Script

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A Script is a list of commands that are executed by a certain program or scripting engine. Scripts may be used to automate processes on a local computer or to generate web pages on the Internet. For example, Disk Operating System (DOS) scripts and Visual Basic (VB) Scripts may be used to run processes on Windows machines, while AppleScript scripts can automate tasks on Macs. ASP, JSP, PHP, and Microsoft PowerShell scripts are often run on servers to generate dynamic web page content.

Script files are usually text documents that contain instructions written in a scripting language. This means most scripts can be opened and edited using a basic text editor. However, when opened by the appropriate scripting engine, the commands within the script are executed. Visual Basic (VB) scripts, for example, will run when double-clicked, using Windows’ built-in VB scripting support. Since VB scripts can access and modify local files, you should never run a VB script that you receive as an unknown e-mail attachment.

Script languages are generally easier and faster to code in than the more structured and compiled languages such as C and C++. However, a script takes longer to run than a compiled program since each instruction is being handled by another program first (requiring additional instructions) rather than directly by the basic instruction processor. [Editors note: compiled languages are also an interpretation or abstraction from what is called Assembly Language. Assembly language is the code that interacts with the bare hardware of your computer – the CPU, memory, storage systems.]

What does this mean for an SMB or MSP?

Not many business owners need to be familiar with and use scripts; however, your IT professionals should be able to. Computers have been designed from the beginning to do what is difficult for humans, repeat processes over and over millions and billions of times faster than humans can. Scripts are one level of such automation and can be handy for automating your business processes on occasion. Cybersecurity professionals also like to use scripts to automate many things like security testing, scanning, data manipulation, and searching for needles in haystacks. Speaking of security professionals, CyberHoot likes to remind you of the following important security measures every business must take to protect themselves with a robust cybersecurity program.

CyberHoot’s Minimum Essential Cybersecurity Recommendations

The following recommendations will help you and your business stay secure with the various threats you may face on a day-to-day basis. All of the suggestions listed below can be gained by hiring CyberHoot’s vCISO Program development services.

Govern employees with policies and procedures. You need a password policy, an acceptable use policy, an information handling policy, and a written information security program (WISP) at a minimum.

Train employees on how to spot and avoid phishing attacks. Adopt a Learning Management system like CyberHoot to teach employees the skills they need to be more confident, productive, and secure.

Test employees with Phishing attacks to practice. CyberHoot’s Phish testing allows businesses to test employees with believable phishing attacks and put those that fail into remedial phish training.

Deploy critical cybersecurity technology including two-factor authentication on all critical accounts. Enable email SPAM filtering, validate backups, and deploy DNS protection, antivirus, and anti-malware on all your endpoints.

In the modern Work-from-Home era, make sure you’re managing personal devices connecting to your network by validating their security (patching, antivirus, DNS protections) or prohibiting their use entirely.

If you haven’t had a risk assessment by a 3rd party in the last 2 years, you should have one now. Establishing a risk management framework in your organization is critical to addressing your most egregious risks with your finite time and money.

Buy Cyber-Insurance to protect you in a catastrophic failure situation. Cyber-Insurance is no different than Car, Fire, Flood, or Life insurance. It’s there when you need it most.

Each of these recommendations, except cyber-insurance, is built into CyberHoot’s product and virtual Chief Information Security Officer services. With CyberHoot you can govern, train, assess, and test your employees. Visit CyberHoot.com and sign up for our services today. At the very least continue to learn by enrolling in our monthly Cybersecurity newsletters to stay on top of current cybersecurity updates.

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