Fight mobile malware with MTD
Cybercriminals will do almost anything to steal your data. One of the easiest ways to do that is exploiting vulnerabilities in your employees’ mobile devices. If you’re looking for a way to beef up your security strategies, adopting mobile threat detection (MTD) is a good place to start. MTD and machine learning Mobile threat detection is an all-around solution that prevents physical tampering, network-based attacks, and malware infections. MTD is supported by a machine learning mechanism, which enables devices to recognize usage patterns and flag anything that is outside of the norm. MTD is a very scalable solution, able to monitor dozens of Android mobile devices. When one of them deviates from the rest, machine learning logs the anomaly and notifies administrators. Does MTD detect malware? Most malware programs are cleverly disguised as legitimate and useful apps. The key to finding and defending against malware is recognizing irregular patterns in user behavior and how individual devices function. A simple scan is not enough to protect your device, especially from attacks such as phishing scams based on thorough target research. Without machine learning, observing user and application behavior for suspicious signs would be an overwhelming task. It doesn’t provide total protection though. Mobile security also needs to include ways to blacklist certain apps, prohibit connecting to unsecured networks, and remotely wipe a device when all else fails. How to implement an MTD solution Integrating MTD into your mobile security strategy requires a thorough evaluation of important factors, including industry regulations and the sensitivity of the data stored and/or exchanged on your mobile devices. Ideally, it will be part of a larger solution that allows you to inspect a mobile device’s hidden weaknesses and block harmful network traffic. Developing strong defenses for mobile devices is fast becoming a critical component in many businesses’ cybersecurity strategies. And although mobile threat detection remains an imperfect means to detect malware, it is far more powerful than traditional anti-malware solutions. Businesses like yours need comprehensive security solutions to fend off cyberattacks, whether on your PCs, laptops, or smartphones. For expert IT security recommendations, call us today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
The different types of virtualization
One of the biggest money-saving IT trends of the past two decades is the cloud, but due to popular demand, virtualization technology has also become an important business improvement trend in recent years. Here are a few ways virtualization is used to improve efficiency and productivity in the office. What is virtualization? By virtualizing any of the items below, you can trick software into recognizing hardware when none actually exists. The easiest way to explain this is with examples from the most common type of this technology: hardware virtualization. If you have one high-powered computer processor, virtualization allows you to split it up and run four separate operating systems (Windows, Apple OS, etc.), each seemingly running on a standalone, low-powered processor. In this case, virtualization is like creating different partitions within one processor, each with an independent environment for different uses. Conversely, virtualization can also be used to connect four high-powered processors to create what your operating system will recognize as one ultra-fast piece of hardware. This technology can be applied in a number of ways for more efficient resource utilization and cost savings. #1 Desktop virtualization Sometimes referred to as cloud desktops, this form of virtualization grants you access to a fully functioning computer via a local network or the internet. Somewhere, a server has allocated a portion of its hardware resources for your virtual desktop. With a keyboard, monitor, mouse, and extremely low-end computer, you can connect to this virtual desktop and utilize all the processing power and storage the server has set aside for it. #2 Application virtualization By installing a program on a server hard drive, your employee workstations can use their computing resources to run the program, but restrict data from being stored on their hard drives. The program and the documents it creates will never leave the server hard drive, making it much harder for hackers to compromise them. With more advanced virtualization solutions, your server can also allocate the computing resources necessary to run the program, meaning your workstations are merely a window to your server. #3 Storage virtualization Similar to hardware virtualization, this strategy makes it easy to organize how your data is stored. In addition to combining hard drives across several computers into a massive virtual drive, storage virtualization also stores data based on how important it is. Frequently used documents are saved to your fastest drives and can be automatically backed up to the cloud. #4 Network virtualization If your office has more than 10 workstations, it makes sense to consider network virtualization, which allows you to separate vulnerable devices. For example, if you had one server that handles a lot of web traffic and another that stored sensitive documents, you might want to connect them to different networks to avoid cross-contamination in case of a virus attack. Network virtualization would allow you to do that without buying any new hardware! Even with our simplified explanations, virtualization is still a complicated subject. Rather than try to figure it out in a few hundred words, give us a call and we’ll show you in person! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Include VoIP phones in your recovery plan
