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Category Archives: Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity, IT Support, Technology

Why Should My Business Use Penetration Testing?

Why Should My Business Use Penetration Testing?

Businesses of all sizes face a variety of security threats that can compromise their sensitive data and cripple their operations. To ensure protection against cyberattacks, organisations must adopt proactive measures. One such measure is penetration testing, a vital component of a comprehensive security strategy.

Why should my business use penetration testing?

In an era where cyberattacks are rampant, it’s crucial to take pre-emptive action to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before malicious actors exploit them. Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, allows you to simulate real-world attack scenarios and uncover weaknesses that could be leveraged by cybercriminals. By proactively identifying and patching vulnerabilities, you can prevent costly breaches and protect your valuable business assets.

Benefits of Penetration Testing

Comprehensive Security Assessment

An effective penetration test provides a thorough evaluation of your organisation’s security posture. It goes beyond basic vulnerability scanning and examines the resilience of your network, applications and infrastructure. By emulating the techniques used by real attackers, penetration testing uncovers hidden weaknesses that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Early Detection of Vulnerabilities

Identifying vulnerabilities at an early stage is crucial to mitigating potential risks. Penetration testing allows you to detect weaknesses in your systems before they can be exploited. This enables you to address vulnerabilities promptly, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers and minimising potential damage.

Protection of Customer Data

Businesses have a responsibility to protect the personal information entrusted to them and the large amounts of data they hold. A single data breach can lead to severe reputational damage and legal repercussions. Penetration testing assists in identifying vulnerabilities that could expose sensitive customer data, allowing you to then implement the necessary safeguards and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

Proactive Approach to Security

Taking a proactive stance towards security is important in the ever-evolving threat landscape. Penetration testing allows you to stay one step ahead of potential attackers. By regularly conducting tests and addressing vulnerabilities, you demonstrate a commitment to strong security practices, giving your customers, partners and stakeholders confidence in your business.

Validation of Security Controls

Implementing security controls and measures is not enough if they are not effectively tested and validated. Penetration testing provides an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of your security controls and determine their vulnerability to various cyber threats. This allows you to fine-tune your defences and ensure they are capable of withstanding real-world threats.

Cost Savings in the Long Run

While investing in penetration testing may seem like an added expense, it is a wise investment that can save your business substantial costs in the long run. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities, you mitigate the risk of data breaches, system downtime, legal fines and loss of customer trust. The cost of remediation and recovery from a breach far outweighs the expenses that come with conducting regular penetration tests.

These days where cyber threats are constantly in the news, businesses must take proactive measures to safeguard their data, systems and reputation. Penetration testing offers a powerful solution to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. By conducting regular penetration tests, businesses can enhance their security framework, protect sensitive customer data and demonstrate a commitment to robust security practices.

Investing in penetration testing is an investment in the long-term success and resilience of your business. It allows you to stay one step ahead of potential attackers, detect vulnerabilities early and save costs associated with data breaches and recovery efforts. So, why should your business use penetration testing? The answer is simple: to fortify your defences, protect your valuable assets and ensure the trust and confidence of your customers.

FAQs about Penetration Testing

  • What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing is a proactive security assessment technique that simulates real-world attacks on a company’s network, systems or applications. It aims to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.

  • How often should penetration testing be conducted?

The frequency of penetration testing depends on various factors, such as the nature of your business, industry regulations and the level of risk you face. Generally, it is recommended to conduct penetration testing at least once a year or whenever significant changes are made to your systems or infrastructure.

  • Can’t we rely on automated vulnerability scanners instead?

While automated vulnerability scanners have their place in a security strategy, they cannot replicate the ingenuity and creativity of human attackers. Penetration testing involves skilled ethical hackers who employ manual techniques to uncover complex vulnerabilities that automated scanners might miss. It provides a more comprehensive assessment of your security systems.

  • Will penetration testing disrupt our business operations?

Penetration testing is carefully planned and executed to minimise disruptions to your business operations. Ethical hackers work closely with your organisation to ensure that testing is conducted at convenient times and in a controlled manner. They prioritise the security of your systems while minimising any potential impact on day-to-day activities.

  • How long does a penetration test typically take?

The duration of a penetration test varies depending on the size and complexity of your systems. It can range from a few days to several weeks. The ethical hacking team will provide you with a clear timeline and keep you informed throughout the process.

  • What happens after the penetration test is completed?

After the penetration test is completed, you will receive a detailed report outlining the vulnerabilities identified, their potential impact and recommended remediation actions. This report serves as a valuable roadmap for improving your security posture. The ethical hacking team can also provide guidance and support in implementing the necessary measures to address the identified vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity, MSP, Strategy, Technology

How is DNSProtect beneficial for my business?

How is DNSProtect beneficial for my business?

Businesses of all sizes face numerous Cyber Security threats. From malware attacks to phishing scams, cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new techniques to exploit vulnerabilities and compromise sensitive data. As a business owner, it is crucial to prioritise the security of your network and protect your valuable assets.

A strong DNS (Domain Name System) protection solution is key to securing your network. At Pronet Technology, we use something called DNSProtect, which is a powerful tool that provides an additional layer of security for your business, shielding it from various online threats.

DNSProtect is a defensive system that prevents Cyber Security threats. It’s a way for employers to restrict what employees access on the go, when not connected to the network in the office. Essentially, if a website has something potentially dangerous within it, DNS filtering blocks the user from visiting the site. It’s a zero-trust solution that leaves no room for chance.

What is a Domain Name System?

A Domain Name System (DNS) is a service for accessing a networked computer by its name instead of its IP address, kind of like a contact list of the Internet.

