Informative

Cell Phone Booster Signal Booster

Guide to Cell Phone Boosters

Cell Phone Booster For Your Business Connectivity should be one of your top priorities if you own a business. Your enterprise depends on your employees and consumers; therefore, you must always have an open communication channel with them. You should be able to interact with them on a personal level in addition to having advertising, a website, and certain promotional events as per your business requirements. One key factor for an open line of communication is data or cellular service. If you have a network that keeps signaling out when you need it most and dropping calls, your customers will likely lose faith in your company standards. That’s something you want to avoid at all costs. Here is where you should take advantage of the technological breakthroughs of the 21st century and purchase a cell phone booster for your business. Doing this allows you to keep an keep a line available for all your business needs and guarantee constant, smooth connectivity. Read on for a comprehensive look into cell phone boosters also known as cellular repeaters and why you need them. What is a Cell phone booster? Simply put, a cell phone booster helps improve the cellular signal inside a specific area. You do this to broaden your network’s coverage area and strengthen its performance. It is a tool that can provide constant, stable connectivity whenever possible. However, the device does not always ensure connectivity, especially when there is no existing signal at all. The booster can only function if there is at least one bar of network signal. It cannot provide data network services like a WiFi modem, only boost existing signals. A primary source of grid connection (like a Verizon or AT&T cellular tower) will provide the signal to the electronic gadget, which will then amplify and broadcast it within a predetermined area. It also goes by signal extender, cellular signal repeater, and cell signal booster. What A Cell Booster Does As was already said, a cell phone booster can improve data connectivity in a specific area and aid in maintaining reliable network coverage. The device will expand its range by connecting to an external cellular network. It also can direct the amplified data in the desired direction. All cellular devices can and will immediately pick up on the enhanced signal when this is done, maintaining connectivity. The booster may also function in reverse, allowing it to receive signals from cellular nodes and transmit them to the nearest cell tower. This function can aid in faster and more efficient transactions of data. If you cannot instantly connect to the electronic world, it can be frustrating for you and your staff. Dropped or missed calls could cause you to lose money. The booster will ensure that 99.9% of the time, you can complete your assignment on schedule. Why A Business May Need A Cell Booster You must be thinking about purchasing a network booster for numerous reasons. If you’re having problems with dropped cellular calls or lack of cellular coverage in your office or warehouse your, buying an amplifier to increase productivity at work can help. Here is a list of items you can look into. 1) Location of your business or building Consider obtaining a booster if your business location is very remote and has poor cell reception. This can also mean businesses in urban areas, which are located in spaces that make it challenging to have connectivity all the time. Another excellent factor to consider when choosing a booster is the size of the business. The system can supply a cell phone boost to a vast workplace with excellent coverage over a large office, space, or region. Additionally, suppose your business is located in a remote area where the network tends to fluctuate. In that case, you should consider purchasing a cell phone booster to strengthen and enhance your signal so that business operations are not affected. 2) If your signal is weak or keeps fluctuating Poor network access is bad for business; therefore, a cell booster is an excellent fix. A cell phone booster can help your situation and allow you to always maintain your standard, regardless of whether you live in a rural area or have another reason your network may not be operating at total capacity. Consider installing a cell signal repeater if the closest cell tower to your location is relatively far away or for building exteriors that may deflect the signal. An amplifier will be an excellent option if you’ve had external interference that disrupt your signal. 3) Business expectations Most companies rely heavily on high-speed data services and require assistance in most aspects of work. Both large corporations and independent small enterprises need connectivity in their daily operations. Therefore, it is crucial always to have a clear, steady signal. You should install an amplifier to reduce the likelihood of losing services so that you can take advantage of business opportunities. This is especially true if your business is customer-focused and strongly depends on client engagement. Types of Cell Phone Boosters After reviewing what mobile phone boosters are and how they function, let’s take a closer look at the available types so that you may choose the amplifier that best suits your needs. In the market, there are two different sorts of boosters. These boosters have diverse applications; thus, one cannot be utilized in place of the other because they are both used in distinct settings. 1) Vehicle Signal Boosters These amplifiers are explicitly made for vehicular use. Metal can cause interruptions in 4G, LTE, or 5G signals, thus making the network fluctuate. The amplifier comes in handy to ensure your cell service is uninterrupted at all times. Although using cell phones while driving is not the best idea, you still need to receive all your alerts so you can respond to them appropriately. A booster in a car will ensure that your connectivity is at its best even when you’re in difficult areas. 2) In-Building Signal Boosters A vehicle signal

