3 Things to Look at When Buying a New PC

Graphics Card, hardware, New PC, Ophtek, Processor, RAM, , , ,
08
Sep 2020

The sheer range of PCs available makes choosing a new one very difficult. But in business there’s no time to waste, so you need to know what to look for.

Take a look at the spec sheets for two different PCs in the same price range and you’ll notice something: no two specs are the same. One could have an Intel processor whereas the other might have an AMD processor. Likewise, one PC may have an Intel processor with a speed of 2.9GHz while the other PCs Intel processor is measured at 4.1GHz. So, as you can see, choosing a new PC can be a baffling process. And we’ve only scraped the surface of the differences between processors.

Purchasing a new PC needs to be an informed decision, but it doesn’t need to take forever. And our guide on three things to look at when buying a new PC should give you a head start.

Knowing What to Look For

You don’t need to be an IT technician to understand what you need in a PC. The information is freely available and easily understandable. But, to point you in the right direction, we recommend focusing on the following three things:

  • RAM: Random Access Memory, better known as RAM, is a crucial element in the way in which a PC performs. The simplest way to describe RAM is as the working memory of the PC. It’s a temporary space where a PC can store and access data that it is currently using. Accordingly, the more applications you have to run at the same time, the more RAM you need. Choosing a PC, therefore, will rely heavily on the number of data heavy programs you use on a regular basis. If in doubt, overestimate the amount of RAM required. 
  • Processor: The performance of your PC is dependent on the processor located at its core. This doesn’t necessarily mean that faster is better. A high speed processor (4GHz +) is only necessary if the PC is to be used CPU intensive tasks such as 3D rendering and video encoding. If, however, the PC is to be used for simpler tasks such as word processing and database work then it pays to settle for a lower speed processor. The minimum that any business should be investing in is a four-core processor, so don’t go any lower.

Final Thoughts

You will, of course, need to consider countless other aspects when purchasing a PC, but these three starting points will save you a lot of time. It really is a buyer’s market when it comes to choosing a new PC thanks to the level of availability on offer. And, if you purchase the right PC, it will deliver the performance your business needs on a daily basis.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Microsoft Printers Patch Exposed as Vulnerable

Ophtek, patches, printer vulnerability, Security, Security Threats, Updates, upgrade, , , , , , ,
01
Sep 2020

The importance of installing updates and patches should never be underestimated. However, did you know that even these are not 100% secure?

Microsoft knows a thing or two about computers, but this doesn’t mean they are immune from mistakes and flaws. Accordingly, they regularly release patches and updates to address any vulnerabilities in their software.  A recent investigation, though, has discovered that these updates aren’t quite the safeguard consumers would expect. And, when you consider the amount of applications that Microsoft bundle with their systems, this is a matter of major concern.

Given the number of patches you are prompted to install each and every week, it’s important to understand what has happened on this occasion.

A Vulnerable Patch

The initial vulnerability in question relates to a flaw which was discovered in Windows printing services. Your first thought may be that printers are far from a security risk, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If a device or application has any form of access to your network then it needs strong defenses. And this is why Microsoft was keen to patch a vulnerability which offered hackers a route into PC networks through print spooler software. This patch was issued in May and Microsoft believed this was the end of the story. But this story was due to run a little longer.

Researchers discovered that the impact of this initial patch could be negated by simply bypassing it. By modifying .SHD files (better known as Shadow), the researchers were able to add them into the spooler folder. This particular type of folder allows commands to be sent between a PC and a printer. Usually this is the preserve of printing documents, but the modified Shadow files allowed the researchers to send all manner of commands. It’s a scenario which had the potential to give hackers full access to a network.

How Can You Defend Against Weak Patches?

The vulnerability in question is no longer in present in systems which have since been updated, but it paints a worrying picture for PC users. If you are unable to rely on patches to give you full protection then what hope do you have?

