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When it happens, you feel powerless. You get an email or letter from a business saying someone breached your data. It happens all too often today.

Data breaches happen at banks, online sites like Facebook, and ecommerce stores. Not only that, but governments are also victims. This leaves things like your address, SSN, and credit card details exposed to thieves. 

A business getting hacked is something you have little control over. But you can take important steps afterwards. We’ve outlined the most important things to do below. These steps can help you mitigate the financial losses.

Change Your Passwords

The very first thing you should do is change your passwords. Change the password for the service that sent you the breach notification first. Then, change it for any logins using the same password. 

This is one of the reasons it’s a best practice to use unique logins for every site. Many people get in the habit of using the same password in several places. This leaves more than the single breached login at risk. Use a password manager to help you create strong passwords. You only need to remember one to access all the others.

Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Multifactor authentication can keep accounts secure, even if a hacker stole the password. Enable it for the breached service. Then, ensure you have MFA activated for all other logins, where possible. MFA is also called two-factor authentication or two-step verification.

Common forms of MFA are:

• Text message
• Authentication app
• Security key

Check Your Bank Accounts

If payment card details were breached, check bank accounts. You’ll want to watch these for several weeks for fraudulent charges. Report the breach to your bank to have them issue you a new card, if needed.

Notify your bank about the 3rd party data breach. This can help keep you from being held responsible for fraudulent charges. It’s good to get out ahead of it. Your bank can then help you with appropriate steps to avoid fraud.

Freeze Your Credit

Online criminals will often sell breached personal details. These details can enable someone to take out credit in your name. Contact the three credit agencies. They each have ways to freeze your credit to protect you. You can do this right on their websites.

The three credit agencies are: 

• Equifax
• Experion
• TransUnion

Carefully Review the Breach Notification

It’s important to understand exactly how the data breach may impact you. Review the notice you received. Additionally, look for updates on the company website.

These are the things you should be looking for:

• The type of data exposed (passwords, card numbers, etc.)
• What reparations the company is making (e.g., credit monitoring)
• Any instructions given to secure your account

Regularly check the company’s website. Often, they don’t immediately know how far reaching the breach is. You may check back later and find out other types of sensitive data were exposed.

Get Good Cybersecurity Protections

Make sure you protect your device and network. There are some simple tools you can use to beef up personal device security. These include:

• A good antivirus/anti-malware program
• DNS filtering to block malicious sites
• Email spam filtering for phishing

Another good protection you can use is a VPN. This helps mask your traffic. It is especially helpful if you’re using a public Wi-Fi. VPNs are easy to use. You can use VPNs for both computers and mobile devices.

Be On the Lookout for Phishing Scams

Emails are often exposed in data breaches. This means you may receive an uptick in phishing emails. Phishing is very convincing since criminals have AI at their disposal. Phishing emails often are hard to spot from the real thing.

Stay ultra-aware of any unexpected emails. Follow best practices to avoid becoming a phishing victim:

• Hover over links to see them
• Go to websites directly. Don’t click email or SMS links
• Beware of unknown senders
• Watch for phishing on social media and text messages
• When in doubt, double check through an official source

Make Sure to Update Software & Systems

Hackers often exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. How do you get unpatched vulnerabilities? Most times it’s from failing to keep software updated.

Make sure to update your device operating system. Update all apps or software on your devices. Update firmware for routers and printers. Update firmware for smart devices. 

There are so many updates we need to do with our electronics. Automating your updates is a good way to stay protected.

Managed Security Services You Can Count On

Managed services can keep you protected at work and home. Need help improving device security? We’ll be happy to discuss our options.

Contact us today to schedule a chat about device security.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

There are many types of malware. One of the most common is called “malvertising.” It crops up everywhere. Including social media sites and websites. You can also see these malicious ads on Google searches.

Two things are making malvertising even more dangerous. One is that hackers use AI to make it very believable. The other is that it’s on the rise, according to Malwarebytes. In the fall of 2023, malvertising increased by 42% (month over month).

