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How does my computer get hacked?

31/08/2023 Marketing Department

How does my computer get hacked?

The thought of our computers being hacked is a scary one. Unfortunately, it’s a very real threat in today’s digital age, so it’s a good idea to learn of some of the common ways that computers get hacked.

Phishing

Phishing attacks are one of the most common ways that computers get hacked. Cybercriminals use emails, text messages or phone calls that contain urgent messages to trick people into giving away their personal and financial information. These emails often look like they come from legitimate sources, such as banks or online retailers, and contain links or attachments that install malware on your computer. Unsuspecting staff can be unprepared for the sophistication of attacks so they should be up-to-date with the latest scam trends.

Malware and other viruses

Malware is a type of software that is designed to harm your device. It can be installed on your computer through phishing attacks or by downloading and installing software from untrusted sources. Once installed, malware can do a variety of things, such as steal your personal information or take control of your computer. If a phishing attempt works and the link is clicked, your device gets infected and allows hackers access to the device, even to spy on you in the background.

Unsecured Networks

When you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, you’re putting your computer at risk and cybercriminals can intercept your internet traffic and steal your information. It’s important to avoid unsecured networks and to use a virtual private network (VPN) when you need to connect to public Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals can also hack into your personal or work Wi-Fi network through weak passwords, outdated firmware and missed software updates in your router’s settings. Gaining access to your work or personal devices can be as easy as connecting to an unsecured or weak Wi-Fi network.

Weak Passwords

Weak passwords are an easy target for hackers. They use automated programs to guess passwords and gain access to your computer. It’s important to use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for added security. Your passwords could have also been unknowingly stolen and sold on the Dark Web due to a data breach, making all your private accounts up for grabs. Hackers can then demand large amounts of money in exchange for the sensitive personal information they stole.

Software Vulnerabilities

Software vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software that can be exploited by hackers. When software companies become aware of these vulnerabilities, they release updates to patch them. It’s important to keep your software up to date to avoid falling victim to these attacks.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is the practice of tricking people into giving away their personal and financial information. Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics, such as pretending to be someone else or creating fake online profiles, to gain your trust and extract information from you.

Tech support scams

Another way for your computer to get hacked is when hackers contact you via email or pop-ups where they claim that your device has been compromised. They pose as reputable security companies and get you to call their tech support number to then ask for access to your computer to fix the ‘problem’, but then take control instead.

How can you tell if your computer has been hacked?

While your IT service provider should be constantly monitoring your systems for signs of hacking, here are some signs to look out for:

You receive emails about sign-in attempts that you never made
Your device becomes slow, overheated and starts to lag
You receive multiple pop-ups with messages claiming your device is infected with a virus
Actions happen on your computer on their own, like new tabs opening and apps launching
Your log-in attempts to accounts are unsuccessful
People around you mention they’ve received strange messages from you
You start receiving an influx of spam emails
You have suspicious banks account activity
Your browser has unfamiliar extensions and ad-ons
You keep getting redirected to unwanted websites while on the internet

What can you do now?

Unfortunately, protecting yourself is not enough, especially when everything is so interconnected these days. If your password was leaked in a company-wide breach, hackers can easily access your private accounts, computer or smartphone. Use a free leaked password scanner to scan the internet and check if any of your sensitive information is available to scammers.

If you believe your computer has been hacked, contact your MSP. Otherwise, here are some steps you can take:

Disconnect from your Wi-Fi network
Use antivirus software to scan for malware
Delete any suspicious apps
Update all your apps and operating systems
Changes all your passwords and start using Two-Factor Authentication
Wipe your device
Freeze your credit card
Check your financial statements
Warn those around you about the hack
Tighten security settings on your online accounts

As a business that has multiple devices and deals with a magnitude of important data, it might be time to have your IT systems managed by a Managed Service Provider. The IT Security and Cyber Security measures they implement and their constant monitoring of your systems will save you money in the long run and help the longevity of your business, among other great benefits. While you cannot 100 per cent prevent hackers from gaining access to your devices, your aim is to not be an easy target. Unless your business deals with high-value data or has connections to ones that do, if cybercriminals view your business as too difficult to attack, they will stop their pursuit.

As you’ve learned, computers can get hacked in many ways, from phishing attacks and malware to unsecured networks and weak passwords. It’s important to be vigilant and take steps to protect your computer from these threats. By using strong passwords, avoiding unsecured networks, keeping your software up to date and being wary of suspicious emails and messages, you can help keep your computer safe from hackers. So, take the time to implement these simple measures and protect your computer and your personal information from cybercriminals.

Data Recovery, Essential Eight, MSP, Technology

How often should I back up my data?

29/08/2023 Marketing Department

How often should I back up my data?

As a business owner or manager, one of your most important responsibilities is protecting your data. Data loss can have a devastating impact on your business, resulting in lost productivity, lost revenue and even lost customers. That’s why backing up your data is so important; think of it like your business’ insurance policy if something goes wrong.

There are a variety of factors you need to think of when creating a backup strategy, such as who manages the backup, whether you back up all your organisation’s data or only the most important, where you store the backup, how often you back up and how you do the backups. These are all important questions to ask, but the first question to answer is why you need to back up your business’ data.

Businesses store magnitudes of data, from customer information, data, bills, bookkeeping, orders, website code and custom programming, and passwords as well as daily work like documents, presentations, spreadsheets, emails and appointments. This all needs to be protected in the event of a system failure, cyberattack or natural disaster.

If you’re unsure about what data your business should be backing up, talk to your IT service provider, otherwise, a data backup should include all data stored within your network, like databases, operating systems, applications, configurations and employee work phones.

But how often should you back up your data? The answer depends on several factors, including the size of your business, the amount of data you generate and the level of risk you are willing to tolerate.

To determine how often you should back up your data, Microsoft has listed a range of questions to ask yourself about your business:

How important is the data on your systems?
What type of information does the data contain?
How often does the data change?
How quickly do you need to recover the data?
Do you have the equipment to perform backups?
Who will be responsible for the backup and recovery plan?
What is the best time to schedule backups?
Do you need to store backups off-site?

Perhaps the most important of these questions is how often does the data change? Data creation is constant these days as businesses are either creating new content or receiving new data, through emails, consumer data, social and blog posts or documents.

