Printers are a common sight in offices. But did you know they can be a cybersecurity risk? Just like computers, your printers, copiers, and other devices are potential targets of hackers.

What Makes Printers a Risk?

When a printer does a job, it stores data in its queue. This data is vulnerable if someone hacks into the printer’s operating system. Also, if you send a document to a printer wirelessly, it can be intercepted. Some printers can also connect to the internet, which means hackers can take them over remotely if not correctly secured.

Printer Threats You Might Not Know About

Researchers at Canon found a specific risk related to old printers. Getting rid of an old printer without first deleting Wi-Fi data could lead to a cyberattack. The printer might still store sensitive information, like passwords and IP addresses. Someone who gets a hold of the old printer could use this information to access your network. Canon found this flaw in about 200 of their inkjet, business inkjet, and large-format inkjet printers.

How to Keep Your Business Safe

1. Consult Your Printer Manual: Before parting with a printer, refer to the user manual for steps on erasing stored data, especially Wi-Fi settings.
2. Regular Updates: Ensure your printer software is up-to-date; manufacturers may release patches for known vulnerabilities.
3. Limit Printer Access: Only allow trusted employees to access the printer, using authentication like passwords.
4. Employee Awareness: Briefly train staff about the security risks associated with printers emphasizing caution with sensitive data.
5. Disposal Protocol: Develop a consistent approach for disposing of old printers, emphasizing data clearance.

Include Printers in Your IT Plan

Remember printers when developing a plan to keep your IT system safe. They can be weak points that hackers could take advantage of. Regularly maintain your printers and reset Wi-Fi settings to keep them safe.

Printer Security, an Integral Part of Your Cybersecurity 

Even though printers might not seem like a big deal, they’re vital to your business’s cybersecurity. They need to be updated and secure to keep your business safe. Awareness of the risks and safeguarding your printers can make your IT system much safer.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

Hackers are always developing new ways to steal data from Internet users. The most recent data breach to impact millions involves MOVEit, a popular file transfer tool. Even though this breach exposes a lot of private information, there are ways to stay safe. 

This guide will show you how to protect yourself from the MOVEit breach.

What Is the MOVEit Breach?

Progress Software’s best file-sharing tool is MOVEit. It works like Dropbox and WeTransfer, letting users move essential documents and data.

Although MOVEit is relatively safe, hackers have found a way to exploit a weakness in the software. Because of this, hackers now have millions of users’ data and personal information. There are a lot of companies and government agencies that use the software that are affected by the zero-day vulnerability. 

Ways Cybercriminals Are Attacking Users

When hackers take advantage of the MOVEit transfer flaw, they can quickly get into the program’s database. Then, they can send this important data to their command-and-control server to be used maliciously. Hackers can stop people from using MOVEit’s web page to upload and download files because of the SQL injection vulnerability.

Malicious actors are using these sensitive files for their gain and are making victims pay a ransom to get back into their accounts. This is risky for any business or government body, but luckily, there are ways to protect yourself. 

How To Protect Yourself From the MOVEit Breach

If you want to stay safe from the exploitation of MOVEit transfer software, there are a few steps you can take. 

Progress Software has released patches for MOVEit Transfer that give users more protection. The organization suggests that all users install these patches to protect themselves and prevent hackers from getting into files and accounts that they shouldn’t be able to. Progress Software will keep improving the security of its programs and will always be on the lookout for any indicators of compromise (IoCs).

Another thing you can do is turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) when using MOVEit or another program that holds sensitive information. MFA requires you to enter your regular login information and additional forms of user verification. A one-time password or a personal identification number (PIN) are examples of standard verification measures.

Finally, cybersecurity experts encourage compromised users to delete all unauthorized files and accounts. Keep an eye out for the following components in your MOVEit account and get rid of them right away:

• Files that begin with human2.aspx or .cmdline
• Any new APP_WEB_[random].dll files
• All active sessions
• All downloads from an unknown IP address

After you take these measures, you can restore all HTTP and HTTPS traffic to MOVEit. You must know how to protect yourself from the MOVEit breach.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

With cyber-attacks on the rise, protecting your business from security breaches is crucial. One of the most dangerous threats to your company is a zero-day exploit. For maximum protection, you must understand the complexities of this cyber-attack and take steps to prevent it. 

This helpful guide will show you how to identify and combat zero-day exploits to protect sensitive data. 

What Is a Zero-Day Exploit?

A zero-day exploit is a cyber-attack targeting a software’s operating system vulnerability. The main issue with this threat is that software and antivirus vendors don’t know the technology is vulnerable. This gives malicious actors a chance to swoop in and breach the system. 

Assessing Your Risk

Zero-day exploits can target operating systems, web browsers, and hardware, among other system components. Hackers may also exploit vulnerabilities within applications you open through an email attachment. Any user is at risk for this type of cybersecurity breach, but the most common targets are as follows:

• Government departments 
• Individuals or groups who threaten nation states
• Large corporations

How To Combat Zero-Day Exploits

Because of the nature of zero-day exploits, it’s hard to see them coming. However, you can do a few things to boost your threat protection. Consider the following tactics so your business can combat zero-day exploits. 

Vulnerability Scanning

Security vendors can detect some zero-day exploits through vulnerability scanning. This practice simulates different attacks on software codes and conducts code reviews. The main goal is to find any new vulnerabilities the system is at risk of after a software update. 

