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    1Mar, 2024
    Protecting Kids in the Evolving Digital Landscape


    From online bullying to inappropriate content, the internet poses unique risks to children that didn’t exist just a decade ago. While basic safety measures such as avoiding suspicious links and keeping personal details private are still necessary, today’s kids face a more complex threat landscape that demands continuous vigilance from parents.

    Let’s take a closer look at some of the top concerns and what proactive steps you can take to shield your family.

    In-Game Purchases and Loot Boxes

    Many popular games and apps entice kids with in-game currencies and randomized “loot boxes” that can function similarly to gambling. Children can unwittingly spend real money with just a few intuitive taps without understanding the value. While some platforms have added parental controls, enforcement remains inconsistent.

    The safest approach to avoid unexpected in-game spending is to avoid entering payment details altogether and use only gift cards with set balances for your kids’ accounts.

    Filtering Across All Devices

    With smartphones and tablets in the hands of even the youngest children, they now have constant internet access well beyond the home computer. It’s critical to employ consistent, comprehensive content filters across all devices your family uses, from desktops to mobiles.

    Depending on your child’s age and maturity, options range from white-listing only approved websites to selectively blocking categories such as adult content, violence, or social media. While some devices have built-in parental controls, third-party solutions often provide more customization and coverage for multiple connected products in one place.

    Monitoring Screen Time, Activity and Mental Well-Being

    Both mobile and desktop operating systems offer parental controls to view activity reports and limit when and for how long children can use technology.

    You can restrict specific apps, games and websites, helping guide them toward age-appropriate content and healthy screen habits. Regularly reviewing activity logs ensures tools are properly configured to reflect your family’s needs and values. It also allows the prompt addressing of any concerning online behavior before it negatively impacts their well-being or development.

    Educating Children About Internet Safety

    Alongside tools, open communication helps kids navigate the online world safely and responsibly. Discuss appropriate ways to interact with others online and how to handle seeing upsetting content or bullying. Explain the potential dangers of oversharing personal details.

    Prioritizing Safety Shouldn’t Mean Sacrificing Learning

    While online threats have grown more complex, so too have the educational benefits of technology for curious young minds. With the right balance of education and protection, families can experience all the internet has to offer while ensuring children’s well-being remains the top priority.

    Contact us at 941-447-8582 today to discuss a digital solution tailored to your household.

    16Oct, 2023
    The Dangers of Smartphone Ransomware

    You’ve likely seen news coverage of ransomware targeting large companies or hospitals. Maybe you’ve seen Homeland when Claire Danes’ character falls victim to laptop ransomware during a surveillance mission. But did you know that ransomware attackers can also target your smartphone?

    A smartphone, after all, is a portable computer in your palm. Take a moment to imagine being locked out of your own phone. The hackers could gain access to your saved passwords and emails. You could lose access to your contacts, notes, and images, and even your three years’ worth of effort on Candy Crush.

    What You Need to Know About Smartphone Ransomware

    Also known as mobile ransomware, these attacks infect your smartphone. Instead of stealing the actual device, the bad actors take it hostage. They typically encrypt your data and make it so you can’t do anything.

    It may not be as widely publicized, but there’s already a long list of smartphone ransomware programs. The list continues to grow with examples such as ScarePackage, LeakerLocker, and LockerPin. ScarePackage can infect more than 900,000 phones in a single month.

    And before you think, “That won’t happen on my iPhone,” know that no smartphone manufacturer is secure. The type of ransomware may vary due to the different operating systems, but you can be at risk on both Android and an iPhone.

    Unlike other malware, the hackers usually want you to know they’ve gained control. Typically, they will notify you on your lock screen or home screen. You’ll often see a list of demands and a deadline to comply. That said, some mobile ransomware stealthily steals your data.

    What To Do About Mobile Ransomware

    The first thing to do? Be cautious. Keep these best practices in mind always:

    • Regularly update your device’s operating system and applications to patch any security vulnerabilities.
    • Exercise caution when downloading or installing apps from untrusted sources.
    • Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening email attachments from unknown senders.
    • Enable app and system updates to ensure you have the latest security patches.

    If you become a ransomware victim, try to disconnect your device from the internet. Turning off Wi-Fi and mobile data limits communication with the attacker’s server.

    Avoid paying the ransom. It’s tempting but not recommended. You are counting on hackers to keep their word and provide the encryption key.

    You can find decryption tools online for less complex ransomware. If the ransomware came from a malicious app, immediately delete that app if you can.

