Experts estimate that cyberattacks could cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Businesses are particularly at risk as they are lucrative targets for hackers looking to make money. A data breach on your company can be catastrophic. About 60 percent of small businesses fold within six months of being breached. Yet, the vast majority of small businesses remain unprepared for cyber attacks. One way to boost IT security in your organization is by creating cybersecurity awareness throughout the company. A staggering 88 percent of all data breach incidents are the result of employee mistakes. In today’s post, we outline eight top reasons enhancing information security awareness is worth the investment. Cybersecurity Awareness Helps Avert Breaches The main reason people invest in cybersecurity for business is to prevent data breaches. The exact number of breaches you prevent through IT security awareness training is hardly possible to quantify. But like we pointed out before, even a single incidence of a data breach can prove catastrophic to a company. You Get to Create a Security Culture Making IT security part of your corporate culture can safeguard against cyber attacks. Unfortunately, such a culture is quite hard to achieve. A well-planned cybersecurity awareness training program can help achieve that culture much faster. But exactly what does an IT security culture entail? You’ll need to build cybersecurity values into the very fabric of your organization. The training must cover situational awareness. Besides, it should reveal the work and home-life benefits of IT security awareness. With time, you’ll need to provide advanced training platforms that help track your cybersecurity culture. The ultimate goal is to make your employees your first line of defense. Security Awareness Boosts the Efficiency of Your Technological Defenses Technological defenses play a vital role in averting breaches. However, these defenses require appropriate input from people to work properly. For a secure server, you have to turn on firewalls. You also need to acknowledge security warnings and update software to keep your network secure. Security awareness training helps make sure that people do their part to keep your technological defenses up and working. Awareness Boosts Customer Confidence Most consumers rely on technology to get stuff done in their daily lives. They’re thus aware of the endless cyber threats in today’s world. Naturally, consumers want to work with a company that guarantees that their sensitive data is safe and secure. By investing in cybersecurity awareness, you send the message that you’re serious about preventing breaches at all costs. This generates consumer trust and loyalty, which ultimately boosts your bottom line. Awareness Training Helps You Comply With the Regulations Failure to comply with HIPAA regulations can lead to serious consequences. Many other regulators also require that certain industries conduct security awareness training. Complying with these regulations is in your best interest.  There are also clients who’ll not entrust you with their business unless they have proof that you’ve done enough to guarantee cybersecurity. Having an ongoing IT security training program is a good sign that you take security seriously.. Cybersecurity Awareness Makes You Socially Responsible Over the years, it has become clear just how rapidly cyber attacks can spread. Once a network is infected, other networks become vulnerable too. In other words, a weakness in one network automatically increases the threat to other networks around it. By not investing in cybersecurity awareness, you’re exposing other organizations to risk. It’s almost the same as leaving your car unlocked, with the keys to the car parked next to yours waiting inside your car. Security awareness thus benefits not only your company but also your clients. Your employers and any other party who is interlinked with your network also benefit. You Get to Reduce Employee Stress The possibility or occurrence of a data breach is a major stress trigger. This is especially for your employees who stand to lose jobs in case you don’t survive the attack. By taking a proactive approach to preventing cybercrime, you help ease this anxiety. Once you equip your employees with the knowledge they need to spot and prevent cyber scams, you’ve boosted their confidence. They’ll be able to implement IT security best practices with ease. That includes using a team password manager to generate and safeguard passwords. Cybersecurity Awareness Saves You Money A well-executed cybersecurity awareness training will help you save money. Specifically, it’ll keep you from losing it as a result of an attack. The damages resulting from cyber-related incidents can have severe financial consequences. Following a data breach, a company’s reputation suffers massively. Employees can also flee. That deals a serious blow to the revenue even after the company resumes normal operations. On many occasions, affected companies face costly lawsuits and hefty fines. A data breach can also result in the loss of intellectual property. The financial implications are hardly quantifiable in such an event. When you invest in cybersecurity awareness, you’re saving the future of your organization. IT Security Awareness Is Your Best Chance Against Cyber Attacks As businesses continue to rely more heavily on technology, cybercrime continues to thrive. No one knows when or where cybercriminals will strike next, so it pays to stay ready. One of the best ways to do so is by investing in cybersecurity awareness. Are you interested in boosting the security of your business accounts and applications? Please contact us today to learn about our solutions.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, your employees must work remotely. Remote work security is an afterthought. You don’t have the time nor the resources to enhance remote team security. What would you say if the result could be the undoing of your business? According to statistics, 60% of small businesses that undergo data breaches go under in six months. Unsecured remote work systems will leave data vulnerable. If hackers gain access to credit card information, the reputation of your business will suffer immensely. You must devote time and resources to notifying all victims. Further, the government could impose heavy fines on your business. However, you can prevent catastrophe by setting up a secure remote working environment. This article will show you how to create a remote team security regimen. Let’s explore.  Avoid Public Wi-Fi Networks  Public networks are dangerous because anyone using the network can access your data. With no firewall in place, bad actors can access your computer from any location. Additionally, public networks aren’t encrypted. This means outside observers can access your traffic.  If you must work in public, use a hotspot instead of a public network. A hotspot is a private network. Even though your hotspot won’t have encryption, it will be much harder for hackers to probe a private network.  