Many businesses are turning to video conferencing applications like Zoom and Skype to communicate while Coronavirus restrictions prevent face-to-face meetings from happening. And while these tools have been a lifesaver for some organizations, no video conferencing software is without its potential security risks. However, the good news for businesses of all sizes is that there are many steps you can take to optimize video conferencing security, protect sensitive information, and keep employees safe. Let’s take a look! Understanding Video Conferencing Security Risks Unfortunately, there are a number of risks that accompany the use of video conferencing platforms like Skype and Zoom. For example, there has been an increase in malware files being found on these apps. This means that when employees use the video platform, they could be downloading malicious files in the process. And if these same team members are using work computers that are connected to your company's servers, it's easy

Due to COVID-19, many companies have had no choice but to shift their operations to a work-from-home format. While this has been a smooth transition for some, many businesses have struggled with security and logistical issues as a result of the change. If your organization is dealing with common work-from-home challenges, all hope is not lost. Dedicated server hosting offers solutions to a variety of problems. Plus, investing in a dedicated server now will set you up for success down the road as life begins to return to normal. Security Challenges of Working Remotely There are a number of inherent security concerns that arise when you transition employees to work-from-home roles. These issues begin with the internet connection that your workers use to access company data. Unfortunately, relying on your employees' home internet connections poses several significant security risks. Even if their networks are secured with a password, they still

The internet is an unpredictable place. Even when traffic on your website seems relatively steady from one day or week to the next, it doesn't take much for a sudden influx of visitors to cause issues with your server. Of course, the last thing you need is for your site to crash when demand is at its peak. A variety of factors can lead to web traffic spikes, from seasonality (i.e., an increase in online shopping during the holidays) to DDoS attacks. Below, we’re discussing a lesser-known issue that could lead to a higher volume of visitors, so you can ensure your website is prepared. Let’s take a look! What Is the Slashdot Effect? The Slashdot effect (also known as the Reddit effect or the Reddit "hug of death") occurs when a site crashes due to a sudden and unexpected spike in traffic. This increase happens when a link to

Over the course of the last few months, many businesses have had to shift the majority of their positions to work-from-home roles. Unfortunately, this transition has also resulted in an increase in online scams aimed at unsuspecting remote workers. Phishing schemes and cyber-attacks are on the rise, and some organizations have experienced devastating security breaches.  Considering the current state of the digital world, it’s more important than ever to implement some cybersecurity best practices to protect your data while employees are working from home. Let’s take a closer look at some essential best practices to follow. Provide the Right Training Begin by making sure that your work-from-home employees are educated on the different types of web attacks and how to identify them. You should never assume that your team members understand these threats, how they work, or what precautions to take to prevent them. One specific attack to educate your employees

Every year, Trustwave publishes a Global Security Report that provides valuable insights into cybercrime trends and statistics worldwide. The 2020 report was made available in April and revealed some interesting (yet troublesome) findings within the world of cloud hosting and other related services. Based on these Trustwave Global Security Report findings, it’s more important than ever for website owners and administrators to evaluate their security practices and consider making the switch to a dedicated hosting plan. The Risk of Using Cloud-Based Services According to the 2020 Trustwave report, web attacks on cloud services more than doubled in 2019 alone, making the cloud the third-largest target for cybercriminals. Because cloud hosting makes up such a large part of these services, website owners who utilize this type of hosting plan are especially at risk. Relying on the cloud to host your organization’s website, email, or other services poses a variety of security concerns in

Unfortunately, data breaches have become a relatively common security issue online, affecting organizations of all sizes and leaving millions of users’ information exposed. As a business owner, your clients and customers rely on you to keep their information safe. This includes payment data, names, addresses, and anything else you may have stored in your system. Hopefully, your business will never fall victim to a data breach. However, it's important to plan for the possibility. By understanding what to do after a data breach, you can take the necessary steps to mitigate damage and prevent the same issues from occurring again. 1. Update Your Online Logins When a data breach occurs, your usernames, passwords, and other login information are no longer secure. Therefore, one of the first steps you'll need to take is to update passwords on all of your online accounts – especially those associated with your business. If you have

The gaming industry has become increasingly prone to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. In fact, it’s estimated that the gaming industry made up nearly 36 percent of all DDoS attack targets in 2019. Therefore, whether you’re a casual or competitive gamer, you need to be more cautious than ever when partaking in online gaming. These attacks can not only disrupt your gaming experience but could put your information at risk, too. Why Gamers Are Being Targeted There are several reasons why the gaming industry is seeing more frequent instances of DDoS attacks. First, it has become easier than ever for hackers to carry out these attacks in gaming environments. Specifically, hackers have discovered that they can utilize Internet of Things (IoT) devices to create botnets and carry out large and devastating DDoS attacks. These devices typically lack proper security measures, making them an easy target for corruption. Combine the ease of

As with any widespread crisis, hackers and scammers are using the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to target unsuspecting victims online. Over the past several weeks, many COVID-19-related security threats have emerged, with one study finding that approximately 32 percent of people believe they have already been targeted by such a scam. So, what does all of this mean for you? While data security has always been important, it is now more vital than ever to keep your information safe. By having a solid understanding of what today's COVID-19 scams look like, you'll be better equipped to avoid falling victim to one. Phone and Email Scams With thousands of Americans having received their Coronavirus stimulus checks (and some still awaiting theirs), many scammers are looking to take advantage. Currently, some of the most common cyber-attacks involve phone and email phishing scams that encourage victims to share personal information to receive their stimulus money. This

Each year, Trustwave releases a Global Security Report that provides "a window into the latest developments in the world of cybercrime." This year's report was recently made available for download, offering some critical insights into cybercrime trends. All business owners with an online presence should take the time to review this report and think about how these findings could affect their organization.  Don't have time to read the entire report right now? Explore some key findings below, as well as what they might mean for your business. Cloud Server Attacks Are on the Rise  One of the most important findings that business owners should be aware of is that there has been a substantial increase in attacks on cloud servers. Specifically, cloud hosting services now make up a full 20 percent of all investigated cybercrime incidents, making them the third most targeted platform for cybercrime. If your business relies on cloud hosting for its

When it comes to Microsoft operating systems, Windows 10 is the latest and greatest. So, why are people still using outdated versions like Windows 7? For some, it's easy to cling to an old operating system (OS) when you rely on it for running a specific program that may not be supported by a newer version. Many users also avoid upgrades because they’re afraid of the learning curve that comes with new systems. However, by using Windows 7 past its prime, you could be putting your data at risk. Below, we’re discussing the Windows 7 end-of-life and what it means for people who are still using it. Let’s take a look! Limited Support for Windows 7 Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7 on January 14th, 2020, which means that there are no longer security updates, patches, or even technical support for this operating system. For businesses still using Windows 7, there is a