Helpful tips for removing Android adware apps
There’s a popular notion that adware only affects desktop computers and laptops. However, Android devices are just as vulnerable to adware as computers. If your devices are displaying unwanted ads at unusual times or are pausing for no apparent reason, you could be a victim of Android adware. Luckily, there are easy ways to identify and remove them from your devices. What is adware? Adware or advertising-supported software is a program that displays unwanted ads on computers or mobile devices. It monitors browsing activity to bombard users with advertisements tailored to their interests. Some signs of an adware infection include: Ads popping up on an Android device’s lock screen and notification panel Noticeably slower performance and/or frequent crashing Fast battery drain Suspicious data usage The appearance of unknown software you did not download Changes to your browser’s home page How can you remove Android adware apps? If you notice the aforementioned signs or suspect that your Android device is infected with adware, here are ways to remove it. Use adware removal software Adware removal apps can easily remove hidden adware from Android devices. However, not all of them are safe or effective. When choosing adware removal software, make sure it can do the following: Monitor URLs and alert you against dangerous websites Warn you about the presence of suspicious apps aside from adware Automatically scan and remove adware from your device Efficiently use your device’s resources Run smoothly in the background without disrupting other apps Remove adware manually If your device does not have an adware removal tool installed, or you don’t want to download one, you can manually remove adware by following these steps: Press and hold the power button. Press and hold down the Restart or Power Off icon until a new option to reboot in safe mode appears. Tap on Safe Mode. This will restart your device in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps. After restarting your device in Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps. This will bring up a list of all the apps on your device. Adware apps usually come with a greenish-blue icon and use generic file names such as Update, Back-Up, etc. Tap on the icon of the app you want to remove and select Uninstall. Note that most Android devices come with preloaded apps from the manufacturer that can’t be deleted. In such cases, the only options you can use are Force Stop or Disable. These steps will largely depend on your device’s Android version. If you’re having trouble restarting your device in Safe Mode, try referring to its manual or search online on how to restart your specific device in Safe Mode. If you want to learn more ways to protect your Android devices from adware and other cyberthreats, give us a call today. We’ll be more than happy to help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Simple tips to prolong your iPhone’s battery life
Employees rely on smartphones to contact clients and coworkers as well as to work on the go. So if your iPhone runs out of battery, it can significantly hinder productivity and communications. Avoid this risk by following these simple battery-extending tricks. 1. Activate Low Power Mode When you switch on Low Power Mode, it automatically adjusts several settings to extend the life of your battery. For starters, it reduces the brightness of your screen and the amount of battery power your apps are using. It also disables the automatic fetching of new email and it powers off the display more quickly. To activate Low Power Mode, press Settings > Battery and then tap Low Power Mode. 2. Lower the screen brightness The brighter your iPhone screen, the more battery it drains. To adjust your screen brightness, flick the Control Center tab upward from the bottom of your screen. There, you’ll see a horizontal line with a circle in the middle and a sun symbol to the side of both ends. Move the circle left or right to adjust the brightness. Alternatively, you can adjust your iPhone’s brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness. On this screen, you also can turn off Auto-Brightness, which automatically adjusts the brightness of your phone. When you turn this setting off, you’ll be certain that your phone is not wasting any battery power due to excessive screen brightness. 3. Switch off Wi-Fi Enabling Wi-Fi can be a huge battery drain depending on the location. For instance, if you’re at home, Wi-Fi will use less battery. But when you’re on the go, your phone is often searching for a Wi-Fi signal to connect to, which drains the battery. So if you can hold off on your mobile browsing and email till you get home or to the office, your phone will stay powered on longer. 