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The business benefits of Google Data StudioBusiness owners and managers are bombarded with large volumes of data on a daily basis and are increasingly having trouble making sense of it all. Today, they need cutting-edge solutions to generate reports and gain actionable insights to make smarter decisions. They need Google Data Studio. What is Google Data Studio? Google Data Studio is […]

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17 Dec, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Uncategorized category
The business benefits of Google Data Studio

Business owners and managers are bombarded with large volumes of data on a daily basis and are increasingly having trouble making sense of it all. Today, they need cutting-edge solutions to generate reports and gain actionable insights to make smarter decisions. They need Google Data Studio.

What is Google Data Studio?
Google Data Studio is a data visualization tool that enables you to turn raw data into detailed and digestible reports. It pulls information from data collection platforms and centralizes it in a single dashboard.

At first glance, Data Studio may seem like any run-of-the-mill reporting software, but it has plenty of features worth mentioning.

Compatible with several data sources
Google Data Studio naturally collects data from Google Ads, Analytics, and YouTube. However, you can also import from various third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, MailChimp, Salesforce, and MySQL, just to name a few. By consolidating all this information in one dashboard, you’ll be able to gain valuable insights into your operations, finances, and marketing campaigns.

Fully customizable
Data Studio lets you customize your reports however you like. You can start with a blank template or use pre-packaged templates. From there, it’s easy to drag and drop widgets, charts, graphs, and data onto your dashboard. You can even customize aesthetics by changing colors, formatting, and fonts.

Interactive real-time reports
The reports you create are also dynamic. Whenever you add information on one of your data sources, Data Studio will automatically update the reports. What’s more, you can filter reports based on date, time, users, and other parameters to get the metrics you need.

Seamless collaboration
Working with your colleagues on Google Data Studio is as straightforward as using Google Docs. To share reports, all you have to do is send your coworkers a link and give them permission to comment and edit the information. There’s also no need to install local software on your machine. Data Studio is fully cloud-based, meaning authorized users can access your reports from any approved internet browser.

It’s free!
That’s right, Google Data Studio and all its robust reporting features come at no additional cost to your business. Although there are paid alternatives that claim to have better features, Data Studio is constantly getting feature updates and support from Google, so it’s a no-brainer.

If you want to learn more about Google Data Studio for your business, call us today. While it is fairly straightforward to use, we can show you how to make the most out of the software. We even provide comprehensive support services for all things IT.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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It’s time to rethink your passwordIn 2003, a manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) authored a document on password best practices for businesses, federal agencies, and academic institutions. More recently, however, the institute has reversed its stance. Find out why and what great passwords are made of. The problem The issue isn’t necessarily that the NIST […]

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14 Dec, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Security category
It’s time to rethink your password

In 2003, a manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) authored a document on password best practices for businesses, federal agencies, and academic institutions. More recently, however, the institute has reversed its stance. Find out why and what great passwords are made of.

The problem

The issue isn’t necessarily that the NIST advised people to create passwords that are easy to crack, but it steered people into creating lazy passwords, using capitalization, special characters, and numbers that are easy to predict, like “P@ssW0rd1.”

This may seem secure, but in reality, these strings of characters and numbers could easily be compromised by hackers using common algorithms.

To make matters worse, NIST also recommended that people change their passwords regularly, but did not define what it actually means to “change” them. Since people thought their passwords were already secure with special characters, most only added one number or symbol.

NIST essentially forced everyone to use passwords that are hard for humans to remember but easy for computers to guess.

Recently, the institution admitted that this scheme can cause more problems than solutions. It has reversed its stance on organizational password management requirements, and is now recommending banishing forced periodic password changes and getting rid of complexity requirements.

The solution

Security consultant Frank Abagnale and Chief hacking officer for KnowBe4 Kevin Mitnick both see a future without passwords. Both security experts advise enterprises to utilize multifactor authentication (MFA) in login policies.

This requires users to present two valid credentials to gain access to their data. For instance, a code texted to an employee’s smartphone can serve as an added security measure to thwart hackers.

Moreover, Mitnick recommended implementing long passphrases of 25 characters or more, such as “correcthorsebatterystaple” or “iknewweretroublewhenwalkedin5623”. These are much more difficult to guess and less prone to hacking. As for the frequency of changing passphrases, it will depend on a company’s risk tolerance.

Simply put, passwords should be longer and include nonsensical phrases and English words that make it almost impossible for an automated system to make sense of.

