Removable Media & Cybersecurity
According to the United States Government Depart of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a removable media device or portable storage device is:
“A system component that can communicate with and be added to or removed from a system or network and that is limited to data storage—including text, video, audio or image data—as its primary function (e.g., optical discs, external or removable hard drives, external or removable solid-state disk drives, magnetic or optical tapes, flash memory devices, flash memory cards, and other external or removable disks).”
Dangerous Malware Disguised as Antivirus Software
It is so easy to become complacent in our cybersecurity behaviors. But Android users should be given a shake this week and alerted to malware that is being deployed unknowingly by users who think that they are downloading anti-virus apps via the Google Play store. There were six different cases found to contain the Sharkbot malware in recent days. Initially discovered in October of 2021, this banking trojan makes money transfers by stealing credentials and banking information.
Compromised Data Comes in Many Forms 
No Big Deal Right?
A friend recently mentioned an email that she received regarding an investment app that she had downloaded on her phone. The app was a way for her to play around and learn a little bit about investing, something that it seems many people leaned into during the pandemic.
Tax Scams: What to Look Out for This Season
Many of us dread this time of year for the obvious reason …tax time can be well, very taxing. Add to the challenge of it all, that many of us are working from home, and find ourselves in a whole new and unfamiliar scenario of what we can claim as a tax write-off. We’re all looking for ways to maximize our return and minimize what we owe to the government.
And in this new business landscape, we do our own research, and we seek answers online. Often, we put little effort into validating the sites we use, because the amount of information is overwhelming and sometimes confusing. Additionally, we’ve had a lot of communication this year from the government on different aid packages and relief options.
MVP: Most Valuable Player
Look Beyond Technology and Put People First
If you think of business as if it were a sports team, you can have a top-notch facility (or fancy office space), stylish uniforms, and the best fan base (or clientele list) around, but if your players don’t show up for each game, you’ll never have a winning season.
In a business, your team roster is your employees. And having talent that is well trained and ready for whatever comes at them during the business day is going to provide you with a consistent game-winning approach.
Game Plan: Building a Strong Security Posture Within a Team
Sports fans undoubtedly have their favorite teams. Sometimes we pick them based on the mascot, hometown, or because they were “my dad’s favorite growing up”. But just because you have a favorite team, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have respect for other franchises or organizations. These are the teams that are often “drama-free”. They have a formula that works, they stick with it and are in it for the long game.
Nothing But InterNET – How to Explain the Dark Web
As an MSP, your clients know you’re there to “take care of the computers”. The scenario is often (but not always) that they have their job to do, and you’ll hear from them when there’s an issue that prevents that from happening. Regardless of their level of insight or knowledge of technology, they likely know the words and phrases that are dropped in conversations today as cybersecurity becomes part of the mainstream. They may acknowledge that the Dark Web exists, but the concept of exactly what that means may remain a little fuzzy.
It’s Game Time – Shoot, Score, Win!
Participation in just about any group activity, from sports to dancing, to delivering presentations, is usually accompanied by one phrase that’s applicable across the board: practice makes perfect. If you prepare for what may or may not happen, the likelihood increases that you will respond in a more successful manner. But, when discussing a strategy or game plan for cybersecurity, that isn’t always easy. Sure, you can take a class or watch a video online, but if you take that singular approach, you aren’t always physically there to see just how engaged the participants are or how much information they are retaining.
BSN Wrapping Up a Month of Love!
Well, today wraps up the month of February and the celebration of our love about being a part of an incredible community of MSPs and channel vendors dedicated to cybersecurity.
During the month of February, we shared some serious love for our partners, and really enjoyed seeing all of you that shared your #BSNLove on LinkedIn! We love our partners to pizzas, and are thrilled to reward those who participated in our Feelin’ the Love February challenge with pizza parties for their MSPs!
Partnerships We Love: Breach Secure Now and Inskyber
We take thee for better or for worse, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health…we will be there for you in your time of need…. ah, the familiar words we hear as two parties engage at the beginning of their road together. You’re in it together and promise to stand by each other when the going gets…well, not so good.
And what better partnership for when the going gets tough, than to have a good insurance provider? That’s why we love Inskyber.