Think of machines that can learn and adapt to any situation. Thanks to researchers from MIT and Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, this is now possible. They have created a new method that lets machines learn in two ways: by copying their teacher and trying things independently. This dual method helps machines learn faster and better. What’s the Big Idea? Researchers from MIT and Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, have found a way for machines to choose when to follow their “teacher” and when to be independent. It is a dynamic mix of imitation and exploration, allowing machines to learn more effectively. The research behind the breakthrough is set to debut at the upcoming International Conference on Machine Learning. Implications for Your Business This new tech offers potential benefits for businesses in multiple ways. For one, it boosts automation capabilities. Machines adapting to change and uncertainty are far more effective at performing complex tasks. It can also optimize your decision-making process. Machines that make informed decisions in uncertain situations reduce the risk of human error. As a result, your operations will be more efficient and reliable. It has the potential for cost savings and higher productivity. Making the Most of This Innovation How can you leverage this breakthrough in your business? First, consider how automation could enhance your operations. Adaptable machines can significantly improve areas like customer service and data analysis. If your business needs to organize a large inventory of products, an adaptive machine will also prove beneficial. Second, stay informed about the latest advancements in machine learning. Keep an eye on technological advances that could directly affect your industry. Additionally, invest in the tools that fit your business needs. Work with IT professionals who understand your business and can guide you on installing this technology effectively. Adapt to the Future Machine learning’s new horizon is opening doors for businesses. It is not about replacing the human touch. Instead, it is about enhancing it with machines that can adapt, learn, and grow. If you embrace these developments wisely, your business could be more efficient, agile, and prepared for the future. The key is to find ways to integrate new tech and make the most of what is right for your business. Read more on: https://www.hammett-tech.com/a-new-chapter-in-business-automation-with-machine-learning/https://www.hammett-tech.com/our-blog/ Visit our socials! https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter
Do you know that your handy smartphone could cause harm to your business? A Trojan called Anatsa is causing trouble to banks and business owners. This Anatsa is sneakier and more harmful than ever, making it a serious threat to businesses. Understanding the Threat Anatsa falls under the category of a “Trojan” virus. Once it is in your computer or phone, a Trojan can steal your personal information or damage your device. It is named after the “Trojan Horse” in Greek mythology because it sneaks in, pretending to be something it is not. The Anatsa Trojan aims to get your sensitive details, like your bank login details or credit card numbers. It does this by tricking you into entering your details into a fake screen and tracking what you type. Anatsa’s advanced features, such as its Device-Takeover Fraud (DTO), let it take over your device and sneak past your bank’s security systems. It then secretly takes your mobile banking login details. It even starts making purchases without you knowing. The creators of the Anatsa Trojan have made it more dangerous. They started a new campaign in March 2023, targeting banks in the U.S., U.K., and some parts of Europe. Alarmingly, this malware infected over 30,000 devices. How Anatsa Enters Your Smartphone Anatsa sneaks into your phone through apps. Five apps have been found to be high-risk: All Document Reader & Editor – com.mikijaki.documents.pdf reader.xlsx.csv.ppt.docs PDF Reader & Editor – moh.filemanagerrespdf PDF Reader & Editor – com.proderstarler.pdfsignature All Document Reader and Viewer – com.muchlensoka.pdfcreator PDF Reader – Edit & View PDF -lsstudio.pdf reader.powerful tool.allinonepdf.goodpdftools If you have these applications on your device, you should delete them right away. Steps for Protecting Your Business The recent rise of Anatsa shows the risks businesses face today. But there are ways to protect your business from this Trojan: Educate yourself. Stay updated about threats like Anatsa. Awareness is the first step toward prevention. Verify apps. Always make sure an app is safe before you download it. This action reduces the chance of downloading Trojan-infected apps. Use security software. Install a reliable security app on your device. These apps can find and block malicious software like Anatsa. Act Early and Protect Your Future The Anatsa Trojan shows how cyber threats to business owners are changing and becoming more sophisticated. You can prevent significant losses by knowing the risks and taking steps to protect your business. Acting fast and staying informed can help keep your business safe in today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape. Be updated and read more about IT by visiting our website: www.hammett-tech.com or visit our social media sites below: https://www.facebook.com/HammettTech http://www.linkedin.com/companies/hammett-technologies Hammett Technologies (@HammettTech) / Twitter Anatsa Android Trojan Now Steals Banking Info From Users – Hammett Technologies (hammett-tech.com)
If you haven’t touched your Google account in years, it is time to use it again to prevent it from disappearing. Google recently announced that it will be deleting accounts that have been inactive for two years. This move is part of efforts to organize user data and improve account security. Businesses using Google to connect to third-party software should take proactive steps to maintain their accounts. Google’s shift in its inactivity policy: A move towards more secure cyberspace Google’s previous inactivity policy stated that it would wipe data from accounts that had been inactive for two years. But the tech giant has updated its rule, saying it will delete the entire account if it hasn’t been touched for two years. That includes content within the account, including Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Drive, Docs, and Google Photos. This policy specifically targets personal Google accounts, leaving business accounts unaffected. This change is an innovative solution to the increasing online security threats, with inactive accounts more prone to phishing and hacking. These dormant accounts, often shielded with recycled passwords and lacking