Written by: Jay H.

Passwords have long been the standard method for securing digital accounts and systems, but their limitations have become increasingly evident in today’s complex threat landscape. From weak passwords to the risk of data breaches, the traditional reliance on passwords is proving insufficient to safeguard sensitive information. Enter passwordless authentication, a revolutionary approach that promises enhanced security and user experience. In this article, we explore the concept of passwordless authentication, its benefits, implementation, and its potential to redefine the future of secure access.

The Problem with Passwords

Passwords, once heralded as the guardians of digital security, have become a weak link in the cybersecurity chain. Users often choose easily guessable passwords or reuse them across multiple accounts, leaving them vulnerable to breaches. Moreover, sophisticated hacking techniques and social engineering attacks have rendered even complex passwords susceptible to compromise. As organizations grapple with the rising tide of data breaches and identity theft, the need for a more robust and user-friendly authentication method has become evident.

The Promise of Passwordless Authentication

Passwordless authentication eliminates the need for traditional passwords by replacing them with more advanced and secure methods. This shift not only enhances security but also addresses user frustrations related to forgotten passwords and complex password management. The three primary forms of passwordless authentication are:

1. Biometric Authentication: Leveraging unique physiological or behavioural traits, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, biometric authentication offers a seamless and highly secure way to access accounts and systems.

2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA combines multiple authentication factors, such as something the user knows (PIN), something the user has (smartphone), and something the user is (biometric), creating layers of security that are harder for attackers to bypass.

3. One-Time Passwords (OTP): OTPs are temporary codes sent to the user’s registered device, which must be entered during the login process. This method adds an additional layer of security, as the code changes with every login attempt.

Benefits of Passwordless Authentication

• Enhanced Security: Passwordless methods significantly reduce the risk of password-related breaches, as attackers cannot steal what isn’t there.
• User Experience: Users no longer need to remember and manage complex passwords, leading to a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.
• Reduced Friction: With faster and more convenient login methods, passwordless authentication reduces friction for users, boosting productivity and satisfaction.
• Phishing Resistance: Since there are no passwords to phish, passwordless authentication helps thwart phishing attacks.

Implementing Passwordless Authentication

The implementation of passwordless authentication requires careful planning and consideration of factors like user behaviour, existing infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. Organizations must invest in suitable technologies and platforms that support passwordless methods, ensuring a seamless transition for both employees and customers. Many popular apps are now offering passwordless options for their users, meaning that switching to this authentication method is becoming an easier process.

Bring Your Organization Into The Passwordless Era

The era of passwordless authentication is dawning as a transformative leap in digital security. By mitigating the vulnerabilities of traditional passwords and enhancing user experiences, this approach offers a promising avenue to navigate the evolving threat landscape. As technology continues to advance and organizations prioritize both security and user satisfaction, passwordless authentication stands as a beacon guiding us toward a future of secure, frictionless access to digital resources. If you’re ready to embrace this future of authentication, our experts at Design2Web IT are here to help you integrate passwordless solutions tailored to your organization’s unique needs. Contact us today for more information.

The post Passwordless Authentication: The Future of Secure Access appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

If you’re using Office 2013, you may have run into your Outlook application asking you to sign in over and over again, even when you enter the right credentials. This issue is annoying at best, but if you depend on emails for your work, it can halt and hinder your productivity. Luckily, you can fix this issue in just a few steps. Here’s how to fix Outlook 2013 asking for your password over and over again.

Why does Outlook keep asking for my password?

In this particular instance, Outlook may be repeatedly asking you for your password because you’ve recently enabled multi-factor authentication (MFA). While MFA is an excellent security tool, unfortunately, enabling it requires an additional step in Office 2013: turning on something called Modern authentication. We can do so in a few steps.

How to enable Modern authentication in Office 2013

Now, let’s go over how you can stop Outlook from persistently pestering you for your password!

