Did you know that in October, Microsoft will no longer be operating on Windows 10? Or that Microsoft is disabling ActiveX controls within the month of May? Are you aware that Microsoft’s April security updates intentionally added a folder that you must NOT delete? As a small business utilizing all your team’s energy and resources, it can be overwhelming keeping up with the multiple security updates ensuring your business’ safety.
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Keyboard Shortcuts – These are a few of my favorite things!
Keyboard shortcuts are one of the simplest ways to boost your productivity - yet they're often overlooked. These quick key combinations help you navigate, format, and multitask faster without ever taking your hands off the keyboard. Whether you're writing emails, managing files, or working in Microsoft 365, learning a few key shortcuts can save minutes every day and hours over time. It’s a small change with a big payoff!
Read MoreTags: small business technology advice., cybersecurity, Computer Tip
Credit Card Fraud Is a Headache and Business Cybercrime Is a Full-Blown Crisis
Posted by Sarah Carroll on 4/11/25 9:10 AM
Did you know that 28% of consumers have fallen victim to credit card fraud in the last year? With nearly a third of people affected, it’s no surprise that 37% report feeling anxious about their credit card accounts being compromised. Families and career-driven individuals are especially on edge, with Gen X and Millennials (40%) sharing equally high levels of concern.
Read MoreTags: phishing, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, ransomware, cybersecurity, Fraud
If You've Never Thought of Cybersecurity, You're Exactly Who The Cyber Criminals Want
Posted by Ann Westerheim on 4/9/25 9:26 AM
Cybersecurity and AI have become inseparable forces that create immediate risks to local businesses, regardless of size. Small organizations are now prime targets for criminals who use artificial intelligence to automate attacks, making every business vulnerable.
Major corporate breaches grab headlines, yet the silent wave of cyber attacks on local companies goes unreported, leaving many business owners with a dangerous false sense of safety. Your organization needs basic protective steps that could prevent most attacks, along with cost-effective solutions to shield your business from financial losses and reputation damage. The stakes are high - companies that fall victim to these attacks often struggle to keep their doors open.
Read MoreTags: small business technology advice., Cybersecurity, email scams, cybersecurity training
Understanding Quit Claim Deed Fraud: FBI Boston Steps In as Scams Escalate
Posted by Sarah Carroll on 4/4/25 12:28 PM
Happy April and Spring to all! We have made it through another New England winter. The April showers will eventually bring us May flowers.
For the month of April, Tax Scams are on the rise across the US. Locally, a more sinister scam is on the rise, leaving hundreds of folks devastated financially in its wake. The FBI has issued a warning urging property owners and Real estate agents of Quit Claim Deed fraud (home theft) to avoid losing their property right from under them.
Tags: cybersecurity, cybersecurity training, online safety
Why Delaying a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) Could Be Your Business's Costliest Mistake
Posted by Ann Westerheim on 4/1/25 4:03 PM
A Written Information Security Plan (WISP)acts as your small business's shield against cyber threats, protecting both your data and financial health. Research shows 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses directly, making clear protocols and response strategies a must-have for your operations. Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report
Tags: service, disaster recovery, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, security risk assessment, ransomware recovery, SecurityBreach
The Cybercriminals' Playground: Navigating the Dangers of Tax Season
Posted by Sarah Carroll on 3/28/25 12:37 PM
As we embrace the Spring season and the promise of April showers bringing May flowers, we also enter the busy and often stressful time of tax season. This period sees a high volume of sensitive financial information being exchanged as individuals file their taxes in hopes of securing refunds. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are at their most active, tirelessly seeking ways to deceive taxpayers and exploit their financial situations.
Read MoreTags: phishing, Cybersecurity, email scams, cybersecurity
Regret to Resilience: What Small Businesses Learn After a Cyber Incident
Posted by Ann Westerheim on 3/25/25 3:11 PM
What to do after a cyber attack requires fast, strategic action to protect your business and stop further damage. A well-planned response can mean the difference between a brief disruption and a complete business shutdown that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Your response in the first 24 hours shapes your recovery path and impacts your ability to resume operations. This guide outlines the proven recovery methods that have helped businesses survive attacks and rebuild stronger, plus practical steps to prevent future incidents from harming your operations. You'll learn exactly which actions to take, who to call, and how to minimize both financial losses and operational downtime.
Tags: small business, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, incident response
No More Online Sales: Joann Fabrics Warns Customers of Website Scams
Posted by Sarah Carroll on 3/21/25 11:13 AM
For many that are local with us, we share the news of Joann Fabrics, a beloved brand in the fabric and crafting world, filed for bankruptcy in February 2025. After 82 years of serving creative minds across the United States, the company announced that it would be closing all its stores down for good. This marks the end of an era for a company that has been a staple in the crafting community for generations including friends, family and loved ones.
Read MoreTags: cybersecurity, online safety, WebsiteScams
Five Smart IT Cost Management Ideas for Growing Businesses
Posted by Ann Westerheim on 3/13/25 4:06 PM
IT spending choices directly impact your bottom line, with cloud solutions offering clear ways to control costs while building capabilities. Your technology investments - from email systems to cybersecurity tools - keep your company competitive without creating budget surprises. I recall a conversation I had with a client years ago - a local business owner with about 25 employees - he said; "Ann, I just need all my tech to work, and at a reasonable price". A lot has changed over the years - tech is so much more pervasive everywhere, and managing cyber risk is now a big part of it. But the bottom line is the same: IT spending choices directly impact your bottom line.
Read MoreTags: small business technology, cybersecurity