Ransomware is a piece of malicious software that infects a computer or device and encrypts the data making it inaccessible to the user. A ransom is then demanded to regain access to the victim's data. A time limit to pay the ransom is often imposed (usually 24-48 hours) or you risk losing access to the encrypted data forever. If a backup is unavailable or the backups were encrypted too, the victim is faced with paying the ransom to recover personal files. Payment must be paid in Bitcoin and the ransom cost can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Once the ransom is paid, the attacker will send a private key that will allow you to decrypt the data.
If you are dealing with a ransomware attack now, here are some tips to handle it going forward.
If your business is just getting started, or if you’re considering expanding, it’s important to think about what you can do to ensure that your data – and your client or customer data – remains secure. Below, you can learn more about how much SMBs really spend on cybersecurity. This can help you make better choices for your own business’s needs.
Many small to medium business owners make the mistake of believing that because their companies are not as large as some of their competitors’, they are simply not at risk for cyber threats. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Numerous reports show that about half of all cyber attacks aimed at business are aimed at small business and 68% of all small businesses experienced a cyber attack in the last 12 months. Because of this, every business needs to budget for cybersecurity. Viruses, phishing scams, and ransomware are all very real threats regardless of your company’s size, age, or revenue.
For most companies, cybersecurity budgeting is part of IT budgeting; managed IT service providers often offer security in the form of antivirus programs and even email security as part of their packages. On average, SMBs spend 5% to 20% of their total IT spend on security. This means that if your company spends $5000 a month on IT, you should expect to spend $250 to $1000 on cybersecurity alone.
Whether you should spend 5% or 20% depends on a wide variety of factors, too. These include:
Like many SMB owners, you may feel that $250 to $1000 per month is a lot of money to spend on cybersecurity. However, rather than viewing it as an additional expense, it’s better to see it as an insurance policy against a data breach. IBM’s 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that, on average, data breaches cost companies $3.92 million. Small business breaches can cost an average of $120,000 to $1.4 million – and many don’t survive. A breach can not only drain your bank account, but it can also close your business.
If you still view cybersecurity measures as a luxury rather than a necessity, now is the time to reconsider. No matter how small your business might be, no matter what industry it’s in, and no matter how careful you and your employees might be, if you collect, manage, or share customers’ information, you can be a target.
What are license plate recognition cameras? License plate recognition, sometimes shortened to LPR, is a feature on some cameras that allow them to detect, read, and store video of a car's license plate. They are used primarily for traffic monitoring in parking lots, gated security entrances, drive-throughs, parking garages, and toll roads and allow the camera to capture a license plate number which is then stored in a database. They are usually mounted on street poles, streetlights, highway overpasses, or affixed to a building's structure.
One of the first things to consider when installing a license plate camera is where it will be mounted. LPR cameras are designed to focus on a single lane of traffic with the sole purpose of recording license plates. Because of their design, they are not good at capturing wide-angles or larger areas. We recommend having additional cameras that will be used to capture details such as passengers, make, model, and color of a vehicle. With that in mind, we recommend installing the camera in a location facing a choke point or area where cars and vehicles are forced to move through. The camera will need to be facing the rear or front of vehicles so they have a clear view of the license plates.
We recommend installing the camera somewhere between 6-18 feet from the ground and no more than a 30 degree angle between the camera and the license plate you are trying to read. If the camera is not mounted properly, it will have issues providing a clear view of the plate and could prevent you from capturing the license plate. For that reason, cameras facing directly head-on to oncoming and outgoing vehicles will have the best chance at capturing license plates.
Lighting should also be taken into consideration when planning the install. Well lit areas may have lower hardware requirements than lower lit areas. A good LPR camera however, will be able deal with low-light areas using infrared.
IP Rating - Any LPR camera you purchase should be rated at least IP65. This means the camera will offer complete protection from dust and can withstand at least low pressure bursts of water. A higher second digit rating will provide even better water protection. For instance, IP67 will provide temporary protection against a camera fully immersed in water for 30 minutes, basically making it weatherproof.
Resolution - A resolution of at least 2MP will work for most installations. A higher megapixel count will give larger and clearer images if needed.
Lens - A motorized lens will allow you to control the focus and zoom of the camera without directly handling the camera. This makes it easier to adjust the field of view (FoV) and focus of the camera when trying to get the optimal view.
SD Card - We recommend using an NVR instead of an SD to store images and data, but they can still be used as a backup in case of an NVR failure.
Warranty - Look for cameras with at least a 3 year hardware warranty.
Misc - There are many more hardware options like shutter speed, wide dynamic range, and video compression standard, but will vary depending on your needs. For instance, vehicles traveling at 5 MPH vs 60 MPH will have different exposure and shutter needs. We recommend talking with an license plate recognition camera installer to see what your specific needs are.
