ARTICLES & TECH NEWS
Articles designed to keep you informed of the latest tech trends, industry specific articles and news!
Atlanta Businesses: The Risk of Malware is on the Rise!
Attention Metro Atlanta Businesses: The Risk of Malware is on the Rise! Let's dive into an urgent and crucial topic for today's business landscape: Malware threats. It's not the best news, but it's essential to be informed. Malware attacks are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized…
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Supercharge Productivity with These Microsoft Edge Hacks
Supercharge Your Productivity with These Microsoft Edge Hacks As a busy business owner or manager, you're always on the lookout for ways to streamline your workflow and get more done. While your web browser may seem like just a tool for accessing the internet, Microsoft Edge on Windows 11…
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These 4 methods will save thousands in case of a data breach
These 4 methods will save thousands in case of a data breach! No business wants to experience a data breach - it's like a digital nightmare come to life. Unfortunately, with today's cyber landscape, it's increasingly difficult to avoid them altogether. In fact, according to IBM Security's 2022 Cost…
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Healthcare & Dental
ACIS can manage your complete IT environment from network, endpoint EHR systems and security. We help transition EHR systems and provide security to ensure your practice is HIPAA compliant and your patient data is protected
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Dealerships & Automotive
Our support for dealerships include working with multiple Dealer Management Software (DMS) vendors, offering fast response times to problems in an industry literarily where time equals money. Our goal is to ensure sales and finance people never miss a beat
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Manufacturing & Engineering
ACIS has been addressing the technical needs of manufacturing and engineering companies across many different sectors. Our expertise in this field is unrivaled and we have earned a strong reputation as a leader in providing quality support services.
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Accounting & CPA
We understand the business and cyclical pattern Accounting and CPA firms face such as during tax season and quarterly return times. We make sure to offer 24-7 help desk support to our Accounting/CPA clients during this time
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Change this right away in your org: LastPass breach lessons
Change this right away in your org: LastPass breach lessons LastPass had a major breach where thousands of accounts had their information exposed Spear phishing was involved Engineer who had encryption keys had his computer compromised Using a keylogger hackers gained access to LastPass AWS…
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These easy steps will secure your mobile devices
These easy steps will secure your mobile devices Cybersecurity experts revealed a shocking statistic recently. Malware attacks had amplified by an astonishing 500% during the opening months of 2022. This is particularly concerning considering many people still haven't taken any steps to safeguard…
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Protecting Your Business: Simple Guide to Endpoint Security
Summary Companies of all sizes have a variety of endpoints, such as computers, mobile devices and servers. Endpoint security is necessary to protect against malicious attacks from hackers. 64% of organizations have experienced one or more compromising endpoint attacks. Solutions for…
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Easy cybersecurity guide: increase security, lower overhead
Answering these cybersecurity questions correctly will lower your insurance rate and make your business more secure Do you have a formal Cybersec policy for all employees and is it enforced? Is multifactor authentication enforced companywide? Do you have a formal Disaster…
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Easy way you can prep your business technology (IT) for 2023
Easy way you can prep your business technology (IT) for 2023
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This process will protect your business from ex-employees
This process will protect your business from ex-employees Every employee in the modern workplace creates a digital footprint. This starts as soon as they're hired, with a company email address and application logins. They may even update their LinkedIn page to show their connection to your company.…
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Easy tricks anyone can use to memorize complex passwords
Easy tricks anyone can use to memorize complex passwords Why you shouldn't follow the minimum password strength requirements! A password is normally one, (and sometimes the only wall), preventing an attacker from gaining access to your systems or data. Most of what are considered strong passwords…
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5 Mistakes Companies are Making in the Digital Workplace
5 Mistakes Companies are Making in the Digital Workplace Employees are increasingly working remotely, and as a result, companies are struggling to keep up with the changing landscape of the digital workplace. From unauthorized app use to remote work-related stress, we will discuss 5 mistakes…
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6 easy IT policies all companies should implement right away
6 easy IT policies all companies should implement right away! Many small businesses make the mistake of skipping over policies. They believe that formalities are not necessary. They will simply inform staff what is expected when it comes up, believing this to be sufficient. However, this attitude…
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6 Technologies You Shouldn’t Use Anymore. Checkout #5!!
