Auto Complete Passwords: Safe or Dangerous?

a computer screen with green and black numbers on it

Auto-complete for passwords is a feature commonly used on browsers today. It is a mechanism that allows usernames and passwords to be automatically entered into a web form. Only around 20% of US internet users have unique passwords for each online account. Many people have to manage dozens of different passwords and see auto-fill as a convenient feature that cuts down on time. Others use a dedicated application to manage passwords outside of the browser. However, this is much more dangerous than many realize.

A hacker can easily trick the browser or program by placing an invisible form on a compromised web page. 

MARKETERS TRACK TOO

Surprisingly, this is not only done by hackers. Digital marketers often deploy this trick to track what websites users visit. Both AdThink and OnAudience are known to do this. Their goal is gathering data for marketing purposes, but IT professionals warn it would not be hard for them to steal passwords as well. 

ONE EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE SECURITY

It is quite simple to disable auto-complete in a browser. Most browsers allow easy access to privacy settings and users can disable auto-complete within a minute. Below are instructions to accomplish this. 

For Chrome users

Go to the Settings window, go to Advanced, and then disable under Manage Passwords.

For Firefox users

Go to the Options window, click the Privacy tab, then under the History heading, select “Firefox will: Use custom settings for history.” In the new window, disable “Remember search and form history.”

For Safari users

Open the Preferences window, select the Auto-fill tab, and turn off all features related to usernames and passwords.

 Unfortunately, this is just one way hackers can get your information. Modern organizations with advanced technology require more managed measures against hackers.  

Contact us today at BluWater Tech for around-the-clock security assistance.

CNBC: Small Businesses Get ‘Tech-Savvy’

an abstract image of lines and shapes in the city at night

‘Costs’ are not the only obstacle keeping a lot of small-business owners from embracing new tech—including outsourcing their IT services to a managed provider. 

According to CNBC, the pushback also stems from the lack of time the SMB owner has to allocate to technical issues. Yet, companies realize the critical need for new technologies to be competitive in the marketplace.

“‘Even with cost and time being a factor, many small businesses have little choice but to embrace the trend…streamlined technology is all but a necessity in modern-day commerce.'”

Salesforce survey: Over half of SMBs desire new tech.

What’s more, data from Salesforce indicates that SMBs (53 percent) would like to implement new technology in their businesses, but turn away because “it can be expensive,” or they have ongoing concerns about cybersecurity.  

Balancing ‘innovation and risk management.”

Nonetheless, as ‘The CIO Advisor’ notes, companies know full well that positive outcomes are possible with the right balance of “innovation and risk management.” 

Moreover, while many company stakeholders may think their existing network is providing the scalability they need right now, the question still remains: Is it optimized for the future…and capable of detecting and acting on future threats?

Forbes: MSP deliver cost savings and security tech.

According to a 2019 Forbes article, SMBs may not be in a position to migrate all their services to a managed IT service, but can benefit when choosing an “a-la-carte” plan; furthermore, using an MSP  can lead to cost savings and a more secure network. Added benefits include “improving team productivity.” 

Cyber attacks: An inconvenient truth…

Alarmingly, as Forbes notes, “over 40% of cyber-attacks are targeted at SMBs. Those affected, according to a recent study, never recover totally and are “generally out of business within six months.”

Contact us to learn more about the many options we can provide. We focus on your business to offer tailor-made managed IT services. You’ll like our proactive approach.

Auto Complete Passwords: Safe or Dangerous?

a close up of a wall with many different types of words

Auto-complete for passwords is a feature commonly used in browsers today. It is a mechanism that allows usernames and passwords to be automatically entered into a web form. Only around 20% of US internet users have unique passwords for each online account. Many people have to manage dozens of different passwords and see auto-fill as a convenient feature that cuts down on time. However. others use a dedicated application to manage passwords outside of the browser. However, this is much more dangerous than many realize.

A hacker can easily trick the browser or program by placing an invisible form on a compromised web page. 

MARKETERS TRACK TOO

Surprisingly, this is not only done by hackers. Digital marketers often deploy this trick to track what websites users visit. AdThink and OnAudience are both known to do this. Their goal is gathering data for marketing purposes, but IT professionals warn it would not be hard for them to steal passwords as well. 

