Month: November 2021

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Microsoft Teams Partners with Meta

A new integration will allow Microsoft Teams users to access Meta’s Workplace updates without switching screens. The two companies also plan to enable streaming video calls directly from Workplace soon.

Workplace, which has more than seven million paid subscribers, plans to support Teams on the Meta Portal video device. A Workplace app for Teams can be pinned to either the side navigation or added as a tab. Workplace content can be marked by Teams admins to garner attention from teammates. Users can also drag Workplace content into a Teams channel and react to Workplace posts within Teams.

In early 2022, the duo is planning to introduce video integration, which will allow users to view a Teams video call from Workplace. Those using Teams will be able to track views and reactions in both apps.

Ujjwal Singh, head of product at Workplace, said the Teams integration “Will make it easier for people who use both tools for work to keep up to date with information and create even more opportunities for company-wide engagement.”

Jeff Teper, Microsoft Teams CVP for product and engineering, said, “It made sense for us to come together to help our mutual customers unlock collaboration and break down silos within their organizations.”

The new integrations are a no-brainer for Meta since they help to deliver information from Workplace to users. Workplace can reach employees through the Teams newsfeed while also allowing HR leaders to retain control over the communications.

There will undoubtedly be some hiccups; for example, both Teams and Workplace have their own chat functions. The solution for combining or separating chats will be discovered in time.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Top Industries Most Affected by or Vulnerable to Ransomware

Ransomware is everywhere these days. In October, Microsoft released a statement about Iranian hackers breaking into countless Office365 accounts. Google also released a threat analysis outlining phishing campaigns targeted to YouTube creators. Twitch announced on Twitter that their company had suffered a security breach. The list is extensive, but some notable attacks took place in only one month. Recent attacks include hospitals, schools, gas pipelines, television stations, and numerous municipal water systems.

NordLocker released an analysis defining attacks based on the type of business. Estimated to cost businesses roughly $20 billion in total, thousands of ransomware incidents occur daily. Since the truly successful hacks are never openly revealed, there are presumably more than recorded or published.

In 2020, 1,200 ransomware attacks were analyzed by NordLocker. The results showed that internet companies and online services are generally not highly targeted. Construction companies have been hit the hardest, with 93 affected businesses within the industry. Manufacturing companies are a close second, with 86 affected within the trade.

The top ten businesses targeted by ransomware are:

  1. Construction
  2. Manufacturing
  3. Finance
  4. Healthcare
  5. Education
  6. Technology & IT
  7. Logistics & Transportation
  8. Automotive
  9. Municipal Services
  10. Legal

The most dangerous hacker is the Conti ransomware group that claimed 450 attacks during 2020. REvil was linked to 210 attacks during 2020, Dopple Paymer was responsible for 200 attacks, and PYSA was connected to 188 attacks.

If you’ve found yourself vulnerable or a victim of a ransomware attack, contact the experts at CPS today.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.