Category Archives: General IT

Hackers can cause injuries

Posted on by

Video games have been around for ages. However, technology has improved and games have become more sophisticated. More people than ever are playing especially online. Did you know hackers can cause injuries? Read this BBC report and make sure your devices are protected.

Bullets rained down from all angles but Abdelrhman Badr kept calm. Suddenly an enemy burst through a window. Abdelrhman swung round to face the soldier and save his team. He lined up his sights for a fatal shot and squeezed the trigger but… his screen went black.

All of a sudden his computer shut itself down without warning. The game he was playing had never caused problems before. He reached down and looked inside his computer, which he liked to leave open and on display in his bedroom.

Instinctively he touched one of the components, swore and pulled his hand back. The graphics card was so hot it had burned his fingers. The 18-year-old from Sheffield hadn’t realised it yet, but this minor injury was caused by crypto-jacking.

Hackers can cause injuries

Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for clever ways to turn new technology into money-making opportunities. Cryptojacking is one of their latest innovations

What is cryptojacking?

Crypto-jacking is the unauthorised and illegal use of someone’s computer to collect Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies. Criminals are using ransomware-like tactics and poisoned websites to get your employees’ computers to mine cryptocurrencies. Here’s what you can do to stop it.

Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of someone else’s computer to mine cryptocurrency. Hackers do this by either getting the victim to click on a malicious link in an email that loads cryptomining code on the computer. They can also or infect a website or use an online advert with JavaScript code. This will auto-executes once loaded within the victim’s browser.

How cryptojacking works

Cryptojackers have more than one way to enslave your computer. One method works like classic malware. You click on a malicious link in an email and it loads cryptomining code directly onto your computer. Once your computer is infected, the cryptojacker starts working around the clock to mine cryptocurrency while staying hidden in the background. Because it resides on your PC, it’s local—a persistent threat that has infected the computer itself.

An alternative cryptojacking approach is sometimes called drive-by cryptomining. Similar to malicious advertising exploits, the scheme involves embedding a piece of JavaScript code into a Web page. After that, it performs cryptocurrency mining on user machines that visit the page.

How to prevent cryptojacking and make sure your secure

We are unable to help you level up or give you any tips to improve your gaming. We would recommend that you do not touch any parts of your computer systems. The story above illustrates, hackers cause you injuries. Leave it to the experts.

However, contact the LIS Help Desk to make sure your business systems are protected. We offer the latest Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam and Office 365 Security packages. Protect your company with our IT support contract. This gives you peace of mind to enjoy your pastimes – or maybe the latest online game ????.

#CyberCrime #burn #HotDevices

Twitter accounts hacked

Posted on by

The news broke recently that major US Twitter accounts were hacked in a Bitcoin scam.

The Twitter accounts of notable billionaires were hacked, on Wednesday afternoon. These included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Tesla founder Elon Musk, rapper Kanye West, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Politicians’ accounts, including Joe Biden and Barack Obama, were also affected soon after. “I am giving back to the community,” the tweets read. “All Bitcoin sent to the address below will be sent back doubled!”. The link to the Bitcoin wallet is consistent throughout all the tweets, suggesting a cryptocurrency scam.

The bulk of the messages have been deleted, though screenshots remain of several affected accounts:

Twitter has acknowledged the problem, but we are still very short on detail. The Biden campaign stated that the platform locked his account immediately after the breach, and removed the tweet. As part of the Twitter’s effort to solve the problem, verified accounts were restricted from tweeting for several periods on Wednesday night. The internet was alive to rumours of the removal of the verification badge.

Twitter accounts hacked

What’s the scam?

Hackers broke into the high-profile Twitter accounts and sent fake tweets offering $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to an anonymous Bitcoin address.

For instance, the message sent from  Elon Musk’s account said, “All bitcoins sent to my address below will be sent back double the amount. If you send $1,000, I will send back $2,000.” Likewise, information spread from Bill Gates’ Twitter handle said: “Everyone is asking me to give back, and now is the time.”

How did they do it?

Whilst there has been no official announcement of the method the hackers used, there are strong and consistent rumours originating from those who should know the truth. It appears that high level administration accounts were compromised, possibly through some form of social engineering, phishing or some say an ex-employee. Doubtless the truth will out. Either way this is a timely remind to lockdown your admin accounts!

Lessons for us from Twitter accounts hacked

There are no free lunches and no easy money. As an investor, you should always doubt information or schemes that offer to you an opportunity to make quick money in a very short period. The financial victims were just greedy. The other victim is the end user who places their trust in a large organization that we should be able to be rely upon to secure our data.

