For years, small businesses were taught to look for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and awkward wording to identify phishing emails. If an email looked unprofessional, it was likely a scam.
Unfortunately, that advice is no longer enough.
Have you ever tried to save a Microsoft Word document as a PDF, only to find that the PDF wasn't saved where you expected?
Recently, we've seen an issue where selecting Save As and then changing the file type to PDF (*.pdf) causes Word to save the file in a temporary Office cache folder instead of the location selected by the user. In some cases, the PDF ends up in a folder similar to:
Many small businesses rely on cloud-based tools every day. Email, file storage, Microsoft Teams, accounting software, customer management systems, and payment platforms all help keep operations running smoothly.
Most of the time, these services are incredibly reliable. However, even major providers like Microsoft can experience outages. When that happens, a small business can quickly find itself unable to access emails, files, appointments, or customer information.
QR codes have become part of everyday business. Small businesses use them for everything from sharing documents and connecting to Wi-Fi to collecting payments and accessing online resources.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals have noticed this trend and are now using QR codes as a new way to launch phishing attacks against small businesses. This type of attack, often called "quishing" (QR code phishing), is growing rapidly and can put your employees, customers, and business data at risk.
For a small business, trust is everything. Your customers, vendors, and employees expect emails from your company to be legitimate. Unfortunately, cybercriminals can sometimes send messages that appear to come from your business, even when they don't have access to your email system.
This type of fraud, known as email spoofing, is one of the most common ways scammers trick customers into paying fake invoices, changing banking information, or sharing sensitive data.
What Every Small Business Should Do After a Cyberattack: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a small business, a cyberattack can be overwhelming. Whether it's ransomware, a phishing scam, a compromised email account, or a data breach, the actions you take in the first hour can significantly impact how much damage is done.
The good news is that you don't need to be a cybersecurity expert to take the right first steps. Having a simple response plan can help your small business contain the threat, protect sensitive data, and recover more quickly.
What Are Passkeys, and Should Your Small Business Use Them?
Passwords have long been one of the biggest security risks for any small business.
Employees often reuse passwords across multiple accounts, store them in unsafe places, or accidentally enter them into convincing phishing websites. Cybercriminals know this, which is why stolen passwords remain one of the most common causes of data breaches.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding rapidly, with more devices connecting to the internet every day. However, this growth also brings new security risks. Let's explore some ways to keep your IoT devices secure.
A strong business network is essential for smooth operations—it’s the digital lifeline that facilitates everything from email to vital applications and cloud services. When disruptions occur, the impact can be severe: communication stops, productivity falters, and customers may be left in the lurch, leading to lost revenue. This is the harsh reality of network downtime.**
When outages strike, quick identification of the issue is crucial. Understanding the problem can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Let’s explore six practical tips to help troubleshoot common network challenges for small businesses.**
In today's interconnected world, the software your small business relies on is part of a larger network, whether it's installed locally or used in the cloud. Protecting the entire process that creates and delivers your software is crucial. From the tools developers use to the way updates reach your computer, every step matters. A breach or vulnerability in any part of this chain can have severe consequences.
A recent example is the global IT outage that happened last July, which affected airlines, banks, and many other businesses. The culprit was an update gone wrong from a software supplier called CrowdStrike, a key link in many software supply chains.
Microsoft 365 is a powerful suite of tools that enhances productivity and collaboration, especially for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). However, to fully leverage its capabilities, it's crucial to optimize its settings. Otherwise, you might only be using a fraction of its potential.
Are you ready to get more from your Microsoft 365 business subscription? This guide will walk you through essential settings to maximize your use of Microsoft 365.
Has your small business's software system gone from sleek and nimble to a tangled web of shortcuts, patches, and workarounds? Welcome to the world of technical debt. It's a silent saboteur that builds up over time, threatening your efficiency.
What is Technical Debt?
As technology continues to evolve, so do the options available for design tools. Microsoft, a pioneering company in the realm of business applications, has expanded its offerings significantly. Initially starting with just seven apps, Microsoft 365 now provides users access to over 20 different tools and features.
One of the noteworthy additions to this suite is Microsoft Designer, a user-friendly design tool that has captured the attention of designers, professionals, and even small business owners. Whether you're a seasoned graphic artist, a marketer, or simply someone looking to create a humorous meme, Microsoft Designer has something to offer.
For small businesses, moving can be a tumultuous and stressful experience, especially when it involves handling valuable technology. Whether you're relocating your home office or office space, it's crucial to take extra precautions when packing and moving your devices and other tech items.
To help you navigate this process smoothly, we've compiled a practical checklist to ensure your technology remains safe and secure during the move.
No business wants to suffer a data breach. But unfortunately, in today’s environment, it’s difficult to completely avoid them. Approximately 83% of organizations have experienced more than one data breach. (IBM Security 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report) These breaches hurt businesses in many ways. First, there is the immediate cost of remediating the breach. Then, there are the lost productivity costs. You can add lost business on top of that, and lost customer trust. A business could also have extensive legal costs associated with a breach. |
Microsoft released the Windows 11 operating system (OS) over a year ago. It was largely well-received as stable and user-friendly. The OS is not a large departure from the Windows 10 experience. But it does offer a lot of enhancements over the older environment. Yet with several improvements and a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, it still lags in adoption. As of November 2022, Windows 10 still owns the lion’s share of Windows PCs. It has a 69.75 percent usage share as compared to 16.13 percent for Windows 11. |
One constant struggle in offices is the balance between productivity and security. If you give users too much freedom in your network, risk increases. But add too many security gates, and productivity can dwindle. It’s a fine balance between the two, but one you can achieve. Organizations need to recognize the importance of both. And not sacrifice one for another. |
Few things invoke instant panic like a missing smartphone or laptop. These devices hold a good part of our lives. This includes files, personal financials, apps, passwords, pictures, videos, and so much more. The information they hold is more personal than even that which is in your wallet. It's because of all your digital footprints. This makes a lost or stolen device a cause for alarm. |
Your data is pivotal to running a successful company. If you don’t have proper security measures in place, hackers can easily steal your data and take you out of business. Cybercriminals might be the biggest threat facing your company. Besides gaining access to your money and accounts, they can also take over critical software, preventing you from collaborating with clients. |
Is your team also using their Android mobile devices to do their tasks? Incorporating an Android suite of apps into your workplace can dramatically improve productivity. Many organizations opt for Android to take their office productivity to the next level. After all, they can provide higher flexibility, better workflows, and efficient communication. |
