Did you know that 60 percent of small businesses shut down for good within six months of a data breach? If those kinds of statistics keep you awake at night, you’re probably looking for ways to keep your company and customer data as safe as possible while maintaining everyday productivity. Take a look at some simple online security steps you can (and should) take right now.
The Latest Malware Threats to Guard Against
GS Staff Austin Network Security , Business Computer Support , Business Network SolutionsHere at Gravity Systems, our Austin business tech support team has responded to plenty of trouble calls related to malware and hacking efforts over the years. If you’ve struggled with the problem in your own business, you may feel as if you’re constantly playing the world’s most dangerous game of Whack-A-Mole, with new bad actors popping up the moment others get brought under control. While no one likes being the bearer of bad news, we feel an obligation to make sure you know about the current state of the malware nation. Here are a few fresh threats to watch out for.
The holiday shopping season is here again. The minute most Americans have polished off their Thanksgiving dinners, you can bet that they’ll be scouring the Internet for special deals on products, services, and gifts. If you expect to profit during this busy time, you’d better make sure your IT system is ready to support all that activity without compromising safety or security. Here are a few suggestions along those lines, courtesy of your Austin business tech support friends at Gravity Systems.
Should You Upgrade Your Hardware or Replace It?
GS Staff Business Computer Help , Business Computer Purchasing , Computer Equipment , Business Computer Support , Computer SecurityFather Time catches up to everybody and everything, including your IT system hardware. If your workstations and servers have lost a step or two, you may need to decide between making incremental upgrades or buying shiny new gear. Which move makes the most sense for your particular situation? Here are some questions that can lead you toward the right decision, courtesy of your Austin business tech support experts at Gravity Systems.
How to create a REALLY STRONG password for your business use
Nisarg Naik Austin Network Security , Business Computer Support , IT Support , Business Network Solutions , secure passwordAre you all using the same passwords for all your PCs? Do you use same password for all your accounts just because you don’t want to remember multiple passwords?
If the answer to these questions is yes, you may want to change your password strategy! If your password gets hacked for one account, hackersare now trying to access all your accounts using the same password. This can leave your business and personal data at risk. Password security is an important aspect of keeping your confidential data confidential.
Choosing a strong password seems easy, but does take some perseverance. Employees may find it difficult to figure out a password they could use when they create a new account that is strong enough to avoid hacking and still easy enough to remember. It’s time to become a password guru! This blog will help you and your employees choose passwords that will help keep your confidential data safe.
- There are some basic rules for creating appropriate passwords. Most websites will guide you about such rules. In simple terms, a strong password is a combination of upper and lower case letters along with numerical and special characters.During your HR on-boarding, make sure you brief your employees about password security and require strong passwords on the network and for business related websites. Thankfully, many websites no longer allow you to create an account unless you have chosen a strong password.
- When you are using numbers, do not use them in succession. ‘123’ or ‘12345’ is a very poor combination. Use numbers randomly. Also, do not use your home or office address; such passwords are very easy to crack.
- Choose a password reminder tool. Many employees do not use complicated passwordsbecause they feel they can’t remember the password when needed. With the new crop of password tools available, the focus can be on creating strong passwords, not remembering them. Tools such as LastPass are very helpful. Lastpass remembers all your passwords and also does security checks regularly to ensure that the websites that you are about to use are safe. If they are not, LastPass will warn you. It will also prompt you when it is recommended to change a particular password. Brief your employees about such tools and ensure that they use them instead of trying to use sticky notes on their monitor to remember their passwords!
- Change your password regularly, at least once in every two months. This will give an extra layer of security.
- Do not let your employees use a universal password. Encourage them to use a different password for each account they operate.
- Beware of “phishing” emails and websites. Legitimate websites will never ask for your password via e-mail or phone. If you get an email asking you to update your password, do not click the links in that message. Instead, type the website into your browser and login from there. Also, be sure to make sure that important sites such as email and online banking sites are using SSL and that the certifies are valid. If you get an unexpected “certificate warning” message on one of the sites you frequent, close your browser and try again. If you still get it, try from a different computer or call your IT team.
- Test your passwords before using them. Many online tools help you check the strength of your passwords; just be sure to obfuscate the real password by replacing a few characters!
