Browser Security Best Practices

January 16, 2024 Security No comments yet
browser security best practices

Key Takeaways:

  • Install Antivirus Software: Relying solely on your browser’s built-in security is insufficient; installing antivirus software is essential.
  • Use HTTPS Websites: Always opt for “https” websites over “http” for secure browsing and better protection against malware.
  • Regular Software Updates: Keep your browser updated to ensure the latest security features are in place.

The Internet has increasingly become an especially important tool for you at home and at work. Most of the time it works out just as it is supposed to. You open it up, read emails, check a few social media accounts, and perform whatever work you need to. In a perfect world, you’d never have an issue with your Internet browser or visiting different websites.

However, it isn’t a perfect world and there are people out there who are always going to try and steal personal information, siphon off financial data, or just be a pain in the backside and push junk files onto your computer that effectively renders it useless. With so many threats out there what exactly are you supposed to do? By following a handful of these browser security best practices you will have the necessary knowledge to avoid the majority of malware, viruses, and cybercriminals out there.

Install Anti-Virus Security

Far too many people rely on their Internet browsers to block out malware and suspicious activity. While Internet browsers do play a role in your Internet security, it is a small role, and navigating past the thin firewall of your browser isn’t all too tricky. You need to have some kind of antivirus software installed on your computer.

And yes, this includes Macs. There is that common line of “Macs don’t get viruses,” but that simply is not true at all. When creating malware or a virus a cybercriminal needs to design it for either Windows or Mac because the file system runs differently. Because Windows computers are more prevalent a criminal is more likely to create one for a Windows computer, but that doesn’t mean Mac viruses and malware doesn’t exist. Your Mac computer can just as easily be infected, so protect yourself and your computer by installing anti-virus security and not completely relying on the browser to do all the dirty work.

Update Your Browser

You know that little pop-up that appears on your computer, informing you an update is ready? Well, stop clicking out of it or telling it to come back tomorrow. You need to update your software. Software updates will update the security of your browser. Without the update, your computer becomes more and more vulnerable. It will only take a few minutes to process the update, as one of the browser security best practices you need to make sure and install these updates.

Make Sure To Use HTTPS

Avoid using regular “HTTP” addresses. Instead, you want to head over to the “https” websites. That little “s” on the tail end is very important. It stands for secure and it means the website you’re visiting is protected and your browser is able to verify the protection. Most major websites have an https address (don’t worry, it isn’t any different than the regular one). It may take a fraction of a second longer to load as your Internet browser needs to authenticate it, but it is well worth the fraction of a second you need to wait. Regular HTTP websites can be infected with malware. There might be viruses attached to images or links embedded into the page. With an HTTPS you at least know what you’re clicking on is secure.

Scan All Downloads

After you download a file from your computer you will want to scan it for viruses. Even if the file comes from a known source you never know what kind of malware might leach onto it. This is especially true if someone is emailing you a file you need to download. If their computer is infected, and they email you something that email attachment might have a smaller rider that can infect your computer system. Due to this, even if you trust the sender you need to scan the download. You can set up your anti-virus software to scan the downloads automatically, this way you don’t need to manually do it. File downloads and opening material sent via email is one of the most common ways your computer will become infected. By scanning all the files you’ll avoid most of the issues sent your way.

Change Up Your Passwords

You know how you’ve been using the same passwords since high school? Those three variations of passwords that haven’t changed much over the years? Maybe you have one that ends with two numbers and another version with a capital letter tossed in there in order to meet the minimum password requirements. Well, it’s time for you to change your passwords.

One form of malware someone might have on your computer is a keystroke monitor. With this kind of malware a cybercriminal can actually monitor your keystrokes. Now, you probably type a million different keys over the course of a few weeks, so they won’t want to spend the time sifting through every keystroke. However, if it looks like what is being typed in is a password (such as after you type in a specific website address) it does become easier to steal off your password. Due to this, you need to regularly change up your password and do so with all of your accounts. This will help prevent outsiders from accessing your important data.

Take Back Your Computer

Have you been infected with malware? Has the blue screen of death popped up on your screen? Perhaps your system is running slowly and you’re not really sure why. Chances are, you have some kind of malware, bloatware, virus, or other files installed that you need to be removed right away. No matter the kind of computer you use or the operating system, now that you know some of these browser security best practices, you can begin incorporating them into your computer system. If, however, you’re still running into problems or your system is already infected you will want to contact the team at Charlotte IT Solutions. From helping single computers to entire networks, the team can help make sure every computer is properly safeguarded (and cleaned) from malware.

Read More

All Thing BYOD Policy: From Security To Own Device Management Solutions

January 16, 2024 Security No comments yet
BYOD policy

One of the most effective ways to provide more flexibility when it comes to employees having more ways to do work is by allowing them to access company systems and data on their own devices.

Whether it’s checking email, instant messages, or just the status of a system outside office hours, there are plenty of ways employees could make use of their own smartphones.

