Make Sure Your Software is Updated and Secure

Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, Software, Software Security Patches, Updates, , , ,
14
Apr 2020

It’s vital, if you want your PC to remain safe and secure, to install all software updates and patches. The alternative is, of course, that you get hacked.

Now, no one wants their PC to get hacked. The fallout from such a scenario can only spell disaster for a business. We’re talking stolen data, disrupted IT operations, financial damage and a major drop in productivity. And no one wants that. Certainly not a business and certainly not their customers. But hacking is a major threat in today’s digital workplace. In the first half of 2019 alone, a total of 4.1 billion records were compromised. It’s a figure which is clearly huge, but it’s also one that could be significantly reduced if organizations updated their software regularly.

So, to help you keep your software updated, we’re going to run through the basics of updating and securing your software.

What are Software Updates?

It’s difficult to create a flawless piece of software. The complexity of coding means that, even when developers feel their application is finished, it’s likely that minor problems will remain. And, in most cases, the only impact of these errors will be felt in the application’s functionality. However, on occasion, these minor flaws can represent major security issues. Hackers, if they are to be commended on anything, are highly persistent. And, if they can find a vulnerability in a piece of software, you can rest assured that they will exploit it.

This is why software updates and patches are crucial. The most common update that most PC users will encounter is an operating system update. These are regularly released by developers in order to counter security issues which have been discovered. These updates, in their simplest terms, patch the software. Following the patch process, your operating system will be considered more secure and functional. Unfortunately, many organizations are either too busy to worry about updates or they fail to understand their importance. And that’s why you need to know the best ways to keep your software updated.

How Do You Update Your Software?

Updating software on a PC is straightforward and simple, but only if you know how. Therefore, it’s important that you practice the following:

  • Allow Automatic Updates: The sheer number of updates that are required for multiple applications is mind-boggling. And the time taken to action these updates is significant. But, with this in mind, most pieces of software allow you to select an automatic update option. This takes the pain out of authorizing and conducting every new update and patch. The setting is most commonly found in the updates section of an application’s control panel. 
  • Visit Developer’s Websites: It’s good practice to regularly visit the websites of developers to make sure you’re working with the latest updates. Adobe Flash Player and JavaPress, for example, can both be verified by visiting their respective websites. The relevant software is quickly analyzed to determine which version it is. And, if any updates are outstanding, the user will be prompted to install these or upgrade to a new version. 

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

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The Benefits of Software as a Service

Cloud, Cloud Storage, Ophtek, SaaS, Software as a Service, , ,
31
Mar 2020

One of the most useful aspects of cloud computing lies within the domain of Software as a Service (SaaS). But what is SaaS and what can it do for you?

Competition within business is fierce and it’s important that your organization maximizes its productivity. Even a small percentage increase in productivity can make a big difference. And that’s why many businesses are working with SaaS models. It’s a software strategy which allows you to make applications available over the internet through a third party host. The concept may sound straightforward, but it’s also a powerful one which is packed full of benefits.

To help you understand SaaS in more depth, we’re going to take a look at what it is and the benefits it can deliver.


What is SaaS?

SaaS is a distribution model which allows companies to make their applications available over the internet. The application is hosted by a third party host (such as Microsoft, Oracle and SAP) which provides customers with access to a single copy of the app. All customers have access to the exact same application and, therefore, the same features and upgrades. And, given that this is a branch of cloud computing, customers also have the option of storing their data in the cloud as well as on local storage.

The Benefits of SaaS

SaaS models have been adopted by all manner of organizations be they small or large. And this rapid take up rate is one that has been fuelled by the following benefits:

  • Accessibility: The remote access aspect of SaaS makes it highly accessible. All that a customer needs to connect to the application is an internet connection and a PC, laptop or smart device. This opens up your service to a much larger audience and eliminates the need to go through the rigors of a lengthy software installation process. 
  • Easy Updates: Traditional routes of firmware upgrades and patches have involved individual install processes by IT professionals. This has reduced productivity due to the time taken to complete the install. But SaaS puts an end to this. As all customers are accessing the same software, only one update needs to be completed by the application owner. This ensures that all customers receive the same upgrades at the same time with the minimum of fuss. 
  • Quick Startup: SaaS applications are already installed in the cloud and guarantee a swift start up process. There’s no need to watch an install progress bar, the software is available straight out of the box. It will also come fully configured and allow your customers to start getting productive almost instantly. 
  • Low Investment: The initial costs associated with software applications are noticeably reduced in SaaS. Instead of a one-off licensing fee, SaaS applications tend to work on a subscription model. There’s also the added bonus of the third-party host managing the infrastructure which houses the software. Again, this minimizes any initial costs and makes for an attractive software package.

