Two problems that most organizations have with this is that either their IT department has completely maxed out its resources, or your organization doesn’t have an IT department. Since easy access to an IT helpdesk may not seem like a necessary expense for the modern office, it is often overlooked; usually, at a detriment to the organization. As more technology gets introduced, IT problems are inevitable and White Mountain IT Services?s IT services can present real value to any small and mid-sized business struggling with downtime as a result of ineffective IT. It?s a safe bet that you don?t think about most of the technology that your organization uses. Of course, you have your computers (servers and workstations), and people are always on their phones, which if they are using the network, require Wi-Fi (routers). Your average employee doesn?t pay any mind to the other parts of your network infrastructure that all come at a substantial cost and will fail at some juncture. We understand the balancing act. At White Mountain IT Services, we offer several IT-related services that hold value for any organization having problems with their IT. Our first consultation will be a complete assessment of your computing infrastructure. We comb over your technology to see that every essential component of your company?s IT is working as intended. Using the information that we gather from this assessment, we will then build a roadmap to provide you the support and innovation you need to get to where you are going. Our managed IT services package includes complete remote support of your network and computing infrastructure (servers and workstations), IT consulting, hardware and software support, vendor support, comprehensive network security, and a potentially business-saving backup and disaster recovery solution. If, after the consultation, you believe, as we do, that managed IT services can help your business see more uptime, higher degrees of productivity, and access to some of today?s most innovative technology, give us a call at (603) 889-0800. We can provide you with the peace of mind that your network and infrastructure are properly managed, so you can again focus on what?s important to you: your business.
Ransomware, the unpleasant form of malware dedicated to denying users access to their own device, has become more prominent with mobile technology. While ransomware is typically associated with desktop computers, it?s fully capable of infecting mobile devices. Therefore, it should be no surprise that cases of mobile-based ransomware have increased nearly four-fold in the past year. According to software security group Kaspersky Lab, their customers in Germany were victimized by mobile ransomware at the highest rate worldwide, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Furthermore, Kaspersky cited that it protected 35,412 mobile users from ransomware between April of 2014 and March of 2015. During the next year, that total surged upwards to a total of 136,532 users protected. Mind you, these totals aren?t factoring in the number of users who fell victim to their attacks, meaning the actual totals of mobile ransomware victims are likely much, much higher. Much like the ransomware that attacks desktop and laptop systems, mobile ransomware infects the victim?s phone–however, rather than encrypting the data contained on the phone, which many users have backed up, ransomware on a mobile device will simply block access to apps and display a note explaining how to pay the demanded ransom. What?s more, many of these mobile ransomwares fight dirty, even by their hacking standards. One particular ransomware originating in Ukraine locks the keys and replaces the home screen with a fraudulent FBI warning and a MoneyPak voucher code. The recipient of such ransomware is someone who (according to the warning) has broken the law by visiting illegal adult-themed websites. The ransomware shows screenshots from said websites included from the user?s browser history, and demands a $500 fine. Besides the repulsive nature of the screenshots, the most terrifying thing is how indiscriminate these attacks are in selecting their victims. All one needs to do is click on the wrong link on their smartphone to be infected. This was proven in 2014, when a 12-year-old girl unintentionally installed some malware that locked her phone. The malware downloaded some very illegal videos and threatened to contact the FBI if she didn?t pay $500. So, how can you defend yourself from mobile ransomware? Update software on a regular basis: Malware and software updates are in a constant race to improve upon themselves, which means that outdated software simply won?t stand up to the more advanced malware. However, if regularly updated, your software stands a much better chance in fighting off an attack. Utilize a cloud-based backup: While not the ideal circumstance, if your cell phone turns out to be beyond saving (without a complete and comprehensive wipe, at least) you will be very happy that your contacts and documents are safe in the cloud. Avoid questionable downloads: Simply put, if you don?t trust the source of a download, don?t download it. Otherwise, you are inviting an attack into your phone. Finally, don?t be afraid to contact the authorities: For this, we return to the 12-year-old girl from before, who ultimately contacted her local authorities to report the malware incident. Even if there is illegal material on your phone, law enforcement members will be able to tell that it?s a plant from ransomware. For more tips on how to avoid threats on all of your devices, contact us at (603) 889-0800.
