Manage your WordPress with this checklist
WordPress is one of the most powerful blogging and content management systems (CMS) today. Since 35% of the internet is powered by WordPress, there’s no room for sluggish load times, potential security vulnerabilities, or search engine delistings. Follow this checklist to avoid those problems. Make backups It’s crucial to perform a daily off-site backup of your WordPress files and database. This ensures data security in the event of a network breach or natural disaster, and it will facilitate the resumption of your business’s regular operations. Although plugins like BackUpWordPress and hosting servers like SiteGround automate the backup process, manual backups are still necessary. Verify backups Not only should you be making backups, but you should also be verifying them. By doing so, you are making sure that the backed up files are going where they are supposed to, and backups are being updated. The last thing you need is a failed backup strategy on the day you need it most! Daily security reports If you ask any cybersecurity expert, “Is it crucial to maintain a daily network security report?” the answer will be a resounding “YES.” While you might not have enough time to carry out thorough inspections and create these reports yourself, you can use security monitoring services like Sucuri. Not only does it carry out the inspections, but it also sends an SMS to notify you of any suspicious activity and emails you a daily status report. Malware scans Cybercriminals are growing in both number and sophistication. With every passing day, new strains of malware are developed and released onto the systems of small- or medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Unless you are a bonafide hacker yourself, detecting malware might be a little tricky. WordPress plugins like Wordfence keep your website safe using the latest firewall rules and flagging the latest malware signatures and malicious IP addresses. Speed audits Slow and steady may be qualities valued by some, but not so much for your website. Plugins like Google PageSpeed Insights test how fast your site loads. If it takes more than five seconds, you should consider implementing caching and other measures to speed up your site. Slow sites put off visitors, and that further lowers their search rankings. Review your site For this step, sit down with an impartial friend and let them explore your website. A fresh pair of eyes will highlight issues you may have overlooked, such as forgetting to update the copyright date in your footer. Forbes, National Geographic, and The New York Times are all powered by WordPress, which means you are in good company. By sticking to the checklist, you too can harness the power of this online, open-source website creation tool. Or, instead of signing up for half a dozen services that need daily check-ins, why not have us take care of all of it for you? If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
The business benefits of IAM
Your employees access applications and confidential business data every day. Hackers, on the other hand, are trying to do the exact same thing but for more malicious reasons. What’s worse, even employees can go rogue and steal your data, which is why it’s crucial that you have an identity and access management (IAM) solution in place. What is IAM? Identity and access management is a system that secures, stores, and manages user identities and access privileges. It ensures that users are who they say they are and will grant access to applications and resources only if they have permission to use them. System administrators can make it so that employees can only access apps and data they need for work. Other solutions that go into identity and access management include single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). The former allows users to securely log in to multiple applications that they are authorized to access. Meanwhile, MFA sets an additional method of user verification other than passwords. This includes fingerprint scans, facial ID, or a one-time security code from an SMS. These security solutions are designed to protect digital assets even if users attempt to access company accounts through mobile devices and the cloud. Centralize access control Too much access to certain systems is risky, while too little can hamper productivity and frustrate users. IAM strikes the perfect balance by letting you set centralized policies for the right access privileges. For example, you can deny your design team access to the accounting system while granting it to your CFO. Each user’s role and attribute can be used to determine which resources they’re allowed to access and to what extent. This not only offers better security, but also more flexibility and ease of management. Lower chances of data breaches With SSO and MFA, your employees will no longer have to remember multiple passwords. Instead, they’ll be able to prove their identity using evidence-based authorization such as answering a personal question that only they would know. IAM also comes equipped with advanced encryption tools to protect sensitive data, reducing the risk of compromised user credentials. Improve user experience Customers today interact with your company across multiple channels, whether in the cloud or via third-party applications. This is where IAM helps provide a better experience through SSO, self-service capabilities, and unified customer profiles that make communication processes quick and easy. Your employees, on the other hand, will be able to access the information they need securely and conveniently no matter where they are. This means productivity will no longer be confined to their office desk. Achieve regulatory compliance Businesses today must meet the constantly changing regulatory requirements concerning data access