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Author: Jason

10 Jul

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What is the Cloud? Where is it? What is the cloud? There has been a ton of talk about the cloud. Cloud this, cloud that. It’s okay if you don’t know, most people don’t understand it and even some tech people tend to wave their hands towards the sky when trying to explain it! Since it actually has nothing to do with the white fluffy things in the sky, let’s lay it all out: Cloud computing is about storing and retrieving your data (personal or business) within your own piece of the internet. Access it from anywhere. Colleagues in different locations can even collaborate on documents in real time. If that all sounds a bit futuristic, think about how an email service like Gmail works. Emails are stored on the Gmail server, not on your hard drive or device. Your read/send/receive changes are applied instantly, remembered for next login. This is a form of cloud computing. So is Netflix, where you can stream movies and TV shows on demand. Video is stored on a computer somewhere else in the world, and sent to your device in tiny packages. Netflix remembers what you watched, where you got up to, and if you’re hopping from one device to another, it still has it all ready to go. Where is ‘cloud’ data stored? Good question. And it’s why the term ‘cloud’ causes so much confusion. Companies who offer cloud storage have huge warehouses dedicated to holding servers. By huge, we mean HUGE. In terms of location, the US and UK are popular server farm locations, but the company could also have copies of your data stored elsewhere in the world. This is so they can fulfill their redundancy guarantees – if disaster hits one location, the other still has a copy. Having additional locations and copies also increases the speed of access. With some companies, you can choose your preferred location. Data doesn’t have to travel quite as far across the world, increasing speed even further, which of course, saves time and money. Collaboration, security, redundancy, AND savings? We’d call that a win. Ready to take advantage of cloud computing? Give us a call at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

03 Jul

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Everything You Need to Know About Facebook Privacy Discussing Facebook privacy poses a challenge in balancing privacy and enjoyment. It connects friends worldwide but also shares information we previously considered private. Searching for people based on education, location, clubs, and relationships raises the question: when does it cross the line? When signing up on Facebook, your birthday is the first information collected. It's enjoyable receiving birthday wishes, but now it becomes public knowledge. However, when verifying your identity with institutions like banks, they often ask for your birthday. Password recovery systems may also inquire about your high school, assuming it's private knowledge. Unfortunately, you've inadvertently shared these details on Facebook. Oops! We've all heard stories of people who've lost their jobs after less-than-wholesome pictures or statements have gone public. If you have a reputation to keep, you definitely don't want pictures from last weekend's private party showing up, especially if you really let your hair down. While you can't control what others do with photos they take of you, you can control whether or not you're tagged in them. Fortunately, there are settings in Facebook that allow you to control who sees what information and what happens when youíre tagged. Despite what you may have heard or seen floating around in a Facebook share hoax, you do have complete control over your Facebook privacy, and it's easy to adjust. How to Check and Adjust Your Facebook Privacy Settings See what your account looks like to an outsider From your Facebook homepage, click your name on the blue bar at the top of the page. Click the three dots next to 'View Activity Log' and then select 'View as' Run a quick privacy checkup Click the question mark in the top right corner and choose 'privacy checkup'. Think about what you really need to share ñ do people need to know the YEAR of your birth or just your birthday? Your friends will still get the notification, and you'll still get the balloons. Edit advanced privacy While the checkup covers the most obvious info, you can go much deeper. Click the V-shaped dropdown to the right of the question mark. Go to settings and choose privacy. Adjust timeline and tagging In the privacy settings, you can explicitly control who can tag you, who can see or share the tagged content, and what shows up on your newsfeed. Read more about controlling your privacy on Facebook here. Tightening your Facebook privacy only takes a few minutes, but it can save you a whole lot of trouble in the future. If you need help with this, just give us a call at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