Depending on what your security vendor finds during the scan, you must take action within your business to minimize the threat. Have your team perform code reviews and clean up the code to avoid potential exploits. By acting quickly, you can stay one step ahead of hackers and protect your software. 

Software Patching

If your organization detects some exploits within your system, you can perform software patching and upgrades to reduce your risk of a cyber-attack. While software patching is an effective way to protect your business, it does have a few drawbacks. 

You may be unable to deploy security patches as quickly as you’d like since software vendors can take a while to discover any vulnerabilities. Once they do, you’ll need to wait for them to develop a patch and then distribute it to your company. The overall length of the process impacts your risk level of a zero-day exploit. 

Create a Response Plan

One of the best ways to combat zero-day exploits is to establish a plan that outlines your attack response. Experts suggest crafting a plan that includes the following:

• Risk assessment and plan preparation
• Identification processes
• Threat containment
• Attack eradication and prevention
• System recovery
• Incident review and future preparation

The tight plan allows your company to effectively combat zero-day exploits and keep yourself safe from future cyber-attacks. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get your plan settled.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

QR (Quick Response) codes are revolutionizing the way many businesses operate. Scanning these unique barcodes with your phone’s camera can instantly bring you to any website. While QR codes are convenient for users, they also open the door for cybercriminals to attack vulnerable people.  

This informative guide offers many ways to protect your business from QR code phishing attacks. Keep reading to learn more about this type of cyber-attack, including how you can stay safe from scammers. 

How Do QR Code Scams Work?

QR codes are great for streamlining business practices. Retailers, entertainment venues, and even restaurants now use them out of convenience. However, QR codes don’t make you immune from phishing attacks.  

Scammers will display QR codes alongside a message that tricks people into providing personal information. The code often leads to a fake website where the victim can input sensitive information like their credit card number. Once the hacker has this information, they can quickly steal the victim’s identity and carelessly spend money with their credit card.

For example, hackers may put malicious QR codes on parking meters to scam people into paying through a fake website. Innocent people then share their credit card information with a hacker without realizing it. If you fall for this scam, the hacker has full access to your personal information and can wreak havoc on your finances before you know what is happening. 

Safeguard Your Business From QR Code Phishing Attacks

QR code scams are becoming more common, but there are ways that you can safeguard your business. One of the best things any organization can do to keep safe from cyber-attacks is to educate their employees. IT professionals find that most data breaches and cyber-attacks are due to human mistakes. Therefore, it’s essential to recognize the signs of a phishing scam and avoid falling into the trap. 

Experts recommend cybersecurity training for your workforce. Educating your employees on common scam tactics is a great way to increase their awareness before scanning QR codes. This training should urge them to carefully scrutinize whichever link the code sends them to, as scammers may use links with typos to trick users into thinking they are visiting legitimate sites to get their information.

Finally, one of the best ways to protect your business from QR code phishing attacks is using two-factor authentication or 2FA. This security measure requires that a user enter a second form of verification when signing into their account, such as a one-time passcode or security question answer. This way, a hacker has a harder time infiltrating your worker’s email. Employ these measures and keep yourself safe from hackers.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator

Do you want to grow your business in one simple, streamlined way? Monitor your profits and uncover trends with a custom data dashboard. This technology is a great way to keep track of business performance.

Learn more about data dashboards and effective ways to use these popular systems for business growth. 

What Is a Data Dashboard?

If you don’t already know, a data dashboard compiles all your important data points in one accessible place. It helps you reduce time and resources for building a report with the same information. Companies of all sizes can gain something from these systems. 

Data dashboards paint a clear picture of your company’s performance and outlook using business intelligence. Savvy leaders take this information and make adjustments as needed. 

What Can You Include in a Data Dashboard?

Your dashboard can (and should) have your most important metrics and key performance indicators, or KPIs. These may include:

• Online advertising budgets
• Sales revenue
• Total profit or loss
• Web traffic

Developers can build custom dashboards that fit your needs. For example, if you run an e-commerce site, you might prioritize your revenue and profits over total web traffic. 

How To Effectively Use Dashboards for Business Growth

No matter the industry, data dashboards can help any business owner. You need to know the best ways to use them. Follow these tips for optimum business performance. 

Use an Automated Dashboard 

Data is constantly changing, and you can’t use outdated information. An automated dashboard provides real-time data. This way, you can easily view accurate metrics and KPIs. Just like the dashboard in your car, a data dashboard shows how well the engine of your business is running.

Check Data Regularly

According to multiple studies, companies that regularly check their KPIs are 30% more likely to experience growth. Make it a habit to check the real-time data daily, and you’ll be more in tune with specific trends. Use this information to your advantage and adjust your business practices accordingly. 

Analyze the Numbers

Data like website traffic, sales, and revenue can tell you a lot about your business performance. However, look beyond the numbers, and you’ll be able to identify trends that either help or hurt your business. Use these findings to alter your current methods for the better. 

For example, if your sales figures are consistent despite fluctuating budgets for your marketing channels, you could save money and boost profits by changing your marketing strategy. 

Set Goals

Seeing unsatisfactory numbers and mindlessly trying to improve them is not enough. You must set clear, realistic goals for each metric you measure. This way, you and your staff are all on the same page and can boost productivity when everyone knows the target you’re shooting for. 

This is one of the best ways to use dashboards for business growth because it lets you focus on specific improvements and aim to achieve them promptly.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator