Ransomware: A New Kind of Cyber-Attack

Ransomware is increasingly in the news, and you might even have been affected by it.

Ransomware is malicious software, often spread by a Trojan virus, which can block access to a user’s files. Simple ransomware attacks can sometimes be circumvented by a knowledgeable user, but sophisticated attacks will encrypt the user’s files. This renders their files completely inaccessible until the ransom is paid, often via cyptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are difficult to track.

Unfortunately, this kind of cyber-attack is becoming very common.

Read more about it on our website!

Cyber-Attacks: A Threat to Every Business

Shark Tank host Barbara Corcoran was recently targeted by what’s known as “spear phishing.” All of us think we’re smart enough to detect phishing, but it’s not all mass emails from Nigerian princes. Spear phishing isn’t a mass email, hoping to fool one or two gullible users. Instead, this technique targets an individual with information and language specific to them. 

Think about how quickly you read the average email. Like most of us, you probably scan it and glance at the sender. It’s not particularly difficult for a hacker to exploit this—in fact. Luckily, this means you can defend against phishing attacks too.

Read more about this scam, and what you can do to prevent phishing!

Providing Security and IT Support in Ann Arbor

It’s all over the news: “Shark Tank” host Barbara Corcoran lost nearly $400,000 in a recent email scam. 

You don’t have to be a millionaire investor to be targeted by cyber-attacks like this! In fact, some 43 percent of cyber-attacks target small businesses.

Luckily, NSG has network security and email solutions suited for small business. If you need IT support in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan or are tired of spam and phishing, we’ve got your back!

Read more about Corcoran and what you can do to protectyour business from cyber-attacks!

It Support & Network Security for 2020

Does your business maintain business class antivirus software?
What about onsite or offsite data backups?

With every new ransomware attack or critical data breach - it feels like an uphill battle you can’t win. But there are things you can do for your business right now to prevent cyber-attacks and help you recover from a catastrophic hit:

• Business Class Antivirus Software
• Onsite and offsite data backups
• Maintain complicated passwords
• Up to date equipment
• Train your staff
• And you need to maintain software upgrades as they occur

Enacting even two or three of these steps is better than doing nothing. A virus that takes out a critical piece of hardware is going to hurt. However, it’s far less severe if you have some of these security measures in place.

Learn more about business It Support and Network Security for 2020

Network Services Group, LLC
IT Support and Network Security in Ann Arbor, MI

Cybersecurity is an active effort. You need to pay attention!

Do you maintain your antivirus software?

How often do you change your passwords?

IT Support Specialist Ann Arbor, MI

Cybersecurity isn't a "set it and forget it" job. It's a constant effort. It's not always convenient to see a notice that your antivirus needs to install an update - but it's essential. It's easy to click on familiar looking emails. When you're working remote it's convenient to hook into the coffee shop WiFi - but that may not be the coffee shop's actual router! Your cybersecurity requires constant awareness.

Click here for steps you can take right now

Network Services Group LLC
IT Support Specialist for Ann Arbor, MI Businesses

Microsoft Security Essentials ALSO Ending Jan 14th 2020

Say "goodbye" to Microsoft Security Essentials 

Need IT solutions for your Ann Arbor, MI business to stay secure?

IT Solutions Ann Arbor, MI

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 and Server 2008 January 14th 2020. While they will continue to offer upgrades for nominal fees, the writing is on the wall for this operating system. The proverbial goose is cooked – it’s time to make plans to upgrade your business workstations to Windows 10 because Microsoft Security Essentials will so be ending! No new malware signature updates will be available after the Windows 7 end of support.


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Network Services Group LLC
IT Solutions in Ann Arbor, MI

Do You Use The Same Password For Every Account?

It’s recommended that you change your passwords every 30 days to ensure your cybersecurity. While that may be inconvenient, it does help prevent critical data breaches. Even if you can’t change important business passwords that often, routine changes keep your business safe. That said, the worst thing you can do is reuse the same password for every single account!

It’s easy to just reuse the same password for every single account. People do this in their business as well as their personal lives. Sure, that password could be fifteen characters long – but if you’ve used it for every account, it only needs to be compromised once. Recently thousands of Disney+ subscribers have had their accounts compromised and taken over by hackers simply because they used an already compromised password! Now you have to wonder how many of those people used that same password for their business or at work?

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Network Services Group LLC
IT Solutions for Ann Arbor, MI Businesses