First of all, you must, no matter what, always install all security patches. They are a crucial aspect of security and are all programmed with an objective of preventing an attack. This printer spooler fiasco demonstrates they are not perfect, but the majority are capable of fulfilling their aims. Nonetheless, being overcautious with IT security is always a good idea. Therefore, make sure you follow these simple steps:

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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General Maintenance Tips to Keep Your PC Healthy

IT Best Practices, IT Efficiency, Ophtek, PC, PC Maintenance, PC Tips, , ,
25
Aug 2020

A healthy PC is a happy PC and one that will serve your organization well. But to keep your PC healthy you need to carry out regular maintenance.

Take the casing off a PC and you will see that it’s a complex collection of circuitry, wires, boards and fans. All of these parts combine to bring your PC to life. But, with so many different components at play, it’s very easy for one of these to fail. Even the most unassuming, basic component can play a major role in the performance of your PC, so maintaining these is crucial. A PC, as we’ve stated, contains numerous different parts. And that’s only the start. The software contained within the PC also needs maintaining to prevent system errors and hardware damage.

It may sound as though you have a mountain to climb when it comes to PC maintenance, but it’s actually very easy.

Keeping Your PC Healthy

Thankfully, there are a number of simple and quick practices you can carry out to maximize the health of your PC. These are a mixture of software and hardware tips which include:

  • Shut Down Correctly: The end of the working day often signifies a rush to leave and the process of shutting a PC down correctly often suffers. Hitting the power button may be quicker, but it risks a number of problems. Firstly, there’s the risk that unsaved work will be lost and, secondly, the shutdown process allows the disk drives and RAM to power down correctly. Modern PCs may be mostly immune to power spikes, but they’re not completely So, take your time and shut down correctly. 
  • Clean Your Keyboard: A keyboard remains an essential part of any PC and allows you to complete almost every necessary task. That’s why a failed keyboard will instantly affect your productivity. It may be that a single key doesn’t work or it may be that the entire device is damaged. Either way, it’s vital that you regularly clean the keyboard. The best way to do this is by turning the keyboard upside down and shaking it before using a can of compressed air to blast anything else out. Finally, use an alcohol-based wipe to fully clean the surface. 
  • Organize Your Cables: Even the most modern PCs require a number of cables to connect all the required components. The sheer number of cables involved can soon become jumbled. And this only becomes more complicated the more additions you make to your system. If these cables are not organized correctly then your PC will be left vulnerable to damage. Not only is there the risk of entire systems getting pulled on the floor, but there’s the risk of electrocution. Avoid this by detangling cables and using cable ties to gather them together. 
  • Always Update: It’s important that all updates and patches are installed as soon as they are available. The process may feel time consuming, but the majority of these procedures will take place in the background with minimal impact on performance. And, by installing these upgrades, you will maximize your PCs performance and protect it from any software vulnerabilities.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Universities Hit by Cloud Computing Malware

Cloud, Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, ,
18
Aug 2020

Education is a crucial element of society, so attacks on this sector are very attractive to hackers. And this is why they are now targeting universities.

Universities, of course, are huge organizations packed full of students and tutors. As a result, these groups generate massive amounts of data every day. This makes these establishments massive data centers. And it’s no surprise that hackers can’t resist testing their defenses. Their latest attack has targeted a specific cloud computing provider in the form of Blackbaud and has affected a number of universities worldwide.

You may not work in a university, but all malware attacks contain important lessons we can learn from. Let’s take a closer look and find out what happened in the Blackbaud attack.

Attacking the Cloud

Blackbaud, a global provider of administrative and financial software to educational institutions, was targeted and attacked in May. The attack in question used a ransomware strategy to disrupt operations and demand a ransom. The exact source of infection has not been disclosed, but it would appear that the hackers began encrypting data immediately. However, Blackbaud mounted a quick response and were able to expel the hackers before the data was fully encrypted.

