Public networks expose your business to security threats. Switching to a VPN can greatly help in reducing those threats.
Many companies rely on public networks for communication and data sharing. It allows them to cut costs and allocate their funds elsewhere.
However, it also raises several security issues.
For starters, the network provider might be monitoring the activity, which gives them access to customer details, emails, and critical files. As a result, sensitive information can end up in the wrong hands, compromising the organization’s reputation.
Another potential consequence is losing access to bank accounts, credit cards, and invaluable resources. These issues can lead to huge losses for any business.
Your business might be facing the same risk whenever a team member connects to a public network.
To eliminate it, you need to switch to a virtual private network (VPN). They offer online anonymity and privacy, enabling you to conduct your operations away from prying eyes.
Still, you can’t go for just any VPN. This article features the 10 factors to consider when choosing the right one.
The 10 Factors for Choosing a VPN
Factor 1. Location
The location of your VPN servers is essential for a few reasons.
For example, the greater the distance between your server and your business, the higher the chances of facing latency issues. That’s why to ensure a seamless surfing experience, stick to the nearest server available.
Furthermore, you can also consider a VPN from the same place as the content your team needs to access to overcome geographic restrictions. If your work requires research from the UK, for example, find servers from that country.
Factor 2. Price
Using free VPNs might be tempting, but they deliver a lackluster experience. To start with, they can log you out of internet activities and are often chock-full of disruptive ads.
You’re much better off investing in a paid platform. They come with various robust features, a larger number of servers, and configurations to bolster your security.
Factor 3. Device Compatibility
Another detail you should consider is the compatibility of your VPN.
In most cases, you need software that can work with several devices, such as your smartphone, laptop, and tablet. Otherwise, cross-platform work will suffer.
Factor 4. Capacity
Before choosing your VPN, make sure to determine the amount of data you can use. That means if your operations warrant tons of online resources, you should pick a solution that supports considerable data allocation.
Moreover, check the number of online servers. The higher the number, the more efficiently your platform can support resource-intensive tasks.
Factor 5. Protocol Support
Protocols are rules that stipulate connections between the client (software on your device) and the server.
There are different protocols, but the most widely used ones include PPTP, OpenVPN, IPSec, SSL, SSH, and SSTP. Each offers varying speeds and levels of security, both of which are vital to your company.
For instance, OpenVPN is an open-source protocol and one of the safest options for enterprises. It runs on 256-bit encryption keys and advanced ciphers, offering robust protection against cyberattacks. Plus, it features excellent firewall compatibility.
Factor 6. Data Logging Policies
VPNs log user data to streamline customer support and limit available connections. However, you need to consider what information they’re logging.
In most cases, this includes session times and IP addresses. But some providers can also log your software, downloaded files, and web pages you visit.
When looking for a suitable VPN, be sure to read the data logging policy to determine the information the app will store. You should also verify the company is transparent; if someone tries to deceive you, turn down their offer.
Factor 7. Availability of a Kill Switch
No cybersecurity measure is fail proof – VPNs are no exception. Overloaded platforms can trigger IP leaks, interrupting your private connection and exposing your true address when online.
To avoid this scenario, look for platforms with a built-in kill switch. It disrupts your devices’ access to the internet in case of IP leaks. The kill switch stops transfers of unencrypted information and can help prevent cybercriminals from obtaining your data.
Factor 8. Updates
Your VPN provider needs to roll out regular updates to ensure you can perform your operations safely and efficiently.
If they don’t openly specify the update frequency on their webpage, find out when the last update was on your app store. It should give you a clue on how frequently the updates get sent out.
Factor 9. Centralized Management
Centralized management enables you to control VPN distribution more easily, allowing you to manage access permissions and user accounts. Some of the best apps even feature gateway or role-based access management. It permits users to access only those segments of the network they need to perform their jobs.
Another important consideration here is control from your console. IT administrators should have permission to open and delete accounts as well as check the devices linked to the platform.
Lastly, your organization might benefit from VPNs with IP whitelisting. They allow administrators to approve the IP addresses of your enterprise to ensure only members with a verified IP can use corporate resources. This feature provides granular control over network accessibility.
Factor 10. Customer Support
Customer support might be the most significant factor. Your provider should be easy to contact through different portals such as telephone and email.
Easy accessibility lets you inform the VPN developer about various issues. For instance, they can help restore your network if it goes down and prevents unwanted exposure.
Most client support teams are highly accessible, but make sure to verify this by reading customer reviews.
SAFEGUARD AGAINST CYBERATTACKS WITH A BULLETPROOF VPN
Loss of data can happen at any time, which can give your competitors the upper hand and tarnish your reputation. Switching to a VPN can greatly increase your businesses cybersecurity. Users will also need to enable multi-factor authentication when they are connecting to a business network via a VPN connection, and Databranch can help identify and configure the best solution.
Contact us today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com if you would like to discuss your VPN options. You’ll also want to patch up any other cybersecurity vulnerabilities and we can help you make that happen.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Credential theft is now at an all-time high and is responsible for more data breaches than any other type of attack.
With data and business processes now largely cloud-based, a user’s password is the quickest and easiest way to conduct many different types of dangerous activities.
