Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication: A Comprehensive Guide

by | Jun 5, 2024 | Newsletter

In today’s increasingly digital world, the security of our online accounts and sensitive information has never been more crucial. Cyber threats are evolving, and traditional single-layer defenses like passwords are no longer sufficient to keep our data safe. This is where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) comes into play. As a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies, MFA provides an extra layer of protection that can make a significant difference in safeguarding against various cyber threats.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an application, online account, or VPN. Rather than just asking for a password, MFA involves a combination of the following:
  1. Something You Know: A password or PIN.
  2. Something You Have: A smartphone, hardware token, or smart card.
  3. Something You Are: Biometrics like fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition.
By combining these factors, MFA ensures that even if one element (like a password) is compromised, unauthorized users are unlikely to gain access without the additional required factors.
How to Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Implementing MFA is straightforward and highly effective. Here’s how you can set it up and use it:
Step 1: Enable MFA on Your Accounts
Most major online services, including email providers, social media platforms, and financial institutions, offer MFA as an option. To enable it:
  1. Go to Account Settings: Look for security settings within your account.
  2. Find Multi-Factor Authentication: This may be under “Security,” “Two-Step Verification,” or a similar section.
  3. Enable MFA: Follow the prompts to turn on MFA.
Step 2: Choose Your Second Factor
You’ll typically be given several options for your second factor:
  1. Authenticator Apps: Apps like Google Authenticator or Authy generate time-sensitive codes.
  2. SMS Codes: Receive a code via text message to your phone.
  3. Email Codes: Receive a code via email.
  4. Biometric Verification: Use fingerprint or facial recognition if your device supports it.
  5. Hardware Tokens: Use a physical device like a YubiKey.
Step 3: Verify and Secure
  1. Enter Your Phone Number or Email: If using SMS or email codes.
  2. Install an Authenticator App: If using an app, scan the provided QR code.
  3. Verify Your Choice: Enter the code sent to your phone or generated by the app.
  4. Backup Options: Set up backup methods in case you lose access to your primary method.
Step 4: Use MFA When Logging In
Each time you log in, after entering your password, you’ll be prompted to provide your second factor. This might involve entering a code from your phone, approving a notification, or scanning your fingerprint.
What Does Multi-Factor Authentication Protect Against?
MFA significantly enhances security by addressing several common vulnerabilities:
1. Phishing Attacks
Phishing involves tricking users into providing their credentials via fake websites or emails. Even if a user falls for a phishing scam and reveals their password, MFA can prevent attackers from accessing the account without the second factor.
2. Stolen Passwords
Passwords can be compromised through various means, including data breaches, social engineering, or brute force attacks. MFA adds an additional barrier, ensuring that a stolen password alone is not enough to access the account.
3. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
In these attacks, an attacker intercepts communication between the user and the service. MFA mitigates this risk by requiring authentication methods that are difficult to intercept or replicate.
4. Account Takeovers
Even if an attacker gains access to one authentication method, such as a password, they would still need the second factor, making account takeovers significantly more challenging.
Where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, relying solely on passwords for security is no longer sufficient. Multi-Factor Authentication provides a robust, multi-layered defense that is essential for protecting personal and professional data. By implementing MFA, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and ensure that their sensitive information remains secure.
By adopting MFA, you’re not just adding an extra step to your login process; you’re making a crucial investment in the security of your digital identity. Don’t wait until it’s too late—enable MFA on your accounts today and experience the peace of mind that comes with enhanced security.
Want to know more about Multi-Factor Authentication or how to implement it in your business? Contact us at 216-800-7800 or schedule a FREE Discovery Call with us.

