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A recent report from Check Point Research revealed a shocking statistic – the Microsoft-owned business platform LinkedIn is impersonated in nearly half of all phishing attacks globally. One of the ways scammers leverage LinkedIn to deploy their phishing attack is when they zero in on anyone seeking a new job or career change. While e-mails like “You have 1 new invitation” or “Your profile has been viewed by 63 people” can be authentic, it’s critical to verify the e-mail address it’s sent from to ensure that it’s genuinely from LinkedIn. These impersonators will send e-mails that look identical to the real ones, with links to fake LinkedIn pages that will rip off your information as soon as you enter it. Another way cybercriminals leverage LinkedIn is by creating fake profiles and messaging people about job opportunities. Once you’re on the hook, they’ll either ask for a small payment upfrontto process your application (that you’ll never see again) or send you a link to a form you must fill out that’s actually a phishing link in disguise. LinkedIn is aware of the problem and is working on developing advanced security features to protect its users. Here are three of the current security features it has already deployed:

The recent global outage of Microsoft services, caused by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, served as a stark reminder of how vulnerable even the largest tech giants can be to unexpected disruptions. Airlines, businesses, and countless individuals relying on Microsoft’s vast ecosystem felt the ripple effects, highlighting the interconnected nature of our digital world. The Importance of Incident Response Plans While the outage is mostly resolved, the incident underscored the critical need for comprehensive incident response plans. These plans, often overlooked or underestimated, provide a roadmap for organizations to navigate crises efficiently and minimize downtime. A well-structured incident response plan includes: Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) at Risk If a tech giant like Microsoft can be disrupted, the potential consequences for small and medium businesses (SMBs) are even more significant. SMBs often lack the resources and infrastructure to recover quickly from outages, making them more vulnerable to financial losses and reputational damage. Developing a comprehensive incident response plan is not a luxury for SMBs; it’s a necessity. By investing in preparedness, SMBs can: Moving Forward The Microsoft outage serves as a valuable lesson for all organizations. By developing and regularly updating incident response plans, businesses of all sizes can mitigate the impact of future disruptions and ensure their continued success in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. Key Takeaways: Let’s not wait for the next outage to take action. Let’s make incident response planning a top priority today.

As a business leader, you’re always looking for ways to increase revenue, cut expenses and grow your bottom line. Implementing AI tools, shopping services and running a more efficient operation are great ways to do that. One place you do NOT want to cut corners is using free antivirus or firewall software. In today’s blog, we’ll share why these seemingly helpful software solutions are a detriment to your business and why a 10-minute call with our team might just be the best investment you’ll make this year. Free software often lacks necessary features and is limited in what it can detect. Free antivirus software and firewall solutions can protect your business against some known viruses but not all of them, and they likely won’t have the ability to protect you against other comprehensive threats, like malicious files, unknown or unidentified threats and more. Cybercriminals are constantly rolling out new and “improved” viruses to trick even the most robust security solutions, which makes it difficult to believe that free, infrequently updated antivirus solutions could offer the level of protection needed to keep you secure. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. While free cybersecurity solutions sound like a good way to save a few bucks, you have to stop and realize these programs will make their money somewhere. The most common ways they make money are through ads, sponsored recommendations and collecting and selling user data. They collect and sell your personal information, like age and gender, and installed apps, to third-party advertisers. Some free solutions are already infected with malware. Ironically, these free cybersecurity tools can come with malware already installed to infect your computer upon downloading them. It’s also difficult to determine the difference between real free software solutions and fake ones created by hackers looking to trick unsuspecting business owners who hope to save a buck into downloading an infected version that immediately opens up your network to them. Free antivirus software is mostly reactive, detecting infections after they’ve happened. The point of having cybersecurity solutions is to try to prevent a data breach from occurring in the first place. Most free solutions are reactive and won’t keep unwanted intruders out; they simply alert you when one has already breached your network. If you’re going with a free solution, make sure you have a robust recovery plan in place. You’ll likely need it. Cybersecurity solutions are not as expensive as most business owners think and are more cost-effective than dealing with a data breach. If you have been using free antivirus or firewall software in your organization, it’s time to level up. Our cybersecurity experts will provide you with a FREE Security Risk Assessment that will detail if and where you’re vulnerable and what to do about it. Schedule yours by clicking here or calling us at 774-241-8600.

In recent months, the alarming cybersecurity breach at Change Healthcare, the health care payment-processing company under the health care giant UnitedHealth Group, has thrown a spotlight on a chilling reality: cyberthreats can lurk undetected within our networks, ready to unleash chaos at a moment’s notice. The breach, executed by the notorious ALPHV/BlackCat hacker group, involved the group lying dormant within the company’s environment for nine days before activating a crippling ransomware attack. This incident, which severely impacted the US health care system, a network with a large budget for cybersecurity, underscores an urgent message for all business leaders: a robust cybersecurity system and recovery plan are not optional but a fundamental necessity for every business out there. The attack began with hackers using leaked credentials to access a key application that was shockingly left without the safeguard of multifactor authentication. Once inside, the hackers stole data, locked it down, and then demanded a hefty ransom. This action stalled nationwide health care payment-processing systems, for thousands of pharmacies and hospitals causing them to grind to a halt! Then things got even worse! The personal health information and personal information of potentially millions of Americans was also stolen. The hackers set up an exit scam, demanding a second ransom to not release this information. This breach required a temporary shutdown, disconnecting entire systems from the Internet, a massive overhaul of the IT infrastructure and significant financial losses estimated to potentially reach $1.6 billion by year’s end. Replacing laptops, rotating credentials and rebuilding the data center network were only a few of the actions the UnitedHealth Group had to take. More than financial, the cost was deeply human – impacting health care services and risking personal data. While devastating, it’s a powerful reminder that threats can dwell in silence within our networks, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. It is not enough to react; proactive measures are essential. Ensuring systems are secured, implementing multifactor authentication, regularly updating and patching software and having a recovery plan in place in the event of an attack are steps that can no longer be overlooked and are basic requirements for doing business in today’s world. Also, the idea that “We’re too small to be a target” is false. Just because you’re not big enough to make national news, doesn’t mean you’re too small to be attacked! Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a cornerstone of modern business strategy. It requires investment, training and a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. The fallout from a breach reaches far beyond the immediately affected systems. It can erode customer trust, disrupt services and lead to severe financial and reputational damage, and your business, will be the one blamed. As we consider the lessons from the Change Healthcare incident, it’s your duty to make cybersecurity a top priority. Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity measures isn’t just a precaution – it’s a fundamental responsibility to our customers, our stakeholders and our future. Remember, in the realm of cyberthreats, what you can’t see can hurt you – and preparation is your most powerful defense. Is YOUR organization secure? If you’re not sure, or just want a second opinion, our cybersecurity experts will provide you with a FREE Security Risk Assessment that will detail if and where you’re vulnerable and what to do about it. Schedule yours by clicking here or calling us at 774-241-8600.