Category: General

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This 5-Minute Video Could Save Your Practice

Almost every business uses a multi-function copy machine that copies, scans, prints and possibly faxes information. What most people don’t realize is that many of these machines have hard drives that store all information that the machine has access to. Think of these machines as computers that store a digital record of every copy it makes, every document it scans and every page it prints.

Copying patient information

If your organization copies insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs), patient insurance cards or uses a multi-function printer to print out letters to patients, all that information could be sitting on the hard drive of your copier. If this information is not properly destroyed before you return the machine to a leasing company, recycle the machine, sell the machine or throw the machine out; all that patient information might cause a HIPAA data breach.

Watch this video!

The below video from CBS news gives valuable information about the risks of copy machines.

Note: Affinity Health Plan who is featured in the video, received a $1,215,780 HIPAA fine (that’s right… $1.2 MILLION) because of one copy machine that contained 344,579 records with protected health information (PHI)

[youtube id=”TCKr5WgVVN8″ width=”600″ height=”350″]

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**Warning** New Ransomware Targets Businesses

Security researchers from Emsisoft have come across a new ransomware family which they’ve dubbed CryptoLocker, or Trojan:Win32/Crilock. This particular piece of ransomware is designed to encrypt files on the infected device and keep them that way until a ransom is paid by the victim.

Interestingly, the files targeted by CryptoLocker are not ones that might be considered important by home users. Instead, the targeted files have extensions such as odt, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, mdb, accdb, rtf, mdf, dbf, psd, pdd, jpg, srf, sr2 ,bay ,crw, dcr, kdc, erf, mef, mrw, nef, nrw, raf, raw, rwl, rw2, ptx, pef, srw, x3f, der, cer, crt, pem, and p12.

This shows that the threat is designed to target businesses, to which the content of these files might be of great value.

According to experts, the ransomware is distributed via emails that inform recipients of customer complaints. The file that’s attached to these notifications is a downloader that’s designed to retrieve the actual malware.

Once it infects a device, CryptoLocker creates a registry entry to make sure it starts at every boot. Then, it establishes communications with its command and control (C&C) server. First, it attempts to contact a hardcoded IP address. If that fails, apparently random C&C domains are generated based on a domain generation algorithm.

After a C&C server is found, the malware starts communicating with it via traffic that’s encrypted using RSA encryption.

“Using RSA based encryption for the communication not only allows the attacker to obfuscate the actual conversation between the malware and its server, but also makes sure the malware is talking to the attacker’s server and not a blackhole controlled by malware researchers,” Emsisoft experts noted in a blog post.

Finally, CryptoLocker looks for the aforementioned files and encrypts them using AES. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to decrypt the files without the AES key, which is stored on the C&C server and accessible only to the attacker.

However, users are advised not to pay up. Remove the infection with an antivirus program and restore the encrypted files from a backup, assuming you have one.

How does your business or practice combat such a potentially devastating infection?  First, you need security and protection.  At the minimum we recommend a really good antivirus software along with monitoring to ensure it is always up-to-date and scanning as scheduled.  It does no good to have antivirus if you aren’t sure its performing properly at all times.  Second, you need a proven backup solution with versioning.  If you have never tried to recover from your backup then do you really know it will work?  We have plenty of backup and recovery horror stories I could tell.

If you need help in these areas give us a call.  We can help with managed antivirus, network security and backup/recovery solutions for any size business.  Don’t wait until you’re a victim, get help now.

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How To Select The Best Printer For Your Needs

There are a couple of things you need to first understand before you purchase a printer. They include;

1. LaserJet or Inkjet.
Both LaserJet and Inkjet printers have advantages and disadvantages. 

Inkjet printers are cheaper to buy than LaserJet printers. They also have very good quality print outs. However, the cost of maintaining an Inkjet printer is very high. Also, Inkjet printers make a lot of noise while printing and are slower than LaserJet printers.

LaserJet printers are expensive when buying but very cheap to maintain. Their print quality is very high and they make less noise when printing. They print faster than Inkjet printers.

2. All-In-One or Print-only.
The next thing you need to consider is whether you just want a print-only device or you need to scan copy fax and print. 

Print-only printers are cheaper than All-In-One printers. However, they have limited functionality.

On the other hand, All-In-One printers have scanners, copiers and printers all put in one device. They are a little bit more expensive but very handy especially in an office setting. All-In-One printers also save space as they contain three different devices in one.

Some All-In-One printers have fax. When getting an All-In-One, always confirm if it has fax as not all of them have fax. In most cases All-In-Ones that have fax are more expensive. 

3. Print Or Scan Quality.
Various aspects of print and scan qualities can be compared between different models. Print resolution is usually measured in dots per inch (DPI). The higher the number of dots per inch the better the printer.

Inexpensive inkjet models usually generate black-only prints at least as high as 600×600 DPI. Color models, meanwhile usually start as high as 4800×1200. Laser jets, meanwhile, typically produce 1200×1200 DPI or better black-only prints and 1200×600 or better color prints.

Scan quality is measured using both bit-rate and DPI measurements. If scanning is an important feature, seek an all-in-one device that offers optical scan resolutions of at least 600×1200 DPI and at least a 24-bit scan rate. Again, higher numbers are better (a scanner that boasts 36- or 48-bit technology will produce even higher-quality scans). Be sure to consider the differences between an inline scanner, in which 8.5-inch x 11-inch pages are easily scanned by passing them through a sheet feeder, and a flat-bed scanner, in which odd-size documents can be easily scanned just by placing them on the glass. In environments where multiple-page documents will frequently be scanned, ensure you select a model that boasts an automatic feed tray.

4. Network Capabilities.
The days where parallel cables where used to connect printers to computers are long gone. In fact, most laptops nowadays do not even have parallel ports. Most printers nowadays are connected to computers via USB cables.

Many printers now boast integrated wireless LAN connectivity. Other models feature embedded network interface cards, making it possible to connect printers to a local area network via a standard wired Ethernet cable, and thereby usable by multiple PCs simultaneously. Still others feature integrated Bluetooth support, which makes it possible for laptop users (among others) with Bluetooth functionality to print wirelessly without the requirement that a local area network even be present. 

When reviewing a printer or multifunction device purchase, be sure to consider your organization’s needs. If multiple users will need to access the printer or all-in-one’s scanning functions, network-equipped models can eliminate the need to purchase multiple units or configure a single PC to host print services for other systems. If many users access the local area network wirelessly, be sure to consider a printer model that also includes WLAN connectivity.
Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051611508-1-how-to-select-the-best-printer-for-your-needs/