Category Archives: Security

Windows Server 2012 End of Life Is On The Horizon

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iPad showing Microsoft Windows interface screenshot, lying on a PC running on Windows Server 2012.

Now is the time to start preparing and budgeting for end-of-life for Windows Server 2012.

Microsoft support. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ve never had to call them or email them. When businesses reach out to the Microsoft support team, it is usually viewed as the last resort. The Microsoft support team is who you lean all after your previous attempts to repair your problem did not pan out.  However, what could be worse than talking to a member of the support team and hearing the words, “Your device is currently unsupported”. After you hear these words, you are left to determine what you have to do next.

Windows Server is the driving force behind Microsoft’s operating system line-up. While Windows gets recognition and praise, Windows Server works extremely hard in the background, especially for businesses. If you have an on-site network based on a Windows network, there’s a good chance that the network is running a Windows Server.

End-of-Life Nearing for Windows Server 2012

Typically, server operating systems have long lifecycles, but businesses can easily miss the key dates indicating the end of mainstream support. With this in mind, let’s consider one particular version of Microsoft’s server OS, Windows Server 2012 R2, and its upcoming “true” end-of-life status. If you do not already know, Microsoft has announced a major change that will be affecting their Windows 2012 Servers. Businesses trust Windows Server to run their business-critical and mission-critical workloads.

The end-of-life for Windows 2003 Server came into effect in July of 2015. The Windows 2008 Server ended its support in January of 2015 and all remaining support ended in January 2020. Windows 2012 Server also ended support in January 2020. Up next is Windows 2012 Server. Windows 2012 Server will be ending sales, support, monitoring, and updates in 2023. Microsoft’s obsolescence date has been set for October 10, 2023. Although this date may make you feel that you do not have to worry about this right now, we recommend that you take action rather than later. You do not want the end-of-life date to sneak up on you.

Preparing for End-of-Life for Windows Server 2012

Preparing for the end-of-life or end-of-support for Windows Server 2012 should be of immediate urgency to businesses. It has become evident that the end-of-life rollercoaster will continue to extend across a range of systems as we enter the coming years. Therefore, long-term preparation is needed at every stage. You do not want to wait until the end of support comes into effect. Making the transition is going to take some time, so it is better to make the transition at your own pace.

With the right resources and solutions in place, achievable objectives and goals can be met within a short timeframe. This move will require businesses to act immediately to ensure proper preparation. Urgency is the name of the game, and businesses that take proactive steps will be able to make a seamless transition into the next server.

After the end-of-life date has passed, it will become increasingly more dangerous to continue running your business on an outdated Windows Server. There will never again be an update or security patch released for Windows Server 2012 after October 10, 2023. This means your network will be vulnerable to attacks because it can easily be infiltrated by malicious actors.

Upgrading to Windows Server is a worthwhile investment for your business for the following reasons:

  • Enhanced security
  • Better productivity and less downtime
  • More reliability and flexibility
  • More applications and features

A more powerful and reliable server can offer your business better performance and scalability, allowing your business to have the resources and flexibility it needs in a server. As your business grows and excels into the future, you need to operate on a server that can meet your business’s current needs and future growth plans.

SystemsNet can put together a detailed plan to minimize disruption as much as possible and address all your Windows Server concerns. Contact us today for more information.

Benefits of Web Gateway Security

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Team of employees using a computer while looking at statistics provided by their web gateway security

Protecting your company data from cyberattacks.

In the world we live in today, where cyber crimes are at an all-time high, businesses have all the reasons to beef up their online security. Besides, gone are the days when workers were bound to corporate headquarters. Today, employees access can data and applications at homes or other remote locations and sometimes use unsecured devices that put organizations at a higher risk of cyberattacks.

For these reasons, businesses are turning to web gateway security to prevent unsecured traffic from accessing the internal network of an organization.
This post explains the benefits of using a DNS-based web gateway and why is WebRoot DNS is an ideal choice for your business.

Benefits of using a DNS Filter

Cybercriminals will always seek ways to penetrate and execute harmful activities in your digital assets, networks, and websites. Therefore, companies should put in place stringent cybersecurity measures to protect their data and employees. A DNS-based web gateway or DNS filtering is a great solution to protect and report user behavior over your network.

Typically, DNS works like an internet phonebook where a user enters the site domain name while visiting a website, but there is a process behind the curtain to streamline the requests.  When a user enters a domain name, they are simply asking for the site’s IP address, and the DNS server translates their request and directs them to the site.

