Category: Security

How Secure is Health Tech?

March 25, 2021 | Healthcare, Security, Small Business, Small Client, Web
How Secure is Health Tech
You might be surprised to learn that even the most advanced health tech is extremely vulnerable to attack. 

For example, 100% of mobile health apps tested by Approov were found to expose “full patient records including protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII).” 

Luckily, there are simple ways to safeguard your practice. Read on for tips from the cybersecurity experts at Nerd Crossing. 

Secure Your Email 

Working from home creates juicy opportunities for criminals to access patient data. For example, your house or apartment network is probably shared with others who should not be privy to patient information.

Phishing is the most common cyberattack facing healthcare professionals like you today. And emails are the most common area of weakness.

Always think before you click! Hover over links in your emails to make sure they point secure websites. Also, never download files or executables without verifying the source of a message!
 

Browse Safely 

An easy way to keep safe is to access your work email on a private network (VPN) and verify that the websites you are visiting use HTTPS.

You should also be using an anti-virus software and avoid creating weak or recycled passwords. Our favorite password managers include Dashlane, LastPass, and Password Safe.
 

Update Legacy Systems 

Before jumping on the health tech bandwagon, a bit of housekeeping might be in order.  

Processing data with a legacy system is a huge security risk. The top suspects include Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows XP. 

You should also check whether login information and credentials are truly stored securely. These include computer systems as well as medical devices and facility controls.

To manage dozens and up to thousands of devices and endpoints at a time, consider using a mobile device management (MDM) software. This will help your IT team allow for the use of personal devices while keeping patient data safe by locking up or even completely wiping devices if a breach occurs.   

Contact Our Health Tech Nerds

Feeling lost at exactly what to prioritize when it comes to cybersecurity? Our HIPAA certified Nerds are here to help!  

Schedule a Free Consult

Why has Apple put its password manager on Chrome?

February 23, 2021 | Security, Small Business, Small Client

By Robert Davis, Network and Systems Engineer, Nerd Crossing

Apple is getting in on password management for the big bucks — and to make password security an actual priority for customers. However, today’s in-browser password managers are still insecure.  

Why? It’s simple — if you’re not prompted to provide a secret to verify your identity, then that means it’s available to anyone who is on your device during a given session.  

Nerd Crossing still highly recommends using a third-party password application like LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.  

 My other tips include never providing admin access to your personal password manager, not saving passwords in your browser, and using a strong complicated password for all accounts. 

As for *online* passwords password manager solutions, those accounts definitely benefit from rotation as websites have their password databases leaked regularly.  

Though they are encrypted, once leaked hackers will start to brute force the weakest passwords first, and if they are still current, gain access.  

Need tips on more than password managers?  

Contact the Nerds Today

Hybrid Learning Essentials for Educators

February 2, 2021 | Schools, Security, Small Business, Small Client, Web

By Jim Hammack, CEO, Nerd Crossing 

Blog — Hybrid Learning Essentials for Educators in 2021

Even with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout underway, there’s still much uncertainty around safeguarding students this upcoming school year. 

Exactly what hybrid or blended learning model learning should educators adopt? It really depends on your level of readiness and of course, the needs of individual students, teachers, and administrators. 

Here are some essential planning questions you should be asking: 

Are Student Basic Needs Being Supported? 

Young learners and their families have experienced a range of emotional, financial, and physical strain. A hybrid learning plan can help school districts deploy the resources so many rely on during the year.   

Here are a few ways that tech can enhance hybrid learning: 

  •  Live collaboration and real-time student engagement and goal monitoring 
  •  Transparent communication — allowing educators to monitor disease levels 

 How Strong is Your Wireless Connectivity? 

Students need fast, reliable Wi-Fi — and that’s challenging when they are working from home full-time or slowly getting back to the classroom. Whenever you deploy devices en masse, make sure you have enough access points. 

Keep in mind that a school environment where hundreds may be accessing the network will need much more support than at home. Contact us about some of the best alternatives to store-bought access points. 

Are You Cybersecurity Ready? 

It’s no secret that schools with outdated IT are sitting ducks for cybercrime. Having a disaster incident response protocol is just the first step. You’ll also want to implement at least a bi-annual security screening.  

The most common areas of cybersecurity weakness today include: 

  • Lax bring-your-own device (BYOD) policy
  •  Insecure data and document storage 
  •  Improper administrative access 
  •  Password mismanagement   

How Robust is Your Infrastructure? 

Pivoting to online learning overnight probably came with quite a few tech headaches. And this time around, schools may want to take a much closer look at exactly what resources and staffing will be needed to achieve their learning goals. 

Below are a few areas that may be lacking in your IT plan: 

  •  Maintaining data privacy and compliance 
  •  Responsive tech support for staff, students, and families 
  •  Communication plans for deploying critical messages, gathering and implementing feedback 

What’s On the Horizon for Hybrid Learning? 

California’s schools will face mounting risks in 2021, but many still lack a functional policy for hybrid learning. We hope that educators, students, and their families can stay safer online with the above tips. 

  Here are some emerging areas that you should focus on this school year: 

  •  Data, device, and identity management 
  •  Phishing, ransomware, and cyberbullying 
  •  DDoS, backdoor threats, and zero-day exploits 

About Nerd Crossing 

Nerd Crossing works with private schools, charter schools, and public institutions of all scales in the California Bay Area and beyond. We specialize in working with educators that are just beginning their transition to hybrid and fully-remote learning. 