    What you can do will depend on the specific ransomware variety. In general, it’s best to seek professional help. Work with an IT expert who can remove ransomware without further compromising your device. We can also help you restore clean, unaffected backups. Contact us today at 941-447-8582.

    11Aug, 2022
    How To Protect Your Children While They’re Online

    Now that school has finally started, children have all the time in the world to spend with their best friend: Technology.

    Waking early to sneak in a couple hours of Minecraft, Fortnite, YouTube or Xbox…grabbing their ‘educational’ iPad and Facetiming a friend…sending emails and texts…it’s open season!

    Not just the younger children, but teenagers too.

    To be honest, as an adult, we really have no idea what’s cool or what they’ve been introduced to at school. They’re digital natives and use it in ways we would never dream of.

    All we know is that they’re going to using their devices and we won’t be able to watch them every second of the day. Plus of course, no matter how many Cyber-Safety talks they’ve had, how many times they can parrot the rules back, they’re children and they don’t always stop to think.

    • They don’t realize certain search terms might not be such a great idea
    • They trust they are messaging other children
    • And they would rather not limit themselves to 2 hours per day

    Protect your Children with Parental Control Software

    A Parental Control Software (PCS) package is essentially an internet filter for children. It takes all the icky, inappropriate things online and blocks your child from accessing them, seeing them or even knowing they exist.

    Adults can override and disable the software easily, so their own experience is unchanged and unmonitored.

    You’ve probably even heard of people using “Net Nanny” or “K9 Web Protection” – these are two very well-known and reliable options available.

    As an added bonus, Parental Control Software can also be used to put time limits on internet usage, or even log all online activity. While you may not feel the need to review the logs on a daily basis, they can be vital in identifying cyber bullying, sexting, or inappropriate relationships. Parents around the world credit these logs with saving their child’s mental health, and occasionally, their life.

    The best time to install Parental Control Software is now, before your children become comfortable with unrestricted access, and before they see things they shouldn’t.

    Give us a call to set your computer up with Parental Control Software today.

    10Aug, 2022
    What Internet Explorer’s Retirement Means for You

    There was no big retirement party; no one got a watch or engraved memorabilia. Yet Microsoft retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022. It was a long time coming, but you still may not be prepared for what that decision means for you.

    Internet Explorer could be your go-to. It’s been around since 1995 and was the gateway to online browsing for millions of people globally. But, as Microsoft announced, “the web has evolved and so have browsers. Incremental improvements to Internet Explorer couldn’t match the general improvements to the Web at large.”

    Microsoft wants people to switch to its Edge browser instead. Expect to see a redirect screen asking you to make the switch. The company will automatically transfer favorites, passwords, history, cookies, and other data from Explorer to Edge.

    For Internet Explorer loyalists, Microsoft Edge even comes with an IE mode that allows you to enjoy Internet Explorer-specific features and a modern browser experience on Windows. It also acknowledges that some websites built with older internet technology work only with Internet Explorer.

    Alternatively, you might switch to other software. Google Chrome has grown substantially since its introduction in 2008. Today, it has 77% of the market share. Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge take up the next three spots.

    Why you can’t keep using Internet Explorer

    When software is retired or reaches the end of its life, the manufacturer no longer supports it. That means if you continue to rely on Internet Explorer, you could put yourself at risk.

    As Internet Explorer is “out of support,” Microsoft is no longer securing the browser. If there are vulnerabilities, there will be no patches released. If there are bugs, there will be no updates.

    At the same time, hackers know people don’t like change. They see an opportunity whenever software is retired. If you stick to Internet Explorer, you won’t have any help keeping passwords and other data secure.

    You could also experience conflicts with your computer hardware or software. Internet Explorer is outdated, and Microsoft knows it. Trying to keep it could mean a reduced user experience. It’s a little like sticking with a soup-can telephone when you could be on a smartphone.

    What’s the next step?

    Eventually, Internet Explorer will be permanently disabled. That’s for a future Windows update. When that happens, you’ll no longer even see the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop or other devices.

    Still, you don’t want to wait that long to move to another browser solution. Hackers are already searching for ways to exploit the application, and security risks are will grow.

    Microsoft has committed to supporting the IE mode in Edge until at least 2029, so moving to Edge could be easiest solution. You don’t even need to wait for the redirect message: you can click on the Microsoft Edge icon on your Windows device and begin there.

    If you want to transition your browser or decide on the best software to suit your needs, try our IT experts. We’re here to help. Contact us today at 941-447-8582.

