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Microtechs Blog

Microtechs has been serving the Mill Valley area since 2007, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Breaking Down NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework

Breaking Down NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework

Today’s businesses need an established cybersecurity strategy. It’s as simple as that.

However, many businesses need guidance to create this strategy, which is why the National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a framework for proper cybersecurity protection. Let’s walk through this framework and discuss what you need to do to meet its requirements.

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Everything You Need to Know About Pig Butchering Scams

Everything You Need to Know About Pig Butchering Scams

Problems with cybersecurity can really sink your business. Unfortunately, more opportunists are out there today looking to profit off of business’ lack of vigilance. One example of this are large-scale scam operations that have been running in Southeast Asia, and they are now spreading to other parts of the world. These scams, called "pig butchering" scams, have caused major harm, with around $75 billion lost worldwide in 2023.

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That’s Not a Streamed Funeral… It’s a Scam

That’s Not a Streamed Funeral… It’s a Scam

Funerals are solemn events, and sadly, some people take advantage of those who are grieving. Recently, scammers have been using Facebook to target people by offering fake links to live-streamed funerals in exchange for credit card information.

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Sextortion Scams are on the Rise with Extra Creepy Behavior

Sextortion Scams are on the Rise with Extra Creepy Behavior

Sextortion scams are far from glamorous. These attacks involve a scammer claiming to have compromising photos or videos of their target engaged in explicit activities—often suggesting this footage was captured through their online behavior. The scammer then threatens to release this material unless a ransom is paid.

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A 10-Month Breach Provides 1.7 Million Reminders to Prioritize Security

A 10-Month Breach Provides 1.7 Million Reminders to Prioritize Security

It was recently disclosed that Slim CD, a payment gateway, suffered a data breach that exposed many, many credit card accounts (nearly 1.7 million) from August 17th, 2023, until June 15th, 2024.

Let’s discuss the situation and how it provides a lesson for your business to take seriously.

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To Safely Store Passwords, Use a Centralized Password Manager

To Safely Store Passwords, Use a Centralized Password Manager

In this blog and our conversations with clients, we frequently discuss the importance of protecting accounts with complex and unique passwords and multi-factor authentication. These actions are crucial, but there is a tool out there that can really improve any business’ account security: the password manager. 

Today, we’ll discuss the password manager and why it is such a great tool for keeping passwords complex and secure. 

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Is Telegram’s Embedded Privacy Aiding Criminals?

Is Telegram’s Embedded Privacy Aiding Criminals?

The state of Internet security is always a trip. There are scams literally everywhere and there are better minds than ours that want to solve the myriad of problems that users run into online. One such platform is the secure communications software Telegram founded by Pavel Durov. In this attempt to revolutionize the instant messaging space, he’s found himself in some pretty hot water. Let’s dive right in.

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The NSA’s Guidelines on Mobile Security

The NSA’s Guidelines on Mobile Security

The United States National Security Agency, or NSA, is well known for its expertise in cybersecurity. So, when the NSA releases practices to help keep mobile devices more secure, it's smart to pay attention to what it says.

Let’s examine a few of their shared practices and see what we can learn.

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Make Complex, Unique Passwords You Can Actually Remember By Using Passphrases

Make Complex, Unique Passwords You Can Actually Remember By Using Passphrases

Strong passwords are extremely important these days. Cybercriminals only need low-end hardware to crack millions of passwords at once, so it's critical to use random, complex strings of characters.

The bigger problem most users have is using unique passwords for each and every account. Any account is liable to be compromised at any given time, and you might not even know about it. If your password is compromised, the bad guys can use it to access all of your other accounts.

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If You Aren’t Protecting Your Data, You’re Making a Mistake

If You Aren’t Protecting Your Data, You’re Making a Mistake

Modern companies (yours included) should never function without strong cybersecurity measures. This is a stance we will stress at every chance. 

Let's delve into the importance of security and the steps you should implement to protect your business.

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These Passwords Will Put Your Business at Risk

These Passwords Will Put Your Business at Risk

No one actually likes to talk about password security, but it’s incredibly important to the ongoing security of your business. If you or any of your employees are using any of these commonly used passwords, then read on; you’re someone who desperately needs to reconsider their password policies.

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The Story Behind CrowdStrike’s “Largest IT Outage of All Time”

The Story Behind CrowdStrike’s “Largest IT Outage of All Time”

On Friday, July 18th, a global update—codenamed “Falcon”—to cybersecurity company CrowdStrike’s software triggered events that brought major infrastructures and societal needs to their knees… despite affecting less than one percent of all Windows systems.

Now that about one and a half weeks have passed, let’s check in and see what happened, both leading up to this event and in the days since.

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Windows Defender Vs. Microsoft Defender for Business

Windows Defender Vs. Microsoft Defender for Business

Sometimes, it seems like the most complex aspect of modern technology is the naming conventions used by big vendors for all of their products. It’s a problem with consumer electronics, it’s a problem with enterprise products, and sometimes it feels like some companies make their products as confusing as possible on purpose… I’m looking at you, Microsoft.

When it comes to protecting your PC from viruses and malware, there should be zero confusion. Hopefully after this article you’ll have the confidence to make the right choice for your business.

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Tip of the Week: Fix Cybersecurity Sprawl to Improve Security Overall

Tip of the Week: Fix Cybersecurity Sprawl to Improve Security Overall

Cybersecurity is necessary for businesses to function, but when it turns to overreaching and overinvestment—a concept called cybersecurity sprawl—it becomes a problem. Today, we want to highlight some of the many challenges that can come about from cybersecurity sprawl, as well as how you can avoid it.

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Key Considerations for Your Asset Management Security

Key Considerations for Your Asset Management Security

Asset management security has become a critical concern for businesses. It's not just about protecting physical assets anymore. More assets than ever need to be safeguarded, but securing these assets is not straightforward. It involves a complex interplay of strategies, from attack surface management to cybersecurity compliance.

Let's explore some key considerations when securing your asset management processes.

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How to Encourage Data Privacy Habits in Your Team Members

How to Encourage Data Privacy Habits in Your Team Members

In today's digital landscape, data breaches and privacy concerns are more prevalent than ever. Your team needs to protect important information by following data privacy practices, which also helps boost your company's reputation. It needs to be a part of your company culture.

Here are effective strategies to encourage a culture of data security within your team.

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Your Network is Under Siege and Your Data is the Target

Your Network is Under Siege and Your Data is the Target

Data is pivotal in modern business operations, highly coveted by various parties. In today’s blog, we explore how everyone online seems eager to get their hands on your data.

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With Password Managers, You Only Have to Remember One Password

With Password Managers, You Only Have to Remember One Password

Password management is always a sticking point for businesses (and even individuals), but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you make it. With the increased risk of cybersecurity attacks and advanced threats, you cannot rely on one singular password as you may have once done. Instead, you need complex passwords housed in a password manager that makes remembering your passwords significantly easier.

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What is Personally Identifiable Information?

What is Personally Identifiable Information?

Personally identifiable information—or PII—is critically important data for individuals and businesses, not only because operations rely on many of these data points but there are also significant circumstances for losing it. Of course, to properly protect PII, you need to know what the umbrella term of PII includes.

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Understanding the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Can Make a Difference

Understanding the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Can Make a Difference

Prioritizing cybersecurity is mandatory for all business owners, but many don’t know where to start. As a result, many businesses deal with cybersecurity issues that can put them behind and even ruin a good thing. In today’s blog, we provide a guide that explains the basics of cybersecurity for anyone to follow.

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