Peter Jacobson

Overview The New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) recently released a notification of rampant fraud associated with FIFA World Cup 2026 domains. The NJCCIC, a component of the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, is the state’s one-stop shop for cybersecurity information sharing, threat intelligence, and incident reporting.  Internet Domain Name Fraud […]

When tools are adopted faster than your security rules can keep up, you end up with “Shadow AI.” What exactly is “Shadow AI”? “Shadow AI” refers to employees using AI tools, apps, browser extensions, or AI-enabled features at work without formal approval, oversight, or governance from the company’s IT or security team. Common examples include:

Microsoft is making an important change to OneDrive that could quietly put your company’s data at risk if not managed properly.   Here’s the simple version: What’s Changing When an employee leaves and their Microsoft license is removed, their OneDrive data will no longer sit around indefinitely. Day 60: Files become read-only Day 93: Files

Due Diligence Needed with Software-as-a-Services (SaaS) apps We all love new SaaS applications — but clicking “install” without due diligence is a major security gamble. Every new integration acts as a bridge for your data, significantly increasing your attack surface and raising security concerns. The truth is, a single weak link can lead to catastrophic

If your small business IT strategy is just “wait until something breaks,” you’re making your margin for error smaller and putting your firm’s productivity at risk. Most IT Issues Are Predictable and Preventable For many small businesses, technology problems tend to appear out of nowhere—an employee can’t log in, the Internet goes down, a critical

Remote work is the norm now for SMBs as well as larger businesses.  There are many benefits to establishing a remote and/or hybrid workforce. However, it brings new security risks. Proliferation of Remote Workers Industry studies from last year indicate that about 20% of Americans were working remotely, while an additional 28–30% work in hybrid

Cyber scams have become a year-round, ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes. But the threats have become particularly notable for small companies, as they often falsely consider themselves less vulnerable than larger organizations. Threats occur constantly throughout the year – not just during seasonal periods such as tax season, back-to-school, and holidays. Also, email

What is Password Spraying? Password spraying is one of the most underrated cyber threats today.  It is a type of brute-force cyberattack where an attacker attempts to gain unauthorized access to a large number of accounts using a few commonly used passwords, rather than trying many passwords on a single account (which would likely trigger

A recent NJCCIC (New Jersey New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell) Weekly Bulletin cited an uptick in New Jersey employment scams that target and exploit individuals seeking employment. The NJCCIC is the Division of Cybersecurity under the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. It exchanges cyber threat intelligence and conducts incident response

Email Remains a Top Risk in 2025 Email threats remain one of the most significant cybersecurity risks for small businesses, and for good reason. Here’s a breakdown of why they pose such a challenge—especially for businesses using platforms like Gmail—and what specific threats to watch out for:   Why Email Threats Are a Major Risk

Ever wondered what happens when you delete a file? Deleted files don’t disappear—they move to a temporary storage area and can often be recovered unless overwritten. Here’s what you can do to ensure sensitive files are truly gone: •          Empty Your Recycle Bin: Regularly clear it out. •          Use File Shredding Tools: Permanently erase files beyond recovery. •          Encrypt Before

Encryption is a critical consideration for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) because it helps protect sensitive data, ensuring that it remains confidential, secure, and tamper-proof. As SMBs often handle sensitive information such as customer data, financial records, intellectual property, and employee details, encryption safeguards against cyber threats, data breaches, and unauthorized access.  It transforms readable data into an

Organizing your computer devices for peak productivity is essential for maintaining focus, reducing distractions, and working more efficiently. Here are suggested items on how to organize your workspace and digital environment.   1. Physical Workspace Setup ➡️Declutter Your Desk: Keep only the essentials on your desk (keyboard, mouse, monitor, and perhaps a notebook or pen).

Small businesses are increasingly moving their IT infrastructure to the Cloud.  Cloud adoption among small businesses in the U.S. is accelerating, with a significant portion of businesses already embracing Cloud technologies.  According to recent studies, over 80% of U.S. small businesses are either partially or fully using the Cloud for some aspect of their operations. 

Prevention is Ideal The best approach to minimizing ransomware damage is to have appropriate protection in place, along with an Incident Response Plan A ransomware Incident Response Plan (IRP) is vital for small businesses because it prepares them to respond quickly and effectively if they fall victim to a ransomware attack. These attacks can be

Password managers are crucial for securing online accounts.   What are Password Managers? A password manager is a software application designed to store and manage passwords. It securely stores passwords in an encrypted format and can automatically fill in login information for websites, applications, and other services. Most password managers also offer features like password

There are many types of malware. One of the most common is called “malvertising.” It crops up everywhere. Including social media sites and websites. You can also see these malicious ads on Google searches. Two things are making malvertising even more dangerous. One is that hackers use AI to make it very believable. The other

As we approach the last week of November 2024, the New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) issued a warning in its Weekly Bulletin titled ‘Tis the Season for Infostealing.     The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell is the state’s one-stop shop for cybersecurity information sharing, threat intelligence, and incident reporting. What is

Data is One of Your Business’s Most Valuable Assets There are many ways your valuable data can get stolen, corrupted, or exposed.  As a result, effective Data Lifecycle Management (DLM) is necessary.  Data Lifecycle Management refers to the comprehensive process of managing data from its creation and initial storage to its archiving and eventual deletion.