In a world where businesses either pride themselves on their security solutions or have woefully unsecured networks, you need to understand that one of the most common threats to sensitive corporate data comes from within your organization. User error is the leading cause of data loss and security-related problems, although, it?s important to remember that they often have good intentions that may result in an unfortunate outcome. One way this happens is with what?s called shadow IT. This is the implementation of technology solutions that may not be sanctioned by your organization?s IT department. For example, an employee might choose to download a free antivirus if they see that their workstation?s antivirus software license has expired. Or, if they don?t have a word processing solution, they may look for alternatives on the Internet. While they may have only good intentions when implementing the solution, this can lead to several security discrepancies that could put your data at risk. Another way that this might happen is when an employee is working hard on a project in order to meet a deadline, but the software license expires and they are no longer able to access the tools they need to continue working. Rather than go through the proper channels (especially if IT is bogged down with work, and is unresponsive to urgent requests), the employee might choose to take matters into their own hands and find a solution that works. The employee can now get back to doing their job, but they?ve just implemented shadow IT, which is a major red flag for businesses. When it comes to shadow IT, the primary concern is the source of the solution. Where did the software that your employee found come from? Depending on what exactly they downloaded, it could be a seemingly-benign open-source software from a reputable website. However, if they found it on some ad-encrusted sketchy corner of the Internet, you might be in trouble. Freeware is often exploited by hackers to spread their influence, knowing full well that people will download it and use it, rather than pay for a software license from a reputable vendor. The best way to prevent shadow IT is to control the permissions that you provide for your employees on their workstations. Downloading a new software solution often requires administrator permission, so when you remove these permissions from a workstation, you?re forcing the employee to go through the proper channels when requesting a new software to work with. It also helps to educate your employees on how to use the technology solutions your business has adopted–as another reason why they might choose to use something different could be the fact that they?re unfamiliar using other applications. In general, having a responsive IT department can minimize the trouble that your team has with its IT solutions can be a great deterrent for shadow IT. When they don?t run into hiccups, and they are comfortable using your business?s technology solutions, they won?t feel the need to implement additional solutions that can put your company?s data at risk. To learn more about shadow IT, and the threats that it poses to your business, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.
When talking about stress, there?s one important detail that cannot be overlooked: stress created for the sole purpose of being stressed is not a good motivator. Inc states that ?stress that comes from not having enough information or that?s based on an irrational fear is a poor motivator.? In other words, it?s important to keep stress to a minimum whenever possible, as there?s quite literally no reason to be stressed about everything and everyone around you. You need to retain control if you want to harness the power of stress. That being said, there are some benefits to be gained from the occasional bout of stress. Here are four of them. Stress Provides an Energy BoostStress is often draining and is known to sap energy from you, but if something urgent comes up, this stress can become a motivating factor that provides energy. With this kind of stress, you?ll become more aware of your surroundings and find that you?ll have the energy needed to get your work done. Stress Proves That You Care About Your WorkIf you?ve been stressed out about a project, you might go through a couple of stages where you initially hate yourself for it. Eventually, you might claim that you just don?t care and that you want it to be over with as soon as possible. However, the stress is a signal that you do actually care about how the project turns out. If you?re stressing about a project, take solace in the understanding that you do actually care. Stress Can Teach You to Enjoy the Little ThingsThere?s something to be said about a hard day?s work. Imagine if you had a job where you had to be exposed to sweltering weather all day, under incredible physical duress on an empty stomach. Now imagine going home after the day?s work to an air-conditioned home with a delicious meal sitting on the dinner table. It?s the little things that make working with stress bearable. If you understand this concept, you?ll have a greater appreciation for the time that you?re not stressed. Stress Can Inspire Quick ActionStress is something that nobody wants to deal with, so it?s only natural that they move toward the solution: eliminating the stress. This means that people will work swiftly and efficiently toward removing the stress factor from their lives, regardless of what that entails. This doesn?t mean that you should go out of your way to stress yourself out; instead, it means that you?ll work with urgency when it?s required. While there are advantages to stress, it?s still something that needs to be managed and mitigated whenever possible. While you might not be able to do much for stress caused by problems outside the office, you can assist them with managing their workplace issues. One of the ways that you can make your employees? lives easier is by providing functional, working technology that helps them perform their jobs to the best of their ability. Our managed IT services are just what the busy business owner needs to eliminate frustrations caused by dysfunctional technology solutions. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.
A survey from BetterCloud and reported on by ITProPortal, shows that over half of users believe that instant messaging will become the new email in the office. When you think of how useful email has been for the business environment, this is an impressive statement. The problem, just like email, lies in showing users how to leverage best practices for their instant messaging solution, and managing perhaps the biggest downside of all: how distracting it can be. If you want to improve your business?s instant messaging practices, try these tips. Accurately Represent Your Current Online StatusYour team can?t reach out to you if they don?t know that you?re online, and the opposite is also true. If you say you?re online, and you?re not, you could be wasting their time, which wastes the company money. Be sure to change your status to indicate when you?re away from your computer or logged off for the night. This way, your team will know if it?s more efficient to contact someone else with their problems. If It?s Going to Be a Long Conversation, Try a Different Communication MediumInstant messaging conversations can often be confusing and misleading thanks to the difficulty of expressing context. It?s often better to just pick up the phone and call someone than it is to have long, drawn-out IM discussions. Or, even better, you can meet up and have a face-to-face discussion. This eliminates the need for IMs at all, and you can express yourself in earnest. If You Have a Short, Specific Request, Try to Put It at the Beginning of the ConversationIf all you need to do is ask a question, then just ask the question. All you would be doing otherwise is wasting time. You need to be courteous and respectful of your colleagues? time, as they?re likely just as busy as you are. Take Full Advantage of Your IM System?s FeaturesMany instant messaging systems allow for several other additional functions. Therefore, you?ll miss out by not leveraging them all to your business?s advantage. For example, voice chat can be a great way to clear up confusion surrounding something, and you can add other people to the conversation as needed. Basically, you want to find out which features work for your business, and what its limitations are. Doing so lets you better help your team capitalize on the features and benefits of your IM solution. By following instant-messaging best practices, your business will see greater productivity and enhanced efficiency. For more information about communications technology, reach out to White Mountain IT Services at (603) 889-0800.