“Hackers had complete access to Twitter. They could post anything from any account. But they chose to seek bitcoins through false promises. People should be more careful. Most crypto giveaways that ask for contributions are scams. We hope this brings awareness, and Twitter users do not fall for these kinds of scams again,” said Arjun Vijay, Co-Founder and COO, Giottus Cryptocurrency Exchange.

Emergency response

Twitter earlier had to take the extraordinary step of stopping many verified accounts marked with blue ticks from tweeting altogether. Password reset requests were also being denied and some other “account functions” disabled. You may be sure that behind closed doors the Twitter investigation with the assistance of the FBI will be exhaustive. The reputational damage from the Twitter accounts hacked can not be over estimated.

Does your business also need an emergency response?

We would strongly urge you to review who has adminstrator rights to your world. Are you immune to this cyber threat? At the end of the day Twitter suffered from poor house keeping by a large corporate.

Protect your business with LIS

With immediate effect, we will add our Office 365 Security package to all our customers, at no cost. Amongst other benefits this gives you a monthly review of all users with administrator access and alert/approval for any changes that may occur. Irrespective of whether the change came about through staff action, hacking or some form of social engineering. We would offer it to Twitter but that horse has bolted ????.

A strong defence against cyber-crime is essential for your business. Protect your business data and sensitive information as it flows across your organisation. Our solutions enable us to understand where you are vulnerable. We can take proactive steps to help prevent and respond to threats, in order to reduce the potential risk to your business.

Contact the LIS Help Desk to migrate to Office 365 if you don’t already subscribe. Take advantage of our Office 365 Security Package special offer. Make sure your data and email are fully protected.

Our Office 365 Security Package is a bundle of software tools, that includes:

Finally, if you need them our managed anti-virus and anti-spam protection services can be deployed within minutes. LIS provides essential protection for your business, defending you from email viruses, spam and malware.

Do not gamble with your business security – we give you peace of mind!

Social distancing

Posted on by

Google’s new AR tool will visualise social distancing

Google has a new tool, called Sodar, to help you measure your social distancing space – available for Android users now. Google’s new Sodar experiment helps you keep social distance by using Augmented Reality (AR). It overlays a digital guide that shows if you are two meters away from someone or not.

Find our more in a recent article published by The Times newspaper. Social distancing is an effective way to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Now Google is offering a new tool that uses AR to help you enforce it.

“Sodar” is an experiment created by Google which is designed to use AR. It puts a virtual two metre (just over 6 feet) social distancing boundary around you. That’s the distance that’s generally recommended to keep between two people to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Since this is using AR, don’t expect the line to be perfectly precise, but it should be somewhat close. In recent tests, it seems accurate enough. It also really puts in perspective just how far that distance actually is.

Social distancing

Sodar – use WebXR to help visualise social distancing guidelines in your environment. Using Sodar on supported mobile devices, create an augmented reality two metre radius ring around you.

How does it work?

Notably, Sodar only works on Google Chrome and only on Android devices. The first time you access it, you’ll be greeted with some permissions. Those include for AR directly as well as camera access for Google Chrome if you’ve never granted that before. After giving it a look at the ground to calibrate the sensors, the line appears.

Keep in mind that AR based solutions are not fool proof in their assessment of our real world. Despite all the advancements treat the boundary suggested as a guideline rather than a measure of accuracy. In matters of health and public safety, it is better to err on the side of caution. Still, it’s a good tool to have to reinforce the ideas of social distancing and just how

much distance is needed.

Business support

We are unable to predict when then world will get back to normal. However, we are able to businesses get back to work. As well as helping you colleagues work from home. Contact The LIS Help Desk to discuss, IT support, networking, security and telecoms. Our friendly team will be happy to help and discuss the latest technology for your business. LIS helping businesses stay safe!

#SocialDistancing #Android #StayBack

A summer of music

Posted on by

Good news, Spotify has lifted its 10,000 song cap for online libraries. With the great weather we are having, it’s likely you’ve been creating loads of Spotify playlists to listen to in the garden – we have. You can make a playlist for every mood and occasion! So, start creating a summer of music playlist now! Read the full article written by Simon Cohen from Digital Trends.

Spotify users, rejoice! Today, the music streaming platform announced that their “unlimited library experience” is fully underway, meaning that users are no longer limited to the once-held 10,000-song capacity on personal libraries. This is a massive sigh of relief for anyone who’s had to be picky about what they save and what they don’t for fear of meeting capacity.

In a new community blog post, Spotify said they will be lifting the cap in the coming days after the user request became one of the most popular in their Community Ideas Exchange. Since 2014, the streaming giant says it had received over 12,500 votes to lift the cap.

