Upgrade your Business with 179 Tax Deductions

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If your company is upgrading computer software or hardware, now might be the right time to save lots of money for your business. Lots of small and medium-sized business owners will be familiar with some of the available tax deductions. However, as far as Bonus Depreciation and Section 179 tax deduction are concerned, many smaller business owners often believe these to be more complicated. This blog will help you understand how business technology upgrades use Tax 179 deductions.

179 Tax Deductions technology explained

Section 179 is an incentive for smaller businesses to finance, lease or purchase equipment by allowing up to $1,050,000 each year, deducted from taxable income for qualified business equipment purchases. There are limitations on types of equipment and the amounts that they deduct. The Section 179 allowances mean that small and medium-sized businesses can make significant savings.

179 Tax Deductions and limitations

The max we can deduct is $1,050,000, and we can purchase for the full deduction at $2,620,000. Therefore, if purchased equipment costs more than $2,620,000, then the Section 179 deduction decreases at a rate of dollar for dollar and will reach zero when the cost of equipment reaches $3,670,000.

Types of property that qualify for 179 Tax Deductions

Tangible property by the IRS use The Section 179 tax deductions . The equipment must last over one year for the business. Possible purchases include:
  • Office equipment
  • Computer software
  • Computer hardware
  • Qualified improvement property
  • Some listed property

Bonus depreciation – an explanation

This tax law is an incentive for small and medium-sized businesses to have a deduction on qualified purchases for their first year. For the year that the business buys and uses the equipment, they can deduct 100% of the expense and depreciation too. Businesses are allowed to take both Bonus Depreciation and Section 179 allowances. However, you must apply Section 179 first. After the Section 179 limit of $1,050,000 has been reached, the rest is taken as bonus depreciation.

Time to upgrade?

If you’re considering upgrading your business technology through the 179 tax deduction, now is a perfect time. You can use these purchases under Section 179.
  • Laptops, tablets, workstations, and smartphones
  • Printers, servers, and server upgrades
  • Network switches, network security appliances, and routers
  • Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft Office
  • Other software off-the-shelf

Benefits of upgrading your business technology

By upgrading business technology, small and medium-sized businesses can save a lot of money while staying ahead of the competition. Upgrading technology will help your computers run faster. Work time is lost when computers take time to boot up. Smaller businesses feel this time lost much more than bigger companies. With upgrades in technology, productivity increases resulting in less downtime. If it’s been a while since you invested in new technology, your devices might be wearing out. With older computers, any new software you purchase might not run correctly or may run much slower than it should. So investing in new technology and making the most of the Section 179 deductions is a huge opportunity.

How we can help

As an MSP, we believe it’s important to let you know how your business can make the most of IT infrastructure and services to achieve outstanding business performance. The Section 179 tax deduction is an example of how your business can help its bottom line while improving its IT infrastructure. Contact us for a Business Technology Audit today to see how we can help you and your business.

Tax deduction MSPs and how businesses can benefit from them.

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It’s been a turbulent time for businesses over the last 18 months navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many had to accelerate their remote work policies and practices. As a result, business IT infrastructures were forced to change rapidly, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have been in high demand. This trend is set to continue for many years to come. So, why do businesses choose to use tax deduction MSPs? Well, companies can save a lot of money by outsourcing their IT, especially through HaaS (Hardware as a Service).  Let’s look at the tax deduction benefits that come with using an MSP.

Save money with HaaS from an MSP

Estimates suggest that businesses that successfully deploy managed services reduce their IT outgoings by up to 45%. One of the ways in which businesses can save is by choosing HaaS (Hardware as a Service).

Reducing upfront capital expenses

The benefit of HaaS is that you reduce your upfront capital expenses. This means businesses can shift their budget allocations around and free up their cash flow. Essentially, it means that expenses come out of the operating expense budget (OpEx) instead of the capital expense budget (CapEx). As a result, managing monthly payments instead of large, upfront amounts is much more suitable for budgeting purposes. Businesses that use HaaS have an advantage when it comes to paying taxes. With HaaS listed as a service rather than a capital expense, it reduces the liability that tax causes. This means that businesses can get the equipment needed without running the risk of getting into debt.