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Common MacBook Repairs

6 Common MacBook Repairs

The fascination with MacBooks among students and people all around the world is not without cause. Apple launched its first MacBook in 2006 and it has been quite the ride ever since. With each MacBook enhanced and better than the last, the competition has increased between Macs and the Windows PC. But why are Macs and Apple so popular? While the pleasing design of the Mac undoubtedly plays a significant role in attracting its customers, they bring a whole different game to the world of laptops and make people’s lives easier. Compared to their competition, the brilliant user interface, increased security, and various high-quality aspects like typing experience, video, audio, etc., put the icing on the cake. The Mac’s durability is unmatched, but when things go wrong they can sometimes be difficult to repair. We’ve listed some of the most common MacBook repairs and how you can quickly go about them. Let’s get started! MacBook Repair For Cover Screen Replacement If your MacBook’s screen suddenly stops working, do not panic. The LED screens on the Mac are not made to last forever, as with all devices, so there are a variety of ways they can get damaged. So many things could go wrong, like dropping it from a questionable height and resulting in a cracked screen. You might find yourself with a faulty screen due to years of usage (yes, like all laptops), or your butterfingers got the best of you and dropped some water on it. There are also some infamous connectivity issues between the circuit board and your screen. These are just some of the various ways you can damage your MacBook screen and may need professional help. We’re here to tell you that it can be fixed and cover screen replacement on a MacBook is one of the most common issues Mac owners share. While it is financially better for some people to buy a newer one, replacing screens is preferable for many. Hence, professionals work on cover screen replacement using various high-end tools plus a lot of work experience dealing with the issue. So make sure to take it to a legit repair store instead of trying to fix it on your own. You can get it repaired or replaced by reaching out to your nearest computer store that handles MacBooks, or type in “nearest Apple repair store” on the Google search box and get in touch with technicians of Apple near you. Macbook Keyboard Replacement The keys on the keyboard of a MacBook can either get damaged by years of usage, resulting in overheating issues or by various contaminants like accidental spillage of water, dust collection, etc. Not only are contaminants the primary villains of this problem, but you might also have a hand in this. While keyboards on the MacBook are not as delicate, the issue can be caused by placing a lot of pressure against the keys. In some cases, a single key may need to be repaired, while in others, the entire keyboard may need to be replaced. Luckily, you can replace the keyboard instead of buying a new MacBook. You can also take the route of buying a USB keyboard instead of replacing the original MacBook keyboard, which will definitely cost you less. But taking it everywhere with you can be troublesome and replacement is the key if you like to travel light! Also, there are many DIY fixes you can do with a simple search on google of “how to fix MacBook Keyboard.” The results are more often than not helpful, and they are often related to software issues. However, if all fails, you can easily replace your keyboard without breaking the bank. The cost of performing a keyboard replacement will vary according to the store, but make sure you’re going to the right technicians. An Apple professional will take extreme care and work with on your MacBook repair. MacBook RAM Replacement/Upgrade Ram replacement and upgrades are a common problem among old MacBook users, regardless of model and all other laptops. Various issues with MacBooks in the past have been due to faulty RAM, and a replacement may become necessary for the end user. If you’re starting to see your MacBook become slower by the day, it may be time to upgrade the RAM on it. Not only this, but if you’ve come across your Mac with a blue screen when switching it on or ending up with a dark black screen even though your fan is running or the LED lights seem to be turned on, it might be because of your RAM. These are just some of the primary issues faced when dealing with faulty RAM, among various problems that affect the functionality of your Mac. Since RAM is a vital component in running laptops, replacing it is easier than you think in some models. Generally, MacBooks are pre-installed with 2 or more Ram sticks, and you can upgrade to more or larger sizes. Hence, it is possible to get out of this sticky situation yourself by finding out which of the RAM sticks is faulty and removing it. If it is not severe, there are many ways you can fix it, including simply taking it out and putting it back might fix your issue. However, if you’ve tried everything but the problem continues, you should get it replaced. Replacing or upgrading the Ram on your MacBook can be done quickly at most Apple, PC, or MacBook repair stores. MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Or Upgrade While the newer models of MacBook powered by the M1 and M2 chip come with a newly launched SSD, the older versions still run with an HDD, and having issues with it and or needing to  replace or upgrade the hard drive is a pretty common issue. Considering the HDD does a lot of work in preserving and writing your data, problems eventually come about over the years. A faulty hard drive can lead to a series of problems that can be

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Cybersecurity Insurance

Do You Need Cybersecurity Insurance?

