Don’t Get Hooked by Vishing Attacks

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Cybercriminals are motivated and creative, which is not a great pairing for their victims. Just when we think we know what to watch out for, there’s something new to worry about. Right now, voicemail phishing (vishing) attacks are on the rise. Find out more about vishing and what you can do about it.

First, a reminder: phishing refers to bad actors sending fraudulent emails. They use social engineering to get you to reveal personal or sensitive information. For example, employees might get an email that looks like it’s from your IT team. It might ask them to renew their access credentials in the next 24 hours, but they need to enter their existing credentials into an online form to make the change.

Vishing also relies on social engineering – it targets our impulse to trust or help – but, vishing does this using voicemail. Cybercriminals use this approach to attack individuals and businesses, and they aim to obtain the information they need to perpetrate further crimes.

How does vishing work?

Cybercriminals prepare in advance to make vishing more convincing. They’ll call from what looks like a local number, and you’ll be more likely to answer. They learn enough about their victim or the organization they claim to be from to appeal to human nature.

A vishing attempt will:

  • use urgency to encourage you to act;
  • leverage false credibility to convince you they’re legit (e.g. calling from the government, tax department, IT support, or HR);
  • employ persuasive language to make you want to help;
  • take a threatening tone so that your fear you will be arrested or have your bank accounts shut down to override your suspicions;
  • reference current events to tap into your worries (e.g. during the tax season, criminals might spoof tax collection agencies; or during COVID, people were promised testing kits for sharing their bank information).

Avoid falling victim to vishing

Make vishing awareness part of your security training for employees. Communicating how to avoid falling victim can help your business stay safe.

The number-one rule is to never provide or confirm personal information by phone. A bank, hospital, tax office, or the police are not going to call you on the phone to ask for personal details. And they are definitely not going to call and try to motivate you to act urgently.

It is also unlikely that your manager or human resources would call you at home to ask you to transfer funds, provide confidential data, or email documents from your personal account.

Always ask for proof that you can use to verify the caller is who they say they are and works where they claim to. If you’re given a number to call to confirm the caller is legit, look it up. Call on a different phone to check that it’s a real number.

Stay aware of the latest trends. For instance, a new take on vishing sends emails claiming to share links to voicemail messages on LinkedIn- or WhatsApp-type services. If the recipient clicks on the link, they go to a convincing page (complete with CAPTCHA for added legitimacy) where crooks try to capture their access credentials.

This latest iteration of vishing aims to evade your cybersecurity solutions. There’s always something to keep up with. Need help? Our experts can set your business up for network security success. Call us today at (515)422-1995.

How to Reduce PC Power Consumption

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You probably grew up having a parent saying, “turn the lights off!” That was the number-one way to save on the power bill. But now, with so many of us having personal computers in the home, they too are a big electricity drain. Try these strategies to cut your PC power consumption.

Unplug the extras

You might connect printers, speakers, external storage, and other devices to your computer, but don’t leave them plugged in permanently, as they pull power even if you aren’t using them. An average printer on standby can use 5–8 Watts. High-end printers take even more power, pulling as much as 30 Watts.

Check your settings

Adjusting the brightness of your screen can cut back on your power usage: the brighter your screen, the more power it needs. So, reducing the brightness helps reduce your power intake.

You can also set your computer to run in power-saving mode. On Windows, options under Advanced Settings allow you to select a power plan to manage consumption. On a Mac laptop, you can go into system preferences and change settings for battery and adapter usage.

You can also set your computer to go to sleep when no activity is detected. This helps ensure you don’t leave the computer taking full power when you forget to turn it off at the end of the day.

Prefer sleep to shutdown

Speaking of sleep mode, putting your computer into sleep mode instead of shutting down consumes less power, especially if you are putting it aside only for a few hours. Starting up the computer consumes more power. As an added benefit, when you come back to a sleeping computer, it’s much quicker to turn back on and let you get back to work.

Corral your windows

Keeping a bunch of windows open and apps running in the background uses power for all those items. Once you’re done with an app or a browsing window, close it.

Note: We’re suggesting you do this when finished. If you are going to be jumping back and forth between programs or windows, keep them open. As above, launching them again and again can consume more power than leaving active apps open.

By the way, this works on your smartphone, too!

