Monthly Archives: November 2024

AI Is All Around Us

Posted on by
Reply

AI Is All Around Us

IT seems it is virtually impossible to avoid hearing about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ever since ChatGPT hit the market, AI has become a never ending source of news, articles, advertisements, and lots of gloom. Artificial intelligence isn’t exactly new–the term goes back to the mid-1950s. Artificial Intelligence is a broad term and encompasses a few different subsets of processes. Generally, it refers to machines or computers doing things that we consider a skill limited to human intelligence. What has caught the public eye is what is labeled “generative AI”. Generative AI (e.g ChatGPT) refers to the AI tools that can create content, music, images, code and voice. One of the reasons generative AI is so widespread in its applications is that it doesn’t require coding skills for a layperson to use it, instead the user can instruct the tool to create content by using natural language.

Questions about generative AI

The media has certainly been filled with concern about AI and has raised many questions about areas where we potentially interact with it. How do we know the content we are reading is accurate and can be trusted to have come from reliable sources that have been vetted for accuracy? Can it be used to create misleading information that could misdirect our understanding of social, political, cultural, legal and other issues that affect the well-being of society? Others worry it could displace whole sectors of human labor. These are heavy questions best left to another venue of discussion.

Where is the average person interacting with AI?

We interact with artificial intelligence everyday in places we probably never give much thought. Those recommendations for purchases that you see on every shopping website you visit? That is done by a form of AI known as machine learning. Your thermostat that turns the heat up and down by learning when you usually leave the house? The refrigerator that makes your shopping list? Those are both examples of machine learning as well.

If you use a Managed Service Provider or a Managed Security Services Provider, AI is a new line of higher quality defense against cybercrime that they may be using to protect you. One of the greatest risks a business faces is a breach of its data by cybercriminals: malware, ransomware, et.al. and the tricks being used keep increasing in sophistication. Ransomware is particularly insidious. It can seize your data and hold it hostage for a ransom of currency, crypto or traditional. Once attacked there are very few alternatives to submitting to the ransom request. AI can help MSPs respond faster to specific threats and concerns, and assist in diagnosis and troubleshooting. Also, as every SMB knows, 24/7 monitoring and support is a critical service that an MSP can provide far more efficiently than a company can do in-house. (This has to do with the benefits of economies of scale.) AI can improve 24/7 monitoring because AI can evaluate an enormous amount of data, far faster than humans, and likely identify problems before they affect your business.

6 Ways Your Phone Is Tracking You (And How to Stop It)

Posted on by
Reply

Ever mentioned a product in passing and then noticed ads for it popping up on your social media feed? If that’s concerning, the fact that your phone is likely tracking your every move should be even more alarming. From location tracking to monitoring your online activity, your phone gathers data through multiple channels.

Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself. Today, we’ll cover the top six ways your phone tracks you, why this tracking is risky, and how to disable it.

Why Is Phone Tracking Dangerous?

Tracking data is valuable to marketers who use it to show you local and interest-based ads. While this may seem harmless, your data can also attract cybercriminals. Here’s why phone tracking should be taken seriously:

  1. Privacy Invasion: Apps and websites collect data on your habits and whereabouts, often without your full understanding. This can lead to targeted advertising, data harvesting, or even tracking by malicious actors.
  2. Identity Theft and Fraud: If hackers access your location data, they can use it to build a profile for identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized account access.
  3. Physical Security Risks: Real-time location data can expose you to physical risks. Criminals could exploit this information to track your movements, predict routines, or locate you at vulnerable moments.

6 Ways Your Phone Tracks You and How to Turn It Off

1. Location Services

Your phone’s GPS logs your whereabouts in real time, analyzing your frequent locations to predict where you live, work, and visit often. While useful for navigation, constant tracking makes you vulnerable to privacy invasion.

How to turn it off:

  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Toggle off or manage app-specific permissions. In System Services, select Significant Locations to view and clear location history.
  • Android: Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions. Disable location tracking for specific apps or turn off Use Location entirely. To delete your location history, select Delete Location History.

2. App Permissions

Many apps request access to contacts, camera, microphone, and photos, which allows them to track you even when you aren’t actively using the app.