Basically, users access information through domain names, like pronet.com.au, but web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The DNS then translates these domain names to IP addresses so the browser can load the Internet resource for you to access. The entire process takes milliseconds.

As of 2023, there are over 628.5 million domain names registered.

How is DNSProtect beneficial for my business?

When it comes to safeguarding your business, DNSProtect offers a wide range of benefits that are worth considering.

Enhanced Network Security and Protection

With DNSProtect, your business can fortify its network security and protect it from various cyber threats. By filtering and blocking malicious websites, phishing attempts and malware-infected domains, DNSProtect acts as a proactive shield for your network. It prevents users within your organisation from unknowingly accessing harmful content, gives you insight into the types of threats that might impact your network and ensures a safer online environment.

Prevention of Data Breaches

Data breaches can have devastating consequences for any business, leading to financial loss, reputational damage and legal repercussions. DNSProtect significantly reduces the risk of data breaches by blocking unauthorised access to malicious websites or servers that may attempt to steal sensitive information. By proactively preventing data breaches, you can maintain the trust of your customers and stakeholders.

Mitigation of Downtime and Productivity Loss

Cyberattacks can result in significant downtime, disrupting your business operations and causing productivity loss. DNSProtect plays a crucial role in minimising the impact of such attacks by blocking access to malicious domains that host malware or initiate distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. DNSProtect helps your business maintain productivity and efficiency by ensuring uninterrupted access to legitimate websites and resources by blocking time-waster websites.

Protection against Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks continue to be a prevalent threat to businesses. These attacks typically involve the impersonation of reputable entities to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. While you still might receive phishing emails, if an unaware employee clicks on a malicious link, DNSProtect detects and blocks the known phishing domain, preventing the employee from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes and protecting your business from potential financial losses and compromised data.

Filtering of Inappropriate Content

Inappropriate content can pose risks to your business, affecting employee productivity, tarnishing your brand image and potentially leading to legal issues. DNSProtect enables you to enforce content filtering policies, restricting access to websites that contain explicit or inappropriate content. By creating a safer and more professional online environment, DNSProtect helps you maintain direct control over how your network and devices are used and uphold your company’s values.

Increased Visibility and Control

DNSProtect provides you with increased visibility and control over your network traffic and the types of sites and applications used by employees. By monitoring DNS queries and identifying suspicious activities, it allows you to detect and respond to potential security incidents promptly. With comprehensive reporting and analytics, you can gain insights into your network’s behaviour, identify potential vulnerabilities and make informed decisions to enhance your overall security position.

Cost-Efficiency and Ease of Implementation

Implementing DNSProtect is a cost-effective security measure for your business. It does not require costly hardware investments or extensive training for your IT team. DNSProtect is designed to be easy to implement, with user-friendly interfaces and straightforward configuration options. This means that you can quickly integrate DNSProtect into your existing network infrastructure without significant disruptions or financial burdens.

Protection for Remote Workers

In today’s flexible work environment, where remote work is increasingly common and will continue to be in the future, DNSProtect offers crucial protection for your remote workforce. It ensures that employees connecting to your network from outside the office are safeguarded against online threats, regardless of their location. By extending security measures to remote workers, DNSProtect strengthens your overall Cyber Security and reduces the risk of network breaches.

Compliance with Data Protection Regulations

In an era of stringent data protection regulations, businesses must ensure they meet compliance requirements. DNSProtect contributes to your compliance efforts by providing an additional layer of security that helps protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorised access.

Seamless Scalability

As your business grows, your network requirements evolve accordingly. DNSProtect offers seamless scalability, allowing you to adapt to changing needs without compromising security. Whether you have a small business with a handful of users or a large enterprise with complex network infrastructure, DNSProtect can accommodate your expansion plans and continue to provide reliable protection at any scale.

Ensuring the security of your business is non-negotiable. DNSProtect can help with this as it provides network security, prevents data breaches, protects against phishing attacks and filters inappropriate content. Its ease of set-up, cost-effectiveness, scalability and compatibility with remote work environments makes it a powerful solution for businesses of all sizes.

Don’t wait until a cyberattack compromises your business. Protecting your business is not just about the financial aspect — it’s about safeguarding the livelihoods of your employees, maintaining your reputation and ensuring the trust of your customers.

FAQs about DNSProtect

  • How does DNSProtect work?

DNSProtect works by analysing DNS queries made by users within your network. It compares these queries against a comprehensive database of known malicious domains, phishing websites and other threats. When a user attempts to access a potentially harmful domain, DNSProtect blocks the connection, preventing you from accessing the malicious site.

  • Can DNSProtect slow down my network?

No, DNSProtect is designed to operate efficiently and has minimal impact on network performance. With its optimised algorithms and infrastructure, DNSProtect ensures that DNS resolution occurs swiftly and seamlessly, without causing noticeable delays or disruptions for users.

  • Can DNSProtect prevent all cyber threats?

While DNSProtect provides robust protection against a wide range of cyber threats, it is important to note that no security solution can offer a 100 per cent guarantee. DNSProtect significantly reduces the risk of attacks by blocking access to known malicious domains and implementing proactive security measures.

  • Is DNSProtect suitable for small businesses?

Absolutely! DNSProtect is an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises. Its ease of implementation, cost-effectiveness and scalability make it a great choice for organisations with limited resources seeking powerful network security measures.

  • Can DNSProtect be used in conjunction with other security solutions?

Yes, DNSProtect can be seamlessly integrated with other security solutions to create a layered defence strategy. By combining DNSProtect with firewall systems, antivirus software and intrusion detection systems, you can enhance your overall security framework and ensure comprehensive protection against diverse cyber threats.

