Stop the hacker
Part one:
Published: 12 May, 2022
Starting his latest two-parter, Adam looks at how to mitigate the impact of hackers on your business
While computer viruses have been around since 1982 it’s surprising that the first attacked an Apple computer. Put together by a 15-year-old fuelled by interest, not malice, it spread by floppy disk and was designed to be a simple prank. Now viruses infect all types of computer-based device, and are aimed at machines running Windows for they are in the majority and offer more rewards for the criminally-minded. In recent years hackers have wrought havoc. From keyloggers (which secretly record keystrokes) to ransomware such as CryptoLocker (which encrypts data and demands a ransom to decrypt), firms are at risk.
In January 2019, Kwik Fit confirmed its network had been infected and its systems knocked offline for a few days. The company was forced to cancel bookings. According to internet service provider Beaming, in 2018 UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were affected by cybercrime to the tune of £17.4 billion.
So, while the larger corporates – should – have processes in place to protect systems, what can the independent do?
1. Install protection
Dealing with viruses and other threats is an unwelcome distraction that takes time. The first sign might be a computer running slowly or behaving peculiarly. While some viruses are irritating, others are a serious threat. No form of inoculation can ever be perfect but installing an anti-virus package from a reputable software vendor is an obvious but crucial step to take. Some products charge but free versions are available from the likes of Avast and Microsoft (it’s built into Windows 10).
2. Update and scan
The key to anti-virus software is to keep the application updated and to regularly scan computers for threats; over time viruses morph as designers seek to work around the protections that security software puts in place.
Regularly scanning a computer or network for downloaded or installed threats is an absolute must. It ought to be done on the fly, but daily is better than nothing; Once a week should be the worst case. Scans are intensive and can cause a system to slow down and so should be timed for an off-peak moment and when computers aren’t in sleep-mode.
3. Update the operating system
Windows, Mac or Linux need regular updating. These systems are hugely complex and run to millions of lines of code and are riddled with vulnerabilities that are found with great regularity. It’s the reason why developers issue software updates and fix security issues.
4. The network is at risk
Online devices are permanently under threat. The problem is exacerbated when devices, such as the modem, router, computer, printer or any other connected item, are left with both default names and passwords. Defaults help hackers understand what is connected and how to attack what they’ve found. It is therefore critical to change the device name and password as soon as it’s connected. Wi-Fi products should, once set up, not broadcast their existence. This means turning off what is called the SSID. Passwords should be strong; Select at the minimum WPA or WPA2 encryption. If visitors are to connect to the network, ensure that they’re finding a router with a guest-discrete network, which allows access to the web and nothing else.
5. Strong passwords
Passwords represent another huge risk. It’s essential that the same ones are never reused. It’s entirely understandable that we reuse passwords or variants of them in combination with the same email address or username. But those that do, and who are unfortunate enough to have been compromised, will find that other accounts are put at risk.
To create a strong password, avoid names, places, pets or dates of birth. Use a long mixture of upper case, lower case, numbers, and symbols. Search for an online password generator.
Lastly, change passwords frequently and especially when any member of staff leaves.
- Simplified, sustainable and sporty
Bridgestone – now recognised as a global leader in sustainable mobility and advanced solutions – has received a number of positive test results in recent times for its product range, which has been simplified and revitalised in the past two years.
Notably, the new Potenza Sport, the Turanza T005, the Weather Control A005 EVO and the Duravis All Season van tyre are recent additions to the line-up and all (bar the Potenza Sport and Duravis) benefit from Bridgestone’s unique DriveGuard run-flat technology, which allows motorists to keep on moving for 50 miles, at speeds up to 50mph, after a puncture.
Experience
In a nod to the past, Bridgestone has leant on its many years of motorsport experience to produce the Potenza Sport, which is arriving at dealers shortly having been revealed in December 2020. This next generation tyre represents a new standard in premium, high-end sports performance, providing best-in-class performance in the dry supported by a premium wet package.
Tested by TÜV SÜD, one of Europe’s most respected independent automotive testing institutes, Potenza Sport achieves the best performance in both dry braking (shortest braking distance on a dry surface) and cornering and straight-line stability (maintaining vehicle stability when travelling both in a straight line and through a curve) versus competitors in the premium segment. With an EU label A-grade in wet grip across its full line-up and deemed best performer in wet cornering and handling in further tests performed by TÜV SÜD as well, Bridgestone Potenza Sport also offers outstanding wet performance. In a huge early coup for the product, it has been selected as the exclusive original equipment tyre for the Lamborghini Huracán STO supercar, as well as long-time partner Maserati’s MC20 supercar.
For the present, and so much snow, frost and ice to negotiate in recent times, Bridgestone’s latest Duravis All Season van tyre is also being seen as a crucial piece in the overall product jigsaw, which boasts an ‘A’ rating in wet handling.
Like the Weather Control A005 EVO consumer tyre, the Duravis All Season has been designed to deliver year-round control, safety, and convenience, using Bridgestone’s advanced, high silica NanoPro-tech compound technology. Bridgestone has combined the compound with a new mixing technology that improves its silica dispersion to give the A005 EVO excellent fuel efficiency and enhance its overall snow potential.
Sustainable
When looking to the future, Bridgestone’s commitment to providing sustainable mobility and advanced solutions can be seen in the fact that around 30% of all new OE fitments developed by Bridgestone EMIA in 2020 were created specifically for EVs. From its ologic technology, created specifically for BMW’s all-electric i3, to the pioneering ENLITEN Technology, Bridgestone has always supported the development of EVs through groundbreaking tyre technologies. As well as shaping a sustainable future of mobility in its product output, Bridgestone is showing equal commitment to investing in greener practices in the development of those products, as 2020 proved.
Virtual Tyre Modelling represents the future of tyre development at Bridgestone, and its already in use today. The technology enables Bridgestone to create a digital twin of the tyre at its development stage, reducing the volume of physical prototype tyres, and subsequently raw materials, needed, and cutting the product development time by up to 50%. Thanks to Bridgestone’s continued advancement and application of the technology in 2020, 20% fewer experimental tyres were used in the development phase of OE tyres in EMIA from 2019. Furthermore, thanks again to the use of Virtual Tyre Modelling and the rise of indoor testing, Bridgestone EMIA reduced the distance of its fleet tests for OE by 25% from 2019 to 2020.
Cutting-edge
We’re pushing the boundaries of what is possible in engineering to deliver new cutting-edge products that are developed in more advanced and sustainable ways to offer a superior performance. In our Turanza T005, Weather Control A005 EVO, Duravis All Season and Potenza Sport we do believe we have one of the most impressive consumer product portfolios in the marketplace today. It’s also great that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the world’s leading car manufacturers to meet our collective environmental goals and shape a more sustainable future of mobility, via our ENLITEN technology.
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