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Cyber-Security is Your Issue

on in Security
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The 2015 year held numerous cyber-attacks, many of them were high profile. 2016 is trending to be even worse. Everything from social media to hotel accounts, airline computers to political accounts, home email accounts to corporate email accounts. Today, the only person that is safe is the person who does not use the internet. We all know that technology is good, but we have to understand that technology can be used to be BAD! So what is next? How can we stop these thieves?

Here are some top cybersecurity issues:

Online & Mobile Payments– I know no one wants to hear this but every online communication is potentially vulnerable. There are millions upon millions attacks aimed the financial institutions daily. The reason is because it is very easy to redirect your money. Think about this: Your credit card is hacked after an online payment. You notice extra charges on your card, you call your credit card company, they issue you a new credit card and wipe out those extra charges. So who takes the hit on this? Not the consumer (which is good) but the vendor/shopkeeper. The shopkeeper does not get the money associated with product which was sold and shipped. The winner thief.

So how do you ensure your security with online & mobile payment and banking?

If you are an end user of these products:

  • ·         Change your passwords often, make your password difficult
  • ·         Don’t use free WIFI or Hotspots for any mobile transactions
  • ·         Check the website for HTTPS://
  • ·         Review your credit card or bank statement monthly

 If you are a business:

  • ·         Ensure that your company’s website is secure, has the latest antivirus solutions, has an up to date platform, template and widgets;
  • ·         Compliance with PCI DSS
  • ·         Review policies with your staff and ensure any outsourced partners understand your associated security
  • ·         If you take credit cards from clients use a bank instead of third party vendors who use free monthly services

 Phishing Scams – I cannot stress this enough, whether you are a business owner, employee or end-user. The FBI, CIA, IRS, Microsoft, McAfee, Symatec, etc will not call you or send you an email to tell you that you have a computer issue. You will know you have an issue with the FBI and CIA when they show up at your door.  As for computer issues, Microsoft does not call you, Microsoft is not monitoring. There are proactive monitoring solutions available, like partnering with T.G. Consultants.

  • So how do you prevent Phishing Scams?
  • ·         Do not click on email links from people you do not know.
  • ·         Do not click on the email link that says video of cute kitties.
  • ·         Do not open unknown sender’s attachments.
  • ·         NEVER, NEVER give out personal information.
  • ·         Do not give access to your computer, mobile or tablet device unless you have an existing technology relationship with the company.
  • ·         Change your password for email at least once a quarter.
  • ·         Ensure your operating system and browsers are up to date
  • ·         Use a paid for antivirus program, $99.00 a year is much cheaper than fixing an issue.
  • ·         Avoid emails that start with a generic Hello

Website URLs – The spoofing of websites is very common. Before your purchase that precious item, look the website over. Check for common spelling errors, redirection to another website (change from .com to .net, .biz). All eCommerce website will have a SSL Certificate and a lock.  b2ap3_thumbnail_https3.JPG

Business owners, the “Next Generation of Heartbleed” is arriving. These open-source weaknesses are a challenge. Make sure your SSL certificates are NOT expired. Make sure you are not processing via Windows XP or Server 2003. As of March 2016, 10.9% of business computers are still running Windows XP.

If you are ever in doubt, call the ‘supposed’ company that sent you the email. If legitimate great, if not they will be happy that you made them aware and the company can then take appropriate action

The task of cybersecurity is always an endless, uphill battle against an ever-increasing threat. The good news is that companies like T.G. Consultants have solutions and are on the defensive side with more resources, better training, and can reach computer users faster than the enemy.

 

T.G. Consultants is here to provide you and your business with the best in practice cybersecurity and security solutions. Trish Glees, the President of T.G. Consultants, maintains CISSP, CISA and Computer Forensics Certificates just for these solutions. You do not have to go across the security chasm alone. Bring T.G. Consultants along. 

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