Being logged in as a user (especially if they have admin privileges) can allow a criminal to send out phishing emails from your company account to your staff and customers. The hacker can also infect your cloud data with ransomware and demand thousands of dollars to give it back.
How do you protect your online accounts, data, and business operations? One of the best ways is with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
It provides a significant barrier to cybercriminals even if they have a legitimate user credential to log in. This is because they most likely will not have access to the device that receives the MFA code required to complete the authentication process.
What are the Three Methods of MFA?
When you implement multi-factor authentication at your business, it’s important to compare the three main methods of MFA and not just assume all methods are the same. There are key differences that make some more secure than others and some more convenient.
Let’s take a look at what these three methods are:
1. SMS-Based
The form of MFA that people are most familiar with is SMS-based. This one uses text messaging to authenticate the user.
The user will typically enter their mobile number when setting up MFA. Then, whenever they log into their account, they will receive a text message with a time-sensitive code that must be entered.
2. On-Device Prompt in an App
Another type of multi-factor authentication will use a special app to push through the code. The user still generates the MFA code at login, but rather than receiving the code via SMS, it’s received through the app.
This is usually done via a push notification, and it can be used with a mobile app or desktop app in many cases.
3. Security Key
The third key method of MFA involves using a separate security key that you can insert into a PC or mobile device to authenticate the login. The key itself is purchased at the time the MFA solution is set up and will be the thing that receives the authentication code and implements it automatically.
The MFA security key is typically smaller than a traditional thumb drive and must be carried by the user to authenticate when they log into a system.
Now, let’s look at the differences between these three methods.
What is the Most Convenient Form of MFA?
Users can often feel that MFA is slowing them down. This can be worse if they need to learn a new app or try to remember a tiny security key (what if they lose that key?).
This user inconvenience can cause companies to leave their cloud accounts less protected by not using multi-factor authentication.
If you face user pushback and are looking for the most convenient form of MFA, it would be the SMS-based MFA.
Most people are already used to getting text messages on their phones so there is no new interface to learn and no app to install.
What is the Most Secure Form of MFA?
If your company handles sensitive data in a cloud platform, such as your online accounting solution, then it may be in your best interest to go for security.
The most secure form of MFA is the security key.
The security key, being a separate device altogether, won’t leave your accounts unprotected in the event of a mobile phone being lost or stolen. Both the SMS-based and app-based versions would leave your accounts at risk in this scenario.
The SMS-based is actually the least secure because there is malware out there now that can clone a SIM card, which would allow a hacker to get those MFA text messages.
A Google study looked at the effectiveness of these three methods of MFA at blocking three different types of attacks. The security key was the most secure overall.
Percentage of attacks blocked:
- SMS-based: between 76 – 100%
- On-device app prompt: between 90 – 100%
- Security key: 100% for all three attack types
What is in Between?
So, where does the app with an on-device prompt fit in? Right in between the other two MFA methods.
Using an MFA application that delivers the code via push notification is more secure than the SMS-based MFA. It’s also more convenient than needing to carry around a separate security key that could quickly become lost or misplaced.
Looking for Help Setting up MFA at Your Company?
Multi-factor authentication is a “must-have” solution in today’s threat climate. Let’s discuss your barrier points and come up with a solution together to keep your cloud environment better secured.
Contact Databranch today at 716-373-4467 x15 or info@databranch.com, we’d be happy to help you out.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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The reality is, mobile devices are less safe than desktop computers. Boosting security on such devices is essential if you use them in business.
Technological breakthroughs have streamlined your operations in several ways. Primarily, you can now use mobile devices to make your communication and data sharing more convenient.
But this technological advancement also means that information on your team members’ mobile devices is no longer limited to just phone numbers and contacts. They now contain much more significant data, such as emails, passwords, and other account details.
That’s why keeping those mobile devices secure is key to shielding your reputation and minimizing the risk of losing money.
Unfortunately, the protection of tablets and smartphones against cyberattacks isn’t as robust as that of desktops and laptops. Anti-malware applications may be present, but they’re not as powerful as their computer counterparts. In addition, many devices don’t support certain measures and applications that companies develop to enhance business security.
Fortunately, you can still implement robust safety measures to protect your smartphones and tablets.
This article will cover the nine best practices in improving cybersecurity on mobile devices.
The Nine Practices:
Practice 1: Establish a Sound Security Policy
Before issuing tablets or smartphones to your teams, create an effective usage policy. Define rules about acceptable use and determine the penalties for violating them.
Your employees must be aware of the security risks and measures that can help them reduce the risks. They should know that they are the first line of defense against cybercrime.
Furthermore, be sure to develop a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy if you permit your team to use a personal device for business. Your company policy can include the following:
- Requirements for the installation and remote software wiping on any personal device that stores or accesses company data
- Employee training and education on safeguarding company information when using wireless networks on their mobile devices
- Data protection methods that include automatic locking or other security measures applicable after long inactivity periods
- Protocols for lost and stolen devices
- The use of security software and antivirus platforms
- Backup requirements
Practice 2: Ensure the Operating System is Up to Date
Updating Android and iOS operating systems improve overall user experience, but their most significant role is in addressing security vulnerabilities.
Therefore, install updates as soon as the developer rolls them out to reduce exposure to cybersecurity threats. Delaying it may give criminals enough time to attack your weaknesses and take advantage of outdated operating systems.
