This month, we had the pleasure of hosting our first Lunch and Learn event alongside Jason Pryce from Datto and Andy Ziegler from Tempest Risk Management. We discussed the importance of security frameworks and how they drive risk management policies and reputation protection mindsets in SMBs. Keep your eye out for more events like this in the future, we hope to see you there! Thank you to our excellent panelists for joining us and to everyone who came out to grab some food and knowledge!

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So, let’s rethink the choice for delivering IT service to employees and staff.

For years, smaller mid-sized businesses have had an in-house person or a small team supplying IT services to the organization, though some businesses outsourced some or all of the IT duties to a third-party support organization or vendor. There are benefits to both:

In-House IT

• IT staff who knows your business
• A trusted team who is dedicated to solving problems for that organization ONLY
• Basic software tools to manage each user and computer
• Personalized service from people who know everyone in the company
• Timely help from the guy down the hall. People like knowing he is there when they need him
• Knowledge about the network and how it works. The team keeps it running most of the time, but lacks automation and best practices
• Ability to learn the basics about cybersecurity protections and the available tools
• Saves money for larger companies

Managed IT Services

• Service department that is familiar with your business and others with similar issues
• A team of specialists able to solve more types of problems
• Advanced-level, enterprise-scale tools to help manage computers and users
• Use of advanced software to keep logs of system issues and support needs of each user
• Available help 365 days per year, no vacation, no sick days. Deep bench to handle periods with high demand
• Implementation of industry-standard best practices. Strict adherence to documentation needs
• Specialists in cybersecurity with a complete suite of tools
• Improves service and saves money for smaller firms

We believe it is time to rethink the choice because the world has changed. Today, some in-house IT departments have a new problem … the staff is either working remotely or working in shifts at the office. Not only that, but most of the end users are using different and unstandardized internet services, unsupportable home network configurations, and more types of home computers … with all sorts of various software on them that would be blacklisted in a managed environment. What your IT staff needs to realize is that cybersecurity threats increase with more and more endpoint devices – especially devices that have a mish-mosh of vulnerable software installed. The home users are introducing a minefield of possible new threats into your otherwise protected environment.

The new option is to rethink the decision of choosing in-house IT vs outsourcing to a qualified vendor. Innovative organizations are combining the two approaches to deal with the challenges of today’s very different world.

In the new model, the Managed Service Provider provides IT services with and for the in-house IT department.

Acts Supplementary to In-house Team: Maintain the in-house team to provide the personalized support the staff, executives, and partners have come to expect. The MSP provides the internal department with a team of experts with whom to consult in specialty areas such as networking, application integration, cloud management, and cybersecurity.

Provides Enterprise-Class Management Software: The in-house team works with the Managed IT services team to upgrade the software tools that manage the individual computers, track users, and account for home/remote users and computers.

Improves Support Coverage: Weekends, holidays, vacations, and sick days now get full support coverage. During a peak period or crisis, the in-house and outsourced resources are still able to provide full coverage.

Delivers Improved Cybersecurity: The Managed IT Services firm provides significantly more comprehensive tools for cybersecurity because they take advantage of enterprise-level quantities when procuring their toolset. In essence, they deliver best-in-class cybersecurity solutions to smaller companies without those smaller companies having to break the bank.

Offers Upgraded Network Management: The in-house team can leverage all of the skills and services that the MSP offers to tackle network upgrades, routine maintenance tasks, and management of outstanding projects. No more excuses that the internal staff was too busy.

Presents New Ideas: The in-house team can collaborate with experts in seven different fields to identify opportunities to make the network infrastructure more reliable, more secure, and better protected.

This hybrid option is attractive now that COVID is here in part because the internal team may not be down the hall anymore if the staff is working remotely or working in shifts. The tools to manage a diverse network of at-home workers are too expensive for most smaller and mid-sized firms to purchase individually. Instead, the combined in-house and the Managed Services team provides better support for the staff while also significantly hardening the cybersecurity prowess for the organization. The hybrid model is very cost efficient, and the model is already in place and functional for some of our highest-profile clients.

TechSolutions is now working with small to mid-sized organizations by collaborating with the in-house IT professionals as opposed to replacing them. The benefits of the in-house IT team are compelling, but we believe it is time to take a step back and re-analyze the situation. It is probably worth considering a shared management arrangement to help the internal department and implement vastly improved security and data protection.

