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20 Myths Cloud Security

8/28/2016

Cloud Security

Everybody seems to be overly concern with the security of the cloud, so I wanted to present some myths presented on CIO website that should help ease your mind or at least help with your understanding of the topic cloud security. The top 5 myths are presented below and feel free to visit the URL to see what the writers had to say about these myths and the others. Happy reading!

1: The cloud is inherently insecure

2: The cloud security debate is simple

3: There are more breaches in the cloud

4: Physical control of data implies security

5: Cloud security is far too difficult to maintain

CIO. 20 of the Greatest Myths of Cloud Security. Retrieved from http://www.cio.com/article/2922374/cloud-security/20-of-the-greatest-myths-of-cloud-security.html on 08/28/16

Encryption

8/13/2016

Encryption

Encryption means to convert (information or data) into a cipher or code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. Another way of putting this is to just think of it as a way to conceal data in something by converting it into a code.

128 bit encryption is known to be very secure and as a matter of fact it's said to take significantly longer than the age of the universe to crack a 128-bit key.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), also known as a Rijndael. Is a specification for encryption of electronic data established by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AES is a symmetric block cipher used by the U.S. government to protect classified information and is implemented in software and hardware everywhere to encrypt sensitive data.

FireEye layoffs as cyber-criminals gorge on low-hanging ransomware

8/9/2016

FireEye layoffs as cyber-criminals gorge on low-hanging ransomware

It appears that FireEye will be laying off staff siting that since ransomware appears to only target single machines or a defined group of users computers and, FireEye provides a wider type of vulnerability technology for opportunities. FireEye doesn't feel the need to keep as many staff members because of this reason.

According to FireEye Website,"The scale and scope went from hundreds of compromised machines, by attackers who wanted to maintain and keep access, to more of the ransomware-type attacks and extortion attack that are simply easier to remediate at times," said Mandia.

Read more of the write up here - http://www.scmagazine.com/fireeye-layoffs-as-cyber-criminals-gorge-on-low-hanging-ransomware/article/514844/

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

8/6/2016

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) - is a strategy for making sure that end users do not send sensitive or critical information outside the corporate network. The term is also used to describe software products that help a network administrator control what data end users can transfer.

Data loss prevention software that are designed to detect potential data breaches / data ex-filtration transmissions and prevent them by monitoring, detecting and blocking sensitive data while in-use (endpoint actions), in-motion (network traffic), and at-rest (data storage).

What do you think about Data Loss Prevention and the methods being used?

Banner Health data breach impacts 3.7 million

8/6/2016

Banner Health data breach impacts 3.7 million

Phoenix-based Banner Health notified patients of a cyberattack that compromised their records. There were 3.7 million potential victims affected by this cyberattack and the information included names,birthdates, address, physician names, dates of service, clinical information, possibly health insurance information, and Social Security numbers were all compromised in the breach.

It definitely appears like companies are not practicing very good DLP, which stands for Data Loss Prevention. When are the data breaches going to slow down? When are companies going to improve their IT security departments? These simply can't be answered right now.

http://www.scmagazine.com/banner-health-data-breach-impacts-37-million/article/514213/

IT Training Company Costs

4/20/2016

IT training Company Costs

IT training companies are charging thousands of dollars to train people in simple subjects such as A+ and Network+. If companies like Global Knowledge which charges around $3500 for 5 days of training choose to charge this much money for training, then these companies should offer free job placement assistance. What do you think?

Apple Quicktime

4/20/2016

Since Apple no longer supports QuickTime for Windows, users are being encouraged to uninstall the program immediately. The warning from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comes on the heels of a warning from antivirus vendor Trend Micro that the video playback software is vulnerable to a pair of zero-day exploits.

Read the whole story here - http://www.networkworld.com/article/3057214/security/homeland-security-issues-warning-about-quicktime-for-windows.html

Half Of Found USB Sticks Will Get Plugged In

4/12/2016

I read a story about people still plugging in USB sticks found in random parking on nakedsecurity.sophos.com and my question is why would they do that. There is no good reason to plug in a USB stick found in a random parking lot because it's just too dangerous. An attacker could easily load these USB sticks with computer destroying malware but people continue to plug these things in. I think that the best thing to do when you see a USB stick in a parking lot is just destroy it and move on. No need for snooping around these devices because it's just too risky.

You can read more on this story here - https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/04/08/almost-half-of-dropped-usb-sticks-will-get-plugged-in/_

Windows 10 Extras

3/29/2015

Windows 10 brings with it the "Charms" bar, which allow you to setup different types of notifications for yourself. Different apps have the ability to generate notifications, and you also have the ability to click in and edit some of the notifications.

The control panel is located in the settings app and looks to improve upon things going forward. Microsoft has also added something amazing that wasn't included in Windows 8 or 8.1, and that is something called Continuum. This feature is also called tablet mode and can be activated from the notification bar, or by disconnecting your keyboard if one is attached. Now that's cool!

Another cool feature added is the ability to drag down on a windows desktop app and close it. You can also swipe down from the left edge of the screen to get the alt-tab view, and from there you have the ability to pull the windows apps into place on-screen.

Is there a feature you like about the new Windows 10 you would like to share? If so, what is it?

Windows 10 Is Coming Soon

3/27/2015

Windows 10 is coming out soon and I know it's going to be great. With Windows 10 consumers will see the return of the start menu, but I like to call it the smart start menu because it's totally revamped.

Microsoft has also added the new snap which will help you snap windows. The new Snap Assist feature also will help users work out which way is best to snap apps to. It will be an awesome feature to get familiar with.

Which feature are you looking forward to using in the new Windows 10 OS?

Author

My name is Lamaris Davis
and I love to talk about technology. I describe myself as a computer solution specialist, providing different IT services.

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