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Windows 10 has reached end of life

October 16, 2025

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20 min read

Windows 10: The End of an Era

It’s official — Windows 10 has reached end of life.

After nearly a decade, Microsoft has rolled out its final update (KB5066791). As of October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, security patches, or technical support.

What This Means for Your Business

You can still use your Windows 10 devices, but doing so is risky. Without ongoing patches, your systems are now vulnerable to:

New malware and ransomware variants.
Zero-day exploits that will never be patched.
Compliance and insurance issues for regulated industries.

If you’re in healthcare, law, or education, this is especially critical — unsupported systems can put sensitive client or student data at risk.

Option 1: Enroll in Microsoft’s ESU Program

If you’re not ready to upgrade, you can join Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to get an extra year of security support — until October 13, 2026.

To enroll, go to:

Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → ESU Enrollment.

This option buys time — but it’s a short-term bandage, not a long-term fix.

Option 2: Upgrade to Windows 11

If your PC meets the system requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 is the best way to stay secure and compliant. Windows 11 provides:

Built-in Zero Trust features.
Stronger encryption and hardware-based protection.
Better integration with Microsoft 365 and cloud security tools.

Option 3: Replace Aging Hardware

If your device can’t handle Windows 11, it’s time to invest in modern hardware. Many older machines lack TPM 2.0 or secure boot support — essentials for protecting modern business data.

An MSP can guide you through this transition safely, ensuring:

Data migrations are secure.
Devices meet compliance standards.
Old hardware is properly decommissioned.

Windows 10 served us well.

Now it’s time to plan what’s next — before the vulnerabilities find you.

⸻

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #IT #Windows10 #MSP #Business

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The Billion-Dollar Text Message

October 16, 2025

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20 min read

The Billion-Dollar Text Message

Text scams used to be laughably bad — fake princes, bad grammar, and phone numbers from halfway across the world.

Not anymore.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, cybercriminals have made over $1 billion from text message scams in just the last few years. These aren’t your old “you’ve won a free cruise” texts — they’re smarter, more believable, and powered by AI.

The Rise of the Realistic Scam

AI has given scammers a new edge. Messages now sound human, reference common experiences, and use subtle urgency to get you to click. A “past-due toll,” a “package issue,” or a “fraud alert” can sound completely legitimate — especially to someone less tech-savvy.

And that’s exactly who they target.

Older adults, busy professionals, and even small business owners are the perfect marks. It only takes one distracted click to fall into a phishing site built to harvest your credentials and payment data.

How the Operation Works

These scams run on SIM farms — massive setups of SIM cards and servers (like the cache recently found near the U.N.) that can blast hundreds of millions of texts each month.

Once victims share payment details, criminals use the cards to fund Apple Pay wallets, purchase gift cards, or buy luxury goods — often funneling them back to cyber gangs overseas.

Why It Matters for Businesses

While consumers are the front line, small and mid-sized businesses are collateral damage. Compromised phones often link to corporate email accounts, shared drives, and authentication apps. One bad tap can lead to:

Credential theft for business accounts
Fraudulent MFA approvals
Access to company payment portals

If your employees use mobile devices for work, your company’s data is in the blast radius.

Protecting Against the Modern Scam

An MSP can help by:

Implementing mobile device management (MDM) to isolate work data.
Providing phishing-awareness training for staff.
Monitoring for compromised credentials across the dark web.
Enforcing MFA and device encryption.

Text scams aren’t just annoying — they’re organized crime at scale.

Protect your people. Protect your data.

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70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #MSP #Business #Phishing #IT

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The Great Progress Illusion

October 3, 2025

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20 min read

Still Waiting…

We’ve put rovers on Mars. We’ve built AI that writes essays, generates art, and schedules your dentist appointment. We’ve even got refrigerators that can tell you when your milk is about to expire.

And yet — the status bar on your computer?

Still lying to you like it’s 1999.

The Great Progress Illusion

“3 minutes remaining.”

Twenty-five minutes later: “2 minutes remaining.”

Another hour passes: “Almost done!”

