Gemini Computer Solutions

12/13/2025

This stuff is real guys. We need to be diligent about our security.

When you’re working tirelessly to assist your SMB clients to utilize MFA at a minimum to aid in combating Phishing, SPAM, etc and the bad actors are already breaking MFA.

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08/26/2025

Mobile Phones:

Your smartphone might be the most important piece of technology you own. Your life is in there: online banking, getting directions, making payments, private texts, personal photos and calls.

That’s why you have to make sure it’s as secure as possible – and one of the ways to do that is to make sure you aren’t using an outdated phone.

A good rule of thumb is three years. If the phone is over three years old, chances are it is no longer getting security updates from the manufacturer.

Also, be sure to apply the updates when they become available for your smartphone. Buy a new phone before your current phone is no longer supported by the manufacturer and make sure you aren’t giving your old phones to your kids, parents or other family members.

One last thing. Make sure you completely wipe your phone before donating or recycling it. Here’s how:
1. Back up your data
2. Encrypt your data on the device (if you haven’t already)
3. Remove your account
4. Perform a factory reset

Have questions about cyber security or some other IT-related issues? Call Gemini - (610) 569-1025

08/17/2025

Contact us about SonicWall Solutions!

Explore SonicWall firewalls for next-gen protection, offering security, control, and visibility to safeguard your network and drive innovation.

08/17/2025

Hey You!

YES - YOU and your employees. Like it or not, human beings are our own worst enemies online, inviting hackers, viruses, data breaches, data loss, etc., through the seemingly innocent actions taken every day online. In most cases, this is done without malicious intent – but if you as a manager or owner aren’t monitoring what websites your employees are visiting, what files they’re sending and receiving, and even what they’re posting in company e-mail, you could be opening yourself up to a world of hurt.

That’s because employees’ actions can subject the company they work for to monetary loss, civil lawsuits, data theft and even criminal charges if they involve disclosure of confidential client/patient information.

Two things you can do:
One, create an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to outline what employees can and cannot do with work devices, e-mail, data and Internet. That way they know how to play safe.

Second, implement ongoing training (like these tips!) to keep security top of mind. We can also run phishing security tests and score your employees. That will truly show if they know how to spot a suspicious e-mail and will make them realize how easy it is to be duped.

If you need help with setting up an AUP or employee training, give us a call at (610) 569-1025.

Call now to connect with business.

08/17/2025

With JDS Painting – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

07/15/2025

Have you ever been held HOSTAGE?

Earlier this year, our security team had to help a small, two-person law firm. They thought they were too small to be hacked. Not only did the hackers get into their network, they destroyed all their backups and deployed ransomware.

The ransom was $44,000. Why would they ask this firm for $44,000 when they are asking other companies for $250,000? Because this happened to be the amount the firm had in their bank account.

When hackers get into your computer, they aren’t going to immediately deploy ransomware. They are going to wait. They are going to get access to all your data. If they can get access to your QuickBooks file or your bank account, they are going to use that information to help them figure out how much you can pay.

If the ransom had been $250,000, the firm would have had to go out of business. But with it being the amount they had in the bank…the decision to pay the ransom was much harder to deal with.

What can you do about this?

Make sure you have some type of advanced security solution in place to be able to see if an attacker is already in your environment looking at everything you and your team are doing on your computers.

Contact Gemini Computer Solutions - (610) 569-1025

06/26/2025

What are the rules around Backups?

You’ve heard us talk about the importance of having a good backup that is “ransomware-proof,” meaning it cannot be infected if your network is infected. So, the first tip is to make sure you use the 3-2-1 backup rule:

keep three (3) copies of your data, storing two (2) copies on different storage media, with at least one (1) of them off-site and separated from your network.

This goes a long way toward taking the sting out of someone locking all your files and demanding a ransom – but that’s still not a reason to be casual about security, even IF you have airtight backups.

First, you would have to be able to “fail over” to your backup systems. This is like putting a spare donut tire on your car in case you get a flat. Next, you have to “fail back,” or restore your network from the backup. Using the flat-tire analogy, this is like replacing the donut with a new tire.