Businesses that focus heavily on sales and customer service need a reliable, efficient, and effective telecommunications system. If their services break down even for just a day, the losses will be significant, which is why a well-crafted disaster recovery plan should include protecting the company’s Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony system. Invest in VoIP monitoring services Before implementing any disaster recovery solutions, install a third-party VoIP monitoring service to keep tabs on the status of your phone system. This will identify all network issues disrupting your phone system, so you can resolve them quickly. Choose your VoIP provider wisely When evaluating VoIP systems, you must verify your provider’s service-level agreements. Ask them about their security and availability guarantees, and how they’re able to achieve them. Whomever you partner with, be sure they host your VoIP systems in facilities that are safe from local disasters. Your provider should also use advanced network security services to protect your calls. Have a backup broadband line Because VoIP solutions are dependent on internet connections, you should have a backup or alternate internet service in case one network goes down. Ideally, one internet service provider (ISP) will be dedicated to your VoIP service, while another supports your main computer network. Once you’ve installed both networks, you can then program them to automatically transfer services to the other should one network fail. Thus, if your main phone network goes down, your VoIP solution switches to the other network so you can keep working. Of course, subscribing to two separate ISPs will increase your internet expenses, but the cost to maintain both is far less than the cost of significant downtime. Route calls to mobile devices With a cloud-based VoIP solution, you can choose where to receive your calls with call forwarding — a feature that automatically reroutes incoming calls to other company-registered devices. If your main office is hit by a local disaster or network outage, your employees can continue working from their mobile devices as if nothing happened. To benefit from this feature, make sure to register all employee mobile devices to your VoIP system and configure such devices to receive rerouted calls. And don’t forget to set policies for remote working. You should have rules that forbid staff from connecting to public WiFi networks, as this can put them at risk of VoIP eavesdropping. Test your plan There’s little value in a VoIP continuity plan if it isn’t tested on a regular basis. Test your VoIP service and check whether contact details are up to date, call forwarding features are routing calls to the right devices, and your backup internet service works. Ultimately, your goal is to find flaws in your VoIP recovery strategy and make necessary adjustments to avoid them from occurring in the future. If managing VoIP is too time-consuming and complex, call our professionals today. We design, implement, and test a powerful, disaster-proof VoIP phone system to ensure your communications are always online. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
OneNote 101: Master OneNote in no time
OneNote is a useful but underutilized app that comes with Microsoft Office. It enables you to create and share digital notebooks that contain text, audio, video, and other multimedia, taking your note-taking to another level. Discover the ins and outs of this wonderful app by reading on. Organize your digital notebook While both Microsoft Word and OneNote let you create text-heavy documents, they store and display saved information differently. Word displays one document at a time, but OneNote shows you all your documents at once. When you open OneNote for the first time, it shows you a default Notebook called “My Notebook.” If you want to create another notebook, click on the < beside the name of your current Notebook, then choose +Notebook at the bottom of your screen. To use the default notebook, you can immediately customize it. The easiest way to do this is to separate the Notebook into sub-categories called Sections, similar to what dividers do in a physical notebook. For example, you can organize your client notes by dedicating a specific Section for them. Sections are shown as color-coded tabs along the top of the screen, next to the name of your Notebook. Add one by clicking on +Section at the bottom left of your screen. After you’ve created Sections, it’s time to add individual pages to them. For example, under the Section Client A, you can add pages pertaining to Client Contact, Project Status, and Billing Information. To begin adding pages under a Section, simply click +Page. Rename your Notebook, Section, or Page by right-clicking the bar with its name and choosing the rename option. Start experimenting There’s no hard-and-fast rule to enjoy OneNote, because each person’s note-taking habits are unique. The only way to find out if OneNote works for you is to try out all the features, and decide which works for you. Here are some things you can try to get a feel of the OneNote experience. However, keep in mind that these only work in OneNote for Windows 10. If you’re using an older version, you need to upgrade to the latest version to enjoy these benefits: Add tags to your notes so you can search for them efficiently Instantly turn your drawings into shapes or text using the Ink to Shape and Ink to Text functions, respectively Solve equations by using the Ink Math Assistant, an in-app function that will help you graph or solve math problems Use “Immersive Reader” to read texts out loud Write on a web page in Microsoft Edge and save your annotations to OneNote Share your OneNote So you’ve created a detailed plan for an upcoming event complete with visual pegs and handwritten instructions, and you want to share that with your team. That’s easy as pie with OneNote. Just go to the upper right corner of your ribbon, click on the Share button, and type in the email addresses of the people to whom you wish to send your notes. You can also set the sharing permissions to either “can view” or “can edit,” giving you more control of your data. OneNote has innumerable tricks up its sleeve, and it can take months for you to master all of them. Call us today, and we’ll make sure you’ll get the hang of OneNote in no time. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Beware of apps bundled with Windows 10
