Computer Tips

Two Big Reasons to Move to the Cloud

Most of the decisions made in business are to protect or increase the bottom-line. Cloud services are reported to boost profits and spur growth. By using cloud hosting, your company can scale and reduce data without the additional cost and physical space taken up by servers. The cloud is also convenient with easy file sharing capabilities, ensuring that teams can coordinate and work on projects from anywhere at any time.

In light of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the cloud is keeping many companies open, allowing workers to communicate, collaborate, and keep operations moving. Zoom, OneDrive, and other cloud-based applications provide greater workforce mobility. Migrating your business to the cloud will allow more customers to be served and workers to stay productive with a secure job to support their families. Additionally, it will allow employees to have more creativity and control in their day, thereby increasing their job satisfaction.

Make a Plan

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to plan, you are preparing to fail.”

Set a clear plan with objectives and goals, perhaps with a mix of on-premise and cloud solutions. This could be referred to as an implementation road map.

Build in “Off-Ramps”

Businesses should create milestones to pause the migration from an on-premise to a cloud solution. Think of it as using the off-ramp on a highway to get gas and check your map before continuing your road trip. It’s an opportunity to check and evaluate your progress.

Create a Data Storage Strategy

Carefully analyze each benefit when making a complicated transition. Moving some data to the cloud may impact the user experience. Certain hosts can make it difficult for a business to work with the data. Some pieces of data need local copies or caches of data to be used while maintaining a backup of that data in the cloud. Find the solutions that work best for your business.

Benefits of cloud servers include:

Performance
Security
Around-the-clock support

Control
Scalability

Outsource Your Business IT to Cloud Computing Experts

At Throttlenet, we understand that not all businesses have their own IT department to implement large and complicated transitions. Our business engineers will help you migrate and expand your services as your company grows. Click here to learn about our managed cloud software. After all, business happens around-the-clock, and your employees need to be able to access systems, software, emails, and documents at any time.

Businesses could benefit from allowing their employees to work remotely. Employees could be more productive and creative at home, work in an environment free of distractions, and maintain a positive work-life balance, making them a more engaged employee. To make sure businesses run smoothly, they can prepare for remote work.

Here are some need to know tips for managing a remote workforce.

Create a Series of How to Guides

Once everyone starts to work remotely, they may have the same questions and not realize it. The person in charge could receive emails from different co-workers with the same question, and their inbox would fill up. So that they don’t have to answer each email individually, it’s recommended to create how-to guides for the most used applications.

To prepare everyone for working remotely, have a group meeting either in person, over the phone, or through video chat to set guidelines. By going over this information once in the beginning, everyone will be on the right track and not waste time. Make sure users know how to login to their network on their PC or Mac computer and are familiar with the remote access solutions they’ll use at home, such as VPN or RDP networks.

Mobile Device Management, or MDM, software can be set up to give devices a standard configuration. The aim is to improve productivity for employees. Check out our IT solutions for secure remote access.

Mobile Device Management

Ensure proper management of mobile devices. Mobile devices are more likely to be lost or stolen when they are away from the home or office. Make sure that your team understands the risk of leaving devices unattended, especially in public places, and the importance of keeping their software and devices up-to-date. Encourage staff members to keep their devices in a safe location when they are not in use. One prevalent scam that is on the rise is sim card swapping.

In case this were to happen, use encryption to protect data. While most modern devices have encryption built-in, it may need to be turned on and configured. Fortunately, most devices have tools to remotely lock the device, erase the data stored on it, or retrieve a backup of its data. At the same time, if your organization allows for Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, make sure your team backs up their photos and music. These items would be wiped from the device in the event that it was reported stolen.

Create a policy outlining what will happen if a device is lost or stolen, as well as the expectations. For instance, make note of who employees should report to, and encourage them in a positive, blame-free manner to report losses as soon as possible. Early reporting may help to minimize risk to the data, and staff members who aren’t fearful of reprisals are more likely to report promptly.

Avoid USB Drives and Removable Media

USB drives and removable media contain sensitive information and are easily misplaced. As they are openly shared, it becomes hard to track what they contain, where they’ve been, and who has used them. Hackers could also use USB drives to infect IT systems with malware. Reduce the likelihood of viruses by only allowing products supplied by the organization to be used. Another method is by using alternative means, such as corporate storage or collaborative tools such as OneDrive, FTP sites, or email.