As a business, there are some general guidelines you can follow when it comes to how often to back up data:

Daily Backups: At a minimum, you should back up your data daily. This ensures that you have a recent copy of your data in case of an unexpected outage or disaster. Daily backups are particularly important for businesses that generate a lot of data or rely heavily on technology. A mid-size company might benefit from performing a full backup every 24 hours with an incremental one every 6. Mid-size online retailers should increase this to every 4 hours along with producing transaction logs every hour. Enterprise retailers and large banks might increase to every 3 hours and logs every half-hour. For businesses this large, lost transactions and data are not an option and with the overload of data, a second server is often required. Backing up each day means if something goes wrong, you’re not missing anything too important as you can just go back to the previous day’s backups.

Weekly or Monthly Backups: In addition to daily backups, you may also want to perform weekly or monthly backups. These backups provide an additional layer of protection and can be particularly useful for businesses that generate a lot of data or have a lot of critical information that needs to be protected. Weekly full-scale backups might be fine for smaller organisations that then do incremental backups every day, but this probably won’t suit larger enterprises. A small business might even suit only backing up their files every few days.

Backups can be done manually or automatically. Automatically backing up your systems is an incredibly effective way to go as it saves your IT team time, especially if your IT is done in-house. These days, there are many automatic software options that your business can use if you’re managing your IT systems yourself. If you have an IT service provider, be sure to clarify with your IT service provider how often they back up your data in your pricing plan and whether they charge per GB or for more frequent backups, as well as where they’re storing these backups

Another important consideration is where you store your backups. Storing your backups on-site may provide some protection, but it leaves your data vulnerable to disasters such as fires or floods where you then lose everything. That’s why it’s important to store your backups off-site, either in the cloud or at a remote location. Only storing backups on Google Drive can also be detrimental as, while this allows for rapid backups, you might get locked out of your Google accounts.

It’s a good idea to back up to as many places as possible, like an on-premise hard drive or server, a backup software and a cloud-based backup, so that if one fails, you have others to rely on to quickly reboot your network with minimal data loss. Because while a data backup system is crucial, you also need a data recovery system when you need to use those backups.

As you can see, the size of your business, and thereby, the amount of data you produce, play a big part in determining how often to back up your data, but one thing is certain, your business must have a backup routine in place to maintain its longevity. You never know when a hardware failure, software corruption or accidental or intentional loss of data might occur. Having the right data backup plan protects businesses and helps them avoid costly damages in the future.

Ultimately, the frequency of your backups will depend on your specific business needs and risk tolerance. Backing up your data regularly is essential for protecting your business and ensuring that you can continue to operate in the event of a disaster. Don’t wait until it’s too late — start backing up your data today.

Cybersecurity, Technology

What is a firewall and how do they work?

24/08/2023 Marketing Department

What is a firewall and how do they work?

Firewalls are the digital guardians that stand between our sensitive data and the cybercriminals lurking in the dark corners of the internet. In this article, I’m going to take you on a journey through the fascinating world of firewalls and explain how they work to keep us safe.

What is a firewall?

At its most basic level, a firewall is a piece of software or hardware that monitors and controls the flow of data between a computer or network and the internet. It acts as a barrier, blocking unwanted traffic while allowing authorised traffic to pass through.

Firewalls can be thought of as bouncers at a club. The bouncer’s job is to let in the people who are supposed to be there while keeping out the troublemakers. In the same way, a firewall allows legitimate data to pass through while blocking malicious traffic.

When did firewalls first come about?

As security issues evolved, new preventative measures had to be developed to protect organisations and individuals. In 1989, packet-filtered firewalls came about and then the first commercial firewall, called DEC SEAL, was released in 1992. Stateful firewalls began appearing in 1994.

As investments and technology continued, in 2004, IDC coined the term, UTM, or unified threat management, which involves a single hardware or software that provides multiple security functions, highlighting how this area of security was becoming more complex, with more companies enhancing these technologies. Next-generation firewall, introduced by Gartner, then came about in 2009.

How do firewalls work?

A firewall analyses networks based on rules, allowing incoming connections that it has been configured to allow through. It allows or blocks specific data packets, which are units of communication sent over digital networks. This way, only trusted IP addresses — these identify computers or sources — are allowed through.

Types of firewalls

You can get both software and hardware firewalls, both serving a different purpose. Hardware firewalls, like hardware, are physical and are stored between your network and gateway, like a broadband router for example. Software firewalls are internal programs on your device that work through port numbers and apps. As businesses transition online, there are now also cloud-based firewalls, known as Firewall as a Service (FaaS) which can grow with your organisation.

There are many types of firewalls based on how they filter traffic, their structure and functionality. Here are just a few:

Packet-filtering firewalls: these examine each packet of data that tries to pass through and compare it to a set of predefined rules. If the packet matches one of the rules, it is allowed to pass through. If it doesn’t match any of the rules, it is blocked. These are basic and are meant for smaller networks as they do have some limitations, like being unable to prevent web-based attacks.

Stateful multi-layer inspection (SMLI) firewalls: these go a step further, not only examining each packet but also keeping track of the state of the connection between the two computers. This allows them to determine whether a particular packet is part of an established connection or if it’s a new connection attempt. This type of firewall is more secure than packet-filtering firewalls because it can detect and block certain types of attacks that packet-filtering firewalls cannot. They are still, however, unable to tell the difference between good and bad web traffic.

Next-generation firewalls (NGFW): these are more sophisticated as they have higher levels of security where they inspect a packet in its entirety, such as its contents and source. These firewalls can block more complex and evolving security threats like advanced malware.

Network address translation (NAT) firewalls: these can assess internet traffic and block unwelcome communications. They only allow inbound web traffic if a device on your network has approved the IP address.

Firewalls can also be configured to block specific types of traffic, such as incoming or outgoing email, instant messaging or peer-to-peer file sharing. This can be useful in preventing data leaks or stopping employees from wasting time on non-work-related activities.

It’s a good idea to have both network-based and host-based firewalls set up. Network firewalls are usually used by businesses to protect large networks of computers, servers and employees, where they filter traffic from the internet to secured local area networks (LAN). A host-based firewall is a software that works somewhat the same but is stored on a single computer or device and can be installed on each server to control traffic and protect the host.