6 Technologies You Shouldn't Use Anymore. The pace at which technology develops is unquestionably rapid. Tools that were once must-haves, such as Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash, become antiquated. New tools take the place of old ones. Vulnerabilities in outdated technology can leave computers…
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Employee Left- How to secure Wi-Fi from previous employee
Employee Left- How to secure Wi-Fi from previous employee Did you know that if someone has the password, they have complete access to your network? In general, I see that these passwords seldom change. Employees come and go, but the Wi-Fi password at most businesses is solid and unchanging for many…
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This free Microsoft tool massively increased my productivity
This free Microsoft tool massively increased my productivity If you are like me, you probably ditched your 2 monitor setup for an ultra wide, or perhaps 2 ultrawide. If you did jump on this trend then you quickly realized that you have a lot more real-estate to manage and organize when working with…
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Get any old unsupported printer to work with Windows 11
Get any old unsupported printer to work with Windows 11 We have all been there, when you have to get rid of your good printer because it's no longer supported by the new version of Windows. Now, this is frustrating if it’s a home printer that can be replaced for a few hundred bucks, but what if…
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How to get your Managed IT Services for free
How to get your Managed IT Services for free There's no doubt that running a business is expensive. From the cost of goods and services, to the price of office space and employee salaries, there are a lot of expenses associated with keeping a company up and running. Bills, such as cable, internet,…
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Who needs managed IT services(MSP)? Not this guy…
Who needs managed services? Not this guy... "Why do I need to pay for an MSP? It's not like my computer breaks often..." Typically, what I hear from clients, is that they that look at an MSP as just another utility bill, like your phone or internet. It's really much more than just another overhead…
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How to quickly setup your office network the correct way
How to quickly setup your office network the correct way .player101781 .plyr__controls, .player101781 .StampAudioPlayerSkin{ border-radius: px; overflow: hidden; } .player101781{ margin: 0 auto; } .player101781 .plyr__controls .plyr__controls { border-radius: none;…
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How to quickly secure your network from rogue IoT devices
The easy way to secure you IoT devices and systems .player101783 .plyr__controls, .player101783 .StampAudioPlayerSkin{ border-radius: px; overflow: hidden; } .player101783{ margin: 0 auto; } .player101783 .plyr__controls .plyr__controls { border-radius: none; overflow:…
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Separate duties for employees or end up like this…
Separate duties for employees or end up like this... With war in Ukraine raging on, the cyber warfare between the Russians and the West continues to see an increase in Russian cybercrime. We deal with a lot of clients that employ external developers for specific projects. What we frequently…
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10 Ways you can fight against Russia’s cyberattacks
10 Ways you can fight against Russia's cyberattacks I had the pleasure of attending the Tech Execs Summit in Forsyth. They brought several speakers that had a lot of insight into how and why Russia's cyberwar is impacting local businesses. We are no longer threatened by the one man show that just…
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5 things: When selecting best IT Services Co. in Alpharetta
5 things: When selecting best IT Services Co. in Alpharetta This post will discuss the factors to consider while selecting an MSP for your business. Choosing an MSP is a big step in deciding to outsource or enhance your IT needs, and there are many things to think about when it comes to how it fits…
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Data breach the new extortion method: backups are not enough
Data breach the new extortion method: backups are not enough
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What to do NOW as war in Ukraine increases cybercrime
What to do NOW as war in Ukraine increases cybercrime As the war in Ukraine keeps escalating, many more cyber-crime groups are starting to emerge as a result. Why do you think this is happening? In places around the world that don’t have many opportunities to make money legitimately turn to crime…
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Top 3 cybersecurity trends to prepare for in 2022
With the COVID pandemic mostly behind us, we are faced with the reality that the workplace has forever been changed. Security is on the top minds of most business owners and CIO’s out there. Here are the new trends that we will see more of in the coming year. Location Independent Security is no…
