Technology Advice for Small Businesses

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Enlist IT help when installing CPU updates

When it comes to security updates, time is usually of the essence. The longer you wait to install a fix from a vendor, the higher the risk of being compromised. But in the cases of the Meltdown and Spectre flaws, you might be better off waiting until a more reliable patch is released. Let’s review… Continue reading Enlist IT help when installing CPU updates

Meltdown and Spectre fixes cause problems

It’s been three weeks since one of the worst IT security vulnerabilities in history was announced, and consumers are still receiving mixed messages about how to protect themselves. We usually encourage users to install software updates as often as possible, but when it comes to Meltdown and Spectre, that advice comes with an asterisk. Unsecured… Continue reading Meltdown and Spectre fixes cause problems

Beware of the Meltdown and Spectre patches

Installing security patches is usually such a humdrum task that even the most inexperienced users handle it. Unfortunately, that has not been the case with the Spectre and Meltdown fixes. This time around, we recommend you skip installing the update and let an IT professional handle it for you. Unsecured data storage Spectre and Meltdown… Continue reading Beware of the Meltdown and Spectre patches

Beware of what you save in web browsers

Passwords are a double-edged sword. If you make them too simple, they’ll be easy to guess; if you make them too complex, they’ll be impossible to remember. One solution is to create an uncrackable password and save it to your browser. Unfortunately, recent research suggests that tactic could drastically reduce your privacy. Why auto-fill passwords… Continue reading Beware of what you save in web browsers

The risks of auto-complete passwords

If you’re disturbed by advertisements and “helpful” suggestions that are based on your internet browsing habits, recent research has found yet another source of online tracking. It’s a sneaky tactic that also comes with serious security concerns. Let’s take a look at what you can do to stop it from targeting you. Why auto-fill passwords… Continue reading The risks of auto-complete passwords

Think before saving logins to your browser

There are a number of reasons you should be wary of saving your password to a digital platform. Just look at Yahoo’s data breach in 2013, which leaked passwords for three billion people. Even when your password isn’t compromised, saving it to a browser could have serious implications for your privacy. Why auto-fill passwords are… Continue reading Think before saving logins to your browser

Phishing alert: scammers now use encryption

When you visit an encrypted website, the connection between the source of the web page and your browser is secure. Encryption ensures users’ browsing habits are safe from hackers’ prying eyes, but phishing scammers have found a way to adopt it for their own schemes. How hackers use encryption to carry out phishing scams According… Continue reading Phishing alert: scammers now use encryption

Are the encrypted sites you visit safe?

You can easily tell whether a website is encrypted, and therefore safe, if a padlock icon appears next to its URL and if it starts with HTTPS (instead of just HTTP). Unfortunately, hackers now use the very same tool that’s supposed to protect browsers from malicious entities via encrypted phishing sites. How hackers use encryption… Continue reading Are the encrypted sites you visit safe?

Phishers use encrypted sites to scam

Just when you thought cyber criminals couldn’t get smarter, along comes a new scamming technique. Previously used for safeguarding browsing activity, encryption tools are now used by hackers in carrying out phishing scams. This means some fraudulent sites may have HTTPS on their address, giving users a false sense of security. How hackers use encryption… Continue reading Phishers use encrypted sites to scam

VPNs: Why you need them

Installing powerful antivirus software and setting strong passwords are no longer considered the bare minimum in cybersecurity. With hackers, government agencies, and ISPs constantly monitoring networks and your online habits, hopping onto a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is crucial for keeping your surfing habits private. Here’s why. What is VPN? Simply put, a VPN is… Continue reading VPNs: Why you need them