If you’ve ever trusted a progress bar, you’ve experienced one of technology’s oldest practical jokes. Somehow, we can predict the trajectory of comets, but not how long Microsoft Word will take to update.

Why It Actually Matters

Humor aside, this is more than just an annoyance. It’s a reminder that in IT (and cybersecurity), visibility is everything.

Inaccurate progress bars = frustration.
Inaccurate reporting in your systems = disaster.

If your business relies on false indicators — whether it’s outdated monitoring tools, unverified backups, or “we’ll get to security later” promises — you’re setting yourself up for pain far worse than a stuck install.

The MSP Difference

An MSP gives you real visibility:

Clear reporting on backups and patching.
Accurate monitoring of threats in real time.
Honest timelines for recovery if something fails.

Because unlike the infamous status bar, your IT shouldn’t keep you guessing.

We can’t fix the progress bar.

But we can make sure the rest of your systems actually tell the truth.

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70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #Technology #IT #MSP #Business

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A Cache of Cyber Chaos Near the U.N.

September 25, 2025

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20 min read

A Cache of Cyber Chaos Near the U.N.

The Secret Service recently discovered an illicit network in New York with more than 100,000 SIM cards and 300 servers — equipment capable of shutting down cellular towers, disrupting emergency response, and even conducting large-scale surveillance.

What Was Found

100,000+ SIM cards linked to criminal and foreign actors.
300 servers capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute.
Gear powerful enough to jam cell towers or spy on communications.

Investigators said the timing — just before the U.N. General Assembly, where 100+ world leaders gathered — was no coincidence. While officials stressed there was no direct evidence of a plot against the event, the equipment’s scale suggests potential nation-state involvement.

Why It Matters Beyond the U.N.

For small and mid-sized businesses, schools, law firms, and healthcare providers, this story is a reminder of something bigger:

Threats don’t always target you directly. Collateral damage from wide-scale operations is common.
Communication infrastructure is fragile. If attackers can cripple cellular networks, what could they do to your office Wi-Fi or cloud-based apps?
Nation-state tactics trickle down. Sophisticated methods uncovered at the U.N. often become tools for organized crime within months.

Lessons for Businesses

Redundancy is critical: Backup communication systems, from VoIP to secure messaging, should be tested.
Vendor awareness matters: Ensure your MSP is monitoring for unusual network traffic or mass SIM registration attempts.
Resiliency planning isn’t optional: If your primary systems fail, how fast can you get back online?

The Big Picture

This cache wasn’t just a pile of hardware. It was a stark warning: attackers are scaling up, blending espionage with criminal motives. While the U.N. was the stage here, the next target could be far more ordinary — a local hospital, a school district, or even your business.

Cybersecurity resilience starts before the knock on the door.

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70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #MSP #IT #Resilience #UN

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Don’t Fall for the Panic: How Fake “Security Alerts” Trick You

September 18, 2025

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20 min read

Don’t Fall for the Panic: How Fake “Security Alerts” Trick You

You pick up your phone and suddenly see a terrifying message:

“8 viruses have been detected on your iPhone. iOS is damaged by 72%. Your data will be lost in 2 minutes!”

It feels urgent. It feels real. And that’s exactly the point.

These kinds of fake alerts are designed to scare you into clicking, downloading malware, or handing over your personal information.

Here’s how to spot the tells that this “Apple Security Alert” is fake.

🔎 1. Urgency Overload

Real security messages never threaten you with dramatic countdowns like “loss of all data in 2 minutes.” That’s a scare tactic used by scammers to bypass your critical thinking.

🔎 2. Bad Math and Random Numbers

“iOS is damaged by 72%.”

Think about it: what does that even mean? Apple doesn’t measure your operating system in percentages of “damage.” The number is made up to sound scary!

🔎 3. Wrong Channel

Apple (or any trusted provider) doesn’t send virus alerts through Safari pop-ups. They deliver them through official system notifications or the Settings app. If it shows up in a browser window, it’s fake.

🔎 4. Push to Click

Notice the line: “Please click the button below to remove all viruses.”

