Cyberattacks are on the rise, and weak, unprotected passwords continue to be a leading cause for the breaches. Recently, Keeper Security analyzed 10 million compromised accounts and found that just 25 passwords made up more than half of the list. And a shocking 17 percent of users were guarding their accounts with the password “123456.”

Choosing a strong password and changing it frequently is a good first step, but adding two-factor authentication (2FA) is a critical step in deterring cyber criminals.

“Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection to prevent the bad guys from getting access to your valuable online assets,” said Michael Cocanower, president and CEO of Phoenix-based itSynergy.

Cocanower, who has been recognized nationally and locally for his IT expertise, will conduct a free, 15-minute “Two-Factor Authentication” webinar on Thursday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m. The free webinar coincides with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Participants will learn how 2FA works, where it is available, how to enable it on common websites, and setting options. In addition, Cocanower will share the different options available for strengthening 2FA. Interested participants should register at http://www.itsynergy.com/webinar.

“When you set up two-factor authentication for your email, file sharing site or online banking site, you must also provide a second piece of information — most commonly a one-time code — to gain access to your account. There are various ways you can set this up. For example, you may have an app on your cell phone that displays the code, you may receive a text message with the code, or you may receive a ‘push notification’ from your phone.”

Cocanower said two-factor authentication is a necessity in the workplace, especially as more companies let employees work remotely.

“Employees who work from home or travel access corporate resources from a variety of untrusted internet connections, making their accounts more vulnerable to breaches,” Cocanower said. “Two-factor authentication helps to safeguard your company’s data no matter where your employees are working.”

The “Hacking the Human” webinars take place at 11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The webinars are geared towards non-technical end users in business at any level in the company. Each webinar provides useful tips to ward off cyberattacks and more complex social engineering schemes that result in theft and corporate espionage.

The schedule of webinars for the rest of the year include: 

November  9 – Your Phone – Hacker’s Friend?

When you think about hacking, do you think mostly about your computer?  What you may not realize is that more and more, thieves are targeting your phone just as much as any other device.  Because your defenses may be a bit lower when it comes to your phone, these attacks can be very successful.  Join us to learn about what you need to be aware of when it comes to potential attacks on your phone, and how you can protect yourself.

  • What types of attacks are launched by criminals against your phone?
  • What physical measures do you need to take to protect your phone from being hacked?
  • What can the bad guys get by targeting your phone?
  • Learn the steps you need to take to recognize an attack and protect yourself

December 14 – ATM Security

Out shopping for the holidays?  Decided to stop at an ATM for a bit of extra cash?  How can you protect yourself from getting hacked at the ATM?  Join us to learn how to leave the ATM with just cash, and not as the victim of a newly stolen identity or theft victim whose accounts will shortly be trained of cash.

  • What techniques do criminals use at an ATM to ‘get you’?
  • What happens once your information has been stolen from a compromised ATM?
  • Learn what to look for when approaching/using an ATM to help ensure it hasn’t been compromised
  • Understand how to select an ATM with the lowest probability of criminal exploit

For more information, call itSynergy at (602) 297-2400 or visit www.itsynergy.com.