Tips and tricks to master Windows 10
Microsoft’s latest operating system is so full of features that it’s hard to learn them all. After countless hours answering questions and fixing issues related to Windows 10, we’ve put together a list of the most useful apps, settings, and features. See how many of our picks you already know! Night Light This feature lets you reduce the amount of blue light emitted from your screen, which reduces eye strain and boosts sleep efficiency. Night Light is disabled by default, so you need to enable it by following these steps: Click the Start Menu Open the Settings app (or press the Windows key + I to quickly open Settings) Select the System icon followed by the Display option in the left-hand pane Set Night light to “On” or “Off” Taskbar pin It takes only a few seconds to open a browser and enter a web address or choose a saved page from the bookmarks menu. However, Windows 10 makes the process even quicker with Edge browser’s “Pin this page to the taskbar” feature. This is an essential shortcut for anyone who relies on web-based apps such as email or company intranets. Pin your open windows Do you struggle to organize a screen cluttered with open windows? Holding the Windows key and pressing an arrow should solve most of your problems: Windows key + Left – Resize the current window’s width to half the size of the screen and align it to the left Windows key + Right – Resize the current window’s width to half the size of the screen and align it to the right Windows key + Up – Maximize the current window to fit the entire screen Windows key + Down – Downsize the current window When none of those keys are enough to set you straight, holding the Windows key and pressing the Tab button will show you all the apps you currently have open. Focus Assist Notifications are frustratingly distracting. Windows 10’s Focus Assist feature helps you tackle this issue by customizing which contacts and applications can interrupt you during predetermined periods of time. Try it out by: Opening the Settings window Clicking the System icon Selecting Focus Assist from the left-hand pane Adjusting the notifications settings based on your preference If you wish to disable it and receive all notifications, click “Off.” These are just a few of our favorites. For more software and productivity recommendations, give our experts a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Better internet security: Easy as 1, 2, 3
The internet is not such a bad place to be in — for as long as website owners do their share in keeping it safe for their visitors. Here are three tips to do exactly just that.
Delete these adware apps from your Android device now
Sophos recently reported that there are 15 adware apps in Google Play, and more than 1.3 million Android users worldwide have downloaded at least one of them. These apps display unwanted advertisements on your device and collect marketing-type data about you, generating revenue for their operators in the process. Read on to learn how to find and delete adware apps from your device. The adware apps that Sophos identified are disguised as system or utility apps. They include image editors, QR code readers, and even an app for erasing confidential data from your device. Their names even resemble those of legitimate system apps, chosen for the express purpose of tricking Android users into installing them onto their devices. These apps are: Flash On Calls & Messages Read QR Code Image Magic Generate Elves Savexpense QR Artifact Find Your Phone Scavenger — speed guard Auto Cut Out Pro Background Cut Out Pro Photo Background Editor 2019 ImageProcessing for Android Background Cut Out New Auto Cut Out Auto Cut Out 2019 These apps are also hard to detect because they display two different sets of names and icons — one on your device’s Settings app and another when they’re actually running. This makes it more difficult to identify and uninstall the adware apps on your device, which is exactly what the developers want. If you install one of these apps, it will appear on your app tray, but launching it triggers a message that the app is incompatible with your device. You will then be redirected to the Google Maps page on Google Play. When you return to your app tray, you’ll find that the app’s icon has disappeared. If there’s no icon then, how can you uninstall the app? Andrew Brandt, a researcher at Sophos, says deleting adware apps will require a little bit of digging on your part, as there’s no icon that you can click and drag to the top of the screen and into the trash. First, identify the adware apps. Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications. This will direct you to a page that displays the most recently opened apps on your device. Next, check if any of those apps have the generic greenish-blue Android icon and/or have generic-sounding names such as Back Up, Update, etc. If they do, they’re likely adware. Finally, tap the icon and then tap Force Stop > Uninstall. Note that a legit system or utility app will have a “Disable” instead of an “Uninstall” option. Sophos warns that there may be similar apps that are yet to be identified and more are likely to be made available on Google Play in the future. The key takeaway here is to be mindful of what you download, even if it’s from Google Play or other official platforms. Check out the reviews — the reported adware apps got poor reviews from users who complained about getting a lot of pop-up ads. Remember that malware can be hiding in even the most innocuous apps, and downloading them gives bad actors the chance to access any confidential information on your device. For advice on how to keep your Android devices safe from adware and other malicious malware, give us a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Backup challenges in data virtualization
