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Microsoft rolls out junkware-free PCs

Are you tired of buying a new PC and getting a load of pre-installed crapware you don’t need? This unnecessary software runs concurrently with the app you’re using, often prompting you to upgrade it ASAP. Signature Edition PCs let you do away with all of it.

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07 Dec, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Hardware, Windows category
Microsoft rolls out junkware-free PCs

Are you tired of buying a new PC and getting a load of pre-installed crapware you don’t need? This unnecessary software runs concurrently with the app you’re using, often prompting you to upgrade it ASAP. Signature Edition PCs let you do away with all of it.

What are Windows 10 Signature Edition PCs?

Microsoft Windows 10 Signature Edition is a new generation of specially configured PCs that are clear of junkware, which is unnecessary software pre-installed by PC manufacturers on new PCs. Microsoft is aiming to provide users with cleaner, more optimized PCs.

What’s tempting about them?

They are cleaner. It’s undeniable that PCs devoid of aggressive attempts to lure you to pay for upgrades is a more pleasant user experience. No more annoyances, no more need to spend time manually uninstalling unnecessary programs yourself.

They are faster. Once PCs are clear of third-party junkware, they’ll load quicker, whether you need to boot, shutdown, sleep, or resume working.

They are more secure, according to Microsoft. The Signature Edition PCs boast a built-in firewall and anti-virus and anti-phishing tools that come with ongoing security support and updates throughout their useful lives. What’s more, ridding your PC of bloatware means reducing the chances of you clicking on suspicious ads that will make your PC prone to attack.

You can find Signature Edition PCs in Microsoft’s brick-and-mortar stores and online, manufactured by leading PC makers such as Dell, Acer, HP, and Lenovo.

Is there any downside?

Possibly, yes. Signature Edition PCs usually cost more than similar machines containing bloatware. This is because bloatware is a source of extra income, and many vendors end up increasing the PC price to make up for the loss.

Another thing to note is that even though the Signature Edition PCs have less third-party software, much of Microsoft’s own crapware remains. That includes Candy Crush Soda Saga, Bubble Witch 3 Saga, and Drawboard PDF. The good news is Microsoft bloatware generally doesn’t affect a PC's performance unless it is running.

Interested in switching to a cleaner version of Windows, but unsure whether it would be worth it? Before spending your hard-earned money on a piece of hardware, you need to make sure you understand the pros and cons, so why not consult our experts today? They know about computers and can advise you on how to make the right IT investments.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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What you need to know about VPNs

With stories of large-scale data breaches and internet service providers tracking internet habits, online privacy is becoming a rare commodity. Incognito mode and private browsing features may be able to cover up your browsing history, but they don’t completely protect your online activities.

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06 Dec, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Security category
What you need to know about VPNs

With stories of large-scale data breaches and internet service providers tracking internet habits, online privacy is becoming a rare commodity. Incognito mode and private browsing features may be able to cover up your browsing history, but they don’t completely protect your online activities. You need a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

What is VPN?

Simply put, a VPN is a group of servers you connect to via the internet. Once you’ve established a connection, your computer acts as if it’s on the same local connection as the VPN, making it seem like you moved to a different location.

When you surf the web through a VPN, all the data transmitted and received is also encrypted, preventing anyone -- from hackers to government agencies -- from monitoring your online activities.

Why should you have one?

Of course, security and privacy are major reasons why you would want a VPN. For example, if you’re connected to a public WiFi network -- like the ones you typically see in local cafes and airports -- using a VPN encrypts the information you’re sending or accessing online. This means things like credit card details, login credentials, private conversations, or other sensitive documents can’t be intercepted by a third party.

VPNs are also useful for accessing geo-restricted websites. If you’re traveling abroad and certain US websites are blocked in that region, you can simply connect to a VPN located in the US to access the sites you need.

Which VPN should you choose?

Given the increasing demand for secure online privacy, VPNs are surging in popularity. The following considerations can help you find the right one.

1. Cost
While free VPNs are available, we strongly suggest you avoid them. These keep logs of your internet activity, and in some cases sell them to the highest bidder. Maintaining a VPN service is also expensive, which means the free ones will likely plaster ads on your browser to make a quick buck.

Paid VPNs like SurfEasy and StrongVPN often come with more robust features and configurations that keep you secure. What’s more, they don’t keep a record of the sites you visit and hound you with pop-ups that lead to dangerous websites.

2. Location
The physical location of VPN servers is important if you want to access region-blocked websites. So if you’re planning on accessing a UK-based service, your VPN provider must at least have servers installed in London.

3. Capacity
Read through a VPN provider’s terms of service to determine how much data you’re allowed to use. If possible, find out how many servers a VPN provider has. If they have plenty of servers online, you can rest assured that they have the capacity to support your internet browsing.

4. Device compatibility
Another important factor to consider is whether the VPN can be used across multiple devices. Nowadays, employees work on laptops, tablets, and smartphones, so you’ll want a VPN that’s compatible with all these.

5. IP leaking
Finally, a great way to evaluate a VPN service is to sign up for their free trial service and visit https://ipleak.net/, which will allow you to check whether your real IP address is actually being leaked. If it manages to track your physical location, you need to opt for a more reliable VPN service.

VPNs are now a vital component of cybersecurity, and if you need help selecting the right one for your business, consult with our security experts today. We also offer comprehensive cybersecurity services so no hacker or third party can get their hands on your data.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Keyboard shortcuts Mac users need to know

Some Mac users have been using their computers for years without learning many of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. That’s fine, but knowing them would definitely make life much easier. Here are some of the most useful ones you should learn now.

