Do Microsoft Teams Attacks Prove Need for Innovative Cybersecurity Awareness Training?

by Felicien | Mar 6, 2022 | Education

Do Microsoft Teams Attacks Prove Need for Innovative Cybersecurity Awareness Training?
Although hackers select email as their preferred delivery method upwards of 92 percent of the time, a recent Microsoft Teams exploitation emerged as a significant threat. Do these stunning Trojan attacks on businesses require a rethinking of cybersecurity awareness training?
With more than 270 million monthly users collaborating on the platform, Microsoft Teams ranks among the high-value targets. This holds true for relatively unskilled hackers and advanced persistent threat (APT) actors who possess the knowledge, tools, and funding to abuse the even heightened cybersecurity defenses. In January, a report by researchers at Avanan surfaced that indicates thousands of malicious files circulated Microsoft Team chat spaces.
“By attaching the file to a Teams attack, hackers have found a new way to target millions of users easily. They can steal Microsoft 365 credentials from a previous phishing campaign, giving them carte blanche access to Teams and the rest of the Office suite,” Avanan reportedly stated. “Given that hackers are quite adept at compromising Microsoft 365 accounts using traditional email phishing methods, they’ve learned that the same credentials work for Teams.”
Cybersecurity experts have issued alerts to check laptops, desktops, and other devices synced with business networks to run enterprise-level antivirus scams immediately. It’s also crucial to search devices for Trojans named User Centric, UserCentric, or UserCentric.exe. These were among the initial monikers APTs gave the Trojan files. However, cybersecurity experts believe hackers have renamed the malware.

Microsoft Teams Malware Poses Substantial Risk
What makes the Teams malware attack particularly dangerous stems from workplace comfort. Business leaders who invest in cybersecurity awareness training help employees identify email phishing scams. Even more sophisticated spear-phishing schemes are usually spotted because workforces possess the knowledge to identify telltale signs. But workforces grow increasingly relaxed on platforms such as Teams and Slack, among others.
“Most employees have been trained to second-guess identities in email, but few know how to make sure that the name and photo they see in a Teams conversation are real,” Avanan officials reportedly stated. “This attack demonstrates that hackers are beginning to understand and better utilize Teams as a potential attack vector.”
Relatively unskilled hackers will continue to send out tens of thousands of bulk emails, hoping an uneducated user will make a mistake. Fortunately, many industry leaders have already invested in cybersecurity awareness training that turned their workers into a hardened frontline of defense. But for cybercriminal adept a problem-solving, Teams was worth their time and energy to infiltrate. This highlights the international chess match played between digital thieves and cybersecurity professionals.
How are Hackers Manipulating Teams?
Everyday people generally believe that platforms such as Teams are safe. With this comfort in mind, it’s inconceivable that seemingly valid massages have been laced with malware. Unfortunately, that’s precisely the vulnerability that now exists on these once trustworthy platforms. These rank among the latest methods cybercriminals leveraged on teams.

Compromise one organization and monitor inter-organizational communication.
Compromise an email address that can access Teams.
Use phishing schemes to steal Microsoft 365 credentials.

When someone clicks on the malicious file transmitted on the platform, it automatically downloads. The Trojan installs into the system and allows digital thieves to administer and control the network or device. Unlike ransomware attacks, APTs could hide in a system and pilfer off valued digital assets until detected and expelled.
“Compounding this problem is the fact that default Teams protections are lacking, as scanning for malicious links and files is limited. Further, many email security solutions do not offer robust protection for Teams,” Avanan reportedly stated. “Hackers, who can access Teams accounts via East-West attacks, or by leveraging the credentials they harvest in other phishing attacks, have carte blanche to launch attacks against millions of unsuspecting users.”
How Can Business Leaders Defend Against Teams Trojan Attacks?
Devices and networks often demonstrate signs they’ve been infected by a Trojan. Sluggishness, frequent crashes, excessive pop-ups, or random programs running could be the result of a Trojan.
It’s essential to contact a third-party cybersecurity professional if you believe your business network has been compromised. Finding and removing a Trojan requires in-depth knowledge and experience. People who try a DIY approach risk triggering unidentified files and potentially damaging the network. In some cases, organizations believe they have eliminated the threat, only to later discover it was embedded in other devices, documents, or electronic messages.
Industry leaders would be well-served to consider having a full review of their systems conducted. Even if this Trojan hasn’t infiltrated your network yet, enhanced cybersecurity awareness training regarding Teams and other platforms empowers your staff to repel malware attacks.

Microsoft Office 365 Updates

by Felicien | Feb 28, 2022 | Education

Updates To Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office 365
Are you a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriber? Then, you’ll have access to the latest security patches, bug fixes, and software features. However, it might be challenging to monitor the changes in every update and know when to expect them. Here is information about the most recent updates to Office 365/Microsoft 365 for Windows.

