Qtr 3 | 2023
In this Issue:
-
The Buzz: DCR’s 25TH Anniversary
-
Product Highlight: dmarc, dkim, spf
-
Business Stats: Cybersecurity Q2 – 2023
-
Behind the Scenes: Looking Back
-
Tech Tips and Tricks: 2023 Microsoft Teams Hacks
THE BUZZ – dcr 25th anniversary
Diversified Computer Resources was founded in 1998 with the mission to provide small businesses with the most reliable computer resources in the industry. We have always believed that honesty, hard work, and customer-oriented service are the keys to success. Our core values of integrity, innovation, and customer-centricity have driven our growth and success over the years.
Our team of experienced IT professionals has been providing comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to small businesses throughout the region. We have been helping our clients navigate the ever-changing technology landscape while providing them with the best solutions to meet their unique needs. We are proud to have earned the trust of countless organizations and individuals over the years.
Today, we remain committed to our customers and strive to help them use technology to reach new heights of success. Our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has allowed us to remain a leader in our field for 25 years and counting. We look forward to the next 25 years of service and helping our clients reach their goals.
[metaslider id=”11908″]
Product Highlight – dmarc, dkim, spf
DMARC, DKIM, and SPF are technical methods Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use to authenticate email. This authentication helps ensure that emails sent from a specific domain come from an IP Address authorized by its administrators. If these methods are ignored or incorrectly configured, they can affect the delivery of emails and negatively impact a business’s revenue.
What is SPF?
Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is an email validation protocol that detects and blocks spoofed emails. It allows mail exchangers to confirm incoming mail from a specific domain comes from an IP Address authorized by its administrators. SPF does this by comparing the sender’s IP address to the IP address listed in the Return-Path domain’s SPF record.
What is DKIM?
DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is a TXT record signature that lets a business take responsibility for a message in transit. DKIM attaches a new domain name identifier to a message and uses cryptographic techniques to validate authorization for its presence. DKIM uses an encryption algorithm to create a pair of electronic keys – a public key and a private key – which helps to prove that the content of an email has not been tampered with and that the sender is authorized to send on behalf of that domain.
What is DMARC?
Domain-Based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) is an authentication method that verifies whether or not an email was sent by the owner of an authorized domain that uses both SPF and DKIM. DMARC checks for a DKIM and SPF pass before authorizing mail, meaning you’re doubly secured. DMARC requires both authentications to pass to indicate that the email is coming from an authorized server and that the header information has not been tampered with to falsify alignment.
Best Practices
Google recommends using DMARC for bulk email senders because it proves to ISPs that you are a legitimate sender and are willing to take precautionary measures to protect your identity and reputation. Utilizing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication methods is the best way to protect yourself and ensure that your emails arrive in the inboxes of your intended recipients.
Business Stats: Cybersecurity Q2 – 2023
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to recent data, Small Businesses create the majority of jobs and are a major source of innovation, economic growth, and national prosperity. Yet, they are the most targeted for cyber attacks due to less stringent technological defenses, less awareness of threats and less time and resource to put into cybersecurity, which makes them an easier target for hackers than bigger corporations.
2.6 times more data breaches than Q1 2023
Phishing is the top threat action for 30% of organizations
156% increase in breached accounts
154M breached accounts in the first half of 2023
110.8M leaked accounts that’s 855 accounts every minute
60% of small businesses think they’re unlikely to be attacked
Almost 1 in 2 accounts breached were of American origin
60% of companies go out of business six months after a security breach
Why SMBs are Easy Targets for Hackers
Most companies think that simply running anti-malware software is enough to protect them from hackers, but studies show that small businesses, in particular, are still vulnerable to other cyber security attacks.
behind the scenes – looking back …
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we can’t help but reminisce about how we got here and the teammates along the way; while some are still here, some have moved on to other opportunities, but each played a part in reaching this important milestone.
[metaslider id=”12124″]
Tech Tips – 2023 Microsoft Teams
Use Spatial Audio in Microsoft Teams
You can enable spatial audio from your meeting’s pre-join screen by selecting Device settings, connecting a compatible device under Speakers, and turning on the Spatial audio toggle.
Improved ‘Together’ Mode
With new usability improvements in ‘Together’ mode, you can see each person’s name, reactions or raised hand by their face within the video meeting. Status icons will show if someone is muted, speaking, pinned or spotlighted.
Find Specific Messages
Click the Activity icon at the top of the task pane on the left-hand side. This will open the Feed pane. Next to the title bar, there is a Filter icon and select @Mentions from the menu. You can also type @Mentions into the search bar at the top of the app to complete this action. All messages you have been tagged in will now appear in the feed.
Save Messages For Later
Click the three-dot icon and click save this message. To view all of your saved messages, click your profile on the top right-hand side of the screen and you will be met with a menu. From this menu, click Saved or you can type /saved into the search bar at the top.
Create Subgroups with Tags
To create a new tag, select Teams on the left hand side of the app and choose your team from the list. Then select the three-dot icon and select Manage tags. From here, you can create tags and assign them to relevant people within your teams.
Send a Quick Message
Type @ followed by the relevant person’s name, select it and type your message directly from the search bar.
Take Notes
To start making notes, click the three-dot icon and select meeting notes. This will open a panel, where you can start jotting down your meeting notes.
Pin a Message
To pin a message, hover the cursor over the message until the toolbar appears, click the three-dot icon and select Pin.