Sierra Computer Group

Thanks EO for a great party Saturday night.

Make sure to backup your phone so you don't lose valuable pictures and contacts. Google makes it free. Even for an Iphone. https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-one-googles-paid-consumer-storage-product-makes-some-features-free/

Google One, Google's paid consumer storage product, makes some features free | ZDNet Any Google user can now take advantage of the Google One phone backup feature, along with a new, free storage manager tool.

All disasters have technology, people and process implications. Check out this Disaster Survival Guide to ensure that your business is prepared for all three. http://datto-content.amp.vg/web/cj9118frjs5bh

Do not mess with Nature Your business will thank us Do not mess with Nature. Your business will thank us. When it comes to mother nature, there’s little we can do but prepare for whatever she brings our way.

If you're having problems with Outlook today (July 15th) call us so we can help. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-outlook-is-crashing-worldwide-with-0xc0000005-errors-how-to-fix/?fbclid=IwAR1lnx6IlSMDD2kArsTsdNbSAc2i47m25_fVUn8hgNEenRlA-ybMN61yhMU

Microsoft Outlook is crashing worldwide with 0xc0000005 errors, how to fix Microsoft Outlook is immediately crashing worldwide when users start the application, with 0xc0000005 errors being displayed in the Windows Event Viewer.

Employers: Watch for letters from DETR indicating unemployment claims for people who still work for you.

Increase in identity theft tied to fraudulent unemployment claims In the last three weeks there are 37 cases where people’s Social Security numbers were used to file for unemployment benefits through DETR.

Employers have been getting letters from DETR indicating an unemployment claim was filed by an employee who is still with the company. Since the Equifax hack a few years back has essentially released everyone's name, DOB, and SSN into the wild, be vigilant and review all DETR letters. It creates a nightmare for the innocent employee who has a fraudulent claim, resulting in future unemployment claims being automatically denied. https://www.kolotv.com/2020/07/11/increase-in-identity-theft-tied-to-fraudulent-unemployment-claims/

Increase in identity theft tied to fraudulent unemployment claims In the last three weeks there are 37 cases where people’s Social Security numbers were used to file for unemployment benefits through DETR.

Working with robots? Then your data might be safe. If you work with humans, then you should give me a call about protecting your data from the guy sitting next to you.

Classic Patrick, he spilled coffee on the breaker panel after blowing a fuse. Goodbye office power! Accidents happen, so often in fact that power outages are a leading cause of downtime.

Sierra Computer Group will be hosting an NCET Biz Cafe on how to optimize your work from home technology! Join Gary Micander, July 1st, to learn how to stay safe and secure while being productive from home.

https://datto.amp.vg/xl/xkyxl4covwsi

NCET Biz Cafe | Gary Micander | Jul 1, 2020 Home Office Security & Productivity Gary Micander – Sierra Computer Group Wednesday, July 1 – Free Live Stream @ 3 pm Virtual Networking from 2:30 to 3 pm! M...

Do you know that the #1 cause of data loss is human error? We can’t put all the blame on Patrick in Accounting. We’re only human after all.

Who you trust with your IT is one of the most important decisions you can make. Ensure your IT team is just as security focused on themselves as they are with your business. Sierra Computer Group adheres to industry best security practices, multi-factor authentication, and can help you do the same.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/it-services-firm-conduent-felled/

IT Services Firm Conduent Felled by Ransomware Firm’s European operations suffer 10-hour outage

It’s not enough to have a business continuity plan down on paper. Real life testing is necessary to validate assumptions. Get more tips here: http://datto-content.amp.vg/web/dpotely6ib0xr

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We think cyber attacks will increase in the coming months because so many people are working remotely. Remote access has created massive new "doorways" for hackers to try to get into your company network. If you are unsure of your backup status PLEASE call us or get your IT person to make sure backups are happening every day. A good backup is the only way to recover from ransomware attack. We also recommend your remote access tool have 2 factor authentication. 2 factor means not only do you need a password to get in, but also a one time registration for the PC (usually done by sending a code to your smart phone). It's a little inconvenient the first time you use it, but it's transparent after that and it is the best way to make sure hackers don't get in and encrypt your files. For more information check out this recent article https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/05/14/why-the-largest-cyberattack-in-history-will-happen-within-six-months/?fbclid=IwAR0cXWGUMucwp4TDVMGWKjew1Ni-psyI2eoSfGQb6bXvenh-hEey8IGhrEM

Why The Largest Cyberattack In History Could Happen Within Six Months We’ll see the largest cyberattack in HISTORY within the next six months.

Mother Nature is an unstoppable force. Fires, floods, hurricanes, or blizzards, natural disasters happen and so does downtime. The good news? Protecting your business is easy. http://datto-content.amp.vg/web/yjk52tub9sf0

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FBI Warns of targeted COVID-19 Phishing. https://sierracomputers.com/2020/05/06/fbi-warns-of-targeted-covid-19-phishing/

FBI Warns of targeted COVID-19 Phishing The FBI Cyber Division has recently released a warning regarding specific phishing emails attempting to harvest user’s credentials by presenting fake login pages for Office 365 and other online accounts. As always, be cautious about any link you click in an email, text message, or social media pos...

Backup isn’t enough. To avoid downtime, your applications need to run on-demand from virtual machines backed up in the cloud.