Access to newer technology

With limited finances, it’s hard for businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. When using HaaS, Tax deduction MSPs have the responsibility to be sure the hardware will handle all your tasks efficiently. In the case that the hardware is no longer capable of delivering what companies need, the MSP will replace or upgrade the equipment.

Access to maintenance

One of the benefits of HaaS is that businesses have their IT systems maintained and looked after by experts. Often, smaller businesses don’t have the knowledge or expertise to deal with complex IT problems. Therefore, when they encounter a big issue, it tends to come with a large price tag to fix. With HaaS, the MSP maintains and manages all hardware for a fixed monthly sum.

Tax deduction MSPs – reducing costs with Section 179

Working with an MSP not only benefits your business’ IT, but it also comes with great financial perks. When tax season rolls in, Section 179 allows businesses to gain tax benefits for purchasing tangible goods, including IT hardware and services.

Final thoughts about tax deduction MSPs

Using an MSP has so many benefits, it’s no wonder so many small and medium-sized businesses are now choosing this way of working. With HaaS, businesses can save money, have up-to-date and well-maintained equipment, and increase their tax deductions. Contact us to see how we can help your business do the same today!

Section 179 Deductions That Business Owners Can Use

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When you’re a small business, it’s critical to get your taxes right. Many small business owners look for ways to maximize deductions to minimize how much tax they pay. One tax-saving loophole not everyone knows about that could help is the tax code Section 179 deductions. If you’re unaware of what Section 179 deductions is, this blog will help define it for you. We’ll explain tax 179 deductions and how you can take advantage of them with the help of your MSP.

As usual, we need to let you know that these offers may not apply to your business. To get the most out of this government program, we recommend consulting with your tax advisor. Now let’s learn how to save some money!

What are Section 179 Deductions?

When we talk about 179 deductions, these are the classic ” tax deductions,” but they offer extra benefits. With many write-offs, you can only take partial deductions over a few years. Suppose you buy a car for your business, but you can only write off a portion of the value over the next five years. By definition, Section 179 deductions in the tax code allows a business to deduct the value of a property purchased for the business against any profits (or losses) that happened during the year it was purchased and implemented, thus lowering the total tax burden. This “property” falls into the following categories:

Business Personal Property: This would include anything purchased for business use that isn’t bolted to a floor or wall. This includes furniture, computers, software — even paper and pens!

Machinery and Equipment: This includes items purchased for businesses that are too large to move or are bolted in place. An example of this would be a printing press or conveyer belt.

Business Vehicles: These are cars or trucks with a gross weight of more than 6,000 lbs and are used exclusively for business purposes.

Listed Property: This is property used for business purposes. In this case, you don’t have to use it entirely for business purposes, but you can only deduct the portion used for business proportionate to the time used. For instance: if you have a home office and work for eight hours a day for five out of seven days a week, it means you use your home for business purposes about 23.7% percent of the time, and therefore you could write off 23.7% of your mortgage.

Capital Improvements: When you improve a building used for your business, you can write off that expense. This section also includes items like air conditioning or alarm systems.

Section 179 – the basics for SMB Tax deduction

This section applies to deductions for property depreciation. It doesn’t increase how much you can deduct overall, but it does give smaller businesses the option to act more quickly. In some cases, an asset may be usable for up to 39 years. Section 179 means that a company can declare the deduction of this asset in one year alone instead of spreading over a longer time. Let’s say, for example, that a bar buys a new $4000 television. Based on ten years of the TV’s life, straight depreciation would only allow the business to deduct a percentage of the cost every year for ten years. With Section 179, the business owner deducts the whole amount the first year.

Why is this useful to small and newer businesses?

