Laptops Or Desktops: What’s The Right Choice For Your Business?

If you’re buying computers for your startup or upgrading your small business’s existing machines, you need to decide whether laptops or desktops are right for your needs. To help you choose, consider these five factors.

Portability

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven most businesses to adopt remote work and hybrid work setups. If you’re thinking of implementing a remote or hybrid work arrangement, investing in laptops is the smart move, as your employees can easily take their laptops with them and work anywhere, anytime.

That said, you must not discount desktops altogether. While laptops are light and portable, modern desktop computers aren’t nearly as immobile as they used to be. In many cases, today’s desktop monitors are thin and light, and all-in-one desktops are easy to move around.

Memory and speed

In the past, desktop computers had more memory than laptops, and they were faster because they had bigger processors. This has now changed, thanks to improvements in laptop technology. But until high-powered business-grade laptops become more affordable, desktop computers are going to provide your business with more memory, speed, and power for your money.

How much speed and memory you need depends on the work you do. If your employees’ work mostly entails word processing and emailing, laptops should be enough. But if they need to run gaming software or edit heavy media files, it would be better to invest in desktops.

Security

A desktop computer is more physically secure because it’s often kept in one location, making it easier to guard. And because a desktop’s internet access is often a single source (whether through Wi-Fi or cable), it’s easier to defend it against malware and cyberattacks.

If you choose to invest in laptops, make sure to put in place strict security policies for devices used by remote workers. Don’t let your staff connect to unsecured networks, and deploy encryption tools to protect data from unauthorized access. You must also employ mobile device management software to enable your IT administrator to wipe laptops of data should they get lost or stolen.

Price

Laptops, especially the smaller notebook-style ones, are a lot cheaper than desktops. However, desktop computers are also becoming more affordable through local channels and flexible payment terms. A capable IT services provider can offer cheaper desktop options so you can get powerful machines without going over budget.

Quality

Although laptop computers provide the convenience of portability, they’re prone to battery and charging cord problems. They are also easily damaged, especially if they are dropped or mishandled. By contrast, desktops are generally sturdier. But when they do experience a problem, repairing them can be expensive.

The desktop versus laptop debate is an old one, with supporters on both sides touting the advantages of their choice. A growing company usually needs a combination of both types of computers, especially as their needs evolve. If you need help choosing the best computers for your business, or if you have any business IT-related questions, give Net Activity a call today.

Are Smart Devices Getting Smarter?

Smart devices are everywhere, with the Internet of Things (the blanket term for any device that connects to the Internet for added functionality) growing larger each day. While this is great for convenience (and in many cases, the “cool factor”) it can have some chilling ramifications for cybersecurity.

Here’s a look at how this may be changing in the near future.

The Projections for the IoT

With 127 new IoT devices connected to the Internet each second, it should come as no surprise that estimates place their numbers at around 75 billion in total by 2025. This means that there are plenty of new opportunities for a cybercriminal to find and exploit a vulnerability… both in commercial IoT devices and in the devices classified as the Industrial Internet of Things.

There are already too many examples of how Internet-connected devices have been used to a hacker’s advantage. In 2017, the UK’s National Health Service was hobbled by a ransomware attack that affected, amongst other things, Internet-connected medical equipment. Video doorbells often stream data without any protections, and other smart home devices have been found to store Wi-Fi passwords in a similar fashion. 

As the IoT continues to grow, it only stands to reason that efforts to take advantage of such weaknesses will increase along with it.

What Can Be Done to Secure the IoT?

Fortunately, things are already in motion to help ensure the IoT is made to be more secure. For example, the signing of the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020 in the US and the Australian government’s introduction of an IoT industry-specific voluntary code of practice shows that governments are starting to pay attention to the issues that the IoT has the potential to open up. However, this doesn’t mean that businesses can sit back and relax.

On the contrary, there are a few things that a business can and should do to help mitigate IoT-based attacks:

Encrypt Data

There are relatively few IoT devices out there today that feature encryption as one of their standard security protocols. Implementing encryption on a network level makes it so that your data is effectively indecipherable while in transit, rendering it more or less worthless to the cybercriminal targeting it.

Change Default Passwords on IoT Devices

Of course, ALL default passwords should always be changed, but the IoT makes this an even more important practice for a business. Take the few moments required to come up with a more secure password than the device is equipped with initially.

Use Devices from Security-Conscious Manufacturers

One other way your business and your users can help make a change while protecting your own assets is to try to deal exclusively with devices manufactured by companies that take a security-first approach. Voting with your dollars can quickly make a change if enough people do it. Otherwise, it may be wiser to stick with the “dumb” option if it serves your needs just as well.

