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.
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
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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.
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
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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.

Bloatware: Why your new computer is slower than it could be

You get a new computer and you start to unpack it and plug it in – it can be exciting (for something related to a computer anyway) You then switch it on for the first time and discover, once you get through all the initial question and answer section that the machine is full of software you don’t need or want. This is called bloatware.

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.

Get more done in less time – your 2021 productivity guide

Have you set your goals for 2021. Maybe, after last year, the goal is to maintain a decent profit or maybe you've set your goals a little higher. The focus will be on maintaining or increasing sales and profitability.

Merry Christmas from tKnowIT – Let’s make 2021 virus-free

Seasons Greeting to one and all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Although it may be a challenge this Christmas try to have fun if you can and avoid clicking on those phishing links, opening those ‘too good to be true’ emails.

4 ways to make your video calls better in 2021

Love them or hate them, it looks like video calls - Teams, Zoom, etc will continue into 2021. With a few tweaks you can improve your calls significantly with just a few small tweaks. There are four areas to pay attention to. Our new video will show you what to do and how to do it.

4 signs you’re under attack from ransomware

A ransomware attack is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to your business. This is the computer attack where a hacker locks you out of your systems and data. And you must pay a ransom, typically in Bitcoin, to get access again. What most people don’t realise is that hackers access your system weeks before they launch the attack. It takes time for them to set it up, and prevent IT security experts from helping. So there are signs to look out for – ways to spot if your system has already been breached, and an attack is imminent. Download our brand new guide and know how to keep your business safe.

Starting a new business – Don’t buy the wrong laptop and other tips

If you are thinking of starting a business then, at some point, you will probably need to consider a computer and that will, most likely, be a laptop. Browse online shopping sites or wander into your local electrical retailer chain and you will see shelves of laptops, possibly in different colours and slightly different sizes but otherwise nothing to distinguish one from another, other than a load of numbers, acronyms and a price tag.

Look out for the Covid-19 scams that can steal your data

There are those who will exploit any situation and that includes cyber-criminals during the pandemic. In lockdown many people will turn to social media for advice, news, and so on. Working from home may mean that you are using machines that haven't the same level of protection or you don't have colleagues in the same office to ask for advice. Our new video will show you scams that you and your work colleagues should watch out for - at work and at home - share it with others- the more people who know what to look out for the less chances for the cyber-criminals to get their way.

Are you ready for working from anywhere?

2020 threw a massive curveball at us. After the urgent rush to work from home in March, many businesses now have some staff still at home, with others in the office. And it’s looking like (cliché alert) this will be the “new normal”. Seeing as we don’t know what the next few years have in store us, this is a great time to make sure that all of your team can work from anywhere, on any device, any time. That gives you maximum flexibility and minimum future disruption. We’ve put together a brand new guide to show you the most important things to consider with a permanent flexible working arrangement for your people.