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Two-Factor Authentication Has Vulnerabilities as Well as Benefits
/in Blog, Security /by Chris HigginsAchieving information security is a never-ending challenge as bad actors find ways to get around every new protective layer. Like all other information security technologies, two-factor authentication can be bested by a determined intruder.
Two-Factor Authentication Means Users Need More Than a Password
The idea behind two-factor authentication (2FA) is that passwords by themselves are relatively weak security. Instead of users needing just a password, they need to prove their identity in two different ways. These ways include:
It’s important to note that a password plus security questions is not an implementation of 2FA; the security questions and the password are both “something you know.” In effect, the security questions are simply secondary passwords.
Two-Factor Authentication Is Vulnerable to Attacks
Although 2FA adds an extra layer to security, that doesn’t make it invulnerable. There are several approaches a hacker can use to get past it:
Making Two-Factor Authentication Effective
These vulnerabilities don’t mean that you shouldn’t use 2FA to increase the security of your systems, but it does mean you need to be smart about how you implement it.
In particular, there’s an implementation of 2FA that is not vulnerable to SIM hacking or phishing. Instead of a user providing a token that was sent to them, this implementation requires a hardware key to be plugged into the user’s device. Because of the extra cost and potential inconvenience, this may be most appropriate when you have highly sensitive data to protect. It’s also important to note that at least one version of a hardware key was itself found to be improperly implemented and vulnerable to attacks.
Two-factor authentication should also be integrated into an effective overall information security strategy. Employees need to be trained to detect and avoid phishing emails. Your infrastructure should include firewalls, blacklists, filters, and other controls that help protect employees and their credentials from dangerous sites.
CCS Technology Group provides comprehensive information security services that protect your valuable data. Contact us to learn how to use 2FA as part of an effective information security solution.
Additional Information Security Resources
Everyone Is a Participant in Information Security
Discover the Dangers of the Dark Web
Different Kinds of Malware Need Different Kinds of Defenses
Key Questions to Consider When Migrating Data to the Cloud
/in Blog /by Chris HigginsThere’s a lot to think through when planning your cloud migration, including many aspects that are easy to overlook. Data is too obvious to be missed, and because it’s so important, you should expect to spend a significant amount of time thinking about the best migration strategy.
There are a number of questions you should ask yourself before migrating any data set to the cloud:
Do we need this data set?
Much data in any business is duplicate data that’s no longer needed, such as copies of data created for development projects that are complete. You may have multiple datasets housing customer information that could be combined. Some data may be old and rarely needed; consider migrating it to an archival storage tier instead of expensive, fast storage.
Do we need this database?
Distinct from the data itself is the database it’s housed in. Some data is stored in conventional SQL databases and you may want to migrate directly to that vendor’s cloud version. Other data is stored in homegrown systems and cloud migration may present an opportunity to transition to a supported platform. For some data, this might be the time to try out a NoSQL database.
Do we need this data model?
You may need the data and the database, but you may not need it in its current format. The data model may no longer serve your purposes, or the data may be incomplete, inconsistent, or incorrect. Depending on how well it fits your needs and the time you have available before migrating, you may want to invest in a database clean-up or redesign project.
How big is the data?
The size of your data determines how practical various data transfer methods are. For truly large databases, copying the data to another drive and physically shipping the device may be the only way to complete the transfer within reasonable time.
How do we validate the migration?
Once you’ve transferred the data, you’ll need to verify that it transferred completely and without any corruption. In addition, you may need a way to sync the migrated data with any changes that were made after the transfer process started. You’ll need to validate that process as well.
How do we protect the data?
Cloud increases the potential for third parties to access your data, whether by the cloud provider’s employees, hackers who access the malware, or accidental exposure of data to other users of the shared resources. All data should be protected both at rest and in transit to reduce the risks. Investigate how to implement this and whether you or the cloud provider will have control of the encryption keys. Learn about ways to keep your cloud secure.
Get help getting your data to cloud with cloud services from CCS Technology Group. Contact us to learn how to think through the important data migration questions and develop a strategy that succeeds.
Additional Cloud Resources
Calculating the ROI of Moving to the Cloud
Choose the Right Cloud Model to Meet Your Business Needs
Choose the Right Approach for Moving Applications to the Cloud
Is the Dark Web All Bad?
