October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and recent headlines highlight how vital it’s become for small businesses in Reno, Sparks, and across Northern Nevada to get proactive about digital safety. Even local government agencies in Nevada have faced service shutdowns from successful cyber-attacks this year, putting the spotlight on the need for robust network security practices.…
In late August, Nevada faced a sophisticated cyberattack that dramatically disrupted state operations and raised urgent concerns about data security. Watch Sierra Computer Group CEO Darren McBride’s interview with KVTN, to see how we protect your business’s assets. Face the State: Darren McBride, CEO of Sierra Computer Group | Videos | 2news.com
Think of ransomware like a hacker’s Swiss Army knife—constantly upgraded with smarter tools and tactics. In 2025, this threat has become more precise, more deceptive, and significantly more damaging. Cybercriminals are no longer just encrypting data—they’re using artificial intelligence, targeting remote work gaps, and embracing new attack models that make these threats harder to predict…
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face a unique challenge in today’s digital-first economy. They need reliable, secure, and efficient IT infrastructure to remain competitive, but they often lack the resources to build and maintain an internal IT department. As tech becomes more complex and critical to everyday operations, the gap between what SMBs need and…
Microsoft recently announced the end-of-life (EOL) date for Windows 10: October 14, 2025. This means Microsoft will officially stop providing updates, including crucial security patches and feature improvements, for Windows 10 after this date. For business owners, this is more than just an end-of-support notice; it’s a call to action. The question is, what should…
The cloud has become an integral part of how we store and manage data. Its convenience, scalability, and accessibility make it an attractive option for business. However, recent events have highlighted a critical point of failure for cloud storage that cannot be overlooked: redundancy. A recent example is the data loss incident experienced by UniSuper,…
Networking equipment serves as the backbone of communication infrastructure, linking devices and systems across offices and organizations. However, beneath their surface lies a lurking danger – vulnerability to remote code execution (RCE). Remote code execution, a threat typically associated with software applications, has extended its grasp to networking equipment, including routers and switches. These devices,…
In the vast landscape of the internet, phishing attacks have become increasingly common. These deceptive tactics aim to steal your sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. Recognizing phishing attempts is essential for safeguarding your online security. Here are some tips to help you identify and avoid falling victim to phishing…
In today’s online world, our browsers are more than just gateways to information. They hold the keys to our online identities, containing tokens that store our login credentials and grant access to sensitive data. Unfortunately, these tokens can also be stolen, leaving us vulnerable to online attacks. How Browser Token Theft Works Cybercriminals can steal…
The FBI Cyber Division has recently released a warning regarding specific phishing emails attempting to harvest user’s credentials by presenting fake login pages for Office 365 and other online accounts. As always, be cautious about any link you click in an email, text message, or social media post. If you’re not sure if a link…
Remote Access Security Fundamentals As everyone continues to deal with changes and restrictions due to COVID-19, many businesses have transitioned to a work-from-home model as a way to continue operations. Some busineses are using VPNs to allow direct connections for remote workers, others are using tools such as Splashtop, Microsoft remote Desktop, or Cisco Webex.…
Darren McBride was at Thursday’s presentation, learning how to maximize savings as the country transitions into the new tax era. The owner of Sierra Computer Group says his business will see immediate gains. “The overall, over the next couple of years, lower tax rate puts more money back in the business, which let’s us buy…
We are a small business ourselves and one thing I hear from potential customers, or friends and family is: Can we afford good IT? Isn’t it expensive to hire an IT person? The reality is that it’s not as cost prohibitive as you would think. Especially, when the work being done is enhancing the performance…
Password Advice has changed. Back in 2003 Bill Burr, a mid-level manager at the National Institute of Standards wrote an 8 page publication providing guidance on computer passwords. The document suggested using obscure characters, a mix of upper and lower case, and recommended changing the password regularly. The document became the guideline that many government…
