Is Your Wi-Fi Router Putting You at Risk of Cyber-Attacks?

In a recent move, U.S. lawmakers raised alarms about the growing threat that Chinese-manufactured TP-Link Wi-Fi routers pose within the United States.

They focus on whether TP-Link, a leading manufacturer of SOHO (small office/home office) routers, threatens national security due to its vulnerabilities and connections to the Chinese government.

The Role of TP-Link in Cybersecurity Threats

Why do lawmakers feel concerned? This isn’t the first time cybersecurity experts and U.S. authorities have flagged TP-Link routers for their vulnerabilities.

Several high-profile cyberattacks have involved these devices, where Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, such as Volt Typhoon, exploited known vulnerabilities in TP-Link routers to infiltrate networks and launch attacks.

The escalating threat prompted a court-authorized operation to remove malware from TP-Link routers, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Investigators found malware, allegedly planted by Volt Typhoon, on hundreds of routers nationwide, highlighting the potential for these compromised devices to play a role in attacks on critical infrastructure.

Conclusion

If your office currently uses TP-Link routers, stay vigilant about the risks.

If you’d like a no-obligation technology consultation to identify any vulnerabilities in your network, email sales@optfinITy today to find out if you qualify.

Is your information lurking on the dark web?

A recent lawsuit has revealed a massive data breach, allegedly exposing the personal information of billions of individuals. Hackers reportedly gained access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, past and present addresses, and family member names.

This breach has the potential to enable identity theft, financial fraud, and even loan applications in the victims’ names.

The National Public Data Breach

The breach, which allegedly occurred in April 2024, was carried out by a hacker group called USDoD. The group is accused of stealing unencrypted data on 2.7 billion records, including individuals’ full names, Social Security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers.

This stolen information was initially put up for sale on the dark web for $3.5 million.

However, tech site Bleeping Computer later reported that the data had been leaked for free on a hacker forum.

How to Protect Yourself

If you believe your personal information may have been exposed in this breach, it’s important to take immediate action to protect yourself from potential identity theft and fraud. Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Freeze Your Credit: Place a freeze on your credit reports with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.

2. Monitor Your Financial Accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious activity.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Ensure that two-factor authentication is enabled on all your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification.

4. Consider Identity Protection Services: Identity theft protection services can help you monitor your information and alert you if your data appears on the dark web.

OptfinITy ensures that our clients are ahead of threats.. Learn more at  sales@optfinity.com or 703-790-0400.

Creating team and department sites on SharePoint for your organization is a fantastic way to foster a sense of community, keep up with important news and events, and collaborate on projects in real time. However, ensuring that your site is user friendly and aesthetically pleasing can improve employee engagement and maximize your ROI.

In this blog post, we are going to cover 5 SharePoint features you may not already be aware of that can take your SharePoint site to the next level.

Integrate Forms/Surveys to Increase User Engagement

If you’re not already using forms in your website pages, you are missing out on an opportunity to collect useful feedback from users. Polls/surveys can be implemented to collect valuable data, or can simply be used to generate a conversation within your site.

To locate the Microsoft Forms integration, navigate to Data analysis and find Microsoft Forms. From there, you can customize the survey/form and see it directly on your site page.

Use People Profiles/Organization Charts to Foster a Sense of Community:

People/profiles and organization charts are two ways to highlight members of your organization directly on your site page. Simply locate the Organization/People icons under the News, People, and Events tab and enter the emails of the people you wish to highlight.

The selected individuals will be directly visible on your site page. You can also customize the section with profile photos, role descriptions, and biographies.

Utilize Co-Authoring to Enhance Collaboration:

The Co-Authoring feature allows you and your collaborators to edit documents/files in real time.

To grant co-authoring access to someone within your organization, simply navigate to the file and right click, then select Share.

Recap Webinar: Mastering Microsoft SharePoint

For more SharePoint tips and tricks, download our webinar Mastering Microsoft SharePoint on demand.

If you have a credit score you wish you could change, it may be tempting to take a short cut – which scammers are counting on. The FTC is cracking down on a new fraudulent practice taking advantage of bad credit scores with falsely advertised credit repair services.