It’s important to inform yourself about this online threat. Knowledge is the power to protect yourself. Especially when it comes to malicious cybercriminals. Below, we’ll help you understand malvertising. We’ll also give you tips on identifying and avoiding it.

What Is “Malvertising?”

Malvertising is the use of online ads for malicious activities. One example is when the PlayStation 5 was first released. It was very hard to get, which created the perfect environment for hackers. Several malicious ads cropped up on Google searches. The ads made it look like someone was going to an official site. But instead, they went to copycat sites. Criminals design these sites to steal user credentials and credit card details.

Google attempts to police its ads. But hackers can often have their ads running for hours or days before they’re caught. These ads appear just as any other sponsored search ad on Google.

Google is not the only site where malvertising appears. It can appear on well-known sites that have been hacked. It can also appear on social media feeds.

Tips for Protecting Yourself from Malicious Online Ads

Review URLs Carefully

You might see a slight misspelling in an online ad’s URL. Just like phishing, malvertising often relies on copycat websites. Carefully review any links for things that look off.

Visit Websites Directly

A foolproof way to protect yourself is not to click any ads. Instead, go to the brand’s website directly. If they truly are having a “big sale,” you should see it there. This tip is useful for all types of phishing. Just don’t click those links and go to the source directly.

Use a DNS Filter

A DNS filter protects you from mistaken clicks. It will redirect your browser to a warning page if it detects danger. DNS filters look for warning signs. They, then block dangerous sites. This can keep you safe even if you accidentally click a malvertising link.

Do Not Log in After Clicking an Ad

Malvertising will often land you on a copycat site. The login page may look identical to the real thing. One of the things phishers are trying to steal is login credentials. They can get big money for logins to sites like Netflix, banks, and more.

If you click an ad, do not input your login credentials on the site. Even if the site looks legitimate. Go to the brand’s site in a different browser tab.

Don’t Call Ad Phone Numbers

Phishing can also happen offline. Some malicious ads include phone numbers to call. Unsuspecting victims may not realize fake representatives are part of these scams. Seniors are often targeted with malvertising scams. They call and reveal personal information to the person on the other end of the line.

Just say no to calling numbers in online ads. If you find yourself on a call, do not reveal any personal data. Just hang up. Remember, this is an elaborate scam. These people prey on triggers like fear. They also work to gain your trust.

Don’t Download from Ads

“Get a free copy of MS Word” or “Get a Free PC Cleaner.” These are common malvertising scams. They try to entice you into clicking a download link. It’s often for a popular program or freebie. The link actually injects your system with malware. The hacker can then do further damage.

Never click to download anything from an online ad. If you see an ad with a direct download link, it’s often a scam.

Warn Others When You See Malvertising

If you see a suspicious ad, warn others. This helps keep your colleagues, friends, and family more secure. If you’re unsure, try a Google search on the ad. You’ll often run across scam alerts confirming your suspicion. 

It’s important to be smart and arm yourself with knowledge. You can then share this with others. Foster this type of cyber-aware community. It helps everyone ensure better online security as well as get alerted of new scams cropping up.

Improve Your Online Security Today

Is your device up to date with security patches? Do you have a good anti-malware solution? Is DNS filtering installed to block dangerous websites?

If you’re not sure of any of those questions, contact us. Our cybersecurity experts are here. We’ll help you find affordable solutions to secure your online world.

Give us a call or email to schedule a chat about online security.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Today’s businesses are no stranger to the word cybersecurity. They are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks. These come from ransomware to sophisticated phishing schemes. How do you stand ahead of these threats? A strong cybersecurity strategy is essential. One crucial component of this strategy is event logging. It’s one that not every business owner is aware of.

Think of event logging as a digital detective. What does tracking activities and events across your IT systems do? It helps you spot potential security breaches and respond swiftly. As your managed IT service provider, we’re committed to helping you. We can help you understand the importance of event logging as well as how to put in place best practices to safeguard your network.

What Is Event Logging?