Practice 3: Enable Password Protection
A complex password or PIN can help prevent cybercriminals from accessing mobile devices. Besides using alphanumeric combinations, you can also use facial or fingerprint recognition, depending on what suits your employees.
If you opt for digits and letters, don’t share the combination with people outside your company. On top of that, be sure that your staff doesn’t store them on their phones. Unmarked folders and physical wallets are a much safer option.
Practice 4: Only Install Business Programs
Lenient download policies can allow your team members to install non-business apps. Downloading such apps might seem harmless, but they are also infamous for their harmful advertising codes and many other threats.
To mitigate this risk, tell your employees they can only download and use apps necessary for their roles.
Practice 5: Avoid Connecting to Public Wi-Fi
Your team may need to use public Wi-Fi networks in emergencies to send crucial emails or schedule a meeting. However, connecting to such networks can expose confidential company information to cybercriminals using the same network.
The easiest way to minimize this risk is to provide a high-quality internet plan that features roaming services for your remote workers.
But if there’s no way to avoid public Wi-Fi connections, a reputable virtual private network (VPN) or secure global network (SGN) may do the trick. It can help shield your data by creating direct, secure links from your location to the intended website.
Practice 6: Leverage Phone Tracking
Losing company-issued mobile devices is unfortunate, but it’s not the end of the world.
Enabling Android Phone Tracker, Find My Phone on iOS, or other device-tracking software can help locate your lost smartphones. Some programs also enable you to remove data on your stolen devices remotely.
Installing these apps takes a couple of minutes and gives you much-needed peace of mind. With it, even if your staff loses their mobile device, cybercriminals are less likely to get their hands on the content.
Practice 7: Incorporate Mobile Device Management Software
For even more security, you may want to integrate with reliable MDM. It’s an excellent way to separate personal and business information while allowing your team members to set up robust security measures on their devices.
In most cases, cloud-based software is the most affordable, flexible, and manageable type of MDM. Many platforms let you check out device information, update and manage apps, configure your devices, create usage restrictions, and remove content remotely.
If possible, implement MDM software that enforces security measures across all devices. As previously mentioned, this can include data encryption, strong passwords, and setting up containers to separate personal information from enterprise data.
Practice 8: Screen Messages Carefully
Cybercriminals frequently employ SMS phishing to trick your team into clicking dangerous links. They pose as someone credible, asking your staff to share confidential information.
If your employees encounter such messages, they should delete them or alert the IT department. Another great idea is to avoid opening the SMS and block the sender.
Practice 9: Blocking and Whitelisting
Many threats can compromise your company due to employee errors. For example, a team member may not realize they’re downloading a malicious app that allows thieves to steal data from their mobile devices.
Blocking and whitelisting can enable you to protect your employees from these risks by determining which sites and apps are safe.
On one hand, blocking certain applications can give your IT department peace of mind and alert them when someone tries to access those applications.
On the other hand, whitelists can work great for highlighting the tools your team should prioritize over social media and games.
Don’t Drop Your Guard
Your employees may still use their mobile devices to send emails and share sensitive information. That’s why shielding them from cybercriminals should be a top priority.
So, develop a strict usage policy and follow other recommended practices to make your team’s smartphones and tablets virtually impervious to data theft.
Get in touch with us today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com to arrange a quick chat to learn more about your options and how we can help you identify and address any potential security risks.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Conducting a vulnerability assessment is important because the exercise will identify security flaws that exist in your IT environment before they are discovered by a malicious computer hacker. Once the vulnerabilities are discovered you can correct them and lower your risk of becoming a victim of a cybersecurity attack.
What Will a Vulnerability Assessment Do?
A vulnerability assessment will discover common security weaknesses such as:
- Operating systems and applications that are not current with the latest security updates or patches.
- Unsecure legacy operating systems that are no longer supported by manufacturer.
- Open ports on perimeter defenses and other devices that allow malicious attackers to easily gain access to your private computer network.
- All Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) that exist on the computer network.
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) is a database of publicly disclosed information security issues. There are currently over 163 thousand CVE records catalogued and made publicly available by the CVE program. You can explore the database at www.cve.org.
Why does this matter? Because it is important to recognize that new information security flaws are discovered regularly and then shared publicly. Sharing the information is not restrictive. Everyone can search the CVE database, including the hackers that intend to attack your computer network!
What Happens After the Assessment?
Executing routine vulnerability assessments will discover all the known vulnerabilities on your network before the bad actors have an opportunity to exploit them. Vulnerability assessments are nonintrusive and not disruptive.
Typically, a vulnerability assessment can be completed in a day or two. The results of a vulnerability assessment are documented and provided to the stakeholder complete with recommendations around remediating any weaknesses found.
It is important to conduct vulnerability assessments regularly, at least every quarter if not more frequently. This is due to the dynamic nature of information technology. Many changes occur on a day-to-day basis that can introduce new exposures associated with information security. Examples include:
- The introduction or removal of employees and business process.
- The implementation or elimination of hardware, software, or business applications.
- Configuration changes made to any element of the technology environment.
- Newly discovered bugs and flaws found in off the shelf commercial software products.
