Authonet, 6073 NW 167th Street, Hialeah, FL (2026)

05/24/2024

🤖 AI adds powerful features to Zero Trust cybersecurity 🔰

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is an important part of the NIST cybersecurity framework, the NIST Zero Trust Architecture. ZTNA provides powerful cybersecurity protection for many businesses with features that include multi-factor authentication, phishing detection and blocking, and intrusion alerting. Zero Trust appliances and software are available from several manufacturers.

🤖 Recently AI has been added to Zero Trust appliances using embedded AI (eAI) technology. The purpose of eAI is to initially learn the network access pattern of each device and user. After the learning period, eAI will monitor the network traffic of each device and user, seeking deviations from the expected access procedures. Some deviations must be flagged for the supervisor to investigate the cause of the deviations.

📌 There are deviations however that will require the eAI to block network access for a device. Examples of this type of deviation might be that a device begins accessing a server at night when the business is closed. This might indicate that the device is infected with a remote access Trojan (RAT) and that a hacker is attempting to remotely access a server. Another indication of a RAT infection is a workstation that begins accessing a server many more times than the expected rate of access.

The following points sum up the benefits of eAI.

▪ Proactively monitoring all network traffic 24x7x365.
▪ Isolating a device when a possible attack is detected, preventing damage to the business data and infrastructure.
▪ Alerting the infrastructure supervisor so that immediate remedial action can be initiated.

The widespread use of eAI in cybersecurity applications will significantly reduce the number of business attacks, which include data theft, blackmail and extortion through installing ransomware.

05/17/2024

🔰 Steps to protect OT networks that have been infiltrated by remote access Trojans 💻

Industrial and infrastructure operational technology (OT) networks are under attack. Infrastructure businesses include electrical power grids, gas supplies, water and sanitation and food delivery logistics.

The attacks to infrastructure come from two different groups.

▪ Cyber criminals seek to disrupt manufacturing or infrastructure processes for financial gain through blackmail and extortion. The business is aware of the attack as soon as the disruption occurs.

▪ State sponsored hackers target infrastructure businesses by installing software viruses called remote access Trojans with the objective of disrupting the operation of the business or sabotage at some time in the future. The attack might be on the order of a dictator who is seeking some military advantage. Infrastructure in the USA and EU has already been infiltrated with this type of attack; many infrastructure OT networks already have remote access Trojans installed.

Manufacturing and infrastructure OT systems have in most cases, weak cybersecurity protection. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other US and EU government agencies has been warning infrastructure businesses about potential attacks and advising these businesses to improve cybersecurity by requiring stronger access authentication processes.

💻 Unfortunately, OT networks have been infiltrated with remote access Trojans, that bypass inbound authentication; the communication is outbound to the cyber criminal group. In many cases it is too late to block an attack with improved authentication processes.

🔥 Infrastructure industry OT networks require upgrading with a firewall that allows only specified inbound and outbound IP addresses.

Head to WISPzone to keep reading:

https://www.wispzone.com/blogs/news/steps-to-protect-ot-networks-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-remote-access-trojans

05/14/2024

❔ What is Authonet Cybersecurity 🔰

💻 We began developing our authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) technology in 2003 for the Linux operating system.

Prior to this our engineers built software for the telecommunications industry, which uses AAA technology extensively to manage subscriber networks.

👀 We saw many applications for our unique and versatile AAA software technology outside the telecommunications industry.

We expanded our AAA technology for the cybersecurity segment, developing firewalls and endpoint security products with 2-factor authentication.

☁ Today we are building the second generation of endpoint security products that include cloud management, a service provided for managed service providers who are responsible for the cybersecurity services for small, medium and large businesses.

🤯Today 75% of cyber attacks are made through the network endpoints. Businesses are becoming aware of the value of endpoint security when combined with other security measures to prevent cyber attacks.

Authonet endpoint security products offer high performance with high reliability. The unique Authonet technology is very simple to install and use: truly plug and play

⚡ Authonet products are very powerful tools that protect a business from cyber hackers by enhancing cybersecurity.

🎯 IDEAL FOR: all business types and sizes that have no cyber attack protection and need to protect business data from theft and ransomware.

✅ Authonet products:

✔ Budget-friendly, so every business can afford protection.
✔ Have no recurring charges, compared to some competitors.
✔ No charges per user, nothing.
✔ No fees after purchase, that's it.

05/13/2024

🔎 Exploring the cyber attack weaknesses with industrial and infrastructure OT networks: identifying the points of cyberattack 💻

💥Infrastructure business Operational Technology (OT) network components are under attack but do not receive the publicity that business data theft and ransomware attacks receive.

