Introducing the Microsoft Teams Schedule Send Feature Key Points Microsoft Teams will introduce a new feature in the coming weeks that will enable users to schedule messages to be sent later. Schedule Send will allow users to choose a specific time and date for their message, giving them greater control over when it is delivered. […]
Small Business Guide To Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop The business world is becoming increasingly digital. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many companies have moved into work-from-home situations, which has made remote and hybrid working environments more desirable and commonplace for workers across the country. The modern workforce is more flexible and mobile than ever, and […]
Cardiologist Turns Hacker – Moises Luis Zagala Gonzalez Moises Luis Zagala Gonzalez, a cardiologist in Venezuela, is the alleged creator behind the Jigsaw v.2 and Thanos ransomware strains. If true, this would make him one of the most prolific cyber criminals in recent history. These ransomware strains have caused immense damage, with Jigsaw v.2 encrypting […]
6 Timely Tips To Help Businesses Avoid Phishing Emails Phishing emails are a common way for cybercriminals to steal important data from businesses and individuals. This article will discuss what phishing is, how to identify a phishing email, and how to protect your business data from being stolen. We will also provide tips for avoiding […]
157-Year-Old Lincoln College Succumbed To A Ransomware Attack On May 13th, 2022, a college that has remained open through two world wars, the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, and the Great Depression will close its doors. The college has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years, and the coronavirus pandemic and a recent ransomware attack […]
Zero Trust Networks: What Are They? The internet has brought a world of opportunity for businesses. It is easy for companies to reach out to consumers and offer them products or services without a physical storefront. However, this also opens businesses up to the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks. Cyber attacks can be […]
Can Ransomware Spread Through WiFi? Ransomware has been a menace to businesses large and small for years, and the problem is only getting worse. One of the most insidious aspects of ransomware is its ability to spread through wifi networks, infecting multiple computers and devices. This can cause severe disruptions to business operations, as employees […]
Network Equipment Shortages The current state of microchips for network equipment is difficult at best, depending on a supply chain that can cross over 70 international borders and 31,000 miles before reaching its end destination, with processes in Texas, Michigan, Malaysia, Germany, and China before landing at the port in California for distribution. The many […]
Slack vs. Microsoft Teams Chat-based collaboration has been around for several years, but with the sudden impact at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Slack and Microsoft Teams both quickly rose to the forefront. But which one is better for your business? Whichever option you choose, you’re still the winner, because two great collaboration platforms […]
Do Microsoft Teams Attacks Prove Need for Innovative Cybersecurity Awareness Training? Although hackers select email as their preferred delivery method upwards of 92 percent of the time, a recent Microsoft Teams exploitation emerged as a significant threat. Do these stunning Trojan attacks on businesses require a rethinking of cybersecurity awareness training? With more than 270 […]
Updates To Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office 365 Are you a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscriber? Then, you’ll have access to the latest security patches, bug fixes, and software features. However, it might be challenging to monitor the changes in every update and know when to expect them. Here is information about the most recent […]
What Is Google Assistant? Have you ever told a friend or coworker: “I could really use a personal assistant!” Or perhaps muttered the same words under your breath while tackling a particularly prickly list of to-dos? If so, your next line (thought silently, regretfully) was probably: “Like I could ever have my own assistant …” […]
Improve Network Performance With Your iPhone In today’s remote working world, many people are exploring the world. However, bad signal and hotspot coverage are two of the most frustrating issues you’ll face. Here are a few ways to improve coverage and the reliability of your hotspot, so that you can get more work done on […]
What Is USB C? Are you using one of the latest laptop models? Then, you probably have come across the new USB Type-C. The advent of this new connection standard port eliminates multiple challenges faced while using previous chargers. With the earlier chargers, you had to replace them whenever you purchased a new laptop. The […]
Manually Update Windows Defender Online security is more important than ever, and given the prevalence of Windows operating systems, knowing how to update Microsoft Defender, the built-in anti-malware package included with modern Windows operating systems, is vital to your security plans. Alternately known as Windows Security, it’s the go-to tool for PC security. However, as […]
Apple Notes Tips With the dawn of the new year, January is the perfect time to get your to-do list in order. But these days, most people’s lists are complicated agendas full of work and personal items, multiple schedules, and seemingly endless tasks. To keep things straight, one thing that can help is a savvy […]
11 Unexpected Ways to Manage Chromebook Files Chromebooks have been around for over a decade now, but at the beginning, they weren’t intended for file management, with the original Chromebooks not even having a Files app. Copying or moving data, finding files or wirelessly transferring and syncing files with other systems was virtually impossible. But […]
What Are Workers’ Rights in the Face of Employee Monitoring? As the use of technology in our everyday lives continues to increase, it’s no surprise that any legislation surrounding that technology is constantly lagging behind. After all, it’s usually impossible to know the potential dangers of technology until damage has been done. Fortunately, legislation usually […]
Can Technology Reverse the Workforce – Depleting ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021? Although remote and other technology appears to be an underlying cause of the 2021 “Great Resignation,” it may also hold the key to a“Great Return.” Many believed the mass exodus from the workforce had peaked in April when a total of 24 million had […]
Apple Business Essentials A little more than a year ago, Apple acquired a platform called Fleetsmith with the intention of using it to create business management software. Now, that goal has finally come to fruition with the release of Apple’s Business Essentials in beta. Based in the cloud, Fleetsmith device management software originally aimed to “balance the […]
Microsoft & Meta Partner to Integrate Teams and Workplace for Easier Collaboration Competing Social Software Giants Offer Customer-Requested Consolidation of the Two Applications’ Best Features Workplace stated in May 2021 that it has reached a milestone of 7 million paying members. Microsoft similarly revealed later that July that its Teams platform had 250 million unique […]
Picking the Ideal Unified Endpoint Management Platform Unified endpoint management (UEM) software plays an important role in today’s business world, thanks to significant technological advancements. Over the years, endpoint devices have become more data-intensive, connected, and ubiquitous, despite the security risks associated with the software. Thus, proper management of the devices is a top priority […]
Windows 11 Tips: How to Get Things Done More Effectively Windows 11 comes with a slick redesign and a comprehensive selection of new features. Although it shares many similarities with Windows 10, the new OS introduces groundbreaking features like Android app integration. The best part is that the operating system brings balance to your personal […]
A Quintessential Guide to Windows 11 Tips and News Windows 11 introduces a wide selection of interesting new features capable of transforming the user experience. In addition, the operating system comes with a streamlined design, Android apps integration capabilities, a built-in Microsoft Teams conferencing application, and other notable features. Examples of features that you can […]
Outages Result of DDoS Attack” Confirms Bandwidth CEO David Morken, CEO of Bandwidth.com, has confirmed that a DDoS attack was responsible for recent outages reported on the site on September 27th. Citing that “a number of critical communications service providers have been targeted by a rolling DDoS attack” in a recent statement, Morken also apologized […]
What You Need To Know About The Facebook Outage Facebook and its associated services experienced a six-hour outage on Monday. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus suffered a major outage over the course of Monday, Oct. 4. Beginning just before noon EST, the outage lasted six hours, preventing users from accessing their social media profiles, messaging […]
Are You Ready For Windows 11 Official Release on October 5, 2021? As the official release date for the free upgrade to Windows 11 nears, it is time to prepare for the new Windows experience. You can upgrade to the new operating system, depending on the eligibility of your Windows 7 or 10 PC. Microsoft […]
Are You Planning to Download Windows 11 Free Update? Here’s a Quick Guide Microsoft’s new operating system has generated considerable interest from users and tech experts. Windows 11 brings many key new features that enhance the overall user experience. From October 5, 2021, Microsoft will roll out the update to eligible Windows 7 and 10 […]
If You Own These Four Small Business Cisco Routers: It’s Time to Replace Them A security flaw discovered in RV110W, RV130, RV130W, and RV215W Cisco routers creates significant vulnerabilities. Traditionally, these UPnP (universal plug and play) routers would receive security updates from the vendor. However, Cisco recently announced that it has no plans to release […]
Do You Want to Speed Up Your Computer? Here are Top Tips A slow computer can undermine productivity and become a source of frustration. Fortunately, there are several ways to boost speed and overall performance, irrespective of whether your computer is relatively new or older. You can achieve the desired performance by following specific tips […]
Amazon Exploring the Feasibility of Keystroke Tracking Plan An internal document obtained by Motherboard revealed Amazon’s plan to track employee’s keystroke entries. The tech and e-commerce giant plans to curb ever-increasing data leaks using this type of surveillance. Imposters, rogue employees, and hackers routinely compromise customers’ confidential information. Amazon is considering deploying advanced keystroke tracking […]
What Will the Windows 11 Experience Be Like? Windows 11 comes loaded with wide-ranging new features, such as a revamped start menu. You can also expect to find a Microsoft Store with Android apps. This new edition also boasts a cleaner tray area and a redesigned start button. These features represent a simplified version of […]
Understanding The Role of RAM in Computer Performance Random-access memory (RAM) plays an integral role in mobile devices and desktop computers. It determines the operating capacity of a device at any given time. A computer processes data using RAM as a digital workspace for placing programs temporarily. In turn, your computer’s processor gains access to […]
Ransomware Attacks Increase Globally A spate of ransomware attacks aimed at United States companies, government agencies, and critical infrastructure has raised serious cybersecurity concerns. Bad actors recently attempted to attack the Republican National Committee. A recent supply-chain attack on Kaseya’s VSA software had the potential to compromise the security of up to one million companies. […]
Microsoft Teams and Windows 11 Microsoft recently announced the introduction of Windows 11, which comes with the MS Teams video conferencing app. The revamped operating system has a refreshing new start menu, and a user interfaces design. It can also run Android apps. The availability of Teams provides a more convenient way for users to […]
How New Windows Server 2022 Features Improve Hybrid Integration and Security Microsoft recently announced the preview of the latest Windows Server. The new release comes with several key features, such as Azure automanage (hotpatching) and virtualization-based security (VBS). Windows Server 2022 allows users to leverage the cloud to maximize uptime and keep virtual machines (VMs) […]
Uncovering the Complexity and Potential Future Trends of Cyber Threats Faced by the U.S. America’s critical infrastructure, the Federal government, and commercial institutions are undoubtedly under attack. The sophisticated cyber threats facing the country emanate from various parts of the world. A wide selection of state actors and hacker groups are working tirelessly to paralyze […]
Everything You Need to Know About Windows 11 In the fall of 2021, Windows will be releasing its new operating system: Windows 11. Big improvements and new features are on the horizon for this new OS. Let’s take a look at what you can expect. What’s New With Windows 11? We all know that past […]
Google Mulling Mandatory Two-Factor Authentication For All Users Google plans to bolster the security of user accounts by making two-factor authentication (2FA) mandatory. This approach ensures that all user accounts require two-factor authentication by default. 2FA enhances cybersecurity by providing an additional defense barrier. The tech giant kickstarted the process of introducing 2FA by testing […]
Cyber Criminals Are Actively Exploiting a WordPress Plugin Zero-Day The Fancy Product Designer plugin — commonly used to configure visual products on WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce — has been compromised. Cybercriminals are actively looking for sites that use this plugin so as to exploit a recently-discovered vulnerability. What Is a Zero-Day Exploit? The term zero-day […]
Could A Colonial Pipeline-Style Cyberattack Disrupt Your Business? The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack garnered national headlines after hackers caused widespread gasoline shortages along the Eastern U.S. seaboard. Among the hardest hit, North Carolina saw more than two-thirds of local pumps closed, and 80 percent of fueling stations in the nation’s capital ran dry. Images of […]
How to Reinstall macOS on Your Computer If your Mac has been having problems or behaving erratically as of late, it might be time for a fresh install of macOS using Recovery mode and Disk Utility. A new install may also be useful if you have plans to give away or sell your Mac. In […]
Understanding the Role of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Non-fungible tokens or NFTs are rising in popularity as more people discover their importance. These tokens come with unique metadata and identification codes, making it easier to distinguish individual tokens. Unlike digital currencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, you cannot trade or exchange NFTs. They are cryptographic assets […]
Key Insights From Cybersecurity Trends and Stats for 2021 Cybercrime is a hot topic that makes news headlines and attracts the corporate world and individuals’ attention. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there was a 75 percent increase in breaches since the Covid-19 health crisis started through June 2020. On the other hand, Google reported […]
Here Is Why Windows Virtual Desktop Is Better Than Traditional Virtualization Solutions Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) allows your business to leverage either a multi- or single-user Windows 7 or 10 experience. The service also incorporates Office 365 ProPlus. You can count on WVD to help centralize monitoring and management functions. On the other hand, your […]
Transfer or Backup Google Authenticator in Few Easy Steps Two-factor authentication (2FA) plays a critical role in mitigating cybersecurity risks posed by bad actors. This method bolsters access controls by requiring a two-step identity verification when signing into applications. Google Authenticator simplifies this process by enabling users to verify their identity using a smartphone. When […]
How to Onboard Remote Employees More Efficiently As more companies switch to remote work, employers need to embrace the best onboarding practices to enhance new hires’ experience. Alignment involves updating various tools and processes to ensure seamless onboarding. Additionally, organizations are working tirelessly to leverage productivity hacks for remote teams. Onboarding new employees remotely change […]
How To Have a Successful Zoom Call When the world went into lockdown, it effectively shut down business for a little while. In the legal world, however, you can’t just stop. This led to law firms and courts using Zoom to conduct hearings and trials. Naturally, this caused some issues. If you are not comfortable […]
Inclusive Work Environment Is Vital for Digital Transformation As an ever-increasing number of companies implement a digital transformation, decision-makers need to adopt viable ways to transition successfully. Creating an inclusive work environment is undoubtedly one of the best ways to achieve this objective. Many organizations find it easier to create the workplace of the future […]
Has Your Organization Been Breached By Solarwinds Malware? Although mainstream media coverage of the massive Solarwinds hack seems to indicate the danger is over, the sophisticated hackers may still be hiding in plain sight. Microsoft recently uncovered at least three strands of malware deployed by the alleged Russian hackers. This new revelation raises alarms across […]
Can You Automatically Record Microsoft Teams Meetings? If you’ve ever been annoyed by the fact that every time you start a new meeting with Microsoft Teams, you have to manually enable the program to record the meeting for later use, you’re not alone. A quick Google search will show you that this question — and […]
SOC 2 Type 1 vs. Type 2: Here Is What You Need To Know? Cybersecurity continues to occupy a prominent spot in companies’ priority lists. As such, companies commit substantial amounts of money to bolster cyber defenses. Norton’s 2019 data breach report revealed that bad actors breached 4.1 billion records in the first half of the year. […]
The Need for Your Business to Set Up Network Security Is Urgent In the early 20th century, if a crook wanted money, they’d rob a bank or steal a woman’s purse on the street. Real masterminds might devise an elaborate heist to hold up a Brink’s truck or befriend a millionaire, then make off with […]
How Microsoft Dataverse Helps Your Organization Store and Manage App Data Securely Microsoft Dataverse is a software as a service (SaaS) solution capable of resolving wide-ranging data management and businesses’ storage issues. As an ever-increasing number of organizations generate a large amount of data, there is a need to manage it securely and efficiently. Thus, […]
How IT Consulting Companies Can Help Overcome Technology Challenges Information technology helps businesses of varying sizes to enhance operations and thrive. To maximize the benefits of technology, businesses often enlist the help of established IT consulting companies. With the assistance of highly skilled consultants, organizations empower themselves with the right tools to bolster innovation and overcome […]
Pros and Cons Of Outsourcing Your IT Support To A Managed Services Provider Paper or plastic? Cash or charge? MSP or in-house IT? There are many choices that you need to make on a daily basis, some personal and some related to keeping your business running. However, the last question can have a serious impact […]
How Can Business Executives Lead A Remote Workforce Through The Pandemic & Beyond? The pandemic accelerated an ongoing remote workforce trend by forcing companies to pivot and conduct business with people from home offices and dining room tables. A reported 41.8 percent of the workforce was considered remote at the height of the outbreak, and […]
5 Things Companies Need to Know About Adobe End of Life Big Tech corporations have driven the final nail into the coffin of Adobe Flash Player. Its “end of life (EoL),” or “death,” if you will, was long expected. As the popular software timed out at the end of 2020, businesses that still house the […]
What Are the Key Differences Between IT Services and Consulting? When business leaders create annual budgets, IT typically ranks among the top investments. More than $4 trillion was spent globally in 2019, and the average company funneled 8.2 percent of its total revenue into IT. The primary focus for too many companies was IT services, […]
Microsoft Makes Anti-Spam Changes The year 2020 is not the only thing that is coming to an end. Microsoft is slowly rolling out changes meant to deter spam. This is causing some features to come to an end and changing the way a few Microsoft products, most notably email, is used. As a business owner, […]
Top 15 Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular and influential digital team-building solutions available for startups and business teams of any size. Using Microsoft Teams as your company’s preferred collaboration tool provides access to myriad features, from private messaging and group chats to file and document-sharing. With a […]
9 Meeting Tips for Using Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams is a simple, yet effective tool for hosting meetings. It has both audio and video capabilities as well as a chat feature. It can handle conference calls and one on one meetings, with members of your organization as well as guests. Plus, it has a convenient […]
What’s New With Microsoft Forms Microsoft Forms gives you a plethora of features to utilize to your advantage. It easily creates useful documentation for your business and is accessible to virtually everyone in your organization. Forms integrate well with many other Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, and it is completely free to use. Microsoft Forms […]
A comprehensive IT plan will help you better understand your current situation and prepare you and your company for the future. Our engineers and consultants can help you achieve both of these objectives. Acapella Technologies provides your company with a comprehensive analysis on the state of your technology. This analysis is tailored to your specific […]
COVID-19 Vaccine Related Phishing and How You Can Protect Your Organization As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to claim lives across the globe and infection rates continue to soar, scientists are continually looking for a solution to end the world’s suffering. In the past weeks, vaccine manufacturers, such as Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, have published encouraging results […]
Microsoft Teams and the Future of Video Calling Microsoft Teams is a free cross-platform collaboration software that focuses on users, enabling great collaboration with teammates and customers across any device and empowering customers to work faster. Teams aims to propel traditional productivity experiences to the future, giving all kinds of teams a purpose and a […]
Does Your Workforce Create Strong Passwords & Have a Plan B Cybersecurity Defense? As the old saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Unfortunately, the new saying is that a business network is only as secure as its employees’ passwords. Despite widespread knowledge that hackers exploit weak passwords to breach […]
What Is PCI Compliance? You’re probably reading this because you looked up information on PCI compliance. This article explores how you can meet PCI requirements and secure your clients’ sensitive cardholder data. Today’s business world is highly regulated, and while this has its upsides, there is a great deal of pressure on businesses to stay […]
Getting Started With Microsoft Teams? What drives workplace performance? A few years ago, a Stanford study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology suggested that workplace performance was driven by collaboration. In fact, just the thought of collaboration was enough to improve performance. One interesting statistic: 64% of employees working collaboratively had higher success rates than […]
New and heightened digital threats develop every day, and having standard security software may not be enough to protect your personal data and business from exploitation from malware attacks. Businesses across industries are vulnerable to new attacks, as many security software lags behind. Hackers find ways to work around the most common security platforms to […]
What Is The Dark Web? Are your company’s data and network secure? Solidly secure? Or, are you worried you may have been hacked, putting sensitive data at risk? You may be wondering about the latter if you’re looking up information on the dark web and how it may impact your business. Because, indeed, if you […]
What Exactly Is NIST? No matter what industry you work in, chances are you’ve encountered the term NIST at one time or another. It’s most often used in relation to technology and, specifically, in relation to cybersecurity. Like many things related to these fields, NIST is both complicated and simple. It’s complicated because you have […]
Exactly a year ago today, no one would’ve thought that this many people would be working from home. Yet, here we are. The numbers are truly astounding. In June, the estimate was that 42% of the United States’ labor force had transitioned to full-time at-home work. For a while, most of us thought it would only […]
Exciting New Features Found In Microsoft Teams It feels like an understatement to say that 2020 has ushered in a “new normal” in the workplace, and it’s undeniable that this year has fundamentally changed the way we use business tech tools. Microsoft Teams is just one example of a platform that seems perfectly poised for […]
Microsoft Word users have been relying on third-party plugins and services to check their work for similarity issues. However, the tech giant recently announced that plans are underway to include an in-built plagiarism checker in its Word program. How will this improve your writing experience? The internet has provided a broad range of reference material to […]
Microsoft Edge Vs. Google Chrome Google Chrome is undoubtedly the most popular web browser available on the market. As of June 2020, Chrome boasts a 70 percent market share, while Microsoft Edge is the second most popular option. Microsoft is working tirelessly to boost Edge’s competitiveness in a tight market. The tech giant is looking […]
What Is Two-Factor Authentication? When it comes to keeping your business safe from hackers, you’re willing to pull out all the stops. But what if he didn’t have to “pull out all the stops”? What if the only thing you needed was a simple technique for preventing hackers from ever infiltrating your data and networks […]
A Look at the New Apple macOS 11 Big Sur Update The newest macOS update, officially number 11 and called Big Sur, was announced in late June 2020 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Big Sur is such a large and significant update that Apple skipped from version 10.15 straight to 11. For the […]
Business VoIP Services The modern-day workplace has evolved thanks to advances in hardware and software solutions. Virtual applications backed by cloud environments enable employees to work from anywhere. Therefore, companies need communication tools to coordinate activities happening in various locations. However, landlines and other conventional telephony solutions are too stationary and cumbersome to keep up with such […]
If you haven’t digitized your production records yet, you’re missing out on the advantages it offers. Tacking important metrics becomes easier, which makes your firm more efficient.