Security shortcomings found during a vulnerability assessment can almost always be fixed. Many times, the fixes are very easy to accomplish. Roughly 60% of all reported cybersecurity breaches occurred because the bad actors exploited common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE).
This means that roughly 60% of all reported cybersecurity breaches could have been prevented if the victim had simply conducted a vulnerability assessment and made small improvements to their cybersecurity posture that would have eliminated a substantial amount of risk.
Interested in setting up a vulnerability assessment? Contact Databranch today at 716-373-4467, info@databranch.com , or click here to set up a meeting with one of our experienced team members.
Content was provided courtesy of CyberStone.
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Approximately 34% of businesses take a week or longer to regain access to their data and systems once hit with a malware attack.
Malware is an umbrella term that encompasses many different types of malicious code. It can include:
- Viruses
- Ransomware
- Spyware
- Trojans
- Adware
- Key loggers
- And more
The longer that malware sits on your system unchecked, the more damage it can do. Most forms of malware have a directive built in to spread to as many systems as possible. So, if not caught and removed right away, one computer could end up infecting 10 more on the same network in no time.
Early detection is key so you can disconnect an infected device from your network and have it properly cleaned by a professional.
Keep an eye out for these key warning signs of malware infection so you can jump into action and reduce your risk.
Strange Pop-Ups on Your Desktop
Some forms of malware can take on the disguise of being an antivirus app or warranty notice that pops up on your screen. Hackers try to mimic things that users may have seen from a legitimate program, so they’ll be more apt to click without thinking.
If you begin to see a strange “renew your antivirus” subscription alert or a warranty renewal that doesn’t quite make sense, these could be signs that your PC has been infected with adware or another type of malware.
New Sluggish Behavior
Computers can become sluggish for a number of reasons, including having too many browser tabs open at once or running a memory-intensive program. But you’ll typically know your computer and the types of things that slow it down.
If you notice new sluggish behavior that is out of the ordinary, this could be an infection. One example would be if you don’t have any programs open except notepad or another simple app, and yet you experience freezing.
When malware is running in the background, it can often eat up system resources and cause your system to get sluggish.
Applications Start Crashing
Applications should not just crash out of the blue. There is always a reason. Either the software is faulty, there’s been an issue with an update, or something else may be messing with that application’s files.
If you suddenly experience apps crashing, requiring you to restart the app or reboot your system, this is another telltale sign that a virus, trojan, or other malicious code has been introduced.
Your Browser Home Page is Redirected
If you open your browser and land on a homepage that is not the one you normally see, have your PC scanned for malware right away. Redirecting a home page is a common ploy of certain types of malware.
The malware will infect your system and change the system setting for your default browser home page. This may lead you to a site filled with popup ads or to another type of phishing site.
Just trying to change your homepage back in your settings won’t fix the situation. It’s important to have the malware removed.
Sudden Reboots
Another annoying trait of certain types of malicious code is to make your system reboot without warning.
This can cause you to lose the work you’ve just done and can make it difficult to get anything done. This may happen when malware is changing core system files behind the scenes. With files corrupted, your system becomes unstable and can often reboot unexpectedly.
You’re Missing Hard Drive Space
If you find that a good deal of your hard drive space that used to be open is now gone, it could be a malware infection taking up your space. Some types of malware may make copies of files or introduce new files into your system.
They will cleverly hide, so don’t expect to see the word “malware” on a file search. Instead, the dangerous activities will usually be masked by a generic-sounding name that you mistake for a normal system file.
You Run Across Corrupted Files
If you open a file and find it corrupted, this could be a red flag that ransomware or another form of malware has infected your system.
While files can occasionally become corrupt for other reasons, this is a serious issue that deserves a thorough malware scan if you see it.
PC “Processing Sounds” When There Shouldn’t Be
Most of us are familiar with those “thinking sounds” when our computer is processing something memory intensive. You’ll usually hear a type of whirring that will go away once you finish that activity.
If you begin hearing this processing sound when you’re not doing anything particularly intense on your computer, this could be a sign that malware is running in the background and it should be checked out.
Free online malware and virus scans are not always very reliable. We recommend working with a managed services provider like Databranch to ensure your entire system is cleaned properly and that detection tools are put into place to alert you to potential malware. Contact Databranch today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com, or submit the form below, if you would like to enhance your security and review our Foundation Security platform for your business.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Risks associated with cybersecurity threats and exposures motivate organizations to implement protective controls intended to keep their digital assets safe from malicious computer hackers.
We display a similar strategy when protecting our physical assets. Our homes have locks on entry doors and windows. Security systems to detect intruders. Fences that prevent access to private property and camera surveillance to monitor for threats.
What is Penetration Testing?
Protective controls are important to have in place, but it is equally important to test the effectiveness of the controls themselves. Have you ever left your home, shut the door, and then reached back to jiggle the doorknob to make sure the door is latched and locked? This is an example of testing a protective control. The same concept applies to the digital world, we must test our cybersecurity controls to ensure they are working as intended.
One common way to test the effectiveness of cybersecurity controls is to conduct a penetration test. Penetration Testing is an exercise in which an ethical computer hacker will simulate an actual cybersecurity attack against your organization. They will execute the same actions and behaviors of a malicious hacker to identify weakness with your cybersecurity controls. We tend to assume that our firewall is keeping us safe, like the assumption we make that our locked front door is keeping our home safe. But unlike our ability to jiggle the doorknob of the door, there is no tangible way to verify that the firewall is working. This is why penetration testing is such a valuable exercise to complete.