Talk to us and don’t forget … You should expect more from your IT team!

The post Post Pandemic Rethinking of Your IT Support appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Of course, things have worked out slightly differently than that. Many business people are still working at home. The office staff, the sales team, the administrative staff. We are all still operating a large percentage of the time from our houses instead of from the office.

“Knowing” that it was only a temporary move, the solutions we put in place seemed acceptable at the time. Looking back now, however, too many people set up shop on the dining room table with their 5 year old 14” laptop. Too many people made do with a different, less expensive, and less secure setup at home than what they have at the office. We think it is time to make a few adjustments to be more comfortable, more productive, and more secure working from home.

Most of us should already have started planning on working from home for what could be described as an indefinite amount of time. In some states, the transition back to the office will be very slow. In other states, people are starting to filter back into the office, but it means something very different than it meant in late February. This might include rotating days between the office and home, or staffing the office with a skeleton staff, or redesigning the physical layout of the office to provide for more distance between desks. Lest we not forget that many experts are warning that we should brace ourselves for a second wave of this pandemic. The point is, we are going to spend more time working from home, so we might as well consider ways to improve that situation. Here are five tips to consider:

Tip 1. Upgrade Your Chair and Add the Second Monitor

The dining room chair that you started sitting on back in March is not meant for sitting in for 8 hours a day. Same with the tiny screen on your laptop. Stop squinting to see what is on that screen. The dual monitor setup that you had at your office made you more productive, so why not be that productive at home too? Set up a place in your home where you can use two large monitors and sit comfortably all day long.

Tip 2. Get a Quality Headset

A good noise-canceling Bluetooth headset will allow you to walk away from your desk and take conference calls all over the house. Not only can you hear and speak better and clearer, you can leave the Zoom conference and get a snack without having to miss out on what people are saying. Further, the proper headset will cancel out unnecessary house noises that can be a distraction. You will be so happy when you add this component to your home office that you will likely want to use it at work too.

Tip 3. Upgrade Your Image on Zoom

Today, lawyers are working with clients, executives are holding staff meetings, and farmers are working with buyers, investors, and vendors. Most of us need to look more professional on Zoom or GoToMeeting or Teams, especially for those critical meetings. Try to improve the lighting. You need light in front of you, not behind you. If your home office room has a window, face towards the window. Also, raise your camera to be at eye level. No one wants to see your ceiling fan or the inside of your nostrils. Finally, shave and dress for the office. The time for celebrating casualness has passed.

Tip 4. Consider Alternative Business Software Solutions

There is a big difference between Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Teams excels in collaboration features, specifically within your own organization. Zoom excels in user-friendliness for group meetings, but really cannot compete on the internal collaboration side of things. There are also software tools to help manage staff work schedules, online productivity, remote access, etc. The point is that things are different than they were in February. There is a good possibility that your organization will need to consider making permanent changes to the tools you use so that everyone can stay as productive as possible.

Tips 5. Cybersecurity Matters

In March, cybersecurity was not as critical as getting set up to operate from home. But today, it is essential. Cyber thieves have really increased attempts to exploit the weaknesses in home networks, vulnerable remote access solutions, and end user tendencies to contribute to fake COVID-19 charities. With so many people working from home for what will likely turn out to be an extended timeframe, now is the time to harden your home and corporate cybersecurity solutions.

• Secure Your Home Router: Most home routers supplied by a reputable internet provider such as Comcast or Verizon are already configured properly for secure WiFi. However, many people are still using a 5-year-old 3rd party router that they purchased from Staples or Best Buy. Ensure that your WiFi connection requires a lengthy password and is using WPA2 encryption. Failure to meet these requirements could result in a breach of corporate data.
• Get a Professional Consult for Remote Access: Back in March, you might have been unable to plan properly for the entire staff to be remote because everything happened so quickly. Now that we know this might last a while, an IT professional should evaluate your remote access solution and make appropriate recommendations. Are you using a VPN solution? A Remote Desktop solution? A 3rd party solution? You now have an opportunity to plan for and implement a proper remote access solution so you can be secure and productive.
• Avoid Oversharing Your Screen: During online meetings, be cautious when sharing your screen. If possible, do not leave any windows open that you would not want others to see. Accidents happen.
• Audit Your Remote Computers: Require that any device, especially home computers that your team is using, has the latest antivirus and malware protection. If employees are using their personal computers, you want to develop a plan to ensure that their personal computers are protected with a proper endpoint security solution.
• Watch for COVID-19 Scams: Internet criminals have widely exploited the COVID-19 outbreaks. It has been the topic of numerous national and international phishing/scamming campaigns. If you receive emails with any suspicious links or attachments related to COVID-19, do not be tempted to open them. Provide education to your staff members so that they can better understand how to differentiate legitimate from suspicious. Better safe than sorry.

