Technogizmo - I.T. for Small Businesses

Wikileaks CIA treasure trove - wondering what is real and what is hype? Brian Krebs is one of our favorite journalists on tech issues as he has a deep understanding of how tech, crypto, and hacks work. Here is a GREAT article from him on the leak, what is and is not in there. (And he has a good definition of what "zero day" means!) https://krebsonsecurity.com/2017/03/wikileaks-dumps-docs-on-cias-hacking-tools/

WikiLeaks Dumps Docs on CIA’s Hacking Tools — Krebs on Security detailing methods of hacking everything from smart phones and TVs to compromising Internet routers and computers. KrebsOnSecurity is still...

1M Google Accounts Hacked by 'Gooligan' Android Malware. R u one? Info & link to check http://ow.ly/8qPK306FYk5

Over 1 Million Google Accounts Hacked by 'Gooligan' Android Malware Over 1 Million Google Accounts has been hacked by 'Gooligan' Android Malware.

ALERT: Sec hole discovered in Firefox, Tor browsers. Use diff browser today, run updates for Firefox, Tor tonight: http://ow.ly/s006306FOsn

Emergency Bulletin: Firefox 0 day in the wild. What to do. - Wordfence We’re publishing this as an emergency bulletin for our customers and the larger web community. A few hours ago a zero day vulnerability emerged in...

Have you backed up your files recently? If not, you should! Read why here: https://technogizmodallas.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/do-i-really-need-to-run-backups/

Do I really need to run backups? Short answer – yes, and why haven’t you done this already? There’s a famous story floating around the internet about a man named Mr. Masala who...

What is SEO and why does your website need it?

SEO, or "Search Engine Optimization," is a process that streamlines the way your website's content is written. This helps search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Bing! connect you to your customers. For example, if you sell vacuums, you want your website to be among the first that pops up when someone searches the internet for vacuums.

Read more about SEO uses and how it could help your company here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2014/03/26/7-reasons-why-your-business-should-invest-in-seo/

7 Reasons Why Your Business Should Invest In SEO Google the term "Is SEO dead?" and what comes back in return is over 44 million references including the aptly titled article of the same name by...

Can hackers use your devices to spy on you in your own home?

Unfortunately, many "smart" devices are built without a lot of security. This means that hackers can use these devices to gather your data. But how can you tell if you've been hacked? How to you prevent a hack attack?

It's hard to tell if your devices have been hacked. However, one big tip: turn them off or unplug them when you're not using them. This could remove the attack code. Alternatively, try updating software or changing any default passwords.

Learn more: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37552066

Have hackers turned my printer into an offensive weapon? - BBC News Printers, webcams and routers are all being used to mount massive web attacks. Do you know if your smart hardware is ruining someone's day?

"Smart" devices can be hacked and used against you. Never assume that you're protected! Unplug or turn off any "smart" devices when they're not in use.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37738823

'Smart' home devices used as weapons in website attack - BBC News Hackers used internet-connected home devices, such as printers and web cameras, to attack popular websites on Friday, security analysts say.

What makes a good password? If you're like most people, you probably use the same password for everything. Hopefully, this password is a random mixture of letters and numbers. If you just loooove getting hacked, the password is a combination of your name and birth year. (Please don't do that.)

However, to be truly secure, you should do three things: 1) Use different passwords for everything. 2) Use passwords that are a random mixture of cases, symbols, and numbers. 3) Change your passwords every few months.

Remember, it's not a big deal - UNTIL YOU GET HACKED. Then, suddenly, you'll wish your bank account passwords weren't "fluffylol".

Read more here: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/542576/youve-been-misled-about-what-makes-a-good-password/

Length Beats Numbers and Uppercase Letters When It Comes to Password... Common advice on how to make a strong password is misleading, according to a new study of password-guessing techniques.

Good news, everyone! The recent high-profile cyber attacks (wikileaks) has more and more millennials looking towards careers in cyber security. Surveys show that these brave souls are interested in making the internet a safer place for everyone. Read more about it here:
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/us-election-hacks-and-attacks/

If you're a millennial interested in a career in cyber security, read this article for some helpful pointers: http://www.zdnet.com/article/getting-started-with-a-career-in-cybersecurity/

US Election Hacks and Attacks Are Leading Millennials to Cyber-Careers Cyber-attacks in the run-up to the US election have resulted in more millennials interested in cybersecurity careers.

“The cloud is ideal for businesses that need a cost effective, scalable and flexible means to transform their IT environments,” said Philip Lieberman, president and CEO of Lieberman Software. “Yet, IT professionals are still reluctant to put sensitive data in the cloud because they say it is difficult to secure. What organizations need to understand is that the same security problems they face on premises follow them into the cloud. Migrating to the cloud doesn’t mean they face any more or less security risk than keeping data on premises.”

http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/43-of-it-pros-find-cloud-security/

43% of IT Pros Find Cloud Security 'Difficult' 73% of respondents said they prefer to keep their sensitive corporate data on premises, rather than in the cloud.

Recently, Yahoo has discovered that over 500m user accounts were hacked at the end of 2014. This is just one of many breaches in security we've discovered in 2016 (DNC emails, Ashley MAdison, etc.) What does this mean?

First, it means that your information may not be as private as you think it is. This information can include credit card information, your social security number, even your banking passwords.

Second, it means that you need to protect yourself. The first step to doing so: change your passwords frequently. Don't use one password for everything. If needed, you can go lowtech *gasp* and write your passwords down somewhere. The more often you change your password, the less likely it is that someone will steal your information.

Additional note: Some security professionals are advising their clients to treat the security questions like a second level of security. Instead of writing your dog's REAL first name, write something like "wh4cb$gg" and write it down somewhere. If your account gets hacked, the hacker has to figure out two passwords instead of one. Cool right?

Read more here:
http://cnet.co/2daTF4J

Welcome to the club, Yahoo: 10 other massive hacks With hacking tools outpacing cybersecurity developments, breaches have become more common.