  • Is DNSProtect suitable for industries with strict compliance requirements?

Yes, DNSProtect’s ability to block malicious domains and protect sensitive data makes it an excellent choice for industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare, finance and e-commerce. It also contributes to complying with regulations like The Privacy Act.

Cybersecurity, IT Support, MSP, Strategy, Technology

Why a Quarterly Business Review is important

Why a Quarterly Business Review is important

In our rapidly evolving business landscape, staying ahead of the competition requires constant adaptation and optimisation. As a business owner, you need to regularly assess your operations, identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to drive growth. This is where a QBR (Quarterly Business Review) from an MSP (Managed Service Provider) comes into play

What is a QBR?

A QBR is a comprehensive review conducted by an MSP, usually every quarter, to evaluate the performance, progress and alignment of your business objectives with the implemented IT strategies. It goes beyond simply analysing data and metrics; it is an opportunity to discuss challenges, uncover opportunities and strengthen the relationship between you and your MSP. Smaller businesses may only receive a QBR once or twice a year but ask your MSP what their processes are around this.

A QBR is not just a mundane business review; it holds significant emotional weight. It evokes feelings of security, reassurance and confidence in the path your business is taking. Knowing that experts are analysing your performance, identifying areas of improvement and providing guidance instils a sense of trust and peace of mind.

The QBR experience is an opportunity to have open, honest conversations about challenges, fears and aspirations. It allows you to express your concerns and receive personalised recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances. The empathetic approach of the MSP, coupled with active listening and understanding, creates an emotional connection that transcends the usual business-client relationship.

Components of a QBR

  • Infrastructure Assessment: The MSP assesses the client’s network, hardware, software and other technology infrastructure components. This evaluation helps identify any potential vulnerabilities, outdated systems or areas that require optimisation.
  • Performance Analysis: The MSP reviews the client’s technology performance metrics, such as network uptime, response times and system utilisation. This analysis helps identify bottlenecks, areas of improvement or potential risks.
  • Security Evaluation: The MSP examines the client’s security posture, including Cyber Security measures, data protection practices and compliance adherence. This assessment helps identify any vulnerabilities or areas where security can be enhanced.
  • Service Level Agreement (SLA) Review: The MSP reviews the SLA with the client, ensuring that the agreed-upon service levels are being met. This includes evaluating response times, issue resolution and overall customer satisfaction.
  • Future Planning and Recommendations: Based on the assessment findings, the MSP provides recommendations and strategic guidance to the client. This may include suggestions for technology upgrades, process improvements, security enhancements or cost optimisation measures.

The Importance of a QBR from an MSP

A QBR from an MSP holds significant importance for businesses of all sizes. Let’s delve into some key reasons why a QBR is crucial:

Gaining a Holistic View of Your Business

A quarterly business review provides you with a comprehensive overview of your company’s performance during a specific period. It does this by analysing various aspects, including financial performance, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and employee productivity. By assessing these critical areas, you can identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. It allows you to identify what areas of your business are excelling and which ones require attention. By recognising your strengths, you can leverage them to gain a competitive advantage. Additionally, addressing weaknesses helps you minimise risks and enhance overall performance.

Uncovering Growth Opportunities

Through a QBR, an MSP can identify untapped growth opportunities that may have gone unnoticed. Analysing market trends, customer feedback and industry benchmarks can provide valuable insights into new markets, product enhancements and innovative strategies to drive business growth.

Enhancing Collaboration and Alignment

A QBR fosters collaboration and alignment within your organisation. By involving key stakeholders, such as department heads and senior management, in the review process, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding goals, challenges and strategies. This collaborative approach promotes a unified vision and encourages teamwork.

Optimising Operational Efficiency

Identifying inefficiencies in your operations is vital for streamlining processes and maximising productivity. An MSP conducting a QBR can analyse your workflows, technology infrastructure and resource allocation to pinpoint areas where improvements can be made. By optimising operational efficiency, you can reduce costs, enhance customer service and achieve better overall performance.

Strengthening IT Infrastructure

A robust IT infrastructure is essential for business success in today’s digital age. A QBR from an MSP can evaluate your current IT systems, Cyber Security measures and data management practices. They can identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions to enhance your IT infrastructure’s reliability, security and scalability.

Strategic Planning and Risk Mitigation

A QBR enables you to develop effective strategic plans and mitigate potential risks. By examining market trends, competitive landscape and emerging technologies, an MSP can help you formulate strategies that align with your business goals. Additionally, they can identify risks and provide proactive measures to minimise their impact.

Strengthens the Relationship with your MSP

A QBR serves as a bridge between you and your MSP. It fosters open communication, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of your unique business needs. This strengthened partnership allows the MSP to provide tailored solutions and support, ensuring your business thrives. When your MSP invests time and effort in conducting a QBR, it also demonstrates its commitment to your success. The personalised attention, proactive approach and customised recommendations leave you feeling valued and supported, leading to higher client satisfaction and long-term loyalty.

Learning your Business’ Technology Score

When an MSP completes a QBR for your business, oftentimes, you will receive a technology score. The concept of a technology score can vary depending on the specific MSP or service provider you are working with. It is not a universally standardised metric, but rather a subjective evaluation conducted by the MSP based on various factors related to your business’s technology infrastructure and performance.

