Resources - XSolutions

4 Things To Do Now To Harden Your PDF Reader

Find out the four critical things you need to do to harden your PDF Reader and protect yourself against Malware-Layden PDF Documents.

The Ultimate 70 Point Disaster Preparation Guide

Download and use this extensive Disaster Preparation Guide to protect your business when calamity suddenly strikes. Mother Nature can be harsh and those that are prepared will survive. Those that don’t will fail.

What Is The Difference Between Syncing and Backing Up Files?

Many people think that syncing and backups are the same. They couldn't be more wrong. Knowing the difference can save you and your company a lot of heartaches if data is lost or compromised.

Is a System Image the Same as a Backup?

Data only backup systems have their place for very small firms that have light IT infrastructures and produce small amounts of data. Larger companies need to consider image-based backup solutions. But, not just any image-based system will do. Find out which one you must deploy to thrive during and after a disaster.

Is RAID A Backup Strategy?

RAID and backups are two very distinct technologies. One should not be used as a substitute for the other. In fact, you need both. Read on to find out why.

12 Steps To Survive In The New Normal

For months, businesses have focused exclusively on the Pandemic, its effects on their finances, and how to reopen safely. But, time waits for no one. The same threats that were important a few months ago are still relevant now. Don't take your eye off of the ball.

Why Businesses Pay The Ransom

The reason many businesses are forced to pay the ransom is poor planning. Don't be one of them. Know the different types of backups and which one you need to use to save your data and possibly your company.

Which Is Better: Full, Incremental, or Differential Backups?

Selecting a Business Continuity Disaster Recovery (BCDR) solution for your company is serious business. Select the wrong technology, and you could be out of business after the next disaster. Read this article and find out what you must know about backup technologies BEFORE you make your selection.

8 Tactics To Improve Security

COVID-19 taught us many business lessons. Ignoring them is a big mistake. Use these 8 tactics to ensure your company’s survival in the next disaster.

COVID-19 Exposes Flaw In DR Plans

Another COVID-19 business lesson that we all learned the hard way is that home networks must be part of your company’s Disaster Recovery Plan. Read on and find out what you need to do now.

Fight Back Against Cyber-Crooks In The Cloud – And Win

Many people don’t realize that their cloud applications, such as Office 365, are not being backed up by cloud service providers. Microsoft states that it is not their responsibility in its Services Agreement. To fully protect your company’s data, you need to backup and secure the data in your cloud applications; otherwise, you’re missing a massive chunk of information in your Disaster Recovery Plan.

COVID-19 Business Lesson - You Need A Disaster Plan

COVID-19 has taught businesses all over the world a brutal lesson—plan, or fail. Companies need to listen. XSolutions’ updated Disaster Recovery Plan Template makes disaster planning a snap. Download the free template now.

The 1 Secret About Office 365 That Can Destroy Your Backup Plans

Most users today depend on Microsoft Office 365. It is the best cloud application on the market today. It is also the most targeted by hackers. As wonderful as Office 365 is, there is one aspect that many users, including CIOs, don’t realize that can create a giant hole in a company’s Disaster Plan. Read on to find out what it is and what to do about it.

COVID-19 Scammers Step Up Attacks On Quarantined Workers

A recent warning from the FBI shows that the criminal underground…

COVID-19: What You Need To Do Now

Today’s headlines tell the tale: - Covid-19 cases in the…

Clever Attack Hijacks Your MSO365 Account

Introduction A post in Bleeping Computer outlined a fiendish…

Crooks using hacked websites to download trojan malware

Last week, we issued an alert about a fake Windows update delivering…

Security Alert – Fake Windows Update Delivers Ransomware

Security blog, Threatpost warns of a SPAM email going around…

The (Bad) State Of Cybersecurity In Healthcare

Cybercriminals are gunning for the healthcare industry. Attacks on healthcare have increased exponentially, and experts expect things to get worse. Read on to find out the causes and what to do to stop this crisis.

Security Alert: Fake WebEx Invites Deliver Malware Instead

Scammers are getting more sophisticated. Their latest trick is sending fake WebEx invites that can mean BIG trouble if you click the “Join Meeting” link. Read on.

State Privacy Laws Coming. Are You Ready?

The General Data Protection Regulation, also known as GDPR, was the most comprehensive and sweeping data privacy directive to “hit the books” in many years. The GDPR is coming to America in the form of individual state regulations, forcing organizations to take better care of the personal data they hold. Does it affect you? You bet it does. Read on.

Security Alert: Phone Bank Scam Bilking Customers

Two-factor Authentication is a great security technique, but a good social engineer can get around it if you’re not careful. Read on to find out how they do it and what you can do to protect yourself.

7 Disaster Planning Essentials Your Business Should Act On Now

One thing a business never wants to do, is to send an e-mail to their customers explaining that a hacker accessed their info through you or that all of their information was lost because there was not a reliable backup system in place. Read on and find the seven (7) crucial things every business should do to prepare for the worst.