Despite having many advantages over conventional data storage, data virtualization still needs backup, an essential security measure to protect data. Here are some common challenges you need to overcome to successfully back up your virtualized data. Data virtualization involves taking all enterprise data stored in different local computers or systems, and moving them to a virtual server for centralized management and for on-demand delivery to business users. This provides multiple long-term benefits, including integration of various data types, centralized governance and security, minimized data replication, reduced movement of data across different locations, and real-time data delivery to consumers. But data backup can be a bit tougher with virtualized data, because of these hurdles. Overwhelming rapid file growth Before, businesses had to worry about managing servers containing millions of files. Now, they have to manage billions of files. For this reason, it has become almost impossible to back up servers of such immensity through traditional means using legacy systems. You should take steps to ensure that your backup solution can handle immense volumes of data. While a virtual solution may be working now, it is a good idea to check that your IT partner can easily scale to handle all your data. Rapid server growth The advent of virtualization has led to the development of an “app mentality” among many users and business owners. There’s an application for every function, with many being delivered through a virtual machine. For businesses, this means an increasing number of virtual servers needed to host your virtual solutions. It is crucial to protect these virtual machines and the servers that host them because they are quickly becoming the most essential tools for your business. If your business is growing, your current virtual machines are likely backed up, but you will need to ensure that these are also backed up as you add more servers. Very high user expectations Needless to say, users have high expectations caused by misunderstandings about technology, and virtualization in particular. Users expect their IT partners to have emerging issues resolved in an instant or as quickly as possible. While backup speeds are increasing year on year, it still takes time to copy data files from backup servers, especially when there are over a billion files to be copied. It is worthwhile talking with your IT partner about backup and recovery times to know what you can expect when you need to recover virtual systems. If you have questions about data virtualization or virtualization in general, don’t hesitate to contact us. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Be more productive with these 5 Gmail hacks
Do you need to reevaluate your approach to email? We’ve collected our favorite productivity hacks for Gmail so you can make email work for you again, freeing up valuable time that you can use for running your business. #1. Customize your email address and harness filters Did you know that Gmail lets you customize your existing email address? Whether you have a regular @gmail.com or @company.com address, you can adjust your username depending on who you are giving it to and what you are likely to receive. For example, if your email address is theboss@company.com, you could give theboss+friends@company.com to friends and use theboss+blog@company.com to invite blog comments. Combine this feature with Gmail’s native filters to label and group messages according to which address they are sent to or from. If you don’t want to see Facebook email notifications, just change your profile to use the email address theboss+spam@company.com and set up a filter to direct those messages to the trash. These compartmentalize your email and let you see what you need to, when you really need to. #2. Create templated responses to save time Do you ever feel like you’re writing the same email over and over? If you pen a fresh reply to each new message, you can save yourself a heap of time by using Gmail’s built-in Canned Responses function. This allows you to store messages that you frequently send so you can reuse them at the touch of a button. Enable Canned Responses from the Advanced tab of the Gmail settings page. Then, when composing a new message, just click the three-dot icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and select Canned Responses. From here, you can use an existing canned response or add a new one. Then just hit Send. #3. Schedule emails and reminders You can set your emails to be delivered at a specific time and date. After you have typed your message, click on the down arrow button beside the Send button. Click Schedule send to open a pop-up where you can find options to send your email the next day, on the afternoon of the same day, and the next week. You can also pick a specific time and date by clicking on Pick time & date. Once you’ve set your desired schedule, click on Schedule send. Gmail will send your emails even when you are away from your desk. You may also use this feature to send emails to yourself as reminders for tasks or events. #4. Quick question? Chat instead Don’t underestimate the value of Gmail’s chat system, Hangouts. You can avoid a lot of tedious back-and-forth between recipients by penning a brief chat message when all you need to do is ask a short question. In most cases, you’ll also get a response much quicker by sending a chat rather than an email. And best of all, Hangouts conversations aren’t limited to just two people. Open a chat with one colleague and then click the + icon beneath their name. You’ll see a list of contacts that you can add to the conversation. #5. Treat your email like a relay race Of course, the best way to spend less time writing emails is to simply set limits. Mail Timer is a nifty add-on that allows you to set yourself a maximum amount of time — say two minutes — to respond to each email. Once your time is up, a pop-up message will encourage you to continue to your next message. Mail Timer is a great way to get into the habit of swiftly clearing out messages that only need a brief reply. You can use Gmail’s Snooze feature to remove emails from your inbox until a later date or time. If you’d like to learn more about using Gmail or any other Google app, please get in touch with us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Ways to secure your Apple devices
It is widely believed that Apple computers and devices are highly secure and can’t be touched by malware and viruses. While there are fewer security threats to Macs, iPhones, and other Apple gadgets compared to Windows and Android machines, Apple devices are also vulnerable. Here’s how to protect them. Keep abreast of current security threats Educate your organization about the most common ways systems are infected or hacked. Apple users in your organization must be aware of recent security updates on iPhones and Macs, for instance. iPhones – Security and privacy are key concerns with every iOS update, which is why Apple highlighted its privacy and security features when it released iOS 13, the latest iOS version. However, in June, it was reported that 38% of Apple iOS apps contained critical vulnerabilities, which was only slightly lower compared to Android’s 43%. The vulnerabilities were reportedly caused by weaknesses in security mechanisms. Macs – In 2017’s WannaCry/WannaCrypt ransomware attacks, only Windows machines were affected. This shows that Apple does a