Are you planning to upgrade to a smart TV? You might want to think twice before making that purchase.

According to a recent warning from an FBI field office, Smart TVs could leave owners vulnerable to advanced cyberattacks. Features of these high-tech devices include facial recognition, internet streaming, and microphone sensors – all of which create a field day for cybercriminals looking to take control of your unsecured smart TV and wreak havoc on your life.

Once cybercriminals gain access to the Smart TV, they can change channels, adjust volume levels, and display inappropriate videos and media. More alarming, however, is the potential for cyberstalking via hacking the device’s camera and microphone settings.

To avoid falling victim to such cyberattacks, the FBI recommends that smart TV owners should:

1. Educate themselves about their device’s security settings
2. Create complex passwords
3. Routinely install software updates by Smart TV manufacturers
4. Disable microphones and cameras

If your smart TV doesn’t allow the disabling of cameras, placing black tape over the camera is a simple solution to keep your privacy intact.

It’s easy to get caught up in the exciting perks of the latest fancy device and forget potential drawbacks. So, while you’re out shopping for those super sales this holiday season, don’t forget to be mindful of the risks of using smart TVs and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from potential cyberattacks.

For more cyber safety tips visit www.optfinITy.com or contact us for a free consultation at sales@optfinITy.com or 703-790-0400.

The holiday season may be the busiest online shopping season of the year – but that also means it’s the busiest for eCommerce and phishing scams. According to Cybersource, phishing ranked as the leading form of eCommerce fraud in 2022, impacting 43% of global eCommerce merchants. Hackers deceive shoppers into revealing their personal or financial information by sending fake emails, messages, and websites.

If you are planning on participating in online sales this holiday season, read through our cyber safety guide to stay informed of best practices:

1. Shop with retailers you trust

It is always safest to shop with brands that are reputable with a proven track record. This doesn’t mean avoiding small businesses and new companies – but do your research first. Read reviews and seek information online from previous buyers. Websites like Trustpilot provide real customer reviews and experiences to vet companies properly.  

2. Stay wary of unbelievable deals

Those unbelievable discounts may seem too good to be true – because they are. Bad actors will lure shoppers with irresistible deals to persuade them into divulging their personal information. The FBI noted a spike in these incidents from paid ads on social media platforms.

Even if the discount comes from a link or an email of a trusted retailer, it is always safest to go directly to the site first. Closely inspect any links or emails you receive and watch for the warning signs.

3. Don’t browse on public Wifi

Avoid using public Wifi while online shopping or accessing private information. It may be tempting to browse your favorite shops while sitting at your local coffee shop, but you never know who may be around you – or what they are capable of.

If you do use public Wifi, protect yourself with a VPN. A VPN prevents cybercriminals from being able to see your device’s activity or from intercepting your personal information.  

4. Pick strong passwords

It may be time to update that password you picked out 10 years ago and have used for everything since. Use a trusted password keeper and log your strong passwords to remember your information. Make it complex and avoid common dictionary words or personal information (this means no more using birthdays or the name of your beloved pet).

5. Pay with a credit card

Credit cards don’t give sellers direct access to the money in your bank account. Plus, most credit cards offer $0 liability for fraud. This means your money is protected even if the worst-case scenario does happen.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be stressful as it is. Avoid additional cyber headaches by staying informed and investing in your network security. Learn more about how our team can protect you and your business today at 703-790-0400 or sales@optfinITy.com

Cybersecurity remains a top concern as businesses continue to navigate the digital age. While many companies invest in software and hardware to protect their systems, some overlook the importance of employee cybersecurity testing and training.

Employee cybersecurity testing and training are crucial for businesses to ensure that their employees are aware of potential cyber threats and how to avoid them. By implementing regular training and testing, businesses can minimize the risk of cyberattacks and protect their sensitive data.

One of the most common ways hackers gain access to a company’s network is through employee error. According to a report by Verizon, 94% of malware was delivered via email in 2019, and 33% of all data breaches were caused by phishing attacks. Cybersecurity training can help employees identify these threats and teach them how to avoid them.

Additionally, regular cybersecurity testing can help businesses identify potential vulnerabilities in their systems. By simulating real-world cyberattacks, businesses can discover weak points in their systems and take steps to strengthen them. This proactive approach can help prevent data breaches and other cyber incidents.

Another benefit of employee cybersecurity training and testing is that it can help create a culture of cybersecurity awareness within the company. When employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and how to protect sensitive data, they are more likely to take the necessary precautions to keep the company safe. According to a Ponemon Institute report, companies with a strong security culture have an average of 1.5 fewer data breaches per year than those without.

Employee cybersecurity testing and training are essential for businesses to protect themselves from cyber threats. By investing in regular training and testing, companies can minimize the risk of cyberattacks, identify vulnerabilities in their systems, and create a culture of cybersecurity awareness within the company.