Digitizing your batch records can greatly improve the efficiency of their execution and review. Are you still handling this all manually?
When the going gets tough in business, it’s those who can adapt through drastic changes thrive. You may have made some strategic decisions through a triage of measures that helped you to leverage the resources you have to climb up the success ladder. There comes a time when you need to upgrade your technology to […]
Your IT team may be falling behind on their work, but that doesn’t mean you have to replace them, or hire new full-time employees — get the extra help you need, when you need it, with Co-Managed IT services.
Software is Integral to the Manufacturing Realm – From the Housekeeping Staff to the Warehouse Workers to the Security Guards – Everyone Depends on Software to Streamline Their Operations.
In many cases, you might want to combine multiple PDF files to create a single document. Disseminating information is often easier when you share one file instead of many. If you have Adobe PDF Pro, it’s easy enough to combine more than one document. You can also make several documents out of one large document. […]
Discover how Acapella Technologies helps your Nashua, NH business with all your computer support and services.
Discover why VoIP communication technology is the ideal choice for businesses with Acapella Technologies.
IT Managed Services vs. IT Outsourcing: What’s the Difference? While there are some similarities between IT outsourcing and partnering with an IT managed service, there are also important differences that could spell the difference between a highly successful business and one struggling to move ahead and reach core goals. Read on to discover which IT […]
Looking to cut down on the cost of printing? Take advantage of this 30% off deal on OEM printer cartridges offered by our partners: Cartridge World.
Another Great Mind Joins the Acapella Technologies Team Acapella Technologies is constantly growing our team of information technology professionals to better serve businesses throughout Manchester, New Hampshire and surrounding areas. We have found that our clients benefit greatly from our team having a variety of backgrounds and skill-sets, so in turn, as we grow, we’re […]
Using 123456 as Your Password? Is your company’s cybersecurity repeatedly swept under the rug? While reinforcing passwords and setting up firewalls can seem daunting, you may not realize the severe risk of neglecting these and other routine security practices. Unfortunately, as the Internet evolves to meet our needs and desires, the same can be said […]
Discover how Acapella Technologies help businesses with exceptional computer support in Concord, NH.
Social Engineering: A Threat to Your Cybersecurity Social engineering is the use of psychological manipulation to gather confidential information. Criminals are always looking to exploit you for valuable data: personal logins, bank accounts, and even remote access to your computer. Whenever you log on, they could be trying to steal your information through malware-filled links or […]
Many professionals in Manchester are hearing more and more about the benefits of the modern workplace. Find out how Acapella can help you set up yours.
The Secret Workplace Every Single Employee Dreams About Whenever They Clock In Employee retention is always a challenge. Because it takes so long to find, recruit, and train your best employees, it’s very important to focus on how you can keep them. And the best way to improve employee retention is to understand what employees […]
After a stressful few months of pandemic madness, switching IT companies in Manchester might seem like too much hassle – but it doesn’t have to be.
Top 2020 Cybersecurity Threats Managed IT cybersecurity professionals have been challenged to the hilt through the first half of 2020. Phishing attacks increased by upwards of 600 percent during the height of the pandemic as industry leaders made haste to move to the Cloud or increase their remote workforce infrastructure. Industry leaders have been so […]
Downsizing may be necessary, but that’s not to say it doesn’t come with its share of difficulties. By taking advantage of remote work, you can mitigate these issues and streamline the process.
Do you need to reset your computer system? Resetting is different from simply refreshing or restoring a computer system. Resetting means reinstalling Windows but during the process, you delete your personal settings, apps (unless the apps originated with the computer), and files (unless you choose to keep them). Refreshing and restoring your computer doesn’t require […]
Microsoft Teams as an Alternative to Zoom COVID- 19 induced lockdowns and social distancing measures helped spur Zoom’s growth. The video conferencing app managed to attract 300 million users by April 2020 compared to 10 million in December. Its rise to prominence left rivals like Facebook, Microsoft, Cisco, and Google scrambling for innovative ways to […]
Acapella is one of the leading computer support companies in Manchester, NH. Call in your local tech experts and check out how we can help you.
How to Convert a User Mailbox to a Shared Mailbox in Microsoft 365 After converting your regular mailbox to a shared mailbox in Microsoft 365, you retain all your existing calendars and email. The only difference is that it will be visible to several people. You can convert your shared mailbox back to private in […]
$150K Ransomware Payment A recent news piece published by Tech Republic highlights the discouraging reasons why too many businesses fall prey to hackers and pay ransoms for their digital property. Perhaps nothing adds insult to injury quite like someone burglarizing your organization and then making you pay for their crime. A recent $150,000 ransom paid […]
The Best Way to Switch IT Managed Service Providers The COVID-19 lockdowns have naturally changed how many organizations and companies operate. Educational institutions are embracing virtual classes, events that were previously held in person are now fully virtual, and a whopping 98% of employees worked from home to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus. Sadly, not all IT managed service […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, organizations across the country and around the world had to quickly adapt their operations to continue remotely. Here’s how the MSPs like Acapella Technologies managed their switch to remote work, and are continuing their business operations on a day-by-day basis.
Have You Tried The Microsoft Edge Browser? Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has been around from the early beginnings of the World-Wide Web. Over the years, it was sometimes immersed in controversy since it was “built into” some previous Windows versions. Well, not quite, since knowledgeable users knew how to install other browsers. But when Windows 10 […]
Internal IT vs. Outsourcing IT: The Value of Outsourcing to an MSP The question of whether to outsource or rely on an internal IT team is common. Services that were once considered ‘nice to have’ are now necessities. They include machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. While they add a lot of value to […]
Booking team meetings should be one of the easiest parts of your operational workflow, right? The answer is yes, but unfortunately, countless professional teams tell us that coordinating team meetings is one of the most frustrating daily tasks on their to-do lists.
Microsoft Bookings: Part Of Your Microsoft 365 Subscription For service-based businesses, a significant paint point in the customer experience is the simple process of scheduling an appointment. A traditional appointment-booking system requires the customer to call (or email now) and ask about an available timeslot. There’s then a back-and-forth of suggesting and checking different times […]
Booking appointments with clients should be easy. However, for many organizations, scheduling appointments with clients is a tedious and time-consuming task.
Acapella Technologies provides IT services in NH. Need a reliable IT services company? Schedule a complimentary assessment of your business technology.
How Microsoft Office Lens Lets You Scan Virtually Anything As businesses move online, more of their documents become virtual. Even with the mass migration to the digital world, however, there’s still plenty of work done on paper and other real-world canvases. From sticky notes to whiteboards, important information can be crafted and presented in a […]
Office Workers Rejoice: Microsoft is Finally Subduing the Dreaded’ Reply All’ Do never-ending reply-all threads emails put a damper on your business chewing up precious time and resources? The good news is, Microsoft rolled out Reply-All-Storm Protection to all Microsoft Office 365 users, an update announced in 2019 that seeks to ease the email disruption […]
Our team of IT advisors hears from clients every day with questions about how to migrate their now-remote workforces back to some sort of normal day-to-day operations.
Zoom, a Video Conferencing Tool, is More Widely Used Than Ever Before Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic. But Is It Safe? Can It Be Used While Maintaining HIPAA Compliance? Let’s Find Out…
Businesses Around the World Are Reconfiguring Their Workflows, Tools, and Policies to Adopt a Work-from-Home Culture, But For Many Employees, the Concept is Entirely Unfamiliar…
Remote work capabilities are extremely important for businesses that need their staff to work from home during a crisis like the current coronavirus pandemic. Do you how to manage your team effectively when they’re working from home?
At this point, the matter of self-quarantine is more about “when” than “if”. The real question is whether your business has the technology necessary to keep your employees productive while they’re at home.
The Coronavirus Pandemic is Encouraging Everyone to Adopt New Ways of Learning, Interacting, and Working Together. Zoom is one of the Many Video Conferencing Solutions Out There That’s Seen a HUGE Increase in Users.
Keeping your business running during the coronavirus pandemic is easier said than done. Your employees need to stay home in order to keep healthy and limit transmission – but do you have the right technologies in place to keep them productive?
Hanging on to clearly outdated and ineffective technology might be cost-effective, but it comes with a range of challenges and pain points you may not be aware of. Is old technology holding you back?
You can’t continue to rely on outdated phone systems as the foundation of your business communications. They won’t keep you connected to customers and contacts. VoIP is the future of business telephony – are you stuck in the past?
Are you losing valuable working hours waiting on your computers to catch up? Don’t let lag slow your manufacturing firm down.
Do you have the knowledge needed for truly confident cybersecurity for manufacturing firms? If not, then you need to see what NIST has to say about it – and you should be getting support from your IT services for manufacturing as well.
The industry is expected to spend $5.18 billion on cloud computing before the end of the year… That’s a shocking 23% growth rate over the past few years. Did you jump on the bandwagon?
Data Privacy Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the first international treaty focused on data protection. Here’s how you can get involved. January 28th, Data Privacy Day 2020, is here. First introduced in January of 2008, Data Privacy Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of Convention 108, one of the first […]
An MSP Can Help Manufacturing Firms Take Advantage of the Building Blocks of Industry 4.0, Including the Cloud, Simulation Technologies, Advanced Data Analytics, And More…
Research shows that the average manufacturing firm deals with 800 hours of downtime each and every year. The financial impact of downtime is huge for any business, especially those in the manufacturing realm as they struggle with lost production time, wasted payroll dollars, depleted inventory, and more.
Section 179 is actually far from complicated, despite many people feeling as though it’s too complex to use. Section 179 of the IRS tax code lets you deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment or software that is bought or financed throughout the tax year.
No matter how much you may have heard about Managed IT Services, you still might not know what it is they actually do for you. In order to determine whether they’re the right choice for your manufacturing firm, first you have to know what to expect.
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without sending a thank you to all of the local businesses in our community and a special thank you to those who put their trust in us to manage their technology. As we spend the day reflecting on what we’re thankful for, we hope you’re doing the same (and enjoying […]
On Monday, Oct. 14, Alphabroder announced that it had been the victim of a ransomware attack. Despite the many security parameters they had in place, cybercriminals were able to penetrate their systems.
Essentially, co-managed IT services involve paying a flat-rate monthly fee to an IT company that will handle a specific set of tasks. This may include monitoring, maintenance, data backup, strategic consulting, help desk services or any other responsibility your internal person or team isn’t able to handle.
Admitting your internal IT staff needs extra support – either in the form of expertise, or just a few extra people to handle the small stuff – is an effective way to optimize your business technology processes.
November 11th is Veterans Day… A day where we stand united to honor those who are currently serving and those who have served – those who sacrificed for the common good of our country. And for all they’ve done, we say thank you. Thank you to those who have and those who continue to […]
Ever since WannaCry, the business world has known just how dangerous ransomware can really be. However, businesses keep getting hit – do you know how to protect yourself and avoid paying a ransom?
Happy Halloween! What better time than now to tell some scary stories? Ok, so they’re not “scary stories” per se, but facts that will alarm AND spook you. A cyber-attack happens every 39 seconds. Over 75% of the healthcare industry was infected with malware last year. Human error accounts for 95% of ALL breaches that […]
Cybercriminals scams like phishing are becoming more and more common. Do you have any expert support or proven protections in place to keep you safe?
Is your MSP the right partner to grow with your New Hampshire business? Have they taken the time to plan a strategy that will evolve as your business grows?
October 17 is Get To Know Your Customer Day! Knowing our clients is foundational to everything we do – do you know why? You may have heard that industry-leading, award-winning, unbeatable IT services come down to one specific thing. Maybe it’s offering the latest, greatest, fanciest, tech gimmicks (which also tend to be the most […]
Chris Sununu, Governor of New Hampshire, signed the New Hampshire Insurance Data Law (SB 194) on August 2, 2019. The new law “establishes the exclusive state standards applicable to licensees for data security, the investigation of a cyber security event…, and notification to the commissioner.
Businesses in New Hampshire should be aware of IT risks they have. Does your business do an IT risk assessment as often as needed?
Microsoft long ago announced that they are stopping mainstream support for Windows 7, an immensely popular operating system that many users will be reluctant to say goodbye to.
Have you harnessed the strategic advantages offered by mobile technology? Mobile devices have made it easier and easier to get work done while on the go.
Hackers are increasingly attacking weak spots in supply chains to threaten corporations.
To make the most out of what we hope will be a gorgeous long weekend, we will be closing our office for the day on Monday, September 2nd. And as always, we’ll have technicians on call for all of our managed IT services clients, and you’ll be able to reach us by calling our office […]
According to FEMA, 40% of businesses hit with a disaster never recover, and this rate more than doubles for those without a business continuity plan. While the two are linked, a business continuity plan shouldn’t be confused with disaster recovery. You might have a great plan for getting things up and running after an event but […]
Why is Effective Business Continuity Management Important? Business continuity management (BCM) denotes how organizations plan for and respond to risks. Mission-critical functions must continue to run after disruptions such as bad weather or hackers. A business continuity plan documents how your organization will continue to operate after a natural or man-made disaster, severe market conditions […]
Acapella’s very own Matt Mercier joined Kevin Willet on “3 Questions With…” to talk about the cloud, softphones and the many features and advantages they’re bringing to small businesses.