Unfortunately for the people we live with, we are all going to keep working at home a lot longer than we imagined on March 12. We hope you will take a few minutes, spend a little money, and set yourself up to be more productive and secure at home.

At TechSolutions, we want you to expect more from your IT vendor. We think you should expect more from them than simply keeping your internet and your computers working. We would be happy to help you get set up at home so that you can be more productive and more secure. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have so that we can show you how to “expect more” from your IT firm.

The post Getting Your Home Office Ready for Spending More Time at Home appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

2. Millennial Managers Drive Collaboration: The workplace will be increasingly influenced by the rise of millennials into management positions in addition to the tight labor market currently in effect. These new managers will stress inclusion over exceptionalism. Team goals, team awards, and department bonuses will accompany work flexibility, technology-enabled remote staff, and comforts in the workplace. As a result, we will also see the emergence of new work auditing and performance measurement tools.

3. AI Used in Different Stuff but Doesn’t Take Over: Familiar technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and speech recognition will emerge as features integrated into new smart devices, tools, and systems this year. Your favorite devices across the home and the office will begin integrating AI to add new features and functions. For example, your new wireless headphones might start learning commands and gestures to save a little time or effort. Or perhaps, your bed might learn to adjust to your nightly sleep patterns. Firewalls, security cameras, TVs, and monitoring devices are doing the same. Just look at the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show held just this month in Las Vegas. AI, ML, and data-enabled devices will begin to change what you expect this year.

4. Extended Reality Happens for Training: Virtual and Augmented Reality have been promising technologies for years … too many years. However, the cost of content development is coming down as tools to build simulated environments have emerged. These new tools can rapidly create virtual environments needed for training, job simulation, and roleplay so that the technology can take its place in being useful for job training and skills assessments. Future applications will include customer training as well.

5. 5G and WiFi 6 Emerge: The next leap in speed for your home and office networks will bring about serious changes in data-driven tools, automation, and robot-supported life. This next step will allow computers to talk to each other faster than the human brain can. The increased bandwidth will be required for self-driving cars, improved security, and telemedicine. Not only will it be much faster, but we will also connect 50 times more devices than we do now. Standards are still being worked out for both 5G and WiFi 6, but with so much at stake, this might be the year it gets resolved.

6. Digital Assistants, Cobots, Exoskeletons Enter the Workplace: This year, we see the incremental leap to augmenting employee performance with physical and cognitive tools. In the office, Cortana, Alexa, and Google devices will begin to provide information access, voice-to-text communications, and office entertainment. The full ironman suit is a few years off, but the next step is Exoskeletons and Collaborative Robots (Cobots). Upgrading a factory so that cobots work alongside existing legacy equipment and human workers is an attractive proposition for many small businesses, and, as it turns out, is less expensive than full automation. Regarding ironman suits introduced at this year’s CES, Delta Airlines is testing a new exoskeleton to help make the job that baggage handlers perform easier on the bones and muscles.

7.California’s EU Style Cybersecurity Rules to Impact Delaware: This year, California’s more aggressive cybersecurity and data protection laws will be fully in effect. These laws, which went live on January 1, will regulate IoT devices, tighten policies on data collection, raise standards for data storage, and provide consumers new rights to accessing their personal data collected by various businesses. There will be a bit of amnesty as the first fines won’t be delivered for about six months. Historically, what starts in California is often copied by Delaware lawmakers. So watch out!

8. More Technologies Become Available in “Subscription Economy”: We always watch for technologies to become accessible to small businesses via subscription, and this year looks to be big. When Salesforce acquired Tableau Software, we saw a flurry of moves by other large platforms to integrate new data analytics packages into their software. Amazon now offers Blockchain-as-a-Service, and AI will soon be offered as a service for increasingly specialized applications. During 2020, no small company will have any excuses left to not use AI, Blockchain, or Business Analytics software.

