If an important file went missing this afternoon, would you know where to look first, who last touched it, or how to get it back without pulling half the team into a search? Most people immediately wonder if they have been hacked, even when nothing obvious points to an attack. For most business owners, the honest answer is “not really”,…
Administrative Privilege Risk is often overlooked in day-to-day business operations, yet it quietly exposes IT environments to serious security issues. Most business owners want their computers to stay out of the way so work can get done. You want to install what you need, change settings when something breaks, and fix minor problems without waiting for someone else. In many…
Modern file sharing makes it incredibly easy to get work done. You click Share in OneDrive or Google Drive, send a link, and the other person gets straight to work. That ease is exactly why this problem exists, especially when Temporary Access is treated casually. Access is granted in seconds, but removal depends on someone remembering weeks, months, or years…
Business email templates solve this problem quietly by removing unnecessary repetition while keeping communication personal and flexible. Most businesses already pay for capable email platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Messages are sent, replies come back, and communication flows well enough that it rarely raises concern. What often goes unnoticed is how much repetitive work happens inside email every…
We’ve all been there. You sit down with your coffee, press the power button, and then wait. Five minutes later, your computer finally gets to the desktop, and only then can you start working, browsing, or checking emails. It might not seem like much at first, but those minutes every morning quickly add up to hours over the course of…
Microsoft 365 is a strong set of tools created to make working together and staying safe easier on many devices and systems. It has well-known programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as new ones like Teams and OneDrive. With its powerful features and cloud-based services, Microsoft 365 gives businesses a complete way to organize their operations and…
In this digital world, it’s hard to keep track of all the storage space on your devices. It’s easy for our devices to run out of room because we keep adding more photos, videos, documents, and files. Cloud storage is a convenient option because it lets people store their data online, which frees up space on their devices and lets them…
You can make your computer experience more unique by changing the style of your desktop. It lets you organize your area well, which makes it easier to get to files and programs you use often. There are many ways to change things whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux. This can make a big difference in how your desktop looks and…
Cybercriminals target Gmail a lot because it’s very popular. It also integrates with many other Google services. As AI-powered hacking attacks become more common, it gets harder for people to distinguish between real and fake emails. As 2025 approaches, it’s crucial for Gmail users to be aware of these new threats and take steps to keep their accounts safe. We’ll discuss…
Malware is bad software that can hurt your computer or phone. It can also make your device run slow and steal your info. Here is how you can spot hidden malware on your devices. What is Malware? The word “malware” is short for “malicious software.” It is a program that tries to harm your device or data. The most common types of…
File storage and transferring hold a very dear place in most people’s lives. However, the safety of files is really tough to maintain. In this guide, we are going to help you protect your files. We will explore ways to store and send files securely. What is secure file storage? Secure file storage protects your files. It prevents others from accessing…
Data breaches can harm your business. They can cost you money and trust. Let’s look at how to stop them from happening. What is a data breach? A data breach is when someone steals information. This can be names, emails, or credit card numbers. It’s bad for your customers and your business. Why should you care about data breaches? Data breaches are…
Data is one of the most valuable assets a business can have. Managing this data throughout its lifecycle can be challenging. Data lifecycle management (DLM) refers to several processes and policies. They govern the handling, storage, and eventual disposal of data. Businesses generate and store vast amounts of data. As this happens, the importance of effective DLM becomes more critical. Navigating the…
Our devices are a big part of our daily lives: work, fun, and staying in touch. Still, sometimes they make us less productive. In this article, you will learn how to organize your device. You’ll learn ways to boost your productivity and get more done. Why is device organization important? Messy devices slow us down and make it tough to find…
AI is going to change how we work. It can make some tasks easier. But it can also cause problems. Let’s look at some ways AI can make work tricky. What is AI and how does it affect work? AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. The computer systems are actually able to do the things that normal and regular human intelligence…
The end of last week, two vulnerabilities that could affect many business systems were discovered. These are classified as CVE-2023-4863 (libwebp) and CVE-2023-5217 (libvpx), they are outlined on the National Vulnerability Database website. The impact of these vulnerabilities is extremely serious: Successful exploitation could potentially result in attackers taking control of a system, executing arbitrary code, and accessing sensitive…
Saving money is always an attractive option for businesses. Still, a bargain that undermines productivity and can hurt profitability is inadvisable. When comparing vendors, consider the return on investment as well as the quote’s bottom line. This is especially true when it comes to your managed service providers (MSP). As external IT help for your business, an MSP can support…
AI chatbots can offer several benefits to businesses, as the technology can help you automate and expedite many business tasks, but be cautious about the information you share with AI chatbots. Ways AI Chatbots Help Businesses AI chatbots have gained popularity with businesses looking to streamline tasks. After all, this powerful tech can help businesses: provide 24/7 customer support, handling…
Is this email legitimate? Could it be a phishing email? In this video, we’ll show you the key elements of phishing emails you must watch out for if you ever receive a suspicious email.