Have you heard the news over in Texas? Over 20 government organizations across Texas were targeted in a coordinated ransomware attack. That’s right… These government organizations have been added to the ever-growing list of major attacks on government organizations in Florida, Albany, Atlanta, and Baltimore. The threat of ransomware attacks on corporations, government, and yes, […]
Recently, news broke about the latest large-scale data breach to hit a major organization. Capital One Bank has announced that millions of customers across the US and Canada have had their personal information compromised in one of the biggest breaches to ever happen to a financial services company. This brief video courtesy of News24 discusses the […]
Small Business Tech Security Small businesses need to take cyber security seriously, preventing lapses or weak points that could lead to major data breaches or attacks. Modern technology is rapidly changing the landscape for small businesses. Small companies can now do more and have a far greater reach, but they are also faced with […]
What You Need to Know About Android Malware Hackers are devising new ways to infect phones with malware. Learn about the latest attack on Android phones and how to minimize your risk of getting malware. Since the first computer operating systems hit the market, malware has been a serious security concern. Today, malware can infect […]
How to Use iOS12 to Instantly Share Information With Colleagues Want an easier way to communicate with your colleagues? Save time and reduce errors by learning how to instantly exchange information using iOS12’s share feature. Beginning with Apple’s release of iOS8, it has been easier to share information, files and apps with others, including […]
Downloading Apps on Your Android Device: How to Use Your Computer Installing apps to your Android phone via your desktop computer (or other “unofficial sources”) is fast and easy. Learn the simple process right here. One of the best things about Android devices is the fact that you can access and execute unique commands […]
Will Your Business Be Impacted by the End of Microsoft Exchange 2010? Exchange 2010 has been a great program for businesses for many years, but its time is now winding down. Find out what this means for your business. All good things must come to an end. For Microsoft Exchange 2010, that end will happen […]
What Is the Dark Web and How Can You Stay Off It? Ever heard of the dark web? It’s definitely not a place you want your company’s information to be. Learn everything you need to know about the dark web here. Most people have heard about the dark web in one form or another. […]
Capital One Data Breach Affects More Than 100 Million Customers and Small Businesses in The U.S. & 6 Million in Canada On July 29, 2019, Capital One reported that their customers’ confidential information was compromised. This includes the Social Security and bank account numbers of more than 100 million people and small businesses in the U.S., […]
Phishing Attacks Target OAuth Credentials to Gain System Access Discover how an increasingly popular authentication process, OAuth, can be exploited by hackers and wreak havoc on applications and access sensitive data. What Is OAuth? OAuth is a widely used framework that allows applications to share access to assets. It lets unrelated services and servers to […]
Organization Shouldn’t Be Complicated Out of all of Microsoft’s Office programs, Excel is one of the most universally used. What started out as a fairly basic spreadsheet program has evolved into a must-have business tool. However, the more you use Excel, the more data your workbooks will accumulate. Keeping these workbooks organized and easy to […]
As the business world continues to evolve, digital transformation becomes even more important for every company, regardless of the industry. However, successfully moving into the digital arena and remaining on top requires companies to make the right choices when it comes to their money and their time. Below are some tips to help your company […]
Apple’s mobile iOS operation system is one of the most popular platforms in the world. With more than 1.3 billion devices running iOS worldwide, Apple has clearly done an excellent job of providing a world-class experience for its users. Watch the video below or click here to watch on YouTube. One area of the operating system […]
We’re only halfway into 2019, yet data protection specialists and IT analysts have already seen an unfortunate spike in criminal activity across industries. Thus far, here are the biggest cybersecurity crises of the year. 2019’s Top Cybersecurity Stories #1 – Supply chain attacks Unique to 2019 is a growing trend of supply chain attacks. Supply […]
How Do I Choose a Cloud Computing Model? No matter what your company or organization specializes in, it’s sure that you have some form or forms of data that needs to be stored, well, somewhere. Before the invention of cloud computing, most company data was always stored on-site — that is, in the hard drives at […]
What Are the Top Tips for Choosing the Best IT Company? Website outages, cybersecurity attacks, and any number of other IT incidents can cost your company hundreds or even thousands of dollars — every minute. For this reason alone, you need an outsourced IT company who is competent and highly qualified to handle your IT […]
How Are Face and Touch Recognition Changing iCloud Access? Apple may be testing new security procedures for iCloud.com with its next OS release. 9to5mac has reported that the beta for iPadOS 13, iOS 13, and macOS Catalina can use Touch ID and Face ID to secure and access their devices. When Will the Change Take […]
Microsoft’s Hyper-V Server 2019 Finally Released After being plagued with everything from data loss issues to a lack of available hardware, Microsoft finally released their long-awaited Hyper-V Server 2019 to their Evaluation Center approximately eight months after the expected release date of October 2, 2018. This is even after the Microsoft team skipped the crucial RTM (“release-to-manufacturing”) […]
Windows 10 comes a step closer to preventing cyberattacks and privacy threats facing users. It’s a next-generation solution that helps you fight threats from hackers and criminals who target your business. This is a big plus for cybersecurity managers. The past several years have brought some of the worst and most frequent cyberattacks in history. […]
A recently discovered security vulnerability could leave Mac users exposed to malware disguising itself in other programs. If your business relies on Mac, it’s important to know how you can protect your company from falling victim to a cyberattack. What is the Security Vulnerability? In early 2019, security expert Filippo Cavallarin discovered a bug in Apple’s Gatekeeper […]
Technological downtime can make or break a law firm. Even an hour of downtime can cost a small or medium firm as much as $250,000. What Exactly Can Go Wrong? Unfortunately, Murphy’s Law has been known to apply in legal cases, meaning if there is an opportunity for things to go wrong they will. It […]
Buying a company is no small undertaking, even if the company is considered “small” by industry standards. Due diligence is a huge part of the process. Anyone considering purchasing business must review a whole host of issues with the company to ensure that they are making a good decision. Things like accounts receivable, market position, […]
Got Your Sparklers Handy? The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year, but we aren’t letting the fact that it’s a weekday stop us from celebrating. Of course, just because it’s a holiday, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to make do without us. You’ll be able to reach us at (603) […]
Your small business needs a cybersecurity strategy, but beyond that, it also needs security awareness training. These two areas are not one and the same. There are important, distinct differences. The Importance of a Cyber Security Strategy First, let’s talk about cybersecurity in general. By now you likely understand the importance of cybersecurity for your […]
If you are a lawyer or if you are hiring a lawyer, technology competence, often shortened to tech competence, is a term that you should be aware of. Recently, changes have been recommended in regards to tech competence and attorneys. Here is everything that you need to know about this topic. What is Tech Competence? […]
There are many types of risk in business: the risk that a new competitor will come on the market and steal market share, the risk that top staff members will jump ship for a better offer . . . but are you considering the significant risk that is associated with a cyber attack? A recent […]
According to the LawSites blog, as of this writing, there are 36 states that have adopted the ABA’s updated Model Rule 1.1, which states that lawyers should maintain technology competence. The rule is purposefully vague to allow for the constant changes in technology that the legal industry is encountering. Unfortunately, the vagueness can create some anxiety […]
Cost-cutting measures are not unusual for organizations as they traverse the standard lifecycle of products and services. What you decide to cut during the lean times can have just as much impact as to where investments go when your business is flush with cash. Some organizations start their cuts in advertising and marketing but eventually […]
In early 2019, white-hat security expert Troy Hunt and other researchers shared a massive database of breached passwords and usernames. The stolen data constitutes 25 billion records and 845 gigabytes of stolen data. While many of the collected records are from previously reported thefts, there are new records there, too. It’s a clear indication of regularity, scope and potential damage […]
When you’re working hard to grow your business, you can get caught up in things that take your attention away from your technology. Before you know it, your IT system isn’t up to speed because you failed to update an operating system. We don’t want this to happen. This is why we’ve provided a checklist […]
Hackers Now Using HTTPS To Trick Victims Via Phishing Scams Everything you’ve heard about the safety of https sites is now in question. According to a recent FBI public service announcement, hackers are incorporating website certificates (third-party verification that a site is secure) when sending potential victims phishing emails that imitate trustworthy companies or email contacts. […]
Currently, 30% of email addresses change every year. The majority of these changes are business related. No one wants to deal with the problems that come with changing personal contact information. Quite often, personal emails are attached to personal bills and subscriptions as well. When the big change happens and it is time to make […]
June 16th is Father’s Day, a great reason to spend a little quality time with the family doing a few of Dad’s favorite things. Whatever your plans are, take some time this Sunday to let Dad know how much you appreciate everything he’s done for you over the years, and how glad you are […]
If you’re a small business owner, you have plenty of things to worry about. IT shouldn’t be one of them. We think it makes complete sense for most small businesses to outsource their IT needs to a managed service provider (MSP). Here are 7 reasons. 1. Focus on What Makes You Unique This first reason […]
It is questionable whether there is any industry today that has not been forced to adopt new technology to remain competitive. But for small law firms, the need to utilize technology appropriately is necessary for more than just competitiveness—it is actually being increasingly pushed by jurisdiction. In just the past few years, the ABA Model […]
If your business has made the decision to contract with an IT services company for IT support, you’ve made the right choice. However, you’re not done yet. You still need to choose the IT services company that’s best for your business. In most markets, you’ll have choices — maybe too many choices. Use these criteria […]
CBD Reports 100,000 Photo and License Plate Breach The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported today that nearly 100,000 travelers’ photos and license plate data were breached. If you’ve driven in or out of the country within the six-week period where the data was exposed, you could have been victimized. The department said on […]
Some days it seems like everything in our lives requires a password: banks, apps, debit and credit cards, online banking, business applications, healthcare accounts . . . the list is literally endless. Technology professionals recommend that you use a different and highly secure password for each site — but how is it even possible for […]
Protecting your business requires more time, effort and energy from your technology team than ever before. Business systems are increasingly complex, requiring staff members to continually learn and adapt to changing conditions and new threats as they emerge. It’s not unusual for a single ransomware incident to wreak havoc on carefully balanced systems, and this […]
You may be a small business, but there’s no reason you have to think or act small. Today’s technology innovations offer small businesses all sorts of powerful tools that just a decade ago weren’t available or were only affordable to large firms. Technology can help small businesses think like big ones in all sorts of […]
Are You One Of Many Affected By The LabCorp Data Breach? Financial & Personal Information of 7.7 Million Exposed Just yesterday we wrote about the Quest Diagnostics’ breach affecting nearly 12 million. Today we’re writing to tell you about a LabCorp breach affecting 7.7 million people. Both of these breaches were caused by a third-party; […]
For today’s tech blog we’ll tackle a topic that’s become much more visible over the last couple years. What are tracking cookies? How do they get on your devices? Can they harm your devices? We’ll answer these three questions in this post. What Are Cookies? Tracking cookies are a specific type of cookie, so we […]
Battery technology has come a long way in the past several decades. Today’s lithium-ion batteries are a pretty amazing feat of engineering, offering high capacity, low power leakage, and comparatively long life. That said, they aren’t perfect, and they don’t last forever. Getting the most use out of your phone’s battery requires a little effort […]
Are You One Of Many Affected By The Quest Diagnostics Breach? Financial & Medical Information of 12 Million Exposed Quest Diagnostics reports that almost 12 million people could have been affected by a data breach. On Monday, June 3, 2019, Quest Diagnostics said that American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA), a billing collections provider they work with, […]
In today’s digital economy, cybersecurity is just as important as traditional, physical security. Many small businesses that wouldn’t dream of leaving their stores or offices unlocked and unguarded give little time or effort to a cybersecurity strategy. That’s in spite of 2018 research from Hiscox revealing that nearly half of small businesses suffered a cyber attack […]
Excel is a powerful application, but because it can do so much it can be easy to miss certain features that could make your life much simpler. Today’s quick tech blog shows you one of these features. We’ll look at how to copy cell formatting in Microsoft Excel without disturbing the contents of the cells […]
According to the American Bar Association, it is crucial for attorneys and e-discovery professionals to define the rules of engagement instead of leaving those details to the IT department. Attorneys are being held to much higher standards of knowledge when it comes to technology, especially in terms of electronic discovery. ABA Model Rule 11 states that […]
Whether you are starting out or ready to upgrade, there is a lot to consider when you’re shopping for a retail POS. These topics will help accelerate your research. In a retail business, the selection of your point of sale software and hardware is a crucial one. You need to know that your selected vendor […]
On Memorial Day we remember the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. These brave men and women have dedicated their lives to honor the living and make our lives better. Can’t see the video above? Click Here. The History Of Memorial Day Memorial day is the most solemn American holiday. Memorial […]
What’s your favorite: red or blue? Sometimes there are no wrong answers to a question, and that may be the case when you consider the various infrastructure options of SD-WAN vs. MPLS. Can one be truly considered “better” than the other? It depends on the goals and requirements of your organization as well as the […]
Outlook Mobile is a powerful mobile version of Microsoft’s popular Outlook application. Microsoft has provided users a standalone email app that’s packed with a real depth of features. Today we’re looking at how to quickly RSVP to meeting invites using Outlook Mobile. The best and quickest way to do this uses an Outlook Mobile […]
Ensuring that you have a high-speed, highly reliable digital connection to the world is crucial for today’s technology leaders. Business professionals are now accustomed to near-instant access to the information and platforms that they need and are increasingly unwilling to accept less than perfection when it comes to infrastructure. Unfortunately, infrastructure can be extremely expensive […]
Cyber attackers are highly motivated to obtain or corrupt your company’s data. But whether their motivation is to steal your funds outright, hold your data for ransom, practice espionage, or simply disrupt your business, most hackers cannot access your network without an “in.” In other words, they require a login, personal access codes, or network […]
Small businesses technology and business leaders may feel as though their data is safe, but nothing could be further from the truth. According to SmallBizTrends.com, nearly 43% of phishing campaigns are targeted specifically at small businesses, a dramatic increase from 18% in 2011. Unfortunately, a 2017 report from Keeper Security also shows that the greatest cybersecurity threat […]
Do Not Disturb on Android can do more than you might expect. Here’s how to enable and customize Do Not Disturb on your Android device. Today’s quick tech blog explains how to enable Do Not Disturb on Android devices. We’ll also give a basic explanation of how to customize this feature, making it even […]
If you’re running a small to medium business (SMB), you’ve probably come across the term “managed IT” or “managed IT service.” What is managed IT, and what can it do for your small to medium business? Today we’ll answer these questions and more. Read on to learn about managed IT and how it helps your […]
Impacted Systems: Windows Server 2003 Windows XP Windows7 Windows Server 2008 Nonimpacted Systems: Windows 10 Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2019 If you are still using Windows Server 2003 or XP, Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2, or Windows 2008 you could be in trouble. A wormable virus may be coming your way. The virus is […]
Today’s businesses are nearly all in a period of transition. If you aren’t old enough to have lived it, all you need to do is stream a few episodes of just about any ’90s sitcom to realize that business has changed at an overwhelming pace since then. This change continues today. Companies are all at […]
If you’re trying to figure whether Microsoft Office 365 is right for you, then migration should be one of your primary concerns. When it comes to a cloud-based suite like this, migrating to Office 365 from your current IT environment is no small task. That’s why you have to be sure you know what you’re […]
May 12th is Mother’s Day – what are your plans to mark the occasion? Flowers? A special meal? A day out with the kids? Whatever your plans are, take some time this Sunday to celebrate all of the mothers in your life, not just your own. And if this is your day? The Acapella […]
A major accounting software and cloud services company has been hit by malware, affecting their many clients across the US. Wolters Kluwer, a major provider of tax accounting software and cloud services, has been hit by malware. The many financial software services they offer to clients across the country have been down since Monday, May […]
Take a minute to pull out your phone. How many email notifications are staring at you? 100? 3,000? More? Drowning in email is no way to live—or to conduct business. An out-of-control personal email account can cause plenty of problems, like missed bill payments. Even worse, an out-of-control business email account can be disastrous. No […]
Java and JavaScript still the most widely-used languages in business, outpacing C# and Python by a relatively large margin in a recent survey by Cloud Foundry. These flexible, cloud-native languages represent 57-58% of businesses that responded to the study, with Python only being used in about 25% of businesses. Java and JavaScript, along with C++, continued […]
Cloud computing transformed the way companies approached their infrastructure. You’re not locked into using on-site resources only. Instead, you have access to a range of cloud-based service providers. It’s common knowledge that the cloud saves businesses money, but you may be wondering about the specifics of how that works and how to get the best […]
Today, most employees spend as much time working outside of the office as they do in it. VoIP allows your team to make calls and stay connected to the office phone system from anywhere in the world.
Coordinating interactions between office staff and remote workers can be challenging. One way you can cut through a lot of the confusion that arises when trying to keep everything in sync is by leveraging your worker’s iPad and iPhone devices. It is a way of using something that is already in their arsenal at a […]
The Power to Conference & Collaborate Better Can Be Yours Microsoft has just announced the June 2019 release of its Surface Hub 2, a tool for conferencing and collaboration among teams. This is the Surface Hub’s successor, and it boasts improvements to the responsiveness of its active touch screens, snazzy 4K displays for crystal clear display capabilities, […]
Microsoft began notifying Outlook.com users of a 2019 security breach that occurred between January 1st and March 28th. Hackers were unintentionally given unauthorized access to some accounts, where they were then able to view subject lines, email addresses, and folder names. While no login details—including passwords—were directly accessed as part of this breach, Microsoft did […]
As the digital community continues to expand to include more individuals and more devices, enforcing cybersecurity becomes more complicated. The number of opportunities and vulnerabilities for hackers to leverage is continuously growing; it is imperative for businesses to take proactive measures to protect themselves. With new terms and acronyms constantly emerging to refer to these […]
April 24th is Administrative Professionals Day, which is an occasion worth celebrating. No office can function without hardworking and dedicated administrative staff, so why not take this as an opportunity to remind them how much you value them? Treat your administrative staff to a little something special today, and let them know how […]
Microsoft’s first version of the Edge browser fell far behind other options, gaining only a 4.4 percent market share compared to Chrome’s 65.5 percent, Internet Explorer’s 9.83 percent, and Firefox’s 9.62 percent. The company went back to the drawing board and created a new Edge that is based on the Chromium engine. Here are a few […]
This year, what will you do to celebrate Earth Day? The 49th Annual Earth Day is nearly upon us. As always, it’s April 22nd and the perfect day to celebrate this beautiful blue planet we live on. Let’s learn more about what Earth Day is, where it comes from, and how you can celebrate. What […]
Business objectives should help determine how technology will be used. The growth planning helps as technology experts determine the plans for support services. Several companies of many sizes are continuing their research of private and public clouds. The question is, “Should we go with a private cloud or public cloud?” The reviews of public and […]
Podcasts are huge these days. Popular podcast Serial has been downloaded millions of times and has become a pop culture phenomenon right alongside other “did they really do it” series like Netflix’s Making a Murderer. Podcasts are also used for informational and educational purposes. NPR offers its programs in podcast form so users can listen at their own pace. […]
Microsoft Excel is a staple program in Microsoft’s Office suite. It’s a powerful spreadsheet program that allows users to organize data and calculate results using a wide range of formulas. Let’s look at one basic element to this program: how to copy cells in Microsoft Excel. Basic Cell Copying Technique Before we move on to […]
If your company is still using the Windows 7 operating on your business computers, it’s time to look for a change. That’s because Microsoft is ending support for this popular and reliable operating system that has been popular with companies for years. On January 14, 2020, Microsoft will stop offering security patches and dates for […]
Passwords are a problem. In one sense they are exactly the opposite of what they should be. They’re hard for users to remember but easy for intruders to guess or steal. The user frustrations with the current system make it ripe for abuse, and that’s exactly what’s taking place every day. The best solution for […]
There are never enough hours in a day, but how you spend the hours that you do have can make all the difference in the world. Just think: business leaders such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have exactly the same 24 hours available to them as you do! All good business leaders have to […]
No matter your profession, reusing passwords is a horrible idea. It’s dangerous and insecure. Reusing passwords is especially problematic for those working in fields like law, ones that require confidentiality in one form or another. Many people already know that reusing passwords is unsafe, but they do it anyway. One recent survey conducted by Lastline revealed […]