4. Switch off cellular data Like Wi-Fi, cellular data can also consume battery quickly, especially if you’re in an area where there’s no cellular coverage. When this happens, your phone begins to constantly search for a signal, and this consumes a lot of power. So if you’re short on battery and don’t need data, turn off your cellular data function. Doing this can easily provide an extra hour or two of additional battery life. 5. Activate airplane mode Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this is exactly when you need airplane mode. If you are down to 20 percent battery life and need your phone to last for a few hours longer, airplane mode may help. By switching it on, your phone will shut down all wireless activity, including cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Doing this is obviously not ideal, but if you have little battery life and want your phone available in case of emergencies, this is your best option (next to switching it off). You can also turn on wireless functions like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi individually while staying in airplane mode. You can switch to airplane mode from the Control Center screen or by going to Settings and then clicking on Airplane mode. 6. Use a power bank Buying a power bank to charge your phone remotely is a great option if you intend to continue using Wi-Fi, cellular data, and other high-powered settings for long hours. These devices are continually becoming lighter and smaller, so it’s no longer a hassle to carry them around. You can simply slide a power bank into your pocket and use it when needed. If you’re looking for more ways to get the most out of your iPhone or are looking to service your Apple technology, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help in any way possible. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Tips for moving your business’s UC system to the cloud
Migrating your unified communications (UC) systems to the cloud can offer many benefits for your business. Perhaps the most obvious one is the increased scalability that comes with cloud-based solutions. This means you can quickly and easily add more users or bandwidth as your needs grow. You can also take advantage of augmented security features that are not available with on-premises UC systems. However, if you want to enjoy these benefits, you must plan the migration carefully and avoid the potential risks involved in the process. A gradual transition is the key You don’t have to migrate your UC system to the cloud in one big move. Staggering migration can be more secure and beneficial. For instance, you can first move UC technologies for departments that will benefit from it. Meanwhile, those with no pressing need for a cloud-based UC system, such as a company’s call center, can keep using on-premises systems. Doing this allows users to ease their way into the new system without experiencing network disruptions that may hamper their productivity. Ensure sufficient bandwidth Speed and performance issues will inevitably arise, so make sure to cover all the bases before migration. To do this, you have to secure a reliable internet service provider (ISP), check the stability of your internal network, and have a backup plan. Ensuring sufficient bandwidth is a critical point to consider during migration if you often experience unstable or slow network connections that could pose serious problems. Determine the level of bandwidth your entire business needs, and get it from an ISP that can deliver. Do not skip your tests You may experience a smooth UC transition to the cloud, but you may also encounter unexpected issues that need ironing out long after the migration is declared a success. It’s best practice to test the systems throughout the migration process to soften potentially costly and time-consuming impacts. Whether you’re trying out voice, data, or video, you should conduct tests, set benchmarks for performance, and predict future usage patterns. Immediately act on identified problem points After going live with your cloud UC system, consider the overall user experience and availability of support for devices, applications, and other components. Are persistent connectivity issues going to cause trouble during conference calls? This and other issues may prove detrimental in the long run, so keep them in mind when deciding whether to keep, enhance, or discontinue a cloud-based UC system. Your new system should reduce headaches, not exacerbate them. Constantly monitor performance and quality Don’t be surprised if you encounter a few issues even after extensive testing. Migrating to the cloud requires planning and a sustainable strategy, especially if your organization is dependent on instant messaging, voice conferencing, or video calling. There’s also a good chance that you will be working with several vendors, so always demand the best service. You too can have a smooth and secure UC cloud migration experience. With our cloud technology and VoIP know-how, we’ll make sure it’s an easy process. Contact us today to learn more. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
New features and functions in MS Excel 2021 for Windows
Businesses use Microsoft Excel to record sales, manage finances, and track inventory levels, among other activities. The new version of Microsoft Excel for Windows offers some great new features and functions that will make your life easier. Features exclusive to Excel 2021 for Microsoft 365 The following new features are available for Excel for Microsoft 365, but not its long-term servicing channel (LTSC) version, which was formerly known as the “perpetual license” version. Co-authoring – lets you work simultaneously with other users on the same Excel workbook and see each other’s inputs in a matter of seconds Threaded comments – allows you to have better discussions with other users in an Excel workbook, thanks to the ability to reply to comments inline Visibility of active co-authors – lets you see the other users who are also working with you and where they are in the workbook XLOOKUP function Similar to the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX+MATCH functions, XLOOKUP searches for an item in a range or table and returns the matching result. However, XLOOKUP is more powerful than other lookup functions since it requires only three basic parameters to perform the search: The value you are looking for The list that should contain the value The list where the result should come from XLOOKUP can search anywhere in the data and find the result, not just on a specified column or row like with the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions. Moreover, XLOOKUP finds the exact match by default, so you don’t have to indicate “True” or “False” in the formula. LET function The LET function allows you to assign names to calculation results. For example, you can apply names, such as “monthlySales” and “totalSales” to an associated value, which makes formulas easier to read. The LET function supports up to 126 name/value pairs. Take note that the names work only within the scope of the LET function. To use the LET function, you need to provide at least three parameters: Name Associated value Calculation that uses the name and associated value pair/s For example: =LET(x,1,x+2) → x+2 → 1+2 → 3 6 New dynamic array functions For the longest time, Excel allowed users to use just one formula per cell. However, this has changed with the recent introduction of dynamic arrays wherein any formula that returns an array of values automatically spills into neighboring cells. To leverage dynamic arrays, Excel 2021 for Windows introduced six new functions: FILTER – filters data based on the predefined criteria SORT – sorts a cell range by a specified column SORTBY – sorts a cell range by another range or array UNIQUE – takes out unique values from a range of cells SEQUENCE – creates a list of sequential numbers RANDARRAY – creates an array of random numbers XMATCH function The more powerful successor to the MATCH function, XMATCH looks for a specified item in an array or range of cells and then returns the item’s relative position in vertical or horizontal ranges. It can also return a value in an array. The XMATCH function assumes that you want an exact match, so it requires only two parameters (i.e., lookup value and lookup array) to work. However, you can add an optional third parameter to change the default matching type to “next smaller,” “next larger,” or “wildcard match.” XMATCH has another optional parameter that allows you to indicate whether to search from the top or bottom of the lookup list, or whether to conduct a binary search on ascending or descending values. These are just some of the great new features you can leverage in Excel 2021 for Windows. For more Microsoft Office productivity tips, consult our IT experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
What is the best cloud computing service model for your business?
When it comes to cloud computing, there are three main ways providers deliver services to end users: Software-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Infrastructure-as-a-Service. Each model has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the one that would give your business the most value. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of cloud computing service models and help you decide which one fits your business needs the best. 1. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) SaaS is one of the most common and well known cloud service delivery models. Unlike software that you install on your computer, SaaS solutions are hosted on a provider’s servers. That is, when you open a mobile or web browser app, the device merely sends inputs to a data center. The data center then processes the inputs and sends the outputs back to your device. Minimal to no processing is done on your device itself. And for as long as you have an internet connection, you can access the software from any device, at any time. With SaaS, your provider is responsible for software maintenance and updates. They’ll make sure to roll out updates once these become available so that all users have the same version of a particular software at the same time. This means you don’t have to spend time and effort manually managing software and checking for updates, which can lead you to save on related costs. For improved efficiency and productivity, SaaS software solutions typically include document creation suites, accounting software, email services, HR solutions, content management tools, customer relationship management systems, and more. In a nutshell, SaaS is: Ready to use and available over the internet Hosted on a remote server by a third-party provider Scalable, with different tiers for small, medium, and enterprise-level businesses Inclusive, offering security, compliance, and maintenance as part of the cost 2. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) PaaS is primarily used by developers who need a virtual environment for developing and testing their own custom software or apps. This means developers don’t need to build and maintain their own infrastructure consisting of networking devices, storage, servers, an operating system, and other necessary hardware and software when developing applications. This saves them time and money. Aside from helping businesses improve the quality of their products, PaaS enables businesses to shorten their product development cycles, leading to faster time to market for new products. Most companies that utilize PaaS do so to either host or develop their own software solutions or provide support for software used by their employees. But while PaaS is gaining popularity with many small businesses, most won’t have firsthand interactions with this type of cloud unless they need to build their own software or app. In general, PaaS solutions are: Accessible to multiple users for enhanced collaboration Scalable, with various tiers of resources to suit the size of your business Built on virtualization technology Easy to run without extensive system administration knowledge 3. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) IaaS is considered one of the most flexible cloud models, as it gives the most ideal options when it comes to IT hardware infrastructure. IaaS offers services such as pay-as-you-go storage, networking, and virtualization. The most popular and well-known type of IaaS is the virtual machine — a digital version of a computer or server that is accessed over the internet. IaaS gives you cloud-based alternatives to expensive on-premises infrastructure, so you can use your funds to invest in other things. In other words, if you are looking to virtualize your systems via the cloud, IaaS is a good place to start, as it allows you to easily move existing support systems. Other solutions can then be migrated or introduced as needed. IaaS is: Highly flexible and scalable Accessible by multiple users Cost-effective While the cloud offers a wide variety of benefits and solutions, choosing the service model that best fits your company’s needs can be daunting. Get in touch with us today and we’ll help you find the best solution for your business and ensure proper migration and implementation so you can focus on running your business. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to secure customer data collection
Modern businesses rely on customer data to improve their services and outperform their competitors. In a report by Deloitte and Touche, companies that use customer data to make decisions increased their profits by 60%. Unfortunately, data collection is now more difficult due to stricter privacy laws resulting from the rising number of security breaches. This article will show you how to collect customer data while remaining compliant with these laws. 1. Prioritize security The IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report found that the global average data breach cost reached $4.24 million in 2021, up by 10% from $3.86 million in 2020. Small- and medium-sized businesses, in particular, lose an average of $120,000 per data breach incident. To avoid such costs and ensure the safety of customer information, you must invest in modern security systems and train your employees in data privacy best practices. 2. Exercise ethical data collection You need to be honest and transparent about collecting customer data. This means developing clear privacy policies, allowing customers to choose what information to share, and disclosing how their data will be used. 3. Collect only the data you need Approximately 60% to 73% of customer information collected by organizations is unused during the analysis process. This flood of data can overwhelm analysts and distract management from making effective decisions. Therefore, before gathering customer data, companies must first decide on the following: What information to prioritize How the information aligns with business objectives How the data will be analyzed How this data can help improve the business 4. Back up all data All of your customer data collection efforts will go to waste if you lose the data because of cyberattacks, natural disasters, and IT failures, among other disasters. This is why you need to make sure that your business has an effective backup and data recovery plan. 5. Update customer data regularly Having outdated or incorrect data, such as phone numbers, emails, and addresses, can prevent you from nurturing your relationships with your customers. To prevent this issue, regularly check and delete unnecessary data, duplicates, and inactive contacts. Collecting and analyzing customer data will greatly benefit your company’s overall marketing strategy. If you’re looking for reliable IT solutions to optimize data collection, give us a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Easily log into your device with Windows Hello
When it comes to accessing devices, entering a password is a hassle, not to mention fast becoming obsolete in terms of providing strong security. Thankfully, Windows 10 and 11 users can use Windows Hello, a feature that provides a convenient and secure way to log in with just a look, a touch, or a PIN code. How to set up Windows Hello To get started with Windows Hello, click the Start menu icon and open Settings. From there, choose Accounts, followed by Sign-in options. You should see options for setting your PIN or scanning your face, iris, or fingerprint. Select which method you want to set up and follow the prompts to create a login profile. You can even save your biometric data or scan more than once to boost accuracy. The system collects more data every time you scan, so it’s better to complete a few scans before enabling the login feature. After setting up your account, you can start adding other trusted users who share the same device. Each of them can set up their own PIN or biometric profile in a separate account. Passwords and PIN codes can be used as backup login options in case the camera or fingerprint scanner aren’t working. Limited availability As of this writing, Windows Hello is only available on select Windows 10 and 11 laptops and tablets. To see which devices have Windows Hello, go to the Windows website, scroll down to the “Filter by” section, then select the Windows Hello option under the “Features” column. The resulting selection lists devices that have the infrared camera and/or fingerprint scanner required to enable this feature. Microsoft’s promise of security Your Windows Hello login info is saved only on your device and never on Microsoft’s servers. Furthermore, Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access locally saved PIN codes and biometric data. All of this means that you never need to worry about your login info falling into the wrong hands. In addition to Windows Hello, there are other Windows features that can make your life easier. Our IT experts can help you get more out of your Windows devices. Contact us today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Why IT security audits are important