One of the most common uses of firewalls is to protect home networks. Many home routers have built-in firewalls that can be configured to block incoming traffic from the internet while allowing outgoing traffic. This helps to prevent hackers from accessing the computers and devices on your network.

Firewalls are also essential for businesses of all sizes. They protect sensitive data such as customer information, financial records and proprietary information. Without a firewall, a company’s network could be vulnerable to attacks such as viruses, malware and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks like ransomware.

Make sure to constantly update your firewalls as firmware patches come about after any new vulnerabilities are discovered.

Why should I use a firewall?

Being connected to the internet, you should have a firewall in place, especially since threats are constantly evolving. Some risks of not using a firewall include having your networks open for anyone to access, having your data exposed for cybercriminals to delete, steal or demand a ransom from, or could cause attackers to shut down your network, again, often requiring you to pay a ransom to restore. At the very least, not having one can mean a loss of data, time and money.

As much as you continue to tell staff not to click unknown links or to access untrusty websites, people make mistakes, so a firewall is a minimum protection you should be including in your business. Even if you combine this with virus protection, which you should, it’s still the bare minimum in security.

When does a firewall not work?

Firewalls can be great for protecting your networks, but there are many vulnerabilities your business can still face even when using one.

You could be hit by an insider attack, or even a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, where your network gets flooded with traffic. You could be hit by malware, which can be incredibly varied and complex which firewalls can find difficult to defend against, or there may be a missed vulnerability in your firewall that hasn’t yet been rectified which can allow threats to access your network.

Not all firewalls prevent employees from accessing malicious websites and they cannot protect against virus-infected files accidentally being downloaded. They don’t prevent issues surrounding passwords and if your system is already infected, a firewall will do nothing.

It is because of this that a firewall should not be the only protection your business implements as its security measure. All your devices need to have the latest operating system and security software. Contact your IT or managed service provider to make sure they are adequately protecting your business and continually monitoring your systems for cyberattacks to stop them in their tracks.

Firewalls are an essential part of computer security. They act as the first line of defence against cybercriminals and can prevent a wide range of attacks. Whether you’re using a home computer or running a business, it’s important to have a firewall in place to protect your data and keep your network secure. So, if you haven’t already, make sure to invest in a good firewall and keep your digital life safe from harm.

IT Support, Managed IT Services, MSP

Why changing your IT service provider is stressful

22/08/2023 Marketing Department

Why changing your IT service provider is stressful

For a business, IT is stressful, hence why they pawn the entirety of their systems to an IT service provider in the first place. Just the knowledge of that past stress and what changing providers could mean, even when the business is receiving fluctuating service, is enough to put most businesses off. We know as many of our new clients have told us that they wished they’d transitioned sooner (2 or 3 years). It was just the time and trouble of changing that put them off. Once you’ve chosen a new managed service provider (MSP), the actual transition is incredibly fast and seamless, usually taking a few days to a few weeks and with no downtime to your staff.

There are several reasons why companies may wait a long time before changing MSP:

Fear of disruption: Companies may be hesitant to switch MSPs because they fear that the transition process will be disruptive and could result in downtime or other issues. They may also be concerned about the potential for data loss or security breaches during the transition.
Contract obligations: Many MSP contracts have specific terms and conditions, including minimum contract lengths and penalties for early termination. Companies may be reluctant to pay these fees or may not want to risk damaging their relationship or loyalty with the current MSP.
Lack of alternatives: In some cases, companies may feel that they don’t have any viable alternatives to their current MSP. They may believe that no other providers can offer the same level of service, expertise or cost-effectiveness.
Internal resistance: Changing MSPs can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires buy-in from various stakeholders within the organisation. If there is resistance from key decision-makers or IT staff, the process may be delayed or postponed indefinitely.
Lack of awareness: Some companies may simply be unaware of the benefits of switching MSPs. They may not realise that other providers offer better service, pricing or technology, or they may not understand the true cost of staying with their current MSP.

Tips for a hassle and stress-free switch

Take your time to research and gather testimonials of different MSPs. Sit down and have a chat with them to make sure they are covering your needs without pushing impulsive features on you to force you to pay more. A great managed service provider will ensure the transition is seamless, is not disruptive to your business and is stress-free.
Document all the problems and positives of your current MSP so that when you go to them to end the contract, you have grounds to stand on for wanting the change, as well as positives to say thank you to them for.
Take control of the change where you can and communicate with your MSP throughout the journey to ensure they are doing or implementing what they promised. Make sure they provide you with a plan so that you know exactly how they will manage the transition so your business operations are not affected.

During the proposal and initial assessment stage, you still have time to opt out of using the MSP. What’s beneficial in this stage is that the MSP will give you a fresh perspective on your IT systems and what’s normal in outsourced IT services. Since you’re at the point of wanting to switch IT service providers, this reaffirms your previous thoughts of wanting to switch as now you can actually see where your current MSP has not been providing you with the level of service or benefits you need. Similarly, a comprehensive audit of your IT systems by a different MSP can identify flaws and inefficiencies that your current MSP has been ignoring.

We never advocate switching MSPs for cheaper prices, but if a different MSP is offering better services than your current MSP at a similar price — managed IT services will generally be similar anyway — this means your budget goes further. You should always receive a return on your investment in your business.

Many businesses refrain from switching IT service providers too hastily due to perceived hassles with the switch and while risk management is essential for businesses, being too wary and worried can be detrimental to your business if the quality of your current IT service is not up to scratch. Remember, change can be positive.

Choosing a reputable and professional MSP mitigates these stresses and risks. Do your research and when receiving proposals and during the initial assessment stage, you will generally be able to gain a feel for the type of relationship you will have with the MSP in the long run. Like you, an MSP doesn’t want to be coming and going from a client’s systems, so they will do everything they can to maintain a great relationship with your business, as that’s what keeps them clients.

Why change can be stressful for business

Change is normal in life and for business to grow, your business needs to be prepared to take on change. When you’re unsure of the change, it comes down to the resources you have to cope with the stressful situation, i.e., the MSP transition. By doing your research and going through the first few stages with a prospective MSP, talking to them in person, having them assess your systems, and hearing their recommendations and how they can help you, this can significantly reduce the stress from changing IT providers.

