Tag: IT security Los Angeles

Takeaways from World Password Day from Your IT Consulting Partner in Los Angeles

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IT consulting Los AngelesWorld Password Day is the first Thursday of every May, and your IT consulting partner in Los Angeles has gathered some tips from the event that will help you keep your network and personal information secure. Though passwords are the first layer of defense against hackers and other cyber criminals, a vast majority of internet users and businesspeople fail to understand the importance of creating strong passwords and utilizing the proper password etiquette. Here are some tips to increase your password security:

Create Strong Passwords

Most people that we talk to in our IT consulting firm in Los Angeles create passwords that they can easily remember. This usually means they don’t include the special characters or capitalizations that are the hallmark of strong passwords. In fact, the two most popular passwords in 2016 were ‘password’ and ‘123456.’ While these might be easy for you to remember when you need them, they’re also easy for hackers to guess.

A strong password is one that has no connection to you— no birthdates or names of pets!— and utilizes numbers, letters, capitals, and special characters.

Do Not Use the Same Password for Multiple Accounts

It might seem like a headache to create and remember separate passwords for each account you access, but it’s necessary. If a hacker is able to crack one of your passwords, they can easily gain access to all of your accounts if you use the same password for all of them. When you create multiple passwords, you stop the hacker at one account and minimize damage.

Use a Password Manager to Help Store and Access Passwords

So how do you remember all of these unique passwords when you need them? Writing them down in a notebook is a bad idea since you would have to keep it on you at all times and it might fall into the hands of someone it shouldn’t.

The answer could be a password manager like 1Password or LastPass. These programs can help you store and encrypt multiple passwords so that you have easy access to them when you need them. You will need one master password for these managers, so make sure it’s a good one!

Be Leery of Browsers that Remember Your Password

When you are in a social media app or shopping online, you’ll often see the prompt ‘remember me on this site?’ It’s very tempting to click ‘yes’ knowing you’ll never again have to remember your username or password when you revisit it. However, if your laptop or smart device ever gets into the wrong hands, it means that anyone can get into these sites and gain access to personal data or payment information. Hackers are also getting adept at cracking these, so you might not be safe even if your devices are not lost or stolen.

There are many takeaways that your team for IT consulting in Los Angeles has passed on to clients from World Password Day. The bottom line is, creating strong passwords that are unique to each site you visit or online service you utilize is your first line of defense against cyber criminals. If you have more questions about how to manage your passwords, contact us at Advanced Networks today.

Benefits of Smart & Reliable IT Services to Los Angeles Businesses

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IT services Los AngelesTechnology is always changing; that’s why companies need IT services in Los Angeles that provide the latest updates and protection in today’s complex business environment. Without a dedicated IT department, companies are at a severe disadvantage against its competitors. Here are a few ways that your company can benefit from managed IT services:

Improve Existing Protocols

An IT department is designed to improve existing procedures and streamline day-to-day business activity. Depending on your needs, they will gather data and statistical information that will ultimately help businesses become more organized and efficient. Over time, your business will become much more profitable with the assistance of the latest technology.

Data Protection & Recovery

Data protection has never been more important, as businesses increasingly store data onto computers and servers. As you may know, this critical data can be lost in a multitude of ways, either through a technical issue, human error or even a natural disaster. You need an IT services provider in Los Angeles that specializes in keeping data safe and secure through frequent data backups. With the latest protection, rest assured that your data will be quickly recovered.

Latest Software Updates

The IT world rapidly changes at a fast pace and computer software can become quickly outdated in a short amount of time. Fortunately, a managed service provider will routinely provide software updates that will help your business remain safe and productive. For example, a patch will be quickly released to resolve any security issues that have been discovered. With the newest updates, you will gain a competitive advantage against rival companies that do not have access to a full-time IT department.

Lower Costs & Increased Production

By outsourcing IT services, you can dramatically reduce business costs while improving employee production. Hiring new employees that specialize in the IT field can be time consuming and expensive. With a managed IT department, you will have a fixed monthly cost and will not worry about providing vacation days or benefits to even more employees. With these fewer expenses, you can focus more resources on improving your business and becoming more productive.

