Category Archives: Tech

What Causes Ransomware Attacks?

What is ransomware, and what causes its attacks? The leading cause of ransomware attacks is malicious software. These attacks often involve a Word document that tricks the user into enabling macros that run a malicious executable file with functions that encrypt data. Some ransomware variants can even spread to other devices in your network. Sometimes, ransomware can infect an entire organization through a single email attachment.

Encrypting Ransomware

You can take several steps to protect your computer from an encrypting ransomware attack. The first is to make backups. Then, you should isolate all systems and separate them from the network. This will stop the malware from spreading to other systems and communicating with its command and control systems. Another critical step is to report the attack to law enforcement. This will help law enforcement action against the attackers and ensure your data remains unharmed.

The cost of a ransomware attack can be astronomical. As a result, businesses are often left with a moral dilemma about paying the ransom, which doubles the damage. In addition, paying the ransom does not guarantee the attackers will remove the ransomware. Fortunately, some companies have found a way to avoid paying the ransom and recover their data after an attack.

One of the most widespread ransomware attacks is the ZCryptor virus, which encrypts files and self-propagates to other computers. The malware often disguises itself as a popular software installer or malicious macros in Microsoft Office files. Once on your computer, it encrypts more than 80 file formats. The ransom demand is usually around 1.2 Bitcoin but can increase to 5 after four days.

Cryptomining Malware

Cryptomining malware attacks a computer by using it for crypto mining. The process is reminiscent of coal miners’ canaries, which served as early warning systems for toxic air. The presence of this software is a sign that an adversary is attempting to spread malware.

This type of malware has recently become a significant threat. It infects computers and uses their processing power to mine cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. The crooks then keep the proceeds. This is a complicated process, requiring a lot of computers, electricity, and processing power. In addition, the servers used to perform coin mining are often located in Iceland and require a high level of computer power.

Cryptomining malware can also affect the performance of a company’s servers and client devices connected to the server. This may result in productivity loss. However, there are ways to detect and remove this type of malware.

Human, System, Network, and Software Vulnerabilities

Ransomware is malicious software that spreads automatically across the internet, stealing sensitive data and holding the victim’s money. To protect yourself from a ransomware attack, you must be proactive and follow best security practices. The first step is to update operating systems. This will minimize the chances of a hacker targeting your system. Additionally, you should never install unauthorized software or give it administrative privileges. Furthermore, it would help if you used antivirus software to detect and block malicious programs as they arrive. Another great way to mitigate ransomware attacks is to perform frequent automatic backups.

Infections are most likely to occur when users unknowingly download ransomware through malicious email attachments or malware. Some of these infections can also be delivered by malicious websites and exploit kits. The best way to protect your computer against ransomware attacks is to prevent the disease before it even starts.

Fear Factor

One of the primary reasons why ransomware attacks happen is the fear factor. While these attacks can cause physical inconvenience, they can also cause a lot of damage to the public’s trust in technology. Furthermore, they can lead to panic buying because of the fear of price hikes or lack of supplies. For instance, the JBS ransomware attack led to temporary shutdowns of factory facilities and meat shortages in the U.S. As a result, meat suppliers warned consumers not to panic about buying beef or other meat products because that would increase the price.

Ransomware attacks are increasingly common and have become a significant issue in businesses and organizations. Since the first ransomware attack was made in 1989, the threat has only increased. The fear factor of these attacks is exacerbated by the fact that they are perpetrated by cartels, notorious for their power, reach, and ability to evade the law. Four of the most prominent cybercriminal groups have teamed up to create a toolkit to combat ransomware attacks.

Is Diploma in Cyber and Digital Security Course a good Career Choice?

The arrival of the digital age has changed the way organisations function with large amounts of data now being stored online. This has brought its own challenges with data breaches, password theft and network hacks. Digital security has therefore become a pressing issue.

Since there is more demand in the digital security sector, individuals with relevant skills have many options when it comes to pursuing job opportunities. Moreover, the rapid takeover of the cyber world ensures that a career in this field is long-term and stable.

This article will help you to find out what the future of cyber security looks like and which courses are available for you to study.

Right course and future of cybersecurity 

A simple diploma can provide you with a developed skill-set as well as practical knowledge that will enable you to find a good job in cybersecurity. However, later on in your career, you might choose to study at master’s level to help you progress in this industry. There are a variety of reasons why cybersecurity is a wonderful career choice such as:

Guaranteed jobs: With a diploma in this field, you will certainly be able to find a role and won’t have to worry about job-hunting. This sector is progressing rapidly and therefore getting a placement, even in the future, would be easy. It means you will always enjoy job security.

Huge scope for growth: You can grow your career in this field; potential in the digital sector is unlimited. Security has become an integral part of the IT industry and companies are ready to use all the resources required to secure their data.

Monetary benefits: Since companies rely on information to function, they will go to great lengths to ensure it is secure. Hence, they are ready to pay a good salary to proficient data security experts.

