cybercriminals are constantly creating new viruses and improved, worms and Trojan horses in an attempt to steal valuable data, such as bank and credit card details. The latest threat to computer security, in the form of ransomware, a type of virus that syringe computer and encrypts digital files before charging mcheasathlai for encryption keys. The virus can cause major problems for businesses and individual users and those affected are left with no choice but to pay the ransom if they wish to access their files.
CryptoWall?
CryptoWall was known as a Trojan horse as it appears first as a mail attachment is harmless or download. However, when the virus into a computer, it immediately starts to establish a connection to a random server and upload. It will then begin to copy all files on the system and encrypt them before deleting the original file. This will save more files on a computer that has a ransom message and instructions on how to make the payment. User files are encrypted using RSA public key unique - 2048 is created for each computer. Users must pay for private key in order to decrypt the file. Previous versions of the program initially required payment of $ 500 in Bitcoins to restore your files, but now has been increased to $ 700 on the newer versions like CryptoWall 4.0. Those affected are given a certain amount of time to make the payment before installation ransom.
What can I do if I have been exposed?
Unfortunately, there is currently no way to recover encrypted files without paying the ransom. Payments are handled online lion allow criminals to remain anonymous. If you believe that your computer is infected CryptoWall, then avoid connecting the external hard drive or shared network to prevent it from spreading. Look for any new files in the root directory of your name such DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.txt. When you open this file, you will encounter a ransom, which provides detailed instructions on how to make your payment. The removal of CryptoWall is an easy process, but just removed the virus will not allow access to encrypted files. Rare opportunity, it is possible to save the backup file or restore the system to the point before a prior infection, but newer versions of the viruses will delete the shadow copy makes recovery amounts impossible.
How to protect yourself against the wall, and other malicious software encryption
In order to protect your computer from virus attacks, it is important to have up-to-date antivirus software and virus scanner, which opened on your computer all the time. If you are unsure about whether your system is safe from the threat of viruses, then you should look at Amit solution for expert advice on protecting your files. All users should back up their files regularly and store them on an external hard drive. Of free Cloud storage is a useful tool for those with limited space, but some viruses have the ability to access the Internet. Most importantly, do not open e-mail from senders who do not know or click on the links on suspicious sites.
Should I just pay the ransom?
Since there is no other way to access the encrypted files by CryptoWall, a large number of people choose to pay a ransom. However, there are many cases, users pay a ransom, then do not get them to be able to decrypt the file. Ransom payments, which means you have to give the money directly to the cybercriminals will continue to extort money from the public in this way. Another problem that many victims are faced with is how to increase the demand for ransom. Bitcoin is a form of online currency that consumers must 'mine', and bought a stack of Bitcoins to the value of $ 700 is not as straightforward as it seems. Getting Bitcoin is often slow and many people struggle to collect enough before the deadline.
Campaign CryptoLocker stole more than $ 30 million from online shows just how a serious threat is to enable users to both businesses and individuals. CryptoWall is just one example of different ransomware virus that is currently causing the destruction of the network. For locker and Citroen have another kind of ransomware that has followed the same pattern as their predecessors. Cyber crime has been estimated to cost the US economy more than $ 100 billion every year, so take steps to protect your network is critical to avoid ending up out of pocket.
If a small business, your accept credit card payments, and debit cards, then you probably know that the October 1 deadline for the upgrade of the US broker terminals payment them to accept credit cards and technology chip available.
Even though today is more than six months, nearly half of retailers have not updated any of their payment terminals reported that the survey adopted 201 6 credit card EMV compared CardHub.
EMV payment technology provides additional security for credit card and debit card transactions, so you would think that abuse in the past few years will be particularly want to use it. However, some 43% of retailers that have experienced data breaches over the past 5 years to update their POS.
Users have not required technology to EMV. The survey found the widespread ignorance of this technology: 41 percent of these people do not have or do not know whether they have a credit or debit card with chip technology. Sixty-two percent did not know the difference between a chip card and those without in terms of protecting the security. Fifty-six percent do not care whether or not your POS terminal retailers with chip-enabled.
But even if your customers do not care about technology, EMV, you should. Why?
Because if your company has not adopted chip-enabled terminal, your business is financially responsible if there is some kind of credit card fraud occurs during operation with your business. Essentially, failed to get with the times when it comes to technology, EMV is put your business at risk.
Like many other large companies have completed their migration to allow EMV terminals, customers will become more familiar with this technology and increased expectations from your business. With so many other changes in payment technology - such as Apple Pay and other types of mobile wallet technology - now is the best time would be to update your system to the point of sale. And if you were any problems with your payment card processor, maybe it's time to make a clean break and find a new one.