Cybersecurity insurance is an industry that has seen steady growth over the last few years. Studies show that around 50% of all businesses have an active cybersecurity policy, which is a big boost from 2 years ago when that number was 34%. It’s clear to us now that cybersecurity has become a permanent factor in today’s vulnerable market. But although the rise has been steady, plenty of businesses still don’t know what they’re dealing with regarding cybersecurity insurance. Besides, this isn’t something only corporations need, but small businesses too, and there’s a lot to cover in that department. So naturally, the level of awareness regarding this type of insurance is still moderate. It gives rise to some important questions, what exactly is cybersecurity insurance, and do we really need it? What Is Cybersecurity Insurance? Cybersecurity insurance is a type of contract that businesses or entities can purchase to mitigate the financial risk of maintaining an online business. These insurance policies cover cybersecurity threats and function as a repair aid in post-attack scenarios. What this insurance does, is take care of some of the costs involved in case of a cyber-attack. The most basic of these policies will help cover elements like investigation costs or help by bringing in damage control experts. All this comes for a nominal fee the company must pay monthly or quarterly. We live in a digital world where more and more real-life applications are forming their online counterpart, and it’s no different with cybersecurity. It’s like hiring a security team to patrol your office building, except it happens online. Now, imagine there was a security breach in your company, which involved some burglars breaking in and stealing important company information. Such kind of incidents could cost you a lot in the long run. Naturally, as the company owner, you’ll want to investigate who committed the breach and possibly recover your company data. Such an investigation will cost you a massive amount. You’ll have to hire a special investigation team filled with experts who can assess the situation, detect, and fix any weaknesses in your security system, and look for a trail that leads to stolen company property. Doing all of this will add to your data breach cost. The Cost Of Data Breaches Companies incur a lot of expenses because of cybersecurity breaches, with recovery costs often ranging in the millions. And it only gets worse when it comes to cases of ransomware, with recovery expenses stretching even further. Research indicates that the average cost of a cybersecurity breach in 2021 was around $4.24 million in 2021. This year, that figure has spiked up to $4.35 million. That’s 12.7% in two years if we measure statistics from 2020. As cyber-attacks get more and more brazen, it is common for companies to chalk up millions after a breach. Even with the best cybersecurity software guarding your company’s data, there are still chances of breaches. Given the current situation, it’s a wise thing for companies to procure a good cybersecurity insurance plan. Cybersecurity insurance has helped companies reduce the cost of recovery by a significant margin. No longer will you stand alone when dealing with the aftermath of a damaging breach. Now, the insurer will also bear the cost of recovery, which is a sigh of relief for businesses and enterprises. How Does Cybersecurity Insurance Help? The world is filled with hackers looking to steal company data and exploit it for their own benefit. Companies often hold important electronic data which have been paid for or are owned by investors. So naturally, losing such data can result in the company losing the trust of its shareholders. Not to mention, it also results in the loss of customers and hampers the company’s ability to secure future revenue. A good cybersecurity insurance policy can help with the recovery process and reduce some of the negative impacts of data theft. This is especially important in the case of a ransomware attack, from which companies stand to lose tens of millions. That’s why a good cybersecurity insurance policy covers both first-party and third-party losses. First-party coverage helps the company recover from any losses that it suffers directly. Meanwhile, third-party insurance covers any losses suffered by investors, shareholders, and partner companies and takes care of lawsuit expenses. Most insurance policies for cybersecurity cover any cost related to legal assistance, investigation costs, refunds for customers, and overall crisis management. This makes having a cybersecurity insurance policy an absolute must in 2022. A Brief History Of Cybersecurity Insurance Cyber threats became increasingly prominent as businesses started relying on electronic data and cloud-based storage. Companies usually hold sensitive and valuable data, which becomes easy targets for hackers. All this culminated in the rise of cybersecurity and, eventually, cybersecurity insurance. The first cybersecurity insurance examples popped up in the 90s, during the infamous dot-com bubble. Although it hadn’t reached its current form yet, it was still available in a limited capacity. These policies initially covered data processing errors or technical glitches in online media. At this time, there was no coverage for the company itself, and it usually had exemptions for penalties, regulatory errors, or antics from disgruntled employees. Initial Rise As the internet became increasingly complex, new threats started appearing on the horizon. Soon, companies faced data theft, information breaches, unauthorized access from hackers, virus attacks, etc. This made insurers boost their services to include more coverage for such instances during the 2000s. Despite this rise in online security threats, plenty of companies weren’t too quick to jump onto the cybersecurity bandwagon. For some companies, cybersecurity insurance was more of a response to a recent attack rather than an official preventive measure. This initial carelessness led to several breaches, either due to virus-related incidents or employees going rogue. However, some companies still did not maintain reliability in insurance policies. Things got more serious when California passed the Security Breach and Information Act in 2003. According to the law, any business based in California was now

