Like all tech security, email security continually evolves as cyber threats do. While you should always stay up-to-date on the latest developments, you can use these seven best practices as the foundation of your efforts.
1. CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS
The best passwords are made up of unique numbers, letters, and symbols and are different for each account. It may be tempting to use common words, phrases, and personal information like your birthday, but those are easy for hackers to decipher. If you’re worried about forgetting complicated passwords, use a password manager. They can help you create new passwords and securely save your old ones.
2. UTILIZE MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA)
Traditional passwords can be supplemented with an additional layer of security by using two-factor or multi-factor authentication. When you have MFA enabled, you’ll be required to provide a second form of verification after you input your password. This means that even if a hacker were to guess your password, they still wouldn’t be able to gain access to your account. Common forms of MFA include one-time codes, authentication apps, and biometric verification.
3. KNOW THE SIGNS OF PHISHING
Phishing emails are designed by cyber criminals to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links. There are many different types of phishing to look out for, including whaling, cloning, pharming, and spear phishing.
Be cautious if you receive an email from an unknown address, especially if it prompts you to provide sensitive information or take some type of urgent action. You should still be careful even if an email looks legit or you think you recognize the address. Cybercriminals are known for creating fake email addresses and content that looks professional and sophisticated.
4. HAVE A SEPARATE PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT
Maintaining separate email accounts for your work life and personal life not only prevents inadvertent data mingling but also limits the exposure a hacker would have if they broke into your account.
5. BE CAUTIOUS OF ATTACHMENTS
Cybercriminals use email attachments as vessels to carry viruses onto your computer. If you receive an email from a new sender, try to find a way to directly verify the address. You should also never open attachments from unidentified senders. For an extra layer of security, consider using antivirus software to scan attachments before you open them.
6. STAY INFORMED THROUGH AWARENESS TRAINING
It’s nearly impossible to keep up with newly evolved cyber threats yourself. Luckily, you can stay informed through cyber security awareness training. Attending regular sessions will keep you up-to-date on the red flags you should watch out for and on ways to avoid them.
7. IMPLEMENT EMAIL SECURITY TOOLS AND METHODS
While the practices outlined above are a great foundation, it’s important to build defenses that go beyond your own efforts. One way you can do so is by downloading advanced email protection tools and automated software that can detect phishing and spoofing attempts. Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) and Sender Policy Framework (SPF) are popular tools.
You can also strengthen your defenses by partnering with an IT company. What better way to protect your business than with help from professionals? Computer Troubleshooters has a team trained in data and network security, ready to build a security plan for your business. Contact us today to learn more!
Quantum computing is another deserving successor of the top 13 technology trends race that, in all possibilities, could turn many fields upside down.
Unlike traditional computers, quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that allow for much faster and more complex calculations. This is why tech giants like Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft are heavily investing in quantum computing. As a matter of fact, the global quantum computing market is projected to grow by $1765 million by 2025.
One of the most promising applications of quantum computing is in the field of cryptography, where it can break many of the commonly used encryption algorithms and create protocols that can resist external attacks. It also accelerates research and development in fields such as drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence.
On the whole, quantum computing is 2024’s one of the exciting trends in information technology, and it is likely that we will see many more applications of this powerful technology in the years to come.
Source: radixweb
The concept of a digital immune system, or DIS, is one of the latest technology trends gaining traction in recent years. It’s a software-based security system that protects computer systems, networks, and devices from cyber threats such as viruses, malware, and other malicious software.
Gartner has also stated that by 2025, companies that invest in digital immunity will be able to decrease downtime and increase customer satisfaction by 80%.
A DIS typically uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to analyze data from various sources and identify patterns of suspicious activity. Moreover, it can
- Learn from past attacks and adapt its defenses to new risks.
- Provide continuous monitoring and protection against cyber threats.
- Minimize the impact of cyberattacks by detecting and containing them in advance.
A successful use case of such systems is American Airlines. In order to deal with growing system complexity and address unidentified vulnerabilities, the company employed site reliability engineering (SRE), chaos engineering techniques, and a “test-first” strategy as parts of the overall digital immunity strategy.
Source: radixweb
Who would have ever guessed that a set of binary information kept in a ledger by means of encryption could be used to make regular mortgage payments? When the second-largest mortgage lender in the nation accepted the initial mortgage payment in cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency entered the US mortgage market. This was a test run to investigate the escalating and governing unpredictability in the cryptocurrency industry. The trial was on mortgage payments, but cryptocurrencies may also be a game-changer in other fields.
Is cryptocurrency a liquid asset?
Technically speaking, a cryptocurrency can be exchanged for cash and is a liquid asset. A million-dollar concern is whether it can be listed as a liquid asset for a down payment, closing costs, and reserves necessary when filling out mortgage applications. (It might turn out to be a question worth a million bitcoins.) To now, lenders have only accepted standard liquid assets to underwrite a mortgage application—cash in bank accounts, IRAs, and money market funds. We believe that lenders may begin treating cryptocurrency investments similarly to stocks, but only to a certain extent of their market value.
How about down payments?
Borrowers can withdraw their cryptocurrency holdings to cover the down payment requirement, but doing so will result in significant tax obligations. There are specific requirements to get the funds transferred to the US account prior to the loan application with a clear paper trail, even if a lender accepts it.
Exploring cryptocurrency options for mortgage payments
Mortgage payments have traditionally been made using online banking, paper checks, electronic checks, escrow accounts, and standing orders for auto debits. Cryptocurrency is kept in a digital wallet that requires a secret pin to send and receive payments. Fintech innovation is needed to build a platform that can house escrow accounts, mortgage accounts, and cryptocurrency wallets in order to make cryptocurrency payments widely accepted. We imagine a combined platform for the transmission of funds that can transform cryptocurrencies based on blockchains into digital funds that can be transferred to escrow accounts for mortgage payments.
Cryptocurrency as reserves
Due to its high volatility, cryptocurrency is the most speculative asset one can own. The value of ten thousand dollars’ worth of bitcoin might be USD1,000 or USD100,000. A mortgage is often taken out for 20 to 30 years, with an average holding period of 2.5 years before refinancing. When securing future mortgage payments, a lender must weigh the danger of accepting bitcoin worth as of today.
A future bubble or revolution for cryptocurrencies?
Unavoidable given the USD2 trillion cryptocurrency ecosystem. Young adults are increasingly buying and investing in cryptocurrencies. To appeal to the younger generation and make trading easy, seamless, and secure, many digital mobile applications and trading platforms are emerging. There are several nations where cross-border real estate transactions, including the buying and selling of homes, now include cryptocurrencies.
Despite that, much work needs to be done to change the momentum in this area. For the efficient transfer of funds, especially between other markets, a myriad of new platforms must be created and integrated. As the Internal Revenue System (IRS) studies this new asset class, taxes may also change. Overall, a paradigm shift is taking place in this field as a result of the continued rise in the value of cryptocurrencies and their widespread acceptance. There will inevitably come a day when cryptocurrencies will have a strong role in the financial sector with a more regulated framework.