Firewalls are like security checkpoints; they monitor information going in and out of a network. If you’ve installed a firewall on your business system, congratulations! But is your business firewall enough to protect you from cyber-attacks? Hardware vs. Software First, what kind of firewall did you install? You may have a physical unit, a hardware […]

Overlooking best practices seems a contradiction in terms. By definition, practices refer to actions we repeat until we master them. But in the busy world of IT, it’s easy to forget to practice some critical procedures. Here are some IT best practices an organization may overlook. Employee Education Hackers exploit system vulnerabilities, and one of […]

Is it a good idea to download free software (aka “freeware”)? The simple answer is “yes and no.” Reputable companies like Microsoft and Adobe offer free, extremely useful, applications. But if you download freeware from lesser-known sites, you may unwittingly access malware. So, before you download a free application, do your homework. Install Antivirus Software […]

The Microsoft product managers and engineers certainly anticipated the needs of small and midsized organizations when they developed their Teams product. The pandemic escalated the shift to remote and hybrid workforces. No longer did employees lean on their cubicle wall to collaborate with their peers or huddle in a physical conference room.  Microsoft Teams combines […]

You recognize the importance of providing technical support for your customers, internal and external, but what level of information technology (IT) support does your organization need? Understanding three common levels of support will help you decide how to offer this critical service efficiently, economically, and effectively. Level One – Initial Interactions First level support (Help […]

We love shortcuts! Shortcuts take us from point A to point B by the fastest route, saving us time and energy. The use of those funny little keys on our keyboards can save us time and energy, too. So, why don’t we take advantage of keyboard shortcuts? For some of us, learning to use these […]

“Phishing, smishing, and vishing?! What are you talking about?!”  As the leader of a small to mid-sized company, you have more on your plate than concerns about cybersecurity. Yet hackers continue to set their sites on the systems and data essential to your organization’s success. Your IT department, if you can afford one, spends its […]

You put Ring doorbells on your house, deadbolts on your doors, and floodlights on your garage. But how do you protect your valuable personal and business information from prying eyes and cyber thieves? Here are some top cybersecurity tips for 2022. Personal Message Smarts: Whether using personal or business email, NEVER trust links or attachments […]

According to Pew Research, eight out of ten of us turn to a digital device for the news.  Convenient? Definitely. Entertaining? Yes. But reliable and accurate? Not so much.  With busy lives and little time to do our own investigation, how do we determine truth from spin? How do we detect “fake news” and current […]

You’re humming along with Windows 10 when suddenly you get an invitation to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft’s staged rollout of its newest operating system has begun, and the upgrade is free to current Windows 10 users. Whether you are an individual or your employer’s IT department head, before you agree to make the switch […]