Data Security

KRACK Wifi

KRACK Wi-Fi Attack Threatens All Networks

With the KRACK vulnerability publicized, anyone who uses Wi-Fi-enabled devices may be at risk for sharing unencrypted traffic with potential attackers who bypass WPA2 network security. The WPA2 security protocol is used by routers and devices to encrypt people’s activity. Attackers who want to exploit the newly revealed weakness could steal sensitive data passing over the network including passwords, credit card numbers, chat messages, emails, photos, and the list goes on.

What devices are affected by KRACK?

If your device uses Wi-Fi, it’s likely vulnerable to the KRACK Wi-Fi security flaw to some degree, though some get it worse than others.

How to protect yourself from KRACK’s Wi-Fi flaw?
  • Keep your devices up-to-date – That means that your device can download an update that protects against KRACK and still communicate with unpatched hardware while being protected from the security flaw.
  • Be careful using public Wi-Fi hotspots – even one that’s password protected—stick to websites that use HTTPS encryption. Secure websites are still secure even with Wi-Fi security broken. The URLs of encrypted websites will start with “HTTPS,” while unsecured websites are prefaced by “HTTP.”
  • Use VPN (Virtual Private Network) – VPNs help hide all of your network traffic. Although, don’t trust random free VPNs; they could be after your data as well.
  • Keep Antivirus Software up-to-date – Help protect against potential code injected malware.

In closing, there is no evidence that the vulnerability has been exploited maliciously, and Wi-Fi Alliance has taken immediate steps to ensure users can continue to count on Wi-Fi to deliver strong security protections,” reads a statement published by a Wi-Fi industry trade group. “This issue can be resolved through straightforward software updates, and the Wi-Fi industry, including major platform providers, has already started deploying patches to Wi-Fi users. Users can expect all their Wi-Fi devices, whether patched or unpatched, to continue working well together.”

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5 Things you need to know about IT Data Security

5 Things You Need To Know About Data IT Security

Over the past year, 4,149 data breaches compromised more than 4.2 billion records, shattering the previous all-time high of about 1 billion exposed records. This assessment comes from the 2016 Year End Data Breach QuickView Report.

Too many companies are failing to implement basic data IT security controls

Its extremely important that companies follow the basic data security needs. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that there remains a disconnect between the realities of the breach threat and the practicalities of defending against it. Businesses must understand the risks, and how to best protect themselves and their clients against a potential breach.

At the end of the day a Ransomware outbreak or data breach will strain the relationship between you and your clients, so you need to focus on delivering consistent, quality service and limiting the possibility of a breach.

Here are five things you definitely need to think about when it comes to IT Data Security:

  1. Always make sure your data is stored properly in an encrypted database.
  2. Develop an organization-wide data security plan
  3. Remove unnecessary data from your electronic devices and keep tabs on what data remains.
  4. Hire professionals to completely clear all electronics of unnecessary sensitive data.
  5. When upgrading or disposing of devices with sensitive data, contact a professional for physical destruction of the data-containing component of the device. Deleting files from your hard drive isn’t enough. Data can still be recovered if not correctly destroyed.

Furthermore, dealing with breaches will never be an easy task and that’s why you must protect yourself before they become an issue. Understand what data can be compromised and how. Search the internet for tips, documents and case studies. If you still feel like your business is “at-risk” call the managed IT professionals, SecurityRI.com.

Also, we can assess your network at no charge. If you need additional information regarding why to outsource your IT department, please check out our white paper on improving your security technology today.

 

 

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Rhode Island’s Mandatory Identity Theft Protection Act

Is your business compliant with Rhode Island’s Mandatory Identity Theft Protection Act?

On June 26th, Governor Gina Raimondo signed the New Rhode Island Identity Theft Protection Act of 2015.  Although, are you aware that updated provisions have been made, and businesses must comply?

You’re probably thinking if the act applies to your business?

It does apply for anyone or entity who or that “stores, collects, processes, maintains, acquires, owns, uses, or licenses personal information about a Rhode Island resident.”  This act has no exclusions based upon an organization’s size or number of employees.

(more…)

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Microsoft Office 365 IT Security Benefits

microsoft office 365Microsoft Office 365 was first announced back in October 2010. It has been a long time since the announcement, but it looks like Microsoft Office 365 is ready for the corporate world. Fact of the matter is: your business can benefit from using Microsoft Office 365. Our goal is to ensure that your company optimizes the IT security benefits of the new cloud-based platform. (more…)

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