IT Services Atlanta: 7 Tips on How to Stay Safe from Inside Threats

Even with the best IT services Atlanta has to offer, inside threats can still be disastrous to a company. You don't only have to protect your data against hackers and viruses. You also have to make sure employees don't destroy precious data.

You may be thinking about rogue employees. Yes, they are a problem. However, the biggest inside threat is uninformed staff members who are likely to make security mistakes.

We are going to go over seven tips on how to protect your business from both:

1. Train Your Employees

Most cases of data loss or virus infections happen because staff members don't take the necessary precautions. Company policies are meant to eliminate that problem, but you need to make sure said policies are well-implemented.

Organize seminars for everyone whose work involves using the internet.

Explain what the potential threats are, and how to avoid them. Also, let them know about the consequences of misconduct.

Company-wide seminars should take place at least once a year. Any new employee should be trained before beginning work. One of the IT services Atlanta companies need the most is proper safety instruction.

2. Be Strict about Passwords and Account Management

You need to keep your employees' accounts safe. Having a weak password or forgetting to log off the account can be dangerous.

If an unauthorized person gets their hands on the account, they could not only compromise the computer but also the whole network.

3. Deactivate Unnecessary Accounts

When someone stops working for your company, make sure they no longer have access to your network. Former employees can become a threat in two ways:

• Without policies and surveillance, their personal computer could get malware. If they can still access the network, viruses could spread to your company too.

• If the employee harbors resentment for your business, they may try to harm it intentionally. Your business intelligence is valuable, and they could try to steal and sell it.
  
  

4. Implement Privilege Regulations

The explanation behind this tip is simple. Employees should only have enough privileges and access to do their jobs.

There is no reason to give them more access. It won't improve efficiency, but it will increase the risks. Keep things on a need-to-have basis to maintain company safety.

5. Monitor the Network and Shut Down Suspicious Activity

Whether it's a rogue employee or just a forgetful one, they leave signs when endangering the business. Keep a constant eye on the network for such signs. The most sought-after IT services Atlanta offers are monitoring tools.

Make this a priority to your system admins, or get help from an IT company. They'll help you prevent and mitigate problems.

6. Perform Regular Backups and Have a Data Recovery Plan

Those two actions are different, but they have the same goal: to keep your files safe. You need both of them to be safe.

Backups should be done as often as possible. Save data on the Cloud, and in two separate physical locations. This way, you'll never lose it.

Recovery plans are for mitigating any problems that may appear. Work out a plan with the help of an IT company. Their advice can be invaluable.

7. Assess Risks at All Times

By following these tips and being vigilant, you should be safe from most threats. However, since a single breach can be disastrous, you need to take an even more proactive approach.

Perform occasional company-wide assessments. Identify the most relevant data you have and their levels of protection. Consider the weakest point in your infrastructure. Come up with a risk management strategy.

The key to protecting your company from any threat is to stay ahead of the curve.

How to Pick the Best IT Services Company Atlanta Has to Offer

Working with several IT companies can become hectic and put a serious strain on your budget. Your best option is to find experts in several fields. They should handle security and other tasks, such as network design and ongoing maintenance.

We happen to be such a company. Not only will we ensure that your data is safe, but we'll help you boost efficiency as well.

Get in touch with us and we'll take care of all your IT needs.

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Atlanta IT Support: a Guide to Email Security

Any business, no matter how big or small, uses emails regularly. Hackers and scammers know this, so dangerous emails have become extremely common.

We are aware you don't have the time to call Atlanta IT support every time an email looks fishy. That's why we are going to help you learn how to recognize and avoid malicious emails.

Email Types and Their Threat Level

There are several ways an email can sabotage you. Learning what each type does and how to spot them should be a priority.

Virus Emails

Malware has been around for almost as long as the internet. As time passed, viruses have become more sophisticated and dangerous.

They could destroy or steal all the data on a computer and spread to others. Some viruses can even make the computer virtually inoperable until the threat is removed. In short, you don't want one.

Be extremely careful with unsolicited emails. Unless you're entirely sure they can be trusted, don't open any attached files, don't click on any links, and don't reply

More troublesome is malware that infects computers and sends more emails from the victim's account. If someone you know sends you weird emails, be cautious.

To be safe, consider getting IT support for your company in Atlanta. They can offer advice and excellent antivirus services.

Phishing Scams

Phishers pretend to be trustworthy individuals representing banks or companies. They ask victims for sensitive data like passwords or credit card information. They then use that information against you. These emails are generally sent in bulk and have no particular target.

Spear phishing is when a particular individual or group is targeted. This method is much more dangerous.

The sender may look for personal information to make the email more convincing. For example, they may pose as an Atlanta IT Support company or another service provider.