The technology score typically reflects the MSP’s assessment of your business’s overall technology health, efficiency and alignment with industry best practices. It may consider factors such as:

  • Infrastructure: The MSP evaluates the robustness and scalability of your network, servers, storage and other hardware components. They assess whether your infrastructure meets the requirements of your business operations and future growth.
  • Security: The MSP examines your Cyber Security measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, data encryption, access controls and employee training. They look for potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your security posture.
  • Software and Applications: The MSP reviews the software and applications you use, assessing their relevance, performance and integration capabilities. They may consider factors such as licencing compliance, software updates and utilisation efficiency.
  • Performance and Reliability: The MSP evaluates the performance and reliability of your technology systems, including network uptime, response times and system availability. They may analyse historical data and metrics to identify areas for improvement.
  • IT Governance and Processes: The MSP assesses your IT governance structure, policies and processes. This includes evaluating IT documentation, change management practices, backup and disaster recovery plans, and adherence to industry standards.

Based on these factors, the MSP assigns a technology score to provide you with an indication of how well your business’s technology environment is performing and where improvements can be made. The score may be presented as a numerical value, a rating scale or a qualitative assessment, depending on the MSP’s methodology.

A QBR from an MSP is a critical component for achieving business success. It provides a holistic view of your organisation, uncovers growth opportunities, enhances collaboration, optimises operational efficiency, strengthens IT infrastructure and facilitates strategic planning and risk mitigation. By regularly conducting QBRs, you can stay ahead of the competition, adapt to market changes and drive growth. Remember to involve key stakeholders, seek a reliable MSP and embrace the insights and recommendations provided through the QBR process.

It’s important to note that each MSP may have its own methodology for calculating the technology score, so the specific details may vary. It’s best to consult with your MSP directly to understand how they determine and interpret the technology score for your business.

FAQs about QBRs

  • What is the purpose of a QBR?

A QBR aims to evaluate your business performance, identify improvement areas and develop growth strategies. It provides a comprehensive analysis of your operations and fosters collaboration within your organisation.

  • How often should QBRs be conducted?

Quarterly QBRs are typically recommended, as they provide a balanced frequency for evaluation and allow for timely adjustments. However, the frequency can be adjusted based on your business needs and industry dynamics.

  • Who should be involved in the QBR process?

A QBR should involve key stakeholders from different departments within your organisation. This includes senior management, department heads and individuals responsible for key areas such as finance, operations, marketing, HR and IT. By involving a diverse range of perspectives, you can ensure comprehensive insights and foster collaboration.

  • How long does a QBR typically take?

The duration of a QBR can vary depending on the size and complexity of your business. Generally, it can range from a few hours to a full day. It is important to allocate sufficient time to thoroughly discuss each aspect of the review and develop actionable plans.

  • What outcomes can I expect from a QBR?

A QBR can deliver several valuable outcomes for your business. These include a clear understanding of your business performance, identified growth opportunities, actionable recommendations for improvement, enhanced collaboration and aligned strategic plans. It also provides an opportunity to address any concerns or challenges faced by your organisation.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight, Strategy, Technology

Why you should implement Application Control within your business

Why you should implement Application Control within your business

In today’s digital world, businesses of all sizes are increasingly reliant on software applications to streamline their operations, enhance productivity and interact with customers. This dependence on so many applications, however, also exposes organisations to various Cyber Security risks.

To help mitigate these risks, a powerful tool to protect businesses from cyber threats is application control. This provides direct control over the applications running on an organisation’s networks.

What is Application Control?

Application Control is only allowing approved applications to run on systems to prevent malicious software from running. Unlike traditional antivirus software which focuses on identifying and blocking malware, application control software takes a proactive approach by explicitly only allowing authorised applications to run. By enforcing strict control policies, this software ensures that only approved applications can be executed, reducing the possibility of attacks and minimising the risk of unauthorised access, data breaches and malware infections.

Essential Eight is a list of eight security strategies that the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) believes will provide a strong foundation for Cyber Security, and the framework is highly recommended by the government for businesses to implement. The first measure listed in Essential Eight is application control, showing just how effective it can be in protecting your business from cyberattacks. Keep in mind, though, that application control should not be the only Essential Eight strategy your business implements, and along those lines, Essential Eight should not be used in isolation to protect your organisation.

Key Benefits for Businesses

Preventing Unauthorised Software

One of the primary advantages of application control is its ability to prevent unauthorised software from being installed and used. By creating whitelists of approved applications, businesses can restrict employees from running potentially harmful or unverified software. This proactive approach reduced the risk of introducing malware or malicious code into the network, safeguarding sensitive data and intellectual property.

Minimising Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated or unpatched applications to gain unauthorised access to systems. Application control software can help businesses by monitoring and managing application versions and updates. By ensuring that all applications are up to date, businesses can reduce the likelihood of successful attacks through known vulnerabilities.

Enhancing Compliance

In highly regulated industries, like finance and healthcare, compliance with industry standards and data protection regulation is critical. Application control helps businesses meet these requirements by enforcing security policies and restricting the use of non-compliant applications. By maintaining a secure and compliant software environment, organisations can avoid hefty fines, legal implications and reputational damage.

Streamlining Incident Response

In the event of a security incident or breach, application control plays a vital role in incident response. By controlling the software environment, organisations can quickly identify and isolate compromised applications, limiting the impact of the incident and preventing its movement within the network. The ability to enforce restrictions and block unauthorised applications aids in containing the breach and restoring normal operations promptly.

Challenges of Implementing Application Control

While application control software offers several benefits for enhancing Cyber Security, there are some potential inconveniences associated with its implementation. It is important to consider these factors to ensure that businesses can strike a balance between security and operational efficiency.

Administrative Burden: Implementing application control software requires significant effort and ongoing maintenance. Creating and managing whitelists of approved applications can be time-consuming, especially for large organisations with a wide range of software dependencies. Regular updates and adjustments to application control policies may also require extensive coordination among IT teams and various business departments.