How to turn it off:

  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security and review permissions under Camera, Microphone, and Contacts.
  • Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions to control which apps have access to sensitive data.

3. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections

Your phone’s continuous scanning for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks can allow third parties to track your location based on nearby networks and devices.

How to turn it off:

  • iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner to toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or go to Settings for full control.
  • Android: Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Scanning and disable these options.

4. Browsing Activity

Your browsing history and search data are collected by websites and apps to build a profile of your interests for targeted advertising.

How to turn it off:

  • iPhone & Android: Use private or incognito mode in your browser. In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and turn off Web & App Activity. Regularly clear browsing history and cookies for added privacy.

5. Ad Tracking

Your phone assigns a unique advertising ID to track your activity across apps and websites, giving advertisers insight into your interests.

How to turn it off:

  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking to disable Allow Apps to Request to Track. Also, under Apple Advertising, disable personalized ads.
  • Android: Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads, then select Opt Out of Ads Personalization.

6. Social Media and Search Engines

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google use your search and interaction data to create detailed profiles, serving ads and content recommendations based on your behavior.

How to turn it off:

  • Social Media: Go to each platform’s settings (e.g., Facebook > Settings & Privacy > Privacy Shortcuts) to review data collection and ad preferences.
  • Google: Go to Google Account > Data & Privacy > Web & App Activity to adjust tracking settings.

Why Privacy Matters for Business Owners

For business owners, safeguarding personal privacy is as essential as securing company data. The same tracking mechanisms on your phone can expose your business activities, customer interactions, and sensitive information to cyber risks. By adjusting your privacy settings, you protect both yourself and your business from data breaches, identity theft, and targeted cyber-attacks.

If you’re concerned about your business’s security, we offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help identify vulnerabilities and develop custom solutions to keep your operations safe. Call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule your assessment.

AI: Of any value to an SMB?

Posted on by
Reply

AI: Of any value to an SMB?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been all the media rage in the past year. Specifically, it isn’t AI in general, but a specific category of AI known as generative AI. This AI is capable of creating content, such as text, images, audio and similar data. Examples of generative AI tools can create content, music, image code, and voice. What this can include are documents that are used for marketing and other content on websites, as well as images, video, and audio. What made generative AI more widespread are the tools that use natural language to utilize them. It doesn’t necessarily require expertise in coding anymore. The generative AI tool that hit the news and has everyone curious about this development is ChatGPT. This allows any user to create conversations, answer text, and similar “written responses.” ChatGPT and similar tools are available to almost anyone.

Of course if you follow the news, there is much excitement about the potential of generative AI. It may be used to facilitate faster customer service, help attorneys evaluate large quantities of legal documents and propose new approaches to cases, medical professionals diagnose, and on and on. It also raises lots of concerns. How does one know that the content created by generative AI is accurate and can be trusted? For instance, can it be used to create misleading information, such as deceptive statements that could alter someone’s understanding of a political, cultural or medical issue. And there are others who worry it could displace whole categories of human workers, but that question isn’t our worry here.

One way you can leverage AI for your benefit is through your Managed Service Provider. Many industries can benefit from the judicious use of AI, such as legal, medical, architectural design, etc. and the IT world is no exception. In particular, AI may be another line of defense in cyber security. Clearly, one of the greatest risks any business faces is cybercrime. Malware, data breaches, ransomware–they all are a business-owner’s nightmare. Ransomware can hold your data hostage. Once attacked, there are very few alternatives to submitting to the ransom request unless you have solid, uncorrupted backups.

AI can help MSPs respond faster to specific threats and concerns, and assist in diagnosis and troubleshooting. Also, as every SMB knows, 24/7 monitoring and support is a critical service that an MSP can provide far more efficiently than a company can do in-house. This has to do with the benefits of economies of scale. AI can improve 24/7 monitoring because AI can evaluate an enormous amount of data, far faster than humans, and likely identify problems before they become business effecting.

One way a small business can utilize AI is marketing and sales. A lot of an SMB’s digital marketing tasks can be time-consuming and easily automated. Drip email campaigns, website visitor tracking, understanding where each customer exists in the sales funnel at any given moment, and other digital tools that increase customer engagement and drive sales are an excellent introduction to AI as a marketing tool. These tools both free up sales and marketing staff for other more complex tasks and improve customer engagement. These tools can be easily deployed by SMBs and are an excellent introduction to AI. Talk to a trusted MSP for guidance. You don’t have to go it alone.

