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Watch out for distributed spam distractionA lot of people get a handful of spam in their email inboxes every day. While spam can be a nuisance, it only takes a few minutes to delete or block spam. But if you receive tens of thousands of spam all at the same time, a huge chunk of your time and energy will […]

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Watch out for distributed spam distraction

A lot of people get a handful of spam in their email inboxes every day. While spam can be a nuisance, it only takes a few minutes to delete or block spam. But if you receive tens of thousands of spam all at the same time, a huge chunk of your time and energy will be wasted on dealing with them — and they might actually be hiding telltale signs that you're being attacked by cybercriminals. This tactic is called distributed spam distraction (DSD), and here’s what you need to know about it.

What is DSD?

DSD is a type of attack wherein cybercriminals inundate email inboxes with as many as 60,000 spam emails. These emails don’t contain dangerous links, ads, or attachments, just random excerpts of text taken from books and websites. But because of the sheer volume of these emails, deleting and blocking each one of them can be daunting. And worse, the email and IP addresses used to send them are all different, so victims can’t simply block a specific sender.

While these spam messages may seem like harmless annoyances, their true purpose is to draw victims’ attention away from what hackers are doing behind the scenes — which is to steal and use your personally identifiable information to conduct a raft of illegal activities. These include stealing money from your bank account or making unauthorized purchases in your name. In a DSD attack, the thousands of spam emails you get serve as a smokescreen that hides payment confirmation messages.

New tactics

Over the years, hackers have developed new DSD tactics. Several reports show that instead of nonsensical emails, hackers are using automated software to have their targets sign up for thousands of free accounts and newsletters to distract them with authentic messages. This allows DSD blasts to slip past spam filters that weed out the malicious code and text used in traditional DSD attacks.

Also, anyone can go on the dark web and pay for DSD services. For as little as $40, you can get a hacker to send out 20,000 spam emails to a specific target. All you need to do is provide the hacker with your target’s name, email address, and credit card number — all of which can also be purchased on the dark web.

How to protect yourself from DSD

DSD is a clear sign that your account has been hijacked, so whenever you receive dozens of emails in quick succession, contact your bank to cancel any unfamiliar transactions and change your login credentials as soon as possible. Also, you should update your anti-spam software (or get one if you don’t have one) to protect your inbox from future DSD attacks.

Hackers only initiate DSD attacks after they’ve obtained their target’s email address and personal information, so make sure your accounts and identity are well protected online. You should regularly change your passwords and PINs, enable multifactor authentication, set up SMS and/or email alerts for whenever online purchases are made in your name, and be careful about sharing personal information with others.

DSD is just one of many cyberthreats out there. For expert advice on how to ensure your safety and security online, get in touch with our team of IT professionals.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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How to rid your Android devices of malwareAs much as Google tries to keep their products safe and secure, they’re not immune to malware. If a malicious software infiltrates your Android operating system, it can compromise the sensitive information contained in your device. Here are a few tips on how to detect and remove malware from your Android device. Confirm the malware […]

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How to rid your Android devices of malware

As much as Google tries to keep their products safe and secure, they’re not immune to malware. If a malicious software infiltrates your Android operating system, it can compromise the sensitive information contained in your device. Here are a few tips on how to detect and remove malware from your Android device.

Confirm the malware infection

Android devices usually exhibit strange behavior when they’re infected with malware. Their speed may suddenly slow to a crawl or the battery may drain faster than expected. Other telltale signs include an abundance of pop-up ads, unusual apps installed on your home screen, unexplained data usage, and unauthorized in-app purchases.

However, it’s not always easy to tell if your device has been compromised since hackers are becoming more proficient at concealing their actions. The best way to check for malware is to run an antivirus scan using a mobile security solution.

How to get rid of malware

If your device is infected with malware, the most important thing to do is quarantine the threat as soon as possible. Start by rebooting your device in safe mode, which can be selected when you hold down the power button. Not all versions of Android are the same though, so if this isn’t an option, try restarting your device and holding the volume-down button when the manufacturer’s logo appears.

Once you’ve entered safe mode, go to Settings, then Apps, and uninstall any suspicious apps. Do a quick Google search or ask your cybersecurity technician to help you determine whether or not an app is dangerous.

If you can’t uninstall the software, it may have administrative privileges. To fix this, open the Advanced settings menu from the Settings app, then select Security, then Device administrators, remove any app that shouldn’t have privileged access, and return to the Apps menu to uninstall it. Mobile security software should also be able to remove hidden malicious programs in your device.

If the malware persists, you’ll have to do a factory reset. This option is usually located in the Backup & reset configurations within the Advanced settings menu. Keep in mind that you’ll lose the apps and files stored in your device, so it’s important to back up your data beforehand.

Protecting your device from malware

After you’ve successfully recovered from a mobile malware infection, make sure to update your device and security software to prevent another infection. Enabling Google Play Protect from within the app store also safeguards your device from rogue apps.

Ultimately, the best defense is to develop good security habits. Be cautious of everything you see online. Make sure to thoroughly vet apps before downloading them, and don’t click on links from unsolicited texts and emails. Also, avoid public Wi-Fi networks or, at the very least, use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure the connection.