When you set up a new business, you have a lot more going out than you do coming in, and there are a lot of assets that need to be purchased. Section 179 deductions means that new business owners can take advantage of deducting their purchases now. Smaller but established businesses can also take advantage of buying new assets to help grow their company. Buying things upfront is costly, so with Section 179 deductions, this outgoing is less burdensome. In addition, you don’t have to wait years to benefit from tax deductions when you purchase assets.

What assets qualify for Section 179 deductions?

It is possible to deduct taxes for business assets that will last over one year (as determined by the IRS). These include:

  • Office furniture
  • Machinery
  • Business equipment
  • Business vehicles
  • Software
  • Computers

Of course, more groups apply, so talk to your tax advisor for more info.

MSP – How can they help?

A Managed Service Provider can help you maximize your tax savings from Section 179 deductions. In addition, they will be able to guide you through the options for your hardware and software needs. Finally, they can help forecast your business’s future needs in terms of technology, including purchase, finance, or lease services for equipment. Contact us before time runs out!

Can Businesses be denied Cyber Insurance?

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In our world of constantly evolving and varied cyber threats, many organizations consider cyber insurance to help them get back on their feet should they fall victim to a cyber event. Data breaches and ransomware attacks can also require specialized expertise and funds to deal with. For these reasons, many business owners choose to purchase cyber insurance for financial protection should an incident occur. Here are some reasons why you get denied cyber insurance  

Cyber security insurance used to be either very expensive or a cheap add-on to an existing policy. These days, it has its niche market and has become a critical need for many businesses. 

It’s worth noting, however, that cyber insurance does not solve all cyber-related problems, and it won’t ever prevent a cyberattack or data breach. Just like businesses with physical property need to put appropriate measures in place for security, so do companies with intellectual property. 

Unique cyber insurance for a unique business 

Generic business insurance doesn’t cut the mustard. It rarely even mentions data loss. Of course, there are overlaps in many cyber insurance policies, but businesses should have coverage that is as unique as their business. 

Beyond the basics, there are various additions and enhancements that policies can offer. As a result, you won’t know what to watch out for unless you’re aware of them. There are enhancements such as social engineering coverage (for employees who get duped into doing things), reputational harm coverage (often related to a security breach), and technology bricking (replacing technology equipment that is no longer usable after malware infection). Make sure you cover everything important to you. 

Cyber insurance prequalification  

Even if businesses prequalify for cyber insurance, it is still possible to get denied. Even if you have had cyber insurance in the past, it can still happen to you. There are many reasons for this.  

Poor plans for business continuity and disaster recovery 

Cyber insurance providers want a return on investment. If a provider believes your business cannot recover from a disaster, they may deny your application. Disaster recovery doesn’t just mean having backups. Businesses need adequate disaster recovery plans to make sure they’re able to survive after a cyber event. 

Poor account security – multi-factor authentication 

Businesses are often denied cyber insurance coverage due to the lack of multi-factor authentication. Many providers focus on account security before they offer a policy. 

Poor cybersecurity awareness 

Training employees is essential for maintaining appropriate cyber security. It’s no secret that employee involvement is one of the weaker aspects of business security. Training for employees is vital – and it needs to be updated as cyberattacks evolve. 

Inadequate endpoint security 

Many policies require more than antivirus software. Businesses often need endpoint detection and response tools that combine several security measures covering a range of detection and prevention techniques. 

Using an MSP to assist even if you have cyber insurance prequalification 

Being denied cyber insurance is a daunting prospect, and when a business gets rejected once, it’s even harder to get a policy. This roadblock is where your Managed Service Provider comes in.  

By using an MSP to help with cyber insurance prequalification, you’re making sure you have experts looking into everything with an experienced eye. Your MSP can help rectify the areas that need improving if you do not qualify for a cyber insurance policy.  

Final thoughts 

Even if you have a prequalification for cyber insurance, you can still get denied coverage. MSPs can help you secure cyber insurance and cyber insurance prequalification by assisting businesses to meet the necessary criteria. For more information, get in touch with us to schedule your free cyber security business review. 

