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Six Digits That Can Destroy Your Business (and your life)

July 29, 2025
•
20 min read

🔐Six Digits That Can Destroy Your Business

If your WhatsApp gets hacked, who do you call?

For millions of business owners, WhatsApp isn’t just a messaging app — it’s the central nervous system of their company. Vendors. Clients. Team chats. Delivery updates. International communication. Even family.

But all of that can vanish in seconds with one simple mistake:

Giving away your WhatsApp verification code.

The Trap Is Simple — And Devastating

It starts with a text message:

📲 “Your WhatsApp code is 123-456”

Followed by a call or message:

“Hey! I accidentally sent you my code by mistake — can you send it back?”

The moment you share that six-digit code, you’ve handed over the keys to your digital identity. Hackers now have full control of your account, and you are locked out. No access. No way to warn contacts. No recovery unless you’re extremely lucky — or well prepared.

Why It’s Worse Than You Think

  • Clients think it’s still you — the hacker messages them asking for payments, passwords, or sensitive info

  • Vendors lose trust — thinking your account is compromised because you were careless

  • Family members get emotional bait messages — like fake emergencies

  • You’re shut out — unable to reach contacts unless you’ve backed up your data and have alternate communication paths

What to Do Right Now

✅ Turn on Two-Step Verification in WhatsApp

  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Two-Step Verification

  • Set a 6-digit PIN and link your email

✅ Never share verification codes

No app, person, or rep will ever need it — not even WhatsApp.

✅ Use device biometrics or screen lock for added protection

✅ Back up your chats securely

End-to-end encrypted backups can prevent loss in case of hijack.

✅ Alert your contacts immediately

If you suspect you’ve been compromised, notify key people via alternate platforms before damage spreads.

SMBs, Clinics, and Law Firms: You’re Especially at Risk

For professional operations using WhatsApp for:

  • International vendor coordination

  • Client billing or approvals

  • Legal consultations or case updates

  • Patient scheduling or family updates

…a hacked account isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a liability, a breach, and a reputational crisis. #MeTwo

🛡️Need a secure messaging audit for your business?

We can review your WhatsApp usage, set up multi-factor controls, and recommend enterprise-grade alternatives for higher-risk environments.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

Technology
Tips

One Apple Protection Plan to Cover All Your Devices

July 28, 2025
•
20 min read

One Apple Protection Plan to Cover All Your Devices

Apple just changed the game on device protection.

Say goodbye to juggling multiple AppleCare plans for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With AppleCare One, you can now bundle device protection across multiple products into a single monthly subscription — complete with extended warranties, accidental damage coverage, and theft/loss protection.

It’s the Apple One-style simplicity… now for hardware peace of mind.

What Is AppleCare One?

AppleCare One is Apple’s new multi-device warranty subscription, priced at:

  • $19.99/month for up to 3 devices

  • +$5.99/month for each additional device
    For example, you could protect your iPhone, Mac, and iPad — plus add your Apple Watch — all for just $25.98/month.

This includes:

  • Accidental damage protection (with reduced deductibles)

  • Theft/loss coverage for iPhone, iPad, and now Apple Watch

  • Priority Apple support

  • Battery service as needed

  • Automatic coverage transfer when you upgrade devices

Why This Matters for SMBs, Schools, Clinics, and Professionals

If your business or practice relies on Apple hardware — and you’re tired of tracking serial numbers, warranty windows, or receipts — AppleCare One is your new best friend.

Real-world benefits:

  • Tech coordinators can cover classroom or clinic iPads with one plan

  • Law firms and SMBs can keep employee iPhones and Macs protected without individual AppleCare purchases

  • Medical offices using iPads for patient intake gain peace of mind for accidental drops

  • IT teams reduce overhead with centralized management and device replacement workflows

Things to Keep in Mind

🔁 Devices must share the same Apple ID

No Family Sharing or multi-user bundling — each device must be tied to the same iCloud account.

🕒 Four-year grace period

You can add a device up to four years after purchase — more generous than any prior AppleCare window.

📉 Subscription fatigue is real

AppleCare One is monthly only (for now), so if you’re cutting down on subscriptions, it may be a drawback.

🔧Need help managing your fleet of Apple devices?