5 Options If Your Windows 10 PC FAILS The Windows 11 Compatibility Test

Posted on by
Reply


As you may know, Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will stop providing free security and non-security updates as well as technical support for this version. While your Windows 10 PC will still function, it will no longer receive support to keep it secure and up-to-date.

If you’ve tried to upgrade to Windows 11 but your PC didn’t pass the compatibility check, don’t worry – there are still options available.

1. Ignore the End-of-Support Deadline

While this isn’t recommended, it’s technically an option. Without Windows 10 updates, your PC will lack critical security protections, leaving it vulnerable to cyber threats and viruses. In addition, the absence of technical and performance updates may lead to other issues affecting your device’s efficiency and functionality.

2. Switch to Linux

If you’re tech-savvy and not ready to replace your PC, switching from Windows to Linux could be an alternative. Linux is a robust operating system that is free and widely supported. However, be prepared for a learning curve, as transitioning to Linux often requires reconfiguring your applications and workflows. Consider this option only if you’re ready to manage potential compatibility challenges.

3. Upgrade Using a Technical Workaround

For those determined to install Windows 11 on a non-compatible PC, a workaround may be available. As outlined by ZDNet, a registry edit can allow some unsupported PCs to run Windows 11. This process requires activating Secure Boot and the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on your device. Be aware that Microsoft may still display a warning about compatibility, advising that unsupported devices may not receive regular updates or warranty coverage. However, this option may be worth considering for tech enthusiasts willing to take the risk.

4. Opt for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESUs)

Microsoft announced in December 2023 that they will offer Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 users through a paid subscription for up to three additional years. Here are a few key details:

  • The cost for business users starts at $61 for the first year, doubles to $122 in year two, and reaches $244 in the third year, totaling $427 over three years.
  • Educators receive discounted pricing, starting at just $1 in year one, doubling each year thereafter.
  • These ESUs do not include technical support, so users will need to solve any issues independently.

This option is designed as a temporary measure to encourage upgrading, not as a long-term fix.

5. Purchase a New, Windows 11-Compatible PC

If your device is outdated, investing in a new Windows 11-compatible PC may be the best choice. New computers offer improved performance, stronger security, and enhanced productivity tools. Be sure to back up all your data before making the switch to avoid data loss.

Take Action Now

Don’t wait until the last minute. October 2025 is closer than it seems, and planning ahead will ensure you avoid rushed decisions. If you’d like guidance in selecting the best option for your needs, our team of experts is here to help. Whether you decide to upgrade, switch operating systems, or buy new hardware, we’ll make the process as seamless as possible.

To get started, call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to book a consultation.

The Rising Threat of Cybercrime in 2024: Major Data Breaches and What They Mean for Your Business

Posted on by
Reply

2024 has been a turbulent year for cybersecurity, with major data breaches making headlines and costing businesses millions. From healthcare organizations to major tech companies, no industry is immune to these risks. But what about small to midsize businesses (SMBs)? The truth is, the same vulnerabilities apply, and the consequences of not addressing them can be severe.

Here’s a recap of five major breaches in 2024 and tips on how your business can stay protected.

1. National Public Data

Earlier this year, a hacking group claimed to have accessed 2.7 billion personal records from a public data-brokering site. This data includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and addresses. Some of the data has already been circulated on the dark web, although experts are still verifying its accuracy. With such a high volume of exposed data, the takeaway for everyone is clear: monitoring financial and online accounts is critical. A proactive step is to freeze your credit, which provides some defense against identity theft, unfreezing only when needed for new applications.

2. Ticketmaster

In a high-profile breach, Ticketmaster saw the personal and financial data of over 560 million customers compromised. This breach exposed security gaps within Ticketmaster’s system, and numerous victims reported cases of unauthorized transactions and identity theft. It also added to legal issues for Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation. The incident highlights the importance of secure data practices and regular monitoring for suspicious activity, even when using services that feel routine.

