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…]
6 Fresh Ways to Mark National Computer Security DayNot 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…]
Free Yourself from Daily IT DistractionsEveryone who runs their own company knows the constant challenge of wearing many hats and trying to manage everything yourself. As much as you’d like to focus your time and energy solely on core business operations that drive revenue, other ancillary tasks often demand attention too, and keeping IT systems running smoothly is a frequent culprit. [Read more…]
Neglected Software Vulnerabilities and Their CostsCyber insurance is essential for the internet-connected business. Yet, when was the last time you reviewed your policy? You may find new text outlining coverage for neglected software vulnerabilities. You may not even know what that involves. This article explains these vulnerabilities and how to avoid their associated costs. [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…]
Employee effectiveness is key to business success. When your people can do the right things well, you’ll see improved results. That leads to the question: How can businesses improve employee effectiveness? A managed service provider (MSP) can help your employees meet their goals effectively and efficiently. [Read more…]
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.
You’re probably dealing with data sprawl if any of the following sound familiar:
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.
Regain visibility to control support, streamline processes, enhance security, and improve efficiency. The following strategies can help.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Are you reading this on a laptop? Take a moment to imagine how you’d feel if your laptop were stolen. Maybe you looked away for a moment at the airport or coffee shop, or someone broke into your car or house. It could be disastrous.
Laptop theft is a real problem. Security software provider Norton reports that over 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered. Laptops are an easy and effective target for bad actors. Some 44% of thieves target laptops for their resale value. Meanwhile, 56% contain sensitive information. [Read more…]