The FTC Case Against Fraudulent Credit Repair Services

According to the FTC, groups like the Financial Education Services, Inc. (FES) charged new customers hundreds of dollars in illegal upfront fees and provided them with form letters to send to credit reporting agencies to fix unfavorable credit scores.

Unfortunately, these do not usually lead to any material changes.

Deceptive practices like these give false hope and prey upon the emotions of consumers. Don’t fall victim – if something seems too good to be true, most of the time it is.

Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options

Some people turn to credit repair companies to help them address mistakes on their credit reports. It’s important to know your rights and understand that:

1. Disclosure of Rights and Costs: Credit repair companies must explain your legal rights and provide a detailed contract outlining total costs before they start working on your behalf.

2. No Upfront Fees: It’s illegal for these companies to charge you before they’ve provided any services.

Report Scams and Bad Practices

If you encounter any issues with a credit repair company or spot a scam, fraud, or unfair business practice, don’t ignore it – report it to the FTC at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov).

By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself from deceptive practices and take control of your financial health.

Understanding SharePoint Lists

Microsoft SharePoint is a powerful collaboration platform that enables organizations to share and manage content, knowledge, and applications to empower teamwork. One of the most useful features of SharePoint is its lists, which are essentially a collection of data that can be shared with team members and used to track information efficiently.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of navigating lists in SharePoint and provide tips and tricks you can implement on your SharePoint site.

Navigating SharePoint Lists

To access a list in SharePoint:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site where the list is located.

2. Click on the “Site Contents” from the quick launch menu or the settings gear icon.

3. Find the desired list and click on its name to open it.

Column Formatting

Enhance the appearance of your list by applying column formatting. This allows you to change how fields are displayed based on their values. Go to column settings, select “Column settings” > “Format this column,” and apply the desired formatting.

Tips for Efficient List Management

1. Use Templates: Save time by using list templates for common types of lists.

2. Set Alerts: Stay informed by setting up alerts to receive notifications when items are added or modified.

3. Leverage Metadata: Use metadata to categorize and organize list items for easier searching and filtering.

4. Regular Maintenance: Periodically review and clean up your lists to remove outdated or unnecessary items.

To view the recording of our Mastering SharePoint webinar on demand, click here.

On July 12^th, AT&T revealed a cyberbreach that transpired in April involving the theft of call and text message logs from their workspace hosted by their vendor, Snowflake.

The threat actors downloaded the data of a large portion of AT&T’s cellular customers, creating a field day of information for scammers to exploit.

What does the stolen data include?

Although the stolen data does not contain the actual content of the conversations, is still highly valuable to cybercriminals.

The metadata includes the phone numbers involved in the calls and texts, as well as the time and date of the communication.

Scammers can use this information to manipulate caller ID information, impersonate contacts, and initiate phishing scams.

Financial Fallout

According to a report from WIRED, AT&T was forced to fork over more than $300,000 to the hacking team. AT&T has yet to confirm paying the ransom. However, it is speculated that they negotiated the number down from the original asking price of 1 million.

Protect Yourself and Your Organization

To safeguard against potential scams arising from this incident, consider the following steps:

1. Be Cautious of Caller ID Information: A call alert from a familiar contact could easily be spoofed – stay wary and verify before giving any important information over the phone. 

2. Verify Sensitive Requests: Thoroughly verify and vet requests for information/financial transactions.

3. Be Wary of Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask for personal, account, or credit card details via text or call. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using a known, trusted method.

4. Ignore Texts from Unfamiliar Senders: Delete texts with random links from unknown numbers.

Let OptfinITy Keep Your Organization Safe

We equip our clients with regular cybersecurity training and testing to ensure they are up to date on the latest threats. Learn more about how OptfinITy can help safeguard your organization at sales@optfinity.com or 703-790-0400.

Have you received any random texts from Apple recently? Careful – it may be a cyber criminal preying on your information.

