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The 7 Irresistible Qualities of Cloud ERP
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Ransomware 101
If you’re looking for ways to stop ransomware dead in its tracks, the experts at CCS Technology are here to help.
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Cloud Services and the SMB Revolution
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Office 365 Migration Made Easy
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The Advantages of Working with I.T. Pros
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Closing Common Cybersecurity Holes
Learn several critical cybersecurity tips and tricks any SMB can use.
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Spot Fake Links In Your Emails
/in Blog /by Chartec MarketingHow to Spot Fake Links: Brief Staff Security Training Guidance
If you have been considering covering bogus links with your staff security training, you’ll want to consider the following how to spot fake link prevention tips. These security training tips will help to give your staff the tools they need to stay safe and protected against the dangers posed by malicious links.Staff Security Training Tip #1: Check URLs Before Following Them
One important tip for your staff as part of their security training is to check all URLs. A URL is the web address that you follow when you click a link. A common trick used by hackers to make the URL seem authentic is to use a similar URL mimicking a legitimate website. For example, one switch would be disguising bogus links by changing the website name from ‘example-site.com’ to example_site.com.’ This tiny change often goes unnoticed but could lead to your staff getting caught by a fake link.Here are more examples:
If you regularly deal with Amazon, you’ll notice that their URLs look like these: orders@amazon.com, service@amazon.com, or membership@amazon.com But bogus URLs will look like these: hurry@amazon-$75.com, buddy79@my_amazon.com, or service@amazon-helpmenow.com Often, the URL won’t contain the name of the sender at all. You may see URLs like these: clickhere@davisneedsshoes.org, holographic_iris@$9di4!wow.net Question any link that seems out of place. If your staff doesn’t check these carefully, it can be easy to fall into a trap. As part of this staff security tip, make sure they’re aware to check both the name of the link and check where the hyperlink goes. Hackers can easily disguise malicious links as legitimate links by using a website name as the anchor text. But, instead of taking you to the legitimate website, the link redirects you to a fake site. Luckily, checking the destination of a hyperlink is easy, especially on computers; simply right click and you’ll get an option to see or edit the hyperlink.Staff Security Training Tip #2: Don’t Open Unknown Emails
A second crucial tip is to ensure that your staff does not open unknown emails. For many people, this is not easy to do. After all, how can you tell whether a sender is legitimate or not? It’s easy to understand why this is so difficult. Some people struggle to decide whether the contact details for a firm are legitimate addresses or not. Luckily, we have a few tips for this. Firstly, for text messages and telephone contacts, look up the telephone number from the source. A quick search will often give you the information you need to know. Most companies will have these numbers listed on their website’s contact details. Alternatively, if the phone number is not legitimate, many sites now exist to display shady phone numbers; as such, searching the phone number alone may be enough information to help you decide if the text was legitimate. As part of checking a sender’s identity, you can also search for a specific email address to see if any information comes up. Most companies will have their contact email addresses displayed on their website. Check If the email address in question is on the website so you can confirm that the links are legitimate. If the exact email address does not appear on the website, you should question its authenticity. If you struggle to find the correct information directly from a search, don’t be afraid to contact the company in question. Most companies are more than happy to help if it means preventing a scam from occurring in their name. Checking the legitimacy of the phone number or email address is one of the best ways to check whether a link is legitimate or fake. Ensure that your staff knows to do this for any communication containing a link.Staff Security Training Tip #3: Get the Best IT Support and Antivirus Software
As a third and final tip for your security training, we cannot stress the importance of good anti-malware and antivirus solutions highly enough. Having these in place and installed on all of your devices can provide a good security backup. This practice is vital in case someone accidentally follows an illegitimate link that tries to download harmful software. Antivirus software is highly affordable nowadays and doesn’t take long to set up in your office. If you have any questions about this, contact us today. We will help you find the best antivirus software for your needs, as well as offer training to your staff.Is Your Company Already on a Hacker’s Watchlist?
/in Blog /by Chartec MarketingAs a business owner, you are already aware that your company might be vulnerable to attacks by hackers. Your concern is justified because 65% of cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses. There is a good chance a hacker is using sophisticated software to try and hack your network right now.
Even if hackers haven’t found a way into your system yet, you can be sure that they are trying to find a way to:
Did you know that it takes an average of six months for businesses to realize that they have been, or are being, hacked?
