Business Solutions & Software Group Blog

Encryption is a vital tool for small businesses to protect their sensitive data from hackers. At its core, encryption converts readable data into an unreadable format using a specific algorithm and an encryption key. This means that even if a hacker gains access to the data, they cannot understand it without the corresponding decryption key. This layer of security is crucial for small businesses, which often handle sensitive customer information, financial records, and proprietary business data. By encrypting this data, businesses can ensure that it remains confidential and secure from unauthorized access.

In a recent global law enforcement operation, authorities dismantled a colossal botnet that had been operating for nearly a decade. The U.S. Justice Department has accused YunHe Wang, a 35-year-old from the People’s Republic of China, of creating and spreading malware that infected millions of Windows computers worldwide. This malware formed a vast botnet known as 911 S5. Wang allegedly sold access to the compromised IP addresses to other cybercriminals, amassing millions of dollars.

We’ve spent several weeks discussing ransomware's impact on various subsets of everyday life, including how it has affected customers and businesses. Today, we want to highlight the impact of ransomware on society in regards to economics and geopolitical security.

Last week, we explored ransomware's extensive "second-order harms" on downstream businesses and everyday people. This time, we’re returning to the "first-order harms"—the direct impacts on the businesses that fall victim to these attacks.

Given the widespread discussion surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in households nationwide, it's evident that this technology has become integral to the operations of numerous entities. AI has found its place, from business and education to civic affairs, even within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). How exactly is the DHS harnessing AI to enhance the security of everyday Americans?

For those of you who are fans of American football, you are familiar with the interception. When your team’s quarterback throws a pass that ends up in the other team's possession, it can be one of the most frustrating plays for a fan. Let’s discuss the man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack, which is effectively a hacker intercepting data as it is passed from one person to another. Let’s get into it. 

Phishing messages are the single most common type of threat out there. Any business, small or large, can fall for them. Therefore, you must do all that you can to prepare for the inevitable situation where someone accidentally falls for one. One of the most powerful preventative methods we can recommend is as easy as hovering over links.

It’s hard to vouch for the idea that someone is constantly being attacked by cyberthreats when there is no real tangible evidence to support this notion. People won’t trust words of warning against threats that they cannot see and won’t feel threatened by them until they’re knocking on their door. Today, we want to discuss how you can turn around these challenges, particularly when it comes to training your staff on the importance of cybersecurity.

With the advent of streaming media, more people have access to entertainment than ever before. They watch real stories unfold right before their eyes through the lens of a documentary or biopic, offering perspectives that they might not have otherwise gotten had they engaged with the story through a different lens. These dramatized documentaries can be remarkable wellsprings of information, and you might be shocked by how much you can learn just by committing a couple of hours of your day to one.

Many businesses rely on multifunctional printers to get things done. Unfortunately, they can be  a gateway for hackers to infiltrate your business and steal its data and resources. It’s important for any organization to do what they can to protect their users and data so, in today’s blog, we’ll go through some of the things you need to know about protecting your networks from printer-based vulnerabilities. 

Small businesses must monitor and police the IT-related policies of their workplace and network infrastructure, but this can be a challenging prospect. It’s critically important that companies aggressively protect their assets, data, and reputation from factors that could affect or threaten them. How can you ensure you are doing all you can to keep your organization safe through policy and procedure?

There are many important elements to cybersecurity, but some mistakes are significantly more costly than others. Today, we want to highlight some of the particularly egregious infractions that you can make regarding your cybersecurity measures.

These days, you cannot simply rely on passwords to keep your data safe. That said, a good password is significantly better than a bad one, and you need all the help you can get to keep your accounts safe from cyberattacks. Here are some tips to help you create better passwords for all of your credentials.

Losing your phone might feel like the end of the world, especially when you consider just how valuable it is and what kind of data you might have stored on it. There are ways to prevent a lost device from completely sinking your mood and your chances of recovering it. Let’s consider some of them today.

Zero trust security is an invaluable approach that helps significantly boost how protected an organization is against threats. Nevertheless, many people may need to become more familiar with the term or what it entails. Let’s take a few moments to review the concept and clarify how beneficial it can be.

It doesn’t matter who you are; your age, your occupation, your employment status, your station in life—you need to make 2024 the year you get your cybersecurity hygiene in check. What we’re going to talk about today isn’t overkill, overly complicated, or expensive. This isn’t us trying to sell you on something. In fact, this is probably the easiest New Year's Resolution you can give yourself.

First, let me start with a really quick story.

Smart devices empower individuals and businesses to redefine the boundaries of connectivity, granting unprecedented control over their homes and offices. With just a tap on a screen, people can adjust their thermostats, secure their front doors, and regulate their energy consumption. The Achilles' heel of these interconnected devices, however, lies in their security.

It’s no secret that data security is of paramount importance, with phishing and ransomware making weekly appearances in the news cycle at this point. You need to prioritize your business data’s privacy. Otherwise, you’re apt to suffer from your data being accessed without authorization and all the consequences that come with this outcome. Today’s criminals are very capable, which makes it challenging to protect yourself.

Here, we’ve put together some essential strategies to make it easier.

When it comes to ransomware, you want to do all that you can to prevent an infection rather than respond to one. Of course, this isn’t always possible, so if you are struggling with a ransomware attack, you’ll need to act quickly to keep it from spreading. Let’s go over some of the steps that you’ll need to take to come out of a ransomware attack without too much scarring.

Even the best-laid plan can be disrupted, and any business needs to understand that going into these types of situations with limited knowledge is also risking the plan falling apart. Business technology needs to be cost-effective, and if you don’t have a plan, you could wind up paying far more than expected. It helps to have a professional on your side who can help you make these decisions.