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What makes a good network map, and why you should care
What makes a good network map, and why you should care Do you have a network map? Chances are that if you work in networking, you do. Or did you know what a network map was before reading this article? The term is used very often and hardly anyone knows what it means. This article is intended to…
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What John did to lose his data storing it in the wrong place
What John did to lose his data storing it in the wrong place I’ve worked with many clients in different industries; however, what I noticed is always common in majority of the businesses that we take on as clients is the lack of uniformity and processes. This includes how data is stored, handled,…
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Before & after the cybersecurity training
Before & after the cybersecurity training Let's pose a scenario: Your top client receives an email from you that sounds awfully suspicious, it may go like, "Hey, I sent you the document you requested. Click this link to download the PDF." If your clients are smart, they would quickly reply to…
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3 steps to safeguard your Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices can be great resources on your network when it comes to centralized storage accessible to all devices on the network. The issue is that this centralized entity may be accessed from outside the network. This past week, QNAP NAS devices have been targeted by a…
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Security settings to change right away on your Macs
Security settings to change right away on your Macs Apple users are still just at risk of phishing attacks as any other user on any device. Although Macs come with XProtest and Gatekeeper designed to keep users safe, socially engineered attacks still don't prevent end users from handing over their…
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Quick Disaster Recovery plan to implement now for 2022
Quick Disaster Recovery plan to implement now for 2022 You have heard the words Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery being thrown around; however, I know a fiery earthquake or the great flood might not be the top of your concern. Sadly, a disaster in today's world comes in the form of…
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How hackers are getting around Microsoft Defender
How hackers are getting around Microsoft Defender Microsoft presents Windows Defender as a one-solution fits all, however as we learned that is certainly not the case in the cybersecurity world. Cybersecurity should be tailored towards a particular business, there is rarely one size fits all…
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How to sell Cybersecurity by partnering instead of selling
How to sell Cybersecurity by partnering instead of selling Here is the deal, the threat actors don't care for the size of the business you have. An example can be, a small software development company that does work for larger firms. Having their clients’ data leaked can be detrimental to them.…
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Are you sending your credentials to a MitM without knowing it?
Are you sending your credentials to MitM without knowing it? About a month ago, we reported that some phishing kits had added the capability of intercepting SMS-based 2FA tokens. Since then, we decided to look for more such tools and found a whopping 1200+ web-based phishing kits in our research,…
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Security settings you need to change right away for 2022
Security settings you need to change right away for 2022 Often times we think of security solutions as just an antivirus and you are done. At least that's what most business owners assume it takes to secure their systems. But outside of only installing and running an antivirus solution there are…
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Why you should care about the Log4J vulnerability
Why you should care about the Log4J vulnerability Apache is an HTTP server that is open-source, cross platform and represents about 33% of all websites on the internet and countless applications that utilize parts of it. Log4J is a Java logging library used by the Apache server and many of those…
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How to quickly pass a PCI compliance scan
How to quickly pass a PCI compliance scan The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of regulations that businesses need to follow in order to protect sensitive credit card and personal information. It can be hard for small business owners who don't know how the PCI DSS…
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Tricks to diagnose and restore your internet connection
Tricks to diagnose internet connection from your seat I ask this question on interviews when checking to see if a technician knows basic networking, and you would be surprised how many do not! I will help you out without getting technical, explaining how packets are sent, and how IP addresses work.…
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James received a message, “what’s this link you sent me??”