Version 2201 (Build 14827.20192)
Released on February 8, 2022, this build fixes multiple bugs while offering security updates for Excel, Visio, and the Office suite. With this build, people can now save files in Project. IT teams should look out for this security update. Be sure to apply the update when reports about problematic issues indicate that everything is well.
Version 2201 (Build 14827.20158)
Microsoft released this update on January 26, 2022. The build comprises multiple features, including new Cortana features for Teams, simplified scrolling through large Excel spreadsheets, and enhanced address book searches for MS Outlook. The fixes resolved the Access bug that prevented the Insights add-in from working intermittently.
The update also resolved an Outlook bug that resulted in unresponsive applications after loading contact cards. This build also ensures that “Repeat style” in Word will repeat the style rather than apply “Normal.”
Version 2212 (Build 14729.20248)
Released on January 11, 2022, this build ensures that Excel shapes and form controls can now call VBA macros. The build also comes with security updates covering Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities. Like other security updates, IT teams need to apply the update once they ascertain that there are no problematic issues with the build.
Version 2112 (Build 14729.20194)
This January 4, 2022 update offers multiple new features, including a team update that lets you “raise your hand” without interrupting the conversation. The build also includes a new feature that allows you to only track your Word charges when collaborating. You will also get access to an enhanced way of searching for Outlook’s calendar.
The MS update also fixes multiple bugs. First, the update resolved a bug in Outlook that created garbled text when users exported contacts to a CSV. Also, users no longer have to deal with applications closing unexpectedly in Access when making a connection to a Jet or Access database with multiple threads.
Version 2111 (Build 14701.20262)
Microsoft released this build on December 16, 2021, to fix two bugs. One bug fix applied to the whole Office suite as it involved refreshing elements that have text. The other bug was an Access bug that hindered multiple users from accessing a database on a network file share.
Version 2111 (Build 14701.20248)
On December 14, 2021, MS released a build to fix multiple bugs, including one in Outlook, where the teaching tips about Office’s new look were absent. This build also fixed a bug in Excel, where opening an XLSM file in the SpreadsheetCompare tool resulted in sluggish responses.
Users also got access to multiple security updates for Excel and the MS Office suite.
Version 2111 (Build 14701.20226)
Microsoft dedicated this build to resolving common bugs. Released on December 3, 2021, the update fixed different bugs, including an Excel bug where newly created PivotTables lost custom settings whenever users changed the data source range. Users can now click on all pop-UI elements in PowerPoint and Word with the update. This update also resolves a bug in the Project where specific projects closed unexpectedly when users loaded customized reports.
Version 2210 (Build 14527.20312)
Released on December 1, 2021, version 2110 offers viable solutions for multiple bugs. The update resolved a bug that prevented users from inserting signatures into forwards, replies, and new email conversations. Besides, this upgrade ensures that all R64 users can select a theme picker under Word’s Options menu.
Version 2110 (Build 14527.20226)
Microsoft Teams users are the greatest beneficiaries of this update that MS released on October 25, 2021. With this update, users can now leverage the Q&A application available on Teams. Also, the update lets users create Live Transcripts for web users on the platform. Besides, people can use Team’s desktop app to join other cloud meetings anonymously.
The upgrade’s capability also extended to MS Office. This build addressed an issue on Outlook where sync failures occurred whenever someone generated a preview.
All these upgrades have one thing in common – Microsoft designed them to ease operations on Office 365 and Microsoft 365. Upgrade your tools regularly to leverage all these upgrade benefits.

What Is Google Assistant?

by Felicien | Feb 19, 2022 | Education

What Is Google Assistant?
Have you ever told a friend or coworker: “I could really use a personal assistant!” Or perhaps muttered the same words under your breath while tackling a particularly prickly list of to-dos?
If so, your next line (thought silently, regretfully) was probably: “Like I could ever have my own assistant …” Alas … you may be in luck.
Google Assistant, like Siri (Apple) and Alexa (Amazon), is a personal assistant — albeit virtual — who can help you tackle nearly any task that doesn’t require getting in the car and going somewhere.
If you’re new to Google Assistant and would like to learn more about how it can make your life easier by helping you in various ways at home and at work, this article is for you. But before we learn the specifics, let’s learn a bit more about this brilliant innovation in software.

