What are the Best Ways to Secure a PC Workstation?

Ophtek, PC Security, PC Tools, Security, Security Threats, , ,
09
Jul 2019

It’s crucial that PC networks are secure and protected. But this doesn’t mean that individual PCs should be neglected when it comes to security.

There are plenty of threats awaiting your employees’ workstations. And these are often threats that are difficult to monitor and identify. Protecting each individual workstation should be a priority. You can achieve this by providing training to your employees. Educating them in the best practices of workstation security allow you to enhance security. And there are measures that you, as an organization, can also take to protect your workstations.

The Best Ways to Secure a PC Workstation

The damage that can be caused from a single PC can have wide reaching implications for your organization. So, protecting these workstations is essential. Make sure you implement the following:

  • Lock Screens: When employees go to lunch they have a tendency to leave their PC unattended. And this is very dangerous. Anyone passing, be they an employee or a visitor, has the opportunity to access the data on that PC. You don’t have to be a security expert to understand how serious a threat this is. However, the threat can be completely nullified by encouraging your employees to lock their screens. In Windows 10 all you have to do is hit the Windows key and the L-key to password protect your screen. 
  • Disable USB Ports: USB ports are a major security risk to workstations as they allow a multitude of devices to connect to your PC. These can be as innocent as a charging device for your phone, but there’s also the potential for malware to be uploaded to the workstation. There’s a myth that gluing up USB ports is a suitable solution, but the truth is that this approach is amateur at best. Instead your IT team needs to be disabling power to these ports to prevent unauthorized devices being connected. 
  • Encrypt Personal Files: Every employee will have unique and sensitive files on their workstations. Giving these files a high level of security should be a priority. And your employees have the opportunity to strengthen this security. All they need to do is encrypt the folders that contain these files. By right clicking the folder in question you can move through Properties and then click the Advanced button to access Advanced Attributes. In here you can select encryption options and set a unique password. 

Final Thoughts 

It’s important that your organization and employees work together to strengthen workstation security. Training should always be a priority. A good training program will deliver skills that are invaluable in protecting workstations. And, by protecting individual workstations, you are significantly reducing the threat of any data breaches.

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

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What is Hacking?

Hackers, Hacking, Hijacks, Ophtek, Security, Viruses, , , , , ,
02
Jul 2019

We all know that hacking goes on. And it certainly goes on in business. But how much do we know about it? The truth is we don’t know as much as we should.

The general consensus is that most people know what a hacker is and how they go about their business. This is why there are so many anti-hacking products available. However, using these products on their own isn’t enough to guarantee safety. In fact there is no guarantee. But you can enhance your protection significantly with an understanding of the basics of hacking. It’s important to know what a hacker is attempting to do. With this in mind you have a much better chance of preventing or resolving the hack.

What is Hacking?

Hacking causes chaos. Lots of chaos. And that’s not an understatement. But what exactly is it? It can be many things, but the basic core of hacking is to compromise devices. These can include PCs, networks and smart devices. Regardless of the device a hacker wants to gain unauthorized access to it. Sometimes this access can be used to steal data and sometimes it can be to cause sabotage. There are a wide range of techniques involved and we’ll take a look at them later.

Who are the Hackers?

The traditional image of a hacker that most people have in their minds isn’t entirely accurate. The pimply nosed, teenage hacker of cartoons may well exist in one form or another, but they’re not the only hacker out there. Due to the financial gain on offer from hacking, a number of criminal gangs are now developing sophisticated hacking methods to earn a nice income. And then there are the political gains that can be provided by hacking. There are a wide range of hackers out there, but identifying them is very difficult as they’re notoriously good at covering their tracks.

What Type of Hacks Are There?

The complexities of IT software and hardware mean that there is the potential for a variety of hacking techniques. Some of the most common methods are:

  • Ransomware: This is every organization’s worst nightmare. A relatively new form of malware, ransomware is spread through malicious emails that encourage recipients to click a link. If these links are clicked then a series of processes are executed that leave the victim’s hard drive encrypted. And the only way to decrypt the files is by paying a cryptocurrency ransom. 

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

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The Lowdown on Good Passwords and How They Work

Best Practices, Cyber Security, Ophtek, Password Security, Security, , ,
25
Jun 2019

We all use passwords on a daily basis, but do we know how they work? And how do you go about creating the best and most secure passwords?

Every day, in our home and business lives, we use an assortment of passwords to gain access to systems that are important to us. Entering passwords is such a regular occurrence that it soon becomes automatic. This regularity means that we pay little attention to the process. But we should. Passwords, after all, are what protect our data. And, in an age of huge data breaches, it needs protecting.

This protection can be enhanced with good passwords. For a good password to provide security, however, you need to understand how a password works.

What is a Password?

Passwords have been used since the dawn of time to gain access to secure areas. In ancient times, a visitor to a king’s palace would have gained access in exchange for a password. Fast forward several hundred years and very little has changed. Accessing a king’s palace may not be a major requirement in your life, but passwords are crucial in the digital age. Using a series of numbers, letters and symbols, a password helps you to gain access to computer networks, databases and social media.

How Does a Password Work?

It’s easy to enter passwords all day long, but understanding the process is another matter. What is it that allows a series of characters to grant you access to shielded content? Let’s take a look.

When you set up a password it’s not stored in the same form as it’s typed. Instead it’s stored as a hash. Using advanced cryptography, a hash takes your password and converts it into a number. These hashes tend to be 128 or 256 digits long depending on the encryption method. Either way they’re more complex than a 10-character password. These hashes are then stored in a file as a reference guide to verify the password entered. If the password matches the corresponding hash then access is approved. Otherwise, access is denied.

What Makes a Good Password?