💻 Operational Technology includes industrial control systems (ICS – the computers that control the industrial and infrastructure processes) and the programmable logic controllers (PLC - the embedded computers that operate the valves and switches in the industrial and infrastructure processes.

📈 OT systems are seeing an increasing number of IoT devices installed for autonomous control of a specific element of the process. Often IoT devices are Internet connected to provide data for a supervisor. IoT devices generally have weak security. ICS computers receive commands and provide reports to IT information systems that are responsible for managing the business. Often the interface between IT and OT is via the Internet.

👀 Two groups are attacking infrastructure business operational technology (OT) networks for different purposes, and this is explained in depth on WISPzone blog.

Head to WISPzone to continue reading.

https://www.wispzone.com/blogs/news/ot-networks-points-of-attack-by-cybercriminals-and-state-sponsored-hackers

05/08/2024

❗ Infrastructure company Operational Technology (OT) networks have been hacked🚨

The US government through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other government offices is warning infrastructure companies about the risks imposed by OT systems that have been hacked by state sponsored foreign actors, and specifically Russian state sponsored hackers. The objective of the state sponsored hackers is at some point in time to disrupt infrastructure services for American citizens that include:

▪ Power grid energy supplies
▪ Water and sanitation
▪ Food and agriculture

The state sponsored hackers have infiltrated many OT systems in the USA and Europe and have compromised Internet exposed industrial control systems (ICS’s) and programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) through software interfaces. CISA has published a series of recommendations to strengthen OT systems through password improvements and Internet interface controls.

📄 The strongest method of cyber protection is that published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and Zero Trust Architecture.

📌 OT networks can be upgraded to add Zero Trust architectural features economically using equipment from one of several cyber security product manufacturers.

Head to our account on LinkedIn to read more.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7194047671832137729

04/29/2024

💻 The Authonet Zero Trust gateway can be installed in any business network as shown in the diagram, to add layers of cybersecurity protection to the business network 🔰

🧐 The Authonet Zero Trust gateway authenticates all devices and users that connect to the business network and monitors their network access based on rules that are provided for the gateway. When configured the Authonet Zero Trust gateway can block password theft and phishing attacks.

Configuration settings of the Authonet Zero Trust gateway are listed below 👇

📲 Authentication rules
▪ Verify the MAC of the device, connection allowed.
▪ Verify the MAC of the device, connection blocked.
▪ Verify the MAC of the device, login required.
▪ Unlisted MAC’s are always blocked.
▪ Verify the user password, connection allowed.
▪ Verify the user password, connection blocked.
▪ Verify the user password, user requires MFA with OTP.
▪ Optionally user access only with an allowed MAC (3FA).

🔎 Filtering rules
▪ Specify allowed / blocked network IP range.
▪ Specify allowed / blocked Internet public IP’s /domains.

👀 Monitoring
▪ Monitor status of devices in the LAN network.

📄 Reporting
▪ List the authenticated users.
▪ List IP requests but not authenticated, check for intruder.
▪ List failed authentication, send alert to admin.

Read more ➡ www.authonet.com
Shop ➡ www.wispzone.com

04/26/2024

🔰 Why Zero Trust Cybersecurity is Better for your Business❔

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) cybersecurity technology has the following characteristics.

▪ Zero Trust network cybersecurity means never trust, always verify.
▪ All devices and users must connect through Zero Trust cybersecurity, which protects business data, software and infrastructure using strict
protocols, and monitors network traffic for suspicious behavior or potential threats.
▪ Zero Trust has four principles that are implemented by a Zero Trust endpoint firewall.
▪ Identity verification and authentication of every user and device that is
attempting to access the network. Verification uses device identity checks
and multi-factor authentication (MFA) of users.
▪ Users and devices are given access only to the specific network resources
they need to perform their tasks in order to limit the potential damage that can be caused by a compromised device.
▪ Users have restrictions imposed for access to Internet services that block
interaction with potential attack vectors and compromised websites.
▪ Continuous monitoring of network activity can identify potential threats and provides the opportunity to take effective action quickly.

Read more ➡ www.authonet.com
Shop ➡ www.wispzone.com

04/24/2024

🎣 Phishing attacks are on the rise! 📈

Phishing attacks are getting more common these days and it's very sad to see businesses suffering from these malicious extortion attacks.

💻 If you own or manage a business and you are using Internet to operate your business, you are at risk of a cyber attack.

Do you have a firewall? Great, it will protect you from some types of malware but it will NOT stop a phishing attack or password theft.

Smaller businesses are getting attacked now more than the bigger businesses! Why? Because smaller businesses are not aware of the dangers or do not have the budget to invest in cybersecurity protection, while big businesses with IT departments make cybersecurity investments a priority.