Security Alert: P&G Online Beauty Store hacked

A popular Proctor & Gamble website was hacked and stealing payment information from U.S. based customers. Find out how the criminals pulled it off and why it is so dangerous to your wallet.

The Cyber-war on Healthcare

The healthcare industry is under siege. From large billion-dollar companies to small medical practices are being attacked because a single medical record can bring a hacker as much as $1,000 on the dark web. Read on and find out what your healthcare company should be doing to protect themselves and their patients.

Security Alert: Audio Files Used To Spread Malware

Criminals have upped their game and are now embedding malicious code in audio files. Read on to find out what they’re doing now and how to thwart their attacks.

Security Alert: Fraudulent URLs Tricking Users At Record levels

Scammers are constantly changing tactics to trick users into making mistakes. Bogus URL usage is on the rise. Landing on a fraudulent website can end in malware infections, including ransomware. Read on to find out how to identify a bogus URL.

The Ultimate Defense Against Ransomware

Ransomware is here to stay and is a primary cyber-weapon of criminals. You may not be able to stop ransomware from attacking your company, but you can effectively defend your business and eliminate the threat. Read and find out how.

Security Alert: Attacks That Bypass MFA

The FBI warns that hackers are using tactics that can bypass multi-factor authentication. Read how they’re doing it and how you can protect yourself.

Security Alert: Finance Departments Need To Be Super Vigilant

A recent ZDNet Security post describes a dastardly attack vector…

What To Learn From The Baltimore Ransomware Attack

Earlier this year, Baltimore suffered a massive ransomware attack that crippled the city’s ability to function. Find out the mistake that Baltimore made that cost them millions of dollars and make sure your company isn’t making the same blunder.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 15 – HW & SW Inventories

A well-written and tested Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is worth its weight in gold. Make sure you have one! The information it contains will not only help your IT recovery but your physical one too. Having information at your fingertips allows you to ask for help efficiently, quickly and with one purposecomplete recovery. Read on to find out the two most important lists you must have in your DRP.

Businessman surrounded by circular tech graphics

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 14 – Disaster Recovery Systems

Disasters are, by nature, unplanned events. Therefore, when they strike, Subject Matter Experts may not be available. That’s why detailed documentation is necessary. This post explores what your Disaster Plan must contain about your present backup systems.

Tablet on messy desk with a virtual heart with vitals on the screen

BDR Guide – Healthcare

Many aspects of the healthcare industry are now digitized. As a result, professionals in the field constantly face the challenge of protecting sensitive information that could easily become compromised if the right steps aren’t taken.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 13 – Licenses & Permits

When your company was created and/or evolved from previous entity types, you were issued important documents registering your business. These documents, although not accessed very much, must always be in reach in case you’re are legally required to produce them. Keeping these documents off premises and/or digital copies can save you a lot of grief. Read how to take this issue off your plate.

Workers sitting around table full of charts

Choosing your disaster recovery team

When disaster strikes, your business - and your bottom line - will suffer if you don't have a disaster recovery plan. The trouble is, without a team in place to execute your plan, even the most carefully constructed strategy falls apart. Here's who to ensure you have on your disaster recovery team, so you're covering all areas of IT.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 12 - Insurance, Finance & Legal Info

There is more to surviving a disaster than making sure your data is safe and accessible. Money is needed to run a business, so make sure you have access to cash during and after a disaster. Setting up banking lines as well as timely filing of insurance claims can help your business survive financially until the emergency dissipates. Read on to find out what your Disaster Plan should contain.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 11 – Notification Matrix

A good Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) gives your people everything they need to operate during and after a disaster. Even day-to-day problems can be covered in a DRP, such as plumbing issues, electrical malfunctions, security problems, etc. Be as comprehensive as possible by taking “thinking” as much as possible out of the equation.

4 business continuity planning essentials (Part 2 of 2)

Disasters are inevitable. Floods, fires, cyberattacks, and hardware failures happen – it’s how your business responds that matters. And that’s where business continuity planning comes into play.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 10 – Client Contacts

When disaster strikes, if you’re not able to demonstrate that your company not only survived the disaster but is recovering quickly, as planned, your customers may start jumping ship. Having the ability to contact your customers to reassure them is vital to your survival. Read on.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 9 – Vendor List

Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) is all about details. No one has the time for thinking through high-level data during the Recovery Phase. Having a complete vendor list will aide in a quicker and smoother recovery. Read on.

Backup or business continuity? What businesses need in 2019

Data backups are only one part of a proper business continuity plan. Having that plan in place means being ready for anything - we’ll show you how to prep.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 8 – Employee Contact Information

Great plans often begin with the basics. You’d be surprised at how many plans lack basic information. Employee contact information should be at the appropriate manager’s fingertips. Departments should not have to wait for Human Resources to give them contact information before managers can notify their employees. Make this a part of your plan. Read and find out how.

