There are many types of malware. One of the most common is called “malvertising.” It crops up everywhere—including social media sites and websites. You can also see these malicious ads on Google searches.

Two things are making malvertising even more dangerous. One is that hackers use AI to make it very believable. The other is that it’s on the rise, according to Malwarebytes. In the fall of 2023, malvertising increased by 42% (month over month).

It’s important to inform yourself about this online threat. Knowledge is the power to protect yourself—especially when it comes to malicious cybercriminals. Below, we’ll help you understand malvertising. We’ll also give you tips on identifying and avoiding it.

What Is “Malvertising?”

Malvertising is the use of online ads for malicious activities. One example is when the PlayStation 5 was first released. It was very hard to get, which created the perfect environment for hackers. Several malicious ads cropped up on Google searches. The ads made it look like someone was going to an official site. But instead, they went to copycat sites. Criminals design these sites to steal user credentials and credit card details.

Google attempts to police its ads. But hackers can often have their ads running for hours or days before they’re caught. These ads appear just as any other sponsored search ad on Google.

The dark web is a hidden part of the internet. You can’t find it with Google. You need special software to access it.

Criminals use the dark web for many bad things. If your data ends up there, you should be the first to know. This is where dark web monitoring services come in.

Why Is Dark Web Monitoring Important?

Dark web monitoring looks for your information on the dark web. It can find stolen passwords or credit card numbers. This helps you know if someone stole your data.

It Protects Your Identity

Thieves might sell your information on the dark web. Monitoring can catch this early. You can then change passwords and protect yourself.

It Helps Businesses

Businesses use dark web monitoring too. It shows them if someone hacked their data. They can act quickly to stop more damage.

The newest Windows OS is fast gaining ground on Windows 10. As of Decenber 2024, Windows 11 had over 31% of the Windows market share. That is bound to increase fast as Windows 10 retires in 2025.

Already upgraded to the new operating system or planning to soon? Then, you’ll love these tips on optimizing your Windows 11 experience. Windows 11 offers several great features. But you must use them to gain the productivity boost.

Let’s jump into some of the most effective settings and tools that can transform your daily workflow.

1. Smart Menu Customization

The Start Menu might seem less important than other features. But it’s your gateway to all the applications and settings on your computer. It’s used all the time to open apps, search, and more. This makes it a huge potential productivity enhancer.

Customizing your Start Menu can save you time and clicks. Here are a few ideas:

Today’s businesses are no stranger to the word cybersecurity. They are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks. These come from ransomware to sophisticated phishing schemes. How do you stand ahead of these threats? A strong cybersecurity strategy is essential. One crucial component of this strategy is event logging. It’s one that not every business owner is aware of.

Think of event logging as a digital detective. What does tracking activities and events across your IT systems do? It helps you spot potential security breaches and respond swiftly. As your managed IT service provider, we're committed to helping you. We can help you understand the importance of event logging as well as how to put in place best practices to safeguard your network.

What is Event Logging?

Event logging is the act of tracking all events that happen within your IT systems. “Event” can be many different things, such as:

• Login attempts
• File access
• Software installs
• Network traffic
• Denial of access
• System changes
• And many others

Event logging means to track all these and add a time stamp. This provides a robust picture of what is going on in your IT ecosystem. It’s through that ongoing picture that you can detect and respond to threats promptly.

Why is it critical to track and log all these events?

Data breaches are an unfortunate reality for businesses of all sizes. When a breach occurs, the immediate response is critical. How a company manages the aftermath can significantly impact its reputation, financial stability, and legal standing.

The average cost of a data breach has reached $4.88 million USD.

Effective damage control requires a well-planned approach. But there are common pitfalls that can exacerbate the situation. This article will guide you through the key steps of data breach damage control and highlight the pitfalls you should steer clear of to reduce the impact.

Pitfall #1: Delayed Response

One of the most critical mistakes a company can make after a data breach is delaying the response. The longer it takes to respond, the more damage can happen. A delayed response increases the risk of further data loss and erodes customer trust.

Act Quickly

The first step in damage control is to act quickly. As soon as you detect a breach, start your incident response plan. This should include containing the breach, assessing the extent of the damage, and notifying affected parties. The faster you act, the better your chances of mitigating the damage.

Microsoft Teams continues to evolve. It is a powerful hub for collaboration and communication in the modern workplace. With the integration of AI-driven Copilot, Teams is pushing the boundaries. It’s innovating how we interact with technology to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and unlock new business value.