1. Click on the search bar in the taskbar, then type and click on Notepad.
2. In the new window, copy and paste the following text:

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange]

    

   “AlwaysUseMSOAuthForAutoDiscover”=dword:00000001

   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common]

   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common\Identity]

   “EnableADAL”=dword:00000001

   “Version”=dword:00000001

   

3. On your keyboard, click Ctrl + S. In the new window, delete all of the text in the File name input, including the .txt extension. Replace it with Office2013_Enable_ModernAuth.reg. Save it somewhere that’s easy for you to find it, like your Desktop or Documents folders. If you get a prompt about the file becoming unusable, confirm your save.
4. Open File Explorer, then navigate to the location where you just saved the file. Double-click on it to open it.
5. In the dialogue box, click Yes to permit the application to make changes to your device.
6. In the Registry Editor warning window, click Yes to accept the changes.
7. Close Outlook, then reopen it and sign out and sign back into your Office account.

That’s it, Microsoft Outlook 2013 should now stop pestering you for your password and let you work in peace! If you need help or run into any issues, our expert technicians are ready to help you quickly solve your tech troubles. Contact us now for assistance with your tech issues.

The post How to Fix Outlook 2013 Asking For Your Password Over and Over Again appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Cyber attackers are successfully breaching organizations through brute force attacks, software vulnerabilities, and malicious emails, according to a new report from Kaspersky.

Almost 90 percent of the incidents Kaspersky’s team responded to involved these three factors, providing insight into which attack vectors hackers are successfully using. Brute force attacks and software vulnerabilities each accounted for 31.58 percent of the cases, while 23.68 percent of incidents were from malicious emails.

Once the attackers breached the victim organizations, they wreaked havoc through ransomware and data theft. In most cases, the attacks went unnoticed for weeks or months, demonstrating just how long hackers can be in your system without you even knowing!

Moreover, of the incidents involving software vulnerabilities, only a few vulnerabilities were discovered in 2020. In most cases, the vulnerabilities were several years old, suggesting that timely security updates could have prevented a tenth of the investigated incidents. The lesson learned: you need to ensure that you keep your software up to date and install security updates as they are released to prevent these attacks.

The report also suggested that attackers were switching from targeted attacks to instead going after the “lowest-hanging fruit” – organizations with low levels of cybersecurity. Indeed, organizations that regularly updated their software were 30 percent less likely to become victims, while robust password policies reduced the likelihood by 60 percent.

Don’t be the lowest-hanging fruit

The war against cybercriminals is neverending. Is your organization doing everything it can to avoid becoming a victim to costly ransomware and data loss?

If you cannot confidently say “yes”, then you need to fix that right now. Our managed IT services including network security can protect your business from the devastating effects of a data breach. Contact us today to learn more.

The post Brute Force Attacks, Software Vulnerabilities, And Malicious Emails Behind Most Attacks appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a list of cybersecurity bad practices. These practices are hazardous and put organizations at significant risk of cyber threats. Moreover, they are exceptionally dangerous for organizations that support Critical Infrastructure or National Critical Functions and technologies accessible from the Internet. The current list of bad practices is as follows:

1. Use of unsupported software

The first Bad Practice on the list is using unsupported (or end-of-life) software. Software that developers do not regularly maintain and update is especially vulnerable to security flaws and cyber attacks. Moreover, when hackers find and abuse a vulnerability, security updates to fix this issue likely do not get released. Ensure your organization uses software that regularly receives updates, or hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in your system and cause extensive damage!

2. Use of default passwords

An alarming amount of organizations and individuals alike use the default usernames and passwords provided by the manufacturer. This is a serious security risk your credentials are a quick Google search away! Instead, organizations need to use strong, complex passwords for every device and account they manage.

3. Use of single-factor authentication

Finally, the last Bad Practice on the catalog is using single-factor authentication for remote or administrative access to systems. Simply put, this means only requiring a username and a password to sign in to an account. Instead, organizations should enforce multi-factor authentication, which means users have to provide additional verification besides their credentials, such as a biometrics scan or a code sent to their phone.

Eliminate Bad Practices In Your Organization

Of course, this list is by no means comprehensive of all the poor cybersecurity practices. Regardless, you should eliminate these and other harmful practices in your organization to strengthen your cybersecurity. Without policies and procedures fortifying your cybersecurity, your business is at extreme risk of attack, so take action now!

