FBI Warns Parents: Your Kid’s Internet Smart Toys Could Be a Security Risk

July 19, 2017

While we continue to grow as a technology driven society, so doesn’t our children’s toys. Many smart toys in 2017 connect to the internet, and even though they’re extremely popular, they may introduce security risks to your children / family. As a cyber security company we encourage our community to follow the FBI’s instructions which is the following:

Consider cyber security prior to introducing smart, interactive, internet-connected toys into their homes or trusted environments. Smart toys and entertainment devices for children are increasingly incorporating technologies that learn and tailor their behaviors based on user interactions. These toys typically contain sensors, microphones, cameras, data storage components, and other multimedia capabilities – including speech recognition and GPS options. These features could put the privacy and safety of children at risk due to the large amount of personal information that may be unwittingly disclosed. – FBI

Why Does This Matter To My Family?

The features and functions of different toys vary widely. In some cases, toys with microphones could record and collect conversations within earshot of the device. Information such as the child’s name, school, likes and dislikes, and activities may be disclosed through normal conversation with the toy or in the surrounding environment. The collection of a child’s personal information combined with a toy’s ability to connect to the Internet or other devices raises concerns for privacy and physical safety. Personal information (e.g., name, date of birth, pictures, address) is typically provided when creating user accounts. In addition, companies collect large amounts of additional data, such as voice messages, conversation recordings, past and real-time physical locations, Internet use history, and Internet addresses/IPs. The exposure of such information could create opportunities for child identity fraud. Additionally, the potential misuse of sensitive data such as GPS location information, visual identifiers from pictures or videos, and known interests to garner trust from a child could present exploitation risks.

Consumers should examine toy company user agreement disclosures and privacy practices, and should know where their family’s personal data is sent and stored, including if it’s sent to third-party services. Security safeguards for these toys can be overlooked in the rush to market them and to make them easy to use. Consumers should perform online research of these products for any known issues that have been identified by security researchers or in consumer reports.

What Makes Internet-Connected Toys Vulnerable?

Data collected from interactions or conversations between children and toys are typically sent and stored by the manufacturer or developer via server or cloud service. In some cases, it is also collected by third-party companies who manage the voice recognition software used in the toys. Voice recordings, toy Web application (parent app) passwords, home addresses, Wi-Fi information, or sensitive personal data could be exposed if the security of the data is not sufficiently protected with the proper use of digital certificates and encryption when it is being transmitted or stored.

Smart toys generally connect to the Internet either:

Directly, through Wi-Fi to an Internet-connected wireless access point; or
Indirectly, via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS device that is connected to the Internet.

This information can be breached / hacked which may fall in the hands of the unwanted.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The FBI encourages consumers to consider the following recommendations, at a minimum, prior to using Internet-connected toys.

Research for any known reported security issues online to include, but not limited to:
Only connect and use toys in environments with trusted and secured Wi-Fi Internet access
Research the toy’s Internet and device connection security measures
- Use authentication when pairing the device with Bluetooth (via PIN code or password)
- Use encryption when transmitting data from the toy to the Wi-Fi access point and to the server or cloud
Research if your toys can receive firmware and/or software updates and security patches
- If they can, ensure your toys are running on the most updated versions and any available patches are implemented
Research where user data is stored – with the company, third party services, or both – and whether any publicly available reporting exists on their reputation and posture for cyber security
Carefully read disclosures and privacy policies (from company and any third parties) and consider the following:
- If the company is victimized by a cyber-attack and your data may have been exposed, will the company notify you?
- If vulnerabilities to the toy are discovered, will the company notify you?
- Where is your data being stored?
- Who has access to your data?
- If changes are made to the disclosure and privacy policies, will the company notify you?
- Is the company contact information openly available in case you have questions or concerns?
Closely monitor children’s activity with the toys (such as conversations and voice recordings) through the toy’s partner parent application, if such features are available
Ensure the toy is turned off, particularly those with microphones and cameras, when not in use
Use strong and unique login passwords when creating user accounts (e.g., lower and upper case letters, numbers, and special characters)
Provide only what is minimally required when inputting information for user accounts (e.g., some services offer additional features if birthdays or information on a child’s preferences are provided) – FBI’s Website

Managed IT Services with SecurityRI.com

June 30, 2017

Secure IT Services

Is your Managed IT Services Secure?