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4K Security Cameras. Are They Worth It?

4K Security Cameras – Are They Worth The Money?

If you’re familiar with cameras, you know there are endless options when looking for a surveillance camera. Each one has different resolutions, fields of view, and installation methods. An average person will find it difficult to understand many terms associated with these devices. With the rise in criminal activity and the need for hard facts, residential and commercial establishments are keeping track of everything by upgrading their security. And you’ll find many of them investing in 4K security cameras nowadays. To understand if these devices are worth your money, you must be familiar with their features and drawbacks. So, let’s review 4K cameras and find out if they’re good enough to boost your security system. What Are 4K Security Cameras And How Do They Work? 4K security cameras are cameras with a horizontal pixel count of around 4,000. They capture video footage in the resolution 3840 x 2160 and have 8,294,400 total pixels. They are equipped with 8 megapixels (MP) and have an aspect ratio of 16:9. Because these cameras have a large number of total pixels, images have minimal chance of getting pixelated even when you zoom in. These cameras also have advanced sensors with low-light sensitivity. The resolution of 4K cameras is 4 times better than HD 1080p cameras. They are also called UHD (Ultra High Definition). By comparison, 1080p cameras have a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The cameras capture light in their field of view and store it as data in your desired storage option, be it local or in the cloud. Types Of 4K Security Cameras Like many others, 4K security cameras are available in many variants. Knowing how each type functions will help you decide which one will fit your security requirements best. Bullet Camera: These 4K cameras are cylindrical and shaped like bullets. They are primarily used for capturing high-resolution footage of a particular outdoor area. But they are also well-suited for long-distance surveillance and can work well when placed in high-traffic areas. They typically have a longer and wider range compared to dome or turret cameras. They are easy to reposition if needed but are not discreet. One of the big downsides of this security camera is that it is pretty easy to be vandalized or manually adjusted by criminals. Expert vandals can easily direct the camera in a different direction. Dome Camera: As it’s name suggests, 4K dome cameras have a dome-like circular structure. They are typically used indoors and can come in vandal-proof or resistant housings. Its field of vision is larger when compared to the bullet camera, but the quality isn’t any less. Dome cameras are also typically more discreet compared to bullet, turret, or PTZ cameras. Cons of dome cameras include repositioning them. Once installed, they don’t have the flexibility of a bullet or PTZ. The domes can also get dirty blocking the view and require cleaning. They are also prone to IR bounce where the illuminator causes the light to bounce back off the dome and into the lens, distorting the view. Turret Camera: 4K dome cameras are typically used indoors. They are smaller and more discreet than a bullet or PTZ, but not as much as a dome. An advantage over domes include their built-in IR. Because there is no dome, you don’t have to worry about IR bounce. They are also easy to mount.The big downside to the turret camera is they can be damaged more easily than a dome since they have no housing to protect to the lens. PTZ Camera: 4K pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are versatile, and you can control them via remote. You can use them to cover an extensive area, zoom in on a particular target, or have it automatically patrol a given area looking for motion. All these processes are achieved without losing image quality. The major downside to these cameras is the high price. They typically start out at two to three times the cost of a dome, turret, or bullet camera. These cameras are also prone to malfunction as they have many moving parts. Best Applications For 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras provide a new and better solution to documenting videos that HD cameras fail to provide. They serve as a good source of evidence whenever needed. Because they are detail-oriented, these camera systems are a convenient investment for those needing to cover large areas with minimal installation. For instance, store owners of small and medium business can have a couple of 4K cameras on prominent corners and easily acquire a broad view. Identifying facial features and details of vehicles is much easier with a 4K camera. So, places that require excellent security systems, such as large businesses and organizations, will find 4K security cameras well suited to their needs. But an HD camera system will suffice if you only need something for your porch or yard. Specifications Of 4K Security Cameras 4K security cameras can be versatile and convenient for any purpose. Features that make them exceptional include: Night Vision Nights are an active time for lawbreakers, so strong night vision becomes an essential feature. Fortunately, 4K cameras have it sorted out for you. Most of these cameras are equipped with 3D Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR), which significantly reduces infrared-caused noise and static. You are guaranteed crisp and clear video footage no matter the time of day. In addition, most 4K security cameras come with larger image sensors. Regular cameras need a good light source to produce a quality image, but 4K cameras can work well in low light. Just make sure the sensor is large enough as the higher the resolution camera, the larger the sensor size is needed for acceptable night vision. Something like a 1/1.8″ or 1/1.2” would work great. If your security system needs more activity during the nighttime, cameras with 3D DNR will help as well. Magnification Options A 4K security camera can have one or both digital and optical zoom. These add more functionality to the security system. Digital

