Online Security

4 Essential Facets of Cybersecurity to Pay Attention to

By Ashutosh Jha → Friday, February 2, 2024

Whether you own a business, work for a company, or simply use the Internet for personal purposes, cybersecurity is more essential than ever in 2024. Cybersecurity acts as our defence against so many threats on the World Wide Web.

So much of our existence lies in the online space, that it’s become equally as important to protect our data as it is to protect our homes, health, and finances.

Here are some important aspects of cybersecurity that you need to know about in order to keep yourself and your business safe this year.

IP Access Control

Preventing unauthorized access to your device should always be front of mind. Of course, this means using a password and always keeping your smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc. on hand at all times. However, you also need to go further by thinking about other devices.

IP access control systems will check and limit the devices that can connect to your computer or network, only allowing trusted devices to protect your data and the integrity and security of your network. IP access control is usually integrated with other factors in a strategy, such as firewalls, encryption, etc.

Network Security

When it comes to interconnected devices, networks facilitate and allow the flow of information. However, making sure that these networks are secure is essential. This is because securing your network is important for data protection, user privacy, and business continuity (since security breaches can seriously impact your productivity).

You can secure your networks with various protective tactics such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, which will create barriers and act as a watchdog for your system activities. It’s always a good idea to chat to a professional if you’re unsure of what software and systems to invest in.

Data Protection

If you’re working with any kind of sensitive data (as most of us are), you need to protect it. This applies to information related to your work, such as client information, or even personal details like your address and banking details.

First of all, you need to ensure you won’t accidentally lose this data by making sure that it’s backed up. Cloud storage is a great option, but having a physical copy as well could help you with peace of mind. You should also encrypt your sensitive data in case of any breach in your system and ensure to protect yourself against issues like DDoS attacks.

Employee Training and Awareness

If you run a business and working with people, you need to make sure they’re as clued up as you are on cybersecurity. Everyone you work with will need to have some kind of access to your business network and data, so training your staff about workplace cyber threats is an essential factor to consider.

However, don’t forget to consider internal threats too – staff that has access to passwords and data could always take advantage of your trust, so make sure that the people you’re hiring are people you trust and that you keep any particularly sensitive information private and inaccessible if at all possible.

Online Security

The 3 Ways That The IoT Has Revolutionized Business Security

By Ashutosh Jha → Wednesday, November 1, 2023

When you are trying to protect the security of your business, you need to make sure that you have the latest advancements to get the most bang for your buck.The biggest breakthrough happened with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT refers to the vast network of devices that are connected to the internet.

These aren't just your computers or smartphones. They include everyday items like refrigerators, cars, and even light bulbs. When it comes to business it can help improve parking lot security and even the security of the building. In this article, we will go over several ways that the IoT has helped businesses stay safe and secure.

1 - Real time monitoring

Unlike traditional security setups where a guard might miss something or a camera might only record without active monitoring, IoT systems are always on the watch. Video goes right to a device anywhere in the world. Instead of needing to constantly monitor a CCTV, an alert is sent if there is motion detected or other types of triggers.

Let's say a door is opened at an unusual hour or a suspicious activity is detected in the server room. With IoT, the moment such an event occurs, alerts can be sent directly to security personnel, management, or even local law enforcement.

These alerts ensure that any potential breaches, whether they are physical break-ins or cyber-attacks, can be addressed right away.

2 - More access control

The traditional key and lock system has its limitations. It can't tell you who entered a room at what time, and it can’t restrict access at specific times of day. With the rise of IoT, access control has taken a leap into the future. Devices like smart locks and biometric systems have become increasingly popular, allowing businesses to have better security.

Smart locks, powered by IoT, do more than just lock and unlock doors. They can be programmed to allow access at certain times, and they keep logs of every entry and exit. This means businesses can not only control who enters but also have a detailed record of it.

Biometric systems take things a step further. It's much harder to fake a fingerprint than it is to copy a key, making biometric systems a reliable choice for areas that need extra security.

3 - Device integration

IoT's advantage isn't just limited to stand-alone devices as it can be integrated with other systems within a business.

Take lighting, for instance. An IoT-integrated security system can be set up to automatically switch on lights when a motion sensor detects movement during off-hours. This not only startles potential intruders but also provides clearer visuals for surveillance cameras, improving their effectiveness.

But IoT integration really comes alive with automated responses. Consider a situation where a security breach is detected in a particular section of a building. The system could simultaneously dim the lights to disorient the intruder, lock all exit doors to contain the situation, and send real-time alerts to security personnel and management.

Online Security

5 Tips to Better Protect Your Inventory

By Ashutosh Jha → Thursday, October 19, 2023

Your inventory is one of the most essential elements of your business. Without proper protection, it can get damaged, lost, or stolen – which can lead to significant financial losses for your company.

Thankfully, there are things that you can do to ensure it remains as safe as possible. You just need to know where to get started!

Sounds interesting? Below we are going to discuss five tips that will help you better protect your inventory.

Install a security system

A security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your business. CCTV, access controls, and alarms will keep your premises safe and deter intruders.

If you’re a home-based business, it’s even more important that you have one installed. You should also complete maintenance and repairs regularly so that your property is less of a target.

Organize and document your inventory

Proper organization of inventory can help you reduce the chances of stock going missing. Thankfully, there are plenty of great software tools that can help you monitor everything so be sure to do further research.

You should also take this time to prioritize shelf organization and conduct regular audits. The more organized everything is, the easier it will be to find exactly what you need. Everything should have its place, from the smallest containers to full-size gaylord boxes.

Update technology frequently

Once you have installed new software and management tools, don’t forget to update it regularly. Cyber-attacks are becoming more and more common, and you want to prevent them from occurring.