- Do not hesitate to choose a complex password. Almost all sites give you the option to reset the password via email or text if needed. Resetting a password is easy, and is less work than trying to recover from a hacked account. As there were some tips provided by a seo company in phoenix
We hope this blog encourages your employees to be more proactive in ensuring the security of your organization. For more such helpful details, read our other blogs or log on to www.gravityusa.com
5 New Year resolutions that every small and medium business should make
Nisarg Naik austin it support , Business Computer Support , IT Support , Application Problems2015 is here. We hope this year brings prosperity and success for your business. At the same time, we want to educate you about few IT mistakes that you must avoid this year
Managed IT services: a boon for small businesses
Nisarg Naik Austin Network Security , austin it support , Business Computer Support , Business Network Maintenance , Common IT QuestionsTechnology has become an integral part of every business. Most businesses rely very heavily on their IT infrastructure and can’t fully function without it. The advancement in technological fields has made our work simpler, easier, and more accurate.
Most common PC problems and how you can troubleshoot them: Part 2
Nisarg Naik Business Computer Help , Business Computer Support , Business Network MaintenanceComputer won’t turn on
This is a scary issue not only because you can’t access your files, but also because you fear that you might never be able to access them again! Thankfully, when you face this issue, your data is most likely safe and may be retrieved. Instead of panicking, here is what you need to do (call us if you need help!):
- If your computer shows no sign of power, i.e. if the fans are not running and there is no light on the CPU and monitor, the issue is may be with the power supply. Check if all the wires are plugged in properly. If so, you may be facing a power supply problem. Try draining the “flea power” or seek professional help.
- If your PC turns on and then, shuts down immediately, you may be facing electrical shorts. Check your power supply and ensure that your PC is getting adequate energy.
- If your PC is turning on but nothing is being displayed on your monitor, the problem could be with it. Check if all wires are plugged in properly, i.e. the monitor is receiving power from the power outlet and is connected correctly to the CPU. If this doesn’t help, consult a professional.
Blue screen of Death
Otherwise known as STOP error, this is one of the scariest problems that you may face. Thankfully, the solution is easier than you thought. Reboot it and see if it works. In many cases, it will work. Once your system starts working, take it to a professional at your earliest convenience to fix the issue before it crashes. A blue screen issue may arise because of many reasons, including but not limited to damaged software, hardware, corrupt DLL files, driver issues, and much more. If you are good at brainstorming and don’t mind spending time fixing the issue, you can try fixing your PC using the codes that the blue screen will provide you.
Windows fail to start
There could be many reasons behind this problem, the most common one being malware issue or damaged hard disk. Here is what you can do to fix the error:
- Press the F8 key as soon as you turn on the computer. Your PC will go into recovery mode. Once you are there, launch your PC in safe mode and click ‘troubleshoot’ and then, advanced option’, followed by ‘windows startup settings’. Restart your PC in safe mode.
- Open your anti-virus, update it, and run a complete scan.
- Use system restore to fix your PC. If this doesn’t help, take your PC to a professional.
Unable to install a specific application
Often, this installation problem happens due to space problems. If your hard drive doesn’t have ample space, you won’t be able to install any applications. In this case, a simple system cleanup may be the answer. Free up some space and try installing again. If you still face any problem, try restarting the computer and try again.
These are some common issues that PC users face. We hope these tips will help you troubleshoot your problems. In case they don’t, consult a professional for help. If you need business computer support, you can always give us a call at 877-GET-GRAVITY or Log on to www.GravityUSA.com
Cyber threats to Windows XP and Guidance for Small Businesses and Individual Consumers
Nisarg Naik Business Computer Support , IT Support , it support austin , Computer Security , IT ConsultingOn April 8, 2014. Microsoft announced it would discontinue product support for operating system Windows XP. Just after the release of Windows XP in 2001, Microsoft followed up with the support policy for the life of Windows XP. Almost in September 2007, reports were publicized that Microsoft would extend support for two more years to 8 April 2014.
[GS Note] Passwords – Mix it up!
Ross Langham Business Computer Support , Data Security , Data Security SolutionsIt’s a new year, and it’s time for new passwords. More and more of our personal and critical data is protected by passwords, and for businesses, securing this data is even more critical. If your information gets in the wrong hands, the damages could be devastating.