Rising Claims Over Last Five Years Over the last five years, the landscape of cyber insurance claims has evolved significantly due to increasing cyber threats and changing business practices.   According to IT security provider, Delinea, 62% of businesses filed a cyber Insurance claim in the last 12 months.  Further, over 27% filed more than one

Did you know QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can contain various information? Using a QR code generator online, data can be easily converted into a smartphone-scannable code for instant access. These codes facilitate various transactions such as website access, online payments, and advertising. About half of U.S. industry survey respondents indicated they

Tangible Value Challenging to Demonstrate Ahead of a Breach It is often hard to demonstrate to an owner or management team of an SMB (small-medium business) the tangible value of cybersecurity preventative measures ahead of a cybersecurity incident. Inspiration for this article came from numerous actual SMB cyberattacks where Powersolution (an IT Managed Services Provider)

Zero Trust is a security framework that assumes there is no implicit trust in any user or system.  This includes those that are inside the corporate network. In a Zero Trust model, organizations verify the identity and trustworthiness of anyone trying to access resources, regardless of their location or the network they’re on. This approach

Leave the World Behind is a recently released Netflix movie, starring Julia Roberts, which is getting considerable media and viewer attention. It is a fictional story of Amanda Sanford, who arranges a weekend vacation with her family – filmed in Old Westbury, Long Island. The family experiences a major power blackout, leading to a series

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill named “The Small Business Cyber Resiliency Act.” The senators are seeking new ways to help small businesses protect against cyberattacks and other digital threats. The U.S. government’s recognition of small business cyber risks begs the question … as a small business owner or executive, have you fully

A recent Weekly Bulletin from the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) highlighted scammers targeting New Jersey consumers related to retailers offering Pre-Black Friday deals. NJCCIC and National Retail Federation Warnings The NJCCIC (also known as the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Division of Cybersecurity), is a state-level information sharing and analysis

The use of computers in personal automobiles has come a long way, transforming vehicles from purely mechanical machines to complex, software-driven systems. As technology advances, we can expect further innovations in the automotive industry, including the continued development of autonomous cars and more advanced safety and infotainment features. Along with the benefits of computerization of

1. Reoccurring IT Issues  If you often find your business struggling with the same issues on repeat, it may indicate underlying issues with your current infrastructure and maintenance. Using a managed IT service provider would eliminate your recurring issue. Using our services we would constantly be monitoring your systems, target issues before they escalate, and quick

  What is Predictive Analytics? Professionals and businesses are continuously seeking fresh ways to get a competitive edge in today’s data-driven environment. Predictive analytics is one of these approaches that has altered decision-making for professionals. Predictive analytics enables experts from various industries to foresee future occurrences and make informed decisions using advanced statistical approaches and

  Small businesses are particularly susceptible to cyber attacks, which aren’t just a concern for big companies and governments. There is evidence to support the theory that small businesses are more at risk of cyberattacks, in part because they occasionally lack the physical resources necessary to adequately defend themselves. It’s crucial to defend your company

So What Is XR?  Have you ever wondered what the year 2030 is going to look like? No need to wonder when using Extended Reality (XR) technology. Extended reality technology combines the physical and digital worlds to produce immersive and interactive experiences. The technology is intended to mirror our world and represent a “digital twin

Many of us have witnessed the unfortunate incident of a friend’s social media account being hacked, leading to unexpected promotions of various companies, such as Bitcoin. This occurrence becomes even more peculiar if you’re used to enjoying your friend’s cat videos. Disturbingly, this trend seems to be on the rise. Cybercriminals skulk in the shadows,

IT support is crucial for organizations to improve productivity and profitability. However, the success of IT support teams is not just about fixing technical issues. Communication and empathy play a vital role in driving their success! The Impact of Empathy in IT Support Communication not only gets words across but the act of conveying ideas

AI also commonly known as Artificial Intelligence is starting to have a tremendous impact on people and their daily lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) has many benefits that could significantly improve the lives of MSPs and, it turn the end-users that Tech Support provides assistants to. From AI-powered virtual assistants that make common chores simpler to

There are many options to consider when buying a new laptop computer.   The following are a few of the key considerations for the non-technical buyer. Additional options, features, and accessories can be evaluated separately through a manufacturer’s website, further research, and/or through a qualified technical advisor. Personal Use and/or Business Work A first consideration is

A consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic will be an accelerated ramp-up of partial and/or full remote workforces after the pandemic has passed There are advantages and disadvantages to utilizing a remote workforce in lieu of the in-office work experience.  Much of traditional management thinking has been that having employees in the office on a daily

As previously indicated, it is not necessarily intuitive for many organization leaders to appreciate the benefits of a remote workforce.  An immediate perceived loss is the lack of ability to see workers at their desks putting in their scheduled hours.  Also, not having the opportunity for in-office face-to-face collaboration, creativity, and socializing can be an

Many home offices do not maintain the same technology standards, including IT security, that are provided at the employee’s office building.   The remote equipment and network should be evaluated and documented for functionality and security. A prevalent technology for securing remote connections is the use of virtual private networks (VPNs). VPNs create an encrypted tunnel

On Tuesday, 4/28/20, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) published an advisory that cited certain cyber vulnerabilities associated with the Zoom platform.  This follows a more detailed publication of those vulnerabilities by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released on 4/27/20, which was referenced by the NJCCIC. The DHS publication recommends that