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Microsoft 365 Migration

Microsoft 365 Migrations

With more businesses making the shift to remote work, Microsoft 365 has become an increasingly popular business solution. Despite the many benefits of Microsoft 365, migrating to the platform can be a daunting task for IT departments. In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the key reasons why migrating to Microsoft 365 makes sense for businesses, as well as some tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. What is Microsoft 365? You’ve probably heard of Microsoft 365, but you may not be clear on what it is or how it can benefit your business. In short, Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that includes access to various Microsoft products and services, including Email, Windows 10 & 11 operating systems, and many other features like Enterprise Mobility + Security. There are multiple plans available that can be tailored to fit your businesses’ needs. Key Reasons to Migrate to Microsoft 365 Increased Productivity: One of the biggest benefits of Microsoft 365 is that it can help increase productivity by giving employees access to the latest productivity tools and features. For example, Office apps are continuously updated with new features and capabilities, so employees always have access to the latest version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Enhanced Security: Another key benefit of Microsoft 365 is enhanced security. With built-in security features like multi-factor authentication and data loss prevention, businesses can rest assured knowing that their data is safe and secure. Reduced IT Costs: Migration to Microsoft 365 can also help reduce IT costs by eliminating the need for on-premises infrastructure. Since all of the applications and data are stored in the cloud, there’s no need for local servers or storage devices. Improved Collaboration: Finally, Microsoft 365 can also improve collaboration by giving employees the ability to easily share documents and work on projects together in real-time using SharePoint Online and Teams. Tips for Migrating to Microsoft 365 Start with a Pilot Group: When migrating to Microsoft 365, it’s important to start with a pilot group first. This will allow you to test out the platform and identify any potential issues before rolling it out company-wide. Update Your Network Infrastructure: Prior to migrating to Microsoft 365, it’s important to update your network infrastructure and prep for deployment. One of many items include ensuring that your routers and switches are up to date and that your DNS settings are configured correctly. Training & Adoption: Once you’ve migrated to Microsoft 365, it’s important to provide training and support so that employees can successfully adopt the platform. There are many resources available from Microsoft, including videos, tutorials, and user guides. We can assist migrating from many different providers and platforms Needing assistance with a Microsoft 365 migration (formerly Office 365)? Pennyrile Technologies can help your business migrate to Microsoft 365 so it can enjoy many of the productivity, collaboration, and communication benefits it provides. We can assist with migrating to Microsoft 365 from multiple different providers and vendors including: Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Yahoo, AOL, Microsoft Exchange Servers, GoDaddy, Bluehost, and many other web hosting companies. Migrating from your current platform to Microsoft 365 can have a huge impact on a business. All the employees of the organization will be impacted by the migration, so its important to keep downtime to a minimum and keep your employees online and productive. Our experts can help!  We provide free migration assistance with zero downtime or data loss with affordable flat-rate pricing and spam and virus filtering. Conclusion Migrating to Microsoft 365 can be a big undertaking for businesses but there are many benefits that make it worth doing. Some key benefits include increased productivity, enhanced security, reduced IT costs, and improved collaboration. When migrating , be sure to start with a pilot group , update your network infrastructure and prepping for deployment, and provide training & adoption resources. If you’re ready to migrate to Microsoft 365 or need assistance managing your current tenant, contact us for a free evaluation!