30 Jun

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Should Use Remote Support Should you use remote support? If you’ve ever had a sudden computer problem, you know it can be very stressful. So much of our day-to-day life requires having access to a working computer. Homework, budgeting, bills, even browsing dinner recipes all have a degree of urgency that mean dealing with a broken computer isn’t comfortable for long. Your computer technician offers two options: remote repair or bring it in. Which is the best choice for you? Benefits of Remote Support Speed: If remote repair is a possibility, your technician can connect via the Internet and have you operational in no time. You might also choose to just leave it turned on in the morning and go to work as normal, while the tech logs in to conduct the repair, ready for your return. Without this option, you’d need to juggle time in your diary to drop the system off as most in-store techs only work 9-5. Many large-scale remote support services are even available 24/7, eliminating all unnecessary delays. Convenience: You get to skip the unpleasant tasks of unplugging the PC, untangling the cables and carting it into the repair store. Even then, once repaired, you’d still be privileged with carrying it back home and playing a game of which-plug-goes-where. Computers may be getting smaller, but they’re still heavy and fiddly! Laptops are designed to be moved around often and it may not be a problem to stop at the repair store, but traveling with a desktop PC requires a little more effort and a lot more inconvenience. Negatives of Remote Support Limited repair options: A remote connection can only repair certain software problems, not hardware problems. It’s impossible for the technician to swap out a failed part remotely, and unless you’re confident in your own repair skills, guided physical repair isn’t viable either. Occasionally the problem will also be outside the computer, perhaps a troublesome peripheral or connection. Your technician may be able to walk you through correcting some of these minor problems yourself, but most invariably require a physical call-out or taking your computer in-store. Connection speed: A slow or unstable connection will make a remote repair take longer and increase the difficulty of the task. The extended time impacts the cost for the call, and in extreme cases, can negate any benefits of skipping the physical inspection. Your connection needs to allow the technician to see real-time responses as if they were sitting there in person. Accessibility: If your computer won’t start or can’t connect to the Internet at all, your technician can’t log in. This includes seeing a ‘blue screen of death’, boot failure and Windows load failure. As much as they’d like to help you, being able to log in to your system is a vital step in the remote repair process. Remote support and repair is the ideal situation, purely for speed and convenience. As a bonus, in the event the remote repair is unsuccessful, it also means your tech now has a better idea of the problem and can speed up any on-site or in-store repairs. Remote support is the best option for many repairs and gets your computer working again with minimal disruption and lowest cost. Need a repair? Call us at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page for rapid remote support....

28 Jun

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5 Ways Managed Services Can Grow Your Business Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help grow your business with a proactive approach to managing their technology without the expensive step of hiring an in-house team. Your MSP is essentially a collection of niche technology experts working behind the scenes to keep your data safe, generate solutions to IT problems and keep your software updated. Even larger businesses who already have an IT person will often call in an MSP when daily support becomes overwhelming or a specific certification is required. Let’s explore 5 specific business breakthroughs an MSP can give you: It’s extremely cost-effective: There’s only so much in the budget for IT and responding to events on a break/fix basis will quickly exhaust your accounts. An MSP works by getting ahead of problems before they occur – making equipment last longer, defending against costly security breaches and keeping the business up and running. Instead of calling for a repair at a high hourly rate, you get a wide array of expert services for one predictable monthly fee. You have access to multiple experts: Businesses usually end up adding extra tasks to an unqualified but enthusiastic employee’s workload, resulting in costly problems. With MSPs, you have access to many people who are experts in very specific areas, and your existing staff can focus on tasks within their job description. Speedy problem resolution: Downtime and business don’t mix, so your MSP will provide a reliable expert on call (usually with 24/7 options) to troubleshoot and resolve any problems. Much of the time, you can also skip the delay of an on-site repair with rapid remote support available in just moments. Fewer problems: A large part of your MSPs service is fixing problems before they happen. While fixing things as they break isn’t the worst approach to IT management, it generally means you’re also suffering productivity losses, downtime and losing money by the second. Your MSPs primary goal is to ensure these problems are avoided completely, through system monitoring and robust security measures. They’ll also make sure every important software update and security patch is applied immediately, closing breach points and keeping your business safe. Shared responsibilities: As your business grows, so will your IT systems. A good MSP is on top of what your future needs will look like and knows which products and infrastructure are suitable to help you get there. Your MSP doesn’t just monitor your system and repair as required; they share responsibility for your system. This means measuring, reporting, analyzing and optimizing, working with you to introduce new technologies and processes. Depending on your level of contracted services, your MSP can actually become a catalyst for growth. Sounds good, doesn’t it? With managed services, your business always has the maximum security against threats, downtime and productivity drops. But for the savvy business owner, it’s also a way you can afford to leverage cutting-edge technologies, with complete peace of mind and ongoing support. Boost your business with managed services. Call us now at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

