What the Kaspersky Ban Means for Your Organization

By -- 2024-06-25 in Blog

Do you currently use Kaspersky security software? If you live in the United States, you won’t be able to much longer. As of Thursday, the US Department of Commerce announced a ban on Kaspersky software and all security products.

Why the Ban?

The Bureau of Industry (BIS) found that Kaspersky:

– Is under Russian government influence.

– Puts sensitive US customer data at risk

– Can install malicious software and withhold updates.

– Could potentially be manipulated for espionage, data theft, and system malfunctions.

Historical Context

In 2017, the US banned Kaspersky from government use. This new update extends the ban to ALL consumers and businesses.

Key Dates and Restrictions

– From July 20: Kaspersky and its affiliates are banned from selling or licensing their software in the US.

– By September 29: Resellers must stop selling Kaspersky products, and third-party developers can’t integrate Kaspersky software.

What This Means for Users

Current Kaspersky users should seek alternatives before September 29. After September 29th updates and support will stop, leaving users vulnerable to new risks.

Kaspersky’s Response

Kaspersky denies posing any security threats and criticizes the BIS’s investigation as influenced by geopolitical tensions rather than the merit of the product itself.

Moving Forward

Kaspersky users in the US need to find alternative cybersecurity solutions to ensure continued protection. Exploring expert-reviewed VPN services and other cybersecurity tools is recommended.

To receive a free technology consultation to discover what cybersecurity defense system makes sense for your organization, email sales@optfinITy.com or call 703-790-0400.

5 Tips to Stay Cybersafe on Vacation

By -- 2024-06-24 in Blog

As we enter the beginning of Summer, many of us are highly anticipating the start of pool days, campfires, and of course, taking time off for much needed vacations. While summer vacation is meant to be a time to throw all your troubles away, protecting your personal data and information should still be a priority.

In this blog, we’re going to be covering simple precautions you can take to remain cybersafe while traveling this Summer:

  1. Update Your Devices: Software and security patches include critical security fixes on the latest threats and vulnerabilities. Ensure all devices are up to date before leaving.  
  2. Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Using Airport or public Wi-Fi may be tempting for convenience; cybercriminals can hijack these networks to steal your personal information. Instead, use a personal hotspot or VPN if you’re on the go to keep your devices more secure.
  3. Backup Your Data: Be prepared for all travel nightmares, including device theft or loss. Backup your data on a cloud storage service prior to leaving to make sure you’re prepared for any scenario.
  4. Review Your Account Activity: Review your financial accounts for any unusual activity or charges throughout the duration of the trip.
  5. Secure Your Devices: In the case you lose access to your device, make sure you have strong passwords as an added layer of security. In the case you have an Apple device, consider setting up tracking to locate your item in case it gets lost. An additional option is to attach an Airtag to any valuable item you bring to always keep track.

We hope you have a relaxing and cyber safe trip! For more technology tips and tricks, sign up for our monthly newsletter here.

Training Your Team on Microsoft Copilot for 365: Resources and Strategies

By -- 2024-06-18 in Blog

Microsoft Copilot for 365 is a tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way your team works by enhancing productivity, collaboration, and efficiency. In this blog post, we’ll discuss simple and cost effective strategies for training your team on Microsoft Copilot for 365.

Effective Training Resources

To train your team effectively, it’s essential to leverage a variety of resources:

1. Official Microsoft Documentation and Tutorials

 Microsoft offers a wealth of documentation and tutorials on their official website. These resources are comprehensive and regularly updated to reflect the latest features and best practices.

2. Microsoft Learn

 Microsoft Learn provides a structured learning path with modules and learning tracks tailored to different roles and skill levels. It’s a great way to ensure that your team members are getting targeted training based on their specific needs.

3. YouTube Tutorials

YouTube Tutorials are a free and easily accessible resource for Copilot beginners. Simply search through the array of free online introductory tutorials from experts in the technology field.

4. Online Courses and Webinars

There are numerous online platforms offering courses on Microsoft Copilot for 365. Websites like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera have a variety of courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

For an introduction to Microsoft Copilot for 365 with live demonstrations, register for our upcoming webinar here.

Is Your Organization Prepared for AI Cyber Attacks?

By -- 2024-06-14 in Blog

Concept of cyber crime and cyber security. Hand using laptop and show malware screen with phishing email, hack password and personal data. hackers, Virus Trojans, Encryption Spyware or Malware.

As technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Here are some AI-assisted cyber-attacks that you should be aware of:

AI-Enhanced Phishing Emails/Messages

Cybercriminals now use AI to craft emails and messages that closely mimic those from seemingly legitimate sources. Malicious messages trick recipients into revealing sensitive information, making them much harder to detect and more dangerous.

AI Voice Phishing

Also known as “vishing,” AI voice phishing involves using AI-generated voice calls to imitate known contacts convincingly.

AI-Enhanced Malware Development

By altering its code with each execution, AI-enhanced malware can bypass security defenses and launch insidious attacks on networks.

Why Are Businesses Still Ignoring Cyber Security?

Despite the growing popularity of AI, many businesses continue to underestimate the importance of cybersecurity. However, this short-sighted approach fails to consider that the cost of recovering from a cyber-attack far exceeds the initial investment in robust cybersecurity.

The Importance of Proactive Cybersecurity

Organizations must recognize the critical importance of cybersecurity. Implementing strong defenses, training staff, and continuously monitoring for threats are essential steps in safeguarding against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber-attacks.

Fishing vs. Phishing: Key Differences and Staying Safe Online

By -- 2024-06-6 in Blog

Fishing and phishing might sound alike, but while one is a relaxing pastime – the other is a malicious cybercrime where attackers bait victims into handing over sensitive information through bogus emails and websites.

In honor of National Fishing Week, we will be covering what phishing is, its impact, and how you can protect your network.

Impact of Phishing

Phishing can lead to identity theft, financial loss, cybersecurity breaches, and reputational damage for individuals and businesses.

Preventing and Identifying Phishing Attacks

1. Know the red flags: Look for poor grammar, misspellings, and urgent requests. Verify URLs and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

2. Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive data through email or phone. Use complex, regularly updated passwords.

3. Enhance Online Security: Use updated antivirus software, firewalls, and anti-phishing tools. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi.

4. Education and Training: Learn about common phishing tactics and mandate employee training to recognize and report suspicious activity.

Conclusion

Understanding phishing tactics and maintaining vigilant cybersecurity practices can protect your personal information and prevent falling victim to these scams. Stay informed, stay cautious, and don’t fall for the bait.

How to Use Rules and Quick Steps in Outlook

By -- 2024-06-5 in Blog

Many of us spend hours in our inbox daily, making email management skills critical for staying on top of tasks and remaining productive during the day. If you find yourself overwhelmed by your inbox, Rules and Quick steps are a fantastic way to automate and streamline email organization.

What are Rules in Outlook?

Outlook Rules allow you to automatically organize your inbox based on predetermined criteria.  Automatically delete, move, and archive emails based on the sender, subject line, keyword, and more.

How to Use Rules in Outlook

To establish a new rule, simply:

  1. Navigate to the Rules dropdown in the upper menu
  2. Select Manage Rules
  3. Name your Rule and select the condition and action you wish the rule to perform
  4. Select Save

You can delete and edit your Rules at anytime by returning to the Manage Rules window.

What are Quick steps in Outlook?

Quick steps are like rules but are manually applied instead of automatic. Quick steps shave off time in your inbox by bundling multiple actions at the same time, allowing you to customize complex actions into one click.

How to Use Quick steps in Outlook

  1. Navigate to Quick steps in the upper menu
  2. Select + New Quick Step
  3. Name the Quick step and choose an action and condition
  4. Select a Keyboard Shortcut
  5. Click Save

To delete or edit Quick steps click the Quick steps drop down and select Manage quick steps.

Conclusion

A clean and organized inbox is a productive one. Stay ahead of spam and trash and prioritize important emails seamlessly with quick steps and rules.

To download the full Mastering Outlook 101 webinar, click here.

What is DKIM Authentication?

By -- 2024-05-14 in Blog

Getting your email into a prospect’s inbox is already challenging. The last thing any organization wants is for a phishing or spoofing attack to doom that email to the spam folder. To guard against these threats, one powerful tool is DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) authentication.

In this post, we’ll explore what DKIM is, how it works, and why it’s crucial for securing your email communications.

What is DKIM?

DKIM, or DomainKeys Identified Mail, is an email authentication method that prevents email spoofing. It does this by adding a digital signature to each outgoing email, ensuring that no one can forge your sender address.

Why is DKIM Important?