Increase Security

The Internet is continually filled with viruses and malware that can wreak havoc on companies of any size. A managed IT firm has the experience to monitor for any threats and prevent security breaches. Unlike an IT technician that works from 8 to 5, our around the clock monitoring system can detect any suspicious activity before it becomes a major security issue. With our security professionals, you can solely focus on work with the peace of mind of being well protected.

In today’s competitive business climate, you need a smart and reliable IT services provider in Los Angeles that can help your business succeed. At Advanced Networks, we understand your business needs. Whether you need increased security, production, or the most recent updates, our computer experts specialize in helping companies harness the power of the latest technologies. Don’t wait any longer— let us help your business grow with the expertise of a managed service provider. Contact us today!

Don’t Take the Bait! Fight Phishing with IT Support in LA

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IT support LAWith old threats evolving and new threats appearing daily, the need for IT support in LA is more imperative than ever. Hiring a third-party provider of managed security services ensures businesses can keep such threats at bay without using up their resources or shifting priorities away from their main objectives.

Nevertheless, it’s good to stay updated on what you’re up against. Many cybercrimes are successfully committed not only because of outdated security systems on the businesses’ part, but also because of effective social engineering on the cybercriminals’ part.

The Link between Social Engineering and Phishing

Social engineering is the use of deceptive tactics to trick people into sharing confidential data with the intention of using it for fraudulent reasons. When people are unaware of the dangers, their actions can cause major breaches.

An example of a threat that relies on human error is phishing, which is the practice of sending fake emails that seem like they come from legitimate companies. Many people willingly give out personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers when asked because the emails look real enough.

In recent years, email systems have grown more sophisticated when it comes to filtering out phishing messages. However, phishers have stepped up their game, too. They’ve now moved to mobile attacks.

The Rise of SMS Phishing

According to online statistics portal Statista, 30.9% of the global population is using smartphones in 2017. With almost a third of the world using smartphones, it’s lucrative for phishers to target mobile users. Thus, SMS phishing (sometimes called smishing) is fast becoming rampant.

With SMS phishing, users will receive fake text messages with a link to a site on their mobile phones. When they click on this link, they will be redirected to a legitimate-looking page where they are asked to supply sensitive information.

Often, the messages claim to come from banks. They say the user’s account got locked or their credit card was charged. Either way, these phishers play on people’s panic over losing their finances.

The Role of a Service Provider

Because SMS phishing relies on social engineering, your task is to educate your employees on how to spot fake messages and not let panic take over, preventing them from becoming victims in the first place. But that’s not a foolproof plan. Even a cautious person can be duped, especially if a message is meticulously designed to look as authentic as possible. What you need is a provider of managed security services and IT support in LA to mitigate risks in case of an incident.

Additionally, a service provider can also detect and block phishing scams through the use of anti-phishing programs. Incidents are minimized— if not eliminated— when phishers can’t reach their targets to begin with. Both prevention and the cure are made available to you to get all your bases covered.

For the best provider of managed security services and IT support in LA, contact us at Advanced Networks. Our expert staff members and cutting-edge equipment work together to deliver you streamlined processes from beginning to end at an affordable rate.

All about Ransomware and How IT Services in Los Angeles Can Help Fight IT

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IT services Los AngelesCrime does pay, and for cybercriminals, they make it a business. It’s no wonder IT services in Los Angeles is in high demand. Businesses of all sizes and industries need protection from security threats, particularly ransomware which has proven to be quite lucrative.

Ransomware is popular because it’s a low-risk, high-return endeavor for cybercriminals. They can simply hack devices or networks from afar, take these as virtual hostages, and lock out rightful users. To get back access, the users have to pay a ransom; otherwise, their data will be deleted for good and their smartphones will be rendered useless.

Cybercriminals involved in ransomware are hard to track because they perform their activities remotely. Victims can’t point out a suspect from a police lineup because a face-to-face interaction never takes place.

