Limbtec Limited > Blog > 2023 > January

Devious new Phishing Scam – Take action to avoid

30th January 2023
Devious new phishing scam - take action to avoid.

New day, new scam, and this one is very sneaky.

Cyber criminals are getting smarter. And this recent malware threat is very smart. It impersonates a highly trusted brand name to get a foot in the door.

What happens

Targets receive a convincing looking email that appears to come from a widely used e-signature platform.

This email has a blank image attached. The image is loaded with empty svg files, which are carefully encoded inside an HTML file attachment. (Sorry for getting slightly technical, hang on we are getting there).

In short, it’s very clever and it’s tricking its way past a lot of security software.

And because it is getting past a lot of security software, it is putting businesses like yours at risk. Because code within the image sends people to a malicious URL.

Open the attachment and you could unwittingly install malware onto your device – or even your network – which risks exposing your data and leaving you open to a ransomware attack.

Recently, there’s been a wave of HTML attachment attacks on small and medium sized businesses, so it’s clear that companies need to take action to stay ahead of the criminals.

What you can do

If you use software to sign documents electronically, double-check that emails are genuine before opening any attachments.

There’s a reason why the criminals have chosen to impersonate a trusted name.

Taking things a step further, you could block all emails with this type of attachment, to prevent employees from being exposed to scam emails in the first place.

If you’d like any further advice, or help implementing extra security measures, get in touch.

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When did you last have a health check?

23rd January 2023
When did you last have a health check?

Did you start a January Health kick? How is it going?

January is that time of year when a lot of us take our health seriously, well for a month or so! It is a good thing to look after yourself, and do something about it.

Your doctor would probably like to see you once a year for a health check, just to find any small problems and stop them from progressing.

It is the same principle with your technology.

So why not book in for an IT check-up, to make sure everything is in great shape for the coming months.

After all we do this for Ourselves, or our car, and it’s a good plan to do the same with your workplace tech. After all it might be working really hard in the year ahead.

What would we do

We will help pick up any minor-but-urgent fixes, that could help prevent a disastrous breakdown in a few months time. (we have just seen this where we identified an issue with a server, which went on the break, and was unable to be repaired just 4 months later)

If there are bigger, but no-urgent jobs that you can safely leave for another day, we will tell you that too.

And if you get a clean bill of health, you can carry on with confidence for the coming months.

It may also be a great time to think about new technology and prioritise your IT projects. We can look at what you need to do with your systems as your business grows.

Our experts carry out top to toe IT health checks for all kinds of businesses, and we will give you honest jargon-free advice on the best solutions for a trouble-free tech set up.

To book your check-up, get in touch

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Are your younger employees experiencing ‘tech shame’?

15th January 2023
Are your younger employees experiencing tech shame

It seems that Gen Z and even some Millennial employees are less tech savvy than many employers might expect. It’s an assumption that’s leading to a sense of ‘tech shame’.

Younger workers may have grown up using Snapchat, TikTok and Minecraft, but they’re not always equipped with the skills they need to adapt to the workplace.

A recent study has found that one in five employees aged 18 to 29 feel judged when they encounter technical issues at work. That’s compared to just one in 25 employees aged 40 or over.

The solution may lie in providing better training, not just for younger colleagues and first-jobbers, but for the whole team. Some Gen Z workers may have started their careers during the pandemic. That means they will never have experienced anything other than a digital working environment. Especially if they work remotely or in a hybrid role.

As well as fixing any skill gaps there may be, whole-team training can provide a much-needed confidence boost for young employees.

Another consideration is the provision of tools and devices your team has access to – especially if they’re working remotely.

Younger workers with less available income to spend on home office equipment may be less likely to speak up if they’re struggling.

Simply checking in with employees – particularly if they’re not in the office – can make a big difference to their engagement, productivity, and confidence. If there are any issues, big or small, find a way to put them right, and you’ll notice a positive shift in the whole business.

If you’d like any advice about tech shame or help with training, boosting efficiency or sourcing equipment, we’re here when you need us. Just get in touch.

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