Compatibility and Integration Challenges: The software used for application control must be compatible with the diverse range of applications used within an organisation. Ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and workflows can be complex, particularly when dealing with legacy applications or custom-built software. Compatibility issues may require additional configuration or customisation, leading to delays and potential disruptions.

False Positives and False Negatives: Application control software relies on accurate identification and classification of applications to determine their status (allowed or blocked). However, false positives (legitimate applications mistakenly identified as unauthorised) and false negatives (potentially malicious applications not identified) can occur. False positives can disrupt operations, while false negatives may lead to security breaches. Regular monitoring and fine-tuning of application control policies are necessary to minimise these issues.

User Experience and Productivity Impact: Overly restrictive application control policies can result in reduced user productivity and frustration. If legitimate applications are mistakenly blocked or unauthorised applications are allowed to run, employees may encounter obstacles in performing their tasks efficiently. Striking a balance between security controls and user experience is crucial to maintain productivity while ensuring a secure security posture.

Impact on Innovation and Flexibility: Application control may sometimes get in the way of trialling new or emerging technologies within an organisation. Strict control policies may limit the ability to experiment with new applications or tools, potentially hindering innovation and agility.

Increased Dependency on Updates and Patching: Application control software relies on accurate information about application versions and updates to maintain security. Businesses need to stay vigilant in ensuring that they promptly apply patches and updates to both the application control software itself and the applications it monitors. Not doing this can introduce vulnerabilities or can prevent the control measures from functioning properly.

Sandboxing

One of the biggest concerns with application control is the need to test any updates or new applications through what is called, sandboxing, before it can be installed on the organisation’s systems. This generally takes about 24 to 48 hours, but you might find that some enterprise organisations, like banks, sandbox for up to a month to test for any threats before verifying the application.

Sandboxing each new application and update before using them in a business environment, while inconvenient for both staff and your managed service provider that needs to do this, is a critical practice that offers several benefits in terms of security, stability and risk mitigation.

Security Testing: Sandboxing allows you to test applications and updates in a controlled environment before installing them on your production systems. By isolating the software in a sandbox, you can observe its behaviour for potential security risks without putting your network and sensitive data at immediate risk. This helps identify and mitigate any vulnerabilities, malware or malicious activities associated with the application or update.

Risk Mitigation: Applications and updates can introduce unforeseen issues or conflicts with existing software or configurations. By sandboxing, you can assess the impact of these changes without jeopardising the stability and performance of your systems. Sandboxing enables you to identify and resolve compatibility issues, system conflicts or unexpected behaviour before implementing the software.

Protection against Malware: Malicious software, such as viruses, ransomware or Trojans, can infiltrate your network through compromised applications or updates. By sandboxing, you can run these potentially malicious software packages in an isolated environment, preventing them from infecting your actual systems.

Testing Application Performance: Sandboxing allows you to assess the performance and resource requirements of applications and updates. By monitoring their behaviour in an isolated environment, you can determine the impact on system resources, such as CPU, memory or disk usage. This evaluation helps you understand the application’s performance characteristics and ensure that it meets your business requirements without negatively impacting your production systems.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Many industries have specific compliance and regulatory requirements that require thorough testing and validation of applications and updates. By sandboxing and evaluating software in a controlled environment, you can ensure that it meets the necessary security and compliance standards before introducing it into your production systems. This helps maintain data privacy, protect sensitive information and adhere to industry regulations.

What is ThreatLocker?

At Pronet, a software we implement within our clients’ systems to whitelist applications is ThreatLocker. It offers advanced features and capabilities to help organisations effectively manage and control the applications running on their networks. As a base, it employs a strong application whitelisting approach, allowing businesses to create a list of approved applications.

It also follows a zero-trust security model, meaning that it treats all applications as potentially untrusted until they are explicitly approved. This approach enhances security by ensuring that every application is thoroughly evaluated and authorised before execution, mitigating the risk of introducing malicious or unauthorised software.

ThreatLocker provides granular control over how applications interact with other areas of your IT systems, such as networks, files, folders and registries. This level of control allows businesses to fine-tune their security policies based on specific requirements. It allows organisations to enforce different access permissions and restrictions for different user groups or departments, enhancing security without impacting productivity.

The software also offers comprehensive reporting and auditing capabilities, providing visibility into application usage and security events. It allows businesses to generate detailed reports on application activities, policy violations and security incidents. ThreatLocker can integrate with other security solutions, such as antivirus software, firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to provide a layered defence strategy. This integration enables organisations to leverage multiple security measures and strengthen their overall Cyber Security framework.

Since ThreatLocker is a software Pronet uses, we know just how powerful it is and therefore, can recommend it.

In an era where cyber threats are a constant concern, businesses must prioritise Cyber Security measures to protect their assets, data and reputation. Application control software serves as a critical component in the overall Cyber Security strategy of businesses by allowing direct control over the software applications running on the network. By preventing unauthorised or potentially malicious applications from running, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks, data breaches and operational disruptions.

Cybersecurity, MSP, Technology

What is Malware?

What is Malware?

Malware is an umbrella term for malicious software that is designed to harm, damage or steal information from your computer, mobile device, service or network without your knowledge or consent.

Malware can wreak havoc on your computer or device and can infect your computer like a disease, and just like a disease, it can be difficult to detect and eradicate.

Just think about it: you work hard to keep your device safe and secure, but then some twisted individual creates a piece of code that can infiltrate your system and wreak havoc. Malware can steal your personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers and banking details, and use it for criminal purposes. It can encrypt your files and demand a ransom to unlock them, leaving you helpless and vulnerable. It can also slow down your computer, crash your system and even render it useless.