Did you finally decide to click upgrade to Windows 10 only to find that your computer crashed or keeps freezing after the upgrade? Or your profile is completely missing? Why did it do that!? What do I do now? There are some theory’s as to why Window’s 10 installations are not always successful. One is…
1.Price Microsoft has a pretty heavy price tag for the new Office Home and Business 2016, starting out at $229.99 for one product key code. Why pay that for one user when Office 365 plans start at $5 per month? Small businesses can get access to Outlook Email with Calendars, Online conferencing, Skype, file storage…
We’re all nervous about the security of our email. It’s so convenient to send documents via email but it is sometimes best to encrypt or password protect sensitive data. This is especially true for documents such as tax returns, W2’s, or other sensitive financial documents. Did you know that whoever has admin rights on mail…
Look out for Locky, the newest member of the ransomware family. It has only emerged in the past few weeks but has already proved to be much more devastating than its predecessors. The main difference between Locky and the other variants of ransomware is that can see un-mapped networked drives. Files encrypted by Locky don’t…
For more information please see the KTVN news story below. http://www.ktvn.com/story/31417104/nevada-attorney-general-laxalt-warns-of-technical-support-scams If you have any questions feel free to call us at 775-322-6455. Thank you and stay safe, Sierra Computer Group
Does your business suffer from antiquated Category 5 cabling? New bandwidth-intensive applications are calling for speeds greater than 100 and 1000 Mbps, and the demand is only going to increase. There’s also an increasing amount of wireless devices, an influx of transferring of high-res images, streaming, and surveillance footage that are all part of a…
It can be tough to narrow down all the security risks on a network. So we’ve complied a list of our favorite questions to gauge a networks stability and security level. What do you currently use for backup and disaster recovery. What is the password complexity, how often is it changed, and lockout policy on…
A new report out has discovered that Cryptowall has become the most financially successful piece of malware in history. Maybe your business hasn’t been hit and you think “I have a firewall or Antivirus this couldn’t happen to me”. But it does happen to reputable businesses with many precautions put in place on a daily…
Razer’s gaming devices have typically been bulky, but they are changing things up this year. Hopefully they will be setting a new trend too with their first ultrabook. The Razer Blade Stealth is just as sexy as its predecessors, but now its just under 3 pounds and 0.52 inches thick. This is a huge difference…
How Much RAM do I need? Deciding how much RAM you need will depend on two key factors: Which applications will be used most often. How fast will you need to get the work done. The more RAM your system has the faster it can open programs and handle them simultaneously. Users will require different…
Cyber security while shopping on Cyber Monday Bargains abound on cyber Monday that make shopping very appealing to the masses. Browsing items in your cozy warm house, beats hitting the long lines of black Friday shopping. But buyer beware, cyber criminals are waiting to steal information from vulnerable devices and unprepared shoppers. It used to…
You likely turn on your alarm system and lock up before you leave your office. But do you have the same security in place to protect your computer network? Having the proper network technology in place guards against viruses and the theft of data. You are at risk for unauthorized intrusions, noncompliance, downtime and even…
Ransomware is a sophisticated type of computer virus that encrypts user files and demands a ransom to get the decryption key. There are several different versions of ransomware such as Cryptoware and Cryptowall each version more dangerous than the last. Viruses infecting computers is as common as ants invading the picnic table – it’s bound…
Many small business owners think they do not need a server. Investing in a server may not seem necessary, but the benefits gained far outweigh the cost. In most cases, a server is not just beneficial but necessary for business. Increased file/network security, centralized backup, virus management, centralized data storage/shared resources, and increased reliability are just…
In 2014, Microsoft ended support for Windows XP and this year they will end support for Windows Server 2003. Microsoft plans to end their support on July 14, 2015 . This means that fixes, updates, and technical support will no longer provided by Microsoft. Many business may not be aware that they are running Windows…
