We all have one, I’ll show you mine

by Dale

December 21, 2019

5:32 pm

Comments Off on We all have one, I’ll show you mine

Raves, Technology

data breached, Network, protect information, Security Settings, SPAM, Wireless Networking

Much like opinions or certain body parts

In today’s modern infrastructure we all have a router, let’s see what we can find out.

Backstory

I’m always thinking of ways to keep ransomware away from my customers and while I was pondering this article I thought why not ask my router some questions. Since that’s the first place our outside internet connection comes from.

The Interview

ME:
Hey, Router what do you do for me?

ROUTER: I take your single internet connection and share it among your devices so everyone can have internet access.

ME:
Since you’re my first link to the outside world why don’t you do more to protect me? Wouldn’t that make sense and save me from having a million things about security to remember?

ROUTER: That does sound logical, but I’ve been a loyal member of your infrastructure for years. Remember? I was there back in 2015 when the power was out. I was lonely, but when it was over, I was there. How about in 2013 when we first met? You were so happy to have WiFi and me an “all-in-one router”, we loved each other.

ME:
Sure, I remember some good times. But, criminals have gotten smarter and I must have modern protection to keep up with modern threats, so how about protecting me better?

ROUTER: I’m doing my best here, it’s not easy keeping a steady flow, keeping the data conversations going to the right device. You don’t need anything else, we’re family.

ME:
Let’s face it, you don’t have the right skills. I need a modern solution to keep up with modern threats.

ROUTER: Could we Talk about something else, I really don’t understand what you’re talking about. Besides, I have other things to do right now.

Even the router agrees, it cannot protect us in the modern workplace. We need much better protection.

So, I researched. Here’s the thought process…

My considerations:

Easy to manage
Provides immediate protection
Provides ongoing protection
Is easy for customers to obtain, and has a great ROI

Product Comparison — Comparison List (click to download)

My choice

I chose WatchGuard because they not only check all the boxes but allow customers to obtain the device and pay monthly for service protection and subscription. This allows customers to get the right device at a reduced cost that could otherwise be cost-prohibitive. Plus, ongoing protection is included (one of the most important parts of ongoing protection). Skip keeping the subscription active and that could leave you inadvertently unprotected.

Besides, WatchGuard devices come in a variety of solutions. This means a device can be uniquely configured specifically for customers’ network needs.

Layers of protection

We need Unified Threat Management for modern threats and layered protection. My job is offering the best solutions for keeping your business continuity protected.

Call me and let’s replace your router with a firewall

Want more information? Give me a call. I’m always happy to help. 972.571.4808

I Think I just might be Psychic

by Dale

July 11, 2019

8:20 am

Comments Off on I Think I just might be Psychic

Uncategorized

backup, Computer, data breached, ransomware, Security Settings

The power of the mind is a strong and sometimes dramatic force

Ever have that time where you absolutely know something is about to happen and it does? Ever walk into a room and feel like you’ve been there before? These are probably all great questions for the internet, but I wanted to touch on something that really hit home recently and is definitely where you should be thinking if you have more than 2 computers in your office.

Let’s use our IT crystal ball to find out

Actually its remote monitoring management (RMM) software. This tool monitors important features of a server (email server, database server, website server, file server, etc.) and workstations (system health, installed software health, etc.) actually thousands of monitors and remediation at a moments notice. If something is required an alert or email is issued to the administrator and work can be scheduled. Truly a crystal ball for IT administrators.

But, monthly maintenance costs a few hundred dollars a month, and I don’t spend that on monthly IT costs?

So, what does this mean for the rest of us without it?