After the hack is discovered, it can weeks 6 – 8 weeks disable and remove all the threads of the attack. The attack is removed, but the damage has been done. How long does it take to restore a damaged reputation, or to be trusted again by a vendor or customer who was affected by your hack?
So, why do hackers target small businesses? Some of the reasons are obvious, and some may surprise you.
Here are 4 reasons why small businesses get hacked:
Under the Radar
Not every hacker wants to be famous. Most don’t care about getting their conquests splashed all over the news.
Hackers attack small businesses because these companies are less likely to report security breaches and more likely to pay the ransom.
Reporting a breach is damaging to the company’s reputation. A company might prefer to deal with the damage or pay the ransom rather than go public. In fact, in one study, 53% of companies paid the ransom immediately. In addition, what many companies find out is that, even if they report the breach to the police, law enforcement agencies are not cybersecurity experts and can’t be of much help.
Complacency
Every business has to prioritize spending. Initiatives that grow the company’s revenue and profitability are the priority. IT upgrades and advanced cybersecurity services and tools aren’t an immediate need so they don’t make the top of the list.
Unfortunately, the reality is that your old security software is not “good enough” to stand up to today’s sophisticated cyber-attacks. “Good enough” makes you an easy target.
Employees inviting viruses and hackers
This one is shocking. Research from Stanford University found that 88% of ALL data breaches are caused by employees. Here are a few of the most common ways employees invite trouble:
Small companies don’t have the advanced skills required and training happens rarely, if ever.
You’ve been hacked before
Hackers are like sharks: they can smell blood in the water from miles away. Once the word gets out that you’ve been hacked, and that you’ve paid the ransom, you’ll have hackers lined up around the block. Like a lot of criminals, hackers are looking for the path of least resistance. Once they hear you’re an easy target you’d better prepare yourself for all kinds of cyberattacks.
Take Action
It takes work to be ready in today’s cyber landscape. The steps include:
Almost every day there are news stories about companies getting hacked, big companies paying millions in ransom. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Target, and Facebook can afford the best security available, yet they still get hacked.
What you don’t hear about is the small businesses shutting down because they’ve been crippled by a cyber-security breach. A shocking 60% of small businesses that are crippled by a cyberattack will not recover.
Make cybersecurity a priority for your business and you’ll increase your chances of staying off a hacker’s watchlist.
Information technology is a tool. If we can help you navigate your way to a more productive, efficient and safe operations, accounting and/or IT system, then you can focus on growing your business.
If you’re serious about protecting your company from being crippled by a cyberattack, check out our website or contact us. Ask for Tim Adornetto to get your no-cost, no-obligation system analysis.
IT Benefits and Threats – A Quick Guide to Being Prepared
/in Blog /by Chartec MarketingTechnology is changing at a rapid pace and technology threats are coming fast and furious.
How well is your company doing to keep up with these changes and challenges – especially the threats that you don’t even know about yet? Some threats to your IT well-being are simply failures to identify the warning signs. Other threats are more severe. You may already have malware inside your IT system and you may not even know it.
For example:
Even if you are a small business, your IT network is the lifeblood of your business. It’s not recommended to put your network in the hands of an employee who has had to learn how to add users or change passwords. The safety and security of your network is at risk.
Even if you have an IT team maintaining your systems, when is the last time they did a training session? Six months ago? 2 years ago? Can’t remember?
Because the technology and the risks are changing constantly, IT people need regular training on security, networking, server operations, desktop operations, software, etc. Very few IT people have the capability of absorbing and mastering all of the different specialties. Just like you don’t expect a foot doctor to perform brain surgery, you don’t hire a desktop person to secure your network.
There is a Better Way
Consider using a Managed Services Partner (MSP). There are many benefits:
At first glance, an all-inclusive MSP agreement looks expensive. However, consider what you already pay for less service, the costs for your IT system to be down for one day – or three days and the expense to fix what is broken. And, if you get breached, the costs will multiply.
A fixed fee, all-inclusive MSP agreement is friendly to your budget and it provides peace of mind. You have a knowledgeable IT partner making sure your IT assets are healthy and protected.
At CCS, we don’t want to benefit from your business pain. We want to share in your increased productivity, profitability and your success. If you are looking for an IT partner and not just the low-cost computer fixer, check out our website.
In the meantime, check out our latest video below (1 minute, 17 seconds) for a quick look at the benefits of finding the right managed service partner.