Monthly Archives: March 2017

Recent Virus Release: Issues With Ransomware

Recent Virus Release

How to avoid dangerous Ransomware

Although computer viruses have always been a problem in the workplace, nowadays, surfing the web is getting more dangerous than ever. Not only are there plenty of websites filled with dangerous viruses, but many developers might even try to trick you into downloading dangerous software.

For example, let’s say you were looking for a solution to update your computer, and there was a seemingly legit website that provided some download links. In reality, this could just be a trick to get you to download some dangerous software. Even worse, though, many times, you might even accidentally download ransomware.

Basically, it is a sophisticated piece of malware that blocks the victim’s access to his/her files. Obviously, though, that’s only the gist of it, and the malware can be a lot more dangerous than it appears at first glance. With that said, even though many businesses know how to handle computer viruses, ransomware is in a league of its own. Here are a few things businesses should know when dealing with ransomware, and how to prepare it.

#1. What Makes Ransomware So Dangerous?

As I had mentioned before, even though it blocks access to your files, that’s putting it mildly. Aside from encrypting and locking all the data on your computer, the hacker also demands a ransom. If the sum of money isn’t paid within a certain amount of time, all your files will be deleted. Another downside is that once your device gets infected, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of the virus. In fact, the FBI has even encouraged victims to pay the ransom, since it’s the only way out. With that said, the only way to truly beat this piece of malware, is by paying the ransom, or avoiding it completely.

#2. How Does Ransomware Affect Your Business?

Aside from the obvious, which includes deletion of your files, ransomware affects your business from a more personal perspective as well. A company’s reputation is essential to running a successful organization, and ransomware can have a major effect on this, especially when it comes to your loyal customers. Remember, whatever happens in the workplace will have an impact on everyone, especially if it’s security related.

For example, let’s say you had both your files and customer documents on one device. If they got deleted due to ransomware, imagine how this would affect your customers. Not only would they go to look for business elsewhere, but more than likely, they will tell other potential customers about the incident as well. In the long run, this could turn potential customers away from your business. After all, customers don’t want to hear excuses. They want a business that not only protects their data, but one that also knows how to respond in the event of any unexpected incidents.

#3. How Can You Protect Yourself?

As dangerous as ransomware is, it’s definitely not unbeatable. One of the key ways to protect yourself, is by making sure to avoid it, since it’s very difficult to get rid of once you’re infected. Not only do you need to be smart about the websites you visit, but also be cautious of suspicious files and emails. Make sure to scan everything before downloading it, and always have anti-virus software installed. By taking these precautions, not only are you preventing yourself from getting infected, but you’re also setting a good example for your employees in the workplace.

For more information about the recent impact of ransomware, why it’s so dangerous, and how it affects customers, feel free to contact us today at SystemsNet. We look forward to hearing from you, and assisting you in the best way possible.

Do You Know What You Are Looking For In A Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

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A professional MSP with a clear and effective strategy for you customers

As you look for more ways to add value to your business, you have probably started to look deep into the services provided by Managed Service Providers (MSP). Since MSPs can define what they do in different ways, their services will not all be the same. Some MSPs will provide a few services and other MSPs will provide a long list of services that can be very beneficial to your business.

When you are looking for a Managed Service Provider, there are some important things you should look for, including the following:

Managing Your Devices

You will need to make sure the provider you are considering will have a proactive strategy when it comes to monitoring all of your servers and devices that are connected to your network.

Live Help Desk Support

The Managed Service Provider(MSP) you choose will need to have outstanding help desk support for users who need to log in their accounts after forgetting their passwords, standard troubleshooting tips, resetting passwords, etc.

There are certain qualities that a potential Managed Service Provider(MSP) should have:

New Technology

The Managed Service Provider you select should be able to offer you a full selection of various technologies. You will need support for your users, storage, network capabilities, etc.

How Fast Will You Be Assisted? 

You want an MSP that will be available to you at all hours of the day, and 7 days a week. Your business will greatly depend on your MSP. Your MSP will need to be available whenever you need them to assist you. You will need an MSP that will be available to respond to every need you have. You want to ask questions about their escalation process for support calls. Before you settle on a Managed Service Provider, make sure you learn about each MSPs response time.

Pricing Strategies

The pricing agreements should not be unpredictable. You should know what you are getting into from the very beginning. You should be looking for service provider that can provide fixed pricing based on the number of devices and not based on some type of hourly support.  The service provider’s contract needs to be adjustable to scale up or down, providing flexibility in the contract for growth or downturns in the business.

Can You Customize?

You do not want to partner with an MSP who will give your business the exact same services as another business. Your business is different from the next business, and it should be treated as such. You will want to avoid an MSP that takes a one-size-fits-all approach. It is important to make sure the service provider you are considering will be able to modify their plans and strategies for your business based on the goals you have set.

Safety And Security

It is important that  your MSP has an effective and productive security plan. Will your business have anything to worry about when it comes to security? Will your business be able to design security and disaster recovery components?

The MSP you choose should have a clear and effective strategy for its customers. You should know from the very beginning the type of support the MSP will give you.   When support is needed by your or your staff, it should be handled by a live answer help desk, and not leaving a message on a voicemail system.  Your MSP should ultimately help you improve your productivity and efficiency, while reducing your costs.

Do you know what you are looking for in an MSP? Are you looking for an MSP that will offer an affordable and enticing plan that will help turn your business around? Contact us today for more information.

What can we expect from Microsoft’s new Windows 10 updates?

