Email attacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and spoofing, pose significant cybersecurity threats. To protect yourself and your organization from these attacks, it’s essential to implement proactive strategies and follow best practices:
Recognizing Email Attack Red Flags
Recognizing the red flags of email attacks is crucial to staying safe from cyber threats. Many email attacks rely on deception, and being vigilant can help you avoid falling victim to them. Here are common signs that an email may be part of an attack:
- Generic Greetings: Legitimate organizations typically address you by your name in emails. Be cautious of emails that use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User.”
- Urgent Language: Cybercriminals often use urgency to pressure recipients. If an email insists on immediate action, such as claiming your account will be suspended unless you act quickly, it’s a red flag.
- Mismatched URLs: Hover your mouse pointer over any links in the email without clicking. If the URL doesn’t match the organization’s official website or looks suspicious, it’s likely a phishing attempt.
Phishing Awareness Training
Phishing awareness training is a critical component of email security. It involves educating individuals and employees about the risks associated with phishing attacks and providing them with the knowledge and tools to recognize and avoid falling victim to these scams. Here are key aspects of phishing awareness training:
- Phishing Basics: Start by explaining what phishing is and how it works. Describe how cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading malware.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Promote the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an added layer of security for email accounts. Explain how MFA can thwart phishing attempts by requiring an additional verification step.
- Phishing Reporting Tools: Provide employees with tools or software that allow them to easily report suspicious emails. These tools can help organizations collect data on phishing attempts and improve security measures.
- Secure Password Practices: Incorporate training on secure password practices, as strong and unique passwords can prevent unauthorized access to accounts even if phishing attempts are made.
Spear phishing
Malicious email spoofing attack that targets a specific organization or individual, seeking unauthorized access to sensitive information. Spear phishing attempts are not typically initiated by random hackers, but are more likely to be conducted by perpetrators out for financial gain, trade secrets or military information.
- Cybersecurity Training and Awareness: Spearhead cybersecurity training programs within your organization. Ensure that employees are educated about email attack risks, red flags, and safe email practices.
- Multi-Layered Security Measures: Advocate for the implementation of multi-layered email security measures, including advanced threat detection, email filtering, and anti-phishing tools.
- Vendor Due Diligence: Take a lead role in vetting and assessing email security vendors and services. Ensure that vendors meet the highest security standards.
- Incident Response Planning: Spearhead the development of an incident response plan specific to email attacks. Ensure that your organization is prepared to respond effectively if an attack occurs.
Bad Email Links
Bad email links are a common vehicle for email attacks, including phishing and malware distribution. To protect yourself from these threats, here’s what you can do:
- Hover Before You Click: Always hover your mouse pointer over a link in an email without clicking. This action reveals the actual URL destination in the status bar or as a tooltip. Verify that the displayed URL matches the expected destination. If it looks suspicious or unfamiliar, do not click.
- Examine the URL Carefully: Scrutinize the entire URL, especially the domain name. Cybercriminals often use deceptive domain names or slight misspellings to mimic legitimate websites. Be cautious of URLs with extra characters or unusual extensions.
- Avoid Clicking on Unsolicited Links: If you receive an unsolicited email with a link, especially if it’s from an unknown source, refrain from clicking. Delete the email or report it as spam.
- Implement Security Software: Install and regularly update security software, including antivirus and anti-malware programs. These tools can detect and block malicious links.
- Keep Software Updated: Ensure that your email client, web browser, and operating system are regularly updated. Updates often include security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.
How to Avoid Email Attacks
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comEmail attacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and spoofing, pose significant cybersecurity threats. To protect yourself and your organization from these attacks, it’s essential to implement proactive strategies and follow best practices:
Recognizing Email Attack Red Flags
Recognizing the red flags of email attacks is crucial to staying safe from cyber threats. Many email attacks rely on deception, and being vigilant can help you avoid falling victim to them. Here are common signs that an email may be part of an attack:
Phishing Awareness Training
Phishing awareness training is a critical component of email security. It involves educating individuals and employees about the risks associated with phishing attacks and providing them with the knowledge and tools to recognize and avoid falling victim to these scams. Here are key aspects of phishing awareness training:
Spear phishing
Malicious email spoofing attack that targets a specific organization or individual, seeking unauthorized access to sensitive information. Spear phishing attempts are not typically initiated by random hackers, but are more likely to be conducted by perpetrators out for financial gain, trade secrets or military information.
Bad Email Links
Bad email links are a common vehicle for email attacks, including phishing and malware distribution. To protect yourself from these threats, here’s what you can do:
Internal Maintenance Schedule
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comWe would like to inform you that from June 28th to July 10th, Yottability will be undertaking a comprehensive process to enhance and update the services we offer to our esteemed customers. As a result, we will NOT be scheduling any appointments during this period. Additionally, please anticipate a potential increase in the response time for customer support tickets, which may take up to 4 hours, and ticket resolution time, which may require 24-48 hours. These delays are due to our dedicated technicians who will be actively facilitating the upgrade process. Our goal is to ensure that we can provide you with the latest upgrades and services, thereby delivering the best possible experience to our valued customers.
Should you need to reach us during this time, we kindly request that you continue to communicate with our Support Team via email at support@yottability.com, as this remains the most efficient means of contacting our team.
Furthermore, please be advised that our office will be closed on July 3rd and 4th in observance of the July 4th, Independence Day Holiday. During this period, service tickets will not be attended to unless you have a 24/7 support agreement with us.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by these temporary adjustments to our services. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Please forward the Announcement to your appropriate Colleagues and/or Team Members so they are also aware of our upcoming schedule. As this Announcement is only being sent to the account holder and/or billing contact we have on file.
