How Cybercriminals are Using the Dark Web to Scam People From US Employee Benefits

By -- 2020-08-24 in Blog

Cybercriminals have been capitalizing on every virtual aspect of the coronavirus pandemic. Malware has been created to tap into the medical, financial, social, and even psychological repercussions of the outbreak.

In a blog post entitled Pandemic Unemployment Scams Made Easy, IntSigns notes that the dramatic rise in unemployment numbers has placed major stress on the people and processes managing unemployment benefits, giving scammers a more vulnerable target for exploitation.

Cybercrime forums on the Dark Web have been populated with conversations on unemployment benefits. IntSights researcher Yoav Harpaz Cohen said he found discussions around the benefits themselves, the regulations from each state, and the steps required to claim the benefits, according to the report.

Typically, most data extracted is paid and bought on the Dark Web

While the Dark Web is filled with illegal activity, there are things you can do to keep your organization safe.   For more information on the dark web and what you can do, join one of our upcoming webinars or contact  us at (703)790-0400 or email us at info@optfinity.com

FBI Warns Companies Still Using Windows 7 After End of Life

By -- 2020-08-11 in Blog

The Federal Bureau of Investigation sent a private industry notification on Monday to partners in the US private sector about the dangers of continuing to use Windows 7 after the operating system reached its official end-of-life earlier this year. The notification mentions that cyber criminals are now targeting computer networks after an operating system achieves end of life since the vulnerability is much more exposed. Continuing use of Windows 7 within your company could  provide criminals with easier access to your computer systems  due to the lack of updates and security. The FBI warns that criminals view Windows 7 as a soft target and isurging companies to consider upgrading their workstations to newer versions of the Windows Operating systems.

Although Windows 7 end of life has occurred early July, 2020, several companies have yet to upgrade. On January 14, 2020, OptfinITY released postcards all over the Virginia district to warn businesses of the dangers of refusing to upgrade to Windows 10 or server 2019. Luckily, we are still willing to help. If your business needs a security update, OptfinITy offers services that will provide security and managed 24 hour IT services. Call us at (703)790-0400 or email us at info@optfinity.com to learn more.

Twitter Speculates on How Thousands of High Profile Accounts were Hacked

By -- 2020-08-4 in Blog

Twitter has finally released information on the hack it suffered earlier in July where high profile accounts were breached, and hijacked to post cryptocurrency scams.
Victims of the attack, which was perpetrated by hackers with access to Twitter’s internal account management support tools, included Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Kanye West.
Twitter’s latest update on the incident includes further information about how hackers were able to breach its security, and rejects the notion that an employee deliberately assisted stating:

The social engineering that occurred on July 15, 2020, targeted a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack. A successful attack required the attackers to obtain access to both our internal network as well as specific employee credentials that granted them access to our internal support tools.

The Twitter employee or contractor, thinking they were speaking to a legitimate support person authorized to have access to information is likely to have revealed more details on the phone than they would via email or a conventional phishing website, providing access to the information

 

This could be equally as possible that the conversation is initiated by a scammer calling the employee, perhaps using a VOIP phone service, and using caller ID spoofing to pretend to be ringing from a legitimate number, and seeming confident, or friendly enough, to be trusted.

 

At OptfinITy, we take cybersecurity seriously, which is why we offer each client several check-in meetings per year to ensure they are constantly updated on new phishing scams and remain as protected as possible. If you are interested in hearing more regarding our services, please call (703)790-0400 or email us at info@optfinity.com

 

OptfinITy Ranked Among World’s Most Elite 501

By -- 2020-07-30 in OptfinITy News

OptfinITy Ranked Among World’s Most Elite 501

Managed Service Providers

Annual MSP 501 Identifies Best-in-Class Global MSP Businesses

& Leading Trends in Managed Services

JULY 28, 2020: OptfinITy has been named as one of the world’s premier managed service providers on the prestigious 2020 annual Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings.

For the 13th year running, MSPs from around the globe completed an exhaustive survey and application this spring to self-report product offerings, annual total and recurring revenues, profits, revenue mix, growth opportunities and company and customer demographic information. Applicants are ranked on a unique methodology that weights revenue figures according to long-term health and viability; commitment to recurring revenue; and operational efficiency.

Channel Futures is pleased to name OptfinITy to the 2020 MSP 501.

 

“The Technology industry is a constantly changing and challenging industry and to have an organization like Channel Futures recognize us each year, is a testament to the work and service our hardworking team members provide our clients. ” said Michael Drobnis, CEO of OptfinITy.

In the 13 years since its inception, the MSP 501 has evolved from a competitive ranking list into a vibrant group of service providers, vendors, distributors, consultants and industry analysts working together to define the growing managed service opportunity.

“For the third year running, the applicant pool for the annual MSP 501 has grown year-over-year, making this year’s list the most competitive in the survey’s history,” says Kris Blackmon, Senior Content Director at Channel Partners and Channel Futures. “The MSP 501 leveraged judgement methodology brand-new in 2020 to drill down into not just what makes a big managed service provider, but what makes a great managed service provider. The 2020 winners are truly the best examples of innovation, business acumen and strategic savvy on the planet. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2020 winners and gratitude to the thousands of MSPs that have contributed to the continuing growth and success of both the 501 and the thriving managed services sector.”