Data Encryption  Data encryption is especially useful during email exchanges. Sending an email to another party is risky because hackers could intercept the email. Many remote workers send sensitive information via email. The sensitive information could be company documents or personal banking information. Encrypt the email attachments to keep prying eyes at bay. Besides email protection, data encryption has the following benefits: Service providers cannot access your data Encryption helps workers adhere to regulations, especially regulations governing credit card data Encryption protects all of your backups Encrypted data remains protected even if someone steals your hardware Physical Security As a remote worker, your equipment is more valuable. If your devices get lost or stolen, your company could be in serious trouble, especially if you’re in vital industries such as healthcare. Lost or stolen hardware constitutes compromised data, which can result in fines and other penalties.  Above all, keep your doors locked at all times. Moreover, keep hardware stored in a safe location, especially if you live with other people. Hardware that’s left in the open could get damaged by mistake. Also, someone could pick up your equipment casually and misplace it.  If you’re on the road, don’t leave your hardware in the car unattended. Someone may be watching from afar and notice your devices.  You may feel tempted to leave your hardware in the trunk of your car, but this is a mistake. Thieves could still access your trunk. Plus, devices left in the trunk could sustain damage as the car moves.  Password Security  Many people don’t change their router passwords when it’s installed. If you don’t have a new password in place, an outside party could access your devices. That said, the new password should be strong. You can create a secure password by: Using a mixture of upper and lower case letters Using numbers and symbols Avoiding personal info (i.e. part of your social security number) Further, don’t use the same password across multiple platforms. With so many passwords to keep track of, many people write their passwords in a notebook or pad. Avoid writing them down at all costs. Someone could find the password and use it to access your devices. Rather, choose an app that allows you to manage multiple passwords.  Password Sharing You may encounter a situation where another remote worker asks you to share a password. This is a fatal mistake that often leads to breached networks. When it comes to team password management, each employee should have a separate password. If you must share the password, change the password immediately when the employee is finished with it.   Be Aware of Your Surroundings  Additional security will mean nothing if you’re not mindful of who may be watching you. If you’re in a coffee shop, for example, pay attention to who may be behind you. Cybercriminals tend to be in coffee shops and can read sensitive information from afar. The best thing you can do is block your line of sight with an object or barrier.  If you must use the restroom or step outside, take your hardware with you. Don’t leave your equipment unattended. Criminals could access your hardware using a thumb drive that processes data quickly.  Penetration Testing Penetration testing will assess the strength of your network. The testers act like hackers and use the latest hacking techniques to breach your network. The tester can test how your system responds to such threats as viruses, phishing scams, or malware. Penetration testing will pinpoint vulnerabilities within your system. From there, the tester can recommend the best tools that will upgrade your system.  Remote Work Security Done the Right Way To enhance remote work security, use a private network, lock your doors at all times, change your router password, and know who may be watching you in public. One of the best tools to use in your security arsenal is data encryption. Data encryption can protect sensitive information even if someone steals your hardware. Individual security measures are important, but companies should have remote working policies in place that all employees must follow.  Want to know how to protect your information using the cloud? Click here to learn more. 

Compromised passwords are responsible for at least 81% of hacking breaches. Managing all of your account information is a frustrating but essential step in ensuring your online security. There are several types of password management systems, but a single sign-on solution is one of the best. It creates a unique password that provides quick, secure access to all of your accounts. Read our guide to learn all you need to know about this effective solution. You’ll find the answers to questions like what is single sign-on and what benefits can it provide? What Is Password Management? 37% of computer users have more than 20 personal passwords, and 19% use more than 10 passwords in their daily lives. This is a lot to remember without an effective solution to help you. Password management is a set of guidelines you use to keep your passwords secure. They apply from the moment you create the password to the day you discontinue it. Examples of basic password management strategies include not sharing your password and using alphanumeric characters. Sticky notes are another example; in fact, 42% of organizations use them as the primary method. A password manager uses software to keep your passwords safe. Different types include browser-based, portable, desktop-based, and cloud-based. Browser-based password managers use internet applications to secure your passwords. They’re easy to use but are the least secure. Portable password managers are used for devices like smartphones. Desktop-based password managers store all your passwords locally on your device. Cloud-based password management systems store your passwords in a cloud database, allowing you to access them from anywhere. The best password management software includes additional features such as: Biometrics Fingerprint usage Photo-login Pin codes Single sign-on access is also a type of feature. Look for it in any password management software you’re considering. What Is Single Sign-On? SSO or single sign-on is a powerful password authentication process. It lets you access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.  SSO applications use what they already know about their users to recognize who’s logging in. They use cookies in your browser to check IP addresses, remember passwords, and utilize authentication domains. SSO solutions deny access to anyone attempting to log in from an unrecognized IP address. This helps keep your accounts secure by preventing unauthorized access. Why Should I Use Single Sign-On? Only 50% of businesses offer a single sign-on solution for their employees. They may not recognize all the features that make SSO systems one of the best forms of password management. These advantages include improved security, customization, easy access, improved efficiency and productivity, and reduced help desk issues. Improved Security At least 50% of computer users have the same password for all of their accounts. This puts them at high risk of a security breach. Hackers use scripts to guess usernames and passwords every 39 seconds. This stolen information is part of 81% of personal hacking incidents, and 81% of company data breaches are the result of poor passwords. It may seem that a single sign-on solution is making the same mistake by using the same password for all of your accounts, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.  What it actually does is create a single complex password instead of several identical or simple ones. This is a major benefit when you consider that a 12-character password takes 62 trillion times longer to crack than a six-character password.  