That’s one of the first signs that a website is safe to visit. That padlock is a security feature that authenticates websites and ensures that the data that users submit to that site is protected. Another sign that a site is secure is if its URL has an “S” after the “HTTP” prefix. Here’s what you need to know about that “S.”

HTTPS encryption

The “S” in HTTPS stands for “secured.” It was introduced in 1995, so older websites that have been left on their own without regular maintenance usually don’t have it. But even to this day, unsecure websites exist, and fraudsters can easily take advantage of them.

When you visit a site with an HTTP connection, everything you type or click on that website is sent without encryption. This means that anyone who intercepts the data transferred between the website and your computer can view them as is. Cybercriminals know this, and they can exploit this fact to gain access to your Social Security number, credit card information, and other personal data. This puts you at risk of identity theft and other fraudulent activities.

HTTPS certificates

When you visit a website, your computer uses an online directory to translate its alphanumeric name into a numerical address. It then saves that information on your computer so that it doesn’t have to check the online directory every time you visit the same website.

In case your computer gets compromised, it could be manipulated into directing a perfectly safe web address like www.google.com to a malicious website. Most of the time, users are sent to sites that look exactly like the legitimate site but are actually fake copies designed to trick them into divulging their credentials.

To prevent such incidents from happening, the online directories mentioned earlier issue an ecosystem of certificates that turn HTTP into HTTPS, making it impossible for anyone to be redirected to a fraudulent website.

How does this affect our daily browsing habits?

We often visit a multitude of websites in a short period of time without checking each one for padlocks and certificates. Unfortunately, we can’t ignore the importance of HTTPS, so here are a few things to consider the next time you browse the internet:

  • If your browser marks a website as “unsafe,” think twice about clicking “Proceed anyway.” Click the prompt only if you are absolutely certain no confidential data will be transmitted.
  • Add web browser extensions such as HTTPS Everywhere that create encrypted connections to unencrypted websites. These extensions encrypt your communication with websites and are compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.
  • Always be vigilant. Some sites may have HTTPS, but it doesn’t mean they’re safe. For example, goog1e.com (with the “l” replaced with a one) could have a certificate, but the misspelling clearly indicates that it’s an untrustworthy site. Cybercriminals use similar spellings of authentic websites to fool people into thinking that they’re on a secure site. This is called typosquatting or URL hijacking.
  • And perhaps, just follow the easiest step of all: avoid sites that don’t use the HTTPS prefix.

If you want to learn more about safer browsing habits and endpoint security, give our office a call.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Why HTTPS matters for websites and what you need to know about it appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More

How to keep your business safe from hackersAt a time when cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever, data security and privacy should be every small-business owner’s top priority. The good news is you don’t have to be a tech wizard to make it happen. Here are some practical ways to shield your company from hackers. Cover your webcam If Facebook founder Mark […]

The post How to keep your business safe from hackers appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

16 Jun, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021june16hardware_b, authentication, cybersecurity, data protection, easy security, Hardware, two-factor, webcam category
How to keep your business safe from hackers

At a time when cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever, data security and privacy should be every small-business owner’s top priority. The good news is you don’t have to be a tech wizard to make it happen. Here are some practical ways to shield your company from hackers.

Cover your webcam

If Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, former FBI Director James Comey, and National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden all believe their webcams could be compromised, there’s no reason you should feel safe. This is because cybercriminals can use your webcam to spy on you.

They can examine your surroundings, determine your location, and spy on the people you’re with. The attackers can record intimate and vulnerable moments and use these to blackmail you.

Fortunately, guarding yourself against this danger is easy. Covering your webcam should do the trick. You can use regular tape or you can purchase a cheap webcam cover online. Check as well if your webcam has a dedicated kill switch, as this disables the hardware, making it impossible for cybercriminals to spy on you.

Use a privacy shield

Also known as a privacy guard, screen, and filter, a privacy shield is a thin transparent sheet you apply on your computer, laptop, or smartphone screen to limit viewing angles. Once installed, anyone trying to look at your screen from anywhere — except straight on — will see nothing.

Privacy filters are commonly used to protect work devices that display or contain critical files with sensitive data or confidential information. However, work and personal devices are both vulnerable to “shoulder surfing,” the act of peeking at someone else’s screen, with or without ill intent. This is why it’s ideal to use protectors on all the devices you and your staff use.

Get a physical/biometric authentication key

Requiring more than one set of credentials to access sensitive resources has become the standard practice for established websites and applications. With multifactor authentication (MFA) in place, you can gain access to your account only after you’ve entered an authentication code.

Before, two-factor authentication relied mostly on text messages sent to mobile phones. But IT experts now discourage the use of SMS authentication because of the following reasons:

  • Text messages aren’t encrypted (i.e., these can be seen in plain text), and can be intercepted in man-in-the-middle attacks.
  • Text message notifications may display one-time pins (OTPs) that can be seen by unintended viewers.
  • Cybercriminals may redirect text messages to their own devices.
  • OTPs can be stolen via SIM swapping.
  • Users can be tricked into entering OTPs in a fraudulent login page.

If you’re looking for authentication services that can’t be easily neutralized, try a hardware key like a USB or Bluetooth key that you can always carry around. You can also use biometrics such as a fingerprint, retina, or facial scan. It’s difficult to copy a person’s fingerprint or facial features, making it a secure authentication method.

If you need help setting up two-factor authentication or IT security services, contact our experts. We'll help you get peace of mind from knowing that your business IT is in good hands.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to keep your business safe from hackers appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Read More