Web Technology Archives - Tech Prognosis Blog

Cryptocurrency Mining: A Simple Guide for Everyone

December 3, 2024October 22, 2024 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Navigating the World of Cryptocurrency Mining and Why Small Organizations Should Be Worried About Illicit Crypto Mining Activities

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a revolutionary force in the financial world. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies are becoming household names. But how exactly do these virtual currencies come into existence? At the heart of this digital revolution lies a process called cryptocurrency mining. For many, cryptocurrency mining remains a mysterious and complex activity, but it doesn’t have to be.

This article will demystify crypto mining, provide practical examples, and explore its various use cases in an easy-to-understand manner. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or someone curious about the digital currency world, this guide is for you.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency that can be used in exchange for goods, services, and even real money, similar to other currencies. However, unlike other currencies, cryptocurrency operates independently of a central bank and uses encryption techniques and blockchain technology to secure and verify transactions.

To quote Malwarebytes, “Two words—“cryptography” and “currency”—combine to form “cryptocurrency,” which is electronic money, based on the principles of complex mathematical encryption. All cryptocurrencies exist as encrypted decentralized monetary units, freely transferable between network participants.” Or put more simply, cryptocurrency is electricity converted into lines of code, which have a real monetary value. (See a detailed article by Malwarebytes on this topic here).

Web Browser Security: Evaluating Browser Settings to Stay Safe Online

October 1, 2023July 28, 2022 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Web browser security settings. Many of us virtually live online, but how often do we even take a minute to evaluate web browser security settings before jumping online?

The web browser, whether it is Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Brave, Opera etc. has become a major fixture in our business and personal lives. We interact with the world using one of these tools every day.

Given how important the web browser is in our every day business or personal transactions, it makes sense to ensure that the browser you use is a safe as possible.

We will discuss some of the web browser security settings options available below, depending on your web browser of choice.

Note: We should point out however, that increasing the security of a particular web browser may affect the functionality of some web sites. For example, disabling JavaScript may prevent some websites from working properly.

Identity Theft: Preventing and Responding to Identity Fraud

October 1, 2023February 16, 2021 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Following the recent public disclosure that hackers believed to be operating on behalf of a foreign government breached the networks of the U.S. government and multiple US companies, it is safe to assume that online frauds and scams like identity theft will follow.

Identity theft, or identity fraud, is a crime that can have substantial financial and emotional consequences. Take precautions with personal information. If you become a victim, act immediately to minimize the damage.

Is identity theft just a problem for people who submit information online?

You can be a victim of identity theft even if you never use a computer. Malicious people may be able to obtain personal information (such as credit card numbers, phone numbers, account numbers, and addresses) by stealing your wallet, overhearing a phone conversation, rummaging through your trash (a practice known as dumpster diving), or picking up a receipt at a restaurant that has your account number on it.

If a thief has enough information, he or she may be able to impersonate you to purchase items, open new accounts, or apply for loans.

The internet has made it easier for thieves to obtain personal and financial data. Most companies and other institutions store information about their clients in databases; if a thief can access that database, he or she can obtain information about many people at once rather than focus on one person at a time.

The internet has also made it easier for thieves to sell or trade the information, making it more difficult for law enforcement to identify and apprehend the criminals.

Internet Safety for Children: Keeping Them Safe Online

October 1, 2023December 6, 2020 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Internet safety for children involves not only keeping them safe, but parents and guardians taking some simple steps to dramatically reduce online threats, especially those that prey on kids, protect the data on computer devices, and keep them safe online.

This is even more critical now as we are in the middle of a health pandemic and children are made to learn from home, and have limited physical interactions with their peers.

What unique Internet safety risks are associated with children?

In terms of Internet safety, when a child is using your computer, normal safeguards and security practices may not be sufficient. Children present additional challenges because of their natural characteristics: innocence, curiosity, desire for independence, and fear of punishment.

You need to consider these characteristics when determining how to protect your data and the child.

You may think that because the child is only playing a game, or researching a term paper, or typing a homework assignment, they can’t cause any harm. But what if, when saving their paper, the child deletes a necessary program file?

Or what if they are tricked by a malicious advertisement to unintentionally visit a web page with inapprorpiate content, or accidentally download a malware that infects the computer with a virus?

7 Ways to Secure Microsoft 365 Office for Business

October 1, 2023June 27, 2020 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Most small or medium-size organizations today are using, or migrating to one of Microsoft’s 365 suite of applications. With the recent shift to remote work, and the attendant increase in the use of collaboration tools included with Office 365 business plans, organizations are bound to be targeted by cyber criminals and hackers.

More critically, due to the speed of these deployments, many small organizations may not be fully equipped to consider the security configurations of the cloud-based platforms they are migrating to.

There are continued instances where businesses and organizations, especially those in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) category are not implementing best security practices in regard to their Microsoft Office 365 implementation.

The ultimate result, inevitably, will be the increased vulnerability of these environments to attacks by threat actors or hackers.

If you are in charge of securing the technology infrastructure and applications used in your organization, you can use the guidance in this article to increase the security of your Microsoft 365 Office Suite deployments.

Remote Working: 3 Ways Technology Can Close The Productivity Gap

October 1, 2023June 22, 2020 by Daniel Ihonvbere

Now, more than ever, we’re seeing a rapid change in the way the world does business, and where the world does business from, making technology more essential than ever. And when it comes to getting work done, 71% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) use desktops as their primary computer, which can make working at home or remote working, a huge challenge for many and has greatly increased the demand for mobile, work-from-home devices.

If there’s one thing that current events have shown, it is that nothing will be the same again. In particular, the way we work. The new workforce, now spanning the different work styles of five generations, has already changed the way our businesses are organized.

Our workplaces have to be far more flexible.

Remote workplaces need to support the shiny, new technologies we’re increasingly used to as consumers, while delivering the superior performance and reliability that business demands. Work is no longer a designated space in the office but an activity that we do, when and where we choose, whether that’s a coffee shop or in a home office.