Provide an Internal Who to Call List

Our last tip for working remotely is to make sure staff members know how to report any problems. This is especially important for security issues. If you work with a company like ThrottleNet, give them a call. If not, direct users to the appropriate support channels.

A Reliable Employee Who Can Work From Home

As a bonus tip, you need employees who can work remotely without supervision. Here are some interview questions that you can ask candidates looking to work for a remote position.

“How do you schedule your day?” looks for how a person schedules their time, perhaps by first checking emails, then having any meetings, and then working on daily tasks.
“How would you manage a project with a lot of people?” looks for how they work together on a project. This could be done through a document sharing service like Google Drive, where everyone can view and edit the same document.
“Why do you want to work remotely?” is a question that everyone answers differently. For example, some may want to stay at home with pets. Animal lovers will like to work with their furry friends by their side.

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Due to the current situation, employees find themselves working from home, and students are finding themselves attending class online. Zoom has become the go-to method of video and audio communication among employees, students, teachers, etc. because they are able to access Zoom on almost any device from anywhere, anytime. With Zoom comes a new trend, Zoom Bombing.

What is Zoom Bombing?

Zoom Bombing occurs when uninvited guests, otherwise known as hijackers, guess the correct URL or meeting id for a public Zoom session, giving them access to the feed/meeting. These hijackers cause disruptions by releasing personal information or simply yelling profanities in the meeting. This new trend has people asking how to prevent zoom bombing from happening.

Here are ten ways to prevent Zoom bombing:

(As recommended by the Better Business Bureau)

1. REQUIRE A PASSWORD TO JOIN YOUR MEETING

One of the easiest ways to prevent Zoom bombing from happening to you is to require a password to join your meeting. Requiring a password provides extra security against hijackers because not only would they have to guess the correct URL/meeting id, but they would have to guess the correct password as well, which is unlikely to happen.

2. USE A UNIQUE ID FOR LARGE OR PUBLIC ZOOM CALLS

Whenever you create a Zoom meeting, you are required to either create an id for the meeting or generate a random id. Generating a random id will always give you the more unique and secure id, but creating your own id will work as well, as long you…

3. DON’T SHARE THE UNIQUE ID’s PUBLICLY

Another trend that has come with Zoom is taking a screenshot of your Zoom meeting and sharing it on a social media website. This makes your meeting EXTREMELY public and allows for hijackers to get in much easier. If the meeting is private, keep it private.

4. ONLY ALLOW HOSTS TO SHARE THEIR SCREEN

This is also a simple yet effective way to keep the hijackers out is to only allow the host(s) to share their screen. Giving anyone in a Zoom meeting the ability to take control of the screen is an easy way for guests, whether invited or uninvited, to share unwanted content.

5. CREATE A WAITING ROOM

A Zoom waiting room works just like any other waiting room. A waiting room stops guests from joining the meeting until the host(s) is ready for them to join. It’s a way to make sure that no uninvited guests are waiting to get into the meeting, kind of like a bouncer at a club.

6. CREATE AN INVITE-ONLY MEETING

An invite-only meeting is just like it sounds. Nobody can enter this meeting unless they have been invited by the host(s). Nobody likes it when an uninvited guest shows up to a party, so don’t allow it to happen here either.

7. LOCK THE MEETING ONCE IT STARTS

Once the meeting starts, the host has an option to lock it. Locking your zoom meeting will not allow any new members to join the meeting, even if they have the correct id and password. It’s better to be safe than sorry when locking your car or the doors in your house, so do the same with your Zoom meeting.

8. REMOVE ATTENDEES OR PUT THEM ON HOLD IF THEY BECOME DISRUPTIVE

Anytime someone in your meeting is being disruptive or distracting other attendees, just remove them from the meeting. If you remove someone from the meeting, they are not allowed to rejoin.

9. DISABLE THE UNRUY PARTICIPANT’S CAMERA OR ALL CAMERAS

Assuming this is an option, hosts are allowed to disable the camera of any and all members of the meeting. This will allow any unwanted, inappropriate gesture to be blocked for everyone in the group.

