Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Top Cybersecurity Threats Right Now

Top Cybersecurity Threats Right Now

Bar none, cybersecurity has to be a major consideration for every business owner or manager in business today. The prevalence of people looking to rip your company off has never been higher; and that is the truth for nearly every company that uses the Internet for anything. Today, we take a look at some of the most serious cybersecurity threats that everyone should be cognizant of right now.

Shadow IT
In a lot of ways, productivity is a lot like the thing it produces, money. People will do anything to get more of it. Businesses, have a plan; and, while they also want to maximize productivity and money, they typically don’t put their whole enterprise in jeopardy to get a little bit more of it. Shadow IT is the process in which an employee will download and use a piece of software that hasn’t been tested or passed by a company’s IT administrator to try and get a little more done.

Often times, the employee is just showing initiative, with no real knowledge that by downloading and utilizing a certain off-brand software that they have just put their whole business in danger. This wouldn’t be such a major deal if it was an isolated incident, but studies show that nearly 80 percent of all employees admit to utilizing software that wasn’t selected, tested, and released for use by their IT administrator. These apps may have vulnerabilities that would-be infiltrators can take advantage of. That is why it is important to utilize the software that has been vetted by the company, even if that means losing out on a bit of productivity.

Cryptojacking
There are well over 1,500 different cryptocurrencies, and in 2018 crytojacking, the strategy of using malware to use a target computer’s resources to mine for cryptocurrency was a major problem for businesses. Since this is a computationally complex task, it significantly reduces the computer’s effectiveness and longevity. As a result, cryptojacking has become en vogue for hackers and others looking to mine cryptocurrency without the investment necessary to do it.

Most studies show that the effect of cryptojacking could get way worse in 2019 since the value of cryptocurrency has fallen significantly over the past year. This means more machines mining for crypto are necessary, and thus more attacks. Users are just learning how these attacks are carried out and how to protect their business against them.

Ransomware
While there was a reported reduction in the number of ransomware cases in 2018, it still remains a major concern for any business looking to build a comprehensive network security strategy. Ransomware, of course, is a strain of malware that encrypts parts of or entire computing systems and then demands payment in cryptocurrency in a set amount of time for safe return of the files/access.

Hackers using ransomware have taken to targeting healthcare organizations’ networks for the breadth of the sensitive data they hold on them. They’ve also began to target operational technology systems, since, as with healthcare, costs of restoration of these systems (rather than payment) are prohibitive. This produces a little more urgency to get the problem resolved.

Unsecured Internet of Things
The Internet of Things keeps expanding, but so does the security threats to networks as a result of security-light devices. With more and more devices presenting security problems for businesses and individuals alike, it becomes important to ascertain exactly what devices are present on your network at any given time. Remember, even if a security-less IoT device is connected to a network-attached smartphone, it still offers up a major vulnerability.

While this is a major threat, there has been a push to improve the security of IoT devices as of late. With more security-minded companies developing useful smart products, these concerns will begin to take a back seat. But until that shift has been well documented, you’ll want to be diligent in the manner in which you utilize IoT devices.

Phishing
No business goes very long without getting some type of phishing email. In fact, it is estimated that 156 million phishing emails are sent every day, making it the most used practice by hackers everywhere. The way it works is that since most accounts are secure enough not to be guessed outright, hackers search for ways for people to help them gain access to the accounts they want to get in to. Nearly every successful cyber attack begins with a successful phishing scheme.

A specific example called business email compromise (BEC) which targets specific members of an organization is responsible for over $12 billion in losses across the globe. Once thought to be an email scam that could be mitigated with strong spam filters, today’s phishing scam is taking on a new shape by utilizing text messaging, instant messaging, phone calls, and even the seemingly-benign social media quiz to gain access to business networks.

