By -- 2018-07-30 in Blog

Understanding Ransomware: Protecting Your Data

The Threat of Ransomware

At some point, you’ve likely seen or heard about someone being kidnapped and held for ransom in a Hollywood movie or news story. While the chances of someone you care about being physically kidnapped are slim, the same cannot be said for your computer data. Data kidnapping—commonly known as ransomware—is a growing threat that could impact you or your business.

The Rise of Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware has become one of the most prevalent forms of cyberattacks, with a staggering 231% increase between 2016 and 2017. Despite this alarming growth, a study by AVG reveals that about one in three small business owners are unaware of ransomware or how to protect themselves. Considering the high costs associated with these attacks, this lack of awareness is concerning. Understanding how ransomware attacks are orchestrated and learning effective prevention strategies are crucial for safeguarding your business.

How Do Ransomware Attacks Happen?

Exploiting System Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals often exploit system vulnerabilities to launch ransomware attacks. These vulnerabilities may include:

  • Outdated software
  • Error messages related to maintenance and upgrades
  • Insecure websites

Prevention Tips:

  • Regularly update your software.
  • Disable error messages from displaying publicly and access them through your website’s backend or a php.ini file.
  • Ensure your company’s website uses HTTPS for secure communication.

Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are another common tactic used by cybercriminals. These emails often contain attachments or links that, when clicked, grant the attackers access to your data.

Prevention Tips:

  • Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unfamiliar or suspicious emails.
  • Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and follow the same precautions.

The Importance of Data Backups

The most effective way to mitigate ransomware threats is by regularly backing up your data. With backed-up data, cybercriminals lose their leverage. For example, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency avoided paying a $73,000 ransom because they had robust data backups, though the attack still cost them millions in other expenses. For small businesses, such costs can be devastating.

Protect Your Organization

If you’re unsure about your organization’s level of protection against ransomware or need guidance on improving your cybersecurity, contact us at 703-790-0400 or visit us at www.optfinity.com. Taking proactive steps today can save you significant trouble and expense in the future.

By -- 2018-07-6 in Blog

Streamlining Your Business with CRM Systems: Why Now Is the Time to Make the Switch

Gone are the days of managing your business operations through a maze of separate folders and spreadsheets. According to a recent CNET article, more businesses than ever are embracing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to streamline their operations. These tools offer a centralized platform for organizing all your business information, making your processes more efficient and improving customer experiences.

Why Are Some Business Owners Hesitant to Adopt CRM Technology?

With so many undeniable benefits, why are some business owners still hesitant to adopt CRM technology? The hesitation often stems from concerns about implementation and maintenance. Business owners might worry about how to troubleshoot issues or what to do if something goes wrong after the system is in place.

How OptfinITy Can Help You Implement and Manage CRM Systems

At OptfinITy, we understand these concerns and are here to help. If you’re looking to enhance your business operations but feel unsure about where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Not only can we assist in implementing CRM tools tailored to your needs, but we also provide 24/7 support to ensure everything runs smoothly. This allows you to focus on growing your business without the stress of managing the technical side.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re considering implementing a CRM system for the first time or already have one and need expert management, OptfinITy is here to help. Contact us today at 703-790-0400 or visit us online at www.optfinity.com to learn more about how we can support your business.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Don’t let outdated systems hold you back. Start working smarter with a CRM system backed by reliable support!

By -- 2018-06-30 in Blog

Young women using computer, Cyber security concept.

According to a recent TechRepublic article, browsers are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks than any other form of software being used in businesses today. If you want to be sure to keep your data and information protected from hackers, it is advisable to take the following actions:

  1. Only allow use of reputable business-related plug-ins and extensions such as Java or Flash, as this will avoid the risk of exposing your browser due to security flaws that are common in less reputable, non-business-related plug-ins.
  2. Ensure you have a Java security configuration that works best for your servers and workstations and stay on top of updates.
  3. Beware of malicious pop-up ads. These commonly appear in forms of messages that suggest your computer has a virus and prompt you to download antivirus software. An easy solution is to configure your browser to block pop-up ads, but it is recommended to have an option available to display them at will, as they are sometimes needed for legitimate websites to function properly.
  4. Be sure to establish all settings and ensure they remain in place from a centralized point of management. This ensures that the settings you have in place will not be changed by employees and put the company’s browser at risk.
  5. Since browser-based threats don’t necessarily use files, they often go undetected. Therefore, stay up to date on the latest cybersecurity technology. Be sure to analyze all code in real time and test for suspicious code using a filtered approach that analyzes more than just downloaded files and attachments.

