This article spells out in plain English why every business needs a serious firewall. Here are two important takeaways from this article: 1. "60 percent of small businesses don’t survive a cyberattack." 2. "The firewall is not a 'set it and forget it' security system....
Cybersecurity
Geek Girls IT Services Blog
The latest on cyber security, computer support and small business IT from one of New Jersey and New York’s top managed IT service providers.
Zoom Videoconferencing Security Issue Reported
This article from Hacker News highlights a cyber security issue with Zoom's videoconferencing software for Macs. The Zoom software installs a vulnerable web server that communicates in an unencrypted manner; and even if you remove the software or install Zoom's update...
Our Take on the Kaspersky “Spy” Controversy
October 2017 EDIT: Since we posted this back in August, new information has come out indicating that Russia has been using Kaspersky software for spying. Whether or not Kaspersky was directly involved or if this effects Kaspersky's consumer products, is still not...
I’m Calling From Microsoft (NOT!!)
[This is an edited and updated version of a post from 2013.] If someone calls you claiming to be from Microsoft and tells you that your computer is reporting errors to Microsoft, it's a scam. If that person offers to "fix" your computer, you should hang up...
Protecting Yourself and Your Business Against Global Hackers
During the past week, computer systems throughout the world were reported to be disrupted by an extensive ransomware attack, mostly affecting Britain and Russia. Transmitted via email, the malicious software encrypts files and demands ransom before users can regain...
If You Have QuickTime for Windows Installed, You Should Remove It
One of our valued customers called my attention to this issue yesterday. Apple is no longer supporting QuickTime for Windows because it's not needed anymore. The result is that QuickTime for Windows has security vulnerabilities which could endanger the security of...
Shellshock Exploit: Protecting Your Mac
Thanks to my friend Leon Stankowski for sharing this article. If you have a Mac, it should be tested to make sure you aren't vulnerable to this newly discovered hacking exploit:...
New Security Bug: Change Your Online Passwords
Over the next few days, web site administrators will be patching a newly found bug (known as "Heartbleed") that may have allowed your password and other private information to be compromised. Give them a few more days to finish patching, and then change all of your...
Do I Need to Install All Those Annoying Updates?
A Valued Client recently asked whether all the software updates offered to PC users are really necessary. "Do I really want or need version 5.2.1.1.1 ???? Every single time? Windows, Adobe, Apple, Java, Office, etc. etc… And why does my computer want to tie up...
Incompetence in IT at NASA: From the NY Times.com
This article discusses the remarkable fact that NASA can't protect its data. A NASA laptop was stolen, and because the hard drive was not encrypted, multitudes of employees' data was breached, making them vulnerable to identity theft. A spokesperson for NASA claims it...