ONE EASY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE SECURITY

It is quite simple to disable auto-complete in a browser. Privacy settings in most browsers can be easily accessed and auto-complete disabled within a minute. Below are instructions to accomplish this. 

For Chrome users: Go to the Settings window, go to Advanced, and then disable under Manage Passwords.

For Firefox users: Go to the Options window, click the Privacy tab, then under the History heading, select “Firefox will: Use custom settings for history.” Then in the new window, disable “Remember search and form history.”

For Safari users: Open the Preferences window, select the Auto-fill tab, and turn off all features related to usernames and passwords.

 Unfortunately, this is just one way hackers can get your information. Thus, modern organizations with advanced technology require more managed measures against hackers.  

Contact us today at BluWater Tech for around the clock security assistance

The Pitfalls of Asking Just Anyone for IT Advice

two women shaking hands in an office setting

Would you trust a neighbor to fix your car instead of bringing it to a certified mechanic? What about a friend to splint a broken leg rather than taking a trip to your doctor? We all have “know a guy who knows a guy,” but when it comes to protecting critical data and technology systems it’s best to leave the IT advice to the pros. 

Consider our Top 3 Excuses and Top 3 Reasons To Stick with Managed It Services.

Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Productivity

“But it’s cheaper!” 

It’s no coincidence that many businesses have turned to investing in high-quality data storage, cutting-edge virus protection, and worry-free compliance services. Emerging technology helps companies succeed. Communication management systems — or CMS — are designed to streamline interdepartmental processes and better manage client data. However, many businesses underutilize the technology available to them.

This is where local IT consultants come to the rescue. Technology professionals can identify areas where system processes aren’t operating with maximum efficiency and offer IT advice to maximize outputs. This ultimately generates greater, lasting revenue and happy clients. 

Security Done Right

“All IT services are the same anyway.”

Not all IT services are created equal. In 2018, Tech Republic reported that a whopping 40% of security breaches were caused by employee error and negligence. When it comes to securing confidential and sensitive data, hosted technology services provide knowledgeable management and guidance as well as company-wide training. Thus, reducing the potential liability a data breach can cause allows you and your employees to sleep a little easier at night.

DIY Fails

“I could do this myself.”

Don’t let yourself, or your company, be fooled by these famous last words! While we love the spirit of innovation and willingness to learn, technology is not the best place for DIY solutions. Furthermore, leaving the tech to a trusted professional ensures the job will be done right the first time.

From network support to upgrading your office space, Bluwater Technologies has you covered! Contact our IT superheroes to get started on a managed tech service that’s right for your Fort Lauderdale business.

Know Your Android: Finding A Download

an iphone with the word hello written on it

With recent technology, downloading files is as easy as tapping a button or touching a screen. Regardless of the file, everything you download is accessible straight from your smartphone. With the introduction of Cloud Software, sharing and transferring files has never been simpler. No need to worry about buying a new memory card or running out of space.

For both the savvy and the amateur, downloading files is a breeze. Media can be stored in seconds. But where do those files go when we download them? How do we locate them in the future?

Exploring Files

Every phone comes with its own series of files and folders. Android users can locate media via the My Files (also known as File Manager) app. For many users, this app looks like a little yellow folder or a white icon with six dots. To locate it, go ahead and open up your app drawer—the little window that stores all your apps. Don’t see My Files anywhere? Go ahead and download it from the Google Play store. Once inside the My Files app, a simple swipe should locate your desired folder in the menu. From there, transfer files to allocated albums or create brand new ones for future access. 

Download Notifications

For active downloads, Android users can locate their files via pop-up notifications on their home screen. Saved files will open with a simple tap, granting quick access to fresh downloads.

Mobile Browsers

Mobile browsers have their own tabs that you can use to access previous downloads. For example, Google Chrome’s menu enables users to locate or re-download previous files. This is especially useful for reclaiming deleted files. Chrome downloads can be located by clicking on the three vertical dots and opening the menu. 

For help with technical needs, contact us directly or browse our blog for more information.