How to Uninstall QuickTime for Windows and Why You Should Do So
Are any of your company's computers running Apple's QuickTime for Windows? Unless you need it to play content that no other program can handle, you should seriously consider uninstalling it. Apple stopped supporting this media player/multimedia framework on the Windows platform, which means there will be no more security updates for it. (Apple is still supporting QuickTime on its OS X platform, though.) Apple designed QuickTime for Windows to run on Windows Vista and Windows 7, but it also works on later versions of Windows.
You should uninstall QuickTime for Windows sooner rather than later. In April 2016, the Zero Day Initiative released advisories about two new security vulnerabilities (ZDI-16-241 and ZDI-16-242) discovered in the application. Apple will not patch these vulnerabilities (or any others found in the future) because it no longer supports QuickTime for Windows. There are no known attacks exploiting these vulnerabilities yet. However, cybercriminals often devise and launch new attacks that specifically target unsupported software.
To uninstall QuickTime in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Type "Control Panel" in the Windows search box.
- Click the "Control Panel" program listed in the search results.
- Make sure the Control Panel window is being displayed in the Category view. If necessary, change to that view by selecting "Category" in the "View by" drop-down list.
- Under Programs, click the "Uninstall a program" link.
- In the alphabetized list of installed programs, scroll down until you find the entry for QuickTime and then click it.
- A dialog box will appear asking whether you are sure that you want to uninstall QuickTime. Select "Yes".
- Another dialog box might appear asking if you want to allow the QuickTime application to remove the software from your PC. If you receive this dialog box, choose "Yes".
As your IT service provider, we can help you select a suitable alternative for QuickTime for Windows. Plus, we can help you find and remove any other unsupported software that cybercriminals might try to exploit.
Planning to Upgrade to Windows 10 for Free? Do It Soon
If you plan on taking advantage of Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer, there is an important deadline approaching: July 29, 2016. You have until then to upgrade existing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices that qualify for the offer. There is no limit to the number of upgrades, so you can upgrade all the eligible computers in your business. They just need to meet the requirements.
The Requirements
To qualify for the free upgrade offer, your computers need to meet the necessary hardware and software requirements for Windows 10. You can find those requirements on the Windows 10 Specifications page.
Your computers also need to be running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows 8.1 Update. The free upgrade offer does not apply to devices running:
- Windows RT or Windows RT 8.1
- Enterprise edition of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 (there is a separate upgrade program to qualified enterprise customers with active Software Assurance subscriptions)
- Older versions of Windows, such as Windows XP and Windows Vista
If you have a version that is not eligible for the free upgrade or you miss the offer's deadline, you can buy Windows 10. In the Microsoft Store, Windows 10 Home costs $119.99 and Windows 10 Pro is $199.99 (USD).
Ways to Upgrade
If you are planning to migrate your eligible computers to Windows 10 for free, you can perform the upgrade by using the Get Windows 10 app or by creating your own installation media (e.g., ISO files) with the media creation tool. Installing Windows 10 through the app is much easier than creating your own installation media, so that is the method recommended by Microsoft.
You can access the Get Windows 10 app by clicking the Windows icon in the lower right corner of the Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 screen. In some instances, the icon might not be present, even if the computer is running a qualified Windows version and meets the hardware and software requirements for Windows 10. The icon might be missing for one of these reasons:
- Windows is not activated with a genuine license.
- The computer is connected to a domain or was connected to one in the past.
- The device is connected to a mobile device management (MDM) solution.
- The computer does not have the prerequisite updates installed. In Windows 7, the KB3035583 and KB2952664 updates are required. In Windows 8.1, the KB2976978 update is needed.
Although Microsoft provides some guidance on how to deal with these scenarios, it is best to contact your IT service provider for help addressing them.
How to Upgrade Using the Get Windows 10 App
To upgrade using the Get Windows 10 app, you first need to reserve a copy of Windows 10. To do so, click the Windows icon in the lower right corner of the computer screen to open the Get Windows 10 app. Besides providing information about Windows 10's new features, the app discusses the upgrade process. It also automatically performs a compatibility check, looking for software and hardware issues that might prevent a successful upgrade. You can view the compatibility report by clicking the stack of three lines in the upper left corner of the app and selecting "Check your PC".
In the Get Windows 10 app, you will see the "Reserve your free upgrade" button. When you click this button, Microsoft will download the Windows 10 setup files to your computer over a period of time. When it has finished, you will receive a notification that your computer is ready for the upgrade.
