Today’s forms of malware are designed to spread quickly to as many connected devices as possible. Once a hacker infects one computer, server, or mobile device, automated code seeks out network connects and looks for any other places it can spread. [Read more…]
One of the biggest threats that companies need to defend against is phishing. These socially engineered messages come to employees in multiple forms and are getting more sophisticated every year. [Read more…]
You’re likely already familiar with the terms two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). These are two different terms for the same process of requiring an additional step before granting access to an account.
This is a standard of good cybersecurity hygiene and helps prevent a costly breach of a cloud account or remote access login.
2FA/MFA will typically be implemented in one of three ways:
The key with multi-factor authentication is that it requires someone to have access to a physical device that receives the time-sensitive code. This is often the thing that stops hackers from gaining access to an account, even if they have the username and password.
In a Google study, MFA was found to be between 76% and 100% effective at blocking account takeover attempts, depending upon the type of MFA used and the attack type.
Graph from Google MFA Study
2FA/MFA can significantly improve data security for multiple types of accounts, including for network-attached storage (NAS).
Network-attached storage is a data storage device that is usually kept onsite. It’s used as a type of “mini-server” and is designed for storing files and running certain types of applications that allow files to be shared easily.
Companies use NAS to maintain more control over their file storage than they may have if relying on a cloud-storage provider. It enables the files to be available both online and offline.
The benefit of using NAS is that it’s a hybrid of both cloud and hard drive storage. It allows access by multiple people and devices from any location. It’s typically less expensive than a full server because it’s designed mainly for file storage and sharing only.
It can be connected to, directly through an ethernet connection or a direct USB-to-computer cable. Approved users can also log in and connect to NAS remotely, just like they can cloud storage services.
NAS holds a lot of sensitive data and files. Because it’s accessible online through a user log in, it’s susceptible to being hacked if you don’t have strong account protections.
Particularly dangerous files for a hacker to gain access to include business financial and tax records, customer records, employee payroll data, and research and development information on products.
2FA significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to a breach of your NAS device by raising the bar for access.
According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), on-premises assets are much more likely to be breached than cloud assets. On-premises devices like servers and network-attached storage are involved in approximately 70% of data breaches, while cloud assets are involved in just 24% of them.
This is because large cloud storage platforms are run by companies like Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, and are much more difficult to breach. On-premises assets are usually easier because they often lack important security safeguards, such as MFA.
Credential theft is on the rise and is now the number one cause of data breaches around the world. Hackers are targeting user credentials because it’s the easiest way to breach security on an account and gain access to things like business email and files containing data that can be used for identity theft.
As we’ve noted above, 2FA/MFA is very effective at stopping hackers in their tracks when they try to breach your username and password. It’s a simple and affordable (free in most cases) way to significantly improve the security of your NAS so you can enjoy flexibility and anywhere access without having to worry about a breach.
Implementing 2FA/MFA on a NAS device is easy. You will typically visit your account settings and look for an area that notes access or password management. You’ll then enable the 2FA or MFA option.
Some NAS devices will ask you to enter a mobile number for sending the MFA code. Others may have their own authentication app for you to download and set up. If you have multiple users, make sure that each one goes through the MFA setup process, so your accounts are all properly secured.
Don’t leave your accounts unprotected. Connect2Geek can help your Treasure Valley area business with account access security that’s simple to implement and keeps your NAS and other accounts protected.
Schedule your free consultation to learn more today! Call 208-468-4323 or reach out online.
One statistic that stood out on the most recent IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report was connected to credential theft. Compromised usernames and passwords are now the #1 cause of data breaches, and account for 20% of them globally. [Read more…]
Windows 11 has been out for a couple of months now, enough time to get a feel for how well the new operating system has been received. Many companies are playing “wait and see” before they plan a full rollout to all employee devices. [Read more…]
In the aftermath of the pandemic, companies have been undertaking major changes to their technology infrastructure. This has been largely to facilitate a “work from anywhere” model, where employees can work and interact with customers just as easily from home as from the office. [Read more…]
The landline is going the way of the dinosaurs and digital communications are taking over. One of the first major signs of this is the fact that the UK is going to do away with all analog lines by 2025 and switch to digital-only. (Will the US be far behind?) [Read more…]
Users of Microsoft 365 are used to getting new features added regularly since the original Office 365 platform was launched over 10 years ago. Microsoft has been on the cutting edge of things like the incorporation of AI and the move to a hybrid workforce, and its tool enhancements have reflected this.
Microsoft states that it has focused on three key areas when adding new features to M365, these are:
For all the companies enjoying those features that have been largely added without any increase in price, the bill is about to come due. (At least for some users.)
Microsoft is doing one of the largest price increases that it has ever introduced for the cloud productivity suite. Come, March 1, 2022, some users will be charged a higher per user/per month price for their subscription plans.
We’ll go through the main points of the upcoming price increase as well as the reasons that Microsoft gives for making it.
Home and educational users can breathe a sigh of relief because the price increase is not going to impact them. Their prices will remain the same. Microsoft is only increasing the pricing for business and enterprise plans.
Microsoft isn’t raising all M365 and O365 pricing across the board, it’s just for specific business and enterprise subscriptions. For example, if you use Microsoft 365 Business Standard, you’ll keep paying the same price you do now.
Office 365 and Microsoft 365 plans are included in the price increases for March of 2022. Some prices will only go up $1 per user, but others are going up as much as $4 per user, which can add a significant increase to your budget. You’ll want to review your expected pricing now so you can budget accordingly.
This is also a good time to have an IT professional like Connect2Geek review your plan to ensure you don’t have licenses provisioned that aren’t in use.
Here are the increases that companies will see:
The price increases are global and will impact users in every country.
Since Office 365 first came out, there have been over 24 new apps added to the platform without any major price increases. Some of the applications added that have significantly increased value include Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Visio, Power Apps, Yammer, Stream, and many others.
There have been multiple improvements to communication and collaboration and Microsoft keeps adding these. Users now have a full webinar and video meeting tool with MS Teams, an online forms generator with Microsoft Forms, and an app that empowers customers to book meetings online easily with Bookings.
These communication-based improvements empower businesses to do more and save time connecting and serving their customers. The new features and capabilities in this area and the fact that online connection is vital to businesses are reasons Microsoft is choosing now to increase the price to help pay for future enhancements.
On the horizon for Teams in 2022 includes things like 3D meeting spaces and greenrooms for virtual events and webinars.
As online threats and data privacy protection have continued to evolve, so have the security and compliance features in Microsoft 365. To keep risk to a minimum and help organizations defend against cyber threats like ransomware, multiple enhancements have been added.
Some of the security additions over the years include:
To keep up with evolving technology and continuous improvement initiatives, AI and automation have been folded into many of the Microsoft 365 tools you use every day.
This includes things like data types in Excel and Presenter Coach in PowerPoint. There are also multiple automations added to help you chart your data for more insights, as well as email assistance that sorts email and declutters automatically.
Connect2Geek can help your Treasure Valley area business with a cloud review to ensure you’re not spending money on redundant or unused applications.
Schedule your free consultation to learn more today! Call 208-468-4323 or reach out online.
How do you think your team would do in a phishing simulation test? Approximately 97% of users can’t recognize a sophisticated phishing email, and only 3% of employees report phishing emails to their company. [Read more…]
It’s hard to believe that 2021 is nearly over. We have less than two months left before we turn the page to the new year. This means that business owners have just a few weeks left to make any purchase decisions that could positively impact their 2021 tax bill. [Read more…]