RTO and RPO: What they are and why they matter

RTO and RPO are two integral aspects of disaster recovery – that is Recovery Time Objective and Recovery Point Objective, respectively. In this article, we’ll explain what RTO and RPO are and discuss why they should matter to your business. Let’s jump right into it.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 7 – Emergency & Vendor Information

Emergencies have a nasty habit of happening unexpectedly. In real-life emergencies, people often don’t think clearly which delays action. Even a small delay can have life or death consequences. Emergency contact information can help staff get the right help for the situation quickly. Read to see how.

Continuity for Business Manufacturers

As a manufacturer, your data is crucial to producing your products. Avoiding data loss or theft is necessary to keep your company away from costly interruptions

Graphic of a hurricane next to an emergency checklist

Hurricane preparedness checklist for SMBs

While no one can prevent hurricanes or other natural disasters, the good news is that every SMB can prepare to survive if disaster strikes. According to data collected by the National Hurricane Survival Institute, around 40% of SMBs can't reopen after hurricane damage. Why?

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 6 – Backup Facilities

Business Continuity and not mere survival needs to be the focus of your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). But, if your office is damaged or destroyed, where will your employees go to work? How will you maintain IT operations? How will you access your data? These are the questions that your DRP must answer now, so you can prepare for the unthinkable. Those businesses that prepare, survive. Those that don’t, fail. Read this post so you can survive and thrive should disaster strike.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 5 – The Communication Plan

When disaster strikes, confusion reigns and time becomes your chief enemy. A well thought out communication plan will keep employees and clients informed, enable the company to speak with one voice and avoid confusion. It is a vital component of your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).

5 cybersecurity basics every one of your employees should know

90% of small businesses don't protect their data at all. Is your business at risk? Luckily, there’s some good news. You don't have to spend a lot of money to protect your business and clients. Follow these five basic cybersecurity tips to keep your company’s data safe.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 4 – Evacuation Plan

Disasters come in many flavors and sometimes the unthinkable happens—you need to immediately evacuate the premises. Don’t trust this part of your Disaster Plan to chance. Document and test. Make sure every employee knows what to do. Read on and find out how.

Businessman stacking blocks that spell "BYOD" on table

How to develop a balanced BYOD policy

It’s increasingly common for employees to have their own devices – laptops, tablets, phones – at work; devices that they’re comfortable and familiar with. But BYOD policies can create some potentially dangerous situations for employers. These factors are a few to consider as you set up your BYOD policy.

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 3 – Declaring A Disaster

Recovery starts when an emergency or disaster is declared and the energies of the company are focused on one thing—surviving the initial catastrophe and continuing operations (Business Continuity). This is an important piece of your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). Make sure you’re covered. Read on!

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 2 – Critical Processes

Catastrophes have a way of blurring events that can quickly overwhelm even the well prepared. This article discusses the role of documenting your Critical Processes in your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).

Disaster Recovery Planning Step 1 – The Threat Matrix

A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is essential to the survival of a business, no matter the size. In this article—the first in a planned series—we cover the initial phase of a DRP, the Threat Matrix.

Now Available: A Simple Disaster Recovery Plan Template

Some businesses create a false sense of security because they’ve instituted a cloud data backup strategy and enabled staff to work remotely in a crisis. Nothing can be further from the truth. All businesses need a written Disaster Recovery Plan. Our FREE template makes it easy.

Everything you need to know about penetration testing

To stay on top of cybercrime and identify weak points in your system, it's important to add penetration testing to your network protection routine. Also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, penetration testing is the professional practice of testing computers in order to find vulnerabilities.

Case study: Swift Electrical Supply

Swift’s infrastructure had grown and evolved over the years into aging technology connected in piecemeal fashion. While they had an internal IT staff member who kept things running, the outdated system was prone to failures and downtime.

5 things to consider (other than cost) when purchasing new technology

When purchasing new technology, costs aren't the only factor. It's important to make the right investment for your company's short and long-term business objectives. We've listed the 5 top considerations before committing to new equipment around the office.

3 tech decisions you can make without an IT consultant (and 3 you shouldn't)

To grow your business, you must build and maintain IT systems that support your long-term commercial objectives. While you can make some IT-based decisions without professional help, it's best to consult experts when you're looking at the bigger picture.

Case study: QuadLogic

Over the years, QuadLogic’s complicated IT infrastructure had grown messy and was constantly giving them issues. Devices and servers would crash and employees were constantly complaining. They turned to XSolutions for direction and a new strategy. See the results.

XSolutions’ Article Roundup: 04.17.2019

Important news you can use now!

6 signs that your IT network needs an upgrade

Do you know how to spot the signs of an outdated IT network? Here's how to identify an IT system in need of upgrading: you're still growing, your performance suffers, your storage is filling up, and it's been a while since you updated your security.

XSolutions’ Article Roundup: 04.05.2019

Important News You Can Use. Here are a few articles mined from the security blogs we monitor that contain information you should be aware of. We sincerely thank the authors for sharing their expertise with us.

5 ways you should be using Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a robust option to improve your team’s productivity and organization. This digital notebook application enables real-time collaboration and integration with the popular Office 365 software package. Let's take a look at five ways you can use OneNote to improve your business.