While you might think that getting free software with your new Windows 10-powered device sounds like a good idea, it’s not. Beyond taking up storage space and diverting processing power, pre-installed software such as trial versions of video games, antivirus programs, and web browser toolbars — collectively called “bloatware” — can make your device vulnerable to cyberattacks. Read on to learn how to be bloatware-free. In the middle of 2014, Lenovo users noticed something awry with their web browsers: banner ads were breaking webpage layouts and pop-ups made surfing unpleasant. A deep dive into the problem led to the discovery of a pre-installed software called Superfish — adware that jumps in the middle of your internet connection to stuff web pages with ads. Not only was this bloatware irritating, but it also made connections unsecure, leaving users vulnerable to hackers. Software behemoth Microsoft has developed and deployed its fair share bloatware as well. The Windows 10 operating system, in particular, has plenty of them, such as: 3D Viewer (previously called Mixed Reality Viewer) Calculator Calendar Candy Crush Soda Saga Disney Magic Kingdoms Groove Music Mail Movies & TV Paint 3D Snip & Sketch Sticky Notes Voice Recorder These programs are called bloatware because users don’t necessarily want them, yet they’re already installed on computers and take up storage space. Some of these even run in the background and slow down computers without users knowing it. While many of these programs are pleasant add-ons for those who find value in them, many users prefer to start with a leaner operating system due to storage space and processing power concerns. If they want a particular software, they prefer to download it themselves. This gives them greater control over their machines and how they experience their hardware and software. Like Superfish, other Windows 10 bloatware can also cause critical vulnerabilities. The most ironic example of this was a pre-installed version of Keeper Password Manager. Instead of keeping passwords safe, it allowed malicious people behind any website to steal passwords. While Windows 10 users needed to enable Keeper to store their passwords for them to become vulnerable, it makes you wonder why such a flawed password manager app is there in the first place. How to rid yourself of bloatware Removing inclusions you did not ask for is a hassle in and of itself, but thankfully, the process is not too tedious: Click the Start menu, then the gear icon. In the Settings window, select Update & Security. On the left-hand side, click Recovery. Select Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows and follow the instructions. Bloatware not only clutters your laptops and PCs, but it can render your business vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches as well. Save yourself from tons of headaches down the line; learn more about protecting your computers from bloatware. Call our team of IT experts today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Are autocomplete passwords safe?
Advertisements and suggestions based on our internet browsing habits are sources of online tracking. However, autocomplete passwords are also another source of online tracking. This sneaky tactic comes with serious security risks. Here’s how you can stop it from targeting you. Why auto-fill passwords are so dangerous As of December 2018, there are 4.1 billion internet users in the world. This means users have to create dozens of passwords, either to protect their account or simply to meet the password-creation requirements of the platform they’re using. Unfortunately, only 20% of US internet users have different passwords for their multiple online accounts. Certain web browsers have integrated a mechanism that enables usernames and passwords to be automatically entered into a web form. On the other hand, password manager applications have made it easy to access login credentials. But these aren’t completely safe. Tricking a browser or password manager into giving up this saved information is incredibly simple. All a hacker needs to do is place an invisible form on a compromised webpage to collect users’ login information. Using auto-fill to track users For over a decade, there’s been a password security tug-of-war between hackers and cybersecurity professionals. Little do many people know that shrewd digital marketers also use password auto-fill to track user activity. Digital marketing groups AdThink and OnAudience have been placing these invisible login forms on websites to track the sites that users visit. They’ve made no attempts to steal passwords, but security professionals said it wouldn’t have been hard for them to do. AdThink and OnAudience simply tracked people based on the usernames in hidden auto-fill forms and sold the information they gathered to advertisers. One simple security tip for today A quick and effective way to improve your account security is to turn off auto-fill in your web browser. Here’s how to do it: If you’re using Chrome – Open the Settings window, click Advanced, and select the appropriate settings under Manage Passwords. If you’re using Firefox – Open the Options window, click Privacy, and under the History heading, select “Firefox will: Use custom settings for history.” In the new window, disable “Remember search and form history.” If you’re using Safari – Open the Preferences window, select the Auto-fill tab, and turn off all the features related to usernames and passwords. This is just one small thing you can do to keep your accounts and the information they contain safe. For managed, 24×7 cybersecurity assistance that goes far beyond protecting your privacy, call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Why you should update your Mac with an SSD
