570.235.1946

help@nepageeks.com
152 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
In-Shop Hours Mon - Fri 9 AM - 5 PM

Weekends Emergency Support Only

microsoft Tag

20 Oct

Posted at 13:38h in Blog Post
0 Likes

Quantum computing has been an idea for a while, and has recently been making steady advancements in the past 10 years. The first people who proposed the idea were Richard Feynman and Yuri Manin in 1980 (Microsoft, 2023). Since then, companies like IBM have taken interest in it. There is a point now in the world where there are physical quantum computers that are functional. With the advancement and realization of the quantum computer, IBM is taking a special interest in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity will need to evolve alongside the quantum computer. As we usher in the age of quantum computing, there needs to be a system in place to combat quantum cyber attacks. Enter IBM’s Quantum Safe Technology. “Governments and enterprises are rushing to form a quantum-safe strategy to protect critical data from quantum attack. Today, our IBM Quantum Safe roadmap helps organizations navigate this complex landscape by equipping them to track their quantum-safe milestones and achieve them using IBM technology, services, and infrastructure” (IBM, 2023). IBM has a roadmap specifically for cybersecurity. Here is what it looks like: (IBM, 2023).   IBM is not the only one in the quantum market race. Many other companies are starting to dedicate research and development into quantum computers. Companies like D Wave, Intel, Microsoft, Alibaba, Bidu, and Google are investing into a quantum future as well.  Having cybersecurity issues? Contact us for consultation and options for staying safe on the internet.   References: IBM. (2023). IBM quantum computing | quantum safe. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/quantum/quantum-safe  Microsoft. (2023). Quantum computing history - azure quantum. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved October 20, 2023, from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/quantum/concepts-overview...

21 Aug

Posted at 09:00h in Blog Post
0 Likes

7 Bonuses for Small Business in Office 365 You’ve seen all the ads for Office 365. They’re popping up on your desktop, your employees are sending you meaningful looks, and clearly, it’s not going away. You’ve probably even jumped online to see what all the fuss is about. But is Office 365 a necessary upgrade for your small business? The answer is yes. It’s more than a refreshed set of tools, it’s an efficiency and productivity powerhouse. Here are 7 spot-on reasons why small business owners should upgrade now. Data security is built in Office 365 was created with data security at its core. The built-in compliance and security protocols mean your cloud storage is safe, and you can control access so your valuable data remains exactly where you want it. Storing your data in the 365 cloud keeps it safe in case of emergency, with 1TB of storage per user included at no extra cost. Ditch the licensing drama Software version differences can be a real nightmare in a small office. Not every system can do the same things, and half the time, they can’t even open the same files. It quickly becomes a hodge-podge of workarounds and lost time. Office 365 includes site-wide licenses with upgrades at the same time. Mail storage for real people Not everyone lives in the land of inbox zero. In fact, most people tend to leave messages in their inbox forever. Occasionally we’ll do a quick clean up, but only when the alert comes in that the mailbox is full. Meanwhile, new emails from customers may be bouncing away with the old ‘mailbox full’ message. Eek! In Office 365, your employees can communicate without worrying about storage space. Better time management Every person in your business is juggling meetings, emails and contacts – usually across multiple platforms. Office 365 brings all those elements together, integrating seamlessly for more efficient time management. Contacts updated via mobile while offsite are automatically updated across all connected devices. Meetings scheduled in an email are added instantly to the calendar. You can even access files from any device, edit on the run and then back in the office, simply pick up where you left off. Predictable costs Forget about planning (and delaying) those costly upgrades. Office 365 has small business covered. You can choose a plan based on your unique needs and change at any time. You can even add or decrease the number of users as you scale and streamline. It’s so easy to fit Office 365 into your monthly budget while knowing you’ve got the very best and latest in small business software. Work on the go The days of fiddling with private network and security settings are over, thanks to Office 365. You don’t even need any special IT skills or extra software. Users can now securely access their files from home, during their commute, or in meetings for on-the-fly impressive presentations. Got an internet connection? That’s all they’ll need to squeeze productivity out of every day. Stay up and running with no downtime A whopping 25% of small businesses shut down permanently after flood, fire, crash or cyber-attack. With Office 365, all your data is stored in the cloud with built-in backups for redundancy. No matter what happens, your data will be there, letting you stay up and running – and always ahead of the pack. If you are ready to take your email to the next level, give us a call on 570.235.1946 or visit our Contact Page...

19 Jun

Posted at 09:00h in Blog Post
0 Likes

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...

25 Oct

Posted at 20:33h in Blog Post
0 Likes

If Your Computer Had A Virus, You’d Want to Know About It ASAP, Right? Tech scammers know we’d be lost without our computers, and that we don’t always know what’s going on behind the screen. In effect, they’ve been able to swindle millions from people across the world every day. Tech Scams Go Like This You receive a random phone call from someone with a heavy accent (usually Indian) saying they’re from Microsoft. Pop-ups appear on the screen indicating system is infected with a virus. Then, to fix the problem, they instruct you to download support software. From here, the technician gives you a special link to use. Thereafter, a technician uses that software to gain access to your system, and makes it appear as if your system is riddled with viruses. For example, flashing screens, mysterious diagnostics whizzing by, fabricated errors…they’ll do or say anything to invoke panic. Scammers go as far as claiming your system has been infected with illegal content, and can lead to criminal charges. Finally, scammers will make demands for credit card information. Once paid, scammers stop fiddling with your system to create the illusion that the problem is fixed. To continue the scam, they’ll soon access your system to recreate the problem, this time offering a subscription for ongoing protection. What To Do If Targeted By Tech Scams? 1. Don’t taunt them. Just hang up. Right now you’re only a phone number in their system and they’ll move onto the next. However, if you give them cause to target you personally, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation. The real Microsoft will never randomly call people like this. Ever. 2. If a pop-up appears, immediately run an anti-virus scan. Don’t click the pop-up or call the number. Already A Victim of Scams? Call your financial institution and have the charges reversed and your card reissued. It’s easier than you might think and helps the authorities locate the scammers. Give us a call at 570-235-1946 or visit our Contact Page and we’ll make sure scammers no longer have access to your computer...

11 Mar

Posted at 18:09h in Blog Post
0 Likes

Attention Windows XP Users On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will be ending its support for Windows XP. This means that Windows XP will be left open and vulnerable to any future attacks. In the past, hackers found security holes and exploits that would allow them to  stealing your valuable information. In the past, Microsoft protected you with security patches. From April 8 on, however, these patch updates will no longer be released. That means any new holes or exploits will remain forever. If you are a home user, your personal information -- along with anything else stored on your computer -- could become accessible to anyone knowing how to exploit these security holes. As such, it's very important that you upgrade to any operating system later than XP. This includes Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you run a business that has computers running Windows XP, it could mean the end of certain security certifications. Running a computer with XP will soon become a liability. If your business relies on storing the information of customers and clients, this data could be easily available to hackers capable of exploiting new found security holes in your systems! A quick call is all it takes to make sure you have everything you need to keep your computers running safe and secured. Call us at 570-235-1946 or visit our Contact Page...