9. Uber Ecosystems Emerge: In Hong Kong, Uber is pushing new ideas that are also scheduled to roll out in planned communities in the US. Imagine delivery of food (Uber Eats) expanded to include groceries, dry cleaning, pet care, and handyman services. Additionally, there are plans to include new transportation ideas stretching all the way from Scooter services to Air Shuttle services to downtown city locations. Homes, businesses, and lifestyles are optimized for outsourced 24×7 services delivered at a low cost.

10. Cybersecurity as Brand Differentiator: Companies that spend additional monies to protect their data will try to leverage those investments as part of their value proposition. This year, we will see more firms marketing “cybersecurity” or “data privacy” as part of their brand pitch. They will be most visible with national brands who will promise not to sell your data, but also promise to keep it safe. Close to home, professional services firms will take the lead by promoting safe guest WiFi, a secure internal network, and document protection as a differentiator.

By Rich Kenney

The post 2020 Technology Trends appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Technology in the business world is changing. Next month, as the new year begins, we will look at several ways the world is transforming as we examine some of the technology trends that will influence small and mid-sized businesses in 2020. We are at the verge of a new era where the next round of young technology matures and becomes more mainstream in its implementation. This could redefine the rules of business for the next decade. Sound overstated? Let’s examine:

What is gearing up to happen with many of the projected trends is that artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) act as enablers to help employees become more efficient at their jobs. Computers will begin to understand a specific scenario when it occurs and react accordingly … faster than our human brains can even comprehend what just happened. Real business problems will begin to be resolved by innovative solutions generated by AI computer engines. Employees and consumers will begin to have their lives improved by AR devices such as special goggles or gloves. Furthermore, with the economy being relatively healthy, it is a great time for these changes to take place.

Believe it or not, we are close to many of the AI and AR trends becoming commonplace. For example, we look forward to seeing new technology that enables AR glasses to be more attractive, to be faster, and to be able to help in ways that are akin to a digital assistant. Simply put, we are likely close to the next quiet revolution when the business world rapidly evolves.

The thought is that as these technologies become more popular next year, they will change how law firms, medical practices, professional service firms, and manufacturing facilities will operate. Gartner, the most well-respected technology assessment firm today, singled out the Cybersecurity business in their 2020 trend report. At TechSolutions, we are embracing these changes to help us keep our promise to our clients and deliver value in this area.

Most business leaders face this challenge in two ways:

• How do I leverage new technologies to sustain a competitive advantage for my business?
• Am I surrounding myself and working with people who help me succeed?

We are proud that we have spent the last 12 months investing in the newest technologies, training our staff, and refining our processes. We are already using AI, automated processes, and cloud-based technologies to protect our clients from cyber criminals. These changes help us keep pace in some areas and take the lead in other areas.

Next month, we will look at the trends for 2020. As 2019 comes to a close, we want to take a few moments to express our utmost thanks to our clients and staff. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you to our staff that supports our business. Thank you to all the people who believe that advanced technology combined with a commitment to customer service and good judgement makes for a strong business. On December 14, TechSolutions celebrated its 20th anniversary. We are truly grateful to you all! We are even more excited for the future.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a joyous and prosperous 2020!

The post Our World is Changing appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Amazon is a technology firm that has changed the world around us. Recently, we’ve heard some say this kind of progress is bad. Among other things, the naysayers point to the loss of retail jobs in traditional stores, rampant consumerism and materialism, and environmental harm. So, we wanted to examine the way Amazon is affecting our community to see for ourselves. We were surprised to find that Amazon seems to be accountable for a fair number of changes including the following:

Creating A Better Shopping Experience

The retailer’s pledge is to provide what you want, when you need it. They also promise to deliver the goods efficiently. That’s an old retail promise that Amazon seems to have improved upon. Recently, I needed a special replacement part for my sink and black ratchet tie down straps. I checked several local retailers by using up about 2 hours of my Saturday morning driving from place to place. I could not find any stores in or around Wilmington that had what I needed. The sink part was quite specific, so I was not surprised. Ratchet straps, as I have come to find out, are really only available from local stores in camo or florescent colors. Then I checked Amazon, and Voila!! I quickly found the exact items available, unbelievably low priced, and shipped to my house for Monday delivery and free shipping. No stress.

