Computer Tip of the Day: Signs That You May Need Virus Removal

computer tip of the day signs that you may need virus removal

Keeping your computer running properly requires a certain amount of maintenance and upkeep as you will want to ensure that all of its software is up to date, and that your computer is running as efficiently as possible. However, another important aspect of computer maintenance is knowing when you are in need of virus removal. Viruses, spyware, and malware can cause severe damage to your computer, and it is then important that you have your computer repaired at the first sign of trouble to have these harmful infections removed. Here are a few signs you can lookout for indicated that your computer may be in need of virus removal.

virus removal

Your Computer Is Painstakingly Slow

One of the clearest signs of problems with your computer is if your computer suddenly starts operating much slower than it used to. While it is true that computers will slow down over time, this should not happen overnight. If this occurs, it is likely that a virus, or some of other problem is causing this lagging, and that your computer will need to be professionally repaired.

Many Pop-ups

Seeing a great number of pop-ups on your computer, whether your internet browser is open or not, is a clear sign that there is malicious software on your computer. Spyware in particular can use your computer’s internet connection to create these false advertisements on your computer. If you have suddenly noticed an increase in the number of pop-ups you encounter, or you begin encountering them when you never have before, then your computer likely needs repair.

These are a few of the most common indicators that your computer has been infected by some kind of harmful software, and is in need of professional attention. Contact us to learn more about how you will know when you are in need of professional virus removal.

4 Reasons Why A Disaster Recovery Plan Is Important For Businesses?

4 reasons why a disaster recovery plan is important for businesses

Unfortunately, many businesses either don’t have a plan written up, or the plan they’ve formulated is inadequate for their needs. For example, Nationwide’s Small Business Indicator survey showed that over two-thirds of small businesses lack a written plan, delaying their recovery from natural disasters. And of course, natural disasters aren’t the only kind that businesses face; there are also cyber attacks, equipment failure, loss of data, and employee errors or negligence.

disaster recovery plan

Why is Disaster Recovery Important for Businesses?

  • Financial costs. Disasters often lead to staggering costs for companies, sometimes causing them to go out of business. For instance, when it comes to data breaches (a too-frequent kind of disaster), the 2016 Ponemon Cost of Data Breach Study estimated an “average consolidated total cost” of $4 million per data breach.
  • Business reputation. Businesses without a strong disaster recovery plan are often left floundering after a disaster, whether it’s a cyber attack or a powerful storm. They may leave their customers’ information unprotected or fail to respond in a timely or effective way to customers’ concerns, questions, and needs.
  • Variety of threats. Because of the variety of potential disasters, and the way new threats may emerge, businesses need to make thorough preparations. They must assess the likelihood of different threats and prepare for each in the best possible way.
  • Unaffordable delays. The key to not only surviving a disaster, but continuing to thrive beyond it, is to put into play various disaster recovery measures. You can get your business up and running as quickly as possible afterwards and not have to suffer through prolonged downtime and delays.

To discuss the most effective disaster recovery strategies for your business, please contact us. We’ll help you come up with a comprehensive plan that counteracts the effects of different disasters.

These Should Be The Key Steps In Your Business Continuity Management Cycle

these should be the key steps in your business continuity management cycle

Strong business continuity management helps ensure that your company will keep functioning even when hit with a serious IT disaster. Businesses frequently name cyber attacks as a top threat, but there are other potential disasters as well, including IT infrastructure malfunctions and employee error and negligence.

Business Continuity Management

How do you keep your business running under such circumstances? Consider how different steps of the business continuity management cycle come together to give you resilience against attacks:

Coming up with a coherent plan. Develop your business continuity plan based on the specific needs of your company and its key functions, the details of your IT-step, and the likelihood of various risks you face. The plan requires active involvement from your company’s management and should extend to partners and vendors; employee training is also an important part of it, with employees assigned specific responsibilities during disasters. Make sure to check that your plan works; for example, if part of your plan involves restoring data backups, does the restoration process go as expected, or is it slower and more inconsistent than you can afford?

Maintaining channels of communication. Before any disaster strikes, you’ll need to prepare channels of reliable communication between employees and between your company and individuals and organizations outside of it (ranging from customers to first responders to business partners). What kinds of messages will you send, and when? If your email system is down, can you rely on texts? Consider all possibilities.