If you need help developing and implementing a cybersecurity plan for your business, reach out to us today. Our security experts can tailor a cybersecurity strategy that suits your business and protect it from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers. Contact us now to learn more!

The post CISA Releases List of Cybersecurity Bad Practices appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Cloud technology provides many benefits, such as improved productivity, scalability, accessibility, and cost savings. However, many businesses worry that the cloud is more vulnerable to data breaches than on-premise servers. Truthfully, any computing environment is susceptible if you do not take proactive steps to secure them. Let’s go over how to secure your cloud data to prevent cybercriminals from doing irreparable harm.

Use Reputable Cloud Apps

Of course, you should only be using cloud applications that have a stellar reputation. Before adopting an app, ask questions like: Does this app put your business at risk of a data breach? Does it encrypt the data stored on its servers? Does it keep your data separate from that of others?

Fortunately, migrating from most cloud applications is an easy process. If you do not feel confident in the security of your apps, switch to a more reputable vendor.

Use Strong Passwords

Every online account you have needs a strong, unique password. However, this is especially important when it comes to accounts housing private data. Up to 80 percent of hacking-related breaches involve passwords, underscoring the importance of proper password practices. To learn more about creating secure passwords, check out our blog post: How to make a strong password.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

If you have the option, always enable two-factor authentication. This security measure requires you to provide information in addition to your password every time you sign this. For example, you may have to retrieve and enter a code texted to your phone. To learn more about two-factor authentication, read our blog post: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): What is it and how it works.

Read The Fine Print

Before storing your data, be sure to read the terms of service (ToS). Some providers may state that by sharing your data on their platform, they have the right to use or distribute them. Know what you’re getting into before you upload your private files.

Keep Backups

While data stored on the cloud is typically very secure, you should diminish the risk of data loss by creating backups of essential data. Making extra copies of your data on hard drives, USBs, or other storage devices will ensure that your business data is protected just in case. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” applies to data security as well. A comprehensive backup solution, including more than one backup location, helps prevent data loss.

Secure Your Cloud Data

Your business needs a comprehensive cloud backup solution to keep its data safe. Our managed IT services include backups and restoration to keep your data safe and quickly restore operations in the event of a disaster. Contact us today to learn about how our IT solutions can protect your business data.

The post How To Secure Your Cloud Data appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Nowadays, cybersecurity measures are a must for individuals and organizations alike. Without them, cybercriminals can easily breach your network and steal, damage, or delete your invaluable data. If you think you are “too small” to be targeted by attackers, think again. Approximately 43 percent of all cyberattacks target small businesses, meaning you’re in the direct sight of hackers.

How cybercriminals threaten your business

Attackers use various methods to breach your system and steal your valuable business data. Some of the biggest threats to small-medium businesses include:

• Ransomware, which encrypts your invaluable data then demands a ransom payment for its release.
• Phishing scams, which involve legitimate-looking emails designed to trick you into handing over personal information.
• Advanced persistent threats, which involve cybercriminals slowly and silently breaching your system and stealing information.
• Stolen passwords, where malefactors use your passwords to breach your own system.

How To Protect Your Small Business

To protect your small business from these threats, you must have the following cybersecurity measures in place:

1. Install antivirus

Reliable antivirus software is a must-have for any business’ cybersecurity strategy. This software detects and removes viruses, malware, adware, and spyware in your system, downloads, and emails. So, should you download an infected file, a trusted antivirus will notify you that the file is harmful and quarantine it.

There are many antivirus vendors out there with free and paid plans. At the very least, you should be using a free version, although paid plans provide more security features. Some popular antivirus providers to consider are Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Norton, and Kaspersky.

If you do not have an antivirus installed, get one right now.

2. Use strong, unique passwords

Nearly every web application requires a password. While it may be easy to fall into the habit of reusing the same password for every account, this puts you at significant risk of being compromised. If a data breach leaks your password for just one of your websites, hackers can use the same password to access all of your accounts! So, it would help if you made strong, unique passwords for every account you have. And no, adding “123” to the end of your current password doesn’t cut it!