Speak to a cybersecurity expert for more advice on this department. This will ensure that all of your systems are up to date.

Train your employees

When it comes to protecting your inventory, your employees are your best asset. By providing training to them, they can identify suspicious behavior and report issues as soon as they arise.

Ensure that each of them knows the proper security measures and write out the policies and procedures you have in place. Trust us when we say it really can make a big difference.

Implement anti-theft measures in store

Finally, if you notice a lot of stock goes missing in store, you may need to increase the amount of security measures. A few of the best to consider include:

• - Security Mirrors
• - Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
• - Display Locks
• - Increased Lighting

All of these will make it harder for thieves to steal and may prevent them from taking things at all. You’ll also be able to keep an eye on your employees if you have concerns.

Final Words

Protecting your inventory is critical for any business and shouldn’t be a final thought. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your precious items are safe and secure throughout the year. Not to mention it can streamline processes and improve overall productivity too.

Online Security

Why Crypto Cybersecurity Is Expected To Reach $53.8 Billion By 2023

By Ashutosh Jha → Wednesday, March 16, 2022

In 2018, the Asian cybersecurity market was valued at $31.7 billion; in 2023, it’s expected to hit $52.8 billion.

This represents an 8.4-percent CAGR from 2019 to 2023. In this environment, Singapore, China, Japan, India and other emerging countries in that region have been confronting growing cybersecurity concerns.

Cybersecurity Threats Throughout the Asia-Pacific Region

Examples of cyber-attacks and mounting cybersecurity threats can be found throughout the APAC region. Cyber-scams here and around the world range from simple investment and giveaway scams to intricate Initial Coin Offering (ICO) fraud and worse.

Cyber Threats in India

India currently ranks fifth in the world in the overall number of DNS hijacks and faces a skyrocketing rise in cybercrime registration in general. India also accounts for 37 percent of global breaches in which records were stolen or compromised, reports Gemalto.

Cyber Threats in Bangladesh

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, over $80 million was stolen from a bank in a 2016 cyber-attack. In the Philippines during that same year, government sites experienced frequent hacking activity.

Cyber Threats in Malaysia

In Malaysia, according to Cisco Systems, 60 percent of cybersecurity tech is outdated and vulnerable to cybercrime activity. In 2021 alone, ransomware attacks in the country increased by 151 percent.

These statistics and others like them have spurred increased awareness in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region of the burgeoning cybersecurity risk there due to increasing connectivity and digital transformation. That awareness has, in turn, elevated concerns about mitigating these threats and demands for greater cybersecurity in the region, particularly in the era of crypto.

Combatting Cybercrime in the Asia-Pacific Region

Government initiatives in the area are already targeting cybercrime with new laws and data security measures. Currently, providing stringent cybersecurity guidelines and instituting strict cybersecurity deployment policies and procedures, the Department of Defense Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACA), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA support the cybersecurity industry’s expansion into that region.

Cyberattacks in Finance

The Asia-Pacific region currently classifies cybersecurity solutions into categories like the public sector, healthcare, telecommunications and financial services.

Of these, the financial sector is a particularly heavy target of cyber threats, fueling expectations of the sector dominating the cybersecurity market. In Japan, for instance, an enormous number of cyberattacks took place in the financial industry in 2016, including attacks on 14,000 ATMs.

Cybersecurity Risks in Crypto

While blockchain itself introduces an unprecedented level of cybersecurity into the financial industry, it is not immune to cyber threats.

Its capabilities allow for strict integrity, confidentiality and availability of data, but it's still lacking in sufficient security standards and controls. That puts into question technology's secure scalability and ultimate sustainability.

To effectively sustain itself and continue to root for itself in the financial system, whether in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere, the industry needs to invest heavily in cybersecurity tech innovations. Fortunately, some top crypto exchanges operating in places like Vietnam offer users robust security protocols and features to ensure safe transactions and storing of their crypto assets.

Already, more than a dozen major banks, hospitals, governments and blockchain trading platforms are doing so, making it even more incumbent on smaller players, such as those in emerging markets like APAC, to follow suit.

Technology

How To Reduce Online Threats Using DevSecOps

By Ashutosh Jha → Saturday, October 3, 2020

As technology has become more abundant across the world in recent years, there has been a major change throughout our society. There are many ways that tech has changed the world in 2020, and the Internet and other technological advancements have helped to bolster the ways in which our society functions.

Tech has helped our society to grow in a myriad of ways, such as the increase in socialization through social media and much more. However, with all of the good that technology has done, one of the negative aspects has been the rise of cybercrime.

Cybercriminals have infiltrated many businesses, especially through the weaknesses in their software. Software often has the potential to let cybercrime in, as there are frequent bugs and leaks that hackers can break into. This is why it is crucial to protect your software before utilizing it during the development process.

Software development requires the use of DevSecOps, a system that helps to ensure that all of your company’s software is safe throughout the development process and that you will be able to reduce online threats. Learning about this system and how your company can utilize it to your advantage is crucial for building a safer business.

Mitigating Threats Through DevSecOps

Creating a top-quality cybersecurity program for your corporation is no simple task; however, by utilizing DevSecOps you can have greater safety protocols. DevSecOps will let you protect your assets and will ensure that your business is safe.

DevSecOps means development security operations, and although it has similarities with DevOps, it primarily focuses on security throughout the software development process. DevSecOps still ensures that your company can put on high-quality software in a short period of time, but by prioritizing security while developing software, you will have the ability to protect all of your company’s assets from hackers who infiltrate companies through technical leaks and other bugs.

Understanding the importance of DevSecops is essential when considering it for your development process.