We can assist with Apple Business Manager enrollment, AppleCare One integration, remote device tracking, and damage mitigation — all under a streamlined managed IT plan.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

AI
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Cybersecurity
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Don’t tell AI your secrets, it may turn on you

July 27, 2025
•
20 min read

🧠Don’t tell AI your secrets, it may turn on you

Your AI therapy session might not be as private as you think.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just delivered a sobering reminder: ChatGPT is not your therapist, doctor, or lawyer — and your conversations with it aren’t protected like they are with those professionals. In fact, those private late-night chats you have with an AI assistant could someday be handed over in a lawsuit.

Yes, even the man behind the world’s most powerful generative AI thinks that’s “very screwed up.”

AI Knows More Than You Think — And Might Share It

Millions are turning to AI for relationship advice, medical reassurance, and career coaching. But Altman warns that unlike human professionals, there’s no legal privilege protecting your secrets with AI. Your chat logs may be accessible in court, subject to subpoenas, or worse — regurgitated to another user by accident.

This isn’t science fiction. As Carnegie Mellon researcher William Agnew bluntly puts it: “Almost everything you tell these chatbots is not private.”

The Implications for SMBs, Healthcare, Law Firms, and Schools

If your staff or clients are using AI to manage sensitive workflows, this isn’t just about feelings — it’s a data governance issue:

  • A healthcare worker using AI to draft patient summaries? Risk.

  • A paralegal asking for legal wording examples on a case? Risk.

  • A student querying ChatGPT about bullying or mental health? Risk.

  • An SMB executive feeding in financial documents for help writing a pitch? Risk.

Unless you’re using enterprise AI tools with guaranteed privacy boundaries and internal policies, you’re exposing your organization to massive legal and reputational risks.

What to Do About It

  • Train your team: Ensure they know what not to input into public AI models.

  • Use private AI environments with strict access and encryption controls.

  • Implement data loss prevention (DLP) systems across your network.

  • Review your vendors’ AI privacy policies — don’t assume protection exists.

  • Treat AI like email: Anything typed in could one day be discoverable.

🔐Need help setting up safe and private AI usage at your business?

Let’s build an internal policy, configure secure AI workflows, and make sure your team knows how to use these tools without giving away the store.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#AIPrivacy #CybersecurityAwareness #DataProtection #SmallBusinessSecurity #EnterpriseIT

AI
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AI impersonation is no longer science fiction -it’s a business threat

July 27, 2025
•
20 min read

Is That Really You… or Just a Very Smart Fake?

AI impersonation is no longer science fiction — it’s a business threat.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently warned of a looming “fraud crisis” — and he should know. Speaking in Washington, DC, Altman cautioned that tools capable of mimicking a person’s voice or face are becoming so realistic, it will soon be impossible to distinguish a scam from a legitimate video call.

The Age of AI Voice and Video Cloning Has Arrived

We’ve already seen the early signs:

  • Ransom scams using cloned voices of loved ones

  • Employees duped into transferring money by fake executive calls

  • Foreign ministers contacted by deepfakes posing as U.S. officials

These aren’t far-off hypotheticals. This is now. And Altman admitted that most current methods of identity verification — like voice prints and facial recognition — are dangerously outdated.

SMBs, Law Firms, Schools, and Clinics: You’re All at Risk

Whether you’re a small business with wire-transfer access, a school handling parent payments, a law firm managing sensitive client data, or a clinic processing insurance — your people are your weakest link. All it takes is one convincing voicemail or FaceTime request to cause irreversible damage.

What You Need to Do Right Now

To prevent falling victim to impersonation fraud, organizations must:

  • Disable voice authentication wherever possible

  • Train staff to verify all financial or sensitive requests via known alternate methods

  • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for every single system

  • Deploy call-back protocols for all money-related or access-granting requests

  • Educate your team on how AI-generated scams work

You wouldn’t leave your office unlocked overnight. Don’t leave your inbox, phone, or video calls unguarded either.

💬Need help testing your defenses?

Ask me how Gigabit Systems can simulate AI-driven phishing and impersonation attacks for your team — before the real criminals do.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#DeepfakeScams #CybersecurityAwareness #VoiceCloning #AIThreats #SmallBusinessSecurity

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Cybersecurity

your wi-fi might be hosting strangers without your knowledge.

July 26, 2025
•
20 min read

🚪Who Left the Digital Front Door Open?

Your Wi-Fi might be hosting strangers — without your knowledge.

Smart TVs, smart fridges, even coffee makers — today’s homes are filled with internet-connected devices. But more devices mean more opportunities for digital stowaways to sneak in unnoticed. If your internet feels sluggish or something just seems…off, your network may have an uninvited guest.

