The 3 most important areas to discuss with your technology partner (jargon-free)

IT support is a technical job, and some of the language used can be a bit, well… technical.So here’s our jargon-free look at the 3 most important areas to discuss with your technology partner.
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tKnow IT Jargon Buster: Learn to talk Tech

Does IT jargon feel like an alien language? We steer clear of tech talk as much as possible when we’re working with our clients. But next time you need help with an IT issue, it could save you a lot of time if you have a few words of lingo in your locker.That’s why we’ve created our new, free IT Jargon Buster. It’s a great A-Z of just some of the terms you might hear when you’re talking with an IT expert.
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How do you stop programs loading at startup

One of the reasons windows can take ages to start can be due to the number of programs or apps trying launch automatically at startup. Over time you install programs and they decide they should add something to your startup list. Our new video shows how to manage this.
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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.
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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
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A clever way to replay notes you’ve scribbled on a document

Using Word, PowerPoint and Excel is so much fun now. Because there are so many things you can do with your documents.Like scribble notes on them. Perfect when you’re using a tablet.And did you know, there’s a functionality called Ink Replay that allows you to literally watch the exact moment you scribbled the note again.
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Your email is your greatest tool. And biggest threat

Because we rely on email so much to run our businesses, it’s our greatest tool (no matter how much you might sigh when you see how many unread emails you have).But because there’s so much activity in there. And you can receive emails from anyone, it’s the most common way to try to breach your business.Hackers are targeting every business, every day. Using clever automated tools.
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Hackers are targeting your business right now

This is 100% true because they are targeting all businesses,…
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Wouldn’t it be life changing to reach Inbox Zero… every day?

Wouldn't that be good. No emails at the end of each day. No worrying that you've missed something important.Or scrolling through the same emails again and again, when you'd rather be playing with your kids (doh!).Inbox Zero isn't reached by having fewer emails... that's really hard to achieve. Instead, you need to change the way you handle emails.
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What secrets are you giving away on social media?

Could a puppy get your business hacked?How lovely. Lisa in accounts has a brand new puppy.It's taking over her life. There are photos on her desk. It's all she seems to talk about. Hey - she even changed her password to include his name.And suddenly that puppy has become a security risk to your business.Because hackers are clever.
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5 terrifying password stats

Are poor password practices putting your business at risk?Our…
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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.

Beware that corrupted email attachment: It could be a scam

Cyber criminals get more creative every day. The latest scam designed to steal your business data uses corrupted Word files – and getting fooled is easier than you might think…

Are your employees your security’s weakest link?

Great employees have the same goals you do. But while they’re working hard to help your business succeed, they could accidentally be opening the door to cyber criminals. Here’s how to make your team your business’s strongest defence…

Bring Your Own Device: Dos and don’ts for your business

Do you let employees use their own phones, laptops, or tablets for work?That includes things like sending a quick email or updating a client account.If you do, it’s important to remember that personal devices often lack the security measures that work-issued devices have. To remain safe and secure, you MUST have the right plans in place.Our latest guide and video explain the dos and don’ts of Bring Your Own Device. And how to create a strong policy that will keep your data protected.

The two big threats of doing business on public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere these days – cafés, airports, hotels, trains. It’s super convenient, especially for business travellers or anyone working remotely.But what if I told you that hopping on that free Wi-Fi could expose your business data to cyber criminals? That’s the reality of using unsecured public networks.When you connect to public Wi-Fi, you’re opening the door to scammers who know exactly how to exploit these networks. The two biggest threats you need to know about are called Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and Evil Twin attacks.Yes, they sound like something out of a spy movie… but they’re very real and can have serious consequences for your business.Let’s start with Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks. You’re sitting in a café, sending an email or logging in to your business bank account. You think your device is communicating directly with the Wi-Fi network, but in reality, a cyber criminal has inserted themself between you and the network.

FOMO is driving businesses to spend more on IT

What gives you FOMO (that’s “fear of missing out”)?Not being invited to a party? Missing out on dinner plans because of work?What about not having the latest business tech? That’s what does it for some people - and it’s driving up IT spends. But is the latest tech always a good investment?#FOMO #BusinessTech #KeepingUp

How many devices do you use every workday?

Are all the devices your team uses helping them stay productive – or hindering them? Every extra gadget means another thing to remember, charge, and carry. There’s a simple way to help streamline tech in your business…

This is why your business needs Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Standard comes with all the tools you need for a growing business, right?Well, not necessarily.You see, as your business grows, so do the risks. Your priority should be keeping your business protected from challenges like cyber attacks and data loss.Our latest video explains why upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium could be a good business investment.

Windows 11 uptake is at an all-time high – what are you waiting for?

If you’re still attached to Windows 10, now’s the right time to upgrade. Here’s why…

Time saver: Auto-launch your favourite Windows 11 apps

Imagine starting your PC and your favourite apps open automatically. It’s a small change that could save you a lot of time. Here’s how to make it happen…
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