Malware attacks can be devastating to your bottom line, but these tips should help mitigate the risks. If you want to learn more about how you can safeguard your Android devices, our experts are always willing to assist you. Contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitorWorking with two screens lets you work more efficiently because there’s more visual space; for instance, you don’t have to shift from one window to the other while doing research for a report since you can lay two windows or open pages side by side. Mac users may feel that their options to use a […]

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Ways to connect your Macbook to an external monitor

Working with two screens lets you work more efficiently because there’s more visual space; for instance, you don’t have to shift from one window to the other while doing research for a report since you can lay two windows or open pages side by side. Mac users may feel that their options to use a second screen may be limited, but that is not so. Read on to learn how to turn your idiot box into a work tool.

First, check what displays your Mac device supports by doing the following:

  • Click the Apple Menu (located on the left-hand side of the screen). Then click Support > Specifications.

You will then be directed to an Apple web page indicating your device’s technical specifications. Under Graphics and Video Support, you will see some details similar to the following:

  • Intel HD Graphics 6000
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt digital video output

This is for a MacBook Air (13-inch, early 2015).

Extended mode versus mirror mode

Connecting to an external display lets you choose between:

  • Extended mode – uses the external display to extend the image displayed on your main Mac device. To activate extended mode:
    • Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Display > Arrangement.
    • Untick the Mirror Displays checkbox.

Note: This may not work on older Mac devices such as early 2015 models or older.

  • Mirror mode – reflects or “mirrors” the exact same image on your main device onto the external screen. To activate video mirroring:
    • Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement.
    • Tick the Mirror Displays checkbox.

AirPlay mode

Those who have an Apple TV can use AirPlay to use their TV as a second screen. Apple TV is designed for use with TVs, but it can also be used to connect to HDMI-enabled computer monitors.

To use AirPlay mode as a second display:

  • Turn on your TV and Apple TV.
  • In the menu bar (the topmost bar on the screen), select the AirPlay icon, the one with a rectangle intersected by a triangle.
  • Select your Apple TV and enter the four-digit code appearing on your TV onto your Apple device.

To enable AirPlay to mirror your main Mac device:

  • Click the AirPlay icon and select Mirror Built-in Display.
  • To use your TV as a separate display, click the AirPlay icon, then choose Use As Separate Display.

To turn off AirPlay:

  • Click the AirPlay icon, then select Turn AirPlay Off.

Your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iPad, and other Apple devices have functionalities you may not have yet explored. To get more productivity hacks and/or hardware support, call our IT experts today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Optimize your new laptop with these tipsLaptop computers aren’t cheap, so you’d want to make sure you get every bit of performance for your buck. Bear in mind that they may not be set up to function at their best straight out of the box, so to do just that, you’ll need to take these steps. 1. Update your laptop’s operating […]

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Optimize your new laptop with these tips

Laptop computers aren’t cheap, so you’d want to make sure you get every bit of performance for your buck. Bear in mind that they may not be set up to function at their best straight out of the box, so to do just that, you’ll need to take these steps.

1. Update your laptop’s operating system

One of the first things you should do before using your laptop is to update its operating system (OS). Assuming you did not purchase the laptop when it was first released, it will still be running an older OS. Because important patches and fixes are released with each new update, you must install the latest ones to ensure your laptop doesn’t have vulnerabilities that malicious third parties can exploit.

2. Remove bloatware

When turning on your laptop for the first time, you might notice that there are several preloaded software in the system — some of which you will probably never use. These are known as bloatware.

These apps take up a lot of your valuable drive space, so consider getting rid of them. The easiest way to do this is by downloading a bulk uninstaller, which allows you to check all the bloatware apps you don’t want and remove them in one fell swoop.

3. Install protection software

It’s no secret that there are cybercriminals who would steal sensitive data, such as your account credentials, protected health information, and sensitive company files. It is therefore necessary to protect yourself from losing important data from your computer. The solution to this is very simple. By installing antivirus software that can scan your computer at a scheduled time or whenever you feel like it, you can thwart potential attacks.

Not only is the data stored in your laptop vulnerable to cyberattacks, but there is always a chance that your laptop will get lost or stolen. While there are preventive steps you can take — such as being mindful while using your laptop in public places — installing anti-theft software like Find My Device for Windows 10 can help you locate your device if it’s ever stolen or misplaced.

4. Optimize your power settings

One of the most frequent problems that laptop users have is that their batteries run out of juice too fast. However, you can actually extend the battery life by making a few tweaks to your power settings.

Reduce your display brightness, but not so much that it causes eye and mental fatigue.
Use the Sleep or Hibernate mode for your operating system.

5. Set up a backup plan

Imagine spending months working on an important project and suddenly finding it corrupted because your laptop crashed. Deadlines will be missed. Profit margins will decrease. Customers will leave unhappy. And if worse comes to worst, you’ll be out of business.

Why add stress if you can prevent it from happening in the first place? By setting up an automatic backup system, you can regularly save all your important files. This way, you’d still be able to recover your data should anything happen to the original file.

You can also store all your important documents in the cloud, which ensures access whenever you need it, even if your laptop crashes or gets stolen.

Getting a new laptop can be fun, but the joy might be short-lived if you don’t set up any preventive measures from the start. Call us for information on how we can help you secure your company’s laptops today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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