An application?s API is often a web-based interface that returns data, but the API is actually just the code that governs the access point or points for the server. All an API does is provide the ability to receive data from outside sources. Think of it as the door into the software. The developer sees the API as a way for their software to communicate with other pieces of software. For example, a database that is accessed by your application might be structured outside of your development platform, meaning that you?ll need an API to allow developers a way to call the data from the database for use in your development platform. In this way, developers use data from other applications in your favorite solutions, allowing for integration between them. One great example of how APIs work is how you can sign into your favorite news site using your Facebook or Google account. This is because the developer of the website uses the Facebook or Google API to give you access to the content. It?s clear that APIs are extremely important for mobile application development. APIs are able to provide the following benefits to mobile application developers: Accelerated app development: APIs give developers the ability to eliminate wasted time through building specific integration methods. Increased app functionality: APIs provide access to data from other applications, allowing for enhanced functionality. Improved application marketability: More integrations mean more usability in various markets, meaning that it will be more common and useful for more people. This only scratches the surface of what an API is and does. What are some other tech terms that you?d like to see covered on our blog? Let us know in the comments.

Here are some of the best reasons your organization can benefit from remote workers being implemented into your operations. Your Real Estate Costs Are Lower If your employees aren?t arriving in the office every day to get work done, you don?t need as much room in your office. Businesses save a considerable amount of capital due to this. This has led to downsizing, but in a very different context compared to how you usually hear the word used. With tools allowing for remote meetings utilizing Internet conferencing solutions, there?s no excuse for never holding a meeting again. Remote Workers Can Be More Productive Some remote workers exhibit higher levels of productivity compared to their office-bound counterparts. They don?t need to use any time or energy getting to the office, meaning that they are more fresh and ready to go in terms of their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, they are generally in charge of their own schedule, meaning they can work when they will produce their best results. There?s a Larger Talent Pool For the most part, your organization will be limited to employees that either live locally or are willing to relocate. Remote workers aren?t limited by these geographical factors, giving you more opportunity to attract top talent that you otherwise wouldn?t be able to. Many workers, including 68 percent of surveyed millennials, would prefer to use this option, and it very well could help you maintain retention rates. Remote workers present a certain value for your business, and the right habits can make them an extremely useful asset. Be sure to encourage these behaviors with your remote workers. Smarter scheduling: A remote employee needs to be responsible for their own time, meaning that a manager can?t always keep tabs on them. Encourage your staff to keep to a routine. This helps them get the most out of their time, and it will help your in-office team know when they are available. Establish a workspace: Working from home gives people the image of someone curling up on the couch with their laptop, but it?s better to have a dedicated place to work, like a home office.  Dress for the office: You don?t technically have to dress up to work from home, but doing so might help you mentally prepare yourself for the day. Want more tips on how to be successful while working remotely? Subscribe to White Mountain IT Services?s blog.

First, it?s important to recognize that threats can be classified in one of two ways: external, and internal. External Threats As their name suggests, these threats are those that originate from outside your business? network. This category includes most threats, especially those that you may have heard of before. External threats include the likes of: Viruses and Malware: These nasty bits of code and malicious software are able to be customized by a hacker to carry out a particular task, whatever that may be. Unfortunately, we have neither the time nor the space to list all of the potential uses for viruses and malware, as the possibilities are virtually limitless. Ransomware: This is another nasty attack, where a user?s files will be encrypted and the attacker will demand payment in exchange for the decryption key. These attacks are often effective, as businesses need their data in order to operate. Regardless, it is important that the demanded ransom isn?t paid, as it only encourages more attacks down the line. Spam: Email has proven to be an effective means of attack for hackers to leverage, sending infected messages in the hopes that someone on the other end will download them and leave the business open to threats. While spam is largely preventable, it is also easy to fall for, leaving a network vulnerable. Internal Threats Internal threats can be particularly insidious, as they can come from effectively anywhere within an organization – even its most loyal and well-meaning employees who simply made a mistake. Unfortunately, these threats could also be the result of some employees acting maliciously against a business, actively attempting sabotage. A brief sampling of internal threats include: Phishing Attacks: Hackers have a good understanding of where your business? biggest weaknesses are, and most of the time, they?re sitting at their workstations. While you may have a handle on security best practices, your users may not. This leaves them vulnerable to phishing attacks, where they could easily be convinced to click the wrong link, provide sensitive information, or download a malicious attachment. Account Hijacking: What would happen if a hacker managed to take over one of your employee?s accounts? Sure, you could see that the account was active, but if you didn?t know it was actually a hacker using it, you could find your data stolen? or worse. Lack of Access Control: Firing an employee is never pleasant, and there?s a good chance that there will be some bad blood after the fact. If the former employee is angry enough, they may be tempted to access your network and create some problems for you. Not only would this be embarrassing for your business, it could put you into an uncomfortable situation down the line. This is why it is so crucial to cut off a former employee?s access as quickly as possible. There is no shortage of threats out there that could negatively impact your business. White Mountain IT Services can help to keep you protected from them with advanced and effective security measures. Reach out to us at (603) 889-0800 to learn more.