🤔 Some businesses believe that a firewall is sufficient, but unfortunately, it isn't. A firewall stops brute force attacks but does not stop PHISHING and PASSWORD theft.

NOW there is a solution!

✅ Authonet makes Zero Trust Network Access, the same technology used by bigger businesses available to smaller business, and it's affordable.

The Authonet A300 and A1000 gives the ultimate protection against password theft and phishing, and gives you a peace of mind. The network system connected to the Internet is monitored non-stop and alert messages are sent to the admin about intrusion attempts.

📃 For more information - www.authonet.com
📦 Buy now - www.wispzone.com

04/18/2024

👨‍💻 Staff Cybersecurity Awareness Training 📄

Cyber criminals will most likely attack the business staff to get access to the business data; often with a phishing attack or attempted password theft. So business employees are the first line of defense.

📙 Cybersecurity training helps staff recognize the signs of a cyber attack. Staff should have a hotline to call a skilled IT person if an attack attempt is recognized. The IT should immediately investigate the threat. This IT person might be an external IT service provider or cybersecurity consultant. Once a threat is identified the clock is counting until the criminal installs ransomware, so it is necessary to act quickly to remove the threat before it is too late.

The cybersecurity awareness staff training should include the following subjects 👇

▪ What is a cyber attack?
▪ Methods that cyber criminals will use to attack.
▪ Social engineering for password theft.
▪ The phishing process and how to recognize this attack.
▪ A ransomware attack explained and what the criminals expect.
▪ Damage that a cyber attack will do to the business.
▪ Additional security procedures required for cybersecurity protection.
▪ Precautions that staff must follow.
▪ Cybersecurity awareness document.
▪ Ask staff to report a possible attack using the hotline to the cybersecurity consultant.
▪ Ask staff members to identify improvements for the cybersecurity procedures.

It is important to encourage and reward staff support for participation with the cybersecurity protection process, as staff are the first line of defense to identify potential risks.

📩 If you need to provide cybersecurity training, contact us, we would be happy to help.

04/17/2024

🔰 Protecting Businesses from Cyber Criminal Attacks 🔥

There are two important actions that a business must take in order to reduce the probability of a cyber attack.

👨‍💻 Employee training to recognize and alert a potential cyber attack. Most cyber criminals plan an attack through employees, with password theft or phishing. The employees are the first line of defense and so must be aware of attack techniques and must have access to a cybersecurity expert to report a potential attack that must be investigated immediately. The training should be repeated periodically. A business can call a cybersecurity consultant who can provide the staff training. Some cybersecurity consulting businesses offer on-line training courses for staff cyber attack awareness. Call us to provide contacts for staff cybersecurity training.

✨ Technical cybersecurity upgrades for the business network are required that will block access to what are considered the weak points where cyber criminals will try to attack. Most small and medium businesses do not have the technical network upgrades that are required to protect the business data.

In addition there are two further actions, listed below, that will help a business to minimize the probability of a successful attack.

☁ Move applications software and data to cloud storage. Cloud vendors spend a lot of money on cybersecurity and have some of the more talented professionals in the industry. Data is safer from attack in a cloud. Some software vendors have cloud versions of software that a business is using. Proprietary software will require migrating to the cloud by a specialist software business.

✍ Prepare a recovery plan to restore the business data in the case that a ransomware attack is successful and avoid paying the ransom. An IT service business or managed service provider can develop a recovery plan for any small or medium size business. The recovery plan includes making daily or hourly offsite backups, preparing hard drives for replacement in all computers and testing the plan.

For more information on how to prevent phishing attacks and password theft, contact us.

04/16/2024

🎣 How does a phishing attack work? 💻

Phishing is the most frequently used method that criminals choose to launch a cyber attack for data theft or ransomware extortion and this method is successful 98% of the time.

🛠 After installation, the remote access Trojan (RAT) virus gives the cyber criminal remote access to the computer and to all other computers and servers in the business network. The attacker will then look for known exploits with the server operating system.

Quite often the business server has not been patched with the latest security updates. The procedure used by the cyber criminal after installation of the Trojan virus is listed below.

▪ The computer calls the cyber criminal bypassing the firewall.
▪ The cyber criminal replies to the message with instructions.
▪ The cyber criminal programs the computer to get access to the data
servers.
▪ The user is not aware that the cyber criminal is using the computer in the
background.
▪ The cyber criminal encrypts the server data files with ransomware.

📥 Finally the cyber criminal puts a ransom message on the computer screen demanding a payment in crypto-currency to get the key that unlocks the data.

The phishing process is illustrated in the diagram.

✅ Authonet protects your business network from a phishing attack.

📦 Shop now at WISPzone ➡ www.wispzone.com

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