used with permission from Tektonika (HP), by Karen Gilleland “Gimme the dough—or you’ll never see your files again!” In this scenario, the thug in the mask is ransomware, and it’s only one of the ways cybercriminals attack businesses—which are often left vulnerable...
SpireTech Company News and Tips
Security
Warn your friends about tech support scams
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Amy Hebert Tech support scams, which get people to pay for fake computer help or steal their personal information, are convincing. You might already know the signs of a tech support scam, but do your friends and family? Here’s...
Don’t let the old hardware blues undermine office security
used with permission from Tektonika (HP), by Karen Gilleland Unlike fine wine, your cyber assets don’t get better with age. Any PC more than four years old is not only costly to keep, but it’s also hack-friendly tech that could pose serious office security risk. Old...
How to avoid a Bitcoin blackmail scam
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Cristina Miranda “I know about the secret you are keeping from your wife and everyone else. You can ignore this letter, or pay me a $8600 confidentiality fee in Bitcoin”. It’s enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, but these...
Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump
used with permission from FTC.gov, by Colleen Tressler With the summer travel season in high gear, the FTC is warning drivers about skimming scams at the pump. Skimmers are illegal card readers attached to payment terminals. These card readers grab data off a credit...
What are cookies?
used with permission from Norton by Symantec Mention “cookies” and most people expect a chocolate chip treat to appear. When talking about computers, however, cookies aren’t on the dropdown menu. In fact, they’re not even physical objects. Yet they do a great deal of...
Tackle internet safety today – it might be easier than you think
used with permission from Tektonika (HP) Information security breaches are becoming so commonplace, they’re seen as the cost of doing business—but they don’t have to be. Promoting internet safety and device security isn’t as hard as it might seem. By making small...
Safety-First Cyber Security Summer
Summer vacations and conferences often involve travel, and when you’re traveling it is best to keep in mind the additional risks and challenges for keeping data safe. Security essentials for your travels should include methods of protecting data online – think of it...
The effects of VPNFilter on SpireTech customers
At the end of May the Cisco Talos security team released information on a new attack on consumer network infrastructure. The attack affects dozens of models of routers commonly used in home and small business networks. It is estimated that over 500,000 devices have...
5 mobile threats you should shut down in 2018
used with permission from Tektonika (HP) Mobile devices are now a staple of the workplace, as ubiquitous as open floor plans and videoconferencing. Enabling employees to work from their mobile devices can even boost satisfaction, productivity, creativity, loyalty, and...