/in Blog, Security /by Chris HigginsDark Web: (noun) – Part of the world wide web that is only accessible by utilizing special software, allowing users and websites to remain anonymous or untraceable. It exists on an encrypted network that uses masked IP addresses to maintain anonymity for users and site owners. This way, people who use the Dark Web for illegal purposes can’t be traced.
As you can see by the above definitions, the Dark Web can be a shady place where illegal transactions take place. Things like drugs, guns, counterfeit money, and credit card numbers can all be found, bought, and sold.
Chances are that if your business has been hacked, some or all of the stolen information is for sale on the Dark Web. This is why small to medium business owners need to make sure their security software is regularly updated against new and stronger threats.
But is the Dark Web only used for bad things? Surprisingly—no. It is estimated that only about a third of the people who visit the Dark Web do so for illegal activities.
Before we go any further, I’d like to bring up a little more info on the Dark Web and some of its misconceptions. Did you know that the internet you use every day is actually just the Surface Web? Also called the Common Web, Visible Web, or the Indexed Web, it is just the portion of the web that the general public has access to. We assume that it is the majority of the internet because we’ve labeled it the world wide web, right? Well, the Surface Web is only about one-third of the entire internet. Everything we have access to is, in reality, just the tip of the iceberg.
Underneath the Surface Web is the Deep Web. Also called the Invisible Web or Hidden Web. It is a portion of the world wide web whose contents are not indexed by standard search engines. 99% of the information on the Deep Web cannot be found through search engines like Google or Bing.
But are there positive aspects to the Deep Web and Dark Web?
The U.S. government uses both the Deep and Dark Webs to keep open channels to countries that are ruled by oppressive dictators, in case citizens of those countries want to send out news stories or ask for help. Media outlets, like the New York Times, host portals that allow people and whistle-blowers to send in news tips, anonymously.
That anonymity helps give people who are in bad situations or have no one in their lives to talk to, a means of expression and channels of help. There are groups for survivors of abuse that allow victims to name their abusers and also to get support from other survivors. There are groups for people with every type of addiction, anything from food, drugs, to gambling. Some countries punish their citizens arbitrarily, for such reasons as sexuality or religion. The Dark Web offers opportunities for people to create communities where they can share stories and tips or plan to meet in person.
You can even join a chess club and play with people from all over the world. There are chat rooms, dating sites, and gaming forums where you can talk about anything, anytime, without the fear of being monitored. People can freely share their feelings, express their challenges and even find help from these groups.
Freedom of expression is alive and well in the crevices of the Dark Web. If you’re an artist, you can share your passion with people who truly enjoy creativity and self-expression. The same goes for writers, poets, and musicians. There’s even a site where origami lovers post their beautifully folded ornate creations, and some of them are so intricate it’s hard to believe they started as a flat piece of paper.
You’re probably thinking, “With all the negative and scary stuff on the Dark Web, I’ll never even try to access it.” You want to stay safe and keep away from it, right? Well, sorry to tell you, but some of your daily excursions on the internet already access part of the Deep Web, and even the Dark Web, because of the anonymity they provide.
For example, your company’s intranet is on the Deep Web so search engines cannot see it. There are sites you may have joined that exist behind pay-walls or require special registration. Many databases and webmail pages are also tucked away below the Surface Net, so your personal information is not exposed.
If you belong to a Facebook group—guess what? Yes, that group is on the Deep Web. Otherwise, anyone can search for that page, read the posts, and request to join. If you use online banking, that information is also on the Deep Web. Sites that host medical information and legal documents are hidden there as well. As you can see, there is a need for the Deep and Dark Webs because of the security they offer.
If you choose to go to the dark side of the web, be careful. You just might find something beautiful, or you could accidentally stumble upon the worst aspects of human nature. Like everything else the world has to offer; when you’re exploring, be safe.
Get a Dark Web Scan to Identify Your Vulnerabilities
What you don’t know will hurt you. A Dark Web Scan can uncover if your data is for sale, and tell you if your personal or business data may be at risk.
Additional Dark Web Resources
Discover the Dangers of the Dark Web
What is the Dark Web and Why Should We Care?
Passwords – Outdated and Dangerous, But Necessary?