Cybersecurity Insurance – 5 Reasons Why you need it

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Cybersecurity insurance, also referred to as cyber insurance or cyber liability insurance, is insurance that your business can buy to reduce risks to data loss. A cybersecurity insurance policy will transfer some risk to the insurance company for a fee.

While all types of insurance have been around for decades, cybersecurity insurance is relatively new. Businesses that chose to buy cybersecurity insurance were early adopters. Given how cyber risks fluctuate, cybersecurity policies must change and adapt frequently. Underwriters have access to data that helps them calculate risk and set policy rates, premiums, and coverage. For cybersecurity insurance, it’s not that simple. This hurdle is because cybersecurity insurance is new, and the data is limited.

1. It is an Extra Layer of Protection.

Losing data through theft or compromise has the potential to harm an organization. It can mean customers go elsewhere and cause your business a loss in revenue. What’s more, without cybersecurity insurance, your company could be liable for any damages that stem from third-party data being stolen or compromised. Losing client data without a backup plan in place could be a disaster.

Cybersecurity insurance is essential if businesses want to protect themselves against cyber event risks, including threats linked to terrorism. In addition, coverage for cyber threats can help remediate cyber incidents quickly and could save your business.

2. Anyone can be hacked!

Back in 2011, the PlayStation Network suffered a breach by hackers. This breach exposed the personal data of 77 million users. It meant that PlayStation users were unable to access the service for over three weeks. In terms of cost to Sony, there were over 171 million dollars lost due to this breach. Sony could have saved themselves some of the $171 million had they secured a cybersecurity insurance policy – but they didn’t. A subsequent court case ruled that their insurance policy only covered physical damage, which meant that Sony had to pay the costs of the losses from the cyberattack.

3. How It Works.

Many insurance providers that provide coverage like commercial property insurance or business liability insurance will also provide cybersecurity insurance. Most cybersecurity policies cover the first party (losses that impact a company directly) and third-party losses (losses by other people caused by a cybersecurity incident, depending on their relationship to the organization).

Cybersecurity insurance will help cover any losses resulting from cyber incidents and events. What’s more, it can also help with costs linked to remediation, such as paying for legal assistance, crisis communicators, investigators, customer refunds, and loss to customer accounts.

4. Who should get Cybersecurity Insurance?

Companies who manage, store or create electronic data like contacts, sales, or credit card info will benefit from cybersecurity insurance. E-commerce companies can also benefit from cyber coverage. Besides losing money, downtime from a cyber event can potentially lose customers and sales.

In a similar vein, any company storing client information online will benefit from cybersecurity insurance and its liability coverage. But be forewarned that not every business will qualify for this type of insurance. You’ll need to prove that you are doing everything possible to secure your data. If you’re not sure if your cybersecurity is the best it can be, that’s something we can help you figure out.

5. What doesn’t a Cybersecurity Insurance Policy cover?

Whenever a business purchases a cybersecurity insurance policy, check the policy documents carefully. Depending on the policy type, you may lack some coverage you wanted, or you might have coverage for things you weren’t aware of. Examples include paying legal fees, costs of notifying customers, meeting ransomware demands, costs of recovering data, etc. Make sure you’re happy with your coverage before you sign on the dotted line.

Since it hasn’t been around very long, policies and prices vary between providers. Therefore, businesses need to think carefully about what they would like covered in their cyber insurance policy. Depending on the industry, different organizations will need different types of coverage. If you need help figuring all of this out, you can book a complimentary Cybersecurity Business Review with us. The Review has a value of $2,500, so you’re already saving money.

Having your Managed Service Provider help you through the application process is a good idea. After all, we can help define what coverage your business will need. The bottom line is, if you don’t have it, look into getting it. Without it, you may risk making the same mistake as Sony did. If you have any questions, contact us for a cybersecurity consultation.

Who Should Handle Your IT?

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In our evolving COVID-19 world, we’ve had to re-learn the way we act and think. What worked for our businesses in the past might no longer help us in the future. The pandemic caused a seismic shift for many small businesses. Those who learned to adapt to the changes survived and thrived. With COVID-19 not off the table yet, we’re now in a time where business owners need to be strong, flexible, and determined. That is why we will show you why you need a Managed Service Provider to handle your IT.