With the embrace of smart mobile devices, digital wallets have grown popular. Also known as e-wallets or mobile wallets, these apps store payment information virtually. The convenience is undeniable; the question is whether digital wallets are safe to use. Popular examples of digital wallets include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and others. A digital…
Working from home is no longer only for a few employees in special circumstances. The pandemic pushed many businesses to enable remote work. The priority was getting it working and securing access. Now that it’s routine, it’s also time to consider how you back up work from home. Data backup creates a reliable copy of business data. An accessible, accurate…
When you delete a file, it disappears from your desktop. That can be helpful to clear up clutter and give you a sense of accomplishment, or it can cause a panic spiral as you worry that you’ve lost a week’s worth of work. Either way, it may help to better understand what really happens when you delete a file. Start…
When was the last time you had to change your password or received an alert to update your device for what felt like the umpteenth time? These are minor frustrations, but ongoing IT requests can add up to cybersecurity fatigue. You can’t stop securing your tech, but you can combat employee annoyance with the process. The need for cybersecurity isn’t…
Bet this sounds familiar: A screen full of legalese opens up when you download some new software. You immediately scroll to the bottom and click “I agree.” Most of us don’t actually read license agreements. This is not a good idea for individual use. Worse, it’s a real risk for businesses. Even if you don’t read every one of those…
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are becoming more common. Many people use VPNs to establish an encrypted connection over a public network or to add privacy and security. Think of a VPN as a private tunnel. Connect to the internet using a VPN, and your device sends and receives data that others can’t access. Many find this useful when connecting to…
To be successful in business today you need technology and the expertise to manage it. Yet recruiting and retaining internal IT experts is challenging. Those who know how to support, secure, and scale technology assets are in high demand. That’s one reason many take advantage of co-managed IT. Co-managed IT sees your internal teamwork alongside a managed service provider (MSP).…
Seeing a major password manager breached, it’s hard not to throw up your hands and say, “it’s helpless.” Still, don’t give up on all password managers. Used properly, they are still better than a password spreadsheet or sticky notes of your credentials. Plus, it’s definitely smarter than reusing the same password to access more than one account. According to LastPass,…
There’s one big assumption about cyber attackers that we regularly refute: “It can’t happen to me.” At this point, most businesses do recognize the serious nature of the cyberattack threat. Yet other assumptions about cyber attackers may also make your business vulnerable. Educate your employees about these four main misconceptions. Raising their awareness can help secure your systems against social…
Backups are the go-to to keep you safe in the event of ransomware or data threats. But the bad guys expect your business to backup. The question is, are you keeping your backups safe? Ransomware attacks remain prevalent. Having a backup strategy can help you avoid paying the ransom to retrieve access to your data. But that only works if…
Keeping up with the pace of business technology change can be difficult. It can feel as if you’re always a few steps behind. Every day brings some new cybersecurity threat, compliance regulation, or tech innovation. But you don’t have to do it all alone. Business tech creates a competitive advantage. IT enables communication, supports collaboration, streamlines process, secures data, and…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer sci-fi; it’s fast becoming a regular part of our day-to-day lives. For Microsoft 365 users, there’s Copilot, an AI-powered assistant. Here’s how it works. Microsoft developed Copilot to help you navigate and operate Microsoft 365. Machine learning, trained by your usage patterns and preferences, offers up personalized recommendations, reducing your time and effort invested.…
We may not have hovercraft yet, but ChatGPT offers futuristic innovation to businesses. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language model designed to generate human-like responses. The increasingly popular AI-powered platform has a wide range of applications. Weigh its advantages against the security implications, though. ChatGPT responds to questions or commands, drawing on pre-training using large amounts of text data. The…
With “Googling it” now a common expression, it’s safe to say you do a lot online. To do it all you’re using a Web browser (such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.). To do it all more efficiently or effectively, you could be using browser extensions, but this article is going to warn you against doing so. To clarify, browser extensions…
Part of the problem with a data breach is that your business doesn’t know about it until it’s already happened – sometimes well after. Knowing the signs of a data breach can help you mitigate the damage. Don’t get complacent about cybersecurity. There are many things competing for your attention. But cyber vulnerabilities can mean unexpected downtime, as well as…
Cloud computing has given us greater mobility than ever before. We can sign in to video conferences on our phones, collaborate on presentations from a laptop, or edit a file on a tablet on the sidelines of a kids’ soccer match. Yet the one thing we need still is a reliable internet connection. Think about the country of Canada. Earlier…
There is no shortage of business technology out there to choose from. The sheer volume of options is overwhelming, and it can be challenging to identify the right solution for your business. This article provides ideas to help you make smart IT purchases. You want to get the most out of your IT budget in 2023, but these common factors…
You’ve heard it before: no one is immune from cyberattacks. Doubt that statement? The Vatican suffered an attack that prompted it to take its websites offline. Yes, even the Holy See can suffer a Denial of Service (DDoS attack). The November 30, 2022 attack affected the official Vatican.va website. Several other Vatican sites were also inaccessible for hours. The suspected…
