Managing End-of-Life Software
At some point, all software will reach the end of its life. This means manufacturers will no longer develop or service the product, discontinuing all technical support, upgrades, bug fixes and security fixes. As a result, end-of-life (EOL) software will have known vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. This article discusses the risks of continuing to use EOL software and discusses best practices for organizations to mitigate this risk. Risks of EOL Known but unmitigated vulnerabilities are among the highest cybersecurity risks. One survey found that 60% of data breaches stemmed from unpatched known vulnerabilities. Another report found that 3 of 4...
Give Your Chimney a Clean Sweep
Homeowners with a wood-burning fireplace or solid fuel stove or insert can protect your property and your family by having a qualified professional inspect and clean your chimney at least annually. Maintaining a chimney through an annual inspection and cleaning is critical, especially as winter approaches and temperatures drop. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireplaces, chimneys and flues account for a significant number of home heating fires each year. The buildup of chimney deposits is a major factor in chimney fires. Creosote, a tarry residue caused by incomplete combustion of wood, can build up in chimneys and ignite a...
The Importance of Two-Factor Authentication
As cyber attacks become more and more common, protecting your data is increasingly difficult. In fact, a study from Juniper Research found that by 2023, cyber criminals are expected to steal an estimated 33 billion records. In light of the growing number of cyber attacks, many companies are turning to two-factor authentication (also commonly called 2FA or multifactor authentication) to enhance their cyber security. While no cyber security method is foolproof, using two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. So how exactly does two-factor authentication work? What Is Two-factor Authentication? While complex passwords can help deter cyber...
Fire Pit Safety: What You Need to Know
With the cooler weather coming, you might have visions of spending brisk evenings gathered around the fire pit with your family in the backyard. A fire pit is a great way to turn your yard into a second living room, allowing you to enjoy it year-round. However, you still want to keep some home fire safety tips in mind to make the most of your fire pit. Following these will help keep your family and visitors safe and warm while they're enjoying their s'mores around the fire. Here's what you need to know about fire pit safety. What to consider when choosing a...