What is Ransomware and What To Do About it

What is Ransomware and What To Do About it

by | May 22, 2024 | Newsletter

Ransomware is an escalating threat that can disrupt businesses of all sizes, but small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Northeast Ohio are particularly vulnerable. The potential for significant operational disruptions and financial losses makes understanding and preventing ransomware attacks crucial. In this blog post, we’ll explain what ransomware is, how it works, and what steps SMBs in Northeast Ohio can take to safeguard their operations.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files or locks them out of their systems, demanding a ransom for the decryption key or system access. This malicious software can bring businesses to a standstill, causing loss of data, revenue, and customer trust.
How Does Ransomware Work?
Ransomware often spreads through phishing emails, malicious attachments, or compromised websites. Once the malware infiltrates a device, it quickly encrypts critical files and displays a ransom note demanding payment, usually in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, for the decryption key.
There are two main types of ransomware that SMBs should be aware of:
  1. Encrypting Ransomware: Encrypts files, making them inaccessible until the ransom is paid.
  2. Locker Ransomware: Locks users out of their systems, displaying a ransom demand to unlock the device.
Real-World Ransomware Attacks
Several high-profile ransomware attacks highlight the severe impact this malware can have:
  • WannaCry: This 2017 attack exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, affecting businesses worldwide and causing significant operational disruptions.
  • Petya/NotPetya: Also in 2017, this attack spread via a compromised software update, affecting many businesses globally. Unlike typical ransomware, NotPetya was designed to cause irreversible damage.
  • Colonial Pipeline: In 2021, an attack on this major U.S. fuel pipeline operator led to widespread fuel shortages, underscoring the critical nature of ransomware threats.
Protecting Your Business Against Ransomware
For SMBs in Northeast Ohio, protecting against ransomware requires a proactive and multifaceted approach:
  1. Regular Backups: Regularly back up important data and store it offline to ensure it’s safe from ransomware attacks.
  2. Security Software: Invest in reputable antivirus and anti-malware software, and keep it up-to-date to protect against the latest threats.
  3. Software Updates: Regularly update all operating systems and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
  4. Email Vigilance: Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.
  5. Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
What to Do If Infected
If your business falls victim to a ransomware attack:
  1. Isolate the Infection: Disconnect the affected system from the network to prevent the malware from spreading.
  2. Report the Attack: Notify law enforcement and relevant authorities, such as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
  3. Do Not Pay the Ransom: Paying the ransom does not guarantee data recovery and encourages further criminal activity. Seek professional assistance to explore alternative data recovery options.
Ransomware poses a significant threat to SMBs in Northeast Ohio, but by understanding the risks and implementing strong security measures, you can protect your business. Regularly backing up data, maintaining updated security software, and educating employees on cybersecurity best practices are essential steps in safeguarding your operations.
For more detailed information on ransomware and cybersecurity best practices, consider visiting CISA’s Ransomware Guide and Norton’s Ransomware 101.
If implementing even some of these tips seems like an impossible task, or you don’t know where to start, we’re here for you.  We are offering a FREE Security Risk Assessment to see how your business needs protecting. Hackers will do whatever it takes to break into your network. We are here to help! Click here to book your FREE Security Risk Assessment with one of our cybersecurity experts, or call our office at 216-800-7888.
By staying informed and proactive, Northeast Ohio SMBs can defend against ransomware threats and ensure business continuity in an increasingly digital world. Stay safe and secure!

AT&T Attack Reveals 73 Million Customer Records Exposed On The Dark Web

AT&T Attack Reveals 73 Million Customer Records Exposed On The Dark Web

by | May 15, 2024 | Newsletter

In a statement released by the largest telecommunications company in the United States, AT&T, they shared that they recently discovered a dataset for sale on the “dark web” that contained information for about 7.6 million current AT&T account holders and 65.4 million former users, totaling approximately 73 million affected accounts.                                                                                        
AT&T shared that the data released contained passcodes (PIN numbers) and Social Security numbers from 2019 or earlier and did not contain any other personal financial information or call history but could possibly include e-mail and mailing addresses, phone numbers and birthdates.                                  
AT&T has reached out to all customers via e-mail or mail to let them know of the breach and to reset their passcodes. If you’re an AT&T customer, it’s important to be highly critical of any e-mail asking you to change your password. Please make sure it is from AT&T, as it’s suspected other cybercriminals will attempt to capitalize on this issue and send out fake e-mails with malicious links, hoping someone will click on them. If you’re concerned it’s a fake e-mail, call AT&T support and ask them to send another reset link while you’re on the phone.                                                                                 
As for the cause of the breach, it’s still unknown whether the data breach originated from AT&T or one of its vendors, but AT&T has launched an investigation and will likely hire computer forensics specialists to find the cause of the incident.                                                                                                              
The organization will also have to scrub any installed malware out of the software that runs its customer account system without disrupting unaffected customers’ service. Between the investigation, cleaning up the issues, lawsuits, legal fees and more, this will be an expensive issue to solve.                                                                                                                                                                                  
That’s why at Techspert, we talk about being proactive with cybersecurity so often. While no solution is 100% impenetrable, most are strong enough to keep the majority of hackers out. It is way more costly to deal with the effects of a cyber-attack than it is to prevent one in the first place.                 
If you’re concerned about the safety of your organization, request a FREE Security Assessment from our team of cybersecurity experts. We’ll analyze your network so you can see if there are exposed entry points in your network that hackers could use to break in. We’ll also advise on how to work with third-party vendors to ensure your and your customers’ data is as secure as possible.                           

Hackers will do whatever it takes to break into your network. Your job as the CEO is to do whatever it takes to keep them out. We are here to help! Click here to book your Security Risk Assessment with one of our cybersecurity experts, or call our office at 216-800-7888.

