Computer security is becoming more important than ever before, primarily due to the overwhelming amount of cyber crimes taking place day by day. This is particularly concerning to small businesses and other offices that haven’t begun considering a data security system as the centerpiece of a secure interoffice network.  Let’s be honest though – it can be overly expensive to hire your own team of IT professionals and keep them in-office for any troubleshooting. It can be sometimes even be too expensive to bring in one specialist for computer security.

That;s why a number of smaller businesses are looking to outsource network security to outside firms, according to a story from Fox Business. Managed security services are experiencing a boom right now:

“…a growing number of smaller companies are outsourcing the job to so-called managed security services providers. They offer…seasoned security pros at affordable prices because they spread the costs across many clients. Indeed, small- and medium-sized companies are expected to drive a near doubling in spending on managed-security services to $14.9 billion in 2015 from $8 billion in 2011, according to Stamford, Conn.-based research firm Gartner Inc.”

The problem remains that many business owners and managers are wan to give over access to their network, the article says. In most cases, these firms not only offer the protection you need, but also charge rates based on the services you choose. The billing can usually work to your advantage:

“The size of your bill is typically determined by the number of computers and other devices being monitored or some other measure of the volume of work involved. For a small business, such flexible pricing is often appealing because expenses can grow or shrink along with your business.”

Make sure your small business is being shielded from the realities of cyber crimes. Hire an independent IT solutions company – you’ll be doing your business a favor.

While we talk about malware adversely affecting your network and the importance of network security numerous times on this blog did you know that malware can also infect your smartphone? If you own a smartphone you probably download various applications, use the helpful features, and you may have even scanned a QR codes to reveal promotions or information about a company. Malicious hackers and coders are jumping at the chance to spread malware that they can profit from and QR codes offer them this opportunity. When smartphone users who scan QR codes see a new code they may scan it because they think it’s a promotion that they want to participate in or they are merely curious where the code will lead them.

Malicious hackers are creating QR codes that lead to malicious sites that will execute illicit actions on your phone, reported Dark Reading.

“QR codes are growing in popularity and seem to be popping up everywhere — magazine ads, newsletters, real-estate signs, newspaper ads, and in trade-show booths,” says Paul Henry, security and forensic analyst at Lumension. “In the simplest of terms, a QR code is a 2D bar code that can store data which can then be read by smartphone users. The data is an easy way to direct a user to a particular website with a simple scan of the QR code, but it could also just as easily be a link to a malicious website.”

When you see a QR code you simply take a picture of the code with your smartphone with a QR code reader and it will lead you to a site. It is a simple concept but its simplicity can be dangerous because QR codes, much like a standard barcode, don’t reveal information about the site you will be visiting until your phone loads the page and by then the malware may be spreading to your phone.

“The big problem is that the QR code to a human being is nothing more than ‘that little square with a bunch of strange blocks in it.’ There’s no way to tell what is behind that QR code,” says Damon Petraglia, director of forensic and information security services for Chartstone. “And the biggest risk is that people cannot deny their own curiosity. If people see a random QR code that’s not connected to anything, just a sticker on the wall, they’re going to scan it because they want to know what the heck it is.”

The next time you see a QR code make sure you think twice before scanning it and only scan codes that you feel confident are trustworthy. While QR codes are a great and useful tool they can also cause unnecessary and possibly irreparable damage to your phone or various online accounts.

As a small business owner you likely have a plethora of insurances under your belt to keep you covered in the event of an accident or an emergency; from insuring your building to insuring your employees you may feel prepared for anything. One think that you may not have a form of insurance for is your data; while you cannot insure the data you can do everything your power to ensure that it is never lost or corrupted. One way to do this is by performing regular backups and ensuring that all of your data is securely stored away. From client contact information to sales figures and everything in between your data should stay confidential and protected.

If you aren’t backing up a daily basis to a secure location you could be putting your clients’ information and your business at risk. When you first think of utilizing data backup you may think of just backing the data up in house on a few different drives but this can be time consuming, costly, and ineffective in the end. By going with an automatic online backup your data will be stored online which will grant you convenience, reliability, and affordability. While it is important to know that know data backup is completely full-proof online backup systems will grant you greater reliability as data recovery can be initiated in moments if there ever is a glitch that compromises your data.