In today’s world, it’s important for organizations to take their cybersecurity measures seriously to avoid cyberattacks and data breaches. A good way for companies to keep their security up to date and compliant is to conduct regular IT security audits. What is an IT security audit? An IT security audit is a thorough evaluation of the cybersecurity measures of your organization. Performing IT security audits will help you identify and assess vulnerabilities in your networks, associated devices, and applications. It involves scanning for security vulnerabilities and performing penetration tests to determine how well your IT infrastructure can defend against various cyberattacks. The results of these tests will help you customize security policies and achieve compliance. Types of IT security audits There are two forms of IT security audits, namely: Internal audit In an internal IT security audit, a company uses its own resources and auditors to conduct the assessment. The organization conducts an internal audit to determine if its systems and cybersecurity policies are compliant with its own rules and procedures. External audit An external audit is carried out by a third-party. External audits are performed when a company needs to ensure that it’s complying with industry standards and government regulations. Why is an IT security audit important? An IT security audit provides a roadmap for your company’s key cybersecurity vulnerabilities. It shows where your organization is meeting important security criteria and where it doesn’t. IT security audits are essential for creating risk assessment plans and prevention strategies for businesses dealing with sensitive and confidential personal data. What does an IT security audit cover? During an IT security audit, every system an organization uses will be checked for weaknesses in the following areas: Network vulnerabilities Auditors identify vulnerabilities in any network component that cybercriminals could use to access valuable information or cause systemwide damage. This includes unsecured access points, instant messages, emails, and network traffic. Cybersecurity controls In this part of the audit, auditors will check how effective an organization’s security controls are. This includes assessing how well the company has implemented existing policies and procedures to protect its information and infrastructure. For example, an auditor will evaluate an organization’s existing security policy on data breaches to determine if the proper measures are in place and if everyone is strictly adhering to those measures. Data encryption This will verify that your company has controls in place to manage the data encryption process effectively. This is to ensure that digital data is kept confidential and protected while being stored on site, in the cloud, on portable devices, and while it is in transit. If you need help in conducting an IT security audit for your business, contact us today to see how our managed solutions can help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Features to keep in mind before purchasing an office Wi-Fi router
Wi-Fi routers are a staple in homes and offices across the globe. They allow us to connect to the internet without having to be tethered to a desktop computer. But with so many different models and features on the market, it can be difficult to know which Wi-Fi router is right for you. In this blog post, we discuss some tips and important factors you need to consider when choosing a Wi-Fi router. Bands On the box of every single router, you will see numbers like 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. These numbers indicate the wireless radios on the router. The 2.4 Ghz radio is suitable for activities that don’t require much network bandwidth like web browsing and replying to emails. Its band is of a lower frequency; while its range can exceed 5 Ghz, it can easily be blocked by concrete walls. On the other hand, the 5 Ghz band has greater power, but it also has a shorter broadcast range. This option is preferable for video conferencing and other activities that require heavy media upload/download. A dual- or tri-band router will have both the 2.4Ghz and 5 Ghz radios so that the connection workload can be split between them. Network type By looking at any router, you will see that there are a number of different network types available. Also referred to as wireless protocols, the four most common types are 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. These designations indicate how fast the router can transfer wireless data, with 802.11ac being the fastest. Newer routers utilize the latest Wi-Fi protocol dubbed 802.11ax. Also known as Wi-Fi 6 or High-Efficiency Wireless (HEW), this new protocol improves upon 802.11ac technology in the following ways: Greater throughput speeds (up to 9.6 Gbps) Reduced network congestion and expanded client capacity, thanks to Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) Improved range performance Reduced power consumption by network-connected devices, courtesy of Target Wake Time (TWT) OFDMA enhances network performance by splitting up Wi-Fi channels into sub-channels. Doing this permits up to 30 