As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches, it's crucial to understand what this transition means for your business. With just one year left, now is the time to start preparing. In this post, we’ll walk you through the key considerations to ensure your systems are ready, explore upgrade options, and introduce you to Windows 11. While maintaining many of the features you love from Windows 10, Windows 11 also brings exciting new enhancements designed to elevate your overall computing experience.
Each October since 2004 has been a time dedicated for all to working together, raising awareness, and ensuring we are doing what we can to, you guessed it, Secure Our World. Taking the month to educate ourselves and learn new ways to protect ourselves and others is a great start, but it’s important to implement these simple practices into your daily routine to keep your security top-notch.
In today's fast-paced business environment, having the right tools to stay connected is crucial. Traditional phone systems often fall short when it comes to flexibility, efficiency, and integration across devices. Enter Intermedia's advanced telecom solutions, powered by Spark AI, a feature designed to revolutionize how businesses communicate and operate.
Cybersecurity is the protection of networks, computers, programs and data from attack,damage or unauthorized access. Cybersecurity is essential in today’s world for all businesses, small and large alike, due to the rising number of cyber attacks.
Cyber Security is an ever-changing landscape that requires constant monitoring and adaptation. Hackers and malicious users are always looking for new ways to gain access to your sensitive information, and some of these newer methods may be ways you’ve never considered before. Here are 8 cyber security tips to keep you and your business safe this holiday season.
With the holiday season kicking off, many people are going to be turning online to do their shopping. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are great places to save, however, they’re also perfect opportunities for hackers to attempt to steal your information and scam you. Here are some tips on how to stay safe while shopping online.
Multifunction Printers, or MFPs, are one of many key devices in offices worldwide that provide many benefits to companies, however, they also can be major security risks if not properly protected. Cybercriminals and hackers are always on the lookout for vulnerabilities to attempt to exploit which makes it important to understand their means of attack and employ the best defense possible to reduce the risks. Below is a list of common vulnerabilities present in MFPs and best practices on how to avoid them being exploited.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month which makes it a great time to share some security tips and information. For example, did you know that Xerox has a webpage dedicated to security information for all their devices? Let’s take a look at what you can expect to see on this webpage.
Chromebooks have been a prominent part of many schools due to their ease of use and cost-friendliness, however, there's been a shift to Microsoft Windows devices over Chromebooks in schools lately. What's causing this shift, and why are schools choosing Windows devices over Chromebooks?
Sharp recently announced their partnership with Bitdefender, a leader in the cybersecurity industry, which will bring cybersecurity in MFPs to a whole new level. Printers and MFPs are often overlooked when it comes to cybersecurity despite their importance, and this partnership will ensure that those devices and your network are protected.
With AI and machine learning at the forefront of new technologies, it was only a matter of time before it was implemented into the cybersecurity world. With traditional antivirus software falling short and an increasing need for faster reactions to malware a new solution was created – Endpoint Detection Response, or EDR. But what is EDR, and how does it work?
On April 27th, 2023, Microsoft reminded us that version 22H2 of Windows 10 will be the last version of the product. Version 22H2 was released back on October 18th in 2022 and included several new feature updates to the operating system that’s been around since 2015. Although it’s not quite time to say goodbye to Windows 10, it’s important to know what this means for your home and business devices if you are running it.
Understanding how malware works and what vulnerabilities it attempts to manipulate is an important part of cyber security. We asked our Director of IT to shed some light on what malware is, and how organizations can defend against it.
Spam mail has been around forever, but with the digital world constantly evolving and growing it seems like there is more of it than ever. Aside from being an unwanted annoyance, spam mail has the potential to be dangerous and cause issues. The main issues that can arise from spam mail are social engineering and malware, which both can be detrimental to your organization.
Microsoft announced that the end of support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 will occur October 10th, 2023. Learn about what this means and how you can prepare to stay on top of data security and your technology.
Understanding the role that firmware plays in your technology is crucial to maintaining security and functionality in your business. Security vulnerabilities exist in many different forms and areas, and outdated firmware plays a role in this. But what is firmware, and how can you ensure that your company and its’ data remain secure?
Keeping your company and information secure is a top priority as cyberattacks aren’t going anywhere soon. Whether it be malware, ransomware, phishing, or social engineering, cyberattacks can occur at any time and can lead to huge expenses to resolve. Because of this, many companies are considering Cyber Liability Insurance to help combat this, but what exactly is cyber liability insurance, and what does it cover?
Smishing is the latest tactic cybercriminals have taken on to trick people into giving away their confidential information.
Video calls are abundant with opportunities to compromise your private information. Follow these tips to help form safe video call practices to protect yourself from slip ups or malicious acts from others.
This year’s cybersecurity initiative —“See Yourself in Cyber” —demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people. This October focuses on the “people” part of cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate, and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school –now and in the future.
On May 30th, 2022, Google retired Less Secure Apps and therefore stopped third-party apps and devices from signing in with only a normal username and password. What does this mean for your MFPs when it comes to scan-to-email? If you are using the popular Gmail SMTP service, you will be affected by this change.
Pricing for a full-scale Managed IT Solution doesn’t need to be complicated. Most companies will quote based on the number of users or devices. There is also the option for a hybrid solution for augmenting your current IT Department if you have needs that go beyond what you can handle internally. Co-managed services allow you to maintain your current IT personnel and free up their time to focus on tasks and projects related to the growth of your business.
When choosing an Office Suite for your business, the top choices in the marketplace today are Microsoft Office 365 and Google G Suite. Each one offers professional business email and productivity tools for easy collaboration. Both are subscription-based, charging businesses per-person fees every month, with varying levels of subscriptions, depending on the capabilities you are looking for.