Malware comes in many different forms, and it can be disguised as innocent-looking files or programs. You might unknowingly download it from a sketchy website or receive it in an email attachment from a seemingly trustworthy source. Once it’s on your system, it can quietly and quickly spread throughout your files and folders, infecting everything in its path. You can be hit by malware through email attachments, malicious advertising on popular sites — called malvertising, — through fake software installations, infected USB drives, infected apps, text messages and most commonly, phishing emails.

Malware is constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and software. Even with antivirus software installed on your computer, you must be vigilant and cautious when downloading files and opening emails and if you deal with sensitive or personal data, antivirus software is not enough.

When did malware start being used?

The history of modern viruses begins in 1982 with a program called Elk Cloner, which started infecting Apple II systems. It was spread by infected floppy disks which spread to all disks attached to a system.

Viruses developed as they began to be specifically written for Microsoft’s Windows Operating System in the 90s, particularly through infectious code written in the micro language of Microsoft Word. The viruses infected documents rather than actual applications.

Worms began to develop and spread across popular instant messaging networks in the early 2000s, such as through MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger and they used social engineering along with a link to a malicious download for people to click. These would then infect your system and send the malicious link to everyone on your contact list.

In the late 2000s, adware attacks grew through unwanted pop-ups that could not be closed, sometimes exploiting legitimate software to spread. Around 2008, software publishers began suing adware companies for fraud and shut most of them down. Tech support scams these days employ similar tactics to these old adware attacks. After this, malware scammers began turning to social networking sites like Myspace to send fake advertisements, links to phishing pages and malicious applications. Scammers now do the same with Facebook and Twitter.

Between 2013 and 2014, a form of ransomware called CryptoLocker began targeting Windows computers, forcing victims to pay to regain access to their systems. This gave rise to the current era of ransomware attacks.

Trojans, exploits — malware that takes advantage of bugs and vulnerabilities in systems — and malvertising became popular forms of ransomware with huge outbreaks in 2017, such as the worldwide cyberattack now known as the WannaCry ransomware attack.

Crypojacking, or using someone’s device to mine cryptocurrency with the victim’s resources, became prominent in 2017, with ransomware making a comeback in 2018 when criminals began targeting large businesses.

What are the different types of malware?

There are a lot, but here are some of the most common types:

  • Viruses: Often comes in an attachment through an email or attached to an online download that holds the part of the malware that performs the malicious action. Once the file is opened, the device is infected.
  • Ransomware: Installs itself onto a machine, encrypts files or locks the entire device and then demands a ransom to return the data to the user. This is a particularly nefarious tactic, as it preys on people’s fear of losing their valuable files and data.
  • Scareware: When messages pop up while you’re browsing the web, such as, ‘Warning: your computer is infected with a virus,’ which then scares you into clicking the link or into purchasing a fake application.
  • Worms: Can copy themselves from machine to machine through weak security in software or the operating system.
  • Spyware: A program installed on your device without your knowledge that collects personal information, browsing habits and details of the user. Spyware is used by government agencies, law enforcement and IT security organisations but is also available to consumers to spy on their partners, children and employees.
  • Trojans: These pretend to be harmless or legitimate applications that trick users into downloading and using them which then steal personal data, crash devices, spy on the user or launch attacks.
  • Adware: Unwanted and annoying advertisements that flash on the screen or come through as a new pop-up window.
  • Fileless Malware: These use legitimate programs to infect devices and are difficult to detect and remove as they don’t rely on files and leave no footprint.

There are a range of signs to inform you that your computer has been compromised. Read here to learn what these are.

How to protect yourself from Malware?

Even though there is a magnitude of different types of intricate malware being used by cybercriminals, there are also an array of ways to protect yourself from them.

These can be as simple as protecting your devices by keeping your operating systems and applications updated, never clicking links in pop-ups, limiting the number of apps on devices, being selective about which sites you visit, being wary of emails asking for personal information, not opening email attachments from unknown sources and checking your bank accounts regularly.

Contrary to popular belief, Macs also get malware, although not as often as Windows operating systems. Mac’s built-in protection doesn’t block all adware, spyware, trojans and keyloggers —where malware records all the user’s keystrokes on the keyboard. Mobile devices are also targets for cybercriminals, from adware, Trojans, spyware, worms and ransomware all able to be used, especially as most people don’t protect their phones as diligently as they do their computers. These days, phishing attacks through clicking on links, and scam calls are common phone cyber threats.

For businesses, protection can become a bit more complicated as your entire team is generally using and reliant on technology, so there are many avenues for human error. Protecting yourself at a business level means using strategies like two-factor authentication, application control and performing daily backups as an infiltration can be incredibly detrimental, costing large sums of money, possibly breaching The Privacy Act and losing customer trust.

For this reason, the Australian Government has highly recommended that businesses implement Essential Eight, a Cyber Security framework that businesses can measure their Cyber Security maturity against. Click here to read more about the framework and how your business can implement it.

Implementing Cyber Security measures can be costly and, at times, inconvenient, but when the integrity and longevity of your business are at risk, businesses must improve their security measures.

Malware is a serious threat to your computer and personal information. It’s important to take steps to protect yourself against malware by using antivirus software, being cautious when downloading files and opening emails and seeking help if you suspect that your computer has been infected. Don’t let malware destroy your digital life — stay vigilant and take action to keep your computer safe and secure.

Cybersecurity, IT Support, Technology

The difference between scam emails

The difference between scam emails

Have you ever received an email that seemed too good to be true or one that left you feeling confused or concerned? If so, you may have been the target of a scam email. Scammers use a variety of tactics to try to trick you into giving them money, personal information or access to your computer.