That’s the goal. The scam relies on you panicking and clicking, which usually leads to malware, fake “antivirus” subscriptions, or phishing sites that steal your personal info.

🔎 5. No Official Branding or Support Links

Legit Apple alerts link to apple.com or official support pages. This pop-up has none of that—just a generic scare message and a big OK button.

How to Stay Safe

Don’t click. Close the browser tab or app immediately.
Clear your browser history and cache to stop repeat pop-ups.
Update your device to make sure security patches are current.
If in doubt, go straight to the source: visit apple.com/support or contact your IT provider.

The Bottom Line

If a website or pop-up is shouting at you with urgency and impossible numbers, it’s a scam. Real cybersecurity relies on facts and clear steps — not fear.

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #Phishing #ScamAlert #ManagedIT #MSP

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iOS 26 Brings Call Screening: Apple’s New Weapon Against Phone Scams

September 17, 2025

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20 min read

iOS 26 Brings Call Screening: Apple’s New Weapon Against Phone Scams!

If you raised your phone every time an unknown number popped up — stop. That call might not be a friend or a client. It could be a scammer fishing for your bank details, your personal info, or even just your voice to use in a deepfake scam.

Until now, iPhone users had little choice but to either gamble by answering or let everything go to voicemail. But with iOS 26, Apple finally introduces Call Screening — a feature Android users have had for years — and it might just save you from your next phishing attempt.

Why Call Screening Matters

Phone-based phishing scams (vishing) are booming. Criminals spoof caller IDs to make it look like your bank, your doctor, or even your own number is calling. Once you pick up, they pressure you into sharing sensitive information — or capture your voice for identity fraud.

The golden rule: Never answer calls from numbers you don’t know. But ignoring unknown calls isn’t always practical. That’s where Call Screening steps in.

How Call Screening Protects You

With Apple’s new feature, when an unknown number calls:

The call is answered by Apple’s built-in digital assistant — not you.
A real-time transcript of the caller’s voice appears on your screen.
You decide whether to pick up, ignore, or block — without ever speaking a word.

This way, scammers never get access to your voice or personal details.

How To Turn On Call Screening in iOS 26

Open Settings
Scroll to Phone
Tap Call Screening & Identification
Toggle Call Screening → On
Choose whether to allow only Contacts, Favorites, or Recent Numbers to ring through.

Once enabled, every unknown call gets screened before it ever reaches you.

Why This Is Big for iPhone Users

Peace of Mind: You don’t need to wonder if that unknown number is a client or a scammer.
Time Saved: No more voicemails full of robocall nonsense.
Security First: Protects against social engineering attacks where a scammer only needs your voice.

For SMBs, healthcare offices, law firms, and schools, where phone calls are still mission-critical, this reduces risk without interrupting business flow.

The Bottom Line

Apple may be late to the game, but with call screening now built into iOS 26, iPhone users finally have a strong defense against voice phishing scams.

In today’s world, your best response to an unknown caller isn’t to pick up. It’s to let technology do the screening for you.

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #MSP #Apple #iOS26 #PhishingProtection

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When Sharing an Uber Feels Risky

September 16, 2025

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20 min read

When Sharing an Uber Feels Risky

There’s something uniquely awkward about sharing an Uber with a stranger. Maybe they’ve bathed in cologne. Maybe they’re glued to a loud phone call. Or maybe you’re sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with someone from a background or culture where tensions run deep — Ukrainian and Russian, Israeli and Iranian, you name it.

Either way, you’re in close quarters, with no control, until the ride ends.

The Cybersecurity Parallel

Business leaders often put themselves in the same situation — but digitally. They “share a ride” with technology partners, vendors, or even free tools without considering:

What if this partner exposes us to risk?
What if their security standards clash with ours?
What if their mistakes drag us into reputational or financial danger?

Just like being stuck in the backseat, once you’re in, you can’t easily get out.

Choosing Your Co-Riders Carefully

In cybersecurity and IT resilience, the company you keep matters:

SMBs often share networks or cloud platforms with third parties.
Healthcare providers may depend on outsourced billing systems with access to patient data.
Law firms handle sensitive client data but sometimes rely on vendors with weak controls.
Schools share student information with multiple technology providers.

