Archive

Decoding Deepfakes: How to Spot Fake Videos, Audio, and Text in the Digital Age

In an era where seeing is no longer believing, the rise of deepfakes—sophisticated artificial intelligence-generated content—presents a new challenge in digital trust. Whether it’s a seemingly scandalous video of a celebrity or an urgent email from your boss, the authenticity of digital content is under constant threat.

Boost Your Email Security Game: Navigate DMARC with Lewis IT

In today's digital world, the battle against phishing scams is intensifying, with email authentication stepping into the spotlight as a key player. With phishing remaining the primary instigator behind data breaches and security mishaps, a significant transformation is reshaping the email communication landscape to thwart these threats. The

Mastering Cybersecurity in 2024: Key Trends and How Lewis IT Can Help Fortify Your Defenses

As we venture into 2024, the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by both technological advancements and increasingly sophisticated threats. Businesses and individuals alike must stay ahead of these developments to safeguard sensitive information effectively. Lewis IT is here to guide you through this dynamic environment, ensuring that your

2024 Cybersecurity Forecast: Navigating the Evolving Digital Threat Landscape with Lewis IT

As we step into 2024, the cybersecurity arena is brimming with both challenges and opportunities. With every advancement in technology, new vulnerabilities emerge, making it crucial for businesses across all industries to stay vigilant and prepared. The dynamic interplay of emerging technologies, sophisticated cyber threats, and changing global dynamics mandates

Is Your Smart Home Secure? Spotting the Stealthy Signs of a Hack

As smart home devices weave their way into the fabric of our daily lives, offering unparalleled convenience and connectivity, they also usher in new vulnerabilities. These devices can be gateways for hackers to infiltrate your personal space, compromising your privacy and security. Despite 75% of consumers expressing distrust over data

QR Codes: A Double-Edged Sword for business owners in the Digital Age

QR codes have seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, from streamlining orders at restaurants to unlocking the world of digital content through simple scans. This square-shaped technology, once devised for automotive tracking, now bridges the gap between physical and digital realms, offering a swift passage to websites, discounts, and more.

Surviving the Storm: Navigating the Long-Term Fallout of Data Breaches

At Lewis IT, we believe that data is not just an asset; it's the very heartbeat of businesses, driving operations, strategic decisions, and customer engagement. Yet, lurking beneath the digital transformation's promises lies a formidable adversary: the ever-present threat of data breaches. More than just a

Unveiling the Secrets: Are Your Smart Home Devices Watching You?

In today’s digitally-driven era, smart home devices have become a staple in modern living, promising unmatched convenience, efficiency, and connectivity right at our fingertips. However, recent studies, including a significant investigation by consumer advocate group which have cast a shadow over these technological marvels, suggesting our smart gadgets might

Maximize Efficiency and Slash Costs: Ultimate Guide to Eliminating Cloud Waste

In today's digital-first world, cloud computing stands as a pillar of modern business operations, boasting unmatched scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Yet, beneath the surface of these benefits lurks a significant challenge: cloud waste. Surprisingly, about 32% of cloud expenditures go to waste due to underutilization or lack of

Safeguard Your Online Presence: The Hidden Risks of Browser Extensions Unveiled

Browser extensions, akin to mobile apps in their ubiquity, are integral to enhancing our online experiences, offering additional functionalities and customization options. With over 176,000 options available on Google Chrome alone, they cater to a wide array of needs. However, this convenience comes with a cost: a potential compromise

Discover the Latest Microsoft Edge Updates: Enhanced Workspaces, VPN Capabilities, and More!

Microsoft Edge is on a mission to transform how we experience the web, thanks to Microsoft's unwavering dedication to innovation. The latest updates to Microsoft Edge introduce a suite of features aimed at boosting your productivity, securing your online activities, and enhancing your overall browsing experience. While Chrome

7 Revolutionary AI Trends Transforming the Cybersecurity Landscape

In an era marked by relentless digital advancements, the intertwining of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with cybersecurity has become a cornerstone for protecting sensitive data and digital assets. As cyber threats evolve with increasing sophistication, leveraging AI's power has become crucial for organizations aiming to outmaneuver cybercriminals. We at

How Could Your Business Be Impacted by the New SEC Cybersecurity Requirements?