Why Home Wi-Fi Needs More Than Just a Password

A poorly secured network isn’t just a bandwidth thief’s dream — it’s a liability. Unauthorized users can:

  • Access shared folders or devices

  • Spy on your activity

  • Use your IP address for illegal downloads, putting you at legal risk

Think about it: your Wi-Fi is the gateway to your entire digital life. Would you leave your front door unlocked at night?

Signs Someone’s Leeching Your Wi-Fi

  • Your internet is slow even when nobody’s using it

  • Devices on your network behave strangely (lights turn on, speakers make sounds)

  • You see unfamiliar device names in your network menu

  • Your router lights flicker non-stop

Even older routers have tools to detect connected devices. Just log into your router (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), and look for a “Connected Devices” or “Network Overview” section. Write down the MAC addresses of your devices so you can spot anything unusual.

Kick Out the Wi-Fi Moochers

Found a suspicious device? Here’s what to do:

  1. Verify it – Some device names can be cryptic. Disconnect all known devices temporarily and check what’s still online.

  2. Block it – Use your router’s “MAC Filter” or “Parental Control” features to ban unknown devices.

  3. Change your Wi-Fi password – Immediately. Only share it with trusted users.

  4. Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption with a 12+ character password including symbols, numbers, and upper/lowercase letters.

Tools like Fing, WiFiman, or your router’s official app can help you monitor devices in real time.

🔐Want full control over your network?

Ask me for a mesh Wi-Fi system recommendation. I’ll help you find an affordable, high-speed option that gives you visibility and control over every single connected device.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#HomeSecurity #WiFiHacks #NetworkSafety #CyberSecurityTips #ManagedITServices

Cybersecurity
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NYC Schools take a bold step to reclaim student focus.

July 25, 2025
•
20 min read

🔕The Bell Rings, The Phones Go Silent

NYC Schools take a bold step to reclaim student focus.

Starting this school year, personal smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets will no longer be welcome in NYC public school classrooms. The city’s Department of Education has officially adopted a statewide cellphone ban aimed at eliminating digital distractions and improving students’ mental health and academic performance.

One Giant Leap for Learning — Or Is It?

Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced the sweeping changes alongside $25 million in funding to support implementation across 1,600 schools. Under the new policy, students can use devices during travel but must power them down once on school grounds, with exceptions for medical needs. Schools must also provide secure storage and a method for parents to contact their children in emergencies.

But Here’s the Catch

Today’s kids live in group chats. Whether it’s WhatsApp, iMessage, or Discord, this is how they coordinate plans, stay connected, and build their social identity. Removing access during the school day could help curb distractions — but it may also intensify anxiety over missing out, deepen social divides, and encourage stealthier device usage.

For Schools and SMBs, This Is Just the Beginning

If you think this policy only affects public schools, think again. The ripple effects will be felt across:

  • Private and charter schools, which will face pressure to adopt similar bans

  • Healthcare clinics, where pediatric professionals will need to address withdrawal and anxiety

  • Law firms, as parents seek legal guidance on school policies and custody-based digital decisions

  • Small businesses supporting schools (like after-school programs or tech vendors) who’ll need to adapt

From a cybersecurity standpoint, this is a wake-up call. Now more than ever, schools need device management, network segmentation, and robust incident response plans. The fewer devices in the classroom, the higher the temptation for students to exploit unsecured IoT endpoints or discover workarounds. And that makes layered security non-negotiable.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#EducationTechnology #CybersecurityAwareness #NYCSchools #DeviceManagement #K12IT

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New research reveals chilling truths about kids and smartphones.

July 25, 2025
•
20 min read

📱Too Young to Scroll, Too Old to Cry

New research reveals chilling truths about kids and smartphones.

A global study spanning 2 million participants in 163 countries has found that giving children smartphones before age 13 significantly harms their mental health — with long-term effects on emotional regulation, self-worth, and even suicidal ideation. The younger the age of first smartphone use, the worse the outcomes.

A Digital Dilemma for Families and Schools

While this might seem like a parenting issue, it’s a growing cybersecurity concern for schools, pediatric clinics, and even small law firms. Why? Because these same kids often use school devices, connect to networks at educational institutions, and are vulnerable entry points for phishing scams, social engineering, and cyberbullying. In healthcare and legal settings, client data isn’t just at risk from outside attackers — it can be compromised by a curious or careless teen using a connected device.

