Covid-19 and Working RemotelyA How-To Technology Resource
Welcome to The Computer Center’s Covid-19 resource center for small businesses. Our focus is to provide you with the information you need to keep your business running, collaborate with your team, meet with customers, and make the best of the current situation by leveraging technology. Visit www.computer-center.com/covid19/ for access to more helpful information.
IT Security Tip #21
3 Rules To Keeping Your Data Safe In The Cloud
3 Rules To Keeping Your Data Safe In The Cloud
If you’re using any kind of cloud application (and these days, who isn’t?), you are right to be concerned about data privacy and security. The company hosting your data is ultimately responsible for keeping hackers out of THEIR network, but most cloud breaches are due to USER ERROR. So it’s important that you, the user, are being smart about security. Here are a few things you can easily do to improve security in the cloud:
- Maintain a STRONG password of at least eight characters with both uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do NOT make it easy, such as “Password123!” While that technically meets the requirements, a hacker could easily crack that.
- Make sure the device you’re using to access the application is secure. This is an area where you need professional help in installing and maintaining a strong firewall, antivirus, and spam-filtering software. Don’t access your cloud application with a device you also use to check social media sites and free e-mail accounts like Hotmail.
- “Reverse”-backup your data. If the data in a cloud application is important, make sure you’re downloading it from the application and backing it up in another safe and secure location. That way, if your account is hacked or the data is corrupted, you have a copy.
Contact us if you have any computer-related needs by calling (608) 755-1524 or visiting computer-center.com.
Microsoft Tips for Windows
Charge Everything At Once
Take a look at the power supply that came with your Surface. Most models have a USB charging port built in, so you can plug in your phone at the same time you’re charging your Surface.
Shortcut of the Week
YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts – Change Video Playback Speed
To decrease the playback speed of a video, hold down the Shift and press the , (comma) key.
To increase the playback speed of a video, hold down the Shift and press the . (period) key.
Jason’s Tech Corner
Ars Technica reports an employee for security company ADT accessed cameras of over 200 customer accounts more than 9600 times without their permission or knowledge. He noted accounts for attractive women for his later reference, and viewed their cameras for entertainment, watching nude couples having sex.
These customers had equipment like lights, alarms, and cameras linked to their ADT accounts. The employee added himself to a list of users authorized to view and manage these devices, sometimes with the customers’ knowledge, and sometimes without. The system lacked safeguards such as multi-factor authentication or text alerts when the account was accessed.
This episode is a good reminder of the risks of internet-connected cameras and microphones in the home or other locations with a reasonable expectation of privacy. Those who choose to install such equipment need to educate themselves on their use and know how to protect their privacy, and understand the risks of their use.
Ars Technica: Home alarm tech backdoored security cameras to spy on customers having sex https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/01/home-alarm-tech-backdoored-security-cameras-to-spy-on-customers-having-sex/
Have an unfortunate co-worker that’s not getting a copy of the TCC Tuesday Tidbits? Forward them your copy. Or, better yet, have them sign up at https://computer-center.com/tuesdaytidbits/
Submit your TCC Tuesday Tidbit requests and ideas to me by calling (608) 755-1524.
Sincerely,
James Pearson, President The Computer Center 39 S. Main St. – Upper Janesville, WI 53545 (608) 755-1524