3. Change Healthcare

In February, Change Healthcare suffered a ransomware attack that compromised the data of over 145 million individuals. This massive breach impacted patient information, including names, Social Security numbers, and medical records. With healthcare data becoming increasingly valuable, this breach serves as a reminder to all industries of the importance of regularly updating cybersecurity strategies to defend against evolving threats.

4. AT&T

In March, AT&T experienced a breach affecting around 73 million customers, with sensitive data—including Social Security numbers and account details—leaked. This data dated back as far as 2019 and was discovered on the dark web earlier this year. This breach highlights the risks of legacy data remaining unsecured, emphasizing the importance of periodic data audits and secure data management practices.

5. Dell

In May, Dell encountered a significant breach when a hacker known as Menelik used a brute-force attack to access a reseller’s client portal, exposing 49 million records. This incident raised questions about Dell’s security protocols and underscored the need for stronger access controls and monitoring systems. It also serves as a wake-up call for companies with complex vendor networks to ensure all partners adhere to rigorous cybersecurity standards.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Even if your business doesn’t have millions of customers, you’re still at risk. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting SMBs, often because smaller companies may lack the same security resources as larger enterprises. A breach could cost your business heavily in downtime, lost data, and reputational damage.

Here are some key steps:

  1. Strengthen Network Security: Implement robust security measures, including firewalls and regular network monitoring.
  2. Employee Training: Train staff on password security, phishing awareness, and safe online practices.
  3. Data Management: Conduct regular audits and securely dispose of outdated records.

Secure Your Business with a FREE Security Risk Assessment

If these breaches have you rethinking your security, that’s a good thing. The best defense is proactive action. We’re offering a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help identify your network’s vulnerabilities. Our cybersecurity experts will assess your system, recommend critical updates, and ensure you’re safeguarded against potential threats.

Don’t wait until your business is on the line—take control of your cybersecurity today! Schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment now by clicking here or call our office at 214-550-0550.

Your business runs on data, but so do the cyber criminals

Posted on by
Reply

Your business runs on data, but so do the cyber criminals who want to steal yours

One very painful truth about running a business is that you possess data that is attractive to criminals. There is no avoiding that reality. You have data. They want data. It is an ongoing challenge to maintain data security as cyber criminals’ efforts evolve and change on a daily basis. The wall that kept you safe last week may have holes in them today. Keeping up with the latest threats is a specialized field that in-house IT support likely doesn’t have. An MSP can provide the support you need in the face of ransomware threats and other malware. Also, an MSP can provide 24/7 monitoring.

Speaking of data security, brand damage isn’t the only issue with data security breaches. In many cases, there are data protection laws that regulate how you secure personal information. In specific industries there are federal, state, and even overseas regulations that set standards for data protection. How you choose to protect data may be out of your hands. MSPs have the experience and knowledge to address compliance management. For example, there are a number of data protection laws (HIPAA, FERPA, CA Privacy Act, GDPR, FTC Safeguards Rule) out there that not only provide penalties if a data breach occurs, but also mandate specific protocols to better ensure your data is protected. Avoiding a data breach isn’t enough. Some of these protocols can be quite demanding and some require periodic testing and are subject to audits. Samples of the types of requirements mandated by some of these laws may include.

  • Designating one individual to oversee data protection and security
  • Conducting a risk assessment – This means analyzing what data you possess , where it is stored, and in what ways it is vulnerable.
  • Creating safeguards to address all potential areas of vulnerability
  • Designing and documenting tools to secure your data and tracking access
  • Tracing the location and security of all data whether it is at rest or in transit.

Not only do you have to set up protocols, you may have to prove they are operative and be subject to audits. All of this can be extremely distracting to a small business.

Another area related to data security is the issue of backup and recovery. So much can go wrong. There is nefarious activity: criminals actively trying to break into your data and steal it. There is human error: individuals taking actions that accidently delete or damage data. And of course, hardware can fail and software can have bugs. And, if not done correctly, backups may be infected and be of little value.

An MSP can design backups that are continual and are protected at an offsite location.

More importantly, it isn’t enough to know your data is safe if something happens. Your business is dependent on using that data. Losing a day of access can cripple your business. That means planning for recovery in case something happens. How will you transition to another mode of data access? Your customers expect 24/7 availability. An MSP can develop recovery plans that work to ensure your operations see minimal disruption in the event of a failure.