Top 5 Reasons to Switch to Microsoft Office 365

 

What is Microsoft 365?

Office 365 is a cloud-based service hosted by Microsoft that brings together familiar Microsoft Office desktop applications with business-class email, shared calendars, instant messaging (IM), video conferencing, and file sharing. 

 

With Office 365, you’ll receive secure, enterprise-grade tools at a very low cost with no upfront infrastructure investments. Get your work done faster from virtually anywhere, working with the Office you already know!

 

1. Low Upfront Cost

Since Office 365 is a subscription-based online software, there are little upfront costs associated with deployment.

• No new servers needed
• No software license or CAL costs
• Predictable monthly fees as low as $4 per user/month
• Includes licenses for 5 devices per user

 

2. Familiar Office Experience

Microsoft Office is the world’s leading productivity application giving you virtually anywhere access across your devices.

• Always the latest version of the familiar Office apps that you use and install on your desktop (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Consistent formatting across your PC, Mac, iPad, phone, browser 
• Online versions of Office
• Add components such as Project, Dynamics CRM & Visio as needed

3. Business-Class Email
Powered by Microsoft Exchange Online, you can access your emails, shared calendars, and contacts from your PC, Mac, iPad, phone and browser using Outlook.

• 50GB user mailboxes with up to 25 MB attachments 
• Easy to add users and set up email on your domain name 
• Robust anti-spam and anti-malware

4. Instant Messaging & Video Conferencing
Powered by Microsoft Lync Online, you can set up and join online meetings in Outlook with just one-click.

• Presence, IM, voice, and HD video conferencing
• Real-time note taking and document sharing 
• Conduct online meetings with customers and partners 
• Connect with Skype contacts using presence, IM, and voice 

5. Document Sharing
Powered by Microsoft SharePoint Online, you can easily share documents and information with colleagues and customers.  Plus, you get 1TB of storage per user on OneDrive.

• Share documents with controlled access
• Sync online files to your devices for offline access
• Share team emails and documents with Site Mailboxes
• Co-edit documents with others at the same time

Contact a BizTech Solution Advisor for plans & pricing info. 
Call 419.539.6922 or email info@gobiztech.com.

CryptoWall Virus: Don't be a victim

 

Do you remember the CryptoLocker malware that was going around starting in 2013?  In recent months, there has been a similar ransomware that has been infecting computers...CryptoWall.

Like the CryptoLocker virus, CryptoWall is a form of 'ransomware;' which is a type of malware which restricts access to the Microsoft Windows-running computer that it infects, and demands a ransom paid to the creator of the malware in order for the restriction to be removed. 

 

How are computers being infected?

CryptoWall is a Trojan horse, which means that the virus is disguised as a non-threatening application or file.  This virus is typically spread through email as an attachment, but is also spread by infected websites via 'drive-by download.' 

How will I know if my computer is infected?
There are two tell-tale signs that indicate CryptoWall has infected your computer.

1. When attempting to open certain files, such as .doc, .xls or .pdf, for example, the files are launched with the correct program; however, data may be garbled or not properly displayed. Additionally, an error message may be accompanied when trying to open infected files.
2. The most common indication will be the appearance of three files at the root of every directory that contains files that were encrypted by CryptoWall.
   • DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.txt
   • DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.html
   • DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.url

Clicking on any of these files left from CryptoWall's infection will lead you to step-by-step instructions for paying the ransom. A file will have the ransom countdown and how much money they are requesting. Typically, the ransom amount begins at $500, and the countdown timer gives you three days to send payment.

After the timer has reached zero, the caption will change. The new amount requested will double to $1,000, and the timer will provide a cutoff date and time. Usually, the time frame is about one week, and it will tell you that if payment is not received before the cutoff time, the remote server housing the private key and decryption application to decrypt your files will be automatically deleted, making your files unrecoverable.

 

What should I do if my computer gets infected with CryptoWall?
After confirming that your computer is infected, you have to decide if you want to pay the ransom to get your data back, or if you don't. If you decide to pay the ransom, you have to do so in Bitcoins.

If you don't pay the ransom, you can attempt to recover your files if you have some sort of backup in place. This may or may not work. We recommend working with a skilled IT Technician to help you with this. How can I protect my computers from the CryptoWall virus? 

You should ALWAYS have an active antivirus application installed with the latest virus definition files.  This should include a malware scanner.  

 

Have a proper backup system in place.  Preferably with a local and cloud-based backup schedule. That way if you do get an infection, you can restore your data.   

Of the dozens of clients who have come to us with the CryptoWall infection, only ones who had a good, recent data backup had a successful comeback from the virus.  