Before you upgrade your business's computers, though, you should back up the current files on each one. Even though the files will be present after the upgrade, having backups of them is important in case something goes wrong.
You can perform the upgrade immediately or schedule it to occur at a more convenient time through the Get Windows 10 app. Alternatively, you can begin or schedule the upgrade by clicking the "Get started" button in the Upgrade to Windows 10 section in Windows Update. Either way, you will need to accept the terms listed in the End User License Agreement.
According to Microsoft, the upgrade usually takes 90 minutes or less. Once it begins, the computer will immediately restart. It might also restart several more times during the update. Plus, the screen might go blank for a long period of time. It is important not to turn off the computer during the update.
Eventually, you will be asked if you want to do an express or custom configuration. The express configuration is the best choice for most people. When the update is finished, Windows 10 will be up and running. All the applications and files should be present and available for use.
Help Is Available
Although some files are preloaded when you use the Get Windows 10 app, the upgrade still consumes bandwidth. For this reason, you might want to update one computer at a time. PowerOne can help you make this determination as well as help you with the backups and installation of Windows 10 on your business's computers.
5 Ways to Protect Your Business's Email Accounts from Hackers
While CIA Director Brennan was a casualty of a duped service provider there are other ways hackers use to gain access to your email. See the full story here: https://www.wired.com/2015/10/hacker-who-broke-into-cia-director-john-brennan-email-tells-how-he-did-it/ A hacked email account is a serious problem. Besides reading emails, cybercriminals can access other types of information associated with the account, such as calendar and contact data. Hackers can also use the account to send out spam or malicious emails, or even access other online accounts. For example, suppose they see a sales confirmation email from an online office supply store in the inbox of the hacked email account. Website login credentials often consist of an email address coupled with a password. The hackers already know the email address, so they might try entering commonly used passwords or running a password-cracking program to find the password.
Here are five ways to protect your business's email accounts from hackers:
1. Require Strong, Unique Passwords for Email Accounts
Both hackers and password-cracking programs are really good at figuring out weak passwords. For this reason, your business's email account passwords must be strong. A strong password:
- Is at least eight characters long (the longer, the better)
- Uses uppercase and lowercase letters
- Includes numbers, but not in a predictable pattern such as 123
- Uses special characters (e.g., question mark, ampersand, percent sign) when possible
Email account passwords also need to be unique. Hackers know that people reuse passwords, so once they obtain an account's credentials, they try them elsewhere. Since creating and remembering strong, unique passwords is difficult, have employees use a password manager to create and store their credentials.
2. Secure Your Business's Computers
Hackers can use malware to obtain passwords. For instance, they might use malware that logs keystrokes or searches a computer for credentials. To help prevent such malware from infiltrating your business's computers, it is important to use anti-malware software as well as regularly update your operating system and applications.
3. Educate Employees about Phishing and Spear Phishing
Hackers might try to obtain email account passwords through phishing or spear phishing emails, so you need to teach employees how to spot these emails. When doing so, stress the following points:
- If employees receive an email from someone they do not know, they should not open any attached files or click any links (unless it is a normal part of their job, such as an HR manager opening attached resumes sent by job applicants).
- If employees receive an email from someone they know but it contains an attachment they were not expecting, they should check with the person first before opening the attachment to make sure he or she sent it.
- If employees receive an email from someone they do not know and the email contains a link, they should not click the link.
- If employees receive an email from someone they know and the email contains a link, they should check the link (hover their cursor over it to see the web address) before clicking it.
4. Create an Official Email Policy
Employees are increasingly using their personal smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices for work. You can use an email policy to let employees know whether they are allowed to access work emails from their own devices.
An official email policy can also lay down some ground rules on accessing emails while traveling for business. For example, the policy might state that employees should not access work emails from public computers (keyloggers might be installed) or use public Wi-Fi hotspots (sniffing attacks could occur).
5. Require Two-Step Verification for Email Accounts If Available
More and more email service providers are offering two-step verification, including Gmail, Hotmail, and Outlook.com. Two-step verification adds another layer of security to email accounts. For instance, employees might need to provide a password and a security code to access their email accounts. With two-step verification, hackers cannot access an account even if they have the password.
