When it comes to saving money, it is vital that you have an overview of all your company’s expenses. While this may seem obvious to some, there are many who believe they already have a good idea of their company’s expenses. We cannot stress enough, no matter how much of an idea you believe to have of your organization’s expenses, consult with your financial partner. You may be surprised with how much money your organization actually spends. Consulting with Your Financial Partner Even though you may feel certain that you have a good idea of how much money your organization is spending, it is important to ensure that you are accurate in your estimates. By consulting with your business’s financial partner, you can ensure that your company’s funds are being spent accordingly and efficiently, without leaving anything up in the air. When getting the big picture of your company’s expenses, leave no stone unturned. Review all expenses, making sure you know exactly how much money is being spent and which areas need to be focused on the most in order to save the most money. By doing this, you can ensure your company can remain in good financial standing, without the worry of unnecessary expenses. Hammett Technologies is Your Company’s IT Department As we have stated multiple times before, when it comes to understanding cybersecurity and technology, Hammett Technologies is the expert. Our team has worked with numerous organizations, from government contracts to small, family-owned, businesses. We understand how important it is to balance the budget to ensure that a company, regardless of size, is able to operate efficiently and securely. Therefore, by choosing Hammett Technologies, you not only gain a powerful cybersecurity team and IT support, but you also gain a partner who is conscious of your business budget and will work with you to obtain the best materials that are within your price range.
New ransomware, Nemty, has been discovered according to the report from BleepingComputer. Nemty, as security researchers are calling it, has the possibility to spread using compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. Nemty, like all other ransomware, holds the victim’s files hostage, deleting all shadow versions of the files while disabling the victim from any attempted recovery options. Payment is then required via bitcoins, which average about $1,000. Those infected will be prompted with this message: Unfortunately, being so new, a known fix is not available, but security researchers are working diligently to find a fix. While RDP is suspected to be the method of distribution for the ransomware, researchers have not yet confirmed this finding. Most ransomware is distributed through phishing emails. If RDP is the method of distribution, confirming hackers have gained higher access to the machine, cutting out the middleman, and giving them full control of the computer. If you would like to find out more about how Hammett Technologies can keep your company safe, click here!
In 2017, Equifax had just suffered a massive data breach, resulting in the theft of over half of all American adults’ personal information. Now, 2 years later, Equifax will pay a total of $700 million in fines for laws they broke and their negligent handling of consumer data. Reuters stated that of the $700 million, Equifax is set to pay $300 million in damages to consumers, a number that could climb as high as $425 million depending on how many people claim damages. LifeHacker has outlined exactly what to expect if you were a part of the 147 million Americans who had their data stolen. If you were to file a claim now, expect one of the following outcomes: 1. Free credit monitoring for four years through Experian, or six years through Equifax. However, if you already have credit monitoring for the next six months, you could file a claim for the sum of $125 cash. 2. Up to $20,000 cash if you can prove damages due to the data breach. However, to claim, let alone obtain such a large sum of money will require that you are able to prove without a doubt that you suffered damages directly related to the Equifax data breach. 3. Identity restoration services for free for the next seven years. Chief Executive Mark Begor from Equifax said that he expects the $425 million would be enough to ensure all those who suffered damages would be financially compensated. However, US consumer advocates voiced several concerns regarding the supposed “substantial” amount. Ed Mierzwinski of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group regarded the fine as “…a parking ticket, not a penalty.” He also finds the number of hoops consumers must jump through, in order to be compensated for Equifax’s negligent handling of consumer sensitive information, ridiculous. Concerns about the short-sightedness of these “penalties and fines” is also on the minds of some. Chi Chi Wu, the attorney for the National Consumer Law Center stated that “The settlement provides some compensation right now, but the risk of identity theft is forever.” Many believe Equifax has been “let off the hook” for the largest data breach in American history, a viewpoint hard to argue with. After reading this, you are probably wondering yourself if your information had been compromised due to the breach. Well, the good news is that I can provide you the link to the website but can promise nothing in terms of the outcome of your discovery! Equifax has provided a website for consumers to review their data information. If you are a business owner and are worried about the security and safety of your business’s sensitive information, contact Hammett Technologies! We are experts in data security and can guarantee the safety and security of all your company’s sensitive information! Click here to learn how we can help your company stay secure!