Protection Against Spoofing

DKIM helps prevent malicious actors from impersonating your domain by adding a unique digital signature to each outgoing email. This extra layer of security keeps your communications legitimate and protected.

Improved Email Deliverability

Email providers check for DKIM to confirm your email’s authenticity. With DKIM, your emails have a better chance of landing in recipients’ inboxes, not in the spam folder.

Brand Reputation

DKIM protects your brand’s reputation by keeping email spoofing attacks at bay. A single successful spoofing attempt can erode the trust of your entire contact list, causing long-term damage.

Next Steps

If your organization struggles with email deliverability or security, take action now. Schedule a free consultation with us, and one of our experts will assess the steps you can take to reach more inboxes and protect your reputation.

Schedule your free network consultation at sales@optfinity.com or 703-790-0400.

Navigating Data Privacy: The Dangers of Tracking Technologies

By -- 2024-05-6 in Blog

Kaiser Permanente, a major healthcare provider, recently informed 13.4 million current and former members and patients that tracking technologies may have transmitted personal information to third-party vendors like Google, Microsoft Bing, and X while logged into a Kaiser Permanente account or service.

The incident sheds light on an ongoing issue with the privacy risks associated with third party tracking technologies. Federal regulators had previously warned about the dangers posed by such technologies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures.

A leading concern is the over-sharing of user information with advertisers, raising significant privacy issues. Advertisers use customer browser history and data to target specific ads towards users, without their knowledge or direct consent. This can negatively impact client relationships and the overall reputation of organizations if not vetted properly. 

Regulatory compliance is also a major consideration, as hospital systems and telehealth providers are at risk of violating HIPAA and FTC data security rules through the usage of third-party tracking technologies. Moving forward, organizations must prioritize stringent data privacy measures, including vendor assessments and robust monitoring processes to stay ahead of the threat.

Interested in learning how to protect your customer and client information? Schedule your free network consultation at sales@optfinity.com or 703-790-0400.

What is Sender Policy Framework?

By -- 2024-05-3 in Blog

What is SPF?

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is an email authentication protocol designed to combat email spoofing, spam, and phishing attacks. It verifies the legitimacy of incoming emails by allowing domain owners to authorize specific mail servers.

How does SPF work?

SPF works through DNS records. When an email is received, the recipient’s server checks the sender’s SPF record to confirm if the email originates from an authorized server. If not, it may be rejected or marked as spam.

Why is SPF important?

SPF prevents unauthorized parties from impersonating your domain, enhancing security and sender reputation. Without SPF, unauthorized parties can use your domain to distribute malicious emails.

It also improves email deliverability by reducing spam and ensuring legitimate emails reach the right inboxes.

Best practices for SPF:

1. Maintain a comprehensive SPF record.

2. Keep the record updated to reflect your email infrastructure.

3. Monitor SPF results and adjust policies as needed.

4. Combine SPF with other authentication methods like DKIM and DMARC for comprehensive security.

Protect Your Organization’s Inbox

Interested in learning more about how to protect your inbox? Claim your free consultation today by calling 703-790-0400 or emailing sales@optfinITy.com

Thread Hijacking Attacks Targeting Email Users

By -- 2024-04-22 in Blog

Thread hijacking attacks, a sophisticated form of social engineering, occur when an individual’s email account is compromised, and the attacker sends malicious emails from that account within an ongoing email thread. This method leverages the recipient’s trust in the sender and curiosity to trick them into clicking on malicious links or attachments.

In a recent incident discussed by KrebsonSecurity, Brett Sholtis, a writer for LancasterOnline.com, found himself targeted in such an attack. He received suspicious emails purportedly from Adam Kidan, a businessman with a questionable past, amidst an ongoing email thread. These emails, with subject lines like “Re: Successfully sent data” and “Acknowledge New Work Order,” contained a malicious attachment.

Upon clicking the attachment, Sholtis was redirected to a fake Microsoft Office 365 login page designed to capture his credentials.

Fortunately, Sholtis promptly forwarded the emails to his organization’s IT team, who recognized them as phishing attempts.

Thread hijacking attacks pose a significant challenge for detection due to their deceptive nature. Since they originate from a familiar contact and exploit curiosity rather than urgency, they can easily deceive recipients. It’s crucial for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and report suspicious emails promptly to prevent falling victim to such attacks.

Interested in learning more about how to protect your inbox? Register for our upcoming webinar on email management and optimization here.