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Ferrum Technology Services Blog

Ferrum Technology Services has been serving the Elgin area since 2007, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Keep Access Secure with a Router Password Repository

Keep Access Secure with a Router Password Repository

If you have ever forgotten your wireless router’s password, then you know that a factory reset might be imminent—assuming of course that you have changed your password in the first place (which you should have). For situations like these where you want to avoid a factory reset, you can use this router password repository to find your default credentials.

Understanding How You Get Malware will Help You Avoid It

Understanding How You Get Malware will Help You Avoid It

Malware has plagued anyone using technology for a long time, and while security has certainly gone a long way toward protecting users from malware, so too have the threats grown more powerful and dangerous—especially for businesses. Let’s take a look at some common ways individuals might find themselves with a malware problem.

The No More Ransom Initiative is Helping Organizations Deal with Ransomware

The No More Ransom Initiative is Helping Organizations Deal with Ransomware

Ransomware is an incredibly potent threat that has ravaged the cybersecurity landscape for several years now. Many users who get struck by ransomware feel like they have no choice but to pay the ransom, but others have banded together to create a community of resilience in the face of such a threat. Thanks to the efforts of one particular agency, victims of malware can enjoy access to malware removal tools for free.

USB Drives Carry a Lot of Business Risk in a Tiny Package

USB Drives Carry a Lot of Business Risk in a Tiny Package

There’s nothing more intriguing than finding a random USB drive while cleaning up your office or while out and about. You might feel the urge to plug it in and discover its contents, but we are here to tell you that this is often a bad idea—particularly if the drive is unfamiliar to you. Unlike cloud storage, which is quite transparent, you don’t know what’s on a USB drive until you plug it in, and it’s often too late by the time this happens.

The Zeppelin Group is Making Us Ramble On About Ransomware

The Zeppelin Group is Making Us Ramble On About Ransomware

We apologize for the pun, but we couldn’t help ourselves.

When you go about your business and attempt to onboard a new client or implement a new tool for your company, you spend time getting to know what your business is doing and why. Well, a newly formed ransomware group will spend up to two weeks mapping your network before launching its attacks, making it a potent threat actor that you should keep an eye out for on your business network.

Considering LastPass’ Breach, Should Password Managers Be Trusted?

Considering LastPass’ Breach, Should Password Managers Be Trusted?

It’s been about a month since LastPass—one of the most well-known and popular password managers out there—suffered a security breach where attackers managed to worm their way into the systems where LastPass stored its source code. Let’s review the situation, and what your response should be.

Improve Privacy By Managing App Location

Improve Privacy By Managing App Location

Mobile devices have cemented themselves in day-to-day life, so much so that people feel uncomfortable when they don’t know where their smartphone is or if they don’t have it on their person. Furthermore, devices can keep track of your location; this goes for the applications on your device, as well. How do you keep track of which devices have these privileges, and what do you do to manage them?

Taking a Look at the True Cost of Ransomware

Taking a Look at the True Cost of Ransomware

Imagine your business becomes the target of a ransomware attack. The situation is dire, and you need access to your data. You decide to pay the ransom, even though all security professionals advocate for the opposite. The worst is behind you, you think. This is unfortunately not the case; there are countless other costs that ransomware can bring to the table, and none of them are good. Let’s examine the true cost of ransomware beyond just the ransom.

Business Technology Challenges You’ve Got to Think About

Business Technology Challenges You’ve Got to Think About

Business technology is far from the easiest thing to manage, and it’s mostly because managing technology is not the sole focus of companies (unless you’re us, of course). If you can’t overcome your IT challenges, your business could be held back needlessly. Let’s go over some of the common issues your organization might face with regards to technology management and maintenance. 

There Are Few More Serious Security Problems than Phishing

There Are Few More Serious Security Problems than Phishing

Phishing is a serious matter, so serious that it is responsible for a quarter of all data breaches. Therefore, you need to consider it a threat to your business, whether you think these attacks are obvious or not. Phishing is a popular tool in the hacker’s arsenal, so you should be prepared to address it with your staff to preserve your business’ future.

