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.

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.

The Hidden Threat to Wireless Networks

Most of us use wireless networks (Wi-Fi) daily, but many don’t realize that every wireless device is at risk of being hijacked. Wireless networks initially relied on a protocol called WEP, which proved insecure. This led to the development of WPA2. While WPA2 was designed to protect networks and devices, a newly discovered vulnerability, “KRACK” (Key Reinstallation Attack), has exposed its flaws.

What is KRACK?

KRACK allows hackers to eavesdrop on compromised network traffic. To exploit this vulnerability, hackers must be within physical range of a device. Once connected, they can decrypt network traffic, hijack connections, and inject content into the traffic stream. This threat doesn’t come from overseas hackers but from individuals who could be nearby, such as someone at a cafe or outside your office.

Secured Connections Offer Some Protection

The good news is that connections between your device and secured websites, such as your bank, remain safe. These sites use HTTPS, which adds an extra layer of protection. Additionally, because the vulnerability exists at the software level, fixing it is straightforward. Major vendors, including Microsoft, have already released patches to address this issue.

Steps to Protect Your Devices

Update Your Devices

Ensure all wireless devices have the latest security patches. This includes desktops, laptops, routers, wireless access points, and mobile phones. Businesses should rely on trusted IT management companies to handle device updates and maintain ongoing security. Optfinity has already updated or is in the process of updating all client devices to safeguard against KRACK.

Practice Safe Browsing in Public

When using public Wi-Fi, switch to your cellular data network or use your phone as a password-protected hotspot. If that’s not possible, use a VPN to secure your connection and limit your exposure to hacking.

Stay Informed and Protected

For more information on protecting your devices, sign up for our newsletter or contact us for a free security assessment. Reach us at sales@optfinity.com or call 703-790-0400.

Voice over Internet Protocol, more often referred to as VoIP or Voice over IP is a technology that utilizes your internet connection to make and receive phone calls. VoIP is a popular technology option among small to medium sized business to replace their traditional phone system or landlines since it provides more features and cost benefits.

These added features and benefits are possible because VoIP utilizes software on servers meaning that features can be developed and added as new technology develops.  We’ll discuss the benefits and features of VoIP that traditional phone lines lack and why they’re important to businesses.

Extra Features

VoIP has a few extra features that regular landlines don’t. In addition to making/receiving calls, transferring calls and voicemail, VoIP also has caller ID, video conferencing and phone extensions. A VoIP feature that really impresses users is the ability to have your phone extension at your desk or on your mobile phone. For companies that have remote users or people constantly out in the field, it’s a big plus.

Enhanced Flexibility

VoIP’s flexibility makes it compatible with almost all networks and can be used over WiFi! It can use data types in different combinations to make and route calls, a tool that can be extremely useful when developing and deploying applications across various computers.  This flexibility greatly diminishes any need to worry about incompatibility and can support many types of communication.

Real-time Faxing

Setting up and maintaining long distance fax services can be more expensive than what it’s worth, not to mention the less than stellar data quality. The traditional fax service is also faced with equipment incompatibility causing more delays in the process. VoIP can replace your fax machine altogether with a fax interface by converting the data into packets to deliver data faster and more reliably.

Cost Benefits

Traditional landlines are more expensive than internet calling lines, so utilizing VoIP can help you reduce long distance calling costs.  Since it is scalable, you can adjust your plan to fit your business needs by adding or removing features and lines as needed.

OptfinITy has partnerships with many different VoIP providers. We can compare different providers with what you need and find a solution that is perfect for you. If you have any questions or are interested in switching to VoIP, give us a call!

Spear phishing campaigns make up 90% of cyberattacks and most employees are still unable to discern these scams from innocent emails. If you want to improve your company’s cybersecurity education, you might want to consider phishing your own staff.

Before making the campaign public, companies should take a baseline measurement of how employees react to one of the phishing exercises, according to Carl Leonard, principal security analyst at Forcepoint. Then, you have a metric to measure improvement against.

“A company’s most accurate results will arise from tests conducted when employees have not been forewarned,” Leonard said. “Ideally, they will be in a typical frame of mind and not in a heightened state of alertness knowing that a test will be conducted soon. This allows companies to more accurately baseline current status.”

While there are many options out there, a company can do this for free by designing their own emails to mimic a phishing attack and utilize their current software or exchange platform to track metrics. But if you don’t have the time or knowhow to accomplish this, Optfinity has a solution for you.

Through our relationship with KnowBe4, we can send out customized phishing emails and scams, gather the information, track their performance, and send regular reports. Training is also provided in this package, both before and after they are alerted to the software. If you have more questions about this topic or want a free assessment, contact Optfinity today!

5 Features You Never Knew Existed

1. Window Shake and Shrink
If you’ve ever worked within multiple Microsoft® windows, you know that bouncing back and forth between them can be a pain. To fix this, click on and hold the title bar of a program and give it a little shake with your mouse. All other windows will minimize, and the one that you tossed around like an old polaroid photo will remain in the foreground. Go on and try it!

2. Problem Steps Recorder
This tool can be used to record your screens and document the steps taken for a specific task. With this feature, you can create how-to videos or document the process taken toward something for you or someone else to refer to later. From the Start Menu, click in the search bar and type “psr,” then press Enter. You will see this program open, and all you have to do is click record. From there, you can go ahead and work through your task, and this application will record all of the steps taken. It’s for sure a true hidden gem for Windows!

3. Calculator
Many people underestimate the functionality of the calculator tool. Sure, you can use it for simple operations, but what about easily finding out how much your mortgage payment will be? Or how much your vehicle will cost you after interest? Open up the Calculator, click “View,” then hover your mouse over “Worksheets”. You’re welcome!

4. Pin to Taskbar
This is a simple one, but it really comes in handy. At the bottom part of your screen, to the right of the Start Menu, is called the taskbar. You can place or pin commonly used programs to it to easily launch when needed. If the program is already open, simply right click on the logo in the taskbar and choose “Pin to Taskbar.” You can also do this from the Start Menu by right clicking on the program name and choosing the same option.

5. The Windows+T
Now that you have your taskbar customized, hold down the Windows button on your keyboard and press T. This will navigate you through all open and unopened programs on the taskbar. Once the one that you want is highlighted, open or display it by simply pressing Enter.

While the linked article focuses on the need for security teams to think like criminals, leverage Artificial Intelligence technology, and understand that machine learning will lead to more jobs, the important part for you is to know that you need to invest well in cybersecurity to keep yourself and your business safe, whereas a cybercriminal only needs to get lucky once.

This main point cannot be over-emphasized enough. Many small businesses and organizations will put the bare minimum into their technology security and back-up, assuming that the issue of being hacked is something to be dealt with when the time comes.

What many don’t understand is it is too late once you’re the victim to be able to mitigate the problem and it will cost you more than it would have if you were proactive instead of reactive.

Can your business or organization survive without your computers and data for more than a week? What would happen if your clients’ data were violated and news got out that your business was compromised? Large retailers often face backlash and a loss of revenue, but they are so big, they can ride out the storm.

Having a reliable and trusted IT company looking after your needs and ensuring your safety should be your number one concern.

If you really want to know how secure or vulnerable your systems are, contact Optfinity today. We provide no-cost, no-obligation assessments on virtually any technology aspect you can think of. We would love the opportunity to sit down with you and give you sound advice, whether you choose to rely on us or not for your IT needs. This is too important an issue to worry about sales or numbers. We honestly care more about your business’ well-being and the technological security of your whole team.