The Human Firewall Is Weakest When It’s Still Growing

Parents feel trapped between social pressure and safety. Many report letting kids on smartphones early to help them “fit in” — but regret it after seeing changes in behavior, sleep, and emotional stability. Even “well-adjusted” kids show signs of anxiety, withdrawal, and digital dependency.

And here lies the real paradox: Group chats on apps like WhatsApp and iMessage are now the primary way kids socialize. Excluding a child from smartphone use often means excluding them from friend groups altogether. Birthday plans, after-school hangouts, even study sessions — they all happen in digital spaces that don’t accommodate flip phones or “wait-until-8th-grade” pledges.

So how do you protect a child’s mental health without socially isolating them? That’s the impossible equation today’s parents are being forced to solve.

SMBs Must Step Up — Not Step Back

This isn’t just about parenting. It’s about policy. Whether you’re a school, pediatric practice, or a law firm handling sensitive family court data — if minors access your Wi-Fi, borrow work-issued tablets, or hop onto Zoom from home, you must have a layered security plan that includes:

  • Strict parental controls or guest VLANs

  • Mobile device management (MDM) for school- or clinic-issued tech

  • Zero-trust access for remote and hybrid learners or staff

Cybersecurity is no longer just a tech issue. It’s a people issue — and our youngest users are the most exploitable.

====================================

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses, I can help protect yours.

#CybersecurityAwareness #ManagedITServices #DigitalWellness #ParentingTech #SmallBusinessSecurity

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Technology

How to Stop Hertz’s AI Scanners from Charging You Hundreds for Minor Scrapes

July 23, 2025
•
20 min read

How to Stop Hertz’s AI Scanners from Charging You Hundreds for Minor Scrapes

And why every traveler should know this before their next rental

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we drive — and now, it’s changing the way we return rental cars. But not all change is good.

Hertz has quietly rolled out AI-powered vehicle scanners at several major U.S. airports, and customers are sounding the alarm. These scanners are flagging renters for microscopic scrapes and dings that most humans wouldn’t even notice — and charging hundreds of dollars in fees.

🚨 What’s Really Happening?

Hertz is partnering with a company called UVeye, whose scanners act like an “MRI for cars.” As you return your vehicle, it drives through a scanner tunnel that captures high-resolution images of:

  • Hairline scratches

  • Tiny windshield chips

  • Minor tire wear

  • Underbody scuffs

  • Quarter-inch door dings

These are the types of things that were never noticed (or billed) before. Historically, high-turnover airport rental centers focused on cleaning and flipping cars quickly — not arguing over a scuff on the wheel well.

But now, the AI sees everything. And it never forgets.

💸 The Charges Are Real — And Growing

Examples of recent customer charges include:

  • $440 for a 1-inch wheel scuff

  • $265 for a faint scratch on the trunk

  • $125 “processing fee” + $65 “administrative fee” — even if no repair occurs

Worse yet, if you dispute the charge, you’ll often miss the “early payment discount window,” meaning you get hit with higher fees just for asking questions.

According to internal numbers, Hertz’s AI system is billing out nearly 5x more customers than before.

🛑 Why You Should Be Concerned

This isn’t about fairness — it’s about profit.

AI damage detection has turned into a new revenue stream for rental companies. And once you’re in the system, challenging a false damage claim is an uphill battle. Many customers feel helpless, pressured, or confused.

And this tech isn’t staying with Hertz.

Other rental giants are expected to follow suit by 2026 — turning airport rentals into a minefield for unsuspecting travelers.

✅ How to Protect Yourself from AI Damage Charges

Here are six clear steps to protect yourself before you drive off the lot:

1.

Avoid AI-Enabled Locations

For now, only select airports use UVeye scanners. Known locations include:

  • Atlanta (ATL)

  • Newark (EWR)

  • Houston (IAH)

  • Phoenix (PHX)

  • Charlotte (CLT)

  • Tampa (TPA)

Call the rental desk in advance to ask if UVeye scanners are in use. If yes, consider booking at an off-airport location instead — you’ll often save on fees anyway.

2.

Take 30-60 Seconds for a Full Video Walk-Around

Before leaving the lot:

  • Record a 360° video, including wheels, bumper, roof, and windshield

  • Narrate the date, time, and rental location in the video

  • Don’t forget undercarriage areas and door edges

A timestamped video is your best defense against false claims.

3.