2019 is lining up to be another stellar year for business technology, and as more tech is used, more threats come with them. If you would like any more information about how to prioritize network security, give our IT experts a call at 866-348-2602 today.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Wednesday, 02 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Efficiency Software Business Google Network Security Microsoft Internet Email Malware Workplace Tips Backup Innovation User Tips Data Computer Mobile Devices Hardware IT Services Android VoIP Disaster Recovery communications IT Support Smartphones Communication Business Continuity Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Network Browser Small Business Productivity Collaboration Cybersecurity Quick Tips Users Business Management Windows Upgrade Managed IT Services Phishing Outsourced IT Ransomware Data Backup Windows 10 Office Server Save Money Data Recovery Cloud Computing Windows 10 Passwords Saving Money Holiday Tech Term Gadgets Chrome Virtualization Social Media Managed IT Services Microsoft Office Automation Managed Service Operating System Artificial Intelligence Facebook Computers Cybercrime Mobile Device Management Networking IT Support Internet of Things Hacking Wi-Fi BYOD Health Spam Managed Service Provider Office 365 Remote Telephone Systems Alert Information Technology Covid-19 Information Bandwidth Router BDR Social Engineering Mobility Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship Applications Remote Monitoring Law Enforcement Data Breach Big Data App History Password Mobile Computing Money Encryption Human Resources Application Remote Computing Data Storage Patch Management Mobile Office Government Private Cloud Office Tips Managed IT Blockchain Training Paperless Office How To Apps VPN Voice over Internet Protocol Two-factor Authentication Google Drive Vulnerability Mouse Windows 7 HaaS Word Avoiding Downtime Servers Wireless Flexibility Bring Your Own Device Data Security Data Management Marketing Work/Life Balance Gmail WiFi IT solutions Settings Entertainment Website Budget Infrastructure Safety Virtual Reality HIPAA Apple Sports Conferencing Redundancy Keyboard Social Scam User Error Data Protection Meetings Vendor Management Save Time Risk Management Hacker Vendor The Internet of Things Cleaning Managed Services Lithium-ion battery Staff Software as a Service Display Telephone System Machine Learning Connectivity Remote Work End of Support Employee/Employer Relationship Firewall Physical Security USB Education RMM Computing SaaS IT Consultant PDF Augmented Reality Network Congestion Humor Fraud eWaste Proactive IT Business Intelligence Remote Worker Digital Signage Best Practice Audit Worker YouTube IT Management Cryptocurrency Black Market Botnet Procurement Wearable Technology IT Plan Workplace Strategy Hard Drives Comparison Net Neutrality Retail Document Management Instant Messaging CES Help Desk Solid State Drive Robot Wireless Technology Unsupported Software Excel Downtime Printing How to Biometrics Charger Content Management Virus Virtual Desktop Business Technology Data storage Access Control Compliance Unified Threat Management Automobile OneNote Computer Care Managed Services Provider Current Events Computer Accessories DDoS Virtual Assistant Telephony Authentication Database SharePoint Computing Infrastructure Samsung Remote Workers Going Green Value Processor Printer Update Customer Service Environment Bluetooth Spam Blocking Electronic Medical Records Battery Shadow IT Hard Drive Google Docs Legal Fax Server Hiring/Firing Identity Theft Internet Exlporer Tip of the week MSP Ergonomics Tablet webinar Accountants Emergency Smartwatch Domains Professional Services Microchip Notifications Public Cloud Thought Leadership Development Employer Employee Relationship Credit Cards OLED Assessment Password Manager Virtual Machine Password Management PCI DSS Windows Server 2008 2FA Fiber Optics Multi-Factor Security Employee IaaS Maintenance Relocation Tools Search Engine Bloatware Twitter Messaging Cabling Television Business Mangement Hypervisor NIST Policy Dark mode Tablets Smart Tech Trend Micro Trending Video Games Worker Commute Entrepreneur Addiction SMS Amazon Default App Consultant Public Computer Recycling Saving Time Experience Procedure Regulations Wiring dark theme Practices Shopping Analytics Transportation Google Search Scalability Shortcut Business Owner Cost Management Computer Fan Cache AI Rootkit Amazon Web Services IT Infrastructure Best Available Criminal Bing Social Networking NarrowBand Safe Mode FinTech GDPR WIndows 7 Workers Hosted Computing Social Network Benefits Search iPhone FENG Wireless Internet Online Shopping Investment IBM Employee/Employer Relationships Running Cable File Sharing Employees Flash Camera Windows 365 Memory Inventory Smart Technology Specifications ISP Files Wire Video Conferencing Evernote ROI Supercomputer Bitcoin Travel Shortcuts Chromecast Software Tips Sales Sync Printers Point of Sale User Emails Personal PowerPoint Millennials Cryptomining Windows Media Player Colocation Uninterrupted Power Supply Smart Office Supply Chain Management Wireless Charging Science Batteries Monitoring Monitor Virtual Private Network Windows 8.1 Managing Stress Netflix Digitize Two Factor Authentication Workforce Root Cause Analysis Cables Windows Server 2008 R2 Knowledge Cameras Music Distributed Denial of Service Customer Relationship Management HBO Customer relationships Reputation Skype Project Management Email Best Practices Analyitcs Streaming Media Nanotechnology IT Assessment Telecommuting Manufacturing Content Programming Tech Support Data loss Cortana Leadership Digital Signature Managed IT Service Troubleshooting Security Cameras Techology Laptop Outlook Computer Tips Customers Start Menu Warranty Virtual CIO OneDrive Biometric Security Audiobook Antivirus Screen Mirroring HVAC Peripheral Loyalty Google Apps Frequently Asked Questions Digital Security Cameras Windows 8 Analysis Using Data Printer Server Books Touchpad IT service Mobile Administrator Windows 10s Devices Copiers 5G Politics Advertising Cast Enterprise Content Management Quick Tip

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code