If we look back on the pre-pandemic world, we had it pretty good. Of course, life was never perfect, but we had it good compared to other times in the past – the world wars, the strife of the depression, and the hardship of the last housing crisis. At our fingertips, we had a smartphone containing answers to anything we wanted to know. Technology was our friend.

Thriving and outsourcing

The businesses that thrived in the pandemic, and came out of the other side, knew what they needed to do. They had a support system that made sure they knew what they needed to do to handle your IT needs. That support system? It’s your MSP. The Managed Services Provider who took care of things when they were on the shaky pandemic ground keeps businesses running.

While every business owner would love to stand on their own two feet and be self-reliant, the truth is that the most successful enterprises do not. Instead, they outsource to experts so that they can work entirely on their business without having to worry about how to handle their or your IT.

Relying on an MSP to handle your IT

One of the main reasons why many companies outsource their IT support is for cost reduction. By outsourcing, you don’t need to worry about employing a person in-house. What’s more, unlike a single employee, an MSP is available all year round, 24 hours a day. They won’t take sick leave or go on vacation, for example. Imagine your sole IT employee is away in the Maldives when you have a cybersecurity issue!

Another important reason why many companies prefer to rely on an MSP is due to the secure infrastructure. MSP data centers and IT infrastructure is more secure when compared to a standard IT system in a business. This extra layer of security means that network data is protected. Of course, business cybersecurity is something we can’t take lightly.

Finally, using an MSP means your company can centralize all of its servers and applications within a managed data center. With centralized data, you can have storage, backup infrastructure, and virtual services as well.

Do I need an MSP?

Only you can answer that question. However, it’s probably a good idea if you’re a small business with many employees wearing more than one hat. One drawback is that small businesses often suffer from knowledge gaps concerning IT updates and developments. With an MSP, no employee will have to wear the “IT Wizz” hat – they can all concentrate on their roles. You’ll have complete peace of mind about your cybersecurity with IT experts on board.

Small businesses often need more predictable budgets, too, and if this is the case, an MSP can help. Since the cost of IT changes frequently, it can be daunting for small businesses to even put a figure on their future IT expenses. In addition, budgeting for IT is not easy! One month you might not need anything at all, but the next, you might need to deal with a broken computer, a security issue, or need a crashed server. With an MSP, you can choose to pay a flat fee each month, which makes budgeting much more predictable. And because all of the systems are maintained, they last longer, which again reduces costs.

Can you be self-reliant to handle your IT?

Of course – and there’s nothing wrong with this if you know what you’re doing. If your company is in the IT industry itself, it might make sense to do everything in-house, for example. It’s up to every business owner to weigh the positive and negative aspects of overseeing your technology. As most owners soon discover, hiring an MSP to take care of the technology is often the most cost-worthy solution. If you’re interested in learning more about Managed Services, contact us today!

Are Cybersecurity and Internet Safety the same?

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We use it, but we don’t think about it. Modern society is dependent on technology. Whether it’s your TV, the Internet, a laptop, or a phone, there’s no denying how much life has changed over the last two decades. This online access means that individuals and businesses need to be diligent about their Cybersecurity and Internet Safety.

We hear the terms cybersecurity and Internet safety, but are cybersecurity and Internet safety the same? The short answer is no. However, cybersecurity and Internet safety can incorporate many similar elements, and both involve online safety solutions. Yet, there are differences, which we’ll explore in this blog post. Essentially, internet safety is about individual people and their safety, while cybersecurity is more about securing devices or information held on systems.

Internet safety

When we talk about Internet safety, we refer specifically to an Internet user’s awareness of their online safety. This awareness reflects their knowledge of the security risks to their private information. Many users are unknowingly open to threats to online safety. Their data and identities are juicy targets hackers are after.