DNS filtering involves utilizing DNS to block inappropriate, harmful, and malicious sites. It ensures your organization’s network remains secure from cyber threats and gives you more control over how employees access the internet.

Using DNS filtering protects your business in different ways.

These include:

  • Protection from Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks such as ransomware, phishing, botnets, DDoS attacks, and botnets have costs businesses a lot of money and also, in some cases, damaged their reputation. When you enable DNS filtering on your network, it evaluates the incoming and outgoing web traffic to ensure only safe traffic can enter or leave the network, thus protect your company from cyberattacks.

  • Wi-Fi Protection

Many companies have no security measures or filters for their Wi-Fi networks, giving room for harmful viruses and online attacks. Installing anti-malware software can reduce the risk but cannot prevent it. Luckily, DNS filtering protects your internal Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and wired networks.

  • Protecting your Off-site Employees

Remote working is increasingly becoming a norm in most companies, and this trend is here to stay. Unfortunately, most employees use unsafe networks, and their devices are more vulnerable to cyberattacks. This puts your organization’s network at risk of intrusion or malware infection. DNS filtering allows seamless authentication of roaming users and applies the same security policies to their devices as the case when working from the office.

Why choose WebRoot DNS

Businesses need to have private, secure, manageable, and visible control over internet traffic. Unfortunately, many DNS exploits and vulnerabilities exist as the current domain name system (DNS) design was not designed with security in mind. It only resolves internet requests via a global system of servers and translates the request into their unique IP addresses.

Enter WebRoot DNS.

You can use a protective DNS service like Webroot® DNS Protection to control your network. It also allows you to maintain the privacy, visibility, and security necessary to protect IT infrastructure and employees, even those working remotely. WebRoot DNS is an industry-leading network security software that helps create a highly private, resilient, secure, and manageable connection to the internet.

Through Webroot BrightCloud® Internet Threat Intelligence, the DNS automatically blocks malware and phishing domains, including encrypted DNS over HTTPS (DoH) requests. The automated filtering alone prevents most internet threats from infecting networks or endpoints.  With this protective DNS, your organization gets control over your DNS connection, as the joint NSA and CISA Guidance on Strengthening Cyber Defense Through Protective DNS recommends.

Protect your Business Today!

Many businesses are now enjoying the superior features of Webroot DNS in protecting their DNS networks and connections against cyberattacks, internet abuse, Internet-borne malware threats, and more. At System Net, we provide complete network solutions to companies and will help you integrate WebRoot DNS into your network. Contact us today to learn more.

Benefits of Using WebRoot DNS for Web Gateway Security

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Team of IT professionals in an office using a computer showing WebRoot DNS digital features.

Preventing harmful websites and malware from attacking your company data.

Is your business hosting sensitive client data on the web? Do you have hundreds of clients that need the best state-of-the-art web security to keep their personal information safe?

If so, WebRoot DNS is the perfect choice for you! Your customers will never have another question about the security and privacy of their data on the web! WebRoot DNS provides cloud-based security solutions, which include: Web Filtering Services (WFS), Web Security Service (WSS), and a new Website Protection Platform (WP).

Why choose WebRoot DNS?

Having a DNS filter and web gateway security system is important as it protects your company’s assets. It also allows you to control what users can access, such as content that needs to be filtered for sensitive information.

This will help you avoid any downtime due to hacking, unauthorized intrusion, and other attacks on your systems by monitoring the types of traffic in and out of your network. It also helps with compliance requirements like PCI-DSS and HIPAA/HITECH Act regulations.

This blog post will explore some benefits that come from having this type of protection in place, so read on!

Benefits of using WebRoot DNS

Webroot DNS Protection prevents access to harmful websites and malware by locking down the domain name system (DNS) your company uses for Internet browsing. It ensures that URLs you type into a browser are safe, blocking over 88% of all threats to your network before they can do any harm.

Webroot protects you from malware, viruses, and ransomware. Its DNS protection blocks inbound threats for devices and networks, and it provides cloud-based threat intelligence services to give you 24/7 all-around security by covering your devices too!

Some of the many benefits of using WebRoot DNS include:

1. Endpoint protection

Endpoint protection, often referred simply as endpoint security, refers broadly to cybersecurity services for network endpoints—meaning laptops/desktops computers; smartphones/tablets; servers (cloud-based); virtual machines used in cloud computing environments), etc.