3 important ransomware statistics you need to know

Ransomware is a malicious type of cyberattack that gains access to your network and holds your data hostage, unless a ransom is paid. This article will discuss key ransomware statistics you need to be aware of, as well as security best practices to keep your business safe.

6 Office 365 secret tips and tricks

While you may have mastered many basic and intermediate capabilities of Office 365, there are probably a few productivity-enhancing features and options you haven’t used. To help you deepen your skills, we've prepared a list of little-known tips and tricks that could surprise you.

Are You Under-prepared for disaster?

A written Disaster Plan is a "must have" for all companies. Find out what you should include in your plan and how to download our FREE template.

male specialist holds laptop discusses work cloud solutions

The top 10 SMB cloud solutions for 2019

Are you ready to bring SMB cloud solutions to your business? They offer many benefits like lower cost infrastructure, increased monitoring and analytics, and increased security. With so many choices available for different cloud services, it can be hard to know where to start.

What is the hybrid cloud and how can you use it?

Organizations are no longer wondering if the cloud is the right solution. Today, 73% of organizations have at least one application or percentage of their infrastructure in the cloud. Read on to learn what the hybrid cloud is and how it can be used in your business.

Security Alert: Criminals Up The Ante On Payroll Fraud

As a new year rolls around, criminals are seeking new ways to steal from your business. CEO and payroll fraud are on the rise. Find out what hackers are up to now.

The SMB owner's cybersecurity quick start guide

Cybersecurity is important for every business, especially small businesses. When done wrong it leaves your business vulnerable. We’ve compiled this guide for small business owners and IT teams to help you get started putting the right cybersecurity measures in place to keep your business safe.

GDPR and Business Continuity―why you must care

New Jersey is considering enacting GDPR-like regulations and other states are sure to follow. Find out what you need to do now to get in front of this pending regulation.

Protecting your company from phishing attacks

Phishing attacks through email and text messaging are on the rise. Fortunately, there are several simple ways you, your employees, and your clients can defend yourself from these kinds of breaches. Protect your company from security failure and downtime with these tips.

The Clock Is Ticking―Update Or Get Hacked

Microsoft is ending Windows 7 support soon. Find out when support ends and what it means to you.

New Online Credit Card Stealing Code Makes Shopping Dangerous

Online shopping is certainly the wave of the future as brick-and-mortar…

If You Get This Email, Don’t Panic But Act

Recently, I was on my computer when this email popped up. It…

5 things you need to know about Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks

There are quite a few of different kinds of cyberthreats out there, but there’s one that often gets overlooked: MITM attacks. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks are one of the most common and prevalent threats that pose a risk to your data. Here’s how you can stop them and protect your data.

Overcoming "little disasters" with your BDR plan

One nice thing about backup and disaster recovery plans is that they're helpful in situations that aren't exactly devastating. Take a power outage or snow day, for example. “Little disasters” can be inconvenient and even potentially crippling, depending on the situation.

Local backups vs. cloud backups (and why you want both)

Backups play an important role in keeping information safe. In general, backups are divided into two categories, known as local and cloud backups. Here's what you should know about these two types of backups and why a hybrid approach involving both is typically the best solution for businesses.

The SMB owner's complete guide to business continuity

Even when operations are humming along, there's always a chance of disaster. Just one significant negative incident could disrupt your business. It may sound sensational, but it’s not an overstatement to say that whole companies have been destroyed in the wake of just one unfortunate event.

5 reasons to consider outsourcing your IT support

Managed IT services come with some significant advantages. In fact, the business case for outsourcing has been proven many times over. And if you’re smart and choose your partner wisely, you can reap those same benefits, even on a limited budget. There’s an outsourcing option that will work for you.

Simple network repairs SMB owners can do on their own

The loss of productivity in dealing with buggy office tech is a hassle. Not only that, but downtime can have a serious effect on your bottom line. The good news is that there are a number of possible solutions to your network woes that you can try yourself before having to call in the cavalry.

ALERT: Phishers Are Hard At Work With Bogus Microsoft Emails

One of our very good clients received the following email, supposedly…

The Reach Is Long And The Bite Deep

Scenario: It’s Monday morning and an employee notifies you…

Don’t Be A Sitting Duck

Small businesses are under attack. Right now, extremely dangerous…

ALERT: Phishers Are Hard At Work With Bogus Microsoft Emails

One of our very good clients received the following email, supposedly…

Insidious Bug Found that Can Destroy Privacy

ZDNet reports that a bug was found in the LinkedIn Auto-fill…

ALERT: Millions Of Trusted Apps Are Leaking Data!