Businesses owners need to know important dates for personal and corporate tax filings with protection plans from any tax-related identity theft. Knowing how income is produced is smart for business leaders and the generation of income also goes with a reporting process. The income produced may be posted to personal tax returns and the best […]
Communication is essential for any business today. Being able to connect with colleagues and customers is critical for getting work done. That means having a reliable, features-packed phone system that lets you communicate effectively while in and out of the office. Without a powerful business phone solution, you’re at a competitive disadvantage. Below is a […]
Technology is continually changing, and keeping up with the updates to your crucial infrastructure and software can feel like an overwhelming task. Many organizations begin to look for an IT managed services provider as they start to scale, but how can you know who to trust? You’re placing your mission-critical systems and devices in […]
We can’t function without passwords. So much of the internet is built on the concept of a username plus a password that the concept is core to users’ internet experience. It’s a clever but imperfect system that could certainly be improved upon, but until a game-changing replacement comes along, we have to play the game. […]
When Was Your Last Backup? Data backups are a critical part of protecting the information and files you cannot afford to lose. And yet, many people have bad backup habits – or no backup habits at all. March 31st is World Backup Day – a perfect opportunity for you to update your existing […]
Small businesses are at considerable risk of cyberattack. With fewer staff resources available to maintain and monitor networks and fewer defenses in place, small businesses are an attractive target for hackers and other criminals. The risks of a cyberattack are considerable. Companies could spend tens of thousands of dollars just to recover from an attack. […]
Microsoft Excel Training Excel is one of the most versatile and most useful programs in the Microsoft Office suite. It’s also one of the trickiest to master without a little help from someone who understands the ins and outs of Excel. Join us for a special three-part online Microsoft Excel training session, available on-demand. […]
Raise your hand if you’re one of the millions of Americans who are overworked and don’t have enough hours in the day — isn’t that everyone? When you do manage to get into the groove of getting something done, it’s easy to forget everything else in the work or play. You may not even […]
Did you know? Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 in January 2020. Beginning this April, Microsoft will start displaying pop-ups on all Windows 7 computers alerting the users that their support for Windows 7 will be ending. Don’t be alarmed. Microsoft also did the same thing with Windows XP before shutting down their support […]
Living in a technology era that sees device upgrades and new products on what seems like an almost weekly basis, it’s difficult to imagine that Windows 7 has remained in play since its release in 2009. According to Net Market Share’s December 2018 data, 40.86 percent were still using Windows 7 compared to a modest 36.37 percent engaged in […]
With today’s businesses moving a large portion of their information technology operations to the cloud, having holistic IT services management is more important than ever before. Making this shift provides organizations with an unprecedented level of flexibility, and cloud solutions are generally more affordable. However, you may find that you’re introducing a greater level of […]
In an ideal world, you’d never have any technical issues, and you’d never have to call Microsoft technical support. Everything should work perfectly, without bugs, slowdowns, crashes, or corruptions. Of course, technical issues are inevitable, and when you experience difficulties, you call technical support to get the problem resolved as quickly as possible. The only […]
Attorneys have unique needs for the storage of information while needing to access data on clients and cases from remote locations. That’s why cloud computing has become such a popular option for lawyers. However, the value of cloud computing needs to be tempered with concerns about security and privacy. Below is your 2019 introductory guide to cloud computing for […]
Norsk Hydro just got hit with a major ransomware attack that took down their entire worldwide network. It happened this morning, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, and we wanted to share this with you. They experienced widespread system outages. This has been such a disaster that their aluminum production plants are now operating manually. All of […]
Endless airline terminals. Overpriced airport food. Overly-close seating on packed planes. What’s there to love about business travel? Sure, there are some road warriors who appreciate never having to clean a room or make a bed as they spend all their time in hotels, but for most people, business travel is simply something to be […]
TrickBot is up to its tricks again. Once cyber experts get a handle on it, TrickBot releases new modules that advance its capabilities. Here’s what you need to know to protect your organization from TrickBot. Don’t Get Tricked By TrickBot TrickBot is up to its tricks again. Once cyber experts get a handle on it, […]
Creating a business continuity plan is one of the most important things a company can do. Business continuity ensures that your business is back up and running after a critical disruption, such as a natural disaster or cyberattack. What Is Business Continuity? Business continuity is a big-picture approach that ensures normal business operations are continued […]
March 17th is one of our favorite days of the year – St. Patrick’s Day. For some, it’s a day to celebrate centuries of rich culture and Irish heritage, and for others, an opportunity to have a pint or two with friends. However you’ll be spending this St. Paddy’s, our team hopes you have […]
It may surprise you, but Microsoft Office 365 has a fantastic solution for creating simple quizzes, polls and surveys — and you already have access to this functionality! Microsoft Forms is relatively new, as it was only launched in June 2016, but this lightweight web app is an excellent way to gather feedback or plan […]
When you think about it, it makes sense that hackers might target managed services providers (MSPs) — those organizations that are responsible for protecting the data and technology systems for hundreds or even thousands of other organizations. The Department of Homeland Security recently alerted MSPs to the potential activity from hostile actors who were targeting large […]
Citrix said the FBI warned them on Wednesday, March 6th that hackers compromised its IT systems and stole “business documents.” Citrix doesn’t know precisely which documents the hackers obtained nor how they got in. It’s suspected that this is a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign supported by a nation-state. The consequences of the Citrix security incident could affect a broader range of targets, as the company holds sensitive data for […]
Tired of Not Getting Reimbursed for Business Expenses? Never Lose Your Receipts Ever Again! Maintaining receipts is a fact of life for many people, but it can be extremely frustrating. Tiny pieces of paper that have to be maintained and categorized long enough to submit your expenses for reimbursement — who has time for […]
In 2018, Dropbox announced it was shifting away from cloud-based services in favor of managing some of its data storage and application hosting itself. The company noted that while Amazon Web Services (AWS) initially allowed Dropbox to delay the purchase and maintenance of its own infrastructure, there were limitations and obstacles that prompted the switch. […]
There’s no better means of promoting a professional business today than the use of online reviews. Positive third-party online reviews can take your law firm to the next level. Personal referrals and word of mouth have their place in drumming up new business, but they will never come close to the exposure you can receive through […]
Daylight Saving Time for 2019 starts on Sunday, March 10th. I’m sure you know how Daylight Saving Time (DST) works, but did you know not everyone in the US observes this time change? Arizona hasn’t observed DST since 1967, and Hawaii has never used DST. Michigan skipped DST from 1969 – 1973, while Florida is […]
Why Do Local Small Businesses Need IT Services? Many small business owners are entrepreneurial and want to do as much as possible on their own. However, specific tasks require technical expertise that would distract owners from operating their businesses. IT support services are a perfect example of the type of task that small businesses owners […]
The sudden development of IT problems can quickly throw your team’s workday off track. Even simple login issues can prevent you and your employees from getting any work done until you can fix the problem. To do so on your own, you may have to spend hours troubleshooting, sometimes without getting anywhere. If you have […]
Each year, around 61% of small businesses become the victims of a malware attack. While many small businesses may think no one would ever come after them because of their size, know that over half of the total global attacks hit small businesses and, for thieves, getting access to your systems is becoming increasingly lucrative. We’re collecting […]
Many companies are finally taking cybersecurity seriously and have implemented programs to meet their organization’s specific needs. Having a program in place, however, is only the first step. Measuring the effectiveness of a cybersecurity plan is equally important. There are several steps a company should take to adequately measure the effectiveness of their plan. How […]
Do you have a lot of data? Are you able to organize your data in a convenient logical way and then search for it with ease and/or with advanced search criteria so that the results are not in the hundreds but in the tens or less? Is managing it or finding specific data at […]
There is a lot to love about the work that you do, and hopefully, your technology is part of that. Loving your IT means having a great relationship not only with the devices, software, and applications you use each day, but with the folks who look after them. If you’ve stopped feeling that spark […]
Microsoft’s Visio Visual and Power BI are two extremely useful software tools that help business owners store, organize, and interpret data with easy-to-understand visual representations. Using these tools can take your business to the next level. Still, many business owners don’t know about Visio Visual or Power BI. Moreover, many are skeptical as to […]
Cybersecurity threats have shown no signs of slowing down, and small and mid-sized organizations are expected to be more heavily targeted going forward. Although splashy headlines about Fortune 500 companies suffering breaches may lead some business leaders to think that hackers are after big corporations, cybercriminals are just as likely to steal data or infect your system with ransomware. […]
Advanced Data Governance (or ADG) is a tool from Microsoft. Available to be used within Office 365, this tool assists businesses in meeting compliance requirements and managing risk. Most of all, it helps organize the massive amounts of data that companies are now dealing with. Each quarter, the data owned by a given business […]
You can create a data entry form in Microsoft Excel without using VBA or even recording a macro. If those terms don’t mean anything to you, don’t worry. You won’t need to learn them. Excel has a hidden tool you can use to make dreaded data entry fast and easy. Using a data entry form […]
Ransomware. Ransomware. You have heard the word and know it involves a cyberattack. You assume from news reports that it only happens to large companies like Target, Equifax, and Marriott Hotels for example, and that cybercriminals will not want to bother with your small or medium-sized business (SMB). Unfortunately, that assumption is wrong. The Federal […]
Do you want to have the ability to stay on top of your emails from anywhere without the need to learn a new email system? Then enjoy the convenience of using your Microsoft Office 365 email and calendar directly on your smartphone. The Microsoft Outlook app is available for both iPhone and Android devices, it […]
A major FaceTime bug discovered recently has left Apple device users skittish about yet another privacy concern and forced the tech giant to scramble for a fix for the issue. For users of Macs or iPhones, understanding the FaceTime flaw and knowing how to disable the function are important steps until the issue is fully […]
Two subscription-based software programs available from Microsoft are Office 365 and Microsoft 365, both developed for small to medium-sized businesses and even larger companies. There are some similarities and differences between the two to help you decide which one you need for your organization. For even larger organizations there is Microsoft Enterprise that may have […]
There is no better time than Jan. 28 to turn your attention to the importance of data privacy and all that it entails. During National Data Privacy Day, numerous businesses, nonprofit organizations, government entities, and individuals will come together to spread awareness about safeguarding data, protecting privacy, preventing information theft, and other issues that affect […]
Several events in 2018 brought cybersecurity to the forefront of public consciousness, as major sectors– from financial institutions to Facebook– were affected by cybercrime. According to Forbes, 34 percent of US consumers had their personal information compromised in 2018. Security experts and business leaders are constantly looking for ways to keep two steps ahead of hackers. As we […]
Use Windows 7? Do you love your Windows 7? Will your need or desire to continue to use Windows 7 surpass this year? If so, you should be aware that in just under one year — January 14, 2020, specifically — Windows 7 Extended Support ends for most users. As such, there are things you […]
January 24th is Macintosh Computer Day. On this day we celebrate the innovation, skill and can-do spirit that shaped the future of computing. We recognize the history of Apple. Back in 1984, its creators with Steve Jobs at the helm introduced the first Macintosh computer, now known as Apple or Mac to the world would […]
Ever since Microsoft incorporated as a company in April 1975, it has led the way in releasing innovative computing products for home and business users. From the release of its first operating system to the computer mouse to Microsoft Office, the company has always been one step ahead of the competition in changing the way […]
With organizations working increasingly advanced technology into most aspects of their daily operation, it only follows that employees and customers may occasionally need help using those technologies and fixing problems they encounter. Help desks have emerged as the primary method for giving IT users the support they require to work effectively with technology as they […]
Remembered mostly for his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who fought to end segregation in this country. On this day, we remember someone who devoted their life to achieving racial equality. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Georgia in 1929. He graduated from high school at the […]
Who Has Been Impacted by Chinese Cyber Attacks? At the beginning of the year, the FBI warned businesses to protect themselves from cyber attacks by foreign entities, saying activity has spiked in the past 18 months. Hewlett Packard and IBM are among the businesses most recently targeted. There’s a National Counter-Intelligence and Security Center that […]
Most of us, when asked if we would prefer to pay for something we could theoretically do ourselves, will opt to take care of the task personally – even if it’s not our strong suit, or indeed, if we lack all experience entirely. This is often the case with managed IT services. Whether your company […]
You already know what IT stands for: information technology. What you might not know is that most companies have a pretty poor grasp of how best to put IT to work for them. Why? For the simple reason, that too few businesses take the time to consider the best approach to managing IT needs. They assume it’s […]
Making an Ultimate Technology Plan for the New Year Times are changing. Apparently, this is the case considering we’re about to head into 2019. How is your current technology holding up at your company? If you feel like there are certain things that you need to change up to stay competitive, it might be time […]
Smartphone technology and the internet have made it possible for us to share ideas—and do business—with people all over the world. Learning to use the powerful tools we have at our fingertips more effectively is one of the most significant challenges of our time. Today’s consumers aren’t just looking for products—they are seeking mutually beneficial […]
If there’s a will there’s a way when it comes to scammers, especially with gift cards. Everyone loves gift cards. Consumers love how easy it is to purchase gift cards, use gift cards and even give gift cards. It’s as simple as buying a card at a brick and mortar store or clicking a few buttons and […]
On January 4th, 1809, Louis Braille was born. Louis Braille was a child who lost his vision in an incident involving a sharp tool at the age of 3. During his early life, Louis had an interest in “night writing”, a military code used by the French Army in the 1800s. This “night writing” was […]
There was something of a cultural shift in the technology sector during 2018 that will undoubtedly impact 2019. Up until last year, cybersecurity issues seemed to predominately plague significant corporations and organizations. The Democratic National Committee hack fallout and Russian bots on Facebook were coupled with big-time breaches at Equifax and others that garnered headlines. […]
Only a few short weeks ago, we wrote about the introduction of WordPress 5.0 in early December and discussed whether or not your company should upgrade now, never or at a later date. Our recommendation was to wait until some of the bugs had been worked out of the system and until your business has […]
Companies today are increasingly relying on freelancers to support one-time or ongoing projects. The growing need for freelance support can create complex challenges for companies. How, for example, can companies manage projects across time zones? How can freelance and in-house staff access the same information and collaborate in real time? How can companies provide access […]
Users around the world have been receiving bitcoin extortion emails for a long time, one of the most notorious being a “sextortion” threat to show a computer-eye view of you watching adult videos to the world. The latest threat is more alarming: the sender claims to have a bomb planted at the recipient’s business. Financial institutions in […]
December 31st is Make Up Your Mind Day As New Year’s Eve approaches, it’s time to remember its other name: Make Up Your Mind Day. As the last day of the business year for most companies, it’s also a vital point for putting your plans for the next year into action. Unfortunately, creating a business […]
Not every internet scam needs sophisticated software to put into action. In fact, one of the most successful ones going on right now is incredibly simple in operation, while being quite sophisticated in its psychological tactics. It is the psychology of it that gets people to send the scammers money. The concept of the latest […]
It is a scary fact that one out of every three business employees will open a phishing email at work on any given day. Phishing emails are created explicitly by hackers to try and convince you to give up pertinent information about your business or inadvertently make your data vulnerable. Therefore, it is critical that […]
The new year is already upon us, but it is not too late to put together a solid, sensible information technology plan for 2019. Strategic planning in all areas of operation—including technology—helps organizations budget for and efficiently manage day-to-day requirements while investing in long-term projects and solutions. As your business evolves, so will it’s IT […]
Chief information security officers face new and stronger threats to systems in 2019. Not only are hackers deploying more sophisticated attacks, but attackers have new targets in their sights. Also, geopolitics and consumers will continue to play an outsized role in discussions of cybersecurity issues. Knowing what horizon issues will help CISOs to plan accordingly […]
Most of the time, a five-day vacation is something to look forward to, but if that vacation is unplanned and filled with anxiety over when you can get back to work, it’s probably not much of a holiday. It becomes a burden; financially, emotionally and even physically on everyone involved. This is what it feels […]
When computers or network systems break, you need to know that you’re able to quickly get your teams back online and to full productivity. That can be a challenge, especially if you’re working with a computer repair company. You can’t predict when a problem is going to occur or guarantee that a technician who is […]
When you are choosing the best IT consulting for your business, it is critical that you find a company that is extremely focused on all of the elements of security that can be a threat. Many of the best IT consulting companies go the extra mile for their clients by acting as a Managed Security […]
In the first week of December 2018, WordPress announced the release of its much-awaited update WordPress 5.0. Researchers testing the new version almost immediately found several serious security issues which jeopardized sensitive personal data like user email addresses and passwords and allowed unauthorized access to content management functions on sites within the platform. All versions […]
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful flight in a mechanically propelled airplane. To celebrate the accomplishment and commemorate the achievements of the brave brothers, December 17 became Wright Brothers Day by a 1959 Presidential Proclamation. Wright Brothers Day is now honored every year in the United States with festivities […]
Facebook has just announced that a Photo API bug gave app developers access to user photos outside of the scope intended for 5.6 million users. This includes granting apps access to Facebook Stories, Marketplace photos, and photos that were uploaded but not shared. The bug was in effect from September 13th to September 25th. As […]
A recent sextortion scheme highlights the vulnerability users face when their data is stolen and used against them. The widespread threat made it seem as though a hacker had compromising video of a victim taken while visiting adult pornographic websites. The scammers threatened to release the video unless they were paid in bitcoins. Here’s a […]
Your employees may understand that they risk identity theft every time there’s a major cyber breach at a store they’ve patronized. But do they know that even more of their personal information is available to hackers via their employee benefits plans? It’s a risk that an increasing number of business owners and CEOs have had […]
WordPress 5.0 was just released to the public on December 6, 2018. According to WordPress’ blog, this new version of the go-to platform for small business websites and blogs will “revolutionize content editing with the introduction of a new block editor and block editor-compatible default theme Twenty Nineteen.” However, if you’re like most small business owners, […]
Hackers Know How to Steal Money Anonymously In West Barnstable, Massachusetts, Cape Cod Community College recently fell victim to a phishing scam that resulted in the school losing more than $800,000. The money was taken out of the school’s bank accounts. While this kind of scam is common these days, there are measures a business […]
Even though the word App is relatively new, it has become popular in everyday terminology as its uses have changed lives in the modern world. Almost all mobile phones are now smartphones, so even those individuals who were apprehensive about using new technology now use apps on a daily basis. That is why we now […]
No matter the line of business you’re in, outsourcing your IT services to a managed service provider (MSP) provides a world of benefits. Both your internal systems and your online presence will be optimized and streamlined, tech problems will be taken care of right away, and you’ll have more time to focus on what matters. […]
Looking for a new computer for your home office? Year-end sales and tax returns often lead to boosted sales in computers. But purchasing a new computer can feel overwhelming. The technology changes quickly and the jargon can be confusing. Here is an explanation of what you want to consider when looking at getting a new […]
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a critical alert Dec. 3, warning users about SamSam ransomware and providing details on what system vulnerabilities permit the pernicious product to be deployed. According to the alert, which came from the DHS’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) along with the FBI, […]
As a business owner, it’s up to you to make sure that the information and data collected by your company are secure and protected against the many different types of cyber threats lurking within the dark web. Many people believe it is the responsibility of their IT company to handle this type of situation. While […]
In late 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a stark warning about a massive data breach at a Marriott chain that exposed the records of 500 million people. The latest major corporate breach reinforces the need for companies to invest in multilayered security protocols that protect networks, devices and users. What Happened at Marriott? […]
SamSam Ransomware is becoming a massive problem for multiple industries across the United States. In fact, the problem is so big that The Department of Homeland Security, (DHS), National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, (NCCIC), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), have all recently issued a US-CERT alert due to the SamSam ransomware. Like other types […]