The Benefits of Completing a Penetration Test:
1. Test the effectiveness of your cybersecurity controls that you otherwise assume are protecting you.
2. Improve your cybersecurity controls after reviewing the results of the penetration test
3. In many cases, help satisfy the burden of compliance with state or federal regulation.
How to Choose the Right Service Provider:
Penetration tests that are performed incorrectly will not properly identify the REAL concerns and exposures that exist within your technology environment. This can promote a false sense of wellbeing and security only to learn the hard way that your network was not as secure as you may have thought. Instead, a penetration test should produce a clear understanding of the improvements that can be made to better secure and protect the organization from threats like computer hackers.
Here are 10 ways to ensure that a service provider is right for you.
1) Is there a human being completing the penetration test?
Buyer beware – many low cost penetration tests are “automated” and involve little to no human effort. This is a BIG problem because real cyber attacks launched by actual computer hackers are not automated. Attackers use critical thinking, logic and reason to carry out sophisticated and organized cyber attacks – a good penetration test should simulate their approach instead of being limited by the capabilities of tools designed to “automate” the penetration test.
2) Is the person(s) conducting the penetration test qualified and experienced?
There are many IT professionals and generalist who claim to be proficient in the art of penetration testing, but have every intention of learning on your dime. Hiring someone who does not have experience and is not certified is a risky move. Look for someone who has conducted at least 75 penetration tests and holds one or more of these industry certifications (and do not be afraid to ask for proof):
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- GIAC Penetration Tester – (GPEN)
3) Can they explain the difference between a penetration test and a vulnerability scan? Will they perform a vulnerability scan while doing the penetration test at no extra cost?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a vulnerability scan and penetration test are the same exercise. This means that many cybersecurity firms will sell you a penetration test but will only perform a vulnerability scan. Vulnerability scans will identify Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE). Penetration testing attempts to exploit those vulnerabilities in an effort to compromise systems and controls.
It is common for hackers to scan your network and find vulnerabilities, but they don’t stop there. Based on their findings, they proceed to launch specific attacks designed to exploit the discovered vulnerabilities. Be sure you are getting what you pay for. Don’t purchase a penetration test only to have a vulnerability scan completed.
4) Do they insist on having a discussion about Rules Of Engagement (ROE) prior to doing the penetration test?
It is important to discuss the inherent risks associated with penetration testing and it is also important to determine how intense the testing will be. For example, is the Ethical Hacker allowed to transfer, delete or alter data once a system is compromised? Are they allowed to launch Denial of Service attacks that may cause service disruption? Can they test during normal business hours? These are just a few questions that need to be discussed and answered prior to executing a penetration test. Rules of Engagement allow for risk(s) to be mitigated and establish guidelines for testing.
5) Do they include social engineering attacks as part of their testing procedures?
Not all penetration tests include the same types of attack vectors which means that many providers will not launch social engineering attacks such as email phishing. Social engineering is a wildly popular method for hackers to circumvent traditional security controls such and firewalls. The vast majority of all successful cyberattacks involve some element of social engineering. So this attack vector should absolutely be included in any penetration test performed.
6) Do they provide flexibility with logistics and scheduling or does the penetration have to be completed during their normal business hours?
Many cybersecurity firms will demand that the penetration test be completed during their normal business hours and if you request to have the work done at night or over the weekend (if you are worried about possible disruptions to business) then the provider will seek additional compensation or refuse. It is important that you have the ability to control when the penetration test will take place.
7) Do they make their penetration tester(s) readily available during the testing process?
Some abnormal activity may be detected by your security tools or employees during a penetration test and it is imperative that you have instant access to the penetration tester to verify that they are the responsible party vs a legit attack. Many service providers make it impossible to contact the penetration tester(s) directly.
8) Does their report include information that matters and is actionable of is it a simple list of open ports and discovered vulnerabilities?
While it is good to know the results or basic discovery and reconnaissance efforts, a final report for a penetration test should include more than a list of open ports and vulnerabilities. The objective of a penetration test is for you to understand how an actual hacker would logically attempt to exploit your vulnerabilities and the sequencing of attacks they would deploy so that you can improve your security control framework. Your report should include meaningful and actionable information such as:
- A comprehensive narrative of the testing event provided by the penetration tester
- A detailed evaluation of each attack vector, including visual diagrams, evidence of success, and specific remediation recommendations.
9) Do they hold a formal meeting to present their findings or do they simply forward your report and wish you the best?
The deliverable for a penetration test is typically a formal report that explains the outcome of the penetration test in the form of findings and recommendations. It is important for the penetration tester to take the time and review the contents of this deliverable with you and other interested stakeholders so that a crystal clear understanding can be achieved and you know exactly what to do next. Interrupting the report on your own can be difficult due to the technical information contained within.
10) Do they offer customer loyalty discounts for repeat customers and allow monthly payments for penetration testing?