We all know that we should be backing up our data. But most don’t realize just how important having a backup, as well as an offsite backup, really is until it’s needed. Users should think of a backup as a sort of insurance policy that protects their business from data loss and downtime. Data loss…
With each hacking breach, it becomes more apparent how important cyber attack protection is. The most recent being, one of the largest bank breaches known, with up to $1 billion stolen. A security company, Kaspersky Lab, discovered the spying program that gives the hacker group means to eavesdrop on a bulk of the world’s computers.…
Microsoft’s hacker vulnerability patch was released for a flaw found in Windows Server 2003 to 2012, Windows 7 and 8. This patch mends the bug which allowed hackers to take complete control of devices that connect to an Active Directory domain. The bug allows hackers to be able to install applications and create new user…
The latest cyber security technology was recently released from PFP Cybersecurity and is designed to notify you in seconds of a malware attack based off of the change in power usage on your device. Instead of an attack going undetected for days, weeks or even months imagine knowing the second someone starts hacking your device.…
At the Microsoft Windows 10 Event yesterday, Microsoft gave us a first look into what we can expect with the new Windows 10 Operating System. The iconic start button will return in Windows 10. The start menu will now expand into a full-screen view, much like the Windows 8.1’s home screen, however it should be…
Every year, electronic, computer, automotive and technology fans gather in Las Vegas to review the latest in technology. It’s generally a great place to see what will be hitting the market over the next year as well as some wild new concepts. The International Consumer Electronics Show (International CES) showcases more than 3,600 exhibitors, including…
To fix the serious exploit of Internet Explorer announced this week (in April 2014) users can run some commands on their computer. For our managed clients, we’re doing this for you behind the scenes so don’t worry about it (we’ve got you covered!). The fix applies to Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, – yes,…
Think Before You Click It seems e-mail has been the venue for malicious activity since its inception. From bad attachments to Nigerian princes, the threats posed by e-mail have evolved drastically over time and are becoming more dangerous. In this post we will explore common attack strategies used and their implications for you and your…
There have been numerous articles going around in regards to the new Heartbleed threat. What this refers to is a problem with the technology used to make secure connections with websites. Typically you would see a tiny padlock icon in your browser next to the “https://” indicating that a website is “secure.” It turns out…
One week before supports ends, Windows XP still installed on 27.69 percent of PCs. Is your business prepared? If not, contact Sierra Computer Group today to discuss your business and possible risks. Image provided by Neowin
Recently there has been a dangerous new virus going around which poses significant risk to both personal and business computers alike. Cryptolocker, as it is commonly known, is a new virus variant which seeks to encrypt all useful files on a computer and then hold the user for ransom to unlock them. This virus preys…
There’s been lots of discussion regarding cloud versus closet reliability. I recall years ago when Microsoft ran a campaign about five “9”s referring to the reliability of cloud solutions. Despite a few remarkable exceptions, the last few years have quieted these claims by Microsoft, Google and even Apple. The web does fail. And in lots…
Have you noticed how web content and computer displays are pointed in different directions? If you open almost any webpage on a laptop or desktop computer you’ll see blank white bands along the sides. Even worse, you won’t see much vertical depth of content. This is because most documents and web content scroll vertically; yet most displays…
On April 8, 2014, Windows XP will have reached its end of life. What does this really mean for you? Well for one, there will be no more support from Microsoft. You may be able to find a technical article on your problem, but Microsoft will no longer field phone calls, answer e-mails, or respond…
Rod Coleman It seems mobile technology security has been fighting a losing battle lately. This development could have a significant positive impact on tech privacy. The explanation: The Threat of SilenceThe solution:Silent Circle If you give it a try, post your experience here in comments:
Microsoft has released the next version of their operating system, Windows 8, and chances are the next PC you purchase will be running it. What does this mean for most users? There are a few key differences, mostly dealing with the user interface. Let’s review a few of the big ones. The Start Screen Instead…