James received a message, "What's this link you sent me??" James received a reply back from his co-worker telling him that he sent them a drobox link that looked suspicious. The next day another person complained to James telling him he sent them a google doc that is asking to login and they just…
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These 2 simple things could save your business from a cyberattack
These 2 simple things could save your business from a cyberattack It's interesting when I hear from CEO's and business owners the usual "We are not big enough to get hacked," or "Why would anyone want to target us?" What I always tell our clients is that the threat actors don't care what you do,…
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MSP tips for SMB – Enterprise backup on budget for your organization
MSP tips for SMB - Enterprise backup on budget for your organization Some may think when selecting a Managed Services Provider MSP, that we have access to some magic secrete sauce programs, or develop things in house to help secure or backup or manage your systems. We use the same software…
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How do you migrate to Office 365? Smoothly…
How do you migrate to Office 365? Smoothly... If you are on a different hosted platform of exchange, it takes careful planning, staging, and execution and communication with end users. Understanding the environment and gathering as much information as possible is the first critical step. This…
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Still not on Office 365? Here is a good reason to switch…
Still not on Office 365? Here is a good reason to switch... Reasons why you should migrate to Office 365 if you are still on another platform. By now I don’t have to explain the benefits of exchange email and why its much better than SMTP and POP3. What is Exchange or Office 365 email? Let's just…
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8 things to do in case your systems have been breached
8 things to do in case your systems have been breached Finding out that your company has been the latest unwitting victim of a ransomware attack capable of restricting computer systems and encrypting data if a ransom is not paid to cybercriminals would be a nightmare for many corporations. There…
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Quickly check the Dark Web for your leaked credentials… without checking the Dark Web
Quickly check the Dark Web for your leaked credentials… without checking the Dark Web Ever wonder if your most used username and password is floating out there in the dark web, but don't want to install a Tor browser, start visiting questionable underground websites, downloading data…
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So you think 2FA is protecting you… That’s cute
So you think 2FA is protecting you... That's cute The phone rings, a voice on the other end states, "Welcome to Chase Fraud protection department, we have recently receive a charge from E Constants online retailer for $74.32. If this was not you, please press 1." A few seconds later the phone…
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What your “IT Guy” won’t tell you. MIGHT hurt you…
What your “IT Guy” won’t tell you. MIGHT hurt you… I'm sure there's more than one IT person who's reading this wondering what they've done to be scrutinized. But here it goes.... Things that are common with "IT Guys" I will first list out some of the concerns that you should think about, and then…
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If you have Office 365, you should utilize Azure AD to protect your firm for free!
If you have Office 365, you should utilize Azure AD to protect your firm Office 365 is Microsoft's cloud productivity suite, with comparable features to Google's G Suite. It includes online versions from many of the most-used Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A…
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The biggest cybersecurity threat in 2021 and 2022 affecting all businesses
What is the biggest cybersecurity threat to businesses in 2021 and 2022 that affects all businesses The types of cyber attacks that pose the most serious threat vary depending on the business. There are many different kinds of attacks that hackers might launch, including phishing attempts,…
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What is the cost for managed IT services in Atlanta?
What is the cost for managed IT services in Atlanta? What is the cost for managed IT services in Atlanta in 2023? The answer to this question varies depending on the companies and services they offer. Most MSPs will sound the same when it comes to the service and their promises however; every…
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What 5 minutes of interruption can do to your workflow
What 5 Minutes of Interruption Can Do To Your Workflow I think it’s safe to say that everyone agrees, time is money. Interruption in our tasks can add up very quickly. For example, a study done at The University of California by Gloria Mark, says that it takes about 25 minutes to return to the…
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How Invisible IT Costs Add up fast & How to Calculate Them
How invisible IT costs add up quickly and how to calculate them When you hear Managed Service Providers (MSP) companies talk about saving you money, making things more efficient etc., etc., (insert more IT jargon here). What does this all mean? Hiring an IT support provider costs companies money…
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How Lisa had her paycheck stolen – Phishing Attack
How Lisa had her paycheck stolen - Phishing Attack Here is how Lisa had her paycheck stolen. Lets walk through the events leading up to it and how it actually happened! BECKY FROM HR Received an email from an employee named Lisa requesting to change her paycheck to be deposited into a different…
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Retrofit your computer with biometric for $80
In the spirit of October Security month. We have used biometrics to unlock our phones, pay at the grocery stores, log in to our bank accounts for many years now. It only makes sense that this level of security makes it into mainstream day-to-day use on our desktops and laptops. Although many…
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What it was like for a CPA firm to survive a cyberattack
What it was like for a CPA firm to survive a cyberattack I met Joe at a networking event, he is a CPA and owns his own Public Accounting Firm. Over time we became friends and I assisted his MSP (Managed Services Provider) on several IT projects. He employs 12-15 accountants depending on the time…
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Skip the line! Install Windows 11 and don’t wait for automatic update!