fairly good job of guarding against threats. That said, Macs are certainly not immune to malware and viruses. In 2019, a malware called OSX/CrescentCore was reportedly found on several websites and worked by installing an infected file or a Safari extension. Practice secure web browsing The vast majority of security breaches happen when a user installs programs, knowingly or unknowingly, or clicks on links in emails or on the Web that contain malware. Take these precautions to avoid intrusions: Never open email attachments from unknown senders especially those with file extensions that are for programs, i.e., DMG. These include attachments in emails from large companies and financial institutions. When in doubt, contact the sender to verify. Always hover over links before you click on them. If you receive an email with a link in it, hover over the URL to see where it links to and look for spelling or grammar mistakes, or any other indication that it’s a fraudulent link. Don’t automatically open any downloaded apps. Verify an app by taking a look at its name and its source information. If the site appears to be different from where you downloaded it, the app may be infected. When you try to watch content from any random website, many sites will ask you to download a plugin or video player. It’s best to avoid these sites altogether because many of them are known to host malware that can install itself. When in doubt, don’t take action. If you’re unsure about a link or app you are being asked to download, simply don’t click on it or download it. Install antivirus scanners It’s amazing how many Mac users don’t bother with an antivirus scanner. These tools are indispensable for keeping your systems and data secure. There are a number of excellent scanners out there, so make sure to pick a solution that covers both desktop and mobile devices to ensure optimal security. We can also help you pick the best solution for your business. Consult IT experts Strengthen the security of your computers, mobile devices, and network by working with an IT expert like us. We take the time to get to know how you use your devices to discover your security needs and recommend an integrated, effective solution for you. Contact us today to learn more. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Choose the right computer for your company
Global commerce has opened a whole new world for owners of small- to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). It has never been easier to find customers for your products or services. But you still need the right tools to succeed. One such important tool is the computer. Which hardware is best for your SMB, a desktop or laptop? Consider the following when weighing your options. Portability Modern desktop computers aren’t nearly as immobile as they used to be. In many cases, the screen is thin and light, and all-in-one desktops are easy to unplug, move, and plug in on the road. But there are still places where the desktop cannot go. On the other hand, laptops allow you to go anywhere, even to places without electricity. But this ability to take your work anywhere can be counterproductive; in fact, it creates more stress on employees who think they must work all the time. Memory and speed Before, desktop computers often had more memory than laptops, and they were faster because they had bigger processors. This has now changed, thanks to improvements in laptop technology. But until high-powered laptops become affordable to the general public, the desktop computer is going to provide your business with more memory, speed, and power for your money. If your employees’ work is limited to word processing and emailing, laptops should be enough. But anything more will probably require a desktop. Security An SMB’s computer hardware needs to be secure to ensure that company data doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. A desktop computer is more physically secure because it’s often kept in one location, so it’s easier to guard. And because a desktop’s internet access is often a single source (whether through Wi-Fi or cable), it’s easier to defend it against malware. If you choose the laptop route, make sure to have strict policies on how to protect machines that leave the office, from physical loss (for example, theft) to unauthorized access (like using unsecured Wi-Fi). Price The laptop, especially the smaller notebook-style, is cheaper and available to more people. But desktop computers are becoming more affordable as more people have access to them through local channels. With a capable IT services provider, cost probably won’t be a deciding factor. Quality Although laptop computers provide the convenience of portability, over time, they’re prone to battery and charging cord problems. They are also easily damaged, especially if mishandled. By contrast, desktops are generally sturdier and stay only in one place. But when they do experience a problem, they can be expensive to repair. Final recommendation The desktop versus laptop debate is an old one, with supporters on both sides touting the advantages of their choice. A growing company usually needs a combination of both types of computers, especially as their needs evolve. If you have questions regarding the best choice for your company, give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you in improving your business. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
VoIP tips to get ready for the holidays
As a business owner, you know how important it is to attend to your holiday customers. To ensure customer satisfaction, optimize the use of your VoIP system. Here’s how to do just that. Check your VoIP equipment Sometimes, problems with VoIP don’t have anything to do with your service provider or even the underlying servers that host the solution. Instead, issues may stem from the physical VoIP lines and phones themselves. One common issue with VoIP is that if your equipment is stacked too closely, users may experience a degradation in call quality. You can ask your employees to check call quality, especially if two VoIP devices are close to one another. If there are issues, moving them further apart should clear this up. Beyond this, take the time to inspect all cables and connections to ensure they are in good condition and are able to deal with increased wear and tear during the holidays. If your equipment is old and outdated, you may need to look for replacements. Establish VoIP system monitoring With people rushing to get their last-minute shopping done, your staff will likely experience a sharp spike in inquiries and assistance. A monitoring solution can help predict when issues