News

Mobile and IoT Threats

I recently presented to local 6th grade students on careers in STEM; as part of my presentation, I always like to include a little bit of privacy and IT security information. During our discussions, many of the students relay that they are the go-to IT provider at home – especially for “easy” setups like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. These users, in many cases, are also allowed to make their own choices regarding video game and app installation. After reading McAfee’s annual mobile threat report, it is clear that these areas (IoT setups and mobile apps) could be an easy way for cyber criminals to access your network and your devices. Make sure that your home and business devices are setup with a security-first mindset.

Read The Entire McAfee Mobile Threat Report

If you are looking for the highlights, I’ve listed the major threats and some protection advice below. The best protection method is to always think before clicking, whether installing an app or following a web link.

Hidden and Fake Apps

While Google Play and Apple’s iTunes/App Store have security guidelines in place for app developers, users are still vulnerable to fake or hidden apps on their mobile devices.

One method is for scammers to send a text message with an invitational link to download an app. This app may look like a legitimate banking app and the text may appear to be from a national banking chain, but the app may be specially designed to trick you into entering your banking credentials and other passwords. This threat is especially prevalent in the Android market. Take time to look up the app in the app store, read reviews and download statistics, and check the app description for grammatical errors or typos.

Popular games like Fortnite also create a flurry of fake apps and add-ons. As Epic (developer of the popular Fortnite game) moved the game outside of the Google Play store for Android users, opportunities developed for scammers to advertise their version of the Fortnite game. You should always download games and apps directly from the app store or game developer website.

Home (Invasion) Assistants

The McAfee report also indicates that many smart home assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Home) are setup with minimal security settings. The password may be weak and insecure, the wireless network itself may be easy to hack, or failure to run firmware upgrades on your IoT devices might allow hackers to use known vulnerabilities.

As IoT device offerings continue to grow in the home-device market, it is important to do your research and make sure you are buying a product with a reputable security controls. An off-brand product may be taking advantage of explosive growth in the market to offer a cheaper product with little security oversight.

Tools that allow users to segment or subnet their home network are increasing in ease-of-use and availability. Most business networks will have some items in a subnet, to increase network efficiency and prevent open communication to specific types of devices/users.

Read The Manual

While your 12-year-old may be able to add devices to your wifi if you provide the username and password, there is often more to setup than just network access. Read through the installation manual, look online for an authorized support forum if you have questions, and make sure that you know how to check a log of activity on your device. Constant (network) connection also requires constant vigilance.

Leslie is Marketing Manager at ITS, with a background in K-6 Education. She enjoys designing classroom activities and presentations that help students develop an interest and awareness in IT Security.

Workplace Flexibility with 3CX

It’s another snowy day in Iowa, and some of our staff are working safely from home instead of risking the slick commute. When you call our office, we are still able to transfer you to your assigned technician to talk helpdesk tickets, to your account manager to discuss IT needs, or to sales staff to talk new Windows 10 purchases. Unless we tell you otherwise, you would never know who is working from Palo, Cedar Rapids, Central City or Louisiana. Although, on snowy days in Iowa, the teleworker from Louisiana is probably the happiest!

How do we stay connected? Our 3CX phone system!

Mobile App

All of our mobile employees, whether they travel to work helpdesk tickets or meet with clients, have the 3CX mobile app installed. This allows their work extension to ring-through on their cell phone and complete conversations and text/voice/video chats through a wireless connection. When no wireless connection is available, the same conversations can utilize a cellular connection.

Software Apps

Our remote workers have another option in addition to the mobile app on their cell phones: the 3CX App for Mac and App for Windows. These users typically integrate a headset to make calls from their computer. Again, we have access to their extension from our dispatch board just as if they were sitting next to us in the office!

Updated Status

When staff are in a webinar, eating lunch or visiting with clients, they can change the status in their phone system using default choices (“Do Not Disturb”) or custom content. (“On a Webinar”) This helps us see at a glance which technicians are available to take a phone call or stop by to troubleshoot an issue in their area.

Contact our sales team to learn more about 3CX for your communication needs!

Windows 10 Accessories

If you are updating your Windows 7 laptop or desktop to a Windows 10 machine, make sure you consider accessories and peripherals to increase productivity and efficiency! Featured below are some of the top accessories clients ask me to provide alongside their new computer.