In reality, stress and change all come down to psychology and perception towards the change. Learn everything you can about the MSP, do your research, contact testimonials of the MSP and read blog posts on their website to see if they have a diverse array of knowledge of the IT industry. Do what you need to feel comfortable with your prospective MSP and while you might keep telling yourself you don’t have time for this, it is a necessary step, especially if you’re becoming increasingly frustrated with your current provider.

Overall, changing MSPs can be daunting, but in many cases, it can result in significant improvements in service, technology and cost-effectiveness and can be incredibly beneficial to your business in the long run. Companies should carefully evaluate their options and consider the long-term benefits of switching MSPs.

If you need guidance about any step of the process and would like to learn about how Pronet Technology can help both manage your IT systems and improve your business’ Cyber Security measures, give us a quick call and we’ll have a chat!

IT Support, Managed IT Services, MSP

How do partnerships between my business and my MSP look?

17/08/2023 Marketing Department

How do partnerships between my business and my MSP look?

Business partnerships between your team and a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can be a powerful way to enhance your organisation’s IT capabilities. MSPs provide a wide range of IT services, including network management, data backup and recovery, security and software development. They also alleviate some of the IT burdens that small and medium-sized enterprises face and they offer technical expertise, cost savings and the ability to improve the end-user experience, as well as to improve security and to create a better employee experience. Ultimately, a healthy, long-standing partnership is what both parties are aiming for.

What might this relationship look like?

Here are some insights into what business partnerships between your team and an MSP can look like:

Collaboration and Communication: One of the essential elements of a successful partnership between your team and an MSP is collaboration and communication. Your team and the MSP need to work together closely to ensure that the services provided by the MSP align with your business goals and objectives. Communication is critical to ensure that expectations are met and any issues are addressed promptly.
Clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Service Level Agreements (SLAs) define the services to be provided by the MSP and the performance standards that will be met. Clear SLAs ensure that your team and the MSP have a shared understanding of the services to be provided, the timelines for service delivery and the expectations for service quality. SLAs also provide a framework for measuring the performance of the MSP and ensuring that service delivery meets the agreed-upon standards.
Customised Service Offerings: MSPs offer a wide range of services and it’s important to choose an MSP that can tailor their offerings to meet your specific needs. Customised service offerings ensure that you get the services you need, without paying for services that you don’t need. Your team and the MSP should work together to identify the most important services to your organisation and develop a customised service package.
Continuous Improvement: Technology is constantly evolving and working with an MSP committed to continuous improvement is essential. The MSP should have a process for identifying new technologies and service offerings that can benefit your organisation. Regular meetings between your team and the MSP can ensure that you are aware of new services and technologies that can improve your IT capabilities.
Scalability: As your organisation grows, your IT needs will also grow. The MSP should be able to scale their services to meet your changing needs. A good MSP will have the resources and expertise to provide the services you need, regardless of your organisation’s size or complexity.

Tips for building a strong partnership with your MSP

Choose your Provider Wisely

We have an entire article about how to find a good provider for you — read that here — but essentially, you need to find one that fits your needs. Like all businesses, each MSP is different and while one may suit next door’s business perfectly, it might not suit yours. An MSP should drastically impact the efficacy and performance of your IT systems, so make sure you choose one that has the right services, expertise and reputation that is important to you.

Prioritise Communication

Communication is crucial to any relationship so make sure both parties are transparent about challenges, goals and progress going forward. Your MSP needs to know everything it can about your business so it can provide you with appropriate recommendations tailored to your business. You should also outline the type of relationship you expect from the provider, such as great service, timeliness and expert opinions.

Set Goals and Responsibilities

As a business, you also need to know the capabilities of your MSP, which should have been detailed to you at the beginning of the partnership. They should have also outlined a range of goals that both they and your business need to achieve to see your business technologically advancing. Ensure you are also aware of the MSP’s role within your team, as they do have one, but you need to understand where their duties and roles stand. This should have been communicated to you in the contract stage.

Be able to Adapt

One of the reasons you hire an MSP, other than for them to manage your IT systems, is so you have access to IT professionals who can provide you with recommendations on improvements to your network, hardware and software. Sometimes, they would also have standards that they informed your business had to meet for them to work with you, so make sure your business is considering these so that your business can achieve its goals.

Monitor the Relationship

Like any relationship, make sure to check in regularly, whether that be in-person, via a phone call or video call, to make sure everything is running smoothly and everyone is on the same page. Meetings for updates and evaluations allow for open communication and strengthen your long-term relationship with the MSP. Relationships also change and evolve over time, and they can also potentially sour if a disagreement arises. Keeping up with communications and informing each other of issues should be a regular occurrence.

Look Long-Term

Working with an MSP is a long-term partnership. Unless you are not receiving the level of service required, you should aim to stick with the MSP rather than changing it every few years. This saves you time, stress and money and allows you to establish trust with the provider, where you can openly discuss each other’s shortcomings and where each party can improve. This allows you both to grow and prevail as businesses. This also encompasses the MSP understanding your business goals so that it can work with you long-term in achieving these and improving your business’ IT level. It might help to create a roadmap for this.

A business partnership between your team and an MSP can be an effective way to enhance your organisation’s IT capabilities. Collaboration and communication, clear SLAs, customised service offerings, continuous improvement and scalability are essential elements of a successful partnership. Choosing the right MSP and building a strong relationship with them can help your organisation achieve its IT goals and objectives.

Cybersecurity, MSP, Technology

How does encryption work?

15/08/2023 Marketing Department

How does encryption work?

Did you know that by 2025, globally, the amount of data generated in the cloud or connected servers will reach around 463 exabytes, each day? One exabyte is one billion gigabytes!

This figure from SeedScientific highlights just how much data businesses collect and store and is the reason why data must be kept safe from breaches and other cyberattacks. One of the ways to do this is through encryption which is already used in many of our daily online activities without you thinking about it, like in our online banking, shopping and browsing.

Encryption is the digital equivalent of an unsolvable jigsaw puzzle. It’s a way of scrambling information so that only the intended recipient can understand it. Encryption is an essential part of modern communication and commerce, allowing us to send sensitive, confidential or personal information over the internet without fear of it falling into the wrong hands.

