SMART Blog

One of the most common threats to sensitive corporate data comes from within your organization in the form of user error. It is, in fact, the leading cause of data loss and security-related problems for business.

Anthony and Sonia Alika recently found out that the Internal Revenue Service is not an organization to mess with. Having been busted for filing fraudulent tax returns through the often-exploited Get Transcript site managed by the IRS, the couple will spend some time in the slammer in addition to paying restitution.

As perhaps the most widely-used computing tool in the workplace, Windows remains a huge target for hackers of all kinds. Criminals are always trying to uncover vulnerabilities in the operating system, but this time around, Microsoft has truly outdone themselves. Windows 10’s built-in security, according to hackers at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, allows for the most secure Windows operating system in several years.

DETROIT, September 2, 2016 – Smart IT Services, a leading independent agency technology provider, today announced the opening of its Mackinaw City office to serve its clients in Northern Michigan, Mackinac Island, and the Upper Peninsula. The branch office is located less than a half mile from the Mackinaw Bridge at 711 S. Huron Ave.

According to Jerry Fetty, CEO of Smart IT Services, the creation of a second office in Northern Michigan came about as a result of growth of Smart Services’ footprint in Northern Michigan.

“For 25 years, Smart Services has provided businesses and independent insurance agents across the country with proactive, fast, and expert technology services,” Fetty said. “Our Northern Michigan office is an expression of that ongoing commitment to provide the best strategic IT services to our many clients in this region.”

The new office will provide existing and new clients with:

• Local presence in the area with skilled technicians on site and nearby.
• Faster response time for on-site needs.
• myAgency Cloud, the most complete cloud solution available in the industry
• Network monitoring and management
• Backup and disaster recovery
• Email and spam protection
• VoIP phone systems
• Mobile device security
• Strategic IT assessments,
• Plus much more

“We’re excited about our new office and the potential for growth in this area,” Fetty said. “We look forward to helping our current and future clients to maximize their IT investment so they are more competitive and successful.”
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About SMART Services: SMART I.T. Services, Inc. is an information technology services provider founded in 1991 and focused on serving independent insurance agencies throughout the nation. The company recently was recognized as one of the Top 20 Most Promising Insurance Technology Vendors of 2016 by CIO Review magazine.

We've been told for years it’s best to routinely change your passwords. That way, if a password were stolen, it would lose its value when the user goes to change it. While this sounds logical, new research shows that sometimes it may actually be better NOT to change your passwords.

Security professionals have been at war with hackers ever since the Internet was created, but a recent NATO decision has affirmed the fact that cybersecurity is a real-world problem, and one that needs to be fixed. Just like land, air, and sea, cyberspace has become a battlefield, albeit a very different kind.

Disasters are an unfortunate part of doing business in a technology-heavy workplace. You need to expect the worst, but it’s often difficult to predict what types of disasters your organization will have to endure. There are a few universal disasters that you’ll encounter, regardless of where your business operates.

Microsoft's latest round of security patches resolved 27 vulnerabilities affecting Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, the Edge browser, and other software. It’s important to patch these vulnerabilities as soon as possible. If, on the other hand, you’ve already applied the latest security patches, you have little to fear.

Memes are deeply rooted into today’s online culture. Thanks to the Internet, even the most absurd things can quickly gain popularity through social media and online forums. While they might seem silly and pointless, it would be foolish to dismiss them as wastes of time; especially considering how popular they are. If you are looking for a creative way to get your name and brand out there, why not try using memes?

Storing critical physical files has been an important part of the office infrastructure for a long time. In the past, files were stuffed into folders and catalogued in a file cabinet for access; but when it came time to move files, it took a lot of work. Now, since many files are stored electronically, several shortcuts allow you to easily move your files.

When shopping for a cloud solution, agents are routinely bombarded with a ton of impressive-sounding features promoted as selling points. One feature that you’ve probably come across, autoscaling, may not be able to fully deliver on its perceived promises.

If you've ever questioned why your business needs to take advantage of network security, consider this: the average cost of data breaches, worldwide, has increased by 29 percent since 2013. The average cost per data breach is now an astounding $4 million! Can your business afford to deal with a data breach or data loss disaster?

The Petya ransomware, a particularly vicious threat, has reared its ugly head once again; only this time, it’s not alone. Petya now comes bundled together with Mischa, another ransomware that works well alongside Petya. The ransomware is delivered via an inconspicuous email disguised as a job application, with a resume attached. Once the user downloads the file, Petya encrypts the files on the device.

Sharing your Netflix password with a friend so they too can enjoy a vast catalogue of movies seems harmless enough. However, due to a recent ruling by judges of the Ninth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals, this common action is now a federal crime.

Augmented reality is a growing trend in the technology industry. Perhaps one of the best known today can be found in the extremely popular mobile device app, Pokemon Go. However, hackers have seized the opportunity to infect players who want to “catch ‘em all” with a backdoor called DroidJack - something that certainly won’t help gamers “be the very best.”

While security experts tend to focus on desktop OS vulnerabilities, plenty of mobile malware threats fly under the radar. One such malware is Hummer, a trojan that installs unwanted apps and malware on a device and has been found on over a million phones worldwide.

When was the last time that you ran into a computer problem that was easily solved just by simply restarting your computer or unplugging a device from the wall, then plugging it back in? Oftentimes, simple troubleshooting tactics are enough to resolve a problem. But more often than not, there are issues that can’t be easily resolved.

How often does your technology experience trouble? If your business is constantly dealing with technical hiccups, your assets, which are meant to help your agency grow, can quickly become a nuisance that holds you back. How can you take better care of your technology, and use it to usher in a new era of productivity?

Virtualization is changing the way agencies access information, to the point where many organizations simply choose to store their data infrastructure in the cloud and access it as needed. While this is extremely convenient and helps to keep your in-house wiring to a minimum, it also puts you at the mercy of your business’s Internet connection, which means the slightest Internet hiccup could spell trouble.

When money is tight and you start feeling down about your financial situation, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind. This can be done by reviewing your net worth. Having this big picture will help you to worry less and allow you to better focus on your goals.