Help plan 2021 with Microsoft Planner

Microsoft 365 has some amazing productivity and collaborative tools already built in.Did you know that within Teams there’s a useful project planning tool?Watch our short video for the lowdown on how to use Microsoft Planner.
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What does ransomware mean to you?

It's one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.. but what does it mean to you? Ransomware can be scary. What if you switch on your work computer tomorrow morning and instead of the screen you normally see, the screen goes totally red. Your then shown a message saying that your business's data has all been locked and that the only way to retrieve it will be to pay thousands in Bitcoin. Statistics suggest is not a rare event. It happens to businesses every day - everywhere - even in Ryedale. Every business is at risk. And it can be one of the hardest things for us as your IT support company to fix. We’ve written a brand new guide.
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Is your phone system ready for the hybrid workplace?

When was the last time you upgraded your business phone system?If it’s been 5 years or more, then you’re overdue an upgrade.You probably update your laptop and mobile phone every few years. Business phones are no different.Designed to work in the office, from home or on the move, watch our new video to see the benefits from installing a 2020 VoIP system for your business.
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tKnowITman

Working From Home: Slow Internet? Try hotspotting your phone

I've had a few people saying that their broadband is slower than normal at home. This can be because you are normally not working from home at this time of day but more likely due to the increased volume of people using the internet for surfing, watching Netflix, Prime, YouTube, etc. First, try rebooting the router, check the microfilters on phone outlets and try an ethernet cable if wi-fi is poor. If you are using a laptop over wi-fi and you also have a smartphone with a decent 4G signal then try creating a local HotSpot on the phone and then connect your laptop to the hotspot rather than your normal router. See if things run any quicker Remember to check your data tariff and allowance though
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tKnowIT: Services mostly as usual

With the latest announcement from the government, it is important that you know that tKnowIT is able to provide you with your normal IT support, monitoring and maintenances services. This includes businesses who currently don't have a support agreement with tKnowIT but need help on a pay as you go basis. tKnowIT can help with IT systems, assistance with staff working from home, auditing and securing their machines, etc. It is sad to see so many businesses are having to shut their doors until this all blows-over but I’m in the fortunate position that a lot of IT tasks can be performed remotely.
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MS Teams: Here’s how to make project communication as easy as possible

Managing multiple projects with lots of different contributors can be a real headache.Unless you use one of the world’s favourite collaboration tools – that you may already be paying for.
Read more

New Utility: Has your email address been stolen?

Has your email address been stolen?We have put together a new tool for you to use for free that can tell you if your email address has been stolen.If it has been stolen you can use the contact form to request more information from us.
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Office 365: Checking for updates

Start MS Word Click File menu option then click Account Click Update Options followed by Update Now A message will then appear
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Windows 10: How to check for updates

Click Windows flag in bottom left corner of screen then click on the cog Click on Update & Security Click the Check for updates button
Read more

Help plan 2021 with Microsoft Planner

Microsoft 365 has some amazing productivity and collaborative tools already built in.Did you know that within Teams there’s a useful project planning tool?Watch our short video for the lowdown on how to use Microsoft Planner.
Read more

What does ransomware mean to you?

It's one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.. but what does it mean to you? Ransomware can be scary. What if you switch on your work computer tomorrow morning and instead of the screen you normally see, the screen goes totally red. Your then shown a message saying that your business's data has all been locked and that the only way to retrieve it will be to pay thousands in Bitcoin. Statistics suggest is not a rare event. It happens to businesses every day - everywhere - even in Ryedale. Every business is at risk. And it can be one of the hardest things for us as your IT support company to fix. We’ve written a brand new guide.
Read more

Is your phone system ready for the hybrid workplace?

When was the last time you upgraded your business phone system?If it’s been 5 years or more, then you’re overdue an upgrade.You probably update your laptop and mobile phone every few years. Business phones are no different.Designed to work in the office, from home or on the move, watch our new video to see the benefits from installing a 2020 VoIP system for your business.
Read more
tKnowITman

Working From Home: Slow Internet? Try hotspotting your phone

I've had a few people saying that their broadband is slower than normal at home. This can be because you are normally not working from home at this time of day but more likely due to the increased volume of people using the internet for surfing, watching Netflix, Prime, YouTube, etc. First, try rebooting the router, check the microfilters on phone outlets and try an ethernet cable if wi-fi is poor. If you are using a laptop over wi-fi and you also have a smartphone with a decent 4G signal then try creating a local HotSpot on the phone and then connect your laptop to the hotspot rather than your normal router. See if things run any quicker Remember to check your data tariff and allowance though
Read more

tKnowIT: Services mostly as usual

With the latest announcement from the government, it is important that you know that tKnowIT is able to provide you with your normal IT support, monitoring and maintenances services. This includes businesses who currently don't have a support agreement with tKnowIT but need help on a pay as you go basis. tKnowIT can help with IT systems, assistance with staff working from home, auditing and securing their machines, etc. It is sad to see so many businesses are having to shut their doors until this all blows-over but I’m in the fortunate position that a lot of IT tasks can be performed remotely.
Read more

MS Teams: Here’s how to make project communication as easy as possible

Managing multiple projects with lots of different contributors can be a real headache.Unless you use one of the world’s favourite collaboration tools – that you may already be paying for.
Read more

New Utility: Has your email address been stolen?

