The US government has issued a warning about the possibility of foreign entities engaging in hostile cyber operations against the US, due to the severe economic sanctions that have been imposed. These entities engages in malicious cyber activities to enable broad-scope cyber espionage, to suppress certain social and political activity, to steal intellectual property, and to harm regional and international adversaries. Go2IT Basic Recommendations: Use strong passwords and change passwords to network systems and accounts on a frequent basis, keeping the password change duration as short as possible. Passwords for several accounts should not be reused or shared. Protect login credentials - do not store passwords on computers or servers Avoid utilizing public Wi-Fi networks and always utilize secure networks. Unsolicited communication via email, text, or social media from someone you don't know personally should be avoided. In these mails, do not click on hyperlinks or open attachments. Notify Go2IT immediately of any issues, even if you are unsure of the severity Training for your employees: We offer options for training users on information security concepts and procedures, as well as overall new cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities. This type of training should be done on a regular basis. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more. The key to securing your business's digital presence is to have a solid security procedure in place
The Go2IT Group is proud to be a Gold sponsor of The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce's 8th Annual Business Expo on November 4, 2021, at Tom’s Country Place from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm. This EXPO provides a fantastic opportunity for local businesses and attendees to learn about one another and network. We look forward to seeing everyone this
WHAT EXACTLY IS CLOUD COMPUTING AND HOW DO YOU USE IT? Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet. These resources include tools and applications like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software. As long as an electronic device has access to the web, it has access to the data and the software programs to run it. Cloud computing depends on resource sharing, rather than using local servers or individual devices to host applications. It mostly only allows the application software to function when internet enabled devices are used. There are four types of Cloud Computing you should learn about because they serve a broad range of functions over the internet- like virtual and storage servers: applications and authorization for desktop applications. THE PUBLIC CLOUD Public cloud is best for businesses which have requirements that require managing the load; host application that is, Software-as-a-Service and manage applications which are used by many users. Public cloud computing is very economical because it has few capital overheads and operational costs. THE PRIVATE CLOUD This is also known as the internal cloud. In private cloud, cloud computing services are offered on a cloud-based secure environment. The environment is usually protected by a firewall governed by an IT department which belongs to a particular organization. In private cloud, the user is given a greater and di
A promising new technology trend is on the rise. Internet Of Things, or IoT. Have you heard of it? Many “things” are now being built with WiFi connectivity, meaning they can be connected to the Internet, and to each other. The Internet of Things is a way of the future and has already enabled devices, home appliances, cars and much more to be connected to and exchange data over the Internet. As consumers, we’re already using IoT and may not even realize it. We can lock our doors remotely, preheat ovens on our way home, track our fitness on our watches. However, businesses also have much to gain now and in the near future. The IoT can enable better safety, efficiency and decision making for businesses as data is collected and analyzed. It can enable predictive maintenance, speed up medical care, improve customer service, and offer benefits we haven’t even imagined yet. We’re only in the beginning stages of this new technology trend: Forecasts suggest that by 2030 an average of 50 billion of these IoT devices will be in use around the world, creating a massive web of interconnected devices spanning everything from smartphones to kitchen appliances. The global spending on the Internet of Things (IoT) is forecast to reach 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022. If you wish to step foot in this trending technology, you will have to learn about Information security, AI and machine learning fundamentals, networking, hardware
Technology now allows businesses to go beyond their staff when seeking expert knowledge on everything business-related. Companies can hire outside contractors, perform specialized tasks such as SEO digital marketing, managed IT, network security, or just to run social media campaigns. These outsourcing and contracting tools provide businesses with flexibility, which changes the traditional dynamics of hiring long-term skilled labor. Thus, your staff can remain focused on their expertise and leave other tasks to the experts. The first step in finding the ideal IT specialist is recognizing there is no such thing as finding an expert in everything. There are many roles within the IT industry with countless niches and specialties. Analyzing the needs of your business is key to determining the exact IT role you are looking to fill. At the Go2IT Group, we have an expert for all of your needs. Specializing in Managed IT, Network Security, Cloud Solutions, Data Backup and so much more, we’re always here to help. Our service technicians work nationwide so you’re never alone when you have a problem or just a simple question. To be truly successful in business, IT professionals need both the technical expertise and soft skills. You need to be able to effectively collaborate with others, interact with different personalities, navigate corporate politics, and be able to communicate the value of their services or ideas to the rest of the team. Passion