DevSecOps in Your Company

While there are many types of cybersecurity protocols that you should be utilizing throughout various aspects of your business, having DevSecOps be a part of your business’ development process is critical for building security.

DevSecOps has a variety of functions for ensuring safety throughout the development process, and the main functionality is to ensure that all technical leaks, leaked credentials, and erroneous configurations are taken care of. If you do not handle these issues throughout your development process, your company will be under constant threat and will not be prepared for any other security issues.

Learning about the importance of DevSecOps throughout your company's development process and understanding how your enterprise will benefit from this system is crucial for your business’ continued success with the ever-present threat of hackers.

Final Thoughts

When developing software for your business, you need to ensure that it is safe from the threat of hackers. Utilizing DevSecOps is essential for your business and will ensure that your company can thrive in the dangerous online world.

Online Security

7 Safety Measures to Avoid Malware When Downloading Files on Your Laptop

By Ashutosh Jha → Friday, April 3, 2020

If you like downloading things but don't want to get a virus, look no further.

Downloading a virus is something that no one wants to experience for a host of reasons. Viruses can prevent you from using your computer the way you want and they put your personal information at risk.

Most people download viruses from the internet, which can be avoided entirely by visiting only reputable sites. However, it can be tempting to download something you receive in the email that claims to be a promising program.

How to Prevent Malware While Downloading Files

Keep on reading to learn more about how to prevent malware when downloading files!

1. Install Anti-Virus/Malware Software

One of the first things you'll need to do when trying to prevent malware from infecting your computer is to install an anti-virus program. Anti-virus software is designed to protect your computer if a virus makes its way into your system.

You can install a virus on your computer in a variety of ways. The most common way is downloading one from the internet when you think you're downloading something else. If the software detects that you've downloaded a virus, it will give you a notification. It may also ask you to perform a scan on your system.

2. Keep the Software up to Date

After downloading anti-virus software, you must ensure that you keep it up to date. When software is updated, it implements new features to keep fighting current viruses. Old anti-virus software may not be capable of detecting modern viruses, which are constantly changing.

Also Read: Best VPN software to access websites

Updating the software is as simple as checking the program whenever you open it. You'll also be reminded whenever an update is available. Depending on the software you get, it may update itself while it's running in the background.

3. Scan Your Computer with the Software

Anti-virus programs come with the ability to perform a scan on your computer that detects viruses. The problem that many people have with this is that they'll scan something harmless and say you have a virus. If it displays something you don't recognize, there's a good chance that it's a virus.

Also Read: How to speedup MacBook

After you've scanned your computer, you'll have the opportunity to delete the virus or reset your computer. Modern anti-virus programs are good at finding viruses, so resetting your computer should be a last resort.

4. Keep Your Operating System Updated

Similar to updating your anti-virus software, you must also keep your operating system updated. In most cases, your computer will update itself whenever it shuts off and an update is available. You'll get a notification when one is available, but you can't suspend the update until you turn the computer off.

Most operating systems have pre-installed anti-virus programs that will detect viruses and these will update whenever the OS is updated. For example, Windows has something called Windows Protection that has a variety of safety features.

5. Secure Your Network

Before downloading anything from the internet, you should make sure that your network is secure. If you have WiFi, you must place a password that's difficult for anyone to guess. When choosing encryption, go with either WPA or WPA2. WEP was a common one in the past, but many hackers have found workarounds.

Never share your network password with anyone unless they're guests that regularly visit your house. While it may seem harmless to pass it onto a friend, it's best to give them a password for a guest network. If someone's on your system that shouldn't be, you can change the password to automatically kick them off.

6. Use Your Judgment

Whenever you go to download a file, you can prevent malware by using your best judgment. In most cases, people download viruses when they're visiting a site that looks suspicious. Only download things from popular sources that have full links.

Don't be quick to click on a small link because hackers can use a URL shortener to send a risky site without you seeing the entire URL. You can see the site name by hovering over the link. If a site doesn't look professional or has something odd about it, avoid downloading anything from it.

Try to download things directly from their source. For example, you'd want to download Adobe Flash Player for Mac straight from Adobe's website.

7. Keep Personal Information Safe

Along with your WiFi password, you should keep all of your personal information safe. Whether it's the password to an account or your email address, no one should know anything about what you do on the internet. This may seem like a drastic approach, but a hacker can gain access to anything when they learn about one detail.

Whenever you'd like to download a file, try avoiding sites that want you to enter login credentials. Some sites may require you to create an account when downloading premium programs but only do this with reputable sites.

Creating an account on a shady site will allow hackers to use that same info on another site and access your account if it happens to have the same credentials.

Now You Know How to Prevent Malware

Malware prevention is all about being aware of what you're doing while browsing the web. It's not as if you'll run into a virus no matter which site you visit, but you can't afford to download something on the wrong website.

With this in mind, follow the steps within this guide to prevent getting any viruses. Understanding how to prevent malware is as simple as staying private and only downloading things from trustworthy sources.

Browse our articles if you'd like to learn more about tech-related things.

VPN

Best VPN Services: Stay Secure Online with these Top VPN and Proxies

By Ashutosh Jha → Sunday, December 1, 2019

Online security is a top concern these days and more often you will be hearing that someone has been hacked, some data has been leaked and so on…

On an average, around 30,000 sites are getting hacked in a day and so you can think of how serious this issue is.

Last month itself, in a major data breach, over 50 Million Turkish citizen data were leaked online and this is not unique. Every day you will come to know about such news. The best way to get protected from such issues is precautions. Take utmost precautions you can take to prevent such data and security breaches.