With security breaches occurring on a daily basis and the personal information of millions of people worldwide at risk, it is essential to protect our vulnerable endpoints. Endpoint protection can help stop malware from infecting your device with all sorts of nasty viruses that are out there trying to steal your most private data or cause other damage such as deleting files. It also includes protection services like web filtering so you don’t unintentionally visit an unsafe website which could lead to more problems down the road.

2. DNS protection

Webroot DNS provides control over internet access by blocking malicious browser activity and enabling strict Internet usage restrictions. One of the best features is that it protects your servers with a domain filter service, registering the WAN IP address associated with your network to prevent hackers from accessing sensitive data like private passwords or financial information.

3. Web filtering services

Automated filtering offered by WebRoot DNS can help to block requests to undesirable, dangerous, or malicious internet domains even when encrypting DNS over HTTPS. This helps to avoid most of the threats before they affect your network and endpoints.

Conclusion

Webroot DNS Protection lets you easily and securely control how your employees are using the internet by limiting their access to only the sites that you want them to visit. Web-based management console makes it easy for admins to set up policies, while an intuitive interface helps users stay productive on work computers without having unrestricted web usage.

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep track of what’s going on in terms of malware protection across all devices connected to your network(s), Webroot DNS has got you covered. Contact our experts at SystemsNet to learn more!

5 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need Cyber Security

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IT professional using a laptop to program cybersecurity measures with a small business owner.

Protecting your business and customers with cybersecurity practices.

Did you know that over 58% of small business owners do not consider cyber attacks a threat? On the contrary, many small business owners tend to think that they are immune to these attacks. They believe that nobody is interested in their data- this creates an avenue for cybercriminals to explore.

Coming from a year where almost every aspect of life moved digital, cases of cyber attacks continue to rise. Now, more than ever, even small businesses need cyber security. Here is why:

1. Small Businesses are Easy to Attack

Large, established companies know that they are always vulnerable to cyber-attacks, so they annually spend millions on cybersecurity. With dedicated and talented staff, they can easily identify and neutralize threats as soon as possible.

On the other hand, small businesses do not have to put these tough measures in place- most companies do not protect themselves at all. As a result, cybercriminals can easily breach their security and do away with important data.

It is easier for criminals to have a successful attack on a small business than a giant. Taking the necessary precautionary measures prevents you from these attacks that can cause massive losses.

2. Inadequate Policies in Place

Most small businesses do not have data security policies. In case of an attack, these businesses are always underprepared- they take a lot of time to react.

Having good policies in place makes the job tougher for cybercriminals and gives your staff adequate time to respond to the attacks and make amends.

3. Cases of Ransomware are on the Rise

Not long ago, WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware were used to attack middle-sized companies, holding their critical information hostage. For those who paid the ransom, they had their data back. For those who didn’t, they didn’t recover.

As a small business, you do not need to pay ransom to anybody- invest in cybersecurity.

4. It is Hard to Recover from Cyber Attacks

If huge businesses can feel the impact of cyber attacks, imagine what they do to small businesses. With your information gone, it is very hard to collect yourself and start again.

5. Clients Do Not Appreciate Data Breach

Even for small businesses, clients want to know that their data is safe with you. Having good cybersecurity policies will improve your business in many ways.

What to Do to Improve the Cybersecurity of Your Small Business

Cybercriminals invent new ways to attack every day. However, ensuring the following components of cybersecurity are in place will keep you going. They can help you repel, note, or anticipate an attack.

  • Regular security assessment
  • Secure your emails from spam
  • Apply security policies on your network. Manage passwords well
  • Embrace multi-factor authentication
  • Update your computers regularly
  • Use advanced endpoint detection and response
  • Encrypt every possible aspect of your business
  • Back up your data to the cloud
  • Have web gateway security
  • Use data engines for event and security logs
  • Tighten your mobile device security
  • The firewall should be on at all times
  • Dark web research- knowing all the passwords and accounts on the dark web in real-time
  • Train your employees on the benefits of security awareness.

Quit gambling with your business and allow us to keep you safe. No cybersecurity fits all companies- you must have the services customized to suit your needs.

Need a Cyber Security Expert? Consider SystemsNet

At SystemsNet, we have the expertise and experience to do that. Our security options include multi-factor, Perch, SentinelOne, Webroot DNS,  profile protection and many other services. We can analyze the nature of your business and come up with an affordable plan that will protect you from cybersecurity threats.

Contact us today to choose your package. Please go through our blogs for more information and updates.