Has your email address been stolen?We have put together a new tool for you to use for free that can tell you if your email address has been stolen.If it has been stolen you can use the contact form to request more information from us.
Read more

Office 365: Checking for updates

Start MS Word Click File menu option then click Account Click Update Options followed by Update Now A message will then appear
Read more

Windows 10: How to check for updates

Click Windows flag in bottom left corner of screen then click on the cog Click on Update & Security Click the Check for updates button
Read more

If you have a Windows 7 machine and you use it for business, you MUST replace it by the end of this year.
Why? Because it’ll be a major target for hackers in January next year (2020).
This is a serious threat to many businesses in Ryedale and beyond. It will leave their entire computer network open to hackers.
We’ve created a new short video to tell you why it’s such a problem, and why you mustn’t wait too long to replace your old tech. Remember what happened when the NHS were still running Windows XP?
To comply with GDPR you should also have a plan to replace any machines running windows 7.

It might have only just turned 2019. But we want you to look ahead to next January, in 2020.
Because there’s a major software problem on the way… and it’s going to affect half of all businesses and organisations in Ryedale.
In January 2020 Microsoft is ending the life of lots of old versions of popular software.
This includes the 2010 version of Office, some popular server software – and Windows 7.
If you have even one computer that runs any of this software, you’ve got a major headache from next January.
In fact, your business will be at severe risk of being hacked, as well as no longer being GDPR-compliant.
We’ve put together a brand new guide to help you see if your business will be affected – anyone can check, regardless of technical ability.
Plus we tell you why you mustn’t wait till next year to take action. This problem has to be tackled now.

21 ways to help your staff get more done, in less time – with Office 365
Do you already use Microsoft Office 365 in your business?
Lots of people already do. It’s now got 120 million active users across the world. And 50,000 small businesses sign up every month.

Does your IT always need fixing? It’s time for a Proactive IT Partner

If you or your current IT support company are always fixing your tech then it's probably time to consider an IT partner who can proactively prevent problems.Download and read our latest guide that highlights the benefits for your business of a more proactive approach to your tech.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

What is multi-factor authentication (MFA)? MFA is one of several simple security measures you can use to raise the protection level for your business. Our latest video explains what, how and who you need to start using it in your business.

Microsoft 365: 10 Apps you didn’t know you had

Boost productivity, save time, and improve customer experienceMicrosoft 365 has many features to be discovered. Most businesses get it just to access Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams. And then they discover there are so many other apps included.Find the right ones and you can save time, increase productivity and motivation, and create a smoother workflow for everyone in your business. With more of us working remotely, that’s never been more important.we’ve put together a useful guide. Here are the 10 Microsoft 365 apps we think every business should look closely at.

Global chip shortage – plan ahead for new hardware

You may have heard that there is a global shortage of microchips. Microchips are in most of the tech we use today - not just laptops.A perfect storm of events have come together and it is causing problems with the supply of tech equipment.Our new video explains which you should be planning ahead and ordering things now that you may need in the next six months rather than the day before.

See how one click could shutdown your business

If your business uses computerised systems and let's face it, most do, one of the biggest risks to it these days is ransomware. Hackers break into your IT systems and lock your files and hold your data to ransom.One click is all it can take to start the shutdown of your business. Without access to data many businesses can be unable to operate.We asked a certified ethical hacker to break into three computers using different types of attack. He filmed it from both ends – as the hacker, and what was happening on his victims’ machines.

Is your biggest security threat to your business on your payroll?

Insider attacks on your business -  the costs and your strategy to prevent insider attacksMost insider attacks are not malicious, stead they are accidental, but the chances of attacks coming from inside your business are high.A member of staff clicking on a bad link by mistake is all it takes.But there are some attacks caused by malicious attackers, deliberately looking to do damage to your systems, or make money.Both of these kinds of attacks can be prevented and minimised by focusing on five key areas in your IT strategy.Read our new guide now to assess how prepared your business is.

What to do if you click a bad link on your phone

What should you do if you click a bad link on your mobile phone?Many of us have done it and then realised it wasn't what we thought it was.  What might have done in the background on your phone?The first thing is not to panic. But, you must then quickly take action.Take a look at out latest video for help

9 Types of Malware – an easy to read guide

There are billions of malware variants and all businesses are being target by them, all the time.Malware is malicious software that is design to either damage or steal your dataWe've written an easy to read (hopefully) guide to the top nine most common types on malware.

OneDrive as a portable scanner

Working from home, working away from the office and suddenly realised you need to print, sign and scan a document but don't have a scanner.Microsoft 365 has an answer.The App on your phone has a scanner built into it if you have the 365 app installed.Watch the video to see how easy it is