Android phones and tablets have become mini computers capable of storing gigabytes worth of data. But like any computer, that data can be lost or compromised at any time. Users who value their data benefit from planning ahead and backing up their data. Here are some Android backup and recovery tips to get you started.

Take advantage of cloud services
The best way to ensure your data is safe is backing it up in the cloud. When you power up your Android device for the first time, make sure to sign up for a Google account, this will give you access to 15GB of free Google Drive storage with additional space available for a monthly fee.

Any Google Docs or Sheets file you create on your phone will automatically be saved to your Drive, so if you ever lose your phone, you can simply retrieve your files by signing in to your Google account from a different device.

If you’re not a fan of Google services, you can always opt for other cloud storage services like Dropbox or Office 365.

Back up your device settings
Another great thing about Google Drive is you can back up your device’s settings and preferences. These include screen lock passcodes, display preferences, language options, and approved WiFi networks.

To confirm all these settings are saved to your Google account, go to the “Backup” section in system settings and enable “Backup to Google Drive.” This way, if you ever switch to a new phone, you can simply restore all your device settings and preferences by signing into your Google account.

Save app data
If you have apps that contain important information, you can sync that data to your Drive. Simply return to the “Backup” section, look for “App data,” then enable the Automatic restore function.

Keep your contacts
Most contacts are saved on SIM cards or on the phone itself, so check if there’s a cloud syncing option in your Contacts app. If your phone doesn’t have this option, try third-party services like Contact Backup, which can be found on the Google Play Store.

What if you don’t save your data in the cloud?
Although we highly recommend cloud services for data retrieval, your phone’s SD card does retain some information after it’s been deleted. You can restore deleted files by connecting your card to a desktop computer and using specialized recovery software. But this can be a complicated process unless you team up with Android experts like us.

For more services regarding data backup and mobile device management, call us today. We offer a wide array of solutions for Android phones.

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MacOS Mojave is the newest addition to Apple’s long list of operating system updates, as announced on June 4, 2018. And like its predecessors, the new OS comes packed with a bunch of great new features. Here are five of them.

Dark Mode

Did you ever wish your computer windows were not just plain ole white? If yes, you’re in for a treat. The new Dark Mode feature changes the appearance of all your screen elements, such as the dock, taskbar, and windows, from deary shades of white to classier shades of black, making the screen much easier to view at night.

Desktop Stacks

Are you having a hard time finding a specific file on your desktop because it’s cluttered with documents, pictures, and music files? Mojave’s new “Desktop Stacks” automatically organizes and stacks your documents in one pile based on the type of files. For instance, PDFs will be stacked in one pile while JPEGs will be stacked in another. When you want to find a specific file, simply open the pile and go through them until you find the right one.

iOS apps on Mac

Your dependable iPhone allows you to read current news, check how your stocks are performing, record voice notes, and control your home accessories. But what if you’re on your computer, your phone is out of reach, and you wanted to do all these things? You won’t need to get out of your seat anymore with MacOS Mojave as popular iOS apps like Voice Memos, Stocks, Home, and Apple News will now be available on Mac.

What’s more, third-party developers will soon be able to make iOS apps available on Mac as Apple plans to implement UIKit, a framework Mac programmers use when developing iOS applications, to macOS. This function is expected to roll out in 2019.

Markup Screenshots

Markup, one of the most convenient tools in iOS, will soon be available for Mac users. This function allows you to write or draw over your screenshot, which is especially useful if you need to pinpoint a specific point on the image and send the file to someone else.

Continuity Camera

Remember the days when you had to email photographs to yourself, move them to iCloud, or sync your phone so it’s accessible on your computer? Say goodbye to this tedious process with macOS Mojave’s Continuity Camera. This new feature lets you capture images on your phone and have it appear on your Pages document instantly. It also allows you to scan documents on your phone and have it automatically sent to your Mac.

There are many more features that are new to macOS Mojave. If you wish to learn more about it, or understand how this update can benefit your business, call our Apple experts today.

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Apart from the cloud, one of today’s biggest IT trends is virtualization. And why not, it has helped countless businesses in more ways than one. An emerging model of virtualization is virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), which involves hosting a desktop operating system and making it available on almost any device. It is most effective in the following use cases:

Healthcare

In an industry where every file is sensitive, the importance of confidentiality can’t be overstated. With VDI, rules and permissions can be customized based on the individual virtual desktop. As such, every medical professional can only view patient records relevant to them. It also allows them to log into their virtualized desktop while working across a variety of locations and devices.

Academic institutions

By leveraging VDI, a school’s IT team can create a virtual desktop — with the necessary restrictions implemented — for each student. If each classroom has a set of workstations, students' desktop experiences will be consistent throughout their day. Even though they'll be using different hardware every hour or two, they'll always see the same desktop.

Companies with shift workers

In most cases, shift employees don’t really need one designated computer to fulfill their task because one computer is shared by multiple users. VDI makes it easy for companies to manage several desktop accounts on fewer devices. Workers can log into any devices, access their own virtual desktop, work as they do every day, and log off at the end of their shift.

Users with multiple computers

Depending on the nature of work, some positions require working with several computers on a regular basis. With VDI, they can integrate desktops and maintain it across two or more devices.

Field or remote staff

Employees that work remotely or in the field need access to tools and applications when on the job. A secure and reliable way to do it is through VDI. A complete VDI solution makes access to a consistent desktop experience possible anytime, anywhere, and using any device. It allows your remote or field workforce to operate effectively, no matter the circumstances.

Of course, these are just a few situations where VDI is helpful. Any business can enjoy security and productivity enhancements with a team of virtualization experts on call. Contact us today to find out how we can help.

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A malware infection is one of the worst things that could happen to your Internet of Things (IoT) devices. But some users don’t even know there are IoT-targeted attacks that threaten computers, networks, and data. Rebooting an IoT device is a simple way to remove malware, but for those already infected with the latest strain, it’s not that simple.

What is the Hide And Seek malware?

The Hide and Seek (HNS) malware has created a "botnet" by quietly infecting thousands of devices using advanced communication methods. Without getting too technical, a botnet adds or “recruits” computers to their network to carry out malicious acts, such as overloading a network by telling every infected device in the botnet to try and connect at the same time.

The new HNS can’t be removed by resetting the infected device, which is the solution for most IoT malware strains. The new strain can also exploit a greater variety of devices and in less time than its predecessors. Experts believe it has already compromised more than 90,000 IPTC cameras and other devices.

IoT devices are easily hacked if they connect to the internet, which is home to opportunistic cybercriminals. And because businesses and consumers are expected to acquire and use more IoT devices (the market is expected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2020), it’s imperative to take cybersecurity precautions.

How can I protect my IoT devices?

Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep your devices -- and ultimately your network and data -- safe from HNS and other forms of malware.

• Turn off your IoT devices when not in use to reduce their exposure to fast-spreading malware.
• Take simple precautions to keep your WiFi networks safe, like changing your network’s default settings (including your network’s name), and using complex passwords that are changed from time to time.
• For those who use a large number and variety of devices, install a threat management system that will block intruders and secure common threat entry points.

With HNS and other malware strains expected to increase in number and complexity, it’s more important than ever to take a multi-layered approach to security. Call us today to learn more about which cybersecurity solutions are right for your business.

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