It is recommended that penetration testing become an operational component of an organizations’ cybersecurity program. The exercise should be conducted periodically according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements. If you are going to conduct an annual penetration test, wouldn’t it be nice to receive a discount for being a loyal customer? And wouldn’t it be nice to pay for annual penetration testing services as an operating expense instead of a capital expense?
How Databranch Can Help:
Interested in learning more about Penetration Testing and how it will enhance your companies security? We are more than happy to discuss our penetrating testing service and the benefits it provides.
Contact us today at 716-373-4467 x 15, email us at: info@databranch.com , or fill out the form below to request more information and schedule a call with someone on our team.
Content curtesy of CyberStone.
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Stolen login credentials are a hot commodity on the Dark Web. There’s a price for every type of account from online banking to social media. For example, hacked social media accounts will go for between $30 to $80 each.
The rise in reliance on cloud services has caused a big increase in breached cloud accounts. Compromised login credentials are now the #1 cause of data breaches globally, according to IBM Security’s latest Cost of a Data Breach Report.
Having either a personal or business cloud account compromised can be very costly. It can lead to a ransomware infection, compliance breach, identity theft, and more.
To make matters more challenging, users are still adopting bad password habits that make it all too easy for criminals. For example:
- 34% of people admit to sharing passwords with colleagues
- 44% of people reuse passwords across work and personal accounts
- 49% of people store passwords in unprotected plain text documents
Cloud accounts are more at risk of a breach than ever, but there are several things you can do to reduce the chance of having your online accounts compromised.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is the best method there is to protect cloud accounts. While not a failsafe, it is proven to prevent approximately 99.9% of fraudulent sign-in attempts, according to a study cited by Microsoft.
When you add the second requirement to a login, which is generally to input a code that is sent to your phone, you significantly increase account security. In most cases, a hacker is not going to have access to your phone or another device that receives the MFA code, thus they won’t be able to get past this step.
The brief inconvenience of using that additional step when you log into your accounts is more than worth it for the bump in security.
Use a Password Manager for Secure Storage
One way that criminals get their hands on user passwords easily is when users store them in unsecured ways. Such as in an unprotected Word or Excel document or the contact application on their PC or phone.
Using a password manager provides you with a convenient place to store all your passwords that is also encrypted and secured. Plus, you only need to remember one strong master password to access all the others.
Password managers can also autofill all your passwords in many different types of browsers, making it a convenient way to access your passwords securely across devices.
Review/Adjust Privacy & Security Setting
Have you taken time to look at the security settings in your cloud tools? One of the common causes of cloud account breaches is misconfiguration. This is when security settings are not properly set to protect an account.
You don’t want to just leave SaaS security settings at defaults, as these may not be protective enough. Review and adjust cloud application security settings to ensure your account is properly safeguarded.
Use Leaked Password Alerts in Your Browser
You can have impeccable password security on your end, yet still have your passwords compromised. This can happen when a retailer or cloud service you use has their master database of usernames and passwords exposed and the data stolen.
When this happens, those leaked passwords can quickly end up for sale on the Dark Web without you even knowing it.
Due to this being such a prevalent problem, browsers like Chrome and Edge have had leaked password alert capabilities added. Any passwords that you save in the browser will be monitored, and if found to be leaked, you’ll see an alert when you use it.
Look for this in the password area of your browser, as you may have to enable it. This can help you know as soon as possible about a leaked password, so you can change it.
Don’t Enter Passwords When on a Public Wi-Fi
Whenever you’re on public Wi-Fi, you should assume that your traffic is being monitored. Hackers like to hang out on public hot spots in airports, restaurants, coffee shops, and other places so they can gather sensitive data, such as login passwords.
You should never enter a password, credit card number, or other sensitive information when you are connected to public Wi-Fi. You should either switch off Wi-Fi and use your phone’s wireless carrier connection or use a virtual private network (VPN) app, which encrypts the connection.
Use Good Device Security
If an attacker manages to breach your device using malware, they can often breach your accounts without a password needed. Just think about how many apps on your devices you can open and already be logged in to.
To prevent an online account breach that happens through one of your devices, make sure you have strong device security. Best practices include:
- Antivirus/anti-malware
- Up-to-date software and OS
- Phishing protection (like email filtering and DNS filtering)
Looking for Password & Cloud Account Security Solutions?
Don’t leave your online accounts at risk. We can help you review your current cloud account security and provide helpful recommendations. Contact Databranch today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com if you would like to enhance your security and want to discuss you options.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Purchasing a new computer is a big investment. Many small businesses and home PC owners end up struggling with older systems because they want to get as many years out of them as possible.
Have you found yourself frustrated with your computer performance? Have you tried every tip and trick you found online, only to still struggle with a slow PC?
There are some promising upgrades you can do that will cost much less than the price of a new computer, while making your PC feel like new again.
Here are some of the options you can try to improve the performance of an older computer.
Upgrade to a Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Prices for solid-state drives have come down quite a bit in the past few years, making them an affordable upgrade that can breathe life back into an older PC that might be slowing down.
Unlike hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs do not have any moving parts and use a flash memory that allows for a quicker response time. You can improve your time to boot and your experience when searching files, opening applications, and other activities.