Online Security

5 Ways to Avoid Online Scams

By Ashutosh Jha → Monday, September 9, 2019

As long as there is information to be gleaned or money to be taken, there will always be new online scams out there. But fortunately, there are some basics you can keep in mind to always stay one step ahead, no matter what specific kind of scam you may run across.

[Image Source: RawPixel]

To stay safe from online scams, please follow these 5 ways to avoid online scams.

5 Ways to Avoid Online Scams

Here are some of the top ways you can follow to avoid online scams. These are free ways and you don't have to spend any dime for these.

#1 Make Sure an Online Entity is Legitimate

Say you get an email that prompts you to click through to a site to get a great deal on something. Or you run across a website that encourages you to access the great information on their other pages. But before you click on any link, and definitely before you send any money, do a little investigating about the entity prompting you to do such things.

Independent of any emails or other correspondence you may receive, search for the company elsewhere online. And analyze their own online presence. Does their website look legitimate and professional? Are there any verifiable customer reviews you can check out? Does the company come up in a search as a scam?

#2 If a Link Looks Odd, Don’t Click on It

In some cases, it’s obvious that a link is illegitimate. But sometimes there are Click Here buttons and shortened links that aren’t so revealing at the outset. In this case, the mouseover is your best friend.

Simply move your mouse over a link or button. Do not click on it! By just moving the cursor to stop over the linked element, the actual full link should appear in a hover box.

If the address doesn’t match the link shown (apart from shortened links, which can be used to take the place of potentially long URLs), and especially if the address looks scammy, your wisest course of action would be to simply delete the email or close the webpage.

#3 Don’t Be Dazzled by False Promises

A popular way for scammers to lure people in is with email subjects and headlines promising incredible discounts or free gifts to those who go to their site. Don’t let such promises blind you to the probability of a scam.

Remember the sayings, "there’s no such thing as a free lunch” and “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." In other words, nothing is ever really free. Especially when it comes to marketing gimmicks. Read the fine print. Even if a headline is shouting otherwise, odds are you will have to pay something, whether it’s your time, money or both.

#4 Count to 10

Whether you’re faced with a free deal or an email claiming your bank account has been compromised, the most important thing you can do is stay calm. Many online scams succeed because they put a perceived time limit on their claims, which causes their victims to panic and follow through without thinking.

Take a deep breath, and really consider what you’re seeing. And take the time to go through the safety techniques described above. Is that email really from your bank? Do you really think you’re going to win $1,000,000? Probably not. Don’t let those scammers psych you out.

#5 Pay Safely

If everything looks legitimate, you may decide to move forward with the deal that’s been proposed. If you’ve done your due diligence, there’s nothing wrong with that. The one last hurdle you have with any deal where the money is exchanged is to make sure that that exchange is secure and safe.

The only really secure way to send money is through a digital payment platform, like Paypal or Venmo. If the recipient requests cash or a wire transfer, know that those kinds of methods leave you vulnerable to scams, with little to no recourse if they just take the money and run.

Think You’ve Already Been a Victim? Check Your Info

With all the data hacks that have been going on with popular social media sites and banking and credit institutions, you would be right to be concerned that your information has already been compromised. One step that you can take to verify such information is with an online public records search. Simply enter your name, city, and state, and you can get access to your available public records information.

If something looks off, you may have been the victim of a scam. But at least now you know, and can start to take the proper steps to fix your information and your reputation.

Don’t let the scammers win! They will probably never fully go away, but you don’t have to be scared all the time that you’ll fall victim to their ploys. Just use common sense, and the tips outlined above, to keep you, your money, and your information safe from online scams.

For such posts related to security and safety, please check our online security section.

Technology

How to Unblock Blocked Websites: 3 Working Methods

By Ashutosh Jha → Saturday, May 18, 2019

How many times you have faced the issue where you are trying to access some sites and it is showing blocked?

Well, I have many times! And I am sure you too…

I am receiving such messages many times. The blocked websites can be due to many reasons and at multiple levels. Like sometimes government ban some websites due to security or illegal issues. Whereas if you are working in some organizations, usually you will find social networking sites, jobs sites or any other entertainment sites blocked.

Sometimes we need to access those sites due to various reasons and actually, you can do too. You must have heard many techniques to unblock blocked websites but here in this article, I am going to show you a few best ways to unblock the blocked websites.

These methods to unblock the blocked sites are tested and have worked perfectly for me and so will work for you for sure!

3 Working Methods to Unblock the Blocked sites

So let’s start with a few best methods to unblock the blocked sites. I am sure these methods will work for sure and you would be able to access the blocked websites.

Methods 1: Through Web Proxy Servers

This is the easiest and quickest way to browse blocked sites anonymously. Type in the web address – you’re connected within seconds!

Now if you are thinking about how this is being done then let me explain you the working on web proxy.

Web proxy server is like a simple computer/server which acts as a middleman between you and your destination URL. Whenever you try to access any webpage, the request first goes to the proxy server and then proxy server request the web page requested by you and then it gives you the result.

So, if you are connected to the proxy server then there won’t be any direct communication between the source computer and the client system. The proxy will be there as a middleman for each request. The below figure explains the working of proxy server clearly-

Courtesy: Gohacking

There are a number of web proxy servers available and you can use any proxy server to get your work done.

The middleman in the above picture is the proxy servers which are available both free and paid and the price depends on the location.

What happens, these proxy servers have some IP in some locations and they request your requested URL through that IP.

Suppose you are in India where Torrent site is blocked and you want to access. Now see where this site is accessible? Let say this is accessible from the USA and so first connect to your proxy and select the Server/IP location as the USA and then you would be able to access the site for sure as you are now requesting the access through the USA and not India.

