New Security Features Launching NOW – National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here!

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⚠️ If your organization already has a business agreement with 8AM “right now” flatrate helpdesk support, a unique company code, routine business reviews/reports, IT point of contact, and business class cybersecurity… please ignore this message. This message is meant for clients with active home level subscriptions with EasyITGuys. THANK YOU! ⚠️


EXCITING NEWS! 

We’re kicking off cybersecurity awareness month by packing MORE VALUE into your membership with us! 🎇

We’ve launched two major security layers for HOME security and support plans (business plans already included these + much more). Depending on your subscription, these will be active soon! 

  • New Security Layer #1 – “Human Knowledge” via Cybersecurity Awareness Training
  • New Security Layer #2 – “Application Security” via Allowlisting/Whitelisting

Do I get these new system layers to protect my systems?

  1. Security Awareness Training: Any client subscribed to a security (Endpoint Protection Platform/EPP1 or higher) or support solution (VIP Basic/VIP1 or higher). This is now our new minimum level of care for any client working with us. Knowledge is POWER!
  2. Application Allowlisting: Any client subscribed to a premium security (Endpoint Protection Platform/EPP3) or support solution (VIP Premium/VIP3). Multi-layered security solutions reduce risk and keep you as secure as possible. 

Why Cybersecurity Awareness Training?

Cybersecurity Awareness Training is dynamic and ever-changing, just like cybercrime. The human element enabled more than 85% of 2020 breaches among 20,000 studied by Verizon. Most cyberattacks – 91% – begin with a phishing email to an unsuspecting victim. Account takeover attempts grew nearly 700% in Q3 of 2021. Late 2021 saw nearly $600 million ransomware-related transactions. That is expected to double and triple in 2022/2023 and has attracted the attention of the U.S. Treasury as a direct threat to the U.S. economy.

Being security aware means that you understand that there is the potential for some people to deliberately or accidentally steal, damage, or misuse the data that is stored within your computer system and digital persona (social media, bank accounts, websites, dark web, etc…).
 

people ratings security awareness training

Does security awareness training really work? 

Why Application Allowlisting?

Application Allowlisting is a critical preventative layer of cyber-protection that resides on top of other endpoint security solutions. Application Allowlisting is a Cybersecurity Best Practice.  

  • “Application Allowlisting should be an integral component of a defense-in-depth solution.” – Department of Homeland Security
  • “Application allowlisting is surely one of the reliable solutions available today…” – Colin McHugo, Director at Quantum Forensic Investigations
  • “Utilize application “allowlisting,” which allows only specific programs to run on your computer. This will prevent malicious programs from running on your computer.” – USA Today
  • “Application allowlisting is one of the best security strategies as it allows only specified programs to run, while blocking all others, including malicious software.” – US Computer Emergency Readiness Team
 cybersecurity and top review authorities

=== F.A.Q ===

When are these new security layers active?
Deployment has already started and will continue throughout the month. Installation and account creation is covered under your subscription. Expect an invite to your cybersecurity training awareness portal soon! 
 
What is included for Security Awareness Training for Home Users?
  • Topics: General Cybersecurity Knowledge, Phishing Awareness, Password Hygiene, Social Media, Working Remotely, and more!
  • Features: Weekly Micro Training, Cybersecurity Training, and a Monthly Security Newsletter

As a VIP Premium Subscriber, what will my additional security layer look like (Application Allowlisting)? Do I need to do anything? 
Once installed, you will see a new icon in your task bar. You will not need to do anything. If you have questions, please contact us. 
 
secure shield tray icon easyitguys application allowlisting

Is the chosen security software proven to work well?
We carefully choose commercially supported and highly rated software. Here are some stats and existing clients from our application security partner are listed below. 

  • 22B+ | Scanned and verified over 22 billion applications and services
  • 15M+ | Utilized to prevent over 15,000,000 ransomware, zero-day and malware cyber attacks
  • 100K+ | Over 100k computers are protected with this American based security layer
  • 3M+ | 3 million satisfied customers have used the software security systems we incorporate from our partners

good company other users

For the Security Awareness Training Platform, what will it look like? 