governance and privacy management. IAM was designed with just that in mind and provides control over who can access data and how it can be used and shared. Reduce IT costs IAM automates and standardizes many aspects of identity, authentication, and authorization management. This means you’ll be able to minimize significant labor costs associated with keeping your business environment secure. An identity and access management solution equips you with much-needed security without compromising on usability and convenience. To operate in a digital business environment, it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” you’ll adopt IAM within your company. If you’re looking to enhance company-wide security, whether with IAM or other solutions, why not give us a call? We’re sure we can help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Windows Hello simplifies logging in
You can now log in faster and more securely to your laptop, tablet, websites, or apps with Microsoft’s Windows Hello. You only have to use your camera to recognize your face or a fingerprint reader. Say hello to fingerprint, iris, and facial scans Windows Hello is an advanced biometric identity and access control feature in Windows 10. It allows you to log in to your computer without the need to enter a password. All you need is a fingerprint, iris, or facial scan. If you’re worried about your privacy, rest assured that your biometric data is only saved to your device, never on Microsoft’s servers. It’s still best to handle this technology with caution, but Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access your biometric data. How to set up Windows Hello A laptop or desktop with Windows 10 and a compatible webcam are all you need to set up Windows Hello. There is a full list of supported hardware here. To get started with Hello, click the magnifying glass on your Start bar and open the Settings window. From there, choose Account, followed by Sign-in options. You should see setup options for face, iris, or fingerprint scans. 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 family members who share the same device. Each of them can set up their own biometric profile in a separate account. Passwords are still an option when using Windows Hello in case your camera isn’t working. There are several 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.
Mitigating cybersecurity insider threats
Did you know that in some industries the biggest cybersecurity threats come from inside a breached organization? Sometimes it’s motivated by financial gain and sometimes it’s plain-old ignorance. So how can you protect your organization from insider threats? #1 Educate You must teach your team to recognize personally identifiable information (PII) and understand the financial implications of a breach. Each employee needs to grasp the risks associated with violating specific state or federal regulations regarding data privacy and security. For example, when a celebrity is admitted to the hospital, employees may be tempted to sneak a peek at their medical records. As innocent as that may seem, it could result in a hefty HIPAA fine. #2 Deter You must put easy-to-understand policies in place to prevent an insider from breaching company data. And those policies must be strictly enforced. In fact, almost every regulatory framework pertaining to data security requires that these policies are published where they can be easily found and that you present them in company-wide meetings. In some case, you may be forced to put a person in charge of holding everyone in the company accountable to following the policies. #3 Detect Businesses must have systems in place to identify data breaches and their sources as quickly as possible. You should be able to see any time someone accessed PII. This speeds up the breach response time by revealing when unauthorized personnel viewed something they shouldn’t have. It’s significantly easier to stem the spread of a breach with an effective audit trail in place. #4 Investigate When a privacy or security breach is detected, certain actions must be taken to limit the damages. For example, after the cause of a breach has been identified, your team should create new policies and procedures to ensure it can’t happen a second time. In the case of an insider threat, that might mean revoking data access privileges to a department that never actually needed them. #5 Train Since IT systems are constantly evolving and easy to accidentally bypass, your employees must undergo regular data security training. A one-day seminar is a great start, but incorporating short, weekly reminders or activities will go a long way toward keeping everything fresh in their minds. Consider using a variety of media, such as emails, break-room posters, and even face-to-face interviews. Is your company’s data secure from insider threats? Call us today for a quick chat with one of our experts for more information. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Decrease printing costs in 5 easy ways