Take Close-Up Photos of Any Pre-Existing Damage

If you see anything even remotely suspicious:

  • Document it with close-up, high-res photos

  • Email the photos to yourself and the rental company as a record

Better safe than sorry.

4.

Ask for a Pre-Return Inspection (If Available)

At some locations, you can request an in-person walk-around before returning the vehicle. Do this in daylight hours, if possible, and get any comments in writing or on video.

5.

Avoid Late-Night or After-Hours Drop-Offs

When you return a car outside of business hours, there’s no one to verify the condition. That gives AI a free pass to flag you for anything it wants — with zero human review.

6.

Use a Credit Card That Offers Rental Protection

Some premium cards offer coverage against damage claims. But be sure to decline the rental company’s CDW (collision damage waiver) to activate this benefit. Always check your card’s policy before traveling.

7.

Dispute Unfair Charges Promptly — and Strategically

If you receive a damage bill:

  • Request timestamped evidence and repair invoices

  • Push back on vague or bundled charges (like “processing fees”)

  • File complaints with your credit card provider, BBB, and state attorney general if necessary

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about avoiding responsibility for damage. It’s about fighting back against predatory automation.

AI should help travelers, not hunt them. And until there’s real oversight or consumer protection, it’s up to you to stay vigilant.

Take 2 minutes before your next rental to document the car — it might save you hundreds later.

Must-Read
Cybersecurity
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Technology

Firewalls Alone Won’t Save You

July 22, 2025
•
20 min read

Firewalls Alone Won’t Save You

Why SMBs Need Layered Security and MSP Management—Now More Than Ever

For years, many small businesses assumed that installing a basic firewall was enough to keep them safe from cyber threats. That illusion is costing companies their reputations—and their survival. A firewall is a good start, but today’s threat landscape demands far more.

If you’re a business owner relying solely on a firewall, you’re essentially locking your front door while leaving your windows wide open.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Over 70% of all cyberattacks target small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs)—not large corporations. Why? Because SMBs are perceived as low-hanging fruit: under-protected, under-funded, and unaware.

According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach for an SMB is $3.31 million. Nearly 60% of small businesses close their doors within 6 months of a cyberattack.

Still think that firewall is enough?

One Layer is No Layer

Let’s break down why a firewall alone is inadequate:

  • Firewalls can’t stop phishing attacks—the #1 way hackers infiltrate systems.

  • They don’t protect endpoints like laptops, phones, or remote users.

  • They don’t monitor behavior, detect ransomware, or block insider threats.

  • Firewalls don’t patch your systems or update outdated software.

Think of a firewall like a seatbelt. Would you drive a car with just a seatbelt and no brakes, no airbags, and no headlights? You need the whole system.

The Solution: Layered Security + Monthly MSP Management

Here’s what a modern SMB security stack should look like:

  1. Next-Gen Firewall – Smart traffic filtering, geo-blocking, and intrusion prevention.

  2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) – Stops malware before it spreads.

  3. Patch Management – Closes known vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.

  4. Email Filtering – Catches phishing, spoofing, and malicious attachments.

  5. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Blocks unauthorized access, even if passwords leak.

  6. Data Backup & Disaster Recovery – Restores operations after an attack.

  7. 24/7 Monitoring & Response – So threats are caught and contained in real time.

This is where a Managed Service Provider (MSP) steps in. A qualified MSP doesn’t just install these tools—they manage, monitor, and optimize them continuously.

Cybersecurity isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” game. Threats evolve by the hour. Your defenses should too.

Real-World Examples

  • A Brooklyn law firm with only a firewall got hit with ransomware via a phishing email. Their firewall didn’t stop it. They paid $42,000 to recover their data.

  • A healthcare clinic ignored patch updates. A 3-year-old vulnerability was exploited, compromising patient records. Fines exceeded $100,000.

  • A construction company stored passwords in a spreadsheet. After a brute-force attack, their Office 365 accounts were hijacked—costing them a $250K wire fraud incident.

All of these were preventable with a layered approach and an MSP watching their backs.

Final Word

If you’re still relying on just a firewall, you’re not protected—you’re exposed. SMBs are no longer flying under the radar. Hackers are looking for businesses just like yours: unguarded and unaware.

Security isn’t about fear. It’s about resilience.

A layered defense with active management is not a luxury—it’s your lifeline.

70% of all cyber attacks target small businesses. I can help protect yours.

#Cybersecurity #MSP #SmallBusinessSecurity #EDR #RansomwareProtection

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