3 Simple tips for thwarting cybercriminals

16 Jun 2021

blog

Advances in technology have made life easier but have also enabled cybercriminals to improve their techniques. This can be a big blow to small-business owners who often take data security for granted. To keep your business safe, follow these simple tips.

Cover your webcam

If Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, former FBI Director James Comey, and National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden all believe their webcams could be compromised, there’s no reason you should feel safe. This is because cybercriminals can use your webcam to spy on you.

They can examine your surroundings, determine your location, and spy on the people you’re with. The attackers can record intimate and vulnerable moments and use these to blackmail you.

Fortunately, guarding yourself against this danger is easy. Covering your webcam should do the trick. You can use regular tape or you can purchase a cheap webcam cover online. Check as well if your webcam has a dedicated kill switch, as this disables the hardware, making it impossible for cybercriminals to spy on you.

Use a privacy shield

Also known as a privacy guard, screen, and filter, a privacy shield is a thin transparent sheet you apply on your computer, laptop, or smartphone screen to limit viewing angles. Once installed, anyone trying to look at your screen from anywhere — except straight on — will see nothing.

Privacy filters are commonly used to protect work devices that display or contain critical files with sensitive data or confidential information. However, work and personal devices are both vulnerable to “shoulder surfing,” the act of peeking at someone else’s screen, with or without ill intent. This is why it’s ideal to use protectors on all the devices you and your staff use.

Get a physical/biometric authentication key

Requiring more than one set of credentials to access sensitive resources has become the standard practice for established websites and applications. With multifactor authentication (MFA) in place, you can gain access to your account only after you’ve entered an authentication code.

Before, two-factor authentication relied mostly on text messages sent to mobile phones. But IT experts now discourage the use of SMS authentication because of the following reasons:

  • Text messages aren’t encrypted (i.e., these can be seen in plain text), and can be intercepted in man-in-the-middle attacks.
  • Text message notifications may display one-time pins (OTPs) that can be seen by unintended viewers.
  • Cybercriminals may redirect text messages to their own devices.
  • OTPs can be stolen via SIM swapping.
  • Users can be tricked into entering OTPs in a fraudulent login page.

If you’re looking for authentication services that can’t be easily neutralized, try a hardware key like a USB or Bluetooth key that you can always carry around. You can also use biometrics such as a fingerprint, retina, or facial scan. It’s difficult to copy a person’s fingerprint or facial features, making it a secure authentication method.

If you need help setting up two-factor authentication or IT security services, contact our experts. We’ll help you get peace of mind from knowing that your business IT is in good hands.

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Swift Chip provides managed IT and cybersecurity services for a wide variety of companies in fields with stringent privacy and compliance requirements.

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10100 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, United States

[email protected] 310-881-8770
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Adrianna SmithAdrianna Smith
01:52 27 May 22
The team at Swift Chip is responsive, knowledgeable, and super kind! Anytime I have an issue, they are quick to contact me back. Technology issues can be very overwhelming for a business owner, so having them on my team is super helpful to keeping my business operating smoothly!
Gary RotkopGary Rotkop
19:50 08 May 20
Very knowledgeable and professional staff that responded quickly, understood what I needed and resolved the issue economically. I had a very specific technical issue with an integration. Although AJ did not have specific knowledge of this very esoteric software, he managed to figure it out within minutes as we were discussing the problem. Very impressed. Thanks Swift Chip.
Udi BarkaiUdi Barkai
14:38 12 Oct 18
We have been working with SwiftChip for the last four years and have exceptional experience with these guys. In particular we would like to mention their extensive knowledge and outstanding customer service.
Keith R. SpragueKeith R. Sprague
10:46 22 Apr 16
Ken and his staff are great. They are very knowledgeable and always seem to have the answer. Highly Recommend...
Van HaasVan Haas
16:27 21 Oct 15
Ken May and his team at Swift Chip has always done a great job for me and the clients I refer. They are on the ball and are usually flexible with their schedule. They know their stuff and get it done right!
Tina Reed JohnsonTina Reed Johnson
16:46 25 Oct 12
Ken May is a very personable and responsive business owner, who is always ready to assist with computer and mobile issues. Swift Chip has the knowledge and know-how to get the job done, no matter how big or small.
Ken HowerKen Hower
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Swift Chip worked on my wife's laptop and made it run better than ever...better than new! Pricing was more than reasonable...Call Ken May at Swift Chip...he's the man!!!

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2140 Eastman Ave, #104 Ventura, CA 93003, United States

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Best IT company I've worked with in the last 20 years. Highly recommended!
Kate BernabeKate Bernabe
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22:34 20 Jun 21
always a positive experience!
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They respond very quickly an are very professional! I'm very happy with the IT services they've provided!
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