Our friendly tech experts address all current technology issues while also planning for future needs when kids are finally back in class. We combine distance and onsite learning solutions that meet the long-term goals of school districts. 

Our specialties include Tech Support for Parents and Teachers, Wi-Fi Setup and Connectivity, Safe Browsing and Web Filtering, Educational Apps and Software, Data Storage and Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure Setup, and IT Roadmapping. 

 

Tackling IT Headaches for Charter Schools

October 16, 2020 | Schools, Security, Small Client, Web
Tackling IT Headaches for Charter Schools — Nerd Crossing Blog — 10.16.20
Keep Your Students Secure This School Year

Are you a teacher who is overwhelmed by having to be tech support and an educator at the same time? It’s hard enough getting your students to pay attention — much less use technologies you may have never used before.  

Across the country, millions of educators just like yourself are adjusting to the challenge of teaching remotely. And the Nerds at Nerd Crossing want you to know that you’re not alone. 

With over 25 years of experience helping educators, we can help you navigate this fundamental shift in teaching with ease. 

Why IT is Critical for Schools 

As a professional educator, you may be aware that the digital divide has gotten much worse during the pandemic. Studies show that students of color and young children are especially prone to falling behind.

The friendly experts at Nerd Crossing can address common problems you may be having right now — from wireless access to device updates.  

Is your Charter School Tech Savvy?  

  1. Can all teachers and administrators implement tech without connectivity issues? 
  2. Do you have an on-going plan to deploy devices to your students and to keep them updated?
  3. Do you have a 12-18 month IT and Cybersecurity Roadmap?
  4. Is funding readily available for necessary tech upgrades? 

If your answer is “no” to any of the above questions, your charter school might need an IT consult.  

Nerd Crossing Services for Educators 

Are new tech and personnel training not covered in your current budget? No worries! With Nerd Crossing, you can request a free one-time consultation to get your IT needs in order.  

Our IT for Schools Offers 

  1. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Nerd Crossing helps schools maintain a secure BYOD policy that deters viruses from overloading the network. 
  2. Educational Apps and Software: Integrate the latest software for real-time student and parent collaboration, including RenWeb, Zoom, and much more. 
  3. iPads and Chromebooks: We manage mass rollouts of common devices for diverse remote learning needs. 
  4. Security and Web Filtering: Help students navigate the web without viewing unwanted content — while also preventing the theft of their personal records.  
  5. Locking Down Systems: Prepare for the unexpected with a clear protocol for shutting down networks and computers if necessary. 
  6. Reliable Wi-Fi: Ensure that students are always connected and prepared for remote learning. Eliminate dead zones and ensure uptime, allowing for maximum student and staff productivity.  
  7. Robust Infrastructure: Boost your technology stack for seamless office management and student services.  
  8. Data Storage: Manage data in the comfort of your home office, efficiently and cost-effectively.

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With Nerd Crossing, you don’t need to make a huge upfront investment or slow down operations at your charter school to get your IT and web needs in order. We’re here to help you grow and be successful! 

Contact the Nerds today if you are ready to start protecting your critical data and want to train your staff on the latest tactics to stay secure, wherever they are.  

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2018’s Worst Passwords

January 18, 2019 | Security, ,

Last year marked the fifth anniversary of the passwords “123456” and “password” being in the top 2 spots of most used/worst passwords, according to SplashData. Of this list, it is estimated that 1 in 10 people use these top 25 passwords. That’s… not good. Each year, SplashData pores over millions of passwords that belong to people who were breached.

Continue reading “2018’s Worst Passwords”

The Importance of Technology in Schools

July 25, 2018 | Schools, Security, , , , , , , , , ,

At Nerd Crossing, we specialize in information technology for a variety of schools and educational programs. Whether you’re looking to completely outsource your IT support or in need of supplemental IT services for your staff, Nerd Crossing can work with you to provide your school with its exact education technology needs.  Continue reading “The Importance of Technology in Schools”

Malware vs. Adware vs. Spyware vs. Viruses

June 1, 2018 | Security, , , , , ,

A lot of our customers have questions about the differences between malware, adware, spyware, and viruses, so we’ve decided to break down the main differences and explain how to avoid them. Continue reading “Malware vs. Adware vs. Spyware vs. Viruses”

Tips for Keeping Your Computer Healthy

May 12, 2017 | IT, Security, Small Business, Windows, , ,

Whether you have a new computer or are running an older system, we wanted to share our tips for keeping your computer healthy. Here are some simple tips to help you keep your computer running as smoothly as possible.

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Windows Support Scams

| Security, Windows, , , , , , , , , ,

 

windows support scams

The most common issue we are hearing from our residential clients is regarding Windows Support Scams. Has this ever happened to you? We present, below, a possible scenario of this occurrence:

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The Importance of Encryption

October 20, 2016 | Security, Small Business, , , , , , , , ,

Many companies with 1099 independent employees have recently mandated that business devices must be encrypted to safeguard customer and company data. Encrypting and protecting this data is imperative to keeping your business, customers and job safe. Even if the company you work for has not mandated this policy, what would happen if your work computer, laptop, phone, tablet, or storage device was stolen? What if your confidential customer data got into the wrong hands?

Continue reading “The Importance of Encryption”