An impactful job: This is a job role that has a strong and direct impact on an organisation. Cybersecurity has its influence beyond the physical sphere of the company. The prospect of a data breach is terrifying and can have deadly consequences. A lot rides on the shoulders of data security professionals.

Scope of learning: Technology is ever-changing which makes this field an interesting one. You will always be learning something new on the job and building on your knowledge. You will also be exposed to challenges that would make your role more engaging.

Cybersecurity is a very complex and dynamic field that is a necessity for all organisations. Since information is now stored on the cloud, third party breaches are becoming common. Qualified professionals are in great demand as appropriate security checks have become a mandatory requirement for businesses.

Master’s Degrees to Consider if You’re Looking for Long-Term Job Opportunities

If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree at college and are now thinking about taking on post-graduate studies, or if you have been in the workforce for a while and want to go back to school to get further educated, it can be rather tough trying to work out which program to enroll in.

Today, with the costs of study rising constantly, and with many industries in decline, you need to make your decision carefully so you spend not only your money but also your time and energy wisely. As such, it’s important to be on the lookout for degree options that will help you increase your job prospects as soon as you’ve graduated, and well into the future. Read on for a sample of good master’s degrees to consider.

Engineering

A master’s degree in a field of engineering is a beneficial qualification to have, with engineers being in-demand around the world for all types of jobs. There are a variety of areas of engineering you can specialize in, but whether you choose to check out the best biomedical engineering schools or are keen on getting a post-graduate degree in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical or other type of engineering, you should be set for years.

From a master’s degree, you’ll gain additional technical knowledge and skills which will set you up well for roles and help you enhance your safety record. The extra studies you complete will assist you to become a more reasoned, cautious and experienced engineer, as well as give you the chance to work on more intellectually challenging, and interesting, engineering projects.

Economics

While it has been a popular area of FAME (finance, accountancy, management and economics) studies for many years now, and known for providing good job prospects and pay, right now economics is growing further, for a variety of reasons.

For instance, students who study a master’s in economics will learn how to effectively work with and analyze big data sets, something that is particularly of-use in this tech-driven world. More and more companies across the globe are looking for people who can help them handle their digital information and make decisions based upon it. As such, being able to strategically utilize large amounts of data will certainly stand you in good stead for future roles.

Another reason why economics is big right now is because of the explosion in the global population. This, combined with the banking and other financial turmoil of the last decade, and the huge debt problems of a number of developed countries, has led many people to question the way economics has been approached for decades. As a result, if you complete a master’s in economics, you’ll be able to enter the arena at a time when fresher, more innovative ideas are welcome.

Computer Science

Of course, as you’d imagine, as our world relies more and more on computing breakthroughs and abilities, and technology continues to disrupt industries and change the way we live our lives, having a post-graduate qualification in computer science is a real boon.

The need for computer-savvy job candidates continues to grow and isn’t likely to abate any time soon. After all, businesses in every sector now rely upon technology at least to some degree. If you have a thorough understand of all the elements of computer science, then you’ll be able to work in tech firms and also for any other sort of business that needs your skills.

Plus, with cybercrime such an issue, and something that isn’t likely to go away, people who have trained in computer science can get jobs as security specialists, for both government organizations and private firms.

MBA

A Master’s in Business Administration continues to draw in huge numbers of students because it’s easier than ever for people to become entrepreneurs. Plus, there is more focus on the world of business management and the rise of entrepreneurial superstars, so increasing numbers of people wish to further their skills in business and hopefully follow in the footsteps of well-known leaders.

An MBA is a highly flexible degree, which allows students to learn about and acquire skills in various subjects such as leadership, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, technology, international markets and the like. Being qualified in this area has helped many students to go on not just to earn a lot more during their careers but also to have more career stability. In addition, completing an MBA opens up opportunities to work in varied and interesting fields and diverse geographical locations.

Survive Another Semester With These Dorm Room Gadgets

At the start of the semester, you can fool yourself into believing you’ll be spending all your spare time between classes in the library. With your nose in a book, it’s easy to ignore how utilitarian your dorm room is. What do you care if it’s ugly? You’re only there to sleep, right?

If you’re lucky, you get about a week into this routine before you realize you can’t keep it up. At which points, you trade a trip to the library for staying in on your bed.

If you’re going to be spending a lot of your time in your dorm room, you might as well do everything you can to make it time well spent. This list will help you curate the best dorm experience possible. From the hilariously extravagant to the surprisingly practical, these gadgets will elevate your dorm room to the next level.

A robot maid

Raise your hand if you like cleaning. When neither hand even twitches, you know you can’t claim this activity as a preferred hobby. There’s just too much going on around campus for you to want to waste your time cleaning up.

In 2018, that doesn’t mean you have to live like a slob. You can “hire” a robotic maid to vacuum your dorm room. Though the Roomba is synonymous with the robot vacuum, the most well-known brand isn’t always the best. The iLife A4 is a cute little addition that keeps on top of dirt without emptying out your student wallet. It’s relatively affordable addition to your dorm room that saves you a fight with your roommate about whose turn it is to vacuum.

