Tag: Cyber Security

Secure Your Business Travel

On January 27, 2015

January 27, 2015

Business travelers are always a prime target for the cyber criminals and spammers to gain access to their computers and confidential data stored therein. Thus, before you go on your next business trip, make sure that you follow these important security tips in order to keep your system safe from any sort of vulnerabilities.

Install Proper Security Updates And Patches: Before you leave for your journey, update the security software of the operating system and other applications for your computer. Also update the anti-virus software and if possible, enable it to update automatically. Although these processes may take a while, but it can prevent your system from security attacks by hackers.
Download Updates From Authorized Websites: If your computer suggests you to update certain software or applications, do not click on the ‘update’ button straightaway. This can be a malware to install spam software in your operating system. To avoid this, you should go to an authorized website and download the updates directly from there.
Always Use Virtual Private Network (VPN): Whenever you use the internet connection offered at public places such as hotels, airports and cafes, there is a higher possibility that your data can be intercepted and accessed unless it is properly encoded. This may include your username, password, documents and emails that you send etc. If your company provides VPN access, make sure you use it while traveling.
Beware Of Free Access Points: Unsecured Wi-Fi access points may seem to be tempting, but they may be a trap set by the hackers to spy on your private data. Malicious hotspots can also be used to redirect the users to spam websites that can infect the computer with viruses. However, if you need to connect to the internet, make sure that you opt for Wi-Fi services that require a password for authentication.
Encrypt Your Hard Drive: Your laptop may consist of some important business related data which may be at the target of cyber criminals. Make sure that your hard drive is properly encrypted and has a complete backup to keep all your information secure.
Avoid Using Public Computers: Computers in internet cafes and hotel business centers should never be trusted for any private communication or transaction. There may be a key logger installed to detect your username and passwords as you type.

It is also advisable that you change your laptop’s password once you have returned from the business trip.

What Is The Internet Of Things?

By centexitguy

On January 17, 2015

In Security

January 17, 2015

The Internet of Things (IoT) may be described as a network of devices connected to the internet to communicate and share valuable information. The concept entails internet connectivity beyond the traditional devices such as computers, tablets and smart phones to TVs, cars, electronic appliances etc. In a nutshell, every device that has an embedded technology to be able to connect to the internet comes under the category of Internet of Things.

Mainly, it consists of three essential components:

The devices themselves
The network that connects them to other devices
The systems that can utilize the data shared through the connected devices

With the help of this infrastructure, the IoT can be used to make our lives better in a number of ways by allowing constant connectivity throughout the world, real time tracking of everything etc. However, every new technology comes with its own share of vulnerabilities, and so does the Internet of Things. Ranging from cross-site scripting, weak passwords to SQL injections and Heartbleed, there are a number of security concerns surrounding these devices. Some of them are:

Privacy Issues: Most of the IoT devices collect personal information of the user such as name, date of birth, address, bank account, credit card details etc. More disturbing fact is that most of these gadgets still transmit these particulars over the internet without any encryption. Thus, it is highly possible that this data may be misused by the cyber criminals.
Insufficient Authentication: There are many users who still rely on weak passwords that are short and easy to remember. A number of devices do not even require a strong password for the user to access the internet. Thus, it provides an easy way for the hackers to decode the password and penetrate the data stored.
Web Interface: One of the common security concerns with the Internet of Things is issues in the UI including issue poor session administration, cross-site scripting and weak default authorizations. This allows the hackers to identify user accounts and manipulate them by resetting passwords.
Insecure software: While downloading any software updates, most users do not use proper encryption. With such an error, the hackers can easily intercept these downloads and even see or modify them for their own benefit.

Given the above concerns, the manufacturers of IoT devices must take the necessary steps to ensure the user’s security while being connected to the internet.

Cyber Security Concerns In 2015

By centexitguy

On January 10, 2015

In Security

January 10, 2015

After a year of facing some challenging cyber security threats like Shellshock (Bash Bug) and Heartbleed, experts have started to make predictions for security concerns in 2015. It is believed that besides traditional cybercrimes like data breaches and password attacks, many larger hacking attacks can also be expected this year.

Given here are some of the potential threats predicted by cyber security experts:

