AI INSIGHTS 
APRIL EDITION

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Difference Between Malware & Ransomware
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Security Tips for Mobile Apps
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Time For A Device Upgrade?

How Much Device Storage Do You Really Need?
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The New U.S. Cyber Trust Mark
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Recognizing the signs of malware and ransomware could be the key to preventing devastating cyberattacks. Whether you’re an individual user or managing enterprise-level systems, the ability to differentiate between these threats is essential.
Let's talk about securing your company!

- Garry Vanbibber - Sales Associate.

gvanbibber@myalphainnovations.com

SPOTTING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALWARE AND RANSOMWARE

What is Malware?
Malware is a general term that means “malicious software.” This includes many types of harmful programs. Malware can do different bad things to your computer, such as corrupting files or stealing personal information.

Types of Malware
There are many types of malware. Here are some common ones:
• Viruses: These spread from one computer to another.
• Worms: They can copy themselves without your help.
• Trojans: They trick you into thinking they’re good programs.
• Spyware: This type watches what you do on your computer.

What Malware Does 
Malware can cause a lot of problems. It might:
• Slow down your computer
• Delete your files • Steal your personal info
• Use your computer to attack others

What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware. It locks your files or your entire computer. Then it demands money to unlock them. It is a form of digital kidnapping of your data.

How Ransomware Works
1. Ransomware goes by a pretty basic pattern:

2. It infects your computer, normally through an e-mail or download.
3. It encrypts your files. This means it locks them with a secret code.
4. It displays a message.
The message requests money to decrypt your files. 5. You may be provided with a key to unlock the files if you pay. In other cases, the attackers abscond with your money.

Types of Ransomware
There are primarily two types of ransomware:
• Locker ransomware: This locks the whole computer.
• Crypto ransomware: This only encrypts your files.

How are Malware and Ransomware Different?
Their goals:
• Malware: Harm your computer, steal data, or use your computer for attacks.
• Ransomware: Lock your files and demand payment.

Their methods:
• Malware: Works in secret. You might not know it’s there.
• Ransomware: Shows up. It needs to make its presence known on your computer and demand money for its removal.

Their effects:
• Malware: There are several different effects malware can have on your computer.

• Ransomware: Computer or important files are always locked.

How Does It Get onto Your Computer?
• Common Entry Points
• Through email attachments
• Via phony websites
• Via a USB drive with an infection
• From using outdated software

How Can You Protect Yourself?
• Keep your software up to date
• Use strong passwords
• Don’t click on strange links or attachments
• Backup your files regularly

Why It Pays to Know the Difference
• Better Prevention. The more you know what you are against, the better your chance at taking the right steps to keep yourself safe.
• Faster Response. If you are under attack, knowing what type of threat it is helps you take quicker action.

We want to keep you secure in the face of all of cyberthreats. Contact us if you need more information.

Got a minute? Many business owners believe their business is too small to worry about being targeted by a cyber attack. The unfortunate truth is most businesses are too small to make the news. They're the perfect size to be targeted. It's less work for cyber criminals to compromise a small and medium sized business, yet highly profitable when the owner must pay to receive their critical data back. Time to get secure with Alpha Secure!

We get it. Reaching out to a Sales Professional can sometimes feel daunting but it’s the best way to discover what could be putting your business at risk of ransomware—and we promise a no-pressure, supportive conversation focused on your needs.

24/7 Threat Monitoring & Response

Regulatory Compliance Support

Proactive Risk Mitigation

Tailored Protection for Your Industry

TOP 10 SECURITY TIPS FOR MOBILE APP USERS

Mobile applications have become an integral part of our lives. But they open us up to risks caused by fraudsters who may steal information or damage our phones.

How can you choose safe apps? Only download from official stores. Always download your apps from the App Store or Google Play. Check app ratings and reviews. Before you download an app, see what other people are saying about it.

What should you do before installing an app?
Read app permissions. Apps frequently request permission to access certain parts of your phone. Consider whether they really need that information.

Update your phone’s operating system.
Keep the software on your phone up to date. New updates frequently patch security vulnerabilities.

How can you protect your personal information?
Use strong passwords. Make sure your password is difficult to guess. Do not use the same password for all apps. That way, if a person

guesses one password, he or she cannot access all your apps.

Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication means an additional step in order to log in. This will make it way harder for bad people to get into your accounts.

What should you be careful about when using apps?
Beware of public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is never a safe space, it’s not recommended to use it. Never use public Wi-Fi on important apps. Wait until you’re on a safe network, like the apps for banking.