With businesses storing their information in the cloud or on servers with an ongoing connection to the Internet, your data is most likely going to end up on another organisation’s systems, so it’s important to keep this data private.

What is encryption?

At its most basic level, encryption involves taking a message or piece of data and scrambling it using a mathematical algorithm. This algorithm is designed to be extremely difficult to reverse, meaning that anyone who intercepts the message will not be able to read it without the encryption key, which the recipient has, which then unscrambles it back into plain, readable text.

Encryption protects the data you send, receive and store on devices, whether it be text messages, running logs saved on your Apple Watch or banking information sent through your online account.

How does encryption work?

Think of encryption as a secret language between two people, the language being called, cipher text. Imagine you and a friend agree to use a secret code where each letter of the alphabet is represented by a number. You can use this code to send messages back and forth without anyone else being able to read them, as long as they don’t know the code.

In the digital world, encryption works in much the same way. When you send a message or data over the internet, it’s first encrypted using an algorithm that generates a unique key. This key is a long string of random numbers and letters that is used to scramble and unscramble the data in a process called decryption. Without the key, the encrypted data is unreadable.

This key can be generated through a couple of methods. Through Bit Sequence, or key space, where it specifies the units for the number of possible key combinations, with the bigger the key space, the stronger the encryption; as well as through Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2 (PBKDF2) which creates keys from a random string of passwords which then goes through Bit Sequence.

Types of encryption

There are two main types of encryption:

Symmetric encryption: where the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt the data. With symmetric, both the sender and receiver must have access to the same key.

Asymmetric encryption: this uses a pair of keys, one public key and one private key. The public key can be shared with anyone, while the private key is kept secret. When someone wants to send a message to you, they encrypt it using your public key. Only you can decrypt the message using your private key.

Encryption is used in a wide range of applications, from online banking and shopping to secure messaging and file storage. It’s also used by governments and military organisations to protect sensitive information.

There are different types of encryption algorithms, such as the now-obsolete Data Encryption Standard (DES) established by the U.S. government in 1977; Triple DES strengthens the DES through encryption, decryption and another round of encryption; RSA is popular for its key length; Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) was developed as the U.S. government standard in 2002 and is used worldwide; TwoFish is one of the fastest algorithms used both in hardware and software and is free to use.

One of the most common encryption protocols used on the internet by reputable websites is SSL or Secure Sockets Layer. This protocol is used to secure connections between web browsers and servers, allowing you to safely enter sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords. SSL works by establishing a secure connection between your browser and the server using a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption. You can tell a website is using this technology by looking for the padlock icon in the URL bar and the ‘s’ in the ‘https://.’

Ensure you and your staff are only using sites using SSL when you’re storing or sending sensitive data, like purchasing something, filing taxes or doing other business-related tasks. Most email clients also come with an encryption option in the setting menu, so check that this is available so that your emails are being sent over an encrypted connection and that each email is then encrypted.

Encryption and Cybercrime

Encryption can also be used by cybercriminals to attack you, such as in ransomware attacks. Other than ransomware breaches that steal your organisation’s data and demand a ransom to prevent them from releasing that data, another attack involves hackers encrypting computers and servers of businesses and then demanding a ransom to provide the key to decrypt the data.

To protect yourself and your business from ransomware attacks, install and use security software on all your devices and make sure these are up to date. Update your operating system and other software you use as these often patch vulnerabilities found by the vendor. Be incredibly wary about email attachments, never opening any you’re not specifically waiting for. If an email tells you to enable macro settings to open attachments, doing so can cause macro malware to infect your files. Make sure your data is backed up in multiple locations, such as on the cloud, so that you can simply go back to the unencrypted form if in a ransom attack and above all else, don’t pay the ransom. The Australian Government states not to as there is no guarantee the criminal will release your data back to you.

Why is encryption important?

In our digital age, encryption matters. The internet comes with a magnitude of privacy concerns, both nationally and globally, and encryption is another layer of online privacy you can use to send your personal information securely. Government regulations also require industries to implement security measures that protect customers’ information, such as healthcare providers protecting patients’ sensitive information that is stored online and higher education institutions protecting student records. Any breach can cause an organisation to violate The Privacy Act 1988 and can see businesses facing hefty fines, data loss and loss of trust and reputation.

Encryption is an essential part of modern communication and commerce. It allows us to send sensitive information over the internet without fear of it falling into the wrong hands. Whether you’re shopping online, sending emails or storing files in the cloud, encryption is there to keep your data safe. So, the next time you use the internet, take a moment to appreciate the technology that’s working behind the scenes to protect your privacy and security.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight, MSP, Strategy

Which Essential Eight maturity level should my business be at?

10/08/2023 Marketing Department

Which Essential Eight maturity level should my business be at?

You know what Essential Eight is and that the Australian Government highly recommends implementing it, but does that mean your business must be at the highest maturity level?

As cyberattacks continue to rise in frequency and sophistication, businesses of all sizes must take proactive steps to protect their sensitive information and assets. Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed the Essential Eight, a set of mitigation strategies that businesses can implement to significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.

The ACSC has defined four maturity levels to help organisations identify where exactly they’re at when it comes to their Cyber Security. These maturity levels aim to help businesses implement Essential Eight, originally introduced in 2017 and updated in 2023 after the increase in cyberattacks on Australian organisations. However, many business owners may wonder which maturity level they should be at when implementing the Essential Eight.

What are the maturity levels?

Maturity Level Zero: Indicates that your business has significant weaknesses in its overall Cyber Security and would be easy to exploit by attackers. If you’re at this level, any potentially confidential data or the availability of your systems and data are at risk of being compromised.

Maturity Level One: Organisations sitting in this level have some sort of processes to protect themselves from opportunistic attackers looking to infiltrate the masses, rather than individual businesses.

Maturity Level Two: These businesses have reasonable defences in place to defend themselves against cybercriminals specifically targeting their organisation. Criminals attacking these businesses are happy to invest more time and effort into bypassing security controls, such as by using targeted social engineering techniques when using phishing, but are also wary of spending too much time and money trying to compromise their victims. Businesses at this level introduce shorter timelines for action, ensure high-risk activities are logged and start thinking more broadly about potential threats.

