Firewalls Computer Security

High security standards are vital to the success of any business. We use firewalls to secure the data stored on your computer networks. Our highly trained staff will keep you up to date by spotting weak links in your system and suggestion an upgrade if one is needed.

Data is the life blood of business its safety is the difference between success and failure. That is why we offer our back-up service, to protect you. Protecting your data is protecting your business. Just think if that data was lost? How would it affect you? Our automated backup service, backs-up your data to our secure server, protecting you from data loss. We provide a free audit of your data and advice on how we can help to save you from data loss. 

Ransomware

Ransomware stops you from using your computers. It holds your computer or files for "ransom". 

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s data, then demands payment in exchange for unlocking the data. This attack was caused by a bug called “WanaCrypt0r 2.0” or WannaCry, that exploits a vulnerability in Windows. Microsoft released a patch (a software update that fixes the problem) for the flaw in March, but computers that have not installed the security update remain vulnerable. 

The ransomware demands users pay $300 worth of cryptocurrency Bitcoin to retrieve their files, though it warns that the “payment will be raised” after a certain amount of time. Translations of the ransom message in 28 languages are included. The malware spreads through email.

Red Dune has seen this attack several times in the past and has helped in getting businesses back up and running. Our clients that have signed up for ransomware protection are safe, is your business?

Solution

The importance here is to get your business systems up to date to protect you from this virus before your data is hacked.

• Windows XP is no longer secure. Microsoft stopped providing security updates in 2014. Windows XP can be a major security issue. Do not use a Windows XP computer and contact us about and upgrade.
  
• Make sure all your computers are fully updated. This means running Windows Update fully. Microsoft provided an update in the last few months to help. This is delivered via Windows Update.
  
• Get some good antivirus software on all computers and servers.
• Educate your staff about the virus. In many instances ransomware is spread when an infected attachment is opened.
• Make sure your email system is efficient at removing viruses.
  
• Back up all your data regularly and keep it on a device not connected to your network. The best solution is cloud backup, particularly where the cloud backup stores consecutive versions each time a file is changed.
  
• Speak to Red Dune about how we can help with regular health checks from a little as £35 plus vat per month.
  

Standard routers like BT Business Hub include a firewall but in most cases they are not capable of filtering out this attack. New hardware is available that will protect from ransomware, it filters internet traffic and removes the virus. This is specialist hardware that we can supply and maintain for you.

Cyber Resilience

We offer an in depth security review to our customers to ensure that their systems and users are protected against all modern day cyber attacks. Want to read more about our Cyber Resilience test? Click here

8 Tips on Virus prevention

Don't open email attachments unless you have vigorously checked that they are genuine. Email addresses can be mimicked by hackers and can make you think you are receiving a file from someone you know. Here are some things to look out for:

1A) Hover over all links to see where it what website they are asking you to open. Check the link is one you  recognise.
           
1B) check with the person that sent it if you not expecting it.
   
If you are unsure then forward us (email@reddune.com) the email and we will inspect it for you.
    

Always put your files into SharePoint/OneDrive to prevent loss due to encryption. Files on the desktop or any hard drive in the computer can be encrypted and/or attacked by viruses. Once a file is encrypted it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to decrypt it. Ensuring your files are stored in the cloud means that even if they do get encrypted we will be able to get them back.

Don’t use open Wi-Fi points. These open points do not require a password to connect to them. These are often set up by hackers to gain access to your device to put malware on it or steal your details. Once the malware is on your device your device will become a week link when connected to your place of works network and makes it easier for the virus to get in.

Do not install web extensions. Web extensions are applications (such as Java) that run in your internet browser. Most of these extensions are either harmless or helpful but some can be used to steal details and or put adverts and pop ups on your computer.

Do not click on pop ups. Pop up ads are very common on the internet even on websites that are completely harmless. However some of these adds are unmoderated on some websites and they can be used to lure you in using a technique called "Phishing" Often advertising things such as "You've won the newest iPhone" They will ask you to input your personal details.

Do not connect any unsecure devices to the network. While most computer's and phones have built in defences against viruses, peripherals such as memory sticks do not. Memory sticks are one of the fastest ways to spread viruses as not all computers scan them by default. Always be careful with anything you plug in to computer at work.

Ignore all Phone calls from people claiming to be IT support unless you know they are genuine. If in doubt, hang up and call the number on their website. Most of these are scammers and will try and get remote access to your computer. Once they have got this they will quickly change your password to kick you off and sometimes even encrypt your files.

Avoid phishing sites. They work similar to pop up adds in the way that they still your personal information. However these are actually websites instead of adverts. The easiest way to avoid getting caught by these is to not put any sensitive information into a website that doesn't start with https://
It will also have a green padlock to the left of it if it is safe.

5 ways to detect a phishing email

Want to read more about spotting phishing emails? Click here to taken our page on spotting phishing emails.