About OptfinITy

OptfinITy offers a full suite of IT solutions including managed services, cloud and hosting solutions, application development, website development, mobile application development and phone systems while OptfinITy’s subsidiary, PerusITy, provides cyber security solutions to small and medium sized organizations. Headquartered outside of Washington, DC, OptfinITy services clients throughout the United States.

About Informa Tech

Channel Futures, Channel Partners Online, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution are part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in the Information and Communications (ICT) Technology sector. We help drive the future by inspiring the Technology community to design, build and run a better digital world through our market-leading research, media, training and event brands. Every year, we welcome 7,400+ subscribers to our research, more than 3.8 million unique visitors a month to our digital communities, 18,200+ students to our training programs and 225,000 delegates to our events.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Francis

Editor, Channel Futures & Channel Partners

Editor, MSP 501

Allison.Francis@informa.com

 

 

Suggested Social Media Accounts and Hashtags to Leverage 

  • Facebook: @ChannelFuturesMSP501
  • Twitter: @MSP_501
  • LinkedIn: MSP 501 Group
  • Instagram: @MSP_501
  • #MSP501
  • #501er

Chinese Malware Found Inside Required Business Software

By -- 2020-07-17 in Blog

Three weeks ago, security researchers detected and exposed a piece of malware lurking inside of tax software that the Chinese government requires companies to install. The evidence gathered reveals that the spy campaign showed that a separate piece of malware released equally sophisticated ways to infect the taxpayers in China. GoldenHelper, which is the name of the malware, conceals its behavior by hiding inside the Golden Tax Invoicing software which all companies that are registered in China are required to use to pay value-added taxes. Researchers found that the malware can bypass the User Account Control, the Windows Mechanism that requires the users to give permission before software can install programs or make any system changes.

GoldenHelper plays tricks to cover its existence and evade detection. These tricks include random generated filenames, random generation ‘creation’ and ‘last write’ timestamps, hardcoded logic that uses domain lookup data to control.” This discovery came to light three weeks after Trustwave exposed GoldenSpy, an advanced spyware that company researches found installed inside their network’s large multinational technology company.

Even technology companies have suffered with unwanted malware subtly placed within their systems. If you are worried that your business may be exposed to unwanted malware, please feel free to reach out to OptfinITy at (703)790-0400 or email us at info@opftinity.com

Warning Reveals that Hackers are Targeting Smartphones to Access Company Networks

By -- 2020-07-10 in Blog

According to a new cybersecurity study, there was an increase of 37% in phishing attacks that target smartphones in the just the first few months of 2020 . While those using laptops and desktops have been used to the threat of emails containing phishing campaigns, criminals setting their sights on IOS and Android devices with these attacks is relatively new. Specialist believe this is because it is more difficult to track phishing campaigns from smart phones, and also because people are most likely to open emails and messages on their phones than they are likely to open it within their email.

 

Believe it or not, many organizations are still unaware of the threat that phishing campaigns and ransomware poses on their businesses. That is why OptfinITy is here to educate and help businesses with the importance of cyber-security. For more information, please contact us at (703)-790-0400 or via email at info@optfinity.com

Microsoft Sacks Dozens of Employees to Be Replaced By Artificial Intelligence

By -- 2020-07-1 in Blog

Almost 30 journalists have been laid off this week after Microsoft announced that it will soon be implementing A.I. Software (aka Artificial intelligence) to replace journalists. Microsoft believes it will  no longer need to  employ people for editing, research, and choosing articles for their pages as the data collected by AI software has been able to provide the same service, while do so quicker, more accurate, and without a monthly salary.  Journalists who are capable of reporting and commenting on news will remain in their jobs.

Although Artificial intelligence software is removing the need for some jobs, it is also helping in many ways such as monitoring the dark web and enhancing security.  To see how AI can help your organization, give OptfinITy a call or email us at sales@optfinity.com.

Over 100,000 Cameras Reported to Have a Security Flaw Allowing Hackers Access to Live Footage

By -- 2020-06-25 in Blog

Do you have a camera within your organization?   Recent reports currently released show that certain brands of wireless cameras feature a security flaw that allows the opportunity for hackers to access people’s home network. Although the connected cameras are meant to issue a sense of security for its owners, it opens the door for malicious actors to compromise both their security and privacy. The cameras are manufactured by the Chinese firm, HiChip, and are extremely popular with individuals across the UK and other countries. Over 100,000 cameras sold across the UK have been confirmed to contain the security flaw.

 

The security flaw allows hackers to access live footage and access other devices connected to the home networks. It also allows hackers to eavesdrop, speak through the camera’s microphone and even pinpoint where the camera user lives. Reports also state that an attacker could still access your network and carry out malicious activity even if the user changes the password.

 

If you fear your business may be vulnerable to unknown security flaws, feel free to contact OptfinITy on (730)790-0400 or info@optfinity.com