Another post about passwords? Yep. Passwords are everywhere. Our internet of things aren’t exempt. Wikipedia defines the Internet of Things as a “…network of physical objects—”things” or objects—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.”

Popular devices that are part of this network include smart home devices such as security systems, device-controlled lighting, AC and heating systems. These things make our lives so much easier and grant us peace of mind. Out of town? Well just pop into the security camera to make sure everything is okay. On your way home from work? Well just log in and adjust the thermostat so your home is nice and comfy before you get there.

Sounds good right? Protect these great features by changing the default password on each device. All it takes is an internet search of the device brand and the whole world has the username and password set by the manufacturer. I’m sure you’ve heard the horror stories of people hacking into home security cameras and terrorizing its owner. It’s scary but we can each do our part by updating the default password.

We’ve talked about some of the dangers of public Wi-fi but now it’s time to bring it home. Is your home network password protected? I know. It is annoying when the field technician comes out to get your internet up and running then he gives you this super long, absolutely impossible to remember password. Our friends and family come over and say, “Hey what’s the Wi-Fi password?” Now you’re scratching your head and digging through all the information the tech left.

This will have you wanting to remove the password altogether but stay strong. Do not do it.  Secure wi-fi at home is just as important. Attackers can access your network just as easily as they can on public Wi-fi.  Our guards are down when we’re home so we’re accessing sensitive data without a second thought and attackers are counting on it.

Unsecured wi-fi at home will also open yourself up to neighbors connecting and draining all your bandwidth. That means while you’re trying to surf the net it’s going super slow because your neighbor is connected to the wi-fi probably streaming music and movies on your dime.

Protect your home network. After all you wouldn’t keep your front door unlocked right?

We’ve all heard the term “spring showers”. Well here in Texas it’s more than just a shower. It’s complete with lightening, thunder and tornadoes! Not fun at all. What could be worse than being kept up all night with the threat of severe weather looming? A lightening strike that fries any device you have plugged into an outlet.

A surge protector can help protect against such events. Make sure your TVs, computer monitors, desktops and laptop chargers are all plugged into a surge protector at all times. It could really save some heartache and money too.

We’re always looking for a way to stay connected when we’re out and about. Especially for our devices that don’t have unlimited cellular data. Most of your major fast-food restaurants have free public Wi-Fi. You may even find that free Wi-Fi is available while you get your oil changed or while you wait for your flight at the airport.

Connecting to unprotected networks can leave you vulnerable to attacks from those looking to steal data on your device. The most common type of threat to open Wi-Fi is a Man-in-the-Middle attack. In this type of attack the hacker sits between the public network and your computer without you even knowing. They can steal passwords, hijack your email, text messages and more.

If public Wi-Fi absolutely must be used, only access those that require a password. Do not access any sensitive information like bank accounts while connected and try to use a VPN (virtual private network) when possible. A VPN sends data through an encrypted tunnel and makes it difficult for attackers to steal data.

Play it safe. Say no to free Wi-Fi.

Many websites are beginning to incorporate more password security measures these days. Especially in the wake of a growing number of cyber security incidents. You’ve seen it: “Your password has expired. Please enter a new password to continue.”

It’s a gentle reminder to change your password but not everyone has implemented this feature. So the question is, how old is your password? We’ve touched on it before but it can’t be said enough. Passwords should be changed regularly, whether the site requires it or not.

If you’ve received one of those dreaded “Our company data has been breached” notices, stop what you’re doing and change your password right away. Always do your part to keep your accounts safe.

We see these signs everywhere right? I admit, there are times when this sign is the furthest thing from my mind. Especially, if I’m just running into the corner store for something. I think, “Hey I’ll be back in like two minutes. What can possible happen that fast?”

The answer: A lot!!!

When you’re out and about make sure your devices are with you, completely hidden and you lock your car door. By completely hidden, I mean in your trunk, before you get to your destination. It’s no good to pull up to a parking lot and throw your laptop, tablet, phone etc into the trunk…where prying eyes can see.

Locking it isn’t just about your car. If you’re in the office, local coffee shop or friend’s house be sure to lock your screen. A quick ctrl-alt-del will keep others out of your business until you’re back. Well, if you’re in a coffee shop please don’t leave your computer on the table unless it’s physically locked down but that’s another topic for another time.

What in the world are all of these pop up windows?

I thought I was downloading a game but now my computer is acting crazy!

Your files are now encrypted! Click here to pay and have your files released.

What is happening? Malware! Malware is software that is created to intentionally create havoc within your computer. There are many types of malware including Ransomware , spyware, worms and trojan horse.

Malware can usually be identified by randomly missing files, pop up windows, fake virus software, etc. These are very serious and can affect anyone from your standard home user to major corporations. PurpleSec estimated the cost of Ransomware attacks in 2020 at $20 billion.

Always be on alert. Be very careful about the links you click and any software you need to install.

Stay safe everyone!

Happy New Year from Crowned Computer Services!  We definitely hope that 2021 is much better than the year before. Remember to call us if you need us and we look forward to working with you soon.

Protecting your mobile device requires so much more than just a case (although there are so many that skip the case *cringe*). Mobile device protection should be approached in the same manner in which you would with your computer. Always password protect your device. Enable remote wipe in the event that your phone is lost or stolen.

Never open, respond to or click links within text threads from people that you do not know. Doing either of these things could result in your address book being compromised. Now friends and family are receiving spam texts. Your calendar could also be compromised and spammed with annoying “meeting invites” that constantly send reminders for something you never signed up for.

Protect your device today…and grab a case too 🙂

Bank accounts, email accounts, cash app accounts, social media accounts. Today it’s more important than ever to protect your all accounts as they contain very sensitive information about you. Hackers and thieves are lurking waiting for an opportunity to steal your information.

Here’s how you can protect your accounts.

1. Don’t open emails from people you don’t know. We’ve covered this before but it’s still so important. See the blog post about Phishing.
2. Set strong passwords. At least 8 characters including upper and lower case letters and a number. Don’t write it down and tape it on your computer because it defeats the purpose.
3. When possible enable two factor authentication. Recently someone used my debit card to make a purchase from a well known shoe company in the amount of $170. I was so hurt. I have no idea how this happened but I went into the security settings of my bank and cash app accounts as well my email and enabled two factor authentication. Now, when I log in with my username and password, a 5 digit code is sent to my phone as well and I have to enter that before I have complete access to my online accounts.

Do what you have to do to protect your accounts today!