Having an effective virtualized data storage system is crucial for your business. It increases efficiency, productivity, and revenue. While its setup can be fairly easy, it also has its own pitfalls. Here are three common virtualization problems and how best to resolve them.

Poorly structured storage from the get go

Within a virtualized data storage framework, information is grouped into tiers based on how quickly it needs to be accessible when requested. Most networks will have to organize data into three different tiers to avoid breaking the bank.

For example, you probably don't need to access archived data as fast as the images on your eCommerce website.

Without a virtualization expert on hand, organizing these data could quickly go off the rails. Consult with your managed IT services provider (MSP) to plan where various data types will be stored and what's the most effective way to set up your data storage framework.

Inadequately maintained virtualized storage

You need to regularly update your virtualized data storage plan so that it always meets your company’s evolving needs and it performs optimally. 

Whoever is in charge of your virtualization solution needs to have intimate knowledge of how data is being accessed. If you’re using virtual machines to access your database, they need to be precisely arranged to make sure you don’t have 10 workstations trying to access information from the same gateway.

Incorrect application placement

Placing all of your data-intensive applications on virtual storage networks might cause too much bandwidth usage and network traffic. 

Your MSP needs to understand and closely monitor how those applications work so they can recommend how to best distribute them across virtual machines and physical machines to solve connectivity issues.

Deploying any type of virtualized IT within your business is no small feat. So if you want to set up a virtualization solution without any issues, contact us today.  

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Macs may be heralded as more secure than their competitors, but they too can be hacked. Malicious programs that appear like harmless files or apps can infect your computer and cause it to slow down to a crawl. If this ever happens, you must be able to remove the malware quickly before the infection gets worse.

Minimize the threat

Containment is the top priority when your Mac is hit with malware. The first thing you should do is to disconnect your device from the internet to prevent malware from spreading and making it vulnerable to hackers.

Then, reboot your computer in safe mode (hold the Shift key when the Apple logo appears) so you can run only mission-critical programs while you resolve the issue. Since most files aren’t active in safe mode, malicious programs are easier to remove. You should also open Activity Monitor, which can be found in the Utilities folder, to disable any non-essential apps.

Even if you are in safe mode, assume that your activities are being monitored by cybercriminals. Log out of any applications and don’t type any passwords in case a hidden keylogger or spyware program is running in the background to steal sensitive information.

Scan and remove

Once you’ve contained the threat, update your anti-malware program and run a full system scan. This ensures your security software has the latest malware definitions to identify and remove the most recent threats. But if there are suspicious applications your anti-malware program failed to detect, you can always uninstall them manually like how you would with other software. Contact an IT expert if you’re unsure whether a program is safe to remove.

Malware may also add unwanted toolbars, display persistent ads, and redirect you to a dangerous homepage. In such cases, you’ll need to clean your browser. For Safari, click Safari from the menu bar, go to Preferences, and remove unwanted plug-ins and extensions. On Chrome, click Chrome from the menu bar and select Preferences > Advanced > Restore settings to their original defaults.

Consider a factory reset

If none of the methods above worked, the only way to clear the malware infection is to factory reset your operating system. To do this, hold down Command+R to enter Recovery Mode, wipe the hard drive with Disk Utility, and reinstall macOS. Keep in mind that this will wipe apps and files stored on your device, so back up everything beforehand.

Fortify your defenses

Your computer won’t stay malware-free for long unless you’re proactively protecting it. Make sure to update your applications and security software regularly to defend against the latest malware strains and cyberattacks. You should also implement preventive measures like advanced threat prevention systems and firewalls, which stop malware in its tracks.

Backups are another important solution for dealing with malware. An easy way to start using this technology is to enable Apple’s built-in backup solution, Time Machine, and store everything in an external drive. The feature can make hourly, daily, and weekly backups, letting you restore your computer to the point before it was infected with malware.

If any of this sounds too technical for you, don’t worry. Our cybersecurity specialists can help you remove malware without any complications. We’ll even throw in proactive security monitoring services to ensure your Mac steers clear of cyberthreats. Call us now.

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Physicians in some parts of the world still make house calls, but they are becoming rare. Today, most patients either go to a clinic or hospital, make a quick trip to a pharmacy for instant relief, or get treatment at home via telemedicine. Although this medical practice might not sound familiar to some, it has been around for years.

Making telemedicine work

A key element in making telemedicine work is technology, which comprises of video-teleconferencing equipment, a fast and stable internet connection, and advanced telemedicine software. These elements are indispensable because this special type of medical practice requires highly visual interactions.

Healthcare businesses and individual medical practices with telemedical capability also need to comply with the regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), and other healthcare legislation. Mostly, these regulations involve compliance with the handling and storage of personally identifiable patient data.

To make telemedicine effective, healthcare providers need to exert as much effort in following the same rules as a traditional medical practice. But is it truly worth considering?

Benefits of telemedicine

• Easy access – Telemedicine solves the basic problem of access. For example, if a patient in a far-flung Nigerian town needs to see a US-based specialist, telemedicine can make that possible. In a less complicated medical situation, telemedicine solves the problems of mobility. Without having to go to the hospital for treatment, a patient can conveniently dial or log in to an online portal to consult a doctor.
• Efficiency – One of the more problematic aspects of a doctor’s visit is the long wait. Often, wait times take much longer than the actual consultation. Patients with minor illnesses would rather self-medicate than visit a hospital and suffer a long queue. With telemedicine, a patient can wait in the comfort of their own home.
• Better healthcare – Consulting your physician online doesn’t mean diminished quality of care — provided, of course, that all devices, telemedicine software, and other technical aspects work seamlessly. In some instances, remote medical care enhances the patient’s experience. Follow-ups, post-operation check-ups, and quick consultations can be done using a desktop computer, laptop, or smartphone, thereby reducing the possibility of missing an appointment.
• Lower healthcare costs – That’s not simply referring to the transportation expense of going to the doctor’s; the actual cost of an in-person visit is much higher than the cost of a virtual one. For minor ailments like colds and flu, a physical visit to the clinic might set you back as much as $100, whereas a virtual one only costs $45.

Telemedicine is not meant to take over conventional medical care, as the technology supplements it instead. Patients can expect an expansion of this practice among many medical providers, while healthcare providers can expect rapid growth in telemedicine technology, especially as healthcare compliance requirements evolve.

We stand at the forefront of technological innovations that will continue to define an industry as dynamic as healthcare. If you need industry-based knowledge, contact us today.

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