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Macro Systems Blog

Macro Systems has been serving the Metro Washington, DC area since 1997, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Don’t Overlook the Mobile Devices Accessing Your Network

b2ap3_thumbnail_mobile_overlooked_400.jpgThe number of employees using their personal devices for work purposes (BYOD) continues to increase rapidly. According to Juniper Research, BYOD will account for over one-third of all mobile devices being used within the next few years. Not adjusting procedures to accommodate for this trend can leave your company's sensitive information vulnerable.

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Is Your Word Document Leaking Secrets?

b2ap3_thumbnail_word_tracking_400_20140404-200407_1.jpgJust because you hit the delete button when using Microsoft Word doesn't necessarily mean that your information is gone forever. Thanks to Word's Track Changes feature, all of your deleted sentences can be easily retrieved. This is a very handy tool to help you out of a jam, but it can also be misused to leak secrets if you're not careful.

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The Other Kind of Firewall

b2ap3_thumbnail_how_is_your_firewall_400.jpgIt's crucial that your company's network has a strong firewall in place to keep your data safe; although, one firewall may not be enough. In the case of an actual fire, you will want to have a real firewall to keep your servers safe. We're talking about a firewall for your firewall. This sounds redundant, but redundancy makes for good security.

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Are There Hackers Listening to You?

b2ap3_thumbnail_digital_spying_400.jpgTech savvy individuals and businesses alike have moved away from traditional Internet browsers such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Apple's Safari to Google's Chrome browser. After all, many people enjoy having a simplistic, yet powerful web browser that easily integrates it's Google Docs tools and Gmail email service. However, users may want to think twice about using the browser now that a new YouTube video has surfaced entitled "Chrome Bug Lets Sites Listen to Your Conversations." In the video, user Tal Ater walks through a very dangerous exploit that allows anyone to access your microphone through Google's voice recognition software embedded in Chrome.

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When Basic Email Security is not Enough

b2ap3_thumbnail_lock_down_your_email_security_400.jpgYou may think that the standard security policies that come with your email account can protect you from hackers. It's an easy mistake to make, but the truth of the matter is that, if a hacker really wants access to an account, then they will employ every tactic possible to get it, which can make standard password security measures woefully inadequate.

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Be Wary of Hackers’ Psychological Attacks!

b2ap3_thumbnail_avoif_phishing_attacks_400.jpgThere's a computer security threat so menacing that not even the best security technology can stop it. It's called psychology, and it's used with email phishing scams to trick users into overriding their security solution. The only way to stop this threat is with common sense, and unfortunately, there's no app for that.

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Bots Outnumber Humans for Web Traffic

b2ap3_thumbnail_webbot400.jpgIt has finally happened, the bots have taken over. While robots have yet to enslave humanity, bots have taken over the Internet, accounting for 62% of all web traffic. Is the bot takeover something you should be concerned about?

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There’s a Security Flaw!

b2ap3_thumbnail_santa400.jpgA Song In the tune of "Here Comes Santa Claus"

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5 Ways a Hacker can Crack Your Password

b2ap3_thumbnail_sec400.jpgAll that stands between a hacker and your sensitive information is one puny password. You may think that your password is uncrackable because it has served you well all these years, but the reality of the situation is that an experienced hacker can break almost any password. Here are the most popular methods.

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Warning: CryptoLocker Virus will Delete Your Data!

b2ap3_thumbnail_crilock400.jpgThe CryptoLocker virus is a new ransomware that began attacking computers via the Internet last September and has now grown to become one of the world's fastest spreading and most dangerous malwares. If your business isn't prepared for CryptoLocker, then your company's data is at serious risk.

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Cloud-based Network Security Offers Flexibility

b2ap3_thumbnail_secu400.jpgWhen considering network and computing infrastructure security for your business, you don't usually think about about alternative routes of delivery for these solutions; and especially don't consider that this technology is available without the traditional appliance. Now, comprehensive security solutions for your network, server, and end-user is available as a service, in the cloud.

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Be Wary of Free Wi-Fi

b2ap3_thumbnail_securephone400.jpgWhen browsing the Internet on your smartphone, you know how to be on the lookout for scams that will disable your device with viruses; but did you know that you also need to be careful which Internet connection you use? By connecting to the wrong Wi-Fi signal, you could be falling for a scam.

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Today’s Network Security is about Controlling Information

b2ap3_thumbnail_netseccloud400.jpgThe modern IT landscape is dramatically changing from a model where an IT department controls everything to companies outsourcing their IT services. This paradigm shift challenges older ideas about traditional network security equating ownership and control with strong security. Does your business view IT outsourcing as a security help or a hindrance?

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5 Hacker-Friendly Technologies in Your Home

b2ap3_thumbnail_smart400.jpgDo you think your computer is the only technology you own that is vulnerable to hackers? You may be surprised to learn that there are other technologies in your office and home that can be hacked without you knowing about it. Here's a list of five of the most surprising technologies that may be putting your information at risk.

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4 Ways Hackers Can Disrupt Your Life

b2ap3_thumbnail_cybercrime400.jpgIf a hacker manages to get their grubby hands on your computer, you're going to have a bad time. Of course, how bad of a time you have depends on your hacker's intentions. There are several things hackers can do to harm you, here are four of the most common ways hackers can disrupt your life.

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The Stinky Side of Fingerprint Technology

b2ap3_thumbnail_hahafp400.jpgWith all the advancements in security technology, it's only a matter of time before clunky passwords are replaced with a more secure and more convenient solution. Unlocking your technology with a fingerprint reader is an easy and fun alternative that's being integrated with some of the latest devices; but how safe are fingerprint readers?

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5 BYOD Risks for Your Business

b2ap3_thumbnail_bringit400.jpgIn our last blog article, we introduced the IT trend of employees bringing in their personal devices to work (BYOD). We looked at 5 ways BYOD can help your business, but BYOD is not without risks. In part 2, we will cover five risks BYOD brings to your company's network and what you can to do manage them.

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Why you Need to Take the Trojan:Win32/Crilock.A Virus Seriously

b2ap3_thumbnail_virus1-400.jpgTrojan:Win32/Crilock.A is a new Internet virus that will cripple your computers. This severe virus is what's known as ransomware because it will hold your PC hostage and steal your data. It first made an appearance on September 10th, 2013, and it's keeping the cyber security world busy. Here's everything you need to know about Trojan:Win32/Crilock.A.

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H.A.C.K. Your Way to Strong Password Management

b2ap3_thumbnail_lock400.jpgIt's a network security best practice to regularly switch out old passwords for new ones. However, if you're the one changing and distributing the new passwords, you may face resistance from office workers that see this mandate as an inconvenience. To make sure everyone is onboard, you will need to preach the importance of password security.

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What is your Identity Worth to You?

b2ap3 thumbnail thumb identity 20120727-153332 1Your identity has quite a lot of value, especially in the wrong hands. Security firm ZoneAlarm put together some numbers in 2011 concerning identity fraud, and it even shocked us. Let's talk about a few of these statistics and what it means.

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Macro Systems
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