Customization SSO also lets you customize your level of security. You can create whatever password you need and make it as complex as you like. Employees don’t even have to know it because IT team members can handle registrations.  SSO solutions can be used on custom web apps by adding its domain to the program’s API. It’s a customizable solution for any business or account. You can also use multi-factor authentication as part of your single sign-on solution. It uses 3 different security formats to protect your information. Physical security safeguards include physical tokens like employee cards. Logical and knowledge-based security methods include passwords and PINs. Biometric security uses fingerprints, retinal scans, and/or voice recognition. Multi-factor authentication is perfect for locations such as nuclear power plants or government facilities that contain extremely sensitive data. It’s a great way to provide the highest level of protection but is also optional so that you don’t have to spend the extra time and money on it if you don’t need to. Easy Access 75% of Americans are frustrated with passwords, and over 50% want an alternative solution for their online security. Until that day comes, SSO solutions are one of the best ways to reduce this frustration by preventing lockouts and allowing for easy access. Single sign-on for employees gives them quick, secure access to their accounts. SSO for clients provides them with access to multiple resources from a local area network or LAN.  Improved Efficiency and Productivity Single sign-on is the fastest, most efficient way to log onto all of your accounts. Your employees can spend less time trying to remember passwords and more time doing their work. This means a major increase in productivity. Help Desk Savings At least 50% of all help desk calls involve passwords. Fixing the issues they bring up can cost up to $70. They’re a time-consuming and financially draining problem area for most businesses.  A single sign-on solution makes it faster and easier for clients and customers to access their accounts, making them less likely to call your help desk when they’re logged out. It also means fewer password issues within your organization.  Where Can I Find the Best Single Sign-On Solution? Most computer users feed their account information to hackers by using easy-to-guess, repeated passwords. An effective password management system is the best way to fight back. Single sign-on solutions create a single complex password. This allows employees and clients to access all their accounts with fewer headaches and increased efficiency. Understanding what single sign-on is and the benefits it provides is the first step. The next is to find the right provider to purchase

The evolution of data management is creating new obstacles for companies. The CyberSpace Administration of China found 33 mobile apps that were breaking Data Privacy laws. Now, more than ever, companies will need to inform themselves of these data privacy challenges. Interested in learning more? Then keep reading, as this guide will show some data privacy tips and the laws surrounding the protection of your data. Data Privacy Law Data Privacy covers the way in which we determine the identities and data of an individual or corporation. Various software and administrative applications collect and store personal information.  The rise in skillful users of the internet requires companies to take more steps in protecting this information. Individuals can sue or break down a corporation failing to protect a user’s personal data. Rules and Regulations are set in place through legislation to manage these actions. It also organizes a system to help hold companies and individuals accountable for failing to enforce the internet safety protocol. The law sees the collection and storing of this data as a fundamental human right. Abusing that personal information can be punishable by law. Employee Data Privacy & Associations One of the premier locations for data legislation is the GDPR or the General Data Protection Regulation. This agency, in affiliation with the European Union, protects the European data protocol. These rules and regulations are set up as a statement of rights. This includes the right to rectify, the right to be forgotten, and the right to civil action. The act of rectifying means an individual requesting to change details of their digital self. In order to do this, they must find their data in its right location. Once you locate this data, the individual can comply with GDPR and correct its data. Another aspect of the rules is understanding the right to be forgotten. In this case, a person or company can purge its digital identity. In terms of law, this means that a person or company has the “right to erasure”. But, as before, the agency needs to locate the individual’s data and information. Once the company has this information they can proceed with the process. Confirming Identity This process requires the affiliations to probe deep into every corner and endpoint to discover this information. Once these locations arise they can remove the information. Among these, the General Data Protection Regulation guarantees the right to sue any proprietor over damages. This can occur through the misuse of data or the mishandling of data that loses protection. There are many important rules regarding these transitions. An important note is demonstrating that safeguards are active. This means these safety nets are active and up-to-date. They must also be actively working in that they can work upon request at all times. This is important because it is the only way that companies can prove their innocence in a court of law. This can also make sure that companies avoid fines when under indication. Making minor mistakes when dealing with a company’s data privacy comes with a big price tag. These fines can be up to 3% to 4% of the total annual revenue of a company.  United States Legislation In the US, we find laws like HIPAA or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. These laws regulate the transference of health data and information. If there is an exchange between a health management clientele and an individual, HIPAA oversees this process. Health Management applications are growing at a rapid rate. These HIPAA standards are having difficulty catching up to these telecommunication standards. There is a useful symbiotic relationship with patients through their network. Amazon wishes to expand these networks and meet the rising number of patients. Without cybersecurity safety nets, companies can lose these beneficial health care options. The SPID or the Public Digital Identity System identifies these public administrative positions and private organizations. The SPID and S-ID oversee financial records as well. It’s important for these companies to enforce employee data privacy. This agency is required to handle private credentials in order to regulate identities. The SEC or the United States Securities and Exchange Commission enforces these organization’s rules. State & Local Legislation But, with that said, there is no national privacy standard. Aside from that, we require individuals and companies to follow state laws. For instance, CCPA in California or the California Consumer Privacy Act regulates Californian standards. These state organizations follow similar rules to the General Department Protection Regulation. But, this enforcement is strict only for the penalties. Organizations like the CCPA heighten these restrictions, demanding companies to report their data at a faster rate. Their rules and regulations have tighter control over company information than the GDPR. California may be the first of the states to introduce more imposing standards on company regulations. Moreso than the entirety of the European Union. PIPEDA represents the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. This is Canada’s main source of organization and enforcing internet safety. These services held a recent update to their systems allowing Canada to introduce new standards. PIPEDA requires companies to report any form of unauthorized access. This is similar to the rules under the GDPR.  