With the rapid growth of the Internet, many services became accessible to users from all over the globe. Unfortunately, as digital communication increased, so did the incidence of malicious use for personal gain. This risk is a huge concern for children and the elderly, but anyone can become compromised. Common safety threats include internet scams, malware, phishing, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, sextortion, and online predators.

The awareness of internet safety is an important step for individuals in their private lives. This also applies to businesses and their employees. The risks they face are not only personal but also impact their organizations.

Cybersecurity

When we talk of cybersecurity, we refer to how organizations and individuals reduce the risk of cyberattacks.

The core function of cybersecurity is to protect the device rather than the individual. This protection also incorporates the services accessed at work and online from damage or theft. Finally, cybersecurity is about preventing any unauthorized access to personal information stored online and on devices.

Three key differences between internet safety and cybersecurity

1. Internet safety is about the protection of people, while cybersecurity is the protection of information.

2. Poor internet safety means that individuals are vulnerable on a personal level. Poor cybersecurity means that a system is vulnerable to hackers.

3. Internet safety relies on strong passwords, mindful downloading, and careful posting on social media. Likewise, cybersecurity relies on features like firewalls, up-to-date software, and multi-factor authentication.

Protect your business with an MSP

While both internet safety and cyber security are important, it is cybersecurity that businesses need to focus upon. One wrong move and the whole business could be devastated. However, business owners can be proactive in protecting their organization and their assets by hiring a Managed Service Provider to assist with their cybersecurity and cybersecurity insurance.

Final thoughts

When a security breach can ruin your customers’ trust and your reputation, businesses must consider cybersecurity seriously. Bringing aboard a Managed Service Provider is a proactive way for business owners to ensure they have protection and the most appropriate cybersecurity insurance for their organization. Every MSP must stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats.

And for anyone who is ever online (most people!), it’s essential to know all about Internet safety too. View our Cybersecurity Resource to download our Internet Safety eBook.  This is a great resource for everyone: children, parents, older people, employers, and employees alike. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Beefing Up Your Communication Security

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When it comes to personal or business data security, you must know how to spot bogus links. Recognizing fake email links that might lead to fraudulent pages is a challenge for many people. The fact that hackers are using more advanced methods makes it worse for all of us. That is why beefing up your communication security is very important for your business data. Indeed, hackers are using advanced methods to make the links they’re sending out will look legitimate. Unfortunately, this leaves people unsure of whether the link they’re following is legitimate or fraudulent. Luckily, there are ways to check whether a link is legitimate. That’s why, today, we’ll be looking at how you can incorporate spotting fake email links into your in-house security training. After focusing on fake links and their dangers in our previous blogs, today’s blog will summarize everything we’ve shown you so far. By doing so, we’ll help ensure you’re getting the right approach to your communication security and keeping everyone safe!

How Communications Technology Can Threaten Your Security

Modern communications technologies put many people at risk, and as a result, it’s crucial to be aware of how these risks threaten your security. There are many ways by which communications technology is problematic, and some of the risk factors include the following:
  • Text message scams which include fraudulent links
  • Emails sent to your address that include fake links to sites that seem genuine
  • Fraudulent links through social media and messaging apps leading to malware-infected sites
These are just a few of the most common communications technology threats. You and your staff should be aware of these possibilities when opening emails, texts, or social media communications.

Why Adding Fake Link Prevention to Staff Security Training is Crucial

If you have been considering your next staff security training, adding fake link prevention is critical. Your security training sessions give your team an ideal opportunity to learn more about the dangers posed by clicking on bogus email links. This extra step helps ensure that your team knows how to stay safe while completing their daily tasks. By doing so, you can protect your client data from the risk of security breaches while also preventing hackers from getting access to your business funds. Moreover, giving your staff information they need helps them avoid the risks of falling prey to fake links in their personal life. This knowledge increases the chance that they will stay safe in the workplace. Fewer data breaches will lead to better overall employee morale. After all – it’s a well-known fact that happy employees are more effective and efficient workers. This efficiency is not only good for your staff but also your business. As such, it’s pivotal for businesses to incorporate fake link prevention and protection strategies into their staff security training. This step can also protect your business data while ensuring that your customers have confidence that their data is secure. Meanwhile, it can also help boost your staff’s morale by teaching them to be safe and protected in their personal life. So, the benefits can be numerous!