Easy, more expensive IT costs. You might ask yourself “But, monthly maintenance costs a few hundred dollars a month, and I don’t spend that on monthly IT costs?”. Good question, it’s not easy to see the benefits when you think of it that way, but, what about what you’re not seeing? Not only does the RMM part help prevent and notify when a system breakdown will happen but, it also keeps your systems constantly and consistently virus protected, patched and your software updated. Some plans also keep your systems backed up, and protected not only against viruses but against ransomware. For instance, the typical ransomware attack asks for 3 bitcoins to decrypt your files, in today’s bitcoin price that’s about $30,000 and if you don’t pay in the first 24 hours the price goes to 5 bitcoins ($50,000). When you visit with your board of directors and don’t mention “Managed Service” because you think it’s too expensive, make sure you tell them when you get ransomware, you had an opportunity to not pay the $30,000 that it’s now going to cost. Think I’m kidding? Think I’m trying to sell you? Hell no, I’m trying to save you.

Oh yeah, think your backups are safe? Those get encrypted too. You need a backup plan with disaster recovery. Backing up alone isn’t a solution, it’s a disappointment.

Don’t let these bastards hold you up

What I used to think…

I work for a retired couple that manages several apartment buildings and a few years back they had their accounting computers drive crash, the husband told me that when he took a computer class to get up-to-speed with computers they told him “It’s not if it will happen, but when.” I remember that about computer drives, but now I’ve changed my opinion and use the same analogy with Ransomware, “It’s not if it will happen, but when.” Don’t let these bastards hold you up, get managed service today and get protected. 972-571-4808.

Breaking Up

by Dale

April 23, 2019

9:12 am

Comments Off on Breaking Up

Rants, Technology

backup, Managed Service, protect information, Security Settings, Windows 10

The moment you realize you are not alone

Some years back when I first started setting up my first web servers. I built a domain server, a website server, an email server, and a database server. Everything was running smoothly. Then after about one month or so, I came into the office and looked over at the server monitor and noticed the mouse moving across the screen. I thought, “What’s going on?”. There were a couple of menu’s being clicked. Then it hit me, I’ve been hacked!

My first emotion was anger after all these are my machines, I spent many, many hours getting them configured just right. This was a big lesson for me. Instead of assuming that everyone is nice, and everyone respects your space that doesn’t mean anything when you put yourself out there on the internet. People will just hack, hold your work for ransom. Why, because you didn’t think that would happen to you.

I’ve had many, many calls when someone has come to work after a weekend, or a holiday suddenly something is just not the way it should be, or after an innocent restart there’s now ransomware.

Sure, some break-ups are hard to do, but this decision should be an easy one this time.

How can we protect ourselves?

Well, as I found out you have to be proactive about it. You have to make sure every machine that accesses the internet (and especially servers) have had every single patch/update installed all the time, then make sure you have a very good anti-virus, anti-spam, and a good firewall. Then make sure that the virus software runs daily, scans continuously and make sure you check each machine daily, weekly and monthly. Test your backups by restoring them to a physical or virtual machines, you don’t want a backup failing when you need it.

That’s just too much time, how can I do my job if I have to do this on all my employees’ machines?

Well, you certainly would find the time, if you got ransomware at a price of about 15 bitcoins ($45,000 dollars) or you’d certainly feel bad if you had the opportunity to do something and didn’t.

We offer “Managed Services” to help you as much as possible to avoid the bad guys

Our managed service plans offer several layers of protection. In every case when we start a new managed service customer the machines have been unpatched and unprotected with on average 50 or more needed security patches. In addition, anti-virus is non-existent, isn’t scanning on a regular basis or its freeware.

Neil was right, breaking up is hard to do

Sure, some break-ups are hard to do, but we need to break up with the hackers. This decision should be an easy one this time (a no-brainer). Want to know how much your outage would cost? We can tell you. Call us for a personal outage cost comparison you’ll be surprised. We’re waiting to help you.

So, what happened to the hacked server?

Well, I immediately unplugged it from the network and restarted it. It would not start, the hacker had done his job. I spend the next 70 hours straight (with just a few 1/2 hour naps), getting the email server back online. I make sure things are up to date, patched and cared for every minute now and you should too.