Once you login (after you read and follow the welcome email), it should look something like this. 

dashboard security awareness training

I’ve noticed it says “employee security score”, what does that mean? 

The security platform that we utilize is part of a business solution. We’ve included a very limited version of the system for our home users. Our business clients get a plethra of additional features meant for business reporting and testing. A business solution would add features like: Dark Web Monitoring, Simulated Phishing Simulations, Employee Vulnerability Assessment (EV), Catch Phish Outlook Plug-In, Annual Security Risk Assessment, Policy & Procedure Templates, Employee secure scores, reporting, and more!

What do the weekly micro training emails look like? What about the newsletters? 
We’ve provided some sample emails below. Here is a link to the September 2023 CyberSecurity Newsletter –> Download
 
monthly security newsletter micro training video

What should I do if I am a business on a home support and security experience? 
This security and support experience is designed for the home user. Business support experiences fulfill key requirements for businesses such as: flat rate on-demand support (M-F, 8am-6pm, 24/7 available), ongoing documentation, business class cybersecurity solutions, policies/templates to reduce liability, and so much more. We would highly suggest you read this September 2023 notice which details what a business should consider (as well as special promotions/pricing for existing clients) –> Businesses on Home Experience – 10/1/23 active | EasyITGuys
 
I think I am on a basic support or security plan. I’m interested in upgrading. What should I do? 
Easy! Either respond to this email and let us know that you’d like to upgrade or call us at 651-400-8567. Upgrades offer the following abilities: dark web password breach monitoring (breachwatch), vulnerability patching, hard drive failure alerting, 9am support times (vs 10am), and more!

I’m already on the best home security and support experience, what else should I consider? 

Congrats on taking your cybersecurity seriously! We’re confident you’re sleeping better at night than most people that are cyber aware. We’d encourage you to continue taking your cybersecurity trainings to stay up to date on risks as they evolve (they only take 3-5 minutes per week). Other services you may want to consider to reduce risk would be: Identity protection, VPN privacy, device encryption, and device image backups. 

As a home user, didn’t I recently get upgraded security? 

Yes and no. On 10/1/23, we eliminated the legacy security plans (that we’ve had the same for almost 5 years) and replaced them with the next level. The next level has always been a $5 upgrade. We recently updated our minimum level of care for all clients to include URL/Website Filtering (helps to stop bad websites from attacking your computer). You can view more information on recent security upgrades here –> Sunset of outdated security standards for home subscriptions | EasyITGuys . Businesses on the home experience were upgraded to the best security/support solutions available on the home experience (still a fraction of what a business security and support plans provide) to a premium security (EPP3) or support plan (VIP3) to match expectations of businesses not on a business experience. More information on this notice here –> Businesses on Home Experience – 10/1/23 active | EasyITGuys

I’d like to add more people to security awareness training, how can I do that? 
We provide a single user license per computer security or support license you purchase. If you need additional licenses, the cost is $5/month per user. You could also share your login with your family as the trainings can be taken as many times as you want. If you want each user to keep track of their progress, individual licenses are required. 
 

💡MORE FREE Resources 💡

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Tips and Tricks
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Free Computer Health Scanner
Password Breach Scanner

💲 Referral Program – up to $1000 for a successful business referral! 💲

Do you know a business or home user that needs our help? If yes, please fill out the referral form at this link –> Refer a Business or Friend


Thank you 🙏 for taking the time to read this important update and for your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to respond to this email or call us at 651-400-8567. Thank you for your business and time!

P.S – If you haven’t worked with us in a while, check out what others have to say… hundreds of 5 star reviews here –> Reviews | EasyITGuys

Sincerely,

Charles Van Duynhoven | Director of Cyber Security
EasyITGuys | 651-400-8567

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