In recent years, solid state drives (SSDs) have replaced hard disk drives (HDDs) as the storage option of choice on personal computers, Mac devices included. Here are some of the numerous advantages of updating your Mac with an SSD. They’re faster SSDs have the clear advantage over HDDs in terms of data access speed. To access data, a typical SSD takes about 35 to 100 microseconds, which is about 100 times faster than an HDD. This means your Mac boots up in less than a minute, programs launch and run more quickly, files are transferred faster, and you can do data-intensive work without worrying that your computer will stall or freeze. They’re more reliable Most consumer SSDs use NAND flash memory, a type of nonvolatile storage technology that doesn’t require power to retain data. As such, you don’t risk losing or corrupting data in case your SSD is left unplugged. And if SSDs fail, your computer would still be able to read data, unless the actual memory chips are damaged. What’s more, HDDs rely on magnetism to write data, so exposing your computer to a strong magnet could erase all information on your drive. This is not a problem with SSDs, which do not contain parts with magnetic coatings that can be easily damaged by being exposed to a magnetic field. They’re more durable and long-lasting Unlike HDDs, SSDs are less prone to damage due to shock and vibration. This is because SSDs do not have any of the moving parts, like drive platters and read arms, that HDDs do, so they won’t break if you drop, bump, or jostle your Mac. They will fail over time, however, but it’s likely that your SSD will outlast your computer for many years. While consumer SSDs do have a limited number of reads and writes, under normal use, they can make it to at least 700TB of writes before failing. To put this in perspective, you would have to write 40GB of data every day for 50 years to get to 700TB, which means you don’t have to worry that you’ll wear out your SSD from overuse anytime soon. They’re quieter In fact, SSDs don’t make any noise at all. Again, this has something to do with their non-mechanical nature. SSDs don’t have any of the moving parts that make mechanical HDDs, especially the faster ones, noisy. A Mac with an SSD is generally quieter even when it’s performing intensive tasks. They’re more energy-efficient Compared to HDDs, SSDs don’t need as much power to run. Even at full sprint, they use up at least 50 percent less power than HDDs. This also has to do with SSDs’ lack of moving parts that consume electricity to read, write, and access information. And because SSDs don’t have these parts, they produce less heat, which also contributes to a reduction in power consumption. Less power consumed also helps improve your Mac’s performance and extend its service life. An SSD will definitely improve your Mac’s overall performance, which translates to a boost in your productivity and efficiency. If you’re ready to upgrade your Mac with an SSD or have any questions about storage drives, call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Save on printing costs with these 5 tips
Managing your print infrastructure efficiently will minimize your IT budget. It sounds impossible, but it can be done. Many small and big enterprises don’t realize that they are using ineffective printing models, but you can make a difference if you follow these tips. Replace outdated printers Outdated and cheap printers may be functional, but they are putting a huge dent in your IT budget. Any piece of equipment that is seven 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 more costly and challenging. It’s also difficult to replace parts for old printers because manufacturers have stopped carrying them for models that have been phased out. When you replace outdated equipment with newer, multi-functional printers, 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 could result in a stockpile of cartridges, toners, and reams of paper. This happens when, for example, an employee uses a printer that’s about to run out of ink and makes an unnecessary request for new ink or toner. 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 your company can avoid needless purchases. Impose strict process workflows Submitting expense reports, filing reimbursements, and other administrative tasks require a proper document workflow. Without a guideline, employees and administrative staff tend to print an unnecessary amount of documents. Automate your company’s document-driven processes to reduce or prevent redundant print jobs that result in stacks of abandoned documents. Not only are these printouts wasteful, they’re also a security and privacy concern. Go paperless Designing a document management solution that reduces paper consumption is the best way to save money. It may not be possible in every department, but those who can do their jobs without printing should be encouraged to do so by management. 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 your company’s IT guys to assist with problems like paper jams, printer Wi-Fi issues, and other concerns reduces employee frustration. 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. Having a group of experts manage your IT workflow can make your day-to-day operations more efficient and help you save 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.