up-to-date security measures, become easy targets for cybercriminals. Hence, Google’s policy revamp is a progressive move towards a safer online environment, urging everyone to actively manage and secure their accounts. What’s next for businesses? While not all companies operate on Google’s business accounts, those that use personal accounts need to heed Google’s revised inactivity policy to maintain access to their critical data. Maintaining activity can be as simple as sending and opening emails on Gmail, conducting searches while logged into the account, utilizing Google Drive, or using Google to sign in to other accounts. Businesses must also prioritize the security of their Google accounts against threats. This includes regular monitoring of all shared accounts, enabling two-factor authentication, updating account settings, keeping recovery email addresses handy, and creating strong, unique passwords for each account. Embracing Active Account Management The crux of Google’s new account deletion policy is to inspire businesses to actively manage their accounts. A systematic account management process in the workplace can be instrumental in ensuring all accounts remain current and secure, thereby mitigating risks associated with inactive accounts. This initiative underlines the importance of account activity and security, providing a valuable lesson for business owners on the possible impacts of Google’s policy changes on their operations.
Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures your website and content appear early in search engine rankings. When a person uses a search engine, your relevant content should be among the first they find and click on. Here’s what you need to know about SEO and how to make it work for you. Optimize Keywords Keywords are the terms a user types into a search engine to find what they’re looking for. You can find the words users search most often by using a keyword optimization tool, some of which are free. Balance keyword use throughout the content, URL, title, and metadata. For the best results, use low-competition words and don’t overuse them. Titles should be 50 to 60 characters long, and at least one heading should have the main keyword. You can add some other secondary keywords once or twice in the content. Many tools are available to make sure you’re optimizing your keywords. Ensure Quality Content To rank high on search engines, you need to have high-quality content. So how do you define good content? Variety Quality content uses more than just words. It contains images, videos, infographics, and various ways to enhance the user experience. It also includes internal links to other content you produce, increasing traffic across the entire site. Good Writing Quality content is well-written and easy to understand. It uses neutral language, and it isn’t too informal or silly. It states the information in an accessible way and makes every word count. High quality also requires the content to be edited and free of error. Relevance The information should be relevant to the user’s search. For example, if they’re searching for the best tires for their vehicle, leave out where to get a good paint job. Keeping the content relevant means the search engine knows to rank it high. Create Backlinks Good search engine optimization requires backlinks. Backlinks are when your content links to a different website, usually using a vital keyword. Backlinks are important because they signal that outside sources can trust your content. It also increases your traffic from other websites. Several tools are available for backlinking if you don’t want to go at it alone. Optimize for Mobile Have you ever clicked on a webpage from your mobile device that doesn’t look right? It makes it frustrating to use, and most users go elsewhere to find information. You need to optimize your website for mobile devices to ensure you get in on this significant traffic source. Monitor and Adjust SEO strategy isn’t static. As keywords change in popularity, you’ll need to adjust your content. Analytics tools (like Google Analytics) help you keep track of how your content is performing and make any adjustments to which keywords you use, the relevance of the content, and your backlinks. Master SEO Mastering search engine optimization takes time. Luckily, various tools and services are available to help. If you keep this guide in mind and are willing to analyze and adjust, the basics will eventually become mastery.
By leveraging new technologies and digital processes, many businesses today can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and better serve their customers. Despite this, implementing the latest technologies and procedures can be a complex and challenging task, especially for businesses lacking in-house expertise and resources. It is here where managed IT services can play a crucial role, providing the knowledge and support required to adopt new technologies and digital processes. Managed IT services provide businesses access to a team of experienced IT professionals who can provide expert guidance and support throughout the digital transformation process. Assessment of the organization’s needs, identification of appropriate technologies, and implementation of these technologies and processes are all part of this process. Digital transformation can be especially beneficial for companies that lack the in-house IT resources or expertise to handle it. A managed IT service can help businesses better address the risks associated with digital transformation and provide expert guidance and support. Assuring that the latest technologies and processes are secure and compliant with industry regulations is one aspect of this, as well as helping businesses recover from potential disruptions and setbacks faster. By providing this level of support and protection, managed IT services can help companies to feel more confident and secure as they navigate the often-unfamiliar waters of digital transformation. Many businesses have benefited from managed IT services in their digital transformation efforts. For example, managed IT services are often used to help implement e-commerce platforms or electronic health record systems in retail and healthcare. Regardless of the scenario, managed IT services providers will work closely with a company to assess its needs, identify the right technology and processes, as well as ensure that the new systems operate smoothly. The adoption of new technologies and digital processes can be greatly enhanced by managed IT services as part of a digital transformation effort. In addition to providing expert guidance and support, managed IT services can help businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation and drive business growth by minimizing risks.
