Microsoft Office 365 in the Mail

Did you know that dropping a malware-infected flash drive in company parking lots is an old school tactic for breaching your business? Hackers will purposely drop a very dangerous payload in the guise of a lost, but free, flash drive on the ground in hopes that an employee will pick it up and, out of morbid curiosity, plug it into their workstation to see what’s on it. This tactic works very well, so please remember to continuously speak to your staff about these ongoing threats. Continual education and awareness is one of the cornerstones of cyber security in the office. Never plug any foreign device into a work computer under any circumstances. If you are a business owner, this goes for your home computer or laptop, as well. You don’t have to run anything on the flash drive to get infected. It happens automatically and many times it happens invisibly.

If your company is concerned with the ever-increasing threat of data theft or computer disabling ransomware, click to Call or Email us today. We can meet with you and go over your options.

Brush Up on Cyber Shopping Security Before the Holiday Blitz

Why are we talking about online shopping security now?

The holidays are still weeks away!

Well, if you don’t know how to stay safe now, then your holiday could be ruined by a hacker. Online shopping happens year-round, but we all know it ramps up come November and December. Whether you’re shopping from home or work (yeah, we know you do it!), it can be dangerous.

Scammers send you emails that look like Amazon shipping notices. They also dangle attractive ads with low prices to get your click. One click is all it takes to lose thousands of dollars to a cybercriminal. Brush up on these cyber shopping security tips before you’re rushing to score that Star Wars Lego set or PS5 and click a phishing link by mistake. Holiday-themed cyberattacks skyrocketed last year! And it’s bound to get worse in 2022.

Here are a few tips to keep you safe while shopping online:

·         Visit websites directly rather than through a link

·         Be wary of emails & social media ads promising deep discounts

·         Use a DNS filter to block malicious websites

·         Delete your credit card details right after you check out

·         Use PayPal or wallet sites to pay when possible

·         Do not shop online on an unsecured or public network

Need some help better securing your network from malicious online threats? 

Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your current and future technology needs.

Keep Those VOIP Phones Off Your Main Network

One of the less common, but well-known, attack vectors for companies are the VOIP phones. Yes, that thing sitting on your employees’ desks can be used to infiltrate your network. If intruders can get past your gateway and firewall (you DO have at least one firewall, right?!) then it is possible to attack any device that is plugged into your network whether it’s via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. One of the ways they can hide and record your operations is by breaching and installing their software on your VOIP phones.

Once they have something installed on a phone, they can secure an easy way in and around your network. They can also use these devices as a springboard to attack other workstations, servers, or appliances. Did you know your two-factor authentication you use when connecting to QuickBooks Online is now easily bypassed? As of this year, it’s a pretty common practice amongst digital thieves, but the first thing they need in order to start the silent mayhem is access to the inside of your network. Keep them out by segmenting your phone system away from the rest of your network. Install firewalls between departments, phones, and wireless access points, not just the Internet. Assume any device on your network could be compromised and you’re one step closer to ensuring your business stays alive for the long haul as these new times of dramatically increased small business hacking craziness continues.

Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your company’s Cybersecurity needs before it’s too late.

Navigating the Challenges of Remote Work Ethics

Remote collaboration tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have been a lifeline for many businesses during the pandemic. These tools have enabled companies to pivot and continue to compete, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. One of the key benefits of these tools is that they allow remote workers to work while at home, which can be a great advantage in difficult times.

However, the shift to remote work also brought new challenges, one of which is work ethics. When employees are left to their own devices, it can quickly become apparent who is dependable enough to work at home and who probably needs to be let go. However, it’s not quite so black and white. There’s a grey area of remote workers who are capable of performing well at home, but might be stifled by distraction, burnout, or isolation. To mitigate this, businesses owners and managers can use efficient communication, work-life balance, and team building strategies. Tools like Monday.com and Microsoft Teams can help facilitate collaboration and clear up communication noise, while encouraging employees to take breaks and fostering a sense of connection can help prevent burnout and isolation. Additionally, setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback can help ensure that remote workers stay on track and remain productive.

Culture is everything at a company. It doesn’t matter if you have every other aspect figured out. If the people who work for you aren’t happy or are burnt out, their productivity will plummet. If you need some help getting remote workers set up and on track, click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your situation.

Who Knows More About Your Business?

Don’t have an IT department or provider? Not sure where to begin when auditing your business workflow process? How do you identify productivity issues with technology? Ask your staff.

Your staff has to work with the technology decisions you put into place. With an honest, open environment of communication, you’ll get the best input from the people who work hard every day to put the money in your company’s pocket. Some of the common questions you might ask are:

1. Is there anything that’s taking a long time to enter into the system?

2. Are there multiple steps or apps needed just to do one job?

3. Do the computers work reliably?

4. Are there seemingly unnecessarily repetitive tasks occurring every day?

You know, one of the things we do is grill everyone in the company for their opinions on how things are done and how they might be done better. While not every idea is practical, the input from the people in the trenches is priceless. This kind of information is something we use to start side research projects to look for ways of automating mundane tasks and streamlining workflow performance.

Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your current and future technology needs.