If you are worried you don’t have the expertise to handle these issues, OptfinITy can help. For more information or to get answers to your questions regarding keeping your browser secure and safe, give us a call at 703-790-0400 or visit our website at www.optfinity.com.

By -- 2018-06-30 in OptfinITy News

OptfinITy Ranked Among Top 501 Global Managed Service Providers for third Straight Year

11th Annual MSP 501 Identifies World’s Most Forward-Thinking MSPs & Leading Trends in Managed Services

June 29, 2018: OptfinITy ranks among the world’s 501 most strategic and innovative managed service providers (MSPs), according to Channel Futures 11th-annual MSP 501 Worldwide Company Rankings.

The MSP 501 is the first, largest and most comprehensive ranking of managed service providers worldwide. This year Channel Futures received a record number of submissions. Applications poured in from Europe, Asia, South America and beyond.

As it has for the last three years, Channel Futures teamed with Clarity Channel Advisors to evaluate these progressive and forward-leaning companies. MSPs were ranked according to our unique methodology, which recognizes that not all revenue streams are created equal. We weighted revenue figures according to how well the applicant’s business strategy anticipates trends in the fast-evolving channel ecosystem.

“I would like to thank Channel futures for once again recognizing all the fantastic work my OptfinITy colleagues do every day,” said Michael Drobnis, CEO of OptfinITy. “Our employee’s dedication, combined with dynamic growth-oriented customers is the reason we are who we are.”

Channel Futures is pleased to honor OptfinITy.

For the first time, Channel Futures will also name 10 special award winners, including MSP of the Year, CEO of the Year and one Lifetime Achievement Award for a career of excellence in the channel.

The MSP 501 winners and award recipients will be recognized at a special ceremony, held this year October 9-12 in Philadelphia, as well as in the Fall issue of Channel Partners Magazine.

“This year’s applicant pool was the largest and most diverse in the history of the survey, and our winners represent the health and progressivity of the managed services market,” says Kris Blackmon, Channel Futures content director and editor of the MSP 501. “They’re growing their revenue, expanding their customer influence and exploring new technology that will propel them for years to come.”

The full MSP 501 report, available this fall, will leverage applicant responses, interviews and historical data to identify business and technology trends in the IT channel. Highlights will include:

• Revenue growth and business models
• Hiring trends and workforce dynamics
• Business strategies
• Service deliverables
• Business tools and automation investmentsBackground

The 2018 MSP 501 list is based on data collected by Channel Futures and its sister site, Channel Partners. Data was collected online from Feb. 28 through May 31, 2018. The MSP 501 list recognizes top managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, growth and other factors.

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. Headquartered outside of Washington, DC, OptfinITy services clients throughout the United States.

About Informa

Channel Futures, Channel Partners Online, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution are part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

By -- 2018-04-30 in Blog

Group of people working in a modern board room with augmented reality interface, all objects in the scene are 3D

Does your business have a spare $2 million around to fix your computer problems when you get the next Ransomware attack? 

As you may have seen in the news, the city of Atlanta, George recently became a victim of the SamSam ransomware, shutting down operational systems. Unlike most ransomware, SamSam indiscriminately searches the internet for vulnerable servers by looking for weak passwords or passwords that rarely get changed and then infecting the system. While Atlanta didn’t pay the ransom, the cost to remediate the issue was calculated at $2,667,328 according to this ZDNET article.

While your business may require less than the city to remediate your problem, there are things you can do today to make sure that Ransomware doesn’t hurt your organization. This includes changing and using complex passwords, updating security patches, installing the proper security equipment and educating your employees.

For more information on some of the things you can do, give us a call and we can provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation assessments. We can be reached at 703-790-0400 or on the web at www.optfinity.com.

By -- 2018-04-25 in Blog

According to a recent CNET article, cybercrime is now costing businesses as much as $600 billion.  In fact, the most recent Ransomeware attack costs millions of dollars to the city of Atlanta to recover from that attack.   So what does a small business or non-profit organization do?

The most important thing you can do is to make sure you have a Great backup.  Not just a backup but a backup which automatically checks to make sure that the backup works.  You also should have in place the proper security software and devices and even more importantly, the proper training program for your employees on what to avoid.

If you are unsure of what you are doing to keep you organization safe and would like a free security assessment, please give us a call at 703-790-0400 or on the web at www.optfinity.com. Don’t wait until a threat strikes.