Not only does SecurityRI.com offer leading Managed IT Services, we also incorporate our 35+ years of security with it. We believe managed IT services should start with security and finish with technology.

What is Managed IT Services / Security?

A managed security services provider (MSSP) is an extension of your IT department / security operation that closes the loop of people, processes and technology. SecurityRI.com operates 24/7/365 to ensure your business has zero downtime. Businesses turn to us to alleviate the pressures they face daily related to information security such as targeted malware, customer data theft, skills shortages and resource constraints. Managed security services (MSS) are also considered the systematic approach to managing an organization’s security needs. The services may be conducted in-house or outsourced to a service provider that oversees other companies’ network and information system security. Functions of a managed security service include round-the-clock monitoring and management of intrusion detection systems and firewalls, overseeing patch management and upgrades, performing security assessments and security audits, and responding to emergencies. There are products available from a number of vendors to help organize and guide the procedures involved. This diverts the burden of performing the chores manually, which can be considerable, away from administrators.

SecurityRI.com’s Best-In-Class Secure Management

Through our management of IT Security we provide centralized patching, updating, security protocols and maintenance across your entire network. We include database administration and network support to ensure ‘always on’ desktop access for your users. What’s more, you have full visibility into the health of your environments through automated reporting and quantifiable metrics.

Also, Don’t Forget to Contact Us Regarding Our Managed Desktop Services! Get rid of the headache of managing end user devices and performing endless hardware refreshes with SecurityRI.com’s productivity solution. Our zero-maintenance, Office 365-based solution provides a full end user computing experience including the Microsoft applications your users love and know, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype instant messaging and video conferencing, and more. Plus the security you demand, regardless of the device.

Email Safety Tips Using Office 365

May 16, 2017

Office 365

Office 365 is Creating a Safer Email Process

Microsoft has created a platform to help protect you and your business. The new Office 365 works well against spam, phishing and malware prevention. Today it has become difficult to determine if an email is an attack or legitimate source. This is why businesses must invest in a secure solution.

Below you will find some great security features. Also, understand that Office 365 is much more than a safer solution, it can eliminate unnecessary tasks, increase workflow and organize your entire email system.

The top safety tip Office 365 has invested in, is the color coded safety tip message feature. Office 365 will WARN you about potentially harmful messages. Most messages in your inbox won’t have a safety tip. You’ll only see them when EOP and Office 365 has information you need to help prevent spam, phishing, and malware attacks. If safety tips do show up on in your inbox, you can use the following examples to learn more about each type of safety tip. – Microsoft

We will provide additional information regarding Office 365, and appropriate email safety in our future blog postings. In closing, note that it’s unlikely for outside sources to harm Office 365. It’s more likely breaches will occur due to improper configurations or human error.

As always, be safe and aware at all times!

SecurityRI

High Alert! Ransomware is locking down local businesses

May 8, 2017

ransomware, Uncategorized

BE AWARE! Ransomware is on the rise and is shutting down businesses in our local community.

If you’re unsure what Ransomware is, it’s a computer malware that installs covertly on a victim’s device (computer, smartphone, wearable devices, etc.). The malware holds the victim’s data hostage, or exposes the victim’s data until the ransom is paid.

Think about how crippling Ransomware is, your entire business is shut down until the ransom is paid. Business transactions cannot be made, disgruntled customers, and negative exposure.

Our company has recently noticed an article from the Providence Journal regarding a Ransomware shutdown of a prominent Providence law firm. The article talks about how the Providence law firm was held captive for months by encrypting its files and then demanding $25,000 in ransom paid in cyber currency to restore access. During the seizure, the firm claims they were left unproductive and unable to operate, resulting in $700,000 lost billing. Not only did they lose $700,000, the insurance company refused to pay their claim.

As a “Complete Security Solution” company, we want to warn our community and inform that cyber threats are no joke. Prevention should not be taken lightly, and you must implement prevention instead of reaction. Listed below are a few prevention tips:

Start with a well-rounded antivirus with active monitoring
- The software must include anti-malware and anti-ransomware programs.
Next, create secure backups of your data on a regular basis
- You can purchase USBs, external hard drive or cloud storage.
Stay Informed
- Read about current events, follow cyber security blogs, search the web, educate yourself.
Outsource
- When all fails or you simply do not want to deal with the cyber drama, you can outsource to the professionals.

In closing, be safe. Complete your due-diligence, understand the different types of cyber threats. Protect yourself, business, employees and customers.