Enter if You Dare. Ringing the doorbell AND saying "trick or treat," also counts as 2FA, just FYI. This Year's Cybersecurity Nightmares We don't like to get too spooky here at Cyber Treats, but this year had sophisticated attacks, massive breaches, and threats...
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Ellie Shaw
Cyber Treats: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat (Guest Wi-Fi)
Wi-Not? Guest Wi-Fi Dos and Don'ts Most routers have a default “guest network” setting, but for both home and business networks, “flip it on and forget it” isn’t a great strategy for guest Wi-Fi. What’s the danger? While your average visitor may just need to...
Cyber Treats: Rogue Downloads
What's Up With Shadow IT? Sounds cool; is not cool. So you’ve got a document you need to send to your accountant yesterday… but the file’s too big to attach in an email. What’s there to do? The correct answer is to contact your IT team (us!) so we can...
Cyber Treats: ClickFix Attacks
Forget Everything You Know About Ransomware Well, don't do that exactly, but keep this in mind: Interlock ransomware doesn't necessarily arrive in your inbox disguised as a fake invoice or urgent payment request. This threat lurks on legitimate websites that have...
How To Plan For A Ransomware Attack (Avoid Losing Everything and Paying Massive Ransoms)
Why Having a Plan Pays Off How To Plan for a Ransomware Attack (and Avoid the Worst-Case Scenario) "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." I've seen this Chinese proverb recently adapted to describe business continuity:...
In-House vs. Outsourced IT: Total Cost Analysis for Peoria Businesses
A comprehensive guide to understanding the true costs of IT staffing decisions for Central Illinois organizations Executive Summary Bottom Line: For most Peoria businesses with 25-150 employees, outsourcing IT to a managed service provider costs 40-60% less than...
Cyber Treats: Three AI Tools We Love
Listen to the Cyber Treats podcast below, made with AI, then learn how to make your own! AI tools are everywhere these days, but which ones are actually worth your time? Here are three that our team swears by—and some crucial security tips for using them safely....
Cyber Treats: How Hackers are Stealing Millions With Zero Coding Experience (Inside the RaaS Economy)
Play Cyber Treats Trivia We've made a short trivia quiz to test your cybersecurity knowledge! Click here to play on Interacty or paste https://interacty.me/projects/7328b43acd252461 into your address bar. Ransomware-as-a-Service: When Hackers Get...
Cyber Treats: Firewalls, and Why Your Business Can’t Go Without One
Ever wonder what stands between your sensitive data and hackers? It's not just antivirus software. Say hello to my little friend. Firewalls are small boxes that filter network traffic, providing security and control over what’s allowed into your system. Hardware...
Got a Digital Lucky Charm?
Luck is Not a Cybersecurity Strategy. While lucky shamrocks and leprechauns make for charming tales over a pint, they make dangerous cybersecurity strategies. Protect your data with more than wishful thinking. Many businesses operate with the "luck of the Irish"...
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Cyber Treats – Scary Cyber Stories to Tell in the Dark
Enter if You Dare. Ringing the doorbell AND saying "trick or treat," also counts as 2FA, just FYI. This Year's Cybersecurity Nightmares We don't like to get too spooky here at Cyber Treats, but this year had sophisticated attacks, massive breaches, and threats...
Co-Managed IT in Peoria: When Your Internal Team Needs Backup (Not Replacement)
You hired a skilled IT person. They keep the lights on, handle password resets, and manage your daily technology needs. But lately, they're drowning in security alerts, struggling to stay ahead of compliance requirements, and working nights to patch vulnerabilities...
Why Business Continuity Planning Matters
Your server just crashed. Ransomware hit overnight. Hardware failed. How long until your Peoria business is operational again? If you're guessing, you don't have continuity—you have hope. Hope isn't a recovery strategy for Central Illinois businesses. What Business...
Which Compliance Framework Does Your Central Illinois Business Actually Need?
A straight answer to PCI, HIPAA, CMMC, and FEDRAMP requirements for Peoria-area companies You process credit cards. Does that trigger PCI requirements? Your facility handles patient records. Does HIPAA apply? You bid on government contracts. Is CMMC mandatory? These...
5 HIPAA Violations Costing Medical Practices Millions (And How to Stop Them)
Federal regulators collected nearly $145 million in HIPAA fines since enforcement began. In 2024 alone, 22 investigations ended in penalties—one of the busiest years on record. For medical practices across Central Illinois, the question isn't whether you'll be...