Ask your prepaid card processing terminals, which allow EMV also will work with NFC (near field communication) technology, payment, and you'll be ahead of the game. (Plus, you will not have to upgrade again for a while.)
Want to learn more about how the chip cards affect your business? You can get points webinar to learn more about chip technology and how it affects your bottom line. Or speak with your guide points for assistance. Visit www.score.org to get matched with a mentor and get free advice at any time.
Does your small business only accept certain types of credit cards? The point of Sale Is there anything decades out of date? Do you perform business services for clients, and then wait a week to send them a bill (by snail mail)?
Here are seven of the old-fashioned methods to accept payments can be made to affect your company.
1. It is wasting time and money.
Invoices or bills and the cost of the time you print out invoices, envelopes, and stamps placed on (or to pay staff to work at all). Then there's the time to wait for payments to come to open the envelope and check. If you do not accept electronic payments, you get the money in your account, and if you connect your accounting software into your business bank account, you can get instantly updated figures.
2. It's a down payment.
The performance of the service will return to the office to print and send invoices one, then wait weeks for a return payment in the mail means the money spent more time in transit than it does in the bank accounts of your business. You can make your business more quickly by using the payment methods such as payment modern electronics and accept card payment or payments online. If you are a business owner who has to meet the audience of the action at home or customers this office in the implementation of services such as landscape or cleaning the carpet, look into one payment that allows you to create and bills that are present from the Tablet, or a smartphone, right to your house, or the customer's office.
3. It makes your business look outdated.
Millennium particular progress using their smartphones in the banking sector with the flagship of its financial management and use of payment cards and not cash. If they want to pay for products or services with a smartphone or your own card, you will be able better to make it happen, or risk losing their business.
4. It does not offer an option for customers.
Consumers today have more choices about where to spend their money, so if your business is not being offered a choice of what they want, it is common for them to go elsewhere. Including options on how to pay. Some people prefer to pay with cash cards because they hate. Others want the ultra-convenience of mobile payment devices such as Apple Pay. Small business owners will provide a smart choice as much as possible to attract customers as much as possible.
5. It's your business at risk.
Cash can be lost or stolen, while payments made by card payments into your bank account immediately, but there are concerns about employee theft or burglary. Starting from October 15, the terminal without a business credit card with EMV chip technology will be liable for fraudulent losses: The risk is greater if you do not migrate to EMV technology.
6. It is your customer base.
Small business owners today have more options for taking payments than ever before. If you sell a product, for example, you run a food truck or jewelry handmade local crafts fairs and events where you used to be limited to cash only. That means customers who are unhappy without enough cash on hand to buy for you and a loss of sales. Now you can use mobile payments to swipe the credit or debit card, or right on the smartphone, your tablet. This opens up a world of opportunities for consumers to make an impulse purchase, and for you to make money.
7. It is your average sale.
Customers who use a payment card spend more money on average than those who use other forms of payment (cash or check). By accepting payment cards, you're making it easy for customers to impulse buy or stock up without being limited by their cash on hand. Why set limits on what customers can get?
Are you ready to upgrade your business to accept payments?
The best thing about getting to write a column, as I have done for the United States today is that I am privy to the latest technology trends for small businesses. As I am wont to say that the time was extraordinary to own a business and a major cause is a technology that allows small businesses to compete better and to look bigger and be more far effectively than ever before.
For example, I was in Lisbon, Portugal, attended the launch worldwide of its new line of HP printers. Called the printing process, launched this exemplified just how powerful tool available to small businesses today.
According to David, Mr. Ryan, HP's general manager, printing trade group for Europe, Middle East & Africa, the starting product is "the start of the largest of HP in a decade." And it's not hard to see why. The printer market for the smallest SOHO to enterprise solutions for this new line of HP printers is very impressive.
Start with the OfficeJet Pro. For me, I feel very fond OfficeJet printer line because, like many of you, it is a printer that I used when I first started my business. Given that the series OfficeJet is always the printer who provided a copy color quality and print at a reasonable price, what's amazing and impressive is that HP has taken what is a product very good already and modify it, which makes it even better.
For starters, the OfficeJet Pro paper has been restored so that it can control two pages at the same time, thereby significantly cutting the time it takes to print. Changing another better one for now from coming down, the security and privacy features, beautiful. Additional improvements include:
Faster scanningAs Green (by exercising a little, such as LEDs)Pages do not fall to the floorA larger screen swipe and technologies that make the user interface more intuitive awayNext, let's look at Big Brother's OfficeJet new laserjet series. Now, growing my own business that we use; So I'm particularly excited to see what changes are in store here. And, again, this launch was not disappointed. LaserJets also be modified.