You may be nervous at first about storing all of your data on a remote server and ask questions about what if the server is compromised or hacked in to. Typically data on remote server is encrypted meaning that there isn’t a chance of the data being corrupted or lost in transfer. If a malicious act, such as theft, does occur your data will remain protected as most data backup providers utilize extremely secure facilities and procedures. When you use portable media in office for data backup you may find that you will not enjoy these benefits and the others that come along with remote online data storage.                                                                                                                                                          So start researching today and find the data backup company that is going to be right for your business. By keeping your data protected your clients will be able to rest assured that you have their needs in mind and that they are a top priority to you.

If you fall ill or experience an injury one of the first places you may turn to is a hospital. Hospitals are supposed to be a safe and secure location that are staffed with the best doctors and nurses who are prepared to offer the best care they can. But what if you arrived at the hospital for treatment only to be turned away? This is exactly what happened at one Georgia hospital. Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia was forced to close its doors and turn ambulances away; but not because there was ac contagious epicdemic spreading through the hospital or because the staff was unable to treat patients. The Gwinnett Medical center had to close its doors temporarily due to a malware infestation.

We have talked about malware affecting a variety of businesses and private citizens but a hospital becoming infected is on a much larger and perhaps much more dangerous scale. Gwinnett Medical Center was unfortunately not prepared for malware and suffered because of it, reported IT Pro Portal.

Speaking to WSBT, hospital spokesperson Beth Okun confirmed that the malware infection was real. “We’ve had a virus interrupt our system within our hospital. It’s not affecting patient care in any way, shape or form.”

While some of you may not be too surprised about this malware infestation there are plenty of others who did not see this infestation coming. It is yet to be determined what caused the malware or if it will pop up again at Gwinnett Hospital down the road but one thing is certain: hospital IT professionals must be find and isolate this incident so it does not occur again.

“While full details of the incident – including the exact nature of the infection – are not being disclosed by the hospital, security experts have expressed deep concern.”

“Most of what happened at Gwinnett is speculation on my part, but I doubt it will be the last time we hear a story like this,” explains Sophos’ Chester Wisniewski. “Like SCADA systems, medical devices are designed to work in a very specific state and are extremely expensive.

If you believe your computer, whether it is your personal machine or your work computer, may have been infested by malware it is important that you call your CT computer repair expert to get your computer in great running condition once again.

If you follow technology news you likely know that the Android Market has recently seen its 10 billionth application downloads. In a time where many people in the Western world have cell phones and smart phones it should come as no surprise that apps are frequently being downloaded. Whether you are bored and need a game to play or you want to lose a few pounds and need a calorie tracking application the Android Market is there for you. But with the billions of download the Android market is still seeing malware on the rise. While I have covered this topic before on this blog it is important to address again to ensure that Android users are careful when browsing the app store.

“Analyzing the malware landscape this year, the security vendor (Fortinet) tracked a 90 percent jump in Android malware families in 2011 compared with 2010. That figure doesn’t account for infection rates or severity, only the rise in malware seeking to infect Android devices,” reported CNET.

With such a drastic increase in the amount of malware seen on the Android platform over the past year it is important that you are careful when selecting the applications you are going to download. Hackers and malware authors are working diligently to attempt to stay a step ahead of Android users so they can infiltrate the Android Market with malicious software that will compromise personal information. From finding your location to sending fake messages to premium numbers that will cost you money or even finding banking information mobile malware is a true threat.

By being conscientious about which applications you download you can rest assured knowing that you are steering clear of malware. Some people may believe that malware can only infect their computers and compromise their network security but when you think about it your smart phone is just a miniature computer and can most certainly be affected. If you believe your phone has been infected with malware take it to your mobile phone retailer as soon as possible to have it checked out. Eradicating malware should be your first technology priority once you discover your device has been infected as letting it stay on the device can only lead to negative repercussions.

Typically on this blog we talk about the importance of network security and how poor network security can lead to detrimental issues with your computer or network of computers. There are hackers and malicious coders chomping at the bit to infiltrate your network and wreak havoc in a variety of ways. From something that may seem minor like spamming your Facebook to something far worse like stealing your banking information or spreading a virus to your computer hackers and malware coders have a variety of agendas. While most hackers and malicious coders target computers researchers have found that hackers can also target printers now.

