Computer Security Tips to Consider

By Stan Washington

Date: 07/27/15

National Computer Security Update (Click to see what the NIST is saying) but we broke it down here.

Recently the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) issued a statement that shows the cloud industry is fighting against those who attempt to attack the innocent. While rules regulations and standards were being enforced in a few countries, others ignored the plea for tighter security controls.

The NIST is working towards tighter international security standards which have already had a positive impact on security.

 

Here is what you need to prepare for in the very near future:

Microsoft Outlook Users

For those using older versions of Microsoft Outlook (2003 - 2013) you will more than likely have to move to a new version by June 30, 2016.  Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance is dictating more rules. Tougher Cipher Suites will be necessary to be used and the old versions of Outlook may not be updated (check with Microsoft for the correctness of this statement).

Android and Apple Users

Yes the updates will affect your smartphone. The use of SSLv3 will become extinct and replaced by the stronger TLSv1.1 and TLSv1.2. What this means is if you have an older phone then you may not receive an update to the operating system which in turn will render your email useless.

Chrome / Fire Fox / Internet Explorer / Safari and others

Security updates will affect how browsers communicate to servers to prevent “Man in the Middle” attacks and “Click Hijacks.” You will need to update to the latest browsers in order to keep up with the latest security updates.

What to do now

1. Stop reading this article and back up your computer (Why are you still reading? Back up your computer!)
2. Check to see if you have the latest version of your virus scan and do a “full scan” tonight. Older computers will take longer.
3. Delete temporary files and cookies on your browser. Yes this in inconvenient, but necessary to do regularly.
4. Empty the trash on email and computers. Just because you clicked delete doesn’t mean you have fully trashed the email or document you tried to get rid of.

Honor Services works with First Data, PayPal, GoDaddy, TrustWave and other partners to ensure the safety of your information. Honor Services Office provides payment and business integration solutions to manage what you do best!

Internet Explorer - It's safe to go back into the water!

By: Stan Washington
Date: May 13, 2014

In April the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement that Internet Explorer had vulnerabilities.  This scared the already nervous population of internet users and they began flooding away from IE in droves. I am a long time Microsoft user so this news made me do a little research.

The real issue was the support of the Windows XP operating system, said a  Microsoft spokesperson. People need to upgrade in order to remain secure. Here is that news item:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usanow/2014/05/01/microsoft-issues-internet-explorer-security-fix/8562737/

If you wish to go back to Internet Explorer do this first:

Check for updates.  This security patch was not pushed because a large portion of IE users were not affected.  Check for updates and apply any pertaining to the operating system and Internet Explorer.  If you don't see updates, you were probably fine.