Minimizing (or ‘Docking’) the front app window: Command M

Use this combination when you have several apps, browsers, or Finder windows open and want to minimize the active one.

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05 Dec, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Tips category
Keyboard shortcuts Mac users need to know

Some Mac users have been using their computers for years without learning many of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. That’s fine, but knowing them would definitely make life much easier. Here are some of the most useful ones you should learn now.

Minimizing (or ‘Docking’) the front app window: Command M

Use this combination when you have several apps, browsers, or Finder windows open and want to minimize the active one. To minimize all open windows at once, press Command + Option + M.

Closing an active window: Command + W

This shortcut lets you close active apps or programs like browsers, Finder, Thesaurus, or any app that allows multiple tabs to be open simultaneously. To close all tabs without quitting the program entirely, press Command + Option + W.

Quitting a program: Command + Q

Clicking the red X button in most Mac apps and programs, like Mail, only puts them in the dock. This shortcut lets you fully quit an application.

Force quitting a program: Command + Option + Escape

If an app becomes unresponsive, you can shut it down by using the force-quit shortcut, which displays all your open applications. Select the one you want to quit and hit ‘Force Quit.’ In some instances, you might need to press Command + Tab to switch to another app, then press Command + Shift + Option + Escape to quit an active app.

Hiding apps: Command + H

With this trick you can hide an active window, which is particularly useful when you want to quickly conceal what’s on your screen. It's also great for decluttering your screen by keeping only one app active. Simply press Command + Option + H.

Opening folders in Finder: Command + Shift + A/U/D/H/I

These combinations offer faster ways to view your Applications (A), Utilities (U), Desktop (D), Home (H), and iCloud (I) folders without having to click several apps.

Shutting down a Mac: Command-Alt-Control-Eject

In a hurry and need to power off quick? This shortcut shuts down everything -- apps, operating system, and power.

Taking a screenshot:

  • Command + Shift + 3 - Use this to take a snapshot of your entire screen.
  • Command + Shift + 4 - This combination will turn your cursor into a set of crosshairs that will let you select a specific area of your screen.
  • Command + Shift + 4 + Spacebar - Hit these keys to screenshot only your current window (browser window, Notes app, etc.) without altering its dimensions.

Other little-known shortcuts:

  • Command + Spacebar - Press these keys and the Spotlight Search bar will appear in the upper center of your screen, which you can use to search for files or programs.
  • Command + Option + D - Use this to hide the Dock.
  • Command + Shift + [ or ] - Cycle through tabs in Safari by pressing [ when moving right or ] when moving left.
  • Command + Shift - See all your open tabs in an active browser.
  • Command + , (comma) - Open the active app’s settings.
  • Command + Shift T - Opens the last closed tab in the active browser.

Everyone uses hotkeys to work faster and more efficiently. If you need more usability and productivity tips and tricks on MacBook, iMac, MacBook Pro, or any of your business devices, call our experts today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Who & What Causes A Healthcare Breach

Technology advancements have revolutionized the healthcare industry, but with security breaches hitting an all-time high and shattering records year after year, what and who do companies have to be wary about? Read on to find out.

Insiders are a bigger threat than hackers

Protenus is one of the largest security vendors for electronic health records (EHRs) and their mid-year review sheds some important light on the most common types of security breaches in healthcare.

The post Who & What Causes A Healthcare Breach appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

04 Dec, 2017 / by Complete Technology Resources / in Uncategorized category
Who & What Causes A Healthcare Breach

Technology advancements have revolutionized the healthcare industry, but with security breaches hitting an all-time high and shattering records year after year, what and who do companies have to be wary about? Read on to find out.

Insiders are a bigger threat than hackers

Protenus is one of the largest security vendors for electronic health records (EHRs) and their mid-year review sheds some important light on the most common types of security breaches in healthcare. Figures were calculated based on reported incidents to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the media, and state attorney generals. Here are several key findings all pointed towards one direction; those being:

  • 41% of the health and data breaches in 2017 were caused by insiders. These errors, leaks and incidents are estimated to have affected over 1 million patient records and are on course to overtake the number of breaches in 2016.
  • Security breaches caused insiders were mostly simple accidents, but these accounted for a larger chunk of security incidents which affected patient records.
  • Insider accidents affected over 420,000 patient records, whereas, insider wrongdoings affected over 740,000 patient records.
  • On average, insider breaches go unnoticed for 387 days. This is because insiders, malicious or not, are using legitimate credentials, making inappropriate use much harder to detect.

Hackers are not far behind

  • Hacking accounted for 32% of all reported incidents, and garnered more media attention because hackers usually disrupt a large amount of patient records in a single incident. It is estimated that close to 1.5 million patient records were breached by them.
  • Extortion is on the rise, and it comes as no surprise that the healthcare industry has become an easy target due to an ever-increasing volume of sensitive data and lack of security measures. There were 46 recorded incidents in September, compared to 33 in August.
  • As cyber criminals' attempts to access patient records become more rampant and sophisticated, companies, now more than ever must be wary of security breaches. The data presented in Protenus’ report highlights some of the most common causes of a security breach and emphasizes the importance of two methods companies should use to potentially reduce compromises in security: IT training and ongoing education on security methods to counter errors made by insiders, preventing cyber attacks, and proactively reacting to malicious insiders.

To ensure peace of mind, you need IT professionals with years of experience in preventing security breaches all while adapting to the ever-changing and fast-paced technological landscape of today. Call us today so we can help secure and manage your highly valuable electronic medical records!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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