 

Practice safe internet- don't visit questionable sites, never click links within emails from unknown senders, and only download add-ons from trusted websites. 

Contact the experts at BizTech if you are having issues with malware, or if you are interested in the benefits of online data backups. Call us at 419.539.6922 or email info@gobiztech.com

Protect your body with good Computer Ergonomics

Many people spend numerous hours a day in front of a computer without thinking about the impact it can have on their bodies. They physically stress their bodies daily without realizing it by extending their wrists, slouching, sitting without foot support and straining to look at poorly placed monitors.

These practices can lead to repetitive stress injuries and cumulative trauma disorders. Symptoms can include pain, muscle fatigue, loss of sensation, tingling and reduced performance.

Good desk ergonomics can reduce strain, fatigue and injuries by keeping you in a comfortable, relaxed posture.

Whether you use a desktop computer in an office, or a portable computer in an alternative setting, you make choices that can either improve or decrease your performance and comfort. By thoughtfully reviewing the layout of your workplace and your equipment, we are often able to identify what is wrong and begin to develop improvements to make computer use more rewarding and less physically demanding. 

After reviewing your work area, can you honestly say that this is the most functional, comfortable, safest and logical way to set up the area? 

If not, you should arrange your workstation: every time you work, take time to adjust workstations that aren't quite right in order to minimize awkward and frequency performed movements. 


View a full list of computer ergonomics tips compiled by University of Michigan  

Apple also has a great microsite dedicated to computer ergonomics

Troubleshooting your wireless internet connection

These days, a notebook without an internet connection is like a bicycle without pedals. You can still use it, but you won’t get very far. That’s why it’s all the more frustrating when you lose your wireless internet connection and your IT department or helpful officemate aren’t there to provide a quick fix. 

A savvy user, however, doesn’t have to be at the mercy of other people’s schedules. With a few simple troubleshooting tips—and a basic understanding of how your wireless network is set up—you can easily take care of many common issues yourself and quickly return to peak productivity. Here’s how: 

Looking for trouble 
Fixing your wireless internet connection is in large part a process of elimination. You need to check each link in the chain that takes you online and determine which link is—or is not—causing the issue. For most environments, you’ll find the problem in one of these four areas: 

1. The notebook  
The software, network card, and settings installed on your notebook PC can be the primary sources of issues in connecting to the internet.

How to fix it:

• Check that wireless access is enabled:
• Windows 7: Go to the Control Panel, select Networking and Internet, select Network and Sharing Center, select Change Adapter Settings, right-click on the icon for Wireless Connection, and click Enable.
• Windows 8: Bring up the Charms Bar by swiping in from the right, open Settings and click on the Wi-Fi symbol, then switch wireless to the “on” position.

• Try Windows Network Diagnostics 
• Windows 7: To open the Network troubleshooter from network-related error messages, click Diagnose or Troubleshoot. Or, click on the Troubleshoot Problems option from the Network and Sharing Center.
• Windows 8: From the Start screen, enter “troubleshooting” to open the Search charm, and then select troubleshooting from the search results. Click on Network and Internet, and then click Internet Connections.

2. The wireless router
Routers send and receive the signals from your notebook PC that allow you to go wireless—when they’re working correctly. Note that many modern modems actually include a router and modem in a single device.

How to fix it:

• Try moving your notebook closer to the router. Walls or other signals may be interfering with the connection and a different location may fix the problem.

• Try resetting the router. Unplug the router and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in to make sure it fully resets.

• Bypass the router. If you plug in your notebook directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable and can access the internet, you’ve isolated the problem to the router and can further diagnose the issue from there. Try updating the notebook wireless drivers and then try updating the router firmware. Finally, try resetting the router to its factory settings.

• Check for overheating. If the router drops the internet connection regularly, one problem may be that the router is overheating. Make sure that the router has sufficient airflow and is not in an excessively hot location. 

3. The modem
The modem is the device that communicates between you and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) outside of your home or office. The modem may not be communicating correctly with your notebook or with your ISP.

How to fix it:

• Reset the modem. Unplug the modem and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in to make sure it fully resets.

• Ensure the cables are secure. Check the cables connecting the modem to both the router and the internet source (for example, the coaxial cable for a cable modem) are secure.

4. The Internet Service Provider
The ISP is the commercial service the modem talks to outside of your office. Regional outages can disrupt not just your internet access, but also the entire neighborhood’s connection.

