Tag: Cyber Security Page 39 of 48

Ways To Fortify Your Firm’s Computer Security

On August 9, 2016

9 August, 2016

Data breach has become a common occurrence these days. However, owing to the increasing focus on computer security, many organizations have taken the necessary steps to protect themselves against online attacks. As a result, small businesses are turning to be an easy target for the hackers due to the absence of a stringent cyber security policy.

Listed below are steps to fortify your firm’s computer security:

Understand The Potential Risks

Though technological advancements, BYOD policy and cloud computing have simplified business operations to a great extent, they have also increased the risk for a potential data loss. Therefore, you should evaluate the risks and benefits before implementing these in your organization. Make sure you employ strong password policies, enforce installation of security software and enable remote wiping in case a device is stolen or lost. Devices that support data encryption should only be allowed to access the corporate network.

Restrict Access To Confidential Data

The computer systems that have confidential information should be accessed only by a limited number of employees. Important official accounts and server room should also be protected against unauthorized access. Password protect all the computers and encourage the employees to lock the systems when they are not around. You can also use biometric authentication to further intensify computer security.

Educate Your Employees

Even with all the cyber security measures in place, your organization is at risk if the employees are not well-informed about the potential threats. It is important to educate your employees on the adverse effects of these attacks and the best ways to protect against them. They should also be informed about the common attack vectors, such as spear phishing and drive-by downloads. Make sure they understand the rules and regulations regarding handling of removable media, operating official email accounts as well maintaining privacy of sensitive information.

Regularly Backup Your Data

Even if you have implemented an infallible cyber security policy, it makes sense to backup all the important information stored on the computer systems. In case your computer is infected with a malware, it may manipulate, delete or restrict access to the files. If you have a backup on Cloud or an external removable device, a data breach would not have much effect on your company’s operations.

We, at Centex Technologies, can review and suggest measures to fortify the computer security of your business firm in Central Texas. For more information, you can call us at (855) 375 – 9654.

Top Malware Myths And Facts

By centexitguy

On July 27, 2016

In Security

27 July, 2016

Over the past few years, computer security has become the primary concern for most people. To stay protected, it is important to know about different types of malware found online i.e. how they spread and the repercussions they may bring. However, there are a myriad of misconceptions about malware that put internet users at risk.

Discussed below are some common myths and facts about malware that you should know to safeguard your computer and protect your information online:

Myth: Updating software is not important for computer security
Fact: A computer with an outdated version of anti-virus software is more susceptible to malware infection. Software vendors frequently release patches and upgrades to protect against the latest security threats. Hence, you must either enable the anti-virus software to update automatically or check for newer versions available on the vendor’s website.

Myth: Malware infection can be easily detected
Fact: Though some types of malware show obvious signs when they infect a computer, such as displaying a pop-up demanding ransom from the user or causing the system to crash. However, certain malware are specifically designed to avoid detection by the user. They may be programmed to stealthily collect sensitive information, send spam emails from the computer or lock down important files.

Myth: Malware only affects Windows
Fact: Though most malware are created to target Windows users, other platforms are not immune from this online threat. With an increasing share of Android and Mac users, hackers are initiating various cross-platform malware to target multiple devices.

Myth: Reputed websites are safe
Fact: While it is partially true that malware mostly spreads by visiting websites that have pornographic or pirated content, credible websites can also be compromised. Hackers use a technique known as malvertizing, which involves placing malicious ads on reputed websites. Clicking on these ads or just visiting the website may download a malware to the user’s computer.

Myth: You are safe if you do not have anything important on your computer
Fact: Even if you have not stored sensitive information on your hard drive, malware can scan other important details that can be used to achieve its goal. For instance, it may access your email account to send out spam emails to your contacts or trace your keystrokes to steal login credentials for online financial transactions. With this information, hackers can cause serious damage including identity theft and phishing attacks.

For more information about the malware perils and prevention tips, you can contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.

Tips For Managing Cyber Security Risks

By centexitguy

On July 22, 2016

In Security

22 July, 2016

The incidences of online attacks have undergone a steep rise over the past few years, making cyber security a top priority for the organizations. A security breach can jeopardize the confidentiality of a company’s network and important data, leading to financial losses as well as reputational damage. Therefore, it is important to be proactive and identify as well as mitigate the potential threats to the corporate network.

Listed below are tips that can help organizations manage cyber security risks:

Internet Firewalls And Gateways

Internet firewalls, gateways and other such mechanisms should be adopted to protect the corporate network against unauthorized access. Devoid of proper security techniques, the company’s files, client details and other important information are at risk of being stolen, manipulated or deleted. A firewall will monitor the traffic on the organizations’ internal network and block any suspicious or unauthorized users. However, it is important to ensure that the firewall is frequently updated and password protected.