Protocol Breach These standards also protect individuals if there is any breach in protocol. This includes failures in encryption, antivirus, and security agents. No matter the circumstance, PIPEDA sees these consequences as actionable under the law. Even if the black-hat hacker was unsuccessful in their attempts. The breach itself is grounds for lawful action. Hackers have many advantages when dealing with a breach in protocol. Many data-lines are not visible on end-points. This can be up to 30% of information, so security is key when dealing with this portion of data. But, these cases must ensure that companies could prevent the incident too. They must show these agencies that their systems were up-to-date and persistent. They must both prove this prevention and the incident’s time/date as well. To prove the innocence of the company, their systems must

The recent SolarWinds data breach was one of the biggest hacker attacks in recent memory. The attack compromised local, state, and federal government agencies as well as many big tech companies.  By better understanding the history of cyber attacks, we can see how they have developed over time and how to better protect against them. The landscape of the internet has changed dramatically over the last few decades. And hackers and cybersecurity firms have been updating their systems to match these shifts. But what are some of the biggest hacker attacks in history? Keep on reading and we’ll walk you through the worst cyber attacks that you need to know about.  The Morris Worm (1988) The first computer worm to be transmitted through the internet was created by Robert Tappan Morris. At the time, Morris was a student at Cornell University. He made the worm not to harm any devices but to measure the size of the internet. However, that’s not how things turned out. The worm ended up encountering a serious error and it morphed into a virus. The worm replicated very quickly and started to infect other computers, causing them to shut down.  In total, thousands of computers were affected, which made up most of the internet at that time. The Morris worm ended up causing tens of millions of dollars in damage.  MafiaBoy (2000) Michael Calce, also known as MafiaBoy, was just a regular high school student in Canada who suddenly reached notoriety at the turn of the century. He unleashed a DDoS attack on many high-profile commercial sites, including Yahoo, eBay, CNN, and Amazon. It’s estimated that MafiaBoy caused more than $1 billion in damage. Michael was later arrested. However, because he was a minor, he was only sentenced to eight months in open custody. This means that his actions and movements were restricted. The court also limited his online access. Since then, Calce has worked as a columnist and even wrote a memoir.  Google China Attack (2009) At the end of 2009, Google’s headquarters in China found a security breach. They suspected that the Chinese government was behind the attack. Hackers were able to gain access to multiple corporate servers at Google and they stole intellectual property too. Google claimed that the attack was done to target human rights activists in China.  As the company did more research, they found that the Gmail accounts of users from Europe, China, and the United States had all been accessed without permission. Many of those emails belonged to human rights activists.  As a response to the attack, Google moved their servers to Hong Kong in 2010.  NASA and DoD Hack (1999)  In 1999, Jonathan James was only fifteen years old. However, he still managed to penetrate the computers of the US Department of Defense. He then installed a “backdoor” on the department’s servers.  This let James intercept thousands of internal emails from various governmental organizations. He even got the usernames and passwords for various military networks. With this stolen data, James was able to steal some software from Nasa. This forced the agency to shut its systems for several weeks, causing tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity. NASA claimed that the software was worth nearly $2 million and was used to support the physical environment at the International Space Station, including control of the humidity and temperature.  Hacks like these show just how important it is for companies to keep their passwords safe and protected.  Because he was so young, James was given a light sentence after he was arrested. In 2008, he was accused of conspiring with other hackers to steal credit card information.   Porsche Radio Hack (1990) In 1990, the radio station LA KIIS FM was holding a competition where they were offering a Porsche 944 S2 to the 102nd caller. Kevin Poulsen was able to guarantee his success by hacking into the phone network and stopping anyone else from calling the radio station’s phone number. He ended up winning the Porsche. However, law enforcement caught onto his scheme and sentenced him to five years in prison. Poulsen would go on to become the senior editor for IT security publication, Wired News. SolarWinds Hack (2020) In 2020, a major cyber attack by a foreign group penetrated thousands of organizations around the world, including various parts of the American government. This attack is viewed as one of the worst cyber-spy attacks ever inflicted upon the United States. The attack lasted nearly nine months before it was put to a stop. Microsoft, the European Parliament, the UK government, and NATO were also affected by the data breaches.  The hack started around March 2020. The hackers exploited software from VMware, SolarWinds, and Microsoft. Flaws in these systems allowed the hackers to access emails and other sensitive documents. They were even able to perform federated authentication and gain access to all kinds of data.  The hackers were able to install Trojan horses into updates from various tech companies. When an update was initiated by a user, the malware would then be able to gain access to the computer system it was installed on.  The damage is estimated to cost around $90 million. The Importance of Knowing About the Biggest Hacker Attacks in History Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now feel that you have a better understanding of some of the biggest hacker attacks in history. As we can see, hacker attacks have the ability to compromise vital systems and cause a lot of technological and financial damage. By understanding the history of these attacks, we can better appreciate the need for protecting data. If you’re looking to protect your computing systems, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!

