Equifax Breach Victims Could Be Entitled To Settlement Claims

Equifax is one of the three credit reporting firms in the US that suffered a massive data breach in 2017 that exposed the personal and financial state of literally half the country (more than 150 million people). As a result, Equifax was ordered to pay a hefty $700 million fine to settle a series of Federal and State investigations. While the size of the fine sounds impressive, digging a bit deeper reveals it to be a bit underwhelming.

Only $425 million of that fine will go into a fund designed to actually reimburse impacted customers. However, Equifax will be allowed to earmark an unspecified portion of that to provide free credit monitoring services to anyone who was impacted by the breach.

Here's the problem:  Free Credit Monitoring is actually a money-maker for Equifax because of the way the "free" service is offered.  It's free for a year, and then automatically converts to a paid service.  Given that most people don't pay close attention to that sort of thing, a significant percentage of customers will continue paying Equifax for their credit monitoring service, which essentially sees the company profiting from their own data breach.

In any case, impacted customers will be eligible for a small amount of money from Equifax if their data was compromised. The company is on the hook for paying some $300 million in fines and civil penalties across 50 states and to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

On top of that, the company has been ordered to provide all American consumers, (whether they were impacted by the breach or not), six free credit reports each for the next seven years. This is in addition to the one free annual credit report they already get beginning in January 2020.

It's a decent settlement, but it lets Equifax off the hook too easily. That is especially true given that they can turn one of the largest data breaches in American history into a profit center.  The CFPB could have and should have demanded more.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. if you want to make sure that your network is secured against potential online breach.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Greenville, SC  29601
(864) 326-5914

https://spartantec-greenville.business.site/

Cities Served
Greenville, Spartansburg, Mauldin, East Park, Overbrook, West Greenville, Greer

Stop Ransomware Attacks With Network Segregation, Segmentation

There has been lots of ransomware attacks against organizations in the healthcare industry over the past years. In some cases, there have been devastating consequences. Fortunately, network segmentation and segregation can help.

From patient data that have been compromised to EHR downtime, such cyberattacks could disrupt the facility’s operation significantly. Network segmentation and network segregation are measures that can assist in mitigating the risks from such typical attacks. The separation of important networks from internal network, less sensitive networks, or from the internet is referred to as network segregation. Meanwhile, network segmentation, involves dividing the bigger network to smaller ones. This can be achieved through virtual local area networks, firewalls, as well as other separation methods.

Both of these approaches can stop ransomware attacks that will encrypt files on your network, restrict access to those files, and bring the victim to a web page and given instructions on how they can pay a ransom using bitcoin so they can unlock their files. How can healthcare firms and organizations create and implement such measures to protect their data and infrastructure from such attacks?

Network Segregation and Network Segregation

One effective way of prevent ransomware attacks is air gapping, which involves separating the network from internal networks that may be unsecured and from the internet. This measure could create usability problems within the firm.

Network segmentation is another solution that is network based. It involves dividing bigger networks into smaller segments using separation techniques such as VLANs or virtual local area networks. Function can be used as a basis when segmenting networks like splitting human resources from finance. It can also be done by data like separating non regulated data from PHI. Segmentation will lay down the ground work for controls that offer protection from lateral movement on the network by hackers or ransomware, thus preventing compromise or infection from being spread across your organization’s network.

Organizations have to make sure that they perform patches to lessen their vulnerability, install antivirus software, and follow only the best practices when it comes to cybersecurity hygiene. They should also train their workforce, use email protection, and updated antivirus software. Ransomware will continue to be a threat to the healthcare industry into the near future. There are things organizations can take to prevent ransomware from infecting their network and decrease the damage in case a ransomware attack succeeds at first. Network segmentation and network segregation are two methods that healthcare organizations can take to mitigate the risk of encountering ransomware. They may be costly or complex but they can save organizations from the damage in their system, finances, and reputation as well as patient risk that a ransomware attack will result in.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. if you need help in making sure that your organization and network is safe against ransomware attacks.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Greenville, SC  29601
(864) 326-5914

https://spartantec-greenville.business.site/

Cities Served
Greenville, Spartansburg, Mauldin, East Park, Overbrook, West Greenville, Greer

Tips To Avoid The Most Common Computer Security Threats

Computer security threats constantly evolve. These threats are masters of manipulation and disguise will always try to find brand new methods not just to annoy online users but also to steal and even harm them. You should arm yourself with resources and information for protection against the growing and complex computer security threats and improve your computer security as well as information security.

Common Cybersecurity Threats

Computer Viruses

Maybe the most popular computer security threat is a computer virus. It is a program that is written to change how a computer works, without the knowledge or permission of the user. A virus will replicate and execute itself, which leads to computer damage during the process. Be sure to evaluate free software carefully, download that come from peer to peer file sharing websites, as well as emails from unknown sources. All these re crucial in avoiding computer viruses. The majority of web browsers these days have security settings that can be improved for the best defence against various online threats. However, the single most efficient method of avoiding viruses is to install and keep your anti-virus software updated.

Spyware Threats

Another serious security threat is spyware. It is a program that will monitor your online activities. It can also install programs without your permission either to get personal information or for profit. Today, there are several ways to help you fight spyware threats and stay safe online. Although several users don’t want to hear about it, reading terms and conditions is important and a good practice as it will give you the knowledge you need to understand how your online activities are being tracked. Of course, when a firm that you don’t recognize is advertising a deal that is too good to be true then it probably is. You need to have an internet security solution set up right away and be careful when go online.

Hackers and Predators

People create these malware and computer threats. Predators and hackers are programmers who victimize others for their personal interest by breaking into computers to change, steal, or destroy pertinent details as a kind of cyber terrorism. These online predators will compromise your credit cart information, steal your identity, and won’t let you use your data. As you may have known, online security tools that comes with identity theft protection are among the best methods to protect yourself from this kind of cybercriminal.

Phishing

Phishers pretend as trustworthy business or person so they can steal personal or sensitive details through instant messages or fraudulent emails. Phishing attacks are among the most successful ways for cybercriminals to conduct a data breach Anti-virus programs with identity theft protection could be taught to identify phishing threats.

Do you want to know if your computer or network is at risk? Call SpartanTec, Inc. now.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Greenville, SC  29601
(864) 326-5914

https://spartantec-greenville.business.site/

Cities Served
Greenville, Spartansburg, Mauldin, East Park, Overbrook, West Greenville, Greer