If those “ride-sharing” partners have poor cybersecurity, you’re exposed — even if your own systems are locked down.

How to Avoid a Bad Ride

An MSP can help you vet, monitor, and manage these relationships. That means:

Building vendor risk assessments into your IT strategy.
Enforcing standards like MFA and data encryption across all partners.
Creating exit strategies so you’re not stuck when a vendor isn’t up to standard.

Awkward Uber rides end when the car stops.

Cybersecurity risks don’t.

Choose your digital co-riders wisely — and make sure your MSP is driving.

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70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #Technology #IT #Business #Innovation

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Don’t Wait for the Auditor’s Knock - compliance doesn’t have to be a maze

September 15, 2025

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20 min read

Don’t Wait for the Auditor’s Knock

New York’s Department of Financial Services (NY DFS) isn’t just enforcing regulations — it’s reshaping how businesses think about cybersecurity. If you’re in finance, insurance, or even a service provider connected to these industries, an audit isn’t a matter of if — it’s when.

What the NY DFS Cybersecurity Regulation Means

The NY DFS Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR 500) requires covered entities to:

Implement a cybersecurity program based on risk.
Establish and enforce written security policies.
Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Report certain cybersecurity events within 72 hours.

Who Must Comply

The regulation applies broadly to organizations licensed, registered, or chartered under the supervision of NY DFS, including:

Banks and credit unions.
Insurance companies and agents.
Mortgage lenders, brokers, and servicers.
Consumer lenders and money transmitters.
Private equity firms or investment companies operating under DFS authority.

Even third-party service providers to these institutions (law firms, accounting firms, IT vendors, MSPs, healthcare practices with financial ties) often need to follow DFS standards — either directly or through contractual obligations.

Why This Matters for Your Business

For New York SMBs, law firms, healthcare providers, and financial institutions, DFS compliance isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about proving — to regulators, clients, and partners — that your data security is mature, tested, and resilient.

When DFS auditors arrive, they won’t just ask for policies. They’ll want to see:

Evidence of monitoring.
Incident response plans.
Board-level involvement.
Annual certification of compliance.

How an MSP Strengthens Compliance

An MSP like Gigabit Systems helps businesses:

Build a compliance-ready IT environment.
Map controls to NY DFS requirements.
Monitor and document activities to prepare for audits.
Create incident response playbooks tailored to your business.

The Real Risk of Non-Compliance

Failing an audit isn’t just embarrassing — it can lead to steep fines, reputational damage, and lost client trust. In industries like finance and healthcare, that’s a risk you can’t afford.

Compliance is more than paperwork.

It’s proof that you’re ready for the threats of today — and the scrutiny of tomorrow.

⸻

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #Business #Finance #Compliance #NYDFS

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AI Isn’t Your Cybersecurity Strategy

September 15, 2025

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20 min read

AI Isn’t Your Cybersecurity Strategy

It’s tempting to think a quick AI query or Google search can solve your IT challenges. AI is powerful — no question. But relying on it alone to build your cybersecurity and IT resilience strategy? That’s a recipe for disaster.

Where AI Helps — and Where It Doesn’t

AI tools can be fantastic for specific tasks:

Drafting quick policies.
Automating basic monitoring.
Helping identify known vulnerabilities.

But AI doesn’t know your business. It doesn’t understand the value of your client records, your compliance needs, or what downtime costs you in lost revenue and trust.

Why You Need a Professional MSP

An MSP (Managed Service Provider) goes beyond tools. We:

Learn what data is critical to your operations.
Map out real-world risks specific to SMBs, healthcare, law firms, and schools.
Build a resiliency plan so that if something goes wrong, your business stands back up — quickly.

Standing Up to Today’s Cyber Threats

Cyber threats today are active, relentless, and evolving. Google search results won’t stop ransomware. Chatbots won’t rebuild your network after a breach. What will? A trusted partner who’s invested in your success, your safety, and your growth.

Great IT isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about having the right partner.

⸻

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CyberSecurity #Technology #IT #Business #Innovation