In a recent alert, security software company Symantec has warned of a new cyberattack targeting iPhone users in the U.S., aiming to steal their Apple IDs through a “phishing” campaign. This attack involves cybercriminals sending illegitimate text messages that appear to be from Apple, tricking recipients into revealing their personal credentials.

What is Smishing?

Smishing is a type of cyber-attack where criminals pose as reputable organizations to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information, such as account passwords and credit card details.

The Phishing Tactics

The text messages, disguised as communications from Apple, prompt recipients to click on a link and sign in to their iCloud accounts.

An example of such a message might read: “Apple important request iCloud: Visit signin[.]authen-connexion[.]info/icloud to continue using your services.”

To add legitimacy, victims may be asked to complete a CAPTCHA challenge before being redirected to a fake iCloud login page.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify the Source: Just because a sender claims to be a legitimate source, does not mean they are. Avoid clicking on links; instead, go directly to the login page via your browser.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication: Use MFA for your Apple Id for an extra layer of safety.
3. Recognize Scams: Apple support representatives will never send users a link to a website asking for passwords, device passcodes, or two-factor authentication codes. If someone claiming to be from Apple asks for such information, it’s fake.
4. Regularly update the security on all of your devices.

Always be wary of new cyber threats and continue to stay vigilant. For more cybersecurity tips and tricks, sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

Microsoft Teams has become a central hub for many organizations, especially in the era of remote/hybrid work. With the introduction of Microsoft Copilot, an AI powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 applications, Teams users can now leverage artificial intelligence to streamline tasks, enhance productivity, and improve overall workflow.

 Accessing Copilot

Once Copilot is enabled, you can access it directly within Teams. Here’s how:

1. Open Teams: Launch Microsoft Teams on your desktop or mobile device.

2. Navigate to Chat or Teams: You can use Copilot in both chat and team channels.

3. Start Typing: Begin typing a message or command, and Copilot will automatically provide suggestions and assistance. You can use Copilot Lab for prompt ideas and tutorials.

Key Features of Microsoft Copilot in Teams

1. Message Drafting and Suggestions

One of the most useful features of Copilot is its ability to help draft messages. As you type, Copilot will offer suggestions to complete sentences, correct grammar, and enhance clarity.

• Meeting Summaries

Copilot can generate summaries of your meetings, capturing key points and action items. After a meeting, you can ask Copilot to summarize the discussion and key points.

• Task Automation

You can use Copilot to instantly prompt tasks during/after a meeting. For instance, you can ask Copilot to schedule a meeting, set reminders, or create a to-do list based on your conversations.

• Contextual Assistance

Copilot understands the context of your conversations, making its suggestions more relevant. For example, if you’re discussing a project deadline, Copilot might suggest setting up a follow-up meeting or creating a task to track progress.

To watch the full Mastering Microsoft 365 for Copilot webinar, click here.

Is your organization fully equipped to handle the devastating fallout of a ransomware attack? As we recognize Ransomware Awareness Month, it’s crucial for businesses to bolster their defenses through comprehensive security awareness training.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data, usually by encrypting it, until a significant ransom is paid. Ransomware can spread through phishing emails, malicious websites, or infected software downloads.

While there are many things you can do to protect yourself, the number one tool is Security Awareness Training. But why is it important?

The Importance of Security Awareness Training

Security awareness training is a proactive measure to educate employees about the risks and best practices for preventing ransomware attacks. Here’s why it’s essential:

1. Human Error Reduction: Many ransomware attacks exploit human vulnerabilities. Training helps employees recognize phishing attempts and avoid risky behaviors.

2. Enhanced Vigilance: Educated employees are more likely to notice and report suspicious activities, allowing for quicker response and mitigation.

3. Policy Adherence: Training reinforces the importance of following company policies and procedures related to cybersecurity.

4. Culture of Security: Regular training fosters a culture of security, making cybersecurity a shared responsibility across the organization.

Conclusion

Celebrate Ransomware Awareness Month by investing in comprehensive security awareness training and fortifying your defenses against cyber threats. Remember, the strength of your security posture is only as strong as the knowledge and caution of your employees.