Efficiency is one of the most challenging objectives for most companies to achieve. To be efficient, a firm needs to focus on optimizing limited resources to achieve the best results possible at the lowest cost. As you probably know from experience, this is far easier said than done. To boost efficiency, a company needs to […]
In order to become a successful business, it has become increasingly crucial to maximize online content for current and potential customers and clients. One way to do this is with video. Unfortunately, many business owners and marketing managers stay away from video because they think it’s too difficult to create a polished commercial, a useful […]
Windows users need their computers to do many different things. While the operating system has lots of built-in functionality, sometimes it can’t do everything it needs to. Fortunately, there are thousands of utility programs designed to simplify tasks and make work easier to manage. Whether you’re a programmer, artist, music fan, system administrator or computer […]
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a vital ransomware alert for the SamSam ransomware also known as MSIL/Samas.A. The FBI and DHS alert, issued on November 3rd, 2018 describes how hackers armed with SamSam ransomware have targeted multiple industries, including some within critical infrastructure. Those victimized by SamSam have been located predominately […]
Heads up if you’ve stayed or made reservations at a Marriott or Starwood property over the last decade. A major security issue was just announced and the scope of the problem is actually quite astonishing. Here’s what you need to know about the Marriott International data breach. What is the Marriott Data Breach? On November […]
How Marriott Got Caught In A 500-Million Person Data Breach Were You Affected? (Your Questions Answered) What Do We Need To Know About The Marriott Breach? Another big corporation got hooked. This time it was Marriott International. They just revealed that their Starwood reservations database of 500 million customers was hacked and that the personal […]
Companies that manage data governance well are in a better position to meet data protection and retention compliance requirements and to accomplish their digital transformation goals. Microsoft Office 365 makes comprehensive, streamlined data governance throughout your organization easy, with automation tools for setting policies governing data retention, expiration, and deletion. The majority of companies already […]
It seems like every week, a new, high-profile data breach is in the news. Both national and international companies alike can be hacked at any time, putting clients and customers in danger of having their financial and personal information used by criminals. Likewise, breaches like these pose real threats to the stability of a company. […]
Running a business is an expensive proposition, and it only starts with paying your vendors and employees. The tax codes can be a quagmire of confusion for many business owners, especially when it comes to more complex concepts such as the depreciation laws around technology. The good news is that there have been some meaningful […]
We all know that social media can play a significant role in marketing your product. In the world today, more people are getting hooked up to social media meaning that the market is shifting in that direction. Social media calendar is, therefore, able to help you understand your audience’s preference. As a business person, you […]
How do you usually shop when you need something like a gift for a friend, a new pair of shoes, or a bike for your son or daughter? Today more than ever before, Americans make a beeline for the computer or a big box store when it comes to getting through their shopping list. And […]
Experts estimate that as many as 42% of websites may have been impacted by Google’s Medic update that dropped mid-summer. And, as with so many Google algorithm changes, it came out of nowhere, leaving a wake of destruction. Did you see your own company website’s ranking plummet as a result of the Medic Update? Here’s what you […]
As individuals, we’ve been using 4G LTE to connect to the internet for years. 4G LTE can benefit all school districts, and it is a particularly good choice for districts with schools in a wide or rural geographic area. It also offers a type of flexibility that wired connectivity doesn’t have. But how can this […]
Look around you. Your desk lamp, your headphones, that smartphone in your hands — everything you own and use daily was created in the mind of an entrepreneur. Sure, it may be mass-produced now, but at one time, every item in existence had to be thought up, created, and marketed for the very first time. It took […]
Did you know that the new iPad Pro sports more powerful features than most entry-level laptops in stores today? Yes, the iPad is powerful but can it replace a computer? Is the iPad a tablet or a computer? This is a question that has been asked repeatedly since the iPad Pro was first released in […]
If your business uses Microsoft 365, you know how difficult it can be to locate information amongst many different programs and applications on your computer network, your devices, and any other place you may be working from. But what if there was a way to access the information you need as quickly as you needed […]
Many users have found that Office 365 PowerPoint is much easier to use than previous iterations of Microsoft PowerPoint. This application features tools like Designer that take advantage of Microsoft’s cloud technology and machine learning techniques for processing pictures and choosing a suitable layout for an image. Designer also makes it possible to change your […]
The controller plays an essential role when it comes to driving profitability and growth through enhanced financial visibility. Therefore, chief financial officers should strive to collaborate closely with controllers. Successful CFOs make it a priority to make sure their organization takes full advantage of the experience and knowledge of their controller. Here are the top […]
If you are experiencing problems with your Windows 10 Pro operating system, you are not alone. Thousands of users from the US, Japan, and South Korea flooded tech message boards late this week with complaints that their legitimately purchased software was deactivating itself. What Exactly Happened? Starting on November 8, comments began to appear online […]
If you are new to Microsoft OneNote, let me say it provides a unique way to collect and review all your useful “bits” of information, whether you are at home, in the office or on the move. You can collect a range of different information. You can access your data on various devices. You can […]
Today people are busier than ever. Whether you are overloaded at work or have mounting commitments away from the office, facing a long list of to-dos can quickly overwhelm even the most productive person. Luckily there is a way to get things done when the number of tasks you need to complete seems never-ending. The […]
Phone systems might not be the most exciting entity, but they are a necessity for almost every business. Unfortunately, many business owners have dealt with phone system failures and the inevitable fallout that occurs when a major line of communications is down. With this in mind, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers a new alternative […]
As a business owner, executive or manager, you may use a lawyer for many different reasons. You may need a lawyer to look over your business contracts, to help when you buy or sell a business, to help you with any tax issues that may arise or to help with any personal injury lawsuits that […]
Creating a comprehensive business plan is an important step for any blossoming business. Whether you’re hoping to attract new investors or qualify for a bank loan, you’ll likely need to present a documented plan to help clarify the ins and outs of your business for interested parties. In a bid to woo the business crowd, […]
Trying to track your mileage for reimbursement and tax purposes can be a hassle for people who are naturally organized, and is even for worse for those of us who aren’t. If you have a smartphone, it has built-in GPS technology that can make the tracking process easier and automatic – but only if you […]
It looks like, in October, there’s a lot going on, with your Office 365 Home or Office 365 Personal subscriptions. We know some of you are reading this do subscribe to one of Office 365 consumer plans. It’s great news if you fit that description and you have more than one device at home. Check […]
Microsoft just made your mobile life and computer life a whole lot easier and fun. If you love your phone, well so does your computer. Finally, you no longer need to dig around for your phone to send a text message while sitting at your Windows desktop. Plus, that extra step of emailing photos from […]
7 Cyberattack Facts This Halloween we’re celebrating by sharing some scary cyberattack facts. Why? Because, unfortunately, cyber attacks are increasing. The cyber threat landscape is rapidly becoming more of a concern. Not only are businesses seeing an increase in the number of attacks, but these cyber attacks are continuing to evolve. Here are the […]
We know it’s important to have good habits in many parts of our lives, from our work to our daily hygiene. However, quite a few of us forget that we need to have good computer habits, too. Developing wise practices in connection with our computers and smartphones can make our lives much easier and help […]
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are necessary for every industry. The written procedures keep a company on track. The importance of having them is to guarantee the organization remains compliant with all federally mandated regulations, legislation, and ever-changing laws. But too often many businesses will continue to struggle with getting the correct and appropriate SOP created, […]
Read the following alert before charging your phone tonight and from this day forward. According to the Newton, New Hampshire, fire department’s PSA message posted on social media; it seems as though charging a phone in bed poses a serious health risk and lethal safety concerns for you and your loved ones. Now it is […]
Perhaps the space is not large enough for your expanding partnership. Maybe, it’s antiquated and no longer feels appropriate. Whatever reason an office chooses to move to a new building, relocating is a large undertaking. Unfortunately, in many offices, the IT-related aspects of the move are overlooked until the last minute. This can be disastrous. […]
What Are You Doing for Spreadsheet Day? Spreadsheets: some people love them, some people hate them, and some people are a little afraid of them. No matter which category you may currently fall into, you probably know that spreadsheets are vital to the inner workings of organizations ranging in size from massive Fortune 500 companies […]
Technology has unlocked a world of potential for businesses everywhere. But with these advances comes a new set of problems, like malware. While it’s common knowledge that computers are susceptible to viruses, today’s breed of hackers are more creative than ever. They’re utilizing new, innovative techniques to infiltrate systems of businesses big and small. Not […]
Steve Jobs Day Sheds Light On Apple Founder’s Legacy In today’s modern world, the name “Apple” has become synonymous with technology. It’s no wonder then that Steve Jobs, the company’s late co-founder, has become such an influential figure in American history. His contributions are well documented in motion pictures, books and an authorized biography. October […]
New Calendar, Mail, and mobile Outlook features help you get things done, was the title of the April 30th, 2018 blog from Microsoft’s Outlook team, about the newest features. Since then, Outlook has received more modern additions, from mobile management to enterprise information protection all designed for user simplicity. So, let’s step inside and see what […]
Most homeowners and renters understand the importance of home security. In fact, in today’s world, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on home protection. But while securing your belongings is considered good common sense, homeowners don’t as often consider the concept of data security. This is understandable, but […]
Today’s small business owners are tasked with managing operations, employees and a wide range of things pertaining to the modern day business. It’s no surprise, then, that amid the hustle and bustle, some areas of importance are thrown to the wayside. Cybersecurity is often one of them. According to studies, the majority of small business […]
October Is Cyber Security Awareness Month Tune In At Any Time To Watch Our 15 Minute On-Demand Training Cyber Criminals Have A 6 Month Head Start. Is Your Business Protected? Find Out. Tune Into Our October Free Online Training By Clicking Here. Every 39 seconds, a hacker is attacking someone. Are you next on the list? […]
Google+ Social Media App Will Soon Move Off Into The Sunset Google+ has never really been a popular social media network. In fact, most people say they’ve never used it and don’t know how it works. So it’s not too surprising to hear that Google has finally decided to pull the plug. Google just announced […]
Everyone has Wi-Fi. We all expect to see it wherever we go, and most of us have more than one Wi-Fi-enabled device. Grocery stores, fast food restaurants – even your mechanic has Wi-Fi. But does that mean you REALLY need it in your school? Isn’t it less secure than wired? To answer the first question: […]
Are you aware of a potentially serious data breach involving Facebook? According to many top news outlets, 50 million users accounts may have been impacted and Facebook now faces potential huge fines in the EU. Read more at https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/03/facebook-data-breach-latest-fine-investigation. Need steps to protect your Facebook account? Here’s an interesting article containing steps to protect your personal […]
When you think of cybersecurity, protecting credit card numbers or government files might come to mind, but your students’ PII (Personally Identifying Information) is a target for hackers, too. Young people make great targets because they’re a clean slate. They’re not using their identities to get a mortgage or credit card or anything, so no […]
Apple’s newest software update has arrived, and it’s already making an impact in how effectively users manage their smartphones. iOS 12, which comes preinstalled in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, is equipped with a number of shiny, new features sure to delight iPhone and iPad users, old and new models alike. From stronger […]
Are You REALLY Secure? Follow This Checklist To Know For Sure When everything is going well, the last thing you want to do is think about what will happen when something goes wrong. It can be easy to think that just because you’ve recently bought some new hardware, or updated your security software, or […]
There’s a new Gift Card scam going around that has already cost consumers lots of money, frustration, and headaches. Here’s how it works. You’ll get an email from a friend or relative asking you to go buy them a gift card. The email will say that your friend or relative has been busy or sick […]
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released a public service announcement at the end of September 2018, alerting companies about the risks of allowing RDP endpoints to be exposed online. The IC3, a division of The US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), is sending out the alarm to U.S. businesses about their concerns that millions […]
The September update of Office 365 includes some major additions and changes to tools such as Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel, just to name a few. It is important to keep up with these developments, so here is a list of the major advancements of which you need to be aware. Microsoft Teams: Skype, Selective […]
Facebook Was Breached Were You Or A Facebook Friend Affected? Facebook has confirmed that more than 50 million user accounts have been breached. They made the announcement today, Friday, September 28th. However, their engineering team discovered the security breach back on Tuesday, September 25th, 2018. They tell us that the vulnerability has been fixed and the […]
Online security is something that should get everyone’s attention. Threats exist all around us: ransomware, viruses, spyware, social engineering attacks and more. There’s so much you need to know to keep your personal and business information safe. But… where do you start? As trusted cybersecurity professionals, we want to help you get educated and […]
Laptop users are loyal to their devices, but when portability is a priority, tablets can’t be beaten. With so many strong tablet contenders on the market, narrowing down the options before making a purchase can seem overwhelming. This is especially true for shoppers who aren’t quite sure what features they’ll find most useful in a […]
Microsoft Office, the software suite that gave us that blueprint for all other word processing software, Word, has gone to the Cloud. Office 365 (O365) offers a cloud-based alternative to the desktop Microsoft Office 2016. There are plans available for limited home or personal use, or professional business use. But the best part is the […]
In today’s business world, it’s important for companies to stay ahead of the trends when it comes to the latest in tools for productivity. Office suites like Microsoft’s Office 365 have become popular among organizations hoping for more effective performance and communication. With Office 365’s subscription plans, users gain access to the full list of […]
What Are Keyboard Shortcuts? Keyboard ‘shortcuts’ are the strategic use of combinations of keys on your keyboard to perform some task in your software more efficiently. There are shortcuts you can use in your file folders, word processing programs, and even for your email accounts or any social media services, you might use. In addition […]
What is CVE-2018-6177? Today’s new releases of browser software are supposed to be improvements over past versions in terms of functionality, helpful features, security, and the speed of overall operation. However, these changes often involve new vulnerabilities which hackers can target and exploit. A recent release of Google Chrome is a good example. A vulnerability […]
A new release of Excel for Mac came out in January of 2018, and with it, some very useful features were added to its existing capabilities. While some spreadsheet power users tend to shy away from the Excel version for the Mac operating system out of fear they won’t be able to do all they […]
This month’s training on demand focuses on helping you find the most accurate information you need on Google. We’ll leave no stone unturned in this 28-minute online training session. Learn how to find answers to your queries and questions right through to advanced techniques using Google. Click the video play button below to get started. […]
It seems that small businesses rarely catch a break. Unfortunately, their employees often enjoy fewer perks than those working for larger corporations do. This is primarily because the smaller companies have fewer assets with which to work. Due to the smaller economic cushion, they also have a greater risk. That is why, when a fresh […]
Tablets aren’t just digital babysitters for young kids or fancy versions of ereaders. They offer real value as educational tools. Their versatility, portability, and ease-of-use make them an excellent conduit for learning. Below are seven benefits of using tablets in the classroom. Seven Solid Benefits of Tablets in the Classroom 1. Portability Lightweight, easy to […]
What Is Instagram And How Is It Vulnerable? Instagram is a recently created social media site that allows users to share images and videos. It is owned by the same soul that owns Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. Originally created in the partnership of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, and officially launched in 2010, it first appeared […]
Happy Labor Day (Labour Day – International Workers Day – May Day)! You’ve worked hard all summer. This Labor Day before going back to work and back to school, take some time to relax and enjoy one more backyard barbeque, one more trip to the beach, one more night sleeping under the stars, one more […]
Do you find yourself making a lot of formatting changes to your slideshows? Do you have to constantly rearrange the placeholders in each slide so things look the way you feel they should? Do the color options never seem to match what you need? Would you like to add a company logo or watermark? Then […]
BaseStriker attacks are software attacks that computer hackers use in an attempt to break through the defenses of an account or program. These attacks have been developed through unique coding while operating in a phishing-style in recent times. They’ve been so successful that they’ve grown and evolved becoming increasingly problematic to small business owners. Used […]
What Is Snapchat And What Business Uses Does It Have? Snapchat is a form of now commonly used social media more recent than Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. It’s unique in that it allows users to create pictures or messages that are only available for a short period of time before they become inaccessible to viewers. […]
Identifying the Right IT Services Provider for Your Business IT service providers, also called managed services providers (MSPs), are in the business of managing a company’s IT needs. IT service providers can offer their services both remotely and on-site. They normally render their services by one of two ways: On an output-basis model On a […]
What Is UEM and Cloud Security? As technological devices continue to diversify, there is increased demand for streamlining control systems for security. According to Techopedia, Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is a new digital system that integrates the range of devices that are available for use now, combining this wide range of software within a single […]
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Add your Email Signature in Outlook, Outlook.com, and Gmail Creating a signature that will leave a lasting impression at the end of an email is essential in today’s business world. However, users often struggle to know which font to use, how to make it stand out, but not make it […]
EdTech has a long history of being misunderstood, underutilized, and of lacking support in every way. It is one of those bugaboos in education that seems like such a wonderful idea, but often falls apart in execution as money fears cause administrators to scale back. Lacking proper follow-through lessens the efficacy of even the best […]
Considering Working With An Email Marketing Solution To Help Grow Your Business? Email marketing plays a critical role in helping you to reach the right people and expand your client base, share important information with prospects and clients, and promote your services and products. Tune into our complimentary on-demand training and learn what email marketing solution […]
Need a quick refresher or a complete introduction to one of the most popular small business accounting packages? Quickbooks is one of the top accounting solutions available to small businesses around the globe. However, many business professionals only use a small fraction of everything Quickbooks has to offer. During this 30-minute on-demand online training session, […]
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are scary for both patients and caregivers. Right now, there is no cure. Scientists are trying to find ways of prolonging patient’s lives and delaying the onset of the disease. IT Technicians are finding ways to make lives better and caring for patients easier. Some remarkable work is doing things for these […]
17 Product Groups Named-Their Production Halted and Update Support Ended After Irrefutable Evidence Uncovered Flaw in Intel Chips. The information about the Spectre attacks came to light back in January 2018. Intel and other technology firms and vendors were made aware of research findings by Paul Kocher from Spectreattack.com and Jann Horn from Google Project […]
As of May 25th, 2018, if local businesses aren’t ensuring the highest possible level of data privacy, they’re risking serious financial consequences. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is coming into effect. What does this mean? All local businesses MUST be ready to take security more seriously than ever before. The EU Parliament approved GDPR […]
Where Did They Go? In 2017, Microsoft planned to release a lightweight version of Windows 10. This was their effort to provide a Windows solution that delivered a predictable performance by using only Microsoft-verified applications via the Microsoft Store. Microsoft also wanted to compete with the Google Chromebook and promote Windows 10 S for use […]
What Is It? What Do We Need To Know? What Should We Do? [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iyUGLBPuBo]If you don’t know what the GDPR is, and if you’re not ready for it, you’re going to get caught short because this is a legal deadline and it’s coming up fast. The General Data Protection Regulation goes into effect May […]
As you may be aware, the FBI issued a warning last week about a malware botnet called VPNFilter. This malware originated in Russia and attacks “consumer-grade” routers typically purchased from retailers such as Best Buy andor installed in homes by Internet Service Providers such as Spectrum, Time Warner, and Charter. The malware has not been […]
Experts in the tech world are giving their input on what is planned by state and local Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in terms of security for all of today’s technology. For so long, technology has existed and yet the public has taken its security for granted. But, sometime last year, giants of industry like Cisco […]