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

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How to Work Remotely During the Coronavirus Crisis

coronavirus, covid19, Ophtek, remote work, working remotely, , , ,
23
Mar 2020

Coronavirus has changed the way that many of us are working; remote working has suddenly become the norm, but how do you work from home?

The need to self-isolate means that offices packed full of employees are no longer a viable option. However, businesses need to continue operating. And that’s why many organizations are asking their staff to work from home. Remote working has been growing in popularity for some time, but current events have now made this an urgent necessity. The speed at which this has unfolded, though, means that businesses and workers haven’t been prepared.

But working from home is relatively simple. You just need to know the basics of remote working, so let’s take a quick look.

What is Remote Working?

Remote working is, at its simplest, where an employee completes their work away from the office. Traditionally, the telephone was the only tool available for remote workers and this limited the work they could complete. But advances in technology mean that almost every office task can now be carried out remotely. All you need is an internet connection and a PC; this combination allows you to log into both IT and telephone systems.

And this means that you can seamlessly relocate your workplace to any remote location. For most employees this will be a home setting, but it also opens up an opportunity for employees on business trips, for example, to set up in hotel rooms. Regardless of the scenario the end result is the same: full access to your work PC. With this in place you can access all your software and files. So, for example, you can email from Outlook and gain access to customer databases as if you were in the office.

What are the Best Ways to Work Remotely?

The concept and practices of remote working are going to be new to many employees, but thankfully it’s a painless affair. It’s important to remember that in-house servers are not the only option. Cloud based servers are a perfect solution to the need to connect workers to vital IT systems without the need to commute from home. And this is where the need for a remote internet connection comes into play. With this in place, employees can use the following software to connect to their work computer:

  • TeamViewer:  Remote working scenarios have been tackled by TeamViewer since 2005 and this experience marks them out as experts in their field. The TeamViewer application is available for a wide range of devices that include Windows, Mac, Chrome, Linux and BlackBerry operating systems. Therefore, every device within your organization should be compatible. And, with TeamViewer in place, your employees will be able to complete tasks such as remote desktop access, web conferencing, desktop sharing and file transfer activity.
  • AnyDesk:  Although the software has only been available since 2015, AnyDesk provides a powerful solution for all your remote working needs. The software can be installed quickly and provides a secure work environment from the comfort of your own home. And this home office can be implemented across devices running operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Android, Mac and many more. Most importantly, AnyDesk is highly flexible, responsive and makes remote working easier than ever.
  • SplashTop:  Since 2006, SplashTop has been offering fast and secure connections. Wherever you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to connect to a remote computer. Remote access from an unlimited amount of computers, tablets, or mobile devices. You can work across operating systems as SplashTop is compatible with devices running Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. You can also use Chrome web browsers and Chromebooks to start a remote desktop connection.

Collaboration at work is, of course, crucial. But, when you’re not sitting with your co-workers, this conjures up a number of communication problems. These obstacles, however, are now a thing of the past thanks to chat software. These lightweight apps allow your employees to chat and share files with ease and in real time. Some of the most popular applications include:

  • Discord:  Although Discord was designed for Gamers, it comes packed with so many strong features that it can easily be adopted for business. Discord’s communication channels specialize in providing high quality video and audio services alongside file-sharing capabilities. And this makes it perfect for both internal and external collaboration.
  • Slack:  Granting effortless and innovative communication is the backbone of Slack’s design. It’s an app which allows teams to join unique work spaces that open up a world of opportunity. Within these work spaces, employees can chat to each other via text, audio and video. Slack also allows third party apps such as Dropbox and Google Drive to integrate with the service to maximize functionality.

Final Thoughts

Businesses all over the world are facing unprecedented problems that have grown exponentially over the last couple of weeks. The main message to communicate here is that employees need to remain safe. But this doesn’t mean that your organization has to come to a halt. Instead, you can turn to technology to keep your employees safe and maintain productivity.

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

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5 Ways to Improve Your IT Efficiency

communication, IT Efficiency, Office IT, Ophtek, , , , ,
17
Mar 2020

Using the power of IT is one of the surest ways to enhance your productivity. But there’s a good chance that there’s still room for improvement.

It’s likely that IT already has a major presence in your organization. You may even feel as though you’re already operating at a high level. And, no doubt, you are. But technology advances at a rapid pace. And it’s plentiful. Therefore, it’s very easy to miss a new product or a new tip. However, it’s these missed opportunities which could give you a competitive edge. And that’s what every business strives for.