Unfortunately, a significant amount of data had already been copied by the hackers. And this data was of a particularly sensitive nature. It does not appear that any credit card details were copied, but phone numbers and donation histories were confirmed to have been duplicated. Blackbaud, therefore, was forced to pay a ransom in order for the hackers to destroy their copy.

Avoiding Ransomware Attacks

The Blackbaud attack may not have been the most devastating of malware attacks, but any breach is cause for concern. And, given that this attack targeted several large universities, the number of individuals affected is huge. As with all malware attacks, though, it’s possible to negate these attacks before they take hold. All you have to do is follow these simple practices:

  • Say No to Unverified Links: One of the hallmarks of ransomware attacks is the usage of malicious links. These links may promise to send you somewhere safe – such as your online banking page – but the true destination will be somewhere less safe. These malicious destinations are likely to attack your PC or install malware. Make sure that all links are checked and verified before clicking. 
  • Don’t Give Out Personal Data: Hackers will often facilitate their ransomware attacks by employing a social engineering strategy. The information gained from such an approach can be used by hackers to tailor phishing emails to appeal to you e.g. understanding who your phone provider is allows hackers to design emails from that specific provider. As a rule of thumb, never give out personal details to unsolicited callers. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Twitter Learns a Lesson in Spear Phishing

Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, spear phishing, Twitter, , ,
11
Aug 2020

Even the biggest tech companies are at risk of having their networks breached. Twitter, with 330 million users, is huge, but far from immune from hackers.

A recent spear phishing attack on Twitter managed to generate headlines around the world and seriously disrupt the platform’s service. The attack, which was carried out by three young men aged between 17 – 22, was remarkable in its scope and its execution. It was an unexpected breach of Twitter’s defenses and one which defied their technological prowess. But there was more to this attack than just disruption. There was also a financial sting in the tail.

You may not run a social media company, but it’s likely that your organization has a presence in this sphere. Therefore, it’s important to understand what happened.

Twitter is Breached

On the 15th July, a number of high-profile and verified Twitter accounts were taken over by hackers. The hackers used this control to not only access the accounts’ private message systems, but also download their data. Most dramatically, however, the accounts were used to post links to a Bitcoin scam. This scam claimed that if users sent Bitcoins to a specific account they would double their money. But this was far from true. Instead, the hackers made off with more than $100,000 in Bitcoin.

How did this Attack Take Place?

The Twitter breach was a textbook case of spear phishing, a strategy which involves targeting individuals and encouraging them to reveal confidential data. Graham Clark, one of the accused hackers, conducted a social engineering campaign to pass himself off as a member of Twitter’s IT team. A genuine Twitter employee fell for this deceptive ploy and handed over a set of credentials for Twitter’s customer service portal. These credentials allowed Clark and his fellow hackers to gain instant access to accounts such as Joe Biden, Elon Musk and Apple.

Lessons to be Learned

Twitter, upon discovering this attack, took immediate action by suspending all verified accounts. However, the damage had already been done and Twitter was left extremely embarrassed. Social engineering is, of course, a powerful hacking technique. And, if it’s pursued and executed numerous times, it will eventually pay off. But this doesn’t mean you are defenseless. You can easily protect your systems by reinforcing the following points:

  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Requesting a set of credentials to gain access to a system is a powerful defense. But requesting multiple sets of credentials is even better. And that’s why multi-factor authentication is so important. Rather than relying on just a username/password combination, it can also request a unique pin number generated to a registered phone number.
  • Understand the Spear Phishing Signs: It’s important to educate your staff on the signs of spear phishing.  Suspicious phone calls and emails requesting confidential information, for example, should immediately be challenged. It only takes a minute or two to contact a user on their direct phone or email to verify the request, so don’t fall victim to rushed demands.
  • Always Patch Your Systems: Operating systems are regularly issuing updates to address new and emerging phishing techniques. Therefore, a network which has all its software fully updated should be secure. However, many firms are guilty of leaving patches to the last minute due to time concerns. And it’s this complacency which allows hackers to get a foothold in your systems.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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