If you are still running QuickBooks 2017, you may have recently noticed an alert within QuickBooks or received an email stating that the 2017 version will be discontinued on May 31, 2020. Intuit regularly discontinues any products older than three years and this typically happens in late May of each year. This year, it applies to the following versions of QuickBooks:
With the 2017 version expiring, your access to QuickBooks payroll services, technical support, online banking, online backup, and any other services will stop working after May 31, 2020. This also means you will no longer receive critical security updates and patches starting June 1, 2020. If you receive any security updates before this date, we recommend installing them as soon as possible. Please note, if you don't use any of the add-on services in QuickBooks Desktop 2017, your product will still continue to work.
In order to prevent problems associated with the service discontinuations and lack of security updates, you should consider either upgrading to the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop or migrating from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. With QuickBooks Online, you will always have the latest updates to QuickBooks, but it can lack some of the features of the Desktop version. At the time of writing, QuickBooks 2020 is the most recent Desktop version.
After you have made the decision to upgrade QuickBooks, you will need to purchase a new license. We recommend purchasing it directly from Intuit, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, or another trusted vendor. Once you have purchased the new license, you should receive a license key and product number. These will be necessary to install QuickBooks, so be sure to hold onto them! We highly recommend you keep a copy in a safe place or document them in case the software needs to be reinstalled at some point.
If you purchased a physical copy of the software, you should receive a DVD with the installer on it. If you purchased a digital copy, you will probably need to download the QuickBooks desktop software. You can also use the previous link to download the QuickBooks installer if you have lost your physical copy or need to download an older version.
Once you have the installer ready, we recommend making one last backup of your company file before proceeding. After the backup, proceed to install the software and enter your license key and product number. Express setup is usually fine for upgrading QuickBooks or usage on a single computer. More advanced setups or multi-users will probably require a custom or network install.
Once QuickBooks has finished installing you will need to activate your copy of QuickBooks. This typically involves signing in with your Intuit ID to activate the product. If you don't already have an Intuit ID, you will have the option to create one and tie it to your installed copy. After you have activated QuickBooks, you will then be ready to open your company file. QuickBooks will proceed to make one last backup of the company file and then perform an upgrade of the company file itself to make it compatible with the version you have installed. You can also check to see if there are any updates available by going to the Help Menu and selecting Update QuickBooks Desktop.
If you need any assistance with upgrading your copy of QuickBooks, please reach out to us and we will be happy to assist. We also handle new installations, off-site backups for QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Cloud Hosting, and optimization of existing QuickBooks servers and setups.
Laptops and computer equipment are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning duties, but they can harbor viruses and bacteria on their surfaces – especially when it comes to touchscreens and keyboards. Below is some helpful advice for sanitizing your equipment to protect your health.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered up several helpful tips for cleaning and disinfecting facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. First, the CDC recommends cleaning surfaces with soap and water, especially frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs, desks, faucets, keyboards, and others. Then, surfaces should be disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution.
It can be difficult to clean and sanitize electronics with soap and water or with household disinfectants, but the CDC offers a few other guidelines specific to computers, keyboards, and other equipment. First and foremost, they recommend using a wipeable cover over keyboards and other electronics that you touch frequently. You can find keyboard covers for most laptops and major keyboards online. They also suggest looking up the manufacturer’s instructions for disinfecting computers and laptops.
Before attempting to clean any computer or equipment, be sure that is unplugged and completely powered down. Never spray anything directly onto the computer or equipment, even when it is advised that you utilize a spray. Always spray onto a clean, soft cloth and remember that microfiber works best – especially for monitors, which are prone to smearing and scratching.
For the most part, the guidelines for cleaning computers is the same regardless of the brand or model, but a few of the major manufacturers have created webpages for this purpose.
For the most part, cleaning your other computer equipment is as simple as wiping it down with a cloth dipped into a disinfecting solution or a disinfecting wipe. Things like the outer case on your computer (laptop or desktop), your servers, the legs/stand on your monitor, your mouse, and your desk area can all harbor viruses and bacteria and should be cleaned frequently.
Finally, your smartphone and tablet will also require frequent cleaning and disinfecting. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions to discover which sprays are best for use with your particular device. Make sure you turn your phone or tablet completely off, then slightly dampen a microfiber cloth with the spray (never spray anything directly on the device) and wipe the entire surface of the device – the back, the front, and each side. Then, let the device sit for the time indicated on the spray and wipe any remaining product away with a damp microfiber cloth.