Sierra Computer Group is happy to support other local businesses while keeping our staff and customers safe. Our order of locally made reusable masks has arrived from The Flag Store, Sign & Banner in Sparks!

When working remotely, it’s crucial to continue your typical cybersecurity best practices and reach out with any questions or concerns. Read more here: https://scgnv.com/working-from-home-safely-and-securely

Working from home - Safely and Securely It's important to consider the security of these remote connections and the security of the devices on both ends. Every remote device allowed to connectis like adding another door to your office that must be locked and monitored.

Do you have a recent Backup? One of the only ways to recover from ransomware and phishing attacks is to restore to a previous date before the infection. If not please create one as soon as possible. When you make an image of your system, we can restore the entire thing quickly. In addition, it's important to update the backup on an ongoing basis. Many people think they will do it themselves, but the discipline slips over time and when you really need to restore, the backup is old. If you need help please call us at 775-322-6455. We'll offer free advice on how to do it yourself or a low cost quote to do it for you.

Beware of social engineering/phishing emails during this crisis, especially those appearing to be finance/banking related. Here are a few tips to help determine if an email is legitimate.

Sierra Computer Group updated their website address.

Beware! Thousands of COVID-19 scam and malware sites are being created on a daily basis. According to multiple reports, cybercriminals are now creating and putting out thousands of coronavirus-related websites on a daily basis. Most of these sites are being used to host phishing attacks, distribute malware-laced files, or for financial fraud, for tricking users into paying for fake COVID-19 cures, supplements, or vaccines. Malware gangs are now regularly using coronavirus email lures to trick users into downloading malware, and even state-sponsored hacking groups have jumped on the trend and adopted similar tactics.

Thanks SCG team for supporting Thai Chili by ordering takeout for the company meeting this week. We're proud to be supporting the Reno firefighters, Reno Housing Authority, Airport, and critical communications infrastructure during the CV-19 business closures. Business owners, take the challenge and order from a local restaurant to keep them going!

We have enough viruses! Call to make sure your Windows is patched for latest vulnerabilities. We can do it remotely. See Microsoft KB4540670 for more info

If you need to work from home please contact us. We have extra software licenses of remote tools and are standing by ready to help. We can help you upgrade internet, remote into PCs, and assist with VOIP so you can answer as if you're at the office.

Happy to be a part of this worthy effort!

Noble Studios and Sierra Computer Group Donate to Early Head Start | Noble Studios Noble Studios and Sierra Computer Group donate 10 laptops to the University of Nevada Reno’s Early Head Start Program. The donation was made possible through Noble Studios’ philanthropic arm, Noble Deeds.

Thank you to all who could attend the NCET.org luncheon today! We hope you took away some valuable email tips. If you have any follow up questions please feel free to reach out. 775-322-6454

Join us for email tips presentation at Atlantis Resort on March 28th

News - Servers, computers, networking, IT consulting, web development, service repair.

How will your business handle the new tax laws? See the KTVN story below and the thoughts of Sierra Computer Groups very own Darren McBride.

http://www.ktvn.com/story/37123145/business-owners-get-training-on-new-tax-bill

sierracomputergroup.com

Fantastic breakfast with NNBW and NCET at the Atlantis Casino this morning. Thanks for inviting Darren to speak with the panel on Cyber Security and the best ways to protect your business.

NNBW Live Breakfast Series Registration – September Event

Come join Sierra Computer Group next Thursday for a FREE networking breakfast with NNBW/NCET at the Atlantis Casino from 7am-9am. We'll be discussing Cyber-security and ways to protect your business.

http://www.nnbw.com/nnbw-live-breakfast-series-registration-september-event/

nnbw.com Businesses in Northern Nevada continue to be targeted with viruses, ransomware, and spear phishing attacks. Cyber attacks are at an all time high yet organizations (both public and private) are still struggling to remain secure. Please join us at our next breakfast to learn more about Cybersecurity…

Here at Sierra we take pride in growing with our community. It's great to know the Department of Business and Industry is taking such strides to support all the existing and new businesses moving into our region.

Password Advice has changed time to update yours - Menu

Is your password up to s***f? Read the article below created by our own Darren McBride on how to make the strongest password for today's standards.

https://www.sierracomputergroup.com/password-advice-changed-time-update/

sierracomputergroup.com Password Advice has changed. Back in 2003 Bill Burr, a mid-level manager at the National Institute of Standards wrote an 8 page publication providing guidance on computer passwords. The document suggested using obscure characters, a mix of upper and lower case, and recommended changing the password...

Sierra Computer Group's Darren McBride in his own words - Menu

Thank you Northern Nevada Business Weekly for featuring our CEO in this weeks installment. Please see the blog below to learn more about the people at Sierra Computer Group and why we love what we do!

https://www.sierracomputergroup.com/sierra-computer-groups-darren-mcbride-in-his-own-words/

sierracomputergroup.com Sierra computer group networking IT managed services Reno Small business CEO server workstation backup solutions MicroSoft partner

Is it time for an upgrade or refresh? - Sierra Computer Group

https://www.sierracomputergroup.com/time-upgrade-refresh/

sierracomputergroup.com Should I upgrade this one or buy a new one? My PC is only a few years old… how do I determine that? We all have had to make this tough decision at one time or another. It’s easy to become attached to how comfy it is to navigate your PC. The thought of having to learn a newer operating system and p...