Do You Really Need to “Safely Eject” USB Drives Anymore?We’ve all been there: rushing to grab your USB drive only to be stopped in your tracks by an ominous warning about “safely removing” it first. But does this advice from the days of yore still apply in the era of Windows 10 and 11?
If you’ve been swamped with spam lately, you’re not alone. Unwanted marketing messages clogging up our inboxes seem to be part of everyday digital life. But have you ever stopped to wonder how on earth all those spammers acquired your email address? [Read more…]
In today’s digital era, most businesses couldn’t do without a reliable internet and phone connection. However, recent events have shown us the potential risks of relying on a single network source.
One such incident occurred when Optus, one of Australia’s leading telecom providers, experienced a massive outage, leaving an estimated 400,000 businesses without internet or phone connectivity. [Read more…]
Have you recently received an email claiming to be from Norton informing you of an upcoming subscription renewal? Be cautious, as this could be a scam.
The “Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam” is making the rounds. This article aims to inform you about what to look for and how to avoid it. [Read more…]
Why You Need to Question Facebook QuizzesWhen you see a quiz on social media you:
A. Always fill it in! Of course, you want to know your celebrity alter ego or what your favorite food means about you.
B. Sometimes participate. Your friends have done it, so now you’re curious about your results too.
C. Scroll on by. You don’t want to risk security. [Read more…]
As the stereotype goes, when you report a problem to your IT team, their first question is often, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” While it might seem annoying, the reality is that many issues can indeed be fixed with a reboot. The longer you keep your computer running without a restart or shutdown, the higher the chances of encountering problems. [Read more…]
The Power of Professional Virus RemovalInstalling antivirus software is a great first step toward protecting your computer. Still, relying on that software to keep viruses at bay may not be the best thing. Working with a professional to remove the virus and fix your computer adds security.
Antivirus software protects computers and other devices against various malicious software (malware). It’s designed to detect viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and more. It matches known malware patterns and detects suspicious behavior. Then, the program works to block files or websites that might contain malware.
If an infection happens, the software can attempt to limit the threat. It will quarantine or isolate infected files to prevent the malware from spreading.
Many programs actively monitor your systems for real-time protection. Regularly updating your software keeps it current with the most recently identified malware and threats.
If you’re worried about infection, you can also typically start a manual scan. This checks your systems, folders, files, and removable storage devices for malware.
All those benefits are useful, but antivirus software is not foolproof. It relies on databases of known malware and current threats and can miss new approaches, and it might not catch every malware variant out there.
The software is also vulnerable to zero-day attacks, whereby Hackers exploit a new vulnerability until vendors create and send out updates.
Meanwhile, your antivirus may not remove all malware if the infection is deep or complex. You’ll know it’s there but will need the help of a professional to manually clean your computer.
Working with a pro, you can cut device downtime. An expert can identify the problem and prevent data loss. They can also preserve device performance. Otherwise, malware can consume system resources and run processes in the background.
Antivirus software also can’t give you the full picture of what’s happened. A technician can help identify the information compromised, they can also help you change your passwords.
They can also set your computer up to prevent data loss in the future. They’ll protect sensitive files and ensure your data backup or other systems aren’t infected.
In short, they can remove the existing threat and add extra security measures.
Antivirus software is only one part of comprehensive device security, and it’s not infallible.
Don’t just remove viruses, prevent them from happening with a professional’s help. Book an appointment today. We can help you shore up your security against emerging threats.
You might remember setting up a “telephone” with a friend made with cups and a string. Or feel nostalgic for the novelty of having your own phone line in your home growing up. Meanwhile, we’re raising the digital generation. They game online, chat online, stream TV online – everything is online. One popular channel for kids’ conversations? Discord. Here’s help keeping your kids safe on this and other online platforms. [Read more…]
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.
Examples of popular digital wallets include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and others. A digital wallet can store:
This enables online purchases, money transfers, bill payments, and in-store payments, all done through mobile devices. Plus, you don’t have to manually enter the payment details each time.
Many digital wallets use near-field communication (NFC) for contactless payments. When you tap your smartphone or smartwatch on a point-of-sale device to pay, you’re taking advantage of NFC.
Digital wallets allow people to travel light. Integrating them with food delivery and ride-share apps can simplify those payments, too. And you no longer have to worry about a thief getting their hands on your credit or debit card.
Still, consider the pros and cons of trusting a digital wallet application.
On the plus side, digital wallets use various security measures. These can include:
At the same time, there are risks. For one, NFC works wirelessly. This means there’s always a chance an attacker could intercept your payment once you authenticate it. They’d need to be near your device to access the information, but it’s possible.
Using a digital wallet application also means you’re relying on technology. Malfunctions could happen. Additionally, it’s possible someone could hack the digital wallet app.
Cybercriminals typically target cryptocurrency digital wallets in the hope of accessing large holdings. Nevertheless, other digital wallets are also at risk.
Still, a physical wallet also risks theft and exposing your financial information. So, there’s no real reason to avoid digital wallets altogether. Instead, take precautions.
Protect your digital wallet and financial information by taking the following steps:
Digital wallets can be a safe and secure way to make payments. Follow these suggested precautions and be mindful of potential risks.
Need help securing your IT? We can help.
Getting the job done is the focus. Many of us don’t spend much time thinking about how we’re setting up our workspace to do our tasks, yet desk ergonomics can increase productivity, lessen muscle fatigue, and cut work-related aches. [Read more…]