Cyber Attack Takes Omni Hotels and Resorts Offline. Here Is How To Travel Safely

Cyber Attack Takes Omni Hotels and Resorts Offline. Here Is How To Travel Safely

by | May 1, 2024 | Newsletter

Another day, another cyber-attack! In early April, Omni Hotels & Resorts was the victim of a cyber-attack that brought down the entire IT system and led to a company-wide outage. The organization took immediate action and brought the entire network offline to isolate the issue, protect its data and prevent further damage from occurring. Unfortunately, this process heavily impacted the hotel’s operations and day-to-day functions, such as managing reservations, unlocking hotel room doors manually and using point-of-sale (POS) systems in restaurants and shops within the hotel. Some estimates expect this attack to cost the Omni over a million dollars. While unconfirmed by the hotel, several sources speculate that the type of cyber-attack was a ransomware attack similar to what happened to MGM in Las Vegas several months ago.
While most customers were aware of the inconveniences of the Omni outage, many weren’t aware of the dangers associated with cyber-attacks. When a network is compromised, unless you have high-grade tools to protect you, every device you connect to is put at risk. When you’re traveling, it’s important to treat everything like a risk to ensure your safety. In today’s article, we’re sharing a couple of tips to keep you safe when you’re on the road for work or even on vacation this summer.
  1. Don’t connect to the public Wi-Fi in the hotel. Truthfully, this also applies to coffee shops, airport lounges, etc. If a network is compromised and you connect to it, you could be giving hackers access to your devices.
  2. Turn off the auto-connect feature. Even if you don’t actively connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi, if a hacker has set up a fake Wi-Fi network and your device auto-connects to it, that could be a big problem. Shut the feature off and only manually connect to sources you trust.
  3. Use your phone’s hotspot. Instead of connecting to public Wi-Fi, most cell phones come equipped with a hotspot that allows your other devices to connect to your phone’s internet. If not, one call to your wireless provider can often add this feature.
These tips will help protect you, but if you travel for work or have employees who travel for work, it’s important that all work devices have professional-grade cybersecurity tools installed on them. You don’t want to send your sales team to a hotel-hosted trade show, and instead of bringing back a list of leads, they bring back malware that could shut down your company altogether.
There is one final lesson in this terrible incident that all SERVICE AREA business owners need to understand: No matter the size of the company, you can still be the victim of a cyber-attack. The Omni chain, which boasts over 50 properties nationwide, would likely have a large budget to defend itself from cyber-attacks and yet still fall victim to hackers. No system is 100% impenetrable, but small business owners who don’t have any security measures in place are putting a big red target on their backs.
If you don’t have a cybersecurity system in place, or if you do and someone else is managing it but you’d like a second opinion, we offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment. This assessment will go over every area of your network to identify if and where you are vulnerable to an attack and propose solutions to fix it.
Click here to book your Security Risk Assessment with one of our cybersecurity experts, or call our office at 216-800-7800.
What is bad IT support costing your business?

What is bad IT support costing your business?

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Newsletter

In our technology-driven world, efficient IT support is the backbone of any successful business. From ensuring seamless operations to safeguarding sensitive data, reliable IT services are crucial for maintaining productivity and protecting your bottom line. However, not all IT support is created equal, and the cost of settling for subpar services can result in expensive consequences for your business. Bad IT service can negatively affect employee productivity, customer happiness and operational efficiency and quickly eat into your profits. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the hidden costs of bad IT support and how it could be impacting your business in ways you might not have considered.

 

Unresolved Recurring Issues

IT issues that aren’t properly resolved are like untreated wounds that fester over time. For example, one person’s poor password habits can become a company-wide issue that later results in an expensive ransomware attack when a hacker finds a weak link.

Recurring IT issues also drain company resources. Without addressing the root cause of the issues, the problems will persist, leading to ongoing costs.

 

Sloppy Systems And Processes

Your IT team can take tasks off your plate, like getting new employees access to the files, software and programs they need to do their job and revoking access when an employee leaves the company. If the procedures are not followed or outlined properly, your company’s processes will not run as efficiently as they should, costing you time and money, and it could open up big security risks to your company.

 

Unexpected Downtime

Operational inefficiencies aside, what’s the cost if you CAN’T do business? Not just the loss of potential sales, but the cost of employees sitting stagnant, staring at the wall and scrolling on their phones while your IT guy is trying to get your network back up.

If you have 20 employees at an average pay of $25 an hour and your system is down for three hours, you might as well light $1,500 on fire. Now, what if this is happening one, two, even three or more times a month? Add in the potential loss of sales and fees for emergency IT support, and the total for each outage will quickly add up to a sizable chunk of change you’re letting fall right through your pocket.

 

Security Breaches

If a negligent or inexperienced IT professional leaves gaps in your security system, you could be vulnerable to a cyber-attack. There is no limit to what this could cost your business if client data or financial data is leaked, stolen or exploited. Legal fees, fines and downtime from cyber-attacks have put thousands of companies out of business because the owners weren’t able to get out from under them. It is critical to the future of your business that you work with an IT professional who knows what you need to be compliant in your industry and secure from the latest threats.

 

These issues are only the tip of the iceberg. If you’d like us to take a closer look at what you’re getting for what you’re paying, to make sure you’re not exposed to risks and are operating as efficiently as possible, we’re happy to do so.

 

To schedule a free 10-minute discovery call to see how we can get rid of your tech issues once and for all, go to https://go.appointmentcore.com/book or call us at 216-800-7800.