Social Engineeringis a term describing how cybercriminals research both your business and employees. Employees not in the IT field often aren’t as aware of cyber threats as those that are, so criminals target these employees through human vulnerabilities or social engineering.

These days there are so many different types of scams that it can be hard to keep track of all of them. This article will try to explain some of the most common ones you might encounter, both personally and as a business.

Spam: spam is an unsolicited email, text or social media message which is fairly easy to spot but can be damaging if you open them or respond. Think of spam like junk mail, it’s about sending unsolicited emails about products and services to bulk lists. Common types of spam include coupons, adult content, donation solicitations and unwanted newsletters. They are usually commercial in nature and not inherently malicious, just a nuisance.

According to Guardian Digital, spam email accounted for 54 per cent of global email traffic in 2020. Even though, on average, spammers only receive one reply for every 12,500,000 emails sent, spam emails are seen as highly profitable due to the sheer number of emails sent per day and the fact that the expense of these emails is borne mainly by recipients.

Phishing: phishing is an email sent from a cybercriminal that is disguised as an email from a legitimate and trustworthy source, like a telco, bank or the ATO. The message is designed to lure you into clicking a link that installs malware onto your computer that then captures any personal information/login-in credentials you input somewhere, or into directly revealing sensitive or confidential information on the site they send you to. Phishing scams are often used to target specific individuals who have access to valuable data, such as HR or finance employees. They use social engineering to create highly convincing emails. Identity theft often results from being a victim of phishing. Similarly, Vishing is a process through voice, like phone calls, and Smishing is this process through SMS chats.  

According to Astra, 92 per cent of Australian organisations suffered a successful phishing attack in 2022, showing a 53 per cent increase from 2021. As phishing is one of the most common types of email scams, there is a range of clues to help you recognise one.

  • Messages requesting your username and/or password
  • Time-sensitive threats like how something will happen if you don’t respond immediately
  • Spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the email
  • Vague or missing information in the ‘from’ field or email signature
  • Vague, impersonal or awkward greetings
  • Any unexpected files within the email or automatically downloading
  • Links that don’t refer to the sender/organisation
  • Emails about accounts you don’t have
  • Emails ‘from’ celebrities
  • Asks you to reply to opt out of a service
  • Highly emotional or charged language
  • If you’re unsure if an email is legitimate, always head to the sender’s website on a webpage, not through a link in the email, or call the sender.

Spear Phishing: this occurs when criminals find information about you from websites or social media and then customise a phishing scheme for you.

Spoofing: when criminals impersonate another individual or organisation with the intent to gather personal or business information.

Pharming: when a malicious website impersonates a legitimate website to gather usernames and passwords. This can happen by creating websites with similar URLs or by covering up QR codes with codes linked to malicious websites.

Other Scams

419 Scam: also known as the Nigerian Prince scam. In this type of email, the sender will claim to be a wealthy individual or a government official who needs your help transferring large sums of money out of their country. They will offer you a percentage of the money in exchange for your assistance, but in reality, they are just trying to trick you into giving them your personal information or money.

Lottery/Prize Scam: these emails will claim that you have won a large sum of money or a prize, but to claim it, you need to pay a fee or provide your personal information. Of course, there is no prize, and the scammers are just trying to trick you into giving them your money or personal information.

PayPal/PayID Scam: this one originates from selling products online, such as through Facebook Marketplace and while not directly related to your business, it might be beneficial to inform your employees of it. Essentially, when you list an item to sell, you will often receive a message from someone wanting to immediately purchase the item without wanting to see it. They often try to garner sympathy, explaining how their family member will pick it up, and then ask for your email connected to your PayPal or PayID account. They then explain how they’ve tried to send the money, but have received an email telling them that they need to send $500 more to expand your transfer limit. When you look at your email, you find you have this email too and they demand your promise that you will send the $500 back if they send it through. The entire operation is a scam, with the email being one that they created and you will never receive any money.

Unknowingly falling for any one of these attacks can cause your business’ data to be stolen, and can cause financial loss, reputational damage, significant business downtime and even permanent business closure.

As a business owner or decision-maker, it is your responsibility to build a culture of Cyber Security awareness in your company and fill in the gaps in your team’s Cyber Security knowledge and understanding. If you need tips on how, contact your MSP for help.

You can mitigate spam and phishing attempts by implementing a layered cloud email security solution with the help of your MSP.

It’s important to be vigilant when it comes to scam emails. By understanding the different types of scams, you can better protect yourself and your personal information. Remember, if an email seems too good to be true or makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s probably a scam. Be sure to never give out your personal information, click on suspicious links or attachments or send money to someone you don’t know. By staying informed and cautious, you can help protect yourself from scam emails.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight, MSP, Technology

Why you’re never too small to be hit by a cyberattack

Why you’re never too small to be hit by a cyberattack

Hearing about the recent cyberattacks on large companies like Optus, Medibank, Latitude, Crown and Meriton, it’s easy to think that such attacks only happen to large companies or organisations, but the truth is that cybercriminals are targeting small businesses more than ever before. In fact, small businesses are the target of 43 per cent of cyberattacks, and the frequency of these attacks is only increasing.

Unfortunately, many small business owners have the misconception that they are too small to be a target of cyberattacks. They assume that hackers only go after the ‘big fish’ — this is not the case. The truth is that cybercriminals view small businesses as low-hanging fruit because they typically have fewer resources and less sophisticated Cyber Security measures in place.