Work in airplane mode

Keeping Bluetooth and Wi-Fi open on a connected PC requires more power. The device will scan for available networks in the background even if you don’t need them right then. By turning on airplane mode, you disable this function.

Upgrade your hardware

Legacy equipment may not have the same power efficiency as newer models. Traditional hard drives, for example, are slower and consume more power than solid-state drives (SSDs).

An old computer processing unit (CPU) may need to work harder to keep up with your needs. That’s going to take more power. Additionally, if your random-access memory (RAM) is full, the operating system has to work harder. Yep, that’s more power, too!

If you don’t plan on computer gaming, you also don’t need a high-performance graphics card. Choosing a lesser option can cut your power usage.

Turn off RGB lighting

RGB (red, green, blue) lighting adds special effects around a monitor, or on a keyboard, mouse, or memory stick. It looks cool, but turning off these exciting features can conserve power.

Need to optimize your personal computing setup at home? Our IT experts can help. Contact us today at (515)422-1995!

Changing Your Email? A Checklist

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Changing your email is never fun, but it can be necessary. When you need to make a change, there are several things you need to consider. Follow this checklist to ensure you don’t lose data, keep up with your old contacts, and avoid security risks.

There are many reasons someone might decide to endure changing their email address. These include:

  • losing access to the old one and not being able to recover that account;
  • changing your internet service provider (ISP);
  • having to stop using a professional email for personal messages too;
  • falling victim of identity theft;
  • deciding to give yourself a more professional email by changing your address from yourbusiness@yahoo.com to you@yourbusiness.com;
  • not feeling as proud of your hotbabycakes@hotmail.com address now that you’re above the age of 14.

Whatever prompts your move, try these tips to avoid missing mail and risking account compromise.

Notify your contacts of the change

You will probably be amazed at the number of people you have in your contacts folder. Still, you can make the change easier by letting your friends and family know that you have a new email address.

When you send out a message to your contacts, respect people’s privacy. Send your update with their names in the blind carbon copy (BCC) line.

Migrate your old inbox

Most domain providers make it simple for you to migrate your old emails and contacts. Once you set up the new account, you’ll typically be able to go into Settings and find an option to import your old data. You may have to migrate the inbox and the contacts separately.

Don’t move on too quickly

You may be ready to move on, but don’t delete that old email address too soon. It’s a common mistake. Instead, try to hold onto your old email as long as possible. You don’t have to continue using it, but if you still have access, you can:

  • set up forwarding so that any emails to your old address will go to your new one;
  • see what emails are still coming to identify accounts you might have forgotten to change.

Inventory all accounts using that address

Use a password manager? We recommend its convenience. Plus, you can search there for accounts using the old address. The password manager can be a landing page for you to jump to all those accounts and make the necessary changes.

Inspect your trash and old emails

To help you think of other sites connected to the old email address, review your trash and sent emails.

Think also of accounts that may use that email address for recovery. For instance, you may have set the old account as a backup for PayPal, online banking, or streaming services. If you don’t change the recovery address, you might have difficulty regaining access to that account.

You might wonder why you should bother doing this. If you don’t, someone could claim your old account and gain access to your connected accounts. If you press a recover password link on a banking site, for instance, that email will go to that person instead of to you!

Get help making the email move

The many little things to take care of when you change your email can make this a big deal. Our IT experts are here to help. We can set you up for simple, secure email communications in the future. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Beyond the Ransom: Dealing with Ransomware’s Aftermath

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Ransomware is on the rise. The estimated 304 million worldwide attacks in 2020 represented a 64% increase. These attacks are growing more costly, too. Ransomware payouts jumped 171% from 2019 to 2020. For businesses in any industry, ransomware is a real threat, and recovery is more taxing than you might think.

With ransomware, bad actors infiltrate your devices or systems and encrypt your files. They demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key that lets you get back to work. This type of cyberattack is always evolving. If you haven’t been compromised yet, you may want to think of it as only a matter of time.

What to do About Ransomware

There are many ways to cut your risk of becoming a victim of a ransomware attack. These include:

  • educating your employees in security awareness;
  • securing email gateways;
  • limiting remote access;
  • using multi-factor authentication;
  • monitoring remote access points;
  • keeping up with cybersecurity to identify threats.