HideSter is one such Web Proxy which helps you to access the blocked websites for free. Let me share some more details about this tool.

HideSter is a VPN and free Web Proxy which helps you to unblock the blocked website through web proxy and helps you to access the internet securely through their VPN.

It is an internet security company provides lots of tools and service for the internet like VPN, Web Proxy, Proxy Checker, Proxy Filter, DNS and much more.

Services offered by HideSter

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As stated above, there are various tools being offered by HideSter. Some of those are free while others are paid but all are worth to try. But mainly HideSter is known for their Proxy Servers and VPN.

Below are some of the amazing tools by HideSter-

• Web proxy- Easiest way to access any blocked site

• Proxy List- The best list of HTTP, https, socks4, and sock5 proxies

• IP Finder- Know the IP of the system

• Password generator- Helps you to generate a strong password

• Browser fingerprint- Will show you the properties of your browser like Adblock enabled, Do Not Track enabled (via HTTP headers), Do Not Track enabled (via navigator), etc. are enabled or not

• WebRTC leak- Check if your browser has WebRTC enabled

• DNS leak- Helps to find if your DNS is leaking or not

• Proxy checker- Verify up to 150 proxies for free

• VPN- Helps you to keep yourself secure online and browse the internet anonymously

HideSter Proxy List

Well, HideSter is considered a Top Web Proxy provider with high quality and at a reliable price. They have around 2k proxies which are getting updated every hour.

HideSter is having the best list of HTTP, https, socks4 and sock5 proxies which are getting updated in real time and are fully tested. Here are some additional features of these proxies-

Another best thing I found with HideSter is, you can get the IP of any locations. No matter which location you want, you can get that.

I tried searching for a random country Zambia and see what I found-

You can filter the list as per your location, type etc. easily. You can also export the list. HideSter also shows the time when that IP was last updated and the time it takes to ping.

These Premium IPs are available just at $9.99 per year which is too cheap.

Also, installing and using these IPs are not a tough job at all and just follow the below steps depending on the browser you are using-

• Firefox

Tools > Options > Advanced > Settings (next to Connection) > Manual Proxy Configuration > then enter proxy details

• IE

Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > select “Use a proxy server for your LAN” and then enter proxy details

• Chrome

Tools > Settings > Show advanced settings > Change proxy settings (in Network section) > enter proxy details

HideSter VPN

VPN is the virtual private network and is being used to keep yourself secure online. You can browse the internet securely with the help of VPN.

HideSter is going to launch their VPN services by Next month and is expected to be one of the best VPN available in the market. Also, if I expected to be cheap compared to what other companies provide.

I enquired about the features of the VPN and came to know the below-

• It will be a strictly NO log VPN which means your identity will be maintained every time as no log will be maintained. No one will be able to know about your real identity, not even the company.

• They are also claiming to be the fastest VPN ever as speed has always been a problem after using VPN. HideSter is working on a way to solve this speed problem so that it can give the maximum speed with or without VPN.

• The price is also expected to be very low compared to what market is offering currently

• The UI will be super attractive and user-friendly and so anyone can use it very smoothly

So this was the easiest way to unblock the blocked site quickly. Now let me tell you a couple of other methods which you can use if no other ways will work for you. If you are new to the term VPN, then you can read this guide- Everything You Wanted to Know About VPN Connection.

Method 2: Internet Archive

Internet Archive is a way back machine which keeps the website data in an archive format. You can’t expect the up to date site here but their crawler crawls the sites very frequently and so you can expect the data of a day or 2 ago.

All you have to do is, open Internet Archive site and enter the URL you want to check and select the date for which you want the site. And it will show you the archived version of the site you requested.

Apart from the fact that it is very helpful to access the blocked sites, it is very useful for webmasters also.

Method 3: Use a Different DNS

When any website is blocked at your location, it is the ISP blocking traffic to and from that website. So if you will change the DNS then you might be able to access the blocked sites.

Here changing DNS means, you can change your DNS to Google public DNS.

To change DNS, right-click the network icon in the taskbar and select Open Network and Sharing. In the Window that appears, double-click on your network. It will bring up a dialog box and there you can change the DNS under IPv4.

Over to you!

There are many more methods using which you can unblock the blocked websites easily. I hope these 3 methods to unblock blocked websites will help you to access the blocked sites easily and quickly.

Do let me know if you know any other quick and easy method to access the blocked websites?

Online Security

How to Get Your Employees Involved with Cybersecurity

By Ashutosh Jha → Thursday, May 2, 2019

Today, the majority of companies are privy to a large amount of private and sensitive information, whether it’s customer contact details or employees’ personal information. Whether this information is stored on a physical server, online or anywhere else, keeping it safe and secure from prying eyes should be a top priority. Whether your business is small, medium or large, cybersecurity should be at the top of your agenda – not only for keeping your customers’ data safe, but also your own.

Cybercrime is becoming more and more frequent and small businesses are often the biggest target. So, to keep your business, employee and customer data safe, it’s important to create a culture of cybersecurity within your team. Here’s what you can do to encourage everyone to start thinking about cyber safety.

#1 Provide Examples:

Employee training is the best way to make sure that everybody knows what they are looking for when it comes to potential cyberattacks. Often, hackers and cybercriminals get in by fooling employees into thinking that they have authorisation to view or enter when they do not. Sometimes, this could be something as simple as an email that’s made to look like it’s come from a company director – the email could ask for login details, bank account details, or any other kind of sensitive information – and the employee will usually have no reason to think that it has come from anywhere else.

Provide training that shows employees what to look for, and implement habits of double-checking before replying to any emails that ask for sensitive data. Check out fraudwatchinternational.com for more information on phishing emails.