You may think that your printing expenses aren’t a major concern. But if they’re not managed well, you may end up with a bloated IT budget that’s mostly comprised of hardware, supply purchases, and equipment maintenance costs. Your business can save money and time by following these five tips. Replace outdated printers Your outdated and cheap printers may meet the absolute minimum requirements, but they’re taking a bit out of your IT budget. Any piece of equipment that is five years old (or older) requires frequent repairs and causes more trouble than it’s worth. Because old printers are no longer under warranty, fixing them is costly and challenging. It’s also difficult to find replacement parts for old printers because manufacturers have stopped carrying them. When you replace outdated equipment with newer, multi-functional upgrades, you’re investing in hardware that will pay for itself with increases in productivity and efficiency. Avoid purchasing unnecessary supplies A poorly managed printer environment will result in a stockpile of cartridges, toners, and reams of paper. This happens when, for example, an employee mistakes a basic malfunction for a lack of ink and then makes an unnecessary supply request. This is more common than you may think, and definitely more expensive. In the absence of a dedicated printer manager, you can avoid this situation by automating supply replacement. Assign a point person to proactively place orders when supplies are about to run out, so one person is accountable for avoiding needless orders. Impose strict process workflows Submitting expense reports, filing trip reimbursements, and other administrative tasks require a proper document workflow. Without proper guidelines, employees and administrative staff end up printing unnecessary documents. Automate your company’s document-driven processes to reduce or prevent redundant print jobs that result in stacks of abandoned documents. These print jobs aren’t just wasteful, they’re also a security and privacy concern. Go paperless Designing a document management solution that reduces paper consumption is an effective way to save money. It may not be possible in every department, but those who can do their jobs without printing should be either forced or incentivized to do so. Printing lengthy email chains that can be discussed in a meeting is just one example of a wasteful practice that should be avoided. Reduce IT support calls for printing issues Calling on an in-house IT technician to assist with problems like paper jams, printer Wi-Fi issues, and other concerns probably does more harm than good. You and your IT personnel could avoid dealing with these productivity killers by identifying the problem areas of your print environment. Then, you can work on solutions specific to your office, such as drafting a printing workflow or getting help from document management experts who can recommend time- and budget-saving solutions. Partnering with experts to manage your IT workflow will make your day-to-day operations more efficient and save money on printing costs. Our experts will gladly recommend best practices and tips on document management. Call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Your future is with VoIP telephony systems
When it comes to IT, easy set-up, flexibility, and savings are music to the ears of any owner of a small- or mid-sized business (SMB). These are all features that contribute to the success of Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. The technology was built on a strong foundation that has allowed it to move with the times. Is your business prepared to move with the times and install a money-saving VoIP system? First, we’d like to give you a quick rundown of what SMBs get from a robust VoIP calling plan today: Convenience – It’s easy to manage. Scalability – It’s even easier to expand. Economy – Calls over the internet are cheap. Portability – Access from anywhere with high-speed internet. Efficiency – Attach emails, send e-faxes, conduct virtual meetings, etc. These are the core qualities that make VoIP systems so beneficial to SMBs. But how will value propositions like these be affected by future telephony trends? Could advances in internet technology possibly have adverse effects on VoIP, or will the two continue moving in harmony? Here’s how VoIP and the internet are changing the future of businesses today. The cloud + VoIP Many companies’ first step away from their traditional phone system is to a premise-based VoIP system. It’s a great option, but one that may not fully capture all the benefits of VoIP such as lower costs and easy expandability. A better solution is “hosted VoIP.” Because your whole VoIP system is cloud-based, you have low upfront costs, lower maintenance costs, and the lowest hardware costs. Social media + VoIP Present-day online applications like Skype, Line, and WhatsApp deliver an internet-calling function as part of the package. They are the present-day syntheses of social media with VoIP functionality. Today, you can program a chatbot to engage interested customers through Facebook, converse with them via an automated Q&A session to find out their needs, and end by inviting them to connect with your CSR via video chat. A VoIP/CRM integration could easily handle it, bringing you that much closer to potential clients and closed deals. IoT + VoIP The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a term given to the variety of devices, gadgets, vehicles, and household products transmitting information over the internet. Examples would be data from earthquake early-warning systems delivered to first responders, or your heart rate sent from a wearable heart monitor to your cardiologist’s office. The IoT has the potential to coalesce with VoIP in many productivity-enhancing ways such as: Notifications can be sent from your calendar app to your VoIP interface Mobile-phone text messages can be programmed to drop into your VoIP mailbox GPS information can be used to automatically update employee statuses on their VoIP extensions The future of VoIP is already here. So if you think your business would benefit from a cutting-edge VoIP solution, give us a call today, over the internet or otherwise. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Office 365 productivity add-ons you must use