You’ll also want to install antivirus protection and keep your software patched and up to date.

Maintaining encrypted backups offline can also offer reassurance that you can recover from a ransomware attack.

Recovering from a Ransomware Attack

Protection is essential, but that’s not going to stop the attackers from trying to infect your systems. If your business is compromised, you’ll have to decide whether or not to pay the ransom to unlock your data.

Yet “to pay or not to pay” is not the only consideration when it comes to recovering from a ransomware attack.

First, you need to get to the bottom of the attack and learn how the malware was deployed. Attackers may have used a phishing strategy or exploited weak remote access controls. Find out where they got in and how they moved within your system.

You’ll want to report what you know about ransomware to law-enforcement agencies. If you are in an industry with compliance regulations, you may need to report there, as well. Acknowledging the ransomware may hurt your business reputation, you can at least help others learn about new threats.

You may also need to contact your clients, depending on the laws in your country. You will need to tell them about the hack and what data was released (if any). You might also warn them against opening emails from your business, as they could be compromised.

After the initial steps of recovery, you’ll also need to hunt for any malware remnants on your systems. The ransomware is the final payload, but the attackers would have used a delivery mechanism such as Trickbot, Emotet, or Qakbot. If you don’t discover this malware and get rid of it, you could be a victim of ransomware again.

MSPs Help Combat Ransomware

Managed service providers can support your cybersecurity efforts. They can monitor your systems and keep patches and antivirus software current. They can also manage the backups which are key to a successful recovery. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

“Help, I dropped my laptop!” Now What?

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Dropping your laptop is not a good idea. Trust us: this is not a statement you want to test. Still, it can happen. Typically, this happens in painful slow motion where the laptop is just out of your reach to recover it in time. Dropping a laptop doesn’t always lead to damage, but it will depend on several factors. Learn more about this common concern.

What happens to your laptop if it is dropped will depend on different considerations:

  • how hard and far it fell;
  • what kind of surface it fell onto;
  • whether it was running at the time of the fall;
  • the laptop model;
  • whether you have a mechanical hard drive or a solid-state drive;

Drop a laptop from a footstool onto a thick plush carpet and you might not see any damage. Push that same laptop off a kitchen island onto a hard tile floor, and it might be completely destroyed.

Buying a protective cover for your laptop can help prevent damage. You can also get a screen protector. Another good idea is to be wary of where you put your laptop down. Don’t put it in high-traffic areas. Also, make sure corded accessories don’t create a tripping hazard that will see someone taking your laptop down as they fall.

Common red flags

Let’s assume the laptop appears to have survived the fall. You still have an intact screen, and the laptop continues to power on. Whew! That’s great. Still, after a laptop drop, you’ll want to look for the following warning signs:

  • noisy fan;
  • flickering or dim screen;
  • unresponsive keyboard;
  • a blue “screen of death”;
  • error message saying, “unmountable boot volume”;
  • computer won’t power up;
  • Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity no longer works.

Your laptop is a convenient, compact computer. That means that inside that hard case the parts are packed tightly. Dropping the laptop can jar important parts. It’s best to take your laptop to a computer professional to help address any boot, screen, power, or other issues.

What do I do when my laptop falls?

First, don’t panic. Yes, it’s scary to see your technology fall to the floor, but try to remain calm. Retrieve your laptop carefully and handle it gently as you take the following steps:

  • Inspect the exterior looking for scratches, dents, or cracks. Small, cosmetic injuries you might cover with stickers. The bigger ones? You may need a technician’s help.
  • Examine the screen to see if there are any cracks and if the screen still works as a display. Keep an eye out for lines, spots, dead pixels or a flickering display.
  • Boot the system to ensure the laptop remains functional.
  • Listen for unfamiliar noises which could indicate parts have come loose.

The earlier you respond to the damage from dropping a laptop, the better. So, don’t just hope that any issue you notice will go away. Instead, take your computer to a local repair shop for repairs or parts replacement. The reward could be a longer overall life cycle for your laptop. We’re here to help. Contact us today at (515)422-1995!