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Windows 11

Windows 11 is Here. Is Your Business Ready?

Windows 11 became available starting on October 5, 2021. The free upgrade to Windows 11 has begun rolling out to eligible PCs and PCs that are pre-loaded with Windows 11 are slowly becoming available for purchase. What’s New in Windows 11? Windows 11 features major changes to the Windows GUI, including a redesigned Start menu, the replacement of its “live tiles” with a separate “Widgets” panel on the taskbar, the ability to create tiled sets of windows that can be minimized and restored from the taskbar as a group, and new gaming technologies inherited from Xbox Series X and Series S such as Auto HDR and DirectStorage on compatible hardware. Internet Explorer is also replaced by Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Teams is integrated into the Windows shell. Microsoft has also announced plans to offer support for Android apps to run on Windows 11, with support for Amazon Appstore and manually-installed packages but such support isn’t available at release. Microsoft is Rolling out Windows 11 in a Phased and Measured Approach Per Microsoft, Windows 11 will be phased in and measured with a focus on quality. Following the tremendous learnings from Windows 10, we want to make sure we’re providing you with the best possible experience. That means new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first. The upgrade will then roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of device and other factors that impact the upgrade experience. We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022. If you have a Windows 10 PC that’s eligible for the upgrade, Windows Update will let you know when it’s available. You can also check to see if Windows 11 is ready for your device by going to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates*. If the upgrade isn’t available to you yet, but you want to upgrade now, there are a few options. The first and easiest upgrade path is to download the Windows 11 Update Assistant. Choose Run after the download finishes to start the upgrade and make sure your hardware is compatible. Then Accept and Install to agree to the licensing terms and begin the installation. When the program is finished installing, you’ll be prompted to restart your computer. Your PC might restart several times during the process of finishing the installation, so don’t be alarmed. Just keep your PC on until everything’s done. Alternatively, you can create a bootable USB or DVD of the Windows 11 installation media using the same link above. Use this option to reinstall or perform a clean install of Windows 11 on a new or used PC. If you go the bootable USB media route, you will need a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted. Should You Upgrade Now? We currently recommend holding off on Windows 11 until next year. Windows 11’s first big update is already causing some major issues for users with AMD CPUs. PCs with older CPUs or those without TPM chips are not available to be upgraded anyways and may require new hardware purchases. Waiting until next year will hopefully give Microsoft some time to work out any major bugs and issues with the new release. This will also give end users some time to start using the new operating system on their home computers and ease their transition into the new interface before using it on their work computers. How to Block Windows 11 If your business isn’t quite ready for Windows 11, the easiest way to block the upgrade is via the Group Policy Editor. Click on the Start Menu Type gpedit.msc and load the Group Policy Editor Go to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business Double-click on “Select the target feature update version” Set the policy to Enabled Type 21H1 into the field Close the Group Policy Editor If your business isn’t ready for Windows 11, you can safely continue using Windows 10 through October 2025 when Microsoft will end its support for it.

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Microsoft-Exchange-Vulnerability