Never disclose valuable information in an email unless you are completely sure it's legitimate. Call the company to ensure that they asked for the data before sending it.

How to Spot Dangerous Emails

Usually, a virus or phishing attempt can be spotted. Some emails can be extremely convincing, but none is perfect. Here's what you should look out for:

• Grammatical errors.


• The sender has a different address than the person they're pretending to be.


• The links in the email don't lead to the organization's official website.


• The actual link URL is different from the printed text.


• The email does not address you by name.


• You are urged to go to a website or open an attachment.

Remember that a malicious email could have none of these signs. If it does, however, there's a good chance that it's a scam.

Other Dangers of Using Emails

We have covered the risks of opening suspicious emails, but there are other threats as well.

Picking a strong password is always important. Include numbers, upper-case and lower-case letters and make the password as long as possible. Otherwise, you increase the risks of having your account hacked.

Avoid using unsecured networks. If you connect to a public WiFi, like the one in a restaurant, you become vulnerable to hacks and viruses. Someone could gain control of the system and see any data you send or receive.

How an Atlanta IT Support Company Ensures Security

To make the workplace safe from cyber-attacks, it's best to get professionals on the job. An IT company can secure your network with firewalls, monitoring tools, and antivirus software.

It's hard to protect yourself against a determined hacker, but we will help you. We have years of experience in data security and other IT services. We will ensure everything runs smoothly while you grow your business, so get in touch with us now.

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IT Support: 3 Steps To Prevent Your Small Business From Being Hacked

There's a war going on that you may be unaware of.

All too often, we neglect the fact that we may be at risk.

We say things like, we're a small fish in a big pond, why would they want to come after me?

Here's the thing – THAT'S EXACTLY why they may be coming after you.

What is this risk?

The risk is a cyber phishing attack that could take your company down financially.

Since 2011, the rate at which cyber attacks have been targeting small businesses has increased dramatically.

According to Symantec, that number rose from 18% in 2011 to 43% in 2015. In just a few short years these cyber attacks have gone up for a reason.

Why do people keep doing what they are doing?

To put it bluntly, we keep doing what we are doing because it's working.

These cyber attacks keep happening because they are working and are able to keep doing it.

The phishing attacks take primary aim at employees who are responsible for the finances within a small business.

Just one malicious email opened by this employee could put the entire company's financial information at risk.

What's even scarier is not only are they targeting employees, BUT devices that are connected to your network as well.

Can you say Ransom?

Once these devices are hacked, you can expect to pay a ransom to have them released.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

Here are three of them.

Be An Information Gatherer

Do your best to stay informed about the latest attacks, security breaches or even warnings of things to come through industry newsletters, websites or otherwise.

Share this kind of information not only with the financial services department in your company, but also with your entire staff, so that they are aware of what may be happening.

Subscribe to sites like Symantec and Small Business Trends to alert you to any news that may come out about the latest attacks.

Be Proactive

Don't sit idly by. If there are trainings you can attend or a workshop you can go to that can help in this area of IT, then you need to make it a priority.

Spending some training dollars to ensure that your business is not at risk of being attacked will be money well spent.

Work With Your IT Staff

Talk to the guys in your IT department and ask them what kinds of things you should be watching out for.

Make Internet Security a topic at your weekly or monthly staff meetings so that everyone is on the same page, and knows what they should be looking out for.

Don't be reactive, but rather be proactive in all things IT security related.

What Now?

If you have an IT staff in place, then be sure to take the measures mentioned above.

If you don't have one in place and think you may be at risk of getting hacked, then you need to find a managed IT company you can work with.

To learn more about our services and how we can help protect you and your business, please contact us today at (770) 325-7325.

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#1 CyberSecurity Risk? Freedom of Info and Corporate Apathy

There is no doubt:

The Internet has given the world a variety of new ways to do business.

In the US alone, 2015 e-commerce estimates have reached $341.7 billion.  That's 7.3% of total sales: up a full 1% from 2014.

The market for digital trade is growing.  But with it so do the threats to companies doing business online.

It's likely you've heard about some of the more high profile cyber attacks from this past year.  However, the overall statistics are a lot more startling.  And this data only counts what has been reported on.  Cybersecurity risks are going to continue to grow year after year.

Still, far too many small, medium, and even large businesses fail to properly secure their IT systems.

Number One Digital Security Threat: Apathy

Business owners give a lot of excuses as to why they don't upgrade their network security.

But to be honest, it usually boils down to them not seeing just how important it is.

We often refer to it as the “it will never happen to us mentality”.  Ask the bank that lost $80 million earlier this year to an unknown group of hackers because they didn't have a firewall how that mindset served them.  (And it would have been $1 billion if the hackers could spell.)

Far too often, businesses leave windows open for the digital world to expose sensitive information-both theirs and their clients.