To make the task of managing potentially dozens of unique passwords easier, you can use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords for you. This makes using unique passwords easy since you don’t have to remember them!

3. Make regular backups

You need to make regular backups of your business data. Without backups, you risk losing your invaluable business data in the event of a crisis. Anything from human error, natural disaster, or bad actors could make your data disappear instantly!

Our managed IT services include automatic daily backups to our secure servers. We also provide rapid disaster recovery to restore operations in the event of a crisis quickly.

4. Provide cybersecurity awareness training

The biggest risk to an organization is, unfortunately, its people. All it takes is one staff member falling for a phishing scam, using a poor password, or installing malicious software to compromise your entire system! Keeping your staff informed and up-to-date on the best cybersecurity practices will drastically reduce your risk. It’s also vital to train your team on the methods cybercriminals use to trick them, including phishing and social engineering scams, malicious software, and more.

5. Partner with an IT provider

A managed IT provider such as Design2Web IT can help fortify your organization’s cyber defences. Our IT services include network and cybersecurity to ensure all devices are secure from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hackers. We also help ensure your employees are safe from the effects of phishing, social engineering, and other cyber attacks.

Attackers are constantly looking for ways to breach small businesses like yours. You need to have cybersecurity measures in place to combat their efforts. If you have not enacted the aforementioned protocols, now is the time to act.

For more information on how we can help defend your business from cybersecurity threats, contact us today.

The post 5 Must-Have Cybersecurity Measures Every Small Business Must Take appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Passwords have long been an inconvenient but necessary safeguard for everything in our online lives. We’re expected to use unique, complex passwords for every account or risk getting hacked. But now, Microsoft has announced that you can go passwordless with your Microsoft account.

You can completely remove the password from your Microsoft account and instead use different forms of authentication to sign in.

“Use the Microsoft Authenticator app, Windows Hello, a security key, or a verification code sent to your phone or email to sign in to your favourite apps and services, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Family Safety, and more,” said Microsoft. “This feature will be rolled out over the coming weeks.”

Why go passwordless?

Weak passwords provide easy access for hackers to breach your accounts. However, using strong, unique passwords on every online account makes remembering them very difficult without the help of something like a password manager.

Moreover, most people use some sort of pattern and known words and phrases when creating passwords. For instance, Microsoft found that 15 percent of people use their pets’ names for password inspiration. This makes breaching much easier for a hacker, who can take a quick look at your social media profiles and gather the information you’d be likely to use in your passwords.

Even if you do manage to use strong, complex passwords for every account, hackers have techniques to get them from you. They can use phishing scams to trick you into entering your credentials into a fake website. Or your usernames and passwords could get exposed in a data breach, posted for anyone to see. As you can see, there are many problems with passwords.

How to go passwordless

Going passwordless with your Microsoft account is easy.

1. Make sure you have the Microsoft Authentication app installed and linked to your Microsoft account.
2. Navigate to your Microsoft account, sign in, and click Advanced Security Options.
3. Go to Additional Security Options, find Passwordless Account, then select Turn on.
4. Follow the prompts and approve the notification from your Authenticator app. Then, you’ve gone passwordless!

If you ever decide you prefer using a password, you can always reenable it. Give passwordless a try and see how you like it!

If you’re interested in increasing your organization’s security, contact us today. Our network security solutions can protect your business from hackers and costly data loss. Let us develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for your firm!

The post You Can Now Go Passwordless With Your Microsoft Account appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Cybersecurity basics rule number one is having strong, unique passwords for every site or application you use. However, managing passwords can be challenging given the magnitude of apps and websites employees use. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to enforce secure password policies in your workplace. Using single sign-on (SSO), you and your staff can enjoy the simplicity of one username and password without compromising security.

What Is Single Sign-On (SSO)?

Single sign-on lets users use one set of login credentials to access their applications. While this may seem like a poor cybersecurity strategy, SSO is actually incredibly secure. The authentication process works by providing the login credentials to an SSO provider, who then works as an intermediary and verifies the login to the application. You may have used this feature before without even realizing it. If you’ve ever logged in using your Facebook, Google, or another social account, you’ve utilized SSO.