The new printers offer the same high standards that we've all come to expect from HP LaserJets, only more so. Using HP JetIntelligence LaserJets new offer laser printer, a crisper, smarter, smaller, safer, faster, and more energy efficient. I do not think my laser printer can get better, but obviously, it can be done.
Finally, and perhaps most interesting part of the event in Lisbon this is the beginning of a new series of HP PageWide printer. PageWide technology stems from a long history of HP's printing business and industry. Can you imagine how big those printers? PageWide technology is great for many reasons, but the first is that HP has brought large-scale industrial technology and figured out how to narrow it down to the size of a desktop printer.
Talk about a modified print.
Among other things, makes this technology so unique in the market of small and medium-sized businesses is that these printer cartridges PageWide that spans the entire width of the page (PageWide). These cartridges remain stationary as the paper moves through the printer, resulting in a change not only fewer but also color printing, which is significantly more. Printers that are stepping lowest carbon in their ranks incredibly safe, and very fast, making them an attractive option for small businesses who are looking to make a strong impression.
So, yes, as I said, and as you can see from the start of this product technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses.
The bottom line: These HP printers are very interesting and a great choice for any small business.
Whether you are a small business owner who relies on technology to conduct business or a technology expert who love and want tech toys your latest and greatest technology affects just about every aspect of our lives annually.
Technology has changed rapidly, which is funny when you buy a new computer, by the time you set it up to its outdated and already have something faster and better availability.
... The best indicator for deciding if it's time to buy a new device if employee productivity lost as a result of the tools provided to them ...
With the development of new technologies, upgrades view on technology that changes so quickly, it's hard to know when it's the right time to upgrade the devices and take advantage of new technologies, and when it's best to wait and save money on technology investments other technology.
In my experience, the typical age of a business class laptop or another device is about three years. This is consistent with what I read in the book industry and trade. After three years, the cost of maintaining a desktop or laptop has become more expensive to buy a new one.
The window is only three years the average age of the computer and technical equipment. For me, the best indicator for deciding if it's time to buy new equipment if the employee productivity lost as a result of the tools provided to them. If the employee is unable to work for a full day due to loss of productivity today, maybe there will be more than $ 1,000 or so to buy a new laptop.
A life of your laptop or desktop, there are some simple things you can do to extend the life of the computer, including:
Memory, which can free up: Each program or piece of software you add new space fell down. A computer program and software upgrade there seems to be a link between these upgrades and the space they take on a PC. New software and applications are always more space. Memory management will keep your computer running fast. One important thing to remember is that if you have a program or programs that you do not remove it from the computer and some free spaces up that way.Your computer images: all computers will take up or maintain the software and applications that are not being used or outdated. re-imaging with your computer, you create more space and optimize the performance of the computer.Install or upgrade your operating system: This can be a challenge as it takes time, and if done incorrectly can cause problems with the performance of your machine. Some companies will do this once a year to eliminate old or unwanted files or applications to free up space. If you choose this route, I would recommend only increase once a year.The investment in a new battery: Battery, especially in laptops is significant. I would recommend looking at the new batteries every year and a half or so. Batteries lose their ability to save for an extended period of time. A new battery will breathe new life into the computer, and increase or maintain the level of productivityIn view of evaluating the business viability and the question of when each upgrade, I recommend asking the question, how much productivity is worth? Productivity should drive or at least played a significant factor in business decisions. If productivity is falling and it's due to computer questions and tips listed above are not helping the problem, it may be time to upgrade or buy a new machine.
I usually start looking at the potential replacement for about two and a half years. If you can spread out on buying time and doing it in a cycle, which will help your business save on the costs associated with the purchase of new equipment. The key to any upgrade or buy new technology tools is not allowed to have negative impacts on productivity.
Josh Clinton, as vice president of technology at VLCM. In this role, Josh managed the company's technical team to provide technical support and services to its customers.
As a small business owner requires a great deal of work, especially when you have a lot to do but limited and in support of the day.
Below is a list of free or low-cost tools that can help you manage your business better:
1. Project management - Trello
Trello allows you to view your project goals, tasks, and assignments in a single glance. Using the keyboard is visible, you can collaborate with a number of people with no limit, the drop and drag the card and create a list of project management for the better. Trello offers a free version that integrates with Dropbox and commercial grade version for under $ 9.