Another common misconception is that only businesses that handle sensitive information such as credit card details or personal information are at risk of being targeted. While it is true that businesses that handle sensitive information are a prime target, cybercriminals can attack any type of business and can cause significant damage to a company’s reputation, finances and operations. Your business might be just one stage of a supply chain and if yours or another within that chain becomes compromised, the rest are at risk of being affected.

Who could be a threat to your business?

Threats can come from anywhere, not just random internet criminals mass spamming email addresses. Criminals come in all shapes and sizes, such as an individual or even an organisation that looks and runs as a legitimate business. Threats can come from:

  • Cybercriminals: those who are illegally trying to access your hardware, software and data, to disrupt your business or to obtain information or money.
  • Current clients: disgruntled clients could try to compromise your information.
  • Competitors: business competitors could try to gain access to your clients or data to gain an advantage over your business.
  • Current or former employees: this could be through an accidental or intentional compromise of your business’ information.

How can an SME become a target of a cyberattack?

Small and medium-sized businesses can fall victim to various types of cyberattacks. This could be through theft or unauthorised access of your company’s hardware, computers and mobile devices, through infecting devices with malware like viruses, ransomware and spyware, by attacking your tech or website, by attacking third-party systems or companies you do business with or by sending socially engineered phishing emails and texts containing malware. These attacks can lead to data breaches, financial losses, business disruption and damage to a company’s reputation.

While at the outset, your business might not be directly targeted as your data is not seen as valuable as another’s, your business is still going to be hit by indirect cyberattacks. These predominantly come in the form of phishing emails, where scammers send an email masquerading as a legitimate and reputable company with the aim of getting you to click a malware link or insert your personal or login details. According to Astra, 92 per cent of Australian organisations suffered a successful phishing attack in 2022, showing a 53 per cent increase from 2021. If your staff are unaware of what these look like, no matter how personalised they are for your business, your business will get infiltrated and voila, you’ve just been hit by a cyberattack.

According to a study by IBM, the main cause of 95 per cent of Cyber Security breaches is human error. Human error in a security context means unintentional actions, or lack of action, by employees that cause, spread or allow a security breach to occur. This could be something as simple as accidentally clicking a link that downloads and installs malware or failing to use a strong password. With work environments becoming more nuanced, such as working from home, in multiple offices or needing to use a diverse range of applications to complete day-to-day tasks, it can be difficult to keep up with each user’s activities, the number of usernames and passwords needing to be remembered and all the inconvenient security measures that the company puts in place, like two-factor authentication.

While people make mistakes, this presents a simple starting point for businesses to protect themselves from cyberattacks: train employees on IT risks and how to recognise scams and phishing schemes.

The consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating for small businesses. Many small businesses lack the resources to protect their websites, accounts and networks or to recover from a cyberattack, and as a result, many of them go out of business within six months of the attack.

How can I protect my business from cyberattacks?

Small businesses need to take Cyber Security seriously and implement measures to protect themselves against cyberattacks. These measures can include installing firewalls, antivirus software and security patches, implementing strong password policies, providing regular staff training and conducting regular Cyber Security risk assessments.

We have many other posts about how to protect your company such as how to restrict administrative privileges (here) and by conducting a Cyber Security risk assessment (here) but for now, here are some simple ways to protect your company:

  • As mentioned, train employees on IT risks. This creates a Cyber Security culture within your business that encourages discussion around security and allows staff to ask questions if they ever are unsure.
  • Reduce opportunities for human error. Implement privilege control so that employees only have access to the data and software they need to perform their roles.
  • Create a clear policy on technology, such as employees using devices on company networks and having strong passwords, and then ensure these are being followed.
  • Have someone in charge of IT and security. If you’re heavily reliant on technology, it might be best to work with a managed service provider (MSP) to proactively monitor your systems and remove threats as they occur. They also ensure everything is backed up and can help your business by recommending IT systems that suit your unique business as well as grow your systems alongside your company growth.
  • Work with your IT service provider to implement the Essential Eight Cyber Security framework that the Australian Government recommends all businesses adopt. 

How an MSP can help with your IT systems

Managed service providers monitor your IT systems to stop threats in their tracks. By handing the responsibility of your systems off to someone else, it allows you as a business owner or decision-maker within your company to get on with the other daily tasks you need to complete. In business, you wear many hats and are often an expert in your field, so it’s time to hire a business that’s an expert in IT systems.

Even better, try to work with an MSP that is also an expert in Cyber Security. Oftentimes, these are two separate businesses, either you working with both an MSP and a Cyber Security company or the MSP working with the Cyber Security company.

At Pronet Technology, we are both. About six years ago, we began to learn more about and specialise in Cyber Security so that we could adequately protect our clients and their systems, as well as our own because a breach on either end could infect the other.

Did you know, according to IBM, the average time to identify and contain a data breach is 280 days? Working with Cyber Security professionals means that threats and data breaches can be detected, contained and fixed promptly and that your systems are constantly monitored. They will implement a range of strategies to protect your business, like testing new software and updates on isolated machines for any potential holes in security before then installing these on your devices as well as informing your business of any security risks and weaknesses in your defences.

No business is too small to be a target of cyberattacks. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the resources to implement sophisticated Cyber Security measures. Cyber Security should be taken seriously by all businesses, regardless of their size, to protect themselves against potential cyberattacks and minimise the risk of damage to their reputation, finances and operations. Your business, its customers and your suppliers are too important for you to believe that you’re never going to be hit by a cyberattack because you’re ‘too small’. You must be properly protected and prepared for when an attack happens.

Cybersecurity, MSP, Technology

How does my computer get hacked?

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.

Cybersecurity, Technology

What is a firewall and how do they work?

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.

Cybersecurity, MSP, Technology

How does encryption work?

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.

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