The researchers hail from Columbia University and have accused computer giant HP of selling printers that could be infiltrated by malware and made to catch on fire, reported Ars Technica.

“(PhD Student Ang) Cui and (Professor Salvatore) Stolfo say they can remotely install malicious software onto HP LaserJet printers because the printers accept software updates without examining digital signatures, and check for updates each time they accept a print job. “In one demonstration of an attack based on the flaw, Stolfo and fellow researcher Ang Cui showed how a hijacked computer could be given instructions that would continuously heat up the printer’s fuser—which is designed to dry the ink once it’s applied to paper—eventually causing the paper to turn brown and smoke,” according to MSNBC. “In that demonstration, a thermal switch shut the printer down—basically, causing it to self-destruct—before a fire started, but the researchers believe other printers might be used as fire starters, giving computer hackers a dangerous new tool that could allow simple computer code to wreak real-world havoc.”

While this malware test was conducted in a controlled environment and was not intended to harm anyone there may be hackers out there who aren’t intending to complete research. This is why it is important that no matter which type of electronic device you are using that you use it safely and securely. By taking the proper precautions when it comes to your technology use you will be able to rest assured that your devices, whether they are computers, cell phones, or printers, won’t be infected with malware. If you do suspect that your computer has been infected it is a good idea to get it checked out by a CT computer repair specialist as soon as possible.

While you will be gathering around the table to enjoy turkey and pumpkin pie with your family this Thanksgiving weekend another gathering will be occurring that likely won’t include poultry and pie. Hackers and malware coders, also known as malcoders, will be gathering in Mumbai this weekend to participate in MalCon, a malware and hacking conference. Because of this conference and similar gatherings around the world it is more important now than ever that you are aware of your technology usage. Hackers and malware coders are coming together to create more software that is only going to get more malicious so it is important to keep yourself protected.

There will be a variety of workshops at this conference including: Twisted Penetration Testing and Xbox Kinect Coding for Fun and Profit. These workshops and others will give hackers and malware coders a place to share ideas and developments in order to create a more dangerous playing field for technology, reported NetworkWorld.

“Last years’ MalCon had some security-minded individuals practically foaming at the mouth. Infoworld warned that no good could come out of a malware convention, adding “MalCon organizers want us to believe that the security community can benefit from an event showcasing and teaching malware.” Then SecurityCurve asked whether “MalCon is the devil or just a more specialized BlackHat?” Krebs on Security said the conference was more like a “call for ethical malcoding.”

It should come as no surprise that such a large gathering of hackers and malware coders is making the technology world a bit nervous. Companies and individuals are constantly fighting back against malware and attempting to find solutions to stomp out the malicious software for good. But for all of the ethical technology professionals there is likely a hacker or malcoders waiting to counteract them and create software that is created to lie, cheat, and steal.

Stay a step ahead of these hackers and malcoders by enlisting in the help of a CT computer repair specialist today.  If you suspect your computer has been infiltrated by malware it is a good idea to get it checked out as soon as possible so you are not putting your personal information at risk.

If you ask anyone what websites they frequent the most are you will probably hear a few responses such as their e-mail website, news sites, and of course Facebook. Facebook is a social media website that has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. While most people use Facebook for keeping up with friends and family or playing the occasional game there are some people who are using Facebook for malicious purposes.

By following our blog you likely already know just how dangerous malware can be, how it can affect your network security, and how to spot the signs if there are any. As technology advances so do the cyber criminals who spread malware for personal gain so it is becoming increasingly difficult for the casual Facebook user to spot malicious software. Malware is spread via Facebook in numerous ways and has a variety of repercussions but the latest flood of malware that has left crude and violent images in its wake. How this particular malicious software is spreading is through clickjacking, reported The Detroit Free Press.

“We experienced a coordinated spam attack that exploited a browser vulnerability,” Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes told USA Today. “Our efforts have drastically limited the damage caused by this attack, and we are now in the process of investigating to identify those responsible.”