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

Eliminating Bad Retailers

Competition is a good thing. It is poetic justice that the least attractive retail establishments with the worst records in customer service are the first to go. Without naming specifics, there are several retail chains with that reputation. I always wondered how they were still in business with their poor selection, unorganized store racks, and total lack of cleanliness. They are terrible places to shop … I know you are thinking of a specific chain store right now. So, they are the first to go. Then, other stores react and up their game. Economic “Darwinism” at its best. We see this almost every day with poorly performing stores closing down and going out of business (think K-Mart and Sears just for starters).

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

Forcing Other Retailers to Innovate

Amazon is not the only one who can innovate. Most surviving retailers are sharper and more efficient. In general, today’s successful retailers provide a better service and are looking for new ways to serve their customers. After Amazon bought Whole Foods, Giant Foods is finally delivering groceries as a service in a cost-effective way. That is not only convenient for busy families, but it also enables seniors to live in the home longer with more independence.

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

Enabling New and Better Use of Old Retail Space

Retail space becomes vacant as some major store names around Delaware – such as Sears, JC Penny, and Best Buy – consolidate and/or vacate their retail space. As a result, new concepts are filling those spaces. Planet Fitness fills old retail store space on Concord Pike and Kirkwood Highway; trampoline parks, dog care businesses, churches, and indoor car dealerships have all moved into old retail spaces where K-mart stores were once located. Good progress.

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

Keeping Inflation Low During Economic Growth

Some people actually give Amazon credit for helping to prevent inflation. Amazon ushered in a new kind of retail efficiency with lower prices during this period of economic growth. Usually, low unemployment with wage growth sparks higher prices to consumers … which fuels inflation. This is sometimes deduced using the logic of Phillip’s curve, but Amazon has disrupted that as well. For most of us, lower inflation and continued economic growth is a good thing.

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

Providing Environmental Benefits

We believe Amazon has an incredible opportunity to impact the environment in a positive way. Its pursuit of innovation includes environmentally friendly ideas such as reusable containers and parts (think glass returnable/reusable milk jugs). Additionally, Amazon’s extensive selection means that older products can have an extended life. If the only thing your electric razor needs is new blades or a new battery, you don’t have to go buy an entirely new razor … just replace the part(s) that need to be replaced. Landfills don’t fill up as fast.

Amazon had much to do with this phenomenon. And, it’s better.

So, what is the Amazon Effect?

Amazon has its critics, and the company is not perfect. However, their ability to innovate using technology is making a huge difference for shoppers, families, and the community. We believe that Amazon (and other businesses alike) should keep innovating! Most importantly, Amazon has demonstrated a commitment to using technology to aggressively improve the lives of consumers by paving the way for new concepts, products, and services. Amazon, and therefore other smart companies, will continue to respond to consumers’ needs faster and with greater urgency.

Thanks Amazon. Goodbye slow retailers who try to continue to live in the past.

P.S. Cumulatively, there are more jobs in retail now than there were in 2009.

The post The Amazon Effect: Competition is a Great Thing! appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

The answer is everything! …  if you really want to better understand the new type of IT defense that is now available to protect your business from increasingly aggressive cyberthieves.  The characters will help you quickly figure out how to protect your firm.

Cybersecurity is your defense against thieves stealing your data for profit or sabotage. And your defense is like a 10 ft wall.

Traditionally, your cyberdefense was a very effective 10 ft wall. Part of the defense consisted of a system to repair and maintain the wall and a capacity to rebuild anything inside the wall that was damaged. This type of defense has worked for years and has become very sophisticated over time. Technology manufacturers built smarter firewalls to block out the bad stuff. Workers supporting those firewalls were tasked with maintaining it (the wall). They were also ensuring that what was on the inside (your data) was protected and organized to prevent your team from losing much productivity, should the wall be penetrated.

However, cyberthieves eventually built 11 ft ladders.

In other words, the crooks invented new ways to beat the 10 ft wall and access, steal, or ruin your data. The market value in dollars for social security numbers, credit card numbers, and health records is growing. The larger, more noticeable, businesses beefed up their defenses and built 20 ft walls … so thieves began targeting smaller businesses who were less protected and much more vulnerable. As a result, last year cybertheft increased by 100%.