By -- 2018-02-28 in Uncategorized

Springfield, VA, February 27, 2018 – OptfinITy, Washington, DC’s leading provider of IT Services, announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, named OptfinITy to its 2018 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category. This annual list highlights North American solution providers who deliver cutting-edge approaches to managed services. These companies help businesses navigate the complex and ever-changing IT landscape, improve operational efficiencies, and maximize returns on IT investments.

In today’s fast-paced business environments, MSPs play a crucial role in helping companies adopt new technologies without straining budgets or losing focus on core business functions. CRN’s MSP 500 list showcases the most forward-thinking and innovative organizations in the managed services space.

The list categorizes honorees into three groups: the MSP Pioneer 250, which highlights companies with business models emphasizing managed services for the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, which features large, data center-focused MSPs offering a strong mix of on-premises and off-premises services; and the Managed Security 100, which includes MSPs specializing in cloud-based security services.

“Managed service providers now play an essential role in the success of businesses everywhere, both large and small,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “Capable MSPs help businesses elevate their cloud computing capabilities, streamline spending, allocate resources effectively, and navigate a vast field of available technologies. The companies on CRN’s 2018 MSP 500 list distinguish themselves through their innovative services, ability to adapt to customers’ changing needs, and expertise in helping businesses maximize their IT investments.”

CRN features the MSP 500 list in its February 2018 issue and online at www.CRN.com/msp500.

By -- 2018-02-8 in Blog

Making sure your website is updated with the latest patches is very important as new vulnerabilities are discovered almost daily – so what happens when the latest update stops your updates from working?

On Monday, WordPress released version 4.9.3. The very next day, WordPress released version 4.9.4. Although version 4.9.3 fixed 34 bugs, it also introduced a new bug that prevents automatic background updates from updating automatically! This bug causes WordPress to encounter an error when attempting to update itself to the latest version.

Four years ago, WordPress added the self-update feature allowing users to keep their website secure and bug-free so users have not had to think about updates. This means that there are millions of unmanaged WordPress sites that expect their site to automatically update itself.

So, if you are an admin of a website running WordPress, make sure to update now or if you need help with your website, give OptfinITy a call at 703-790-0400.

By -- 2017-11-16 in Blog

It’s the Holiday Season once again, but remember it is also a holiday for the bad guys as well, but not in the way you might think. Hackers go into scam-overdrive mode during this time of the year to prey on the heavy shopping done by consumers. This time of year is the busiest for on-line shopping and scammers are out to get rich off of your money. So what should you look out for?

There are too-good-to-be-true coupons that offer free or discounted phones, tablets, and countless other cool items all over websites and social media; don’t fall for them! Make sure the offers are from a legitimate company. While you’re at it, watch out for alerts via email or text informing you that you just received a package from FedEx, UPS or the US Mail.  These notifications will then ask you for some personal information; don’t be fooled into giving them anything!

The price of security, especially now, is constant alertness and willingness to fight back. Remember to only use credit cards online, never debit cards, as your liability is limited with a credit card and the money does not come straight out of your bank account. Be super-wary of spam email with crazy good BUY NOW offers and anything which looks slightly “off”.  Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  And if you’re still wanting to take advantage of that offer, double check with the company directly.

If you think you might have been scammed, stay calm and call your credit card company right away, nix that card, and get a new one.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.

By -- 2017-11-6 in OptfinITy News

 

November 6, 2017 – OptfinITy, the DC areas Leading IT Provider for Small Business and Non-Profit Associations announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named OptfinITy to its 2017 Next-Gen 250 list. The annual list recognizes standout IT solution providers who have successfully transformed their businesses to meet the demands of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, virtualization, mobility, business analytics and business intelligence. These solution providers, all in business for fewer than 20 years, have adapted to an evolving marketplace with a notable penchant for bringing key technologies to their clients before they become mainstream.

OptfinITy believes Cyber Security and Business Continuity will be one of the greatest challenges organizations will face this year and going forward. It is necessary for smaller organizations to partner with the proper provider to make sure that they not only have a proper security plan in place but a plan that helps them recover should a cyber event occur. We’re honored to be added to the Next-Gen 250 list of companies who will help organizations face these challenges,” says Michael Drobnis, Founder & CEO of OptfinITy.

This group of solution providers is leading the way when it comes to emerging technologies, bravely stepping into the uncharted territory of next-generation IT solutions ahead of their peers, said Robert Faletra, CEO of The Channel Company. Our 2017 Next-Gen 250 list is comprised of relatively new companies as well as established ones, all sharing the common thread of successful, trailblazing solutions designed to meet an unprecedented set of customer needs. We congratulate each team on its vision and contribution to the overall advancement of the IT channel.

 

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com