All the above is time-consuming and costly, even if you don’t pay the ransom. Therefore, make sure you have a failover and failback plan in place and have discussed the actions and time line for such an event with your IT company (us!).

Have questions about cyber security or some other IT-related issues? (610) 569-1025

Call now to connect with business.

06/17/2025

Was your bank account hacked?

Did you know your company's bank account doesn’t always have the same protections as a personal bank account when it comes to fraud?

If a hacker takes money from your business account, the bank may NOT be responsible for replacing it. (Don’t believe me? Go ask your bank what their policy is on refunding money stolen from your account!)

Many people erroneously believe the FDIC always protects you from fraud; it may not. It protects you from bank insolvency.

Here are three things you should do:

Tip 1: Set up two-factor authentication to log in to your bank account.

Tip 2: Get a crime policy that will cover stolen funds from a cyber-attack, fraud or phishing attack.

Tip 3: Require your bank to get verbal confirmation from you to wire funds AND set up alerts for large checks and debits.

Have questions about cyber security or some other IT-related issues? --> Contact us at (610) 569-1025

06/11/2025

What is the DARK WEB?

The “dark web” or “deep web” is a part of the World Wide Web we know and love that is accessible ONLY via a special software that allows users and website operators to remain completely anonymous and untraceable.

That’s why it’s the playground for hackers, cybercriminals, drug deals, human trafficking and more.

Because hacking IS a for-profit business, there are criminal entities that steal, combine and sell personal information on the dark web, like passwords, social security numbers, bank account information and credit cards.

If your network or one of the people in your company has been breached, your password and other credentials will show up on the dark web.

This week’s tip is simple: find out what data you have on the dark web before someone uses it to gain more access to your systems – but be careful! Some websites offering this are scams designed to con you into giving private credentials.

If you want to know what’s out there on the dark web about you, your company and your employees, contact us now at:

Phone: (610) 569-1025

06/03/2025

Did you know that the #1 threat to all organizations is internal employees?

The people you trust to run your organization are the very same ones putting it at risk: downloading software they shouldn’t, falling for phishing scams, clicking on bad links, using weak passwords and opening infected files.

That doesn’t make them bad people – just unsuspecting. That’s why it’s critical to provide employees active, ongoing training regarding cyber security. These tips are a good start but are not enough.

We recommend a formal training program for employees that actually simulates phishing attacks and other breaches so they can experience firsthand how easy it is to make a mistake and keep them hyperaware of security problems.

If you want to know of some easy, inexpensive ways to get your employees trained or have questions about cyber-security or some other IT-related issues?

610 569-1025 to book a quick, 10-minute call.

04/30/2025

Are you secure when working from home?

If you are working from home and you’re using a personal device such as a smartphone or personal laptop to log in to company-owned cloud applications – Stop! Unless your personal device is covered under one of our managed security plans, you could accidentally introduce a virus or hacker to the company’s network.

Only devices that have our advanced cyber security tools installed and are under our vigilant watch of patching, updating and monitoring should be used to access your company’s data.

Remember, data in the cloud is just as vulnerable as data at your office. In fact, 59% of ransomware incidents where the data is successfully encrypted involve data in the public cloud. The cloud is where the attacker stole the data and where they store it awaiting ransom payments.

Side Note: We can set up a way for you to work from home securely; call our office if you would like us to set that up: (610) 569-1025.

04/18/2025

DO NOT Store Passwords in your Browser!

Storing passwords (and credit cards) in your browser is not ideal for two reasons:

-First, anyone who snoops around your computer can log in to accounts you have.
-Second, Chrome is not a highly secure application, and there are many applications and websites that can strip your passwords from your browser.

We recommend using a professional-grade password manager, allowing you to have complex passwords stored in a way that makes you a lot less vulnerable to a breach.

Please contact Gemini Computer Solutions for a free discovery call.

Here at Gemini Computer Solutions, we pride ourselves on giving world-class IT support to small and medium-sized local businesses. To find out if we are a good fit, we recommend you get started by taking advantage of a quick 10-minute discovery call.