AZCOMP Technologies IT - October 2020

855-556-4677 www.azcomp.com/it

OCTOBER 2020

Empowering Small Practices to Deliver the Best Care

IT

NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IS YOUR NETWORK REALLY PROTECTED?

3. ADVANCED ENDPOINT PROTECTION FOR DEVICES Having basic antivirus software is still needed, but that isn’t even half of the equation any longer. Modern security tools include anti- malware, anti-ransomware, artificial intelligence, advanced detection with logging, and much more. 4. TRAINED EMPLOYEES Make sure you train your employees over and over again about how to recognize phishing emails and other scams. Teach them to be suspicious. 5. POLICY PROCEDURES Of all the policies you can implement in your workplace, the two most important are to require complex passwords for user accounts and to restrict access to sensitive information to only those employees who need it. 6. THE RIGHT BACKUP SOLUTION If all else fails, the right backup solution can get you out of a lot of jams. The wrong solution will leave you stuck in a mess. Not all backups are created equally. Remember: If you’re connected to the internet and have a bank account, then you’re a potential target, no matter how big or small your business is. Hackers like stealing money, but contrary to popular belief, that’s not the most pressing threat when it comes to cybersecurity. The larger threat is that a hacker will break in, take control, then ransom your computers and network so that you’ll pay to get them back. Their game is extortion, but you have the ability to stop them. AZCOMP can help your business develop a layered cybersecurity approach that’s right for you. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great opportunity to

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), a yearly collaborative effort between the government, industries, and organizations of all sizes to help people stay safer and more secure online. You may not think you’re at risk to potential criminal cyber activity, but the harsh reality is that if you’re connected to the internet and have a bank account, you’re an ideal target. There are many businesses that are taking very comprehensive approaches to security and are putting great tools and dedicated services to good use. Outside those businesses, however, we often find that others fall into two different camps when it comes to cybersecurity. The first camp is complacent in their lack of any security because they think their business is too small for anyone to bother targeting or attacking them. The second camp is aware that cybersecurity is a threat, so they install something akin to free versions of Windows Defender and assume it will take care of all their needs. But more needs to be done in order to keep your business and information completely secure. Say you own a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Every jewelry store I’ve ever visited has many different security tools in place: heavy duty security doors, metal security screens on the outside, alarms, security cameras, locking cases, and much more. They do this because they know they’re a target and there isn’t one single, perfect solution that prevents all theft. The more layers of defense you have, the harder it is to get robbed, and the same is true with cybersecurity. In fact, there are six basic layers of cybersecurity that we recommend to get started. 1. PHYSICAL PROTECTION Like the hypothetical jewelry store, you don’t want people physically stealing your computers or server or being able to walk up to unattended computers so they can plug in a thumb drive. Also, if you’re traveling, keep your laptop and other equipment carefully guarded. 2. NETWORK PROTECTION WITH NEXT-GENERATION FIREWALLS Many internet providers might give you a router that says it has a built-in firewall. These devices aren’t designed to be a robust security appliance. Instead, get a modern, next-gen firewall built specifically for network security.

evaluate your security and get the assistance you need, so don’t be afraid to reach out to us for help.

–Benson Bashford

855-556-4677 AZCOMP Technologies www.azcomp.com/it • 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS

6 Ways to Avoid Fraud

As con schemes and technology get more advanced, it’s crucial to know what to do when a suspicious call, email, or text comes through. Here are some important basics. RECOGNIZE IMPOSTERS Scammers often pretend to be someone you know or trust, such as family, friends, or government organizations. Don’t share personal information or money with someone who unexpectedly requests it and could be an imposter. SEARCH ONLINE Find out if someone is targeting you by doing an online search of the company or product name to find reviews, complaints, or scam warnings. You can also search for phone numbers to see if others have reported them as a scam. DON’T TRUST CALLER ID Technology has made it easy to counterfeit caller ID information; so the name or number you see isn’t always real. If someone starts asking for personal information or money, just hang up. If you want to test it, call back using a number you trust.

DON’T BELIEVE PROMISES Scammers often attempt to receive advance pay by promising things like debt relief or loan offers. They may even say you’ve won a prize but first have to pay taxes or fees. Don’t share any monetary information when this is the case; they’ll likely take it and disappear. PAY CAREFULLY Government offices and honest companies will never require you to use strange payment methods like money wiring or gift cards. Credit card payments are more normal, but still be cautious about sharing this information freely. HANG UP ON ROBOTS If you pick up the phone only to hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report the number to FTC.gov/complaint. These calls are illegal. Also don’t press any buttons to speak to a person or be taken to a list, as it’ll likely lead to more calls. If you receive a call or email that seems strange, the safest route is to ignore or delete it. If the communication is actually real and important, the sender will find a way to get back in touch and let you know. Caution is your friend when it comes to keeping you and your information safe. NEED NETWORKING OR COMPUTER HELP?

SPOTLIGHT ON SHELLY REISENAUER After 11 years, Shelly Reisenauer has seen it

all during the many roles she’s had at AZCOMP. That’s why there’s no one better to serve as the project manager and spearhead our newest Aprima EMR software implementations. “This new program is the latest and greatest we have to offer our clients, and that’s why we’re so excited about it,” Shelly says. “It’s one more way we’re able to bring variety to how we serve others.” Setting up a new EMR takes a lot of dedicated time working closely with several people,

Call our direct support line: 480-730-3055 Create a support ticket via email: [email protected]

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