Cybersecurity has become a top priority for businesses worldwide. As technology advances, so do the threats that can compromise sensitive information. Recognizing this critical need, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a set of new rules centered around cybersecurity, which are poised to have a substantial

Unlocking the Secrets of HaveIBeenPwned.com: Safeguarding Your Digital Fortress

In a world where digital breaches are becoming all too common, it's crucial to know if your data has been caught in the crossfire. Enter HaveIBeenPwned.com, your digital guardian angel in the vast cyberspace. But what exactly is this cyber-sleuthing wizard? HaveIBeenPwned.com: Where Secrets Unfold A

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Strengthening Your Team's Defense with Essential Cyber Hygiene

Greetings, Washington DC metro area businesses! 🌟 In this era of ever-advancing technology, the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to protect sensitive information has never been more critical. Cybersecurity might seem like an intimidating task, but guess what? It's a team effort, and everyone can be a

What is Zero-Click Malware? How Do You Fight It?

In today's wild world of cyberspace, threats are evolving faster than a squirrel on caffeine! 🐿️ One menace that's been making headlines is the notorious zero-click malware. It's like a stealthy ninja, silently sneaking into devices and networks without you even lifting a finger! 😱 Remember

How to Use Threat Modeling to Reduce Your Cybersecurity Risk

Hey there, fellow digital adventurers! In this ever-evolving world of cyber threats, businesses have a fantastic quest ahead! They must gear up and take proactive steps to safeguard their precious data and assets from those pesky cybercriminals lurking in the digital shadows. Fear not, for there's a noble

Nail Your Home Network Security: 9 NSA-Approved Tips for a Fortified Fortress

Welcome to the digital jungle, where technology is king, and everyone needs to stay connected. In this ever-evolving ecosystem, guarding your digital castle, your home network, has become paramount. It's your shield, your sword, defending your precious digital gems – personal data – from crafty hackers. In a world riddled

Enhance Cybersecurity in the Washington DC Metro Area: A Guide for Effective Threat Modeling Techniques to Reduce Risk

As cyber threats continue to increase, businesses must take proactive steps. They need to protect their sensitive data and assets from cyber-criminals. Threats to data security are persistent and they come from many different places. Today’s offices are digitally sophisticated. Just about every activity relies on some type of

Protecting Your Business from Business Email Compromise Attacks: A Must-Know Guide for Dental Providers, Financial Institutions, Legal Firms, and Schools in the Washington DC Metro Area

In the fast-paced world of emails, it's easy to respond without giving much thought to their contents. However, this seemingly harmless habit can make you vulnerable to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack. Dental providers, financial institutions, legal firms, and schools in the Washington DC Metro Area, as

Secure Your Data: A Vital Guide for Dental Providers, Financial Institutions, and Schools in the Washington DC Metro Area

Are you a dental provider, financial institution, or school in the vibrant Washington DC Metro Area? Don't overlook the importance of safeguarding your sensitive data, especially when it comes to disposing of old computers and external drives. Recent research conducted by a leading data recovery specialist has unveiled

Montana Takes a Stand: TikTok Banned as Other States Consider Following Suit

In a bold move to protect its citizens, Montana has become the first state to officially ban the popular social media platform TikTok. This decision has sparked a heated debate, with some applauding the state's effort to safeguard user privacy and security, while others argue for the importance

Embrace the Cloud: Streamline, Save, and Go Green!

Cloud computing isn't just for tech giants; it's a game-changer for dental, education, and financial institutions in the dynamic Washington DC metro area. Are you ready to take your organization to new heights while ensuring data security, collaboration, scalability, and environmental sustainability? Let's dive

Combating app fatigue in Key industries in the Washington DC Metro Area

The number of apps and web tools that employees in Washington DC's financial institutions, dental providers, universities, and mortgage and title companies use on a regular basis continues to grow. Most departments have around 40-60 different digital tools in use, and 71% of employees feel that the sheer

Lewis IT Earns Esteemed Recognition from Digital Journal: A Testament to Our Dedication & Expertise

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become an integral component of every organization's success. As businesses continue to rely more heavily on technology, the need to safeguard their digital assets and networks from malicious actors has grown exponentially. At Lewis IT, our mission has always been to

AI Exploitation: The New Frontier for Cyber Criminals in Maryland

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has provided numerous benefits, including improved communication and automation. However, it has also opened the door for cyber criminals to take advantage of these powerful tools, especially in the realm of managed IT services. As an IT managed service provider in the Washington

Microsoft 365 Turns Multi-Factor Authentication into a Party: Security Just Got Fun!