Communication is definitely made more accessible as a result of technology. Unlike previous years where people placed heavy reliance on letters and messengers, currently, people can communicate at the tap of a button. Communication is essential in any business. For people to know what is required of them in the business environment, for suppliers to […]
For many business owners, Google’s announcement to switch over to mobile-first indexing comes as a real shocker. It’s a revolutionary thing to do in a world of disruptive technology. Since the beginning of the World Wide Web, a company’s desktop website was their first and foremost consideration when developing a marketing plan. With the new […]
Have you ever been in a position where you are supposed to work on an assignment or important document but you forgot your laptop or cannot access your desktop? That can be frustrating, but thanks to Microsoft, as long as you can access the internet on your phone or even tablet, you can easily resume […]
There are many reasons why you would want to download a live video from Facebook, whether it is yours or someone else’s. Sometimes a video is shared into a very active group and finding it later would be a bit tasking. Another reason why someone may want to download their own live videos is to […]
Are you using an iPhone or iPad? It may be worth it to hold off a few days before hitting that update button. Why? Reports are surfacing that after updating to #IOS 11.4.1 there are issues with app updates. The App store shows many apps that need to be updated, but when you press ‘update‘ […]
Windows 7 is being “put out to pasture” by Microsoft at the beginning of 2020. Not all Windows 7 users are aware of precisely what this means and how it can affect their day-to-day business. Because of impending issues, such as steadily degrading usability and increasing security vulnerabilities, Windows 7 users need to know what […]
Phishing is just one of many tools in a hacker’s repertoire and happens to be one of their most effective. Through phishing, hackers dangle their bait in front of preoccupied employees who would never dream that their PC could provide an open door for a hacker. That’s why it is so important that employees understand […]
They are the next best thing to hauling your laptop around to school and on flights, and they’ve become the weapon of choice for parents with fussy toddlers in public spaces. But while tablets have earned their accolades in recent years, that’s not to say choosing one to take home is an easy task. With […]
The Newest Forms Of Ransomware & How To Protect Your Business From Them The Situation Ransomware is now one of the top security concerns for businesses and organizations of all sizes. The City of Atlanta was hit with a ransomware attack called SamSam in March, crippling some important departments like their court system, sewer infrastructure […]
Is It Safe For Me To Use The Airport’s Public Wi-Fi When I Travel? Most airports around the U.S. and abroad provide free Wi-Fi service to travelers stranded in their terminals, waiting for their flights. While this service may appear to be generous, a recent study by Coronet, a cybersecurity company, suggests you might want […]
What Do We Know About Terminal Fault (L1TF) Chip Vulnerabilities? Understanding The L1 Terminal Fault (L1TF) Intel has recently confirmed L1 Terminal Fault (L1TF) chip vulnerabilities in its processors that can be manipulated by malware and malevolent virtual machines with the intention of stealing private information from a computer’s memory. Who or What is Vulnerable? […]
If you are in a startup company or run a small business, the simplest software update can easily cause anxiety for you and your group of employees. Everyone has experienced the update that causes glitches and hiccups that can disrupt the workflow. With that said, why should you upgrade to Windows 10? Is it worth […]
Everything You Need To Know About Facebook Events! Facebook allows you to post events for pages and groups, and from your personal page as well. Many of the options are going to be the same for all three of these, but not all options – and some options, once set, you cannot change. It’s a […]
Choosing a cloud infrastructure can be complex, even for seasoned IT professionals with vast knowledge of the benefits. There are plenty of perks associated with cloud-based infrastructure, and as the popularity of these services grows, so does the need to understand the similarities and difference between two of the industry’s heaviest hitters: Amazon Web Services […]
Google Speed Update Is Now Out. What Does This Mean for You? On July 9th, Google began rolling out the Google Speed Update that they first announced in January 2018. So why is Google’s new speed update important for you if you have a business website? Bounce Rates Affect Search Rankings According to Google data, […]
Productivity is a major source of contention across offices everywhere. In today’s workplaces, distractions abound. While there are the typical culprits of reduced productivity, such as cell phone usage and office banter, there are other factors that can wreak havoc in even the most organized office environments, like IT issues. Determining which issues are responsible […]
Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users may be in for a surprise, as Microsoft plans to end forum support for these older systems. Some Microsoft users have reacted very negatively, citing Microsoft’s earlier promise to support Windows 8.1 until 2023 and Windows 7 until 2020. Considering that Windows 7 remains Microsoft’s most widely used operating […]
Learn About Customer Relationship Management Software (CRM) Customer relationship management (CRM) software offers a full suite of solutions together in one program that helps manage data. A great CRM program is able to manage email, create reports, make calls, store information about prospects and customers, manage your pipeline, and a whole lot more. Today’s comprehensive […]
The United States is in the process of leveling tariffs against China, and those tariffs are going to impact the cost of electronics, either directly or indirectly. A good understanding of how these tariffs will affect the cost of computers and networking technology, including items such as laptops, servers, and routers, is vital. However, there […]
Every business knows that getting hit by a data breach can have devastating results. Oftentimes, you lose business along with customer trust. There’s a costly impact to your reputation, and a lot of time is lost on recovering all your data – all translating to huge financial losses. A new report now puts these implications […]
The July 2018 Microsoft Teams Updates Microsoft Teams has quickly become one of the more popular chat-based workspace apps offered and it’s included in Office 365. It’s so handy to use and customizable for every sort of team. It’s perfect for one-on-one conversations, open group discussions, or even public meetings. Teams offers all the tools […]
Security for your automobile is so important today due to the current rise in car theft. It is necessary to protect your transportation from this threat. Your car represents a hefty financial investment, not to mention that it provides transportation for your whole family. However, many people take auto security for granted. If you’ve ever […]
Why the big hubbub over HTTPS?… Because from now on, users who visit HTTP sites will be hit with a BIG WARNING from Google. This will happen to anyone using Google Chrome version 68. Google warns that you should have been protecting your websites with HTTPS for a while now. And this isn’t just for […]
Password-Stealing Malware The acquisition of user IDs has become much easier for cybercriminals in the globalization era. A variety of methods can be used to steal passwords, including spyware, keyloggers, and phishing attacks. This can lead to the total loss of essential data held in company or private databases. Most of the methods used by […]
Are You Prepared for Windows 2008 Server End of Life? Windows Server 2008 has been a sensation and many people have had a positive experience utilizing it, but what does its end of life mean? There’s a lot to it. First, Windows Server 2008 end of life infers that the manufacturer, Microsoft, will no longer […]
How Can You Keep Your Laptop Running Longer? Getting work done in the airport or other remote location where you can’t find a spare plug to recharge your “dying” laptop can be tricky. Battery power only lasts so long on any device, and once it’s used up, you’re stuck hunting down a spare outlet (along […]
Microsoft Office 2016 is now using artificial intelligence to make your life easier. MS has added AI to their platforms with their new Smart Lookup feature. This makes fact-finding much easier as you can look up what you need right from within the document you’re working on. Do you know how to use the Smart […]
Exactis Data Leak Reveals the Dangers of Less Efficient Security Measures around People’s Data The new data leak at Exactis, a marketing and data-aggregation firm based in Florida, presents a great many opportunities for cybercriminals to launch any number of attacks on unsuspecting victims over the next several months. Exactis, which collects loads of personal […]
6 Tips To Better Battery Life In iOS 11.4 Are you frustrated because your iPhone’s battery isn’t lasting as long since you upgraded to iOS 11.4? You’re not the only one. A lot of people are contacting Apple to complain about this. It doesn’t matter if you have an old iPhone 6 or the new […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-B2bxIVf18&w=560&h=349] On July 4th we as Americans honor the formation of the union we call The United States of America. Whether enjoying the holiday at the beach; a backyard barbeque; watching a fireworks celebration in the city; working hard in the office or shop; or marching in a local community parade; we all celebrate […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRU1GPcqyZ8&w=560&h=349] Time is money, but most of us value both. Microsoft knows how important these two things are. They have developed some programs that will help you work faster with your computer or preferred device. This article will review some helpful features from Microsoft that will help you get your work done faster and […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN7lNwV1ZF8&w=560&h=349] Common Security Threats and How Microsoft Security Helps Mitigate Them [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN7lNwV1ZF8]Advanced modern technologies such as cloud computing and virtualization have completely revolutionized the workforce. Remote working arrangements have now become increasingly commonplace. Along with this advancement is an expanded network footprint characterized by myriads of virtualized workloads. This includes personal devices and […]
Have you ever used public Wi-Fi in a coffee shop? – In a hotel? – While sitting at an airport waiting for your flight? We’ve yet to meet a remote worker who can say “no” to all of these questions. Running a business means being a road warrior and using public Wi-Fi from time to […]
Cyber Hacks on DNA-Testing Companies Raise Fears about Genetic Data Privacy DNA-testing companies the latest to be targeted by cybercriminals Stories of businesses getting hacked by cybercriminals are pretty much par for the course nowadays. Increasingly, companies who collect and store large amounts of user data are prime targets for malicious and greedy hackers. […]
Cyberattacks in Atlanta likely to be the most damaging in US municipal history It was only this past March that the city of Atlanta was hit by a massive ransomware attack. However, city officials are claiming an additional $9.5 million dollars is required for the ongoing recovery effort. As the city struggles to restore normal […]
Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Microsoft reports that over 200,000 organizations have downloaded the Teams App. This chat-based workspace is part of Office 365 and developers consistently add new features to make the Teams App even more useful to businesses of every size across all industries. Microsoft Teams is a great solution for meetings of any […]
Yam Jam – The Virtual Town Hall Experience That Brings Your Organization Together If you are an avid user of Office 365 or have in some way expressed interest in Microsoft’s online environment, then you’re probably familiar with Yammer – the freemium enterprise social networking service that is used for private communication within organizations. Also, […]
Undoubtedly, Office 365 has taken the business world as we know it by storm. With each update that Microsoft makes to Office 365, more and more companies are jumping on the Office 365 bandwagon, and for good reason. This enterprise software has something to offer for just about every business. Some business owners have even […]
Phishing is one of the most dangerous forms of identity theft. It’s usually presented in the form of pop-ups or spam emails. The majority of account takeovers come from simple phishing attacks where someone in an organization gets tricked into releasing private credentials and information. Never give your contact details over the phone. This includes […]
In today’s world, everyone uses information technology. This is simply the technology behind our computers and networks including software and hardware. For businesses, it includes servers, data centers, and other technology to support their IT infrastructure. In spite of its prevalence, many people are not familiar with some of the terminologies and terms used by […]
This great tip comes from Karen Turner of Turner Efficiency in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Draw a line down your page so you can immediately distinguish notes from tasks/to-do’s/follow-up actions. When has a meeting or a class ended without you having to do some follow-up? Not often, I bet. That’s why a line is so effective. Use the outside […]
From the word go, the term communication indicates that there is more than one party involved in the conversation. For there to be effective communication, both parties must understand what the other is saying. Communication in business is somewhat different from casual communication, say among friends. In business, the stakes are higher. Much more is […]
Everyone likes technology, right? It’s amazing what you can do and find out about the use of technology. However, technology itself is addictive and parents are not an exception. Today, most parents pay more attention to their computer or phone screen than they do to their children. Even busy parents stay on social media too […]
With everyone so busy these days, people are searching for new ways to get more done and Microsoft Planner is an excellent tool for that. It allows teams and individuals to collaborate on any project in real time. It has so many great features that can streamline projects, helping you to achieve deadlines while producing […]
Acapella Technologies, a leading IT support company in Manchester, NH, is known for our commitment to corporate philanthropy, whether we’re making a donation or giving our time to an organization in need. We believe in helping our community grow and prosper as much as possible, and as a result, we’re always striving to help organizations […]
Cybercriminals are getting more fearless by the day and their crimes are getting more and more sophisticated. Cybercrimes are costing businesses and organizations billions of dollars each year. This has spawned a new generation of cybercrime fighters who search for ways to end this threat once and for all. With each new attack, the crimes […]
When we think of Memorial Day, we have visions of parades, going to the beach, enjoying a picnic in the park, or gathering with family and friends for a barbeque. But, as most of us know, this is a special day to honor military members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Many of […]
Succeeding in a non-profit organization in this day and time requires unique strategies. Technology is advancing at ever-increasing speeds and challenges even the best organizations on every level. The world has seemingly gone completely digital with Millennials now using smartphones for everything they do. A recent survey showed that only one-fifth of all Millennials have […]
Excel Like A Pro Part III [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0avEnwIzVNU] This is the final of a three-part series about using Microsoft Excel 2016. It will cover some of the more advanced topics. If you aren’t great with numbers, don’t worry. Excel does the work for you. With the 2016 version of Excel, Microsoft really upped its game. […]
What Is It? What Do We Need To Know? What Should We Do? First step: Watch our training session on GDPR – Click Here If you don’t know what the GDPR is, and if you’re not ready for it, you’re going to get caught short because this is a legal deadline and it’s coming up […]
Cyber breaches have become the norm across the United States and in many parts of the world. Regardless of the size of your company or your budget for security, your company could be at risk. This has caused rapid growth in the cybersecurity industry. According to Forbes, this market will reach 170 billion dollars by […]
Not-for-profit organizations frequently contend with the lack of time and money necessary to afford large IT investments that are critical for achieving efficiency in their operations. Those organizations that can afford these technologies constantly have to deal with scarce resources and manpower needed to manage the technology. There is another glaring problem within the nonprofit […]
Individuals and teams in organizations are always looking to get more things done within the shortest time possible. In this regard, Microsoft Planner comes in handy as a means to quickly get organized and collaborate effortlessly on projects, particularly where remote teams are concerned. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHUTxyme2bo]In its drive to make Office 365 ever more useful […]
The cost of downtime goes up exponentially when you’re waiting for an unresponsive IT company. So why bother? Try our responsive Help Desk instead. So much of the IT industry is dependent on time. How quickly an IT firm can respond to a problem, how much downtime their client deals with, how much they’re charged […]
Microsoft Office 365 now has over 60 million active users each month and has become a favorite of large and small business owners. Just about every task that business people complete each day can be accomplished using Office 365. From Excel spreadsheets to professional word processing, users say they get more done with Office 365. […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AWKQKhpQkw&w=560&h=349] Microsoft Office 365 offers a number of useful tools for today’s busy professionals including some new shortcuts for Outlook 2016. With so many companies now using Outlook as their major email program, Microsoft works to improve its operation with each annual update. A number of the great features in this program are also […]
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation goes into effect on May 25, 2018. Many U.S. and Canadian businesses have been working hard to meet the new GDPR guidelines., but it’s not clear if others have the technology in place to notify individuals that their data was breached within the required 72-hour period. This is […]
In the era of modern technology, effective database security is more important than ever. Your business stores a range of sensitive information (for clients and employees) all of which needs to be kept safe at all times. Should any of that data get exposed, either by malicious hackers or internal human error on your staff’s […]
In spite of the move toward living digitally, Americans still use over 90 million tons of paper each year. Everyone nowadays seems to be reading everything online, and yet more than 2 billion books are printed each year. In addition, over 24 billion newspapers are printed annually, along with 350 million magazines. Only about half […]
Do you use 800 million pounds of paper each year? That’s the latest estimate for the average professional – and nearly 20% ends up in landfills. Would your habits change if you were taxed on paper consumption? The use of paper to record thoughts, plans, transactions, agreements, or anything at all, is nothing new. Ancient […]
The Situation Ransomware is now one of the top security concerns for businesses and organizations of all sizes. The City of Atlanta was hit with a ransomware attack called SamSam in March, crippling some important departments like their court system, sewer infrastructure requests, and water billing department. The attackers who deploy SamSam are known for […]
Is Chromium, the next browser from Google, trying to take over for Chrome? At a recent I/O developer conference, Google’s senior VP of products, Sundar Pichai, announced that Google Chrome now has over 1 billion active users. Though Microsoft has pushed their Edge browser hard, consumers simply like Chrome better. So, why mess with perfection? […]
Your relationship with the Internet started out so well! Long before you realized it, sites like Facebook and Google were tracking your every move and keeping records on you to you use against you. Fight back! It may have started with an American Online disc promising 40 hours of free time, or it may have […]
Most business owners are cognizant of the prevalence of fraud in the digital world today. According to Experian’s Global Fraud and Identity Report 2018, almost three-quarters of businesses believe fraud is a growing concern, and nearly two-thirds reported fraudulent losses over the past year. What is Fraud? Fraud occurs when an individuals’ payment information is […]
NIST has recently released a quick start guide that outlines the procedures used to place test data on a mobile device by forensics experts during an investigation. In many criminal cases, the authorities can gain valuable information by examining smartphones, computers, and tablets belonging to those involved. The NIST guide provides important directions, guidance, and […]
The term, “meta description” may seem foreign to some but we all see these descriptions each time we search for something online. The meta description can contain up to 320 characters and should be an interesting summary of what your website is all about. It shows up in the search results as those first few words/lines […]
According to Pew Research, 77 percent of all Americans now carry a smartphone. There has even been a dramatic increase in smartphone usage for those over 50 years old. As Americans realize how many tasks they can get done on their phones, new and completely radical apps are being created. Today’s smartphones have powerful processors […]
Your Devices Are A Target For Online Prowlers. At Your Peril Do Not Ignore! Be Aware of Your Surroundings – Takes On a Whole New Meaning When you were a child, your mom or dad reminded you, be aware of your surroundings. They wanted you to avoid getting hurt by a stranger. This sound advice […]
In this age of information, it’s challenging to maintain compliance with so much data stored on many different devices. Most companies these days have remote workers, employees in various departments, third-party vendors, management, employees working in other countries, and more. These people have laptops at home and at work, smartphones, and tablet computers. All this […]
If You Want to Be First on Google Searches, Be Sure to Employ Best Practices for Mobile-First Indexing On March 26th, 2018, Google announced that after over 18 months of testing they will now begin migrating sites that follow best practices for their mobile-first indexing. This means that Google will now use the mobile version […]
Do You Want to Save Time, Money and Beat Out the Competition? We Have Some Important Information to Share As you know, your architecture company is under constant pressure from economic shifts, a shrinking talent pool, and a fiercely competitive marketplace. When it comes to information technology you need solutions that don’t cost a fortune […]
Is “Yoast” a typo? Are we raising a “toast” and just missed the “t” and hit the “y” key? Or is there a deeper meaning behind the name of the SEO superstar? WordPress users love WordPress. It’s an incredibly straightforward platform with a simple user interface, which makes sense given its humble beginnings as a […]
How Would It Cost Your Business If This Happened To You? Have you read the news? According to Reuters, Under Armour Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, recently suffered a breach of the private information for their 150 million MyFitnessPal app users. This is the largest breach this year according to experts. It included account usernames, […]
Microsoft is your ultimate cheerleader – which might be a pun on their product, Microsoft Teams! But really, the app is named for the collaborative environment that caters to teamwork. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIrD0zgUwhc]Microsoft Teams is a collaborative workspace included in subscription-based Office 365 and a hub for workgroups with teams of staff. Microsoft Teams offers a […]
When was the last time you thought about technology and the role it plays in your business success? Strategic IT Budgeting and planning for the tactical use of technology resources will bolster your business efforts to establish a competitive advantage. Just as you develop and adjust your annual business plans, you should do the same […]
A recent report by the U.S. Marine Corps indicates an unintended data disclosure, the result of a single accidental keystroke. Never backing down from a fight, learn from Jarheads how to best defend yourself from a data breach and strengthen your position! Have you ever thought twice about clicking “send” after drafting an email? We’re […]
With a great looking, professional website, your business can compete in today’s complex marketplace. Since your website is the first thing consumers see, it has to make a great first impression. Otherwise, you may find your traffic declining and conversions down. A company website should also reflect your values, experience and industry knowledge. Often times, […]
Make no mistake – if you show the slightest bit of weakness around a bully, they will pounce. The Internet is no different, with hackers just waiting for a cybersecurity vulnerability to seize their opportunity. The latest form of cyberterrorism to take root and have explosive growth is incredibly dangerous. Forget about Trojan horse viruses […]