Microsoft Office 365 is one of the most successful and popular apps in the world, currently with 180 million users and counting. To enhance the user experience, it also offers these time-saving, productivity-boosting add-ons. #1. Teams Teams is ideal for organizations that collaborate frequently. It’s an instant messaging and document-sharing platform which seamlessly integrates with Office 365 programs and services. Users can create channels to work on projects, discuss topics, hold meetings, and more. And like similar programs such as Slack and Google Hangouts, Teams is customizable and accessible across mobile devices. #2. Office Tabs Office Tabs allows you to open multiple files in one window, which saves you from having to go through each opened document until you find the right one. It also lets you save or close the list of tabs in a single click, with an additional option to close everything except the active document. You can also directly rename files by clicking Rename, instead of going through the tedious process of clicking Save As and then changing the file name of each file. #3. Grammarly The last thing you want to send your clients is a confusing, poorly written email or document. Grammarly solves this by performing rigorous grammar, spelling, and plagiarism checks. It then provides vocabulary suggestions and recommends writing style changes to polish your writing further. This add-on is available in Word and Outlook, and its Premium counterpart is priced at $11.66 per month (annual plan). #4. Pexels Professional documents and presentations require high-resolution, blemish-free images, and Pexels helps you get them easily. Its free stock images are under a Creative Commons Zero license, meaning you can search high-quality images and use them in all your documents for any purpose with no legal repercussions. #5. DocuSign DocuSign for Outlook and Word lets you or a recipient securely sign a document electronically and send it through email, save it in the app, or store it in your company’s server. DocuSign complies with eSignature legal standards and is secured with end-to-end Digital Transaction Management, ensuring your files will never be leaked or breached. #6. FindTime Setting up a meeting time is tedious and difficult, especially if your employees have different schedules. FindTime scours every attendee’s schedule to locate open slots, and creates meeting time options for everyone to vote on. A meeting will then be scheduled according to whichever slot gets the highest vote within a specified amount of time. #7. Translator Businesses that deal with foreign companies will find communication much easier with Translator. This add-on recognizes and translates more than 50 different languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Not only will you spend less time deciphering foreign-language documents, but you’ll also be able to work with clients from various parts of the world. Start improving work productivity and make the most out of your Office 365 with Microsoft productivity add-ons. To get started or to learn more about Office 365, Microsoft add-ons, or anything Microsoft Office related, contact us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
6 Firefox features your business needs
Firefox may not be as ubiquitous as it used to be, but it remains a powerful browser. Make sure you’re taking full advantage of its capabilities by using these tools: Firefox’s secret tweak interface Catering to the more tech-savvy users, Firefox’s secret interface gives you a peek behind the curtain into the world of coding. This helps you make adjustments to improve browser performance. Customize your toolbar Choose which tools you want to see in your Firefox toolbar and maybe even discover new ones you haven’t heard of! Click on the menu button on the top-right corner and then click Customize. Drag and drop desired items into the toolbar, which is located along the address bar near the top of the browser page. The master password ‘One can never be too safe’ is the mentality you should have every time you log on. Enter the master password. This acts like a key that unlocks all your vital passwords and information that could be detrimental if left exposed. Create your own password by going to the menu button > Options > Privacy & Security. Then check the box next to “Use a master password” and follow the directions in the pop-up window. Customize your own shortcuts If Mozilla’s current shortcuts take too long to master, consider your problem solved. With the help of the Shortkeys add-on, you have the luxury to design your own shortcut sequences. No more confusion, no more time wasted. URL autocomplete To spare you the fuss of entering prefixes or suffixes, Firefox lets the new URL autocomplete feature do the work for you. For example, type in “wordpress” in the address bar followed by Ctrl + Enter (Mac: Command + Enter) and voila! Firefox fills in the www and the .com parts. Firefox Send This feature enables you to share files up to 1G in size. The files you send are encrypted for added security. Your recipient doesn’t even have to have an account — all they need is a password to receive your file. Firefox is still developing and with the browser market becoming more and more competitive, there is no doubt that this smart tool will only become smarter and more versatile in the future. If you want to discover new ways to make Firefox work for your business, just give us a call. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Taking business continuity to the cloud