Whether you’re working from home or as an “essential” employee, it is imperative that you heed the advice of the CDC and your electronic devices’ manufacturers to keep them clean and sanitized. After all, our hands spend a lot of time with them, which makes them the perfect breeding ground. Killing germs on your computers, screens, keyboards, and other equipment frequently will go a long way toward keeping you healthy and safe.
Kentucky and Tennessee are not technically in the swath of the nation dubbed “Tornado Alley,” but neither state is immune to springtime severe weather. Things like straight-line winds, devastating lightning strikes, and even flooding along the Ohio River can have a detrimental effect on your business’s network, including its server and the associated data. To ensure your company’s success, you should ensure you’re protected with a backup and disaster recovery solution.
A backup is simply a copy of your company’s data – including files, customer data, software, and more – stored in another location which should always be separate from your main server. In the event severe weather affects your place of business and takes out your server, that backup ensures that your company’s data is not lost forever. Since 70% of companies that experience this data loss quickly go out of business afterward, backups are vitally important. They can make the difference between a failed business and one that succeeds, even in the face of a disaster.
Disaster recovery is the process by which information that was destroyed during severe weather, a fire, a flood, cybercrime, or even hardware failure is recovered. The entire goal of disaster recovery should include reobtaining as much of the lost information as possible as quickly as possible. After all, the more quickly you can get your data back and get your site online, the lesser the impact of the event that caused the data loss, and the more likely your business will come through unscathed.
Now that you understand the importance of backup and disaster recovery, here are a few tips to help you feel certain that you are protected before this year’s severe weather season:
As you can see, a backup and data recovery solution is critical to the overall success of your business. Without it, should disaster strike, you may lose your company’s data forever. For the best possible results, make sure you choose an expert company that can help your small or medium business weather the storm.
Every single day, your business faces numerous threats that could have a serious negative impact on everything from your reputation to your revenue. Malware may seem like one of the least problematic from the outside, but companies who have been adversely affected by malware know that it’s a serious issue. Below, you can learn more about malware and why it should concern you. You’ll also learn about excellent solutions that you can put in place right away.
Malware is a word derived from the term “malicious software,” which also serves as a great definition. Simply put, malware involves numerous software types that have been specifically created to damage the recipient in one way or another. In some cases, the recipient business may be specifically targeted with the malware; in others, the recipient may simply be unlucky.
Malware can damage your network, hardware, software, and company in several ways. It might duplicate and steal sensitive data, leading to a breach; it might shut down your entire network or system; it might be used to render your server useless; and it might also be used to cause a variety of problems related to system use for you and your employees.
The software is usually created by hackers who have extensive knowledge of internet protocols, firewalls, security limitations, and more. It can find its way into your network through various routes, as well. Malware comes in many different forms, including viruses, ransomware, adware, and botnets among others. Email is a very common point of entry, though it may also be possible for someone to hack into your network directly and “plant” the malware.
The best way to avoid the problems malware can cause involves avoiding malware in the first place. Numerous companies provide preventative solutions, ranging from email security options (since much of the malware introduced into business networks is introduced via email) to enhanced firewalls designed to stop breaches before they start. If you want to be certain that your network is up to date and protected against such intrusions, the best way to do this is with a network security assessment. This is designed to actively find holes in your network that malware could potentially penetrate, then give you options for plugging those holes and keeping your company’s data safe.
To further improve your network, you should always make sure that you have a strong antivirus and antimalware program running on every computer at all times. It is also important that you keep your systems and software updated. The best way to do this is to allow automatic updates and schedule them during non-working hours. Finally, train your employees to spot any potentially malicious activity and report it immediately.
Malware can have a horrible effect on your company. In fact, some malware can even completely erase your data or lock you out of your systems, rendering your entire business completely helpless. Schedule a network assessment today, and be sure that you have the best antivirus and firewall protection available installed.
If you manage a business that caters to its clients or customers onsite – including a hotel, a salon, or perhaps even a hardware store – there are numerous reasons to consider providing your guests with Wi-Fi access. Not only is it incredibly convenient, but it may even help you get ahead of your competitors. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve ever given away a free gift with a purchase or provided a free continental breakfast with a stay, then you already understand the power of the word “free”. One of the best and simplest reasons to offer your customers or guests free onsite Wi-Fi access is because it’s free. In fact, your customers may choose to do business with you over your competitors if you are the only one offering free Wi-Fi.
Giving your customers access to your corporate network so they can do their work while they are onsite is generous, but it can present several problems for your company. For instance, having 15 people on your network reading their emails may barely be noticeable, but if there are 15 people streaming Netflix, then you may start to feel the effects of the limited bandwidth. Giving people access to free guest Wi-Fi can reduce this congestion and keep your network running far more smoothly.