Selecting a company to maintain your technology is one of the most important decisions you can make for your business. You must find the most competent and reliable IT support provider in your area. How do you know if the IT company you’re considering is right for your business? Some technology companies call themselves the […]
With the 2016 version of Excel, Microsoft has really upped the game for people who aren’t great with numbers. You can now easily use one-click access that can be customized to provide the functionality you need. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA8X9wqrn1I]This is the first of a three-part series about using Microsoft Excel 2016 to help you identify trends, […]
First, there was Siri, then Cortana, and then Alexa. Each virtual assistant comes equipped with a rich package of features and capabilities, but who is the best in the business? Every April, organizations big and small all over celebrate Administrative Assistants Day as a show of gratitude for the staff that carries out the day-to-day […]
Stranger things have happened – but in this case, we take a look at how the death of a Tyrannosaurus rex relates to your computer. Sue Hendrickson was just poking around a cliff while waiting for a flat tire to be repaired when she made the most extraordinary archeological find of her life – or […]
Do What Professional Sports Teams Do—Use Analytics. To win in any sport, coaches used to rely solely on their knowledge, experience and “gut.” Today, they have another source to rely on–analytics. And those who don’t take advantage of it will fall behind their competition. Analytics are used in many industries, but today it’s helping team […]
Stop Struggling – Try Microsoft’s Team Planner [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JahuwoaFwMA] Microsoft’s latest and greatest app is called Team Planner. It’s an amazing tool that lets people organize any task. Of course, it was developed with corporate America in mind, but this type of app would be great for planning anything from a birthday party to a […]
You May Be Sabotaging Yourself! This latest cyber-attack uses Windows Installer to download malware onto your computers. What is CVE-2017-11882, and what does it do? How should you detect and protect against it? What other similar malware attacks have come up in the past? These are all questions you should be asking yourself in order […]
Microsoft has released the newest addition to its Surface product line-up – the Surface Book 2. We take a look at hidden secrets of this gadget and see what new features make it worthy of an upgrade from the original Surface Book. Gone are the days when Microsoft was primarily a software company. Granted, its […]
Amazon’s Alexa Has Some Answers to Questions You Probably Don’t Even Know to Ask. Alexa is a top-selling gadget for Amazon, and the list of things it can do is ever increasing. Most people who use Amazon Alexa ask the same things over and over -but this virtual assistant can answer a lot of questions […]
Each year seems to bring even bigger and more expensive data breaches. It’s become commonplace to hear that your favorite retailer was just breached and millions of records were lost to hackers somewhere on the other side of the world. In spite of our best efforts, cyber crimes are now the number one leading crime […]
Nobody likes doing taxes, but everyone has to. Make sure you know when you and your company need to file them this year. For individual taxpayers, the tax due date is usually the same each year: April 15th. The only exception is when April 15th falls on a weekend. Then, the IRS typically extends the […]
Instagram is taking on Pinterest, Snapchat, and Facebook to compete for a larger chunk of the social content sharing market with a new branding innovation. Who is the current king of Social Media? That depends on who you ask. With the variety of social platforms — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, the list goes on — […]
For an organization to be successful, critical goals of all team members involve a shared investment in its future. Is cybersecurity a shared priority? How invested is your team in the success of your company? How careful is your team when it comes to network protection and cybersecurity? How aware are team members of your […]
Although the latest version of Windows 10 isn’t a “game changer” you should appreciate some of its newer options and enhancements like the new Start Menu, OneDrive, Action Center, Cortana and ability for it to adjust its interface according to the device you use. Read on to get up to speed with Windows 10. Before […]
Is Cybercrime Keeping You Up At Night? Check Out These 20 Key Cybersecurity Tips To Help You Stop Stressing Out Small businesses are often unprepared for the latest cybercrime tactics used by hackers today. The FCC recently published a helpful Cybersecurity Tip Sheet to help small business owners strengthen their defenses. The U.S. Federal Communications […]
Warning! Running Windows XP Software Expose You To These 5 Serious Threats We’ve all done it before – you find a program that you love, and you use it every day until it’s so old it stops getting support from the developer – in the case of Windows XP, that could be extremely dangerous for […]
A relatively new set of guidelines enacted in the European Union requires many global organizations to reconsider their security practices and update their protective measures. A quick review of 2017 suggests that it was the worst year on record for cybersecurity – phrases like “data breach“, “phishing”, and “hackers” were uttered in the news so […]
There are few things worse than feeling trapped in an unfulfilling relationship – especially when it’s a vital business relationship. Technology is an integral part of everything your business does, which raises a few important questions about your current IT set up. For starters, what is your relationship like with your technology systems – rock […]
Microsoft has dominated the business world for a long time. It is on every computer, in every office, no matter if that is a library or a Fortune 500 company. We use Microsoft Word to create the newsletters for our businesses and collate our data with Microsoft Excel. As familiar as we are with these […]
Businesses store data like we store clothes. How many times do we step into our closets and wonder “When was the last time I wore this”? This is similar to what we, as business owners, should be asking ourselves. “When was the last time I used this data?” We collect and store data on a […]
There is no such thing as a safe investment. Investing is a scary business. Most people prefer to work with financial experts when it comes to finding the best place to put their money. Just like them, you’ve worked hard for every penny, and you don’t want to see it go to waste. However, […]
In the fight to avoid security breaches, one area has proven over and over to be the weakest link. It’s the human factor. A survey done by CompTIA shows that human errors are responsible for 52 percent of all security breaches. Each day employees open emails; it’s part of their job. Often there are links […]
Data is the foundation of any business. Building a business without protecting your data is like building a home on wet sand, leaving the tide to sweep it away. With all the ways data is being stolen today, there are a few steps you should take to build a secure foundation for it. Use strong […]
More than 20 years ago, retail began to shift from the shopping mall to online shopping. Amazon.com, the brainchild of Jeff Bezos, had been around for a few years. It was born as an online bookstore in 1995. A brilliant premise, Amazon offered a digital “storefront” that ran from the garage of Bezos’ home. Amazon’s […]
Cybersecurity is a big, scary word with big, scary implications. The word conjures mental images of a dark room and someone in front a dimly lit computer. The black screen flashes green and is dotted with lines of code entered by a nameless, faceless “cyberterrorist” – a hacker – with a smirk and an evil […]
Occasionally, we all set up duplicate accounts on sites without realizing it. A spouse, friend or employee may have set up an account for you on LinkedIn trying to be helpful. Though it can be a bit inconvenient, it’s fairly easy to fix. At this time, LinkedIn only offers this account merging service from your […]
The latest updates from the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, known as PCI DSS 3.2, will become mandatory on February 1, 2018. This will affect all merchants and service providers who accept credit card payments from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. The creators of this iteration believe that PCI DSS 3.2 will provide […]
Even leaders in tech-adjacent fields — like the toy industry — know the importance of investing in technology expertise and a more robust IT infrastructure. As much as we try to predict the future, it’s never been easy. The catch has always been that as soon as you’re sure of what’s coming next, it’s probably […]
Accidentally creating two LinkedIn accounts is a common mistake. You may have created the accounts years apart, having forgotten that the first account existed, or maybe you were invited by different users based on different email addresses. Whatever the case, there is a solution to this issue. Of course, you would want to save your […]
The Slack messaging tool suffered a major outage today that left users unable to connect to the service. In a post on its systems status page, Slack reported that their customers were experiencing connectivity issues as a result of the outage: “A majority of customers are unable to connect to Slack. We’re aware of the […]
Tax season is one of the most active times of the year for cybercriminals – without the right IT security support, your business could be an easy target. It’s that time of year again – the IRS, state tax agencies, and finance professionals across the nation are once again urging everyone to be on the […]
We all know that today’s technology is invaluable, and with time, it will become even more so. This is true for all types of businesses, even law firms. The legal profession used to lag behind others in the adoption of new technology. Lawyers typically relied on “medieval” resources such as law books and paper documents. […]
The 2017 Cost of Data Breach Study is an annual study that looks at the cost of data breaches in companies, focusing on different countries such as the United States. This study gives a good idea of the effects a data breach can have on a person and their business. This is the 12th annual […]
If you run a business, chances are that you’ve thought about moving to an online productivity suite. The two most popular in recent years is Google’s G Suite and Microsoft’s Office 365. Touted as “innovative” and “the next big thing,” Microsoft’s productivity suite is a revolutionary concept when it comes to operating systems and computing. […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. In 2015 Sphero […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. If you’re anything […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. If the new […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. This USB drive […]
Content sharing strategies to optimize your online presence There’s no doubt that social media is connecting us like never before. Something we like to stress to our clients is that social media is more than just a platform for socialization. The world of social media has opened up an entirely new realm of business possibilities […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. The Samsung Galaxy […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. Microsoft’s thin laptop/tablet […]
Exploring the ongoing impacts and remedies for the KRACK Wi-Fi vulnerability It’s been nearly two months since the KRACK Wi-Fi bug was broadcast to the world. The news hit headlines across the globe in October of this year when tech researchers discovered the wide-spread vulnerability that impacted IoT devices of all kinds. Two months down […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. You’ve purchased the […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. Nintendo knows how […]
Learning to tell the difference between myth and reality when it comes to Cloud Computing Cloud computing continues to dominate the business environment. It seems like every other day we have a client asking about how the Cloud can help them optimize business. The Cloud is an amazing resource for businesses in any industry – […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. Google has been […]
Digital photography is becoming easier to do with your smartphone, some phone cameras even rivaling some of the lower end cameras. But for those purists out there, it’s tough to beat the value you get with the Sony Alpha 6000. The camera is a mirrorless design with interchangeable lenses and takes photos at 24 megapixels, […]
If you’re a gamer, especially a console gamer, you’ve no doubt heard of or are watching the Xbox One X. Microsoft has taken its flagship console, the Xbox One, and turned it up a few notches. Sporting 40% more power than any other console on the market and a 6 teraflop GPU (that’s crazy fast), […]
We like tech, it’s what we do. As the holiday shopping season kicks into overdrive, we are bringing you 12 of the most requested, most wanted tech gifts for 2017. Check back each business day between now and December 19th for another must-have tech item and why you should check it out. There’s little denying […]
Apple has become an authority in providing us with useful software and the required fixes that inevitably come with the development of this software. This was proven true Wednesday, November 29th, 2017 after a bug in Macs High Sierra software was discovered. The bug was discovered by a Turkish software developer by the name of […]
Outlooks Shareable Calendar and How It Fits into Aspects of Everyday Life A shared calendar is one step in the direction of having all involved on the same page. It is little more frustrating than trying to work on a project or develop ideas when everyone is not equally informed. With Outlooks shared calendar these […]
With the right guidance and advice, strategic IT planning can set your business on a path to greater success in 2018 and beyond. 2017 isn’t quite behind us yet, but already many businesses are turning their attention to the year ahead. Planning out your objectives and goals for the coming months is a great way […]
Understanding the Key Differences Between Microsoft’s OneDrive and SharePoint Applications Microsoft’s collection of software is continually evolving. As it continues to grow, many users are noticing quite a bit of overlap between application capabilities. For business owners, this can be a challenge – especially when trying to decide which apps are worth investing in. Two […]
Uber made headlines this week when representatives came forward to disclose that the company had experienced a massive ransomware attack last year. Over a year ago, hackers stole the account information of 57 million drivers and riders and Uber kept the news under wraps ever since paying the $100,000 ransom. The ransom deal was struck […]
Black Friday deals seem like they begin earlier every year. Most of the bigger retailers don’t even wait until Friday to roll out the specials on big-ticket or most wanted items. We are here to offer you some insight into this year’s tech deals. Whether it’s about a new 4K TV or how to get […]
Black Friday deals seem like they begin earlier every year. Most of the bigger retailers don’t even wait until Friday to roll out the specials on big-ticket or most wanted items. As your trusted IT company, we are here to offer you some insight into this year’s tech deals. Whether it’s about a new 4K […]
Black Friday deals seem like they begin earlier every year. Most of the bigger retailers don’t even wait until Friday to roll out the specials on big-ticket or most wanted items. We are here to offer you some insight into this year’s tech deals. Whether it’s about a new 4K TV or how to get […]
Log Management & Analysis gives you the edge on hidden malware and open security gaps. Keeping security tight in an increasingly digital business environment presents unique challenges for business owners and network administrators. Managing hardware, software, mobile applications and Cloud sharing platforms can make it difficult to maintain an all-compassing security strategy. Businesses across all […]
It’s a question that most modern professionals have pondered at one point: which is better, PC or Mac? There’s no clear-cut answer. However, while Windows PC has long been the popular choice among business owners, there is a significant pattern emerging. More and more companies are choosing to make the switch from Microsoft to Apple. […]
It’s a thorn in the side of every modern business. Emails seem to come in faster and faster every day. Even when spam and unnecessary communications are moved to the trash can, inboxes are still jam-packed with important attachments, electronic pay stubs, and critical communication histories. When employee inboxes get full, business communication can get […]
Learn how to implement the five-folder email system and get rid of email overload. It’s easy to become a slave to your email inbox. Unless you take control and implement a strategy, those emails can become just an unruly inbox, especially when you’re using email for business. If you’re in a position where a […]
Internet of Things (IoT) has been dominating conversations in the tech industry for some time now. The interconnectedness of an IoT network offers streamlining capabilities that are attractive to individuals and businesses alike. Using technology to make life easier – at home or in the office – is a huge plus. However, considerations must be […]
Get to Know the Fast-Spreading Malware Threat Before It Gets to Know You Earlier this year, a ransomware variant called Petya spread across North America hitting corporate giants like Merck and FedEx. The virus is so serious that some affected companies were faced with the fact that their data was simply not recoverable. In fact, […]
The latest Amazon phishing scam is just another illustration of why strong security is important. Find out more about this scam and how you can protect your business. Amazon doesn’t want you or your business to call a number, provide a code, and verify your identity, and if you receive an email claiming that […]
Find great Microsoft Word 2016 tips for better collaboration, text management and photo treatment to get the most out of the program. Are you looking to leverage all of the best features in the latest release of the popular word processing program Microsoft Word? Here is a closer look at a few tips and tricks […]
Office 2019 is set to become the latest in a long line of one-time license options from Microsoft. Even if you’re not ready to adopt Office 365, this new edition of Office has plenty to get excited about. While there is a great deal of discussion in the technology community around Microsoft Office 365 and […]
Since the 90’s, Microsoft Word has become the standard that every student learns in order to create basic documents, fliers, invitations and more. There is nothing more standard and boring on a computer than Microsoft Word, but whatever would we do without it? If you’ve ever bought a new computer, you may know the […]
The Six Lessons Your Small Business Should Learn After the Equifax Data Breach The most stunning business news in the last month has to come from articles about the Equifax data breach. The company estimated that this cybercrime impacted at least 143 million individuals. This news may also seem worse than other high-profile security problems […]
A series of online accounting-specific scams popped up in recent months, prompting cybersecurity experts to take notice. Late August saw a series of very similar phishing scams make a brief appearance in the inboxes of online accounting software consumers. By spoofing well-known online accounting software companies, these phishing scams have targeted a large number of […]
WordPress may be one of the world’s most popular content management platforms, but its plugins open up a Backdoor Vulnerability. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS (Customer Management Software) platforms of all time, and for good reason. The overall ease of use and administration appeals to individuals, bloggers and small businesses. Plus, it’s […]
LinkedIn has a few new problems with the recent hack of their paid InMail service. Users beware: links within the popular networking site may be malicious. Learn more and protect yourself from this recent threat. LinkedIn is known as one of the most popular social networking sites in the world, but right now it’s […]
Do people respond to your emails? YES – You probably do 5 key things. NO – You could do 5 key things. Subject Line: Add “Response Needed” at the end of the subject line. Greeting: Make it positive and personalized to set the email tone and indicate this isn’t a mass email. Call to Action: Tell the […]
It’s National Disaster Preparedness Month: Is Your Small Business Prepared for the Worst? September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, and it’s never been timelier. Whether you face the risk of hurricanes, fires, floods or theft, it’s important for even the smallest business to consider that the worst may happen. But, let’s focus on the “preparedness” […]
What’s the best way to back up your data? You have a number of choices. As a business owner or manager, you must carefully examine how to back up data to ensure it’s secure in the event of a disaster or hacking event. The solutions you used even a few years ago, may be […]
Promote Collaboration. Collaboration is and will always be one of the cornerstones of a business’ success. Despite this, many workers believe their organization doesn’t promote collaboration. Do you? As a small business owner, one of the most powerful tools you have is your workforce. This has less to do with individuals and more to do […]
There are some changes coming you should know about. Though Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system was received better than its predecessors (especially Windows 8), it’s still generated a fair amount of criticism—the worst? —that it lacks privacy. Issues began even before people started using the new operating system, including with those who felt that they […]
Cloud-based storage options are in high demand in today’s media-heavy world. Are you taking full advantage of all that Apple’s iCloud has to offer? Cloud storage is one of the most exciting new developments in technology. It provides you with the ability to access files and information when, where and how you’d like. However, […]
4 Problems with Remote Working and 4 Ways to Overcome Them I love the idea of working remotely. It’s a convenient solution for a variety of personal issues, ranging from lack of transportation to reduced physical mobility. And hiring remote workers is good for business. Studies show that remote workers are more productive, and it […]
Cybercriminals are constantly searching for vulnerabilities that allow them to steal data from your organization. And, the true scale of this will shock you. Cybersecurity is a hot topic in technology circles, and for a very good reason. As it turns out, 2016 was a banner year for cybercriminals, with over 4 billion records stolen […]
“Content is king.” This is an old expression dating back to 1996 (ancient history where the Internet is concerned). This point was repeated in an article by Bill Gates. Gates tells us where he believes the Internet is heading, and stressed the importance of using quality content in posts. He predicted that content creation would […]
A wireless connection is desirable for many businesses as employees depend more on mobile devices to work on the go. However, plugging in the old Ethernet cable manually still has its advantages, especially when your business handles confidential data. When you set up your data system, new machines, or upgrade your technology, it’s necessary to know when […]
Not happy with your online marketing results? Maybe Microsoft Connections can put your small business on the fast track to online marketing success. I am sure you have heard it said before, but you may have doubted the truth behind the statement. So let me tell you one more time, and this time you better […]
Outlook has been redesigned to take advantage of the capabilities of mobile platforms, with new features introduced for iOS and Android smartphones and devices. Depending on audience and demographic, 20% to 75% of emails will be opened by mobile users. It’s understandable that Microsoft is now focusing on iOS and Android platforms for Outlook upgrades […]
Living in rural American often means lack of Internet access. Is it possible to get broadband in the country? What’s happening to fix the rural-urban digital divide? Currently, 34 million Americans don’t have access to broadband. If you’re used to lightning-fast speeds and quick downloads, it may be impossible to even imagine living without […]
What’s your ransomware and phishing risk? If you have employees, you won’t know, unless you test your team to see exactly how they react when faced with a suspicious emai or voicemail. Ransomware and malware make headlines every day, with massive data losses and high costs. Everyone from the FBI to the IRS issue […]
Microsoft recently unveiled a mobile version of their Planner app. Here is a breakdown of what is contained in the app and what could be expected in future. Microsoft recently announced their Microsoft Planner app would be available for the Android and the iPhone. People who already have the web Planner app can use […]
Banks and smaller financial technology firms have a slightly adversarial relationship, but are there ways that they can work together to form a dream team? Financial institutions have a long history of moving slowly when it comes to change, which may be why they are uncomfortable in the face of FinTech firms. The always-on, constant […]
Reports have begun to pour in regarding a new ransomware infection currently wreaking havoc in Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, and several other countries. This highly sophisticated Russian strain is known as Petya or Petrwrap, and it has been advancing on a scale comparable to the recent WannaCry ransomware infection. However, unlike WannaCry, this strain lacks […]