#2 Keep Passwords Protected:

Another common way that hackers get into your business system is by finding the login information of your employees. It can be all too tempting for employees to leave their login details written down on post-it notes or in their notepads for future use, but this is putting the information that they have access to at risk.

So, it should be a strict company policy that no login details are to be written down – instead, encourage employees to use secure password manager tools in addition to using strong passwords that will be difficult to guess.

#3 Encourage Communication:

Open and honest communication between employees undoubtedly makes for a more pleasant workplace, better teamwork and a generally nicer atmosphere at work. Another benefit of encouraging communication within your team and between teams is that it’s one of the best defences against cybercrime. Instead of keeping their suspicions to themselves, employees who feel that they can easily talk about even the smallest of cybersecurity concerns will help your business spot the signs before an attack becomes a real problem.

Make talking about cybersecurity a part of your company culture – it’s always better to investigate a false alarm, than end up falling victim to a cyberattack because nobody thought it was worth mentioning.

Cyberattacks are becoming an increasingly bigger risk for small businesses, so work together with your employees to keep your company secure. For more such content, please check our online security section.

Online Security

How to Ensure Security to the Endpoint

By Ashutosh Jha → Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Your business needs security from the start — but you also need to focus on the end. Specifically, your business’s endpoints are often the prime target for hackers and other cybercriminals who want access to your business, so you need to focus on making those endpoints secure.

The 2019 Global Endpoint Security Trends Report, published by Absolute, states that 70 percent of data breaches occur at the endpoint, which is the user-facing computer, smartphone or other device that connects to the business network.

Unfortunately, 42 percent of all endpoints are unprotected, and existing protections for the remaining endpoints fail at a rate of two per week. Suffice it to say that even if you think you are covering your endpoints, you probably aren’t. Here are some tips to help you understand what is going on with your endpoints and some tools to keep you protected.

Identifying Your Endpoints

Your first step in protecting your endpoints should always be identifying them. This is because you likely have more endpoints on your network than you realize. Endpoints aren’t just the desktop computers that stay in your business HQ; endpoints are any user-facing device that connects to your network, which might include employee laptops and tablets, smartphones and even IoT devices like wireless printers, robot vacuums, smart toasters and the like. You and your employees should strive to make a comprehensive list of endpoints on your network, so you better understand what devices you need to protect.

Sometimes, network security solutions can help you in this endeavor. Some network monitoring tools identify when a new device connects to your network, so you can determine whether the new device is trustworthy or threatening. Indeed, network security tends to integrate well with endpoint protection, so if you don’t have the former, you might consider acquiring it alongside your new endpoint solutions.

Recognizing Your Risks

Once you know what kinds of endpoints you need to protect, you can start to understand what risks are facing your endpoints — and by extension your business. Typical endpoint threats are familiar to most device users: phishing attacks, corrupt downloads, unpatched vulnerabilities and the like. These types of cyber attacks take advantage of human users’ laziness, gullibility and general flawed nature to infiltrate a device and network. Thus, most endpoint security solutions strive to detect emerging threats and restrict user ability to compromise the system.

Your goal for this step is building knowledge both of what kinds of cyber risks your business is subject to as well as how effective your staff is at identifying and avoiding threats. Even with a comprehensive endpoint protection suite, you might need to organize regular security trainings for your employees, so they don’t disable or ignore your endpoint security and continue to jeopardize your cyber security. The most expensive endpoint security tools will hardly be effective if your staff isn’t knowledgeable about existing threats or skilled at staying safe online.

Securing Your Endpoints

For computers and smartphones, the quintessential endpoint security tool is antivirus. Antivirus suites provide comprehensive protection against malware, which makes up the bulk of threats to endpoints. Though modern endpoint security solutions for business often include additional features like app blacklisting, activity monitoring, encryption, etc., antivirus tools remain central to endpoint protection.

Thus, it is generally wise to pursue endpoint security from established and trustworthy antivirus providers such as kaspersky antivirus which is a program developed by Kaspersky Lab. It is designed to protect users from malware and is primarily designed for computers running Microsoft Windows and macOS.

For non-computer endpoints, specifically IoT devices, endpoint security is slightly more difficult to swing. Because this tech doesn’t run software in the normal sense, you cannot merely install an endpoint security program to keep your devices safe.

Instead, you should develop a system to isolate IoT devices from the rest of your network, perhaps by creating an IoT-only network, and you should ensure that the firmware inside your IoT devices receive all published updates in a timely manner.

While other elements of cyber security, like network security tools, are important for keeping your data safe, it’s wise to start by protecting your endpoints.

Endpoint security doesn’t have to be complicated; if you have only a few devices to protect, you can get away with simple solutions. What’s important is instituting an endpoint security strategy that will protect you fully from any and all risks and that can scale with the growth of your business.

For more such contents, please check our security section.

Online Security

5 Security Advantages of Cloud Computing Every Business Should Know

By Ashutosh Jha → Saturday, March 23, 2019

One of the advantages of cloud computing commonly touted among businesses is this: it generated revenue of over $411 billion by 2020!

But as great as revenue generation is, security is just as crucial. Luckily, the benefits of cloud computing extend to business security as well.

In the following article, we'll be talking about the security advantages that come with migrating to the cloud. Let's start flapping those wings, shall we?

1. Hardware Independence

Traditional computing leaves significant vulnerabilities. That's because you own, operate, and manage those physical servers. It requires hiring someone on-site (which is expensive!), and it still leaves you open to malicious attacks or natural disasters.

In other words, anything that happens to damage your equipment that's outside of your control could end you. And it could happen any day of the week, or when you least expect it. Getting on the cloud means shifting those responsibilities to a full-time managed platform.