23 Jun

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4 Important Reasons to Use Anti-Spam Filtering in your Business Why use anti-spam filtering in your business? Remember when spam was obvious, and unless you desperately needed a special blue pill, it was easy to identify and ignore? Those were the days! The impact on your business would have been minimal, as spam was more an annoyance than anything else. Unfortunately, spam has matured into an aggressive threat, marked by sophisticated attacks and rapidly evolving techniques. It’s not just random electronic junk mail anymore and it’s putting a costly strain on your business resources. How Spam Impacts Your Business Spam now contains malware, with hackers sending cleverly disguised emails to your business. This is called "malspam." Once clicked by an employee, it infects your computer system (virus) or steals your private data (phishing). The malware can then spread across the entire computer network and beyond, including to your clients and vendors. The very fact that your employees must pause and examine every single link and attachment adds hours of lost productivity. Occasionally, spam is so convincing that only an expert would be able to visually identify it. Employees are also more likely to miss an important email, either not seeing it arrive at the same time as a spam attack or becoming overwhelmed with the sheer number of emails. How Anti-Spam Can Save Your Business Block threats: The spam filter’s purpose is to block the spam from ever reaching your employees’ screens. The threat is automatically identified and either held securely or immediately deleted. This is the best way to avoid activating spam malware, as it’s so easy to click through links in an email that seems authentic and important. The effects of that one spam click may be instantaneous or may lie hidden for months. Removing the email before it becomes a risk is a much better option. Filter legitimate emails: Real mail needs to be able to stand out and avoid the trash. Anti-spam filtering has sophisticated recognition abilities which block spam only and allow real mail to land safely in mailboxes. Meet data regulations: Many businesses are subject to strict privacy and data storage regulations, some more so than others. To continue operation, they have to meet conditions including always using spam filtering to reduce the risk of data breach. Protect your business reputation: You can see how uncomfortable CEOs are when they hold press conferences to admit a breach. They must acknowledge that they failed to protect client data, or that users may be infected with a virus. Not only do they then face financial loss, their business reputation takes a nosedive. Anti-spam filtering can ensure these types of scenarios don’t happen to you. Filtering has come a long way in recent years, with complex algorithms identifying and catching spam before it becomes a risk to your business. Real emails can now pass safely through without the classic catchcry of ‘check the spam folder’, and businesses can work with greater productivity and safety than ever before. You need email, but you definitely don’t need spam or the chaos it brings to your business. We can block spam and keep your legitimate emails flowing. Call us at 570.235.1946 today or visit our Contact Page...

21 Jun

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Make Managed Services Work for You There are ways managed services can work for you. Wouldn’t it be great to know you could access the internet from every room in the house? Many homes are embracing the flexibility of multiple devices, but this comes at the cost of increased headaches. In effect, people don’t realize how complex their tech setup has become. Residential homes commonly have 4 mobile devices, 2 tablets, a desktop or laptop, printer, smart TV, media streamer, and game console, all of which need access to the same secure internet connection. For that reason, using managed services has the benefit of providing one, predictable bill for every part of your technology services, including: Managed Services Advice and setup: Our experts love to talk tech and can help you make product decisions, plan and create your ideal network environment – building in all the parental controls and security your unique situation needs. In effect, they'll help educate your family on best practices, cyber safety, and common threats. Remote Support: Save time and energy if services goes wrong, our experts can securely log in to remotely diagnose and repair many issues. Backup: Never worry about losing personal files, photos, video and music if your device is broken or stolen. Our experts ensure everything that’s important to you is backed up regularly. Maintenance: Devices need regular maintenance and cleaning. This extends the life of your device greatly and has the added benefit of making it run like new again. Security: Every device under your managed services IT plan will be automatically monitored for security issues and updated regularly. In detail, our tech experts will ensure your network is secure, protecting you and your family on autopilot. Cloud: We’ll make sure you have access to all your files, no matter which device you’re on, giving you true digital flexibility and (a safeguard against forgetting homework!). With new connected devices finding their way into homes each year, it’s important to ensure your network grow with security at all levels. Remember, it only takes one unprotected device to let the malware in. Therefore, our managed IT services will free you from worrying about security and maintenance. Find out how Managed IT Services can help you by calling us at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