Event logging is the act of tracking all events that happen within your IT systems. “Event” can be many different things, such as:

• Login attempts
• File access
• Software installs
• Network traffic
• Denial of access
• System changes
• And many others

Event logging means to track all these and add a time stamp. This provides a robust picture of what is going on in your IT ecosystem. It’s through that ongoing picture that you can detect and respond to threats promptly.

Why is it critical to track and log all these events?

• Detect suspicious activity by monitoring user behavior and system events.
• Respond quickly to incidents by providing a clear record of what happened in a breach.
• Meet regulations that require businesses to maintain accurate records of system activities.

Best Practices to Use Event Logging Effectively

Event logging is most effective when you follow best practices. Here are some standard guidelines to follow. These are helpful if you’re just starting out as well as for those improving existing event-logging processes.

Log What Matters Most

Let’s be honest: You don’t need to track every digital footstep.  Logging every single action on your network can create a mountain of data that’s hard to sift through. Instead, focus on the events that truly matter. These are those that can reveal security breaches and compliance risks.

The most important things to log are:

• Logins and Logouts: Keep tabs on who’s accessing your systems and when. This includes failed attempts, password changes, and new user accounts.
• Accessing Sensitive Data: Track who’s peeking at your most valuable information. Logging file and database access helps spot unauthorized snooping.
• System Changes: Keep a record of any changes to your system. Including software installations, configuration tweaks, and system updates. This helps you stay on top of changes and identify potential backdoors.

Event logging is much more manageable when you start with the most critical areas. This also makes it easier for small businesses.

Centralize Your Logs

Imagine trying to solve a puzzle with pieces scattered across different rooms. It’s chaos! That is what happens when you try to work with several logs for different devices and systems. Centralizing your logs is a game-changer. A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) gathers logs in one place. This includes those from various devices, servers, and applications.

This makes it easier to:

• Spot patterns: Connect the dots between suspicious activities across different systems.
• Respond faster: Have all the evidence you need at your fingertips. This is helpful when an incident strikes.
• Get a complete picture: See your network as a whole. This makes it easier to identify vulnerabilities.

Ensure Logs Are Tamper-Proof

It’s important to protect your event logs! Attackers love to cover their tracks by deleting or altering logs. That’s why it’s vital to make your logs tamper-proof.

Here are some tips:

• Encrypt your logs: Lock them down with encryption. This makes them unreadable to unauthorized eyes.
• Use WORM storage: Once a log is written, it’s locked in place, preventing changes or deletions.
• Use strong access controls: Limit who can see and change your logs to trusted personnel only.

Tamper-proof logs provide an accurate record of events even if a breach occurs. They also keep the bad guys from seeing all your system activity tracking.

Establish Log Retention Policies

Keeping logs forever isn’t practical (or always necessary). But deleting them too soon can be risky, too. That’s why you need clear log retention policies. 

Here are some things to consider:

• Compliance requirements: Some industries have specific rules about how long to keep logs.
• Business needs: How long do you need logs to investigate incidents or for auditing?
• Storage capacity: Make sure your log retention policy doesn’t overwhelm your storage.

Strike the right balance with retention. You want to ensure you have the data you need without sacrificing performance.

Check Logs Regularly

Event logging is only as good as your ability to use it. Don’t “set and forget” your logs. You should check them regularly. This helps you spot anomalies and identify suspicious patterns. It also helps you respond to threats before they cause serious damage. Use security software to help automate this process.

Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Set up automated alerts: Get notified immediately of critical events. Such as failed logins or unauthorized access.
• Perform periodic reviews: Dive into your logs regularly. Look for patterns that might show a threat.
• Correlate events: Use your SIEM to connect the dots between different activities. It can reveal more complex attacks.

Need Help with Event Logging Solutions?

As a trusted managed IT service provider, we’re here to support you. We can help you install these practices and ensure your business stays protected.