What You Need to Know about SQL Server 2005's End of Support
Which database management system is running on your company's server units? For end users, it's not something that they put a whole lot of thought into. However, if you completely overlook your Microsoft SQL Server, you may end up running an expired version that puts your data at risk. Case in point, SQL Server 2005, for which Microsoft recently ended support .
Microsoft's support for SQL Server 2005 ended on April 12, 2016. This is not unexpected, as this software is more than a decade old. If you are still using SQL Server 2005, it will continue to function. However, relying on it in the long term might not be the best course of action.
The Pitfalls of Staying with SQL Server 2005
Continuing to use SQL Server 2005 to drive the backend of your business has several drawbacks. The most serious one is that your business will be more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Because Microsoft is no longer providing security updates for SQL Server 2005, your databases will not be protected against new malware or new attack vectors. To make matters worse, many cybercriminals keep track of when versions of popular programs like SQL Server reach their end of support. Once that day arrives, the cybercriminals intentionally launch new attacks that target the unsupported software.
Another downside of sticking with SQL Server 2005 is that it will be increasingly harder to achieve compliance with regulations and standards like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Both HIPAA and PCI DSS call for the protection of sensitive data, which databases often contain. If you cannot protect your SQL Server 2005 databases from new cyberattacks, you might be found in noncompliance with HIPAA and PCI DSS. Noncompliance can result in penalties, higher costs, and even lost business.
Although not as serious as the disadvantages just discussed, continuing to use SQL Server 2005 means that you cannot turn to Microsoft for help. The Microsoft Customer Service and Support staff is no longer able to answer any technical questions you might have about SQL Server 2005 or help you troubleshoot any problems. The only assistance that Microsoft offers is its publicly available online content, such as Knowledge Base articles and support webcasts.
You Do Not Have to Make the Decision Alone
Staying with SQL Server 2005 has some obvious benefits — namely, you do not have the hassles and the costs associated with upgrading to a new version. However, you need to keep the pitfalls in mind. PowerOne can help you weigh the pros and cons of each course of action.
If you choose to upgrade, the options include migrating your onsite databases to SQL Server 2014, which requires Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8. Alternatively, you can use SQL Azure Database, Microsoft's cloud-based database service. With this service, you access your databases with the Azure Management Portal. It works on all modern desktop and tablet devices running at least one of the following web browsers: Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer 11, Apple Safari, or Google Chrome. PowerOne can help you determine whether it is more advantageous to keep your databases onsite or move them to the cloud.
7 Convenient Calling Features That Can Boost Productivity
Employees tend to have many responsibilities, especially in small businesses. To handle these responsibilities, they need to manage their time wisely. One way you can help your employees be more productive is by providing calling features designed with convenience in mind.
Here are seven convenient calling features that you might want to look for in a phone system:
1. Sequential Ringing
Employees who are on the move will find sequential ringing helpful. When this feature is enabled, an unanswered call is automatically forwarded to a preset list of phone numbers, but the person calling only has to dial one number. Employees specify the phones to forward their calls to and the number of rings before the call is forwarded. They often set up sequential ringing so that calls go to their desk phone, then their cell phone, and finally voicemail. The possibilities are endless, though. For example, if employees are unable to answer their phone, they can have their calls go to another member of their department, followed by a third department member, and finally the office receptionist.
2. Simultaneous Ringing
With simultaneous ringing, all the phones specified in a list will ring at once when a call comes in. As soon as the call is answered, the ringing stops. Employees often set up simultaneous ringing so that both their desk phone and cell phone ring at the same time. Businesses can even have all the phones in a department set to ring when someone calls that department.
3. Conference Calling
Traveling to a meeting can make an employee's productivity plummet. With conference calling, employees can attend meetings without wasting time getting there. Plus, businesses can save money because they do not have to pay for travel expenses. Conference calling provides a virtual meeting room, which employees enter by using a dial-in number and personal identification number.
4. Three-Way Calling
Three-way calling lets employees participate in impromptu conference calls. During a call, an employee can add another person to the conversation. All the employee needs to do is press the switch hook or flash button, call the third person, and then press the switch hook or flash button again.
5. Enhanced Voicemail
With enhanced voicemail, employees can listen to their voicemails from any phone or through a web application. They can even receive them as MP3 files attached to emails.
6. Voicemail Transcription
Rather than having to listen to and write down information in a voicemail, employees can have an automated system transcribe the message so that they can simply read it. Most often, these automated systems send the transcribed messages to employees via email. In some cases, employees can receive them via a text messaging service.