Say Goodbye to 100 Passwords with Passkey Sign-on

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The average individual has 100 passwords to remember, according to a NordPass study. Apparently, no one has studied how many we actually remember versus how many we reset over and over. No matter. New developments could save us from having to remember passwords altogether, as major players are moving to a single passkey sign-on approach.

What is passkey sign-on?

Apple, Google, and Microsoft have joined forces to support “passwordless” sign-in across all their mobile, desktop, and browser platforms. The initiative, announced in May to coincide with World Password Day, is expected to roll out in 2022/23.

What does passkey login involve? Users choose a physical device to use to authenticate them on apps, websites, and other digital services. For many of us, this would be a mobile phone. You’d unlock the phone as you normally do. Then, you could enter a PIN, draw a pattern, or use your fingerprint to sign into the digital services you need.

To put it simply, it’s a four-stage process:

  1. You navigate to the site or app or service you want to use.
  2. You approve access using your passkey device.
  3. A public passkey (mirroring the private one on your device) is shared.
  4. Login is completed.

You don’t need a password, because the login is done using a cryptographic token (the passkey). Your selected device shares that passkey with the website, app, or other online services.

Advantages of the passkey

Using a passkey means you need to remember only the one PIN or pattern to unlock access … or have fingertips! And you don’t have to come up with a complicated passphrase either, which means no more frustrating upper and lowercase character, number, and symbol combo.

The passkey sign-in method is touted as more secure. Passwordless authentication makes it more difficult for hackers to compromise login details. After all, they would need access to the physical device you use to access digital services, apps, and websites.

You keep personal information safe and cut password vulnerabilities that plague us today:

  • Phishing attacks, which use fake websites to capture login details, won’t work.
  • Brute-force attacks, which use trial and error to guess credentials, won’t get anywhere.
  • Spoofing your device will no longer work, as the passkey device must be near the computer.

Another plus? Passkey security is being set up to offer multi-device authentication. You’ll be able to sign in to an app or service from almost any device, and it won’t matter what platform or browser you’re using. So, you could sign in to Google Chrome and run Microsoft Teams using your iPhone, for instance.

Making the most of multi-factor authentication

Passkey security will use a FIDO standard to authenticate you in different contexts. This is a passkey protocol already supported in some online environments, but major players are now coming together to make it more widespread.

With a passkey that is unique to you, you’ll no longer have to worry about keeping track of multiple passwords.

Still, until this technology is available, you’ll want to protect your online activity. Our experts can help secure your home networks and set you up with a password wallet. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Avoid This Top IT mistake: The “Wait and See” Approach

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Patience is often a virtue, and being budget-conscious is also a plus in business. Yet taking a “wait and see” approach with business tech is a top IT mistake.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the current economy. You may be looking to save money to give your business more budget leeway. But if you don’t make ongoing investments in your IT, your business could suffer.

You might skip software upgrades, but that can put your business at risk from cyber bad actors, who look to exploit weaknesses when people don’t upgrade their systems.

Deciding to put off replacing older devices or legacy hardware, you may be thinking, “What’s one more year?” It can make a big difference, actually. Your systems may have vulnerabilities that cyber-attackers will leverage. Your hardware may not be able to keep up with your business during its busy times, and your people could be working on devices that are no longer supported by the manufacturer. If something does go wrong, you’re on your own.

Trying to get by with less when it comes to business technology can hurt your business. We’re not saying you have to throw all sorts of money at every new technology out there, of course; it’s about fitting the right technology to your specific business needs.

Business tech: Better now than later

Businesses today are undergoing digital transformation. Across industries, people see the advantages of IT. The right technology enhances the quality of work and boosts productivity. You have the tools needed to support faster processing and wider information distribution.

Thinking only short-term about technology, as in “it’s working fine for now,” could hurt you in the long run, however, and by not looking after your tech and keeping it current, you could be missing out on:

  • keeping your software and systems patched and protected against the latest cyber threats;
  • enjoying the greater efficiency that comes from streamlined workflows and business process best practices;
  • being able to collaborate seamlessly with team members or clients and customers via the latest cloud communications tools;
  • getting things done more easily with the hardware and software you need to keep up with your business;
  • scaling up or down as your business needs with the convenience of cloud technology;
  • having peace of mind that if there is a data breach or other system disruption, you have a backup to get your business back up.