Maturity Level Three: This is the highest level a business can be at where businesses are actively mitigating threats from adversaries that are constantly adapting their techniques and who are very focused on targeting specific, high-value organisations. These adversaries exploit any opportunities in weaknesses in the Cyber Security of the organisation and are willing to invest time and effort into understanding the organisation, their security control and their staff to gain access and evade detection.

What maturity level should my business be at?

Businesses start off being at level zero, but it’s time to understand that this must be changed and you need to increase the Cyber Security strategies in your business.

The first four of the Essential Eight strategies, known as the baseline maturity level, are considered to be the minimum requirement for all businesses. The remaining four strategies are part of the advanced maturity level and offer additional protection against cyber threats.

While implementing Essential Eight can help significantly reduce your risk of a cyberattack, it’s important to remember that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your business may require additional mitigation strategies beyond Essential Eight, and your business must conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify any gaps in your security. That is the first step in implementing Essential Eight. Focus on achieving a maturity level that makes sense for your business as the nature of your data might not be as sensitive as another business’ and Maturity Level Three might not correlate to your risk management evaluation.

So, which maturity level should your business be at? It ultimately depends on the size and complexity of your business, as well as the level of risk you are willing to tolerate. However, the baseline maturity level should be the starting point for all businesses, regardless of size or industry.

The baseline strategies include:

Application control: This involves only allowing approved applications to run on your systems, which can help prevent malware and other malicious software from executing.
Patching applications: Regularly updating applications with the latest security patches can help prevent cyber attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your systems.
Patching operating systems: Like patching applications, regularly updating your operating systems with the latest security patches can help prevent cyber attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities.
Restricting administrative privileges: Limiting the number of people who have administrative access to your systems can help reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.
Configure Microsoft Office macro settings: Cybercriminals often use Microsoft Office macros to deliver malware, so configuring the macro settings in Microsoft Office can help your business prevent this type of attack.

Once this level has been achieved, for businesses with higher risk levels, implementing the advanced maturity level strategies can provide additional protection. These strategies include:

Multi-factor authentication: Requiring more than one form of authentication, such as a password and a security token, can help prevent unauthorised access to your systems.
User application hardening: Configuring user applications to prevent malicious content from executing can help reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.
Daily backups: Regularly backing up your data can help ensure that you can recover quickly in the event of a successful cyberattack.
Incident response: Developing and implementing an incident response plan can help minimise the impact of a successful cyberattack on your business.

Each mitigation strategy needs to be lifted to a higher level until the target maturity level is achieved as your business’ overall maturity is based on the lowest score of any of the strategies. This will not change unless all eight mitigation strategies are lifted to the specific target level. In the original iteration of Essential Eight, it aimed for all organisations to reach Maturity Level Three, but with the latest release, it aims for organisations to reach a homogenous maturity level across the strategies before then moving up to the next level.

Improving your business’ Cyber Security strategies can be an expensive process and achieving any maturity level of the Essential Eight strategies requires time. Start with the baseline, then work your way up to help reduce the costs in the beginning. While it can be a slow process, your business must ensure it’s beginning to improve its maturity level as cyberattacks become increasingly common, especially so among small to medium-sized businesses. What’s more, there’s a high chance that Essential Eight will be mandated in the near future for some, if not all, industries due to just how common these cyberattacks are occurring.

In summary, all businesses should start with the baseline maturity level of Essential Eight, regardless of size or industry. From there, businesses with higher risk levels may need to implement advanced maturity-level strategies for additional protection. It’s important to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify any additional mitigation strategies that may be necessary for your business.

Cybersecurity, Data Recovery, MSP

Is my company’s data recovery system fail-proof?

08/08/2023 Marketing Department

Is my company’s data recovery system fail-proof?

Have you ever lost important data due to a system failure and wondered if your data recovery system is fail-proof? Losing valuable data can be a frustrating and emotional experience, so it’s important to ensure that your data recovery system is reliable and effective.

When a company loses data that can be recreated or easily regathered, then data loss might not be a major issue for your business, but when data critical to your business is lost and unable to be reobtained quickly, this can cause devastating problems for your business, including possible fines.

Some business owners have the idea that they live in an area safe from disasters, or they’ve never had a disaster, so they don’t need to invest in a disaster recovery plan for their business. For those business owners or stakeholders, it’s time to start rethinking what disaster recovery means.

When something goes wrong on one of your or your employees’ devices, or even in your IT system infrastructure, a strong recovery plan can mean the difference between getting back up and running in minutes or struggling to recover your information for days, weeks or ever.

What Constitutes a Disaster?

A disaster doesn’t just have to be natural, like a fire, flood, cyclone or earthquake. In business, disaster also includes ones caused by human error, like an employee failing to save a document or clicking a phishing link. Data backups and recovery in your business means protecting your business from human error, corrupted files, fraud, ransomware, Cyber Security breaches, IT system failures and power outages.

Importance of a Disaster Recovery Plan

Other than protecting your business and its long-term operations, having a disaster recovery plan is important for many other reasons, including:

Protecting your business’ data
Protecting sensitive information of customers
Protecting your business’ reputation
Removing longevity worries and allowing your business to focus on more important matters
Cost-effective as it reduces possible financial loss and business disruption

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

If you are not relying on an external provider to look after your systems and data recovery, businesses should use the 3-2-1 rule. All precious data should be stored 3 times, once on the original data storage place, like your computer, and then on two other different technologies, like on disks and the cloud.

Why do backups fail?

Your backup software didn’t work
There’s not enough space on the storage device for the backup
The backup didn’t cover the entire device
Backups are done manually, not automatically
The computer or storage device was not on when the automatic backup was scheduled
Files were lost before the backup was created

Backup tips

Here are some tips to determine whether your data recovery system is fail-proof.

Firstly, consider the type of data recovery system you have in place. If you’re relying on a basic backup system like an external hard drive or USB drive, it may not be enough to protect against all types of data loss. These systems can also fail, so it’s important to have a backup of your backup or consider using a more sophisticated data recovery system.

Secondly, consider how often you’re backing up. If you’re only backing up your data occasionally, such as once a week or once a month, you may be at risk of losing important data that was created or modified since your last backup, so if you received a large amount of customer data or analytics during that time, it’s all gone. Ensure your backup system runs automatically regularly so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to back up your data.

