It’s not easy protecting our clients from bad actors on the internet (and we’re not talking about the latest Hollywood blockbuster). Smart people with bad intentions are always dreaming up new ways to steal information.
For example, key loggers record the key strokes as your customer service rep logs into their machine. A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) intentionally paralyzes a computer network by flooding it with data sent simultaneously from many individual computers.
Clients of Robertson Technology Group know that they should immediately install software updates when they become available and to contact us for help if necessary.
Sometimes the updates seem routine and genuine, like one for an Adobe Flash update that’s been popping up on websites lately.
But don’t click on it!
Adobe discontinued Flash in 2020 and no longer supports it, so if a website tells you there is an update, it’s probably malicious software.
Some fake update messages for Flash are actually installing a mischievous browser extension called Cloud9, and it can spread to your whole network if it isn’t caught in time. Cloud9 can initiate a DDoS campaign, flood your customers (and anyone else) with spam, or pinch important information if you’re using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
What can you do to protect your business?
Most importantly, train your employees to recognize these threats and avoid clicking on them.
As mentioned, update all network devices to the latest versions of browsers and ensure any security software is up to date as well.
An important last step is to use Enhanced Protection in your browser’s Privacy and Security. This warns users if they are risking network exposure to a cyber attack.
Of course, we’re always here to help businesses in Victoria, BC shield themselves from the bad actors who scheme up disruptive plots. Contact us to see what we can do for your business.