Virtualization is different from the cloud
Virtualization and cloud computing can be confusing, especially to business owners who are not familiar with them. But when you understand their differences, you’ll be able to best take advantage of these technologies. Virtualization Imagine a company with five servers, each assigned a single task such as storage, email, etc. If there were a spike in email traffic, it would overwhelm the email server, causing it to slow down. Adding another server would solve this problem, but it would be expensive and inefficient on days with less traffic. With virtualization software, you can combine the resources of all five servers in our example. So if the email server gets bogged down, it can borrow resources from any of the other servers with extra capacity. The process is not as simple as it sounds, and businesses often turn to an experienced IT service provider to set up a virtualized environment. Because virtualization software can be installed on a server in your office, it is totally independent of cloud technology. Sometimes, people misunderstand the difference because the vast majority of cloud solutions use virtualization to improve their services. Cloud computing With cloud computing, users can edit documents, save files, and interact with apps that aren’t actually on their computer. Instead, they access these items by connecting to a server via a network or internet connection. To carry out its purpose, a cloud platform sometimes uses several virtualized servers to provide users with a simple system that appears to be on its own, even though it’s actually shared with several other users and servers. There’s no need to purchase additional servers, and you can also save valuable office space by not having to deploy bulky equipment. Obviously, scalability is critical in today’s ever-changing business conditions. Cloud computing makes it easier to manage business tasks to maximize productivity. And it helps streamline operations, as more cloud services are integrated. Businesses don’t have to worry about infrastructure maintenance because it is covered by the cloud service provider. Virtualization and cloud computing are both economical technologies that small businesses should take advantage of. If you want to see what they can do for you, call our experts today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to make the most out of your CRM
Building rapport with customers has never been easier with customer relationship management (CRM) software. You can keep track of contact information, buying preferences, and sales patterns. It’s a must-have for all sales and marketing teams. If you want to know how to make the most out of your CRM, follow these tips. Always update customer information A CRM system is only effective when the data it provides is current. If the customer’s address, company name, or preferred method of contact has changed, your staff should update the information immediately, so your sales and marketing teams are always equipped with the right information and will know how to respond accordingly. Use purchasing history for upselling opportunities It’s easier to sell to existing customers than acquiring new ones. With your CRM, you can boost your sales performance by analyzing your existing clients’ purchasing history and designing promotions or events just for them. For example, if they recently purchased a razor from your online store, you can program your CRM to recommend related products like shaving cream or aftershave. Not only does this widen your profit margins, but it also makes your customers’ lives a lot easier and promotes repeat business. Automate your processes Since many of the tasks associated with data entry can be automated, take advantage of the workflow automation features in CRM apps to eliminate time-consuming and repetitive functions. For instance, when new leads are added to your CRM (via newsletter subscriptions or website visits), you can program your CRM to send follow-up emails, offer promotions, and push other marketing efforts to keep your business at the forefront of their attention and to help them remember your brand. This saves you from writing the same canned responses while also making sure that you’re engaging your clients throughout the entire sales process. Learn from analytics CRM can analyze customer trends and behavior. If you notice a spike in demand for certain products and services during the holidays, be more aggressive in pushing them out the next year. If certain email campaigns were more successful than others (e.g., higher open rates, click-through-rates, and potential customers), understand what elements were responsible for that success, and try to replicate them the next time you send a newsletter. Customer data should also be used to shape sales and marketing tactics. A salesperson that already knows the client’s name, location, and preferences can deliver more targeted sales pitches and has a better chance of closing a deal. The point is this: If you’re not learning from your data, your business growth will be limited. Integrate CRM with other business software Incorporating CRM software to other programs makes it even more powerful. Integration with accounting software combines customer and financial data, eliminating redundant manual data entries and providing more insightful reports. When used alongside a VoIP system, your staff will get relevant customer information from multiple databases displayed on one screen when they’re about to make a call. Get some CRM support Work with a CRM provider that offers 24/7 support. Ideally, your provider should keep your data safe, update your software regularly, and advise you on how to use complex CRM features. This may seem like a lot but remember: like every technology investment, CRM requires active participation from executives, managers, and frontline staff. If you need more advice on keeping customers happy or want to know what technologies can add value to your business, call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.