Recent Blog Posts
The cloud has proven to be an extremely useful tool for the modern business. Not only does it provide anywhere-anytime access to applications, processing, storage, et al; it also delivers those products as a service, allowing you to budget for recurring costs rather than major upfront ones. This provides your organization with functional, supported, and secure computing environments that eliminate a lot of the support costs that traditional computing environments require. It sounds like a perfect scenario for small and large businesses alike, but things aren’t always what they seem, as a lot of cloud users have found that they have incurred several hidden costs by using cloud platforms. Today, we take a look at these hidden costs.
In order to use this function, you need to be sure of a few things: You have a Samsung Galaxy device (although more should be compatible soon) running Android 9.0 or later with the Link to Windows tool. Your computer is running the Windows 10 October 2019 Update or later (at this point, it probably should be later). You’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network on both devices. It is also important to keep in mind that this feature is not compatible with accounts designated as work or school accounts. What Does This Allow Me to Do? Simply stated, this compatibility allows you to use your Android device’s applications alongside the ones on your desktop or laptop, thereby reducing the time you waste switching back and forth between devices as you go about your day. Interacting with your applications on-screen is simple. A single click works the same as a single tap. Right clicking works similarly to the Back button. Clicking and holding is the same as touching and holding. Clicking and dragging works to select content. Scrolling allows you to move vertically and horizontally between apps. There are a few limitations to this capability?namely, the fact that some apps may not allow casting to your computer’s display, the fact that some will require the use of a touch-input PC, and the fact that sounds are not also cast to your PC. However, if you’re someone who relies on both your PC and your mobile device throughout the day, this function will likely be of some use. So, is this something you could see yourself using? Leave a comment to tell us why or why not, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog!
Past Flagship Phones If you are looking to pay a fraction of what you would pay for a new smartphone, you have to first look at flagships from a year or two ago. They will probably provide the best value as they typically have comparable or superior specs to the devices released in the mid-range this year while they have better cameras, better processors, and better displays. A few options to consider are the Samsung Galaxy s9 and s9+, the LG V50 thinQ, the iPhone X, or Google?s Pixel 3+. Users can expect enough software support to make buying an older flagship a solid move. Samsung Galaxy A51 The A51 is one of the better phones in the A-series Samsung?s lineup, and users can see value as it is priced at the edge of the budget price point. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, 4 or 8 gigs of RAM, and several features that flagships don?t support, like a 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage. Available in Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, or Prism Crush Pink, the Galaxy A51 can be found on most major carriers and unlocked online. Samsung Galaxy A51Body: Plastic with Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic backDisplay: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED (~405 ppi)OS: Android 10Chipset: Octa-core Exynos 9611Memory: 4-8 GB RAMExpandable Memory: microSDXCCameras: Rear – 48 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultrawide, 5 MP (macro, 5 MP (depth); Front – 32 MP (wide)Sounds: Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jackBattery (endurance rating): 4,000 mAh (86 hours)Security: In-display fingerprint readerMiscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Barometer, Compass, Bixby assistantOther versions: Samsung Galaxy A-series Google Pixel 4a 5G Google may have backed off the flagship smartphone race in 2020, but for years they have been delivering solid smartphones with one of the best software experiences on the market. The Google Pixel 4a 5G, is 5G capable, if that is applicable to you, but the real value is the passable specs and the price point, found hundreds of dollars below devices with comparable specs. Available in Just Black and Clearly White, the Pixel 4a 5G is available in the Google store or from many major service carriers. Google Pixel 4A 5GBody: Plastic with Gorilla Glass 3 front and plastic backDisplay: 6.2-inch OLED, HDR (~413 ppi)OS: Android 11Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765GMemory: 6 GB RAMExpandable Memory: NoCameras: Rear – 12.2 MP (wide), 16 MP (ultra wide); Front – 8 MP (wide).Sounds: Stereo Speakers, 3.5mm Headphone JackBattery: 3,885 mAhSecurity: Fingerprint readerMiscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Barometer, Compass, Google AssistantOther versions: 4G LTE version Apple iPhone SE Apple?s 2020 version of their SE device looks the same as their last one. It actually looks just like an iPhone 8, which was one of Apple?s most popular devices. The new SE runs iOS on Apple?s A13 Bionic chip, and while significantly smaller than many devices you see, delivers a solid user experience for fans of the operating system Apple iPhone SE (2020)Body: Aluminum with Gorilla Glass front and backDisplay: 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD (~326 ppi)OS: iOS 13Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic Memory: 3 GB RAMExpandable Memory: NoCameras: Rear – 12 MP (wide); Front – 7 MPSounds: Stereo Speakers, No Headphone JackBattery (endurance rating): 4,500 mAh (87 hours)Security: Fingerprint readerMiscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Compass, Siri assistant There are many other budget devices on the market, but to get the biggest bang […]