This is why we take steps to educate entrepreneurs about the threat domestic and foreign hackers pose to the long term well being of their businesses.  It's absolutely vital that modern businesses take steps to avoid data security blunders.

The main reasons hacking is so prevalent today are 1) because it can extremely lucrative and 2) because it is remarkably easy to learn.

How-To Mania Increases Cybersecurity Risk

One of the best things the Internet has done for modern society is increase the flow of information.

However, “the Internet police” is still largely just a fantasy-a fantasy not many people even want to bring into reality.  While this is great for abstractions like “freedom of information”, it's not the ideal situation for modern businesses.

Seriously, you can find articles about how to hack in 12 easy steps on WikiHow and hours of hacking tutorials on YouTube.

So why wouldn't destitute or desperate people from around the world learn these skills?

There is literally nothing standing in their way.  And in many cases, foreign governments do little or nothing to protect businesses outside of their own country.  That sets the stage for economic warfare, with unwitting private businesses as unwilling combatants.

In this scenario, managed IT service providers like 1iX play the role of the cavalry.  After all, we are better equipped to strengthen your business's cybersecurity than you or your employees.

As a business owner, your only real duty here is to recognize the threat and act accordingly.

You shouldn't feel obligated to learn about security and hacking yourself.  This is an industry you have to be immersed in to stay up to date and on the cutting edge.  Leave all of that to the experts.

 

If you know you need to upgrade your data security or network design to better protect you and your customers don't hesitate to Contact Us today!

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Why Concierge Technical IT Support? Speed, Convenience, and Affordability

Why Concierge IT Support? Speed, Convenience, and Affordability

What is the value of quality IT support?

Far too many owners of small and medium sized businesses don’t know the answer to this question until disaster strikes.

These same businesses aren’t always large enough to need an in-­house team of IT professionals.

That’s where concierge technical support comes in.

What is Concierge IT Support?

1iX Network Solutions and other companies that offer concierge technical support provide on-call, remote technical support on a per­need basis.

This is a great option for businesses that need immediate help but don’t have anyone in­house who can handle it.

In fact, concierge IT services are a great option for businesses for several reasons. And in pretty much every way, they beat out the in­house teams.

Speed

Do you need IT support now? If you don’t have an in­house team but need immediate results, contacting an IT company that offers remote support is really your only option.

If there is anyone who is somewhat tech savvy on site in your company, a skilled concierge specialist can guide them through the proper protocols to diagnose and remedy whatever issues you have. Or, that same technician can take control remotely and do the same thing.

This not only provides you with peace of mind but an opportunity to learn a thing or two as you get to watch a professional at work.

Convenience

The convenience of concierge IT support is pretty hard to beat.

The combination of versatility and reliability makes for an effective combination. In the case that the issues absolutely cannot be solved remotely, any well­trained technician will be able to realize it quickly and facilitate the next steps.

If you begin to consider your local IT services company a partner, the rapport you build will make future calls faster—and even less frequent. Over time you will have confidence that your systems remain in the top­notch shape and up to date with the latest systems.

All of that, without having to actually hire an IT team in house.

Affordability

Above all else, concierge technical support is a less expensive solution than hiring IT pros on a full time basis.

Because it’s possible to interact with almost any IT system remotely, there is little need for modern day small and medium sized businesses to manage IT themselves.

Nowadays, it makes more sense to allow the IT experts to manage themselves and call on their services when you need them. That is exactly what 1iX and other companies offer concierge technical support services.

Think about it. 1iX Network Solutions and other IT companies already have to stay on the cutting edge of their industry. Why give your HR manager one more thing to worry about?

***

In this Information Age, those companies that allow themselves to get behind the times run the risk of failing more than ever before.

In the modern business world, it’s all about streamlining systems while still finding a way to utilize the best people and systems for the job. Concierge IT support is one of the places this comes together the most seamlessly.

Everyday of the week, remote technical support will beat out in­house teams of IT specialists.

Same goes for IT companies that don’t offer remote support.

If you’re looking for a fast, convenient, and affordable solution for all of your IT issues, then please contact us or call now at (770) 325­7325.

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How Managed IT Services Can Save You Time, Money, and Ultimately Drive Your Bottom Line

When most business owners hear the phrase "managed IT services", they think expense.

But in fact, hiring an IT management company is a great way to increase your bottom line. While this may seem counterintuitive, it actually makes a lot of sense.

After all, business management is all about delegating resources the best way possible. Outsourcing your IT solutions is a great way to reclaim an entrepreneur's most valuable assets--time and money--so that you can re-leverage them how you see fit.

To illustrate, let's start with the commodity that all things are slave to:

Time Gained

Entrepreneurs already have enough on their plate.

