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Why the new Microsoft Edge is worth usingMicrosoft recently released a more stable version of its web browser, Microsoft Edge, which the company rebuilt from scratch. If you’re in the market for a new and high-performing browser, Microsoft Edge has several new features that are worth checking out. 1. Collections Collections allows you to gather information from different sites, then organize, export, […]

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Why the new Microsoft Edge is worth using

Microsoft recently released a more stable version of its web browser, Microsoft Edge, which the company rebuilt from scratch. If you’re in the market for a new and high-performing browser, Microsoft Edge has several new features that are worth checking out.

1. Collections

Collections allows you to gather information from different sites, then organize, export, or return to it at a later time. Doing these can be especially difficult if you’re working across several sites and multiple devices.

To use this feature, simply click on the Collections button and a pane will open on the right side of your browser window. Here, you can easily drag and drop web pages, text, images, videos, and other elements into a group, which you can then import to a Word document or Excel workbook.

2. Vertical tabs

Vertical tabs are a handy feature if you often find yourself opening dozens of tabs at once at any given time. Instead of having to hover over or click on one to see which page it’s on, you can easily find and manage your tabs on the side with a single click. You’ll never have to lose track of or accidentally close tabs again.

3. Smart Copy

How often do you copy content from the web and paste it into a document only for it to become an ugly mess of text that needs to be cleaned up? This won’t be a problem if you use the new Microsoft Edge. The Smart Copy feature makes it easier to select, copy, and paste web content — including any images or links — while preserving its formatting.

4. Tracking prevention

Whenever you visit a site, online trackers can collect information about your internet activity, including pages you visit, links you click on, your search history, and more. What’s alarming is that they can do this even when you’re not on the site. Companies then use the data collected to target you with personalized advertisements and experiences. This can seem highly intrusive, if not downright creepy.

The new tracking prevention feature in Microsoft Edge is designed to keep you from being tracked by sites that you aren’t accessing directly. It’s enabled by default, and it gives you control over the types of third-party trackers to be detected and blocked, thereby enhancing your online privacy.

5. Password Monitor

Millions of online personal credentials are frequently exposed due to data breaches and sold on the dark web. To keep your online accounts safe from hackers, Microsoft developed the Password Monitor. When enabled, this feature notifies you if the credentials you’ve saved to autofill is on the dark web. It then prompts you to take action, allowing you to view a list of all the leaked credentials and then leading you to the respective site to change your password.

6. InPrivate mode enhancements

Sometimes, you may want extra online privacy when browsing the internet, especially if you’re sharing devices with other people. When you use the InPrivate mode, your history, cookies, and site data are automatically deleted once you finish a web browsing session. What’s more, your searches aren’t tied to your account, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of deleting your search or browser history.

7. Immersive Reader

Built into the new Microsoft Edge, Immersive Reader makes reading online easier and more accessible by removing distractions on the page and creating a simplified environment that helps you to focus. This feature also gives you access to a variety of capabilities, including hearing text read aloud or adjusting the text size.

8. 4K and Dolby Audio

If you enjoy binge-watching the latest series on Netflix or just want a high-definition entertainment experience when viewing content online, then this feature is for you. Microsoft Edge is the only browser on Windows 10 that lets you watch Netflix in stunning 4K resolution and supports Dolby Audio and Dolby Vision.

9. Give with Bing

Bing now comes with a Give Mode feature that allows you to support the causes you care about by simply searching using the search engine. As part of the Microsoft Rewards program, you can earn reward points for searches and donate these points to one out of more than a million nonprofits to choose from. This includes the CDC Foundation and other organizations supporting the COVID-19 response.

10. Easy switching

Microsoft Edge is available to download for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. What’s great is that you can easily copy or migrate your bookmarks, form fill information, passwords, and basic settings to the new Microsoft Edge with just a single click.

If you want to learn more about the latest features of Microsoft Edge and how to enjoy these benefits on your business computers, give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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4 Facts about HIPAA and your ITHealth Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations pertaining to IT have become much clearer over the course of the past few years, but there are still a few areas in which your office might not be compliant. This isn’t necessarily because of negligence on your part, but rather a lack of understanding of the […]

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4 Facts about HIPAA and your IT

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations pertaining to IT have become much clearer over the course of the past few years, but there are still a few areas in which your office might not be compliant. This isn’t necessarily because of negligence on your part, but rather a lack of understanding of the requirements. Let’s look at four concerns your practice should know about HIPAA and your IT.

