Author Archives: Anton Ruighaver

Traveling with Technology: 10 Need-to-Know Tips Before You Leave for Vacation

Business, Personal, Technology 0 Comments
At TECHLINQ, we clearly love technology… but even WE advise you to unplug from the hectic world and leave the gadgets behind while on vacation. Unfortunately, if you’re like most of us, you need to stay connected to some degree. We’ve compiled a list of good technology practices and safety tips to keep in mind while traveling.       Don’t bring your laptop! Try to use your smartphone or tablet instead to read emails, browse the internet, and access social media while on vacation. No need for the extra weight and risk of loss or damage. If you must bring your laptop consider the following before you leave on your trip: • Make sure that your software updates and antivirus settings are up to date • Back up all of your files and important documents • Password protect your … READ MORE »

I Need Computer or Networking Assistance. Where Do I Start?

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When looking for Computer or Networking Support we advise businesses to investigate the “Critical 5”. This is an outline of attributes your IT Support company should possess in order to give you the best level of service and support. We’ve adopted these elements based on the best-practices we’ve seen employed by the most adept, committed technology firms in the industry. We regularly put ourselves to the test to see how we stack up against the “Critical 5”. References & Business Structure: Can they provide you with more than five client references? Do they have a strong and reputable business structure? TECHLINQ is a highly service-centric and overwhelmingly referral based firm. We provide service for many businesses in northern New Jersey, and prefer to rely on our constantly growing client base to communicate their satisfaction with the quality of our services … READ MORE »

Windows Server 2003 – End of Support – 7-14-15

Business, Security, Technology 0 Comments
July 14, 2015 marks a major transition, this is the date Microsoft stops releasing critical patches and officially ends support for Windows Server 2003. While this date may seem distant, now is the time to understand that the end of support and the end of life of Windows Server 2003 means that your business needs to ensure that it has a plan to migrate the applications and workloads currently relying on Windows Server 2003 onto Windows Server 2012 R2. Just to be clear, End-of-Support for Windows Server 2003 means: We urge you to start your planning to migrate off of Windows Server 2003 and onto a platform that will provide you the security and reliability that you’ve experienced over the last decade with Windows Server 2003, with the added value of the features now included in Windows Server 2012 R2. … READ MORE »

2015 New Year’s Computer Security Checklist

Business, Personal, Security, Technology 0 Comments
This checklist will help you make and keep your PC more secure. Over time, security holes are discovered in all computers’ operating systems and the software that runs on them. These risks need to be patched to keep your system and personal information safe. We’re rolling this list out for the start of 2015, but recommend it be adhered to consistently. 1. Make sure your operating system is up to date We recommend current systems have at least Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, which will be supported until 2020. If you’re running Windows 8.0, we highly recommend that it be upgraded to 8.1 to be sure you have the most secure version. 2. Check Windows Update settings Verify that your computer is set to automatically download and install at least critical updates frequently. Better yet, have your updates managed by TECHLINQ … READ MORE »

Is an Android tablet on your loved-ones wish list? Learn how to choose the right one…

Personal, Technology 0 Comments
One of the most popular gifts this holiday season is the tablet, and more specifically the Android tablet. Because there are so many different options to choose from, it can be difficult to actually choose the right tablet to give as a gift. To help, we came up with some important factors to consider before you purchase your festive gift. Consider your budget The great thing about Android is that there are tablets available for a wide budget range; from the ridiculously affordable, yet highly praised, Amazon Fire HD 6 ($99 on Amazon.com), to the top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy Tab S ($350-$400 in stores). Look at reviews online There are a ton of websites dedicated to reviewing tablets and other mobile devices. Take, for example, the well-known Engadget or Trusted Reviews. Sites like these generally give a good overview of the … READ MORE »

What, exactly, is Net Neutrality and what does it mean to my business?

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In many western countries we are blessed with a free and open Internet, but in the US there is a battle currently raging over the idea of Net Neutrality. Chances are high that you will have heard this term thrown around by various experts and media outlets. In November, President Obama took a stance on this issue. Here is an overview of Net Neutrality, the stance from The White House, and what this could mean for your company. What is Net Neutrality? In order to define Net Neutrality, we should first look at the main idea behind what the Internet is: a free and open medium where individuals can express and house thoughts, ideas, and more. It was founded on one principal, and one principal alone: All information and Internet traffic MUST be treated equally. This free, open, and fair … READ MORE »

When is the right time to update your technology?

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Technology is an integral part of any business. The problem this presents is that technology ages and eventually needs to be replaced. With the sheer volume of new systems and hardware components being introduced on a daily basis, it can be daunting to determine whether you should upgrade or not. Here are five signs that you should consider when making a decision to update your business’s hardware, software, and/or infrastructure. 1. Replacement parts are difficult to find for your existing technology… Computers, servers, and even mobile devices are made up of a number of components that rely on other parts in order to operate properly. If one breaks down, there is a good chance that the whole system will stop working. For many newer pieces of hardware and systems, replacements are easy to come by. But, if something breaks and … READ MORE »

Can you expand a bit more on the threat posed by malicious social engineering?

Business, Security, Technology 0 Comments
Microsoft calls your office referencing a security threat you recognize as very recently being in the news. The Caller ID shows “Microsoft, Redmond, WA” and the representative is very well spoken and pleasant. He has an excellent answer for every cynical question you ask, and emphasizes the urgency of the situation. He states that Microsoft takes its commitment to the security of its customers very seriously, and this is why they’re contacting licensed owners of Windows 7 Professional to immediately patch this critical security flaw. He just needs to walk you through going to a website to install a remote access agent… What do you do? This is the hallmark of a current targeted social engineering scam that has so far resulted in many thousands of systems and networks being compromised, with immeasurable consequences. What’s worse is that they appear … READ MORE »

What are some best practices for avoiding current and new security threats?

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Nobody wants to acknowledge it, but it’s true… Hackers are getting smarter and far more creative with the methods they use to try to acquire your trust, sensitive information, and money. The methods they now employ go far beyond their attempts to install malware on your computer or device. There is a growing trend toward mimicking legitimate companies and their websites to gain your confidence and entice you to reveal information you would never should to even a perceived “trusted” source. Many recognize the Nigerian 419 e-mail scam as the beginning of the modern confidence game, playing on trust and promises of untold riches, even skeptical people fell victim to it in greater numbers than anyone could believe. Recently, a particularly nasty piece of malware called “CryptoLocker” encrypted infected users files and demanded a $300 to $1,000 payment to provide … READ MORE »

What are some ways to get more relevant and accurate internet search results?

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Let’s face it; searching the internet can be a frustrating endeavor. In some ways it’s almost a struggle between you, searching for the exact information you need, and the millions of advertisers trying to entice you into looking at what they want you to see, namely their products or services. This may seem like a losing battle, but there are some ways to effectively narrow down your results to sites that are far more likely to take you to the information you seek. You just need to know how search engines like Google “think”. Although most search engines are trying to employ a more human element in the way they structure and display results, the fact remains that they are still very logical in their approach to providing results to queries, and you can use that to your advantage. Here … READ MORE »