Latest Security News from March/April 2019

Microsoft has always had quite a reputation when it comes to security updates and software upgrades and the latest April 2019 Patch Tuesday update is no exception, with reports of units freezing during the update process and some hanging in the middle of startup after the patch is applied. The culprit? Conflicts between the recent patch update and the antivirus software, which affected many Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2.

Microsoft, Sophos, Avira, and Avast have already addressed and brought light to the issue through their respective support articles. They say that the conflict is largely between recent updates and certain components of antivirus software systems, including Sophos Endpoint Protection, AVG Business Edition, ArcaBit, Avast for Business, CloudCare, and Avira Antivirus. In particular, the patch caused computers to hang or fail on boot, freeze upon startup, or run very slow.

                                                    

Resolving the issue is a matter of removing the updates from affected machines and you can generally do so by booting in safe mode and disabling the conflicting antivirus service and then booting in normal mode so you can uninstall Windows KB. Do not forget to enable your antivirus service after uninstalling the problematic update.

Because these patches and upgrades can be technical in nature, it is always best to seek assistance from your managed IT service provider in order to perform recovery and repairs properly. With the right service, you can rest assured that fixes are correct and won’t cause any further problems for your system.

In conclusion, despite antivirus systems and update patches causing some conflicts with certain operating systems, there is no denying their importance in keeping your applications and your operating system in general functional and secure. Instead of avoiding or deferring these updates, keep yourself informed and on the lookout for latest security news to brace yourself for the positive or negative impacts of these patches and updates.

5 Cyber Security Trends to Prepare for in 2019

Cyber security has always been a challenge for IT professionals. Over the last couple of years, the corporate world has been plagued by high-profile data breaches—not to mention increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks and relentless cybercriminals who are only becoming more persistent in their cause to wreak havoc in the cyber world. Here are some of the most vital cyber security trends organizations should look out for in the coming year:

                   

1. On GDPR – The European Union’s GDPR (general data protection regulation) requires the protection and privacy of the personal data of EU citizens by businesses operating within the territory. Non-compliance to this can mean grave penalties, which is why organizations have since started to adopt procedures in order to remain compliant. A lot of experts expect the same proactive approach toward data privacy to come to enterprises trading elsewhere, such as the US and some business IT support in Maryland, so more comprehensive federal data privacy laws could be in the horizon for the United States.
   
2. On managed/unmanaged devices – IoT will remain a major pain point when it comes to cyber-security, especially since many connected devices have little to no built-in security, creating many holes in previously secure networks and increasing exploitable endpoints.
   
3. On personalized phishing – Account take-over remains a huge threat in cybersecurity and attacks are becoming more personalized than ever, as cybercriminals move from standard, untargeted phishing emails, to more strategic and tailored attacks that target more lucrative business executive accounts.
   
4. On multi-factor authentication – Multi-factor authentication is becoming the gold standard for security as people become more and more aware of the importance of their personal data.
   
5. On AI cyber-attacks – As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply ingrained in the day-to-day of the average person, it can be expected that cybercriminals will exploit its potential, creating new breeds of AI-targeted and powered malware.

Cyber risks are everywhere, and the abovementioned threats are only some of the most pressing threats that organizations should address in order to protect themselves and their customers from the claws of data breaches and the implications of falling prey to increasing cyber security attacks.

IT Services in Washington DC: Efficient, Easy, and Affordable Way to Grow Business

Modern businesses are heavily reliant on technology. Big or small, every enterprise requires effective IT services Washington DC to make sure that their systems are working optimally to achieve their goals as an organization. When your IT network offers reliability and optimal efficiency, your business can stay competitive and even ahead of your rivals. Professional IT management can help bring you up-to-date with all the latest tech trends, innovations, and strategies, while cutting back on the cost of having to maintain an in-house team of similar-caliber IT professionals and experts. Only with updated systems can a business be flexible and resilient to the changing needs of markets and industries because clients always choose businesses that go with the times and show dedication by addressing their demands when it comes to increased reliability and streamlined operations. 

With managed IT services Washington DC, businesses benefit from more effective data management. Businesses nowadays rely on big data. However, the large influx of information can easily overwhelm an outdated network. Fortunately, managed IT service providers can ensure efficient storage, management, and analysis of all data that goes through your company’s network, eliminating many threats to data security, while allowing better decision making with the help of proper data analysis. 

Small business IT support Washington DC is also beneficial as it allows businesses access to the right tools, technology, as well as hardware and software applications that help them better collect, store, and analyze information, solve complex problems, and plan scalability. Also importantly, IT support partners provide utmost safety and security from compromising attacks, viruses, and malicious software. They can help ensure the security of each component of your network, protecting you from the most sophisticated viruses and online threats, while providing comprehensive monitoring for all other potential issues and problems your network may encounter.