Where Ransomware Began

According to Symantec, a global leader in cybersecurity, ransomware isn’t as new as people think it is. It goes way back to 1989 when the AIDS Trojan— also referred to as the PC Cyborg virus— first appeared. Surprisingly, it wasn’t created by a programmer, but by a biologist named Joseph Popp. At the AIDS conference hosted by the World Health Organization, he gave away 20,000 infected floppy disks labeled “AIDS Information – Introductory Diskettes” to unsuspecting attendees.

Once the disk is inserted in a computer drive, the AIDS Trojan would be executed. It would then count the number of times that computer was booted, and once it reached 90, the malicious program would encrypt the file names in the C drive and hide the directories. The only way to regain access was for the user to send $189 to PC Cyborg’s offshore PO Box.

Lucky for victims back then, the AIDS Trojan was easy to defeat. They didn’t need to pay the ransom because the encrypted file names were quickly decrypted by counter programs.

Where Ransomware Is Now

Nowadays, ransomware is more sophisticated and less obvious. It’s also no longer a one-man show. Currently, ransomware is a thriving industry with different operators competing over customers for the biggest profits. Money travels not in cash, but in Bitcoins, which leave no tracks.

From 2014 to 2016, a form of ransomware called CryptoWall managed to extort more than $18 million in total from its victims. FBI had to issue a warning against CryptoWall because of the financial losses it generated.

When large organizations are attacked, the ransom goes as high as $50,000— a far cry from Popp’s $189 ransom. To make matters worse, establishments providing critical services like hospitals are targeted because cybercriminals know they have no choice but to pay up.

Recognizing the dangers, security companies— Symantec included— listed ransomware as one of the biggest threats of 2016. At this scale, organizations would need the help of IT services in Los Angeles to fight off attacks and mitigate risks.

What You Can Do

Cybercriminals are always one step ahead, so you have to partner with a third-party service provider that can keep up. Fortunately, we at Advanced Networks are here to the rescue. As a leading provider of IT services in Los Angeles, we have a proven record highly satisfied clients. Be part of that list. Contact us today to learn more about us or to ask for a free assessment.

4 Ways IT Support in LA Can Help You Avert Cyber Attacks

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IT support LAA reliable IT support firm in LA can help in creating customized cyber security plans to protect the digital information of your business. Apart from streamlining operations, optimizing client relationships, and acquiring latest technology, boosting the security of your data should also be on top of your list. Having a robust cyber security plan in place helps you keep your business operational even when a disaster strikes. Below are actionable tactics for protecting your data and keeping your business protected from cyberattacks:

1. Back up your data regularly

Ensure all your computers are set up for automatic backups. That way, you will quickly recover your documents in case you delete them or they are corrupted. Data backup safeguards your business against a common malware called ransomware. A ransomware-based attack entails a hacker encrypting all your personal and business data and demanding compensation from you before he or she can decrypt the data. Adopting a habit of backing up your confidential information means you will not have to deal with ransomware.

2. Install state-of-the-art antivirus software

A firewall should serve as your basic line of defense. The firewall will avert hacking attempts and most of the malicious software from infiltrating your network. However, you should install antivirus software, which will serve as an extra level of protection. This software will detect any unwanted or harmful malware and isolate it for easy removal. An experienced IT support team in LA can choose the best antivirus software for your computers and set scans and updates to run automatically to eliminate human error.

Passwords are valuable when it comes to improving cyber security, and you must ensure your employees are aware of the benefits of choosing their passwords carefully. A good password should be lengthy, consisting of a mix of letters, figures, and special characters. Phishing is a tactic used by most hackers to steal confidential information from businesses. Thus, you should advise your workers to avoid clicking on strange links or downloading attachments from unknown emails.

3. Keep your communication systems protected

The launch of VoIP and widespread adoption has availed numerous ways for communicating, ranging from instant messaging, video and voice calls, screen share, and online share. Hackers and people with malicious intent can listen in on calls and so it is important to utilize encryption. Encrypting your data not only gives you an extra level of protection but also gives you a peace of mind.

