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March 01, 2026 • read
Technology Tips: March 2026 Edition
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Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
Skyward IT Services
Outsmart your at-home smart devices
Popular at-home smart devices include digital assistants (we're looking at you, Alexa), thermostats, doorbells, smart TVs, baby monitors, speakers, and security systems–and hackers are aware. Some of the devices can have microphones and cameras, which can be a major security issue if you get hacked. If you have these smart devices, it’s a good idea to stay on top of best practices to keep your home secure.🏠 Security starts with your Wi-Fi router. Use a strong encryption method (like WPA2), change the default router name, and install software patches regularly.
🏠 Change default usernames and passwords that may have come with your new device, as hackers are more likely to guess these.
🏠 Read manufacturers’ privacy policies so you know how your data is being stored and used.
🏠 Watch out for hardware outages, as this could affect the security of your smart device.
Phishers are inviting you to a meeting you don’t want to take.
2025 saw an increase in phishing email invites, according to IT Brew. This is a new iteration of a common phishing practice: cyber criminals taking advantage of the workplace tools we use every day. The scam begins with a meeting invite, which contains malicious links or malware. They can slip through spam filters and into your inbox or even automatically land on your calendar, where you may accidentally click links when your guard is down. Here's how to remain vigilant:- Read the invitation carefully and stop before reacting, accepting, or clicking.
- Set custom spam settings to catch the phish instead of letting it get to your inbox or calendar by enabling “Don’t show event summaries in email or on my calendar.” and switching “Add invitations to my calendar” to “Only when I respond to the invitation.”
- If you are a Microsoft user, consider disabling: “Automatically process meeting requests and responses to meeting requests and polls.” and “Automatically accept meeting requests and remove canceled meetings.”
Beware the tax trap.
Bad actors are exploiting the upcoming tax season by pretending to be IRS agents.The disguised cybercriminal will threaten that you owe money to the IRS and must pay it immediately or otherwise face fines and arrest. Taxes are already tressful enough without cybercriminals involved! Luckily, we can confidently share that the IRS will not call or threaten you, and a few other tips too.
- If you do owe the IRS, they will not demand immediate payment using prepaid cards or transfers, which is a hallmark of cybercriminal scams.
- If there is an issue with your taxes, the IRS will likely contact you by mail, not through the phone.
- Stop and think about the call before acting—remember that cybercriminals prey on our emotions and fears!
Malware of the month:
We take for granted the ability to instantly communicate through phones, emails, and scheduling software. Residents of Passaic County, New Jersey experienced first-hand what life is like without those options, following a cyberattack that disrupted phone lines and IT services in government buildings in early March.The county is now working with state and federal agents to investigate the cyberattack. The event points to rising trends in county-wide cyberattacks, with multiple other cyberattacks occurring in New Jersey‘s local government and schools over the last three years.
Thinking about edtech for your district? We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.
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Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