One of the biggest problems the average small business faces when it comes to cybersecurity is their reliance on consumer-grade technologies in their business networks. With minimal investments of time and money, small businesses can dramatically decrease their odds of being victimized by a cyber-attack. Of course, it's also a good idea to complement these measures with a training program that teaches all employees what threats to watch out for online. That way, both the infrastructure and the workforce will be able to work together to make sure that next year's small business cybersecurity statistics don't look as bad as they have to date. If all stakeholders work together, small businesses don't have to be under such an extreme threat ever again. There are a variety of comprehensive and low-cost business cloud backup solutions that can do the job, and they should remain isolated from things like ransomware attacks if configured the right way. You need to make sure that you have high-quality protection in place against digital threats. As if the pandemic has not caused enough challenges for businesses, it has also led to a sharp increase in cyber attacks, so businesses need to consider their cybersecurity. A few worthwhile upgrades might include: Password managers VPN Firewall Antivirus software / Endpoint Protection Offsite Data Backup In today's complex digital threat landscape, no amount of network-edge security will ever suffice. For t
Have you ever been confused about memory vs. storage? Are they the same or different? Which is more important to the computer? Many computer users consider memory and storage to be the same thing. If you are unsure about the difference between them, this post should clarify for you. The term memory refers to the component within your computer that allows for short-term data access. You may recognize this component as RAM, or random-access memory. Your computer performs many operations by accessing data stored in its short-term memory. Some examples of such operations include editing a document, loading applications and browsing the internet. The speed and performance of your system depends on the amount of memory that is installed on your computer. Memory, as the link between the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and data in your computer, is the most essential element of a computing system. Memory consists of main memory and cache, while the main memory includes two types: RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is volatile memory while the ROM non-volatile memory. Storage is the component of your computer that allows you to store and access data on a long-term basis. Usually, storage comes in the form of a solid-state drive or a hard drive. Storage houses your applications, operating system and files for an indefinite period. Computers need to write information and read it from the storage system so the
When it comes to how computers waste energy, most consumption stems from personal habits. This is especially true when it comes to miscellaneous electrical load (MEL). MEL is a phenomenon that occurs when devices and electronics around the home or office burn unnecessary wattage, causing your energy bill to rise. The majority of computers are subject to MEL because they are often plugged in for extended amounts of time. It’s been said that business owners should consider taking stronger steps to reduce their environmental impact. Switching to energy-efficient equipment and appliances is a smart way to reduce your environmental impact while also reducing your energy costs. You could take even stronger action by using solar power, which can be at a cost upfront but helps you to make enormous savings and will allow you to position yourself as a green company (something that appeals greatly to modern-day consumers.) If this option is not feasible to your company, there are some other ways (even for your home) to reduce your PC power consumption: Disconnect your external devices Use a smart strip, especially for computers you cannot turn off Adjust your computer's energy settings Shutdown and unplug your computer when not in use Use a charger only when charging your laptop And should you be in the market for a new PC, choose one that's Energy Star compliant Most people con
Scammers often take advantage of health scares to distribute phishing scams. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce dozens of such campaigns, scaring recipients into clicking on harmful links or attachments in emails, text messages or social media posts. Examples of COVID-19 Scams Fabricated notices from health organizations (e.g., the CDC or local/state health departments) Fake updates from an employer about policies or procedures to address the risk Phony websites containing maps and dashboards Information about protecting yourself, your children or your community that contains malicious links or attachments Charitable appeals to help victims of the virus, which are not legitimate Requests to send checks or change bank account routing numbers to different addresses because of working from home How to Protect Against COVID-19/Coronavirus Scams Be vigilant for COVID-19/coronavirus scams during the coming weeks. If you suspect a message may be a phishing scam, please report it by sending an email to helpdesk@go2itgroup.com, or calling us direct at 440-471-8210 option 4. Always double check the actual sending address of an email, not just the name. Legitimate email accounts can also become hijacked, so if any sensitive information is ever asked for, reach out to your contact on a verified phone number that you have worked with in the past. If ever in doubt, never hesitate to reach out to
With the world discovering alternative ways to work without human contact, the work from home force is getting a facelift. Companies must cope with most non-essential workers completing their work at home. Amidst a pandemic, could your productivity working from home actually be better? A recent survey by Mercer, a human resources and workplace benefits firm, showed 94 percent of 800 employers indicated productivity was the same or higher with their employees working remotely. Employees report feeling more productive. So how can you ensure your employees have the tools they need to complete their daily tasks? Here are six ways you can keep your team productive while they are working from home or in the field Equip your team with tech and productivity tools Establish daily check-ins Encourage dedicated workspaces Provide emotional and steady support Dress for success- even if at home Don't forget about non-work interactions and team building When working remotely, employees can use tools, such as Office 365, to keep track of their time throughout the workday and to keep a detailed record of what they do throughout the day. Employees should also be overly communicative of their availability with their co-workers by letting them know their plans. Office 365 is a great platform for remote working. Stay in contact with all of your team members by using Microsoft Teams. Teams allows you to not only chat, but video conference, sha