users to simultaneously use the same channel. Meanwhile, TWT reduces the power consumption of connected devices by allowing them to determine when and how often they will wake up to begin sending and receiving data. This extends the battery life of smartphones and battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart thermostats and security cameras. Throughput In communication networks, throughput is the rate at which messages are successfully delivered via a communications channel. A router’s throughput is the speed at which the router is supposed to transmit data to users. To spot the router’s throughput, look for Mbps (or Gbps for cable Ethernet connections). This is usually one of the first things listed on router boxes and specifications. Keep in mind that if you have a 100 Mbps internet connection but your router can only deliver up to 80 Mbps, then the total speed of your network will be the lower figure. This is why it would be best to get a router with a higher throughput if your internet service provider delivers faster connections. Beamforming Beamforming is a feature that’s now standard in mid- to high-end routers. This form of signal technology allows for better throughput in areas with poor or dead signals. Beamforming can help improve the connection quality with devices behind solid walls or in rooms with large amounts of signal interference. By utilizing this technology, routers can determine weak connections and automatically improve them. While beamforming is available in routers with many network types, it is really only useful with routers running 802.11ac or higher. Those who don’t mind paying a higher price point for an increase in network performance should consider this feature. Multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) MIMO is the use of multiple antennas to increase performance and overall throughput. MIMO-enabled routers ensure that more devices can connect to one router with less interference. When it comes to real-world tests, there is often a slight improvement if the antennas are configured and aimed properly. However, getting a high-end router with six or more antennas may be an unnecessary cost for small businesses. Quality of service (QoS) QoS allows the router administrator to limit certain types of traffic. For example, you can use this feature of a router to completely block all torrent traffic or limit it so that other users can have equal bandwidth. Not every router has this ability, but it is a highly beneficial feature for office routers. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to picking an office router but the process doesn’t have to be complicated. Contact us today so we can evaluate your networking needs and help you find the best setup for your business. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
What you need to know about VoIP theft of service
Did you know that theft of service is one of the most common types of fraud that affects Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems? VoIP theft of service is a serious issue that impacts businesses’ VoIP networks and can result in significant financial losses. In this article, we will discuss what VoIP theft of service is, how it affects businesses, and what organizations can do to prevent or reduce the risks associated with this type of scam. What is theft of service? VoIP theft of service is the most common type of VoIP fraud. It involves the theft of your organization’s VoIP account credentials, including usernames and passwords, either by eavesdropping or by introducing malware into your system. Once cybercriminals gain access to your accounts, they can freely make phone calls or change your call plans and run up your VoIP bill, which is why this attack is referred to as “subscription fraud.” In addition, cybercriminals may use the stolen data to carry out other fraudulent activities. They can also use theft of service to flood your VoIP network with promotional calls similar to junk email via an attack called Spam over Internet Telephony, or SPIT. Once they infiltrate your communications network, they might broadcast unsolicited messages or advertisements over your VoIP system. This keeps users from making or receiving calls, which can have a significant impact on your business operations. How can you avoid theft of service? Preventing VoIP theft of service simply requires using a little common sense and implementing the following technical preventive measures: Make your passwords as secure as possible. Passwords must be at least 10–12 characters long, consisting of a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For added security, use passphrases, which are sentence-like strings of words. They’re usually longer than passwords, easier to remember, and more difficult to crack. Install firmware patches for your VoIP phones and infrastructure regularly, and keep your antivirus software up to date. Use fraudulent call routing detection and encryption software. Set up an enterprise-grade virtual private network (VPN) for employees working from home/remotely. A VPN encrypts incoming and outgoing traffic without compromising call quality. Review your organization’s call logs for any unusual trends or behavior, such as higher-than-usual call volumes or calls made during off-hours. VoIP is an essential business communication tool, so it pays to learn about and set safeguards against theft of service to avoid its impacts on your company’s operations. For more information and useful tips on how to keep your VoIP system secure, drop us a line today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.