5-Second Scam Checklist for Alberta Seniors | Y-Not Tech Services

August 20, 2025 by Tony Whitney

The 5-Second Scam Spotting Checklist Every Alberta Senior Needs

Scammers are getting smarter, but you can get smarter too. As someone who’s helped hundreds of Alberta seniors protect their computers and personal information, I’ve seen firsthand how a simple 5-second checklist can be the difference between falling victim to a scam and staying safe.

I share this exact checklist with attendees at my Cybersecurity Education Programming. The response is incredible – seniors told me they felt empowered and confident for the first time when dealing with suspicious computer messages. Today, I’m sharing this same powerful tool with you.

[Read more…]

The Problem With “Forgotten” IT Devices | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

January 14, 2025 by Tony Whitney

The Problem With “Forgotten” IT Devices

Every business has those IT devices tucked away in storage rooms, old drawers, or even still sitting on your network unnoticed. Forgotten devices may seem harmless, but they can pose significant risks to your business’s security. Let’s take a closer look at why these “forgotten” devices are more of a ticking time bomb than a harmless relic of the past. [Read more…]

Think That’s a Celebrity Endorsement? It Might Be a Deepfake Scam | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Support

November 12, 2024 by Tony Whitney

Think That’s a Celebrity Endorsement? It Might Be a Deepfake Scam

Have you ever seen a video of a celebrity endorsing a new investment or giving away free tickets that seemed too good to be true? You might be witnessing a deepfake AI scam. These scams are becoming more and more convincing, leveraging advanced technology to deceive unsuspecting people.

In this article, we’re going to look at how these scams work, what deepfakes are, and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself. [Read more…]

Understanding BitLocker: Ensuring Data Security and Recovery | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Repair

July 30, 2024 by Tony Whitney

Understanding BitLocker: Ensuring Data Security and Recovery

In today’s digital age, securing your data is more critical than ever. With increasing cyber threats and the potential for data loss, robust encryption tools like BitLocker offer essential protection. BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature included with Windows, helps safeguard your data by encrypting entire drives. However, to maximize its effectiveness, it’s crucial to understand the importance of backing up your BitLocker recovery code, how to do it, and how to use it when needed.

What is BitLocker?

BitLocker is a powerful encryption feature available in certain editions of Windows. It encrypts the entire drive, making the data unreadable to unauthorized users. BitLocker can be used on internal and external drives, ensuring that your data remains secure even if the device is lost or stolen.

The Importance of Backing Up Your BitLocker Recovery Code

When you enable BitLocker, you are given a recovery code. This code is vital for accessing your data in certain situations, such as:

Password Forgotten: If you forget the password or PIN used to unlock the drive.
Hardware Changes: If there are significant changes to your computer’s hardware.
Operating System Issues: If Windows fails to start, you might need the recovery code to access the data on your drive.
BitLocker Management Policies: In a corporate environment, IT administrators might require the recovery code for maintenance or policy reasons.

Without this recovery code, you risk permanent data loss, as there would be no way to decrypt and access the encrypted data.

How to Back Up Your BitLocker Recovery Code

Backing up your BitLocker recovery code is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:

During BitLocker Setup:
- When you turn on BitLocker, you will be prompted to save the recovery code.
- Choose from the following options to save your recovery code:
  - Save to your Microsoft account.
  - Save to a USB flash drive.
  - Save to a file on your computer (not on the encrypted drive).
  - Print the recovery code and store it in a secure location.
After BitLocker is Enabled:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Go to System and Security and then BitLocker Drive Encryption.
- Find the drive for which you need to back up the recovery key.
- Click on Back up your recovery key and choose the desired method (Microsoft account, USB, file, or print).

How to Use Your BitLocker Recovery Code to Unlock an Encrypted Drive

If you find yourself locked out of your BitLocker-encrypted drive, you can use the recovery code to regain access. Here’s how:

On a BitLocker-Protected Drive:
- When prompted for the recovery key, enter the 48-digit recovery code.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to unlock the drive.
If Windows Won’t Start:
- Boot from a Windows installation media (USB or DVD).
- Choose your language and then select Repair your computer.
- Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, type manage-bde -unlock X: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY, replacing X: with the drive letter and YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY with the 48-digit recovery code.
- Once the drive is unlocked, you can use manage-bde -off X: to decrypt the drive if necessary.

Conclusion

BitLocker is a powerful tool for protecting your data, but its effectiveness depends on responsible management of the recovery code. Always back up your BitLocker recovery code and store it in a safe place. Whether you’re an individual at home or an employee in an office, understanding how to handle BitLocker and its recovery process can save you from potential data loss and ensure that your information remains secure.

By following these guidelines, you can take full advantage of BitLocker’s robust security features while maintaining access to your important data when needed. If any of this is confusing to you, don’t worry! We’re here to help:

How SIM Swaps Bypass Your Online Security | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB Computer Help

April 28, 2024 by Tony Whitney

How SIM Swaps Bypass Your Online Security

Have you ever been in the middle of an important phone call or task on your phone when you suddenly see those dreaded words, “SOS only” or “No Signal”?