Hold on to your swivel chairs, folks! Microsoft is about to make your office life a tad more thrilling. Rumor has it that Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is about to get a shiny makeover, and it's coming straight to the Outlook app for many 365 business users. Say goodbye

Empowering Women in Tech: Celebrating Their Contributions during Women's History Month

As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, we are reminded of the countless contributions women have made throughout history. Women have fought for their rights and the rights of others, broken down barriers, and made significant strides in various industries, including the field of technology. As a

How to Defend Against Ransomware with LAN ZeroTrust

The first recorded ransomware attack occurred in 1989. An AIDS researcher named Joseph Popp mailed floppy disks around the world to attendees of the World Health Organization's AIDS conference. A few days after the floppy disk was inserted, the malware it installed locked the computer and demanded a

Don’t forget your phone when you think about cybersecurity

Our phones are a goldmine of private information. Just think of all the financial details, personal messages, banking apps, photos and contact information that live behind that little glass screen. And if your team use phones for work, they’ll often have access straight into company systems – email, contact lists,

Lewis IT celebrates Women in Technology

As a Managed IT solutions provider, we would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the women who have made significant contributions to the technology industry. Women have played an essential role in shaping the tech world, and we owe a debt of thanks

Have You Had Data Exposed in One of These Recent Data Breaches?

Make Sure Your Router is Secure There’s a reason that browsers like Edge have added breached password notifications. Data breaches are an unfortunate part of life. And can have costly consequences for individuals. Hackers can steal identities and compromise bank accounts, just to name a couple. Cybercriminals breach about

Is your security focusing on the right things?

To protect your home from an intruder you make sure your doors and windows are all locked and secured. You might go further: build a fence around the perimeter, perhaps even get an angry-looking dog to stand guard. But there’s no point going to all that effort if someone’

Mobile Malware Has Increased 500% - What Should You Do?

Cybersecurity researchers uncovered an alarming mobile statistic. During the first few months of 2022, mobile malware attacks surged by 500%. This is alarming both in scale and because many people aren’t yet protecting smartphones. For years, mobile phones have become more powerful. They now do many of the same

Don't Set Yourself Up to Fail: Tips for Safer Home Security Setups

The global home security market has been growing by leaps and bounds. By 2026, experts expect the market to expand at a rate of 20.1%. This is on top of an expected increase of 21.6% from 2021 to 2022. From Ring doorbell cams to entire home security systems,

What to Include in a Year-end Technology Infrastructure Review

When the year is coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to plan for the future. Most businesses begin the year with the hope of growing and improving operations. Much of how a business operates depends on technology. So, it makes sense to look to your IT for

What Are the Advantages of Implementing Conditional Access?

It seems that nearly as long as passwords have been around, they’ve been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one percent of security incidents happen due to stolen or weak passwords. Additionally, employees continue to neglect the basics of good cyber hygiene. For example, 61% of workers use the

Simple Guide to Follow for Better Endpoint Protection

Endpoints make up much of a company’s network and IT infrastructure. This is a collection of computers, mobile devices, servers, and smart gadgets. As well as other IoT devices that all connect to the company network. The number of endpoints a company has will vary by business size. Companies

Internet Explorer Has Lost All Support (What You Need to Know)

After being the main entry to the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Internet Explorer (IE) is gone. As of June 15, 2022, Microsoft dropped the web browser from support. IE ushered in the age of connection to the world in 1995 and held a majority of the

The Biggest Vulnerabilities that Hackers are Feasting on Right Now

Software vulnerabilities are an unfortunate part of working with technology. A developer puts out a software release with millions of lines of code. Then, hackers look for loopholes that allow them to breach a system through that code. The developer issues a patch to fix the vulnerability. But it’s

You Need to Watch Out for Reply-Chain Phishing Attacks

Phishing. It seems you can’t read an article on cybersecurity without it coming up. That’s because phishing is still the number one delivery vehicle for cyber attacks. 80% of surveyed security professionals say that phishing campaigns have significantly increased post-pandemic. One of the newest tactics is particularly hard

6 Discontinued Technology Tools You Should No Longer Be Using

One constant about technology is that it changes rapidly. Tools that were once staples, like Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash, age out. New tools replace those that are obsolete.  Discontinued technology can leave computers and networks vulnerable to attacks. While older technology may still run fine on your systems that

Get More Unplugged Laptop Time with These Battery-Saving Hacks

One of the big draws of a laptop computer is that you can use it anywhere. You don’t need to have it plugged in all the time because it has an internal battery. Your laptop may start out with several hours of battery life when you first buy it.