Our phones can recognize our faces. Digital watches can detect that we’ve been in an accident. We can put on a virtual reality headset and feel as if we’re swimming with dolphins. With all this technological innovation, why are printers still so frustrating? This article explains why and how to make the most of the situation. Hewlett-Packard released its home…
As the new year approaches (already?), it is a good time to take stock and plan some small business resolutions. Join the millions around the world determined to make the best of January’s fresh start. Try these suggestions for top IT resolutions to better your business. #1 Embrace digital transformation The business world is going digital. Ideally, you’ve already made…
Around the world, the new year is a time for celebration. It’s a time to reflect and a time we typically resolve to make the most of coming 12 months. We do this by leaving last year’s problems precisely where they belong, in the past year. Many manage to adopt this approach in their personal lives, but it pays enormous…
Many of us set goals, tasks, and challenges to tackle in the new year. Cleaning out the spare room, shopping around for the best energy deals, or exercising more than we did last year. We set these goals to improve our lives and build on productivity, health, and organization in the future. Resolutions to improve for the coming year are…
The holiday season is here again. TV advertisers have released their festive jingles and stores have dusted off their Christmas displays. Most importantly, shopping centers have moved their latest and greatest devices to the front of the store. It’s almost time to eat warming treats in front of a roaring fire. There may still be work to do, however, before…
The holidays are busy. We’re trying to get work done to have some fun, and we’re hosting family and friends. Plus, parents that have the holiday Elf tradition must remember to move the doll every night. It’s a lot, and it can make us more likely to fall for scams that can lead to data theft. Hackers like to take…
Christmas time is back with us again. The latest devices and gadgets are hitting store shelves just in time to keep up with the rush. Magazines, television, and the web are brimming with advertisements and reviews of the latest tech your money can buy. Before you rush out to buy the gadgets you’ve been waiting all year for, consider a…
It’s not as if the name “managed services provider” (MSP) is that self-explanatory. You might read that business description and have no real idea what it is an MSP can do for you. We’re providing managed services … OK, but what does that mean? To make things easier, this article outlines the actual IT services an MSP provides. Most important,…
[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”0px” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”0px” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”0px” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”0px” padding_top=”” padding_right=”0px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”0px” link_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=””…
You would need to be new to the internet to be unaware email breaches and threats to cybersecurity. With Internet World Stats reporting that 69% of the world is now online, that naïveté is increasingly unlikely. But is your business doing all it can to prevent email breaches? We know better than to use “123456” or “letmein” as passwords, but…
[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” min_height_medium=”” min_height_small=”” min_height=”” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” flex_column_spacing=”” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top_medium=”” padding_right_medium=”0px” padding_bottom_medium=”” padding_left_medium=”0px” padding_top_small=”” padding_right_small=”0px” padding_bottom_small=”” padding_left_small=”0px” padding_top=”” padding_right=”0px” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”0px” link_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” link_hover_color=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_right=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” z_index=”” overflow=””…
“Downtime costs money.” That’s no secret, but it doesn’t quite capture the whole experience…you arrive to work in the morning, grab your coffee knowing you’ve got a hectic day ahead, and are ready to dive in. For some reason your computer can’t access the database and neither can anyone else’s. You restart the server while fielding calls left, right and…
If your computer had a virus, you’d want to know about it ASAP, right? Before your important files become corrupted, you lose your photos and your digital life is essentially destroyed. Even thinking about it is terrifying. Tech scammers know we’d be lost without our computers, and that we don’t always know what’s going on behind the screen – which…
You’re not alone! Most people use the same password everywhere – home, work, Gmail, Facebook… even for banking. Considering how many passwords we are expected to remember and use on a daily basis, password exhaustion is a very real thing. It’s no wonder that when yet another prompt for a password appears, users enter easily guessed combinations like ‘abcd’ or…
“That will never happen to me.” We get through our lives telling ourselves the worst won’t happen to us. It’s the same with business: “We won’t need this data backup.” Yet, whatever your industry, secure, reliable backup ensures business as usual. So, what’s the best way to backup? Here’s help. Why You Need to Backup Business disruptions of any kind…
A single click can be the difference between maintaining data security and suffering massive financial losses. From the moment just one employee takes the bait in a phishing email, your business is vulnerable to data breaches and extensive downtime. Quickly spot the red flags and put phishing emails where they belong: 1. Poor spelling and grammar While occasional typos happen…
Considered to be social media for professionals, LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for millions of people all over the world and a great way to make a wide range of professional connections. Unfortunately, hackers and scammers are aware of this fact and tend to gravitate to it as well. They are hoping to take advantage of the unsuspecting. Recent research…