10. MAKE SURE THE DISABLE FILE TRANSFER SETTING IS ACTIVE

Once in a meeting, if file transfer is not turned off, it is common for hijackers to spam the chat with memes, GIF’s, and inappropriate language/photos. Turning this setting off will stop each and every one of those things from happening before it even happens.

Now that you have learned 10 EASY ways to prevent Zoom bombing from happening in your next or all future Zoom meetings, take action. Zoom bombing may seem harmless, but people are having to get used to working and going to school remotely and need each and every minute to learn and concentrate on their work without any disruptions.

Don’t let this happen to you!

Looking for a secure work-from-home solution? Try EverFuel secure remote access from ThrottleNet. Just $9.95 per computer per month!

CONTACT THROTTLENET

IT Support for Mac Computers & Apple Devices

Mac users really love their Macs. It’s easy to understand why: Elegant, intuitive, and high-quality product design. Fewer viruses and cybercrime. All the best accessories. More than anything else though, most Mac devotees will tell you it’s the simplicity of Apple, Inc. technology they love the best. From simple user interfaces to seamless integration across all their devices, everything about the Apple ecosystem is made to be easy. There’s one thing about Macs that isn’t so simple, however: supporting them in the workplace. Many companies, especially those with a strong Windows PC-based technology legacy, struggle to adequately support Mac computers and macOS at work.

Mac Strategies for Business - Avoidance Isn’t the Answer

In the old days, it was easy for a company to just purchase Windows software and PCs and force Mac users to conform. In the era of BYOD (bring your own device) IT policies, however, the avoidance strategy is no longer sufficient. Not that it was ever a great idea to begin with. All that famed Mac simplicity and security adds up to more productivity, lower maintenance costs, and less risk to your data and network. Even Microsoft’s old pal IBM has plainly stated on numerous occasions that Macs are very good for business.

IBM: Mac users perform better at work and close larger high-value sales compared to PC users

Greater productivity
Improved performance

Lower cost per user
Lower support engineer-to-user ratio

Better employee retention
Higher-value sales deals

Why Are Macs Challenging for IT Departments?

While the benefits of making Mac devices part of your business technology strategy are clear, the logistics of doing so are a little murkier. If everything about Mac is made to be easy, why are they so challenging for IT departments to support?

If you ask your IT manager, there’s a good chance you’ll hear a reply back about inflexible architecture, expensive cost, or availability of applications. They might try to explain why PCs are better. Many of these reasons will be based on inaccurate or outdated information. Technology has come a long way and Macs have, too.

Here’s the plain and simple truth: a lot of businesses and IT companies say no to Macs because they just don’t know how to handle them. Many IT departments – both internal and outsourced – simply aren’t equipped or qualified to handle Macs in the workplace. ThrottleNet is. We have Apple Certified Support Professional (ASCP) engineers and technicians on staff and a successful track record of helping companies integrate Macs in the workplace. We are one of only a few outsourced IT companies in St. Louis that can meet businesses’ needs for comprehensive Apple-related managed security, support and consulting services.

Mac Business Solutions from ThrottleNet - #1 IT Management Company St. Louis

vCIO consulting
Mac-based cloud & virtual environments

Managed macOS & iOS security
BYOD strategies

Google Apps & Office 365 software for Mac
Apple Certified Support

Supporting Apple devices and Mac computers can be a battle for your business, but it’s one that ThrottleNet can help you win.

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October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). The purpose of NCSAM is to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, and to ensure that you have all the resources and tools you need to stay secure when online. That’s a mission ThrottleNet can really get behind!

As an IT security provider, we’re often asked what the latest scams are and what’s keeping us up at night. There’s always a lot going on in cybersecurity these days, but one thing that’s had a lot of our focus lately is the looming end of Windows 7 support in January 2020. We covered the end of Windows 7 support in a recent TNtv episode:

TNtv ALERTS – Windows 7 and Server 2008 End of Support from ThrottleNet, Inc. on Vimeo.

