Tag Archive for: Tips

Here Are 3 Android Security Tips To Protect Your Data

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Updating your Android operating system is an incredibly vital yet often overlooked security measure, as security patches often accompany Android updates. Software developers constantly battle with hackers trying to exploit security gaps in a device. Once an exploit is made known to the software developers, it is often patched in an update soon after. This is why it is crucial to keep your device up to date.

These updates are not just reactionary either. Security updates can bring data protection and preventative security features. You should make it a habit to check if you have a security patch available at least once a month, as sometimes it won’t initiate automatically. To Install the newest security updates for your Android device, follow these instructions:

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap Security and Privacy.
  3. Select System and Updates under the Settings tab.
  4. Tap Security Update to open a popup informing you of what version you are running.
  5. Tap the Check for Update button at the bottom right-hand side of the display.
  6. If an update is available, select Install.

The security update option on select Samsung devices can be found on the Security Updates page under Biometrics and Security in the Settings menu. You may be out of luck with an older Android device, as security updates will cease after some time. For example, Google offers seven years of OS updates on its Pixel 8 line, while most manufacturers offer two to four years of security updates. It may be time to upgrade if you have a phone that no longer receives updates.

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Stop that hack: Cybersecurity tips for individuals and small businesses

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Big casinos aren’t the only ones that stand to lose from a cyberattack.

“It is inevitable,” says Russell Short, owner of Las Vegas-based cybersecurity company SYN Cyber.

“With the advent of AI technology, that’s going to help [hackers] craft more sophisticated phishing emails. And that’s the number one way of getting in,” he explains, adding that the popularity of working from home also brings new network vulnerabilities to businesses.

Short’s company is a managed service provider that helps with network and cloud security, IT support and security awareness training. He shared a few tips to protect yourself and your business from getting hacked.

Know how to spot phishing and bad links

The No. 1 method of attack is phishing, Short says, which is why awareness is so important. Phishing is a form of social engineering that attempts to get users to give up personal information or click a link that contains malware. It can take the form of an email that appears to be from a legitimate sender, a phone call or text.

Even when surfing the web, users should always verify that a link will take them where they want to go.

“Say you’re looking for espn.com, or Amazon. It’s good to hover over the link and then in the bottom left corner, it’ll show the URL you’re going to. Double-verify to make sure that it is indeed going to amazon.com and not ‘amaz0n’ with a zero instead of an O, or misspelled words.”

The same goes for a link in an email—verify that it will take you where you want to go by hovering over the link and looking at the bottom left corner of the screen.

Strong passwords

You’d be surprised just how easy it is to hack an account with a weak password, Short says. Certified Ethical Hackers like SYN Cyber have tools that can be used to test the strength of passwords: “If they have a weak password—just a dictionary word and a number and one exclamation point—we crack those in under two seconds.”

Short recommends having a password with 10-15 characters that is not a dictionary word and has upper and lowercase characters and numbers. “If you remember your passwords, they’re not strong enough,” he says, adding that people should not recycle…

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Ransomware attacks, cyber hygiene tips

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AS technology advances, so do the various types of ransomware attacks that organizations must be aware of. In today’s digital age, data is often the most valuable asset of a company, and without proper protection against ransomware, employees and businesses alike are at risk of losing critical information. It is essential to implement a ransomware protection strategy that includes cyber hygiene best practices. In this article, we will discuss the various types of ransomware attacks, who are most at risk, who to contact in case of an attack and tips for preventing a ransomware attack.

Types of attacks

Ransomware attacks come in many forms, but they can be categorized into five primary types: – Crypto ransomware or encryptors. This malware encrypts files and data within a system, making the infected content inaccessible without a decryption key.

– Lockers. They are similar to encryptors, but they lock the user out of their system entirely.

– Scareware. A fake software that claims to have detected a virus or issue and directs the user to pay to resolve it. Some variants will lock the user from other system functionalities, while others will flood the screen with pop-up alerts without causing any damage.

– Doxware/Leakware. This malware threatens to distribute sensitive information or company files online and pressures the user into paying a fee to prevent data from being made public.

– Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). This malware is carried out and managed by professional hackers who are paid by an individual for all aspects of the attack, from distribution to payment collection and access restoration.


Most at risk

Ransomware attacks are indiscriminate and can target anyone with an internet connection, whether it is a private individual, a business or any other entity. All individuals need to ensure their systems are adequately protected. If a business is attacked by ransomware and cannot recover, it may put the business and its employees at risk, leading to real-world consequences, such as unemployment and loss of income.

In case of an attack

In case of a ransomware attack, the first step is to notify your…

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Follow these tech tips to help avoid malware, ensure cybersecurity

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If you're getting a new printer, Kim Komando recommends a factory reset it to erase the details of what you’ve printed over the years.

You need a timer and you need it fast. Do a Google search for “timer” and one appears right there for you to use. There’s a stopwatch option too. Easy, right?

Here’s another smart tech tip I’m surprised so many people mess up. Most people fill in the email recipient section before writing the message. That’s a mistake. Make that your very last step – that way, there’s a much lower chance you’ll send an email before it’s truly ready to send.

Don’t stop there. Let’s dive into easy, quick tech tips you’ll use all the time.

Cybersecurity 101: After you download a PDF file online, look at the file extension. You’re looking for .pdf. If the filename ends with .exe, delete it – it’s likely malware.

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