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XFER Blog

XFER Blog

XFER has been serving the Livonia area since 1994, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

The Messy World of Law Enforcement, Technology, and Personal Privacy

The Messy World of Law Enforcement, Technology, and Personal Privacy

How much data do your devices contain about your life? What would you do if law enforcement suddenly wanted access to it? Even if you’re a typical law-abiding citizen, you want to prioritize data privacy, but businesses also have an obligation to handle consumer information in a responsible way. Here’s what you need to know about law enforcement and access to your data.

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Cyberattacks Can Influence the Physical World in Unforeseen Ways

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When you think of viruses and malware, you think of attacks on a digital scale. An attack in the digital world can’t do anything in the physical world, right? It turns out that hacking can lead to bigger problems, like the recent meltdown of a blast furnace at a German steel mill.

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Are You a Robot? Explaining CAPTCHA in Simple English

Are You a Robot? Explaining CAPTCHA in Simple English

We’ve made it to the point where humans need to prove they’re real people to access systems, and one of the most common ways to do this is through the use of CAPTCHA technology. Completely Automated Public Turing test(s) to tell Computers and Humans Apart (try saying that with your mouth full) are everywhere, yet computers still struggle to actually crack these tests, unlike other methods of security. Why are they so successful at detecting automated bots?

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Are Your Employees Ready for Threats to Your IT?

Are Your Employees Ready for Threats to Your IT?

Cybersecurity is one of those things everyone in a workplace should know about, no matter their role. But here’s the problem—turns out, a lot of people don’t.

A recent survey in the UK found that about one in three adults flunked a cybersecurity test. And get this—the test was designed for 11-year-olds. Yikes.

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You Need to Prioritize Your Security… Here’s 3 Places to Start

You Need to Prioritize Your Security… Here’s 3 Places to Start

Security is one of those things that every business owner worries about—no matter how big or small your company is. But the good news? It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, there are three simple steps you can take right now to make your business more secure.

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With Tax Season Underway, Beware of Scams

With Tax Season Underway, Beware of Scams

Happy Valentine’s Day! While this holiday is all about love, it just so happens to fall smack in the middle of tax season in the United States. So, while you’re hoping to get a sweet message from that special someone, there’s a chance you might also receive a text or an email from the Internal Revenue Service… or is there?

As it turns out, you won’t… but that’s a fact that scammers are hoping you won’t know.

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Data Theft Affects Everyone All the Time

Data Theft Affects Everyone All the Time

Cybercrime is a real problem for businesses and individuals alike. Today, there are more threats than ever and even if you are careful, data theft can affect you. In our blog today, we thought we would go through the ways that data theft can affect you, even if it isn’t stolen directly from you. 

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Data Privacy Day: 5 Steps to Better Take Charge of Your Data

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Every January 28th, with cyberthreats on the rise and consumer trust more vital than ever, Data Privacy Day is your perfect reminder that you have the power to take charge of your data. Whether you’re a small business owner or an executive in a larger organization, safeguarding sensitive information is not just a legal and ethical responsibility—it’s a strategic investment in your company’s future.

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The Dark Web Is the Last Place You Want Your Data

The Dark Web Is the Last Place You Want Your Data

What happens to all the data that gets stolen by hackers during their despicable campaigns? Sometimes it gets destroyed, but more often than not, it ends up on the Dark Web, where it’s put to other nefarious purposes. Today, we want to discuss the Dark Web and why it’s so important you monitor it for your business’ data.

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One Must-Have Security Feature: Email Encryption

One Must-Have Security Feature: Email Encryption

Have you ever thought about whether a hacker could secretly read your emails with your clients and coworkers? If you handle your own email system, it's really important to know about email encryption. Encryption helps keep your emails safe and private so you can focus on running your business without worrying about hackers.

Here are three big problems you could face if you don’t encrypt your emails:

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What Cyberattacks Do We Anticipate to See in the Year 2025?

What Cyberattacks Do We Anticipate to See in the Year 2025?

Happy New Year! The coming weeks and months hold great promise for us all. Unfortunately, “us all” includes cybercriminals and hackers looking to use cutting-edge tactics to their fullest advantage. As a result, it is even more necessary to be aware of and prepared for the cybersecurity threats that 2025 is likely to see.

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This Photo Hosting Service Shows You Exactly What Google Does with Your Data

This Photo Hosting Service Shows You Exactly What Google Does with Your Data

If we told you that someone could guess information about you just from looking at an image, what would you say? You’d probably say, “yeah, no $!#?!” but we’re not talking about minor details… we’re talking about a lot of details. Paragraphs, even—plenty enough to be concerning.

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Three Ways Modern Digital Security Cameras are Better Than Traditional CCTV

Three Ways Modern Digital Security Cameras are Better Than Traditional CCTV

Digital security cameras have changed the game when it comes to keeping places safe. They can be beneficial in all types of situations. Offices, retail spaces, warehouses, and other properties should be covered by some type of surveillance. This not only allows for real-time security, it can reduce liability and have a positive effect on an organization’s bottom line.  Here's a breakdown of three big reasons why they’re better than old-school analog cameras.

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5 Security Red Flags and What to Do About Them

5 Security Red Flags and What to Do About Them

Technology is so ingrained in business that it’s nigh-impossible to operate without it. For this reason, cyberattacks on businesses are even more devastating, as they can halt operations and expose important data. Today, we want to highlight five common problems you might encounter with your cybersecurity.

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Improve Your File Sharing for Better Collaboration

Improve Your File Sharing for Better Collaboration

Collaboration is super important for all kinds of businesses today, especially because so much work is done online. With so many people working from home, it's clear that businesses need a safe way to work together successfully.

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User Permissions are Not to Be Given Lightly

User Permissions are Not to Be Given Lightly

Let me ask you this: would you trust every one of your team members with a key to your house? Of course not, right? After all, what if someone lost their copy or had it stolen from them?

So, if you wouldn’t trust your entire team with access to your home, why on earth would you trust them with carte blanche access to your entire business and all of its data?

That’s just it… you wouldn’t. 

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Your Business’ Mobile Data Needs Protection Too

Your Business’ Mobile Data Needs Protection Too

Having your team connected through mobile, especially with access to collaboration and communication tools, is the new normal in business. Many organizations take advantage of the ubiquity of smartphones and either provide mobile devices to their staff or utilize the built-in options on many of today’s newest mobile OSs that allow them to put an encrypted work profile on; effectively adding mobility to your business without a huge capital investment. Regardless of what option you choose, you need to have management software in place if you are going to trust your employees to have access to company information outside of the office. 

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U.S. Schools are Dealing with Extensive Business Email Compromise Attacks

U.S. Schools are Dealing with Extensive Business Email Compromise Attacks

A business email compromise attack is a phishing scam in which a scammer uses email to take possession of capital—either in the form of data or actual finances—from the organization they choose to target. Lately, these scams have been observed to focus on schools.

Let’s review the situation at hand and what is at stake.

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6 Security Tactics to Bulletproof Your Cloud Systems

6 Security Tactics to Bulletproof Your Cloud Systems

Most businesses these days utilize cloud computing in some way (about 90 percent, as a matter of fact). How is your business utilizing this technology? Regardless, you want to have security locked in for your cloud computing resources, which is what we want to focus on for today’s blog article.

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Four Security Precautions that Will Leave Your Business Safer

Four Security Precautions that Will Leave Your Business Safer

Over a quarter of all data breaches target small businesses, and the cost of a breach can be devastating. To protect your business’ data and infrastructure, small businesses need a combination of effective technology tools and well-planned strategies. Here are some key steps your business can take to safeguard itself against digital theft.

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