4. Set up user accounts for each worker

Prevent physical access to business computers by unapproved persons. Due to their portable nature, laptops are a potential target for theft and, thus, you should ensure they are locked up when not in use. Ensure a distinct user account is set up for every employee and necessitates strong passwords. Only key personnel and IT experts should enjoy administrative privileges.

The performance of your business entirely depends on the security of your data. Therefore, you should implement multiple strategies for protecting your communication systems, network, data, and website. At Advanced Networks, we specialize in the provision of IT support in LA. Our IT experts will develop customized security measures, which will address the security needs of your business. For more information about our company, contact us today.

IT Consulting in Los Angeles and Current Trends in the Tech Industry

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IT consulting Los AngelesDoes your business need IT services? Do you need a dedicated IT team that can help your business grow? With all the changes in technology that’s constantly happening, companies can significantly benefit from a reliable IT consulting firm in Los Angeles. To get a clearer view of these changes and the importance of an outsourced help, here are three growing trends in the tech industry today:

1. Cloud Computing Services

Cloud computing has become increasingly popular over the last few years. One of the many benefits of cloud services is increased security and protection. If an employee accidentally deletes an important document, it can be quickly restored with the latest backup save. Storing files in the cloud is also cost-effective, as companies do not have to purchase larger hard drives to store many files. Besides convenience, it is also environmentally friendly— it can save thousands of pages of paper because everything can be stored electronically. Security is always a primary concern, and cloud services routinely receive patches to protect against the latest security threats. Another added benefit is the ability to work from any location. Whether you need to work from home or down the road on a business trip, cloud computing offers unparalleled access for employees to work anywhere at their convenience.

2. Data Analysis

Companies are continually processing and analyzing data at a record rate. One of the more recent trends is in-memory analytics. In-memory analytics does not process data on a hard disk but uses RAM which delivers much quicker results. Due to the speedier results, companies can be much more productive as they analyze information at never-before-seen speeds. Streaming analytics has also become increasingly popular, as companies are now able to analyze data in real-time instead of waiting an hour or even days after the information has been processed. To keep up with demand, your IT consulting partner in Los Angeles’ monitoring system must remain flexible to handle data efficiently.

3. Mobility

Employees are increasingly using their smartphones and tablets for work-related purposes. This increased mobility offers many benefits, but it can also cause significant security concerns. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions have been created to combat against viruses and the various forms of malware. This software is specifically used by IT departments to monitor and secure any work related files on an employee’s device. Wherever you access important work related files, you can be confident that you will be well protected with MDM solutions.

The tech world will continue to change as cloud computing services, data analysis, and increased mobility evolve over time. With the use of managed IT services, you can experience the latest benefits of technology without the expense of an in-house IT department. Whether you are interested in better data analysis or increased mobility, our computer experts at Advanced Networks specialize in providing IT consulting for Los Angeles businesses. Let us help your company reach new heights with the most recent technology— contact us today!

Solving Mobile Security Problems with Reliable IT Services in Los Angeles

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IT services Los AngelesMobile devices have become a major company resource in the past decade. Employee smartphones and tablets are allowed by 95% of companies to access corporate data. Surprisingly, 63% of these companies don’t even bother to secure these mobile devices that obviously have access to very valuable company information. Many companies that offer IT services in Los Angeles have the resources to help your company employ mobile device management that protect company information while your employees continue to work from their devices. Here are a few advantages to consulting an external IT company about mobile device management.

Lessen Data Security Risks

Employees aren’t always great about following the rules, but it’s especially hard to get them to follow rules regarding the use of their personal mobile devices. When your employees leave work with their mobile devices that contain sensitive company information, they might not understand the consequence of not having their emails encrypted, or go online an insecure wifi network, or even not having a passcode on their device.

Mobile device management software can tell you whether or not your employees are securing company data on their mobile devices by monitoring the use of company data from those devices. The software can tell you who has accessed the data, and whether the mobile security protocol has been followed or not. You can even track the devices remotely in the case that an employees’ device is lost or stolen, so that it can be recovered or so that you can remotely destroy the data and prevent company information from being stolen.