Best regards,
Yottability Team
The Power of Microsoft’s Ecosystem Managed by Yottability
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comThe Microsoft ecosystem
Industry Standard for Business
Azure Active Directory
SharePoint and OneDrive
Microsoft Teams
Outlook
Disaster Recovery
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comBack up in the cloud – “Disaster recovery”
Cyber Security
VOIP Services
Manage Microsoft 365 Services
Security Cameras
Let’s define Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comAugmented reality is an advanced version of reality that uses technology to provide digital information with an image of something. Virtual reality is a technology that creates a simulated environment with the aid of computer technology that offers a realistic user interface.
Augmented reality and Virtual reality
The terms augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are commonplace in technology. If you work in the field, you probably already know the key differences between the two but for the everyday person, the differences aren’t so obvious.
Choosing whether AR or VR is better depends on the application. In some situations, AR is a much better choice. For others, VR is more appropriate. They both enhance or change reality in one way or another but with VR, these changes are a lot more drastic.
For example, Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) in the Healthcare industry for a Leading company is an intelligent process of gathering and analyzing the numerical data related to services and products. This Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare Research Give ideas to your targeted customer’s understanding, needs, and wants.
An example of AR may be an advanced operation that allows the doctor to see real life while overlaying tools and applications to make tasks and operations more accurate and efficient.
An example of VR may completely virtual environment where the surgeon can practice tasks or even techniques for future surgeries.
What are the use cases for augmented reality vs virtual reality?
Virtual Reality
Email Safety and Best Practices
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comIt’s important that your personal information remains secure and safe and that you aren’t open to viruses or hackers. Here are some safety tips when using email: Change your password regularly and keep it in a safe place. Don’t share your password with anyone. Don’t open attachments from anyone you don’t know.
Two-Factor authentication
How to avoid phishing emails
Change password regularly
Email etiquette on how to write a good email
Where’s my company’s data?
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by dvili@yottability.comCompanies often implement monitoring systems on work-related devices for security reasons, if your company deals with sensitive material, or especially if you are dealing with what can be named essential data (health records, financial data) you can likely bet your employer needs to know where the companies’ data is.
Don’t use work-related devices for personal use or storage.
Platforms like Google Docs, Slack, or similar.
What can be done to protect both you and your company’s data?
New Features in Windows 11
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by yottaadminWindows 11, Microsoft’s new operating system (OS), was officially released on October 5, 2021. The rollout of the OS will occur on a rolling basis. New computers with Windows 11 automatically installed are now available for sale. Existing PCs will receive the OS update between October 2021 and mid-2022. The new OS should feel noticeable faster than Windows 10 due to a variety of optimizations and performance improvements. In addition to backend improvements, Windows 11 includes many new features that will affect the interface and how you use your PC. Several of these key new features are described below.
Interface
Integrations
Productivity
New and Upcoming Changes from Microsoft
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by yottaadminNew Features in Microsoft Teams and Office
Microsoft is expanding its feature in Teams and Office to further accommodate workers that are working in a hybrid environment. These features will begin rolling out in September 2021 and will continue to be added through early 2022. A key new feature in Teams will allow for workers that are in the same room doing video conferencing to have individual video panes. In-person workers will no longer need to share a video with the entire conference room, and will instead be able to use their individual cameras in hybrid format teleconferences. An additional upcoming feature will enable presenters to show their videos/face directly on the slides of PowerPoints while presenting. Microsoft continues to add features to accommodate remote and hybrid workers, and more innovations will continue to be added.
Rollout of the New Windows 11 Operating System
Microsoft is set to release the new Windows 11 operating system on October 5, 2021. The rollout will be gradual, with eligible devices receiving the update throughout the remainder of 2021. Windows 11 will feature several new features and upgrades from Windows 10, which was first released 6 years ago. One of these key changes is to the overall look and desktop design. The overall desktop interface and will allow for increased customizable through widgets, virtual desktops, and snap grouping. Further new features include Microsoft Teams integration into the operating system, as well as additional integration with Android device and apps.
Shutting Off of old Outlook Clients from 365 Services
Microsoft has been pushing its customer to switch from its old license based model to a subscription based service for Office and Outlook called 365. On November 1, 2021, the Company will shut off customers using Outlook 2007 and 2010 from using their employer’s 365 services. This will render these older Outlook user’s account unusable without an upgrade. This move is a strong signal that Microsoft is committed to the Office 365 subscription model as the future of the Office platform.
Price Increase of Office/Microsoft 365 Subscriptions
For every remote meeting, establish an agenda so employees know what to expect. This also helps the meeting stay on track.
On March 1, 2022, Microsoft is set to raise the price of the subscription costs for several of its Office 365 plans. The magnitude of the increases depends on the specific plan, but range from 9% to 25% per month. Please find the scheduled increases on the plans below:
Remote Working Tips
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by yottaadminHow to make the most out of working from home
Remote work is booming now more than ever as people practice social distancing. Here are some ways to improve your remote work experience.
Set up remote telephone access
Having remote access to your company telephones keeps you from having to use your own phone to make business calls. Remote access allows you to make and answer calls using your business’ phone number.
Schedule meetings far in advance
This gives people the time to clear a part of their schedule to attend the meeting and boost overall meeting attendance.
Establish an agenda for every meeting
For every remote meeting, establish an agenda so employees know what to expect. This also helps the meeting stay on track.
Create a “virtual water cooler”
To recreate the experience of being at a water cooler, set up a virtual location where employees can chat casually and de-stress. This can bring some normalcy back into your workflow.
Use Microsoft Teams
Teams, Microsoft’s virtual workspace, allows for video/audio communication, file sharing, screen sharing, and more. Yottability is offering calls through Teams for clients who have a PBX plan.
For more help on improving your remote working experience, contact your Yottability representative.