Being a great entrepreneur comes down to successful execution and attention to detail. Perhaps no one's time is more valuable.

This is exactly why it's so important for those running businesses to not get bogged down with duties outside of their expertise. IT is a great example. Information technology is complex and involved by default. On top of that, it is constantly changing.

So by hiring a managed IT provider, you can focus on being an expert in your field and managing your operations. This way you don't have to spend unneeded hours managing areas of the business you shouldn't be.

One of an entrepreneur's most important skills is the ability to delegate. IT is one of the smartest aspects of your business to delegate because it requires specialized skills and experience.

If you attempt to manage your IT solutions in-house, you'll be wasting hours that could be better spent increasing revenue. And if you aren't doing it personally, those hours are going to cost.

Money Saved

To a business owner, time is money.

Obviously, you have to pay your staff. But hiring a specialist full-time is unwarranted--not to mention too expensive--unless your company is a certain size or has a high level of need.

Pawning the responsibilities off on an unqualified member of your staff could also hold your business back. Buying proper hardware, software, and security is both daunting and expensive. Plus, it takes expertise and up to date knowledge of the industry.

For instance, one common pitfall when designing your own network is buying hardware without adequate scalability. If you want your business to grow, you need the right hardware and software.

In the Information Age, bad IT can stagnate your business. In the worst case, it can ruin it.

Poor network security can have devastating repercussions for your business. Failing to secure your network online leaves both you and your customers at risk.

Repairing the effects of a successful attack go beyond money. Ask yourself, can your brand's reputation handle this hit? Unless you're a huge brand, the answer is probably no.

So hire a managed IT provider. You'll keep your customers happy and your money in your pocket.

Now It's Up to You

From here, all that is left is for you to delegate your resources.

This is the entrepreneur's natural position. Not managing networks, not setting up servers, but delegating resources and growing their business.

If you're serious about increasing your bottom line, this is the only way to do it.

If you're looking to gain time and save money in your business, 1iX Network Solutions is a great choice. Contact us now to find out what we can do for you!

Let's continue the conversation. Let us know if you have thought about outsourcing your IT and how it worked out.

Also, if you liked this post please share with your connections on social media.

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IT Support: The Threats Foreign Hackers Pose and How To Protect Your Business

Chinese hackers have been stealing data from American companies for several years now.

While it’s not a new phenomenon, it continues to grow more troubling over time.  And truth be told, there may not be an end in sight.

The truth is, these attacks are state sponsored.  And China doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon.

A recent 60 Minutes story called it:

“The Great Brain Robbery”

In their story by the same name, they speak with assistant attorney general of National Security, John Carlin, who admits that thousands of private US companies have been affected.

Furthermore, this issue is far-reaching.  According to George Kurtz, (CEO of Internet security leader CrowdStrike) these thefts have occurred in “every industry, engineering documents, manufacturing processes, chip designs, telecommunications, pharmaceutical—you name it, it's been stolen.”

Obviously, this poses serious problems for US businesses who thrive by staying on the cutting edge and continuing to develop new technologies.

The lost revenue from cheaper fakes isn’t hard to see coming.  But what isn’t so obvious is how this could lead to a chain reaction down the line.  If the world’s biggest and best innovators have a harder time turning a profit, development timetables for new technologies will grow longer.

For American business, this situation could become dire.

Likely to Get Worse

Despite a September agreement to curb cyber espionage between President Obama and the Chinese President Xi Jinping,  American businesses have continued to report cyber attacks.

The fact is, China maintains that they oppose cyber attacks in accordance with law.  And no one really expects them to stop attacks that they won’t even admit.

The Chinese government is even suspected of helping to break into systems in order to steal information about legal cases being built against its individuals and organizations.

Throw in the fact that their economy has slowed over the last few quarters and one might instead assume that the attacks will probably increase.  At the very least, desperate Chinese businesses don’t help the issue.

It seems the only thing that can provide any remedy is that businesses take certain precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood that their or their clients information can be stolen.

Protect Your Business

Cyber security is a field that requires serious training and expertise.

Hackers are clever and relentless.  You need solutions that are as airtight as possible.

In addition to proper setup and intelligent implementation of security operating procedures, every business has its own unique set of challenges.  That’s why IT solutions are best left to the professionals.

In the modern climate, it is simply irresponsible not to protect yourself from the potential ills of cyber attacks.  There is too much on the line: your revenue, your proprietary information, your clients’ faith.  Why trust the job to an amateur (even if that amateur is yourself)?

If you’re looking for a partner in the fight against hackers in China and anywhere else in the world, 1iX Network solutions in Atlanta should be considered one of your premiere candidates.

Do you have any more insights on cyber security?  Continue the conversation and comment below. Also, make sure to share with your connections on social media.

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