The simple definition of immutable is "unchanging over time or cannot be changed". If we apply this to a backup, we are now talking immutable backups. Backed-up data needs to be stored on immutable media, so that it cannot be changed.
A VLAN or Virtual Local Area Network maps devices on a basis other than geographic location, for example, by department, type of user, or primary application, simplifying your network and increasing security and traffic management.
Whether it’s a question about a product or service, a new order, a support issue, or simply trying to pay a bill, customers still need a human connection when they’re looking for help—and the right cloud communications platform – that includes calling, video conferencing, chat, and secure file sharing provides just that.
Whaling attacks are a type of phishing attack that targets wealthy, prominent, and high-profile individuals such as CEOs, CFOs, and senior or high-level executives.
Imagine you have a house which you want to protect from intruders. You would lock the door to keep them from entering. If you wanted to be extra secure you may lock the door handle and then lock the dead bolt. In this example the door lock is your password and multi-factor authentication is the dead bolt. In most cases the door lock will work fine, but if an intruder really wants to get in, the dead bolt may be the only thing keeping the door from being kicked in.
Businesses today require more work in less time with fewer resources. But fortunately, with smart office technology employees can work smarter and more productively, and not cut into valuable family time. Smart offices are an opportunity to improve production, employee morale and provide a competitive edge for your business.
The worst passwords are the most common passwords, which are therefore the least secure. 56% of breached passwords were not unique. The easiest thing you can do to protect yourself from hacks and breaches to your accounts is a strong, unique password.
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has the top tips for safely using videoconferencing to ensure employees are only using approved tools and that their home networks are secured.
After rapidly adopting wide-scale remote work practices in response to COVID-19, organizations have started planning for more permanent and strategic teleworking postures. An organization’s executive leaders, IT professionals, and teleworkers all have roles to play in the shift from temporary to long-term or permanent telework strategies.
As an Information Technology professional in charge of your organizations’ network infrastructure, you are responsible for the day-to-day communication path from your users to the applications they use every day. This brings a unique set of challenges that pull you a hundred different directions.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year we are focusing on educating and preventing cyber attacks like phishing, malware, and social engineering, from computers to smart devices, read on to learn more and stay protected.
Not really sure what a backup is? Don’t worry you’re not alone, over 30% of people never backup their files. A backup is a second copy of all your important files. Instead of storing it only on your computer, you keep another copy of everything somewhere safe, at an off-site location.
More and more, ransomware has emerged as a major threat to individuals and businesses alike. Ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts data on infected systems, has become a lucrative option for cyber extortionists. When the malware is run, it locks victim’s files and allows criminals to demand payment to release them.
All good things must come to an end, even Windows 7. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. But you can keep the good times rolling by moving to Windows 10.
Don't fall for another phishing attack. More than 96% of phishing attempts arrive by email. Phishing is a threat to every organization across the globe.
The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. In these tech-fueled times, our homes, societal well-being, economic prosperity and nation’s security are impacted by the internet.
With ever-increasing cybersecurity threats, it's important to stay on top of what the different attacks are and how you can avoid them. There are many different tactics that cyber attackers utilize, but one of the most common attacks is social engineering. This blog will focus on what the different types of social engineering attacks are, so that you can avoid being a victim. We will also discuss some things you can do if you think you are a victim of any of these attacks.
What is the dark web and how do you protect yourself? The dark web is a place where criminals buy and sell stolen personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank account passwords, and even Social Security numbers. Unfortunately, like most things on the internet, once the information is out there, it can’t be erased.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes.
As technology continues to evolve, cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication and complexity. Cyber threats affect businesses of all sizes and require the attention and involvement of chief executive officers (CEOs) and other senior leaders. To help companies understand their risks and prepare for cyber threats, CEOs should discuss key cybersecurity risk management topics with their leadership and implement cybersecurity best practices.
Small businesses like yours are important. They create jobs, support a competitive marketplace, and lift up local communities. As a small business owner, you’ve worked hard to start your business and make it into something you can be proud of. That’s why it’s important to know how to protect your employees and customers from a range of cyber and financial threats.
Remote work is not new but may be unfamiliar to some employees, leaders and businesses. With significant rise in temporary work from home, it is important to think about security and keeping your home network security as strong as the office network security.
Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber attack occurs. In 2018, the U.S. business sector had the largest number of data breaches ever recorded: 571 breaches. Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems.
On January 14, 2020, support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 will end. That means the end of regular security updates. Don't let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. We're here to help you migrate to current versions for greater security, performance and innovation.
If technology gives your organization a competitive edge, you are familiar with how expensive it is to keep it current. Now, consider that at times, the purchase price of your technology is only a fraction of the cost of the total cost of ownership.
Data is essential for all types of organizations today, so ensuring access to mission-critical applications and data following a disaster is critical. However, business continuity and disaster preparedness are about so much more than that.
Disasters can happen to any business at any time and the downtime they cause is truly catastrophic, many of which never recover. The strength to avert disasters and effectively handle the ones that occur starts with knowledge.
Malicious emails coupled with a general lack of employee cyber security training is the leading cause of a successful ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malware that infects computer systems, restricting users’ access to the infected systems and has become the most prominent global threat to business cyber security today.
Did you know that the applications you use every day, from payroll to invoicing, could be running on Windows Server 2003? Microsoft is ending support for the 2003 version of Windows Server on July 14, 2015 and it's time to find out if your business is at risk.
Is technology at the top of your priority list? At Rhyme we help businesses develop their technology strategy, implement that strategy and then support it through its lifecycle. Our goal is to help your business grow by increasing profits and lowering risk. Evaluate these five risks to decide if your technology needs more attention.
Small businesses are faced with difficult technology questions every day, like what technology should I invest in, what technology should have a priority over another or what gives my business a competitive advantage?