​This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix
IT Security Tip: Your copier is spying on you…
 
Modern business equipment has radically changed how we conduct everyday business. Do you realize that copiers and multifunction printers are also one of the leading causes of data breaches?
They are the one device on the network that commonly does not ever have the default password changed. After all, who would want to get in and copy your settings? There might be a different answer if you realize that quite often those copiers keep images of all pages scanned on an internal hard drive. Perfect for someone to anonymously access and steal social security records and sensitive business data.
Take steps to secure your MFP copier today. Change – or ask US to change – default passwords on ALL network-connected devices. Don’t forget this rule when the copier lease is up and a new one is installed! A few quick steps can save a lot of personal data breaches and a lot of security headaches down the road.
Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com  
 
 

Thanks for your Time and Consideration
Terrence Boylan, CEO

PacketLogix Cybersecurity Tip of the Week
​
Be VERY careful of what you put in any e-mail

​Never forget that e-mail constitutes a legal record and can be admissible in legal actions, not only in the courtroom, but in the court of public opinion. People sue people for all kinds of silly reasons. Family members get into disputes, couples get divorced, consumers sue merchants and vendors can pursue delinquent clients.
Whenever a lawyer is looking for damaging evidence, one of the first things they’ll ask for are e-mail records – and deleting them does NOT save you. Just look at what happened to Hillary!
E-mail is also not private. Employers have the right to monitor employees’ work e-mail; and if you e-mail anything to a “friend,” you have no legal right to prevent them from posting it or forwarding it.
So, before you hit “send,” take a minute to make absolutely certain your e-mail doesn’t contain something you don’t want public. Pretend your boss/parent/spouse/religious leader/kids are copied on every e-mail you write. Better yet, pretend your worst enemy is…then edit before you hit “send.”
 
For a very limited time, at no cost to your company, we will conduct a dark web scan looking for your company’s hacked credentials for sale on the dark web.  Contact Nikki Manalansan at 401-227-2695 or [email protected] for us to start your dark web scan today. 
 
 

Thanks for your Time and Consideration
Terrence Boylan, CEO

​Marshall Building & Remodeling Classroom Giveaway 2023
Riverside, RI, August 15th, 2023 for immediate release.

​Marshall Building & Remodeling has announced their 2023 Teacher’s Classroom Giveaway. Three local classrooms are eligible to win a total of $1500 to support their students this year. The giveaway aims to bridge the gap between public funding and classroom needs. Teachers can choose to use the $500 gift in any way they see fit, as long as it’s related to helping students learn and grow.
Marshall is celebrating its 40th year in business this year. To show their appreciation to the community that built them, they have launched a 40 Days of Giveaways Program. The classroom giveaway is part of that ongoing effort (other prizes are announced throughout the year on their social media pages).
Teachers from all across Rhode Island and those in Bristol County, Massachusetts are welcome to enter. In addition to the $500 prize, the three teachers will also receive cleaning materials (disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc).
Alyssa Marshall, a marketing specialist at Marshall Building & Remodeling and founder of this initiative, spoke about the importance of giving back to the community.
“Marshall has always thought of the community as an extension of our team. We know that without the community’s support we couldn’t be celebrating this 40-year milestone and we feel extremely grateful.
We just want to say ‘thank you’ – to our prior customers, their neighbors, the community-at-large, and, of course, our teachers. We’ve learned that, on average, a teacher spends $500 of their own money supplying the classroom. We want to help alleviate that burden.”
To enter, email [email protected] with your name (or the teacher’s name you’d like to nominate), school name and grade, contact information, and how the money will be useful to the classroom. Marshall’s staff will vote to select the three recipients.
The deadline for entry is August 30st with winners being announced on September 1st. Winners will be notified via the submitted contact information and also on their Facebook and Instagram account. You can follow them @marshallbuilding.
 
Submission Information:
Alyssa Marshall
Marshall Building & Remodeling
152 Forbes Street, Riverside, RI 02915
[email protected]
508.542.4314

his Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix
IT Security Tip: What the heck is an AUP…and why do you want it?
 
With so many access points, from cell phones to laptop and home computers, how can anyone hope to keep their network safe from hackers, viruses and other unintentional security breaches? The answer is not “one thing” but a series of things you have to implement and constantly be vigilant about, such as installing and constantly updating your firewall, antivirus, spam-filtering software and backups. This is why clients hire us – it’s a full-time job for someone with specific expertise (which we have!).
Once that basic foundation is in place, the next most important thing you can do is create an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and TRAIN your employees on how to use company devices and other security protocols, such as never accessing company e-mail, data or applications with unprotected home PCs and devices (for example). Also, how to create good passwords, how to recognize a phishing e-mail, what websites to never access, etc. NEVER assume your employees know everything they need to know about IT security. Threats are ever-evolving and attacks are getting more sophisticated and cleverer by the minute.
This e-mail series is one great way to keep your employees informed, but you STILL need training and a good AUP in place. If you’d like our help in creating an AUP for your company, based on best practices, call us at 401-227-2695 or email [email protected] . You’ll be glad you did.
 