What Is Google Assistant?
Google Assistant is a voice-commanded virtual assistant that works with most Google devices. According to the app description on Google Play, Google Assistant “ is an easy way to use your phone and apps, hands-free … It can help you set reminders and alarms, manage your schedule, look up answers, navigate and control smart home devices while away from home, and much more.”
How Can Google Assistant Help Make Your Life Easier?
Check out these 6 ways Google Assistant can streamline and enhance your life — both at home and at work.
1. It makes phone calls a breeze.
Ever lamented the disappearance of the operator? Just dial zero and you get an actual person who can look up a phone number for you, right? Well, the operator is back with Google Assistant.
The next time you need to call a company, business, organization, as long as it’s listed online and can be found via Google, just get Google Assistant on the line and say the entity you’re trying to call.
2. Texts are simpler too.
What about hands-free texting? Yep, Google Assistant does that. You may be driving, cooking, or in the middle of something else — simply ask Google Assistant to read back or draft a text message.
3. It can set reminders.
What’s your first instinct when someone tells you, “Hey, don’t forget to _____!” naturally, you want to write it down somewhere or scramble for your agenda before you forget what you have to remember.
This is where Google Assistant is exceptionally useful. Whether it’s an appointment on Thursday at 4 PM or a meeting every Monday at 9 AM, just tell Google Assistant to, “Remind me to ____” and say the event or reminder and the date, time, and frequency.
4. It can streamline your home life.
Google Assistant can even make your boring regular home into a smart home! Sit on your couch and ask Google about the weather, tell it to play music, or give it a task like turning on the lights. Just remember you may need Google compatible devices (speakers, lights, etc.).
5. It can keep you up to date on the news.
Just ask Google Assistant a question related to current events, and you’ll get instant results. Say, “How’s Apple’s stock doing?” “What’s happening today in Chicago?” or “Who won last night’s Tigers game?”
6. It can make reminders based on location.
Remember how well Google Assistant was at setting up your calendar and reminding you of things? It gets even better. The next time you randomly think of something you need to add to your grocery list, for example, just tell Google.
Google Assistant can remind you of things based on location. Let’s say you remember that you want to buy bananas at the store, and you plan on stopping there after work. Just say, “Remind me to buy bananas when I get to Rick’s Grocer.”
Do You Have the Right Device for Google Assistant?
As a final note, remember that only compatible devices work with Google Assistant. In other words, just because a device you own was made by Google or operates with Google search doesn’t always mean you can use this feature. Most Android and Chromecast devices, Lenovo Smart Display and other smart TVs, Nest Hub, and related devices can be used. They must have updated software, however, and Google Assistant must be downloaded (as an app) and enabled in the settings as well.
 

Improve Network Performance With Your iPhone

by Felicien | Feb 11, 2022 | Education

Improve Network Performance With Your iPhone
In today’s remote working world, many people are exploring the world. However, bad signal and hotspot coverage are two of the most frustrating issues you’ll face. Here are a few ways to improve coverage and the reliability of your hotspot, so that you can get more work done on the go.

Improving Your Network Signal
To start, you’ll want to try to signal, because, without a signal, your hotspot coverage won’t work. Here are a few ways to ensure your iPhone isn’t contributing to your reception issues.

Toggle Airplane Mode: Swipe from the top right of your screen to access the Control Center, then tap your Airplane Mode icon. It will turn orange to show it’s on. This disables your connections, so after a minute, switch it back off, which will sometimes improve your signal.
Check Your Carrier Settings: A simple fix, Open Settings/General/About. If your carrier updated its settings but the device hasn’t updated to those settings, an alert will prompt you to install the update from the carrier. If it doesn’t show up, you’re already up-to-date and can go to the next step.
Restart: For a phone with the Home button, hold the sleep/wake button down until a power slider appears. Drag the slider to off, then after a minute, press and hold the sleep/wake button to turn it on. For iPhones with Face ID, press and hold sleep/wake and volume up or down buttons simultaneously until your power slider appears, and slide it off. After a minute, touch and hold the sleep/wake button to turn it on again.
Force Reset: For an iPhone with the Home button, hold both home and power buttons at the same time until the Apple logo shows up. A Face ID iPhone can be reset by pressing volume up, then volume down, then pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo shows up.
SIM Removal and Replacement: If nothing else has worked, remove and reset your SIM card. Insert your SIM removal tool or a paperclip end until the SIM tray pops out, check if the SIM is damaged and reinsert it.
Network Settings Reset: This means you have to reapply all your passwords and connections. However, it can fix both coverage and hotspot problems. To reset, open Settings/General/Transfer or Reset iPhone/Reset, and select Reset network settings. When the warning message appears, tap Reset settings. Your iPhone restarts and you may have better connectivity.

Personal Hotspot Issues
Your personal hotspot is at Settings/Personal Hotspot, listed under Cellular Data, which is located at the top of the first Settings page that shows up. If the option doesn’t show up, your carrier doesn’t support it, or you have to contact the carrier to have it added to your account. If you know it should be working but isn’t, here are some options:

Check Easy Personal Hotspot Settings: Open Settings/Personal Hotspot and check if the Allow Others to Join checkbox is checked. If it isn’t, check it and your devices should be able to see it. You could also check your Control Center to double-check if Airplane Mode is active.
Check Harder Personal Hotspot Settings: Open your Settings/Personal Hotspot and check the bottom of the page. Turn on the setting Maximize Compatibility, and it may improve device connectivity.
Toggle Wi-Fi: If your device isn’t finding your Personal Hotspot, try switching the device’s Wi-Fi off and on. Toggling this setting can force the device’s Wi-Fi to find your Personal Hotspot.
Restart All Devices: If your Personal Hotspot still isn’t working, restart your iPhone, then restart all the devices you’re trying to connect to it, which may reset all of the connections.
Try a Different Connection Method: The Personal Hotspot can be connected with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. Oftentimes, if Wi-Fi doesn’t work well, another connection method will. However, for a Windows PC, you may have to install iTunes, then log in using your AppleID.
Network Settings Reset: This is the same as the connection fix above, and you can follow the above instructions.

If nothing is working, you may have a SIM card or device problem that your carrier will need to fix.
Thanks to Guy Baroan at Baroan Technologies for this article.