IT Housekeeping for Business: February = Cloud

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February Cloud

“Ransomware — malicious software that encrypts the victim’s files and holds them hostage unless and until the victim pays a ransom in Bitcoin — has emerged as a potent and increasingly common threat online. But many Internet users are unaware that ransomware also can just as easily seize control over files stored on Cloud services.”
http://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/01/ransomware-a-threat-to-Cloud-services-too/

More and more businesses use the Cloud for applications, backup and file storage. These companies make it really easy to sign up and use – so easy that businesses often forget to review, analyse and check what they are paying for. Technology moves fast, so you need to check regularly that the benefits and risks (see above quote and link) have not changed. So, this month it would be good to review what you are doing on the Cloud.

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Passwords Quick Tip: Check if your Password has been Compromised

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A quick password check will help you to see if your passwords were sold in a data breach There have been a lot of sites hacked over the last few years, including LinkedIn, Dropbox, tumblr. www.haveibeenpwned.com enables you to quickly check whether your email account was included in these and 171 sites.  If you have … Read more

IT Housekeeping for Businesses: January = Passwords

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Throughout 2016 security firms such as Symantec were reporting that small businesses were increasingly being targeted.  The hope is that this won’t be repeated in 2017, but January is a good time to review the first, most basic, tool for security.  Passwords. “43% of all attacks are now targeted at small businesses,” she said. “They … Read more

PUPS – Potentially Unwanted Programs

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Malwarebytes have written a brilliant blog about PUPS.  If you have always wondered what they are and how they got you your computer, you can find out more here… How To Avoid Potentially Unwanted Programs

Tips on how to Shop Safely Online

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Online Shopping Safety
Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Renith Kishnan

 

There is a lot of concern at the moment about shopping online  safeley and as it is coming up to Xmas when a lot of us purchase more online than usual, I thought you may appreciate some tips.

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Tips on How to Check if a Website is Genuine

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This year there have been a lot of stories of people purchasing tickets and items through bogus websites, so I thought you may appreciate some tips on how to check out if a website is genuine. 1. Does the Site have a Registered Postal Address? The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations require companies selling goods … Read more

Tips on what to check with email attachments

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Sign to illustrate the danger of emails

Recently we have had several customers who have accidentally downloaded trojans, malware and viruses via emails and links.  Once it was easy to see that an email was a scam but they are much more sophisticated now.  So here is a couple of quick tips that you may want to share around the company, family and friends:

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Back to the Basics: What Updates do I need to run

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Recently I have had a lot of ‘Silver Surfers’ and many younger people comment that they are frustrated that they don’t understand the ‘basics’ of using computers.  So, in the hope that it will help, I am writing a series of blogs on the basics.  I will do my best to not use ‘techy’ language here.  Please feel free to pass on and share with family and friends. I will start with computer updates.

I will start this series with one of the most often asked questions…

What Updates Do I Need To Run, and Why?

I find that many people worry about updates because they fear they will download a virus or malware.  Ironically, many of the updates exist to give you better protection.  It can be very confusing to know what is safe, and what is not.  So, below I give you a little more information about the updates I get queries about most frequently.

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