We’ve always advised our readers to carefully scrutinize the…

XSolutions Sees Uptick In Owner/CEO-Spoofed Emails

This is very important so please make sure that EVERYONE in…

Beware Of This Fiendishly Clever Phishing Scam

Scammers have devised a phishing campaign aimed at taking control…

A Lesson To Be Learned

Here are a few headlines from some security blogs I monitor…

SECURITY ALERT: An Old Nemesis Resurfaces

Heimdal Security reports that the financial trojan, Trickbot…

The Crème de la Crème of Phishing Attacks

In a recent post, security firm KnowBe4 described a targeted…

XSolutions Sponsors Cyber-Attack Survival Forum

On February 28, 2018 it was our pleasure to sponsor a Cyber…

If You Get A Call From “Your Bank”―Don’t Do This!

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is currently one of the best…

Look Before You Click!

Lately I’ve been receiving, what appears to be, a lot more…

Hackers Serve Malware Cocktail That Evades Most AV Programs

As I stated many times before, cyber-criminals are an adaptable…

A New Twist To An Old Scam

In the past, scammers targeted departments responsible for…

Are You Or Someone You Know The Star Of A Fake Porn Movie?

Just when you think the criminal element can’t sink any lower—they…

O&R Warns Residents Of Utility Scams

Orange & Rockland (O&R) issued a warning…

Meet Skygofree—The Multipurpose Mobile Trojan

A recent post in Kaspersky Lab detailed a powerful “new”…

Watch What You Type Into Your Browser!

Wherever we are, we’re in a hurry. It doesn’t matter where…

2018 … And The Beat Goes On

Unless you’ve been living under a “digital rock” lately,…

ALERT: Worldwide Ransomware Attack Underway

A new strain of ransomware called Bad Rabbit has hit multiple…

Article Roundup: Week Ending 10.20.2017

Important Cyber news of the week, summed up by XSolutions and…

Security Alert: Critical Wi-Fi Vulnerability Found - DO NOT IGNORE THIS!

Mathy Vanhoef, a researcher from Belgian university KU Leuven…

Article Roundup - Week Ending 10/06/17

XSolutions posts to social media almost on a daily basis. Readers…

Look Ma, No Macros!

Successful hackers should be very proud—they've created yet…

Massive Ransomware Attack Underway

Barracuda researchers confirmed that a massive ransomware attack…

Security Alert: Supply Chain Attack Nabs CCleaner

Researchers at Cisco Talos discovered that CCleaner’s 32-bit…

Official Photo From CIANJ: XSolutions Wins CIANJ Best Practices Award

This is the official CIANJ photo of Joe Jr. accepting…

XSolutions Wins CIANJ Best Practice Award For 2017

We are proud to announce that XSolutions Consulting Services…

Security Alert: Equifax Data Breach Impacts 143 Million People

Reporting agencies and security blogs are ablaze today with the…

Security Alert: 23 Million Bogus Emails Spreading Ransomware

In just 24 hours, over 23 million phishing emails carrying the…

Security Alert: New IRS/FBI Ransomware Scam

A new ransomware phishing scam is going around using IRS and…

To A Hacker—You’re Not Important But Your Data Is!

Your information is everywhere—on your personal computer’s…

Attended The CIANJ’s Forum On Alternative Sources of Working Capital

I had the pleasure of attending the Alternative Sources of Working…

Criminals Attack On A Global Scale

As you've undoubtedly heard, a second global ransomware attack…

Security Through Reading Links

As I stated before, bad guys are very smart. One way that they…

Malware Evolves To Dangerous Levels

Criminals are an adaptable bunch. Now that most people know…

Sometimes Low-Tech is the way to go

I've spoken about this at meetings and written about it in blog…

Anatomy Of A CEO-Wire Fraud Attack

CEO-Wire Fraud is a dangerous Social Engineering attack that…

Security Alert: NYS DMV Email Scam Going Around

News reports on local stations here in Rockland County, NY plus notifications…

9 Online Shopping Security Tips To Keep You Safe

Statistics show that 51% of Americans prefer to shop…

Security Alert: DocuSign Breach Leads To Phishing Attacks

A recent breach at DocuSign has led to phishing campaigns designed…

How To Identify A Phishing Email—An Example

One of our good clients sent us a phishing email supposedly from…

Hackers Step Up Phishing Attacks

It seems that phishing attacks have increased exponentially…

WanaCry Ransomware Hackers Threaten More Chaos

A KnowBe4’s blog post yesterday disclosed that the hacking…

Ransomware - Information Held Hostage

On May 12, 2017, I attended a great seminar, “Information…

Security Alert: Massive Google Docs Phishing Campaign

A very convincing and deceptive Google Docs phishing scheme hit…

Think it can’t happen to you?

