The Mithril Cloud takes a proactive approach to your IT infrastructure keeping your data where it belongs – secure and accessible.

1. “Malware” – Software that looks to take advantage of unpatched,
poorly configured or otherwise vulnerable systems for malicious purposes.
“Trojan” – software that appears desirable but actually contains malware which is
loaded on a system for the purpose of using that vulnerable system as a platform
from which the malware can operate
“Keystroke Logger” – software that tracks which keys on a keyboard are typed,
and can be used to identify and store usernames and passwords
provided to otherwise secure web sites and applications.
“False Websites” – a website presenting itself as a secure online
business which is in fact a decoy used to gather credit card information.
“Low Hanging Fruit” – targets that provide the quickest return on investment of
time or effort, often users who do not take basic precautions or systems that are not
maintained and protected by basic Anti Virus and secure configurations.
Your vulnerability and nothing else is what makes you a target.

2. People with bad intentions automate the process of searching for vulnerable
systems and exploiting those vulnerabilities. All that matters is that you have a
system that can be mined for information, and exploited.
Research from as far back as 20051 indicates that it takes under 10 minutes for
vulnerable systems connected to the internet to be exploited. A recent Dateline NBC
expose “On the Hunt for ID Thieves”2 demonstrated how credit cards are stolen and
abused within minutes of being used on false websites.
The systems of home users and small companies offer a wealth of personal and
financial information which can be used for identity theft and a variety of other
malicious activities which target others. False websites or keystroke loggers can
gather up your usernames and or passwords and provide thieves with your banking
and credit card information.
Data discovered on these systems can often be used to attack more secure systems
or companies. These vulnerable systems are then used to provide a platform to hide
attackers or to perform a combined attack on another target. Through a series of
escalating activities, a home system used for email, web browsing, and online
banking can become a launching point for attacks aimed at others.
Poor system performance or the irritation of multiple pop-up windows can be signs
that you have become a platform for malware or the unwitting pawn of a hacker!
Some basic steps you can take…
• Maintain up to date Anti Virus software
• Use a firewall, or better yet two: a firewall to protect your network and host
based firewalls on your local systems
• Create a separate user account for daily use which does not have
administrative privileges
• Patch your system regularly
• Do not open email attachments unless you know who they are from and are
expecting them
• Check to be sure a banking or online store has a legitimate security
certificate3 before entering any credit card or password information
• Do not assume you are “safe”, you wouldn’t leave your home wide open,
don’t do that to your computer
For more information on securing your business or home
systems contact us!
info@mithriltech.com +1 516-992-9810