To keep your IT working for you, you need control over it. You need to know when a piece of hardware was purchased, who set it up, and when it was last maintenanced. You need a strategy to protect the hardware and the data. You need these because you have made huge investments into this technology and it is easier to have all the answers on record rather than having to do a full-scale inquiry every time you need to know something about your technology. Today, IT professionals deploy the technology you use and keep it maintained and managed; and, can also keep a very detailed inventory of every wire, every piece of hardware and software, and every action taken to maintain those systems. Managed IT services providers also use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that your systems are patched, updated, and running proficiently. In the course of accomplishing this, a lot of documentation is created. Some of the records that need to be kept include: All network-attached devices you have, from your networking devices to every company-owned endpoint and peripheral that attaches to it. The proper configuration for each of these devices. The date that each of these devices was installed. The licenses that your business needs to maintain, and the status of the ones you have. A comprehensive history of all service that each of these devices has received. This record of events provides the MSP (or your onsite IT administrator) with a guide to effectively manage a business? technology while understanding how your business functions through it. Your IT administrator can refer to this record to explain any issue that has happened with any piece of your existing technology. Managed IT Works for You If you have questions about how to get a thorough record of your IT systems and maintenance–and would like to learn more about how White Mountain IT Services can provide you with more effective technology–call our IT professionals today at (603) 889-0800.
Common Types of Ransomware As with most cyberthreats, ransomware keeps mutating, flooding the market with all types of dangerous malware. It can often be difficult to keep track of the threats. One thing is for certain, ransomware often relies on similar tactics to ultimately hold the data hostage. Let?s quickly take a look at five of the most common types of ransomware right now: Cerber – Cerber targets Microsoft 365 users through the use of an elaborate phishing campaign. CryptoLocker – One of the most famous ransomware strains that is now just a copy of the original that was shut down back in 2014. CryLocker – CryLocker uses a personalized ransom note using the encrypted files on a person?s computer or server. This ransomware locks a person out of their computer entirely. Locky – Spread through phishing, this ransomware instructs users to enable macros to read the message. Once that?s complete, the malware will start encrypting files, and demanding a ransom. Jigsaw – One of the worst of a bad lot. When triggered, Jigsaw will delete one or more files every hour for 72 hours. If the ransom hasn?t been paid when the 72-hour window is up, all the files are deleted. Steps You Should Take No business can afford to have their data encrypted, deleted, or worse. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid it. Let?s take a look at 10 steps that users can take to avoid dealing with any of the above threats. Never click on unverified links Do not open email attachments unless they are from a trusted source Don?t download files from websites you don?t trust Do your best to avoid giving out personal data Don?t use USB or SD Card drives that you didn?t purchase yourself Keep your software patched and updated, including security software Utilize antivirus, firewall, and other security software Use a virtual private network on public Wi-Fi Backup your data onsite and in the cloud Use a mail server with spam protection and content filtering software But, If You Do Get It? The ten tips above will help you avoid getting ransomware, but all it takes is one time for the nightmare to happen. In the past 12 months, $380 million has been spent trying to buy back access to ransomware-infected files, computing systems, and servers. At White Mountain IT Services, we are of the belief that there are no good reasons to buy back your data. In your haste to get control over your data, you may consider paying the extortion fee, but here are a few reasons why you shouldn?t: The attack might be fake You may not get all your data back The hackers could leave malware behind You set a precedent that you will pay if attacked You are reinforcing the notion that hacking and scamming is profitable. In fact, there are some legislatures in the US that are looking to make paying scammers? ransom illegal. Since multiple municipalities have already gotten ransomware and paid the fine, more hackers are targeting them. The U.S. Treasury has already stated that they are firmly against payments to any ongoing extortion, including ransomware; and, in some cases, doing so may be breaking the law. If you would like more information about ransomware, or if you are looking to get a comprehensive […]