    9Aug, 2022
    Automated Data Backups Still Need Management

    Your business is backing up its data in case of a cyberattack or other disastrous disruption. Yes, you can pat yourself on the back for that, but don’t get too complacent with backing up. Automated backup still needs monitoring and management.

    Having decided to back up data, you may feel confident you can withstand an attack or recover from unexpected downtime. But if you simply trust the backup to run at a certain time, you might be surprised. Automated backups can make the job easier. Still, you should be monitoring these backups and checking them, too. There’s nothing worse than finding out months later that something went wrong with your automated backup.

    Why you need to monitor backup

    A technician can set an automated backup to run on a set schedule. They select a time that causes the least interruption while ensuring up-to-date data. Yet this is too important a process to leave unattended.

    Things change. The automated backup is set up for the technology configuration when originally installed. A lot can happen in the meantime as the IT environment evolves.

    Blindly trusting automated backup could leave you unaware of problems such as:

    • an unplugged backup device;
    • an altered device letter, which means it isn’t found;
    • moved folders;
    • software updates that might have changed what needs to be done and how;
    • the original plan not accounting for new servers or migration from on-premises to the cloud;
    • insufficient capacity for the backup.

    If no one is monitoring that backup, your business could assume it went smoothly. Then, when you need that backup, you could find out the hard way it didn’t go as planned.

    Keeping an eye on automated backup

    It’s not that you can’t automate backup, and there is convenience in doing so. Automating the backup of a computer, network, or IT environment can save time and money.

    Yet you need someone to pay attention. Monitoring backups ensures that the process is running smoothly.

    A managed service provider (MSP) will take a hands-on approach to your automated backups. If there is a failure, they have the skills to address the issue quickly and alert you of any bigger issues. Plus, with an MSP in your corner, you gain IT experts skilled at data recovery, too.

    The MSP’s techs can even run data-restore drills, helping you to prepare for challenges such as ransomware attacks or accidental data deletion.

    Process automation helps businesses, but don’t rely on it unattended. Optimize data backup by adding a human element. An MSP can ensure quality and fully protect your business. Contact us today at 941-447-8582.

    9Aug, 2022
    Changing Your Email? A Checklist

    Changing your email is never fun, but it can be necessary. When you need to make a change, there are several things you need to consider. Follow this checklist to ensure you don’t lose data, keep up with your old contacts, and avoid security risks.

    There are many reasons someone might decide to endure changing their email address. These include:

    • losing access to the old one and not being able to recover that account;
    • changing your internet service provider (ISP);
    • having to stop using a professional email for personal messages too;
    • falling victim of identity theft;
    • deciding to give yourself a more professional email by changing your address from yourbusiness@yahoo.com to you@yourbusiness.com;
    • not feeling as proud of your hotbabycakes@hotmail.com address now that you’re above the age of 14.

    Whatever prompts your move, try these tips to avoid missing mail and risking account compromise.

    Notify your contacts of the change

    You will probably be amazed at the number of people you have in your contacts folder. Still, you can make the change easier by letting your friends and family know that you have a new email address.

    When you send out a message to your contacts, respect people’s privacy. Send your update with their names in the blind carbon copy (BCC) line.

    Migrate your old inbox

    Most domain providers make it simple for you to migrate your old emails and contacts. Once you set up the new account, you’ll typically be able to go into Settings and find an option to import your old data. You may have to migrate the inbox and the contacts separately.

    Don’t move on too quickly

    You may be ready to move on, but don’t delete that old email address too soon. It’s a common mistake. Instead, try to hold onto your old email as long as possible. You don’t have to continue using it, but if you still have access, you can:

    • set up forwarding so that any emails to your old address will go to your new one;
    • see what emails are still coming to identify accounts you might have forgotten to change.

    Inventory all accounts using that address

    Use a password manager? We recommend its convenience. Plus, you can search there for accounts using the old address. The password manager can be a landing page for you to jump to all those accounts and make the necessary changes.

    Inspect your trash and old emails

    To help you think of other sites connected to the old email address, review your trash and sent emails.

    Think also of accounts that may use that email address for recovery. For instance, you may have set the old account as a backup for PayPal, online banking, or streaming services. If you don’t change the recovery address, you might have difficulty regaining access to that account.

    You might wonder why you should bother doing this. If you don’t, someone could claim your old account and gain access to your connected accounts. If you press a recover password link on a banking site, for instance, that email will go to that person instead of to you!

    Get help making the email move

    The many little things to take care of when you change your email can make this a big deal. Our IT experts are here to help. We can set you up for simple, secure email communications in the future. Contact us today at 941-447-8582.