Just say Yes! (to that update)

Just Say Yes! (To That Update)

Have you seen the movie “Yes Day?” In it, the parents set a day aside for their kids where they must say yes to anything the kids ask to do. If they want a 50-scoop ice cream dish for breakfast, the answer is yes. An amusement park while dressed as clowns? Yes. Going through the car wash with the windows down? Yup.

If these have you cringing, think about this: according to Carnegie Mellon, only about 50% of people actually update their computer or phone when prompted. Oh, it get's worse. Of those who actually update their computers, two thirds of them delayed those updates. This is a HUGE security issue. Think of almost any big cyber attack that hacked someone's computers. Software developers typically put out an update for those issues either immediately or even BEFORE they are attacking people. That's right, just updating your computer is probably the best thing you can do for your protection.?

As annoying as they may be, when it comes to software updates, Just Say Yes! Want more evidence? Let’s take a look at 4 reasons why:

1. More than meets the eye

Usually, these updates are not just about adding new emojis or fonts, but that is normally all you see. Updates tend to fix many parts of the computer you will never see, including repairing security holes, updating databases/ libraries, and addressing computer bugs. Don't underestimate how much is actually happening when you click Yes to an update!

2. Updates help keep your data safe

If there's one thing that will always be true, it's that hackers LOVE security flaws or vulnerabilities, and will make every effort to use them to hack you.

Norton defines a software vulnerability as a security hole or weakness found in a software program or computer. Hackers take advantage of these weaknesses by writing specific code called malware to target the vulnerability. The malware can be used to gain control of your computer, cause all kinds of expensive damage, and steal your personal and/or financial information.?

Software updates often include software patches that cover up those security holes and keep hackers out.

3. Your inaction can hurt others

Almost no computer operates in a vacuum, so your actions can easily affect others on your network. A computer virus, like a human virus, is specifically built to spread through a network and find new hosts to infect. So, if you don't update your computer, and your device catches a computer virus, that virus will begin to attack everyone else on your network too. You can keep others safe by updating your computer. (And tell them to update theirs too!)

4. But wait, there's more!

Tied in with the security updates usually found in the software updates, there's much more! Many of the bugs and crashes that normally slow you down are also fixed in each update. So, if you want to stay safe and have your computer run faster, just say yes to that update!?

How to ensure productive remote work

While overall remote work has risen by 173% since 2005 and was largely driven by COVID mitigation efforts, there is no denying that this concept is here to stay in this post-COVID time. 97% of workers do not want to return to the office and 40% of workers are still working from home.?

But remote working requires a different way of managing your workers. Beyond continuing to maintain KPIs and deadlines, you also need to check in on their motivations, engagements, and proactivity of their assignments. Apollo Technical talent services say there are 3 red flags to look out for that might signal an employee or co-worker is struggling.

1. Loss of initiative.?Be on the look out for an uptick in phrases such as “we can’t do that” or “it won’t work.” It can signal that they are becoming more reactive instead of proactive in their duties.

2. Increase of a “victim mindset.” One of the downsides of remote work is that the worker is, well, alone. There is a lot to say about the team-building advantages of being on-site, and remote workers frequently feel they are “shunned” which leaves them feeling disengaged. Key phrases that can indicate this mindset are “they never tell me the updates” or “I always have to clean up their mess.”

3. Reduction of open communication. When your remote employee starts keeping quiet about problems they are facing or they suddenly prefer to work alone instead of with teammates may indicate that they have become disengaged.

The advantages of remote work for everyone are obvious: better employee retention, higher productivity, and higher job satisfaction to name a few. However, there are also challenges. With how new remote work is to many of us, it can seem overwhelming to manage these challenges, but with the right strategy and information, we can work to ensure employees and coworkers remain engaged and at the top of their game.

The Dangers Of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

There is no denying that the business technology landscape has changed rapidly, especially since the invention of the smartphone. Now, with remote/hybrid work taking over and workers using their own devices to access work information, the inherent risks to your data are even greater. Here are the top BYOD risks you need to be aware of as you work to meet both your employees’ needs and the security of your business data:

●????Theft of Data - Not all apps are created equal. Some apps that the user can download may not have the same stringent security protocols as the IT-approved applications. Any breach in one of these personal applications could result in your business data also being breached.?

●????Malware/ransomware - Yes, it is possible to download malware or ransomware on a mobile device. If an employee accidentally downloads an infected file, a virus or malware can be installed on their phone and then transferred to your internal network. Luckily, much of this can be solved with employee training on the types of things to look out for and empower everyone to recognize suspicious files or apps before downloading it.?

●????Loss of devices (either by accident or on purpose) - They are called mobile devices for a reason. They go with you. Unlike a desktop computer that can not easily be moved between multiple locations, tablets and smartphones go wherever you go. This increases the chances that the device could be stolen or lost.?This goes into our next danger:

●????Improper mobile security by the user - If your employee loses their device or it is stolen, you might rely on the built-in security controls of the device itself (I.E. Apple’s Find My Device which can lock down the device) but this is not always available. If the user fails to properly secure the device with strong passcodes (or any passcode at all) your business data could be accessible to anyone who finds the device.

●????Shadow IT - One of the things that BYOD has caused is an increase in Shadow IT.?Shadow IT is when employees download an application outside of IT’s approved applications and uses it for business purposes. N-Able found that 80% of workers admit to downloading an application at work without IT approval. The more “Shadow” applications attached to your network increase your risk of a breach. If you don’t know it’s there, you don’t know to look out for it.?

If you don’t have an internal IT and cyber security team to help you manage all of these variables, a cyber security-certified MSP provider can help you make sure your business data is safe.?

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Enjoy your summer!

Brian Guenther

President, Exceed Cybersecurity