Some of the advantages of upgrading your computer’s hard drive to SSD include:
- SSD read/write speeds up to 2500 MB/second compared to HDD at up to 200 MB/second
- SSD access time of 0.1ms as compared to HDD at 5.5-8.0ms
- SSDs use between 2-5 watts of energy compared to HDD at 6-15 watts
Increase the RAM (Memory)
One upgrade that is very low-cost and can mean a significant increase in performance is a memory upgrade. If your PC only had 4GB of RAM when you bought it, you likely have trouble opening too many tabs in your browser or using any graphics-heavy program.
Upgrading your RAM, if your PC has available memory slots, to 8GB or 12GB can make it seem like you have an entirely new computer due to the big increase in speed.
Upgrade the Graphics Card
If you play computer games or work in any type of video, imaging, or 3D software, an outdated graphics card can ruin your experience.
Instead of replacing your entire computer, just upgrading the graphics card to a more robust model can improve your PC’s performance and give you several more useful years from it.
Replace Your PC Cooling System
Heat is an enemy of your computer’s internal parts. If your cooling system is getting worn out and not working the way it should be, then excess heat can be building up inside your device.
When this happens things can get strange, with programs crashing or your system rebooting on its own.
If you suspect excess heat may be an issue, have your computer’s fan and cooling system checked out to see if it needs replacing.
Connect an External Monitor to a Laptop
If you’re working on a laptop and having a hard time multi-tasking due to limited screen real estate, consider getting an external monitor rather than replacing your entire PC.
Monitors are just a fraction of the cost of computers, and having a screen twice the size of the one on your laptop can make all the difference in the world and improve productivity due to the additional screen space.
Replace Your Keyboard
Older keywords can stick, lose keys, and have the writing rubbed off the keys, making it more difficult to tell a “Home” button from a “Delete” button. If the performance of your PC is hampered by a frustrating keyboard, an upgrade can be a very inexpensive way to improve your equipment.
Get an External Hard Drive
Computers can slow down and be more difficult to use when the hard drive fills up with data. Over the years, files build up, and many users never take the time to go through and delete those that are unnecessary.
Buying an external hard drive can allow you to offload files that may be slowing you down, while still keeping them easily accessible.
Another benefit of an external hard drive is that it’s portable and can easily be carried between home and work and used in both places.
Get a Professional Computer Tune-Up
Those free PC cleaner tools you find online aren’t going to give you the type of tune-up that a professional IT provider can give. We will go through things like the Windows Registry, duplicate system files, internal errors, and more to clean up your system and remove all the “junk” that has built up over the years.
We can also do a maintenance check for things like failing parts, and provide expert guidance on your most impactful upgrade options.
Get Help Improving Your Computers Performance Today!
Don’t struggle with an older PC! We can provide you with cost-effective upgrade options that will fit your system and budget perfectly. Contact us today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or email us at: info@databranch.com to arrange a quick chat to learn more about your computer and discuss how we can help.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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Phishing is the number one method of attack delivery for everything from ransomware to credential theft. We are very aware of it coming by email, but other types of phishing have been growing rapidly.
In recent years, phishing over social media has skyrocketed by 500%. There has also been a 100% increase in fraudulent social media accounts.
Phishing over social media often tricks the victims because people tend to let their guard down when on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. They’re socializing and not looking for phishing scams.
However, phishing scammers are out there looking for you and will reach out via friend requests and direct messages. Learn several ways you can secure your social media use to avoid these types of covert attacks.
Make Your Profile Private on Social Platforms
Phishing scammers love public profiles on social media because not only can they gather intel on you to strike up a conversation, but they can also clone your profile and put up a fake page for phishing your connections.
Criminals do this in order to try to connect with those on your friends or connections list to send social phishing links that those targets will be more likely to click because they believe it’s from someone they know.
You can limit your risk by going into your profile and making it private to your connections only. This means that only someone that you’ve connected with can see your posts and images, not the general public.
For sites like LinkedIn where many people network for business, you might still want to keep your profile public, but you can follow the other tips below to reduce your risk.
Hide Your Contacts/Friends List
You can keep social phishing scammers from trying to use your social media profile to get to your connections by hiding your friends or connections list. Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook both give you this privacy option.
Just be aware that this does not keep scammers from seeing you as a friend or connection on someone else’s profile unless they too have hidden their friends list.
Be Wary of Links Sent Via Direct Message & in Posts
Links are the preferred way to deliver phishing attacks, especially over social media. Links in social posts are often shortened, making it difficult for someone to know where they are being directed until they get there. This makes it even more dangerous to click links you see on a social media platform.
A scammer might chat you up on LinkedIn to inquire about your business offerings and give you a link that they say is to their website. Unless you know the source to be legitimate, do not click links sent via direct message or in social media posts. They could be leading to a phishing site that does a drive-by download of malware onto your device.
Even if one of your connections shares a link, be sure to research where it is coming from. People often share posts in their own feeds because they like a meme or picture on the post, but they never take the time to check whether the source can be trusted.
Don’t Participate in Social Media Surveys or Quizzes
While it may be fun to know what Marvel superhero or Disney princess you are, stay away from quizzes on social media. They’re often designed as a ploy to gather data on you. Data that could be used for targeted phishing attacks or identity theft.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal that impacted the personal data of millions of Facebook users did not happen all that long ago. It was found that the company was using surveys and quizzes to collect information on users without their consent.