7. Telemarketer Blocking
Telemarketing calls can waste employees' time. Fortunately, there are features that can detect and block these calls. One such feature works by detecting when telemarketers use a machine that automatically dials every number in a phone directory. Another works by blocking phone numbers that display "Anonymous," "Unknown," "Unavailable," or "Restricted" instead of the phone number on caller IDs.
8 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 10 (and a Few Warnings)
Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft's flagship operating system, was released on July 29, 2015, and millions of people have already received their copies of the tech giant's newest piece of software. While there are plenty of good reasons to upgrade, Windows 10 isn't necessarily for everyone.
Here are a few issues to consider when choosing whether or not to get Windows 10:
1. It's Free (for Most People)
Microsoft is offering free upgrades to Windows 10 for anyone with a genuine copy of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows Phone 8.1. The free-upgrade promotion — which expires on July 29, 2016 — will entice a huge number of Windows users to make the switch.
However, the offer doesn't extend to Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows RT, and Windows RT 8.1. That being said, Microsoft started selling Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education on August 1, 2015.
2. Improved Performance
Windows 10 features several performance upgrades. It boots up faster and its better hardware acceleration means that the operating system is a bit quicker when in use. The OS's power management system has also seen some improvements that tend to extend the life of mobile devices' batteries.
Additionally, the Refresh and Reset functions were reimplemented so that they work without the need for a recovery image. This reduces the amount of system resources that the OS requires, and makes it easier for users to remove any unwanted software that hardware manufacturers might have bundled into their copies of Windows.
3. Better Security
Security was clearly an important consideration for Microsoft's developers when they were creating Windows 10. The new OS provides automatic updates, which can make things easier for some users. It also has a number of features designed to keep users and their data secure.
Its Device Guard tool blocks unauthorized applications from accessing Windows 10 computers or the networks that they are connected to. The OS's Passport and Windows Hello features protect accounts by changing the way that people approach user authorization. Instead of relying on a password, these features let users launch Windows 10 devices by using biometric characteristics like their faces, irises, or fingerprints.
4. The Return of the Start Menu
One of the main criticisms against Windows 8 was the loss of the Start menu. This clear and easy-to-use menu was a staple of previous Windows versions, and many users were upset when they were unable to use it. Thankfully, Microsoft learned from its mistakes by bringing the Start menu back with Windows 10.
The new version of the Start menu will be familiar to Windows 7 users, but it also features a customizable side panel with live tiles similar to the ones used in Windows 8. You can reorganize this panel as you like, combine and resize live tiles, and create shortcuts to your favorite applications. Alternatively, if you don't like the live tiles, you can delete them and go back to the basic Windows-7-style menu.
5. A New Web Browser
The release of Windows 10 also served as the debut performance of Microsoft Edge, the company's latest web browser. Windows 10 users will still have the option to use Internet Explorer, though. This will help companies that need to keep using the 20-year-old web browser for compatibility reasons.
Microsoft Edge is designed to be faster, more secure, and more user-friendly than Internet Explorer. Users can customize the web browser by picking a background or choosing a set font size. It also has several new features, like the ability to convert to a streamlined format that removes sidebars and is easier to read. There is also a tool that lets you make notes on web pages, and then share screenshots of the pages through email or a social network.
6. A Universal Approach
Windows 10 is a universal operating system that works on every Windows machine, whether it's a computer or a mobile device. Any app bought through the Windows Store will work on all of a user's machines, and will feel familiar regardless of the device that it is being used on. Users can also switch from one device to the next without losing any of their work. If you start working on a document on your computer, you can easily switch to your tablet and pick up right where you left off.
Microsoft's Continuum also facilitates this broader versatility. This feature changes the operating system's interface based on the status of the device. For example, if you plug a keyboard and mouse into your tablet, the operating system will recognize the change and switch to desktop mode.
7. A Digital Personal Assistant
Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Google Now and Apple's Siri. Originally connected to Windows Phone, the digital personal assistant can now be used on any Windows 10 device. Users interact with Cortana by speaking or by typing in questions. The digital assistant learns about users by keeping track of the things they like, and is integrated with Microsoft's calendar and email clients. This means that it is able to answer more personal questions like "How long will it take me to get home?" and recognize specific issues that might affect you, like a traffic jam or travel delay.