Most of the time, it’s simply due to poor signal strength in your area or a temporary glitch with your carrier’s network. But what if losing your phone connection wasn’t so innocent?

What if an unknown hacker actively removes you from your mobile number to take it over for their own malicious purposes? This is the frightening reality of a cybercrime called “SIM swapping,” and it’s a growing threat that has affected many unwitting victims. [Read more…]

Casual Social Media Posts and Hidden Dangers | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support Company

March 18, 2024 by Tony Whitney

Casual Social Media Posts and Hidden Dangers

Social media is a powerful marketing tool for small businesses, allowing you to share updates and engage with customers easily. However, what you share on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram could put your company at risk of a cyberattack. [Read more…]

6 Fresh Ways to Mark National Computer Security Day | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Company

November 28, 2023 by Tony Whitney

6 Fresh Ways to Mark National Computer Security Day

Not worrying about bad actors infiltrating business technology would be a cause to celebrate, but that’s not a reality. So, instead, National Computer Security Day reminds us to promote computer security.

As technology advances, securing electronic devices and online systems grows more complicated. We now have October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month to encourage education and motivation. Also, since 1988, November 30 has been devoted to keeping online data safe and secure. [Read more…]

Four Strategies to Combat Data Sprawl | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

October 17, 2023 by Tony Whitney

Four Strategies to Combat Data Sprawl

The advent of modern data has offered many advantages, yet all that data also presents a formidable challenge: data sprawl. When you lose control of your data, you risk compromising productivity, security, and compliance. This article shares strategies to help you address the thorny issue of data sprawl.

What does data sprawl look like?

You’re probably dealing with data sprawl if any of the following sound familiar:

Your business loses track of crucial files.
You don’t know who has access to what information.
Employees use both personal and business tech to do work.
People repeat work that’s already done.
You can’t keep track of file revisions or who still needs to comment or edit.
Employees leave necessary files at home on days when they work in the office.
People send themselves emails with important files to ensure remote access.
Various departments use different applications, which siloes data.

These examples capture what it’s like to try and work amidst data sprawl. These issues drain productivity and waste resources. Data sprawl can also leave you open to cybersecurity vulnerabilities and compliance concerns. After all, you can’t back up or recover data you don’t know exists in the first place.

Instilling a sense of order in your data

Regain visibility to control support, streamline processes, enhance security, and improve efficiency. The following strategies can help.

#1 Audit your data

Start tackling your data sprawl situation by mapping out your existing data landscape. Thoroughly assess your data sources, storage locations, and data repositories. Once you have an idea of where your data is:

Categorize it by importance, frequency of use, and/or sensitivity.
Identify and clean up redundant or obsolete data.
Create a data catalog to improve visibility.
Install access controls and permissions.
Encrypt sensitive data.
Establish clear data-governance policies.
Train employees on data management best practices.

#2 Use cloud storage

Employees now work on-site, at home, and in other remote locations, or perhaps all three, which often causes data sprawl. A staffer might use their desktop computer in your office but their personal laptop at home. Even if everyone works in the same place, they might use desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Migrating to the cloud provides access to centralized storage. Avoid version-control concerns with everyone accessing the same data, no matter where they are. You can also ensure data is securely backed up, no matter the user’s device.

#3 Install cloud applications

Another way to keep employees on the same page is to give everyone access to the same business tools. For instance, Microsoft Office or Google Workspace can simplify communication and collaboration, especially in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) workplace. Cloud-based tools can create cohesion, as everyone logs into the same software to get their jobs done.

#4 Prioritize data control

In a data sprawl situation, it’s easy to lose track of where data lives and who has access to it. Then, when you move on to that next project, you might leave that old data unattended. If it’s breached, you might not even know.

Instead, track and log data to understand what’s where and who can get at it. When a project is over, have a policy in place for properly archiving or deleting data that is no longer needed.

Create a more structured and organized data environment

Is data overwhelming your business? Our IT experts can help. Contact us to support your data management strategies. We’ll get to know your systems and provide strategies to effectively combat data sprawl. Book an appointment today:

Finding Business Balance on the Sliding Scale of Security | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Support

September 5, 2023 by Tony Whitney

Finding Business Balance on the Sliding Scale of Security

Every day there’s some new malware or data leak or hacker exploit revelation. Your business is vigilant, but it feels like you always have to be doing more about cybersecurity to remain protected. Meanwhile, you want to balance security measures with usability, convenience, and cost. That balancing act puts you somewhere on the sliding scale of security. [Read more…]

Can Script Kiddies Threaten Your Business? | Y-Not Tech Services – Lethbridge, AB IT Business

August 29, 2023 by Tony Whitney

Can Script Kiddies Threaten Your Business?

Their name may not prompt anxiety, yet script kiddies are much more dangerous than they sound. These cybercriminals aren’t elite hackers, but they can still compromise your business. [Read more…]