Business continuity is often overlooked until it’s too late. But with the cloud on their side, IT departments and business owners can more easily adopt this strategy to help avert the next outage. Here’s how the cloud benefits implementations of business continuity. Better uptime Backing up to an internal drive or an external hard drive won’t completely secure data. If someone steals your device, you instantly lose the backup it contains. Natural disasters, cybercrime, or man-made errors will also likely destroy your backups. As a result, your company could face expensive downtime. With cloud-hosted backup, however, things are different. The entire purpose of a cloud backup is to make sure your data is available when you need it. Top cloud service providers will offer redundancy, which means they will make a backup of your backups. This increases uptime and ensures optimum levels of data availability. Fast resource provisioning When backups are being implemented, spikes in user activity or cloud environment accessibility can slow down a website or other running systems. This is where a cloud hosting provider comes in handy. By closely monitoring user activities, providers can see spikes either before or as they are happening. The provider will provision more resources and virtual machines to manage the influx of users. This type of flexibility is particularly useful when data backups are in process. Backup frequency Most companies work on files and update information throughout the day, so it’s important to have a real-time backup plan ready in case an unexpected disaster occurs. When you back up data in the cloud, you will no longer have to worry about managing the frequency of your backups. Most cloud-hosted providers offer round-the-clock or other fixed backup frequencies, while others let you set your own backup schedule. Some of the services offered by these providers will back up files as you make changes, so you’ll know that the very latest version of files and data are always backed up. Distributed infrastructure Cloud-hosted backup means the delivery of data backup to users all over the world. Selecting the right type of cloud hosting partner is equally as important as having a cloud backup plan in the first place. If international users are trying to access database or download applications through your business website, latency will become a factor — the closer the user is to the data, the faster they’ll be able to access information. A suitable cloud hosting partner will be able to provide backup servers at a location that best suits your company’s business continuity needs. Distributed infrastructure is beneficial if you’re looking to support a large number of worldwide users. Businesses everywhere are utilizing cloud backup solutions, so don’t be the one left behind. If you’re looking for a managed cloud backup service to protect your business data, give us a call today to see how we can help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Nasty malware can bypass Windows 10 security
Researchers have discovered a type of malware that can easily bypass the security protocols of Windows 10. This malware is a new variation of ransomware called Snatch, and it comes with an added data stealer component. Designed to target corporate networks rather than consumers, Snatch has been modified to reboot your PC in Safe Mode to disable any security programs from initiating. Who’s behind the Snatch ransomware? According to the report released by Sophos, the threat actors responsible for the Snatch ransomware call themselves the Snatch Team on dark web message forums. The researchers observed this team posting appeals for affiliate partners on Russian language message forums. The cybercriminal group is looking to purchase network access intelligence so they can launch automated brute force attacks against unsuspecting enterprises. What does Snatch do? When this malware infects your computer, it installs a Windows service called SuperBackupMan. The SuperBackupMan is then executed, allowing hackers to use administrator access to run the BCDEDIT tool and force your computer to restart in Safe Mode. After restarting, Snatch then uses the Windows command vssadmin.com to erase all the Volume Shadow Copies on your system. This prevents you from recovering the files locked by this ransomware. Aside from encrypting your data, Snatch is also capable of installing surveillance software, as well as stealing important business and personal information. How to protect yourself from Snatch Sophos offered several tips on how you can protect your business from this dangerous ransomware. Monitor your network – Be proactive when it comes to hunting for breaches and potential threats in your network. You can invest in the latest threat-hunting program, or, if you lack the resources to do so, you can employ the services of a reputable managed IT services provider (MSP) to assist you in identifying and stopping any malicious activity in your system. Use multifactor authentication (MFA) – In this day and age, having a strong password is not enough to protect you from cybercriminals. Set your network up with MFA to make it harder for hackers to brute force their way into your system. Check all your devices – Sophos stated in their report that the initial access points of Snatch attacks were unmonitored and unprotected devices. Your IT staff or MSP should run regular checkups on all your active devices to make sure no vulnerabilities exist. Protect remote access protocols – If your organization uses servers with remote access protocols, make sure they’re updated with the latest security patches and protected by endpoint protection software solutions. These access points should also be monitored regularly for abnormal activity and login attempts. Use a secure internet connection – Do not use your remote desktop interface on an unprotected internet connection. If remote access is needed, you should protect your computers by using a virtual private network (VPN). The severity of the risk posed by Snatch is something you should not ignore. Building a solid and secure network is not enough to protect your business from ransomware. Hackers are always looking for new ways to gain access to your system, which is why your security software solutions, backups, strategy, and training should adapt and keep up. If you want to learn more about how to step up your network security, contact us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.