In the U.S., data breaches cost companies over $8 million yearly on average. Plus, with more and more businesses going digital, don’t be surprised if the figure shoots to $10 million in the coming years. Security is always a key concern for businesses dealing with super-sensitive data. Fortunately, you don’t need an entire IT team to protect sensitive data from breaches. Protecting company information can be as simple as installing a business password manager. This is software that enables users to create, store, and manage their passwords across multiple platforms. A password manager is an excellent alternative to writing passwords in a notebook or on sticky notes. With password managers, you can store all your essential passwords and sidestep data breaches. You also don’t have to worry about forgetting passwords or memorizing them every day. All you have to do is remember a single password. If you’ve been having data security concerns or trouble keeping up with your password, then a password manager can be the answer to all your problems. Keep reading as we look at why password managers are so crucial for businesses. Let’s get right into it. You Can Create Stronger Passwords You need strong and complicated passwords to protect sensitive company data. Simple, short passwords are easily predictable, easy to guess, and pose many dangers to your data security and business. On the other hand, long and complicated passwords are hard to remember. With password managers, you can generate long and complicated passwords without having to worry about forgetting them. That way, you can use strong passwords that even password generators can’t crack. With that in mind, here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your passwords: Use both small and capitalized characters Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols Avoid using special dates like birthdays for your password Make your password as long as possible These are a few tips you should keep in mind when creating your passwords. Alternatively, you can use passphrases instead of passwords. These are just like passwords but instead, use a string of words and not a combination of characters. Faster Access to Data Most people use a single password for every access point. Seems sensible, but it might not be such a good idea, especially for business accounts. That’s because hackers can get the keys to the entire kingdom just by having that one password. You can opt for multiple passwords, but you’ll probably have a hard time remembering all of them. That’s why most people write down passwords in their notebooks. While it works, it leads to a lot of time wastage when you have to fumble through your notebooks to get to your passwords. With a password manager, accessing your login credentials is as simples as a click of the mouse button. What’s more, the software automatically creates login credentials for different access points to save even more time. Seamless Account Sharing Most businesses use shared accounts for their various business operations. Managing shared accounts is one of the most challenging jobs a business owner could have.  Password managers allow one person to manage the password to apps used by multiple personnel without sharing the password. This ensures ultimate data security, even with shared accounts. Remember, shared accounts are vulnerable to breaches because data security depends on many people. A password manager allows for hassle-free management of shared accounts and login credentials of multiple users. Some password managers even allow you to keep track of user activity. They Do More Than Store Passwords Password managers do more than store passwords and login credentials. The software might come bundled with other security features that might prove useful for your company. Some password managers have multi-factor authentication that adds extra security layers for robust data security. With some business password managers, you can even have secure access to credit card information, and others allow you to monitor user activity. You Don’t Need a Good Memory You should update your password every once in a while, to always be a few steps ahead of hackers. However, remembering the frequently changing passwords can be difficult even with a good memory. That’s why most people choose to write down their passwords on paper. The good thing with password managers is that you don’t have to scratch your head to remember multiple passwords. You can store all your passwords securely with a password manager. All you have to do is remember a single password. You Don’t Compromise Your Online Security Most browsers allow you to save your login credentials for faster access to your online accounts. While the feature is great for user experience, it compromises your browsing security. Instead of storing your login credentials on the browser, you can use a business password manager. That way, keeping online information secure is possible, especially if you share devices with employees. Also, do your best not to store your passwords on the browser. Doing so makes you susceptible to unauthorized access. Protects Against Phishing Attacks Phishing attacks have become more rampant in recent years. Phishing is an easy way for hackers to get your login credentials. The worst part is that sometimes you won’t even know it until it’s too late. Phishing involves using phishing software that can mimic existing apps and websites to get your login credentials. Using a business password manager is one way to sidestep such attacks. That’s because, unlike other apps, password managers can block phishing software. If you don’t want your business to be a victim of phishing attacks, then use a password manager for all your passwords. Also, remember to remain extra cautious of suspicious login screens  Get a Business Password Manager Today The security of your company’s data lies solely in your hands. That’s why you should consider getting a business password manager today and safeguard your company’s data. Most password managers have tutorials on how to use the software to make it easier to use. With the plethora of business password

The only thing between malicious hackers and all your personal, sensitive information is one password. If that password isn’t strong, you can become a victim of credit card fraud or identity theft.  But coming up with new passwords isn’t always easy.  We’ve put together this guide to show you some common mistakes that result in bad passwords and how to avoid them, so let’s get started! Including Your Name (Or Part of Your Name)  It can be tempting to put your name in your password because it’s easy to remember. It also happens to be a common password habit, which makes it easy for hackers to guess. Because of this, you should keep your name (and the names of your family members, friends, and pets) out of your passwords.  Choosing Characters That Are in Succession on Your Keyboard  You might think choosing a character pattern on your keyboard is a clever trick. It’s a bunch of random letters, but you’ll never forget it because you can see it every time you look at your keyboard.  Think again.  Keyboard patterns, such as 123456 and qwerty, are some of the most common passwords out there. They also hold the record for the internet’s most vulnerable passwords. Unless you want to leave all your personal information at risk, never use this type of password, not even for a temporary placeholder.  Using Important Numbers  Just like the names of loved ones, important numbers are easy for hackers to guess, as well. You should keep the following things out of your passwords:  Birthdays  Phone numbers  Addresses  Social security numbers Etc.  It is especially dangerous to use any part of your social security number in your passwords. If hackers get their hands on it, you’ll find yourself dealing with even bigger problems.  