Pop quiz: what’s a simple thing you can do to improve your business’ IT security? Update your antivirus software? Use secure passwords? Here’s one that many small- and medium-sized businesses rarely think about: enhance your physical security.
While often an afterthought, physical IT security is no small matter.
…or at least, he tried to, last year. This is an updated article from last February’s newsletter. Given that the weather is similar (sadly), the cat is still “helping,” and it contained some useful tips, I’m sharing it again.
Our cats are normally outdoors, in the barn or garage during the winter.
These days, a notebook without an internet connection is like a bicycle without pedals. You can still use it, but you won’t get very far. That’s why it’s all the more frustrating when you lose your wireless internet connection and your IT department or helpful officemate aren’t there to provide a quick fix.
With all the stories in the past year about major data breaches that included, in some cases, stolen or cracked passwords, a good way to kick off the new year is to change old passwords and then resolve to be more vigilant about security in the coming year – and beyond.
…For even more viral and scamming activity than usual.
For me personally, it started when I received a fax via email around Thanksgiving. It was from “me”. I did not send myself a fax. I hadn’t sent anyone else a fax around that time.
A year ago we used this space to discuss a specific piece of malware known as “CryptoLocker”. While some of the major players exploiting CryptoLocker have been shut down, variants have appeared and are creating new headaches for thousands of PC users – and this is serious enough, it deserves some attention again.
This year saw the end of Windows XP (and Office 2003) support. It saw really slow adoption of Windows 8 in businesses of all sizes. Windows 10 was announced (and what happened to Windows 9?). Next year will see the end of Microsoft support for Windows Server 2003…and Windows 10 will become available for purchase.
It seems like we’ve been looking at a lot of old computer gear lately. There’s many reasons why people hold onto their computer systems longer than they really should… The current machine is running fine (not most of the time but sometimes), cost of the new gear and upgrading, the hardware upgrade also requiring upgrades to other software, and the hassle and learning curve on what’s often going to be a new operating system and/or applications are just a few.
How about $55,492? Last month, an Ohio guy by the name of Zack Brown posted a “Kickstarter” campaign. If you’ve not heard about Kickstarter, it’s a kind of on-line crowd-funding platform that works mostly through social media.
Someone, like Zack, puts up a Kickstarter campaign.
Are bad email habits distracting you, wasting your time, and causing miscommunications with clients, employees and others? Making a few simple changes to the way you handle email will help you improve focus, save time, and communicate more effectively.
Here are five bad email habits that could be holding you back—and positive alternatives to get you moving forward.