How to fix it:

• Check your browser. Public or guest internet connections—such as those at hotels or airports—sometimes require you to accept their terms of agreement before enabling access. To enable the connection, open up a new browser window after connecting to the wireless network. You will be automatically be directed to a page with the service agreement, where you can click to accept the terms and begin browsing. Remember: always use caution when browsing on public networks, and avoid visiting sensitive sites.

• Call your provider. Your ISP’s technical support will be able to let you know if the internet outage is generalized or specific to your home or office. If you’ve followed the other troubleshooting steps in this article and there isn’t a generalized outage, you may need to schedule a maintenance visit to restore service.

There are now more mobile-connected devices in the world than there are people [3] and each one of those devices will probably run into trouble with its wireless internet connection sooner or later. With a bit of know-how and the right approach, you can turn many of the most common connection problems from show-stopping roadblocks into little more than minor road bumps. A little knowledge can go a long way.


Source article- HP blog: http://www8.hp.com/h30458/us/us/smb/Areyoufeelingdisconnected_1463815.html

How to keep your immune system (and productivity) high during this flu season

Tis the season to be sneezing — and the season for increased workplace absences.

One day you’re perfectly fine; the next, you’re achy all over and your head is throbbing. It’s the annual ick, or as your doctor calls it, influenza.

While it’s impossible to predict just how severe the flu season will be each year, an estimated 52,000 people in the United States have already tested positive for the flu since September 2014. Typically, flu season peaks at the end of December through mid-January.

Catching the flu isn’t just hard on you; it’s bad for business. Companies shell out more than $10 billion a year for illness-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, and that’s in addition to the $87 billion the flu costs the economy annually.

Still, research shows a few simple precautions can keep you from getting — and spreading — the flu:

Get your flu shot. A yearly flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself from the flu. With up to 56 percent of companies offering flu shot clinics for employees and most major pharmacies offering discounted vaccinations, it’s easy to take preventive measures.

Wash your hands and devices. Here’s a sobering statistic: 39 percent of people don’t wash their hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing their noses. That means your chances of touching a contaminated area are high. Since cold and flu viruses can live up to 24 hours on hard surfaces (like desks, counters or your computer) you should give your space, your electronic devices and your hands a good cleaning at least once a day.

Go home — and stay there! No one wants to be the walking petri dish responsible for making the entire office sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the illness, cough, sneeze or talk. Furthermore, studies show that adults could be contagious one day before they experience symptoms and five to seven days after becoming sick.

Discover the ROI of relaxing. Have you ever worked through a cold only to find you’ve pushed yourself too far? One-third of people report feeling pressured to go into work when they’re sick, which in addition to spreading the virus wears you out. Take the time you need to recover and keep everyone else flu-free. You’ll find you’re more relaxed and productive if you let a little R&R support your company’s ROI.

 

 

*See Citrix Sharefile blog for the original article

Windows Server 2003 End of Life

On July 14, 2015, Microsoft will end support for Windows Server 2003.

What does this mean for your business?
This means no more updates or patches from Microsoft, which can result a less secure and less stable infrastructure for your business.

• Maintenance Costs – running legacy servers is expensive. Intrusion detection systems, advanced firewalls and network segmentation are required to protect a now vulnerable Windows Server 2003 platform. You will also have increasing cost from maintaining aging hardware.

• No Updates – there will be no more updates to fix bugs, performance issues and security vulnerabilities. To put this into perspective, 2013 saw the release of 37 critical updates for Windows Server 2003/R2. Past the end of life date, these critical issues will remain unfixed leaving you open to cybersecurity dangers such as malicious attacks or electronic data loss.

• No Compliance – once support ends, your organization will almost certainly fail to meet industry wide compliance standards. Regulations such as HIPAA require regulated industries to run on supported platforms. The impact is twofold: Non-compliance could result in the loss of business, while high transaction fees and penalties from non-compliance could dramatically increase the cost of doing business.

• Compatibility Issues – new software and hardware devices will not be built to integrate with Windows Server 2003. Sticking with a legacy server means you will likely run into compatibility issues and may not be able to run new instances of software or communicate with the latest devices.

Visit Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 End of Support page for more information.

 

Contact a BizTech Solution Advisor at 419.539.6922 or via email to start your migration process to a more current server.

Make your smartphone battery last longer

We've all dealt with it... a smartphone battery that dies too soon. Here are some tips on how to conserve your smartphone battery. 

Dim the screen.
Screen lighting consumes a lot of battery power. Most phones have an automatic display brightness control, but you really should adjust brightness manually to save energy. Displays are often much brighter than necessary, and you can really add to the battery life by using only as much brightness as you need.