Recent updates to Copilot in Teams include:

• Enhanced agent capabilities
• Smarter AI interactions
• Extra features to support teams in accomplishing tasks more efficiently

We’ll explore the latest updates to Copilot in Teams, including new features and intelligent agents, and how these innovations can transform how your business operates.

What is Copilot in Microsoft Teams

Copilot is Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant. It’s embedded in tools like Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and is designed to assist with various tasks.

In Microsoft Teams, Copilot acts as an intelligent agent. It helps users by:

In today’s world, everything’s connected. That includes the software your business relies on—whether it's installed locally or hosted in the cloud.

Protecting the entire process that creates and delivers your software is critical. From developer tools to software updates, every step matters. A single vulnerability can trigger widespread issues.

Case in point: the global IT outage in July. Airlines, banks, and businesses ground to a halt. The cause? A faulty update from CrowdStrike, a supplier integrated into countless software supply chains.

To avoid becoming the next cautionary tale, here’s why securing your software supply chain is absolutely essential.

1. Increasing Complexity and Interdependence

Many Components

Modern software depends on multiple parts—open-source libraries, third-party APIs, and cloud platforms. Every component adds a layer of risk. Securing each link is crucial to system integrity.

Email is the lifeblood of business. But guess what? It’s also prime hunting ground for cybercriminals. And thanks to the rise of AI-fueled cyberattacks, your inbox could be a ticking time bomb.

Don’t take my word for it—95% of IT leaders say threats are getting smarter, faster, and harder to catch. Half are already seeing AI-powered phishing in action.

So if you’re still relying on “hope and a strong password,” it’s time to level up. Here are 6 dead-simple, high-impact steps to beef up your email security.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords (No, Really)

This should go without saying, but here we are. Your password is the front door to your inbox—and most people leave it wide open.

Make Your Password a Nightmare (for Hackers)

• Mix upper & lowercase letters
• Add numbers and symbols
• Avoid birthdays, pet names, or “Password123” (seriously)

Use a Password Manager

Can’t remember a dozen complex passwords? Don’t. Let a password manager do the heavy lifting. One master password unlocks all your logins, without reusing the same key for every door.

See also RFC 1878.

Guide to sub-class C blocks

Houston, TX - Elevate Technology, a leading provider of intelligent cloud communications and collaboration solutions—including voice, video, chat, contact center, email, file management, archiving, productivity applications, and more—today announced the expansion of free international calling to up to 33 countries for North America-based Elevate UC users. This expansion offers greater flexibility and cost savings to businesses with global commercial relationships, enabling seamless connections in a hybrid work environment while enhancing engagement and productivity.

Named the Best Overall Business Voice-over-IP system (VoIP) by industry leaders, Elevate UC is a cloud-based communication and collaboration solution that helps businesses drive more productive, efficient employee collaboration and deliver more responsive customer care. Backed by 99.999% uptime service level agreements (SLAs) and 24/7 technical support, Elevate UC users benefit from voice, video conferencing, team chat, file sharing and backup, as well as call queues, active call routing, contact directories, and many advanced contact center features. All of these tools are delivered on a highly reliable, secure, and deeply integrated platform.

With this latest development, North America-based users will be able to place free outbound calls to up to 33 countries (depending on their Elevate UC license). This expansion ensures seamless access to international communication without additional costs.

Key Benefits of Expanded Free International Calling

• Cost Savings for Businesses – By offering free calls to an extensive range of countries, businesses can significantly reduce communication expenses.
• Seamless Global Connectivity – As organizations grow, this expansion provides a cost-effective way for businesses to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and partners worldwide.
• Enhanced Engagement and Productivity – Removing communication barriers fosters better collaboration and engagement, leading to more efficient workflows and improved productivity.

Elevate Technology remains committed to providing innovative solutions that empower businesses with cutting-edge communication capabilities. This expansion of free international calling reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering greater value and efficiency for its customers.

“We are excited to offer our North America-based Elevate UC users the ability to connect with more people around the world at no extra cost,” said [Insert Executive Name], Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Elevate Technology. “At a time when business expenses continue to rise, we are focused on providing cost-effective and high-value communication solutions that support the modern workplace.”

Picture this: It’s Monday morning. You’re ready to hit the ground running. But when you step into the office, something’s wrong. No internet. No emails. No sales processing. Nothing.

Your business has just been sucker-punched by an IT outage. And while you’re scrambling for answers, the hidden costs are already piling up.