Controlled Company Data Usage

Many companies provide mobile devices to employees for strictly business reasons. However, many employees abuse their company’s data plans by using company data for personal reasons because they know that the company doesn’t monitor the individual usage of data. However, mobile device management provided by IT services in Los Angeles can help by restricting data usage for apps or services that fall within business-related specifications. Company-specific usage on company-owned devices helps your company save thousands on excess data charges.

Automatic App and System Updating

Between application updates and device updates, it’s very difficult to keep everyone updated and on the same page for mobile devices. With mobile device management, you can automate the configuration settings like automatically updating certain apps or devices. You can also control the corporate access of your employees very easily and effectively with specific restrictions or access for each individual employee or a certain group of employees remotely.

In the end, mobile device management is a necessity because of the security of valuable corporate information. But by upgrading your mobile device management to external IT services in Los Angeles, you ensure that your employees are properly securing their devices by enforcing security protocols while still saving money by controlling mobile data costs and getting the latest in mobile device control. Don’t wait for a security risk to come to you, secure your devices now with mobile device management from a company like Advanced Networks. Contact us for the latest in mobile device management software that ensures your valuable company data is secure now and in the future.

Components of an Ideal IT Support Plan in LA

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IT support LAIT support in LA is a valuable part of any successful company. For many of them, work comes to a halt when technical problems occur; having an all-inclusive IT technical support is the best way to get these problems quickly resolved. It also ensures your data is safe and your network is protected from any viruses or hackers. These professionals protect your business’ sensitive information from being spread or utilized in moneymaking schemes, which can compromise the success of your business.

Key Components of an IT Support Plan

The components of technical support package will vary from one managed services provider to another. Therefore, it’s advisable for you to check for a package that matches the demands of your business. Listed below are features of a good IT support in LA:

1. System monitoring

You need to work with a firm that will effectively monitor your system. That way, they can detect any suspicious documents, traffic, or viruses your system might bump into and handle the issue before it affects your business. You want to verify that the IT experts you’ll be working with are qualified and have the right tools to detect and fix the issue.

2. 24-hour access

Accessing your technical support 24/7 could help you deal with a temporary blip before it becomes a disaster. Technical issues not only reduce the productivity of your staff— they also result in losses. Having support available all the time is key to improving the security of your system and making sure your business will maintain its performance at a top-notch level.

3. On-site support

If your technical problem can’t be dealt with remotely, you’ll need your support team to respond promptly to all calls and fix the problem.

How Technical IT Support Promotes the Safety of Your Data

1. Remote backup

You must ensure that your backup system is efficient and reliable. An outdated and unreliable data backup exposes the valuable assets of your business to malicious hacks. In addition to simple backup, virtualization, business continuity, and disaster recovery plans are crucial to offering 100% protection for your confidential data.

2. Patch deployment

An experienced IT support team will handle software patches when you and your employees are out of the office. The best service provider carries out patch deployment on a day-to-day, off-hour basis, protecting your firm’s technology from any form of lapsed security setting.

3. Anti-virus and anti-malware campaigns

Malware and viruses have increased at a fast rate in the technology sector. Businesses of all sizes have trouble when it comes to dealing with such advances. Various studies conducted since 2014 revealed that most data breaches came from malware and viruses delivered via an alarming range of means: infected attachments, contaminated links, and malicious email. An effective IT support plan can deal with such advances and strengthen the overall tech security of your business.

With a leading IT support provider in LA like Advanced Networks, boosting technology and confidential data security becomes a realistic goal. Contact us today if you need a rock-solid partner to deal with all your IT issues.

Know Your Risk Universe and Prepare to Defend Your Business with IT Consulting in Los Angeles

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IT consultants Los AngelesThere are certain IT security practices that you should always try to follow as a business owner. Ask us, IT consulting professionals in Los Angeles, about best practices in the information security space and we can rattle off several of them to you. Unless you’re an expert though, it’s just going to be gibberish. But it’s important to understand all this information in detail and know it inside out so that you can adopt it for your company and help secure your network, data, and everything else.