The end of life date for these software solutions has been announced as January 14, 2020. If your business uses these solutions, it?s imperative that you have a strategy in place to move away from them and embrace more up-to-date software solutions. Failing to do so will mean running your business without protection from threats such as viruses and malware created by hackers. Let?s take a look at these two major software titles that are losing support in the near future. Windows 7One of Microsoft?s most popular operating systems and software titles even now, Windows 7 will be losing support. Microsoft has initiated a major ad campaign to inform people of how to upgrade away from Windows 7 as soon as possible, but what these organizations don?t always anticipate is that relying on this software up until the end of support date means that it can be a serious expense and a time-consuming process to move away from this operating system. This issue is only exacerbated by the number of workstations your business has, meaning that it?s imperative to determine a plan of sorts before your time runs out. The clear option is to upgrade to Windows 10, but we recommend working with a professional IT consultant to determine what the best path forward is for your business. Our staff can help you make the best choice for your infrastructure well ahead of the end of support date. Microsoft has also launched the Microsoft 365 service to get the millions of Windows 7 users off the platform before the end of support date. We can help you determine the pricing of Microsoft?s offerings, including whether a cloud-hosted virtual desktop solution with OneDrive, Outlook, and Office 365 support is right for your business. It doesn?t matter which choice your business makes, as long as you make it as soon as possible. Come January 14, 2020, PCs running Windows 7 that aren?t the Pro or Enterprise versions will stop receiving support for any price. Extended security updates are available at a premium price for those who have Pro and Enterprise, but the support is offered per license, meaning that it will be quite pricey. Windows Server 2008 R2In January 2020, Microsoft will be retiring the entire Windows Server 2008 suite. If your business utilizes Windows Server R2 for data and application hosting, you will need to have a plan in place to upgrade prior to the end of support date. Just like Windows 7, Microsoft will stop offering security patches and updates to Windows Server 2008 R2, meaning that there is a very real possibility that your organization could go without security updates if you fail to upgrade. Microsoft has since released two new versions of the Windows Server software, as well as implemented a cloud-based option in Azure. It might be able to help you save money with cloud-based server management, but you won?t know for sure if it?s the right call to make without talking to the IT professionals at White Mountain IT Services. To learn more about how you can get ready for these important end of support dates, be sure to contact White Mountain IT Services at (603) 889-0800.

The Benefits of a Private Cloud Database Databases need to be accessible, but they need to be secure in order to be effective. The cloud is the ideal resource to make this happen, but in an always-on environment, you?ll need to secure your data and resources so that they are protected from external threats. When you host your private cloud databases in-house on your own infrastructure, you still have to secure it, but you also have much more control over those defenses. Maintaining an in-house private cloud database means that you need someone with knowledge of how to manage such a thing? unless you outsource this responsibility to a managed service provider. With the right support, you can make sure that your private cloud databases are as secure as can be. Here are some methods you can use to determine which private cloud provider is best for your business. Considerations for Choosing a Provider Location The physical location of the server will be important. Ordinarily, a private cloud database would be hosted on-site in your office, but there are hybrid solutions out there that are hosted off-site in a managed service provider?s office, which is then accessed remotely. Either way, the option to have these systems maintained and secured by professionals exists. Reliability Your employees need reliable access to your business? cloud-based databases. Your goal should be to work with a provider that can ensure maximum uptime, as time when databases aren?t working properly can mean situations where your employees can?t get work done, as well as moments where your clients can?t use certain parts of your services or order products. Security Opting for a private cloud database means that you have greater amounts of control over the security measures you implement. Even if you’re not the one who manages the security of your cloud database, ask your cloud provider what kind of additional features you can leverage to best protect your data. Options include secondary authentication methods, encrypted databases, virtual private networks, and so on. Flexibility One of the biggest perks of a private cloud database is that you have complete control over user access and functionality. Therefore, you?ll need to put some serious thought into how you want to get the most out of your private cloud system. Furthermore, you?ll need to take careful stock of which users can access databases at any given time, as changes in staffing could affect the security of your database. If you?re looking for a cloud provider that can host your databases in the most secure way possible, White Mountain IT Services can help. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 889-0800.