But operating system vulnerabilities pose security risks to your corporate network and data, which is why you need to carefully plan out a BYOD policy.

Let me show you what’s involved.

Read More

Signs of Malware on your Computer

January 15, 2024 Security No comments yet
signs of malware on your computer

Key Takeaways:

  • Sluggish Performance: If your computer is suddenly slow, it could indicate malware running in the background.
  • Unusual Storage Consumption: A rapidly filling hard drive without adding large files may signal malware creating unwanted data.
  • Unwanted Spam: If your friends receive spam emails or messages from your accounts, malware could be involved.

What are Signs of Malware?

Malware. The very word is enough to send a shiver down the spine of computer users everywhere. The thought of an infected computer is both frustrating and angering. Most people are doing nothing wrong when they are infected with malware. They might simply end up on a website that is infested. It could be from an email account they open that then leaches the malware onto their computer. It could be from opening a pop-up window that says they need to update their Adobe settings. However, malware might strike, once it does it is important to track down and kill every last infected file on the computer. But how do you know there is an issue in the first place? Here are some of the top signs of malware on your computer.

Slower Computer

Is your computer suddenly acting slow? Now, there can be a number of reasons behind this. The hard drive space may be filling up, or your Internet browsers may be bogged down with gigabytes worth of cookies (which you should clear out routinely). However, if you clear out the files collected by your browsers and your hard drive still has plenty of room and yet the computer still acts slowly there is a good chance you have some kind of malware files looking in the background. Whenever you suspect there is something wrong with your computer you should begin a system scan. The sooner you act on the issue the easier it is to stop the malware from spreading on your hard drive (and possibly stealing confidential information).

No Storage Space

You should have a good idea as to how much storage space you have on your computer, so if it’s constantly filling up despite you not adding much in the way of new files there’s likely a problem. If you’re not creating new files something else is. Yes, there are programs you’re using that may be creating backups that take up large amounts of space.

If you do anything in video editing programs or used Adobe programs (such as Illustrator or After Effects) these programs will often create backups that can take up giant chunks of hard drive space. Even your Internet browser may take up a good amount of space if you haven’t cleared out the bits of cookies and other downloaded files websites have left behind (these are usually just a few bits in size, but when you consider every single website you visit leaves something behind it can really add up over time).

If you are not using any of those kinds of large file-generating programs and yet you’re still running out of space there is a chance you have malware bloating up your computer. You don’t want malware filling up your hard drive so you’ll need to be progressive and have the malware removed.

Blue Screen

This is mostly a Windows computer (Mac systems don’t have that blue screen of death). But when you boot up a computer does it not bring up Windows but instead a blue screen? The screen will have all kinds of strange information listed. Whatever is listed, if you’re seeing a blue screen it’s not good. The best thing to do here is to boot up your computer in safe mode, but even then there isn’t much you can do on your own. In order to rid your computer of malware in safe mode, you need to manually track down the malware. When this happens it is best to go to the professionals.

Overactive Computer

Is your computer hard drive heating up (it’s easy to determine this with a laptop)? Is the model clicking away, demonstrating that it is busy but you are not running any real programs? If your hard drive is working and so is your modem, and yet you’re not doing anything, it means something else in the background is working. If you’re not the one doing the work then there’s a chance it could be malware running in the background. You will want to bring up the task manager to see what is running in the background. Sometimes it is a program you approve but it has a setting that lets it work in the background. Other times, it is an unknown file running. When the task manager shows you what’s running and you don’t know what it is, now is the time to have it checked out.

However, unless you know for sure, don’t just go deleting random files. Just because you don’t know what it is doesn’t mean it isn’t essential to your computer. Blasting away at files blindly is a good way to remove crucial files your computer, operating system, and vital programs need. So while these are possible signs of malware on your computer, you will want to be careful.

Friend Tells You They Received Spam

If a friend contacts you and says you sent out spam, either through social media or via email, and you know you didn’t send it out yourself, it is one of the signs of malware on your computer. While the spam could have come from your phone or another source where you access your social media and emails, you will want to have your system scanned for possible malware.

Correct Your Malware Issue Today

These are just some of the signs of malware on your computer. If you believe your computer or your network has been infected you need to take action as quickly as possible. Anti-malware software can help, but once you’re infected it might be too late for this over-the-counter solution. It may be time to bring in the big guns. With the help of Charlotte IT Solutions you will have your computer cleaned, swept, and every trace of malware removed. So, if you’re ready to take action or have questions about how to better protect your computer from future malware threats, now is the time to contact the team at Charlotte IT Solutions.

Read More

Your Law Firm Data Security & Why You Need an MSP

January 15, 2024 Compliance, Security No comments yet
law firm data security

Key Takeaways:

  • Security Audits: Regular audits by a managed service provider (MSP) help identify potential threats and vulnerabilities in the network.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: MSPs provide constant network monitoring to detect and address unusual activity or potential cyberattacks.
  • Disaster Recovery: An MSP ensures that law firms have backups and disaster recovery plans in place to protect client data in case of system failures.

