PacketLogix, Inc.

This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix

IT Security Tip: Is this request really from the boss?

Here’s a common scam: you get an e-mail from the boss (or your spouse, parents or other trusted person) asking you to send them a copy of employee pay stubs, tax information and files with confidential data such as social security numbers in them; or they’re asking you to transfer or ACH payment to a vendor or a different bank account.

The problem: even though it is coming from someone’s e-mail address you know and trust and LOOKS legit, there’s a chance it could be a scam. Hackers can INTERCEPT e-mail messages and modify them.

If you ever get this kind of request, DOUBLE-CHECK by calling that person to confirm. And even if it turns out to be a legitimate request, you should NEVER send confidential information like social security numbers (or attachments with this information inside of them) without taking precautions to password-protect and encrypt the message first.

If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.

Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com



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https://www.packetlogix.com/terrence

#1 IT Support Services in Providence, RI | PacketLogix Inc Rhode Island's Highly-Responsive IT Support, Computer Services, and Cybersecurity Experts For Businesses In Rhode Island

This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix

IT Security Tip: What are Zero-Day Vulnerabilities?

In the world of Cyber Security, the term “zero-day vulnerabilities” comes up often. What exactly does it mean and why do I care about it? After all, we are a small business and surely not worth anyone’s bother to “hack.” Nothing can be further from the truth.
A zero-day vulnerability is a unique weakness in either software or hardware which has not yet been exploited by the hacking community and provides them with a brief window of opportunity to hack your systems before a fix is readily made available to you. IN other words, it is a hacker’s dream come true.

Why should you care? Ideally, you shouldn’t. You should know that we care a tremendous amount and have gone to great lengths to protect you, your employees and customers from just such an exploitation.

Let’s get back to that comment about “not being large enough for a hacker to target you.” Yes, it is true, governments and large organizations are under a 24/7 barrage of hacking attempts. What is also true is they spend millions upon millions of dollars every year just to keep up, never mind get ahead of the hackers. Hacking is a trillion-dollar business. That is true. And if you are a hacking concern you are going to look for “soft targets” or the low hanging fruit where you can make a few bucks. If you hit enough of these singles with small businesses that adds up quickly and you can make a good “living” at it. They know that most small businesses are too busy to have proper IT security hygiene and take advantage of that fact.

This is one reason all of our clients are monitored 24/7 and scanned continually for probable threats. If you have a nagging suspicion this isn’t occurring for you, we should talk.

Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com



[email protected]

www.packetlogix.com

https://www.packetlogix.com/terrence

#1 IT Support Services in Providence, RI | PacketLogix Inc Rhode Island's Highly-Responsive IT Support, Computer Services, and Cybersecurity Experts For Businesses In Rhode Island

This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix

IT Security Tip: 4 Ways to Prepare for a Data Disaster

1. Talk to Your IT Provider.
This is your go-to, and where to begin the conversation. An IT provider can provide a risk assessment, and then offer solutions to save you from data loss. Think of the spreadsheet you have been working with for months. It would be a shame if it were gone forever. How about that project you and the team have been assigned with a rapidly approaching deadline? It would be a waste of time and a hassle to recreate if the file became corrupt or were lost. In any case, selecting a Backup/Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution for servers and any workstations can help alleviate this.

2. Be a Part of the Conversation.
You know better than anyone what files you need access to for a successful day at work. Be involved in the process of backing up your data. Then, should your company fall victim to ransomware or data loss, you will know how to respond. Your IT provider will ultimately be responsible for recovering your data and maintaining your backups, of course, but knowing how to access your files while they get you back up and running may require an extra step. When the disaster recovery solution is put into place, there may also be some training available to you from your IT provider that should prove helpful.

3. Know That You Are Protected.
Work with your IT provider and your manager by learning the answer to this question: “If we fall victim to ransomware, or our company files are lost, what do we do?” With this simple question, you can prevent costly downtime and data loss. You can protect your office and coworkers from being locked out of your files indefinitely by assisting in establishing an effective disaster recovery plan and a disaster mitigation plan. When it comes to a data disruption, it’s not a question of if but when.

4. Get Security Awareness Training.
You, the end-user, possess the power to prevent an attack by identifying a phishing email and warning others. When you learn to spot a malicious phishing attempt and can assist others to do the same you become a powerful force for good! Create a culture of security and minimize the risk!

Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com



[email protected]

www.packetlogix.com

https://www.packetlogix.com/terrence

#1 IT Support Services in Providence, RI | PacketLogix Inc Rhode Island's Highly-Responsive IT Support, Computer Services, and Cybersecurity Experts For Businesses In Rhode Island

This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix

IT Security Tip: Is my PCI compliance good enough to serve as a network cyber security audit?

We often get asked if an organization has passed its PCI compliance requirements for accepting credit cards; is there really a need for more security and compliance? The answer is yes!

While the PCI architecture and requirements heavily overlap network security issues, a network security audit is going to take a deeper look into how you utilize the technology you own. Most businesses typically need to conduct a network security audit at the same time they conduct a PCI audit.

The PCI regulations have gone a long way toward making every business that accepts credit cards more secure, because it’s a threat to the payment industry to have unsecured businesses responsible for millions in fraudulent charges. A good network security audit at the same time as your PCI audit typically provides for a balanced scale when weighing security and functionality.

PacketLogix is offering East Bay Chamber members a Business Security Assessment at no cost to you.

To schedule your Business Security Score Assessment, go to www.packetlogix.com/terrence or call 401-216-6425.



[email protected]

www.packetlogix.com

https://www.packetlogix.com/terrence

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