 

Thanks for your Time and Consideration
Terrence Boylan, CEO
 
 
 
                                                                                          

Washington Trust’s Sandra Mazo Appointed to Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide

Westerly, R.I. August 10, 2023 – The Washington Trust Company (“Washington Trust,” “the Bank”) today announced that Sandra Mazo, Mortgage Loan Officer (NMLS # 269909), has been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide. Women United® represents 55,000 members working with United Way in more than 200 communities across the globe. Sandra was nominated by United Way of Rhode Island, where she has been a member of Women United since 2019.


“We are exceptionally proud of Sandra and her efforts to build stronger, more equitable communities through her work here at the Bank and as a member of the Women United Global Leadership Council,” stated Edward O. ‘Ned’ Handy, III, Washington Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Adding, “Sandra has been active in the local community, both personally and professionally, and will be a tremendous representative for our State at the national level.”


Members of the Women United Global Leadership Council serve a three-year term, and the group is also represented on United Way Worldwide’s Board. Following a rigorous nominations process, Mazo was selected for her experience, commitment to Women United, and a deep investment in the mission of United Way. Locally, Mazo helps to drive impact work in our communities through volunteering and advocating for efforts that improve early childhood education, health, and economic mobility. Along with her standing as a member of Women United with United Way of Rhode Island, Sandra is part of the organization’s Young Leaders Circle, which she joined in 2016.


“Serving on a global advisory board where she can mobilize fellow women leaders and advocates around key United Way issues is an incredible and well-deserved opportunity for Sandra,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island president and CEO. “We were excited to nominate Sandra for this leadership position and know she will passionately present Rhode Island’s needs, share ideas, and most importantly, inspire change.”


Mazo has more than 30 years of lending experience and is responsible for developing and maintaining mortgage lending relationships throughout the Rhode Island market. Prior to joining Washington Trust, Mazo worked at RIHousing, helping families navigate the home buying process. She is an Affiliate Member of the Greater Providence Board of Realtors and Kent Washington Association of Realtors, Professional Women in Building, National Association of Real Estate Professionals (“NAHREP”) Providence Chapter, and a DEI Committee Member for the Rhode Island Association of Realtors (“RIAR”).


# # #


ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST®
Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and one of the Northeast’s premier financial services companies. Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ: WASH). Additional information on Washington Trust can be found at washtrust.com.



ABOUT UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND
United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As a member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, business, nonprofit, community leaders and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and to drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.

​​foce_com_ma_18039_23-590__sa__initial_2023_08_07.pdf
Disaster Field Operations Center East
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2023 Contact: Michael Lampton (404) 331-0333
[email protected]
Release Number: 23-590, MA 18039
​
SBA Working Capital Loans Available in Massachusetts for
Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for Rain and Flooding
ATLANTA- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic injury
Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Massachusetts for small businesses, small agricultural
cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with
economic losses due to rain and flooding occurring on July 9-16.
The declaration includes the primary counties of Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire,
Norfolk, and Worcester; and the contiguous counties of Middlesex, Plymouth and Suffolk in
Massachusetts; the contiguous counties of Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland and Windham in Connecticut;
Cheshire and Hillsborough in New Hampshire; Columbia, Dutchess, and Rensselaer in New York;
Bristol, Newport and Providence in Rhode Island; and Bennington and Windham in Vermont.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages
and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities, affected
by the same disaster,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible
farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this
disaster. Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural
producers, farmers, and ranchers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4 percent for small businesses and
2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. These working capital
loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been
paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure
website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 18039.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer
Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial
7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services), or sending an email to
[email protected]. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at
sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration,
Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than April 1, 2024
​

​        
This Week’s Cybersecurity Tip of the Week, provided by PacketLogix
IT Security Tip: The Top 10 list for keeping your mobile phone secure
 
10 easy tips to mobile phone security:
1. Lock your device with a PIN or password, and never leave it unattended in public
2. Uninstall apps you don’t use
3. ONLY download apps from trusted sources
4. Keep your phone’s operating system updated
5. Install antivirus software
6. Use your phone’s “find me” feature to prevent loss or theft
7. Cover the camera with a camera sticker when not in use
8. Back up your data
9. Encrypt the data if you have sensitive info stored on it
10. Don’t click on links or attachments from unsolicited e-mails or texts
Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! 
 
For a very limited time, at no cost to your company, we will conduct a dark web scan looking for your company’s hacked credentials for sale on the dark web.  Contact Nikki Manalansan at 401-227-2695 or [email protected] for us to start your dark web scan today.