Blog
Is Your Smart TV Listening To Your Personal Conversations?
The short answer to the question posed by this article’s title is yes. Yes, your smart TV is listening to your personal conversations. It’s simply a part of the way the technology works. If you spend the money to buy a smart TV, then you’re going to want to use its voice activation features. Unfortunately, […]
Your Keyboard and Mouse Might Be Your Next Big Security Risk
Is nothing safe from the hacking community? It seems as though everything is under assault these days. Antivirus and malware blocking software is struggling to keep pace. When those security holes get plugged, the hackers simply shift gears and switch tactics, going after SSL or other core components of the internet itself. When the corporate […]
Could Selfies Soon Replace Your Passwords?
MasterCard has been experimenting with a new facial biometrics app, and is poised to roll it out in force later this year. The basic idea behind the technology is that it will employ facial recognition in the place of traditional passwords, on the thinking that while it’s possible to guess at your password, a hacker’s […]
Will Getting Rid of Cards Increase Bank Security
The magnetic stripes on the backs of credit and debit cards are problematic. The root of the problem is that they contain absolutely nothing in the way of security. The information they contain is completely unprotected and vulnerable to a type of attack known as “skimming,” where someone with a bit of technical savvy can […]
The Dangers of Open Wi-Fi
Have you secured your Wi-Fi connection yet? If not, your neighbors may be “borrowing” your internet connection. That poses some potential dangers to you, and could even set you up for some legal trouble, but how can you tell? There are a number of indirect indicators that someone may be borrowing your connection. Of these, […]
New Attack Puts Websites At Risk
Remember last year’s “Heartbleed” scare? If you don’t, or if you need a refresher, Heartbleed was a flaw in the security of SSL, which is the technology employed by just about everyone on the web to make financial transactions secure. It is essentially the technology that makes people feel comfortable about conducting business on the […]
How To Manage Your Reputation Online
There are few things that strike terror into small business owners like having someone smear them, their company, or their brand online. Is it any wonder? We’ve all seen and heard horror stories about businesses being brought down by a hailstorm of criticism on the internet, and it can leave business owners feeling powerless to […]
Data Security – It’s not JUST About Digital Records
The US Department of Health and Human Services is having a tough time of it. They are the latest government agency to report a significant data breach, but this time, with a twist. In this instance, it wasn’t a nefarious plot by a group of hackers, but simple human carelessness and error. The case in […]
Why An Overqualified Employee Might Be A Great Choice
In many cases, when a hiring manager sees a resume for an open position from an obviously overqualified candidate, the immediate reaction is to toss it. Too often, they’re not even considered, on the thinking that because they are overqualified, the moment a “better” job comes along, they’ll take it, moving on to greener pastures. […]
Group Video On Mobile Devices
Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a free, high-quality group video conferencing solution, offered by a company with a proven track record for quality? Great news if you’ve been looking for something like that, because now, you can! Microsoft has big plans for Skype, and is in the process of rolling out a […]
A Visionary Approach to Your Security
The purpose of an IT partner isn’t just to fix something when it is broken, it is to keep your people working and your data secure. Astral moves beyond traditional managed services by addressing all the key areas of cybersecurity in today’s complex landscape.