Display Adaptors

To make sure that your new computer can display graphics to your existing or new monitors, your Apple TV or conference room components, or your home TV, it’s important to inventory your connections before ordering your computer. If you have specific connections that your laptop or desktop needs to make, let us know. Sometimes a picture of the port and the cable ends are all we need to identify the type of connection! We can help you choose a machine with a native port to connect easily to those existing displays and external devices, or we can select the correct adaptor to make existing connections work with your new machine.

Docking Stations

A variety of docking station options can provide a clean way to use extra monitors, external keyboard and mouse, speakers, etc. Some docking stations are able to provide power and charge your laptop, while others only provide peripheral device organization. Make sure you ask about a dock that will power your laptop if that is your preference.

Extra Power Adaptor

If your cubicle outlets are not in a friendly location, consider adding an additional power adaptor to your order. This allows you to keep one at home (or in your laptop case) and leave one ready-to-go in your cubicle.

Many of our laptop models also have mobile adaptors available for cars. Ask about a DC Travel Adapter that charges your laptop from your car!

Mice/Keyboards

Several varieties of wired and wireless mouse and keyboard options help you achieve more efficiency with your laptop or desktop. Some of these accessories are available with one single nano USB dongle. These accessories are designed with maximum comfort and minimal real estate in mind.

Ergonomic Furniture

From stand-up desks to monitor stands and keyboard rests, many variations of very simple accessories are available to make work-life more comfortable and enjoyable. Ask about our ergonomic options when you order your new machine!

Nicole supports our team and clients with Inside Sales. She has access to sales representatives and technical support for all of our vendors, to make sure we are getting the best product for your needs!

Financing

ITS provides a variety of leasing and financing options to help your capital IT purchases flow into your monthly budget. Financing technology purchases instead of making large purchases every few years can help you develop a predictable monthly and annual budget, and ensure that you are keeping technology products refreshed on a fixed schedule to maximize security and efficiency. We are seeing many of our Small- Medium- Business clients use this model to purchase new Windows 10 machines before the Windows 7 End Of Support date.

When you utilize a planned, monthly payment for your technology hardware and services, you are able to preserve cash for activities that drive value back into your business. This fixed monthly expense also helps you realize the dollar amount for each employee in your business; just like you know your HR related expenses per head-count, you can now also determine your IT expenses per head-count. This really helps you plan for the future and maximize your cash-flow!

The end of the lease or payment cycle brings a variety of options: you keep the same monthly payment and roll into fresh hardware, or you purchase your IT equipment at cash value and continue using this hardware in some aspect.

If you already receive any monthly-billed services from ITS, your financed hardware can be added to your existing monthly bill. Many of our services can also be arranged as monthly charges instead of break/fix occurences.

New Technology. No Hassle.

Technology changes at amazing rates; the products and services we provide are designed to keep your business up-to-date without an up-front financial burden. Contact our sales team to learn more about financing your next technology rollout!

Window 7 End-Of-Support

Windows 10 was introduced in July 2015, which set an end-of-support date of January 2020 for Windows 7. Many users have switched to Windows 10 devices as their computers reached the end of their life cycle, but there are still several Windows 7 machines in use in schools, businesses and homes.

Why Does This Matter?

When a Windows product reaches end-of-support, it no longer receives security patches and updates from Windows. These patches and updates are currently released monthly to Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 computers, and help the computers run efficiently with maximum security. If a Windows machines no longer receives patches and updates, it becomes more vulnerable to viruses, ransomware, and other cyber security risks. Cyber criminals will identify risks with the unsupported versions of Windows 7, and target Windows 7 vulnerabilities in spam emails, browser hijacks, and other scammy tools.

Will I like Windows 10?

Many users were startled by the changes between Windows 7 and Windows 8. The changes in Windows 10 bring the operating version back to something that resembles Windows 7. We still have the Start Menu, and items located within the Start Menu are familiar. While there will be new features and learn and discover, the differences will not be great between Windows 7 and Windows 10.

What Are the Benefits of Windows 10?

Windows 10 has beefed up their security with the built-in Microsoft Security Essentials. While this product does catch viruses, malicious software and spyware and is installed free with your Windows 10 computer, we do recommend installing additional security software – especially for business users.

Windows Hello brings biological factored sign-in to your Windows 10 computer. This means that you can use your fingerprint or facial scan to unlock your device, depending on the hardware and model.

Windows 10 also introduces several mobile-friendly traits to help you share content across phones, TVs and other devices. Using the Windows 10 browser, Microsoft Edge, and compatible Microsoft apps with a Microsoft login, you really can use a Windows 10 device as an extension of your Android or iPhone and vice versa.

Learn more about Windows 10 from ITS.