Give us a call or email to schedule a chat.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Your smartphone is a digital wallet, communication hub, and personal assistant. All rolled into one portable device. It’s packed with sensitive data, from financial information to personal photos. This makes it a prime target for cybercriminals. 

Mobile malware is often overlooked. People focus on securing their laptops or desktops. But they don’t pay as close attention to smartphone and tablet security.

In 2023, attacks on mobile devices increased by 50% over the prior year.

The fact is that hackers haven’t overlooked mobile devices. They set many traps to get users to infect their devices with malware. We’ll uncover common mobile malware traps and tell you how to avoid them.

Common Mobile Malware Traps

Mobile malware is just like its computer counterpart. It is malicious software designed to harm your device or steal your data. It can arrive in various forms, from sneaky apps to deceptive links. Ignorance is not bliss here. Understanding the common traps is your first line of defense.

1. Phishing Attacks: These are the most common. You receive a text or email appearing legitimate, often mimicking trusted brands. Clicking links or downloading attachments can lead to malware infection.
2. Malicious Apps: Not all apps are safe. Some apps contain hidden malware that can steal data, display ads, or even control your device. Always research apps before downloading.
3. SMS Scams: Phishing SMS scams, or smishing, use text messages to trick you. They lure you into clicking links or sharing personal information. Be wary of unexpected messages, especially those asking for sensitive info.
4. Wi-Fi Risks: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured. Connecting to them without caution can expose your device to hackers. Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi.
5. Fake Apps: These mimic popular apps but are actually malware in disguise. They can steal your login credentials, financial information, or even control your device. Always verify app authenticity.
6. Adware: While less harmful than other malware, adware can be annoying. It can also potentially expose you to other threats. It often comes bundled with other apps.

Protecting Yourself: Essential Tips

• Stay Updated: Keep your phone’s operating system and apps updated. Install the latest security patches or turn on auto-update.
• Be Wary of Links and Attachments: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments. Particularly from unknown senders.
• Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords for your phone and all your apps. Consider using a password manager.
• App Store Safety: Only download apps from official app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store. Read reviews and check permissions before installing.
• Beware of Public Wi-Fi: Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi to encrypt your data.
• Regular Backups: Back up your phone regularly to protect your data from loss or corruption.
• Security Software: Consider using a reputable mobile security app for added protection.

Extra Steps to Safeguard Your Smartphone

Here are a few more layers of protection you can use to fortify your smartphone’s defenses.

Physical Security Matters

• Lock It Up: Always set a strong passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition lock. Avoid simple patterns that can be easily guessed.
• Beware of Public Charging: Avoid using public USB charging stations. These can be compromised, allowing hackers to access your device.
• Lost or Stolen Phone: If your phone is lost or stolen, remotely wipe its data. This protects your sensitive information.

App Permissions: A Closer Look

• Limit App Permissions: When installing apps, carefully review the requested permissions. Deny unnecessary permissions to safeguard your privacy and data. For instance, a flashlight app doesn’t need access to your contacts.
• Regular App Audits: Periodically review the apps on your phone. Uninstall apps you no longer use to reduce potential vulnerabilities.

Backup Your Data

• Cloud Backups: Use cloud storage services to back up your data regularly. This ensures you have a copy of your important files even if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Local Backups: Consider backing up your phone to your computer. This is another added layer of protection.

Empower Yourself: Take Control of Your Digital Life

By following these tips, you can significantly enhance your smartphone’s security. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Stay vigilant, informed, and proactive in protecting your digital life.

Your smartphone is a powerful tool. But it’s also a potential target for cybercriminals. By understanding the threats and taking proactive steps, you can prevent catastrophe. Enjoy the benefits of mobile technology without compromising your (or your company’s) security!

Contact Us to Fortify Mobile Security at Home and Office

A majority of employees use personal devices for work. This means mobile malware can impact more than one individual. It can also lead to a data breach of an entire company network.

Be proactive and put mobile security in place now. Our team of experts can help with reliable solutions to secure all your devices.

Contact us today to schedule a chat about mobile device protection.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.