Moving forward with an MSP

There is an inevitability to investment in business tech. You know you’re going to need it. But taking the wait-and-see approach simply puts you at risk of a cyberattack or other productivity drains. Keeping your IT current and investing in this essential area can benefit employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and your business’s bottom line.

Not sure what technology to focus on while working within your budget? Our IT experts can help. We’ll get to know your systems and your unique needs. Then, we’ll make suggestions about the smartest investment areas for your business. Contact us today at (515)422-1995!

How to Select a Computer Repair Business

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Something is broken! The laptop is whirring. The computer won’t power up. In either case, you’re staring at a blank, blue screen. Yet you can’t live without your computer. You need to find a computer repair business. But what should you look for? This article will help you make your choice.

If a computer or laptop doesn’t do what we want it to do, we move into panic mode. You may want to run out and buy a new one. That’s going to be expensive and may be unnecessary, especially right now, as a global computer chip supply shortfall is ratcheting up prices and extending delivery timelines.

The next option? Find a repair shop to take a look at your home computer. Here’s what to look for.

#1 Good reviews and high ratings

Look up the business online and see what kind of customer feedback it gets. Don’t fall for a single five-star review, though – that could be the owner’s cousin. Look at the number of stars, as well as the number of reviews used to reach that ranking.

It’s also worthwhile reading some of the reviews. You’ll see what other customers are saying about problems resolved (or not) at that repair shop. Customer testimonials can help you sort out which shop is best suited to solving your current problem.

#2 Comparable price estimates

Ask for an estimate before you commit to working with a particular repair shop. You may not get a full picture. The repair team will typically charge you a diagnostic fee first to gauge the problem. Then, they’ll be better able to estimate the overall cost. They should be able to explain any large price jumps from their original estimate.

This is another reason to check out the reviews. You might see several people complaining about the cheaper initial estimate luring them in. Then, they get hit with a whopping bill after the fact.

#3 Go with relevant experience

You may not know the difference between a Dell and an Apple, but your repair person should. Prefer someone with experience addressing problems with your particular brand. This can save time and money. If the repair person is more familiar with that type of device, they may troubleshoot more efficiently.

#4 Location matters

If you go with a big-box store, you risk someone who doesn’t know much about computers shipping your device to a central repair hub. That means it can take longer. Your device could also be at further risk of damage while en route. Plus, you won’t get an accurate estimate for repair costs upfront.

If you select a local computer repair shop, you can get to know the individual working on your computer, and you know the device will be worked on in that store. Plus, if you ever have future issues, you can return to working directly with that same individual again.

Professional Help Matters

Sure, you might have a family member or friend who thinks they are a tech whiz, but that doesn’t mean you want to entrust your computer to them. Instead, work with a seasoned IT pro who can reliably address computer or laptop issues.

A computer repair professional will be customer-oriented. That means they’ll know how to meet your needs courteously. They’ll keep you informed and be upfront about pricing. After all, their business reputation rests upon your satisfaction. Can your cousin Edgar or friend Sal say the same thing? Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Hardware as a Service: What Is It, and Why Use It?

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When IT infrastructure is out of date, you face performance and compatibility issues. Your business spends time troubleshooting faulty computer hardware, and productivity is lost. Yet your business can’t afford to update to more advanced technology. The solution? Hardware as a Service.

Hardware as a Service allows small or midsized businesses to lease needed computing power. The business gets access to new equipment they might not otherwise be able to afford. Plus, you save on operational expenses powering, cooling, and maintaining the tech.

IT infrastructure evolves so quickly, but Hardware as a Service helps you avoid becoming outdated. You no longer have to find the budget to purchase brand-new technology every few years. You simply lease the tech assets from a service provider.

How Hardware as a Service Works

There are different Hardware as a Service model. You might:

  • sign a contract for a provider to administer and maintain the computer hardware it installs in your offices;
  • use Internet Protocol (IP) connections to cloud computing environments and let off-site hardware do the work. This option saves on hardware costs and related OPEX, but also avoids heavy expenditure on IP bandwidth.

How does this solution differ from leasing computers? This is a managed services agreement, and you gain installation, maintenance, and support services, too.

More Advantages of Hardware as a Service

We’ve already mentioned cost-effectiveness and currency, but those aren’t the only benefits of using a HaaS solution.