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New anticipated developments are being worked on at Microsoft Windows

Windows 10 has been around for roughly two years now, and by the end of September 2016, Microsoft reported its use on hundreds of millions of active devices. Usage is expected to keep growing, and we can expect to see additional updates to the operating system’s capabilities and features.

For 2017, Microsoft announced the major “Windows 10 Creators” update (codenamed Redstone 2); at this point, it’s scheduled for April. More recently, additional reports have emerged about a second Windows 10 update for later in the year; its codename is Redstone 3.

What can we look forward to from each of these updates?

 

Windows 10 Creators

Anyone involved in creative work such as art, graphics, gaming, and animation will be especially excited about the features becoming available through the Windows 10 Creators update.

Even if your work doesn’t largely involve artistic endeavors, some of the new features can help you enrich the visuals you display in PowerPoint presentations, insert in your reports, or share through other software. You’re in a better position to capture people’s attention, present your evidence convincingly, or illuminate the points you’re making as you drum up interest for a project.

What are some of the expected developments from Windows 10 Creators?

  • Working in 3D. In October 2016, the Windows YouTube channel posted a video demonstrating some of the beautiful visuals you’ll be able to create using 3D imagery. With Microsoft Paint 3D, for example, you can convert 2D images into 3D. Presenting, sharing, and printing in 3D are all possible through Windows 10 Creators.
  • Immersing yourself in mixed reality. With relatively affordable VR headsets, and no need for any elaborate setups, you’ll be able to work in a mixed reality environment that blends virtual images with real-world settings. Imagine meetings where you use VR headsets to explore and interact with objects your team is designing, structures they’re planning to build, or landscapes they intend to remake. It opens up new possibilities for innovation, testing, and feedback.
  • Enjoying a better Internet experience with Edge. With the features getting introduced through the Edge browser, users are expected to have an easier time staying organized while on the internet. More powerful tab management gives people thumbnail previews of all the tabs currently open on the browser, helping them find what they’re looking for more quickly and avoid a mess where they’re not sure what tabs they’ve opened; this will improve efficiency and help people switch more easily from one task to another on the web. Edge also offers other powerful features, including support for websites that provide a virtual reality experience.

Redstone 3

There’s still quite a bit of mystery surrounding Redstone 3 and the exact features that will be available through it.

One possible feature is something that Microsoft initially intended for the Windows 10 Creators update but ultimately postponed. This is the MyPeople taskbar, which allows you to organize your most important contacts right in the toolbar on your desktop, making it easier for you to quickly communicate with them. Let’s say you want to share an important project update with one of your contacts. You can drag a file right onto their icon and transmit it to them in various ways.

Redstone 3 may also give us the developments promised through Project Neon, the anticipated redesign of the Windows 10 user interface. MS Power User has described and highlighted some of the possible qualities of this new design, which will include improved ways of interacting with 3D visuals and mixed reality experiences.

With all of these anticipated developments, you may have questions about how you can best use Windows 10 for your business. How can you harness it to improve productivity, inspire creativity, and keep your work secure? Don’t hesitate to contact us for advice and assistance.

What Can A Live Answer Help Desk Do For You?

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We are here to help

Throughout the day, your employees will come across a variety of problems on a daily basis, especially when it comes to IT. Some problems are easy to fix, and others are too difficult for your employees to figure out on their own.

If you want to improve the speed of how fast your IT problems are solved, you should certainly consider making an investment in a live answer help desk. A help desk is a resource that you definitely need when you have to resolve IT problems. When you have a live-answer help desk, your employees will always have someone to talk to when they need assistance.

Here are some of the things your business can expect to receive when you invest in a live answer help-desk.

A Guarantee That Your Problem Will Be Resolved

When your employees are pulling their hair out because they are frustrated and upset about the problems they are facing, they will usually request help. However, sometimes when they reach out for help, they do not always receive a response when they need it the most.

If your employees do not receive a response, they will usually feel like no one cares about the problem they are facing. Your employees should not feel ignored when they are reaching out to an IT team for support. Even if the problem cannot be resolved right away, your employees should be informed that someone will actually begin working on the issue.

Your employees should not submit a question and not receive a response. Your employees will feel better knowing that they can actually ask a question and have someone respond in a timely manner.

Fewer Headaches And Frustrations

You may think you do not need a live answer help-desk because you have an IT staff. Your IT staff already has plenty of work they are responsible for on a daily basis. If you want to take the pressure off your IT staff, they will also benefit from this help desk. The help desk will allow your IT staff to focus on other projects, and it will also allow them to use other resources so they can find the best solution.

Improve Your Business

When your business has a live answer help desk, you will immediately see an increase in the productivity and efficiency in your business. When solutions are resolved quickly and correctly, everyone will benefit. Not only will your employees be able to do their jobs better, but your customers will appreciate the work everyone is doing to make things easier and better for them.

If your employees cannot be productive, your customers will not be happy. If your website is not working, your customers cannot use your website. When they cannot use your website, they cannot purchase any of your products or services. When no one is buying anything, your business is not making money.

Having a live answer help desk has an impact on everyone involved with your business, including the customers. Everyone will enjoy having a better experience when issues are resolved by professionals who are willing and able to help.

If you are interested in a live answer help desk, but you are not sure if making this investment is the right decision for you, do not hesitate to contact us today for more information. It does not matter what size your business is, you should certainly take a look into what a live answer help desk can do for you.

If you want to continue running your business and you do not want IT problems to get in your way, you will appreciate everything that a live answer help desk has to offer.