Turn off vibrate.
Unless you are waiting for a very important call, and you need your ringer on silent, there is no real need for it.

Turn off Bluetooth.
Only turn it on when you need to connect to other devices.

Only use 4G/LTE connections when you need to.
4G /LTE  uses quite a bit of power. If you can use a Wi-Fi hotspot, save energy (and maybe money) by turning your data connection off.

Limit use of GPS location services.
A lot of apps constantly checking your location can be a power drain.  You really only need it turned on for your Maps apps. Also, leaving your location services on is kind of a privacy issue...do your social media followers really need to know where you are?

Set your phone to manually refresh your email.
Instead of setting your email to refresh automatically every 15 minutes or whatever interval is normally set, check your email yourself.

Turn off apps running in background
It’s easy to end up with nearly every app you have running in the background. Not only do they consume power, but they can use enough memory to slow down your device. Turn them off when you are finished.

Need your smart devices integrated with your business?  

We can help! Call us at 419.539.6922.

Phishing and Vishing and Smishing ...oh my!

Phishing is the slang term for using email to get people to divulge their personal information so it can be used to steal their identity.  Con artists use phishing emails to literally 'fish' for information that they can use to illegally access bank accounts and open credit card accounts.  In the past this scam was conducted over the phone - that's where the "ph" in phishing comes from.  

Here are some questions to ask if you think you have received a phishing attack:

1. Do you know the sender of the email? If yes, still be cautious before clicking a link. If no, do not click any links.
2. Are there any attachments in the email? If so, is the attachment an executable (a file with the extension .exe, .bat, .com, .vbs, .reg, .msi, .pif, .pl, .php)? If so, do not click on the attachment. Even if the file does not contain one of the above mentioned extensions, be cautious about opening it. Contact the sender to verify its contents.
3. Does the email request personal information? If so, do not reply.
4. Does the email contain grammatical errors? If so, be suspicious.
5. If you have a relationship with the company, are they addressing you by name?
6. Have you checked the link? Mouse over the link and check the URL. Does it look legitimate or does it look like it will take you to a different Web site?

You can use these same questions if you receive a vishing or smishing attack....

Vishing scams work like this: You receive an email that appears to be from your bank and it informs you that you need to call a specific phone number to re-confirm your account information.  The number they provide is, of course, bogus and when you call them and give them your account information, they simply use it to access your accounts illegally and take your money.  So instead of using a fake website to 'fish for information' they are using a fake phone number to fish for your voice.  Thus:  vishing.

Smishing scams are when con artists once again try to contact you and try to trick you into giving them your personal information - but this time they initiate the contact using a text message on your phone. Originally text messages were know as 'Short Message Service' or SMS and it's from that that we get the sm in smishing. 

• In many cases, the smishing message will come from a '5000' number instead of displaying an actual phone number. This usually indicates the SMS message was sent via email to the cell phone, and not sent from another cell phone.  Do not respond to smishing messages.

Reduce Digital Eye-Strain with the 20-20-20 Rule

If you spend a good part of your day using the computer, the 20-20-20 rule could help reduce digital eye-strain.

What is digital eye-strain?

Well, often the computer screen is bright, and if you don’t blink your eyes as often as you should while working at the computer for long hours, you can have dry eyes sometimes even followed by redness.

To help you deal with this problem, the 20-20-20 rule suggests that after every 20 minutes, you should take a break for at least 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away.

Most of us are very busy at work, so we aren’t likely to remember to take a break every 20 minutes. Here are some options to remind you to take breaks!

Eye Defender - after a fixed interval, Eye Defender will auto-run a visual training for the eyes on the desktop screen. You are supposed to follow the pointer on the to help you relax your eyes.

WorkRave - reminds you to take breaks at regular intervals to prevent computer related stress (including eyestrain). This one offers two kinds of breaks – micro-breaks, which are short and meant to relax your eyes, and rest-breaks, which are a little longer and give you time to walk or stretch. Workrave also has a built-in wizard that demonstrates the various types of stretching exercises that you can do during these breaks. 

F.lux - reduces eye strain by adjusting your computer screen light to mimic the sun. By using your geographical location, the software will automatically adjust as the sun rises and sets, allowing your eyes to relax as well as reduce your exposure to blue light – a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration

Google chrome add-on - that reminds you to take a break every 20 minutes 

Eye gymnastics – If you don’t want to download an application, or your computer restrictions won’t allow it, check out protectyourvision.org to start a timer that will remind you to rest your eyes every 20 minutes, and even has an eye gymnastics function to relax and rest your tired eyes.