13 Mar 2019

End ransomware with virtual DR

2019-03-27T10:39:00-07:00

Ransomware like CryptoLocker and WannaCry has become more sophisticated over the years. No wonder that more ransomware attacks are expected this year. To fend off these threats, turn to virtualized disaster recovery (DR) solutions. They’re your best defense against ransomware.

Virtual DR

Virtual DR solutions allow you to create point-in-time copies or “snapshots” of operating systems, data, and virtual machines as they appear at a given point in time. These snapshots can then be loaded onto any workstation with everything still intact. In the event of a ransomware attack, administrators can essentially roll back the system to a point before the malware struck.

What’s great about point-in-time copy features is that they are automated. Just schedule the snapshots and your virtual DR software will do the rest. Although virtual DR solutions vary, most of them have the capacity to store thousands of point-in-time copies, giving you plenty of restore points to choose from.

Why virtual DR trumps traditional DR

Most traditional DR methods don’t have point-in-time copy features. Even though most computers […]

End ransomware with virtual DR2019-03-27T10:39:00-07:00
12 Mar 2019

What VoIP services can you choose from?

2019-03-27T10:40:05-07:00

Forget about the days when your company used to spend a lot of money on long-distance phone calls to clients and partners. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology allows people to place and receive free or cheap calls, and there are various options for individual users and business owners alike.

VoIP comes in a variety of forms. Do you rarely leave your house and office, or are you usually on the move? If you’re a business owner, what’s the size of your company, and what factors matter most to you? Let’s take a look at some of the VoIP services available on the market to help you make a better decision in choosing your means of telephony.

Residential VoIP services
For this type of VoIP, you use an adapter to connect your landline phone to a Wi-Fi modem to make and receive calls over the internet. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll be billed each month for either unlimited services or for minutes you actually use.

Examples: VoIP.com, Lingo

Device-based VoIP […]

What VoIP services can you choose from?2019-03-27T10:40:05-07:00
11 Mar 2019

How to create a Facebook ad that sells

2021-01-06T14:43:32-07:00

Your products and services won’t sell, no matter how exceptional they are, if no one knows they exist. That’s where advertising comes into play. Yet for a small business with a limited budget, an ad placement in traditional media is costly. But thanks to Facebook’s online platform, advertising is now more affordable.

Why advertise on Facebook?

Above all else, the cost-effectiveness of Facebook advertising sets it apart from other marketing channels. The starting cost is as low as $1 per day, which is ideal for SMBs that want to test small campaigns before investing more.

Beyond its affordability, Facebook advertising is also extremely effective. With 6 billion monthly active advertisers and the ability to nail down your audience to the most specific details — including their interests and online behavior — it’s no surprise that Facebook advertising has the best return on investment (ROI) compared with other social media platforms.

Before you get started

As with other traditional marketing campaigns, you need to determine your marketing objectives, audience, budget, and how […]

How to create a Facebook ad that sells2021-01-06T14:43:32-07:00
8 Mar 2019

Manage apps better with Office 365 Groups

2019-03-08T08:00:39-07:00

You can now manage your apps and centralize membership for all your Microsoft Office 365 products in one place. Thanks to Office 365 Groups, you can better manage your Microsoft apps in the cloud. Read on to learn more about it.

What can it do?

Office 365 Connectors enable users to access third-party apps and services within their Outlook groups, rather than having to scour through dozens of windows to access a specific application. This feature allows you to keep your company’s data in one place, and enables your employees to stay up to date regardless of the service used to announce an event or a memo.
For example, your team members can be informed about a particular hashtag that your company is following on Twitter without the need to open the page. Groups aren’t limited to one particular service either. With connectors, you can use Twitter, Trello, Mailchimp, Bing, UserVoice, and over 50 other services.
Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can also take advantage of connectors. Office 365 lets you develop your own connectors by embedding the Connect […]

Manage apps better with Office 365 Groups2019-03-08T08:00:39-07:00
7 Mar 2019

Microsoft works on new Windows OS

2019-03-27T10:41:22-07:00

Microsoft announces new developments every month, but this is the biggest one yet. Several reports have found that Microsoft is developing a stripped-down version of the Windows operating system (OS) that will compete against Chrome OS. Here’s a quick rundown of the new OS that’s being called “Windows Lite.”