Dropbox manager 2.File
Access documents, photos, videos, and music from anywhere with the use of Dropbox. If you have a large file to share, you can upload to your Dropbox account, and provide a link with someone. Dropbox free for individual offer 2GB of storage and 30 days of unlimited file recovery. Payment plans available that offer more storage space and additional features such as password protected link.
3.Financial - Wave
Wave is a small business accounting software free cloud-based accounting can generate reports, such as balance sheets and accounting reports. It supports a reminder bills and invoices and payroll integration. Synchronize with waves up to online payment systems such as PayPal or your bank account.
4.Communication - Google Voice
Google Voice Continuing provide a way to manage your phone number. Google Voice provides a telephone number based on the area code selected. Users can make calls and text and receive calls via the portal. Google Voice also transcribes voice messages into text and allows you to forward the call to another.
Resources 5.Human - Benefits
Zenefits system that is human resources management services free offer. Zenefits covering HR tasks such as payroll, benefits, time, personnel and compliance affordable for maintenance and COBRA. It offers management solutions, such as paystubs, employee handbook, and tax withholding forms.
6.Email - MailChimp
MailChimp is a service that lets users email marketing, design, share and track email newsletters. MailChimp offers a model designed or allow you to enter your own HTML code from any location. Users can track open rates, click and scan through dashboard reporting their habits. MailChimp free of charge to customers with up to 2000 and allows for 12,000 emails per month.
What is the business you will be added to this list?
Most discussions related to PCI compliance tend to focus on the technical aspects of the protection of customers' personal data and financial. However, there are other aspects of compliance, just as - if not even more - important: staff training.
Inevitably, if you accept payments from customers, your employees will have access to data, and as such they have a responsibility to protect it. Not only that, but the staff's often the first line of defense against fraud, so it's really important that you train them thoroughly in how to deal properly and data on the cardholder's your business, avoid leaving to fraud openness, violations of data, and the loss significantly.
Unfortunately, studies show that as much as 34 percent of businesses are not sufficiently trained in this important responsibility to its employees. Even frightening that there are more alike these were targeted as well, with an average of attacks, social engineering, many people each year, meaning that the chances of falling prey to criminal and display a power of data sensitive, higher than the company that has provided the training required. The bottom line? Employee training is important to keep your business data safe from thieves.
Employee training measures
Demand for trained personnel for fall under the requirements under PCI has 12 security standards PCI was: ". Policy that addresses information security for employees and contractors, one said: 'However, while the demand is not clearer, standards, more detailed break requires policies down to pieces certain number three:
Documents. Document as it relates to the training of staff, referring to everything from policy passwords and controls on access to the details of the session training specific, including those who worked hard, when, and what is included in the course training this. Additional information is documented as standard protocols and procedures related to the management of customer data.Security Awareness Training. PCI security standards specified in particular that businesses must "implement programs to raise awareness of security official to make all employees aware of the importance of cardholder data security." This includes training in how to identify attacks as social engineering, how to identify the "skim" or unauthorized devices on the POS, and general awareness of management to correct the data of the holder and the threat potential business has faced. This training should cover the appropriate procedures for responding to suspicious activity.Updates to regular training. Finally, the PCI standard calls for businesses to continue to update and reiterate security training for employees. Your business should be subject to an audit, one of the things that will be examined auditors for ongoing security training date for all staff, including new employees during orientation. Training security PCI can not be repeated and considered "solved". It needs to be fixed and adjusted to reflect the new and emerging threats.Training program
Safety standards, PCI has many of the requirements of how to train their staff and how to document. However, at a minimum, you should train your staff as follows:
What to look for on a credit card and some of the common signs of a fake card.How to compare the signatures and the need to request additional documents or decline a card if it is not signed.How to handle the service on the phone, including the use of approved forms to record information and collect the correct CVV number.The importance of keeping the cards in the customer's line of sight.How to respond if a card was dropped and Policy enters the card number manually.Attention to save the invoice credit card in a secure, locked area and there is a procedure for the provision of a bill today to the Department of Accounting.How to send data between the cardholder's department, if necessary, and the importance of avoiding unsafe forms of communication.Policies for processing payments.The importance of the protection of cardholder data and did not share it with others.Password management.You may have other more specific requirements for your business, but start with these points will ensure that your employees are more knowledgeable about the importance of protecting sensitive data and how to do it. Considering that if a breach occurs, your business will be 100% responsible for any data that has been handled inappropriately, it is well worth the time and effort to develop a comprehensive staff training program for PCI compliance.