Log out of apps not in use.
Log out of apps whenever you’re done using them. This is even more important when the apps hold personal information, such as banking or email apps. In case someone steals your phone, it’s much harder for them to access such apps.

How do you protect your apps? Update your apps. Developers of applications usually fix security issues in updates. Keep updating your apps whenever newer versions get released. It will help in

safeguarding your information.

Use app security features.
Lots of apps have additional security features, which may include fingerprint locks or face recognition. It’s a good idea to switch these on if you can, as they help stop other people from using your apps and accessing your personal information.

What should you do to stay safe?
It’s not hard to stay safe with mobile apps. Just be careful and think before you act. Only download apps you trust. Keep your phone and apps updated. Use strong passwords and extra security when you can. Remember, safety is in your hands. And if ever you are confused with any app or anything on how to keep safe, don’t hesitate to ask for help. For more mobile app security tips, feel free to contact us today.

IS IT TIME FOR A DEVICE UPGRADE? CHECK FOR THESE 7 SIGNS

Technology is fast, and in no time, our gadgets get outdated. It is quite tricky to determine when an upgrade is needed. Here are the seven main signs that it is time to get a new gadget.

• Is Your Device Slow and Laggy? Slow performance is a major indicator. If your device takes an eternity to boot up, that might be a sign to get an upgrade.

• How’s Your Battery Life? Battery problems are a clear upgrade sign. If your device dies quickly, it’s a red flag. Needing to charge multiple times a day is not normal. A healthy device should last most of the day on one charge.

• Is Your Storage Always Full? Running out of space all the time? That’s a good indication that an upgrade is due. It is frustrating when you can’t install new apps. Constantly deleting photos and files is a pain. More storage is one great reason to upgrade.

• Are You Missing Out on New Features? New devices boast cool new features. If your device
can’t get the latest

updates, you’re missing out. Newer models often boast better cameras and screens. Theyalso have faster processors and more memory.

• How Old Is Your Device? Age plays a huge factor in device performance. Most smartphones last around 2-3 years, and laptops, perhaps 3-5 years. Older devices struggle with new software and apps.

• Are Repairs Costing Too Much? If the repair costs are high, upgrading may be wiser. Sometimes, the repair costs are almost equal to a new device. In such cases, it is often better to buy a new one.

• Does Your Device Support the Latest Software? Older devices often can’t run new software. This may be a security risk and also means you miss new features. Consider upgrading if your device can’t update to the latest OS.

Ready for a Fresh Start? Don’t wrestle with an older, slower device; upgrade to one that will serve you much better. If you need help upgrading, contact us today.

HOW MUCH DEVICE STORAGE DO YOU REALLY NEED?

Device storage dictates how many applications, photos, and files you can retain on your device.
This guide will help you figure out how much storage is actually needed.

• Basic users: 64GB is perfect for email, social media, and light photo taking.

• Average users: For people who take lots of photos and use many apps, 128GB to 256GB works to cover many apps,
   photo libraries, and some video storage.

• Power users: If you work with large files or store lots of media, you need 512GB or more. This is for video editing, large
   game libraries, and huge photo collections.

• Professional users: 1TB or more is common for 4K video production, large datasets, and professional photo editing.

The Cyber Trust Mark is a new smart device label created by the US government to prove that a device is safe. You may see a shield with the “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark” when device shopping. Here are the key details:

• Devices must go through testing to ensure they meet requirements. Companies send their devices for testing and if a device passes, it gets the mark.

• Any device with the label is safe to use. The Cyber Trust Mark makes shopping simpler. We may simply look for the mark to know which devices are safe.

• If a device doesn’t have the mark, that doesn’t mean it’s not safe. In this case, you should look into its safety features.

• It will be implemented right away, so you may see it during your next shopping trip. The government wants stores to start using it immediately.

Stay Safe and Smart The Cyber Trust Mark helps us in making informed choices; it’s an easy way to know what devices are safe. If you have any questions about device safety, don’t be afraid to ask. We’re here to help keep you secure.

Alpha Innovations: YOUR PARTNER IN TRANSFORMING TECHNOLOGY COMPLEXITY INTO BUSINESS CAPABILITY!

Headquarters
Phone: 304.201.7485
Email:salesgroup@alpha-tech.us
4003 Outlook Drive
Hurricane, WV 25526

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West Virginia Regional Technology Park
2020 Union Carbide Drive, Building 6000
South Charleston, WV 25303

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