Beefing Up Your Communication Security by  Staying Safe from Security Challenges

To stay safe and protected against security challenges, you should consider the following tips. These will help you avoid falling into the trap of fake email links, which could have numerous consequences for your personal and business security. First, it’s vital to check where the link in question will take you. This step is easy to do. To start with, if the anchor text is a visible hyperlink, check that this is legitimate by looking for any signs of fraudulent links. You should also check where the hyperlink is taking you by right-clicking on the link before following it. For example, if a legitimate website ends with .com, check that this hasn’t been tampered with in the link. An obvious sign of a false link would be if the address ends with .co.uk, .xyz, .club, or other uncommon domains. Second, check the sender’s details. You can search for email addresses and phone numbers online. If a quick search doesn’t yield much useful information, you could also directly contact the company. In this case, you should ask them whether this is their genuine contact number or address. Most companies will be more than happy to help! Finally, make sure you have your antivirus protection in place. Antivirus is surprisingly affordable nowadays. Your local IT service provider can help you choose the antivirus software that’s best for you. If you need help in beefing up your communication security contact us now!

Modern-Day Communication, The Dangers Behind It

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When it comes to IT security solutions, there are a large number of threats facing us. Modern-day communication technology has opened up a massive amount of potential for people; however, it also poses a significant threat in terms of security. Threats are increasingly advanced as time passes by, and this is endangering the safety and security of our data and private information. That’s why we have come up with this blog. We want to bring light to the dangers of modern security and how you can get professional support to avoid these risks.

How Advanced Modern-Day Communication Systems Endanger Our Data

Modern-day communication systems have transformed how we live our lives. However, these modern technologies have opened us up to a great deal of risk with our security. Many employees are at significant risk by using modern communication technology because they don’t understand the danger. Fortunately, though, our team is on hand to help you learn more about these threats. We’ll also discuss what makes internet communication risky and how you can protect yourself against these threats.

Employees are Spending More Time on Technology

A critical risk for people is that we are all spending more time on our electronic devices. Technology is a constant part of our lives. People spend more time on technology and the internet than ever before. That means the risk posed for their security is also growing. Internet security has never been more important, simply because we are all spending more time on devices. By spending more time on communications software, we are putting ourselves at a greater risk of losing our data to hackers and security breaches. Unfortunately, criminal methods used to get access to our data are becoming more sophisticated. It’s not easy knowing a genuine link from a dangerous or malicious link intended to harm us.

How Hackers Trick us into Exposing Our Devices

Hackers are becoming increasingly aware that their old tactics aren’t working as well as they once did. Yet, with the rise of advanced security systems, many hackers face new challenges to continue their devious ways. Now they are turning to communications systems for opportunities. This tactic is something that has taken the world by surprise, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, with the arrival of the pandemic, the world switched to online shopping almost overnight. As such, hackers quickly took advantage of this new opportunity for gaining access to personal data. This shift represents a severe security risk that is putting people at risk today.

Fake Delivery Messages: The Most Common Security Challenge

The most notable of these scams at present are the fake delivery messages. These scams have become incredibly common, and because so many of us have been ordering products online, it can be easy to fall into this trap. Indeed, most fake delivery messages require users to follow a link to “reschedule” an order that failed to arrive. But, of course, these ungenuine links are taking us directly to websites that are malicious in some manner. In some cases, they merely request us to pay a small sum of money and nothing more. But this is the lesser of many evils. Other scams include collecting personal data and even compiling card details, leading you to a substantial loss of money. As such, the risk posed by these fake delivery messages is staggering.

