Small Business Cyber Security Basics and How to Prevent a Disaster.

Business Security Basics.

As we all have been told cyber attacks have been on the rise. Cyber attacks cost millions of people worldwide both time and money. Ransomware is one of the most prolific tools used by criminals targeting businesses. Why, because it locks all your business data on your PCs and servers and holds them hostage with near unbreakable military grade encryption, extorting your business out of large amounts of money! The crazy part is, many times even when ransoms are paid the files are never unlocked! You are out of money and your data!

Here are the heart stopping facts… According to an industry study by The Diffusion Group, who surveyed small business organizations, 60 percent of companies that lose their data close down within six months of the disaster and a staggering 72 percent of businesses that suffer major data loss disappear within 24 months.  Despite the risks, incredibly, 58% of businesses are unprepared for a data loss event!

There is some good news…

Basic steps can be taken to prevent this type of business disaster.

1. Comprehensive Security Software - A good security software can monitor for both known threats and malicious activities through heuristics analysis. Although not 100% effective it is the best first defense. Prevention.

2. Backups - If the first line fails and malicious actors get ahold of your files you should have rock solid backups. Best practice basics include an onsite and offsite backup. The reason for both is that onsite backups alone can fall victim to being encrypted as well and that does you no good. Cloud based online backups save multiple versions that can be restored from data that was backed up before your cyber security event. Your Insurance.

3. Best practices Policies and Procedures - Just as in any field, there are best practices that include both user and system policies. A good IT partner will develop ways to both educate the employees as well as set into place restrictions to help safeguard sensitive information from being accidentally damaged or lost do to malicious actors. Your Strategic Partner.

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How we help…

At Blinking PC we offer full service IT support including active measures to mitigate your risks as well as support your staff on day to day helpdesk and support issues.

To simplify security for small businesses BlinkingPC offers basic office security packages starting at $599.99 for an office of 5 users or less. These packages include installation of a comprehensive internet security software with 1 year license and a malware checkup for up to 5 PCs.

For businesses wanting more comprehensive coverage, more complete packages are available, our complete pack starts at 10 users and includes cloud based monitored security software, 250Gb of secured cloud backup, virus removal, monthly proactive monitoring of cloud security software and data restoration coverage included for the year.

Click here to Contact us today and schedule a free consultation, see how we can help your business not be one of the 70%

Visit our online store to browse and order our Security Packages Blinking PC Online Store

To iPhone 12 or not to iPhone 12.

As October 23 is nearly here (the day iPhone 12’s make it to stores) , many of us are deep in thought…

Should I upgrade to the new iPhone? Should I wait for a few months or should I wait for the iPhone 13 (Let’s hope they pick a luckier name for the coming device!) I too think about this every year when a new phone is released. Being an iPhone user for several years (previously a Samsung Galaxy/Note fan until I bought my first iPhone and realized what a “fully baked” product is, but that is for another post!) this is always my dilemma. Yes, new devices are cool, but many times very incremental, so the differences are many times not worth the expense.

Enter the all new iPhone 12 series, completely redesigned in a beautiful squared off design, new cameras, much faster and more power efficient 5mn chip design, and yes 5G!

So is it worth it? I would say if you “must have” the newest phone it is a no brainer. If you are a serious photo and video user with an iPhone 11 maybe? iPhone Xs or X users who are more power users also might be a good time as well. The design has completely changed and 5G future proofs you more than other generations before.

If you don’t really need the phone for any of these reasons but really want the 5G you might be a little disappointed, as 5G mmWave coverage (the kind with the several Gigabit speeds) is very limited in coverage and the nationwide “5G” offered by carriers now such as T-Mobile is more of a 4G+ or 5G lite with speeds equivalent to 4G LTE.

Ultimately it is your money and your decision, worst case you spent a little more than you should have but will not regret the user experience!

I have attached a full review from CNET for further details on the newest iPhone 12 and Pro.

If you have any questions about smartphones or anything computer and network related for your business just drop us an email at support@blinkingpc.com maybe we can give a little guidance.

Doug Santini

Blinking PC

A new old threat... Emotet

Despite lower employment and economic uncertainties due to Covid-19 some enterprises are booming… Cyber Crime… Many previously dormant bots and other malware are coming back to life. One of these threats Emotet, which had been dormant for awhile, started back up October 14.

Emotet is a sneaky Trojan Virus that is activated from attachments claiming to be word docs. When the attachments are opened it tells you that Microsoft Updates are needed for Word. When the shown link is clicked on, the embedded javascript installs a loader software that then brings in other malicious programs, which includes the possibility of ransomware.

Ransomware has been one of the most costly and disruptive malware employed recently by cyber criminals. Ransomware encrypts and locks files stored on your computer or servers with a nearly unbreakable encryption. The decryption key is held by the criminal who extorts a ransom from the victim for the return of the files. Payments can range from hundreds to as much as over half a million dollars that was paid out by the City of Rivera Beach in Florida. The actual malware used was a different software but the mechanism is very similar.

These types of sneaky, malicious viruses can be prevented with the right combination of protective softwares, policies, and best practices.

Call us today to schedule your assessment and find out how to protect yourself and your business.

I have attached some additional info from our partner Kaspersky for further reading.