You maybe have received a letter from Nevada Energy informing you that they will be installing a Smart Meter on your premise soon. During the install of your new Smart Meter, NV Energy will cut your buildings power for up to 15 minutes. There may be a major problem with a 15 Minute interruption in…
Everyone is familiar with high-speed internet, or broadband as it’s sometimes called, and almost every business has some form of it. Often, people will say “I have DSL, why would I need anything faster?”, or “Why should I pay $150/month for internet, we don’t need to pay that much just to surf the web.”…
Like much in the history of human affairs, technical advancement does not generally happen in smooth progression. It moves in fits and starts, and smart-phone technology has been on a tear for the last few years. Palm was the first true smart-phone with a library of independent apps, but it was the iPhone that first…
Local Server or Cloud? There is a lot of talk lately about “cloud computing” and moving “Line of Business” applications to the cloud. Simply put this means using a web browser to access your applications hosted on a server somewhere on the Internet. There are several advantages for using cloud computing and many disadvantages. The…
Rod Coleman Passwords are a pain. Security requirements are becoming more complex just as we need more passwords for new apps, challenging our ability to remember them all. Here are the requirements for a reasonably secure password: 1. Contain at least 8 characters. 2. Contain upper case letters. 3. Contain lower case letters. 4. Contain…
Recently I encountered a threat that infected a client’s computer. The Client noticed that their Antivirus Program intervened and requested a reboot of the computer to finish the remediation. Upon Rebooting the user was unable to log on. Worse yet she had no mouse or keyboard. Fearing the worst the user pushed the power button…
Improving employee productivity The internet can be a big employee time waster. About once or twice a month I get a call from a business owner asking how they can either monitor their employee’s computer usage or prevent them from wasting time on various web sites. Monitoring and content filtering software are available to do…
Here’s the definitive drill-down on browsers: Tom’s Hardware: Web Browser Grand Prix
The last 50 years has seen the emergence of passwords (or pass-numbers) to protect access to everything from your front door to your computer. Cyberlore is has many examples of how poorly we apply this technology, and much of it’s true. There are so many ways these security systems can fail, many of which are…
Ever wonder about the scale of the internet? Here’s an interesting interactive data page: The State of the Internet
SEO is not just a moving target, it’s a whole new ball game. If you manage a website, this 11 minutes may be the best investment you make today. On the upside, our Google searches may begin to improve again. It seems like the content farms have been winning lately. If their theories are correct,…
IPv4 to IPv6 It’s not likely to be critical for your installation today, but sooner or later it WILL be a factor in your IT plan. Here is one of the best overview’s I’ve seen on the topic so far: Ask Ars: How should my organization approach the IPv6 transition? And if you think you…
More and more technical services and applications are becoming available in the cloud. But which ones are prudent to use for a small or medium size business? Every technical solution has it’s drawbacks. Servers in the closet have to be maintained, backed up and refreshed, but they are physically and logically secure and usually the…
For Immediate Release: Sierra Computer Group Acquires Key TELXAR® Clients Reno NV – December 10, 2010 Darren McBride Sierra Computer Group, Reno’s largest IT (Information Technology) service provider, announced today the acquisition of a portion of TELXAR® business clientele. The firm also announced they would be changing the company name from Sierra Computers to “Sierra…
By Rod Coleman, General Manager – Sierra Computer GroupThere’s an old saying about business mergers, “Two plus two often equals three, and sometimes only one”.Sadly it’s true, especially with large organizations or businesses with dissimilar cultures. The technology sector is no different. Just like banks, movie studios and oil companies, mergers are one way to grow a…
You may have heard about Stuxnet, but like me didn’t get into the details until now. If so, you’ll be impressed. It’s hard to believe its development will stay secret forever, so someone will eventually take credit and maybe even write a book. Whatever the case, and whom ever created and managed it,…
By Rod Coleman – General Manager, Sierra Computer GroupThis is a post from Slashdot this morning :DiniZuli writes“I’ve been employed by a small NGO to remake their entire IT-infrastructure from scratch. It’s a small company with 20 employees. I would like to ask the /.-crowd what worked out best for you and why? I came…
