Databranch Monthly Tech Talk

IT Solutions for the Workplace

August | 2023

What's Inside?

1 - Monthly Update from Mike

2 - Introducing Tammy to the Databranch Team

3 - What's New on the Blog

4 - Checklist and Infographic

5 - Two Months Until Windows Server 2012 End of Support

Did you know?

The first version of the

Windows NT Operating System was released in 1993.

Introducing Tammy to the Databranch Team!

When did you join the Databranch team?

I joined the team in July of 2023.

What do you like best about Databranch?

I love everything about working here. The people that I get to work with are top notch in their fields, and I hope to learn from them every day!

How would you describe your role at Databranch?

I am the purchasing clerk here at Databranch. I am the person who tries to make sure all the needed pieces and parts to do the job are present.

Learn more about Tammy here!

Monthly Update from Mike

With the constant emergence of new cybersecurity risks, it’s more important than ever for business owners to maintain proactive security measures and focus on training their employees on cybersecurity best practices.

This month's newsletter content is focused on how you can equip your business with actionable guidance to help you establish and strengthen cybersecurity culture within your organization.

Throughout this newsletter you will find resources such as a checklist, infographic, and educational blogs that will empower your business to proactively mitigate risks and fortify your security posture.

Databranch would also like you to join us in welcoming Tammy Davies to the Databranch team!

Tammy joined our team in July as our Purchasing Clerk where she manages the purchasing and renewal processes for our clients.

Finally, the Databranch team would like to remind all of our clients that Windows Server 2012 will be end of support on October 10, 2023.

The good news is we are still two months away from the end of support date, but it's important to start preparing now.

Reach out to us at 716-373-4467 x 6, replying to this email, or visit us here to schedule a chat about your migration.

Regards,

Mike Wilson

President - Databranch

Emergency Alert: Microsoft Support Scam

Databranch has been notified about a new Microsoft support scam that is generated after users click on a false Amazon ad.

Clicking on this sponsored Google ad will redirect users to a Microsoft technical support scam. This scam will claim to be Windows Defender, stating that your device has been infected with malware.

Why is this Noteworthy:

Google search engine is widely used by consumers worldwide. Users often click the top results, which are ‘Sponsored’ results. Currently, those who are searching for Amazon are at risk of being a victim by scammers.

A similar scam was seen last year through YouTube ads where it displays a website’s legitimate URL but leads to the scam website.

This presents a major security concern as scammers who gain access to a computer can not only install malware, but can also steal personal and financial information.

Recommendations:

Avoid clicking on Amazon sponsored Google ads
Visit website by their Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)

Please feel free to reach out to support@databranch.com with any questions.

If you are not a managed client and would like to discuss how Databranch can help to proactively manage, monitor, and patch your IT environment, please reach out to Databranch at 716-373-4467 option 6 or info@databranch.com .

What's New on the Blog

Don’t Sabotage Employee Cybersecurity Training

Cyberattacks are growing in volume and complexity, and businesses like yours should make every effort to offer solid employee cybersecurity training.

However, common mistakes like organizations treating employee training as a one-off, check-the-box activity or making the training material dull and technical can sabotage the training.

How Strong Is Your Cybersecurity Culture?

Building a strong security culture is crucial for your business. Start by:

1. Empowering your employees with security risk training

2. Fostering an environment of constant learning

3. Enforcing strict bring your own device (BYOD) policies

4. Securing sensitive data

5. Practicing smart security behaviors

6. And more

Download Checklist

Why You Should Beef up Employee Awareness

Cybercriminals are constantly innovating their methods to trick

your employees.

Without effective training, your employees will be the weakest

link in your cyberdefenses.

However, you can efficiently secure your business by promoting a cybersecurity culture based on consistent training and constant

feedback.

Beware of Business Email Compromise

You can avert sophisticated phishing attacks like business email compromise (BEC) if you can spot them quickly. BEC exploits have some common telltale signs.

Bad grammar or poor spelling is one big giveaway. Emails originating from unofficial email addresses or domains should make you suspicious.

Cross-verify if the email feels too urgent or rushed.

Download Infographic

Windows Server 2012 will be End of Support on October 10, 2023

What Does "End of Support" Mean?

- No Updates will be developed or released after the end of support.

- No Compliance with most industry wide compliance standards and regulations.

- No Safe Haven All physical and virtualized instances of Server 2012(R2) will be vulnerable to security threats.

What Should I Be Doing?

- Start planning your migration NOW.

- Determine how many instances of Server 2012(R2) are being utilized in your current network setup.

- Assess the upgrade path for applications that currently run on these operating systems.

- Allocate resources and budget for necessary hardware upgrades to transition to a newer version.

The good news is we are still two months away from the end of support date, but it's important to start preparing now. Databranch has successfully migrated numerous clients and our team is excited to work with you to create a migration plan for your organization!

Technology Trivia

Who invented the World Wide Web in 1989?

The first person to email us at info@databranch.com and give a correct answer gets a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Need a Laugh?

Why don’t programmers like nature?

Because it has too many bugs!

If you were forwarded this email from one of our great Databranch clients and would like to receive future updates, reply to this email and we will add you to the list!

Databranch | www.databranch.com