Making It the Same as Your Login Information  If you have to think of a password quickly and don’t have any ideas, you might decide to retype the username or other login information you used for the account.  This creates a huge risk.  If hackers get your login information (which is much easier than figuring out your password), they’ll suddenly have access to your entire account. Your login information is also one of the first things they’ll try when attempting to decode your password.  Keeping Them Short and Simple  The shorter the password, the weaker it is. You should always do your best to make your passwords as long as possible. The ideal length is 12 to 16 characters, and you should avoid anything under eight characters.  Putting “Password” as Your Password  There’s no other way to say it. This simply isn’t a smart choice. Using the word “password” for your password is one of the easiest passwords for hackers to crack. When you combine that with the fact that it’s one of the most used passwords on the internet, you’re basically asking for someone to take your information.  Only Have a Few Passwords You Use on Repeat  The average internet user has about 90 online accounts. That’s far too many passwords to remember.  However, you should avoid creating a few passwords (no matter how strong they are) and using them on repeat. If a hacker figures out just one of these passwords, they suddenly have access to a large number of your accounts.  Always do your best to have as many passwords as possible (we’ll talk more about a safe way to store them all below so you don’ have to try to remember each one).  Sticking to Lowercase Letters  It’s a lot easier for hackers to guess passwords that are all lowercase. Because of this, you should always add a few random uppercase characters, numbers, and other symbols. Even mixing up just a few characters will make the entire password much more secure.  Writing Them Down or Storing Them on Your Device  Since you have so many passwords, you probably have a list of them all written out somewhere along with what account they go to. Even worse, you might store this list on your device itself.  This is a bad idea.  If someone hacks into your computer, it will be a piece of cake for them to find your Rosetta Stone and break into all your accounts. Keeping the list on paper is better, but it can still be easily lost or stolen.  Expecting yourself to remember them all isn’t reliable either. So what are you supposed to do instead? Sign up for a password manager. These will keep all your passwords in a secure vault, which is extremely difficult (even impossible) for other people to open. You can get a password manager for free, and it is a safer option than any alternative.  Saving Your Passwords on Your Browser  Many browsers give you an option to save your login credentials. This makes logging in quick and easy, but it also gives anyone else who uses your device access to your accounts. Because of this, you should especially avoid choosing this option on mobile devices you leave the house with. Sharing Your Them With Others  Never share your passwords with anyone else, even your friends. Unless you trust that person completely, you should keep your passwords to yourself. This will make you and your information much, much safer.  How to Turn a Bad Password Into Strong Security  If you want to get rid of all your bad passwords, you have to stop using these unsecured password habits first. The best way to do that is to create randomized passwords and use a password manager to help you remember them.  Do you have questions or concerns about our password manager? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! We’ll explain anything you want to know in detail and help you pick the best security method for your needs. 

Did you know the biggest data breach in history by a hacker compromised over 3 billion people? Hacking is a growing problem in a world that’s becoming increasingly digital. How worried should you be? The good news is that preventing hackers from stealing your data is just a matter of finding the right software. Who Are Hackers? Simply put, a hacker is someone who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to information. They tend to steal passwords to obtain credit card and banking information. They usually do a good job at concealing their identity and location throughout the process. They know how to manipulate computer systems and traditional tracking methods, which makes them very difficult to catch. That’s why preventing hackers by securing your password is such an effective way to protect yourself. Why Do People Hack? Hackers can have very different motives. You can get a good sense of the reasons people hack by learning about the different types of hackers there are. Some of the reasons people hack include stealing money and information, harassment, and revenge. Types of Hackers There are many different types of hackers out there. Some of the different types of hackers include: black hat white hat grey hat red hat green hat blue hat Black hat hackers are hackers with a devious agenda. Their ultimate goal is to steal information to make money. Sometimes they steal information and then sell it on the black market to others, who then use that information to continue stealing resources. White hat hackers are the polar opposite: they use their savvy computer skills to fix security issues. White hat hackers use their knowledge to find risky areas in computer systems and work on solutions to make them more secure. Grey hat hackers fall somewhere in between black hat and white hat hackers. They have the same skill set, but their motive tends to be driven by the entertainment value they find in hacking. Red hat hackers are viewed as more heroic since their mission is to stop black hackers from wreaking havoc on the general population. Green hat hackers are new to hacking. They are still learning how to gain access to passwords and computer systems. Blue hat hackers use their hacking skills to seek revenge against a person or a business that has wronged them in some way. Cyber Crimes Cyber crime is a criminal activity that uses computers as a tool in some way to break the law. Preventing hackers from accessing your information will also prevent a range of cybercrimes from being committed. There is a range of different cyber crimes that hackers can commit, including identity theft, phishing, cyberstalking, and social engineering.  Identity theft is a very common cyber crime committed by hackers. Identity theft occurs when a hacker gains access to personal information. They use personal information for different purposes, such as opening up bank accounts or credit cards in their victim’s names. Phishing is another tactic that hackers use. Hackers employ phishing by sending emails to victims that entice them to click links. Once clicked, hackers gain access to the victim’s computer system and comb through sensitive information to steal data.  Cyberstalking can take different forms, but it usually entails harassment through email, social media accounts, and other online channels. The contact initiated is usually strange and unpleasant. Some victims may not even realize they’re being stalked. Social engineering is a way that hackers access their victim’s personal information. The hackers in this scenario tend to trick their victims into divulging personal information that gives hackers access to confidential data. With so many different ways to get hacked, preventing hackers is more important than ever. How to Know You’re Hacked If your personal information has been compromised by a hacker, how can you know for sure? One of the clearest signs you’ve been hacked is if you can no longer login to your accounts using your username and password. This most likely means that a hacker retrieved this information and locked you out of your own account. If you’re locked out of your account, one of the first things you should do is notify the company that owns your account. Businesses have policies on how to handle these situations and usually have a way to guide you back to access. There may be a different process for account recovery and the timeline it will take from business to business.  