How Using the SLAM Method Can Improve Phishing Detection

There is a reason why phishing is usually at the top of the list for security awareness training. For the last decade or two, it has been the main delivery method for all types of attacks. Ransomware, credential theft, database breaches, and more launch via a phishing email. Why has

Home Security: Why You Should Put IoT Devices on a Guest Wi-Fi Network

The number of internet-connected devices in homes has been growing. It's increased exponentially over the last decade. A typical home now has 10.37 devices connected to the internet. PCs and mobile devices make up a little over half of those and the rest are IoT devices. IoT

How Often Do You Need to Train Employees on Cybersecurity Awareness?

You’ve completed your annual phishing training. This includes teaching employees how to spot phishing emails. You’re feeling good about it. That is until about 5-6 months later. Your company suffers a costly ransomware infection due to a click on a phishing link. You wonder why you seem to

Did You Just Receive a Text from Yourself? Learn What Smishing Scams to Expect

How many text messages from companies do you receive today as compared to about two years ago? If you’re like many people, it’s quite a few more. This is because retailers have begun bypassing bloated email inboxes. They are urging consumers to sign up for SMS alerts for

Which Form of MFA Is the Most Secure? Which Is the Most Convenient?

Credential theft is now at an all-time high and is responsible for more data breaches than any other type of attack. With data and business processes now largely cloud-based, a user’s password is the quickest and easiest way to conduct many different types of dangerous activities. Being logged in

Top 5 Mobile Device Attacks You Need to Watch Out For

Smartphones and tablets are often the preferred device for communications, web searching, and accessing many types of apps. They’re more portable and can be used from anywhere. We’re seeing the takeover of many activities that used to be performed on traditional computers. Now, people are using mobile devices

6 Ways to Combat Social Phishing Attacks

Phishing is the number one method of attack delivery for everything from ransomware to credential theft. We are very aware of it coming by email, but other types of phishing have been growing rapidly. In recent years, phishing over social media has skyrocketed by 500%. There has also been a

Are Two Monitors Really More Productive Than One?

When you see those people with two monitors, you may assume they do some specialized work that requires all that screen space, or they just really like technology. But having the additional display real estate that a second screen provides can benefit anyone, even if you’re doing accounting or

4 Interesting Cloud Storage Trends to Watch for in 2022

One area of cloud computing that is used widely, but often isn’t as flashy as the software side is cloud storage. Storing files in the cloud to make them easily accessible and shareable from anywhere was one of the very first uses of the cloud that was adopted widely

These Google Search Tips Will Save You Tons of Time!

Over 2.4 million searches happen every minute on Google. It’s often the first stop people make when they go online. We search daily for both personal and work needs, and often searching out the right information can take a lot of time if you have to sift through

Important Steps to Take Before You Recycle a Mobile Phone Number

It’s not unusual to change a mobile number from time to time. For example, when you move, you may want a number that is local to the area you just moved to. Companies also may end up recycling mobile numbers throughout their staff as people come and go. If

Alarming Phishing Attack Trends to Beware of in 2022

In 2020, 75% of companies around the world experienced a phishing attack. Phishing remains one of the biggest dangers to your business's health and wellbeing because it’s the main delivery method for all types of cyberattacks. One phishing email can be responsible for a company succumbing to

5 Things You Should Never Do on a Work Computer

Whether you work remotely or in an office, the line between personal and work tasks can become blurred when working on your company computer. If you’re in front of a computer for most of your time during work, then it’s not unusual to get attached to your desktop

How OneNote Can Streamline Team Collaboration (And Four Tips to Make the Most of This Program)

OneNote is a digital note-taking tool that comes with plenty of benefits for users. But what you may not have realized yet is how powerful this app can be for enhancing team collaboration. Note-taking. This is an essential part of day-to-day operations for many business owners, managers, and teams. After

The Critical Importance of Virtualized Infrastructure Security (And 4 Ways to Enhance It)

A torn-down virtual infrastructure creates risks for any business. And it can have a significant impact on how quickly you can retrieve your data and resume operations following an attack. These days, many businesses use virtualized infrastructure for more straightforward data storage. It’s because this approach is superior to

Making Your VoIP Network Bulletproof (Six Tips to Protect Your VoIP from Cyberattacks)

Hardly any phone call system in a business beats VoIP when it comes to efficiency and flexibility. However, it’s not immune to cyberattacks. Discover how you can secure your VoIP ASAP. What kind of communication system are you using for your business? I asked because many modern-day businesses have

Why Protecting Your Printers from Cybercrime Is a Must (And 8 Tips for Improving Printer Security)