Microsoft Teams is known for being a reliable chatting software that many businesses use for communicating and sharing documents within your company. We utilize Teams every day at Hammett Technologies and could not be happier with its overall ease of use, innovation, and productivity. However, recently, security researchers have discovered an exploit within the business chatting software from Microsoft. This exploit could potentially allow for malicious files to be downloaded and executed. How Can It Happen? Microsoft Teams utilizes the Squirrel project, which deals with installation and updating. Through the use of the “update” command, hackers can potentially upload and execute malicious files into Microsoft Teams. Along with this are other exploits, allowing for remote download and execution of malicious files. What Can I Do to Secure Teams? When it comes to computer viruses, the rule of thumb is always to make sure you and your team have strong passwords in place. This can deter unwanted guest from gaining access to your accounts and causing damage to your company. This rule applies here, as well. The only way malicious files can be uploaded Teams is through access, therefore, ensure that all members have strong passwords, ensure that permissions are set in place to ensure that those less trusted, or those with temporary access, are unable to upload or download documents. If you are unsure about the security of your Microsoft Teams environment, call Hammett Technologies! Our free assessment scans for issues like these and will bring security risks to your attention immediately. With us as your IT department, you can rest easy knowing your network, and online presence is secure! If you would like to find out more about what we can do for your company, click here!
Unfortunately, this attack may affect those of you who travel the most. If you have stayed at any of the following Starwood brand hotels, including the Marriot, your information could have been compromised. Westin Sheraton The Lucury Collection Four Points by Sheraton W Hotels St. Regis Le Méridien Aloft Element Tribute Portfolio Design Hotels If you have stay at one of the hotels, it is in your best interest that you assume your information has been compromised! Take precautions and prepare yourself for a variety of social engineering attacks. What to Look For Spear Phishing Alert: Starwood Preferred Guests accounts have been breached, therefore it is likely that attackers have access to both your work and personal email addresses. Now, having your email address, attacks will send you emails that appear to be from real corporations, in an attempt to gain further access to your personal information! Be on patrol for these kinds of email, and if you do spot one, mark it as spam and report it immediately Copycat Phishing and SMS Phishing: With your information now floating around in the wild, attackers will try numerous methods in order to gain further access into your personal information! Marriot has made a statement saying it would email any Starwood Preferred Guests as well as those who may be impacted. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the attackers will now always be sending you and email that will look almost identical. Therefore, to air on the side of caution, do not open any emails, click on any links, or download any attachments that have come from the Marriott or Starwood Hotels. Furthermore, do not respond to any voicemails, or texts that claim they are representatives from the hotels listed above. Instead, look up the hotel and call them directly yourself! Have a Chat with Accounting: Odds are you have a business credit card, and if you have stayed at one of the following hotels in the past 4 years, odds are the bad guys have that same exact card now. Therefore, ask accounting to watch the card for any suspicious activity! If you use your own credit card and get reimbursed, call your bank and inform them of the situation, change your password, and monitor your account closely! Do Not Search for “WebWatcher”: Marriott is offering those who were targeted in the US, Canada, and the UK, a free, one year subscription to a Kroll Identity Service called “WebWatcher”. This service monitors “internet sites where personal information is shared”. Decoded that means they watch hacking sites on the deep web for compromised data records. DO NOT search the web for this program. This search will lead you to programs that, while they carry the same name, are hosts to spyware and other dangerous viruses. If you want to sign up for the free monitoring service, follow the links at info.starwoodhotels.com to country specific versions. Traveling Safe When leaving for an office trip or vacation make sure you: before leaving the office while packing in the taxi at the airport in flight at meetings and conferences at the hotel Following these steps will make sure that you are secure when traveling!
The internet can be a dangerous place. Therefore, as we traverse the digital landscape we must always stay on high alert! Recently, a new type of phishing email has hit our digital world. Be one the lookout for emails that are from my-sharepointdrive@notification.messages365.org. At first glance, this email appears to come from Share Point, giving oneself a false sense of security, but do not be fooled! This email, if opened, will contaminate your computer. This false sense of security is only further by the header of the message reading “This mail is from a trusted sender.”. If you receive a message that looks like this, do not open the attachment! When you receive a suspicious email, always make sure to carefully go over the sender information. Ask yourself these questions: “Do I know this sender?” and “Does this email pertain to something I am familiar with?”. Even if you can answer “yes” to both questions, you should remain vigilant. Always be on the look out for anything that is out of place or suspicious. By playing it safe and paying attention you will save yourself both time and money! At Hammett Technologies we put your online security as a top priority. Be with a team you can trust, become a Hammett Technologies Partner today!
The most recent breach of Facebook, resulting in 50 million accounts hacked, has the corporation in the spotlight once again and for the wrong reasons. To help those who fear they may have been hacked, the Fox 45 Morning News team asked our Owner and CEO, Charles Hammett, to come on and provide his expert knowledge concerning cyber security and help explain to viewers what they can do in order to prevent these attacks from happening. Watch the video below to find out more! At Hammett Technologies the security of our client is our number one concern. With help from our certified team, you can have faith that your company’s users and data are kept safe and secure.