March 1st, 2024 → 4:24 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Tax season is around the corner, which means so are tax scams. Without fail, every year, individuals and business owners alike fall victim to tax scams, resulting in the loss of substantial amounts of money and sensitive personal data. According to the Better Business Bureau, taxpayers lost $5.7 billion due to tax scams and fraud in 2022 alone. In today’s article, you’ll discover the top scams you need to be on the lookout for to reduce your chances of becoming these scammers’ next victim. The IRS has specific methods of contacting you One way to lessen your chances of falling for Internal Revenue Service scams is to know how the IRS will contact you. Per the IRS website, the IRS will not initiate communication with taxpayers through e-mail, text messages or social media platforms for the purpose of soliciting personal or financial information. The IRS’s main method of communication is […]
March 1st, 2024 → 4:18 pm @ kamind // No Comments
A concept image showing a one hundred dollar banknote used as bait attached to a treble fishhook and fishing line on an isolated white background What you are about to read is a real story showing you how a business can be devastated by cybercriminals in the blink of an eye. Most importantly, I’ll share several ways this could have been avoided. Make sure to forward this to anyone who might be making online payments and, better yet, your entire staff. The name of the company and principals have been withheld so they don’t become a further target. $43,000 Gone In The Blink Of An Eye Imagine, on a normal Friday night after a long week of work, you glance down at your phone and see an alert from your bank. You open it to find that you’ve just paid a company you’ve never heard of $43,000! This was an […]
February 1st, 2024 → 4:38 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Each year on February 1st, we celebrate Change Your Password Day. While it’s not a holiday that gets you off work, it serves as a good opportunity each year to do a quick check-in and make sure you’re using strong passwords that will keep your accounts protected. The suggested ‘rule’ used to be to change your password every three months. With advanced tools like password managers and data encryption, experts now say the type of password you use is more important than how often you create a new one. We’re sharing up-to-date advice on how to create a strong password that will keep your account secure and hackers guessing. Make It Complex Aim for complexity by combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid easily guessable information like birthdays, names or common words. The more intricate and unique your password, the harder it is for hackers to crack […]
February 1st, 2024 → 4:33 pm @ kamind // No Comments
The year of 2023 marked a significant turning point for cyber-attacks with the introduction and wide proliferation of AI (artificial intelligence), now in the hands of people who wish to do you harm and who are actively using it to find faster and easier ways to rob you, extort you or simply burn your business to the ground. As I write this, I’m well aware there’s a tendency to shrug and just accept the “we’re all gonna get hacked anyway” mantra to avoid having to deal with it. Further, like overhyped weather reports, it’s also tempting to just ignore the warning signs, thinking all of this is just fearmongering rhetoric designed to sell stuff. However, it truly is becoming a situation where the question is no longer IF your organization will be hacked, but WHEN. The Hiscox Cyber Readiness report recently revealed that 53% of all businesses suffered at least […]
December 27th, 2023 → 7:50 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Have you ever searched for a specific website but landed on a completely different one after misspelling a letter or two in the URL? This deceptive tactic is known as cybersquatting. This practice not only jeopardizes the online presence of businesses and individuals but also poses a significant challenge in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber security. The scariest part is that you can be a victim of a cybersquatted domain and not even realize it. Here’s what you need to know about this type of cybercrime: What Is Cybersquatting? Cybersquatting, also known as domain squatting, involves the malevolent act of registering a domain name that is confusingly similar to that of a legitimate entity, be it a business, organization or individual. The primary motive behind this maneuver is often financial gain, with cybersquatters aiming to exploit the recognition and success of well-known brands. However, the repercussions extend beyond monetary losses, […]
December 27th, 2023 → 7:46 pm @ kamind // No Comments