19 Jun

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Why Your Windows Updates Are More Important Than Ever Windows updates keep devices secure with the latest security updates. Stories about hackers and virus attacks seem to be making the news almost every day, and many of these news stories include tips on how you can avoid becoming a victim. One common theme among these tips is making sure your Windows operating system up to date. Every day hackers are trying to figure out new ways to break into Microsoft Windows and once they do find a weakness, they try and find a way to spread it. This could be through a malicious email attachment or even something that spreads without your involvement. Windows Updates Explained Whenever Microsoft discovers a potential flaw, they push out a small piece of software to all Windows computers running a supported version. If set correctly, your computer will check if there’s any updates or patches and install them automatically. In new versions, this usually happens when you’re shutting down or starting up, and doesn’t impact your experience at all. Unfortunately, some users will manually disable or delay their updates, creating a risky situation. The update may include security patches, drivers or a simple tweak to address bugs or issues with Windows. Sometimes, they even include new features or applications to improve the stability of your operating system. They’re a good thing! Not All Versions Get Updates Some older Windows operating systems are no longer supported, which means unless there are extenuating circumstances, Microsoft won’t issue any new updates. Not a single one – generally, if cyber criminals discover a flaw after support ends, they’re free to exploit it. For example, Windows XP support ended in 2014, and Windows Vista just ended in April this year. The moment an operating system is retired it becomes a playground for cyber-criminals. It’s not just Microsoft walking away from these old versions either. Third party software like the Google Chrome browser will still work, but they’ve also stopped supporting old versions with crucial updates and patches. It might seem like everything is working fine because your anti-virus isn’t pinging in alarm, but it just becomes a case of risk, upon risk, upon risk. What to do with older Windows As much as you’re comfortable with your older version of Windows, each time you boot up you’re exposing your system, important files and entire network. It only takes one weak entry point in the chain to allow malware into all connected devices. That could mean your photo storage, media center or even smart appliances. It’s not worth it - if you’re running Windows XP or Vista (or older), you need to update to a more modern operating system ASAP. Give us a call to upgrade your computer. We can also monitor your system remotely and apply your Windows updates with our Managed Services packages, ensuring you are always up to date and protected. Give us a call at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

16 Jun

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Internet Lingo 101: Cheat Sheet for Beginners Having an internet lingo cheat sheet for beginners is important. The Internet is growing and evolving so fast even the dictionary has trouble keeping up. Here are 12 suddenly common terms that are helpful to know. Browser A browser is a free piece of software that lets you view web pages, videos and other online content. It’s a core requirement of going online, as it converts the computer languages HTML, Javascript and XML into human-readable form. The most popular browsers in 2017 are Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Microsoft Edge*. (*Internet Explorer has been superseded and is no longer recommended due to security concerns) Email Electronic Mail (formerly spelled with a hyphen: ‘e-mail’) is typed messages sent from one person/business to another via the Internet. It’s delivered almost instantly and then waits patiently for the recipient to open and read it. You’ll need a webmail service (e.g. Gmail) or installed software (e.g. Outlook) to read, write and send, but you can also set your smartphone up for this. Most emails are in the form of letters, newsletters or catalogs, often with a more casual tone. Email can include text, links to the internet and images, but not video/sound. Encryption Before important data is sent over the internet, it’s scrambled to turn it into gibberish that means nothing to anybody who might intercept it. Unless there’s been a massive security breach, only the sender and intended recipient will have the decryption key to turn it back into readable data. You don’t have to encrypt your own data as it happens automatically. Your email provider and important places like banks and online stores have digital security systems that take care of the encryption/decryption for you. Firewall A firewall is a security measure designed to act like a door bouncer to your network. When an unauthorized user attempts to gain entry, the firewall blocks their path until it’s checked them out thoroughly. If there’s anything suspicious, the firewall refuses to let them in. HTTP and HTTPS These are acronyms for the rules of how data is transmitted to your computer screen. The actual mechanics are incredibly complicated, but the terms have one very important distinction: HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) means the images, text and links should appear in your browser. HyperText Transfer Protocol Secured (HTTPS) means the page has an added layer of security to hide your personal information from hackers. Data sent through pages with this prefix is securely encrypted before transmission. IP Address Every device that accesses the Internet is assigned a unique IP address to identify itself. It’s used to make sure when you request a page or document, it’s sent to you – and not someone in Alaska. Your IP will look something like ‘202.9.64.55’ and may be referred to as fixed or dynamic. ISP Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is the company that allows you to connect to the Internet. They’ll also offer extra services like email or web hosting. It’s impossible to bypass the ISP level and connect directly to the Internet. Malware A broad term to describe viruses and malicious software from hackers. Malware can manipulate you into paying money, take control of your computer, steal your private details or break your computer in some way. Instead of listing each specific threat, you’ll commonly see them lumped together under ‘malware’. Router The traffic system for your network, connecting computers and devices within the home and acting as a defensive gateway to the Internet. These hardware devices can be wired or wireless, and allow you to share one Internet connection amongst all the computers/devices in your home. Social Media A broad term to describe all the websites and applications that let you share and interact with others online. To fit this umbrella, the site needs to allow user profiles, live updates and the ability to add friends/followers. The most common social media applications are Facebook and Twitter. Spam and Filtering Any unsolicited messages sent over the Internet, usually in bulk, are called spam. Usually, it’s electronic junk mail, but it’s also a technique hackers use to trick people into clicking links to their malware. Email applications are reasonably good at identifying spam and should shift it automatically to a spam folder before you see it. Occasionally, the filters get it wrong and you may find a relevant email needs to be dragged back to your inbox. URL Each website has a unique address on the web known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). URLs commonly end in .com but can also end in a country specific extension like .com.au or .fr, or more recently, in new and exciting extensions such as .xyz or .me Need more consultation on technology topics? Call us today at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