Exchange Server Vulnerability

Microsoft Exchange Server Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Microsoft has recently notified users of multiple vulnerabilities for on-premises Exchange Servers that are being exploited by a nation-state affiliated group. These vulnerabilities exist in on-premises Exchange Servers 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.  Exchange Online is not affected. Microsoft highly recommends that you take immediate action to apply the patches for any on-premises Exchange deployments you have or are managing. The first priority being servers which are accessible from the Internet (e.g., servers publishing Outlook on the web/OWA and ECP). Microsoft attributes the attacks to a group it calls Hafnium, which it says is a state-sponsored threat actor that operates from China. The attackers used the bugs in on-premise Exchange servers to access email accounts of users. The four bugs are being tracked as CVE-2021-26855, CVE-2021-26857, CVE-2021-26858, and CVE-2021-27065. Huntress has challenged Microsoft’s claim that Chinese hackers executed “limited and targeted attacks” against on-premises Exchange servers, arguing the scope of compromise is fairly widespread. The Ellicott City, Md.-based managed detection and response (MDR) vendor said roughly 400 of the 2,000 Exchange servers the company has checked are susceptible to the zero-day vulnerabilities being exploited by Chinese hacking group Hafnium, with an additionally 100 servers potentially vulnerable. In addition, Huntress said nearly 200 of its partners’ servers have received malicious web shell payloads. Patching Exchange Server Vulnerabilities To patch these vulnerabilities, you should move to the latest Exchange Cumulative Updates and then install the relevant security updates on each Exchange Server. You can use the Exchange Server Health Checker script, which can be downloaded from GitHub (use the latest release). Running this script will tell you if you are behind on your on-premises Exchange Server updates (note that the script does not support Exchange Server 2010). We also recommend that your security team assess whether or not the vulnerabilities were being exploited by using the Indicators of Compromise we shared here. What is Microsoft Exchange Server? Microsoft Exchange Server is a email and calendaring server operating system developed by Microsoft. It’s used primarily by businesses to run email, calendars, contacts, and scheduling. It’s an alternate option to Microsoft’s cloud platform, Microsoft 365. Many larger businesses find that it is cheaper to run their own Exchange Server than pay the monthly costs associated with Microsoft 365. Microsoft Exchange Server’s first iteration was was called Exchange Server 4.0 and was released in 1996. The latest version is Exchange Server 2019 and was released in 2018. Exchange Patching Assistance If you need assistance patching these vulnerabilities, please reach out to our network support team. Pennyrile Technologies can also assist keeping your computers and servers updated along with migrating from on-premises Exchange Servers to Exchange Online and Office 365.

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Adobe Flash Player End of Life

Adobe Flash End of Life

First announced back in July 2017, Adobe Flash has finally reached its’ end of life. As of December 31, 2020 downloads of the Flash player, as well as (presumably) any other Flash-related tools, will be removed from the Adobe websites. As of January 12, 2021, Adobe Flash Player will be disabled by default as well. Any versions that are older than KB4561600 (which was released in June 2020) will be blocked and no longer function on their own. With Flash support ending, it will begin disappearing from web browsers, websites, and applications. Even though many browsers will continue to disable Flash Player after the EOL Date and Adobe will block Flash content from running in Flash Player beginning January 12, 2021, Adobe began taking steps to help further secure users’ systems by prompting them to uninstall Flash Player starting in October 2020. To help secure users’ systems, Adobe strongly recommends removing unused components promptly.  However, enterprise administrators can suppress Flash Player uninstall prompts by setting preferences available in the Flash Player configuration files.  If you choose to suppress the uninstall prompt, this is entirely at the user’s own risk. Full details on the uninstall prompt settings and uninstalling Flash Player can be found in the Flash Player Administration guide (see ‘Suppressing EOL Uninstall Prompts’ section). For more information, you can view Adobe’s Flash Player EOL Enterprise Information Page.

