Malware works by using trickery to disable or impede the normal use of a device. Once a cybercriminal has gained access to your device through either one or a few methods such as phishing, a malicious website, an infected file, and more, they will take advantage of that situation by launching additional attacks aimed at obtaining data such as account credentials, personal information, payment information, and more.

Malware can take the form of:

• Virus
• Trojan
• Spyware
• Worm
• Ransomware
• Adware

A phishing attack is a type of social engineering attack, or an attack used to steal user data when a hacker masquerades as a trusted entity and tricks the victim into opening a text, email, link, or instant message that contains malware or can lead to a ransomware attack. Attacks like these can have devastating effects, as hackers gain access to lots of personal information such as credit card information, log-in credentials, addresses, and much more, leaving victims open to issues such as the stealing of funds or identity theft.

Data backup is a smart business move for many reasons. Given the prevalence of hardware failure, almost every computer technician service will recommend having users backup their data at least once a week. Aside from the random disk failing or computers going dead, natural disasters, thefts, and accidental deletion can cause significant problems for daily business operations. There are three common ways that companies will choose to backup their data: 

• Manual local copying
• External backup drive
• Cloud storage

Computer networks are an integral component of any successful business. Many owners don’t realize how vulnerable these networks can be to hackers without proper security software. If your network is hacked, some helpful preliminary steps include:

• Disconnect the computer network
• Remove and scan the hard drive for files and malware
• Clear all data from affected hard drives

When running a small business, you may not have the time or the knowledge to keep your computers running smoothly. This neglect can lead to slow performance and crashes. Every machine at your business will require regular security patches and updates to antivirus software as well as regular scans for malware.

Additionally, if you and your employees are using outdated browsers, this is also a source of trouble. The upside to these potential problems is that you do not have to be an expert to avoid them. If you’d like to learn more about keeping and maintaining your computer systems, check out our blog.

Whether your computer uses a hard drive or an older solid-state drive (or SSD), you may be sorely in need of an upgrade. You should upgrade to an SSD if you’re still using a mechanical hard drive. In fact, this is the single biggest upgrade you can give your computer. Compared to hard drives, SSDs are:

• Quieter
• More robust
• Much quicker 
  • Boot up to 5x faster and copy files 4x faster
  • No mechanical movements mean there are no long waits
• Improving year after year with new technology

For the most part, they are designed to minimize common problems found with HDDs. Solid state drives are essential for computing in 2022, learn more here.

Setting up a small business computer network, also known as a Local Area Network (LAN), simply involves connecting multiple computers together so that every employee is able to access shared resources and the Internet. When it comes to creating a small business computer network, preference is everything, and the main thing to keep in mind is that you will need a wireless or wired router and a server that can be physical in nature or cloud-based.

After deciding upon your desired layout and selecting the needed tools, you only need to hook everything up and tweak a setting here and there to be in business.

If you are the one in charge of the company’s technological health status, then you must perform continuous system evaluation to ensure that the LAN network is performing at its best. If network performance is below par, then you need to discuss more on the type of upgrade required that can cause the least impact on the network’s productivity. 

Upgrading your small business LAN Network has profound benefits – read more here.

Onsite IT service providers have a team of qualified technicians that support localized IT challenges and manage different areas of an organization’s IT needs, including:

• Quick Resolution of IT Issues
  • With onsite services waiting time is eliminated and your specific problem becomes the technician’s priority.
• Greater Efficiency
  • Opt for an on-demand dispatch for a set amount of time if you are setting up a new office location. And, for extensive IT support required multiple times a week, you can choose recurring onsite services.
• Reduced Costs
  • Hardware, software, and IT services each account for around 30% of total spending by small and medium-size businesses.
• Consistent Support
  • Onsite IT support helps you streamline and standardize your organization’s technical processes and will improve productivity for your end-users while simultaneously reducing the burden on your internal IT team.

Whether you support remote offices or multiple branch locations, on-site IT support can better handle your day-to-day IT maintenance and increase end-user satisfaction.

Being secure in your business and feeling the peace of mind through daily operations are two very important aspects of owning your own company. A big source of that peace of mind has a network security plan in place to protect your company, reputation, employees, and customers. Common network security measures include:

• Password-protected computer and mobile devices.
• Firewalls or other internal network controls.
• Anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software.
• Cloud-based storage.
• Local device storage.

Data breaches occur in a number of ways, from malware and phishing to Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks and session hijacking. Protect your network!

We were recently featured on iTcompanies.net discussing the most dangerous cybersecurity threats to businesses.

Reactive IT support is known as the break-fix solution. In other words, your business receives support only when something goes wrong, such as when your network is down and can’t get on wi-fi. You make a frantic call to your managed IT service provider to come out and fix it. Downtime is common with reactive support, as no one touches your network unless and until something goes wrong. 

Proactive managed IT services, the preferred method for most small to mid-sized businesses, is ideal because it drastically reduces downtime. With this method, a proactive managed IT service provider, using advanced monitoring tools, can ensure stable and secure systems without the downtime that comes with break-fix solutions. 

This type of support solves IT issues prior to them threatening your business’ infrastructure.

Small business IT support providers can work with you to implement tools, processes, and procedures specific to your business needs and your network. At the same time, they can make suggestions, make system fixes and provide updates so you’re always prepared in an emergency. They can help you get the most out of your employees and ensure they use the right technology.

An IT support provider can help you save money on your IT infrastructure and services to ensure you are not overspending on unnecessary things. With the cost of labor increasing, hiring a full-time dedicated IT staff can get expensive. Still, our IT support professionals can help improve your productivity by providing you with the right tools and resources.

Installing antivirus software is no longer a foolproof method against virus or malware attacks. It’s imperative to check your machines regularly as hackers are constantly finding new ways to evade the various antivirus software. 

In 2022 you must have an expert malware removal team evaluate your systems periodically to ward off such threats to IT systems, and devise ways to deal with them proactively.

Your small business will require professional IT support to perform daily operations. When your business grows, you have a few options to handle your IT needs. Investing in IT support solutions from a professional local company can maximize your business efficiency, save money, protect your digital assets, and satisfy your employees and clients.