Many individuals simply operate on the assumption that no one…

Security Alert! Locky Reemerges—Dangerous As Ever

Most of us breathed a sigh of relief thinking that the notorious…

ALERT: New Malware Campaign With A 90% Success Rate

Researchers have discovered a brand new, sophisticated spear…

ALERT: NYS Department of Finance Issues A Warning

The New York State Department of Finance recently sent an alert…

XSolutions Featured In Groundbreaking Book, “The Essence of Lean” by David Hinds

Dr. David Hinds: educator, business executive and entrepreneur…

Security Alert: Karma Ransomware Hides In SW Downloads

Security blog, Graham Cluley posted yesterday that…

How To Protect Your Company From Data Loss

Data loss can happen at anytime—suddenly and without warning.…

Locky Ransomware Diguises Itself Again

Locky ransomware keeps evolving in an effort to live on! Security…

Security Alert: Locky Ransomware Is Now THOR

Ransomware gangs are at it again. A new Locky ransomware variant…

Tech Tip: Delete Doesn't Mean Gone Forever

No business owner or executive can know everything and when…

Fire, Flood and Your Business

Introduction Fires and floods can have a massive negative…

What The Yahoo Hack Can Teach Us

The Problem By now you’ve undoubtedly heard about the massive…

Does Ransomware Scare You?

Did you ever stop to think about one of the other 49 million…

Microsoft Rolling Out Focused Inbox

If you’re among the many users we’ve setup on Microsoft…

Security Alert: Go ToMyPC Hacked

Graham Cluley reports that the popular remote access tool, Go…

Vigilance Is King In Cyber-Security

Introduction To those that are looking for that one security…

Security Alert: 117 Million LinkedIn Logons For Sale

Tripwire’s “State Of Security” blog reports that hackers…

Read Joe Jr.'s article, "Identity Theft is Big Business" in Commerce Magazine's business blog, Free Thinking....

We are very happy and honored that Commerce Magazine, the Flagship…

Hackers Using Robo Calls To Scam More Victims

We just received a robo call on our cell phones warning us…

Study: 65% Of Doctors Share Patient Data Via Mobile Devices

A blog post by Becker’s Heath IT & CIO Review revealed…

Security Alert: Shape-shifting Malware Infects Thousands

BAE Systems warns that a modified strain of the Qbot malware…

35 Common Sense Actions To Increase Home And Office Security

Security isn’t all that complicated. There are many things…

4 Tools You Should Never Be Without

To thwart today’s sophisticated cyber-criminals, users must…

Security Alert: Ransomware That Encrypts Tax Program Files

Trend Micro has recently reported in their blog that a new ransomware…

Security Alert: Ransomware That Encrypts System Files

We should have seen this coming—ransomware that breaks your…

10 Tips For Safe Computing

Cyberspace can be scary to navigate haphazardly. Taking a few,…

TeslaCrypt 4.0 Debuts

Criminals launched a new and improved brand of ransomware called…

Locky Ransomware Pushed To Millions of Victims

Trustwave, a respected cyber-security firm has announced on its…

10 Smart(phone) Things You Should Do Now

Introduction Smartphones—they’re everywhere! People may…

Small Isn’t Invisible

Introduction It’s been a long month. In February, we battled…

Security Alert: Acecard, The Latest Mobile Banking Threat

Introduction Acecard is an Android Banking Trojan that can substitute…

The Top 3 Threats You Need To Watch Out For

Introduction 2016 will see an uptick in cyber-assaults on businesses.…

A Disaster Averted—Our Battle With Cryptolocker

Introduction Recently, we received a call from a client reporting…

Webinar - 5 Keys to Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan for SMBs

Every year, disasters strike businesses all over the world.…

It’s Time For Small Businesses To Take Action

Introduction Not a single day goes by without reading about…

Criminals Go Back To Work After The Holidays

Introduction It looks like the criminal element enjoyed their…

Special Announcement: Joe Imperato Jr. Quoted In Commerce Magazine

We are proud to announce that Commerce Magazine, the flagship…

Which Backup Is Better For Your Business?

Introduction Whenever I get into a discussion about which type…

Security Alert: HSBC Customers Targeted In Phishing Scams

XSolutions has learned that HSBC customers have been recently…

The Clock Is Ticking - Critical Information That Can Save Your Business

Introduction Here’s a quiz for you: What is your business…

The Ever-Evolving Threat

Introduction 2015 is almost over and our computer systems are…

The 2016 Tax Scam Season And What To Do About It

Introduction The 2016 tax season is just around the corner…

Security Alert: New Ransomware Ups The Ante

Malwarebytes' blog reports that a new Ransomware variant, attacking…

Bug found in Dell PCs shipped since 8/15

An article on the well-known security blog, Krebs On Security…

How To save Your Business from Ransomware

Introduction Ransomware is alive and well in cyberspace. In…

Open Communication Channels Are Vital To Recovery

Introduction All Disaster Recovery Plans should include a communication…

Identifying Critical Processes Is Key To Recovery

Introduction One of the most overlooked steps in Business Continuity…

CryptoWall 4.0 makes Its Debut—More Dangerous Than Ever

Cyber-criminals have made the CryptoLocker family of ransomware…

Why You Should Create A Threat Matrix For Your Business Now!

Introduction Many small businesses just don’t believe that…

16 Things To Include In Your IT Business Continuity Plan

Introduction Business Continuity’s main objective is to keep…

We Dodged The Bullet—This Time

Introduction Hurricane Joaquin smashed into Bermuda causing…

Security Alert: Outlook Exploit Steals Passwords!