may arise. Whether you are open or closed for the holidays, make sure to implement the following: Busy periods Set up call queuing with hold music or estimated wait time. Leave recorded messages with complete information and an alternative way to contact support such as a hotline, an email address, or your website. Change your configuration to help you manage shorter business hours. Set diverts for reduced hours. Closed periods Set automated messages or announcements to say that your business will be closed during the holiday season and what day you will reopen. Update receptionist greetings before Christmas to remind callers of your holiday hours. Set up call diverts for employees who will be working remotely. Enable dedicated support The great thing about VoIP is the support that comes with it. You can keep call costs low as employees working from home can still communicate with the office. A good VoIP system can be configured to work for you and your customers no matter what hours you are open during the holidays. Whether it’s diverting calls to mobile devices or remote machines, a good VoIP service provider understands that your business needs to be operational even over the holidays, and their support service underpins that. Work with an experienced IT provider Christmas is busy enough without having to worry about something like a phone outage. If you need help with your phone systems, or want to discuss how VoIP could help your business, call us today and we’ll make sure to recommend the best VoIP solution to ensure that your customers are happy and satisfied. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Where to get help with Office 2019 issues
Microsoft Office 2019 is a popular and top-selling productivity suite. A one-time purchase gives you access to an array of applications that you can use to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for school or work. While the program is easy to use, there are times when people need help. Here’s where to get help. F1 Let’s assume you have Office installed and an application is running, but you need to figure out something. Put an end to your frustration with any of these options for quick answers to your problems. First, press F1 to open the help database and search for a solution. Or click the question mark (?) in the upper right corner of any Office program to do the same thing. MS Diagnostics When an Office program crashes or fails to launch, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the software has been corrupted or needs to be reinstalled. To be sure, consult the suite’s in-house physician called MS Diagnostics. This tool tests the program for existing and potential problems and provides repair options too. Office Support If the problems are not solved with MS Diagnostics, turn to Office Support. This is one of the six main tabs on the Office website. Once you open Office Support, it asks: “What do you need help with?” Select a specific application or product or choose All products in the field. In the search box, enter the keywords that are relevant to the issue. This brings up a list of results that match the words you have entered. Many users normally find what they need on this page. Community forums Sometimes, the information on the Microsoft website is too general and doesn’t give you a clue to what’s wrong. For a more thorough fix, check out the online Office forums. Many of them tackle various issues about Office and offer solutions. Joining forums can be helpful, especially when you want to learn new things. Tech support If everything else fails, get in touch with Microsoft’s technical support. Air your concerns and an expert will come to your aid. In case of recurring issues, call us now and we will do our best to help you. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Common Facebook marketing mistakes
Facebook has grown rapidly in the past decade and now boasts over two billion monthly active users. These users are constantly liking, sharing, commenting, and posting on the platform. Many businesses see this as an opportunity to grow their customer base so they integrate Facebook advertising into their marketing strategies. To guide you, here’s a list of the most common Facebook marketing mistakes you should avoid. Mistake #1: Treating Facebook like a one-way communication tool The content you post on Facebook should encourage followers to express their thoughts. After all, Facebook is a social media network, which means people use it to connect with friends and communicate with family members. They don’t want to be showered with advertising messages! Instead of talking at customers, talk with them and create dialogues that promote engagement and feedback. Try asking probing questions, sharing fun quizzes, or posting images and videos that get your followers talking. Remember that engaging content has a better chance of going viral and attracting more followers to your profile. Mistake #2: Ignoring follower metrics When it comes to Facebook marketing, the content that works for one page may not work for another page. To figure out what type of posts are resonating with your business’s audience, look at the metrics in your Facebook Insights located in your admin panel. You’ll be able to see the types of posts that rank high on the list (e.g., text, links, images, or videos) and analyze the statistics from there. Mistake #3: Targeting ads poorly While Facebook has more than two billion active users, most of these people don’t want to see your ads! So make sure you use Facebook’s powerful set of audience targeting tools, which allow you to choose potential ad viewers based on their location, age, education, interest, and more. You can even create multiple advertisements to display at different times to various audience groups so you can test and see which ones work best. Mistake #4: Abandoning your audience When it comes to Facebook marketing, consistency matters. People won’t be very impressed if they visit your page and see that your last post was a few months ago. On the other hand, when you post regularly, your followers will get into the habit of expecting posts from you — they might even look forward to them if the content is really good! If you find it hard to stick to a schedule, try using tools that can automate your posting for you like Hootsuite. If you’re not using Facebook to expand your online business presence, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful marketing tools out there. Want more tips on how to expand your business through Facebook? Get in touch today and our experts will be happy to help. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.