“These fake links pose as regular Facebook posts, often coming from friends we would normally trust to only post good links. When clicked, a JavaScript command is executed, causing a user’s computer to perform a program that spreads the link even farther.”

Clickjacking preys on the most scandalous and sensational human interests in hopes of drawing more and more clicks in. Once a Facebook user clicks on the link out of curiosity the link is spread to their own page and it becomes a vicious cycle. But cyber criminals often don’t stop at spreading grotesque posts across Facebook; they use this malware to obtain personal private information such as login information for other sites including e-mail and banking websites.

If you notice any suspicious activity on your own Facebook or a friend’s page it is a good idea to take action to get the issue taken care of immediately. And if you run a small business make sure you let employees know the danger of being on the site while at work. If you do believe that malware has bee installed on your machine via Facebook and you aren’t sure what to do next contact your computer repair CT specialist today to ensure your online and network security are still in tip top shape.

You read about malware attacks and malware being on the rise quite frequently on this blog. You also find out how you can keep your network protected with the help of computer repair experts CT. One thing you may not hear about as often are the perpetrators being apprehended; many cyber criminals spend a great deal of their time eluding the authorities and covering their tracks trying to make it more difficult to find them. But this time the cyber criminals have been caught and will be prosecuted.

Six people of a team of seven have been arrested in connection with a malware scheme that scammed $14 million out of computer users across the globe, reported PC World:

“The defendants — six Estonians and one Russian — allegedly hijacked more than 4 million computers using malware that rerouted Internet traffic to websites where they would get a cut of the ad revenue. Infected computers with users looking for popular websites such as Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes were rerouted to webpages that featured the defendants’ ads.”

Computer users would visit a site and then click on an advertisement that interested them only to be rerouted to a different site. One case that was listed in the indictment was an advertisement on the Wall Street Journal’s website that appeared to be for American Express but once users clicked on it they were rerouted to a fashion website. Each time a user was rerouted to this other website the criminals would profit.

“This case is supposedly the “first of its kind,” according to US Attorney Preet Bharara, because the suspects set up their own “rogue servers” in order to perform the rerouting. Using their rogue servers, the defendants were allegedly able to substitute legitimate Internet ads with their own ads, thereby generating millions in advertising revenue.”

“The defendants are being charged with 27 counts of wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, and computer-related crimes. The most serious charges, wire fraud and money laundering, carry a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.”

If you believe your computer my have been affected, by this malware or any other type of malicious software, it is a good idea to contact a computer repair specialist today. Your network security is crucial to your privacy in your home and your clients’ privacy if you run a small business.

If you read our blog regularly you probably know that malware is a threat to computer users around the world; malware can be especially dangerous if it infiltrates a small company’s network. If you are a small business owner then you are likely very concerned about malware and learning how to prevent and eradicate it because you know how important the security of your clients’ information is. Unfortunately one recent study has shown that malware is still on the rise so it is more important now than ever that you are taking all of the precautions to ensure that your network security is safe from this malicious software.

The third quarter of 2011 has recently wrapped up and one security firm, Panda Security, has found 5 million new instances of malware across the web, reported V3.

“The firm’s latest quarterly PandaLabs report found a record number of Trojans, identifying three out of every four samples as this type of information-stealing malware.

The number rose from 68 per cent in Q2 to over 76 per cent in the third quarter, driven by cyber criminals trying to monetise malware attacks by stealing banking or other account log-in credentials.”

Another prevalent problem that many fall pretty to is fake anti-virus software. Pop-ups will alert computer users that their computer may have a virus and that they should click to ensure that the virus is taken care of; but in all actuality these pop-ups actually install malicious software onto the computers and wreak havoc.

“China was again the country with most infections, followed by Taiwan and Turkey, according to Panda. Most of the countries with the lowest infection rates were European, with the exception of Japan and Australia, the vendor added.

“We must take note of the countries that, report after report, are at the forefront of the least infected countries, such as Sweden, and see the good practices carried out to apply the same principles,” said PandaLabs technical director Luis Corrons.”

If you believe that your company has been affected by this spike in malware it is important that you contact your CT network repair specialist today. Professionals will be able to help you get rid of this malware and ensure that you don’t see a recurrence of it in the future.