There is little doubt that the IoT will have an increased presence in modern life in the years to come. Time will only tell if that presence is a secure one. In the meantime, you can trust us to help you ensure that your business is as secure as possible. Give us a call at 216-503-5150 to find out what we can do for you and your operations.

Protect Your Online Privacy With Private Browsers

If you see ads on your social media newsfeed that are suspiciously attuned to your preferences, it’s likely because your online activities are being tracked and analyzed by market researchers. These researchers likely get their data from the websites you visit as you surf the internet. If you want to stop third parties from collecting and using your data, private browsing can help you.

What is private browsing?

Your web browser — whether it’s Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Opera — stores the URLs of the sites you visit, cookies that track your activity, passwords you’ve used, and temporary files you’ve downloaded.

This can be convenient if you can’t remember your login details or if you’re trying to recall a website you visited a few days ago. The feature also helps speed up the loading time of websites you frequently visit. But if someone else uses or gains access to your computer, your most private internet activities are exposed for that user to see and exploit.

Private browsing is a feature known by various names across different browsers. For instance, it’s called Incognito Mode in Chrome and InPrivate Browsing in Edge. When you use this feature, the browser does not record your browsing history, passwords, and temporary files. Instead, all this information is discarded as soon as you close the browser. You’re also instantly logged out of all accounts you accessed using the private window, which comes in handy when you’re using a public or shared computer.

Furthermore, tracking cookies are not stored when you surf the internet with a private browser. Such cookies are small bits of data used to identify your computer. Sites like Facebook use cookies to know your preferences based on your online behavior, such as which sites you visit. By doing this, they can personalize the ads on their platform, ensuring that the ads you see are for products and services you’re likely to take interest in.

What are the limitations of private browsing?

Although private browsing prevents your web browser from storing your data, it doesn’t stop anyone from snooping on your online activities in real-time. If your computer is connected to the company network, system administrators can still track what you’re browsing, even if you’re in Incognito Mode.

Also, if spyware or keylogger malware is installed on your computer, hackers will still be able to see what you’re doing online. Even though private browsing has quite a few benefits, you shouldn’t solely depend on it for online privacy. Instead, you should use a virtual private network (VPN) when you go online. This tool encrypts your internet connection and prevents anyone from intercepting your data. And don’t forget to use a strong anti-malware program to scan your computer and keep spyware and other malicious web monitoring software at bay.

If you want to know where you can get these solutions or learn more about web browser security, call us today. We have the tools and expert advice you need to prevent anyone from snooping on your internet browsing.

This New Malware Steals Passwords From Popular Browsers

A new threat has appeared on the horizon. Even if the name is not familiar to you, this malware strain is definitely bad news.

Called RedLine, it is an information-stealing malware that specifically targets popular web browsers including Opera, Microsoft’s Edge browser, and Chrome.

Unfortunately, many people have come to rely on their trusty web browser to store and remember their passwords for them. RedLine takes advantage of this and the group behind the code has found a way to crack the browser open and grab the passwords stored within.

Even worse is that RedLine isn’t just isolated to a single gang or group of cybercriminals.  Instead, it is being offered as a commodity on the Dark Web. That means anybody with about $200 USD can buy a copy and start harvesting the credentials of anyone they infect.

While it is true that passwords stored inside web browsers are encrypted, RedLine can programmatically decrypt those passwords if they are logged in as the same user which is very much the case here.  RedLine runs as the user who was infected, which means that all of their passwords are open to the person controlling the malware.

Even though it’s really convenient, the bottom line is that it’s dangerous to have all of your passwords stored inside your web browser.  If you insist on going that route, then your best bet by far is to enable two-factor authentication on every website you visit frequently that offers it. That’s so that at least if your passwords are compromised, the hackers who gain access to the information still can’t easily access your accounts.

Given how RedLine is being marketed on the Dark Web we can expect to see a surge in attacks using the malware in the months ahead.  It’s going to get a lot worse before it starts getting any better.

Everything You Need To Know About Identity And Access Management Systems

Every day, your employees use applications and sensitive business data. Hackers, on the other hand, are out to steal the same information for their own gain. Worse yet, workers who turn rogue can easily steal your data. This is why implementing an identity and access management (IAM) solution is critical.

What is IAM?

