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Considerations For Mitigating Risk In IoT Devices

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On March 28, 2016

In Security

March 28, 2016

With the exponential growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the security risks associated with them have also increased manifold. Each device, including TVs, refrigerators, home automation systems, air conditioning units etc., which is connected to the internet has an in-built operating system, making it vulnerable to the prevalent online threats. This, ultimately, puts the end-users’ privacy and security at stake.

Here are some factors that must be considered to mitigate security risks in IoT devices:

Keep devices updated

Keep all the IoT devices and routers updated to the current versions of the software applications. This will provide protection against any minor security flaws in the software which may make the device vulnerable to a hacking attack.

Change default login credentials

You must create unique and difficult usernames as well as passwords for all your IoT devices. If you do not change the default login credentials, hackers can easily gain access to your personal internet network by breaching your IoT accounts. Make sure the password you create is complex enough to be cracked.

Limit the data you provide to the IoT service or device

Provide only a limited amount of information that is absolutely required for the IoT device to function efficiently. Avoid giving in sensitive personal information and if possible, enter a nickname instead of your full name. This will protect you against a potential identity theft.

Be careful when selling or purchasing used IoT devices

When you buy a used IoT device, it is quite possible that it has a malware or backdoor that can provide hackers an access to your internet connection. With this, they can infect your network, track your online activity and steal other important information. If you need to sell off your IoT device, make sure you restore it back to the factory settings to delete all the personal identifiable information (PII) stored in it.

Set up a different network for IoT devices

Some internet routers allow the users to create a separate network for different devices. You can make all your IoT and wireless devices operate on a network other than your home’s internet connection. Therefore, even if any of your devices are compromised, the hackers will not be able to access your entire network.

We, at Centex Technologies, can help to safeguard your IoT devices against common cyber security threats. For more information, you can call us at (855) 375 – 9654.

Email Security Tips

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On March 11, 2016

In Security

March 11, 2016

Emails are by far the most common means through which hacking and phishing attacks are carried out. It is important to properly configure their security settings so as to keep yourself protected and prevent data breaches. Besides, there are certain simple ways by which you can keep your email account secure. Some of these are:

Use Multiple Accounts

Ideally, you should use different email accounts for all your online activities. This will not only increase security but also help to organize your emails. You can create separate accounts for work, social media websites, and personal communication. Thus, even if one of your accounts is hacked, rest of the information will remain safe.

Change Passwords Regularly

In addition to having separate accounts, you should create different and unique passwords for each of them. Also, make sure you regularly reset the passwords to keep your information protected.  Passwords for the accounts that you use for bill payments, online shopping, work and other sensitive tasks should be more often changed. Create passwords that are unique, lengthy and hard to crack.

Beware Of Phishing Scams

You should be careful to avoid being a victim of a phishing scam. It involves the use of fake emails from unknown senders or websites disguised as legitimate ones in order to trap users to reveal their confidential information. Make sure you do not click on any link provided in such emails as they may direct you to a malicious website or infect your computer with a malware.

Do Not Open Unsolicited Attachments

Avoid downloading any attachment as long as you do not know the sender or the contents of the file/folder. You may end up downloading a virus, Trojan or worm simply by clicking on a malicious email attachment. Install and regularly update security software on your device to scan all the downloaded files for any potential threats.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Avoid using your email account on a public internet connection. Information sent and received on such networks are usually unencrypted and can be manipulated by the hackers for malicious purposes. When you use Wi-Fi to log in to your email account, your username, password and other sensitive information is at risk to be retrieved by the cybercriminals.

Centex Technologies provides complete cybersecurity solutions to the business firms in Central Texas. For more information, feel free to call at (855) 375 – 9654.

How To Avoid Security Pitfalls While Staying Constantly Connected

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On February 15, 2016

In Security

February 15, 2016

In this digital age, staying constantly connected to the internet has become quite important. However, every new technology comes with its own set of security risks. If you do not take the requisite precautionary measures, your device may be targeted by cybercriminals to carry out hacking or malware-based attacks.

Here are some of the tips to avoid security pitfalls while browsing internet on a mobile device:

  • Be Cautious While Using Public Wi-Fi: If you are using a public internet connection or Wi-Fi hotspot, never access any website that requires you to enter sensitive information such as your bank account details, credit card number, password etc. Most hotspots do not use WPA or WPA2 protection, hence, the information you share over these connections is not encrypted. This may lead to session hijacking and all your personal data can be accessed by a cybercriminal.
  • Do Not Follow Links: You should never click on any attachment or link embedded in email from an unknown sender. It may be a malicious code that redirects to a spam site in order to infect your system with a malware or steal your personal information. Instead, manually type in the URL to make sure you are visiting a legitimate website. Also, do not click on ads that appear as pop-ups on websites.
  • Look For HTTPS: If the information shared between your device and the website being browsed is in a plain format, it can be accessed by anyone who manages to breach your internet connection. When you access a website, verify that its URL begins with ‘HTTPS’ instead of ‘HTTP’.  A padlock icon will also be displayed in the address bar which indicates a secure connection.
  • Improve Device Security: Keep all the mobile applications software updated with the latest patches. You can enable automatic updates or regularly check if any upgraded versions have been released. Enable your device’s firewall to monitor incoming and outgoing connections as well as detect any unusual activity. You should also install anti-virus software and frequently update it to stay safe against commonly found malware.
  • Get A VPN: Another way to be safe while on a public internet connection is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It acts as a barrier between your device and the web by routing your traffic in an encrypted format through a secure network. VPN helps to protect your identity and privacy online.

For more cyber security tips, feel free to contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Firewall

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On January 27, 2016

In Security

January 27, 2016

Firewalls have become a critical component of any organizations’ cyber security program. Though most businesses implement sophisticated security practices, a minor vulnerability at the core can put their sensitive data at risk. In an era of advanced persistent threats (APTs) and other emerging hacking attacks, firewall has continued to be an effective line of defense in most circumstances.

Here are some tips organizations can get the most out of their firewall technologies:

  • Disable Remote Administration: Many routers have the facility of enabling remote administration. This feature allows an external user to administer your firewall settings. Disabling remote administration can make your firewall a lot more secure.
  • Lock Down VPN Access: VPN clients can bring about a lot of security threats as they use unsecure operating systems that are not guarded by firewall. Hence, you must be clear about the data that each VPN user is allowed to access. Avoid giving complete control of the entire internal network to the users. Create a well-defined access-control list to determine different categories of users and the internet services they need to use.
  • Change Default Password: Regardless of how well-configured your firewall is, it can be rendered ineffectual if the hacker is able to crack the password. Therefore, it is important that you change the default password and use a strong one that can’t be easily guessed. The password should be at least 8 to 10 characters long and include a combination of numbers as well as letters. Also, the password should not be used for any other online accounts.
  • Enable Attack Detection: This feature is not available in all network firewalls or may be present with another name, such as Intrusion Detection System (IDS). If possible, ensure that it is enabled so your firewall can detect and prevent common hacking attacks.
  • Keep Settings Consistent: Allowing employees to customize firewall settings can put every computer’s security at risk. When a malware or malicious code breaches the firewall, it becomes difficult to assess where exactly the vulnerability is located. Therefore, the firewall settings should be kept consistent across the company’s network. Even minor changes such as allowing pop-ups or plugins in a single computer system should not be permitted by the firewall administrator.

For more tips on increasing the security of your firewall, feel free to contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.

The Rise Of Cyber Extortion

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On January 23, 2016

In Security

January 23, 2016

Cyber extortion is a relatively common online crime wherein a hacker demands money to stop or prevent attack on an organization’s website, computer systems/servers or internet network. Since a large number of businesses depend upon internet, cyber extortion has become an increasingly common cybercrime. Most cyber extortionists use malware laden email attachments or spam URLs to infect the target computer systems.

Types Of Cyber Extortion Attacks:

  • Ransomware: This is the most common cyber extortion attack that involves the use of a ransomware to infect an individual’s computer, steal confidential information or encrypt the stored data. The victim needs to pay a certain sum of money in order to retrieve the files. Examples of ransomware Trojans include CryptoLocker, CryptorBit, CryptoWall and CryptoDefense.
  • Denial Of Service: A denial of service attack occurs when a business’ internal network is flooded with unauthenticated traffic that it denies access to the legitimate users. The company’s website may even be shut down for an indefinite period of time. This type of attack primarily targets start-up businesses as they do not have the sophisticated IT infrastructure and security software.
  • Hijacked Accounts: Online account breaches can be quite serious, particularly if they involve financial or social accounts. Cyber criminals are specifically targeting social media accounts as they are not fully protected by the users. In these attacks, the hacker may threaten the victim to erase, alter or leak out the sensitive information until the extortion amount is not paid off.

Tips To Safeguard Your Business Against Cyber Extortion

  • Know Your Data: Understand the type of data your company needs to store and what risks are involved with it. Depending upon the nature and the amount of sensitive information, you should implement cybersecurity practices in your organization.
  • Set Limits: Restrict the administrative privileges for computer systems and corporate network. Limit the number of employees who can access or use the computers containing all the important information.
  • Enforce Strict Password Policies: Educate employees about the importance of creating strong and lengthy passwords for their online accounts. Also, a single password should never be used for more than one account. You can further increase password security by implementing two-factor authentication, wherever applicable.

We, at Centex Technologies, can help you to prevent cyber extortion attacks in your organization. For more information, you can call us at (855) 375 – 9654.

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