Category: Security

Phishing emails are nothing new, but attackers have found a fresh way to trick people — by making their emails look like they’re coming from inside your own company. This method takes advantage of a Microsoft feature called Direct Send, which was designed for things like printers and scanners that need to email documents without requiring a traditional email client.

Cybersecurity is a critical component of business operations and is the responsibility of both the business and its employees. It requires a concerted effort from every individual within the organization: each employee has a hand in maintaining security and must be aware of their actions and the potential impact. Security awareness training, when provided on a regular basis, can significantly strengthen an organization’s defenses against cyber threats.

Whether you’re managing project schedules in a construction firm, client records at an accounting practice, or patient data in a veterinary clinic, your business is a target. Cyber threats aren’t just for big corporations anymore. Small businesses—especially those with 15 to 75 employees—face increasing risks from cyberattacks. And the consequences can be devastating without the proper security measures in place.

Escaping to a warmer clime is looking very attractive as we in the Northeast get another round of snow. While enjoying that warmer weather, you might need to finish up some details to close a last-minute deal or access that critical file because you’re the only one that can handle it.

As we wrap up National Cybersecurity Awareness month, let’s look at why cybersecurity is important for everyone, what to look out for, and some good resources you can use to keep up with what’s happening in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity matters because your personal information is valuable to cybercriminals. Your online accounts, financial data, and even your personal identity can be at risk if not properly safeguarded.

Fortinet confirmed earlier this week that a threat actor had gained access to an online file repository Fortinet had set up in Microsoft’s cloud, and that the threat actor stole 440GB of data from that repository. It’s still early in the investigation, so there are a lot of details that are still unknown, such as the full extent of the breach and how it was carried out.

It’s summer. You’re at the beach. You need to finish up some details to close a last-minute deal. You need to access that critical file because you’re the only one that can handle it. You’re out of luck, right? Not so fast! There are many ways to securely access business resources outside the office, thanks to mobile technology and secure virtual private networks (VPNs).

Change Healthcare, a payment exchange platform operated by Optum Solutions (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth), suffered a ransomware attack in February of this year. The current estimate of damages is approximately $872,000,000. Details on the attack can be found on Bleeping Computer’s site: https://bit.ly/4bB2ihd. Let’s break down some lessons learned from this incident. Preliminary information from the investigation highlights the importance of having robust security policies and response plans in place.

April Fool’s is fast approaching, so it seems like a good time to review some phishing email tips so the joke isn’t on you. Email is still the number one communication method, which makes it the perfect avenue for scammers and other malicious actors looking to get the highest return on their efforts. Always verify the sender’s address, avoid clicking on unexpected links, and be cautious of attachments.