8. Virtual Desktops
With Windows 10, you can create multiple different desktops and choose which apps to run on each one. This helps you keep your work life and your personal life separate, and allows you to share desktops with your colleagues.
A Few Words of Warning
Although Windows 10 does have a lot of advantages, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you upgrade. As noted above, Windows 10 users will get automatic updates. In some cases, this can be a good thing, but some users, and especially organizations that need consistent desktops for all staff, like to maintain more control over their updates. For those people, Microsoft has noted that Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise let you avoid this automatic updating process.
Additionally, the Windows Media Center is not part of the new OS, so if you use this application a lot — by watching DVDs, for example — then you will need to find a suitable replacement online.
Lastly, compatibility with existing, older software may be an issue. If you have applications that are only compatible with a certain operating system, check with your IT staff or service provider about the possibility of migrating to Windows 10. By the same token, if you have older hardware or peripherals that don't have updated drivers, then Windows 10 could be a problem and it might be time to buy newer pieces of equipment.
Windows 10 has a lot of privacy and bandwidth settings that you may not want to have enabled. Many of these are automatically turned on by default during the installation process. As a precaution, be sure to look over the settings in case you want to change them. Talk to your IT provider if you have any questions on the effect of enabling or disabling a setting.
The Big Finale
The media has claimed that the new OS could be the last version of Windows. Setting aside the speculation, the basic premise behind this statement is that Microsoft may be moving to a so-called Windows-as-a-Service model in which it will push out frequent updates to its current operating system rather than release a new version every few years.
Regardless of the hype, the fact of the matter is that Windows 10 will be here for years to come. Microsoft has already committed to a 10-year support cycle for it. Windows users will, in all likelihood, have to adapt to it at some point. Deciding when that point will be is something that you can do with the help of your IT staff or service provider.
How to Back Up Data Using the File History Feature in Windows 10
There are many ways you can lose files and other valuable data. Your computer might crash or be attacked by malware. Your hard drive might fail. Even dropping a laptop or spilling coffee on it can lead to data loss.
Experts recommend that you back up your data locally as well as to an offsite location, such as the cloud. That way, you will be able to quickly restore files from the local backups when needed. You will also have a copy of your data if a disaster (e.g., fire, tornado) destroys both your computer and your local backups.
While most people realize that backing up their data is a good idea, many fail to do so for a variety of reasons. The File History feature in Windows 10 helps eliminate some of those reasons by providing an easy, set-and-forget way to back up data locally to an external storage device or to another computer or storage device in a network. You cannot use this feature to back up data directly to a cloud storage solution.
After you set up the File History feature, it will automatically back up your data. By default, it will do so every hour and keep the backups forever. You can, however, change how often backups are taken and stored.
You can also change what folders are backed up. By default, File History backs up your contacts, links, downloads, favorites, desktop items, documents, pictures, videos, music, saved games, searches, and OneDrive files that are available offline. File History will not back up your computer's operating system, system settings, and applications. If you want to back up those items, you will need to create a system image.
One way to access the File History feature is to type "file history" in the search box and click "File History" in the search results. However, File History's advanced settings window will open. Setting up the feature from this window is not as intuitive as setting it up through the main interface. You can access the main interface by opening the File History feature through the Settings app. The following instructions on how to back up your files use that method to access File History.
How to Back Up Your Files to an External Storage Device
If you want to back up your files to an external storage device such as an external hard drive or USB drive, follow these steps:
- Click the "Start button" and select "Settings".
- Select the "Update — security" option.
- In the left pane, click "Backup".
- Connect the external storage device to your computer.
- Click the large button with the plus (+) sign, which is next to the "Add a drive" label.
- When prompted, choose the external storage device you connected in step 4.
- Notice the new "Automatically back up my files" option that appears. Its on/off slider will be set to the "On" position. Your files will now be automatically backed up.
- If you want to change the default settings for the File History feature, click the "More options" link under the on/off slider. Besides changing the folders to back up, you can change how often the backups occur and how long they are kept.
How to Back Up Your Files to a Network Location
If you want to back up your files to a computer or storage device in a home or business network, follow these steps:
- Click the "Start" button and select "Settings".
- Select the "Update — security" option.
- In the left pane, click "Backup".
- Click the "More options" link.
- Choose the "See advanced settings" option.
- Click the "Select a network location" link.