Is Your Business One of These Ransomware Targets?

Is Your Business One of These Ransomware Targets?

Ransomware does not discriminate by industry, audience, business size, or otherwise. It will always be a threat to your organization, no matter what you do or who you serve. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly targeted industries that ransomware is used against.

Don’t Make These Cybersecurity Mistakes Before Going on Vacation

Don’t Make These Cybersecurity Mistakes Before Going on Vacation

Whether you are sitting on a warm beach, taking a scenic train ride out into the countryside, or camping at the foot of a mountain, a vacation can be a great way to disconnect from the everyday buzz of work and screens. Although, if you are like me, you probably bring a few screens with you… let’s assume you keep it to a minimum. Either way, it’s important to not set yourself up for failure when you get back.

4 Cybersecurity Tactics that Smart Businesses Have Adopted

4 Cybersecurity Tactics that Smart Businesses Have Adopted

In today’s world of cyberattacks and cybercriminals, it’s more important than ever that you are taking the appropriate steps to protect your organization from all manners of threats. We have a list of cybersecurity best practices that you should consider following for your organization’s computing infrastructure. Let’s take a look.

Tip of the Week: 4 Frontline Password and Security Tips

Tip of the Week: 4 Frontline Password and Security Tips

If you want to secure your online accounts, then this starts with proper password practices. A good password can make all the difference in securing an account, and despite us constantly advocating for additional solutions and security measures, you should never discredit the importance of a password. Let’s go over some of the best ways you can use better passwords in your day-to-day lives.

How to Apply a Security Policy that Works

How to Apply a Security Policy that Works

The modern business is faced with countless challenges that threaten its existence, many of which stem from the problems associated with network security. If a business doesn’t have policies, procedures, and solutions in place that protect its data and network, it is making a fatal mistake. Here are five suggestions we have for how you can ensure your network is best protected from security threats.

Tip of the Week: How to Password Protect Specific Files

Tip of the Week: How to Password Protect Specific Files

If you have ever asked yourself if it’s possible to protect a specific file or folder on your computer using built-in Windows functionality, then the answer is yes, it is possible. With some very basic file encryption, you can protect a file on your computer… as long as you aren’t expecting military-grade encryption or security, anyway.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down on Social Media

Don’t Let Your Guard Down on Social Media

Cybersecurity has many facets, but one of the most overlooked is social media. Hackers frequently use social engineering tactics to target users through their favorite social media platforms. If you’re not observant enough, you could put your business at risk by accepting the wrong friend request or clicking the wrong link. To help you and your employees keep security high on the priority list, we have put together the following tips.

Cybersecurity Gaffes You Are Probably Making Right Now

Cybersecurity Gaffes You Are Probably Making Right Now

Cybercrime is a major issue for everyone and especially for businesses. In fact, if you don’t have a solid handle on the actions you take, your IT may be more exposed than you think. This month we thought we would go through a few really simple actions you can take to enhance your security posture.

Want to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity? Don’t Do These 6 Things

Want to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity? Don’t Do These 6 Things

There are few things more important than network security for businesses, and all it takes is one or two mistakes to completely derail all of your efforts. Let’s take a look at network security faux pas, as well as how you can address these issues in an effective way. Here are some mistakes your business might be making in terms of network security and how they can be addressed.

5 Technologies You Need to Consider for Your Small Business

5 Technologies You Need to Consider for Your Small Business

Small businesses have to be very particular with the way they utilize their resources, especially when it comes to technology. If implemented properly, new solutions can increase agility and efficiency, but if implemented incorrectly, they can lead to substantial upfront costs and additional resources dedicated to management, maintenance, and upgrades. Let’s take a look at what small businesses must consider when prioritizing their technology investments.

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