OptfinITy’s employee cybersecurity testing and training programs are designed to simulate real-world cyberattacks, giving employees hands-on experience in identifying and responding to potential threats. Their training programs cover a wide range of topics, including phishing attacks, social engineering, password protection, and network security. To learn more give OptfinITy a call at 703-790-0400 or via email at sales@optfinity.com

If you’re a Windows user, you may be at risk to a malicious remote access virus called ZenRAT, according to The Hacker News. The malware exists on fake websites claiming association with Bitwarden, an open-source password manager. When downloading links for Linux or macOS on the downloads page, windows users are directed to a different website and it installs a .NET executable, granting threat actors access to sensitive data.

While Windows users are the primary targets of the malicious software, non-windows users are also impacted. Upon visiting the website, they are led to open a duplicate article from opensource.com, ironically regarding how to secure passwords with Bitwarden.

What happens if the malware is launched? ZenRAT can then access a laundry list of personal information through their operating C2 server: the user’s CPY name, GPU name, operating system, browser credentials, applications and security software.

Information on how the trojanized version of the standard Bitwarden installation software is redirecting users has not yet been acquired.

While the sophisticated tactics of threat actors can be anxiety inducing, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from malicious acts. For one, always download software and applications from trusted sources such as play stores and manufacturer websites. If an application claims to be associated with a popular software, do the research first. Find out where it originated from and what people online have to say about it.

Cybersecurity threats are all around us, even if there are not tangible. Don’t wait for the worst-case scenario to happen to defend your information. We offer a free consultation that informs you of steps your company can take to become more secure. To get started, call 703-790-0400 or send us an email at sales@optfinity.com

Security threats for third-party applications are nothing new. Many businesses have opted to integrate these popular applications (such as Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365) to facilitate important day to day operations.

However, concerns with the security of third-party apps have arisen with the introduction of malicious apps by bad actors. While this strategy has been utilized with simple mobile apps requesting invasive permission sets to data mine the phone, it is new to the software as a service (SaaS) world. The Hacker News reports that threat actors have designed these apps to connect to a SaaS application (such as Google Workspace, Slack, or Zoom), to perform unauthorized activities with a company/employee’s data. The process is dangerously simple. Upon connecting to the core SaaS stack, they request certain scopes and permissions in order to read, update, create, and delete content.

These new sophisticated phishing scams to target core SaaS applications are more difficult to recognize. Oftentimes, the app will appear fully legitimate. An app like Salesforce AppExchange is a prime example of a program that offers functionality in exchange for unreasonable permission scopes.

Malicious apps pose a variety of security threats to businesses. These threats can include:

• Data Breaches – threat actors can access confidential employee and customer information to publish online or hold for ransom.
• System Compromise – threat actors can alter settings within the core SaaS app/update access to unauthorized users with the permissions granted to them.
• Compliance violations – A business’ relationships with clients and partners can potentially be put at risk in the case a data breach results in a compliance violation.
• Performance – Normal operations can be stalled/thwarted by necessary functions being altered or disabled.

An array of preventative measures can be implemented to protect your data from malicious third-party apps. Learn more about how our team can protect you and your business today at https://optfinity.com

While AI has brought about numerous advancements and benefits, it also raises concerns and potential harms. Here are some of the major areas of concern related to the use of AI:

1. Job Displacement: The automation capabilities of AI can lead to job displacement in certain industries, especially those with repetitive tasks. This can result in unemployment and economic instability for certain segments of the workforce.
2. Bias and Discrimination: AI systems learn from data, and if the data they are trained on is biased, the AI can perpetuate and amplify these biases. This can result in discriminatory outcomes in areas like hiring, lending, and law enforcement, leading to unfair treatment of certain individuals or groups.
3. Privacy Concerns: AI systems often rely on vast amounts of data to function effectively. The collection and processing of personal data raise significant privacy concerns, as it could potentially be misused or mishandled, leading to breaches of individual privacy and security.
4. Safety Risks: AI-powered systems, particularly in robotics and autonomous vehicles, can pose safety risks if not properly regulated and tested. Accidents and malfunctions can have severe consequences, emphasizing the need for responsible development and testing.
5. Ethical Dilemmas: AI can be used in various applications, including military, surveillance, and decision-making contexts. These uses raise ethical dilemmas, such as the potential for AI to be weaponized or the delegation of crucial decisions to machines without human oversight.

Addressing these concerns requires a thoughtful approach to AI development, including strong ethical guidelines, transparency, and continuous evaluation of the impact of AI applications on society. Striking a balance between the benefits and potential harms of AI is crucial for its responsible and sustainable integration into our lives.