TechSolutions has been working with leading innovators of cybersecurity technology to provide additional protection to small and mid-sized businesses. Today, your defense needs to be smarter and use newer technology. So, TechSolutions is introducing a new program called PointProtect to provide your defense arsenal with Bounty Hunters, Border Patrol Agents, and overall smarter villagers. We would love to explain in more detail.

TechSolutions is known as the easiest IT company to work with because we help business owners and office managers understand their options without all the jargon. We know that this leads to our clients making better business decisions.

Talk to us and we’ll explain the options available to you to make your wall a little taller and safe from the 11 ft ladders.

The post What do an 11ft ladder, Bounty Hunters, Border Patrol Agents, and Smarter Villagers have to do with Cybersecurity? appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Is your business in the cloud? Should it be? Wait … what exactly does that mean, “to be in the cloud”?

That is a good question that needs to be answered before moving on any further. “To be in the cloud” refers to one or more parts of the IT infrastructure at your organization being made available to you by a vendor company with a presence of that resource located (or “hosted”) solely on the internet and not at your physical office space. Many times, you will find that these products and services are paid for on a monthly basis by you, the customer, based on how many users you have and/or how much data is being stored. Some examples of cloud-based services include: Google Apps, Office 365, or other hosted email solutions (billed per mailbox, per month); Online Data Backup (usually billed monthly based on the amount of data being backed up); Hosted Phone Systems or Voice Over IP/VoIP (usually billed per phone, per month with a couple of other miscellaneous monthly charges thrown in); and Hosted Customer Relationship Management Applications like SalesForce.com (billed per user, per month). This is by no means a complete list as there are thousands of cloud-based services out there.

Hopefully you understand a little more about “the cloud” … now onto whether your business SHOULD be in the cloud. The answer is a resounding, maybe. Certain circumstances warrant different decisions. Do you have multiple offices? Do the majority of your users work remotely? Do you have a legacy system in place, for example an old phone system, that is in dire need of replacement? Is your company subject to security measures outside of normal parameters? Is the value received worth the cost? The answers to these and other questions will dictate the proper path for your organization.

Possibly your on-premise phone system is outdated and needs to be replaced. The initial outlay of money when procuring a new phone system can be 5 or 6 figures depending on your size. In a hosted phone system scenario, you are usually responsible for a monthly payment, but the initial outlay of money is typically little to no dollars compared to a new on-premise solution.
Maybe you have a traveling workforce who needs to be able to access your line of business software application easily and quickly no matter where in the US they happen to be. If the application were hosted, the only thing they would need to be able to work is a device with a web browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome and access to the internet.

Perhaps you don’t have an internal IT department so you have decided to go with Hosted Exchange Email in an effort to not concern yourself with setup, maintenance and data backup for your email. When you analyze the costs over time, many companies would benefit financially from a Hosted Exchange environment.

Another example could be a company subject to security or privacy rules that other organizations may not have to worry about – for example HIPAA for medical practices, PCI for retail shops, and various SEC compliance measures for financial firms. Be sure to do your due diligence before putting private or secure information into the cloud to avoid penalties and fines.

The bottom line is that moving some or all of your IT to the cloud is a company decision that needs to be analyzed from both a security and financial perspective. Certain cloud services will save you money, time and headaches. Others will give you piece of mind (like a cloud backup for your data). Just be sure all options have been vetted before making a decision.

The post Getting your head into “the Cloud” appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

Microsoft has announced that it is ending support for Windows 8 (not Windows 8.1 … just 8) and Internet Explorer versions 8, 9 and 10. This is significant since people who continue to use that software will become increasing vulnerable to security threats. This is because Microsoft will no longer be providing patches, or fixes, for the shortcomings of those software titles. So let’s take a quick look and cover what you need to know.

There is no need to read any further if you are not using any of this software unless you want to make the people you know and love aware of what is happening. If you use a computer running Windows 8.1, you will still receive support from Microsoft until 2023. In a similar vein, support for Windows Vista ends in April of 2017 and Windows 7 support ends in 2020.