Preventing Hackers In today’s age, preventing hackers is something you should be proactive about. If you wait until you’re already hacked, it’s too late. One of the best ways to prevent hackers is through password protection software. When hackers get access to your password, they can easily block you out of your account, make purchases, and worse. Password protection software can keep your password safe and guard your personal information against being compromised. Stay Safe Online Our lives will only become more intertwined with the digital world over time. As world markets continue to make this transition, it’s more important than ever to stay safe online. Preventing hackers should be a top priority for everyone. If you’re looking to secure your personal information and safeguard your data from hackers, you should invest in password and identity protection software. Reach out and get in touch with us to let us know how we can help you. If you found any of these tips useful, feel free to explore the rest of our site for more information about the services we provide.

Small business owners too often think that they are immune to cyberattacks. After all, it’s the international conglomerates that make the news when their databases are compromised, not the mom-and-pop insurance agency down the street.   However, hackers are actively targeting small businesses because they typically have far less sophisticated digital protection in place. You don’t want to make the mistake of thinking that it can’t happen to you. Instead, be proactive and take action. You can begin by understanding seven types of cyber threats that digitally steal and vandalize small businesses just like yours. 1. Easy Passwords  Each year there’s a list published of the year’s worst passwords. Perennial winners (actually, losers) include such clunkers as “password” and “1234567.”   Routinely, employees ignore the counsel not to use passwords that include personal data that are readily available such as birthdates, graduation dates, wedding dates, names of family members, names of pets, street addresses, and telephone numbers.   Employees also make the mistake of using the same password for multiple accounts. Hackers know that if they can crack your password for your social media account, they can probably use that same password for your sensitive business accounts.  More and more companies are now employing password management systems that enforce the use of safer passwords and can even eliminate the need for employers to remember and reenter their passwords each day. 2. Phishing  Daily small businesses receive emails from what appears to be legitimate wholesalers, retailers, insurance companies, legal offices, and almost anything else imaginable. The emails are carefully designed to imitate the look and style of actual companies. They can even appear to be emails from your own company.  GoDaddy controversially emailed its employees a phishing test. The phony email had the overall look of a legitimate GoDaddy communication, but its email address was bogus. Company executives wanted to see how many of its employees would take the bait. According to the company, around 500 of its employees flunked the test.  Phishing messages urge you to click, link, or answer a few questions. In the case of GoDaddy, the email enticed employees to click on a link and submit a few details to qualify for a $650 holiday bonus. 3. Malicious Code  Hackers have little difficulty creating new computer code capable of stealing and destroying your data. Their real challenge is getting their code onto your computer network.  Sometimes hackers will build websites for the express purpose of infecting computers. The websites will typically offer free downloads of apps, games, movies, television shows, music, or pornography. The malicious code travels along with the download, nestled deep within the computer code.  The virus can either immediately spring to life and begin its mission, or sit idle until triggered later. By the time the company discovers the infection, it has likely spread through the network, infecting both employee workstations and servers. 4. Ransomware  In July 2020, ransomware crippled Garmin, the company known for its GPS and fitness-related equipment. The malicious code shut down the company’s call center, stopped its email, and took its cloud platform offline. Airline flights relying on Garmin’s equipment and navigation service were canceled.  Hackers cleverly encrypt the data on your computers so that only they have access to it. Imagine burglars locking your valuables in a new safe. However, it’s safe for which only they have the combination.  The hackers hold your data for ransom, hoping that you will be willing to pay a sum of money to regain your data and save your company. Some companies have no choice due to the critical nature of their records. For example, ransomware puts doctors and lawyers in an incredibly uncomfortable position. 5. Disgruntled or Reckless Employees  Don’t forget to look within your organization when accessing potential cyber threats. An employee upset over a failed promotion could do just as much damage as a typical hacker.  Often when employees are demoted, suspended, or fired, the administration fails to alert the IT team quickly. The time-lapse allows angry and upset but computer-savvy individuals to reap digital revenge while still having access to sensitive areas of the company’s network.  However, sometimes the damage is done, not by vengeful employees but by careless ones. If even one employee has access to files that they don’t need, you’re asking for trouble. 6. Attacks Through Third Parties  Few businesses operate without meaningful digital interaction with other companies. For example, you might use a shipping firm, a payment processor, and an email marketing service. If any of your business partners suffer malware attacks, hackers might be able to use your digital interface with those partners to attack you.   The situation is similar to an old-fashioned heist. Instead of directly targeting a jewelry store or bank, thieves might obtain access to an adjoining business and then tunnel their way to their real target. 7. Flaws in Existing Software  Do you immediately install security patches when they’re released by the various software manufacturers whose products you use? If not, you’re leaving the front door open for burglars.   Businesses should never ignore security patches. Sometimes software firms release them as the direct result of a hack that exposed a flaw in their code. In other words, by ignoring the patch, you’re exposing your company to a known threat.  You should install security patches quickly, even if the software firm found the flaw before a known hack occurred. Once the company releases the patch, hackers who didn’t know about the flaw become well aware of it. They will race to find companies that are slow to make the upgrade.  Don’t Let Cyber Threats Ruin Your Business  Don’t make it easy for hackers to damage your business. Take immediate steps to protect what you’ve worked so hard to build. Make cyber threats a priority.  The first thing you can do to make your business safer is to begin using a dependable password management system for secure, reliable logins. If you’re new to password management systems, try our free 14-day trial.