The Surface Laptop is the latest gadget from Microsoft. It ls already making waves in the market. Here are a few details about it. In recent years, getting a slick laptop that was both compact and capable means you have to get an Apple product. However, you may now have an alternative thanks to […]
An external IT services company may be exactly what small and growing businesses need: Here’s why. Partnering with an external IT services companies brings plenty of benefits, especially for small and mid-sized companies that are grappling with the data challenges of an evolving world: The problem is that many businesses don’t realize that. They are […]
In an effort to reduce the intrusive and annoying nature of such ads, Google has announced that their new browser version will feature an automatic ad blocker. Consider the vast amounts of information, communication, and entertainment, which is funneled through the Internet daily. How often are you part of this stream and how often is […]
Don’t be fooled by the fake apps popping up on the Google Play store that falsely claim to protect you from ransomware. Recently, many Android device users were confronted with a barrage of fake apps in the Google Play store that claimed to protect against the WannaCry ransomware that has affected tens of thousands of […]
Undeniable Link Between Strategic Tech Implementation and Sustainable Business Practices Now more than ever, business professionals in every industry are looking for the most sustainable and cost-efficient ways to reduce their environmental impact and drive sustainability. In an increasingly fast-paced and digital-based business environment, technology is playing a larger role in the effort to develop […]
Memorial Day has been observed on the final Monday in May each year since 1971, but this occasion traces its roots back much farther in our country’s history. Originally known as Decoration Day, this day was first established during the Civil War in 1862 and was marked by loved ones decorating the graves of those […]
WannaCry may be beaten, but here’s why the ransomware can still be dangerous. WannaCry is an infamous example of how dangerous ransomware can be in the modern world. Almost overnight, this cyber attack hit computers around the world and managed to infect 300,000 computers in more than 150 countries before going back to the benches […]
What to do when you WannaCry – 9 Steps to Fight Ransomware Now The WannaCry ransomware has swept the globe – affecting more than 200,000 computers in at least 150 countries. Nothing is certain, but it looks like it is the work of a rogue state trying to cause global instability and gather cash to […]
In case you have been living in a cave the past three days… Wanna Cry is a ransomware that spreads like wildfire by leveraging a Windows SMB exploit to remotely access and infect computers running on unpatched or unsupported versions of Windows. It infects the targeted computer then moves on to others on the network […]
Microsoft Teams is a chat-based work hub destined to change the way you communicate with team members. Follow these tips and tricks to make the most of your Office 365 experience. The goal of Office 365 developers is not only to make better productivity applications, but they also want to allow for a more collaborative […]
Microsoft Teams is the chat tool your business needs. Microsoft “Teams” is one of the many ways that Microsoft is improving the Office 365 experience with. This communication tool could revolutionize the ways that your employees talk with each other – but we understand that adopting yet another tool may not sound especially attractive in […]
Becoming a master communicator in the workplace will improve overall performance and efficiency of your team members. Excellent communication skills take time to develop but can be a learned skill. Workplace communication skills are highly valued but are often found to be lacking. According to a 2016 survey from the IT firm Comparably, 52 percent […]
When someone thinks of spam they typically think of unsolicited bulk commercial email they receive in their inbox. However, the concept of spam started a little earlier than you might think. How far back? How does 1864 sound? Spam in 1864 you say? Yes, in the form of a telegraph, advertising a local dentistry actually. […]
Need a fast Windows screenshot? We’ll show you how to do it! Do you need to take a quick Windows screenshot for work or fun, but can’t figure out how to do it? Don’t worry: Our guide will show you just how it’s done. Copy the Screen for Posts Traditionally, the “Print Screen” option is […]
Cryptocurrencies and blockchains are changing the way we protect our data. Here’s why that’s exciting! If you’ve read about Bitcoin or other digital currencies out there, then you know what a cryptocurrency is. Cryptocurrencies only work because the details of the currency are heavily protected – and that’s great news for the rest of use […]
Is your marketing team measuring these important metrics? Here’s why this data is so valuable. Marketing departments, take note! Your business needs to look at these key data metrics when making marketing content decisions: Here’s why they’re so important – and why they may not be what you think. 1. Conversion Rates (Particularly for Online […]
A new service tax is possible in MA – what does this mean for service businesses and customers? Any new statewide tax is sure to have an impact business: That’s why, when Massachusetts again considers a new service tax, it’s bound to raise some curiosity and concerns. As the service tax conversation enters the political […]
If you are giving a presentation and part of it involves a shared display or handouts of a spreadsheet what can you do to keep the group awake? Let’s face it, Microsoft Excel is an excellent tool for organizing and manipulating statistical data, but when sharing your spreadsheet with others, your spreadsheet has to be […]
When it comes to social media marketing, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are no longer enough. Get an edge over your competition by mastering Snapchat now! Since all but taking over online communication, social media has become a viable business tool as well. Social media is easy and affordable to use, and it allows access to […]
By choosing the right analytics, conversion optimization, and search engine marketing technologies, marketing departments can more effectively reach new customers. Every marketing department strives to achieve three primary goals. Engage with existing customers. Improve brand awareness, while simultaneously increasing conversion rates on campaigns. Reach new customers. Fortunately for marketing departments everywhere, certain technologies can help […]
To remain in business, stay competitive, and keep yourself and your company safe from a data loss disaster, there is a relatively standardized checklist that should be followed if you expect to survive the oft-treacherous contemporary conditions of business computing and Web connectivity. Here are 10 things you should have on your data network disaster […]
Ransomware is malware that either freezes your computer or locks it so you cannot access data and programs that your company normally uses. The criminal that is holding your system hostage, demands a ransom that is usually paid in Bitcoin. Imagine opening your business one morning, turning your computer on and reading a message that […]
Hackers can gain sensitive data through a flaw in the Windows operating system, gaining access to accounts even without a password. Hackers provide great insight into how Windows user sessions can be taken over and the information within the session easily accessed. While passwords can be reset for users by administrators, but it’s also possible […]
The passwords you choose and how you protect them will have an enormous impact on the security of your business and network; here’s how to protect your business. The risk of a breach or data theft is a major concern for most companies – and individuals, too. Why make it easy for the hackers by […]
The internet has changed over the years, but people remain the same. See what’s different, what’s similar and how the past can define the future. There’s a famous clip from The Today Show in 1994 where the hosts try to figure out what the internet is. Millennials watch it and giggle as the stars puzzle […]
Because Google always changes the algorithm that it uses to determine search engine rankings, your business’ website needs to stay on top of the current key features that can help move it to the top of Google’s search results. Many companies approach search engine optimization as a one-time challenge; once you have set up your […]
When you need to create dynamic content for your business, Sway is a great app from Office 365 that allows you to build professional presentations in minutes. When you run a small business, the need to present your business in a professional manner is still important. When you need an Office 365 technology that allows […]
There are viruses that can be implanted on a computer in 2017, and lie in wait until a network becomes vulnerable before attacking. Unfortunately, viruses have come a long way from 20 years ago. The term virus was coined early on in computer history, but it’s every bit as relevant today as it was then. […]
Criminals want your company’s financial data, customer lists including credit card information, intellectual property, and anything else they can sell. Cyber crime is a huge endeavor with severe consequences for organizations that are victimized. Criminals want your company’s financial data, customer lists including credit card information, intellectual property, and anything else they can sell. Besides […]
From the desk of Acapella Technologies President and Founder Matt Mercier: One of the many privileges I enjoy in my business life is the ability to “pay it forward” to the CEOs of other companies. One such opportunity is provided to me by Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), an incubator/accelerator in Lowell and Lawrence. This is […]
A look at how proactive networking enhances your business security When it comes to improving the security of your business, a proactive network is definitely the answer. As many believe that preventive maintenance and ensuring system uptime should remain the focus of your efforts, the most important part of guaranteeing uptime making sure that the […]
Broadcasting your password on national television may be the easiest way to invite hackers, but common password mistakes make it almost as easy for your data security to be compromised. Password safety may not be one of the most interesting topics in the realm of cybersecurity, but having a strong password is one of the […]
A web site is a major asset for your business. So, it makes sound business sense for it to be protected from hackers who don’t have your business’ best interests in mind. Startup companies and small and medium-sized businesses depend on their websites to promote their brand, bring potential customers/clients into the sales funnel, keep […]
The number of security issues and malware risks that your company must contend with continues to grow every year, but one of the most potentially devastating threats that your business faces is surprisingly low-tech in nature. Spoofed emails don’t rely on complex ransomware or sophisticated keystroke loggers. Instead, your company’s bank account and sensitive information […]
Businesses of all sizes and types are facing an increased threat of costly ransomware attacks, as illustrated by a recent series of attacks on an Austrian luxury hotel. In the past few years, ransomware has risen to prominence as one of the biggest malware threats facing consumers. The cybercriminals behind these ransomware attacks, however, have […]
Alex Tretiakov has been with Acapella Technologies for just under a year. His favorite part of working with us is the challenge of taking on something new every day. Alex genuinely loves working with computers, his fantastic coworkers, and especially Acapella Technologies’ amazing clients. It’s the clients that truly make the job worthwhile. The one electronic device Alex could […]
When a business’ computer needs outgrow the space at your location, your business has two choices: Choice 1- build a new data center; Choice 2 – lease space at a data center. When a business’ computer needs outgrow the space at its onsite location, your business has two choices: Option 1– build a new data […]
The lifeblood of a data center is the power it has and the power available for expansion – without electric power, a data center is useless. The data center that is just opening looks beautiful. It is immaculate, equipment gleams, and racks of equipment fill the data center floors. Servers that move faster than lightning […]
HP’s new Elite x3 purports to offer all the computing power of a laptop in a smartphone case, but can it work for your business? Finding a computing solution that allows your employees to carry out all their work functions on the go is an issue for many small business owners. For employees who need […]
Every day, businesses and individuals send over 205 billion emails all over the world. Though many of these messages contain valuable information, a large portion of them are spam. Receiving or sending spam exposes your business to a variety of risks, including: Ruined Reputations Many firms are unaware that their email accounts have been compromised, […]
Wireless technology is as common as computers themselves in any business’ IT infrastructure these days. We rely on Wi-Fi not just for convenience, but remote connectivity and productivity. And for as much of an asset as wireless technology is, it’s also notoriously insecure in its default state. A state many small businesses tend to leave […]
Preparing your small business for tax season by updating your financial software and accounting procedures is critical for meeting all of tax season’s deadlines. All business owners and accounting employees know that the first months of the year are packed with important tax deadlines: January 31 for W2s, March 15 for corporate taxes and April 15 […]
Legal workplace cultures must change to embrace technology for efficiency, increased competitiveness, attract and retaining clients, and recruit and retain excellent people. Leaders of legal firms should change their workplace culture to embrace technology. Enlightened law firm managing partners and the law firm executives understand that fostering a work culture embracing technology increases productivity and […]
A look at the possible cybercrime attacks for 2017 As technology becomes more important in our daily life, it only opens up more doors for cybercrime attacks to happen. With a myriad of cyber attacks becoming common every day, it’s important to identify what is looking to become a threat in 2017. Thankfully, we’re going […]
Consider implementing multifactor authentication that requires additional information beyond a password to gain entry. Check with your vendors that handle sensitive data, especially financial institutions, to see if they offer multifactor authentication for your account.
Mobile devices can create significant security and management challenges, especially if they hold confidential information or can access the corporate network. Require users to password protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on public networks. Be sure to set reporting procedures for […]
Founded in 2014, The Founders Academy is a free public charter school for grades 6-12 located at 5 Perimeter Road in Manchester. In the fall of 2017, the school will offer grades 6-11. The school’s mission focuses on the virtues of the Founding Fathers; leadership, character building, and liberty. The school provides a challenging and […]
On January 27th, everyone is encouraged to bring more fun into the office because of Fun at Work Day. However, when used correctly, IT can keep the fun coming all year long. Read more on how you can do that here. Every now and then, you need to relax a bit at work. The perfect […]
Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft or can be lost, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and require strong passwords. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key […]
After a brief sabbatical from January to August of 2016, Acapella was thrilled to welcome Kurt back to the team. Before his sabbatical, Kurt had been with Acapella for more than 6 years. His favorite part of working at Acapella is making people feel comfortable with their technology. Helping clients to accept that they don’t need […]
Getting Organized By Outsmarting Your Brain Right about now, many people are busy resolving to make this the best year ever. Some, however, think that New Year’s Resolutions are a lot of hot air. Most of the time, they are right. Human beings often live on the island of Good Intention. We mean to lose […]
Cyber attacks and data breaches damage productivity, revenue, and reputation. Consider patch management and managed IT services to avoid security issues. For an increasing number of companies, IT processes compose the infrastructure of their business. This IT framework allows for streamlining day to day operations, maximizing productivity, cutting costs, and ultimately increasing profits. As this […]
How Do I Set My Out Of Office In Microsoft Outlook To Only Send From One Date To Another? In Outlook, click on File, Info then select Automatic Replies (Out of Office). Click on Send Automatic Replies and check the Only send during this time range check box. Specify a start and end time for […]
Regularly backup the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly, and store the copies either offsite or on the cloud.
January 17th is ditched your New Year’s resolution day, but if your resolution is centered around your business, you need to try to maintain it. We all set out with such great intentions at the beginning of the year. After all, it is a new year and a time to essentially hit the reset button. […]
As with any infection or intrusion, ransomware gains access to your systems by disguising itself as something innocuous, like an email attachment or embedded link. One of the biggest reasons ransomware remains at the top of the cyber threat watch list is that it has a very high success rate for hackers. Most ransomware infections […]
The latest version of Microsoft Outlook is designed to be a personal information manager, not just email. Learn the shortcut tricks and a user can become a power communicator very quickly. While many wish there might be another choice, it is unlikely that Microsoft Outlook as a user interface is going to go away […]
Are you making the most of Microsoft PowerPoint for your business pitches? Consider these 7 key areas to help take your pitches to the next level. The art of the pitch is crucial to entrepreneurs, business owners, and salespeople. Pitch effectiveness can mean the difference between a winning product or service – or one that […]
Today’s cloud email resources are far more robust, secure and professional than before. Companies worried about security should give the cloud a second look for email support. A number of industry reports have noted that company migrations to cloud email platforms have picked up steam at an exponential level. Now that the IT networking format […]
Finding the ideal Managed IT Services Provider starts with being fully informed about who you’ll be working with. Asking these 7 key questions can help. Is it time for your company to hire a new Managed IT Services Provider? This is an important decision that could make all the difference in the efficiency and security […]
Skype offers a multitude of reliable business meeting solutions for the established and growing company. On average 11 million meetings are held in U.S. workplaces throughout the year. In fact, the typical employee will attend approximately 60 meetings per month. As business meetings seem to become a part of our daily work lives, many business […]
Wow, 2016 is done already! Where did the time go? We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone as safe and happy new year this weekend. See you all in 2017.
Hackers are looking for any way to gain access to devices and if you download files and data a lot as part of your work, you should know what to look out for. For many individuals, downloading things from the Internet as well as sharing files is part of their every day tasks. If this […]
Best wishes for a happy holiday season and our sincere thanks for your loyalty and goodwill throughout the year.
Educate your employees about online threats and how to protect your business’s data, including safe use of social networking sites. Depending on the nature of your business, employees might be introducing competitors to sensitive details about your firm’s internal business. Employees should be informed about how to post online in a way that does not […]
Optimizing your technology for success in business won’t happen by accident. Achieving an efficient and effective IT environment requires time, expertise, structure and a proven strategy tailored to your needs, all of which you can get from our IT Experts.
A great many books have been written about this subject matter by people much more adept than me. With that said, I offer in a single blog post a few of the things that are most present in my thoughts today based upon what I’ve been reading, and on some mentoring work I’ve been doing […]
Acapella Technologies is proud to serve all of our customers, and we are especially proud of the non-profit organizations that work so hard to make our communities better. The Manchester Historic Association is just such an organization. Simply stated, the mission of the Manchester Historic Association is to collect, preserve, and share Manchester’s history. And […]
Christmas is a holiday that allows one to truly express how they feel about the season, but many tend to overlook safety when it comes to decorating their home. Christmas trees are an excellent example, as many forget the responsibility that comes along with having a tree covered with lights and decorations. Being responsible for […]
Windows 10 is a great operating system and Microsoft is not done making it better just yet. This year, we have all of the details on the updates to the system that you have been waiting for. If you have kept up with all of the updates with Windows, then you probably already love Windows […]
When it comes to having reliable network security in place, installing a firewall is one of the basic steps you can take to protect your business from hackers and malware intrusions. A firewall is simply a hardware device or software program that acts as a barrier between your systems and network, and the Internet. By […]
There’s a lot of debate going on right now about which type of data backup works better – cloud or on-premise – but there is no questioning data backup’s critical importance to any IT network. Backup and disaster recovery is crucial in the event that your organization experiences a data loss disaster. Yet, there’s some […]
New Popcorn Time Ransomware Demands Cash Unless Infected User Agrees to Spread the Virus to Friends We’re Urging Local Individuals and Businesses to be Informed about Latest and Most Sophisticated Cyber Scam The need for cyber security has been on the radar and in the playbooks of serious companies and their executives for some years. […]
There are many reasons why small businesses need a reliable managed services solution. From assuring compliance and cybersecurity to increasing overall IT network performance with regularity and continuous support, a managed services provider (MSP) makes all the difference to computer-networked organizations. Below, we’ve named some of the main reasons you will want to have a […]
Using the standard tactics to protect yourself from cyber attackers may not be enough anymore. Learn about how they are personalizing attacks in our latest post. It is no secret that ransomware attacks are on the rise but you may not know that the actual attacks are getting more personal than they ever have before. […]
Rachel has been part of the Acapella team for almost a year. Her favorite part of working for Acapella is the culture of personal and professional growth the company has become known for, and the balance that a virtual company provides. As a child, Rachel dreamed of being a writer. The fictional character she relates […]
Phishing scams are becoming harder to detect and that is just one reason why it is time to stop blaming employees for them. For several years now, employees have been blamed for falling victim to various phishing attacks. Time has come, however, to stop placing the blame on them and start considering better forms of […]
In late 2015, Congress passed and signed the PATH Act, which had the added bonus of increasing the Section 179 deduction cap to $500,000 for 2016. And as this deduction – which allows you to write off the full cost of technology purchases – is only available to businesses whose total technology purchases for the […]
Pop-up ads annoy pretty much everyone and Microsoft has started spamming their current users with ads that are irrelevant or are impossible to remove. Fortunately, there is a way to fix it. All you have to do to remove the pop-up ads is follow the steps in this guide. Something that most people find annoying, […]
Using the cloud for your business has a great benefit but if you do not have a long term strategy, you should consider creating one. Having a long term strategy will help you grow over time and set yourself up for success using the cloud in the future. With cloud usage increasing in both personal […]
Getting a tax break for purchasing equipment is a reality. You can learn more about Section 179 and how it can benefit your business here. There are many different kinds of tax codes that can help benefit your business in a big way. Taking advantage of these tax codes allows you to get more money […]
Ransoc is ransomware that searches the victim’s drive for social media profiles and files that may be illegal or embarrassing. It locks up the computer and threatens the user with fines and prison, demanding a credit card payment. A new form of ransomware hits its victims with a new and nasty twist. Unlike the best-known […]