Thirdly, test your data recovery system regularly. It’s important to ensure that your data recovery system is actually working and can recover your data in the event of a system failure. Test your backup and recovery processes regularly and ensure you can restore all of your important data.

Fourthly, consider using cloud-based backup and recovery systems. These systems are designed to be highly reliable and secure and can protect against all types of data loss, including natural disasters, theft and cyberattacks. They also allow you to access your data from anywhere, at any time, making it easy to recover your data in the event of a system failure.

How an MSP helps

Your managed service provider should offer data continuity as a service and it is a service you should most certainly be using. The MSP will regularly back up your data and test these backups to ensure your business will be back up and running no matter what happens.

Pronet Technology’s disaster recovery solution provides several layers of redundancy to ensure that your essential data is backed up and recoverable. Our backup systems are also regularly ‘stress tested’ so that we can ensure your backups are ready and able to function in a real situation.

Ensuring that your data recovery system is fail-proof is essential for protecting your valuable data. Consider the type of backup system you’re using, the frequency and reliability of your backups, regularly test your data recovery system and consider using a cloud-based backup and recovery system. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure and that you won’t have to worry about losing important data due to a system failure.

Businesses are full of data and while this data may not be 100 per cent safe from threats and losses, as long as you’re prepared for such emergencies, you will be able to pick up and keep business moving.

Like anything in the IT industry, risks and solutions are constantly changing, so keep up to date with different strategies to incorporate into your data recovery plan. Contact your MSP to see how they are adequately keeping your data safe and to see if there is anything else your business can do to keep itself safe.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight, Strategy

Does my business need to implement every aspect of Essential Eight?

03/08/2023 Marketing Department

Does my business need to implement every aspect of Essential Eight?

Essential Eight aims to get organisations to achieve a varied Cyber Security framework that spans the eight strategies so that they can improve their maturity of whichever strategy they are lagging. It’s an initiative that helps businesses understand the importance of Cyber Security within their organisation and gives them a framework on how to improve.

As the strategies are varied and quite specific, a business will not reach the maturity level it needs without any dedicated effort. We understand it can be a struggle to navigate the challenges of Cyber Security, especially since the higher the maturity level you reach, the more costs involved and the inconvenience it can be on yourself and your staff. It’s necessary though, as any cyberattack that occurs can be detrimental to your business, including unproductive staff, downtime, data breaches, ransom attacks, lost customer trust and reputation, high expenses plus any legal fees that may occur, and potentially could even see the closure of your company.

Does my business need to implement all eight strategies?

If you’re unsure what the eight strategies are, read this article here to learn.

Originally when Essential Eight was introduced by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), now part of the Australian Signals Directorate (ADS), it suggested all organisations should aim to reach Maturity Level three. Businesses had to implement only four of the strategies — application control, patch applications, restrict administrative privileges and configure Microsoft Office macro settings — with the remainder being optional, and they were also able to self-assess their compliance.

With the updated version released in 2023, it aims for businesses to reach the same maturity level across the strategies before moving up to the next. What this means is that each of the eight strategies needs to be improved and lifted to your needed level. If seven of the strategies are at Level Two and one is at Level One, then your organisation’s Maturity Level is One. The newer version also introduces audits to check proper compliance.

For that reason, yes, your business needs to implement every strategy in Essential Eight. It’s the target level that determines how intensely you then implement these strategies.

Your business may not need to reach Level Three. This will be determined in your initial risk audit and assessments that you complete alongside a Cyber Security audit. Business owners and stakeholders must understand the risks that your business faces, as well as the costs associated with these and the consequences if they happen.

Is Essential Eight enough to protect my business?

Other than Essential Eight, your business should also have other Cyber Security practices in effect, including proactive monitoring of your networks and devices for malicious activity and regularly testing data recovery solutions so that when a cyberattack occurs, you can get your business back up and running. Essential Eight also doesn’t approach the task of the initial risk assessment that your business must undergo before implementing any Cyber Security strategy.

Essential Eight is simply a starting point for businesses to protect their digital assets. At current, the framework is about to become compulsory for all non-corporate Commonwealth Entities (NCCEs) so that Australia conducts business securely in the future to protect the country and its citizens. Now that so much of our lives and information is online, action needs to take place to protect this information. The government will be auditing NCCEs for compliance and, as part of their contracts, the NCCEs may require businesses they work with to also comply, meaning businesses may lose opportunities if they do not comply.

The framework is also highly recommended by the Australian Government for all other businesses, but we believe this will change soon to become mandated. Cyber Security attacks are growing, both in number and complexity. Criminals are using social engineering to trick staff into believing they are legitimate actors which then leads to disaster for businesses. Your business needs to aim to decrease as many of these opportunities, plus other complex threats, from reaching your staff, which Essential Eight can help achieve.

The ACSC themselves mention that:

“While no single mitigation strategy is guaranteed to prevent Cyber Security incidents, organisations are recommended to implement eight essential mitigation strategies as a baseline. This baseline, known as the essential eight, makes it much harder for adversaries to compromise systems.”

What now?

Implementing Essential Eight is something we, as an MSP specialising in Cyber Security, have been working with our clients to do and is something we do with every new client we take on board. Cyber Security can ruin businesses, so it’s something that must be applied.

The maturity level your business requires depends on your business and circumstances, so during the assessment, make sure to ask questions like ‘What is the risk of an attack’ and ‘What does my business have to lose.’ Once you’ve determined the level, it’s then time to achieve this through implementation, reviewing and monitoring.

If you’re unsure where to go from here, we can help you along the journey. In addition, Pronet Technology can also help with broader and stronger Cyber Security strategies and offer services with advanced threat protection and detection.

Contact Pronet Technology today to learn how prepared your business is for Essential Eight and how we can improve your Cyber Security.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight, MSP, Technology

Essential Eight and why your business needs to Integrate Cyber Security

01/08/2023 Marketing Department

Essential Eight and why your business needs to Integrate Cyber Security

In today’s world, IT systems are an essential part of any organisation. They help in improving efficiency, communication and productivity. However, with the increasing use of technology, the risks associated with IT systems have also increased.

