BlackBox Connections Newsletter – February 2018

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BlackBox Connections Newsletter – February 2018

This month’s topic:

Your Employee had their smart phone stolen or lost…what do you do?

 

Over the last couple of months, we’ve come across some alarming statistics that you should know. Studies show that as many as 16% of smartphones are lost or stolen each year with only 7% of the stolen devices ever being recovered!

Despite the fact that 60% of the missing smartphones are deemed to contain sensitive or confidential information, 57% of these phones were not protected with available security features, leaving the company exposed!

In fact, only 14% of companies currently have a mobile-device security policy in place. The bottom line is, no matter how careful your employees are with their smartphones, losing a smartphone (or having one stolen) is likely to happen to you or your employees at some point in time.

In the hands of even a relatively unsophisticated hacker, all of your smartphone information can quickly be siphoned off. And time is of the essence for taking action. Criminals will remove the battery of your phone to prevent “remote wipes” of your data by your IT staff and then use a room without mobile access to break into the phone. This is akin to giving a thief the key to your data and the code to deactivate the alarm……

To continue reading, click on the link below!

Read this Month’s Security Newsletter
by BlackBox Connections

Click the link below to access the Security Newsletter

February 2018 TechTimes Newsletter

Quick Tip

Have a Plan in Place for Lost or Stolen Smartphones!

 

Copyright © 2017 Security Tips, All rights reserved.

BlackBox Connections Newsletter – Importance of Software Updates

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BlackBox Connections Newsletter – Importance of Software Updates

This month’s topic:

Network Updates and the importance of it.

 

Welcome to the brave new world of cyber-warfare.

Gone are the days when software patches were just for nifty little feature add-ons or updates.

Today, a software update notice could mean your whole computer network is suddenly at risk. Dangers include data theft, crippling malware attacks and mischief you may not discover for months, or even years…

Read this Month’s Security Newsletter
by BlackBox Connections

Click the link below to access the Security Newsletter

BlackBox Connections January 2018 Newsletter.PDF

 

Quick Tip

Ensure you have a secure Firewall and Anti-Virus Protection

 

Copyright © 2017 Security Tips, All rights reserved.

BlackBox Connections Newsletter – Privacy and Security

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Location

Unit 203
70 Country Hills Landing
NW Calgary, AB T3K 2L2

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BlackBox Connections Newsletter – Privacy and Security

This month’s topic:

Privacy and Security

Do you know the difference between privacy and security? Understanding how these two concepts work together, and how they differ, is key to improving our overall defense. From policies and compliance regulations, to using common sense and staying alert, privacy and security have one common goal in mind: guaranteeing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data. Achieving that goal is a responsibility we all share!

In this month’s Security Newsletter, learn how privacy and security work together in the protection of information.

Read this Month’s Security Newsletter
by BlackBox Connections

Click the link below to access the Security Newsletter

BlackBox Connections December 2017 Newsletter.PDF

 

Quick Tips

There are three types of insider threats: accidental, negligent and malicious.

Read the security newsletter for 5 immediate steps to take if you fall victim to identity theft.

Important Note for Mac users

Apple has released a critical update for Mac users running the newest High Sierra operating system that addresses a major security vulnerability. View the below link for more information on how you can make sure your Mac is on the newest update.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/29/16715246/apple-releases-high-sierra-root-security-patch

Copyright © 2017 Security Tips, All rights reserved.

Social Engineering & Phishing Newsletter

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Social Engineering & Phishing Newsletter

Trust is an important component of our lives but should not be taken lightly. Too much trust in the wrong person is a leading factor in many breaches and instances of identity theft. Leveraging different techniques, cyber-criminals are preying on our trust to open new doors for their scams.

In this Newsletter, learn about the various forms of social engineering and phishing, as well as the steps that you can look for to avoid being the next victim.

Read this Month’s Security Newsletter
by BlackBox Connections

Click the link below to access the Security Newsletter

BlackBox Connections November 2017 Newsletter.PDF

Quick Tips

Social Engineers are using various techniques to put you in a place of distress to get you to fall for their bait.  Keep your emotions in check and think rationally.


Always treat request for money or sensitive information with a high degree of skepticism.

by BlackBox Connections

Topic:  Social Engineering & Phishing

Was Equifax hacked again?

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Was Equifax hacked again?

Was Equifax hacked again?  The consumer credit reporting company said Thursday morning, that it’s security teams were looking into another possible breach just one month after the last hack was reported.

The last incident had exposed personal information for 125.5 million people and has lead to multiple federal and state investigations.  Not to mention the departure of their 12-year Chief Executive.

Investigations have apparently shown, that your personal information was not compromised this time.  A spokesperson for Equifax had this to say “Equifax can confirm that its systems were not compromised and that the reported issue did not affect our consumer online dispute portal.”

According to Equifax, “The issue involves a third-party vendor that Equifax uses to collect website performance data, and that vendor’s code running on an Equifax website was serving malicious content.  Since we learned of the issue, the vendor’s code was removed from the webpage and we have taken the webpage offline to conduct further analysis.”

Due to such a large breach in security, the company has been warned to pay attention to any further threats that may come their way.

by BlackBox Connections

Topic: Equifax hacked again?

Locky Ransomware Is On The Rise Learn What You Can Expect

Locky Ransomware Is On The Rise Learn What You Can Expect

Locky Ransomware is on the rise learn what you can expect as the threat is growing. Last year The University of Calgary submits $14,700 to crooks and with no surprise many people took notice.

Locky Ransomware alias Lokitus is recognized by Sophos Intercept X!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajTcYRIwoqU[/embedyt]

The threat of Ransomware has gone down but old viruses are resurfacing like Ransomware Locky. Locky was once among the most dominant strains of Ransomware and with time it faded from view. With that other Ransomware took form such as Cerber and Spora.
The Spread By Spam Is Real – It is spread by spam email and comes with a .zip attachment with a .js file inside. It downloads the actual payload and then encrypts the files.

  • The .lukitus variant comes with email subject lines like “PAYMENT” and ” Here’s a copy of your payment”.
  • The Diablo variant used the body content “Files attached. Thanks” and the sender’s email address had the same domain as the recipient’s.
  • Locky Ransomware Is On The Rise Learn What You Can Expect

Ransom-ware is not going away anytime soon so it is time to prepare yourself and keep your files secure.  Defensive measures against malicious attachments is only 1 step to success. If you receive an attachment of any kind by email and don’t know the person who sent it, ee suggest you don’t open it.

  • Configure Windows to show file extensions. This gives you a better chance of spotting files that aren’t what they seem.
  • Use an anti-virus with an on-access scanner, also known as real-time protection.
  • Consider stricter email gateway settings. Some staff are more exposed to malware-sending crooks.
  • Staff may benefit from more stringent precautions, rather than being inconvenienced by them.

Check out this new Ransomware intercept X tool by Sophos because it’s an excellent tool Sophos Ransomware Tool

Don’t wait, Act Now! Why not Ask?

 

Contact IT Support 587-355-1566 for assistance.

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