Using Windows 7 After January 14, 2020 Increases Cybersecurity Risks

There are still a lot of businesses out there running on Windows 7 and Server 2008. These companies need to take action now and get their operating systems upgraded, or they could be left vulnerable to threats in the new year. In Microsoft’s own terms: “…once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks.”

If you aren’t currently working on upgrading from Windows 7 or if your existing project has fallen behind, please contact ThrottleNet for help before time runs out.

About National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This year’s NCSAM highlights personal accountability, and how important it is to take proactive measures in increasing cybersecurity both at work and at home. NCSAM 2019’s overall message is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” The main focus with this year’s message will help to support personal accountability and proactive behavior when it comes to digital privacy.

Own IT

Update privacy settings
Keep up with apps
Stay safe on social media

Secure IT

Create strong, particular passwords
Online shop safely
Use multi-factor authentication

Protect IT

Keep your software, operating systems, and web browser up to date with security
Access Wifi Safely
Keep customer information and data secure

Make the Move to Better IT Security

If you are looking to be more secure online, would like more information about cybersecurity, or have questions about Microsoft ending its support for Windows 7 and Server 2008, answers are just a phone call away. Contact ThrottleNet for all your cybersecurity needs today.

In today’s world, most people carry little (if any) cash on them. While online payments aren’t new, our growing reliance on applications like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App, to make purchases or send money is. These apps offer the convenience of going cash- and card-free, but they also bring about some significant new security concerns. As the use of these applications becomes increasingly popular, the potential for cybercrime increases immensely.

Payments app users take heed – hackers have set their sites on Venmo, which has roughly 40 million users worldwide.

TNtv Alert – Venmo Scam from ThrottleNet, Inc. on Vimeo.

What is this Venmo Scam?

In this new scam, cybercriminals are targeting Venmo users for both login credentials and credit card information. Users receive text messages from cybercriminals pretending to be Venmo. The text message explains that their Venmo account is about to be charged, but if they want to cancel the charge, the user needs to log into their account by clicking on the link provided in the text message.

After clicking on the link, users are directed to a website that looks just like Venmo but isn’t. The site prompts them to sign in using any phone number and password combination. However, once you enter that information, you are asked to provide your personal financial information, including a bank card, in order to verify your identity.

What Should I Do if I Get this Text?

Since the link looks exactly like Venmo’s, sharing the same colors and fonts, it is easy to assume that you need to follow the directions you are being told. However, instead of accessing Venmo through the text message’s link, access the website directly from a desktop computer. Another option is to open the application on a mobile device, as this is the most secure method of confirmation.

This is a good rule of thumb to follow for any link you receive in a text message or email. Venmo is the hot target for hackers right now, but tomorrow they might move on and try a similar scam on another platform. The safest bet is always to not click any links and go straight to the supposed source using a secure browser or application.

The Importance of Usernames & Passwords

Proper password management is another good practice that can help ward off potential IT security headaches and data breaches. It is critical that you alter your username and password across all financial websites that you use. The reason for this is 60 percent of users have the same username and passwords for many different websites, meaning that if hackers obtain your login credentials for Venmo, they also gain access to other websites you regularly use. When it comes to managing login credentials, a great tip would be to use a password vault. One popular password vault solution is LastPass, which you can access from a web browser or an application for your smartphone.

If using a password vault such as LastPass does not suit you, consider having a complex password that contains numbers, capital letters, symbols, or all of the above. A complex password could also include a movie quote or song lyric. Avoid using letter and number combinations that can be easily socially engineered, like kids and pet’s names, birthdays and anniversaries.

Who Do I Contact If I Was Targeted?

If you feel like you may have been subjected to a cyber attack, officials first ask that you contact your bank or credit card lender immediately to advise them, and they can cancel your card and issue a new one. Venmo, who is owned by PayPal, also asks its users who think they might have been targeted by the recent scam to contact Spoof@PayPal.com.

Boost Your IT Security IQ

If you would like to learn more about how Throttlenet can help you and your staff members identify and stay protected from attacks like the Venmo scam, ransomware, and phishing attempts, contact ThrottleNet. In addition to our managed network and IT security services, we also offer training and resources to help your team learn to defend against attacks and defuse disasters before they happen.