You must know what Essential Eight is if you’re an Australian organisation. It’s a cyber self-assessment security maturity tool to help organisations reduce Cyber Security incidents caused by cyber threats

The government currently recommends that organisations implement the eight essential mitigations as a baseline but we believe this will change in the future to be mandated so it is something we advise our clients and prospects to implement.

Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to protect Microsoft Windows-based internet-connected networks, the framework has four maturity levels for each business’ risk category.

Level Zero: not aligned with strategic objectives.
Level One: partially aligned with the objectives.
Level Two: mostly aligned with the mitigation strategy objectives.
Level Three: fully aligned with objectives.

The levels depend on your business’ risk status and data sensitivity. Level One businesses, for example, are not commonly targeted specifically, so they just receive the typical mass scam emails. Level Two has the potential to be targeted but criminals will often move on if they find the security systems to be too hard to breach. Level Three are where attackers primarily focus as they have high dollar value data, such as banks and telecommunication companies.

Why should your business measure against Essential Eight?

Essentially, Essential Eight is all about Cyber Security and can be seen as a baseline for businesses to measure their maturity against, but it should be just one part of a wider framework that you should have in place. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, so businesses need to adapt to disruptions caused by Cyber Security incidents so that they can maintain business operations. This includes detecting, managing and recovering from incidents. We have other articles on our blog relating to these, so please read those to understand what your business should be doing to protect itself.

By measuring your business against the framework, your business can increase its knowledge of Cyber Security in business and identify company risks and how to control them. It allows your business to create a roadmap going forward that you can tick off to know that your company is becoming secure, and it gives you something to assess your service provider with to ensure they are integrating the Cyber Security processes within your business.

Limitations of Essential Eight

As mentioned, Essential Eight should not be used in isolation to protect your organisation. It’s not a fully-fledged Cyber Security framework and will not protect you from ever having cyber threats. For example, if you’re at Maturity level Three, this will not stop adversaries with the time, money and effort to compromise your business.

The Essential Eight is currently just a loose framework for your business to get started with implementing Cyber Security strategies to protect your businesses. When data leaks can cause your business to be in breach of laws such as The Privacy Act, you need to ensure that you are adequately covered.

The framework is also primarily designed for Microsoft Windows-based businesses, which represent the majority of public sector organisations’ corporate environments, hence why it was introduced by the government. So, while it’s not specifically designed for other operating systems like Mac, Cloud, Operational Technology (OT) or Linux, you can still use it to support your organisation’s Cyber Security development.

So, what are the Essential Eight strategies?

The Essential Eight strategies are designed to address the most common types of cyberattacks that businesses face. They are practical, actionable and cost-effective. Here’s a brief overview of each of the Essential Eight strategies:

Application control: This strategy involves creating a list of approved applications that can be executed on a system. By doing this, organisations can prevent malicious software from running on their systems.
Patch applications: Regularly patching applications can help businesses fix vulnerabilities in their software. This reduces the likelihood of cyberattacks that exploit these vulnerabilities.
Configure Microsoft Office macro settings: Cybercriminals often use Microsoft Office macros to deliver malware. Configuring the macro settings in Microsoft Office can help SMEs prevent this type of attack.
User application hardening: Blocks or removes common software used to download or run malicious software and prevents malicious software from running on business’ networks.
Restrict administrative privileges: Limiting administrative privileges can help businesses prevent malicious actors from gaining access to critical systems.
Patch operating systems: Similarly, regularly patching operating systems can help organizations fix vulnerabilities in the underlying software. This reduces the likelihood of cyberattacks that exploit these vulnerabilities.
Multi-factor authentication: Using multi-factor authentication can help organisations prevent unauthorised access to their systems. It involves requiring two or more forms of authentication before granting access.
Daily backups: Regularly backing up data can help businesses recover from cyberattacks. In the event of a ransomware attack, for example, businesses can restore their data from a backup rather than paying the ransom.

While you might not understand the technical processes of each of the Essential Eight, your IT service provider should be implementing these strategies to help your organisation protect itself against cyber threats. Talk with your MSP to see how and if they’re implementing these into your business.

Does my business need to implement Essential Eight?

While it is not mandated to do so, the framework is highly recommended by the government for Australian businesses to follow. At Pronet Technology, we recommend your company start integrating the framework as soon as possible. Even though we’re an MSP, over the last five so years, we’ve been doing all we can to learn more about and specialise in Cyber Security as we believe it plays an integral role in the longevity of businesses.

While ACSC recommends all businesses be at maturity level 3, each organisation’s Cyber Security level depends on its business need, size and complexity. As a business, conduct a risk assessment alongside your IT service provider to determine, analyse and prioritise the gaps in your business that can be strengthened and then act on those.

There are always going to be some challenges to improving Cyber Security within your business. It could be that you lack the staff and funding or that you don’t have the knowledge to successfully implement Cyber Security. You could have other organisational priorities or believe ad-hoc security is enough. Some people in the business might not yet be on board or you just don’t know how to improve. Cyber Security runs throughout the business so it’s something that everyone needs to understand and come on board with.

Most companies these days outsource their IT systems to service providers. Make sure you know the cyber maturity of your MSP in relation to Essential Eight so that you can build a strong working relationship with the MSP to ensure your business is protected.

By implementing these strategies, SMEs can significantly reduce their risk of cyberattacks. Essential Eight is not a silver bullet, but it’s a great starting point for any organisation looking to improve its Cyber Security posture. It’s important to note that Cyber Security is an ongoing process, and businesses should continually assess and improve their security measures.

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How does encryption work?

What is encryption?

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Types of encryption

Encryption and Cybercrime

Why is encryption important?

Which Essential Eight maturity level should my business be at?

You know what Essential Eight is and that the Australian Government highly recommends implementing it, but does that mean your business must be at the highest maturity level?

What are the maturity levels?

What maturity level should my business be at?

Is my company’s data recovery system fail-proof?

What Constitutes a Disaster?

Importance of a Disaster Recovery Plan

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

Why do backups fail?

Backup tips

How an MSP helps

Does my business need to implement every aspect of Essential Eight?

Does my business need to implement all eight strategies?

Is Essential Eight enough to protect my business?

What now?

Essential Eight and why your business needs to Integrate Cyber Security

Why should your business measure against Essential Eight?

Limitations of Essential Eight

So, what are the Essential Eight strategies?

Does my business need to implement Essential Eight?

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