Bitdefender released its 2023 Cybersecurity Assessment report Wednesday, which surveyed more than 400 IT and security professionals located in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The report found that 42% of surveyed respondents said they were told to keep a breach confidential when they should have reported it, and nearly 30% said they had kept a breach confidential knowing it should have been reported. When it comes to U.S.-based organizations, those percentages only increased. The report also addressed the legal backlash of maintaining breach confidentiality. The primary threat concerns for surveyed respondents last year were software vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits, followed closely by phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks. Ransomware came in at No. 4. Bitdefender noted that patching software vulnerabilities in a timely manner is an ongoing problem that attackers increasingly leverage. Bitdefender released its 2023 Cybersecurity Assessment report Wednesday, which surveyed more than 400 IT and security professionals located in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The report found that 42% of surveyed respondents said they were told to keep a breach confidential when they should have reported it, and nearly 30% said they had kept a breach confidential knowing it should have been reported. When it comes to U.S.-based organizations, those percentages only increased. The report also addressed the legal backlash of maintaining breach confidentiality. The primary threat concerns for surveyed respondents last year were software vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits, followed closely by phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks. Ransomware came in at No. 4. Bitdefender noted that patching software vulnerabilities in a timely manner is an ongoing problem that attackers increasingly leverage. Bitdefender released its 2023 Cybersecurity Assessment report Wednesday, which surveyed more than 400 IT and security professionals located in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The report found that 42% of surveyed respondents said they were told to keep a breach confidential when they should have reported it, and nearly 30% said they had kept a breach confidential knowing it should have been reported. When it comes to U.S.-based organizations, those percentages only increased. The report also addressed the legal backlash of maintaining breach confidentiality. The primary threat concerns for surveyed respondents last year were software vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits, followed closely by phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks. Ransomware came in at No. 4. Bitdefender noted that patching software vulnerabilities in a timely manner is an ongoing problem that attackers increasingly leverage.
The United States government is alerting organizations about the Royal ransomware operation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said in a joint advisory that the Royal ransomware gang poses an increasing threat to the critical infrastructure of numerous sectors in the U.S. The Royal ransomware group has been targeting different sectors across the country and abroad. Among its victims are health care, education, communications, and manufacturing organizations. How the Royal Ransomware Gang Operates According to the FBI and CISA, Royal actors use phishing links to access an organization’s network. These links carry a malware downloader. The cyber threat actors then disable the network’s antivirus software, extract large amounts of data, and encrypt systems. Other than phishing links, the Royal ransomware gang also uses these other tools to get into an organization’s network, including: Remote desktop protocol (RDP) Initial access brokers The exploitation of public-facing applications Royal Ransomware Made Rounds Since 2022 The Royal ransomware gang first made rounds in early 2022. It used third-party ransomware like Zeon when it started. But it has since created its own ransomware and has been using it since September. It also uses other malicious tools to gather information and keep victims from restoring their data. In December, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that Royal ransomware targeted the healthcare sector. Royal’s leak page on the dark web listed two healthcare service providers as victims. Royal actors had also made ransom demands in Bitcoin. These demands range between $1 million and $11 million. The ransom notes do not state ransom amounts and payment details. But these contain instructions on how to contact the group. Royal Gang Is a Group of Experienced Cybercriminals Security experts believe that experienced cybercriminals make up the Royal ransomware gang. These cyber threat actors have worked together in previous operations. Cyber security experts noted similarities between the Royal operation and Conti – a Russian hacking enterprise. Conti disbanded in June 2022, giving rise to several cybercriminal groups. These groups applied the same phishing technique that the Royal gang now uses to deploy its ransomware. Organizations Should Have a Data Recovery Plan in Place The U.S. government advises businesses and organizations to have a data recovery plan in place. This plan ensures that organizations won’t lose their data in case Royal ransomware infiltrates their systems. Additionally, organizations can continue their operations in case of a ransomware attack. A recovery plan includes: maintaining multiple backups of data implementing multi-factor authentication securing accounts with unique and strong passwords using monitoring tools to detect suspicious activity in their network implementing network segmentation updating all software and operating systems auditing all accounts disabling unused services The Bottom Line: Businesses Should Be Ready for Ransomware Attacks Businesses and organizations could lose all their data, including customers’ personal information, from a ransomware attack. And this could incapacitate their business or at least disrupt operations. Their customers would also lose trust and confidence in them. As such, businesses and organizations should prepare themselves for possible cyberattacks. It is not enough to put measures in place to prevent it. They should also have a contingency plan in case they fall victim to a cybercrime.