Microsoft’s Outlook Web App or OWA as it is commonly called,…

Cryptolocker Is Alive And Well In Post Office Email Scams

Heimdal Security put out a recent blog about the ongoing Cryptolocker…

Security Alert: Windows 10 Shares Your Wi-Fi Network Password

Noted security blogger, Brian Krebs reported this morning that…

Danger: Hackers Can Disable Brakes On New Cars

It seems that the main stream media is just now catching up to…

Microsoft Issues Double-Whammy

Yesterday, we reported that Microsoft ended anti-malware support…

Microsoft Officially Ends Anti-malware Support For Windows XP

If die-hard Windows XP users need another reason to upgrade their…

Security Alert: CryptoWall Ransomware Delivered Through Google Drive

New Drive-by Campaign Delivers CryptoWall 3.0 Through Google…

Security Alert: Bank Info Stealing SPAM Email Campaign Underway

Security website, Heimdal Security has learned about a new criminal…

5 Staggering Facts You Should Know

I recently came across an article on the Canadian Government…

Security Alert: Flaw In NetUSB Software Allows Home Routers To Be Taken Over By Hackers Causing Havoc

NetUSB software is used in many popular home routers made by…

11 Ways To Protect Yourself When Others Put You At Risk

The problem SC Magazine reports that 44% of companies are still…

Security Alert: Career Hackers Create "Training Tool" For Novice Criminals

Hardcore hackers have created an easy-to-use tool that even beginning…

7 Things You Must Do To Avoid Becoming A Scareware Victim

The problem The internet can be a scary place, especially to…

10 Critical Steps To Take To Protect Yourself From Malicious Emails

Introduction The cyber-criminal’s main tactic of spreading…

Businesses Feel Google’s Sting

Using their database of over 100,000 firms, law firm search engine,…

Worried About A Microsoft Software Audit?

Last week an email came across my desktop from a well-known software…

Google To Businesses: Get Mobile-Friendly Or Else

Google announced on February 26, 2015 that it will include "mobile-friendliness"…

Security Alert: Chrome Extension Downloaded By 1.2 Million Users Is Malware

We've just learned that a popular and highly rated Google Chrome…

Announcing: Lync 2013 Becoming Skype for Business on April 14, 2015

Some exciting news from Microsoft. If you haven’t heard it…

Fraudsters Creating IRS Accounts, Stealing Personal And Tax Information And Getting Refunds

Criminals are creating IRS accounts in the name of law-abiding…

Get Rid of Spam

Introduction When people think of SPAM they recall the hundreds…

Security Alert: Cryptowall Makes A Comeback Disguised As Help Files

Spam Servers Deliver Ransomware-Infected Links Cyber-criminals…

Security Alert: Tax Scam Steals More Than $15 Million From U.S. Citizens

The CBS This Morning news program aired a segment this morning…

Who Can You Trust?

Earlier this week, I issued an alert to our readers regarding…

Security Alert: PC Maker Caught Inserting Spyware On Its Computers

World's Largest PC Company Caught Preinstalling Spyware Onto…

Businesses Use Social Media At Their Own Risk

I understand that using social media for business is a controversial…

Article Roundup – 02/12/15

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Be Proactive And Protect Yourself Online

It happens so often now that we’re all getting used to it.…

Article Roundup – 12/18/14

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Free Template Makes It Easy To Create A Disaster Recovery Plan

Fact: “70% of small firms that experience a major data loss…

Article Roundup – 12/11/14

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Article Roundup – 12/04/14

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Save Time and Increase Productivity With Microsoft Office's Auto Text Feature

Work smarter, not harder Whether you’re a Microsoft fan or…

Article Roundup – 11/20/14

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Dual Monitors Can Save You $1800 Per Year

In this era of downsizing and doing more with less, management…

Article Roundup – 11/13/14

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Get Organized Using Text Files

We all know that being better organized allows us to accomplish…

Article Roundup – 11/06/14

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Save 13 Hours Per Year Per Employee Using This Simple Tip

The productivity drain that sneaks up on most businesses In…

Article Roundup – 10/30/14

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Nanuet Collision

With Technology advancing at such a fast pace, my business depends…

Stop Wasting 60 Hours Per Year And Achieve A Neat, Organized, Clutter-Free Office

Questions EVERY Business Owner or Office Manager MUST ask themselves: Are…

Article Roundup – 10/23/14

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The Real Cost Of Network Downtime

Is this scenario familiar? It’s a very busy time of the year.…

Important Information On POODLE Security Vulnerability

XSolutions is aware of and currently investigating the latest…

Article Roundup – 10/16/14

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5 Reasons To Go To The Cloud, 3 Reasons Not To, And An Alternative

There’s a good chance that most of the software applications…

Article Roundup – 10/09/14

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You Waste 17 Hours Per Year On This

Is This Happening To You And Your Employees? Nothing is more…

The UPS Your Business Can’t Live Without

In case you’re wondering — no, we’re not talking about…

CIANJ Testimonial

Prior to XSolutions, our network at the CIANJ was plagued by…

Birbrower & Beldock, P.C.