Email Attachment and Social Media Communication Security Scams

Another common scam that people should be aware of when it comes to communication security is email risk. Indeed, hackers are becoming increasingly crafty with the phishing and malware emails they are sending. These emails, designed to fool people into thinking that they’re sent from a legitimate sender, encourage the reader to visit the linked site. In turn, this can lead to malware or phishing software downloaded onto the device. Naturally, this can cause you a great deal of distress. Another common form of this scam is from hacked social media accounts. If you get a strange message from a friend or contact on social media, especially if it links to an external video or website, you might find that it takes you somewhere that infects your device.

Final Thoughts About Modern-day Communication

In any of these scenarios, the risks posed by communication security challenges are very much real. When using any communication technologies, be aware of the potential risks you could be facing. If you need any help in regards to internet security feel free to contact us.

Clicking Fake Links, The Horror Behind It!

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When it comes to using the internet, you know how things can go wrong. We all like to think that our online activities are safe and protected. However, the reality is that hacking methods are increasingly creative to get people to clicking fake links. As such, today, we’re here to draw attention to the horror stories that occur when people fall for bogus email links and the best tips for fake link prevention.

What Are the Dangers for Business Owners Clicking on Fake links?

An increasing number of businesses are targeted daily to trick them into clicking fake email links. Hacking methods are getting more and more creative. As such, recognizing which email links are legitimate and which are not can be incredibly difficult – and as such, you should always be alert when using communications software to make sure you don’t fall into these traps. Fake links come with numerous associated dangers. That’s why, today, we’ll be looking at a few of the implications that falling for these traps can have.

Loss of Personal Data

You must protect your data at all costs. Personal data includes information such as your name, address, date of birth, and banking info. Hackers use this personal data to target you. Your stolen information can create fake identification and credit cards. This data is also commonly sold on the dark web to bidders who collect personal data of this type. Consequences associated with the loss of personal data are irritating and a nuisance. However, if hackers use your data for false identification, the consequences for you could be severe. After a breach, you may find yourself in thousands of dollars of debt. Or, quite possibly, your bank account drained. As such, fake links prevention is imperative for protecting yourself from personal data losses.

Financial Data Losses

Financial losses are the most common, as this is the primary goal of the hackers. One of the most common forms of fake email links is the increase in home deliveries resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. This trick is a relatively simple scam. Hackers will send texts to thousands of random phone numbers. These texts inform the reader that their delivery failed, and a small redelivery fee is needed to reschedule. This form of fraud is usually opportunistic and low-value. However, some hackers will gather financial data and hack bank accounts or take out loans. This scam, in turn, gives criminals full access to your money. It’s easy to see where the risk lies. Another potential threat from clicking on fake links is that the website could download malware onto your device. Malware can gather data about your personal and financial information. Once again, hackers use the breached data to access your financial records. As we’ve seen, this can lead to substantial losses. Whether the information is volunteered readily or taken by force, these are risky situations to correct. As such, awareness of the best fake link prevention strategies is everyone’s goal.

How to Avoid Fake Links

Fake links are, unfortunately, all too common. Hackers are using these tactics more regularly, and they are also becoming more creative in their attempts. For the average employee, fake link prevention is increasingly difficult. Recognizing these dangerous email links is a genuine challenge for many people. Being aware of avoiding dangerous email links and protecting your precious personal and financial data is more crucial than ever. There is a lot of pressure on employees these days. Luckily, our team is on hand to give you a few tips to help you avoid falling prey to malicious hackers. First of all, before clicking any links in messages, emails, or on social media, make sure to check the URL to ensure it looks legitimate. Hackers use this common tactic to convince people to click on a fraudulent link. Often, this will be something as simple as changing the domain from .com to .xyz or .club, or something along these lines. Many people won’t recognize this subtle change, so it’s always worth checking before clicking unknown links. Next, check the link’s source. If you have any doubts about the sender’s legitimacy, navigate to the supposed firm and send a request to their official customer support team. They should be happy to answer whether the email address is a legitimate one. As a final protection, make sure you have the best defence in place for your device! Having anti-virus software and an updated firewall is crucial protection. Don’t leave this to chance. If you have any questions and need help please contact us. We are happy to help!