If you’re hoping to cut costs and boost profitability in 2024 without compromising productivity or efficiency, assessing the technology you use in day-to-day operations is one of the first areas in your business to examine. We’ve created a road map that you can use to go step-by-step through your organization to determine if and where you can be saving money or utilizing new or better technology to improve operational efficiency. 1. Technology Inventory: Conduct a comprehensive inventory of your current technology assets, including hardware, software licenses and peripherals like monitors, printers, keyboards, etc. Identify outdated or underutilized equipment that can be upgraded or decommissioned. 2. Software Licensing And Subscriptions: Review all software licenses and subscriptions to ensure compliance. Identify any unused or redundant software and eliminate unnecessary expenses. 3. Cloud Services Optimization: Evaluate your usage of cloud services and consider optimizing resources based on actual needs. Monitor and adjust cloud […]
December 1st, 2023 → 6:10 pm @ kamind // No Comments
In today’s hyperconnected world, cybersecurity is a critical concern for individuals and organizations alike. However, as the digital landscape evolves, so do the myths and misconceptions surrounding cybersecurity. If you want to be protected, you have to understand what the real threats are and how you could be unknowingly overlooking them every single day. In this article, we will debunk 5 common cybersecurity myths to help you stay informed and protected as you take your business into 2024. Myth 1: “I’m too small to be a target.” One of the most dangerous cybersecurity myths is the belief that cybercriminals only target large organizations. In reality, cyber-attacks do not discriminate by size. Small businesses, start-ups and individuals are as susceptible to cyberthreats as larger enterprises. Cybercriminals often target smaller entities precisely because they may lack robust cybersecurity measures, making them easier prey. To stay safe, everyone should prioritize cybersecurity, regardless of […]
December 1st, 2023 → 4:09 pm @ kamind // No Comments
The infamous Xenomorph Android malware, known for targeting 56 European banks in 2022, is back and in full force targeting US banks, financial institutions and cryptocurrency wallets. The cyber security and fraud detection company ThreatFabric has called this one of the most advanced and dangerous Android malware variants they’ve seen. This malware is being spread mostly by posing as a Chrome browser or Google Play Store update. When a user clicks on the “update,” it installs the malware designed to automate the process of accessing your online accounts and extracting and transferring funds. Besides being alert to this scam (and you should let your spouse, partners and family know as well), you should be aware of a few ways to protect yourself: Avoid links and attachments in any unsolicited e-mail. Simply previewing a document could infect your device, so never open or click on anything suspicious. To update your browser, […]
October 24th, 2023 → 7:02 pm @ kamind // No Comments
USM Technology Assists Heritage Health Solutions With A Backup Recovery Center Project (And More!) To Mitigate Future Technology Risks Heritage Health Solutions specializes in creating customized healthcare solutions for government entities, private companies, and even correctional facilities. The team at Heritage Health removes the complexity involved in providing pharmacy and medical solutions. They offer pharmacy benefit management services, third-party administration services, and provider network services nationwide. Because of the specialized expertise within the organization, Heritage Health helps its clients achieve major cost savings, delivers better benefits to covered parties, and refreshes their benefits approach year over year. For many leaders, navigating medical and pharmacy benefits is out of their expertise. The industry is incredibly nuanced and ever-changing, making it hard to keep up with new regulations, coverage changes, and more. They’re used to being the experts, but just like they encourage their clients to do, it’s important to understand internal […]
September 29th, 2023 → 5:06 pm @ kamind // No Comments
Record-setting 10.1 million jobs opened in the United States last year. About 11.5 million workers quit just in the second quarter of 2021. Forty-one percent of the global workforce would consider leaving their current employer within the next year. Fifty-four percent of Gen Z are considering quitting. When is the best time to invest in your customer experience? Eighteen months ago. When is the second-best time? Now! Now is the time to make your organization’s customer experience your single biggest competitive advantage. You and your company are either an expense that can be found cheaper somewhere else or one of the few businesses that customers can’t live without. In order to be the brand customers can’t live without, you need to focus on creating an emotional connection on every interaction with your customers. Here are seven ways to create an emotional connection with your customers: Focus on the Micro Moments […]