Even better, you should enforce the following security solutions within your company:

  • Single sign-on – allows users to securely access multiple accounts with one set of credentials
  • Account monitoring tools – recognizes suspicious activity and locks out hackers

When it comes to security, ignorance is the biggest threat. If you’d like to learn about what else you can do, just give us a call.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Slow Mac? We’ve got tips to make it run fasterDid your Mac slow down after you installed macOS Mojave? Or do you suspect that its sluggishness is caused by nearly empty memory storage space? No matter what caused your Mac to slow down, things are not hopeless. Here are some ways to speed it up. Clean up your Login Items The Login Items list […]

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13 Dec, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Uncategorized category
Slow Mac? We’ve got tips to make it run faster

Did your Mac slow down after you installed macOS Mojave? Or do you suspect that its sluggishness is caused by nearly empty memory storage space? No matter what caused your Mac to slow down, things are not hopeless. Here are some ways to speed it up.

Clean up your Login Items

The Login Items list (or “Startup List”) contains all the apps and programs that automatically start when you log in. Some applications or programs are automatically added upon installation while some are manually added. Items that are no longer supported by Mojave will take time to launch, causing the system to slow down.

To remedy this,

  • Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items 
  • Remove unsupported apps by selecting the app(s) and clicking the “—” button

You can also clean out specific unsupported apps and services from your list. On the other hand, the slowdown may also be caused by apps that are outdated. If you suspect this to be the case, simply update your apps.

Start up in Safe Mode

The Mac Safe Mode is often used to troubleshoot system-wide issues and fix problems with specific apps. Booting up in Safe Mode doesn’t just repair startup drive and hardware issues, but it also deletes system caches, which slow down the startup process.

Cache files are temporary data stored on a hard drive to speed up processes. But for major upgrades like installing a new OS, cache files may become corrupted and slow down your computer. Clearing your Mac’s cache and other temporary files may bring back your Mac’s old speed.

Upgrade to an SSD

An SSD (solid-state drive) is a disk storage system that significantly speeds up a Mac’s ability to process data. It will entail some expense since you might need to purchase one, but it’s one of the most effective ways to speed up your Mac. Alternatively, you can use an external storage system to boot up your computer.

Free up startup drive space

A Mac may also slow down because of insufficient space on its startup drive. Every Mac has a built-in hard disk, but users have the option to use an external startup disk for faster performance. Your space requirement depends on the programs you use. So if you work on large media files and data, you need a bigger disk storage.

If you’ve tried one or several of these tips and still experience sluggishness, it may be time to consider other options, including trading in your old Mac for a new one. But before you do that, let us help you explore other ways to improve the performance of your trusty machine. Get in touch with us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Keep your mobile devices safe with these tipsMore businesses are now allowing their employees to use mobile devices to increase productivity and profitability. But smartphones and tablets are just as vulnerable to hacking as desktops and laptops. Worse, employees may be exposing their mobile devices unwittingly to cybercriminals. Here are some helpful tips to keep your devices safe. Ensure mobile OS is […]

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12 Dec, 2018 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Hardware category
Keep your mobile devices safe with these tips

More businesses are now allowing their employees to use mobile devices to increase productivity and profitability. But smartphones and tablets are just as vulnerable to hacking as desktops and laptops. Worse, employees may be exposing their mobile devices unwittingly to cybercriminals. Here are some helpful tips to keep your devices safe.

Ensure mobile OS is up-to-date

The updates on Apple and Android operating systems (OSs) improve overall user experience, but their most important function is to fix security vulnerabilities. Reduce your business’s exposure to threats by installing updates for all devices as soon as they become available. Don't wait for a few weeks or months to update, as this give hackers ample time to exploit vulnerabilities on devices that run on an outdated OS.

Install business applications only

Downloading apps seems harmless. But lenient policies on what should and shouldn’t be downloaded on company mobile devices could lead to staff downloading and installing non-business-related apps from third-party stores, most of which are notorious for malicious advertising codes and other threats.

Be careful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks

Emergency situations may compel you to use password-free Wi-Fi networks in hotels, airports, cafes, and other public places. Connecting to an open network can expose your confidential information and sensitive company data to hackers connected to the same network.

You can avoid this by providing a practical internet data plan, preferably one that includes roaming services, for remote workers. And if you really have to connect to an open Wi-Fi, don’t use the connection for transferring sensitive data.

Enable phone tracking tools

It’s sad but inevitable — losing a company-issued mobile device happens. Devices can be misplaced or stolen, and enabling Find My iPhone for iOS devices, GPS Phone Tracker for Android, or any device-tracking app helps users locate lost phones. Some also have the option to delete data in stolen devices. Downloading and setting up such an app only takes a few minutes, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that even if your phone is lost or stolen, its contents will not be compromised.

Screen SMS carefully

SMS phishing can be used to trick you into clicking malicious links. Hackers send messages purporting to be from someone you know, asking you to urgently send confidential data. Should you encounter such an SMS, you can either delete it or alert your IT department. You can also block unknown senders without even opening their message.

Mobile devices are becoming more critical to operations. And with more devices open to attack, businesses must bolster their cybersecurity efforts. Hackers will exploit every possible vulnerability, and that includes those in unsecured smartphones and tablets. Get in touch with us if you need comprehensive security solutions for your business.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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