While this case was high-profile, they’re by no means the only ones that play loose and fast with user data and take advantage of social media to gather as much as they can.
It’s best to avoid any types of surveys or quizzes on any social media platform because once your personal data is out there, there is no getting it back.
Avoid Purchasing Directly From Ads on Facebook or Instagram
Many companies advertise on social media legitimately. Unfortunately, many scammers use the platforms as well for credit card fraud and identity theft.
If you see something that catches your eye in a Facebook or Instagram ad, go to the advertiser’s website directly to check it out, do not click through the social ad.
Research Before You Accept a Friend Request
It can be exciting to get a connection request on a social media platform. It could mean a new business connection or connecting with someone from your Alma mater. But this is another way that phishing scammers will look to take advantage of you. They’ll try to connect to you which can be a first step before reaching out direct via DM.
Do not connect with friend requests without first checking out the person on the site and online using a search engine. If you see that their timeline only has pictures of themselves and no posts, that’s a big red flag that you should decline the request.
Can Your Devices Handle a Phishing Link or File?
It’s important to safeguard your devices with things like DNS filtering, managed antivirus, email filtering, and more. This will help protect you if you happen to click on a phishing link. Contact Databranch today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com if you would like to learn more about our Breach Prevention Platform and Security Awareness Training with simulated phishing tests.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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What are Local Admin Privileges?
Many companies allow their employees to make adjustments to their work computers without the need for IT interference. This means that they can download programs, connect to printers, and modify software already installed on their computer.
Users generally enjoy the freedom that local admin rights provide, especially in a company with limited IT personnel. Instead of waiting for an available IT worker, you can go into your computer and make the adjustments that you desire.
However, providing users with local admin rights will leave holes in your cybersecurity.
Why You Should Reconsider Local Admin Privileges
1. Prevents Malware from being Downloaded
Restricting users’ ability to install software not only prevents them from installing unnecessary programs onto their computer, but it can also stop an employee from accidentally clicking and installing malware.
Employees come into contact with malicious software more than they realize. This could be through an attachment on a phishing email, a malicious website link, or if they decided to scroll through social media on a company device.
Around 66% of cybercriminals rank email phishing as their attack vector of choice. Unsuspecting employees may be fooled by an illegitimate email without thinking twice. Without local admin privileges, then there is an increased chance the malware will be stopped since the employee doesn’t have the authorization to install software onto their computer.
2. Decreases the Privileges for Potential Hackers
If a hacker were to gain access to an account with local admin privileges, the damage could be endless. This is especially true for a business that is not utilizing security measures such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Password Managers.
Once a hacker has breached your computer they could download malware, spyware, or even ransomware. Resulting in computer files being locked, credentials being stolen, or even a virus spreading throughout your entire network.
Restricting local admin privilege’s for your employees is a great way to decrease cybersecurity threats from happening in the first place. However, security measures like Password Managers or using MFA can decrease the damage done by a hacker if a computer were to be compromised.
According to Microsoft, MFA can block over 99.9% of account compromise attacks. This means that even if a hacker knows your credentials, they will not be able to log in because they won’t have access to your MFA code.
If this is something you are interested in setting up for your organization, give us a call at 716-373-4467 or email info@databranch.com.
3. Minimizes the Risk of Costly Downtime
Receiving malware or having a hacker breach your security system could cause your company to shut down while the issue is being resolved. All the time you could have been spending working on a project, closing a deal, or procuring new clients is now lost.
This could also result in your businesses reputation taking a hit. Clients will wonder why you’ve had to close for days, weeks, or maybe even months. Plus, you may have to discuss security risks with some clients if their personal information was leaked during the breach.
Interested in calculating what the cost of downtime could be for your business? Click here for Databranch’s Recovery Time Calculator.
4. Prevents Restricted Files and Accounts from Being Edited
Accidentally clicking the wrong button happens to the best of us. You could be reviewing some important client files when your finger slips and presses the delete button by mistake. You may not notice right away and by the time you realize and try to get your information back, it’s too late.
Restricting local admin privileges allows a company to control which files can be modified, deleted, or moved.
On top of this, restricting users’ ability to modify accounts and files not only prevents employees from making a mistake but also prevents hackers from altering your companies settings as well. A hacker who has breached an account with local admin privileges could secretly make an account for themselves or even disable antivirus software.
Solutions
Principle of Least Privileges
Adopting the Principals of Least Privilege is a great addition to a companies security portfolio. This is when a business only gives their employees the minimum level of access privileges that are needed to fulfill their job requirements.
If the employee needs to download additional software or update a program on their computer, they will need to have IT personnel log into their administrative account and make these adjustments for them.
Here at Databranch, we not only believe in the Principle of Least Privileges but we actively practice it. None of our employee login accounts have local administrative privileges.
MFA and Password Managers
Enabling MFA and utilizing Password Managers is another great way to stay on top of cybersecurity for your business. These applications are easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and extremely beneficial to a company.
Want to talk to an IT Professional about any of the topics covered in this article? You can contact us at today at 716-373-4467 x 15 or info@databranch.com to set up a meeting, or simply fill out the form below and one of our team members will contact you. We would love to talk about your cybersecurity and how we can help you enhance it.
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