2. Automatic Updates

Cloud computing security saves you money by not needing to hire a full-time employee alone. But it's also more effective security-wise.

That's because you're paying for engaged, competent IT Services whose full-time purpose is to maintain the integrity and stability of the cloud computing platform. And when security threats do arise, they're able to address them immediately with automatic patches, updates, and upgrades that take place while you're tending to your business.

3. Quality Control and Oversight

Another reason for the importance of cloud computing in business organizations is the QC and oversight advantages that it provides. Organizations are able to better track and monitor progress and the quality of work.

This turn toward more dependable analytics becomes the norm in every work environment in which it's utilized. As a result, employees become more plugged into what they're doing, thus raising their level of professionalism and attention to detail.

On a side note, they grow to appreciate the cloud. Their appreciation stems from the fact that it enables more freedom and flexibility in when and how they work. That only boosts motivation.

4. Malicious Actor or Disaster Safety Net

Core among the various cloud computing benefits is the fact it provides a virtual safety net to whatever might happen in the "real world." The safety and longevity of your business are no longer tied to a breakable object.

Likewise, cloud computing enables you to save virtually unlimited data and backup data. This means any threats from malicious actors that do arise can be repaired by reverting to saved, stored, and redundant data.

5. Building a Sustainable Business

Last but not least, cloud computing has a positive environmental impact with less strain on natural resources and lower costs. It also gives a business the ability to remain competitive moving forward.

The accessibility of cloud computing technology may even allow them to exploit unexplored market share. And that's even when they're playing in crowded spaces or going against large companies.

The Advantages of Cloud Computing Are Clear

Enjoying the advantages of cloud computing for revenue purposes is great. But just know that it goes well beyond that.

Security perhaps is more important to your business. That's because security breakdowns can end your business overnight, wherein you might be able to survive a few lean years earnings-wise.

So if you've been holding off, stop what you're doing and start the migration. And for more advantages of cloud computing, check out this previous post examining the technology's importance.

Online Security

5 Importance of Cloud Computing Security

By Ashutosh Jha → Tuesday, February 5, 2019

With small businesses spending at least $75,000 a year on digital marketing, much of that work is done by analyzing collected data. The data that you store on the cloud has a massive amount of value; if you don't know the importance of cloud computing security, you could lose out. The effort that goes into gathering this data will be lost if you don't secure it from hacks and breaches.

Here are four reasons you need to focus on securing your cloud storage this year.

1. It's Not Just for the Big Companies

When you're seeking solutions for cybersecurity, you might not think that it applies to your business model. Most small businesses think they're not at risk of losing their data because of a hack or a phishing attack. This leaves them vulnerable to cybercriminals.

It's taking fewer resources than ever before to get into a company that doesn't have the proper protection behind it. Small businesses have fewer resources to protect themselves but can have just as much valuable information as large companies.

If you're running a small business, you shouldn't think that you can't afford to protect your data. You worked hard to get information from your customers and collect data to help your business grow. If you're not careful with what you've been trusted with, you could lose out to another competitor.

Thankfully, there are a lot of companies that provide outsourced IT and cybersecurity solutions to ensure that your business interests are protected. No matter how big or small your company is, one unsecured WiFi station or one misplaced password could put you at risk.

2. One Breach Could Take Out Your Company

With the cost of a data breach currently hovering around the $4 million mark, there are few companies that could weather the storm of even one hack. With the cost of just one security breach, your company could be sunk.

A security breach costs you money from a damaged reputation for new customers, customers fleeing a sinking ship, and customers who file lawsuits against you.

It could take you years to recover from just one data breach. Releasing sensitive data that your customers consider private could make you seem toxic for years to come.

Building trust and a strong reputation take years for just about any company. It could take you decades to bounce back after your company's reputation has been struck by a breach.

Trust is a vital element in building any company. It takes so long for a new company to be trustworthy and relied on by new customers that you can't focus on building trust while lacking on cybersecurity. If you do, you risk building a house of cards that could be taken out by one small leak of customer or client data that haunts you.

3. Climate Change Could Ruin You

Climate change is real and climate change is here. While many people in the tech industry think they're immune to it, they could be making things worse for themselves or their customers.

The storage of redundant data requires resources in electricity. Keeping data in a place that isn't secure requires redundant paper or physical storage.

If you want to store things on the cloud, you're making an effort that's going to protect you from climate problems. Storing things in the cloud isn't doing away with physical storage altogether. However, it diversifies your storage to ensure that it's not all in one place that could be wiped out by a climate disaster.

If all of your data is located on your site, even in the most physically secure conditions, you could be violating your customers' needs for security. If you're thinking about ways to mitigate potential security issues, you need to consider cloud computing.

Cloud computing is a more secure solution than keeping everything on site.

However, you need to ensure that your cloud storage provider is doing everything it can to keep that data secure. You shouldn't store your data just anywhere. You need it to be at a cloud computing service provider who knows the value of securing it and why you've chosen them over physical security.

4. Data Is a Precious Resource

Every year, companies are spending more of their money on collecting and organizing data. The more data they can get from their customers that has to do with their purchasing habits or personal information, the more they can make from it. However, most customers don't give their information out to companies without any strings attached.

People expect the information they give to companies to be protected and safe from hackers. Even if they're not savvy, it's not up to them to protect their data. It's up to the those who collect data to ensure that it's protected by the companies they give it to.

In the modern era, data is as much of a precious resource as material that we mine from the ground. That's because it offers companies and marketers the opportunity to make predictions. It has also birthed an entire industry.

Your cloud services hold more data about your company and your customers than you might even realize. If you're not protective of it, your customers could get the edge on sales this year by being able to predict what you're going to do next and how you'll do it.