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Cybersecurity Importance

How Much do SMBs Really Spend on Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity. If your business is just getting started, or if you’re considering expanding, it’s important to think about what you can do to ensure that your data – and your client or customer data – remains secure. Below, you can learn more about how much SMBs really spend on cybersecurity. This can help you make better choices for your own business’s needs. SMBs and the Cybersecurity Risk Many small to medium business owners make the mistake of believing that because their companies are not as large as some of their competitors’, they are simply not at risk for cyber threats. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Numerous reports show that about half of all cyber attacks aimed at business are aimed at small business and 68% of all small businesses experienced a cyber attack in the last 12 months. Because of this, every business needs to budget for cyber security. Viruses, phishing scams, and ransomware are all very real threats regardless of your company’s size, age, or revenue. How Much Do SMBs Really Spend on Cybersecurity? For most companies, cyber security budgeting is part of IT budgeting; managed IT service providers often offer security in the form of antivirus programs and even email security as part of their packages. On average, SMBs spend 5% to 20% of their total IT spend on cybersecurity. This means that if your company spends $5000 a month on IT, you should expect to spend $250 to $1000 on cybersecurity alone. Whether you should spend 5% or 20% depends on a wide variety of factors, too. These include: Business Size – A company with two employees would need to spend less on cyber security than one with 2000 employees. Antivirus and anti-malware software, for example, is typically priced by the user, and more users command a higher price. Industry – Your industry can also play an important role in your budgeting. If you collect, manage, and share sensitive financial information, then you are a bigger cyber crime target than a company that collects very little information. Requests from Customers or Stakeholders – Finally, if your stakeholders or your customers have a desire for better protections, it is worth your time and money to explore these. How Much does a Data Breach Cost an SMB? Like many SMB owners, you may feel that $250 to $1000 per month is a lot of money to spend on cybersecurity. However, rather than viewing it as an additional expense, it’s better to see it as an insurance policy against a data breach, loss of productivity, or infrastructure. IBM’s 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that, on average, data breaches cost companies $3.92 million. Small business breaches can cost an average of $120,000 to $1.4 million – and many don’t survive unfortunately. A data breach can not only drain your bank account, but it can also close your business. If you still view cybersecurity measures as a luxury rather than a necessity, now is the time to reconsider. No matter how small your business might be, no matter what industry it’s in, and no matter how careful you and your employees might be, if you collect, manage, or share customers’ information, you can be a target. Need Help with Cybersecurity? If your business needs help with cybersecurity, call or contact Pennyrile Technologies today. We can secure your network infrastructure and devices, protect against spam and phishing attacks, train employees, monitor the dark web for leaked or stolen information and more. You can also learn more about our cybersecurity services here. Don’t wait until you’ve already had a breach before considering cybersecurity for your business!

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QuickBooks Expiring

QuickBooks Desktop 2017 Expiring May 31

If you are still running QuickBooks 2017, you may have recently noticed an alert within QuickBooks or received an email stating that the 2017 version will be discontinued on May 31, 2020. Intuit regularly discontinues any products older than three years and this typically happens in late May of each year. This year, it applies to the following versions of QuickBooks: QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2017 QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2017 QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 17 QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition 2017 What does QuickBooks expiring mean for me? With the 2017 version expiring, your access to QuickBooks payroll services, technical support, online banking, online backup, and any other services will stop working after May 31, 2020. This also means you will no longer receive critical security updates and patches starting June 1, 2020. If you receive any security updates before this date, we recommend installing them as soon as possible. Please note, if you don’t use any of the add-on services in QuickBooks Desktop 2017, your product will still continue to work. Is it time to upgrade QuickBooks? In order to prevent problems associated with the service discontinuations and lack of security updates, you should consider either upgrading to the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop or migrating from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. With QuickBooks Online, you will always have the latest updates to QuickBooks, but it can lack some of the features of the Desktop version. At the time of writing, QuickBooks 2020 is the most recent Desktop version. How to upgrade QuickBooks? After you have made the decision to upgrade QuickBooks, you will need to purchase a new license. We recommend purchasing it directly from Intuit, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, or another trusted vendor. Once you have purchased the new license, you should receive a license key and product number. These will be necessary to install QuickBooks, so be sure to hold onto them! We highly recommend you keep a copy in a safe place or document them in case the software needs to be reinstalled at some point. If you purchased a physical copy of the software, you should receive a DVD with the installer on it. If you purchased a digital copy, you will probably need to download the QuickBooks desktop software. You can also use the previous link to download the QuickBooks installer if you have lost your physical copy or need to download an older version. Once you have the installer ready, we recommend making one last backup of your company file before proceeding. After the backup, proceed to install the software and enter your license key and product number. Express setup is usually fine for upgrading QuickBooks or usage on a single computer. More advanced setups or multi-users will probably require a custom or network install. Once QuickBooks has finished installing you will need to activate your copy of QuickBooks. This typically involves signing in with your Intuit ID to activate the product. If you don’t already have an Intuit ID, you will have the option to create one and tie it to your installed copy. After you have activated QuickBooks, you will then be ready to open your company file. QuickBooks will proceed to make one last backup of the company file and then perform an upgrade of the company file itself to make it compatible with the version you have installed. You can also check to see if there are any updates available by going to the Help Menu and selecting Update QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Upgrade Assistance & Backup If you need any assistance with upgrading your copy of QuickBooks, please reach out to us and we will be happy to assist. We also handle new installations, off-site backups for QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Cloud Hosting, patching, and optimization of existing QuickBooks servers and setups.  

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