Blue Ridge Technology

What’s the Big Deal with Biometrics? Biometrics are a big deal. Even if they aren’t using the term biometrics, more and more digital apps and services are starting to offer some form of biometric authentication as a way of logging in. But just why is this a big deal? We’ve shared here numerous times about how bad the old username and password system is, so we won’t rehash all those details today. Just know that the old system is really, really bad, and we need a modern alternative. Biometrics could be a big part of that alternative — which is why they’re a big deal. Done right, biometrics offer us an extremely reliable system for authentication that’s far more secure than the old faithful password. Here’s what you need to know. What Are Biometrics? The term biometrics describes the practice of identifying, recognizing, or authenticating an individual using attributes unique to that individual, such as fingerprints, retina scans, or 3D face modeling, typically for security purposes. If...

It’s time to say goodbye to traditional passwords We talk a lot about account security and passwords: how to avoid getting caught in a phishing scheme, what good password hygiene looks like, why you should use a password manager, and so on. But this week we’re dropping some new password advice that might surprise you: maybe it’s time to stop using passwords at all! Or at least, maybe that time will be here sooner than later. Here’s what you need to know about big changes coming in the cybersecurity space. Down with the Password? Google, Microsoft, Apple, and several other tech behemoths have joined forces to kill the password, essentially. And that’s a good thing. Passwords are notoriously, well, bad. They’re hard to remember, which leads to lots of password reuse and people using the simplest possible passwords…which makes those passwords really easy to steal, crack, or hack. Phishing schemes and other credential compromise attacks cost businesses trillions each year. And while those ...

Are you using a malicious browser extension without realizing? If you’re a regular internet user, chances are you’ve come across browser extensions by now. They’re so popular and so widespread that, even if you’ve never heard of them, you’re probably even using some right now as you read this post. Browser extensions can be a fantastic thing: they can enhance your productivity, make you (look like) a better writer, and help your browser be a more enjoyable thing to use. But browser extensions can also have a dark side. It’s important to understand the risks before diving down the extension rabbit hole — especially on business devices. What Are Browser Extensions? Browser extensions are little bits of software that change the way an internet browser behaves. They can deliver tons of helpful functionality, like adding in a grammar checker like Grammarly or a translator or making it easier to take and edit screenshots within your browser. A decade or so ago, extensions that blocked obtrus...

As a business owner, you’re understandably worried about digital threats to your business. One of the most persistent and frustrating threats is credential compromise, where a bad actor gains access to systems and services simply by pilfering someone’s credentials. You may have heard password managers mentioned as a potential solution to this problem. Here’s what you need to know. The Problem: Too Many Passwords, Bad Choices The typical internet user has somewhere north of 80 distinct accounts on various sites, services, platforms, and so forth. Most if not all of these are secured with a password. (Not to get too far off track, but say “most” because of newer technologies now coming into their own, like multifactor authentication and passwordless logins. These are massive improvements on the old username + password model, but they’re not yet in place on many sites and accounts. If you have the option for either one at your business for key accounts and services, turn it on right away....