- Select the "Add network location" option and follow the instructions provided.
- Notice the new "Automatically back up my files" option that appears. Its on/off slider will be set to the "On" position. Your files will now be automatically backed up.
- If you want to change the default settings for the File History feature, click the "More options" link under the slider.
A Pretty Painless Process
With the File History feature in Windows 10, backing up your data locally is pretty painless. Once you configure the feature, it will run silently in the background. With the local backup process in place, you can then concentrate on how you want to handle your offsite backups.
Contact us for an assessment of your data backup options. We can provide personalized insights and recommendations for your company's data backup plan.
The Differences between Hubs, Switches, and Routers
In discussions about networking, you might find that the terms "hub", "switch", and "router" are being used interchangeably when they should not be. The reason for the confusion is understandable. Besides looking similar, all three devices pass along data traffic through connectors called ports. Plus, as these devices become more sophisticated, the functional differences between them continue to blur.
To understand the differences between hubs, switches, and routers, it helps to look at their fundamental roles as well as their levels of intelligence.
What Is a Hub?
A hub is the least intelligent of the three hardware devices. It serves as a connection point for the computers (and other devices such as printers) in a network. A hub simply passes along the traffic it receives to the computers connected to it. Any traffic that goes in one port comes out the other ports. As a result, all the computers receive the traffic, even if it is not for them.
What Is a Switch?
A switch is more intelligent than a hub. Like a hub, a switch is the connection point for the computers (and other devices) in a network. However, a switch is more efficient at passing along traffic. It records the addresses of the computers connected to it in a table. When traffic comes through, the switch reads the destination address and sends that traffic to the appropriate computer rather than sending it to all the connected computers. If the destination address is not in the table, the switch sends the traffic to all the connected computers.
What Is a Router?
A router is the most intelligent of the three hardware devices. It is typically a small computing device designed specifically to understand, manipulate, and direct traffic. Routers include a user interface so that you can tell them where to direct the traffic.
The primary function of a traditional router is to connect two or more networks (or network segments in a very large network) and direct traffic between them. For instance, a business might use a router to manage the connection between its local network and the Internet. To distribute the traffic to the computers in the local network, the business could connect the router to a switch or hub.
While traditional routers are still available, most small business and home office routers today combine the functionality of a router and the functionality of a switch or hub in a single unit. These integrated routers often include additional software that lets businesses set up features such as network firewalls and virtual private networks. There are two main types of integrated routers: wired (e.g., for networks using Ethernet broadband) and wireless (e.g., for Wi-Fi networks).
The Lines Continue to Blur
Integrated routers are blurring the functional lines between routers, switches, and hubs. But they are not the only devices doing so. As switches become smarter, they are taking on some of the tasks that used to require a router. Even hubs are becoming more intelligent. Your IT service provider can help you sort through the many types of routers, switches, and hubs so that you can pick the best routing solution for your business.
Hospital Pays Hackers a Ransom to Regain Control of Its Computers
February 5, 2016, started out like any other day for the doctors, nurses, and other staff members at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. But by the end of the day, many of them could no longer access or update patients' medical records. Nor could they send or receive emails. When the hospital's IT department investigated, it found that the computer systems were infected with ransomware.
The ransomware had encrypted the hospital's files, paralyzing its computer systems. The hackers demanded 40 bitcoins (about $17,000) to get the decryption key. The hospital paid the ransom. "The quickest and most efficient way to restore our systems and administrative functions was to pay the ransom and obtain the decryption key," explained president and CEO Allen Stefanek in a statement released by the hospital. After the hospital regained control of its computer systems on February 15, the IT staff, with the help of outside computer experts, removed the malware.
Not an Isolated Incident
The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is not the only hospital to come under attack. Two hospitals in Germany also reported being ransomware victims. The Lukas Hospital in Neuss was attacked on February 10, 2016. Two days later, Klinikum Arnsberg was targeted. Although the ransomware had encrypted some files at each hospital, neither one paid the ransom.
While the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Lukas Hospital, and Klinikum Arnsberg reported their attacks, most organizations attempt to hide them, according to Bob Shaker, director of strategic operations for Symantec's Cyber Readiness and Response group. He knows about hundreds of ransomware attacks in a variety of industries that have been kept secret.