Secure Configuration

All the devices connected to the network should be properly configured to adhere to the cyber security policies of the company. This will help to identify and deal with the potential vulnerabilities. The default security settings on any device can serve as an easy backdoor for the hackers to gain access to your corporate network. Therefore, when installing networking devices, these settings should be changed and safeguarded with a strong as well as hard-to-crack password. Unrequired user accounts should be deleted and obsolete software should be updated or disabled. Auto-run feature should also be deactivated to prevent unintended installation of malicious software.

Software Management

Most cyber-attacks are initiated by exploiting the security vulnerabilities in the software installed on a computer system. Hence, it is essential to regularly download and install the updates released by the software vendors. The organization should frame a comprehensive patch management policy to ensure efficient and effective updating of the software. There should be a specified time frame within which the patches need to be installed on the networking devices. Also, all the software updates should be licensed and released by a legitimate authority.

Malware Protection

When computer systems are connected to the internet, they are likely to download malware through spam emails, fake websites, malicious advertizements or drive-by downloads. Anti-malware software should be installed to protect against such online threats. Make sure you keep it updated and allow regular scans to detect any malware installed on the device.

Centex Technologies is a leading IT consulting firm providing cyber security solutions to business firms across Central Texas. For more information, you can call us at (855) 375 – 9654.

How To Protect Against Spyware

By centexitguy

On June 24, 2016

In Security

24 June, 2016

Spyware is a general term for the malicious programs aimed at gathering information from a computer system without the consent of the user. They record keystrokes or monitor user’s internet activity to collect sensitive data such as usernames, email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers etc. The data is then transmitted to the hackers who may use it to initiate various online attacks. Spyware may infect a computer system through a malicious email attachment, visiting a spam website or in the form of a drive-by-download.

Listed below are some useful tips to protect against spyware:

Install anti-spyware software

The most critical step in protecting your computer system is to install a reliable anti-spyware software. Most anti-virus programs may detect and remove malware, but they may not be able to identify the diverse variants of spyware. Make sure you update it regularly and configure it to check for the latest versions available. Enable a complete scan of your computer’s hard drives on a regular basis to detect any spyware program that may have discreetly infected the system. It will add an additional layer of protection.

Be cautious while surfing the web

You should not click on unknown URLs or visit malicious websites. The browser plugins included in the anti-spyware software should be enabled to protect against infections. Software should be downloaded only from reliable sources after carefully researching about its reviews and information that it may access on your computer.

Keep operating system updated

An updated operating system will make your computer less vulnerable to the online threats. Software vendors often release the security patches to fix any flaws that may be exploited by the cybercriminals. Enable automatic updates so that your computer automatically scans and downloads the latest software versions periodically.

Do not click on ads or pop-ups

Flash advertizements and pop-ups are common ways through which spyware is downloaded into a computer. To avoid this, make sure you do not click on or enter any confidential information in these windows. It is possible that the hacker may be tracking the way you respond to these ads or tracing the data you enter. If you want to close an unwanted ad or pop-up, click on the ‘X’ icon instead of the ‘close’ link within the window.

Centex Technologies is a leading IT firm providing complete online security solutions to the business firms in Central Texas. For more information, you can call at (855) 375 – 9654.

Protecting Your Information On Social Networks

By centexitguy

On June 17, 2016

In Security

17 June, 2016

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc. have exploded in popularity in the past few years. These social networking websites provide a convenient platform to connect with friends and stay updated about the world. However, these portals are quite commonly targeted by cybercriminals to access confidential information that can be used for scandalous purposes. It is imperative for the users to stay cautious to minimize the potential risk of hacker attacks.

Here are some do’s and don’ts that must be followed while using social networking websites:

Do’s

Configure your privacy settings: Make sure you set your account privacy settings to the maximum. This will help to protect your information from being viewed by anyone you do not know. Restrict the number of users who can view your personal details, status updates, pictures, tweets or pins.
Keep password strong: Create a strong as well as unique password and make sure you set a different one for all your social networking accounts. Do not use your personal information such as name, date of birth, home town, pet’s name etc. as the password as these can be easily cracked by the hacker. Consider making your password lengthy by combining alphabets, numbers and symbols to increase the security of your social media accounts.
Verify friend/follower requests: It is important to be selective about who you accept as a friend or follow on social networking websites. Cybercriminals may disguise or falsify their online identity to seek out sensitive information that may otherwise not be accessible. If you interact with unknown people, limit the information that you share with them.

Don’ts

Share too much information: Be cautious about how much personal information you are sharing on social networking platforms. The more details you provide, the easier it will be hackers to use the data to breach your account or initiate other cybercrimes. Also, geo-tagging your photos may put you at risk from burglars and stalkers.
Open unsolicited images or links: You must not click on any links or open images that appear to be suspicious, even if they are shared by people you know. Also, do not open a social networking website through the embedded link in an email or text message. It may redirect you to a fake website to steal your login credentials.
Download third party apps: Many social networking websites give you the option to download apps and programs to enhance user experience. However, these may be used by the cybercriminals to infect your system with a malware or track your online activities.

For more tips to increase your safety while using social networking websites, you can contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.