computer security Archives - NetServ - Orange County IT Company

Prepping Your Accounting Firm’s Technology for 2019

Sometimes the rate at which technology evolves nowadays can feel downright dizzying—to the point that businesses can have a difficult time keeping up. 2019 promises to continue this trend as we expect a continued proliferation of “smart devices” and more integrations of machine learning and artificial intelligence in our hardware and software. That said, with a bit of advance preparation, it’s possible to get ahead of the curve, or at least keep up with it. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your accounting firm’s technology is on track for 2019.

QuickBooks IT Vulnerabilities: What Accountants Need to Know

Accountants and small accounting firms face an ongoing conundrum today when it comes to IT security. They are required to work with online access and cloud-based systems which can be subject to cyberattack and hacking—yet they are expected to guard their clients’ personal data at all times. QuickBooks, the software of choice for many accountants, presents its own set of vulnerabilities when personal data is transmitted online—not due to its weaknesses as a system, but simply due to the fact that it carries personal financial information, which frequently makes it a target.

Tips for Smart Password Creation and Management for Small Businesses

A favorite hacking technique among cybercriminals is simply to discover and use existing passwords. Weak or easy-to-guess passwords can be cracked in minutes using software, and stored passwords left unencrypted can easily be mined if the wrong person gains access to your computer or desk. As a small business owner, you must protect your interests not only by creating robust passwords, but also by managing those passwords safely. Let’s explore a few proven principles for creating and managing passwords effectively and safely.

True Life Small Business Cybersecurity Horror Stories – Part 2

Many small business owners not only assume they are safe from hackers due to their size. Let’s continue exploring some true-to-life cybersecurity horror stories of small businesses that might convince you otherwise.

Go-Cart Racing Business Victimized by Phishing

Phishing scams can be very clever and can frighten business owners into giving out personal data under a false sense of urgency. Entrepreneur Rick Snow testified before Congress that he became such a victim, causing his Scarborough, Maine go-cart racing company to come up short on its payroll. As Fox Business reports, after receiving a fake email convincing him to update his banking passwords, Snow woke up one morning to find his business account completely drained—on a payday when his employees were expecting their checks. “We were supporting a number of families, many of which live paycheck-to-paycheck…” he said. “I was also very worried about our business’ reputation since a restaurant nearby had just bounced their paychecks and the company never recovered from the bad publicity they received…Phishing can happen to anyone, phishing attacks are meant to scare you and make you act without thinking.”

True Life Scary Small Business Cyberattacks – Part 1

Small business owners are often lulled into a false sense of safety when it comes to their cybersecurity. They figure hackers and cybercriminals won’t be interested in them because of their small size. However, that false security is just the sort of thing the hackers count on—they love to target small businesses because they haven’t taken steps to protect their data and are usually easy to hack. If you’ve fallen into the snare of believing you’re “safe enough” as a small business, the following true-life horror stories might change your point of view.

FAQs about Small Business Cybersecurity – Part 2

Cybersecurity can be a daunting topic for small business owners, and many have more questions than answers. Let’s address a few more frequently asked questions about how to protect your business’ online presence.

What are some cybersecurity best practices?

Every small business should have an individualized cybersecurity plan and strategy tailored to their needs. However, most companies can protect themselves at a baseline level with the following practices:

FAQs about Small Business Cybersecurity – Part 1

At a time when it seems every day we hear about some new data breach or system being hacked, cybersecurity is one of the most critical issues facing corporations and businesses today. Small businesses can be hacked just as well as large companies, yet many small business owners have very little idea about how to protect themselves and their companies online. The following set of FAQs should help provide some background on this important issue.