Initiating a response. Once a disaster has struck, your plan should specify how your company reacts. This will depend on the nature of the disaster. For example, a physical disaster such as a violent weather phenomenon could prompt an evacuation, with employees ultimately working from outside your office to keep your business running. Your business continuity plan should specify responsibilities, so that there isn’t confusion about who needs to handle what.

Ensuring recovery. If a disaster has knocked your internet out, sent malware rampaging through your systems, or damaged your office equipment, what are the steps you need to take for recovery? At this point, you’d be retrieving or restoring data backups, for instance, or switching to backup systems. Disasters vary in the kind of recovery they require.

Resuming business. After the response and recovery, you should be at a point where you can function as a business, particularly when it comes to your most critical applications and services. This is also an opportunity to look back and see how your preparation and response could have been stronger; you can then make the appropriate changes to your business continuity plan.

Business continuity management encompasses this whole process; it’s vital, if you want to avoid prolonged downtime and permanent destruction of data following a disaster. Please contact us for further advice and assistance with your company’s business continuity plan.

Productivity Plugins For Major Browsers: Computer Tip Of The Day

productivity plugins for major browsers computer tip of the day

When you are on your computer at work, it is too easy to get distracted. A world of information and entertainment is at your fingertips. Thankfully, there are a few browser plugins and extensions that make it simple to stay on task. Here are some of the best productivity plugins for each of the major browsers.

Safari: Self Control

With the Self Control application for Mac computers, you can set your own controls for “banned” sites. All you have to do is simply create a list of sites that you don’t want to visit. Perhaps you are trying to work, so you block Facebook and Twitter. Or maybe, you are home from work and block your professional email to keep your focus on family. Regardless of the end result, this application works on a timer and makes it nearly impossible to reach any of your outlawed sites.

Chrome: AdBlocker

This plugin doesn’t prevent you from visiting off-task sites, but it makes them less distracting when you do. It eliminates all flashy ads from your screen so you are not distracted by pop-ups and banners while you are trying to work. It even claims to work for Facebook ads, so it is definitely worth a try!

Edge: Pocket

If you find yourself getting distracted by headlines and interesting Facebook articles, this is for you. Pocket is practically a virtual notebook for you to save all of the articles you wish to read later. When you find yourself procrastinating on a site that is particularly interesting, you can add it to your Pocket queue with one simple click and read it when you have time.

These are just a few of the most popular, well-known and effective plugins, but there are thousands available. With a bit of research you can find a program that is perfect for your needs. For more technology support, contact us–we are here to help.

Computer Tip of the Day – Don’t Forget Those Control Keys!

computer tip of the day don t forget those control keys

We all like to be as efficient as we can be. Whether you are in Word or composing an e-mail, if you prefer the keypad to the mouse, using control- keys can save you a lot of time! Our computer tip of the day will help.

Computer Tip of the Day

You’ve probably seen at least some of these, but here’s a comprehensive list of Control+one letter commands.

  • Ctrl + A    Select All
  • Ctrl + B    Bold the selection or toggle Bold on and off
  • Ctrl + C    Copy the selected text
  • Ctrl + D    Open the Font Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + E    Center align text
  • Ctrl + F    Open Find Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + G    Open GoTo Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + H    Open Find and Replace Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + I     Italicize selected text or toggle Italicize on and off
  • Ctrl + J     Justifies the selected text (aligns to both left and right margins)
  • Ctrl + K    Insert Hyperlink
  • Ctrl + L     Left align text
  • Ctrl + M    Indent the paragraph
  • Ctrl + N    Open new blank document
  • Ctrl + O    Opens the Open Document Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + P     Opens Print Dialog Box
  • Ctrl + Q    Remove Paragraph Formatting
  • Ctrl + R    Right align text
  • Ctrl + S    Save open document
  • Ctrl + T    Create hanging indent
  • Ctrl + U    Underline selected text or toggle underline on and off
  • Ctrl + V    Paste previously copied text
  • Ctrl + W   Close Word document
  • Ctrl + X    Cut selected text
  • Ctrl + Y    Redo an undone action, or repeat an action
  • Ctrl + Z    CtrlZ is the hero of control keys. While holding down the Ctrl key, press the Z and it will undo your last action. Inadvertently deleted the text from your term paper? No problem, before you do anything else, press CtrlZ and your text will magically reappear!

If you don’t already have it, you might want to save this list to your desktop for easy reference. While Ctrl + Z can definitely save your bacon, all of those other lovely Ctrl keys can save you a lot of time! To find out more about this and lots of other useful tech tips, please contact us.