If you are not sure which version of software you are running, let’s determine that first. To figure out your version of Windows, click this link: Which Windows operating system am I running? Under the title of the article, it will tell you which operating system the PC you’re currently using is running. The article also provides instructions to manually determine which operating system you have. For Internet Explorer, open up the browser, click the Help menu located on the Menu bar. Then click on About Internet Explorer and a box will pop up telling the version of Internet Explorer that you are running. If you do not see your Menu bar at the top of your screen (the one with File, Edit, View, Favorites, Tools, and Help), simply press your ALT key one time and it should appear.

Now that we have determined what versions of software you are using, let’s go ahead and discuss how to address each one. And before going any further, business users should not start to make changes without clearing it with the person in charge of IT. Windows 8 users have three options. Hold tight, upgrade to Windows 8.1 or upgrade to Windows 10. If you elect to hold tight, then the last round of updates Microsoft issued was on January 12. No further updates will be released after that so over the coming months you will become more exposed to outside threats.

If you elect to upgrade to 8.1, then you’ll need to go to the Windows Store at the mall to get that done because that’s the only option that Microsoft offers. However that isn’t a recommended strategy because you really shouldn’t be driving down to the Microsoft Store and instead you should be upgrading to Windows 10. Microsoft has been pushing users to upgrade to Windows 10 for months now. Along with the constant reminders and dialog boxes you see regarding upgrading to 10, they are enticing people to switch by offering a free, no-strings-attached upgrade. Besides, Windows 10 has been very well received and really is what Windows 8 should have been in the first place, because Microsoft has addressed most of the complaints people had about Windows 8.

Windows 7 users also have the option to upgrade to Windows 10 as long have upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 7 SP1. If your computer is set to automatically update or you manually keep it updated you should already be running Windows 7 SP1. I would confirm it though by checking it as outlined above. If you are not keeping your computer updated shame on you. Your operating system is not running at peak performance and even worse, you’ve increased your risk to outside attack. We’re not talking about changing your own oil or staining the deck. Just a few clicks and you can get and keep your computer up-to-date.

Just like Windows 8, Microsoft has ended support for Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 as of January 12, leaving Internet Explorer 11 as the only supported version of the browser. IE 11 will be the last version of IE ever created because Microsoft has developed its new browser named Edge as Internet Explorer’s replacement. For users of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 you already have Internet Explorer 11 installed, so you are good-to-go. For Windows 7 users, you can go to this link and download Internet Explorer 11: IE11 for W7. Windows Vista users are stuck with Internet Explorer 9 because Microsoft doesn’t support an upgrade to Internet Explorer 10 or 11. If you run Windows Vista, your best bet is to switch browsers and start using either Firefox or Chrome .

If you have one of these outdated software versions, I strongly suggest you don’t put this off but instead go ahead and take the time to address this. If you have any questions about the article or run into any problems drop me an email or give me a call. I’ll be glad to answer your questions and get you pointed in the right direction.

The post Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 users take notice appeared first on TechSolutions, Inc..

By Rich Kenney, Vice President, TechSolutions

Just as a doctor gets asked about that nagging pain during normal conversation at a dinner party or other social event, IT professionals similarly are asked about what to do for slow computers or about suggestions to make an IT environment more secure. So as a means to field some of those questions through a public forum instead of individually, I have compiled a list of 7 things you can do to keep your digital assets running in top form and in a secure manner.

1) Ensure You Are Running A Proper Antivirus Solution – With new virus threats being released daily, security has become a top priority for many businesses. Antivirus software on a PC is an absolute must. While it will not protect against all bad things out there, you are leaving yourself with a serious security risk by not having one installed. In a business environment, the antivirus software should be part of an enterprise solution so that all devices can be managed through a single pane of glass. Through that single interface, an administrator can check for current definitions, setup regularly scheduled scans and even give the command for all computers to immediately run virus scans. Enterprise level AV software is a necessity for all businesses with more than 3 or 4 computers in the mix.

2) Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs – Throughout the life of a computer, applications get installed and then forgotten about. Many times, an application will set itself or one of its components to automatically start with a reboot of your computer. Over time, this can result in slowing down a computer because of an unnecessary use of resources. Periodically, you should take the proactive step to view what is automatically happening each time you power on your computer and remove the programs that just don’t belong. If you are uncertain as to whether a particular program should be removed or not, do an internet search to investigate what it is doing and why it is starting automatically. If your search does not provide a conclusive answer then it would be best to leave the program alone. Microsoft has included a utility with each of its operating systems called “MSConfig” that allows you to see all of the auto-start apps. In addition, there are some free 3rd party programs that are a bit more useful than MSConfig such as CCleaner and Glary Utilities. In my opinion, both of these 3rd party programs are more intuitive and easier to use than MSConfig.