14 Jun

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Stay safe from cyber attacks while traveling for business. Managers, owners, and employees are all embracing the flexibility of working while traveling, making it the new global norm. While you were in the office, you were protected by professionally designed firewalls, security infrastructure, and robust software. As soon as you step away from the building, those protections disappear, leaving your device and the data inside at risk. Cyber attackers love to collect any data they can obtain, often preferring to hack first, assess value later. Almost all data can be sold, including your personal details, those of your clients and suppliers, as well as your proprietary business data. The information stored on your device is usually worth much more than the device itself. Here are 3 ways a hacker will attack: Flaunting Opportunity: Whether your employee left their laptop at a café or a thief stole the device, the outcome is the same – that device is gone. Hackers will take advantage of any opportunity to gain access to a device, including taking them from hotel rooms and even asking to ‘borrow’ them for a few minutes to install spyware. Spoofing a Wi-Fi Hotspot: We’ve all come to expect free Wi-Fi networks wherever we go. Hackers will take advantage of this trust to create their own free, unsecure network, just waiting for a traveler to check a quick email. Intercepting an Unsecure Network: Hackers don’t need to own the Wi-Fi network to steal content from it. Data traveling across an unsecure network is visible and available to anyone with the right software. It’s okay, you don’t need to lock all employees inside the building or cancel all travel plans. Taking these four precautions will increase cyber safety and help protect your business data while on the go. Create backup before travelling: In the event your device is lost or damaged,  you can replace the device with a new one. Don’t use public Wi-Fi: Wait until you have access to a secure network before going online. Use passwords and encryption: Secure your device with a password or full drive encryption. Act fast after loss: If your device is lost or stolen, immediately notify the appropriate people. This includes your IT provider, your bank, and any staff who need to be aware of the breach. Need help with mobile cyber security? Call us at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

12 Jun

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How much could a ransomware attack cost? Have you ever thought about how much your data is worth? Cyber attackers target valuable information like client databases, accounting software, inventory management, and intellectual property. The WannaCry ransomware outbreak made businesses rethink the value of their data and the consequences of such attacks. Ransomware attacks typically require payment ranging from $150 to $600 for file release. Meanwhile, new client calls are still coming in and you may find yourself unable to operate with your systems down. Paying the ransom or restoring from an unaffected backup seems like a quick fix, but it doesn’t end there. There’s still the downtime involved to restore all your data – possibly days – and that’s a lot of lost productivity. Plus, if word gets out that your data has been compromised, you may find confidence in your business plummets and your existing clients head elsewhere. That $150 ransom may end up costing well over $150,000! Prevent Ransomware Attacks on your Business Keep your systems up to date: WannaCry took advantage of a flaw in older versions of Windows, one that was since patched by Microsoft. But to be protected, businesses had to be up to date with their patches AND be running a supported version of Windows. Delaying patches and updates puts your business at risk - we can help you update automatically. Lock down employee computers: Very few staff will require full administrator access to your business network. The higher their level of permissions, the more damage a person can do – either accidentally with a whoopsie click, or by inadvertently installing malware. By locking down your employee computers, you have a better chance of containing a malware attack to non-vital systems. Our experts can design an access management plan that gives you best of both worlds: flexibility PLUS security. Educate your workplace: Most employees believe they’re being cyber-safe but the reality is quite different. Many malicious links and embedded malware have become hard to spot in an instant – which is all it takes to click and regret. We can work with your staff to establish procedures around checking links for authenticity before clicking, awareness around verifying the source of attachments, and the importance of anti-virus scanning. We’ll help get the message through! Have a solid backup plan: When ransomware hits, a connected backup = infected backup. Unfortunately, synced options such as Dropbox immediately clone the infected files, rendering them useless. The only safe backups will be the ones both physically and electronically disconnected, with systems designed to protect against attacks like this. Our experts can set you up with a backup system that makes recovery a breeze. Be proactive: The best way to avoid the financial cost of a ransomware attack is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Remember, many businesses were able to watch WannaCry from the sidelines, completely unaffected and seizing opportunities while their competitors were down. Our managed services can help protect your business against the next cyber-attack. Call us today at 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...