How Is SSO Secure?

SSO enables users to sign on to accounts without managing many unique (and possibly weak and easily guessable) passwords. However, one burning question remains – what if hackers gain access to your SSO credentials?

This is where identity governance comes into play. Many companies centralize identity authentication on servers that act as gatekeepers. So when a user signs in, their authentication passes through the SSO server, which then verifies the user and passes on the credential.

Moreover, companies can further secure SSO with multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires additional verification when signing on. For instance, users may have to scan a fingerprint, enter a code, or click a link to gain access. With these protections in place, hackers cannot access user accounts with credentials alone.

How To Implement SSO In Your Organization

To successfully deploy SSO in your organization, you need an IT provider such as Design2Web IT to manage the process. A proper IT provider will monitor the process for suspicious user activity and provide support for user problems. For more information on how we can help better secure your organization, contact us today!

The post How Single Sign-On Can Improve Your Organization’s Security appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Password security is a topic of major concern nowadays. With over half of people admitting they reuse the same password across multiple accounts, just one data breach can give attackers access to your entire online life. Still, most people don’t take password security as seriously as they should. Thankfully, there is a quick and easy way to check your iOS device for leaked passwords, giving you time to mitigate any risks before disaster strikes. Here’s how to check your iPhone for compromised passwords.

First, go to Settings, then find Passwords. Then, you’ll see a section titled Security Recommendations if you have any compromised or reused passwords.

Click on the section to find accounts that have compromised passwords. You can then change the password through the website or app, letting you quickly replace poor passwords with strong, unique ones! Wasn’t that easy? Taking 5 minutes out of your day to change risky passwords can save you a lot of trouble in the future. If you haven’t already, please take a look at your security recommendations now.

The post How To Check Your iPhone For Compromised Passwords appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..

Written by: Jay H.

Network attacks are growing threats businesses face. Although your network is necessary for your organization’s operations, when a bad guy gets in, they can wreak havoc. Luckily, you can learn about the different types of network attacks and defend your business against them.

Types Of Network Attacks

There are many types of network attacks, and the most prominent include:

1. Distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS)

Simply speaking, a DDoS attack is a strategy actors use to prevent others from accessing a web server, application, or service by flooding it with requests. Unfortunately, attackers don’t even need to get into your network to execute this assault, and even unsavvy malefactors can carry out this task.

2. Man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM)

Without end-to-end encryption in place, hackers can intercept network traffic. This gives attackers the ability to steal information, hijack sessions, and obtain credentials. Public Wi-Fi networks are a common source of MITM attacks.

3. Unauthorized access

Social engineering (i.e., phishing attacks) or brute-forcing weak passwords can give attackers access to user accounts. Then, depending on the compromised account’s privileges, hackers may have unlimited access to everything on the network.

4. SQL injection attacks

Attackers inject malicious code using vulnerable user inputs within a web page or application. Then, these SQL commands are executed in the database, letting hackers gain access to the entire data set. Using this stolen data, hackers can find user credentials and modify or damage information.

5. Insider threats

Unfortunately, someone you trusted with access to the network could be a threat actor. Although we don’t like to consider this a possibility, more than 34 percent of businesses globally are impacted by insider threats every year. Moreover, insider threats are difficult to detect since they are users with rightful access to the network.

How To Prevent Network Attacks

You can protect yourself from network attacks using various methods, including:

• Securing your router with a strong password and firewall.
• Applying the latest updates to all software.
• Looking out for phishing attempts.
• Using a VPN on an unknown or public Wi-Fi network.
• Browsing websites secured with HTTPS.
• Using strong and unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
• Using a reputable antivirus application.
• Limiting the privileges user accounts have to the bare minimum.
• Validating inputs and parameterized queries with prepared statements.
• Utilizing behaviour analytics to detect suspicious user behaviour.
• Educating users on cybersecurity threats, such as phishing attempts.
• Partnering with a reputable managed IT services provider such as Design2Web to handle your network security.

The post 5 Network Attacks Threatening Your Organization appeared first on Design2Web IT, Inc..