How to Improve Your IT Efficiency

It’s important to have a strategy in every aspect of your organization. And IT is no different. In fact, the demands of modern business make it a priority. So, to help you maximize your IT operations, we’re going to share 5 ways to improve your IT efficiency:

  1. Employee Training: As we’ve already touched upon, technology advances quickly. And it’s this progressive nature which can leave employees trailing behind. As a result, your productivity can take a major knock. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Your employees are your most valuable asset, so you need to respect this. And the best way to achieve this is with regular IT training. Work with them to identify any relevant gaps in knowledge and then arrange group training. 
  1. Improve Communication: Time is money in the world of business, so it’s critical that you make savings where possible. And IT is the master of time-saving solutions, particularly when it comes to communication. One of the simplest ways to improve IT efficiency is by adopting an internal communication platform. These platforms, which include Skype and Google Hangouts, allow employees to chat, share documents and collaborate. And all without leaving their desks. 
  1. Enhance Your Security: It’s always important to value security in the world of IT, but not enough organizations take it seriously. And this puts them at risk of significant threats such as ransomware and data breaches. This is why it’s crucial that you enhance your security. Simple steps such as increasing the strength of passwords and securing your hardware can improve your security no end. 
  1. Embrace Remote Working: The rise of remote working has been swift and has redefined the workplace. Employees who are not based in the office, such as salesman, can now connect with your IT systems from anywhere in the world. It’s one of the simplest ways to maximize your IT productivity. All your workers need is an internet connection. So, make sure that you establish a remote working policy which fits in with your existing IT systems.
  1. Keep Up to Date: Not every development in the world of IT will be of interest to your organization. But it’s important that you keep up to date with the many changes taking place. It’s possible that even a slight development in a specific area, such as data storage, could make a difference to your IT operations. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to achieve this. Just make sure that you bookmark several IT news sites and regularly check the headlines.

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

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SMS Authentication Isn’t as Secure as You Thought

Ophtek, Security Threats, SMS Authentication, Two Factor Authentication, , ,
10
Mar 2020

SMS is one of the most popular ways to confirm two-factor authorization. Accordingly, it’s been adopted by countless organizations. But is it secure?

Two-factor authorization is one of the simplest ways to maximize security. Instead of, for example, simply entering a username and password, two-factor authorization requires a little more. So, once the correct login details have been processed, a further level of confirmation is requested. One of the most popular ways to achieve this is through SMS. Users are sent a unique code which must then be entered into the system they wish to access. It’s one of the surest ways to confirm a genuine login.

However, the discovery of a vulnerability in SIM security has left security experts questioning the safety of SMS authentication.

The Problems with SIM Cards

The ease and simplicity of SMS authentication has made it a popular choice with IT experts and PC users. But a study by Princeton University has shone new light on the dangers of SMS authentication. It’s all down to a form of hacking known as a SIM-swap attack. A strain of social engineering, SIM-swap attacks involve deceiving phone carriers into swapping existing phone numbers over to new SIM cards.

With a new SIM card in their possession, the perpetrator is in the perfect position to hijack accounts and sail through two-factor authorization with ease. One of the most worrying aspects of the study was that some major phone carriers were involved. AT&T, Verizon, US Mobile, Tracfone and T-Mobile all failed to prevent SIM-swap attacks taking place. But how did this happen?

After a year-long study, the Princeton researchers were able to determine that deceiving a call center operator was relatively simple. To activate the SIM-swap process, all the researchers had to do was pass a single security challenge. Perversely, to reach this stage, the researchers had to deliberately submit an incorrect PIN. Once asked to confirm personal information, the researchers would plead ignorance to these requests. The next step, by the phone carriers, would be to request details about the last two calls made by that number.

You may think that his information is difficult to obtain, but it’s a lot easier than you would imagine. Social engineering can be used to trick victims into making phone calls quite easily, particularly when financial matters are mentioned. And it was with this information that the researchers were able to initiate the SIM-swap process.

How Can You Secure Two-Factor Authorization?

The results of the Princeton study are worrying and highlight a lack of security on the part of phone carriers. T-Mobile has since confirmed that they have eliminated call logs from their authorization process. But the fact remains that SIM cards have been highlighted as a weak link. And it’s recommended that your organization drops SMS authorization. The preferred method of two-factor authorization is with an authentication app. These apps generate unique two-factor codes on a phone, but remain inaccessible by the SIM card.

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

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