Though allowing someone to access the internet via your corporate network may not seem like a big deal, it certainly can be if you give that access to the wrong person. There’s a reason why your network is password-protected; it’s to keep people with bad intentions out. In some cases, all a hacker needs is access to your network to shut down your entire operation, wipe out your company data, or plant a nasty virus that affects not only you, but also others in your network – vendors, customers, and more. Guest Wi-Fi access drastically reduces this risk and lets you breathe easier when you see people connected to the web.
Finally, providing free guest Wi-Fi for customers and visitors is one of the best ways to show people that you truly care about them. Today’s world is fast-paced, and people always have something to do online, whether they’re catching up on their homework, writing a report for work, or even creating a speech for a major event. They need access to the internet to continue living their lives and doing the things they need to do, and when you can provide it to them free of charge, it shows that you are on their side – something they are sure to appreciate.
Guest Wi-Fi access is just one of many ways to help make your clients and customers happy, but it is also one of the most important. After all, in today’s day and age, we rely on the internet to live our lives. It’s where we shop. It’s where we work. It’s where we go to school. It’s even where we connect with our families. When you give this to people for free, they will be thankful.
Installing the right security software is important for keeping your business’s network secure, but even the most up-to-date software can only do so much. It’s up to you - and your employees, for that matter - to prevent many network breaches that could leave your business out of commission and losing money by the second. Here are things you and your employees can do to prevent breaches.
The more information stored on the network, the more information that could possibly fall into the hands of a cybercriminal. One way to reduce this risk is to simply reduce the data volume as much as possible. Don’t retain any data that isn’t absolutely necessary and try to find ways to simplify the data that you do collect. Finally, along these same lines, try to store data in only two places, with at least one place being in the cloud for disaster recovery purposes.
Email is the number one point of entry for viruses and malware that devastate small businesses, and over half of all major attacks on small businesses were made possible by an employee opening a phishing email or facilitating ransomware through malware in an email. Train your employees on the dangers of these emails and teach them tips for spotting them. Then, make sure your employees not only delete these emails, but that they also report them to the appropriate company. Usually, the company being “spoofed” in a phishing email, for example, will have a specific email address set aside for reporting such things. Be sure to forward the email along to that particular address (if it exists), then delete it.
If any of your business’s network information appears on physical sheets of paper, it is critical that these sheets be destroyed as quickly as possible. Don’t just throw them out; run them through a cross-cut shredder beforehand to discourage potential thieves from piecing together your critical information. You should also destroy and discard other types of physical media, including CDs or DVDs, that have important company data on them.
As tempted as they might be, it is important that your employees do not access unnecessary websites, especially peer-to-peer file sharing websites, on your company network. These are the perfect entry points for cybercriminals. Better still, utilize software to restrict access to any websites that are not directly required for your employees to do their jobs. Though it may seem too restrictive to you at first, it is the only real way to ensure that your sensitive information stays on your network.
Finally, there are several other policies you should put into place and enforce to keep your data safe. Make sure your employees understand which data is confidential and that they are aware of the repercussions of sharing confidential information with others, intentionally or otherwise. Do not allow cameras at workstations with company computers (to prevent purposeful or unintentional photography of sensitive information), and require your employees to change their passwords frequently. Go over these policies during your weekly meetings to ensure your employees understand their importance, as well.
If you’re a fan of QuickBooks, you are certainly not alone. It’s one of the best and most popular accounting platforms available today, and it is primarily geared toward small businesses. These days, QuickBooks is available in both on-premise and in-the-cloud formats that make it incredibly easy to manage your business from absolutely anywhere. Here are some of the ways in which QuickBooks Cloud Hosting can make things much simpler for your company, too.
QuickBooks Cloud Hosting isn’t a favorite for no reason; in fact, small and medium businesses rely on it every single day because of a few very important benefits:
Aside from the three main points listed above, QuickBooks offers much more. Business owners can create a hierarchy of access privileges that allow different levels of access for people across the company, which puts them in control of their data without sacrificing collaboration. You can create numerous business forms on the go - not just invoices - and you can choose from numerous plans designed in such a way that you will never find yourself paying for more service than you really need.
It’s also especially good for inventory management since you can view quantities on hand, get real time inventory valuations, and instantly access your own purchase orders from vendors no matter where you are. Finally, because the entire platform is cloud-based, you can rest assured in the knowledge that you will always be accessing the latest iteration of the platform without having to go through lengthy update processes on your various devices.
If you are looking for a software platform that is well-known, has a solid reputation for quality, and provides you with all the money and/or inventory management tools you need no matter where you are, QuickBooks Cloud Hosting can provide it, and it can make it incredibly simple at the same time.