Identity and access management is a system that secures, stores, and manages user identities and access privileges. It ensures that users are who they say they are and will grant access to applications and resources only to those who have permission to use them. System administrators can enforce this system to give employees access to only the apps and data they need for work.

Other solutions that go into IAM include single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). The former allows users to securely log in to multiple applications that they are authorized to access. Meanwhile, MFA sets an additional method of user verification other than passwords. This includes fingerprint scans, facial ID, or a one-time security code sent via SMS.

These security solutions are designed to protect digital assets even if users attempt to access company accounts through mobile devices and the cloud.

CENTRALIZE ACCESS CONTROL

Too much access to certain systems is risky, while too little can hamper productivity and frustrate users. IAM strikes the perfect balance by letting you set centralized policies for the right access privileges. For example, you can deny your design team access to the accounting system while granting it to your CFO.

Each user’s role and attribute can be used to determine which resources they’re allowed to access and to what extent. This not only offers better security, but also more flexibility and ease of management.

LOWER CHANCES OF DATA BREACHES

With SSO and MFA, your employees will no longer have to remember multiple passwords. Instead, they’ll be able to prove their identity using evidence-based authorization such as answering a personal question that only they would know. IAM also comes equipped with advanced encryption tools to protect sensitive data, reducing the risk of compromised user credentials.

IMPROVE USER EXPERIENCE

Customers today interact with your company across multiple channels, whether in the cloud or via third-party applications. This is where IAM helps provide a better experience through SSO, self-service capabilities, and unified customer profiles that make communication processes quick and easy.

Your employees, on the other hand, will be able to access the information they need securely and conveniently no matter where they are. This means productivity will no longer be confined to their office desk.

ACHIEVE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Businesses today must meet the constantly changing regulatory requirements concerning data access governance and privacy management. IAM was designed with exactly that in mind and provides control over who can access data and how it can be used and shared.

REDUCE IT COSTS

IAM automates and standardizes many aspects of identity, authentication, and authorization management. This means you’ll be able to minimize significant labor costs associated with keeping your business environment secure.

An identity and access management solution equips you with much-needed security without compromising on usability and convenience. To operate in a digital business environment, it’s not a matter of if but when you’ll adopt IAM within your company.

If you’re looking to enhance company-wide security, whether with IAM or other solutions, why not give Net Activity a call? We can definitely help with that!

5 Tips to Enhance Your Wireless Connection’s Strength

With more businesses moving in the direction of remote connections and mobile devices, it’s no surprise that wireless Internet is such a pain point for organizations. Sometimes it can be an exercise in frustration to connect to your office’s wireless network, and you might not really know what to do about it. Here are some ideas to try and increase your wireless network’s strength or signal.

Check Your Connection First

Since your router speed is based on the speed of your organization’s wired connection, your first recourse should be to check if you are getting the speed that you’re supposed to have. You can do this by running a speed test via a wired connection. If the numbers don’t add up, you may have to contact your Internet service provider or replace your modem. You should also consider testing your speed on a mobile device that connects wirelessly to the network, but do so close to the device; this will help you determine if it’s a structural problem or one involving the router itself.

Reexamine Router Placement

Depending on your office’s setup, the physical placement of your router could be negatively affecting your organization’s wireless connection. A generally good practice is to keep your router in a location that is out in the open, far from walls and other obstructions, so that they cannot interfere with the wireless signal. If you want your signal to reach all parts of your office, then it should be placed at the center (or as close as possible) to distribute an even connection across the area.

Update Your Router

Just like any other device on your network, your wireless router has firmware that must be updated from time to time. The process for updating your router will vary depending on the manufacturer, so we recommend working with our technicians at Directive to see if your router needs to be updated or not. Oftentimes updating your firmware can allow for enhanced performance in general, so it certainly does not hurt to do it every so often.

Implement a Wireless Extender

If all of your efforts to resolve your wireless network issues simply do not work, then perhaps the coverage issue is caused by the area being too large to be covered by your single router. You can expand your wireless network’s range with an extender, essentially rebroadcasting your signal to reach parts of your office that wouldn’t otherwise receive the connection.

If All Else Fails, Use a Wired Connection When Possible

It stands to reason that the fewer devices that connect to a wireless network, the faster it will be. Therefore, if you can utilize wired connections for devices like desktops and laptops, then you should. This keeps the signals from getting gummed up with tons of traffic while you are trying to connect to the wireless network.

Sometimes it is hard to get your wireless connection to work the way you want it to. Net Activity can help you make any needed adjustments to your business’s wireless network or its network device settings. For more assistance or information, contact us at 216-503-5150.