Technology

Here’s How To Choose The Right VoIP Solution For Your SMB

Business, Cloud, Technology, VoIP
Many small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) turn to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as their telephony solution. VoIP allows them to make calls either through traditional desk phones (hardphones) or software-based phones (softphones). Find out the pros and cons of both phone options so you can decide which one fits your business best. What’s a hardphone? A hardphone functions like a normal phone, but it’s connected to your business’s IP network instead of a telephone line. There’s no learning curve associated with VoIP hardphones and they allow your staff to call anyone worldwide at an affordable price. More advanced hardphones have built-in video displays and touch screens for video calls, eliminating the need for separate equipment for video conferencing. What’s a softphone? A softphone is any electronic device that uses a software application that allows users to turn their PCs, … READ MORE »

Level Up Your Excel Skills With These Tips

Business, Technology
Microsoft Excel’s new features now make it easier than ever to process data and present information visually. Level up your spreadsheets with the tips below: Take advantage of Ideas in Excel If you’re not sure which type of chart best tells a particular story out of a table of data, don’t worry — Excel’s artificial intelligence has got your back. Just click any cell in a data range, then go to the Home tab and click the Ideas button. A task pane will appear, showing recommendations for what data visualization you can use. Here’s a quick reference for what some of the most popular charts are for: Column/Bar chart – Compares categories with one another by depicting their numerical standing in terms of column height (or bar length, in the case of bar charts) side by side (think of lining children up and … READ MORE »

Basic Cybersecurity Terms Everyone Should Know

Business, Cloud, Personal, Security, Technology
If the only cybersecurity terms you know are “virus” and “hacking,” now is the time to expand your cybersecurity vocabulary. This will enable you to better understand the variety of risks in the online world and protect your computers, data, and yourself. Here’s a short yet handy list of cybersecurity terms you should know. Malware For a long time, the phrase “computer virus” was misused to refer to every type of attack that intended to harm or hurt computers and networks. The more appropriate term for these harmful programs and files would be “malicious software” or “malware.” Whereas a virus is a specific type of malware that is designed to replicate itself, any software created for the purpose of destroying or unfairly accessing networks and data should be referred to as malware. Ransomware Don’t let all other cyberthreats ending in … READ MORE »

Protecting Healthcare Providers From Insider Threats

Business, Security, Technology
Many healthcare organizations are at risk of data breaches caused by insider threats. These are security risks within your organization and can be any of your current or former employees, partners, and contractors who have knowledge about your computer systems. Here are five ways through which your healthcare organization can prevent insider threats from exposing your data. Educate All healthcare employees must be educated on patient privacy, data security, and the risks associated with certain behaviors. They must also be aware of allowable uses and disclosures of protected health information (PHI). For example, some healthcare personnel may be tempted to peek into the medical records of a celebrity admitted to their hospital. You must emphasize that such behavior is strictly forbidden and that it carries corresponding penalties. Deter Develop and enforce policies aimed at reducing the risk of data leaks. … READ MORE »

4 Ways To Boost Staff Efficiency

Business, Technology
Technology enables businesses to work remotely, collaborate more efficiently, and manage their time more effectively. But to achieve these benefits, you need to implement technologies that align with your business’s needs. Here are some things to consider. Change office communication To increase teamwork and productivity, set up instant messaging software such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. These platforms allow employees to communicate in real time instead of communicating through asynchronous methods like email. You can instantly send messages and share files in team chat rooms, saving precious time and allowing you to get more work done. This is especially useful in enabling communications when everyone is working remotely Install video conferencing Rather than spending hours getting to and from meetings outside your office, opt for a networked phone solution that offers video calls and conferencing. This way, you can hold … READ MORE »

Handy Keyboard Shortcuts For Windows 10 Users

Business, Personal, Technology
First released in 2015, Windows 10 is packed with various features that make it easier for users to accomplish their tasks. Among these helpful features are time-saving keyboard shortcuts that can be extremely helpful to workers. In this blog, we’ve compiled our favorite keyboard shortcuts. Snap If you’ve never used Snap, then you’re missing out on one of Windows 10’s key features. Snap allows you to put two to four windows side by side, making it easier to compare documents or do two things at the same time. You can use Snap with these keyboard shortcuts: Windows Key + Left – Snaps the current window to the left side of the screen Windows Key + Right – Snaps the current window to the right side of the screen You can also select a snapped window and press Windows Key + Up/Down to … READ MORE »

Safeguard Your Social Media Accounts From Hackers

Business, Cloud, Personal, Security, Technology
Social media phishing attacks are on the rise, with Facebook being one of the most commonly impersonated brands. Hackers are now employing more sophisticated tactics to steal personal data from social media users. To keep your data safe from them, heed our reminders and tips to strengthen your privacy settings and keep bad actors away. Lock screens exist for a reason Always lock all your devices as soon as you stop using them. This way, you are safe from the simplest hack of all: someone opening a social media site on your browser while you’re still signed in. In case you didn’t know, here’s how to lock your computer: On Macs: Press Ctrl+Command+Q. Click the Apple logo on the top left corner of the screen, and click Lock screen. On Windows devices: Press Windows key+L. If there are multiple users using the device, … READ MORE »

5 Most Common Security Breaches

Business, Security, Technology
From attacks on mobile devices to ever-increasing types of malware, cybersecurity has never been more challenging. One of the best ways to stay protected is to be aware of cybersecurity threats. To that end, here are five common ways your IT systems can be broken into. 1. You are tricked into installing malicious software There are countless ways you can be tricked into downloading and installing malware. One is by downloading software from torrent websites. When you visit these sites, you are told to download software in order for the site to load properly. Once downloaded, the malware that came with the software infects your system. In other cases, hackers send emails with a malware-infected attachment. Luckily, there are steps you can take to avoid accidentally installing malware: Never download files from an untrusted source. If a website is asking … READ MORE »

Is Your Cyber Security Policy (Or Lack Of One) Leaving You Wide Open To Attacks?

Business, Cloud, Mobility, Security, Technology
Every business, big or small, should have a cyber security policy in place for its employees. Employees need to know what’s acceptable and what isn’t when it comes to all things IT. The policy should set expectations, lay out rules and give employees the resources necessary to put the policy to work. Your employees represent the front lines of your business’s cyber security defense. You may have all the antivirus software, malware protection and firewalls in the world, but if your employees aren’t educated about IT security or don’t understand even the basics, you’re putting your business at MAJOR risk. What can you do to remedy that? You can put a cyber security policy in place. If you already have one, it’s time to update it. Then, once it’s ready, put it into action! What does a cyber security policy … READ MORE »

Boost Your Cybersecurity With Security Audits

Business, Cloud, Personal, Security, Technology
Are your organization’s cyber defenses enough to protect it from a cyberattack? Unfortunately, just incorporating the latest antimalware software or firewall to your system won’t guarantee your company’s safety. Conducting a security audit will give you a complete picture of your company’s data integrity, giving you a greater chance of successfully meeting your cybersecurity goals. Auditing and the security strategy Audits are necessary to ensure and maintain system quality and integrity. These system checks help identify security gaps and assure business stakeholders that your company is doing everything in its power to protect its data. An audit is usually made up of three phases: assess, assign, and audit. Having a methodical way of auditing helps you avoid missing important details. It is also crucial that each stage is treated with the same level of importance to ensure thorough and comprehensive … READ MORE »