Telehealth and mHealth are not always compliant

If your practice has invested in or is thinking about investing in telehealth or mobile health (mHealth), then you need to make sure that the tech you utilize is HIPAA-compliant. While most telehealth technology is HIPAA-approved, one or two additional measures may be required to make it compliant. An IT specialist should have no problem making sure your telehealth is up to code.

On the other hand, mHealth may be a little more problematic. While a lot of hardware and apps, including Fitbit and Apple Watch, are HIPAA-compliant, mHealth is a field that is still very new and constantly changing. Your best bet is to consult with an expert to make sure your mHealth services are following all the necessary regulations.

All information needs to be HIPAA-compliant

Electronic health records (EHRs) and any sensitive documents like billing records, appointment information, and test results must be stored in HIPAA-compliant devices and servers. More specifically, your devices and services should have multiple layers of security, including endpoint protection software, encryption systems, and strict access controls.

A lot of medical practices that use cloud-based storage for their EHRs overlook this fact and opt for low-cost platforms that don’t meet certain minimums. While it’s good to have your EHRs ready to go on the cloud, make sure that your non-EHR data is protected as well. If it isn’t, you could be facing a fine.

Your protected health information (PHI) notice must be available online

If your practice has a website, HIPAA’s rules dictate that your website must contain a copy of your updated PHI notice for patients to access. If this information is not currently posted on your website, rectify this as soon as possible to avoid any problems.

Healthcare business associates must also be HIPAA-compliant

Conformity to HIPAA regulations is not just limited to medical practices, healthcare clearinghouses, and health plan organizations. Any business that has access, electronic or otherwise, to PHI is also required by law to be HIPAA-compliant. This includes any accounting or law firms you work with that may already be accessing your files electronically to carry out work.

To avoid any potential trouble for your practice or its partners, it is best to ask them if they are HIPAA-compliant before partnering with them. If they aren’t, revoke all data access privileges, and make sure they take action to correct this issue immediately.

Still not sure if you’re 100% HIPAA-compliant? Our team of experts can run the necessary risk analysis and correct issues with your technology that may not be in line with current regulations. Just give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Have you updated your firmware yet?When was the last time you checked if the firmware of your gadgets are up to date? If it has been a while, then you need to do so right away. This is because you might be using outdated firmware, and doing so makes you vulnerable to data breaches and other cyberattacks. What is firmware? […]

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Have you updated your firmware yet?

When was the last time you checked if the firmware of your gadgets are up to date? If it has been a while, then you need to do so right away. This is because you might be using outdated firmware, and doing so makes you vulnerable to data breaches and other cyberattacks.

What is firmware?

Firmware is a basic type of software that is embedded into every piece of hardware. It controls the device it’s installed on, cannot be uninstalled or removed, and is only compatible with the make and model of the hardware it is installed on. Think of it like a translator between your stiff and unchanging hardware and your fluid and evolving software. For example, the firmware of a TV remote control processes the button presses and sends that data into a format that the TV can understand.

Why is firmware security important?

To clearly explain the importance of firmware security, let’s use the firmware installed in a router as an example.

When you buy a router and plug it in, its firmware allows it to connect devices to your wireless network with almost zero input from you. However, if the router manufacturer is outside of California, then they might still be using the same username and password for the same router model, if not for all router models. If you don't change these default settings, you could be exposed to hackers.

Default usernames and passwords is an example of a known vulnerability, and firmware could have other vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. Black hat hackers could use these to spy on you, steal or corrupt your data, or even damage your systems. Unfortunately, firmware exploits are not rare occurrences. Not too long ago, a cybersecurity professional discovered that sending a 33-character text message to a router generated an SMS response that included the administrator username and password.

How do I protect myself?

The best way to defend yourself from firmware exploits is to immediately roll out firmware updates from the device’s manufacturer. With that said, you need to keep in mind that every manufacturer has different procedures for checking and updating firmware. For instance, if you have a D-Link router, typing “192.168.0.1” into a web browser will allow you to access its firmware and update process, assuming you have the username and password. If you’re unfamiliar with your router manufacturer’s procedures, you can type “[manufacturer name] router firmware update” on any search engine like Google.

But remember, routers are just one example of how firmware affects your cybersecurity posture. Hard drives, motherboards, and even mice and keyboards need to be checked as well. We understand this can be extremely tedious, and that’s why we highly recommend hiring an IT provider to take care of it for you. If you’re curious about what else we can do to help, give us a call today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Have you updated your firmware yet? appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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