Outside of a controversial Start Menu, windows 11 appears to be mostly familiar to everyone. You can checkout the new features from Microsoft. However if you don't want to wait until the new update arrives to your computer as an automatic update. Don't worry, just head over to Microsoft and…
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Network closet cleanup. How to save money & organize data closet
Network closet cleanup. How to save money & organize data closet If your data closets look like a rats nest with unorganized unlabeled wires everywhere, congrats, you are in with the majority! Most of our clients that we come across have a similar…
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Microsoft Explains why Windows 11 will be soo much faster!
This 12 min video explains all the features of upcoming Windows 11 and what will make it soo much faster than windows 10. Its pretty impressive that microsoft listened to the feedback of the beta tester program and made the suggested improvements. The real interesting feature is how you will no…
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Stop ransomware with these TWO steps
Stop ransomware with these TWO steps In a world where you can sign up as Ransomware As A Service its no surprise that its soo profitable and soo lucrative that everyone must take the steps to ensure they are protected, because everyone is a target. Windows 10 and 11 comes with many security…
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500,000 Fortinet VPN Credentials Just Got Leaked
500,000 Fortinet VPN Credentials Got Leaked on Hackers Forum The list of Fortinet VPN credentials was released by a malicious actor known as "Orange," who is the administrator of the recently launched RAMP hacking forum and a past leader of the Babuk Ransomware initiative. Almost 500,000 Fortinet…
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Read this before you hire an IT support company…
CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE [audio src="https://www.alphacis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Murf-7.mp3" /] When your business needs to move beyond what you can DIY on your own, it might be time to start thinking about outsourcing your IT. Every company has a different set of needs and various levels of…
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Remove NAS from Active Directory (AD) Right Away!
If you are able to connect to your Network Attached Storage Device with your Active Directory credentials it might be a good idea to change the way your NAS authenticates. Ransomware attacks on the rise its hard to think of a work environment where inside the network should be thought of as…
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Do This Now to Reduce Cyber Insurance Policy Costs
When it comes to insurance reducing exposures is what underwriters generally focus on to determine the premium costs: Are you storing sensitive data? Are you running credit cards through your terminals? Is your staff trained in security? Do you run backup software and do you test these…
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Why Your Business Will Need Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
What is a next-generation firewall (NGFW)? A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a network security appliance capable of inspecting traffic at the protocol level. An NGFW can enable companies to block unauthorized access, prevent malware from entering the network and securely accelerate business…
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ALL CPA firms should register .CPA Domain while it’s still available!
AICPA launched a new CPA-specific top level domain (TLD) that will help you build trust and reach your clients in a more secure way. This verification process ensures that only those who meet certain requirements can register for this TLD, which adds another safeguard and level of trust for…
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Cybercriminals Are Now Targeting CPA and Accounting Firms 🔐
Cybercriminals Are Now Targeting CPA and Accounting Firms Reasons for targeting accounting firms is almost obvious. Consider if you are trying to get sensitive information such as bank accounts, access to retirement and investment accounts, social security and EIN numbers. What industry would you…
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5 Ways Dealerships Can Save Money On I.T. Costs
1. Stick with one vendor for managing I.T. Think of services with a major cable company or Internet provider. It’s always cheaper when you bundle multiple services, like internet and T.V., and/or phone. This concept is also true when it comes to selecting an I.T. services vendor. Much like a…
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Do these 3 things right now to prevent ransomware on your systems!
Do these 3 things right now to prevent ransomware on your systems! Quick and simple, ransomware works by encrypting your hard drive and any device connected to your computers. This makes all of your files inaccessible and you will see text documents in every folder with instructions on how to pay…
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Fire your IT guy if they do any of these things…
Why you should fire your IT guy Over time things change, people change, and your organization's needs change as well. Here are some of the things to look out for with your current IT guy. Complacency Number one reason to fire your IT guy is complacency. Just like politicians holding the…
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