Simplicity

Your business will pay a consistent monthly or yearly subscription fee for your HaaS. In return, you get systems that are automatically updated. The tech will be compatible with the latest software deployed. You don’t have to do the legwork to buy any hardware, and you avoid having to maintain the technology.

Proactive service

With HaaS, you don’t need an IT team in-house to manage and maintain the equipment. Additionally, the service provider offers value via effective customer service. You can expect the provider to be doing everything it can to ensure a robust hardware service so you enjoy the reliable infrastructure and round-the-clock IT infrastructure support.

Security gains

The IT ecosystem is always changing, and so, too, are the threats to cybersecurity. Your business would be more vulnerable to attack with legacy hardware. Using HaaS, you are working with more secure, up-to-date technology. This can cut the risk of downtime and service disruptions.

Scalability

If your business grows, you need your systems to grow with you. With HaaS, it’s easy to expand or upgrade infrastructure. You don’t have to worry about the huge capital expenditure for new tech; you’ll simply pay more to upgrade your HaaS solution.

With Hardware as a Service, you can affordably replace your technology before it becomes obsolete. Cut costs, and improve scalability and security, all while gaining an expert IT partner. Get in touch with us today at (515)422-1995.

Refurbished Computer and Laptops Worth Another Look?

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If you’re in the market for a new computer or laptop, you’ve likely noticed a few things. Technology is more expensive, and there are long waits to get the devices you want. This article will explain the current computer and laptop supply-chain issues. Then, we’ll offer reasons to consider refurbished devices to meet your needs.

There are supply-chain issues for everything from pool floats to personal computers. The pandemic placed added pressure on shippers and also increased demand for electronics, as people spent more time at home. At the same time, there is a shortage of key components.

Every computer or laptop (and so much more electronics) needs a chip. These computer chips are in great demand, but there’s a supply shortfall. The American Department of Commerce described the shortage as “a major supply and demand mismatch.” In the US, the median demand for chips was as much as 17% higher in 2021 than in 2019.

It doesn’t help any that extreme weather shut down a major computer chip plant in Texas. Meanwhile, a Japan-based manufacturer experienced a fire. It’s also difficult to get new chip plants up and running. The factories are expensive and workers need to be highly trained.

Yet you can’t get a PC or a laptop without a computer chip, and the problem is unlikely to be resolved this year. Some people predict it could take years for supply and demand to rebalance, which could mean you’re going to be paying a lot more for your next, new device and be waiting a long time for it. On the other hand, you might see this as an opportunity to reconsider buying a refurbished device.

Reasons to buy refurbished

A refurbished PC or laptop is a pre-owned device with data wiped and drives restored; it’s been reset to factory settings. The PC or laptop is evaluated, cleaned, and repaired before resale. In some cases, the device is upgraded, too.

Buying a refurbished computer or laptop can be the smart way to go. Here’s why.

#1 Access to quality

As you are buying a pre-owned computer, you’ll be able to pay less for better technology. A common complaint about new computers? They are outdated before you even get them out of the box at home. By going with a refurbished unit, you can take advantage of the quick turnover in models. You can get a top machine without paying the “new” price. By buying refurbished, you could afford more memory and better screen quality or processor speed.

#2 As good as new

In most cases, big corporations cycle out their computers every few years, and you now get to buy a good-as-new computer or laptop and make big savings. Refurbished computers are sold when they have been tested and cleaned up. So, you may not get that new computer smell (is there such a thing?), but you’ll get a fresh experience with a refurbished unit.

#3 You’re helping the environment

Buying a refurbished device is the green way to go. Repair is an alternative to computers and laptops languishing as waste. The computer is fixed up and recycled for another user, either by the original brand manufacturer or another computer outfit. Dell, HP, and Apple have high standards before a computer or laptop is resold as refurbished.

# 4 You can protect your refurbished purchase

If you’re worried about taking a risk on a refurbished computer or laptop, buy a warranty from the seller. You can typically buy a full one-year warranty. This protects your purchase should any issue occur in that timeframe.

Need help choosing the right computer or laptop for your home? Our experts can help you find the best device for your specifications. We can consult on your new or refurbished purchase.

Contact us today at (515)422-1995

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