XSS Attacks: It is difficult to find high-risk vulnerabilities in credible web products, such as SharePoint, WordPress etc., however, low-risk vulnerability like XSS is quite common. As these attacks give the same results as an SQL injection, hackers usually prefer to exploit XSS to access confidential data.
Third Party Plugins: Even though the core databases of many web products are quite secure, third party programs are at high risk for security breaches. Any outdated plugin can put the entire application at risk.
Chained Third Party Attacks: Reputed websites are usually protected against critical vulnerabilities. Thus, it becomes easy for the hackers to combine several low to medium risk vulnerabilities to gain access to the websites.
Ransomware Attacks: This is a type of malware that restricts a user to access the computer that it infects. It even demands certain sum of money to be paid to the hacker after which the restriction can be removed.
The Internet of Things: Connecting your gadgets and devices like mobile phones, TVs or cars to the internet will also be a major cyber security concern in 2015. As these devices do not have any sophisticated security applications, it is much easier for the hackers to access important data and manipulate the system.
Cyber Espionage: Also known as cyber spying, this is a very common attack used by the hackers to get hold of confidential information illegitimately from a computer system.
Point of Sale Attacks: With the introduction of Apple’s virtual payment system Apple Pay, cyber criminals will definitely look to abuse any flaws in the application. In addition, other digital payment systems on mobile phones will also remain the target of hackers.
Blastware: This malware destroys operating systems, deletes important information and wipes out the data required to track the hackers. Much like Ransomware, it also enables the cyber criminals to get control over the entire system and manipulate the data for malicious purposes.

Hackers continuously look for insecure and vulnerable networks in order to implement their attacks. Thus, in order to deal with the cyber security concerns in 2015, individuals and organizations must update their security systems regularly.

Cyber Security Tips For Online Shopping Portals

By centexitguy

On November 14, 2010

In Security

November 15, 2010

Internet has become our second home. Most of the time we are either on a social networking sites busy sharing information or networking with friends, or on online newspaper portal simply reading latest headlines, or on chat messengers or may be just surfing various online shopping portals for buying products. All this need to share information over the net. As webmasters, it becomes very important to have proper measures in place to protect confidential information of users, specially when you run an online shopping store. In an online shopping store, for successful order placement, it is important to seek personal and financial information from users. This information is to be kept secure at all times.

For online shopping portals, the security threats are even more. People choose products and pay for them through merchants gateways. As confidential information like credit card number, name, address and email id is shared, it is important to protect them. There are two ways of taking payments online.

First option is where when the user clicks on “Buy Now” button, he is taken to a third party website of merchant gateway. The secure gateway webpage asks for personal and financial information and processes the payment. After payment the user is returned back to the original shopping portal. In such a scenario, the information is neither shared nor stored on shopping website. All information is processed by merchant gateway engine. It becomes very important to use only reliable payment gateways who have all security measures in place.

Second option is where personal and financial information is taken on the shopping website itself and payment is processed either by personalized merchant gateway or through third party merchant gateway. Here webmaster’s responsibility gets very high as he needs to make sure that personal and financial information is kept secure and out of reach of any miscreants. As a webmaster, you should choose web servers that are secure and safe. It is a good practice to buy dedicated web hosting servers from reliable company for the same.

In case of shopping websites, webmaster should buy and install SSL on the cart, registration section and payment processing sections of the website. This ensures that only encrypted data is processed.

As a webmaster, you should make sure that only authorized personnel deals with databases. It is a good practice to keep information at different locations and that too in encrypted form. Your web server or physical server should have proper firewalls and security measures installed to counter any cyber attacks. Do make sure that all softwares are regularly updated.

It is a good practice to rope in a cyber security consultant who can plan and help you in setting up completely secure environment for your application. We at Centex Technologies provide consultation and advanced tools to help you prevent any misuse of personal and financial information of your clients. Contact us today at (254) 213-4740

Security Consultant Central Texas – Website Development Consultant Central Texas

How To Stay Away From Online Frauds and Security Threats

By centexitguy

On September 19, 2010

In Security

September 20, 2010

Internet has opened a gateway of knowledge to us. With a click of mouse, you can come to know what is happening thousands of miles away from you. With internet communication has become easy and convenient. However, like any other technology, internet has also been used widely by the hackers and other anti-social groups. The biggest threat that we face on internet is from virus attacks, identity theft and hacking. However, if you avoid doing the following things when you are online, you can save yourself from hackers and virus attacks.

Keep your passwords confidential. Never share your passwords with anyone.
Avoid logging in to any websites when you are using a shared wireless network, there is a chance that a hacker can steal your password. If you want to login, make sure that you have a firewall turned on.
While using any banking website, make sure that you are using web pin or using your mouse to enter the passwords from the set of characters instead of entering them by typing in the required area. This avoids any programs like key logger from recording your key strokes. Most of the banks provide third level of security, use them.
Do not download any unauthorized songs, movie or video clips unless you are sure that the source is genuine.
Do not download attachments from unknown senders, they may contain viruses.
Be aware of phishing mails and never give your personal information like passwords, username, and account number to any emails sent by banks. No banks will ask you this information.
Most of the internet browsers warn users from going to malicious websites. When you reach such website, shut down the browser.
Always check for the security sign of the website. Never do online transactions if the website does not have any https option or if the security certificate is expired.
Store your personal information in an external drive and protect the folder with a password.
Last but not the least, never trust any email claiming that you have won millions of dollars and asking for personal information from you. They are frauds.

By following the above tips, you can definitely avoid any kind of frauds or virus attacks and make an online experience much pleasant.

For complete IT security solutions for your business, visit Centex Technologies.

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