What is Windows Lite?
Windows Lite is a more flexible, trimmed-down OS designed for casual, lightweight computing. This means users can expect shorter startup times, faster performance, and a less complex system. If it’s trying to compete with the likes of Chrome OS, then it’s possible that Lite will have syncing features that save your preferences, files, and settings across your personal devices.

Windows Lite will initially be tied to a series of devices Microsoft has called Centaurus and Pegasus. The former refers to dual-screen, notebook-like devices, while the latter denotes compact laptops specifically designed to run the OS.

From a design perspective, the OS won’t stray too far from the familiar taskbar and start button layout to avoid making the same […]

Microsoft works on new Windows OS2019-03-27T10:41:22-07:00
5 Mar 2019

Want to get rid of your Mac? Not so fast

2019-03-27T11:17:53-07:00

Buying a secondhand Mac is a popular way to save money on relatively expensive equipment that retains its value. Conversely, selling your used Mac is a great way to expose yourself to potential identity theft. Keep your personal information safe when getting rid of a Mac computer by adhering to these tips.

Sign into all your accounts on a new computer

Before you can ensure that your personal accounts are inaccessible on the Mac you’re getting rid of, you must be certain that you can access those accounts on another computer. If you need to recover a username or password, your options may be limited if the trusted computer has been wiped clean. Make sure to log in to these accounts on another device before moving forward:

  • iTunes
  • iCloud
  • Apple ID
  • iMessage

It’s also important that you remember account credentials that you previously relied on your web browser to remember. If you use Safari, here are the steps to check all the accounts your browser has saved:

  • Open Safari.
  • Select […]
Want to get rid of your Mac? Not so fast2019-03-27T11:17:53-07:00
4 Mar 2019

How can MSPs optimize healthcare?

2019-03-27T11:17:40-07:00

Patient care does not begin and end with giving timely medical attention. It also requires enforcing strict security measures to ensure patients’ personal information is always kept confidential. Choosing the right managed services provider (MSP) that provides tailor-fit, cost-effective, point-to-point solutions will help achieve both medical and technological concerns centralized for easy monitoring.

They guarantee response times

When it comes to providing healthcare services, talking about fast response times is not the only thing that matters. You should always make sure that your provider guarantees response times, and that you’re able to contact them 24/7. Consider this: in a scenario where something breaks or you come across technical issues in the dead of the night, your best bet would be to contact your MSP, not to try fixing things on your own. Therefore, you need a provider who is able to give assistance whenever you need it most.

They support a business continuity plan

You risk putting your organization in jeopardy if your MSP can’t assist in your recovery […]

How can MSPs optimize healthcare?2019-03-27T11:17:40-07:00
1 Mar 2019

Easy fixes to your Wi-Fi issues

2019-03-27T11:17:34-07:00

From answering emails and using online productivity suites to browsing Facebook and streaming YouTube videos, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. But what do you do when there are connectivity and speed issues? Here are some solutions to five of the most common Wi-Fi worries.

Range constraints

Wi-Fi works via radio waves that are broadcast from a central hub, usually a piece of hardware known as a router. To avoid a weak signal in your office, make sure:

  • Your router is placed in a centralized location and not tucked away in the corner.
  • Your Wi-Fi antennae are either in a fully horizontal or vertical position for optimal signal distribution.

Note that Wi-Fi range constraints can also occur from interference, so if your office is situated in a highly populated area, try changing your router’s channel.

Slow speeds

Despite a high-speed or fiber optic internet connection, slow load times can still occur for a number of reasons. To optimize speeds, try the following:

  • Make sure your router is located in […]
Easy fixes to your Wi-Fi issues2019-03-27T11:17:34-07:00
28 Feb 2019

Why is HTTPS important?

2019-03-27T11:17:20-07:00

Many internet users still do not understand what the padlock icon in their web browser’s address bar is for. It represents HTTPS, a security feature that authenticates websites and protects the information users submit to them. This is an important feature that lets users know whether the site they are visiting is secure or not.

HTTPS Encryption

When you visit a website that doesn’t use HTTPS, which is common with older websites that have been left on its domain with minimal intervention, everything you type or click on that website is sent across the network in plain text. So, if your bank’s website doesn’t use the latest protocols, your login information can be decrypted by anyone with even the most basic tools.

HTTPS Certificates

The other thing outdated web browsing lacks is publisher certificates. When you enter a web address into your browser, your computer uses an online directory to translate that text into numerical addresses then saves that information on your computer so it doesn’t need to check the online […]

Why is HTTPS important?2019-03-27T11:17:20-07:00
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