Business Solutions & Software Group Blog

It’s been said several ways, but it’s true that small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. They are the local diner serving up comfort food and the hardware store that has everything you need. Unfortunately, there's a growing, insidious threat looming over these vital enterprises, a digital assailant that's becoming increasingly sophisticated: ransomware.

Ransomware, for those unfamiliar with this digital menace, is a type of malicious software that blocks access to your computer systems or encrypts your files, demanding a ransom payment—often in cryptocurrency—to restore access. It’s something the iconic character Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies would unleash; with a pinky-up “Riiiiight” in tow.

Data is, in its most pure form, knowledge that has been collected for use by your business. It’s not unlike a library in this way..but even libraries can crumble into dust, given enough time, as is evidenced by the Library of Alexandria. Despite its every attempt to overcome cultural prejudices and collect information on ancient civilizations, it still fell—and all its information along with it.

Your IT infrastructure is just like your car; it’s easy to put off maintenance when everything is going well, but the second your dashboard lights up, you know your wallet is in for a hurtin’. You don’t need this kind of stress in your life—for both your car and your IT—and the solution is simpler than you might think.

At a time when artificial intelligence is the biggest technology-based trend going, and while more and more people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, there is a question on how the two fit together for workers in different industries. The impact of AI could go many different ways, with many wondering if it will be a solution for businesses that are looking to reduce their expenses (by replacing workers).

When you hear about the dark web, you might picture extremely shadowy figures and illicit dealings going down. While that's part of it, for businesses, the dark web is a real threat: it's where your stolen data is shared and sold. In cybersecurity, this means understanding the hidden currents of the Internet, not just what's visible on the surface. Today, we will take a look at the dark web and why monitoring it is a good idea.