Check out more about cloud security trends coming this year here: https://www.charlotteitsolutions.com/cloud-security-trends-2019/.

The Importance of Cloud Computing Security Is Paramount

If you're not convinced of the importance of cloud computing security, you risk leaving yourself vulnerable to a breach. One small breach could have a profound impact on your company. Data breaches are responsible for profit losses that can last for years.

If you're looking for secure ways to grow your business, follow our guide for tips.

Online Security

The 5 Most Effective Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

By Ashutosh Jha → Monday, January 28, 2019

14 million small businesses in the United States have had an IT breach.

You don't want your IT infrastructure compromised at a critical time, or to leak customer details. You need to know what to do to protect your company online, just like you secure your premises.

We are here to help. Read on for 5 of the most effective cybersecurity tips so your networks can remain safe!

1. Antivirus & Firewall

If you are in control of what enters your network, you will stop most threats dead in their tracks.

A firewall is your network's first line of defense. It dictates what information can enter and leave your network. By setting a 'white list' of connections that are permitted, you can substantially reduce the chance of an outside attack.

Antivirus software monitors your company's computers, quarantining and removing anything suspicious. Having an antivirus installed on every computer such as mcafee total protection will help catch anything that your firewall doesn't stop.

2. Password Policy

One of the simplest to improve your cybersecurity is to have a strong password protocol. Avoid using a string of characters that are hard to remember. Instead, ask your employees to pick a memorable but long passphrase.

Use a two-factor authentication. Depending on your industry, this may be a requirement. Companies such as Cygilant can help you to keep on top of the regulations and stay compliant.

3. Update Programs

Hackers always look for new exploits in the program and create new tools all the time. When developers find these vulnerabilities, they patch the programs to close them up. If you're not updating your programs when a patch is due though, then your systems aren't protected.

Set your programs to search for updates on a regular basis. If there isn't an update search function, make sure you schedule times to manually check for updates.

4. Control Access

Prevent access to business computers by unauthorized people.

Laptops are easy targets for thieves so set them to lock up when unattended. Encourage your staff to always lock their computers when they are away from their desks.

You want to make sure each separate user has their own protected account. Only allow administrative privileges to trusted IT staff and key personnel.

5. Educate

Education is as important as doing everything right. If your employees aren't trained they can cause breaches by accident. The internet can be a dangerous place.

Every company will receive dodgy emails and phishing scams. You want to train your employees to know how to spot and avoid them these attacks.

You should also train employees how to post online without revealing trade secrets. If your employees do their part, you can focus your time on more important things than damage mitigation!.

Use These Cybersecurity Tips

By following these 5 cybersecurity tips, you will go a long way to improve your cybersecurity. Remember, the digital landscape is always changing, so stay up to date with your legal requirements and best practices.

With your company protected from cyber threats, check out how to boost traffic and make the internet work for your business.

Online Security

How to Improve Your Business’s Security?

By Ashutosh Jha → Monday, August 13, 2018

No matter the size of your company or the industry that you operate in, it is vital that every business owner is constantly looking for ways to enhance their security. This is so that you can protect your company, your employees, yourself, and also your customers.

Criminals will target businesses as they will be aware that there are likely to be valuable assets and/or cash on site, plus there has also been a sharp rise in cybercrime where criminals will attempt to infiltrate the system to obtain personal data and destabilize the company. Read on for a few ways that any business owner can improve company security.

4 Top Ways to Improve Business Security

Here are some of the tops ways using which you can improve business security. These tips are quite easy to important and a little precaution will keep your company and your clients secure and safe.

Invest in Technology

Fortunately for businesses of all sizes, we live in a day and age where security technology has evolved at a rapid rate, and there are now all kinds of amazing gadgets that can boost security. CCTV cameras, motion detectors, intruder alarms, and perimeter alarms are all intelligent investments for business owners as they can both deter and stop criminals in their tracks.

Speaking of security technology, you will want your security feed up and running as soon as possible. So, contact CCTV security camera installation services in your area immediately.

Educate Staff

One of the simplest but sometimes overlooked methods to improve security in the workplace is to educate your employees regarding how to be safe. This will include aspects such as the safe handling of cash and how to lock up at night, but also how to be safe whilst online and protecting the company digitally. When everyone knows how to be safe, and it is a key point of emphasis, it will stay on people’s minds, and you can rest assured knowing that the entire operation is safe and secure.

Upgrade Cybersecurity

As mentioned, a lot of crime towards businesses now takes place digitally, so it is vital that all businesses look to upgrade their cybersecurity and make this a priority. This will include generating complex passwords, securing the Wi-Fi network, not storing sensitive data, and backing up data to an external device. It is also vital that you invest in top of the range security software, like Bytes, and ensure that this is running and kept up-to-date on all company devices. This will safeguard your important data and protect your company from all of the latest digital threats.

Secure the Premises

One of the most obvious ways to boost security is to secure the building and the entire premises. This might involve replacing doors with reinforced steel with code entry, replacing the windows, erecting a perimeter fence with a key code entry gate, and generally ensuring that it will be a challenge for anybody to gain entry without permission.

When this is combined with the latest security technology, it will make it extremely difficult for a criminal to inflict damage to your company and enables you to stop them in their tracks.

Security is hugely important for all businesses as criminals will often target a company due to the fact that there are likely to be valuable assets, money, and important information that can be obtained. The above are the main ways to boost business security both digitally and non-digitally so that you can rest assured knowing that you are well protected.

It is important to make security a priority and to properly educate staff so that there will be no slip-ups and your company, employees, and customers are properly protected at all times.