Now you know how a password works you need to make sure you have a good password. The stronger your password is the less chance there is of a hack taking place. To strengthen your passwords make sure you:

  • Keep it Long: A longer password adds complexity. Hackers tend to target passwords through brute force attacks, so a longer password is more time consuming. Aim for around 15 characters as this isn’t too difficult to remember, but it also provides complexity.
  • Avoid Obvious Passwords: Many IT users go for simple passwords such as PASSWORD. And when that expires they add a number on the end. While these passwords are very easy to remember they’re as easy to guess. These types of passwords will be the first ones that hackers try. More often than not they’ll pay off. And that’s why you need to create a unique password.
  • Don’t Use Personal Information: Another common mistake with passwords is to use personal information such as your name or date of birth. This may feel unique, but it’s information that is researchable. Hackers are cunning and it won’t take them more than a few minutes to get this data. So, make sure that nothing contained within your password can be connected to yourself.

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

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The Very Basics of Good IT Security

anti malware, disable employee access, email security, IT Best Practices, Ophtek, Password Security, Safety, Security, Security Threats, two factor, , , , ,
18
Jun 2019

Cyber-crime remains a major threat to any organization that works with IT, but the basics of IT security are often the best way to counter this threat.

It’s difficult to avoid the fact that cyber-attacks are reaching record levels. IT systems are less secure than ever and need protecting. And that’s where your organization needs to take up the baton. Protecting these systems may sound like a monumental task, but it’s a lot easier than you think. Key to success is following the basics of IT security. The simplicity behind these processes is remarkable and can make a significant difference.

It’s crucial that you know what these are, so let’s take a look at the very basics of good IT security. 

Understanding the Basics

The complexity of IT systems often means they’re difficult to work with. And from this complexity comes flaws in security. The good thing is that IT security doesn’t have to be difficult. The best way you can help protect your IT system is by following these basics:

  • IT Inductions: You should never assume that new employees have a solid understanding of IT security. And that’s why your staff should always have to complete an IT induction. Not only will this familiarize them with the technology you use, but it allows you to run through the basics of cyber threats. This knowledge can make a real difference in strengthening your defenses. 
  • Disable USB Ports: The level of damage that USB devices can cause is shocking and unbelievable. Your employees are unlikely to be aware of this threat. To them, a USB port is simply a handy device for charging their mobile device. The truth is much different. This threat can be extinguished by disabling the USB ports. This can be achieved by adjusting the USB settings for your employees. 
  • Use Antivirus Software: It may feel like a simplistic step in IT security but antivirus software remains essential. Good antivirus software can recognize malware within milliseconds and flag it. A manual scan will never be able to match this. And your employees wouldn’t know what they were looking for. The vast databases in use and the speed in which they operate ensures that antivirus software is a must have in business. 
  • Assign Privileges Accordingly: Different employees will need different network privileges. These variations arise from the different tasks they perform within your IT system. Certain departments, for example, will need access to one drive whilst another department will not. Understanding these differences is critical. Once the necessary privileges have been identified then you can minimize the risk of cyber-attacks spreading through the entire system.

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

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5 Warning Signs that Your Network Has Been Hacked

Cyber Security, Hackers, Hacking, Network, Ophtek, Security Threats, , , ,
11
Jun 2019

A hacked network spells trouble for any organization, so it’s crucial that you understand the warning signs which indicate your network has been hacked.

When it comes to reducing the damage caused by a hacked network then speed is of the essence. Hackers work quickly and even if you only shave a few minutes off the time taken to recognize an attack it can make a huge difference. However, the warning signs that accompany a network breach aren’t necessarily obvious due to the technology at play and the stealth tactics adopted by hackers. Thankfully, these indicators can easily be learned and it doesn’t have to be by going down the tough road of experience.

That’s why we’re going to help you get prepared a for damage limitation strategy by discussing five warning signs that your network has been hacked.

The 5 Signs of a Hacked Network

Vigilance is an essential part of keeping your network secure, but due to the complexities of IT it’s difficult to keep an eye on everything at all times. However, by understanding the following warning signs you’re putting yourself in a much better position to protect your network:

  1. Mouse Cursors Moving On Their Own: With a breached network comes the possibility that remote hackers will take control of your PC. Therefore, it’s possible for them to assume control of a desktop and being interacting with it. The most obvious sign of this is a mouse cursor moving around on its own and clicking on files/folders.
  1. Encrypted Files: Ransomware is a major problem for businesses due to the obstacles it throws up by encrypting files. And that’s why if you’re suddenly unable to open files or they’re displaying an unusual filename extension it’s quite possible you’ve been hacked. Naturally, due to the infectious nature of ransomware, you’ll want to identify this network hack before it spreads further into your organization and locks up even more files.
  1. Reports of Unusual Emails Being Sent: One of the most popular methods for spreading malware is through email. Taking advantage of contact lists in email clients, malware can soon spread itself around the world with relative ease. So, if you receive reports from contacts that your organization has been sending suspicious emails from genuine addresses then it’s time to investigate. 
  1. Increased Network Traffic: The amount of traffic that your network experiences will tend to ebb and flow depending on the time of day, but it should average itself out most days. However, when you’ve been hacked then there’s a good chance that your network traffic will skyrocket as your resources are used to power other hacks such as DDoS attacks. Therefore, keeping a close eye on your network traffic and identifying any unusual activity should be an integral part of your network security. 
  1. Security Software Disabled: Hackers like to make their attacks as easy as possible, so one of their first moves upon gaining access to a network is to disable any security software in place. This allows them to operate freely and reduce the chance of getting caught. If you notice that your anti-malware software, or indeed any application has become disabled, then it needs reporting immediately to identify who has done this and why.

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

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