3
Jan, 2022
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Let’s Look at Some of the Virtual Threats

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Network security is challenging for many businesses, and it’s largely because of the large number of various threats that populate the Internet. Some companies simply don’t know what the correct measures to take are, leaving themselves vulnerable to these threats on both a security standpoint and an employee training standpoint. We’ll delve into some of these threats and how they can be addressed.

Today, we just want to provide a shortlist of security threats that your organization should keep an eye out for. Many of them are variants of malware, but you might be surprised by one or two entries on this list!

The More Notorious Network Security Threats

  • Viruses/Malware: These types of threats are bits of code and malicious programs that cause problems for your business. The effects range from minor inconveniences to serious problems. There are many variants of malware that perform specific tasks, like steal data, install adware, and in the case of ransomware, encrypt files on the device.
  • Trojans/Backdoors: Trojans, also known as backdoors, provide back-end access to an infected network or device. Hackers can then gain access remotely to perform all kinds of nefarious deeds. Trojans and backdoors are often gateways for other threats to make their way to your network.
  • Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Sometimes vulnerabilities are discovered in software your business uses, and if these vulnerabilities are not patched in a timely manner, they can create security problems for your business. This is especially the case if you use unsupported software, like an old operating system.
  • Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks are commonly used to spread other types of threats or steal important information like banking credentials or personal information. They can come in a variety of modes, like through email or even over the phone.

Security Measures to Protect Yourself

Your security strategy should have two primary components: the technology aspect and the human aspect. For technology solutions, you can implement tools such as unified threat management (UTM) devices, which combine common security measures like antivirus, firewalls, spam blocking, and content filtering into one easy-to-manage solution. We also highly recommend that you implement a virtual private network for secure data transmission and multi-factor authentication for account security.

As for the human aspect, you must train your employees on how to identify and respond to threats in an appropriate way. This means they should know how to avoid threats online and how to see past the farces brought upon them by hackers. They should also be fully aware of how to report a security breach to your IT department, whether it is in-house or managed through a third party.

NuTech Services can assist you every step of the way with security management. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

13
Mar, 2015
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Understanding How Advanced Malware Can Harm Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_advanced_malware_400.jpgThere are a lot of different threats out there: Viruses, malware, spyware, adware, the list goes on. While all of these threats are certainly problematic, some are more dangerous than others. In particular, advanced malware can be exceptionally devastating if they manage to inflict damage on your technology.

However, what makes advanced malware so much different from the garden variety? Processor magazine explores how small business and larger enterprises can protect themselves from these advanced threats. As defined by Robert Clyde, international vice president of ISACA, “The nature of advanced malware is that it’s targeted, it’s stealthy, it’s evasive, and it’s adaptive.” These traits combined make for an incredibly sly malware that’s difficult to detect and even harder to prevent.

Unlike ordinary malware, which is generally meant to disrupt whatever it affects and start all sorts of generic chaos, advanced malware usually has a specific goal to accomplish, and is aimed at specific targets. It’s more likely that these advanced threats are after specific information and are specifically designed to complete this task in the most effective way possible. These types of threats can also be considered “Advanced Persistent Threats,” a term used to describe malware which accomplishes its goal over an extended period of time rather than upon execution.

These types of threats are often complex and require a different approach than the standard malware. In fact, some infections can get worse if they’re detected, and they can hop from system to system in order to avoid detection. This makes locating and eliminating the threat difficult at best.

When such a threat knocks at your company’s door, the best way to handle it is with a four-front assault called our Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution. With a powerful firewall at your disposal, your business has a dedicated bouncer to analyze data moving to and from your network. This prevents malicious entities from infiltrating (or leaving) your system when you’re on the hunt for them.

The next phase is when the enterprise-level antivirus solution kicks in. This eliminates threats that are detected on the network. If you suspect that there is a malicious entity lurking on your network, we can locate it with our remote monitoring service and eliminate it before it causes any noticeable damage. We also offer companies a free IT network assessment to locate threats and confirm your suspicions.

There are other preventative methods for keeping advanced malware from getting into your network. An advanced persistent threat might take the form of a spear-phishing tactic, where a hacker will target you specifically for your login credentials or sensitive information. Another preventative way is the spam blocking solution which is part of NuTech Services’s UTM. This keeps spam from even reaching your inbox, making spear-phishing attempts obsolete.

Finally, our web-blocking solution keeps your employees from navigating to insecure or otherwise threatening websites. A skilled hacker might try to gather information using a fake website, or by hiding attachments within permalinks. Our web-blocking solution has the power to keep your business secure while online.

If you’re concerned with how to protect your business’s data from both the garden-variety and advanced malware threats, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455. We’ll help your business find the best solution to your security woes.