The limit, which currently affects liked songs and liked albums, meant that it was only possible for users to save 10,000 items in their Spotify library at any one time.

Once users hit the cap, they would receive a message saying: “Epic collection my friend. There’s no more room in Your Library. To save more, you’ll need to remove some songs or albums.” While users will still be restricted to 10,000 offline downloads, online libraries will now be unlimited.

A summer of music

Streaming music is probably a part of your daily life at this point, and Spotify is a great service to do that! Spotify removes 10,000 song cap for online libraries.

Did you know?

Spotify today also published some common FAQs regarding this announcement, check it out below.

Q: Can I like/save as many songs, and albums as I’d like?
A: Yes

Q: Does this impact the offline listening limit?
A: No

Spotify users are able to download 10,000 songs on 5 different devices for offline listening.

Q: Can I add as many songs as I’d like to a playlist?
A: No

This doesn’t impact the current limit of 10,000 items in a playlist.

If you’re still getting the limit message, don’t worry. You’ll get the new experience soon!

We are not able to guarantee you with the best weather this summer. Nor are we able to settle any disputes about which music should be played. However, contact the LIS Help Desk for the latest broadband, IT equipment and support. Our experienced team are here to help your business whether you are working from home or in the office.

Let the sun shine, the music play and enjoy summer!

#spotify #SongCap #WeNeedAPlaylistForThat

Microsoft Teams advice guide

Posted on by

Unless you have been living on another planet, you have noticed that things have been a little… strange, lately. Covid has changed the way we do pretty much everything. Our Microsoft Teams advice guide will improve how you work. It looks as though it will be some time before things go back to the way they were. If at all.

On the up side, you may have discovered that your business can be more flexible with the way your people work, than you’d imagined. With many people working from home to some extent, remote working has become a viable, permanent option for many organisations. If your people are getting on well with it, what’s not to like?

People can work in a way they’re comfortable with. You could make a big financial saving on office space and travel. As well as giving your people the gift of time, because they no longer have to commute. However, the important thing to always keep in mind is how you’re going to continue to collaborate as a team.

Improve how you work with our Microsoft Teams advice guide

We are going to look at it, step by step, click here to download our latest Microsoft Teams advice guide.

  • How will meetings look if remote working becomes a permanent fixture?
  • What is the best way to keep team motivated and morale up? If your once “all in one place” team don’t see each other from one week to the next?
  • How will documents be shared, added to and refined?

It’s likely that you’ve already looked at some of these potential issues during lockdown. Have you found the best solution for your people? If not, it’s time you looked really closely at Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams has it all when it comes to uniting your business and helping you to get the job done. Make use of our Microsoft Teams advice step by step PDF guide.

Microsoft Teams advice guide

Microsoft Teams, also referred to as simply Teams, is a unified communication and collaboration platform that combines persistent workplace chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration.

What is Microsoft Teams?

Teams is Microsoft’s take on chat-based communication for business; Teams is also Microsoft’s answer to competing platforms such as Slack. Slack stock continues to lose value, despite a good revenue flow–analysts cite Microsoft Teams as part of that decrease. In July 2019, Microsoft Teams slid by Slack with 13 million daily users; as of April 2020, Microsoft Teams has 75 million daily active users.

Summary

  • What is Microsoft Teams? A chat and collaboration platform for Microsoft 365 customers designed to simplify group work.
  • How do I use Microsoft Teams? As well as the chat-based communications, Teams’ integration with other Microsoft services allows users access to shared files and calendars, collaborative editing, and easy switching between voice, video, and text chat.
  • Who does Microsoft Teams affect? The service is available to most subscribers to the cloud-based Microsoft 365 suite.
  • When and where is Microsoft Teams available? Microsoft Teams is available to Microsoft 365 customers and supports 93 languages and dialects.
  • How do I get Microsoft Teams? Microsoft Teams is enabled by default for most organizations using Microsoft 365.

Still need help?

There’s a massive help section if you’re ever unsure, and even a training tab full of how-to videos and guides to get you up to speed. Find it in the left corner of Teams.

Really, the new generation of working from home should be full of positives for your business. With the right tools, there should be little disruption to your business and projects. And communicating can become more precise and fruitful.

Give Teams a go and see how it could work for your business. As ever, we’re always on hand should you need any help. Just contact The LIS Help Desk for advice or guidance on this, or any other aspect of your business’s IT and data security.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team have a wealth of experience. Let us be part of your team! Don’t forget to download our FREE Microsoft Teams advice guide.

#MicrosoftTeams #FreeGuide #WorkBetterTogether