Here's something you never want to see: intruder alert, intruder alert. So catch it before it's too late!

Great news coming out of IES today. We are now taking preorders for the IES HoneyPot. Now you can setup a "sting" operation 24/7 on your network, often alerting you - and us - of an issue before it becomes a real problem.

What is a honeypot you ask? "It's a sacrificial computer system that’s intended to attract cyberattacks, like a decoy. It mimics a target for hackers, and uses their intrusion attempts to gain information about cyber criminals and the way they are operating or to distract them from other targets".

Despite the compact size of our honeypot device, it looks like a real computer system to hackers - with applications and data, fooling cyber criminals into thinking it's a legitimate target. For example, a honeypot could mimic a company's customer billing system, a frequent target of attack for criminals who want to find credit card numbers. Once the hackers are in, they can be tracked, and their behavior assessed for clues on how to make the real network more secure.

It is important to note that a honeypot isn't set up to address a specific problem, like a firewall or anti-virus software. Nor is it meant to replace these network necessities. Instead, it's an information tool that can help you understand existing threats to your business and spot the emergence of new threats. With the intelligence obtained from a honeypot, security efforts can be prioritized and focused.

WE ARE GIVING THESE DEVICES AWAY for a limited time to any of our clients that are interested. We just ask that you cover the annual subscription fee of $365...yes, just $1 per day. Contact us today (781-816-9437 or contactus@iesadvisors.com) to learn more about our devices and see how they can help add a layer of security to your network. Since the devices are plug and play, we can ship it right to your location. Simply plug it into power & Ethernet so IES can do the rest!

The hackers are coming! The hackers are coming!

Hacking: it’s not just for Anonymous and the U.S. government anymore.

Cybercrime is ever-encroaching and can happen to anyone. Including you and your business. In fact, it’s cost the global economy more than $400 billion, and it’s increasingly hurting smaller operations.

The problem goes far beyond the leaking of sensitive emails and sexy selfies. Targeted attacks against small businesses nearly doubled in 2013. And of the one in five that experience a cyber attack annually, 60% will close their doors within six months as a result (source: Symantec).

But not you. Protect your business with these three tips:

1. Be password savvy. If your password is still “Password123,” it’s time to get serious. Create unique codes for each of your accounts, and make sure they’re at least 8 characters long (with a few special ones thrown in). Use password managers like LastPass 3.0 or Dashlane 3 to keep track.

2. Encrypt emails and valuable information. If a hacker does breach your system, encryption makes it that much harder to get away with critical data. Voltage, DataMotion, and Proofpoint are industry leaders worth checking out. 

3. Back up your data. Copying your key company data onto a cloud based system, such as Dropbox or Carbonite, or a USB hard drive takes minutes, and will save you time and anxiety if your system is ever compromised.

For professional help, call IES today at 781-816-9437. We can have you safe and secure in hours, not days!

Cyberspies are now targeting small businesses as opposed to large corporations. Is your business protected?

­Cybercriminals are taking greater pains to infect the computers of certain employees at specific companies, and are increasingly targeting smaller organizations for sophisticated cyber espionage campaigns.

Those findings were released today by Symantec based on the security giant's analysis of malicious attacks that circulated globally on the Internet in 2012.

Symantec tracked a 42% increase targeted attacks over 12 months, with the greatest growth coming in network intrusions directed at companies with fewer than 250 employees.

Why are small businesses being targeted?
Small businesses often lack adequate security practices. Attackers are moving down the supply chain and choosing to breach the lesser defenses of a small business that may have business relationships with a larger company.

What can or should small businesses do?
The first step is knowing what information needs to be protected. Small businesses should look at where their important information is stored and how it is used, and should first look to protect those areas accordingly.

How can IES help?
We provide the best IT consulting services around! (Yes, that's what all of our competitors say too). But ask any of our current clients and they'll tell you the same. From basic virus protection to securing an entire network, IES technicians are there for our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Give us a call today at 781-81-MY-IES (781-816-9437) to secure you business.

Source: Symantec, USA Today