Printing devices are often overlooked when it comes to security. But the reality is, cybercriminals can hack your printer to get confidential information. Your printer is probably the last piece of computer equipment you thought needed protection from cybercriminals. But the truth is very different. Attackers actively try to locate

How to get cloud-first flexibility--but with powerful security

Freed by cloud, businesses now have so many more ways—and places--to get work done. Flexibility means you can more easily dodge unexpected curve balls, like moving all employees to work from home due to quarantines and social distancing. It can also help you act quickly on new opportunities, like

The Truth About Your Healthcare Company's Security

In 2020, the average cost of a data breach in the healthcare industry hit $7.3 million. System downtime. Incident response cost. Fines. Exposure of protected data. Brand reputation damage. The real costs of a breach add up fast. Almost overnight, work from everywhere became the new normal, and with

Why You and Your Law Firm May Be A Hacker’s Best Friend

No matter what size your law firm is, your risk from cyber attacks is significant. You store volumes of confidential data about your firm, your employees, and your clients, and all that data is an attractive target for hackers. In 2018, nearly 80% of law firms experienced phishing attacks, according

Let's start thinking long term about the success of our remote staff and the security of our company

2020 has taught us that we must be incredibly flexible in how we operate our businesses. The pandemic, natural disasters, overall unrest…all of it has given us an opportunity to think about how we build a business that is not only resilient, but prepared for what's next.

How to Defend Against Ransomware with LAN ZeroTrust

The first recorded ransomware attack occurred in 1989. An AIDS researcher named Joseph Popp mailed floppy disks around the world to attendees of the World Health Organization's AIDS conference. A few days after the floppy disk was inserted, the malware it installed locked the computer and demanded a

Be ready when disaster strikes!

Your business faces all sorts of threats that can disrupt your operations. A comprehensive continuity plan can help address them. Carrying on with business as usual is easy when nothing out of the ordinary is happening. But the fact is, crises can strike anytime. And when it happens, you need

Microsoft Edge Isn’t Internet Explorer v.2!

Many business owners shy away from Microsoft Edge, thinking it'll slow down their operations. However, the browser has been massively upgraded and can help boost productivity. Microsoft has made great strides since the introduction of Internet Explorer. The company now offers Microsoft Edge, a refined version that arguably

Finding the Right IT Provider: Avoid These 8 Mistakes

Your business can benefit a lot from working with an IT provider. However, you need to avoid several key mistakes when choosing your team. Time spent on trying to figure out the technology you use in your business can be costly. While doing that, you can’t focus on your

Enhancing Office Productivity With Google Chrome: The 12 Best Extensions To Improve Your Workflow

Working from your computer or smartphone is convenient, but it can also be distracting. To maintain productivity, you should install effective Google Chrome Extensions. Google Chrome is arguably the most popular browser on the planet. It’s best known for allowing faster loading of websites, optimized performance, and an intuitive

Enhance Your Server Management with These 8 Tips

You may have state-of-the-art servers, but their efficiency can diminish over time. Managing them is key to optimizing your business operations. Numerous organizations rely on servers for various IT functions, such as applications, emails, hosting websites, and data storage. Although many companies have turned to cloud-based services using remote data

11 Effective Security Measures To Enhance Your Microsoft 365 Data Protection

Making the most of your Microsoft 365 apps requires you to adopt appropriate security measures. Microsoft 365 is one of the best collaboration and productivity tools around. It provides users with seamless communication, scalability and supports remote work with various features. The security is also solid due to a wide

Making Your Mobile Devices Safe From Cyberattacks: The 9 Best Practices

The reality is, mobile devices are less safe than desktop computers. Boosting security on such devices is essential if you use them in business. Technological breakthroughs have streamlined your operations in several ways. Primarily, you can now use mobile devices to make your communication and data sharing more convenient. But

Which Type of Hackers is Endangering Your Business Data? (And How to Protect Your Sensitive Info from Them)

Your data is pivotal to running a successful company. If you don’t have proper security measures in place, hackers can easily steal your data and take you out of business. Cybercriminals might be the biggest threat facing your company. Besides gaining access to your money and accounts, they can

Is Updating From Windows 10 to 11 Worth It? Here Are the New Features in the OS (And Some Missing Ones)

Getting used to Windows 11 shouldn’t be too challenging. On the contrary, the OS comes with several intuitive features to enhance productivity. Microsoft recently introduced Windows 11 as the company’s latest operating system. And compared to Windows 10, this OS has various features that can increase your productivity