Cybersecurity has always been a concern for businesses, but never has it been such a threat until recent years. Countless organizations and websites have been compromised, and it’s important that your enterprise doesn’t suffer an attack.  This concern goes for mobile devices as well. As an increasing number of workplaces utilize mobile devices for their business, keeping track of your mobile device security is essential.  Here are seven ways to boost your security and keep your information safe. 1. Monitor Your Network If your business utilizes the internet, then that is one of the most important parts to keep track of to keep your information secure.  You send contact information through your emails, transfer payments, record transactions, and more depending on what your service is. All it takes is one hacker piggybacking off your internet for everything you do to become public information.  Your internet provider can warn you when those kinds of threats pop up, but it could very well be too little too late. Even your phone’s 5G network isn’t safe from attacks.  According to an audit by Positive Technologies, attacks on standalone 5G networks can be performed from the international roaming network, the operator’s network, or partner networks.  The best way to keep your network secure is to utilize Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions to analyze mobile traffic and look for patterns. You should also encrypt any high-importance documentation that is being sent over the internet. 2. Two-Factor Authentication 2FA Passwords have been a standard affair since the very first computer was released. Like any lock, a person should only be able to access the system if they know the code.  However, hackers have developed programs that can try passwords a countless number of times until they crack it. That’s why when you set up an account on a website, you’ll often see it rate your password from weak to strong.  If your password is too weak, then the program can more easily figure it out.  Even assuming you make a more complex password, it’s still possible for a hacker to access your information. Use that same password on multiple websites and your entire internet history is now at risk. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become the most popular way to solve this problem. Instead of requiring only a password, MFA requires you also perform a supplementary task, such as type in a pin sent directly to your phone. Or you might have to use your fingerprint in addition to the password, preventing someone from hacking your device remotely.  3. Enterprise Password Management Enterprise password management refers to software that helps consolidate your different passwords, making everything much easier and more secure for users. When your everyday internet or program use requires multiple passwords, most people tend to pick the simplest one and use them for all their programs. While that makes it easier to remember, it also makes your overall internet presence more easily hacked.  A password manager for business will use military-grade encryption software and unique user keys to allow a single-click login and logout without compromising your security. 4. Centralize Your App Usage One look at your phone’s app store is enough to see the hundreds of productivity apps available. There’s one that can be used for every facet of your enterprise, but there’s a danger in spreading your workflow across too many apps. For one, as mentioned before, if you use the same passwords on multiple apps, then if one gets hacked they all get hacked. And managing multiple passwords can be tedious. Your best option is to find an online service that does many things at once. Failing that, you can utilize LogMeOnce to help connect those different apps under a single click login.  5. Mobile Device Security Programs When securing your enterprise, you also have to consider the fact that mobile device security doesn’t start and stop at the workplace. When employees take them home, you can’t monitor their network.  Luckily, there are security programs recommended by network providers for mobile devices. These allow an extra level of security when accessing websites, downloading apps, and usually provide password protection.  You can also mitigate risks by routinely wiping mobile devices that are issued out by your company or even prohibiting employees from taking them home.  6. Limit Their Use Modern mobile devices are very powerful and easy to take with you on your travels. You can send important emails through your phone and hold meetings over your tablet.  However, working off of too many different devices opens you up to attacks because it makes it harder for you to manage threats. Additionally, if you’re using a mobile device, you’re likely not in the security of your workplace, using your internet. A public network is useful and convenient, but not secure, even if it’s the one you pay for at home.  7. Educate Your Staff Arguably the most important and overlooked step for mobile device security is educating your staff.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercrime has increased by up to 600%. Over the past ten years, the total number of malware infections has risen from 12.4 million to over 800 million. Most of them were delivered by email.  These threats are constantly updating and getting more dangerous, and so are the security systems that are made to combat them. A yearly training session won’t be enough. Continuous education, such as phishing simulations, will help keep your employees prepared for all types of scams that go around.  Secure Password Manager While these tips will help you enhance your mobile device security, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. A centralized access management system will make sure your employees can access your systems easily without compromising on security.  Sign up for a free 14-day trial today for your enterprise and see what we have to offer.