Shaker and other security experts fear that the successful attack on the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center will encourage more organizations to pay the ransom if infected by ransomware. This, in turn, will lead to hackers launching even more attacks.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Business's Computer Systems
Since more ransomware attacks are inevitable, you need to take measures to protect your business's computer systems. Perhaps the most important measure is to back up your files and make sure they can be successfully restored. Although this will not prevent a ransomware attack, it will mitigate its effects. You will not have to pay the ransom to get your files back since you can restore them from the most recent backup.
Prevention is also important. To help prevent a ransomware attack, it is helpful to know the common ways of getting infected. They include:
- Visiting a malicious website or a legitimate website that has been hacked
- Opening a file or clicking a link in a phishing or spear phishing email
- Being infected with some other type of malware that, in turn, downloads the ransomware
Given these attack vectors, one way to help prevent ransomware is to use anti-malware software. It can help guard against known ransomware ploys and other kinds of malware threats.
Taking advantage of the popup blocker functionality in web browsers is another way to help guard against ransomware. Popups sometimes contain malware or lead to malicious websites. In addition, you need to educate employees about the importance of avoiding any websites marked as potential security threats by their web browsers or anti-malware software.
You also need to educate employees about how to spot phishing or spear phishing emails. Let them know what they should and should not do:
- They should not open any email attachments that are not expected. If the email is from someone they know, have them check with that person first before opening the attachment.
- They should not click any links embedded in emails sent from unknown sources. Even if they know the person who sent the email, have them check the link (hover their cursor over the link to see the address of the website) before clicking it.
Take Action Now or Pay Later
Ransomware is one of the biggest cyber threats in 2016, according to McAfee Labs and Trend Micro. To avoid becoming a victim, you need to take action now to protect your computer systems. Waiting could cost you money, hassle, and negative publicity. Contact us to do an IT security assessment to reduce the risk of your data being held ransom. We can also help you set up effective backup and restore operations.
6 Things That Google Knows about You
Have you ever visited a shopping site followed by a news site and found that most of the ads you see are from that shopping site? That did not happen by accident. Google has been tracking your activities and using the data it collects to make money.
Google has one of the largest collections of consumer data on the planet. Besides capturing the information that users freely give when they sign up for a Google account, Google tracks its users' web activity so it can display ads that better match their interests. Even users without Google accounts have their web activity tracked, though Google is unable to connect it to a specific person.
Google uses the data it collects to develop profiles about its users. Many people do not realize just how shockingly detailed these profiles can be.
If you are a Google user, here are six things that Google knows about you:
1. Your Account Details
Google knows your name, phone number, and all the other information you provided when you signed up for a Google account.
2. Your Usage of Google's Tools
Google provides users with many tools, including a word processor, web browser, and contact list. The tech giant keeps track of how you use these tools. This means that it knows how many documents you have in Google Docs, how many bookmarks you have in Chrome and what they are, and how many people you have in your contact list.
3. Your Gmail Inbox Contents
If you have a Gmail account, Google knows how many messages are in your inbox. It also scans your messages for keywords. It uses this information to tailor the ads and search results it shows you.
4. Your Searches
Besides tracking your web browsing activity, Google keeps tabs on your web search history. This is one of the main ways in which it develops an advertising profile about you. By knowing what you are searching for, Google can determine what types of products and services you are likely to buy.
5. The Videos You Watch
Google owns YouTube, so it is able to track your activity on that site as well. The information about your YouTube activity is used for advertising purposes.
6. Your Location
It is likely that Google knows where you live. It might even know where you are located right this minute. If you have used Google Maps to get directions from your home to somewhere, Google knows where you live based on that information and your IP address. If you have an Android phone and have not disabled the Google Location History feature, Google knows where you are located right this minute. Location tracking lets the company offer you geographically specific results when you search for something.
Check Your Profiles
There are several ways you can find out the types of information that Google is collecting about you:
- You can review your Google account profile by going to the My Account web page. There you can see what personal information you gave Google when you signed up. Plus, if you click the Account History option, you can see if Google is tracking your location, web search history, YouTube search history, or browser activity.
- Google has developed a dashboard designed to increase transparency about the data it collects about you. The Google Dashboard summarizes the data collected for each Google tool that you use.
- Google's advertising profiles include guesses about its users' ages, genders, and interests. You can see your advertising profile on the Control Your Google Ads web pageand find out just how right (or wrong) the tech giant is about you. You can also use this website to stop Google from tracking your web activity by opting out of its interest-based advertising program.