As a law firm, you work with confidential information all the time. Everything that is said between you and your client stays between you and your client. While much of this is word of mouth, you and your staff likely have extensive records and research stored on computers. However, whether you store the data on local hard drives or in the cloud, it is critical you do everything in your power to keep this information protected. That is where law firm data security comes in.

Small businesses are at constant threat of phishing scams and data siphoning from outside sources. In the event of a data leak, this confidential information might make it out onto the Internet. Or even worse, into the hands of others who may attempt to extort your firm or your clients. Whatever happens on the back end it puts your firm directly in the crosshairs of all kinds of problems. Not to mention, future clients will likely look elsewhere. They won’t want to work with a firm that has leaky data services. To avoid these kinds of issues you need to invest in an MSP.

Here are a handful of reasons why your law firm data security is better off in the hands of a managed IT service provider.

Security Audit

When was the last time you took a full invoice of your network security? Maybe when you signed up for the cloud service provider? Perhaps when you installed the last computer update handed down to you by your operating system? This leaves you exposed to potential threats, and your network security is only as strong as the weakest link. With a managed IT service provider such as Charlotte IT Solutions, your entire network is regularly audited. This way, the MSP can identify threats faster. It is far better to identify a problem before the problem comes to you.

Real-Time Monitoring

An MSP is able to perform real-time monitoring over your network. There will be times when unusual amounts of traffic around your network spike. This can be a red flag for potential threats. However, your network may not function any differently, so your team on the inside will have no idea there’s a simmering threat on the outside. Like a king in his castle, if he doesn’t have a view of what is behind the walls he won’t know there’s an imminent attack.

With an MSP, there is real-time monitoring, which can help pinpoint when there might be a spike in network activity. It might be nothing, or there might be a small hole in the firewall and other protective measures around your network. With the help of real-time monitoring, the MSP can then move in and provide the necessary improvements and deterrents to keep you and your network safe from outside threats. This is something you simply wouldn’t have the ability to do without an IT professional always at your disposal.

Support Is Always Available

Along with real-time monitoring, you will at times need real-time support. Without an MSP if there is a problem with your network security or you’re running into some kind of issue you’ll be stuck attempting to troubleshoot the problem on your own. Even if the issue is minimal this can take hours out of your day. And, as a busy law firm, these are hours you just don’t have to waste. It can be pretty frustrating to have your entire network locked down for what turns out to be a very small issue.

With the help of an MSP like Charlotte IT Solutions, you’ll have real-time support. So if you’re struggling with something, have run into some kind of problem, or just need some basic help, all you need to do is pick up the phone and call. The MSP will either be right there or walk you through the method of correcting the issue remotely. They can also check the network through their own software to see what is going on. The staff can then make the necessary corrections or upgrades on their end. All of this will help save you a significant amount of time, which in turn will help save you money as well.

Disaster Recovery

While nobody likes to think of a worst-case situation, it is essential to plan for it. You never know when your entire network might crash or when all local storage drives are fried. A major electrical storm can cause more damage with a single bolt of lightning than just about anything else if you are not prepared for complete data loss. If your hard drives are ever fried, corrupted, or there is a problem with your cloud service provider, you will need to have access to all of your files via a different method. This is where your backup and disaster recovery comes in. An MSP will work with your law firm data security to make sure everything you have is regularly backed up and stored via another method. This way, if the worst-case situation does play out, you’ll still have access to all of your files and records.

Protect Your Firm And Your Clients

You do everything in your power to fight for your clients, to make sure they are properly represented, and receive the highest quality legal counsel around. However, all of this is for not if you have a data security breach and confidential records are lost online. Once anything is lost online it is nearly impossible to expunge the information from the depths of the world wide web. To avoid these kinds of catastrophic situations it is critical to turn your law firm data security over to an MSP.

Charlotte IT Solutions is here to help you with exactly that. No matter what kind of law you specialize in or how large your firm is, when it comes to law firm data security, now is the time to turn to the professionals. Charlotte IT Solutions is just a phone call away and is ready to help safeguard you and your clients.

Read More

Our Guide to All Things Mobile Device Security and Management

January 12, 2024 Mobile Device Management, Security No comments yet
Mobile Device Security and Management

The world of business has certainly changed over the years. Now, more than ever, employees and clients alike depend on mobile devices to stay on top of services and utilize better what your company offers.

Whether it is employees performing some of their work functions over a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, or you offer customers very specific mobile features to improve their own business, your ability to quickly and effectively provide updates while staying secure is a must.

All of this is possible with mobile device security management. But what is mobile device management, and why is it something you need to utilize within your own business? Here are the ins and outs of the service and why your company absolutely needs to harness its potential.

Read More
sidebar-graphic
FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR CURRENT IT PROVIDER? LET’S TALK.
Recent Blog Posts
Blog Categories