Know the Risks

The first thing that you actually want to do as a business owner is to work with your IT consulting firm in Los Angeles to understand all the risks that are out there. Think of it as an exercise that’s going to allow you to come up with your risk universe. That risk universe should contain all the potential hazards that your company may face.

Once you have all these dangers established as part of your risk universe, it’s time to work with your IT partner to figure out which ones you’re going to focus on. Where are the major problem areas or concern spots that keep you up at night? These are what you want your IT consulting partner to work on.

Come Up with Response Plans

Another best practice that you certainly want to adopt is to have response plans in place. Say you have a server that has a lot of sensitive information in it. That server is hacked, and you have a data breach. What’s the response plan to find out what data was lost and what actions can be taken to mitigate the impact on your customers and your company? Having these types of plans in place in the event of a breach is going to help get your company ready.

Insurance

Insurance is another thing that you want to consider very strongly. The market for cyber insurance has never been bigger, and it’s because companies are constantly trying to protect their data and assets. You may be liable to your customers if a hacker gets behind your firewall, onto your server, and steals a whole slew of sensitive data. Is that your fault? It’s not any more your fault than an accident that brings down your business office. Insurance in the cyber arena can help cover just that.

There are a lot of best practices that you can follow as a business owner. Our team at Advanced Networks is ready to assist you every step of the way. Our expert IT consulting team in Los Angeles is going to help you get educated on the risks that are out there. If a breach is ever attempted on your company, you will know you’re ready. Contact us today for more information.

4 Reasons Why Businesses Are Turning to Cloud IT Support Providers in LA

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IT support LACloud technology seems to be taking the business world by storm. Businesses are increasingly looking for IT support in LA, particularly cloud computing. What’s so special about cloud technology to the extent of causing such a fuss? Computer-based storage and information-sharing programs are quite unreliable, judging from their vulnerability to security breaches and limited accessibility. The relevance of cloud computing to modern business activities is notable, due to the advantages businesses can get from it. Below are some of the benefits of the cloud:

Enhanced Data Retrieval and Sharing

Cloud computing continues to facilitate remote operations of business tasks. With cloud technology, you don’t always have to be in the office when working— business personnel can work from remote locations as opposed to the tradition of work being limited to the firm’s premises. The cloud provides remote servers that enable you to access relevant data using mobile devices. It provides a single pool from which authorized parties can access pertinent business information.

Easy and Convenient Data Access

Cloud technology guarantees access to information at any given time. With a reliable IT service provider on board, you’re assured of minimum downtime and maximum efficiency. Traditional servers only allow access to data if you’re physically present in the office. This means that access is limited to office working hours. Cloud services give you maximum uptime, with unlimited authorized access to data. In this case, time and your physical location don’t impede data accessibility.

Improved Teamwork in the Corporate World

Teamwork or collaboration is an imperative aspect of business. Your business requires IT support in LA that provide a conducive environment for teamwork among personnel. The storage of data in online servers enables employees in different departments to share information. The flow of information between departments will improve your business operations. Teamwork facilitates effectiveness and efficiency among employees. Imagine a scenario in which employees access information from different storage locations. In this case, the workflow is likely to be less efficient as obtaining and combining pertinent data will be more difficult.

Cloud Computing Cuts Your Budget

The profitability of your business depends on cost management. Engaging in ventures that require heavy financial input can be suicidal, especially if the returns fail to cover the incurred costs. Therefore, the focus should be on low-budget but effective activities, particularly for small businesses. Cloud computing is cost-effective. The technology rids your business of costs incurred in managing internal servers, as well as obtaining and maintaining software and hardware requirements. Think of cloud computing as a single entity that can replace an extensive part of an IT department coupled with costly resources. In this case, you get enhanced efficiency at a considerably lower cost.

Conclusively, for your business to yield substantial benefit from cloud computing, you need to partner with a dependable IT support in LA. Advance Networks provide a wide array of IT services, including cloud computing. You’re assured of credible expertise with a reputable service record in all things IT. Contact us for more information.