Noise cancelling headphones

Few residences could be confused for the Ritz. You’re going to be dealing with a lot of people in a small space. As a result, you’re going to be hearing a lot of stuff — whether you want to or not. Someone somewhere is always going to be making noise, even if it’s the middle of the night. Come midterms, it’s likely more than one person will take of up the Nordic tradition of wailing in the middle of the night.

If you’re sensitive to your surroundings, you’ll want to pack a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. While Sony’s WH-1000XM2 make it to the top of Tech Radar’s list, you may not have the budget to drop roughly $400 on a set of headphones. The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC offer an affordable alternative that offers NoiseGard ™ to filter out the sounds of college life.

Portable speakers

When you’re done cancelling the noises other people make and are ready to make some noise yourself, you’re going to need a set of speakers to help you make an impact. The UE Boom 2 offers considerable sound quality in a small, lightweight package. It’s small enough to fit anywhere in your room and light enough that you won’t regret owning it when it comes time to move out. Check out CNET’s review to see why it’s the portable speaker to blast your mid-semester playlist.

Nintendo Switch

If you’d rather skip the party to explore Hyrule, then a Switch would better serve your dorm room this year. As Nintendo’s first 2-in-1 console, it’s the perfect system for campus. It offers excellent single player games when you want to kill some time on your own, and it has a library rich with multiplayer (both co-op and competitive) games. You can dock it and play on the big screen or throw it in your bag and take it along to class.

A Switch skin

You’ll just want to wrap it up in a Nintendo Switch skin before it’s ready to mix and mingle in your backpack. This accessory protects your console from pens, keys, and other sharp objects in your bag that could damage it. When you shop from a company like dbrand, you’ll get a Switch skin that’s made out of 3M vinyl. Because of their partnership with 3M, these skins leave residue on the Switch’s unique surface material — or any other tech you want to decal. That means you can protect and customize your devices with multiple skin designs and switch it up whenever you’re feeling bored.

A power strip

Last but not least, you’re going to need a surge-protecting power strip to make sure you don’t blow the breakers once you plug in the rest of the gadgets on the list. The Dynex Surge Protector comes with 8 outlets and two USB charging ports, so you’ll never have to fight with your roommate over a chance to charge

Despite your best intentions, you’ll be spending more time in your college dorm room than you might expect. If you expect to enjoy all the time you log in this tiny room, you’ll need a few gadgets to help improve your quality of life. Once you have the right ratio of space to tech, you’ll never regret staying in your room. Your grades, on the other hand, might miss the library!

Cleansing Your Digital Footprint

Cleansing Your Digital Footprint is vital to safeguarding your privacy in this day and age

We hear this all of the time: be careful what you post online. While some of us scoff at this recommendation, we need to heed this advice. While we may think that posting photos of our friend’s party from last weekend are funny at the time and display the college lifestyle, those photos could come back to haunt us years down the road.

Things that live on the Internet rarely ever die, after all. They can always be accessed in archives. Smartphones are changing the way we do things, and they certainly are changing the college experience. It wasn’t too long ago that I was on the other side of the desk, detailing my education and job experiences during interviews. Now, I own my own business and have to make hiring decisions, and I had to also do this during my previous jobs in the nonprofit sector. Trust me when I say this: potential employers do look at your social media accounts, websites and more. If you’re in a highly visible profession or want to be, such as public relations or other communication-based professions, your employers will look for your digital footprint even more.

Here are some ways to cleanse your digital footprint, according to The Balance:

        • Take off your full name, birthday and other personal information from your social media sites. And it’s never safe to post your mailing address. If you use your cell phone for business-related activities, still be mindful of posting it everywhere. Don’t put up too many personal photos, like of your pets, children and family and friends. Hackers could use those things against you. Don’t give them the bait.

        • Never post about when you’re on vacation. Sure, your friend may be feeding your dog, checking your mailbox and making sure your house is OK while you’re out of town, but it just begs people to invade your privacy — and your home.

        • You never know what the future holds. Avoid ranting on social media. It puts you in a bad light and typecasts you as the resident digital complainer, but it could also cause you a job in the future. If you complain about your cable television company on social media but apply for a job there two years down the road, your social media rant could honestly cost you the job.

        • Don’t show your full hand. You’ll want to keep a social media poker face. Don’t lament about your overbearing parents or talk about deep-rooted emotions. Don’t post your dirty laundry — or anyone else’s. If you need to talk with someone, consider chatting online with a mental health professional or reading through advice columns on Betterhelp.com. Keeping your personal feelings away from social media can help you avoid backlash and unnecessary drama. Plus, you will be working on improving yourself and your digital image.

        • Put things you want people to see. Create a LinkedIn profile, blog, Google account and more that highlight your job history, skill sets and other communications about you and your career and personal brand. Be authentic in your communications but be strategic. Limit your car and gym selfies, which can damage your credibility. Did you just get a new Nintendo Switch or piece of workout equipment? Don’t brag about what you have or invite people in your home to steal what you have worked hard to get for yourself.

In today’s digital age, all of us have our own personal brands online. Stay true to yourself but always be mindful of what you post.