While the holidays are a time for family and celebrating, that does not mean that scammers won’t try to spoil all that holiday cheer! With each year, the threats online have only increased, and it has become such a large issue for unsuspecting consumers that the US Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a statement, asking consumers to be more aware of their online surroundings; “…[CISA] encourages users to be aware of potential holiday scams and malicious cyber campaigns, particularly when browsing or shopping online,” said CISA. Therefore, making sure you are knowledgeable in simple cybersecurity tactics can ensure that scammers and other malicious online threats cannot steal your holiday cheer! The Scammer’s Holiday Christmas time is fun for everyone, including the criminals, unfortunately. BleepingComputer reported on a scam last year that targeted Amazon shoppers! This online scam was designed to appear to be an Order Confirmation email telling the recipient that their order had shipped and to click for more details regarding the order From BleepingComputer If the recipient clicked “Order Details” a Word document would be downloaded, asking the user to “Enable Content”. If done, the document would execute code that would keylog and steal anything the user typed, stealing personal information! Making sure you are aware of your online surroundings is vital to making sure your personal information is not leaked online or stolen! Protecting Yourself Online The holiday season is the perfect time for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Many people who shop online are unaware of the risks and are unaware of the signs of a trap. Here are some helpful tips from CISA to make sure you stay safe online: Avoid clicking on suspicious emails and email attachments ( Using Caution with Email Attachments and Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Scams). Use caution when shopping online (Shopping Safely Online). Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information. While each of these helpful tips are from CISA, if that is not enough to make you believe, Hammett Technologies also fully endorses each of these statements! Criminals will do whatever they can to steal your personal information over the holiday season. Therefore, remaining aware and cautious while you shop online will not only save you a lot of stress, it will save your money too! If you have any questions regarding anything above, please feel free to give us a call, or visit the What We Do page to learn more! We are happy to assist you, or your company, with all your cybersecurity needs!
The Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection Research Team have released a warning to all Windows users informing them that a notorious malware has resurfaced and has begun to spread once again. This malware, named Astaroth (The Great Duke of Hell), steals user credentials without ever needing to install malicious software. What makes this malware so notorious is not just that it deploys keyloggers and monitors the clipboard, aiding in its ability to steal login credentials, instead it does all this without downloading any executable file onto the user’s machine. The attack begins when the user opens a link within a phishing email. The link, unbeknownst to the user, opens a shortcut file which launches a terminal command that downloads and runs JavaScript code. From there the JavaScript pulls and runs two DLL files which do the dirty work of keylogging the user’s information and uploading it to the remote attacker. It does this entire process without the user ever knowing it is going on, raising serious concerns for businesses and personal machines. To stop the Malware, Anti-Virus programs need closely monitor how WMIC command-line code, applying rules to such code when necessary. This includes regularly checking the age of the files being called and flagging or completely blocking newly created DLL files. However, Microsoft’s anti-virus, as well as other anti-virus programs, have been updated to watch for such occurrences. Nevertheless, it is crucial that you remain cautious when online. Malware like this, even though modern anti-virus has been updated to watch for these suspicious actions, is not full proof. You should never look at your anti-virus as being the first line of defense; that what you are! If you are worried that an email may be a phishing scam, the chances are that it is. Always verify with the sender before you click on any links or download any files, and you will ensure that your computer and data remains safe! If you are worried that your business may be vulnerable to cyber attacks, contact Hammett Technologies! We use only the latest cybersecurity technology to ensure that your data is always safe. To find out more about what we can do to assist your company, click here!
Helping You Utilize Innovative IT Solutions to Improve Patient Care While Securing Confidential Data! As more and more innovative technologies become available to dental offices, the need to properly utilize these technologies grows. Ultimately, those in the dental industry must implement state of the art technologies to stay ahead of the competition and provide the highest quality of patient care possible. Hammett Technologies offers IT services for dental offices – helping you utilize innovative IT solutions to improve patient care while securing confidential data. Call us at {phone} or send us an email at {email}. We have extensive experience working with dental offices like yours – and we know what IT solutions are necessary to boost the quality of patient care while safeguarding sensitive data to ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations: Remote and onsite support from knowledgeable IT professionals who are ready to address any questions, concerns, or issues in a timely manner. Network security, including anti-virus software, firewalls, web-content filtering, and much more; securing your network against cybercrime. Cloud services to enable your staff to quickly and securely access patient records in the office, the exam room, or even from home. Backup and business continuity to ensure your important patient information is always accessible, even in the event of disaster. And much more! Hammett Technologies helps you realize the true value of your information technology. Call us at {phone} or send us an email: {email}. We’d be happy to discuss your IT needs.