Joe- we wanted to write this testimonial to let you and the staff…

Family-to-Family Testimonial

We here at Family-to-Family, a web based non-profit organization,…

Amcafe Inc. Testimonial

Amcafe Inc has been a client of X-Solutions since 2008. We have…

Article Roundup – 09/25/14

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The One Thing Everyone Should Do To Protect Their Information But Probably Don’t (Or Won’t) That Can Cost You Big-time!

As humans, we like to take the easy way out. We figure that less…

Silver Roofing, Inc.

When I think about my business vendors, XSolutions is a standout. …

Trinity Lutheran School

We have been using XSolutions at our school for a few years now. …

Article Roundup – 09/17/14

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The Top 3 Blunders When Moving Your Office And How To Avoid Them

Moving is one of the most stressful activities a business can…

Article Roundup – 09/11/14

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12 Reasons To Convert To Microsoft Office 365

Thinking about separating your email system from your onsite…

Article Roundup – 09/05/14

XSolutions’ Feature Article: Criminal Hacks Are Increasing…

Criminal Hacks Are Increasing At An Alarming Rate

Our Labor Day holiday was shattered by the news that a series…

Article Roundup – 08/28/14

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Watch Out For Tech Support Scams!

We've all heard about tech support scams from cyber-criminals…

Article Roundup – 08/21/14

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The Creepy Side of the Internet

A recent post in SC Magazine mentioned an incident on the University…

Article Roundup – 08/14/14

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Rushed To Market Consumer Devices Put Us At Risk

CSO reports that a recent study by Eurecom found 38 vulnerabilities…

Article Roundup – 08/07/14

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Android Malware Disguised As Security Apps

Every day, I review security announcements on the internet, and…

Article Roundup – 07/31/14

XSolutions’ Feature Article: Is Your Old Smartphone A Stoolpigeon? Marketing: Delighting…

Is Your Old Smartphone A Stoolpigeon?

In past articles, we’ve written extensively about security.…

Article Roundup – 07/24/14

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Is Anti-Virus Software Necessary?

This question seems to come up every so often, usually from people…

Article Roundup – 07/18/14

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How To Tell If An Email Is Bogus

Last week as I was having my morning tea before going to work,…

Article Roundup – 07/11/14

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9 Actions For Better Information Control In The Office

While perusing the web earlier this week, I came across a small…

Article Roundup – 07/03/14

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Should You Encrypt Your Laptop?

I read an article earlier this week about a billing vendor employee…

Article Roundup – 06/27/14

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Domestic Drones — Hi-Tech Wonders Or Nightmares In The Making

Did you see the 60 minutes segment last Sunday (06/22/14) on…

Article Roundup – 06/20/14

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7 Trends That Threaten Your Business

Here are a few startling statistics for 2013 from Symantec’s…

Article Roundup – 06/13/14

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Bringing SMB IT Security Full Circle

As a reader of our blog, you know that XSolutions emphasizes…

Article Roundup – 06/05/14

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Does PCI Compliance Apply To Your Business?

If you accept credit card payments in your business, then this…

Article Roundup – 05/30/14

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HIPAA Laws Have Teeth and Can Take A Chunk Out Of Companies That Service Covered Entities

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)…

Article Roundup – 05/23/14

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Foreign State Sponsored Hacking Is A Problem For U.S.

While watching the evening news last night, I was immediately…

Article Roundup – 05/16/14

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Clean Desk Policies Are Important To Security

The lines between IT Security and Physical security are often…

Article Roundup – 05/09/14

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If It’s Online, It can Be Hacked!

It is becoming very hard to keep people safe on the internet…

Use Microsoft SharePoint To Increase Productivity

Employee collaboration is not a new concept. Businesses of all…

Social Engineering Attacks On The Rise

CSO posted a great article that I think all business people should…

Article Roundup – 04/18/14

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Are You Prepared?

If you are a reader of our blog, you’ll quickly notice that…

Article Roundup – 04/11/14

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15 Tips For Protecting Your Finances Online

The internet can be treacherous and if you’re not careful,…

Article Roundup – 04/04/14

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Email – The Hacker’s Backdoor To Your System

In many of our past articles, we emphasized the need for Small-to-Medium…

Article Roundup – 03.28.14

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U.S. Government Still Using Windows XP

An online article in The Washington Post last week revealed that…

Article Roundup – 03.21.2014

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Make Hosted Exchange A Part Of Your BDR Program

As business people, I think we all agree that email is essential…

Article Roundup – 03.14.2014

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Not Knowing This About Data Backup Can Cost You Plenty

Pop Quiz: If your server suddenly crashed and ALL your data was…

Article Roundup – 03.07.2014

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The Dangers Of Granting Remote Access To Your Network

In our last article we spoke about Microsoft’s decision to…

Windows XP Can Be Dangerous To Your Company’s Health

Does your business still have PCs running Windows XP? If so,…

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