3) Physically Clean Devices – Depending on your environment and surroundings, the inside of computer towers can sometimes accumulate ½ inch of dust on the circuitry components. The most common issue with dusty components is overheating which leads to hardware failure. As a yearly ritual, you should remove the cover, take the tower outside and use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust from the circuitry. Compressed air cans are also useful in removing crumbs and other particulates from keyboards.

4) Keep Operating Systems and 3rd Party Apps Up To Date – On a weekly basis, you should ensure that your computers are being kept current on Windows Updates (or OS X updates for MACs). This is a very simple process that will ensure that known security vulnerabilities are being addressed as well as help keep your computer running at peak performance. Along those same lines, outdated 3rd party applications such as Acrobat, Java, and Flash can present even more security vulnerabilities than not keeping Windows up to date. Many 3rd party apps will download updates themselves, but will rely on the end user to install the updates, whereas others will rely on the end user for the entire process.

5) Think Before You Click – End users are the weakest link in the digital security chain. It is imperative that businesses see this issue as a priority and address it. Implementing tighter security controls such as a web content filter, instituting strong passwords, creating written internet usage policies, and training end users to recognize malicious emails would be critical steps to help strengthen this weakest link. Viruses and phishing schemes typically rely on the end user to fall into a trap to deliver their payload. Many times, that trap comes in the form of a hyperlink sent in an email or as an attachment to an email. Once you click the hyperlink or open the attachment, the deed has been done and you have been compromised (regardless of which antivirus software is installed). If something seems fishy in an email even from someone you know, consider it bad. Look for clues such as poor grammar or an email referencing something out-of-the-blue like a document, money or contract that you are hearing about for the first time. You can always check with the sender for an explanation.

6) Update Your Business Continuity Plan – As an IT professional, I am always surprised when I come across a potential new client who has no idea IF the data on the network is being backed up … or WHEN the data on the network is being backed up … or HOW the data on the network is being backed up. Not having at least two copies of your data is as dangerous for a business as driving in a NASCAR race going 200 MPH with no seat belt or helmet would be for Kyle Busch. Without two copies of your data, all it would take is one hard drive to die, or one user to get the wrong virus, or countless other scenarios and your critical business data is gone forever. Some methods of backing up your data are cheaper than others. Be sure that the method you opt to implement for your business is reliable and able to get you back up in running in an acceptable amount of time because downtime is costly. If you count downtime in dollars, what would the true cost of being down for an entire day be? How about an entire week? You should know the anticipated downtime if a full restore of your data was required.

The primary focus of this item is to ensure that you have a good, working and regularly tested backup of your data, but there is more to recovering from a major event than just having a good backup. You also need to have a plan, preferably a written plan that identifies everything that needs done when a crisis occurs. It needs to address your servers, your workstations, your phones, your office space, your website, your clients … and the list goes on and on. This is called a Business Continuity Plan or a Disaster Recovery Plan and all well-prepared businesses should have one in place.

7) Implement Two Factor Authentication – Nowadays, most businesses offer some sort of remote access to their employees. Offering remote access to your employees presents a security risk to your network and the data contained on it. Remote access is akin to leaving a door open to your house, but needing to pass a “test” to get through the door and into the house. Two factor authentication (2FA) increases security by requiring the remote user to pass a second test in order to get connected. With 2FA, not only will you have to pass the first test by providing your standard username and password but in order to pass the second test something else has to happen as well. Examples of that second test include being required to input a randomly generated 6 digit code that changes every 30 seconds read from a device on your keyring or pressing the “Approve” button on your smartphone. There are many different 2FA vendors out there and each has a different method of validation, but the underlying similarity is that having the additional authentication method in place significantly improves your digital security.

These are just a few things you can do as we start a new year to keep your computing assets protected and in top shape. The bottom line is to take a proactive approach so you can avoid or at least minimize problems that cost downtime and unnecessary expenses. If you need help with any of these or you feel as though your business could benefit from a consultation, please feel free to contact us.

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