Macro Systems Blog

Did you know that during World War II, Allied codebreakers didn't only crack the German Enigma code with pure math? They also used clever tricks, like baiting the Germans into sending predictable messages, to expose the machine's inner workings. History proves this approach worked then, and, unfortunately, continues to work now.

This art of manipulating a system to reveal its secrets has found a new, high-tech home in the world of artificial intelligence. It's called prompt hacking, and it's basically a form of digital social engineering aimed directly at the AI models businesses are starting to rely on.

When an organization experiences a cyberattack, the consequences go far beyond a single ransom payment. The financial fallout can be massive, with the average cost of a data breach now reaching over $4.88 million globally.

There’s a reason why we tend to focus on security; it’s not a matter of if you experience a cyberattack, but when. It’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re ready to act in the right way when faced with these attacks. One of the best ways you can be prepared is by working with a managed service provider like us. Listed below are three ways we, as a managed service provider, can help you take the fight to cybersecurity threats.

When it comes to cybersecurity, organizations have a lot to keep tabs on, even small organizations. In fact, you wouldn’t believe just how much goes into cybersecurity and why your business needs to make it a priority. Cybersecurity is more than just a buzzword on the Internet; it’s a lifeline that will keep your business secure.

Technology is woven into almost everything we do, from collaborating on projects to connecting with clients. Making sure we handle this technology correctly is critical for the efficiency and security of your entire business. In this month’s newsletter, we just wanted to go through a couple of actions that can help any professional enhance their technology.

Phishing is the most common way hackers trick you, so to speak, but have you ever wondered why it’s so effective? Listed below is a list of the reasons why phishing schemes are so enticing to even the most security-conscious individuals out there. You might be surprised to know that even security professionals can fall prey to these types of attacks, and for very good reasons.

Did you know that phishing is the most common security risk to your business? Any of your employees could become the target of a phishing attack, and all it would take is downloading the wrong file or clicking on the wrong link to expose your organization to security threats. Listed below is a refresher on the throwaway signs of a phishing attack and how to protect yourself and your team from harm.

Cybersecurity is intensely critical, so a business owner would think implementing every security feature and defense would be a good idea. As research has shown, this can be counterproductive, as only 67% of surveyed security leaders know what led to cybersecurity incidents in their businesses over the past year. 

“I don’t need to worry about cyberattacks… my business is too small to be of any interest.”

This brief rationalization is one of the most dangerous fallacies a modern business can make concerning cybersecurity; it shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how modern cyberthreats operate. If this has been your mindset, we urge you to read on so we can help set you on a more realistic path.

Sextortion scams are scary. The scammer contacts the victim, claiming to have gotten access to their computer and captured video footage of their target engaging in some private and decidedly adult activities, as well as the content that was onscreen at the time. The threat: pay up, or I send the footage to all of your contacts.

However, lately hackers have added another layer of “proof” to these claims, now referring to victims by name and including pictures of their homes. Listed below are what one of these scams looks like and what you should do if one appears in your inbox.

Data breaches remain a constant threat that cause serious disruptions for businesses and potentially creating widespread issues for customers. Highlighted below are some of the largest and most impactful breaches of 2024.

Being scammed in any capacity is a scary thought. To avoid this outcome, we must be vigilant all the time now.

Naturally, it also helps to know what to look for.

Listed below are a few warning signs and red flags that something is likely a scam.

Data breaches can cripple organizations and can come from a lot of different directions. They can be the result of phishing attacks where your staff unwittingly gives hackers access to your business’ resources. It can come from a brute force attack where hackers use innovative tools to break into your network. It can even be the work of disgruntled employees who use their access to steal company data. Listed below are the top three things you can do to keep your business from being hacked. 

One of the worst things that can happen to any organization is to be infiltrated with ransomware. Ransomware is a strain of malware that allows hackers to lock down files or computing systems and then ransom access back to the organization. It can really be a problem.

When you think of a scammer, you probably think of someone looking to take advantage of someone for their own gain. While this isn’t exactly inaccurate, another variety exists to acknowledge… those who aim to scam the scammers. Listed below is the story of one such white-hat scammer, or “scam baiter,” a content creator who uses the alias “Kitboga,” Kit for short.

The world’s largest ticket retailer is in the headlines for the wrong reasons after their parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, filed an 8-K filing with the Security and Exchange commission admitting that they had been hacked to the tune of 1.3 terabytes of information. That amounts to 560 million customers’ personal information that has been stolen from the company’s servers. Listed below is a look at the hack and what it means for consumers.

Have you heard of the “man-in-the-middle” attack or MitM? It’s a situation where your data is stolen by an onlooker who situates themselves in the right place at the right time. Data interception is a very real thing that your organization should be prepared to fight against. Listed below are some strategies you can use to counter these sneaky attacks.

When considering your organization’s cybersecurity, it is imperative not to lose sight of the forest for the trees… or, in other words, not to forget the basics around which the rest of your protections are built.

Unfortunately, some of the biggest retail days of the year are some of the biggest days for scams, the entire holiday season seeing an increase in threats toward retailers and, as a result, the consumers that are just looking for that perfect gift for their loved ones. Listed below are some statistics and trends to see what insights we can glean.

Social media scams encompass fraudulent activities and deceptive schemes that occur across numerous social media platforms. These scams target users on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and various others, irrespective of their age or background. They exploit individuals' trust, curiosity, or lack of awareness. Social media scams manifest in various forms, and the following are some common examples.