IT downtime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a profit killer. It drains your resources, frustrates your employees, and sends customers straight into the arms of your competitors.

Let’s break down what downtime is really costing you—and, more importantly, how to stop it before it wrecks your business.

The Immediate Damage: Lost Productivity

When your systems crash, your employees don’t just twiddle their thumbs—they sit helpless, watching deadlines slip away.

Phishing has always been a threat. But now, thanks to AI, it’s deadlier than ever. Welcome to Phishing 2.0—a new breed of scams that are smarter, more convincing, and nearly impossible to detect.

A recent study found a 60% increase in AI-driven phishing attacks. That’s not just a warning. It’s a wake-up call.

If you think you can spot a phishing email like before, think again. AI has rewritten the playbook, and it’s time to step up your defenses.

How Phishing Evolved from Amateur Hour to Professional Fraud

Phishing used to be sloppy. Bad grammar, ridiculous claims, and emails from “Nigerian princes” made them easy to spot.

But AI changed the game. Now phishing emails are flawless, hyper-personalized, and dangerously convincing. Hackers don’t need to guess anymore. AI does the work for them.

Remote Work is Convenient—But Is It Secure?

Gone are the days of soul-sucking commutes and stuffy office cubicles. Remote work has redefined the modern workplace, offering flexibility and freedom. But with this new way of working comes a dark side—cybersecurity risks.

A staggering 73% of executives believe remote work increases security threats. Why? Because home offices aren’t exactly built like Fort Knox.

But here’s the good news: you can secure your remote team—without locking everything down like an FBI bunker. Here’s how to keep your company’s data safe, secure, and hacker-free, no matter where your team works.

1. Lock Down Home Networks

Secure Your Wi-Fi Like Your Life Depends on It

Hackers love unsecured home Wi-Fi. If your remote team is still using their router’s default password, they might as well be leaving the front door wide open.

• Use WPA3 encryption—it’s the strongest available.
• Change default router passwords—the ones they ship with are practically public knowledge.

2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords (And Stop Reusing Them!)

Password Managers = Sanity Savers

Managing passwords is a nightmare, and most employees reuse them like an old toothbrush. That’s a security disaster waiting to happen.

Staying ahead of cyber threats is a full-time job. Hackers never take a break, and neither should your security strategy. Between February and March of 2024, global security incidents skyrocketed by nearly 70%. If you’re still relying on outdated defenses, you’re playing with fire.

Enter NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0—a game-changing update designed to help businesses of all sizes manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. Whether you run a small business or a sprawling enterprise, this framework gives you a battle plan to stay ahead of cyber threats.

Let’s break it down.

What Is NIST CSF 2.0? The Core Explained

At the heart of NIST CSF 2.0 is the Core—a structured approach to cybersecurity built around five critical Functions. These work together in an ongoing cycle to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from threats.

1. Identify

Before you can protect your data, you need to know what’s at risk. This step focuses on identifying key assets, vulnerabilities, and cyber risks within your organization.

Picture this: You lock up your house and head off on vacation, feeling secure. But what if, while you’re gone, a crack forms in the doorframe? Or someone picks the lock? You’re not checking every day, so you wouldn’t know until it’s too late.

That’s exactly how cybersecurity works without continuous monitoring. The threats don’t stop evolving, and hackers don’t wait for your quarterly security audit. They strike fast, slipping through cracks in your defenses before you even realize there’s a problem.

It’s time to stop hoping for the best and start actively monitoring your business—before a cyber disaster lands on your doorstep.

Why Continuous Cybersecurity Monitoring Is a Must

This isn’t a “nice-to-have” feature. It’s a must. Here’s why:

1. Cyberattacks Happen in Seconds

Hackers don’t wait for you to check your logs. They exploit vulnerabilities immediately. Without continuous monitoring, you could be losing sensitive data long before you realize there’s a breach.

Understanding Cloud Computing for Your Business

In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses need flexible and scalable solutions to manage their IT infrastructure. Cloud servers have revolutionized the way organizations store, access, and manage data, providing powerful computing resources without the need for costly on-premise hardware. But what exactly is a cloud server, and how can it benefit your business?

What are Cloud Servers

A cloud server is a virtualized computing environment that delivers powerful processing, storage, and network resources over the internet. Unlike traditional physical servers, cloud servers operate in a scalable, on-demand infrastructure, enabling businesses to access enterprise-grade computing without the burden of managing hardware.

At Elevate Technology, our Cloud Server Solutions provide businesses with a secure, flexible, and cost-efficient alternative to on-premise infrastructure. Whether you need to host applications, databases, or virtual desktops, our cloud servers are designed to deliver superior performance and uptime.

Why Are Cloud Servers Essential for Modern Businesses?

With businesses shifting towards digital transformation, cloud servers have become a critical component of IT strategy. Here are the key reasons why companies are choosing cloud-based infrastructure:

1. Scalability Without Limits

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries left and right. From automating tasks to uncovering deep insights, AI is the business superpower of the modern age. But with great power comes great risk.

The more AI integrates into your systems, the bigger the target it becomes for cybercriminals. And here’s the hard truth: 77% of businesses suffered an AI-related data breach last year. That’s a wake-up call.

A breach can mean exposed customer data, stolen intellectual property, disrupted operations, and hefty fines. But before you hit the panic button, let’s break down why AI data breaches are rising—and, more importantly, how you can protect your business.

Why AI Data Breaches Are Becoming More Common

The explosion of AI adoption means hackers have more ways than ever to sneak in. Here’s why the risk is growing:

• A Bigger Attack Surface: The more AI tools a business adopts, the more entry points cybercriminals have to exploit.
• AI Runs on Data—Lots of It: AI systems collect and process massive amounts of sensitive data, from financial records to customer details. That’s a goldmine for hackers.
• The “Black Box” Problem: Many AI models are complex and difficult to audit. If you can’t fully track how they process data, you can’t always spot vulnerabilities.
• Evolving Attack Techniques: Hackers are using advanced tricks—like adversarial attacks—to manipulate AI models, leak sensitive data, or alter results.

The Cost of an AI Data Breach

Think an AI breach is just another IT headache? Think again. The fallout can be brutal:

Smart homes feel like something ripped straight from a sci-fi flick. Lights that obey your voice, thermostats that think for themselves, and robot vacuums that do your dirty work. It’s tempting to dive headfirst into the latest gadgets and transform your home into an AI-powered paradise.

But before you fill your cart with the newest smart home toys, slow down. Not every device is a game-changer, and some can even cause more headaches than they solve.

Here are 7 crucial questions to ask yourself before committing to your smart home revolution.

1. Does It Actually Solve a Problem?

Not all smart gadgets are worth your hard-earned cash. Some genuinely make life easier, while others are just expensive novelties.

Think about your daily routine. What’s an actual pain point that smart tech could fix? Do you always forget to turn off the lights? Smart bulbs with motion sensors could help. But a smart toaster? Unless your mornings are really complicated, you probably don’t need one.

Let’s face it—new technology is exciting. It promises efficiency, happier employees, and a competitive edge. In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven business world, keeping up is essential. But here’s the problem: shiny new tools can quickly become costly mistakes if you skip two critical steps—employee training and change management.

Think about it: What good is top-of-the-line software if your team doesn’t know how to use it? Productivity plummets, mistakes multiply, and customer satisfaction takes a hit. Let’s explore the common pitfalls businesses face when rolling out new tech—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

Why Employees Struggle with New Tech

Lack of Technology Training

Imagine investing in a cutting-edge CRM system, expecting it to streamline workflows and boost sales. Instead, your team is fumbling with basic features, missing deadlines, and feeling frustrated. Why? Because they haven’t been trained properly.

Here’s what happens when training is an afterthought:

1. Lost Productivity

Every minute spent struggling with unfamiliar tools is a minute lost. Think of the missed sales opportunities and wasted time when employees can’t generate reports or process orders because they don’t understand the system.

Stop Cyber Threats in Their Tracks: Build a Cyber-Aware Culture

Cyberattacks are everywhere. Phishing emails, malware downloads, data breaches—they’re the stuff of nightmares for businesses and individuals alike. The scariest part? Most of these attacks start with one simple mistake: human error.

Employees click suspicious links, use weak passwords, or fall for phishing scams. It’s estimated that 95% of data breaches are caused by human error. The good news? These mistakes are preventable. All it takes is building a strong culture of cyber awareness.

Let’s explore how you can turn your team into a powerful line of defense against cyber threats with simple, practical steps.

Why Culture Matters

Think of cybersecurity as a chain. Strong links keep it secure, while weak links leave it vulnerable. Your employees are those links. By fostering a culture of cyber awareness, you strengthen every link in the chain, protecting your entire organization from cyberattacks.

Easy Steps to Build a Cyber-Aware Culture

You don’t need expensive programs or complicated strategies. Here are straightforward steps that can make a big impact.